The G-Sizzle Fizzle loses more carbonation as we head into September. Grady Sizemore will undergo surgery prior to the end of the season. This means you will lose him at some point this month. The longer the Indians push him the more of a chance that he may not be ready for spring training. The Indians are playing for $23 worth of trinkets right now so this is a no-brainer for them. And a no-brainer is the Indians’ management specialty. They called up Michael Brantley to eventually fill-in full-time for Sizemore. Last night, Brantley played left field (went 2-for-4, batted 9th). In 115 games in Triple-A, Brantley had 43 steals. He’ll probably be a liability on average, but for those steal-starved teams out there — SAGNOF! Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Hanley Ramirez – Left with a tight hamstring. Had one of those last Thanksgiving on the Hormel. Had to chew around it.
Michael Young – His hamstring is a little more serious with a strain. If I had to guess, I’d say he’s headed to the DL. Though, knowing the way Young loves his 200 hit seasons, he may just play gimpy. Hehe, I said gimpy.
Neftali Feliz – Has one earned run, 26 Ks and ONE WALK (caps for emphasis and the guy reading over your shoulder) in 19 and two-thirds innings. Holy heffin hey!
Josh Hamilton – 2 HRs yesterday to bring his season total to ten. Almost as big a bust as the one he was seen licking whipped cream off of.
Chris Davis – 5-for-8 in yesterday’s doubleheader with a homer. And no strikeouts!
Tim Hudson – Last time he pitched in the majors, I titled the post, “Whoscow for the Hudson,” and he went off to see, Dr. Freeze. (Oddly, in the post where Hudson was injured, so was Michael Young. They’re cosmically linked, I tell ya. Kismet, I say. When Michael Young slides, Tim Hudson’s pants get dirty.) Hudson’s line this game (5 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 5 Ks) is almost exactly what I would imagine you’ll get from him the rest of the season. Iffy five inning games. Worth it in some leagues, not in others.
Jorge Posada – 2 HRs yesterday. Why doesn’t he have a “de la” in the middle of his name?
Carlos Guillen – It pains me to keep saying nice things about Guillen, yet here he is again with another homer.
Andy Marte – Now has 4 homers in the last seven games. I dropped some schmohawk for him in one of my leagues. This is a trust exercise. Just fall into Marte’s arms. He’ll catch you.
Carlos Carrasco – 3 IP, 6 ER. Was in my September call ups Markie Post-thingie. I said I liked him for next season. Never said I liked him for this one. Okay, I did like him for this one, but that was last December.
Cole Hamels – 9 IP, 3 baserunners, 9 Ks. Hey, Cole, nice of you to join us for September.
Jonathan Sanchez – 6 IP, 1 ER, 8 Ks. His walks aren’t a thing of beauty, but you know what is? His collection of air sickness bags? No, I’m going to tell you, random italicized voice. His Ks. He has 145 Ks in 132 1/3 innings. That makes him ownable everywhere. Well, except in 4 x 4 leagues, but no one plays them anymore, do they?
David Wright – Went 1-for-3 in his return as he wore an American Gladiator helmet.
Andy Sonnanstine – 4 IP, 3 ER, 2 Ks. Glad to see he didn’t lose his lack of stuff in the minors.
Garrett Jones – Another homer. Argh, I’m actually excited for Pirates. Okay, pop quiz, hot shot. Who’s been more valuable this year, Garrett Jones or Ryan Ludwick? You infer the answer.
Mike Carp – Called up for the M’s and should see a decent amount of time. He has moderate pop, not a great average. Outside of deep leagues (>12), I’d just wait to see. (BTW, that’s a greater than symbol and a twelve. Not some kind of weird teenager texting language meaning a heart next to a coat hanger or something.)
Randy Wells – 6 2/3 IP, 0 ER. Has a 2.90 ERA on the year with 133 1/3 innings. Is his name in the Rookie of the Year convos? Hmm, I just did, didn’t I? For what it’s worth, and I guess it is worth something since you’re reading this, I think Wells is going to slightly disappoint next year.
Jeff Manship – 5 IP, 1 ER vs. the Called It A Day White Sox. Besides having a last name that sounds like a cruise hosted by Adam Carolla, Manship has good control and decent K-stuff. Listen, if the Twins start him, he’s probably better than most. He’ll have the same growing pains as most rookie pitchers, but could have matchup potential.
Jorge de la Rosa – 6 IP, 1 ER, 6 Ks. Another solid start from The dlR. I hope the Rockies miss the playoffs just so dlR’s innings stay low(er) and I can draft him without worries next year.
Carlos Gonzalez – 1-for-4, HR and steal yesterday. You know what I really like here? Besides the homer, he was only on base once (a walk) and he stole a base. That’s the kind of initiative we need in September.
Clayton Richard – 6 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 6 Ks. If he didn’t pitch well in Petco vs. the Nats, there would have been problems.
Vicente Padilla – 5 1/3 IP, 1 ER. It’s nice in the NL West, ain’t it?
Felix Pie – HR yesterday for his 4th homer in the last eight games. No idea where the power is coming from. Maybe Aubrey Huff left behind some corked bats. Whatever the case, when the player’s hot, grab them. By the time I write about him in the Buy section of Friday’s post, Pie may no longer be hot.
Adam Jones – Left the game with an ankle injury. Is it me or is this guy injured every other week? Maybe he’s doing it to get a prescription of medicinal marijuana.
