Fantasy News And Analysis

Fantasy Baseball News and Analysis
MLB, AL, NL

Reyes shows no issue with hammy
Updated 6/19/08

Reyes, Jose B. SS NYM
News: Mets SS Jose B. Reyes was in the starting lineup Wednesday against the Angels after leaving Tuesday's game with a stiff left hamstring. Reyes had little problems running around the bases Wednesday as he went 3-for-5 with three runs. He had his sixth triple and 26th stolen base. Reyes manufactured a run his first time up. He beat out an infield single up the middle, stole second and continued to third on Jeff Mathis' throwing error.



Analysis:


Reyes was quite upset when interim manager Jerry Manuel yanked him from Tuesday's game, but he did it for his own good. Fantasy owners are thankful. Reyes performed well Wednesday without any problems and it appears as though he will remain in the lineup. Reyes has 17 multi-hit games since May 11 and is back to being a reliable Fantasy SS.



K-Rod's saves streak ends Wed.


Updated 6/19/08
Rodriguez, Francisco RP ANA
News: Angels RP Francisco Rodriguez could not hold a 4-3 lead in the ninth inning Wednesday against the Mets and ended up taking a blown save. Down to their last out, the Mets made it 4-all in the ninth on David Wright's RBI single off the All-Star Rodriguez. Jose B. Reyes, who singled with one out, moved up to second base on a wild pitch two pitches before Wright's single. Rodriguez allowed two hits and one run in one inning while striking out one.



Analysis:


The blown save was the second in 30 opportunities this season for Rodriguez, and snapped his franchise-record streak of 25 consecutive conversions. Rodriguez had some early-season troubles, including a minor ankle injury, but has been nothing short of spectacular since. Despite the blown save, the free-agent-to-be is a must-start Fantasy RP.



Garland watches closer erase win
Updated 6/19/08
Garland, Jon SP ANA
News: Angels SP Jon Garland allowed six hits and three runs (two earned) in six innings Wednesday against the Mets and was in line for the win until the reliable Francisco Rodriguez allowed New York to tie the game at 4 in the ninth. Garland walked four and struck out three. He allowed Carlos Delgado to hit a solo home run in the fourth that extended New York's lead to 3-0 before Los Angeles took a 4-3 lead in the fifth.



Analysis:


Garland would have won for the second time in three starts had K-Rod not faltered in the ninth. Garland has been a pretty good arm since early May. He has not allowed more than three runs in eight of his last nine starts. Garland doesn't strikeout a lot of batters and that really hurts him in Fantasy. He remains a low-end Fantasy SP in mixed leagues. His next scheduled start is for Tuesday against the Nationals.


Wagner back on saves gravy boat
Updated 6/19/08
Wagner, Billy RP NYM
News: Mets RP Billy Wagner needed just nine pitches to retire the side in the 10th inning Wednesday and picked up his 16th save in a 5-4 win. Wagner delivered interim manager Jerry Manuel his first win when he struck out Torii Hunter to end the game.


Wagner has three saves since Sunday.



Analysis:


Wagner has pitched three straight scoreless outings after blowing three save chances from June 8-12. He was partly responsible for Willie Randolph's firing, but nothing much is going to change under Manuel. Wagner is still the closer and a must-start Fantasy RP.



Sanchez earns relief victory
Updated 6/19/08
Sanchez, Duaner RP NYM
News: Mets RP Duaner Sanchez pitched a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday against the Angels and picked up the win when the Mets won the game 5-4 in the 10th on a solo home run by Damion Easley. Sanchez faced the minimum three hitters and needed just 12 pitches to retire the side in order. He had one strikeout.



Analysis:


Sanchez has pitched four straight scoreless outings and has allowed just one walk in his last four innings. Sanchez has assumed the setup role from struggling Aaron Heilman but is nothing more than a middle reliever for deeper leagues that use true middle men.



Perez saved by ninth-inning rally
Updated 6/19/08
Perez, Oliver SP NYM
News: Mets SP Oliver Perez allowed nine hits and four runs in six innings during a no decision Wednesday against the Angels. He walked three and struck out two. Perez pitched three shutout innings before Jeff Mathis singled home a run with two outs in the fourth. Perez carried a 3-1 lead into the fifth until L.A. scored three times to take the lead. Perez was on the hook for the loss until New York tied the game in the ninth.



Analysis:


Perez allowed just two runs in his previous two starts. After Wednesday, he has allowed four or more runs in four of his last six outings. Nothing has changed with Perez. He continues to be inconsistent and Fantasy owners are frustrated they can't rely on the left-hander. He remains a low-end option in mixed leagues until further notice. His next scheduled start is for Tuesday against the Mariners.


