Pitching Chart, Championship Series
AL Los Angeles Angels New York Yankees
Thursday --- ---
Friday @NYY-Lackey LAA-Sabathia
Saturday @NYY-Saunders LAA-Burnett
Sunday --- ---
Monday NYY-Weaver @LAA-Pettitte
Tuesday NYY-Kazmir @LAA-Sabathia2*
Wednesday --- ---
Thursday, Oct. 22 NYY-Lackey2 @LAA-Burnett2
Friday, Oct. 23 --- ---
Saturday, Oct. 24 @NYY-Saunders2 LAA-Pettitte2
Sunday, Oct. 25 @NYY-Weaver2 LAA-Sabathia3
*-The Yankees are expected to come back with workhorse LHP C.C. Sabathia for a Game 4 start on just three days’ rest. That also would enable him also to start a seventh game, if there is one. Never let it be said that Major League Baseball, whose money-counters seem to think the Yanks and Red Sox are the only teams that matter, would add an extra day during the series’ stay in Anaheim that would seem to help New York, which has no more than three reliable starters.
NL Los Angeles Dodgers Philadelphia Phillies
Thursday Phi-Kershaw @LAA-Hamels
Friday Phi-Padilla @LAA-Martinez*
Saturday --- ---
Sunday @Phi-Kuroda LAA-Lee
Monday @Phi-Wolf LAA-Blanton**
Tuesday --- ---
Wednesday @Phi-Kershaw2 LAA-Hamels2
Thursday, Oct. 22 --- ---
Friday, Oct. 23 Phi-Padilla2 @LAA-Lee2
Saturday, Oct. 24 Phi-Kuroda2 @LAA-Blanton2
Sunday, Oct. 25 --- ---
*-Philadelphia has indicated that it would go in Game 2 with RHP Pedro Martinez, who hasn’t pitched since Sept. 30, instead of LHP J.A. Happ or RHP Joe Blanton, who pitched Sunday. The second time through the four-man rotation, the Phillies could skip the aging Martinez in favor of LHP Cliff Lee, who started Monday, and Blanton.
**-Blanton seems likely to be Philly’s starter in Game 4 (and 7, if necessary), with Happ in the bullpen.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
The most annoying talk-show host A.S.A.S.*
A.S.A.S. means After Stephen A. Smith.
His barely lamented departure resulted in the mere ascencion of the guy in second place to No. 1. Kind of like when the top-ranked team in college football is knocked off and No. 2 has beaten some schlub team 69-3.
The guy in second place during the reign of Stephen A. Smith, AKA The Dark Ages, also is on ESPN. Still, somehow. He's opinionated, which he's supposed to be. He also seems very weak on research, and shoots off his mouth with very little factual information to back up his weakly conceived points.
His name is Colin Cowherd, and he annoys the hell out of me.
His barely lamented departure resulted in the mere ascencion of the guy in second place to No. 1. Kind of like when the top-ranked team in college football is knocked off and No. 2 has beaten some schlub team 69-3.
The guy in second place during the reign of Stephen A. Smith, AKA The Dark Ages, also is on ESPN. Still, somehow. He's opinionated, which he's supposed to be. He also seems very weak on research, and shoots off his mouth with very little factual information to back up his weakly conceived points.
His name is Colin Cowherd, and he annoys the hell out of me.
Hot and Not going into postsesaon
The players listed here were the statistical leaders during the final week of the season for the nine teams still playing in the majors.
This post is designed to help you in forming a fantasy team for leagues or special contexts involving postseason play, or merely to help you enjoy the playoffs while having your friends marvel at your incredible baseball knowledge.
Batting averages are based on 20 at-bats, and ERA and WHIP on seven innings pitched. In most cases, we eliminate batters with an average lower than .280 and pitchers with ERAs above 4.00 from the Hot list. Keep in mind players’ career performance and current-season totals even more than current trends in deciding on whether to keep those players in your lineup.
Hot
Pos. Name, Team H-AB Avg. HR-RBI SB
OF Magglio Ordonez, Tigers 12-22 .545 1-6 0
SS Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies 11-22 .500 2-6 2
SS Orlando Cabrera, Twins 15-33 .455 0-5 0
OF Delmon Young, Twins 12-27 .444 1-10 0
1B Todd Helton, Rockies 11-26 .423 1-5 0
SS Jimmy Rollins, Phillies 10-25 .400 1-2 1
1B Ryan Howard, Phillies 9-25 .360 2-5 1
1B/3B Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox 7-20 .350 2-7 1
OF Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox 7-20 .350 0-0 3
OF Denard Span, Twins 10-30 .333 0-2 0
OF Jason Bay, Red Sox 7-21 .333 0-3 0
This is the second consecutive week for Helton on the Hot list.
