The Lineup
August 15, 2008
BY CHRIS STARBONELL
UPDATE! Writer
Every week, The Lineup will help you figure out who to start, sit and watch. Facts don’t lie and The Lineup is full of ‘em. Here is your weekly digest of everything fantasy baseball. Projections for the week of August 8-24. All stats up to and including August 14.
Who’s Hot
BATTERS
MARLON BYRD
Texas Rangers, OF
Stats: .519 AVG, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 7 R, 0 SB
Comment: Byrd’s season batting average has soared upward with his hot play of late.
IAN KINSLER
Texas Rangers, 2B
Stats: .435 AVG, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 6 R, 1 SB
Comment: Broke out of his slump in style this week and is bound to enter 2009 as arguably the no. 1 ranked fantasy second baseman.
DAVID WRIGHT
New York Mets, 3B
Stats: .367 AVG, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 8 R, 0 SB
Comment: Wright is currently on pace to reach a career-high in RBI totals this season.
PITCHERS
PAUL MAHOLM
Pittsburgh Pirates, SP
Stats: 1-0, 1.20 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 15 SO
Comment: Continues to impress on the mound and has notched quality starts in 9 of his last 11 outings.
DAVID PURCEY
Toronto Blue Jays, SP
Stats: 1-1, 2.25 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 12 SO
Comment: Start to his big-league career started off on the wrong foot, but last two starts have him going in the right direction.
KEVIN SLOWEY
Minnesota Twins, SP
Stats: 2-0, 1.54 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 3 SO
Comment: Has surrendered a run in the first inning just once in his 18 starts in 2008.
Who’s Not
BATTERS
PAT BURRELL
Philadelphia Phillies, OF
Stats: .095 AVG, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R, 0 SB
Comment: Burrell, who’s enjoying a good season, has been struggling at the plate in August.
ADAM DUNN
Arizona Diamondbacks, OF
Stats: .167 AVG, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 R, 0 SB
Comment: Trade should help the D-backs plenty, but it remains to be seen what it means to Dunn’s fantasy value.
KEN GRIFFEY Jr.
Chicago White Sox, OF
Stats: .188 AVG, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R, 0 SB
Comment: Griffey has not worked out the way GM Kenny Williams had hoped.
PITCHERS
CLAY BUCHHOLZ
Boston Red Sox, SP
Stats: 0-1, 15.00 ERA, 3.00 WHIP, 4 SO
Comment: Disappointing 2008 may come to an end as Paul Byrd takes his spot in the rotation.
CESAR JIMENEZ
Seattle Mariners, RP
Stats: 0-0, 54.00 ERA, 7.50 WHIP, 0 SO
Comment: Rough week for 23-year old reliever included a blown save on Saturday versus the Rays.
BARRY ZITO
San Francisco Giants, SP
Stats: 0-2, 9.28 ERA, 1.69 WHIP, 7 SO
Comment: Reached a career-high when he took his 15th loss of 2008 this week against Houston.
Start ‘Em
IVAN RODRIGUEZ
New York Yankees, C
Comment: Pudge is hitting .448 this season against the Orioles and Blue Jays in 8 contests.
CHRIS SNYDER
Arizona Diamondbacks, C
Comment: You could do a lot worse than Synder this week, who is batting .291 against the Marlins and Padres this year with 3 homers and 8 RBI in 11 games.
CARLOS DELGADO
New York Mets, 1B
Comment: Delgado makes a fine start this week based on his 2008 stats versus Atlanta and Houston: .333 AVG, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 8 R in 39 at-bats.
ADAM LaROCHE
Pittsburgh Pirates, 1B
Comment: His return to the Pirates should be music to fantasy owners’ ears as LaRoche is a career .304 hitter in August and September with 34 homers in 668 at-bats.
ASDRUBAL CABRERA
Cleveland Indians, 2B
Comment: Don’t look now, but Cabrera is batting .310 in August and is hitting .296 overall in the second-half.
JEFF KENT
Los Angeles Dodgers, 2B
Comment: Manager Joe Torre has moved Kent to third in the lineup and appears to be sticking with him there. The 40 year old two-bagger’s numbers in the three-hole this season are worth noting: .313 AVG, 1 HR, 14 RBI, 12 R in 25 games.
NOMAR GARCIAPARRA
Los Angeles Dodgers, SS
Comment: Activated from the disabled list on Tuesday, hits a walk-off homer on Wednesday. Garciaparra has shown that he can produce when healthy so take a flier on him while he’s on the field.