Dickey has another short outing
Updated 6/19/08
Dickey, R.A. RP SEA
News: Mariners SP R.A. Dickey had another awful start Wednesday against the Marlins and was shouldered with the 8-3 loss. Dickey gave up five runs on six hits and walked four batters in 3 2/3 innings. He left after a two-out walk to Jorge Cantu in the fourth, but reliever Ryan Rowland-Smith couldn't close the inning. Mike Jacobs followed with an RBI single and consecutive walks forced home another run. Dickey allowed a Jacobs' two-run homer in the third and four walks while striking out four.



Analysis:


Florida got to Dickey (1-3) early Wednesday, as the journeyman knuckleballer could be headed back to a long-relief role. Dickey was moved into the starting rotation last week to face Washington, but was battered for seven runs and eight hits in 1 2/3 innings against the Nationals. He didn't fare much better versus Florida. The Mariners don't need a fifth starter for Fantasy Week 13 (June 23-29) with two off days upcoming, so don't count on Dickey for a start. He remains a risky AL-only Fantasy option.



Tucker wins second big-league game
Updated 6/19/08
Tucker, Ryan SP FLA
News: Marlins SP Ryan Tucker pitched six strong innings and moved to 2-1 with a 8-3 win Wednesday against the Mariners. He allowed seven hits and two runs while walking two and striking out four. Tucker has allowed a total of three runs in his two wins and allowed five runs in his loss Friday against the Rays.



Analysis:


The Marlins promoted Tucker in early June after he dominated Double-A hitters. He has been pretty good thus far outside of Friday's debacle against the Marlins. It's still too early to tell how Tucker will progress long term, so consider him a NL-only Fantasy SP at this time. Don't be surprised if Tucker doesn't start again until a June 27-29 series against the Diamondbacks since Florida has two off days upcoming.


Rios not hot after 10-game streak
Updated 6/19/08
Rios, Alex RF TOR
philly in ure phace
News: Blue Jays OF Alex Rios was out of the starting lineup Wednesday against the Brewers but pinch hit in the ninth and recorded an out. He's 4-for-20 (.200) with six strikeouts since a 10-game hitting streak.



Analysis:


Rios started off the season on a torrid pace. He was hitting .306 with two homers and 14 RBI in April. He didn't fare as well in May with a .231 average, one homer and nine RBI. His hitting up near .300 in June, but has no homers and three RBI. Rios has been a bust of a 27-year-old -- this being the year we figured he could become a .300-30-100-100 player.


Fuentes records sixth June save
Updated 6/19/08
Fuentes, Brian RP COL
News: Rockies RP Brian Fuentes pitched a scoreless ninth inning during Wednesday's 4-2 win against the Indians for his 12th save in 15 chances. Fuentes worked around a leadoff single to Casey Blake, as he retired Andy Marte on a double play and finished the game with a strikeout of Kelly Shoppach.



Analysis:


Fuentes has three saves since Sunday and six saves in June. Fuentes has tossed 10 straight scoreless outings. He looks like his former All-Star self. Fuentes has a stranglehold on the closer's job in Colorado and has re-emerged as a No. 2 Fantasy RP.



Francis wins two of four starts
Updated 6/19/08
Francis, Jeff SP COL
News: Jeff Francis pitched six innings of one-run ball as the Colorado Rockies beat the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday night, 4-2. Francis (3-6) pitched into the seventh to earn his second win in his last four starts. He left after allowing a leadoff single to Casey Blake in the seventh. Francis was charged with two runs (one earned) and five hits. He didn't issue a walk and struck out two.



Analysis:


Francis has allowed a total of one earned run in his two recent wins. In his other two starts he has allowed a total of seven earned runs. There haven't been many highlights in 2008 for Francis after winning 17 games last season. He still has an ERA well above 5.00 and only has three wins. He's never posted an ERA lower than 4.16 in his career, so he honestly doesn't have much room to improve. Consider him a low-end Fantasy SP. His next start is scheduled for Monday against the Royals. He is on track to be a two-start pitcher Fantasy Week 13 (June 23-29) with his second start coming against the Tigers. Both starts are on the road where Francis is 1-2 with a 5.18 ERA.