Home runs – Tigers OF Curtis Granderson and Angels 1B Kendry Morales 3; Howard, Tulowitzki, Youkilis, Yankees 1B Mark Teixeira and Phillies OF Jayson Werth 2.
RBI – Young 10; Morales 8; Youkilis 7; Ordonez, Tulowitzki, Cardinals RHP Chris Carpenter and 1B Albert Pujols, Twins OF Jason Kubel and Red Sox 1B/C Victor Martinez 6. Carpenter had a very productive three at-bats in his final start.
Stolen bases – Werth 4; Ellsbury 3; Pujols, Tulowitzki and Dodgers SS Rafael Furcal 2.
Runs – Cabrera and Helton 8; Howard, Morales and Tulowitzki 7. Note that Tulo was on each of these lists, making him a five-tool fantasy player.
Throws Pitcher, Team IP ERA W-L WHIP SO/BB
RHP Matt Palmer, Angels 7.0 0.00 1-0 0.57 4:3
RHP Ervin Santana, Angels 9.0 0.00 1-0 0.89 2:1
RHP Aaron Cook, Rockies 8.0 1.13 1-0 0.63 2:1
LHP Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers 10.0 1.80 0-0 1.10 14:4
RHP Nick Blackburn, Twins 14.0 1.93 0-0 0.79 9:1
Blackburn has been on this list in each of the last two weeks.
Wins – Twins RHP Jon Rauch 2.
Saves – Angels LHP Brian Fuentes 4-for-4; Twins RHP Joe Nathan 3-for-3; Phillies RHP Ryan Madson 2-for-2. This is the fourth consecutive week for Nathan on this list, and the second for Fuentes. Madson's success increases the possibility that he, and not RHP Brad Lidge, would be Philadelphia's closer for the NLDS.
WHIP – Palmer and Angels RHP Sean O'Sullivan 0.57; Cook 0.63; Blackburn 0.79; Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa and Yankees RHP Chad Gaudin 0.88.
Strikeout/walk ratio (at least 10 Ks and a 2.5:1 ratio) – De La Rosa 12:3; Kershaw 14:4; Rockies RHP Ubaldo Jimenez 10:4.
* * *
Not
Pos. Player, Team H-AB Avg. HR-RBI SB
C Gerald Laird, Tigers 2-20 .100 0-1 0
2B Chase Utley, Phillies 2-20 .100 0-2 0
2B/SS Clint Barmes, Rockies 3-21 .143 0-0 0
OF Matt Kemp, Dodgers 3-21 .143 0-1 0
OF Ryan Ludwick, Cardinals 3-21 .143 0-4 0
1B James Loney, Dodgers 4-22 .182 0-0 0
1B Miguel Cabrera, Tigers 5-26 .192 1-1 0
OF Colby Rasmus, Cardinals 4-20 .200 0-1 0
Walk/strikeout ratio (generally 10 or more strikeouts) – No players on a playoff team struck out 10 times during the regular season's final week. The worst performance was by Dodgers OF Manny Ramirez 3:9.
Caught stealing – Red Sox OF Jacoby Ellsbury 3-for-5.
The following pitchers made two starts last week, doubly damaging their real and fantasy teams.
Throws Pitcher, Team IP ERA W-L WHIP SO/BB
RHP Edwin Jackson, Tigers 12.0 9.75 0-2 1.50 8:4
LHP Cole Hamels, Phillies 9.2 8.38 0-2 1.76 7:5
RHP Joe Blanton, Phillies 11.2 7.71 1-1 1.89 7:6
LHP Andy Pettitte, Yankees 10.1 4.35 1-1 1.94 5:7
RHP Kyle Lohse, Cardinals 11.0 4.09 0-2 1.45 9:2
Losses – Hamels, Jackson and Lohse 2.
Blown saves – Dodgers RHP Jonathan Broxton, Cardinals RHP Kyle McLellan, Rockies RHP Jon Rauch and Red Sox RHP Takashi Saito 0-for-1; Rockies RHP Huston Street 2-for-3.
This post is designed to help you in forming a fantasy team for leagues or special contexts involving postseason play, or merely to help you enjoy the playoffs while having your friends marvel at your incredible baseball knowledge.
Batting averages are based on 20 at-bats, and ERA and WHIP on seven innings pitched. In most cases, we eliminate batters with an average lower than .280 and pitchers with ERAs above 4.00 from the Hot list. Keep in mind players’ career performance and current-season totals even more than current trends in deciding on whether to keep those players in your lineup.