CESAR IZTURIS
St. Louis Cardinals, SS
Comment: Izturis makes for a pretty good stop-gap option this week if you need help with your team’s batting average as he is hitting .455 since August 5th.
KEVIN KOUZMANOFF
San Diego Padres, 3B
Comment: Since the start of July, Kouzmanoff has been one of the more productive third basemen in fantasy: .297 AVG, 7 HR, 25 RBI, 18 R in 37 games.
IAN STEWART
Colorado Rockies, 3B
Comment: The power is very real and with the way he has been driving runners in, Colorado may feel tempted to dangle Garrett Atkins to potential suitors in the off-season.
DARIN ERSTAD
Houston Astros, OF
Comment: Taking advantage of everyday at-bats with Carlos Lee out so those of you in need of outfield help should consider Erstad.
CHASE HEADLEY
San Diego Padres, OF
Comment: Since August 5th, Headley’s bat has started to come around: .433 AVG, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 7 R, 1 SB in 9 games.
RAUL IBANEZ
Seattle Mariners, OF
Comment: Ibanez has been white-hot in August: .392 AVG, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 9 R in 12 games.
VERNON WELLS
Toronto Blue Jays, OF
Comment: Quietly returned from the disabled list on Sunday and Wells may very well be a nice sleeper heading into the final weeks. Add him now before others take notice.
MARK BUEHRLE
Chicago White Sox, SP
Comment: Draws two home starts this week, where he is 7-3 this year with a 2.72 ERA and 1.10 WHIP.
A.J. BURNETT
Toronto Blue Jays, SP
Comment: Burnett absolutely owns the Red Sox, whom he is 4-0 against lifetime with a 1.98 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 34 strikeouts in 36.1 innings.
JAIR JURRJENS
Atlanta Braves, SP
Comment: Jurrjens faces the Mets this week, whom he’s already beaten twice this season in 2 games, during which he posted a 2.77 ERA.
JUSTIN VERLANDER
Detroit Tigers, SP
Comment: As awful as Verlander has been, he should atone for some of his actions this week as he has owned Kansas City in his career: 6-1, 2.69 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 51 SO in 63.2 innings.
Sit ‘Em
RUSSELL MARTIN
Los Angeles Dodgers, C
Comment: Martin is enduring an August to forget: .222 AVG, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 9 R, 1 SB.
BENGIE MOLINA
San Francisco Giants, C
Comment: It’s okay to sit Molina this week as he is batting just .259 at home in 2008.
LYLE OVERBAY
Toronto Blue Jays, 1B
Comment: Overbay is batting just .196 in August and the last two months of the season are historically his worst.
CARLOS PENA
Tampa Bay Rays, 1B
Comment: Pena has launched 0 homers and scored no runs against the White Sox and Angels in 9 games this season.
CHRIS BURKE
Arizona Diamondbacks, 2B
Comment: Former Astros sleeper is now getting full-time at-bats with O-Dawg on the DL, but he’s never put it together with everyday duties before. No reason to think this time will be any different.
KAZUO MATSUI
Houston Astros, 2B
Comment: Just as he was surging at the plate, Matsui suffers a stiff back. Keep the fragile second baseman reserved this week as history has shown that injuries tend to linger with the Japanese import.
ERICK AYBAR
Los Angeles Angels, SS
Comment: Aybar faces some good pitching this week as the Angels face the rotations of Tampa Bay and Minnesota, whom he is hitting .143 against in 2008.
JEFF KEPPINGER
Cincinnati Reds, SS
Comment: As hot as his April was, his August has been a nightmare for Keppinger: .167 AVG, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 4 R, 0 SB.
JORGE CANTU
Florida Marlins, 3B
Comment: August has not been kind to the potential NL Comeback Player of the Year: .212 AVG, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 4 R.
ANDY LaROCHE
Pittsburgh Pirates, 3B
Comment: While many in the fantasy community were initially intrigued by the idea of LaRoche finally getting regular playing time in Pittsburgh, interest has waned as he has stunk at the plate for the Bucs and is dealing with a thumb injury.
RYAN BRAUN
Milwaukee Brewers, OF
Comment: This back ailment should have forced fantasy owners to find replacements for Braun by now as it is still hard to determine when he can get back in the Brewers’ lineup. Hold onto him, but prepare for the worst just in case.