Laffey loses for first time in June
Updated 6/19/08
Laffey, Aaron SP CLE
News: Indians SP Aaron Laffey (4-4) lost for the first time since May 22 and for just the second time since April 28 during a Rockies' 4-2 win Wednesday. Laffey allowed eight hits and three runs in six innings. He walked three and struck out one while allowing a solo home run to Jeff Baker. Laffey has not allowed more than three runs in his last three starts since getting tagged for eight runs June 2.



Analysis:


Laffey has had very few bad starts since his recall from Triple-A Buffalo and has managed to keep an ERA under 3.00. The lefty appears to have secured a spot in the Indians' rotation for the forseeable future. Treat him as a decent No. 5 or No. 6 Fantasy SP in mixed leagues. His next scheduled start is for Tuesday against the Giants. He is on track to be a two-start pitcher Fantasy Week 13 (June 23-29) with his second start coming against the Reds. Both starts are at home where Laffey is 4-2 with a 1.40 ERA in six starts.


A-Rod homers in fourth str! aight
Updated 6/19/08
Rodriguez, Alex 3B NYY
News: Alex Rodriguez homered for the fourth straight game and the New York Yankees held off the San Diego Padres 8-5 Wednesday night, setting a season high with their sixth consecutive victory. Rodriguez finished with three hits, two RBI and a stolen base. He also scored twice and made a nice backhand play at third with two on to end the fourth.



Analysis:


Fantasy owners have been waiting a long time for A-Rod's 2008 power surge and it is finally here. Rodriguez has seven homers and 19 RBI in 17 June games while hitting well over .400. Continue to keep him active in all Fantasy formats.


Byrnes could be back Monday
Updated 6/19/08
Byrnes, Eric CF ARI
News: Arizona LF Eric Byrnes, who is out with injuries to both hamstrings, will start a three-day rehab assignment at Class A Visalia on Thursday. He's expected to rejoin the Diamondbacks on Monday in Boston, and slumping RF Justin Upton is a candidate to be optioned to the minors to make room for Byrnes on the roster. Upton, who has 84 strikeouts in 225 at-bats, was benched Wednesday night, but manager Bob Melvin said he'd be back in the lineup Thursday.



Analysis:


Byrnes is a shaky start for Fantasy week 13 (June 23-29) as he is only expected to return for Monday's game. When healthy, he is a solid start in all Rotisserie leagues. Upton is an elite outfield talent you will have to expect streakiness from. He is obviously on the wrong side of things right now and a candidate to sit in any formats if you have productive alternatives.




Carmona shut down after setback
Updated 6/19/08
Carmona, Fausto SP CLE
News: Indians SP Fausto Carmona (left hip strain) experienced soreness after throwing a simulated game Monday and will not throw scheduled rehab games for June 20 and 25. Indians trainer Lonnie Soloff said Carmona will be shut down for three days and be re-evaluated after that.



Analysis:


Carmona was practically on the verge of becoming a must-start Fantasy SP once again, but now we might not see him back until early July. Carmona is 4-2 with a 3.10 ERA and was showing his 2007 breakout season was no fluke. Fantasy owners will have to be patient as Carmona works his way back into game shape.


Haren dominates former team
Updated 6/19/08
Haren, Dan SP ARI
News: Dominating his former team, Dan Haren allowed one run and drove in three as the Arizona Diamondbacks routed the Oakland Athletics 11-1 on Wednesday night. Haren (7-4) limited the A's to four hits in seven innings, walking one and striking out eight. Haren also hit a three-run double as the Diamondbacks paid back the A's for a 15-1 drubbing in the series opener. Haren, acquired from Oakland last winter in an eight-player deal, gave up a one-out single and walk in the first but then retired the next 12 batters. He cruised until the seventh, when Haren gave up a two-out double to Carlos Gonzalez and an RBI single to Kurt Suzuki. Haren, who entered hitting .133 (4-for-30), added to his lead in the third. With the bases loaded and two out, he lined a double over Gonzalez's head in center field to clear the bases and put the Diamondbacks ahead 8-0. Three of Haren's four hits this season have been doubles.



Analysis:


Haren remains a solid Fantasy starting pitcher in all formats and is a must-start for Fantasy week 13 (June 23-29). During that week, Haren pitches twice. The first is a pitcher's battle on Monday at Boston against Josh Beckett and the second comes Sunday against Florida.


Cameron has four HRs in seven games
Updated 6/19/08
Cameron, Mike CF MIL
News: Brewers OF Mike Cameron homered and drove in two runs during a 5-4 win Wednesday against the Blue Jays. Cameron was 1-for-4 with two runs and two strikeouts. He also had his fifth stolen base. Cameron has gone deep four times in his last seven games.



