After blowing his fifth save Thursday night, giving up three walks and two runs in the ninth, John Axford has now blown four save chances in his past five appearances. Colorado Rockies Manager Walt Weiss said Friday that John Axford would be removed from the closer role. But from the looks of the quote, it sounds like Axford could potentially gain the job back, especially if the replacement candidates don’t prove to be worthy. Rafael Betancourt, Tommy Kahnle and Justin Miller are the three possibly unworthy candidates, and names you should consider adding if you are searching for saves. Rafael Betancourt would seem like the obvious choice if not for his 4.88 ERA. He does have that much sought after closer-experience, though. Kahnle, on the other hand, is rocking a much nicer 2.96 ERA, and a 1.80 ERA for the month of July and seems like a more suitable candidate. Justin Miller has the best numbers of the bunch (0.90 ERA, 0.60 WHIP in just 10 IP), but also holds the least experience. The situation will certainly be worth monitoring over the next few days, but one thing is for sure, you probably won’t really be happy owning any one of these guys. However, if you need saves I’d add Betancourt, Kahle and Miller in that order until we see how this shakes out.
Here’s what else I saw in fantasy baseball Friday night:
Dominic Brown – 2-for-5, HR (2), SB (3). Homering on back-to-back nights! Just like the good ol’ days. It was the first time he’d homered in back-to-back games since his insane June 2013. He also stole a base cuz he’s baller like that. I would love more than anything to recommend you grab Brown. I mean, what have you got to lose? He’s available everywhere and maybe he’ll hit another 11 homers in two weeks. Maybe he won’t. Where’s Tehol when you need 500 words on Dom Brown?
Mike Napoli – 1-for-2, 2-run HR (13). Mama mia! This is what its like back in old Napoli. Mike is batting .317 with 3 homers and 9 RBI in the past two weeks. He’s also available in over 80% of leagues. If you need power, grab him while he’s hot. Because he’s going to get cold again soon.
Brock Holt – 2-for-5, run. Speaking of hot potatoes, no one gets quite as hot as the Brocket, when the Brocket gets hot. He’s struggled for a while, but he’s leading off in place of Mookie Betts and has hit safely in his past three games. Pick him up if he’s out there.
A.J. Pierzynski – 3-for-4. Everybody needs some catcher sometimes. Sometimes that catcher has to be A.J. Pierzynski. I know, I don’t like it either. But he’s batting .417 in the past week with a 7-game hitting streak. I won’t tell nobody if you have to pick him up.
Cesar Hernandez – 2-for-5, run, RBI. Remember when he went ice cold for like a week and you dropped him? That was dumb. That’s me talking to myself. He’s hitting .300 with 4 runs and 2 SB in the past week. You should probably pick that up if he’s on your waivers.
Jung Ho Kang – 3-for-4, 2 runs, RBI. Grey told you to BUY again and he continues to hit again. Why don’t you listen!? We are only trying to help you. Honest!
Marlon Byrd – 2-for-4, HR (18). Marlon keeps a go-bag on him at all times just in case he gets traded, or is called into Quantico to consult with the BAU on a serial murder.
Josh Donaldson – 3-for-5, run, 4 RBI and the GW single. Josh and Tulo celebrated post game by getting really drunk in the woods and getting matching Canadian flag tattoos.
Johnny Cueto – 6.0 IP, 7 hits, 3 ER, 2 BB, 7 K. Welcome to the American League, Johnny. Meet the Blue Jays. Next week you get the Tigers. You poor bastard.
Taijuan Walker – 9.0 IP, 1 hits, ER, 11 K and his 8th win. Yes, and yes, me and Tai are best friends again. No, and no I wouldn’t start him in Colorado next week.
Nelson Cruz – 4-for-5, HR (27), 2 RBI. Batter up! Errrtime! Nelly is batting .344 with 6 homers and 10 RBI in the past two weeks. Imagine if you sold this guy low before the All-Star break, how terrible do you feel right now? Am I making it worse?
Elvis Andrus – 2-for-4, HR (4), 2 RBI. I am not certain and I definitely don’t have the time to check, but I’m pretty sure this is the first time I’ve mentioned him all year. He’s batting .333 with a HR, SB, 6 runs and 5 RBI in the past week. Good on you, Elvis!
