Roy Oswalt made his much anticipated debut in Texas last night and grabbed his first win, pitching 6.2 innings and striking out 9 Rockies. He surrendered 9 hits and had to throw 110 pitches, but otherwise looked solid. Oswalt cruised through the first 6 innings — his fastball was topping out in the low 90s and his slow curve looked especially nasty. Roy ran into trouble in the 7th and after giving up back-to-back hits to Dexter Fowler and Marco Scutaro, he was pulled. But Adrian Beltre continued his hot hitting, going 2-for-3 with a 2-run HR, and Mike Napoli homered as well to provide the support needed for Roy’s first win of 2012. It’s good to be a Ranger. Really, the Rangers are the ideal situation for Roy Oswalt. Great offense, great bullpen, and he’s close to home, which is important for Oswalt. Sure, the AL isn’t as forgiving as the NL East, and the Ballpark in Arlington isn’t the most pitcher-friendly of parks, but I think the pros outweigh the cons. If he’s still out there on the waiver wire, (he’s probably just sitting on his waiver wire porch in Mississippi, chewing on a piece of wheat, playing his harmonica) go pick him up. I think Roy Oswalt is an instant add everywhere. The strikeout and win potential make him a more than serviceable option in all leagues.
Here’s what else happened in fantasy baseball Friday night:
A.J. Burnett — 6.0 IP, 2 H, 4 Ks and his 8th win. A.J. is the fourth starter for my initialed players team. If he’s the 4th starter for your fantasy team, you’re probably not doing so hot. Nevertheless, the win was his seventh in a row and Burnett has found a nice little groove for himself. Pitching outside the AL East, he looks like a different pitcher. If he’s still sitting on waivers somewhere, I’d scoop him up.
Andrew McCutchen — 3-for-4, now batting a cool .346. If the Dread Pirate hit a homer tonight, I’d say he was “batting a sizzling .346!” But I still love you, Andrew.
Anibal Sanchez — 3.1 IP, 6 ER. The Animal was tamed in a big way tonight vs. the Blue Jays. This just proves Birds > Animals. What’s that you say — birds ARE animals? Pfft. I am no zoologist. But I can tell you with certainty, I know my fish, and the Marlins just can’t seem to do anything right lately.
Jose Bautista — 2-for-3, 3 runs, 3 RBIs, and his 23rd home run. Joey Bats is considering changing his nickname to the even more appropriate Joey Hits Home Runs.
Brett Lawrie — 3-for-5 with 4 runs and a SB. In the last 11 games, Lawrie has 17 hits, 3 HRs, and 2 SBs. Yeah, we know you drafted him too early, but Brett is starting to show us why. This kid’s gonna be a star! Ha-cha-cha!
Giancarlo Stanton — 1-for-5 with a HR. “Don’t Call Me Mike” Stanton has now hit homers in back-to-back games. I’m seriously considering changing my name to Giancarlo.
Zack Greinke — 9.0 IP, 3 H, o ER, 4 Ks, and his 8th win. Do you like pitchers’ duels? Because this game would have you on the edge of your se–zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. It was probably the Greinksters best road start of the year, which is huge for him because he pitches at least…(/calculating), half his games on the road! ANALYSIS! This is why they pay me the big bucks, folks.
Chris Sale — 8.0 IP, o ER, 7 Ks. Chris was on the other side of the above-mentioned pitchers’ duel and he really breezed through the Brewers lineup. Oh, dang! I should have said “sailed” through. Nothing worse than a missed pun opportunity.
Rickie Weeks — 2-for-4 with a RBI. He’s got 10 hits in his last 6 games. But still. Let’s put it this way, if you are desperate for help at second base, I won’t tell anybody if you pick up Weeks.
Ubaldo Jiminez — 6.2 IP, 0 ER, 4 BBs, 8 Ks. Has the 2010 Jiminez returned? Ub-LOL-do! Not quite, and, in likely his best start of the year, those walks still reared their ugly WHIP-killing heads. I would stay away from his start next week at Yankee Stadium, but otherwise he’s someone I’d own (I’m a sucker for the Ks.) As a mean girl would say, “Oh, you would own him.” Yes, I would. But I’m not proud of this.
Lucas Harrell — 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 9 Ks. Easily his best start of the year. I know I said I’m a sucker for Ks, but I’m not ready to buy in on Harrell just yet, even for a streamer. But maybe you’re ready? For deeper and NL-only leagues, Harrell gets the Padres next week, so if you’re going to stream him, now’s your chance!