Analysis:


Cameron has 11 homers this season, but is hitting just .222. He has solid power, but lacks consistency at the dish. For that, start him primarily in NL-only Fantasy leagues.


Branyan hits ninth HR since recall
Updated 6/19/08
Branyan, Russell 3B MIL
News: Mike Cameron and Russell Branyan homered, and the bullpen held on in Milwaukee's 5-4 victory over the reeling Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night. Branyan's shot in the second off Shaun Marcum (5-4) was his second in as many days and ninth since a May 25 recall from Triple-A Nashville.



Analysis:


Branyan has gone deep in three of four games and has five RBI in that span. He has been a great addition to the Brewers lineup, but were not sure this surge will last. Branyan still has a huge hole in his swing and strikes out way too much. It could once again catch up with him. Branyan is merely a stopgap Fantasy option while red hot.


A's Blanton fastest to 10 losses
Updated 6/19/08
Blanton, Joe SP OAK
News: Chris Young and Stephen Drew homered for the Diamondbacks, who snapped a three-game losing streak Wednesday against Oakland SP Joe Blanton. Blanton (3-10) allowed eight runs in three innings, his shortest outing since May 25, 2005, when he left after retiring one of the nine batters he faced.



Analysis:


Blanton lost his fourth straight start and is 1-6 since May 2. Blanton's 10th loss came on June 18, the earliest date for an Oakland pitcher to lose his 10th game in the team's history. Think of Blanton as a poor man's Aaron Harang. He can eat innings and pitch well enough to win, but he doesn't get a lot of strikeouts like Harang and that hurts him in Fantasy play. He remains a low-end Fantasy option in larger mixed leagues. His next scheduled start is Tuesday against Philadelphia and he pitches twice in Fantasy week 13 (June 23-29) with his next start Sunday against San Francisco.



Hart busts out bat Wednesday
Updated 6/19/08
Hart, Corey C. RF MIL
News: Brewers OF Corey C. Hart had two hits, including his 17th double, one RBI and one run in four at-bats Wednesday against the Blue Jays. Hart came into the game mired in a 0-for-17 slump after going deep three times in two games on June 11-12.



Analysis:


Hart dropped to fifth in the order Tuesday after struggling at the plate and it looks as though the moved might have helped getting him back on track. Hart continues to fill the stat sheet for Fantasy owners and remains a high-end option.



Hardy returns from four-game absence
Updated 6/19/08
Hardy, J.J. SS MIL
News: Brewers SS J.J. Hardy returned to the lineup Wednesday against the Blue Jays after missing four games with a shoulder injury. He had one single in four at-bats. He also walked once.



Analysis:


Hardy continues to let down Fantasy owners in 2008, and if this shoulder injury somehow lingers, it could get ugly in the second half. Hardy has the potential to have a breakout summer, but until that happens, he is a low-end Fantasy SS.



Eckstein hitting .333 in June
Updated 6/19/08
Eckstein, David SS TOR
News: Blue Jays SS David Eckstein had one hit, his 11th double, in three at-bats Wednesday against the Brewers. He also walked once. Eckstein has hit safely in 11 of 13 June games. He is hitting .333 (14-for-42) in that span.



Analysis:


Eckstein has always been a good contact hitter, but since he has virtually no power and little run production ability, he is best left for AL-only Fantasy formats.


Rivera shuts door on Padres
Updated 6/19/08
Rivera, Mariano RP NYY
News: The New York Yankees won their sixth consecutive game Wednesday beating the San Diego Padres and Jake Peavy. Closer Mariano Rivera saved his 19th game, pitching a perfect ninth and striking out one. His ERA sits at 0.82.



Analysis:


Rivera is just as dominant closing games now as he was five years ago. His pristine ERA sparkles like the diamonds on the make-up ring Kobe Bryant bought for his wife. Continue to start Rivera in all Fantasy formats from now until eternity. Or until his career is over, which seems like eternity.


Zaun is red hot since activation
Updated 6/19/08
Zaun, Gregg C TOR
News: Blue Jays C Gregg Zaun clubbed two hits, including his fourth home run, in three at-bats Wednesday against the Brewers. Zaun had a RBI double, RBI groundout and solo home run total three RBI. Zaun is 3-for-6 (.500) with two homers and five RBI in two games since coming off the DL.



Analysis:


We guess sitting idle for weeks made Zaun hungry at the plate. He has homered in his last three games dating back to May 26. Zaun has despite pop for a catcher, but this power surge might not last for long. He is still at best a No. 2 Fantasy catcher in mixed leagues.



