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| Kuroda throws solid game | Sunday 8/24, 11:36 PM CT |
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Hiroki Kuroda did not figure in the decision in the Dodgers 5-2 loss to the Phillies, but he threw a good game, tossing six innings of two-hit ball, allowing only one run and striking out five.
Our View: Kuroda has an outstanding 2.11 ERA in August, and his WHIP before the game was 1.22, so it should drop after this performance. Kuroda only has seven wins because of a lack of run support, but he can help fantasy squads in need of pitching depth. |
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| Rollins having rough month | Sunday 8/24, 11:33 PM CT |
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Jimmy Rollins is not having a good August. First, he criticized Phillies fans for the constant booing, and now his performance is suffering. Rollins went 0-for-5 in the Phillies 5-2 win over the Dodgers, and his batting average in August fell below .200.
Our View: Rollins is 17-for-89 in August with no home runs and a frighteningly low RBI total of two. Fantasy owners have to be hugely disappointed following his magnificent 2007 campaign. |
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| Ramirez cooling down | Sunday 8/24, 11:29 PM CT |
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Manny Ramirez went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts in the Dodgers 5-2 extra inning loss to the Phillies.
Our View: Ramirez started ablaze for the Dodgers, but he has been icy lately, and over his last six games is hitting just .208. |
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| Feliz hits walk-off home run | Sunday 8/24, 11:26 PM CT |
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Pedro Feliz was the hero for the Philadelphia Phillies, hitting a walk-off three-run home run in the bottom of the 11th inning to lead the team to a 5-2 win over the Dodgers.
Our View: Feliz's value should be limited to NL-only leagues, as his OBP of .301 and other mediocre stats aren't anything to write home about. |
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| Corpas rolling | Sunday 8/24, 10:12 PM CT |
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Manuel Corpas has been pitching great after his initial struggles, and has an ERA of 1.50 since July 19, covering 30 innings, according to the Rocky Mountain News.
Our View: Corpas remains a set-up man, and he also does not have big strikeout totals, so his fantasy value is not high. |
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| Upton not getting results | Sunday 8/24, 9:29 PM CT |
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Justin Upton is healthy, but he has not performed well so far in Triple-A, which has delayed his return to the team, according to the Arizona Republic. In his last five games, Upton had struck out 11 times in 18 at-bats, with only three hits.
Our View: Before Upton can be recalled, he'll have to at least start to make contact and hit the ball somewhere in fair territory. |
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| Scherzer likely to get called up | Sunday 8/24, 9:24 PM CT |
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Diamondbacks pitcher Max Scherzer is most likely going to be called up when rosters expand on September 1, according to the Arizona Republic.
Our View: Scherzer was a fantasy wonder earlier in the year, racking up 33 Ks in 31 innings pitched. He has fantasy value in those strikeouts, though he will probably be put in the bullpen, so temper your expectations. |
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| Jones plays first base | Sunday 8/24, 9:21 PM CT |
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Andruw Jones played first base on Saturday in his minor league rehab game and went 2-for-4 with a stolen base, according to MLB.com. Jones was at first in order to protect his knee from further strain.
Our View: Jones has been dealing with a sore knee for some time, though it's arguable if he's in the minors for his knee or to try and get his game together. Fantasy owners can continue to ignore him. |
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| McLouth to return | Sunday 8/24, 9:16 PM CT |
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Nate McLouth has missed four games with an illness, but he should be returning to the Pirates lineup no later than Tuesday, according to Pirates.com.
Our View: McLouth has provided fantasy owners with surprising power, as evidenced by his 22 home runs and .506 slugging percentage. Fortunately, he also has speed, with 14 stolen bases. |
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| Bruce obtains Golden Sombrero | Sunday 8/24, 6:55 PM CT |
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The Golden Sombrero is given to players who have struck out four times in one game, and the newest recipient of the award is Cincinnati outfielder Jay Bruce, who accomplished the feat in an 0-for-5 day as the Reds lost to the Rockies.
Our View: After a spectacular May and early June, Bruce has cooled off, at least in the batting average department. He does have seven homers on the month, but his OBP is getting dangerously close to falling under .300. |
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| Quintanilla hits walk-off | Sunday 8/24, 6:49 PM CT |
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Rockies backup infielder Omar Quintanilla hit a pinch hit, walk-off home run in the bottom of the 12th inning on Saturday, giving Colorado a 4-3 win over the Reds.
