|
| Lohse pitches well in Cardinals' loss | Friday 8/29, 11:40 PM CT |
|
Kyle Lohse allowed two earned runs on seven hits over eight innings in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Astros, with one walk and six strikeouts. The game was tied 2-2 when he exited, and was dealt a no decision. Lance Berkman won the game for Houston with a walk-off homer off Russ Springer in the bottom of the ninth.
Our View: Lohse pitched well but was unable to claim his 14th win of the season due to poor run support. He only won once over six starts in August. |
|
|
| Wolf fares well in no decision | Friday 8/29, 11:34 PM CT |
|
Randy Wolf only surrendered one earned run on three hits over six innings in Friday's 3-2 win over the Cardinals at Minute Maid Park, with one walk and one strikeout. He exited the game trailing 2-0, and was handed a no decision. The Astros scored two runs in the seventh to tie the game, and Lance Berkman ended it with a walk-off homer in the ninth.
Our View: Wolf is capable of pitching very well, like tonight, but has been too inconsistent to consider for fantasy lineups in anything but deeper NL-only leagues. |
|
|
| Berkman blasts walk-off homer | Friday 8/29, 11:27 PM CT |
|
Lance Berkman went 1-for-4 with a walk-off homer in Friday's exciting 3-2 victory over the Cardinals at Minute Maid Park.
Our View: His homer was his 27th of the season, but only his second over his last 14 games. He is still having a great season, with a .333 batting average, 94 RBI, and 101 runs scored. |
|
|
| McCann goes 2-for-3 | Friday 8/29, 11:19 PM CT |
|
Brian McCann went 2-for-3 in Friday's 7-3 loss to the Nationals.
Our View: He didn't register an RBI, but notched his sixth multi-hit game of August, and raised his season average a few points to .294. |
|
|
| Perez nails down win vs. Atlanta | Friday 8/29, 11:14 PM CT |
|
Odalis Perez issued two earned runs on seven hits over 6.1 innings in Friday's 7-3 win over the Braves, with two walks and three strikeouts.
Our View: Perez improves to 6-10, and snapped a two-game losing streak. |
|
|
| Milledge registers two RBI | Friday 8/29, 11:09 PM CT |
|
Lastings Milledge went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI in Friday's 7-3 win over the Braves. He hit a single and a double.
Our View: Milledge has five RBI over his last seven contests, and hopefully his hot hitting will carry over into September. |
|
|
| Velez collects three RBI in loss | Friday 8/29, 10:48 PM CT |
|
Eugenio Velez went 2-for-4 with three RBI in Friday's 11-7 loss to the Reds at the Great American Ballpark. He recorded a double and a triple.
Our View: That marks only his second multi-hit game in August, and tied a game-high in RBI for the season. |
|
|
| Encarnacion collects five RBI | Friday 8/29, 10:44 PM CT |
|
Edwin Encarnacion went 2-for-4 and collected five RBI in Friday's exciting 11-7 win over the Giants. Most of his damage came on a grand slam off Barry Zito.
Our View: He snapped a 14-game skid without a homer, and has 23 for the season. He is capable of strong production, like tonight, but is too inconsistent to pencil into lineups as a solid weekly starter. |
|
|
| Volquez issues six runs, still wins | Friday 8/29, 10:37 PM CT |
|
Edinson Volquez issued six earned runs on eight hits over 5.1 innings in Friday's 11-7 win over the Giants at the Great American Ballpark, with three walks and six strikeouts.
Our View: He suffered through a poor outing, but still claimed his 16th win of the season thanks to strong run support. He finished August with a 3-1 mark. |
|
|
| Cantu collects two RBI in loss | Friday 8/29, 9:56 PM CT |
|
Jorge Cantu went 2-for-4 with two RBI in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Mets. He hit a single and a double.
Our View: He snapped a five-game skid without an RBI, and has 72 for the season. |
|
|
| Volstad fares well in no decision | Friday 8/29, 9:52 PM CT |
|
Chris Volstad only allowed one earned run on five hits over 6.1 innings in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Mets, with three walks and five strikeouts. He left the game with a two-run lead, and had to settle for a no decision rather than a win in his strong performance.
Our View: He only lost one decision over his last five starts, and should remain penciled into lineups in NL-only leagues heading into the final month of the season. |
|
|
| Wright goes 2-for-5 | Friday 8/29, 9:46 PM CT |
|
David Wright went 2-for-5 with a run scored in Friday's 5-4 win over the Marlins. Both hits were singles.
