Jimmy Rollins went 0-for-4 in his return from the DL. After the game, Charlie Manuel said… Actually, no one’s sure because he was chewing a piece of straw at the time. I wouldn’t just yet start blowing your vuvuzela at your TV set that’s broadcasting the Philly game expecting an explosive 2nd half from Rollins. J-Roll lost 16 steals from 2008 to 2009 and is now 31-years-old and on a bad set of wheels. He’s in a great place to succeed — the Philly lineup and hitter-friendly Citizens Flank. In a half a season, you may only get 10/15 with a .270 average. It’s nice, but this isn’t your slightly older brother’s NL MVP anymore. This is a guy that is one poor 2nd half away from plummeting in the shortstop rankings. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Jamie Moyer – 8 IP, 1 ER, 3 baserunners, 5 Ks. He attributes his success to how well he prepares for each opponent. Here he is checking the Indians’ scouting report.
Mat Latos – 7 IP, 0 ER, 4 baserunners, 8 Ks vs. the Rays. Has a WHIP of 0.95 and a 2.93 ERA. He’s real and he’s spectacular. Now I’m more concerned about the Padres actually battling for the NL West and putting too many innings on Latos’ arm. Please don’t do that, I wanna own him next year.
Jose Bautista – 2-for-3 with 2 homers. I wonder if Aaron Hill watches him, muttering, “I was the toast of Toronto!”
Brett Cecil – 5 IP, 6 ER, 9 baserunners, 4 Ks. I wouldn’t read too much into this if it hadn’t come right after a 5 earned in 6 inning game vs. the Padres. Cecil could be going through a tired arm.
Matt Wieters – 1-for-3 with a home run. A Matt Wieters Fact: After Matt Wieters last home run, he went 0-for-16.
Jake Fox – Orioles made their first move for the pennant chase, trading for Jake Fox. Now if they can get their hands on 9 hitters, 5 starters, a bullpen, a closer and a manager, they could be unstoppable. I’m the first one to go caca-cuckoo for Jake Fox, but he needs an every day job and needs to hit. So for now the “Unathletic Like A Fox” t-shirts are still on the shelf.
Mike Gonzalez – Threw a scoreless inning as he started his rehab. The O’s are looking for the closer role to be ‘A Mike G. Joint’ before the All-Star break.
Roy Oswalt – 7 IP, 2 ER, 6 baserunners, 5 Ks and a no decision. Is it me or has this been his line every time out? No, it’s not me. It has.
Angel Pagan – 4-for-6, 3 Runs and 4 RBIs. Are you an angel? Are you a pagan? A devil worshiping angel? And neither names are pronounced as they seem? It’s all very confusing. What is not confusing is he’s the Metropolitans’ best hitter. Can’t bench Pagan for Beltran. Cannot do it. People need to show up at Metco with “Benchy Frenchy” signs. Take some initiative, Mets fans. You’re our only hope.
Jose Reyes – 3-for-6 with his 18th steal. Hmm… Let’s see, I’d like him to have 27 steals by the All-Star break. Make it happen. Oh, bee tee dubya, Reyes has the same number of RBIs as Jason Bay. Zoinks!
Justin Verlander – 2 IP, 5 ER, 8 baserunners, 2 Ks. I recognize this line from somewhere. I know! It’s one of his April lines. June to Verlander, come in Verlander.
Brennan Boesch – 2-for-3, 3 RBIs and his 11th homer. I’m waiting for the bottom to drop out with Boesch, but I’m enjoying him on a few teams in the meantime, which I guess makes it happytime.
Andy Oliver – Will take over Porcello’s rotation spot for the time being. Oliver is only 14 starts into his pro career, rocking a 8+ K/9, 3.61 ERA and 1.28 WHIP at Double-A Erie, which makes it scary that the Tigers are promoting him already. It’s one way to kill a prospect’s confidence. Another way is to hide “You suck” notes in their locker and sign them, “Love, Mom.” With his Ks, I’d grab him in deep H2H leagues and AL-Only leagues for a chance at lightning in a bottle. Or if you feel like it’s a last ditch effort to save an already declining team, add Oliver and the always precocious, Brian Bonsall.
Nelson Cruz – 0-for-3 as he returned from the DL. I just hope this doesn’t now mean it’s Vlad or Hamilton’s turn to get injured. Please let the Texas scales of injury tip towards Matt Treanor.
Julio Borbon – Hit his 2nd homer of the year. Otherwise known as one more homer than Ian Kinsler.
Tommy Hunter – 6 IP, 2 ER, 9 baserunners, 6 Ks. Hard to recommend him outside of deep leagues because of his K-rate, but he’s pitching well and had a good July last year. Or so I read yesterday. Hey, wait, I wrote that yesterday too. Weird!
Brian McCann – Hit his 8th homer yesterday. Let me guess, his eyes are better? Stupid McCann with his stupid eyes.
Tommy Hanson – 3 2/3 IP, 9 ER, 14 baserunners, 0 Ks, now has a 4.17 ERA on the year. I was criticized pretty heavily in the preseason when I said I was avoiding Hanson in all of my leagues (also in that tier of avoidance: Vazquez and Scherzer). Luckily, those critics are back tweeting funny karaoke stories with Matthew Berry.
Carlos Quentin – 2-for-4 with a three-run homer. And this preseason sleeper of mine hasn’t looked as good. He really is more talented than what he’s shown, but he has been severely disappointing. (Hey, who said has been?) Maybe this is the start of something. Though I wouldn’t hold my breath. You could die.
Scott Baker – 6 IP, 5 ER, 9 baserunners, 7 Ks. Geez, Baker, make up your freakin’ mind. You turning your season around or aren’t you? Very frustrating. (BTW, I saw A. Burnett gave up two runs in middle relief for the Twins and for a second I was like, “Damn, A.J. Burnett is now giving up runs for the Twins on his day off?”)
Jhoulys Chacin – 6 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 9 baserunners, 5 Ks vs. the Sawx. Sonavabench!
Huston Street – Was activated from the DL, but Matt Belisle got his 2nd career save as Tracy made a point about not rushing Street back into a pressure situation. This has to be one of the sillier things a manager does. He’s been a closer his whole career, it’s three outs, just throw Street. I wouldn’t grab Belisle unless you’re crazy desperate for saves. I wouldn’t drop Corpas either because who knows how long Street’s going to be nursing from Tracy’s teet.
Matt Kemp – Hit his 12th homer, but no one was on base because he was batting seventh. TORRE!!!
Bronson Arroyo – 8 IP, 2 ER, 5 baserunners, 1 K. His lack of strikeouts is obvious, but he’s a 2nd half beast that’s turned it on already.
Coco Crisp – Returned from the DL early and hit his first homer of the year. Oh, snap! *soft voice* Crackle, pop.
Jason Vargas – 7 IP, 0 ER, 5 baserunners, 7 Ks. There’s a lot of smoke mirrors going on with Vargas, but his ballpark does end in -co.
Trevor Hoffman – Ken Macha said Hoffman could reclaim the closer role. Then Axford asked why. Then Macha said cuz. Then Axford went out and got his fifth straight save.
Carlos Silva – Start is being pushed until Saturday due to a hamstring injury. Silva told the media, “This is very disappointing because for many years I’ve shown nothing but love for everything associated with ham.”
Anibal Sanchez – 6 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 7 baserunners, 3 Ks. I wonder if Anibal and Gaby have ever been on a double date with two girls named, Bill and Kevin.