Our View: Quintanilla was the hero for the Rockies on Saturday, but he'll never be one for fantasy owners, because he simply does not play enough. That and his OBP is under .290. |
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| Patterson stays under .200 | Sunday 8/24, 6:46 PM CT |
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Reds outfielder Corey Patterson's batting average remains under the Mendoza line after a 1-for-4 performance in the Reds loss to Colorado.
Our View: The good news is that Patterson stole his 13th base of the season. However, even if he had 25 steals, it wouldn't be enough to compensate for that average in fantasy play. |
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| Jimenez throws well | Sunday 8/24, 6:44 PM CT |
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Ubaldo Jimenez threw fairly well for Colorado, surrendering just two earned runs in six innings while striking out six and walking four in the Rockies 4-3 win over the Reds.
Our View: Jimenez has had mixed results this year. His ERA is under 4.00, but his lack of control has led to a high WHIP. He is usable in fantasy, but should probably be left to NL-only leagues. |
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| Molina knocks in five | Sunday 8/24, 6:38 PM CT |
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Giants catcher Bengie Molina almost single-handedly beat the Padres by going 3-for-4 with a home run as part of a five RBI day in San Francisco's 7-4 win over the Padres.
Our View: Molina has been great at driving in runs for fantasy owners. He now has 77 on the season, though they have come with just 10 home runs. |
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| Giles provides offense | Sunday 8/24, 6:36 PM CT |
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Brian Giles hit a rare home run, his ninth of the season, but it was not enough for San Diego, who lost to the Giants 7-4.
Our View: Giles was 1-for-3 in the game but walked twice, upping his already good OBP. He remains useful in fantasy despite his shortcomings in the power department. |
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| Wilson gets save 35 | Sunday 8/24, 6:34 PM CT |
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Brian Wilson has been solid though unspectacular for the Giants, but he still has 35 saves on the season, including one in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Padres.
Our View: Wilson gets saves and strikes people out to the tune of 9.93 K/9 entering Saturday's game. That'll word just fine for fantasy owners. |
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| Ramirez has tough day | Sunday 8/24, 6:25 PM CT |
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Shortstop Hanley Ramirez returned to the Marlins after sitting out two games with a bruised thumb, and promptly went 1-for-5 with a double and three strikeouts in Florida's 5-2 win over Arizona.
Our View: Fantasy owners blew a huge sigh of relief after finding out Ramirez had suffered only a bruised thumb. And don't read too much into the three strikeouts. He now has 110 on the year. |
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| Drew goes yard | Sunday 8/24, 6:12 PM CT |
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The Diamondbacks Stephen Drew hit his 15th home run of the season in the first inning of Arizona's 5-2 loss to Florida. The young shortstop was 2-for-4 on the day.
Our View: Though his plate discipline needs to get better so his OBP goes up, fantasy owners have to be pleased with Drew's overall season. |
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| Nolasco strikes out 10 | Sunday 8/24, 6:11 PM CT |
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Florida's Ricky Nolasco won his 13th game of the season by pitching 7.1 innings of three-hit ball against the Diamondbacks, allowing two runs and striking out ten in the team's 5-2 win over Arizona.
Our View: Nolasco has had a great year, displaying great control with the ability to make people swing and miss. Remember his name when fantasy season rolls around next year. |
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| Cameron goes 5-for-5 | Sunday 8/24, 5:26 PM CT |
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Brewers outfielder Mike Cameron had a stellar day, going 5-for-5 and hitting his 23rd home run of the year to help the Brewers beat the Pirates 4-3 in extra innings.
Our View: Cameron's average in the month of August rose to .360. He is a streaky hitter, and switches between hot and cold often. However, his power and decent speed are good tools for fantasy owners to utilize. |
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| LaRoche ejected | Sunday 8/24, 5:22 PM CT |
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Pirates first baseman Adam LaRoche was ejected, along with manager John Russell, for arguing balls and strikes during the Pirates 4-3 loss to Milwaukee. Up until his ejection, LaRoche was 1-for-3 on the day.
Our View: LaRoche was replaced by Doug Mientkiewicz, who went 0-for-2 the rest of the way. LaRohe has had a solid August, with hits in five of his last six games. |
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| Hardy hits walk-off single | Sunday 8/24, 5:19 PM CT |
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J.J. Hardy's third hit of the game was the most important one, coming in the bottom of the 12th inning to drive home the winning run in the Brewers 4-3 win over Pittsburgh.