Hot
Pos. Name, Team H-AB Avg. HR-RBI SB
OF Magglio Ordonez, Tigers 12-22 .545 1-6 0
SS Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies 11-22 .500 2-6 2
SS Orlando Cabrera, Twins 15-33 .455 0-5 0
OF Delmon Young, Twins 12-27 .444 1-10 0
1B Todd Helton, Rockies 11-26 .423 1-5 0
SS Jimmy Rollins, Phillies 10-25 .400 1-2 1
1B Ryan Howard, Phillies 9-25 .360 2-5 1
1B/3B Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox 7-20 .350 2-7 1
OF Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox 7-20 .350 0-0 3
OF Denard Span, Twins 10-30 .333 0-2 0
OF Jason Bay, Red Sox 7-21 .333 0-3 0
This is the second consecutive week for Helton on the Hot list.
Home runs – Tigers OF Curtis Granderson and Angels 1B Kendry Morales 3; Howard, Tulowitzki, Youkilis, Yankees 1B Mark Teixeira and Phillies OF Jayson Werth 2.
RBI – Young 10; Morales 8; Youkilis 7; Ordonez, Tulowitzki, Cardinals RHP Chris Carpenter and 1B Albert Pujols, Twins OF Jason Kubel and Red Sox 1B/C Victor Martinez 6. Carpenter had a very productive three at-bats in his final start.
Stolen bases – Werth 4; Ellsbury 3; Pujols, Tulowitzki and Dodgers SS Rafael Furcal 2.
Runs – Cabrera and Helton 8; Howard, Morales and Tulowitzki 7. Note that Tulo was on each of these lists, making him a five-tool fantasy player.
Throws Pitcher, Team IP ERA W-L WHIP SO/BB
RHP Matt Palmer, Angels 7.0 0.00 1-0 0.57 4:3
RHP Ervin Santana, Angels 9.0 0.00 1-0 0.89 2:1
RHP Aaron Cook, Rockies 8.0 1.13 1-0 0.63 2:1
LHP Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers 10.0 1.80 0-0 1.10 14:4
RHP Nick Blackburn, Twins 14.0 1.93 0-0 0.79 9:1
Blackburn has been on this list in each of the last two weeks.
Wins – Twins RHP Jon Rauch 2.
Saves – Angels LHP Brian Fuentes 4-for-4; Twins RHP Joe Nathan 3-for-3; Phillies RHP Ryan Madson 2-for-2. This is the fourth consecutive week for Nathan on this list, and the second for Fuentes. Madson's success increases the possibility that he, and not RHP Brad Lidge, would be Philadelphia's closer for the NLDS.
WHIP – Palmer and Angels RHP Sean O'Sullivan 0.57; Cook 0.63; Blackburn 0.79; Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa and Yankees RHP Chad Gaudin 0.88.
Strikeout/walk ratio (at least 10 Ks and a 2.5:1 ratio) – De La Rosa 12:3; Kershaw 14:4; Rockies RHP Ubaldo Jimenez 10:4.
* * *
Not
Pos. Player, Team H-AB Avg. HR-RBI SB
C Gerald Laird, Tigers 2-20 .100 0-1 0
2B Chase Utley, Phillies 2-20 .100 0-2 0
2B/SS Clint Barmes, Rockies 3-21 .143 0-0 0
OF Matt Kemp, Dodgers 3-21 .143 0-1 0
OF Ryan Ludwick, Cardinals 3-21 .143 0-4 0
1B James Loney, Dodgers 4-22 .182 0-0 0
1B Miguel Cabrera, Tigers 5-26 .192 1-1 0
OF Colby Rasmus, Cardinals 4-20 .200 0-1 0
Walk/strikeout ratio (generally 10 or more strikeouts) – No players on a playoff team struck out 10 times during the regular season's final week. The worst performance was by Dodgers OF Manny Ramirez 3:9.
Caught stealing – Red Sox OF Jacoby Ellsbury 3-for-5.
The following pitchers made two starts last week, doubly damaging their real and fantasy teams.
Throws Pitcher, Team IP ERA W-L WHIP SO/BB
RHP Edwin Jackson, Tigers 12.0 9.75 0-2 1.50 8:4
LHP Cole Hamels, Phillies 9.2 8.38 0-2 1.76 7:5
RHP Joe Blanton, Phillies 11.2 7.71 1-1 1.89 7:6
LHP Andy Pettitte, Yankees 10.1 4.35 1-1 1.94 5:7
RHP Kyle Lohse, Cardinals 11.0 4.09 0-2 1.45 9:2
Losses – Hamels, Jackson and Lohse 2.
