Jul 27: Grabow allowed two homers in two innings of relief Sunday afternoon, taking the loss against San Diego.

Recommendation: He’d given up just one run in eight prior July appearances (11.1 innings). The Pirates closer situation figures to evolve between Grabow, Tyler Yates and maybe even Denny Bautista. Manager John Russell has a stated preference of going with one pitcher as his closer but none of his pitchers really fit that profile, making none of them a good bet.

I just picked him up, could that have been his first and only game to get a save?

What side do you like?

Ollie has been retarded since Warthen became pitching coach and changed some shit.

@SaltyBiscuits: Baker

@BSA: Ubaldo’s solid for now, but, as always, home games can be dicey. I don’t see anyone there to drop for him though.

For next week…

Pelfrey @ FLA
Parra vs CHC
Baker vs CHW

Pick one.

My lead just grew to 14 points.

The 2nd place guy said something like this “Your 2 trades for justin and atkins and picking up dye pretty well did me in, I’m just playing for 2nd now.”

Razzball does it again.

@BJ Ryan

Yeah, you want Hairston. Drop Francisco.

@Nick: I’m starting Greinke tomorrow, but if he can’t handle the A’s then I’ll have to cut him on a few teams.

Who do you think will have a better second half – Tex or Howard? My assessment would be about equal with Tex hitting for better average?

@knighttown: Your pitching and outfield are a bit lacking as the Baron pointed out. Trade some of the closers for a solid starter. Shields, Lackey, Billingsley, etc or a solid outfielder — Markakis, Upton, Abreu, etc.

It had to be said. He left it hanging out there like a dangling Hamels.

Baked when ya shouda waked, wakeNbake.

Actually, I can’t blame ya for dropping him, just dumb luck.

Of all possibilities here, I’d offer Markakis and Grandy for Braun. I doubt it will work, but that’s what I’d want to end up with, if you need HR. I don’t think Wright for Sizemore is the right move — Wright’s as likely to hit as many or more HRs before season’s end.

@knighttown: Your infield looks fine. I’d want another starter if I was you — I’d fish for Matt Cain or Lackey or maybe Chris Young.

Oswalt is an unknown quantity at this point, Lilly is a 3rd/4th guy at best, and Volquez is currently reading The Corrections. I’d want a solid guy you can plug in every 5th day and not worry too much about. James Shields, maybe?

Go find the guy in your league who most needs saves, then try to pry loose his second best pitcher. Anyone under the Peavy/Webb/Haren/Santana tier should be obtainable with a closer + lesser starter like Campillo.

Or do the same thing with OF — pair a closer with Dye and see what that brings back. Someone like Alex Rios should be attainable.

@BigFatHippo: That’s just cruel.

I think he likes his new role.

wakeNbake, at least you get that, if you had him in your lineup.

SP- Peavy, Oswalt, Lilly, Filthy, Parra, Volquez, Campillo
OF- Dunn, Dye, Ibanez, Tatis, Swisher
IF- Upton, A-Rod, Howard, Rollins, Aviles/Polanco, Fielder
C- Ianetta

I’d like to upgrade OF or MI or maybe SP

If you can get Braun and Sizemore for Wright, Markakis AND Grandy, more power to you.

I don’t think he’d do it.

“Fernando Rodney, RP DET
News: MLB.com reports that Tigers manager Jim Leyland announced before Sunday’s game against the White Sox that RP Fernando Rodney will take over from RP Todd Jones as the team’s closer.
Analysis: Jones had closed for Detroit the last 2 1/2 years, but blew his third save in 22 chances Friday night, and that was apparently enough for Leyland to make the move to Rodney. Jones has a 4.99 ERA and only three saves in July, so he wasn’t exactly pleasing his Fantasy owners. Jones could regain the job down the road, so hold on to him in deeper AL-only leagues, but only if you have the room. Rodney’s ownership will certainly zoom up from the current three percent, and he is now a viable No. 2 closer in all mixed leagues, even if he has only converted 21 of 42 save opportunities in his career.

Ha

Went to RCL first cause I have like, 5 closers in my other league. Then added him in the other league just to piss em off.

Then I came here.

Then I went to my Other League and grabbed Rodney.

Then I went to the RCL.

Ah well — I needed him in my Other League, after losing Rauch and Marte.

SWEET!

Thanks, JR!