Cubs, Indians Bust, Still Take Another Hit
September 07, 2009
Category: Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes
Alfonso Soriano is out indefinitely with knee problems. Backdate this news three months. Al-So is beginning to look like every bit of his Latin 33 age. A real *pinkie to mouth* Al-so ran. I’d drop Soriano in all leagues. So it’s Jakie Foxx time, right?! Since Soriano’s been gone, Sam Fuld (no power, light speed) got two starts, Bobby Scales (minor league journeyman) got two starts, Fox hasn’t had one start. In other news, Jake Fox slept with Piniella’s wife. As for Grady Sizemore… Early last week I said Sizemore’s injury would shut him down sooner than later. Sooner happened over the weekend. Grady’s done for the season and the Indians will go with Michael Brantley. Hey, ain’t that the guy from Riverdance? Nope, but he also has quick feet. Like Ron LeFlore, Brantley could provide some cheap speed. Right now, he’s batting first and hitting close to .400 since his call up. If there’s room in your bottle, there’s your lightning. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Chris Iannetta – The Rockies announced Torrealba will be their starting catcher. I.e., the Rockies finally gave up on Iannetta. So bad, so sad.
Johnny Cueto – 6 IP, 1 ER, 9 Ks. Now has two solid games back from his Disgraceful List stint. While he has a name like a high school bully character from an 80s movie (Shut up, geek!), Cueto could have decent value in the last month.
Jay Bruce – Should return from his DL stint on Tuesday. If he’s out there, I’d grab him, but don’t expect a miracle. Bruce had three hits on Saturday in Triple-A, but Dusty Baker said, “There is more to being ready than just hits.” Hmm… Maybe that’s why the Reds are dead last in the major leagues in hits.
Drew Stubbs – HR yesterday. Now has 4 homers in the last seven games with one steal. Has 23 Ks and 25 hits since his call up. That’s Dusty Ball!
Tim Hudson – 7 IP, 1 ER, 6 Ks vs. Reds. See above for why this was a terrific match-up.
Jeremy Guthrie – 7 IP, 0 ER, 6 Ks. I had a brief love affair with Guthrie last year. It ended poorly in the beginning of this year, but then last month I saw he threw a solid game and I texted him that I was glad he was back on track. He responded with “Thx.” I hate when people abbreviate thanks. They should respond with, “I don’t appreciate you enough to write out thanks.” Then Guthrie threw another good game and another and another. We may not be on the best of terms and the Orioles schedule is ugly in September, but if you’re really hurting, Guthrie has four straight solid starts and might have more in the tank.
Derek Holland – 3 1/3 IP, 6 ER A.K.A. why I wouldn’t trust Holland this year.
Leo Nunez – No outs recorded, 3 ER. Now has blown two games in his last three opportunities. May lose some save chances in the near future, but, unfortunately, Lindstrom hasn’t been much better. Maybe Kiko Calero takes his awesome sounding name and does something with it. Though, I doubt it.
Ryan Franklin – 1/3 IP, 2 ER as he blew his 1st save since June. Normally, that would mean he’s as secure as they come, but the Cards can’t afford to lose games in the ninth and I’d imagine LaRussa will have another guy warming up as Franklin takes the mound next time.
Wade Davis – 7 IP, 1 ER, 9 Ks. Might have a solid couple of starts in his arm for this month, but he can roofie you at any time. Eric Karabell calls that high risk, high reward. He’s so smart!
Fernando Rodney – Got two days off on Saturday and Sunday. Leyland’s saying it was just some rest in the long season. I think it’s because Rodney fired a 97 MPH fastball into the press box after saving Friday’s game. Incredibly, members of the press were able to make a split second decision to leave the nachos and duck. Lyon may have some appeal if you’re hurting for saves.
J.P. Howell – No outs recorded, 1 ER. More disconcerting, Grant Balfour opened the ninth in a save situation. Howell then entered to face a lefty, then gave way to Russ Springer, who gave up the grand slam to Brandon Inge. It’s a closerousel, and the Tampa closer is Grant P. Springler.