Blown saves – Dodgers RHP Jonathan Broxton, Cardinals RHP Kyle McLellan, Rockies RHP Jon Rauch and Red Sox RHP Takashi Saito 0-for-1; Rockies RHP Huston Street 2-for-3.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Pitching Chart for Division Series
Here are the expected starters for Tuesday’s playoff game between the Tigers and Twins to get into the playoffs and for the Division Series.
AL 10/6 Gm 1 10/9 10/10 10/11 10/12 10/13 10/14
Bos --- @LAA
Lester @LAA
Beckett --- LAA
Buchholz LAA
Matsuzaka --- @LAA
Lester2
Det @Min
Porcello* @NYY
Jackson @NYY
Verlander --- NYY
Porcello2 NYY
Jackson2 --- @NYY
Verlander2
LAA --- Bos
Lackey Bos
Weaver --- @Bos
Kazmir @Bos
Saunders --- Bos
Lackey2
Min Det
Baker** @NYY
Blackburn @NYY
Pavano --- NYY
Baker2 NYY
Blkbn2-3* --- @NYY
Pavano2
NYY --- XXX
Sabathia XXX
Petttte-4* --- @XXX
Burnett @XXX
Sabathia2 --- XXX
Pettitte2
*-If the Tigers win and the Twins lose Sunday, there wouldn’t be a playoff game Tuesday. RHP Rick Porcello would be the likely Game 1 starter against the Yankees, moving the remainder of Detroit’s ALDS rotation back one game. If the Tigers lose and the Twins win, Minnesota would win the American League Central and Detroit wouldn’t advance to the ALDS. Or if the teams finish the regular season tied, Tuesday’s one-game playoff would determine which team would play on.
**-The opposite scenarios from the paragraph above would apply. So if the Twins win the division title outright, RHP Scott Baker would start Game 1 in New York, and the other pitchers would move back one game. Or if Minnesota loses either after 162 games or in a Tuesday playoff, the Twins wouldn’t advance to the ALDS.
3*-It’s likely that Minnesota would use just three starters in the ALDS, meaning RHP Nick Blackburn would start Game 4, and LHP Brian Duensing and RHP Jeff Manship would move from the Twins’ rotation to their bullpen.
4*-Based on the season-ending rotation, LHP Andy Pettitte would be in line to start the second game of the Yankees’ ALDS. They could decide to move RHP A.J. Burnett ahead of Pettitte to make two ALDS starts.
NL Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue
Col @Phi
Cook @Phi
Jimenez --- Phi
DeLaRosa* Phi
Marquis --- @Phi
Cook2
LAD StL
Wolf StL
Kershaw --- @StL
Billingsley-2* @StL
Garland-3* --- StL
Wolf2
Phi Col
Lee Col
Hamels --- @Col
Blanton @Col
Happ-4* --- Col
Lee2
StL @LAD
Carpenter @LAD
Wainwright --- LAD
Pineiro LAD
Smoltz-5* --- @LAD
Carpenter2
*-LHP Jorge De La Rosa left Saturday’s game because of a tight left groin. He could be ready to start Saturday, if not Thursday. If De La Rosa couldn’t pitch, the Rockies could move RHP Jason Marquis ahead in their rotation or insert RHPs Jason Hammel or Jose Contreras to start Game 3.
**-Dodgers RHP Hiroki Kuroda will miss the NLDS because of a bulging disk in his neck. That means LHP Clayton Kershaw would be likely to pitch in Game 2 Thursday on his usual four days’ rest after pitching the division-clinching win Saturday. RHP Chad Billingsley hasn’t pitched effectively late in the season, but could be Los Angeles’ best third option.
3*-The Dodgers’ second decision would be whether to start RHPs Jon Garland or Vicente Padilla in Game 4. Padilla’s record this year is better, but Garland has a better long-range track record.
4*-The Phillies have selected more durable LHP J.A. Happ over RHP Pedro Martinez as their fourth starter for the playoffs.
5*-RHP John Smoltz, who has a far more distinguished postseason track record than RHP Kyle Lohse, is likely to be the Cardinals’ choice as their fourth starter. Both had losing records this season. With trigger-happy Tony LaRussa as manager, expect St. Louis to use plenty of pitchers in Game 4 regardless of who starts.