Our View: Hardy is hot, and now has a ten-game hitting streak going. He had performed poorly in the beginning of the month, but fantasy owners are now reaping the rewards. |
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| Cueto leaves game | Sunday 8/24, 5:05 PM CT |
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Reds hurler Johnny Cueto had to leave the Reds game against Colorado after throwing three innings because of right triceps tendon soreness, according to the AP.
Our View: Cueto is scheduled to be examined by doctors on Monday when the team returns to Cincinnati. |
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| Ludwick 0-for-5 | Sunday 8/24, 4:18 PM CT |
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Cardinals outfielder Ryan Ludwick had a difficult day, failing to get a hit in five at-bats, striking out twice and leaving eight men on base, but St. Louis beat Atlanta 6-3 anyway.
Our View: Ludwick is a free swinger and is prone to strikeouts. Nonetheless, has there been a more vital waiver wire acquisition for fantasy owners than him? |
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| Blanco's struggles continue | Sunday 8/24, 4:15 PM CT |
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Gregor Blanco struck out three times in four at-bats, but did manage a single in the Braves 6-3 defeat in St. Louis.
Our View: Blanco has had a rough August, and is hitting just .209 on the month. His fantasy stock is minimal. |
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| Pujols on base five times | Sunday 8/24, 4:12 PM CT |
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Albert Pujols went 2-for-2 with three walks on the day in the Cardinals 6-3 win over the Braves. He hit his 28th home run of the year in the first inning.
Our View: Pujols slaughtered the Braves in their three-game set. He batted 16 times against Atlanta, and reached base 14 times. He is now tied with Chipper Jones for the batting lead at .359. |
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| Harden keeps it locked and loaded | Sunday 8/24, 3:58 PM CT |
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The Cubs found another strong outing from ace Rich Harden off the mound today, putting Washington to bed for the 6-1 win. Harden pitched seven innings, allowing just one run on two hits with no walks and 11 strikeouts.
Our View: Harden has been everything the Cubbies could want and more. He's on fire, touting three consecutive win with four winners over his last five starts. He has allowed just six walks versus 40 strikeouts over that same span. |
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| Fukudome hopes pinch-homer gets him out of funk | Sunday 8/24, 3:54 PM CT |
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The Cubbies got an early lead and never stood in fear of losing it, pulling the 6-1 win over Washington. However, the romp presented an opportunity to put slumping Kosuke Fukudome to the test, bringing him off the bench as a pinch hitter in the 7th inning. He rewarded the trust, hitting his ninth home run of the season to drive in two.
Our View: The Asian rookie hadn't seen a homer since late July and was hitting just .145 through August coming in. The hope is to see this burst lead to a reversal of fortune, though the Cubs are likely to continue limiting his playing time. |
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| Mets waste strong outing by Perez | Sunday 8/24, 3:39 PM CT |
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Mets LHP Oliver Perez watched a good outing go to waste today as his Mets fell 6-4 to the Astros. Perez pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing four runs (all earned) on four hits with one walk and eight strikeouts.
Our View: Perez walked with no decision as the relief pitching gave way. Over his last four starts Perez is 2-0 with 26 1/3 innings pitched for 10 combined earned runs, 12 walks, 27 strikeouts, and no homers surrendered. |
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| Pence homers in win over Mets | Sunday 8/24, 3:35 PM CT |
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Houston outfielder Hunter Pence did work today in support of the Astros' 6-4 win over the Mets, going 1-for-3 with one walk and his 18th homer of the season, totaling two RBIs and two runs scored on the day.
Our View: Pence is hitting just .190 this month coming in, but he now carries four homers for 10 RBIs and 16 runs scored. |
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| Beltran homers twice | Sunday 8/24, 3:28 PM CT |
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They needed 10 innings to settle it but the Mets fell 6-4 to Houston this afternoon despite the efforts of outfielder Carlos Beltran, going 2-for-3 at the plate with two homers on the day, totaling three RBIs and two runs scored.
Our View: That brings Beltran to four homers with 14 RBIs and 16 runs scored on the month, a dramatic .284 average included to improve on the .248/3 homers/15 runs scored of July. |
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| Hill not progressing as hoped | Sunday 8/24, 3:14 PM CT |
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Nationals general manager Jim Bowden said on Sunday that right-hander Shawn Hill is not expected to pitch in a Major League game until the second week of September, according to MLB.com.