Gordon Beckham – Sat out yesterday with a sore side. He should be back in a few games to make his run at .250 while hitting a homer every fifth game.
Krispie Young – 3 HRs yesterday. Now he just needs to get 20 homers and 20 steals while batting .600 the rest of this month to salvage his season.
Cole Hamels – 6 IP, 4 ER, 6 Ks. On the bright side, he should be a relative bargain next year.
Seth Smith – 2 HRs, giving him 4 in the last five games as he hits near .600 in the last week and his Grandpappy settled Jamestown.
Carlos Gonzalez – HR yesterday. He’s hitting near .400 in the last week with 3 homers and 3 steals. Like Kyle Blanks’s afro, CarGo’s well rounded.
Doug Fister – 5 IP, 1 ER, 5 Ks and a no decision. Confession: I’m way under my innings limit in one league, so I gambled on Fister. Plus, I always dreamed of having someone with a porn name on my team.
Brad Hawpe – The Rockies scored 13 runs and Hawpe went 0-for-3 with 2 runs. Ticker Tease!
Pablo Sandoval – 1-for-3, and 3 walks, which is the same amount of walks he got in all of April. In the same game, a triple play. Obviously, there was two full moons in Milwaukee yesterday.
Randy Ruiz – Hit in the cheek with a pitch. The cheek you pinch if you’re an Italian mother, not the cheek you pinch if you’re Italian who drives an IROC. Ruiz will probably miss a few games. After the game, he said, “I’m fine now. Nothing growing up in New York City that I haven’t experienced.” I grew up in New Jersey. There you get hit by the strong stench of Drakkar.
September 7th, 2009 at 2:20 am
A mere 16 starts left – sit Scherzer v LA?
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September 7th, 2009 at 6:04 am
Do you realize how many bottles of Drakkar are still in our house? They were gifts! Like candy!
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September 7th, 2009 at 6:08 am
I am sitting Beckett Bills Oswalt for Feldman Wolf J Johnson in H2H weekly.
Playoffs in 2 weeks. Just need to make sure I secure a spot. That horrid week with Beckett knocked me out of 2nd.
Thankfully I am playing the last place time this week. Of course, I will probably lose since it like to work that way.
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September 7th, 2009 at 6:27 am
yeah,cubs and mets big disappointments this year,better watch out for the rockies with thier improved pitching and young studs
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September 7th, 2009 at 6:55 am
Johnny Cueto – he can’t be trusted ! haven’t us fantasy owners taken enough punishment from him already
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September 7th, 2009 at 6:56 am
Krispie Young – with any luck he will be able to maintain his 191 ave
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September 7th, 2009 at 6:58 am
Derek Holland – 3 1/3 IP, 6 ER A.K.A. why I wouldn’t trust Holland this year. should be why I wouldn’t trust Holland next year
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September 7th, 2009 at 7:01 am
brainwashing, cult mind control topic for today is – I MUST PICK UP Seth Smith – i MUST PICK UP Seth Smith
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September 7th, 2009 at 7:03 am
Joe Torre alba 77
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September 7th, 2009 at 7:32 am
What’s Alfonso’s keeper status for next year? About what range?
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September 7th, 2009 at 7:40 am
@Corey: i dont see any keeper value in soriano,250-260 hitter 310 obp with 25+ hr and 75-80 rbi with 10-15 steals,plus he is so streaky,i sure wouldnt want to count on him,id rather go for a young guy with upside like cargo,garrett jones type,maybe seth smith if the rockies give him a fulltime gig
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September 7th, 2009 at 8:10 am
This is going to be a little long. With Sizey going under the knife I’m a little thin on hitters to plug in for the playoffs. However, I’m ass deep in pitching and feel like I have to let a good guy go. Please analyze the following. Which pitcher to drop, which hitter to add for the next four weeks:
Pitchers to drop: Jair Jurrjens, Pineiro, Sanchez?