AL 10/6 Gm 1 10/9 10/10 10/11 10/12 10/13 10/14
Bos --- @LAA
Lester @LAA
Beckett --- LAA
Buchholz LAA
Matsuzaka --- @LAA
Lester2
Det @Min
Porcello* @NYY
Jackson @NYY
Verlander --- NYY
Porcello2 NYY
Jackson2 --- @NYY
Verlander2
LAA --- Bos
Lackey Bos
Weaver --- @Bos
Kazmir @Bos
Saunders --- Bos
Lackey2
Min Det
Baker** @NYY
Blackburn @NYY
Pavano --- NYY
Baker2 NYY
Blkbn2-3* --- @NYY
Pavano2
NYY --- XXX
Sabathia XXX
Petttte-4* --- @XXX
Burnett @XXX
Sabathia2 --- XXX
Pettitte2
*-If the Tigers win and the Twins lose Sunday, there wouldn’t be a playoff game Tuesday. RHP Rick Porcello would be the likely Game 1 starter against the Yankees, moving the remainder of Detroit’s ALDS rotation back one game. If the Tigers lose and the Twins win, Minnesota would win the American League Central and Detroit wouldn’t advance to the ALDS. Or if the teams finish the regular season tied, Tuesday’s one-game playoff would determine which team would play on.
**-The opposite scenarios from the paragraph above would apply. So if the Twins win the division title outright, RHP Scott Baker would start Game 1 in New York, and the other pitchers would move back one game. Or if Minnesota loses either after 162 games or in a Tuesday playoff, the Twins wouldn’t advance to the ALDS.
3*-It’s likely that Minnesota would use just three starters in the ALDS, meaning RHP Nick Blackburn would start Game 4, and LHP Brian Duensing and RHP Jeff Manship would move from the Twins’ rotation to their bullpen.
4*-Based on the season-ending rotation, LHP Andy Pettitte would be in line to start the second game of the Yankees’ ALDS. They could decide to move RHP A.J. Burnett ahead of Pettitte to make two ALDS starts.
NL Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue
Col @Phi
Cook @Phi
Jimenez --- Phi
DeLaRosa* Phi
Marquis --- @Phi
Cook2
LAD StL
Wolf StL
Kershaw --- @StL
Billingsley-2* @StL
Garland-3* --- StL
Wolf2
Phi Col
Lee Col
Hamels --- @Col
Blanton @Col
Happ-4* --- Col
Lee2
StL @LAD
Carpenter @LAD
Wainwright --- LAD
Pineiro LAD
Smoltz-5* --- @LAD
Carpenter2
*-LHP Jorge De La Rosa left Saturday’s game because of a tight left groin. He could be ready to start Saturday, if not Thursday. If De La Rosa couldn’t pitch, the Rockies could move RHP Jason Marquis ahead in their rotation or insert RHPs Jason Hammel or Jose Contreras to start Game 3.
**-Dodgers RHP Hiroki Kuroda will miss the NLDS because of a bulging disk in his neck. That means LHP Clayton Kershaw would be likely to pitch in Game 2 Thursday on his usual four days’ rest after pitching the division-clinching win Saturday. RHP Chad Billingsley hasn’t pitched effectively late in the season, but could be Los Angeles’ best third option.
3*-The Dodgers’ second decision would be whether to start RHPs Jon Garland or Vicente Padilla in Game 4. Padilla’s record this year is better, but Garland has a better long-range track record.
4*-The Phillies have selected more durable LHP J.A. Happ over RHP Pedro Martinez as their fourth starter for the playoffs.
5*-RHP John Smoltz, who has a far more distinguished postseason track record than RHP Kyle Lohse, is likely to be the Cardinals’ choice as their fourth starter. Both had losing records this season. With trigger-happy Tony LaRussa as manager, expect St. Louis to use plenty of pitchers in Game 4 regardless of who starts.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Hot and Not: Wainwright keeps making his case
The players listed here were the major league statistical leaders during the week preceding this final week of the season.
Batting averages are based on 20 at-bats, and ERA and WHIP on seven innings pitched. In most cases, we eliminate batters with an average lower than .280 and pitchers with ERAs above 4.00 from the Hot list. Keep in mind players’ career performance and current-season totals even more than current trends in deciding on whether to keep those players in your lineup.