JAY BRUCE
Cincinnati Reds, OF
Comment: Going through another slump and it may be best to just cut ties with Bruce as he does not look like he will have a huge impact the rest of the way in 2008.
MELKY CABRERA
New York Yankees, OF
Comment: With the Yankees desperate for offense, expect to see the Melk-man riding the pine in the coming weeks as the weak-armed Johnny Damon resumes center-field duties.
JOSE GUILLEN
Kansas City Royals, OF
Comment: Offensive output has completely hit the skids as the streaky Guillen struggles at the dish.
FAUSTO CARMONA
Cleveland Indians, SP
Comment: Gave up 6 earned runs in 2 innings during his start against Texas this season and he is 1-3 against them lifetime.
JOHN MAINE
New York Mets, SP
Comment: Though Maine has a couple of easy starts this week on paper (Houston and Pittsburgh), his shoulder is still sore and he’s just too risky a play.
ANDY PETTITTE
New York Yankees, SP
Comment: Pass on Pettitte this week as he is 16-10 for his career against the Blue Jays with a ho-hum 4.16 ERA.
ANDY SONNANSTINE
Tampa Bay Rays, SP
Comment: Sonnanstine is going to face two tough offenses this week when he matches-up against Chicago and Los Angeles.
Go Figure
147- With two whiffs in Sunday’s game, Arizona Diamondbacks 3B Mark Reynolds surpassed the franchise record for strikeouts (145) set by Troy Glaus in 2005.
24- Earned runs surrendered by Detroit Tigers SP Justin Verlander over his past 4 starts. So much for getting better as the season goes on.
7- Consecutive starts made by Philadelphia Phillies SP Cole Hamels without a win, despite a 3.60 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 44 strikeouts in 45 innings.
5- Consecutive games Chicago White Sox OF Carlos Quentin has been hit by a pitch between August 7th and 11th.
Prospect Watch
TRAVIS SNIDER, Toronto Blue Jays, OF
Comment: One of the best outfield prospects in baseball, Snider could make an impact in fantasy leagues in September if Toronto packs it in. Recently promoted to Triple-A Syracuse (possibly a sign that the Blue Jays are considering calling him up next month), Snider has displayed an ability to drive the ball as evident in his 22 home runs and 28 doubles this year in the minors. The Blue Jays organization loves him for his maturity, but understand that he will need to work on recognizing breaking pitches and cutting down on the strikeouts before he will fully blossom into a star. The 20-year old projects as a perennial 30-home run in his prime, but if he can make the right adjustments to the majors, he could become a household name sooner than later.
Key Match-up
Los Angeles Angels @ Tampa Bay Rays
Two of the best teams in the American League square off this week in match-up that could very well be a playoff preview. The Rays come into this series limping as Evan Longoria and Carl Crawford were both placed on the disabled list this week. The Angels, on the other hand, have been firing on all cylinders lately, getting big hits, superb defense and top-notch pitching. These teams share a lot of similarities. Both squads rely on superior defense, a well balanced offensive lineup and sound pitching (in the rotation and bullpen). Tampa Bay currently leads the season series 4-2. The scheduled starting pitchers for the Angels are Jon Garland, Ervin Santana and Jered Weaver while the Rays are sending Andy Sonnanstine, James Shields and Matt Garza to the hill.
The Lineup
August 1, 2008
BY CHRIS STARBONELL
UPDATE! Writer
Every week, The Lineup will help you figure out who to start, sit and watch. Facts don’t lie and The Lineup is full of ‘em. Here is your weekly digest of everything fantasy baseball. Projections for the week of Aug. 4-10. All stats up to and including July 31.
Who’s Hot
BATTERS
TORII HUNTER
Los Angeles Angels, OF
Stats: .393 AVG, 5 HR, 14 RBI, 10 R, 0 SB
Comment: With his play in the field and at the plate, Hunter has been worth every penny since the Angels signed him in the off-season.
ALBERT PUJOLS
St. Louis Cardinals, 1B
Stats: .400 AVG, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 10 R, 1 SB
Comment: Torrid week includes a 5-hit game against the Mets on Saturday.
SHANE VICTORINO
Philadelphia Phillies, OF
Stats: .440 AVG, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 8 R, 4 SB
Comment: The Flying Hawaiian, quietly but effectively, has been putting up numbers that are on pace to best his breakout 2007 season.
PITCHERS
CHAD BILLINGSLEY
Los Angeles Dodgers, SP
Stats: 2-0, 1.08 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, 12 SO
Comment: Earned his first career complete game with a shutout of the Giants on Wednesday.