The rest of my staff is Nolasco, Bills, Wainwright, Greinke, Ubaldo.
Hitters available: CarGo, M. Diaz, Seth Smith, Span, D. Stubbs, Pie, Dukes, Reimold, Pods, Milledge
6×5 (+OPS), ten team, h2h. thanks.
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September 7th, 2009 at 8:15 am
Gallardo is getting skipped…need a starter for my playoff match-up this week
Hammel vs CIN (Arroyo)
Huff vs KC (Davies)
Thanks
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September 7th, 2009 at 8:22 am
Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce
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September 7th, 2009 at 8:30 am
Is Price now a 2-start pitcher? If he is would you use him against NY and BOS?
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September 7th, 2009 at 8:37 am
Need a 2B for this week:
Martin Prado
E. Velez
Chris Getz (came back from the DL hot)
Juan Uribe
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September 7th, 2009 at 8:48 am
Need to choose between Beckham and Adam LaRoche. I know Beckham is hurting, but LaRoche sucks on the road. Do I roll the dice with Beckham or not?
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September 7th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Seth Smith or Angel Pagan this week?
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@Steve: I would.
@Dumbmutt: Ha!
@AL KOHOLIC: Yeah, imagine their pitching in Dodgers Stadium.
@mr baseball: Ha!
@Corey: Barring any spring training health set backs, somewhere in the 60 to 75 range. And probably overrated at that.
@CocoPoolies: Pineiro to drop, CarGo to add.
@Commish Cauda (formerly Mike): Neither of those pitchers are appealing, but I’d go Huff.
@Telemachus: I wouldn’t.
@Commish Cauda (formerly Mike): Getz
@Commish Cauda (formerly Mike): I’d go with LaRoche.
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@Commish Cauda (formerly Mike): Smith
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September 7th, 2009 at 8:55 am
Grey, many thanks
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September 7th, 2009 at 8:58 am
It looks like it’s “Rest All of My Starters Week” in the MLB, just in time for my Fantasy Playoffs!! Meche, Gallardo, and Morrow all taking the week off. Well, Morrow is playing, but at Texas so I cut him ’cause that woulda been a no-go for me anyways.
I just added Bruce and DL’d him for now and now I’ve got an open spot. How do you feel about Correia at San Fran tomorrow?
If this was a Petco start I wouldn’t think twice but I can’t decide what to do on the raod..
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@anon: I’d start Correia there.
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September 7th, 2009 at 9:07 am
Buehrle and Richard worth starting today? Need #’s more than W-L.
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@vinko: I’d start Richard.
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September 7th, 2009 at 11:49 am
H2H with OBP…For the rest of the season:
Hawpe, Burrell, Bruce, Fragu? Pick 2
Howell, Nunez, MacDougal, Morales, Lyon, Myers? Pick 2
Andrus or Stewart?
Thanks!
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@struggler: Hawpe, Burrell, unless you need the occasional steal then FraGu. Nunez, MacDougal… Andrus…
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September 7th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Grey, check out my H2H playoff matchup. The other team has a pretty weak hitting lineup made even weaker now by Hamilton going out, but his pitching is INSANE
He has Verlander, Felix (2 starts), Sabathia (2), Burnett (2), Carpenter (2), Edwin Jackson, and Carmona in an 18 team league.
I have Wainwright (recently got him in a trade for Haren), Beckett (2), Ubaldo (2), Josh Johnson, Wade Davis, Tim Hudson, Clay Buccholz.
He has the better pitchers and a lot more starts. Do I have ANY chance at beating him straight up? Should I just rotate the Davis/Hudson/Buccholz slots for pickups and go for quantity?
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@Tom_Emanski: I’d go for quantity.
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September 7th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
P.S., my league has a 7 move limit per week. And he’s already off to a good start with CC and Beckett is sucking for me.