Carlos Beltran — 2-for-5 with 4 RBIs. The Cardinals tallied 17 hits as the Beltrain keeps rolling.
Jon Niese — 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Ks. In this first game of the Subway series, Niese looked pretty fresh, despite giving up homers to A-Rod and Andruw Jones.
Jason Hammel — 8.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 10 Ks, and his 8th win. Apparently Hammel didn’t get the memo to the entire team from Orioles management about coming back down to Earth. His second straight shutout performance, and he gets the Indians next week. I like those odds!
Bryce Harper — 0-for-4. Every ESPN analyst everywhere: “But he struck out like a champ!”
Jair Jurrjens — 7.2 IP, 3 H, 4 Ks. To borrow the classic Fry meme: Not sure if Jurrjens was real good, or the Red Sox were that bad.
Jon Lester — 7.0 IP, 10 H, 3 ER, 5 Ks. Despite the line, Lester pitched really well, but the Braves lefties, namely Freeman, McCann, and Heyward were all over him tonight. If you can use this game to buy low from an owner, I believe good things are coming for Lester. Good things.
Ben Revere — 4-for-4 with 2 SBs. Stealing bases just like Paul Revere stole all the glory from Israel Bissell! Google him and learn something! Huzzah!
Scott Rolen — 3-for-4 with a 2-run HR. The 12-year-old me loves to see Rockin’ Rolen have a throwback game like this. No, I wouldn’t pick him up. But still nice to see.
Joe Saunders — Scratched from last night’s start after having “difficulty warming up.” This could be great news for the “Trevor Bauer Countdown.” I’m not saying they’re going to call him up, and I’m not one to speculate. But if they do? OMG! OMG! OMG!
Justin Upton — 2-for-4 with a run and a RBI. Oh, who am I kidding. I can’t stay mad at you J-Ups. Come here!! /hugs lamp
Jason Kubel — 1-for-3 with a 2-run homer. Now hit homers in back-to-back games. Ride this hot schmotato while he’s a…um, hot schmotato.
Franklin Gutierrez — 3-for-4 with a HR. The Big Fragu probably hasn’t seen a nightly recap page in a while, so I thought I’d give him some love.
Tim Lincecum — 6.0 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 8 Ks. All the damage was done in the first inning as he gave up 3 runs. Timmy appears to have regained some velocity and even though it was the lowly A’s, it was his most encouraging start in a while. I’ll take it!
Jarrod Parker — 6.0, 4 H, 1 ER, 4 Ks. J-Rod now has a 2.70 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. Grey told you to BUY him yesterday, he gets the Mariners next week, so grab him while you can.
Coco Crisp — 1-for-5 with 2 SBs. Grey told you to buy him yesterday, too. SAGNOF! Tastes great, even in milk!
Brandon Belt — 1-for-2 with a 2-run double in the ninth off Ryan Cook to tie the game, along with a stolen base. Another guy Grey told you to BUY. That’s a pretty good night for the BUYs. Maybe you should pick him up? Don’t make me take off MY belt and make you.
Dan Haren — 5.0, 9 H, 5 ER, 5 Ks. Got the win but it was ugly. Maybe if his name was Dan Herring, he’d pitch a lot better. I mean, it’s working for that other guy, whatshisname? Oh yeah…!
Mike Trout — 1-for-3 with 2 runs and his 7th HR. My man crush for Trout grows unhealthier by the day. I wrote him a small poem (4 pages) simply titled “27 Scales of Trout,” but apparently the content was too “explicit” and deemed “kind of creepy” and “inappropriate” for the family-friendly Razzball readers. Whatever. Love knows no bounds, my fantasy friends. Don’t worry, Mike, we’ll always have Rio.
10 team league, h2h, can’t win in K’s or W’s this week but have a chance in ERA/WHIP, mine 2.89/0.82. Given that, which of these SP’s would you start/sit this weekend: Scherzer (vs Lincoln) McCarthy (vs Cain) & Dickey (vs Sabathia) Thanks
@Deadwoods, Those are all great match ups, I’d probably start them all. If you really want to play it safe I’d consider sitting Scherzer but it is Pittsburgh (and who knows maybe he’ll strike out 15.
oswalt, Hultzen or Marcum? No DL spot for Marcum, 10 team league
@El_Hombre, I’d hold onto Marcum for another week if you can, but I would try to find room to pick up Oswalt.
Bauer Countdown. T-minus 7 days???? Please!!!!!
@Lubey, I sure hope so.
I was offered Youk + BJ Upton for Ichiro. Seems OK for me, right? I’m hella weak at 3b and Ichiro isn’t giving me much. Or is Youk no better than a waiver 3b?