JOBA CHAMBERLAIN
New York Yankees, SP
Stats: 2-0, 0.69 ERA, 0.69 WHIP, 15 SO
Comment: Somebody tell Goose Gossage to shut up already, Joba clearly belongs in the rotation.
GIL MECHE
Kansas City Royals, SP
Stats: 1-0, 2.57 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 8 SO
Comment: Has now won three straight starts, allowing just 2 runs over that stretch.
Who’s Not
BATTERS
JEFF KENT
Los Angeles Dodgers, 2B
Stats: .261 AVG, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 R, 0 SB
Comment: The former doubles-machine is having trouble driving the ball in what could be his last hurrah.
PAUL KONERKO
Chicago White Sox, 1B
Stats: .150 AVG, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1 R, 0 SB
Comment: 32-year old slugger may be seeing more of the bench as the season wears on.
MIKE LOWELL
Boston Red Sox, 3B
Stats: .174 AVG, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 R, 0 SB
Comment: Has been tanking in the second-half thus far in 2008.
PITCHERS
TODD JONES
Detroit Tigers, RP
Stats: 0-1, 11.57 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 1 SO
Comment: Before landing on the DL, Jones decided to reward his fantasy owners by imploding and losing the closer’s gig this week.
KYLE LOHSE
St. Louis Cardinals, SP
Stats: 0-1, 12.60 ERA, 2.40 WHIP, 2 SO
Comment: Could his poor start against the Mets (which included three homers allowed) be the beginning of Lohse coming down to Earth in 2008?
MICAH OWINGS
Arizona Diamondbacks, SP
Stats: 0-1, 24.00 ERA, 2.67 WHIP, 2 SO
Comment: He should have been demoted a start or two ago, but Monday’s start against the Giants was the final straw for Owings.
Start ‘Em
JESUS FLORES
Washington Nationals, C
Comment: Flores is worth a play this week based on his road numbers in 2008: .295 AVG, 5 HR, 27 RBI, 13 R in 105 at-bats.
RAMON HERNANDEZ
Baltimore Orioles, C
Comment: Hernandez has been on a tear since July 19th: .393 AVG, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 8 R.
CHRIS DAVIS
Texas Rangers, 1B
Comment: Davis has collected 4 doubles and 3 homers while batting .425 over his last 9 games.
AUBREY HUFF
Baltimore Orioles, 1B
Comment: Over his past 9 games, Huff is hitting .486 with 3 homers, 11 RBI and 8 runs.
PLACIDO POLANCO
Detroit Tigers, 2B
Comment: Over his last 10 games, Polanco has picked up his production: .354 AVG, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 14 R, 2 SB.
ALEXEI RAMIREZ
Chicago White Sox, 2B
Comment: Since July 12th, Ramirez is batting .345 with 2 homers, 9 RBI and 10 runs.
CRISTIAN GUZMAN
Washington Nationals, SS
Comment: On the road in 2008, Guzman has been worth starting in fantasy leagues: .322 AVG, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 31 R, 2 SB in 50 games.
RYAN THERIOT
Chicago Cubs, SS
Comment: Closed out July with strong numbers for the month: .342 AVG, 9 RBI, 13 R, 3 SB in 108 at-bats.
OMAR INFANTE
Atlanta Braves, 3B
Comment: Since Chipper Jones went down with a hamstring injury, Infante has really stepped up his play: .394 AVG, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 6 R in 7 games.
RAMON VAZQUEZ
Texas Rangers, 3B
Comment: With Blalock going back on the disabled list, Vazquez will return to a being an everyday starter. He’s batting .329 with 6 bombs, 37 RBI and 39 runs in 59 games starting for Texas this season.
GARRET ANDERSON
Los Angeles Angels, OF
Comment: Few have been as hot as Anderson since the All-Star break: .429 AVG, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 10 R in 13 games.
MATT KEMP
Los Angeles Dodgers, OF
Comment: Kemp should continue to get pretty regular at-bats with LA since he has been their best offensive player this season. He’s been on fire lately and with Manny’s bat now in the lineup, Kemp could see an uptick in his production.
HUNTER PENCE
Houston Astros, OF
Comment: Pence is hitting at a sick .458 since July 25th, homering twice in the process.
WILLY TAVERAS
Colorado Rockies, OF
Comment: Streaky Taveras is on a roll, batting .387 and swiping 7 bases in his last 7 games.
