C.C. Sabathia was sensational Friday night as he held the Mariners to 3 runs and just 3 hits in a complete game, striking out 10. With the loss, the Mariners impressive win streak ends at seven. Poor Sea-Seattle, but no surprise their impossible dream ends in Yankee Stadium. We’ll always have that one unforgettable week at the end of July, right M’s fans? And as Grey touched on earlier, 2002 called, they want their Friday night baseball game back. Honestly, Kevin Millwood, Ichiro, Andruw Jones, even Eric Chavez went 2-for-4 with a HR, but he left the game early because he “just had to lie down for a little bit.” Anyway, CC was sent to task and did what an Ace is supposed to do, shut down his competition. I recently read on a certain network’s certain fantasy page that a top pitcher’s value decreases at this point in the sea-season. But the way I see see it, it’s that consistency, especially in your fantasy playoffs race, that makes studs like C.C. worth owning. You knew starting Sabathia tonight that he was going to do his thing, and he delivered. He might have a few rough outings, but he’s an Ace you can count on in the final month of the season. See see what I’m saying?
Here’s what else happened in fantasy baseball Friday night:
Justin Upton — 2-for-4 with his ninth HR and 100th of his young career. He did it! He freakin’ did it! I don’t think there’s another player on my team(s) I get more excited about when they have a big night. Jupton’s the only guy I am blindly starting every night out and expect the absolute minimum. Seriously, has there been a player with a more disappointing season? But, maybe this is the start of something big. Probably not, but maybe. I believe in you, J-ups. Make it happen. For my fantasy team.
Chase Utley — 1-for-3 with a HR. The coolest name in baseball chased his sixth home run out of the ballpark. Utley has been pretty valuable lately, and at second base that’s pretty darn valuable!
Joe Blanton — Traded to the Dodgers for PTBN or straight cash, homey. This was the Dodgers “Sorry-we’re-not-trading-you-Cliff Lee-I-can’t-believe-you-even-claimed-him-off-waivers-but-we’ll-just-give-you-Joe-Blanton” consolation prize. Blanton could have some value in deeper leagues if you choose your match ups. The Ks are real nice but he’s prone to blow ups and could kill your WHIP.
Mat Latos — 7.1 IP, 0 ER, 5 Ks. Got his 10th win and hit a 2-run homer off Wandy Rodriguez. The Reds win their 10th in a row and 14th of 15 without Joey Votto.
Matt Moore — 5.1 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 6 Ks, and his 8th win. Moore may never be the same pitcher he was last September (at least not until this September), but he is finally starting to show some consistency which he lacked the first half of the season. Keep it up, Matt, we want Moore.
B.J. Upton — 1-for-4 with his 10th HR. Like Justin, B.J. hit his 100th career home run tonight as well! Is that crazy or what? They must have that creepy siblings sixth sense. I have the same thing with my brother, he’s the one who told me about the Upton’s big day — and he told me, dot dot dot, WITH HIS MIND!
Desmond Jennings — 1-for-4 with a HR. Another home run for the Bros. as the long lost Upton brother goes deep as well! What a night for the Upton family. If anyone has seen Kate tonight, tell her to give me a call. Actually, I’ll just call her, please give me her number.
Martin Prado — 2-for-3 with a run and a RBI. Always seems to produce better on my bench, ie. sonavabench!
Craig Kimbrel — 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 3 Ks and his 31st save. Yup.
Matt Harrison — 6.2 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 3 Ks and his 13th win. Harrison struggled a bit in this one with Kansas City, and I’d probably sit him next week in Boston, but he still makes my “All-Presidents Team” starting rotation: CJ Wilson, Josh Johnson, Edwin Jackson, Ian Kennedy and Matt Harrison just edges out Brad Lincoln. Not too shabby.
Yadier Molina — 3-for-4 with 2 runs and 2 SB. Why don’t I own you!? This is where the guy who didn’t do any pre-draft research at all wins on draft day: “Aw crap, I still need a catcher? Gimme one of the Molina brothers — no, I don’t care which one, just give me the one with the funny name.”
Carlos Gomez — 2-for-5 and now has a five game hitting streak. Grey told you to BUY him and he’s been a hot little tamale lately. This might be the closest you get to owning CarGo, worth a flier.
Ben Revere — 2-for-6 to extend his hitting streak to 17 games. The hits keep coming, the hits keep coming! He’s pretty fast, that’s why he’s a minuteman.