Our View: That was his eighth multi-hit effort of August, and he already reached at least 25 homers and 100 RBI for the fourth straight season with the Mets. |
|
|
| Beltran's grand slam leads Mets | Friday 8/29, 9:41 PM CT |
|
Carlos Beltran went 2-for-4 with five RBI in Friday's close 5-4 win over the Marlins, with the knockout blow coming on a grand slam in the top of the ninth inning off reliever Kevin Gregg.
Our View: Beltran has 20 homers and 91 RBI for the season. He also extended his hitting streak to five games, with five hits coming over his last two outings. |
|
|
| McLouth registers lone RBI for Pirates | Friday 8/29, 9:02 PM CT |
|
Nate McLouth went 2-for-4 with a solo homer and registered the Pirates' lone RBI in Friday's 3-1 loss to Milwaukee. His other hit was a single.
Our View: That marked his first homer of August, snapping a 22-game drought. He has 23 for the season. |
|
|
| Braun carries Brewers to win | Friday 8/29, 8:58 PM CT |
|
Ryan Braun carried the Brewers in Friday's 3-1 win over the Pirates, as he went 2-for-4 with three RBI. He hit a double and a three-run homer.
Our View: He hit his 34th homer of the season, with three coming over his last five games. |
|
|
| Bush evens record to 9-9 | Friday 8/29, 8:55 PM CT |
|
Dave Bush only issued one earned run on six hits over 6.2 innings in Friday's 3-1 win over the Pirates, with two walks and two strikeouts. The only run allowed came on a Nate McClouth home run.
Our View: Bush pitched a gem and evened his record to 9-9. He has won two straight starts, and hasn't been handed a loss in his last five. He merits fantasy consideration in NL-only leagues heading into the final month of the regular season. |
|
|
| Erstad receives extension | Friday 8/29, 8:50 PM CT |
|
Darin Erstad has received a contract extension through the 2009 season, according to the AP. Erstad will make $1.75 million plus bonuses next season.
Our View: The 34-year-old was hitting .293 with three homers and 26 RBI (over 263 at-bats) heading into Friday’s game against the Cardinals. |
|
|
| Moehler receives contract extension | Friday 8/29, 8:44 PM CT |
|
Brian Moehler has received a contract extension and will make $2.3 million plus bonuses, and his deal also includes a mutual option for 2010, according to the AP.
Our View: The 36-year-old hurler is 9-5 with a 3.99 ERA over 25 games (20 starts) for the Astros this season, and is 4-1 since the All-Star break. |
|
|
| register optioned | Friday 8/29, 8:08 PM CT |
|
Steven Register has been optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs, according to the Denver Post. Brian Fuentes was activated from the bereavement list as the adjoining move.
Our View: Register only worked 1/3 of an inning during his brief stint with the team. |
|
|
| Fuentes returns to Rockies | Friday 8/29, 7:57 PM CT |
|
Brian Fuentes returned to the Rockies Friday night and was available to pitch against the Padres, according to the Rocky Mountain News. Fuentes had been placed on the bereavement list Tuesday but needed only the minimum three days.
Our View: He was dealing with a health issue with his one-year-old son Giovanni, and Fuentes said he is doing fine. The Rockies' closer should be penciled back into lineups. |
|
|
| Gagne returns to pen | Friday 8/29, 7:31 PM CT |
|
Eric Gagne has returned to the Brewers' bullpen Friday after attending to the birth of his son, according to Brewers.com.
Our View: He should be available to pitch tonight against Pittsburgh. |
|
|
| Rosales optioned | Friday 8/29, 6:36 PM CT |
|
Leo Rosales has been optioned to Triple-A Tucson, according to the East Valley Tribune. Justin Upton has been activated from the DL as the adjoining move.
Our View: Rosales held no fantasy value as a reliever with a 4.09 ERA and 1.41 WHIP over 22 innings (no saves) prior to his demotion. |
|
|
| Romero optioned | Friday 8/29, 6:33 PM CT |
|
Alex Romero has been optioned to Triple-A Tucson, according to the East Valley Tribune. Max Scherzer was recalled from Tucson as the corresponding move.
Our View: Romero held little fantasy value with a .244 average (one homer and 12 RBI) over 127 at-bats this season. |
|
|
| Upton activated | Friday 8/29, 6:29 PM CT |
|
Justin Upton has been activated from the DL following his bout with a strained left oblique, according to the East Valley Tribune. Leo Rosales was optioned to Triple-A Tucson to make room on the roster.
