The week was going swimmingly, with inflatable swim muscles, I may add, then Kevin Gregg showed up and said “Oh, I thought everyone wore these glasses now.” I don’t trust Kevin for 2 reasons, closers come and closers go (Kyuji is coming back) so add that into your closer entree like a good splash of adobo. The second reason is he has two first names, I’m sorry, it’s a phobia of mine ever since I went to school with a kid named Ferris Ferris. No I didn’t stutter, that’s a true story. Next we move to Boston, where Joe-L is returning from the DL; John Farrell has said what is typical, we will see what happens. My 2 cents is that Bailey keeps it until he falters or Hanrahan whines enough to make a stink. If I could call Joel, this is how the convo would go. Sup Joel. Who is this? Then I would hang up and not answer when he star 69′s me. I do that cause I don’t like people messin’ around on my phone. Lastly this week, I have moved Jim Johnson, minus his cult following, into the top tier. He has shown me enough to warrant a bump up. The games he pitches in are showing the confidence that Buck has in him, like a great illegitimate dad would in his Maury Povich type son. The bump over Papelbon is based purely on stats and accumulation right now, Paps just isn’t seeing the chances that some other closers are seeing and that inevitably hurts my feelings and his stats/value. Enjoy the week as if you were listening to the soundtrack from Rocky 4, what could get better than that.? If you said that talking robot Pauly got, then we are on the same page my friend.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

It’s getting close, can you smell it?  The payoffs, not the playoffs, but the payoffs.  The reason you pay attention from basically the beginning of February thru September.  That’s almost as long as people stay married to professional sports athletes. So with the payoffs  and the dollar signs (or banners for you non-money league participants) being near, staying ahead of the game to secure your seed or to gain the last few points are is crucial.  So good luck this week and if your playoffs start this week double good luck.  (Please keep in mind that pitchers and match-ups change.)

J.A.

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Comatose Pirates Fan, I have a surprise for you.  You may want to sit down.  No, no.  It’s a good surprise.  The salad days of Willie Stargell are back!  (Though even Pops would’ve agreed salad wasn’t on his menu.)  I’m excited for the Pirates, they’ve been the Andy Dufresne of major league baseball for far too long.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

These weeks just seem to be flying by, I know that seems cliche and tacky. We are at the trade deadline practically and it seems as though there are a lot of teams looking to buy, and some very intriguing names that are on the market right now.  Starting pitching makes the fantasy world go round, it’s the truth, I slowed it down and saw Cliff Lee on a bicycle attached to it, pedaling.  I can’t make that type of stuff up.  So it seems like this week is a real ball em and rank em scenario.  Not very many great options that are standing out for me.

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In a Hudson vs. Hudson battle, Tim won on a technicality as Daniel Hudson left the game with what seemed to be a forearm injury.  To add insult to injury, he left the game after giving up 5 ER on 7 hits in 1 2/3 IP.  With a ghastly 7.35 ERA in 45 IP this year, injury or not, it’s time to cut Daniel Hudson from mixed leagues.  He looked primed to build upon a solid 2011 but so did Kate Hudson after Almost Famous.  Let’s just hope Daniel doesn’t wake up to find Alex Rodriguez in his bed, begging him to go blonder and to tone up his arms.  Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:

Jason Kubel – 1-for-4 with his 2nd homer in as many games.  Hey, Code Rossi wants back his fantasy outfielder value!  Kubel has 4 homers this week and is hitting .333.  May not be a long-term solution, but I’d give him the ol’ how’s your father?  Even if his last name sounds like a vaginal exercise.

Please, blog, may I have some more?