@BERK, Yeah, I’d rather have Upton over Ichiro anyway. And looks like you is going to be traded any day now so the change of scenery could help.
Allen Craig… I have 1b, 2b, and OF covered, he is just a guy I was hoping would provide some pop.
Mayberry is still available in my league. Do I drop the Man with Two First names for him?
@Josh, I’d stick with Craig a little longer.
Currently 5/15. Solid OF…shitty pitching.
Staff:
Lester
Latos
Morrow
Cahill
Cobb
Niese
Bailey
Are Eovaldi/Milone/Archer upgrades on any of the above? Really struggling with ERA, K, and K/9
@nightpandas, a few more on WW:
Bass, Floyd, Nolasco, Porcello, Richard
@nightpandas, I’d probably stick with what you got. You might consider dropping Bailey if you don’t have a spot to DL him.
Rizzo may be up by Monday for their 4 game series at home vs. Mets and 3 more vs. Houston.
Arbitration issues are in the past now so he is open to join ASAP. Guess is that if he is up Monday he sits vs. Santana on Monday and faces Gee on Tuesday because Sveum is a douche with lefty on lefty matchups.
@bean, According to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune, “speculation is” Anthony Rizzo will be promoted Tuesday.
Rizzo is batting .355/.416/.722 with 23 home runs and 62 RBI in 67 games this season at the Triple-A level. He struggled mightily in a short look with the Padres last year, but the 22-year-old first baseman is worth stashing in most mixed fantasy leagues. He won’t be called up to ride the bench; the Cubs are going to play him.
Source: Chicago Tribune
In a 10 team standard roto, Howie Kendrick or Middlebrooks?
@ruah, I’d go middlebrooks. Word is Youk is riding the pine and possibly traded very soon. I just picked up middlebrooks and dropped Kendrick and was rewarded with 3 hits and a homer so far tonight.
@Melvin Emanuel, I ended up grabbing him and dropping Furbush for now. But, I just have too many other producers and Kendrick is expendable. I’ll use as a bench player until I find a suitable pitcher to pick up for him. Thanks for your response.
@ruah, Not ready to give up on kendrick just yet, but Middlebrooks should definitely be owned
Dude, I hope someone already pointed out that it’s Andrew McCUTCHEN. I live in Pittsburgh and it’s ridiculous how many people (local and national) spell this guy’s name wrong. Some Pittsburgh blogger looked it up and there has never been a McCutcheon to play baseball anywhere EVER. Guy’s a legit MVP candidate and people need to learn how to at least spell his name, even if they still won’t vote for him for an All-Star Game.
Sorry, just a rant/pet peeve.
@Jon, Poor Ubaldo, nobody cares how his last name is spelled……
@Jon, Thanks, missed that.
@VinWins, It’s all good.
@Jon, It won’t happen again!
good or bad? my kendrick and lynn for his dickey
@Chris, I want Dickey for sure
@Blairtch, of course you do!
@longbeachyo, http://mvpexchange.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/dickey-funny-300×225.jpg
Should I be happy I never got around to dropping Reddick yet? 2 homers the past 2 games and could be heating up. Lets hope.
@Melvin Emanuel, Yeah, Reddick is legit
Who’s a better stash, Travis Snider or Daniel Bard?
@Racehorse, Unless your league counts holds, Snider probably has a better chance of helping your team this year. Bard will be returning in a relief role.
Fair or not?
16 team league…tradition starting rosters (13 offense/9 pitchers) (6 bench slots, 5 DL slots)
Team A gets: AMcCutchen, Cobb and YAlonso
Team B gets: Stanton, Bumgarner
@Public Enemy #1, I’d want Stanton and Bumgarner
What are your thoughts on Phil Hughes for his two start week? Would you start him over say Matt Moore or Matt Harrison?
@Fister Furbush, They are nice matchups for Hughes but both at home. I might start him over Harrison because its 2 starts vs Harrison’s 1 vs. OAK. I’d rank them Moore, Hughes, Harrison, but they are all solid options.
Kevin Youkilis is going to be traded. depending where he is traded, can he produce good for the rest of the season?
he was BRUTAL last year in August/September.
I’ve considered trading for him.
16 team keeper league, keep 5. roto, yahoo, 5×5.
give- Jarrod Saltalamacchia
get- Kevin Youkils
Salty is my 2nd catcher to Miguel Montero, so I have no problem trading him. but if Youkilis is unlikely to be fantasy relevant I’d rather trade Salty for something else more useful. I’m playing for 1st place, currently in 2nd by 2 points. can Youkilis give me more than say Jedd Gyorko? Gyorko is tearing it up in the minors this year. 34 games in AA and now 34 games in AAA. maybe he’s due up soon?