Our View: The team is yet to determine Upton's role. They did not acquire slugger Adam Dunn to ride the pine. |
|
|
| Scherzer recalled | Friday 8/29, 6:26 PM CT |
|
Max Scherzer has been recalled from Triple-A Tucson, according to the East Valley Tribune. Alex Romero was optioned to Tucson to make room on the roster.
Our View: Scherzer will be used as a reliever out of the pen, and is worth targeting in leagues that use middle men. |
|
|
| Morton optioned | Friday 8/29, 5:27 PM CT |
|
Charlie Morton has been optioned to Triple-A Richmond, according to the AP. Right-handed pitcher Elmer Dessens was activated as the corresponding move.
Our View: Morton failed to impress the Braves over 14 starts with a 4-8 record, 6.10 ERA, and 1.59 WHIP. |
|
|
| Dessens activated | Friday 8/29, 5:24 PM CT |
|
Elmer Dessens has been activated Friday by the Braves two days after agreeing to terms, according to the AP.
Our View: The 37-year-old is 48-61 with a 4.52 ERA in 356 appearances, including 140 starts. The Braves will be his eighth MLB club. He could be used as a starter or work in relief, but isn't likely going to hold much fantasy value. |
|
|
| Burrell fares well in loss | Friday 8/29, 4:58 PM CT |
|
Pat Burrell went 2-for-4 with an RBI in Friday's loss to the Cubs in Chicago. Both of his hits were singles.
Our View: He needed a solid performance, as he only registered two hits over his previous five games. |
|
|
| Harden leaves with no decision | Friday 8/29, 4:55 PM CT |
|
Rich Harden allowed one earned run on three hits over five innings in Friday's 3-2 win over the Phillies on the north side of Chicago, with four walks and five strikeouts. Philadelphia was leading the game 2-0 when he exited, so he was dealt a no decision.
Our View: He ended the month of August with a 3-0 record over five starts, and allowed one or less earned runs in four straight. |
|
|
| Soriano leads Cubs to win | Friday 8/29, 4:51 PM CT |
|
Alfonso Soriano went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's close 3-2 win over the Phillies at Wrigley Field. He also drew a walk and stole a base, his 17th of the season.
Our View: He snapped a 13-game drought without a homer, and also ended a five-game skid without an RBI. |
|
|
| Diamondbacks claim Ledezma | Friday 8/29, 4:41 PM CT |
|
Wil Ledezma has been claimed off waivers by the Diamondbacks from the Padres, according to the AP. Ledezma will report to Arizona on Saturday, and the Diamondbacks did not announce a corresponding roster move.
Our View: Ledezma could benefit from a fresh start in Arizona, but his fantasy value is not likely going to improve. |
|
|
| Venable recalled | Friday 8/29, 4:37 PM CT |
|
Will Venable has been recalled from Triple-A Portland, according to the AP.
Our View: Venable won't likely see enough action in the Padres' outfield to merit fantasy consideration. |
|
|
| Geer recalled | Friday 8/29, 4:34 PM CT |
|
Joshua Geer has been recalled from Triple-A Portland, according to the AP.
Our View: The 25-year-old Geer went 8-9 with a 4.54 ERA in 28 appearances with Portland this season. He isn't likely ready to make an impact with San Diego. |
|
|
| Meredith recalled | Friday 8/29, 4:32 PM CT |
|
Cla Meredith has been recalled from Triple-A Portland, according to the AP. Scott Hairston has been placed on the 15-day DL as the adjoining move due to his thumb injury (torn ligament).
Our View: Meredith holds no fantasy value, with a 3.99 ERA and 1.53 ERA over 56.1 innings of relief this season. |
|
|
| Hairston placed on DL | Friday 8/29, 4:29 PM CT |
|
Scott Hairston has been placed on the 15-day DL due to a torn ligament in his left thumb, according to the AP. The team recalled pitcher Cla Meredith from Triple-A Portland as the corresponding move.
Our View: Jody Gerut could be set up for extended playing time in center field, but that will also depend on who the Padres add in September call-ups. |
|
|
| Elbert recalled | Friday 8/29, 4:05 PM CT |
|
Scott Elbert has been recalled from Double-A Jacksonville, according to the LA Daily News. The Dodgers optioned Clayton Kershaw to Triple-A Las Vegas as the adjoining move.
Our View: Elbert will be making his MLB debut after going 4-1 with a 2.40 ERA for Jacksonville. He was brought in to aid a tired Dodgers' bullpen, and his fantasy value should be minimal. |
|
|
| Kershaw optioned | Friday 8/29, 4:02 PM CT |
|
Clayton Kershaw has been optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas, according to the LA Daily News. The Dodgers called up Double-A pitcher Scott Elbert to provide bullpen depth.