Hot
Pos. Name, Team H-AB Avg. HR-RBI SB
1B Joey Votto, Reds 14-25 .560 1-8 0
SS Miguel Tejada, Astros 12-23 .522 2-5 0
1B/3B Jorge Cantu, Marlins 11-23 .478 0-5 0
1B Todd Helton, Rockies 10-21 .476 0-4 0
SS Rafael Furcal, Dodgers 13-28 .464 1-7 1
1B Daric Barton, Athletics 10-22 .455 0-8 0
1B Kendry Morales, Angels 9-20 .450 2-4 1
SS Derek Jeter, Yankees 10-23 .435 0-1 4
OF/2B Eric Patterson, Athletics 9-21 .429 1-4 3
1B Billy Butler, Royals 11-26 .423 3-9 0
1B/3B Chris Davis, Rangers 11-26 .423 1-4 0
OF Ryan Sweeney, Athletics 11-26 .423 0-2 0
This is the second consecutive week on a Hot list for Votto, after a week on the Not list. If you think it’s too late for a hot streak to help a player’s average, change that thinking. Votto raised his average 14 points last week, from .304 to .318, and he has enough plate appearances to qualify for the National League batting title.
Home runs – Butler, Rangers OF Marlon Byrd, Red Sox 1B David Ortiz and Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez 3. There’s also speculation that there might be a new A-Rod Jr. or third-generation hottie on the way.
RBI – Phillies 1B Ryan Howard 14; Byrd 11; Ortiz 10; Butler and Rangers OF David Murphy 9.
Stolen bases – Rangers OF Julio Borbon, Yankees SS Derek Jeter and Twins 2B/3B/SS Nick Pinto 4; Patterson, Rodriguez, Mets 2B Luis Castillo and Padres OF Tony Gwynne 3.
Runs – Votto 11; Twins SS Orlando Cabrera, Padres 1B Adrian Gonzalez, Blue Jays 2B Aaron Hill and Braves 2B/1B/3B Martin Prado 9.
Throws Pitcher, Team IP ERA W-L WHIP SO/BB
RHP Carlos Zambrano, Cubs 9.0 0.00 1-0 0.33 8:1
RHP Roy Halladay, Blue Jays 9.0 0.00 1-0 0.78 9:0
RHP Kevin Correia, Padres 9.0 0.00 1-0 0.78 7:1
RHP Anibal Sanchez, Marlins 8.0 0.00 1-0 0.50 7:2
LHP C.C. Sabathia, Yankees 7.0 0.00 1-0 0.43 8:2
RHP Nick Blackburn, Twins 7.0 0.00 1-0 1.14 6:0
RHP Jake Peavy, White Sox 7.0 0.00 1-0 1.14 8:2
LHP John Lannan, Nationals 7.0 0.00 0-1 1.29 6:3
RHP Zack Greinke, Royals 13.0 0.69 2-0 1.08 13:5
RHP Javier Vazquez, Braves 9.0 1.00 1-0 0.44 7:1
Sabathia and Vazquez have been on this list in each of the last two weeks.
Wins – Greinke, Phillies RHP Joe Blanton, Cubs LHP Tom Gorzelanny, Rangers RHP Kevin Millwood and Angels LHP Joe Saunders 2.
Saves – Yankees RHP Mariano Rivera 4-for-4; Royals RHP Joakim Soria and Braves RHP Rafael Soriano 3-for-3; Angels LHP Brian Fuentes, Brewers RHP Trevor Hoffman, Twins RHP Joe Nathan, and Astros RHP Jose Valverde 2-for-2. This is the third consecutive week for Nathan on this list, and the second for Hoffman.
WHIP – Zambrano 0.33; Sabathia 0.43; Vazquez 0:44; Sanchez 0.55; Mets RHP Nelson Figueroa, Braves RHP Tommy Hanson, Marlins RHP Ricky Nolasco and Brewers LHP Manny Parra 0.71.
Strikeout/walk ratio (at least 10 Ks and a 2.5:1 ratio) –.Brewers LHP Chris Narveson 10:0; Cardinals RHP Adam Wainwright 11:1; Mariners RHP Felix Hernandez and Tigers RHP Justin Verlander 11:2; Yankees RHP A.J. Burnett 11:3; Gorzelanny 14:4; Greinke 13:5. Wainwright continues to be a frequent visitor to the Hot list, including the last three weeks.
* * *
Not
Pos. Player, Team H-AB Avg. HR-RBI SB
OF Andre Ethier, Dodgers 1-21 .048 0-3 0
OF Jayson Werth, Phillies 2-24 .083 0-4 1
SS Ian Desmond, Nationals 2-20 .100 0-1 0
3B/C/OF Brandon Inge, Tigers 3-25 .120 0-3 0
OF Jason Kubel, Twins 3-22 .136 1-3 0
3B David Wright, Mets 3-21 .143 0-1 0
C A.J. Pierzynski, White Sox 3-21 .143 0-1 0
OF Torii Hunter, Angels 4-27 .148 0-1 0
OF Nate McLouth, Braves 4-27 .148 0-2 0
SS Everth Cabrera, Padres 5-31 .161 0-1 0
The week’s hitless wonders were Yankees C Jose Molina and Athletics C Landon Powell 0-for-12 and Mets C Josh Thole 0-for-10.
