Yovani Gallardo (IP count, young arm), Ross Ohlendorf (ditto) & Michael Young (hamstring) are the latest players being ‘shut down’ as teams outside the pennant race start playing for 2010. Don’t they realize that every player is part of at least thousands of fantasy baseball pennant races? For the 99% of you in non-keeper leagues, dump these guys for someone who might actually compile some stats this next 10 days or so. Some other (hopefully slightly less obvious) observations…
Kevin Correia – While most Dodger, Giant, and (surprisingly) Rockie starters lived up to the fantasy SP adage of “When they’ve drafted the best, go NL West”, San Diego pitchers have been big disappointments this year. Peavy, Cristal (Chris-Tall) Young, Chad Gaudin, etc. The one pitcher who lived up to the adage has been SF discard Kevin Correja who threw 7 shutout innings yesterday and has a respectable 4.08 ERA, 11 Wins, and 130+ K’s for the year. Imagine how much better his stats would be if he got to face the Padres!
Milton Bradley – The Cubs suspended him – officially ending a season that never started. This is just a clear case where a player is misunderstood by an organization. In this case, the Cubs’ misunderstood Bradley to be a reliable source of production. Another opening in the Cubs OF should insure that Jake Fox gets a 2nd start this week.
John Maine – Maine solidified his position as only the 2nd most disappointing pitcher in 2009 for the Mets (consider yourself first, Oliver Perez) with a Win after throwing 5 shutout innings. If you’re desperate for a SP in NL-only or H2H, he’s worth starting the rest of the way since he’s trying to prove himself for 2010.
Placido Polanco – Went 6-for-9 over the weekend with 3 Runs and 3 RBIs. He should also be good for one HR or SB in the next 10 games. Yawn.
Brad Penny – Got lit by the Dodgers on Saturday to the tune of 7 ERs in less than 3 IP. Bitter Sawx fans rejoice!
Willy Aybar – Best bet right now for cheap power at 2B for the rest of the way as he fills in for Carlos Pena in TB. HRAGNOF!
Prince Fielder – Hit his 40th HR yesterday and broke the cherished Brewer single-season RBI record with his 129th (take that, Cecil Cooper…hmm, wonder if there’s some Oedipal thing there about beating a Cecil for the record?). With an average near .300, he’s officially leapt over T. Boone Pickens’ best bud Ryan Howard as the first portly 1B off the board in 2010. He’ll warrant MVP consideration if Albert Pujols has sex with every voter’s daughter.