Our View: Kershaw will still be on track to make his next scheduled start on Tuesday against San Diego. Because Las Vegas' schedule ends on Monday, the Dodgers will not have to wait the required 10 days before calling him back up in time to make that start.
|
|
|
| Sanches sent down | Friday 8/29, 3:14 PM CT |
|
Both Brian Sanches and Chris Schroder were sent down to Triple-A Columbus by the Washington Nationals on Friday, according to MLB.com.
Our View: Sanches has an ERA of 7.36 and a WHIP dangerously close to 2.00. Schroder threw just five innings, and walked twice the number of batters (6) than he struck out. |
|
|
| Angels attempting to bring Eckstein back | Friday 8/29, 3:05 PM CT |
|
The L.A. Angels are working on a deal to bring back David Eckstein, one of the player that helped them win the World Series in 2002, according to the Orange County Register.
Our View: The Angels need middle infield help with the injuries to Howie Kendrick and Erick Ayabar, and Eckstein can play both second base and shortstop. |
|
|
| Alvarez grievance continues | Friday 8/29, 2:17 PM CT |
|
The grievance filed by Pedro Alvarez and Scott Boras will claim that phone records prove that Alvarez did not accept the Pirates offer in time, according to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. In response, the Pirates will claim that Alvarez said "I accept" over the phone two minutes before midnight.
Our View: This saga is getting stranger, and even if Alvarez wins, how much it will really benefit him is questionable, as the Pirates are not likely to raise their offer to him, and should he re-enter the draft next year, other teams might be scared off by this incident and simply pass over him. |
|
|
| Wood is ready to pitch | Friday 8/29, 2:01 PM CT |
|
Kerry Wood has thrown four straight days, but he is ready to pitch for a fifth consecutive day, according to MLB.com. "I felt great [Thursday], and I feel good again today," he said.
Our View: Wood has been a bit of a pleasant surprise for fantasy owners, many of whom expected Carlos Marmol to take the ninth inning role away from Wood at some point this season. But Wood has been great, with a WHIP under 1.00 while averaging nearly 11 K/9. |
|
|
| Ramirez to start on Saturday for Reds | Friday 8/29, 12:55 PM CT |
|
Ramon Ramirez will be called up by the Reds in order to make a start against the Giants on Saturday, according to the Associated Press.
Our View: Ramirez will replace Johnny Cueto who will miss the start because of a strained right elbow. Ramirez was 2-3 with a 4.70 ERA in nine starts at Double-A before moving on to Triple-A where he has gone 4-5 with a 3.08 ERA. He has been particularly hot of late with a 1.38 ERA over his last five outings. |
|
|
| Weeks struggles against Gorzelanny | Friday 8/29, 12:20 PM CT |
|
The Milwaukee Brewers will face off against the Pittsburgh Pirates and pitcher Tom Gorzelanny Friday, which is generally bad news for Rickie Weeks. Weeks is just 1-for-16 in his career off the lefty.
Our View: Weeks has had a poor year and has not been playing well lately. He has collected a hit in just three of his last 19 at-bats. He can provide some stolen bases and pop to fantasy owners, but that average is hard to deal with. |
|
|
| Bush succeeds | Friday 8/29, 11:42 AM CT |
|
It has been an up and down season for Dave Bush that has even seen him in Triple-A. After Bush began the season 0-3 and was sent down he has come back and made his mark with the big club. In the month of August Bush has posted a 3-0 record with an ERA of 2.30., according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Our View: Bush has performed lately and could consider some thought about being on your roster down the stretch. |
|
|
| Eyre performing well | Friday 8/29, 11:14 AM CT |
|
Scott Eyre has performed better than expected for the Phillies since they acquired him from the Cubs. Eyre has made seven scoreless appearances for the Phills, according to Philly.com.
Our View: Eyre has performed well out of the pen but has no real fantasy value. |
|
|
| Cook trying to find it again | Friday 8/29, 11:05 AM CT |
|
It has been a little bit of a struggle for Aaron Cook since the All-Star break and according to the Rocky Mountain News some scouts have said that Cook has lost the sink on his sinker. Since the break Cook has an ERA of 4.98.
Our View: Cook's ERA and WHIP are a little high for an elite starter but he does have 15 wins on the year and 84 strikeouts in 182-innings. |
|
|
| Young coming back | Friday 8/29, 11:00 AM CT |
|
Chris Young looks like he will make his return to the Padres rotation on Sunday. According to the Rocky Mountain News Young threw a 65-pitch simulated game on Tuesday and came out of that feeling ready to go.