AARON COOK
Colorado Rockies, SP
Comment: Cook owns outstanding career numbers versus San Diego and Washington: 11-3, 2.44 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 54 SO in 143.2 innings.
GAVIN FLOYD
Chicago White Sox, SP
Comment: Floyd’s terrific home numbers this season make him a must-start anytime he plays in US Cellular Field: 7-2, 2.49 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 60 SO in 76 innings.
UBALDO JIMENEZ
Colorado Rockies, SP
Comment: Cruising on the mound lately and draws a favorable match-up against Washington, who he held to 3 earned runs across 2 starts last year.
MANNY PARRA
Milwaukee Brewers, SP
Comment: Despite going through a bit of a rough patch, Parra’s two contests this week against the Nationals and Reds (two light-hitting teams) make him a strong option to start.
Sit ‘Em
BRANDON INGE
Detroit Tigers, C
Comment: With the trade of Ivan Rodriguez to New York, Inge takes over as the starting catcher for Detroit. Fantasy owners should not feel the need, however, to add Inge just because he plays for the Tigers as he has been a fairly inadequate fantasy option in his career.
DIONER NAVARRO
Tampa Bay Rays, C
Comment: Navarro’s lifetime numbers against the Mariners and Indians do not bode well for this week: .213 AVG, 0 HR, 7 RBI, 5 R, 0 SB in 24 games.
DAVID ORTIZ
Boston Red Sox, 1B
Comment: Ortiz’s value could take a hit with Manny out of town as Ramirez’s protection led to better pitches to hit for Big Papi. Couple that with Ortiz’s .221 batting average on the road and you have reason enough to bench the burly-batsman.
JOEY VOTTO
Cincinnati Reds, 1B
Comment: Has yet to homer since the All-Star break and is batting .250 over his past 13 games.
BRIAN ROBERTS
Baltimore Orioles, 2B
Comment: Since the All-Star break, Roberts has put up bum-like numbers: .208 AVG, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 7 R, 0 SB in 13 games.
MARK DeROSA
Chicago Cubs, 2B
Comment: DeRosa is hitting at a lame .160 clip over his past 7 games.
BRENDAN HARRIS
Minnesota Twins, SS
Comment: Stumbling out of the gate in the second-half, batting at a .229 clip in 10 games.
J.J. HARDY
Milwaukee Brewers, SS
Comment: Hardy is stuck in a 2-for-21 slump and it appears his hot streak has come to an unceremonious end.
ADRIAN BELTRE
Seattle Mariners, 3B
Comment: Sitting on a .224 batting average at home this season.
BILL HALL
Milwaukee Brewers, 3B
Comment: Owns a .148 batting average over his last 7 contests and Hall has registered just 1 double since July 13th.
ANDRE ETHIER
Los Angeles Dodgers, OF
Comment: With the arrival of Manny Ramirez, there is only so much playing time to go around and Ethier is at risk to lose a lot of at-bats.
COREY HART
Milwaukee Brewers, OF
Comment: If you have options in your outfield, bench Hart who has struggled big-time since the All-Star break: .240 AVG, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 6 R in 12 games.
LASTINGS MILLEDGE
Washington Nationals, OF
Comment: Since coming off the DL, Milledge has done nothing worthy of making him an advisable start: .087 AVG, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 R, 0 SB in 6 games.
MARCUS THAMES
Detroit Tigers, OF
Comment: Thames has cooled off lately and fantasy owners can feel free to relegate him to the waiver wire.
JOHN DANKS
Chicago White Sox, SP
Comment: Has given up 4 homers in 23.1 career innings against the Tigers, whom he owns a 5.79 ERA against.
MATT GARZA
Tampa Bay Rays, SP
Comment: Career stats versus Cleveland and Seattle make for a unfavorable forecast for Garza this week: 1-3, 7.31 ERA, 2.03 WHIP, 33 SO in 32 innings.
DEREK LOWE
Los Angeles Dodgers, SP
Comment: Lowe has little career success against the St. Louis Cardinals: 1-5, 5.24 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 26 SO in 34.1 innings.
VICENTE PADILLA
Texas Rangers, SP
Comment: Padilla’s lifetime stats versus the Yankees and Orioles indicate a tough week for him ahead: 3-5, 7.12 ERA, 1.91 WHIP, 22 SO in 36.2 innings.
Go Figure
848- Career walks by Houston Astros 1B Lance Berkman following Monday’s win against Cincinnati. With the free pass, Berkman is now ranked third all-time in franchise history.