Rasner solid in Yankees victory
Updated 6/19/08
Rasner, Darrell SP NYY
News: Darrell Rasner snapped his four-start losing streak, with plenty of help from the Yankees offense and bullpen Wednesday. New York beat NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy and San Diego. Rasner (4-4) walked five in five innings, but yielded only two runs and three hits to rebound from a poor outing last week at Oakland.



Analysis:


Despite Rasner's struggles of late, he looked good Wednesday and he does pitch for the Yankees, who -- guess what? -- are on a six-game winning streak. Rasner is a must-start for Fantasy week 13 (June 23-29) as he pitches twice. His first start comes Tuesday at Pittsburgh and his next is Sunday at the Mets.



Wells snaps 2-for-19 slump Wed.
Updated 6/19/08
Wells, Vernon CF TOR
News: Blue Jays OF Vernon Wells had three hits, including his seventh double, and two runs in five at-bats Wednesday against the Brewers. Wells had his first multi-hit game since June 10, when he homered against Seattle. He had just two hits in his previous 19 at-bats coming into Wednesday.



Analysis:


Wells has been fairly good since coming off the DL June 7. The slump kind of brought down his batting average, but he is still too dangerous of a hitter for Fantasy owners to bench. Wells hasn't had many setbacks since returning from a broken wrist.



Peavy takes loss vs. Yankees
Updated 6/19/08
Peavy, Jake SP SD
News: Darrell Rasner snapped his four-start losing streak, with plenty of help from the Yankees offense and bullpen. New York beat NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy and the Padres Wednesday, chasing him after four innings in his second start since coming off the disabled list. Making his first career appearance at Yankee Stadium, Peavy (5-4) gave up four runs -- three earned -- and six hits. On a pitch count of 85-95, he lasted 93. The right-hander missed nearly a month with a strained right elbow before returning to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-0 last Thursday.



Analysis:


Peavy is still a Fantasy ace, don't worry. He'll find his form and next week is as good as any. Peavy pitches twice in Fantasy week 13 (June 23-29) and is a must-start pitcher. In his first outing of the week he meets Minnesota on Tuesday and follows that up with an appearance against Seattle


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Torres goes four outs for save
Updated 6/19/08
Torres, Salomon RP MIL
Homerun Bandits
News: Brewers RP Salomon Torres allowed a leadoff single in the ninth inning to Scott Rolen, but forced a ground out and a double play to end it in Milwaukee's 5-4 victory over the reeling Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night. Torres also walked one while pitching 1 1/3 innings for his ninth save. He has two saves since June 9.



Analysis:


Torres has done well in the closer's role for Milwaukee and manager Ned Yost is entertaining the idea of keeping the hurler in that role even when Eric Gagne is healthy. Still, Torres is more of a No. 2 Fantasy RP at this time.



Sheets wins fourth straight decision
Updated 6/19/08
Sheets, Ben SP MIL
News: Brewers SP Ben Sheets allowed just two runs and four hits in six innings Wednesday against the Blue Jays and paced the team in a 5-4 win. Sheets won his fourth straight decision while allowing four walks and striking out five.



Analysis:


Sheets has gone at least six innings for nine straight starts. He hasn't allowed more than three runs in his last six starts. He's looking like a potential Cy Young candidate through the first third of the season, but he'll have to avoid the injuries that have plagued him throughout his career. He's a must-start SP in all Fantasy formats. His next scheduled start is for Monday against the Braves. He is on track to be a two-start pitcher Fantasy Week 13 (June 23-29) with his second start coming against the Twins. Both starts are on the road where Sheets is 5-0 with a 2.62 ERA.



Marcum drops game to Brewers
Updated 6/19/08
Marcum, Shaun SP TOR
News: Blue Jays SP Shaun Marcum allowed six hits and four runs in six innings during a 5-4 loss Wednesday against the Brewers. Milwaukee scored first in the second when Russell Branyan hit a solo home run off Marcum. Mike Cameron then added another home run off Marcum in the sixth. The right-hander walked one and struck out six while losing for the first time since May 21.



Analysis:


Marcum had allowed just five runs in his previous four outings. He managed to last seven innings in each of those games. Marcum has not allowed more than four earned runs in any start this season and has done that feat just three times. He continues to be a better than expected arm for the Jays and remains a high-end Fantasy SP. His next scheduled start is for Tuesday against the Reds. He is on track to be a two-start pitcher Fantasy Week 13 (June 23-29) with his second start coming against the Braves. Both starts are at home where Marcum is 4-2 with a 2.43 ERA this season.