Our View: Young has been on and off the DL all of the year and in his time off the DL he has an ERA of 4.74. He might be worth consideration for your roster only against certain match-ups. |
|
|
| Hawkins streaks | Friday 8/29, 10:33 AM CT |
|
Since coming to the Astros LaTroy Hawkins has been very good. According to the Houston Chronicle Hawkins pitched a scoreless eighth inning Thursday night to extend his scoreless inning streak to nine innings.
Our View: Hawkins who struggled early in the season may have found a home in the Astros bullpen. |
|
|
| Soriano's D | Friday 8/29, 10:21 AM CT |
|
Recently the Cubs have had not much to worry about, but if there is one thing it has been the spotty defense of Alfonso Soriano. In the last week Soriano has made two errors on fairly-routine plays. According to the Chicago Sun-Times Lou Piniella has repeatedly said that he will not replace Soriano late in games for defensive purpose.
Our View: Unless you are in a fantasy league with defensive stats there is no way Soriano should not be in your starting line-up. |
|
|
| Anderson moves into center | Friday 8/29, 10:14 AM CT |
|
After the Braves let Mark Kotsay go to the Red Sox it was an opening that Josh Anderson has been waiting for. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Anderson is using the final five weeks of the season as an audition for being the everyday center-field next year.
Our View: Anderson was having a great year at Triple-A Richmond hitting .314 and stealing 41 bases in 121 games. |
|
|
| DeWitt seeing time at second | Friday 8/29, 9:16 AM CT |
|
Blake DeWitt, a third baseman by nature, had been seeing some time at second base in the minors because the Dodgers are interested in bringing back Casey Blake, and the team could see him replacing Jeff Kent, according to Jayson Stark of ESPN.com.
Our View: Blake started off very well before stumbling, but he is a former high draft pick who has potential to be be an everyday player. |
|
|
| LaRoche effort befuddling | Friday 8/29, 9:12 AM CT |
|
Andy LaRoche has had a miserable season, and part of it may be that he does not seem to be putting out much of an effort, according to ESPN.com.
Our View: LaRoche has been chided for not running out ground balls and general malaise, which are things a guy hitting .159 can't really be doing. Clearly, his fantasy value is non-existent. |
|
|
| Yankees already thinking about Sabathia | Friday 8/29, 8:51 AM CT |
|
The New York Yankees are already talking about going after free agents CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett in the offseason, according to New York Newsday. "Everybody's looking at [CC] Sabathia and [A.J.] Burnett, not just us. We'll see. The main concern is, are their arms going to be OK after this season?" asked Hank Steinbrenner.
Our View: Steinbrenner's desire to get better will be a driving force behind their attempts to land one, or both, of the pitchers. And it will certainly drive the prices up for both hurlers. |
|
|
| Gonzalez sent down | Friday 8/29, 8:42 AM CT |
|
In the midst of a 2-for-39 slump, Carlos Gonzalez was sent to the minor leagues to make room for outfielder Ryan Sweeney on the A's roster, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Our View: Gonzalez started off fairly well, but his OBP is a measly .271 and he struck out far too often, with 76 in 283 at-bats. He may be called up when rosters expand September 1. |
|
|
| Stairs heads to Philadelphia | Friday 8/29, 8:04 AM CT |
|
Matt Stairs was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays and subsequently traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for a player to be named, according to Scout.com.
Our View: Stairs could see himself getting playing time in a platoon situation with Jayson Werth in right field. Stairs is hitting just .251 against righties, compared to Werth's .258, but Stairs does have 10 home runs and an OBP of .350 against them. |
|
Crushing hits. Explosive separation. Hail Mary bombs to streaking receivers. For that and fantasy analysis for all things football turn to Owners Edge NFL every week on your way to the championship.
Power-plays. Goals. Fights. Great glove saves. If you are looking to augment your NHL experience with some of the most innovative fantasy hockey analysis on the Internet, then turn to Owners Edge NHL.
Outlet passes. Jumpers from downtown. Alley-oops leading to thunderous jams that bring the crowd to their feet are all part of the NBA experience leading to our analysis of the hardwood at Owners Edge NBA.
The hush at the tee box is followed by the sweat sound of metal on ball as someone in the gallery yells out 'you da man!' At Owners Edge PGA we bring refinement, analysis and passion to the sport of golf.
The smell of burning rubber. The thrill of unmitigated speed coming out of the turn. The visceral exhilaration of a pile up. At Owners Edge NASCAR we make the pit stop so you don't have to on race day.