Carl Crawford — 3-for-5 with a 3-run HR. “Oh hello, Carl Crawford, I’m a Red Sox fan, nice to finally meet you.” Note to Boston: If you’re trying to stay in a playoff race, you gotta beat the Twins.
Justin Morneau — 4-for-4 with 2 RBIs. Yaaaaawn, call me when he starts hitting home runs again.
Prince Fielder — 3-for-4 with a 2-run homer and 4 RBIs. Wait, if he’s the Prince, and Felix is the King, what does that make Miguel Cabrera, who was 3-for-5 with 2 runs and a RBI? El Conquistador! I think Prince and Migs are starting to look like the royal tandem we thought they’d be as they crush the Injians 10-2.
Anibal Sanchez — 6.0, 8 H, 1 ER, 5 Ks and his first win in Detroit. Let’s hope “The Animal” Sanchez enjoys being a tiger more than a fish.
Gio Gonzalez — 8.0, 4 ER, 10 Ks. Not what I was hoping for against one of the weakest MLB offenses, but I can’t stay mad at those Ks!
Josh Johnson — 8.2 IP, 1 ER, 9 Ks and his 7th win. I know you guys love my initialed players team, and the new all-presidents team, well, introducing the “All-Alliteration Team” starting five pitching staff: Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Josh Johnson, Matt Moore and Mike Minor. OK, so not all these team ideas are winners.
Adam Laroche — 3-for-8 with a HR and 3 RBI. Isn’t he one of those “second half performers”? Well, it’s the second half and he’s performing.
Jose Reyes — 5-for-10 with 2 runs. Half of anything ain’t so bad. Jay-Rey extends his hitting streak to an impressive 22 games! He could be at .300 by the end of the season with 35+ SBs. Yeah, I’ll probably draft him too early again next year, but also, he’s awesome.
R.A. Dickey — 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 9 Ks. This PetCo start certainly got Dickey excited. He performed well, but the Pads chased him from the game before the climax. Clayton “My Friends Call Me Clayton Dick” Richard got the win (7.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Ks). A true hodgepadre!
Buster Posey — 4-for-5 with a 3-run homer. HE’S A MONSTER! Clearly, Buster enjoys his American beer as Posey and the rest of the Giants certainly enjoyed their night at Coors Field, tallying 16 runs on 16 hits to take out the Rockies.
Ryan Vogelsong — 6.1 IP, 4 ER, 7 Ks and his 9th win. Not his best start, but would you believe Ryan owns a league best 2.38 ERA? If you own him sing a song! A Vogelsong!
Dan Straily — 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Ks. Grey told you to BUY him. He gets the Angels next week but I’d grab him anyway. Yes, you can finish reading this post, but afterwards go pick him up!
Chris Carter — 1-for-5 with his ninth HR. Grey told you to buy him, too. I’d just do what he says and nobody gets hurt.
Ryan Cook — 1.0 IP, 3 ER, BS. Cook’d!
Chad Billingsley — 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 Ks and his 7th win. That’s a lot of 7s! It must be his lucky day.
A.J. Ellis — 3-for-3 with 2 HRs and 3 RBIs. It must be that Hanley Ramirez (2-for-4, 2 RBIs) team first attitude inspiring all his teammates!
A.J. Pierzynski – 1-f0r-3 with a 3-run HR, his 19th. Like Ellis, it was a day for the A.J.’s. They must be psychic brothers like the Upton’s. I say that because they have the same first name, and parents often give their children the same name. It’s less confusing that way.
Alex Rios — 3-for-5 with 2 HRs and 4 RBIs. Hit the game-winning 10th inning 2-run homer, and his huge night spoiled Zack Greinke‘s (7.0 IP, 6 ER) chance at his first win as an Angel. Rios will be one of those players I’ll be scared to draft next year, but for now he’s got a five game hitting streak and four straight multi-hit games.
Albert Pujols — 2-for-5 with a HR. Five straight multi-hit games with 5 home runs and 11 RBIs in that span. Welcome back, old friend.
Mike Trout — 2-for-6 and hit his 19th home run. Yeah, he did — because, of course he did. His 11th home run since July 1. Do you know what this means!?! He’s growing stronger by the day. Gulp.
Join us next Saturday for another Friday recap, as fantasy baseball continues next week, all week long!