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September 7th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
I just dropped Thurston and Lovey’s youngster for Feldman, and The Riot for Andrus. Picking up two Rangers in one day makes me feel dirty, though…
Is anyone else starting Arroyo at Coors this week? Dude I’m playing has 8 starters, many of them double-dipping this week, so I don’t know if I have a choice.
Regarding real baseball, does anyone else feel like the AL Cy Young discussion begins and ends with Zack Greinke?
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September 7th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Shameful to tout Bruce given that he followed up the one day that he got three hits to go ofer on Sunday. Overall, for his four games of rehab he slugged a whopping .214. Cincy on the road this week where he has slugged .317 for the season. Nothing warrants recommended pickup. Maybe he sleeps with Pinella’s wife while in Chicago–yeah, that’s the ticket!
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September 7th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
@Grey: Update no one cares about: I just realized the guy forgot to start Carpenter and CC today! So now he just lost his 11-9 start advantage.
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@Tom_Emanski: I’d probably max the limit then. Seems like you have to.
@Lines: I don’t think I’d start Arroyo unless I was really pressed, sounds like you might be. Greinke seems all but a lock after his impressive post-ASB.
@Tom_Emanski: Oh, that changes things. Then I’d try for quality.
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September 7th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Is Porcello worth a spot start tomorrow vs the Royals?
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@Nick0rz: I wouldn’t.
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September 7th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
No Holland in September, what about next year? Worth owning?
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@Telemachus: Potentially, he has decent stuff.
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September 7th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Carlos Pena out for the rest of the year per Rotoworld.
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@nick m.: Thanks for the heads up!
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September 7th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
@Grey: Deunsing or Torres tomorrow (H2H)? I have Bills and Smoltz going already, so neither is also an option (although I’m 2-0 down in Wins already).
How the effin’ eff can a guy start Kyle Davies and get away with it?
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@Steve: I’d throw Torres.
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September 7th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
@Steve: The 6 BBs and 2+ whip might have hurt your opponent?
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September 7th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
@simply fred: Not as much as Gutierrez and Manship hurt me.
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September 7th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
@Steve: I like you. Am pulling for you. Feel pain when you take a hit. Sorry, friend, about bad fortune today.
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September 7th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
@Simply Fred: Ah – the week is but young.
Problem is I have a bunch of guys that are cadaver-cold: Morneau, A-Ram, Ibanez, S Drew, Votto. Even Utley has been pretty bad for a week or so now.
Hopefully they’ll realise the importance of what they’re doing and how annoyed I am. Indeed just this morning Grey and I were discussing dropping Ibanez and he promptly hit a home run…
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September 7th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
@Steve: That’s a cold deck. I was about to point out Ibanez waking up, but you beat me to it. Morneau broke a 0-19 with a hit today. Drew 2 for 3. Resurgence has begun!
(I sat cold Longoria and Cantu for mini-donkey and Zimmerman last week–not winning moves.)
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September 7th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
@Steve: BTW: Am a sailor myself and know New Zealand to be a land of sailors (and 2003 America’s Cup Champ). Do you get on the water?
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September 7th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
@Simply Fred: Edit, make that the 1995 winner (seemed like yesterday!)
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September 7th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
@Simply Fred: Only as a passenger/drinker/random rope-puller!
Yeah, we are a sailing nation – no one lives too far from the water here. The Americas Cup ride was great while it lasted. It seems, though, a once-great and venerable sporting competition has become a bit of a pissing contest. Too much time in the courts, not enough on the water.
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September 7th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
@Simply Fred: Yeah – won it in ’95, defended it in 2000 and lost it (to a syndicate from a land-locked country with a bunch of NZers on board) in 2003.
Reached the Cup match again in 2007 but lost.
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September 7th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
@Steve: “… a bit of a pissing contest”–spoken as a true New Zealander!
Doesn’t sound like one of your main interests. We’ll stick to base-a-ball.