MY TEAM.
CA- Montero. 1B- Butler. 2B- Uggla. 3B- CDavis. IN- AEscobar.
OF- Choo. OF- Quentin. OF- THunter. OF- Presley. UT- Brantley.
BN- EHerrera, Rolen, Theriot, Saltalamacchia, Gyorko.
DL- Dirks.
SP- Price. SP- Gallardo.
RP- Jansen. RP- Janssen. P- Casilla.
P- Brothers. P- Capuano.
BN- AJBurnett, McCarthy, CRichard, Friedrich.
DL- Lilly, Anderson, Santos.
@SpecialFNK, I think the change of scenery should help Youk and if you can get him for your back up catcher I like it.
Pretty cool to get a weekend write up. From what I remember this is a first (regarding games from Friday). Overall it was well written and I don’t think I’ve ever seen your work on here before. I could be wrong though. Anyways, good job!
@Cheese, Thanks I appreciate the positive feedback, I’ve been doing these recaps for about a month now, so far so good
12 team H2H points keeper league –
Krispie Young is killing me these last couple weeks – OK to drop him for Fowler or should I ride out the slump?
Thanks for the help!
@El Gato, Not sure I’d drop him for Fowler, but yes it’s probably time to drop Young if there’s better options out there.
Rank RoS: R Romero, M Harrison, E Jax and Masterson
@The Wickler, Harrison, Jackson, Romero, Masterson
Do u like Rizzo over Seager ROS?
Thanks
@Ryan, Yeah I’d take him over Seager, more upside for Rizzo.
Would u drop aviles for Seager?
Seager needs one more game at 2b to qualify….
I have aviles at 2b
Thanks
@Adam, I’d rather have Mike Aviles
Should I pull the trigger on this trade in a 12-team h2h weekly 1-win 5×5 (obp instead of avg) keeper league?
I get:
SP Hamels
OF Choo
3B Moustakas
I send:
3B Hanley R.
OF B Gardner
1B/OF Berkman
Thoughts? Thanks
@Matt B, You get 3 players who can contribute to your team vs HanRam (the best player in the deal) and two injured stars. It’s fair, I’d give the edge to the Hamels side though.
@Blairtch, Thanks, very good to know. One more to get your gut reaction on: I send Kershaw, I receive Giancarlo Stanton. Again, its an OBP league and we keep 7 players penalty free. SP has pretty big value in a weekly h2h league with only 4 SP spots, but having full control of young Stanton for years to come is tempting.
Put a claim in for Youk(comes off waivers tonight) by dropping Rizzo?
@ruah, If you kept Rizzo this long I’d wait and see what he can do before dropping him for Youk.
Hey Grey,
Would you drop any of these guys for Oswalt?
Capuano, Garza, Morrow, E. Jackson, McCarthy, Bauer, or Samardzjajahsdjaijsa
Thanks!
@Dan, McCarthy went on the DL today so there’s that, but I’d want Oswalt over Samaadzajihad, to.
@Blairtch, too*
can you give me a ROS ranking please?
jarrod parker
jon niese
dillon gee
trevor bauer
merci
let me add a couple more names to list
ubaldo
oswalt
jarrod parker
jon niese
dillon gee
trevor bauer
please rank ROS
@ferris, bauer, oswalt, parker, niese, ubaldo, gee
I give up Hamels, CJ Wilson and Edwin Jackson
i get Votto, Ian Kennedy, Matt Moore, Matt Harrison and Anibal Sanchez
POINTS LEAGUE
here is my team
14 Team CBS Fantasy Baseball, H2H, Points, Redraft
C – Buster Posey
1B – Eric Hosmer
2B – Michael Young
SS – JJ Hardy
3B – Chase Headley
OF (3) – Curtis Granderson, Corey Hart, John Mayberry
U – Gregor Blanco
SP (4) – Clayton Kershaw, Cole Hamels, C.J. Wilson, Shaun Marcum
RP (2) – John Axford, Kenley Jansen
Bench
(4 Bat) – Rickie Weeks, Jarrod Saltalamacchia,
(3 SP) – Edwin Jackson, Andy Pettitte, Homer Bailey
2 Minors – Julio Teheran
2 DL – Stephen Drew, Drew Stubbs
@tutuola, I like it. Big upgrade on offense with Votto and although your pitcher takes a hit I think you can manage it