Walk/strikeout ratio (six or more strikeouts) – Brewers OF Mike Cameron 1:10; Cabrera 2:11 and Inge 2:11; Athletics OF Jack Cust 2:10; Angels OF Bobby Abreu 4:10; Werth 4:11.
Caught stealing – Rangers SS Elvis Andrus 4-for-6.
The following pitchers made two starts last week, doubly damaging their real and fantasy teams.
Throws Pitcher, Team IP ERA W-L WHIP SO/BB
RHP David Bush, Brewers 5.2 15.88 0-2 3.18 7:5
RHP Chris Tillman, Orioles 7.0 12.86 0-2 2.29 7:4
LHP Jorge De La Rosa, Rockies 7.1 11.05 1-0 2.18 10:6
RHP Edgar Gonzalez, Athletics 8.1 10.80 0-2 2.28 4:3
RHP Edward Mujica, Padres 8.0 10.13 0-1 2.38 8:3
LHP Lenny DiNardo, Royals 10.0 9.90 0-1 2.70 2:9
RHP Livan Hernandez, Nationals 10.0 9.90 0-1 1.90 2:5
RHP Braden Looper, Brewers 10.0 9.00 0-1 1.80 4:1
LHP Barry Zito, Giants 8.1 7.56 0-1 2.40 7:8
LHP Pat Misch, Mets 10.1 6.97 1-1 1.84 3:4
Some of these are pitchers failing auditions to be in a major league rotation next season.
De La Rosa fell from the Hot list a week earlier.
Losses – Bush, Gonzalez, Tillman and Red Sox RHP Paul Byrd 2.
Blown saves – Mariners RHP Mark Lowe 1-for-3.
Batting averages are based on 20 at-bats, and ERA and WHIP on seven innings pitched. In most cases, we eliminate batters with an average lower than .280 and pitchers with ERAs above 4.00 from the Hot list. Keep in mind players’ career performance and current-season totals even more than current trends in deciding on whether to keep those players in your lineup.
Hot
Pos. Name, Team H-AB Avg. HR-RBI SB
1B Joey Votto, Reds 14-25 .560 1-8 0
SS Miguel Tejada, Astros 12-23 .522 2-5 0
1B/3B Jorge Cantu, Marlins 11-23 .478 0-5 0
1B Todd Helton, Rockies 10-21 .476 0-4 0
SS Rafael Furcal, Dodgers 13-28 .464 1-7 1
1B Daric Barton, Athletics 10-22 .455 0-8 0
1B Kendry Morales, Angels 9-20 .450 2-4 1
SS Derek Jeter, Yankees 10-23 .435 0-1 4
OF/2B Eric Patterson, Athletics 9-21 .429 1-4 3
1B Billy Butler, Royals 11-26 .423 3-9 0
1B/3B Chris Davis, Rangers 11-26 .423 1-4 0
OF Ryan Sweeney, Athletics 11-26 .423 0-2 0
This is the second consecutive week on a Hot list for Votto, after a week on the Not list. If you think it’s too late for a hot streak to help a player’s average, change that thinking. Votto raised his average 14 points last week, from .304 to .318, and he has enough plate appearances to qualify for the National League batting title.
Home runs – Butler, Rangers OF Marlon Byrd, Red Sox 1B David Ortiz and Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez 3. There’s also speculation that there might be a new A-Rod Jr. or third-generation hottie on the way.
RBI – Phillies 1B Ryan Howard 14; Byrd 11; Ortiz 10; Butler and Rangers OF David Murphy 9.
Stolen bases – Rangers OF Julio Borbon, Yankees SS Derek Jeter and Twins 2B/3B/SS Nick Pinto 4; Patterson, Rodriguez, Mets 2B Luis Castillo and Padres OF Tony Gwynne 3.
Runs – Votto 11; Twins SS Orlando Cabrera, Padres 1B Adrian Gonzalez, Blue Jays 2B Aaron Hill and Braves 2B/1B/3B Martin Prado 9.