Our View: Hill is not making the quick progress the team was expecting when he started his throwing program last month. Washington was hoping that Hill would make it back by September 1st. Hill has been bothered by a sore right forearm and hasn't pitched since June 24 against the Dodgers. There is nothing structurally wrong with the forearm - his fastball was clocked in the 90-mph range. However, muscle soreness has prevented him from throwing a sinker, and doctors recommended that Hill rest the forearm. |
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| Maine done for the year? | Sunday 8/24, 2:17 PM CT |
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Less than 24 hours after a compromised performance added a layer of doubt to the immediate future of John Maine, that doubt was amplified by his manager. Jerry Manuel presented a scenario Sunday morning that had Maine being shut down for the remainder of the season because of the bone spur in his right shoulder and the pain it has caused, according to MLB.com. Manuel acknowledged a "very good possibility" exists that Maine will be replaced in the rotation. And if he is replaced, the manager said, "I would think it would be a complete shutdown."
Our View: While pitching coach Dan Warthen said Maine remains scheduled to start the Mets' first game in Miami on Friday night, he and Manuel said contingency plans are in place in case the condition of Maine's shoulder - his rotator cuff sore because of the spur - worsens. The club already had planned to have Brian Stokes start against the Marlins in place of Mike Pelfrey, whose normal day to start would be August 31st. Pelfrey, Warthen acknowledged, would benefit in two ways: getting an extra day of rest and not facing an opponent responsible for three of his eight losses this season. But if the determination is made that Maine shouldn't pitch, Stokes could replace him Friday and another pitcher - Warthen favors Nelson Figueroa because of his assortment of breaking pitches -- could be summoned to start August 31st. |
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| Cabrera starts for resting Keppinger | Sunday 8/24, 2:13 PM CT |
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As expected, Reds shortstop Jeff Keppinger was out of Sunday's starting lineup vs. the Rockies in an effort by manager Dusty Baker to give him a rest. Veteran utilityman Jolbert Cabrera started in Keppinger's place, according to MLB.com.
Our View: Baker was forced to answer questionsa about rookie infielder Adam Rosales and why he didn't get a look, but Baker reports the desire to keep him in the corner rather than a short. Rosales played 25 games at shortstop this season, 64 at third base and 19 at first base. Cabrera entered Sunday with 53 games played at shortstop over eight big league seasons, but played well there in the previous seven games this year. |
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| Marlins bench Uggla | Sunday 8/24, 2:01 PM CT |
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Florida second baseman Dan Uggla is not in the starting lineup today, believed to be the result punishment for his two botched double plays and 0-for-3 with the strikeouts on Saturday, according to the Palm Beach Post.
Our View: Uggla hasn’t had a great road trip - 3 for 16 with a home run. He ran through a stop sign in San Francisco last week to cost Florida a run in a 4-3 loss. Alfredo Amezaga gets the start in his place. |
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| Lee scratched | Sunday 8/24, 1:55 PM CT |
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Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee did not start Sunday in the series finale against the Washington Nationals because of spasms on the left side of his neck and back, but said he was available to play, according to MLB.com.
Our View: Lee came out of Saturday's game after an awkward swing aggravated his back. He had a similar problem in May 2007, and was sidelined for one week. |
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| Berkman scratched | Sunday 8/24, 1:25 PM CT |
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Houston first baseman Lance Berkman has been dealing with pain in his left hamstring, and about a week ago, he fell and hit his wrist at home, leading manager Cecil Cooper to give him the day off, according to MLB.com.
Our View: Cooper said that Berkman will likely play Monday, but he decided to give him the day off Sunday after sleeping on the idea. The move had a ripple effect through the rest of the positions, with Mark Loretta at second base, Jose Castillo at third and Reggie Abercrombie playing center field and leading off. |
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| Rockies may be dealing Atkins, not Holliday | Sunday 8/24, 1:22 PM CT |
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The prevailing thought that outfielder Matt Holliday will eventually be traded out of Colorado seems to be dying as moves to seek interest in Garrett Atkins are heating up, according to the Denver Post.
Our View: Atkins is expected to make around $8 million in arbitration next year, and with Ian Stewart developing at third and Todd Helton returning to first, Atkins becomes readily expendable. The Rockies need to trim salary somewhere and Atkins is making a big number and carries the upside that will bring strong prospects in return. The story quotes Troy E. Renck with the Denver Post who also notes the alarming lack of depth at third base in free agency, boosting Atkins' value. It would seem likely the agent for this rising corner infielder is likely to be working the phones now and will be given clearance to seek a deal once the season is over. We'll keep you posted. |
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| Looper looking to top last season | Sunday 8/24, 11:36 AM CT |
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Cardinals RHP Braden Looper can equal last season's personal-best win total today when St. Louis hosts the Atlanta Braves in the finale of a three-game series at Turner Field, according to the Miami Herald.
