Yesterday, Rafael Furcal went 2-for-4 with a steal. I thought Furcal was overvalued in the preseason because I thought he was more fragile than Alanis after a breakup. Well, he’s actually played the whole season, albeit terribly. He’s been on base over 200 times. He has 10 steals with 6 times caught. Who gave him Kirk Gibson’s fist-pumping legs for five months? But, and here’s the head turner, he has 4 steals in the last seven games. Not sure what happened to Furcal the first 95% of the season, 10 steals used to be a good month for him. Maybe he’s a Latin 31. But never us mind, he’s hot right now. If he was dropped anywhere, he’s currently hitting over .500 in the last week with 4 steals. Go fur it! Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Bobby Jenks – I might’ve misspoke when I said Linebrink would be the closer. Grey wrong? Get outta here this instant! Yeah, I know, random italicized voice, the guy who traded for Jose Reyes in one league in May being wrong is crazy. I originally said Linebrink because of how Ozzie had used him recently. But Linebrink has been awful. No disputing that. Then again, I don’t think Matt Thornton’s going to suddenly become Franklin Morales of last week. Either way, I don’t think this is a great situation for saves. Okay, correction done.
Jermaine Dye – 2 HRs yesterday as he came down with a case of Furcalitis, a disease that boosts one’s stats when games no longer matter.
Michael Aubrey – HR yesterday. I also really love him on Real Estate Intervention.
Matt Wieters – Hit another homer yesterday. Member all that (lack of) work he did over the summer to make him underrated next year? Yeah, he’s been outta his mind recently. I knew it would happen eventually, I was kinda hoping eventually was next April.
Travis Snider – HR yesterday. 4 for his last 7, but it was against Orioles pitching and, as I tell my girlfriend, beware the small sample size.
Francisco Liriano – Should start against the Royals on Sunday. He’ll get to face Greinke. Sometimes it just ain’t your year.
Carlos Guillen – 3-for-4, 4 RBIs with 2 HRs yesterday. With the way he’s played since returning from injury, he should sit out two months every year. Oh, wait, he does.
Chad Billingsley – 6 IP, 3 ER, 9 Ks vs. the Nats. I think they call this a tune-up for the playoffs. Considering how broken down he’s been lately, they would be right.
Ryan Zimmerman – Hit his 31st homer yesterday and so did Miguel Cabrera. I mention that for symmetry and because, other than the average, Zimmerman’s been just as valuable.
Drew Stubbs – 2-for-6, 2 steals. What, no homers?
Homer Bailey – 6 IP, 2 ER, 6 baserunners, 0 Ks. Blech, but he got the win. I’m gonna have to get over not liking him because I think I’ll probably own him in some leagues next year.
Jonathan Sanchez – 5 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 9 Ks. I pegged him as a borderline starter to take a gamble on for yesterday, along with Homer Bailey.
Randy Choate – Got the save yesterday. So that’s who the closer is! Choate came in to get two lefties and a righty (which turned into two righties and a lefty – Wakamatsu is a magician!)
Wade Davis – 5 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 6 Ks. He gets Baltimore and supposedly the last start of the year vs. the Yankees, which will be the B lineup. And there is no A lineup on the Orioles.
Gaby Sanchez – HR yesterday. (S)He’s a decent name to look at in deep NL-Only keepers. Keepers only though, (s)he’s not playing much at all right now.
Tim Hudson – 6 IP, 2 ER, 11 baserunners as he tied his owners to the WHIPping post. As someone who watched 75% of this game, Hudson looked terrible. Got very lucky, even with Kelly Johnson mucking up a double play ball.
Chris Narveson – 5 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 10 Ks. Anyone who’s read this blog for even a short period of time knows I got excited when I saw 10 Ks in under 6 innings. Unfortunately, he gets the Rockies in Coors next time out so there’s nothing to see here.
Bud Norris – 6 IP, 0 ER. Nice, but in the same boat as Narveson with a tough next matchup (@Philly).
Julio Borbon – Stole his 17th base yesterday in only 119 ABs. I have a feeling someone’s value is going to be inflated next year.
Brad Lidge – 2/3 IP, 2 ER and his 11th blown save. Imagine if Scioscia managed the Phillies. Lidge would be in the Phanatic costume doing belly flops during rain delays.
Rich Harden – Now the Cubs are saying he may get shut down. Yeah, I said that last week. Read the blog, doode!
Milton Bradley – Has a new game, Pin The Blame On The Cubbies.