Throws Pitcher, Team IP ERA W-L WHIP SO/BB
RHP Carlos Zambrano, Cubs 9.0 0.00 1-0 0.33 8:1
RHP Roy Halladay, Blue Jays 9.0 0.00 1-0 0.78 9:0
RHP Kevin Correia, Padres 9.0 0.00 1-0 0.78 7:1
RHP Anibal Sanchez, Marlins 8.0 0.00 1-0 0.50 7:2
LHP C.C. Sabathia, Yankees 7.0 0.00 1-0 0.43 8:2
RHP Nick Blackburn, Twins 7.0 0.00 1-0 1.14 6:0
RHP Jake Peavy, White Sox 7.0 0.00 1-0 1.14 8:2
LHP John Lannan, Nationals 7.0 0.00 0-1 1.29 6:3
RHP Zack Greinke, Royals 13.0 0.69 2-0 1.08 13:5
RHP Javier Vazquez, Braves 9.0 1.00 1-0 0.44 7:1
Sabathia and Vazquez have been on this list in each of the last two weeks.
Wins – Greinke, Phillies RHP Joe Blanton, Cubs LHP Tom Gorzelanny, Rangers RHP Kevin Millwood and Angels LHP Joe Saunders 2.
Saves – Yankees RHP Mariano Rivera 4-for-4; Royals RHP Joakim Soria and Braves RHP Rafael Soriano 3-for-3; Angels LHP Brian Fuentes, Brewers RHP Trevor Hoffman, Twins RHP Joe Nathan, and Astros RHP Jose Valverde 2-for-2. This is the third consecutive week for Nathan on this list, and the second for Hoffman.
WHIP – Zambrano 0.33; Sabathia 0.43; Vazquez 0:44; Sanchez 0.55; Mets RHP Nelson Figueroa, Braves RHP Tommy Hanson, Marlins RHP Ricky Nolasco and Brewers LHP Manny Parra 0.71.
Strikeout/walk ratio (at least 10 Ks and a 2.5:1 ratio) –.Brewers LHP Chris Narveson 10:0; Cardinals RHP Adam Wainwright 11:1; Mariners RHP Felix Hernandez and Tigers RHP Justin Verlander 11:2; Yankees RHP A.J. Burnett 11:3; Gorzelanny 14:4; Greinke 13:5. Wainwright continues to be a frequent visitor to the Hot list, including the last three weeks.
* * *
Not
Pos. Player, Team H-AB Avg. HR-RBI SB
OF Andre Ethier, Dodgers 1-21 .048 0-3 0
OF Jayson Werth, Phillies 2-24 .083 0-4 1
SS Ian Desmond, Nationals 2-20 .100 0-1 0
3B/C/OF Brandon Inge, Tigers 3-25 .120 0-3 0
OF Jason Kubel, Twins 3-22 .136 1-3 0
3B David Wright, Mets 3-21 .143 0-1 0
C A.J. Pierzynski, White Sox 3-21 .143 0-1 0
OF Torii Hunter, Angels 4-27 .148 0-1 0
OF Nate McLouth, Braves 4-27 .148 0-2 0
SS Everth Cabrera, Padres 5-31 .161 0-1 0
The week’s hitless wonders were Yankees C Jose Molina and Athletics C Landon Powell 0-for-12 and Mets C Josh Thole 0-for-10.
Walk/strikeout ratio (six or more strikeouts) – Brewers OF Mike Cameron 1:10; Cabrera 2:11 and Inge 2:11; Athletics OF Jack Cust 2:10; Angels OF Bobby Abreu 4:10; Werth 4:11.
Caught stealing – Rangers SS Elvis Andrus 4-for-6.
The following pitchers made two starts last week, doubly damaging their real and fantasy teams.
Throws Pitcher, Team IP ERA W-L WHIP SO/BB
RHP David Bush, Brewers 5.2 15.88 0-2 3.18 7:5
RHP Chris Tillman, Orioles 7.0 12.86 0-2 2.29 7:4
LHP Jorge De La Rosa, Rockies 7.1 11.05 1-0 2.18 10:6
RHP Edgar Gonzalez, Athletics 8.1 10.80 0-2 2.28 4:3
RHP Edward Mujica, Padres 8.0 10.13 0-1 2.38 8:3
LHP Lenny DiNardo, Royals 10.0 9.90 0-1 2.70 2:9
RHP Livan Hernandez, Nationals 10.0 9.90 0-1 1.90 2:5
RHP Braden Looper, Brewers 10.0 9.00 0-1 1.80 4:1
LHP Barry Zito, Giants 8.1 7.56 0-1 2.40 7:8
LHP Pat Misch, Mets 10.1 6.97 1-1 1.84 3:4
Some of these are pitchers failing auditions to be in a major league rotation next season.
De La Rosa fell from the Hot list a week earlier.
Losses – Bush, Gonzalez, Tillman and Red Sox RHP Paul Byrd 2.
Blown saves – Mariners RHP Mark Lowe 1-for-3.
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