Adrian Beltre – 2-for-4, 2-run HR (8). I hate that I recommended you buy him then he comes out and says I’m not getting better and I never will be. Whoa. Way to make me look bad, Adrian! Next time keep it to yourself.
Manny Machado – 2-for-3, 2-run HR (22). Why don’t I own you anywhere? Seriously what drugs was I on? Am I still on them? I am? Chill.
Adam Jones – 3-for-5, 3-run HR (17). Adaaaaaayum! Jonesy has now homered in back-to-back games. To celebrate post game I took Adam out for crab cakes we saw Straight Outta Compton at the movies. We had differing opinions on the movie, but we could both agreed that is was a definitely film with a plot, climax and ending and several characters who were fleshed out over the 2 hour run time.
J.D. Martinez – 1-for-4, 2-run HR (28). ALL HE DOES IS HIT HOME RUNS!
Jefry Marte – 3-for-4, HR (2), 2 RBI. I don’t know who you are, but if you’re not Miguel Cabrera I don’t care and I’m not interested.
Will Venable – 3-for-6, run, RBI, SB (8). He’s batting .360 with two stolen bases in the past week. If I’m not mistaken, that sounds like some sweet SAGNOF.
Jedd Gyorko – 3-for-4, 3 RBI. You are really testing the limits of my resistance to you and your excellent name. Not gonna do it, Jedd. Sorry, not this time.
Carlos Rodon – 3.0 IP, 8 hits, 8 ER, 4 BB, 4 K. And drrrrropppppped.
Adam Eaton – 2-for-4, run, SB (9). I’ve been drafting Adam and picking him up for almost two years now and I don’t think he’s ever been as valuable as has been in the past two weeks. It’s all happening. Everything’s coming up Milhouse!
Jose Abreu – 1-for-2, 2-run HR (18). Just hit 22 more and you can still come to my niece’s quinceanera.
Anthony Rizzo – 2-for-3, HR (19). “H-R to the Rizzo!” And that’s me quoting Grey!
Dan Haren – Traded to Cubs. So much for getting traded back to Southern California. Don’t worry, Dan. Chicago is like the LA of the Midwest.
Shane Peterson – 2-for-3. With Carlos Gomez shipped away, it’s good fantasy practice to watch that Brewers outfield closely. Peterson could see a lot more at bats over the next few weeks, let’s see if he can take advantage, or fail miserably.
Wellington Castillo – 3-for-5, GW HR (11) in the 10th inning. He’s now homered four times in his past three games! That’s like 1.33333333 times a game!
Preston Tucker – 2-for-4. Hey! You promised me last week you were going to pick him up! What gives?! Well, he’s still hitting baseballs, so now’s your last chance to BUY.
Michael Wacha – 7.0 IP, 4 hits, 0 ER, BB, 7 K and his 12th win. I am still waiting for those regression fairies to visit Wacha, but the jokes on them. Michael has state-of-the-art fairy repellent developed by the same scientists who designed the Arch.
Danny Salazar – 8.0 IP, 1 hit, 1 run, 0 ER, BB, 4 K and his 9th win. That’s how you pitch a baseball game, K-Zar! If you could just do that every time out, preferably with a few more Ks, that’d be great. Thanks!
Kendall Graveman – 6.2 IP, 5 hits, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K. He has been down right awful, but he is a young A’s pitcher, and I know better than to ever doubt them. I will be watching him closer than I watch True Detective. That is, with a pen and paper taking notes because I have no idea what’s going on.
Mike Trout – 3-for-4, HR (32), 3 RBI. Michael has hit a home run every Friday since we got married in Dallas a month ago. You are welcome.
Mark Teixeira – 3-for-6, 2 HR (28), 6 RBI including a grand slam in the second inning. The Yankees scored 12 runs on 18 hits, and the ol’ olds got it done again. Alex Rodriguez was 2-for-2 with 4 runs, 3 BB and an RBI. Combined they have 75 years, 52 home runs, 101 RBI, 40 oz. of used Bengay and over 170 nap time hours.
Thanks for reading! Questions? Problems? Complaints to management? Advice, small gifts or large bribes? Please leave it in the comments below. Join us next Saturday for another Friday recap as fantasy baseball continues next week, all week long!
