Zack Greinke won his 16th game yesterday pretty much the same way he won his other 15. In September, he has a .35 ERA. That’s two earned runs through 26 innings. Okay, recent-history lesson aside. The question I’ve been thinking on a lot lately is where will he be drafted next year. I think it’s fair to assume he’s moved in front of Johan and Sabathia. Webb and Peavy hit speedbumps this year and Halladay’s been his usual dominating self, but he never seems to get the fantasy love. I mean, Halladay was better than everyone last year but wasn’t drafted in front of them this year either. So that leaves Greinke and Lincecum. Lincecum’s proven; he’s a top 2nd round pick. So is Greinke a 2nd to 3rd rounder? On one hand, it seems implausible to me that Greinke’s going to go that early (this might be because I don’t draft pitchers that early). On the other hand, he’s earned it. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Psyche! Before we jump into the roundup, and, oh, we will be jumping, Rudy updated the master standings. With 114 points out of 120, Mowses is parting the rest of you Razzballers with his cane and giant beard. Unfortunately, he has no shot at 120 points. Damn. We hoped with 9 leagues that one would get 120. How many leagues do we need to have to foster a perfect season? We feel like Mr. Burns did when those monkeys he had pounding away at typewriters were only able to manage, “It was the best of times, it was the blurst of times.” Anyway, roundup time…
Shawn Camp – Got the save yesterday. Probably a combination of Frasor working two innings the day before, Downs being, well, down and the Blue Jays not having a lead until the tail end of the 8th inning when Camp was already warming up.
Matt Tuiasosopo – HR yesterday. Not much else to say, just wanted to write his last name.
Patrick Misch – 9 IP, 0 ER, 2 Ks. Game before he gave up 8 earned in 1 1/3 innings. Okay then.
Carlos Quentin – HRs in back-to-back games this weekend as he showed a glimpse of the player he was before you wanted to kill him.
Daniel Hudson – 6 IP, 2 ER, 4 Ks, 5 BBs. If only BBs stood for Brian Benben sightings. (1st Dream On reference of the day. There will be another one this afternoon. If you can guess this afternoon’s reference prior to posting, I will buy dinner for you and your family at Friendly’s. *fast, hard to understand voice* Offer available online only. Offer applies to contiguous 48 states. “Family” includes you and one other person. No cousins or nephews. Dinner includes a Fishamajig sandwich and a Fribble. Winner must pay tax and gratuity.)
Mariano Rivera – Got the save yesterday as ESPN reported the Yanks clinched. I wouldn’t be surprised if Hughes gets a save this week.
Chris Tillman – 2 IP, 6 ER. In one of my leagues, I reached 179 starts the other day, so of course I threw eight starts on Sunday. Damn you, Tillman. I hate being roofied.
Matt LaPorta – HR yesterday and he’s batting over .400 in the last week. Andy Marte is even starting to hit (.467 over the last week with a homer) as the Indians have the best record for the last three days, tied with three other teams. Small victories, Tribe fans, small victories.
Asdrubal Cabrera – 4-for-5, 3 RBIs as he finishes up a decent year (79/6/68/.308/17). Yes, it’s only decent because it’s at shortstop. Alcides Escobar, Elvis Andrus and EverCab should make shortstop a bit more interesting next year, but not that much. Asdrubal’s only 23 so I’ll be mildly touting him again next year.
Nick Markakis – Hit a homer on Friday after I put the reverse kavorka on him in Friday’s Buy/Sell. It was his only hit this weekend (1-for-11). (David Wright went 1-for-10 and sat out Sunday. Maybe you can have a 2nd Place Finish But Still Owned David Wright trophy made.)
Edwin Jackson – 7 IP, 5 ER. He’s had an August (4.45 ERA) and September (4.78 ERA) to forget, but you didn’t think he’d even have an April or May or June or July to remember, so don’t hate on him too hard as uncool people who are trying to sound cool would say.
Ryan Madson – 1 1/3 IP, 0 ER as he got the save. I’d say Madson’s going to get every Phillie save this week, but every time I say that Lidge reappears to blow a save.
Mike Cameron – Has hit a homer in the past two games that he’s started. This isn’t a “Hey, look at Cameron” thing as much as a “Hey, Gerut’s playing time is getting pinched by Cameron and Hart” thing. I know, just when you thought you couldn’t dislike Hart any more.
Francisco Liriano – 1 2/3 IP, 3 ER. After the game, Liriano asked for a reversal of his surgery — “I want Johnny Tom surgery!”
Orlando Cabrera – 3-for-5 yesterday, batting near .400 over the last week. If you need a shortstop, here ya go.
Randy Choate – Entered a losing game in the 8th, then Lance Cormier got the save as Maddon played match-ups. The Rays’ closerousel is anyone’s guess for saves.
Huston Street – In case you missed it last week, Street is the closer. To prove it to everyone, he went two innings for the save yesterday.
Derrek Lee – Out three games now with a sore neck. He’s been dealing with this issue most of the season, but this latest flareup was caused when Angel Guzman gave him a celebratory tap on the helmet after a home run Lee scored on. Similar thing happened to Kaz Matsui last year when Berkman patted his ass after a homer.