Our View: A 33-year-old Oklahoman, Looper was a full-time reliever for his initial 572 appearances in the major leagues through 2006 before become a full-time starter in 2007 and going 12-12 with a 4.94 earned run average. He picked up win No. 11 this season on August 13th in Florida, allowing five hits and an earned run over seven innings of a 6-4 defeat of the Marlins. He is 5-3 with eight saves in 55 career appearances - two starts - against the Braves. |
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| Nolasco carries great record versus Arizona | Sunday 8/24, 11:32 AM CT |
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Florida will try for a rebound today behind its best starting pitcher this season. RHP Ricky Nolasco tops the Marlins with 12 wins for the year to go along with a very solid 3.67 earned run average over 27 games (25 starts), according to the Miami Herald.
Our View: Nolasco was on top of his game in Tuesday's outing at San Francisco, firing a complete-game two-hitter with 11 strikeouts to register his first career shutout. The dominating performance improved the 25-year-old to 7-3 in 14 road starts this season. He's also been quite successful when facing the Diamondbacks during his three major league seasons. Nolasco has won all three of his career starts against Arizona and allowed just five runs and 15 hits in 22 1/3 innings over the course of those games. Two of those victories came earlier this year, with Nolasco surrendering just two runs and racking up 16 strikeouts over a span of 15 innings. |
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| Ramirez back and swinging for Florida | Sunday 8/24, 11:28 AM CT |
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Marlins star shortstop Hanley Ramirez , who had missed the team's last two games with a bruised right thumb, returned to the lineup on Saturday night and had a solo home run among his four at-bats, according to the Miami Herald.
Our View: Ramirez hopes to get his Marlins back on track today against Arizona. Saturday's loss was Florida's 10th in its last 15 games. The slide has dropped the Marlins into third place in the NL East standings and six games behind the division-leading New York Mets. |
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| Jimenez looking to stay hot against Cincy | Sunday 8/24, 11:24 AM CT |
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Rising RHP Ubaldo Jimenez looks for a second consecutive win against Cincinnati today when the Colorado Rockies host the Reds in the finale of a three-game weekend series at Coors Field, according to the Miami Herald.
Our View: A 24-year-old in his first full season in the majors, the 6-foot-4, 200-pound Jimenez is 7-3 in his last 10 starts after opening with a 2-8 mark in his initial 17 outings of 2008. He faced the Reds for the first time in his career on July 27 in Cincinnati and scattered five hits over six scoreless innings in Colorado's 11-0 rout at Great American Ball Park. |
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| Fuentes to hit waivers this week | Sunday 8/24, 10:33 AM CT |
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According to the latest from MLB insider Ken Rosenthal, Brian Fuentes is expected to be put on waivers this week, according to MLBTradeRumors.com.
Our View: Rosenthal warns there are reasons for the delay in listing the closer. The Rockies must be keen to see if they can do better in a trade than the two first round draft picks they get by keeping Fuentes, rumored to be of interest to several teams. But as they fall out of the playoff race, so does the hope of getting a deal done. Waivers is the last bastion of hope, so we'll track the situation. |
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| Isringhausen pondering retirement? | Sunday 8/24, 8:25 AM CT |
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Reports out of St. Louis indicate closer Jason Isringhausen, recently diagnosed with a torn flexor muscle near his right elbow, is pondering his ability to complete the rehabilitation process and may be considering retirement from professional baseball, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Our View: On Tuesday, team medical supervisor Dr. George Paletta verified the diagnosis. Isringhausen spent Wednesday at home pondering whether he should seek surgery and try to rehab his way back to the major leagues or walk away from a big-league career. |
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| Sabbathia, Sheets scaring MLB GMs | Sunday 8/24, 8:21 AM CT |
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Reports from unnamed major league GMs indicate there are a long list of teams that will carry little-to-no interest in offering free-agent-pitchters-to-be CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets big-dollar contracts in free agency at season's end, according to the Boston Globe. "Sabathia's body scares me; he's almost 300 pounds," said the GM. "Sheets has put together a good season, but his history of injuries makes it tough to commit that kind of money to."
Our View: It would seem someone will come up and offer the right kind of money, but it would not be a bad thing if the power men of this game stopped spending so unwisely and brought the market for arms down a bit. Only time will tell, but we find it hard to believe both players will not get paid. |
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