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September 7th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
@Steve: So, not to rub it in (really), I thought Grey recommended yesterday to stay away from the Manship. What made you start him? (I go against the Greyness far too often.)
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September 7th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
@Simply Fred: Oh but I was an expert from 1995-2003!
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September 7th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
@Steve: OK, so you thought you were an expert. That “rope” you were holding was a “line.” You can fool some of the people some of the time…
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September 7th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
@Simply Fred: Was really that my opponent had a couple of starters going today and he was the best of what was left and in the H2H playoffs you can’t really sit on your hands.
And at 5-1 after four innings it was looking like a good decision.
Alas he wasn’t able to make it through 5.
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September 7th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
@Steve: Shizz happens.
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September 7th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
@Simply Fred: A sheet, even?
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September 7th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
@Steve: Ahhh, you are an expert! And, I will have to serve as your crew!!!
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September 7th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Hey Grey, I can’t help it, but every time I see Jay Bruce, he looks like Austin Kearns.
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@Steve: @Simply Fred: Ha! Nice convo.
@Steve @ MLB Fantasy Prospects: He does give off that odor.
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September 7th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
@Grey: Old-school Razzball (insert winking emoticon)
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September 7th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Chris Freakin Carpenter.
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September 7th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
hey grey – I know I can spent 50 messages or more in my league debating which stats works best for a fantasy baseball league If you were the commissioner of a league which stats do you feel are best – pitching and hitting for a league setup and you thought youy were going to get for the 100th time should I pick up Adam LaRoche if you hits a homerun the night before
Carlos Pena wow he took some shot in the hand by C C
for Carlos Pena owners always look at the bright side you might win batting ave for the first time in your league
When A. Sonnanstine pitches MLB should impose a mercy rule
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September 7th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Yahoo new rule – Fair Play and Sportsmanship
No owner should use Razzball – its a form of cheating
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September 7th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
B. Penny wins again – I quess he had trouble pitching with the redsoxs – he just could not get use to all that offense
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@mr baseball: Ha! NIce on Penny. I’d use 5×5. Average, Runs, RBIs, HRs, Steals… ERA, WHIP, Ks, Wins, Saves… Standard stuff, I know. But I’m into the classics.
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September 7th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
I’d use 5×5. Average, Runs, RBIs, HRs, Steals… ERA, WHIP, Ks, Wins, Saves… Standard stuff, I know. But I’m into the classic
one more thing – do you put any limits on moves in your league
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September 7th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
@Grey: You guys did a solid job of convincing me that one should not try to predict wins. I have come around to wondering why that should be a countable stat. ???
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September 7th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
kershaw is an idiot
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@mr baseball: No limits, 180 max starts.
@Simply Fred: What’s the alternative? A quality start? Then pitchers suddenly jump up your draft board yet they’re still as unpredictable. Also, where do you find information on who has the quality starts? Wins are easy to find and measure.
@big o: Yes, yes he is.
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September 7th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
@Grey: I understand that quality starts aren’t good either. It is just that each of the other stats seem to have some predictability about them. That is, if we crunch the numbers enough, we can get an edge. Wins are a standard category and I can live with the “excitement” of the unpredictability. Not a big deal. I was just interested in your thoughts and do appreciate them. Thank you.
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September 7th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
@Grey:
4 points out of 1st ….. 5 rbi would pick me up 2 points .
now must slide youk to 1st base and put j. fox @ 3rd (from bench) .
dependent on sweet lou … who’s playing fuld , (and almost anyone else) .
my season is over .
now , more than ever , i’d like to see the locker room footage where dibble cold-cocked pinella .
anyone got a link ??
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September 7th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
@big o:
edit *
cuz of pena
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September 7th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
@Grey:
am i better off with uribe , or mora , for that CI spot ?
uribe ?? …. batting 4th .
please , not kouz .
schmohawks , one and all .
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September 7th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
could go back to blalock .
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September 8th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
mr. jones
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