9- Consecutive games played by Texas Rangers 3B Hank Blalock upon returning from the disabled list on July 18th. Before he was put on the DL again on Tuesday with a bum shoulder, Blalock was scratched from Monday’s lineup with an upset stomach, something his fantasy owners are all too familiar with.
8.54- ERA of Los Angeles Dodgers SP Hiroki Kuroda versus NL West teams. Not the type of stat you want to see as the Dodgers prepare for the stretch run.
8- Cleveland Indians C Kelly Shoppach became the eighth player in major-league history to record five extra-base hits in a game with his 2-home run, three double performance on Wednesday.
Prospect Watch
TREVOR CAHILL
Oakland Athletics, SP
Comment: The 20-year old Cahill was chosen as a member of the United States’ Olympic baseball team for good reason. Since being promoted to Double-A, Cahill has gone 6-1 with a 2.19 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 33 strikeouts in 37 innings pitched. He’s struck out 136 batters in 124.1 minor-league innings this year. Cahill gets some knocks on his game due to a fastball that tops out at 93 mph (but is mostly in the high-80s low-90s range) and a good, but not highlight-worthy, curveball and change-up that he can throw. Yet despite not featuring a big-time pitch, Cahill has great sinking action on his fastball and can generate a ton of grounders. He’s also heralded for his smarts and pitch selection on the mound, squeezing everything he can out of his stuff. The Cahill bash-wagon lost steam in 2008 thanks to his high strikeout totals and his smooth transition to Double-A and at his tender age, the crafty right-hander can only get better. Though his bags are packed for a trip to Beijing for August, Cahill could return home afterwards as a potential call-up for Oakland’s thin starting rotation.
Key Match-up
Detroit Tigers @ Chicago White Sox
The White Sox had all season to bury the Tigers and Detroit has put themselves in a position to make this a crucial three-game series at US Cellular Field. Chicago comes into this series licking their wounds a bit as their starting rotation is starting to get hammered by opposing lineups, though they were able to take two-out-of-three against Detroit in a three-game series at Comerica Park last weekend. Detroit’s offense has been picking up steam, particularly with the hot play of Magglio Ordonez and Miguel Cabrera. This series is very important as a sweep by Detroit would open up the race for the AL Central while a sweep by Chicago could be the difference between the Tigers making the playoffs or spending the post-season on the golf course. Gavin Floyd, John Danks and Javier Vazquez are the scheduled starters for Chicago and they will square off against Nate Robertson, Justin Verlander and Zach Miner.
The Lineup
July 25, 2008
BY CHRIS STARBONELL
UPDATE Writer!
Every week, The Lineup will help you figure out who to start, sit and watch. Facts don’t lie and The Lineup is full of ‘em. Here is your weekly digest of everything fantasy baseball. Projections for the week of 7/28/08-8/3/08. All stats up to and including 7/24/08.
Who’s Hot
BATTERS
JEFF BAKER
Colorado Rockies, 2B
Stats: .500 AVG, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 8 R, 1 SB
Comment: With multiple-position eligibility, Baker deserves a lot more attention in fantasy circles.
HOWIE KENDRICK
Los Angeles Angels, 2B
Stats: .524 AVG, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 7 R, 2 SB
Comment: Tagged three doubles on Wednesday, tying a franchise record for doubles in a game.
ALEX RODRIGUEZ
New York Yankees, 3B
Stats: .391 AVG, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 7 R, 2 SB
Comment: 14 of his 21 bombs this season have come at home, where he also owns a .360 batting average.
PITCHERS
MIKE MUSSINA
New York Yankees, SP
Stats: 2-0, 0.64 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 13 SO
Comment: Improved to 13-6 on the season and lowered his ERA to an impressive 3.26 mark.
FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ
Los Angeles Angels, RP
Stats: 0-0, 4 SV, 0.00 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 6 SO
Comment: He’s pretty much ensured that he’s going to Mariano Rivera-type money after this season.
CC SABATHIA
Cleveland Indians, SP
Stats: 2-0, 0.50 ERA, 0.50 WHIP, 17 SO
Comment: Sabathia took matters into his own hands this week with back-to-back complete games. He now has three straight complete games.
Who’s Not
BATTERS
LANCE BERKMAN
Houston Astros, 1B
Stats: .190 AVG, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 3 R, 0 SB
Comment: Welcome back to Earth Mr. Berkman. Come on, you didn’t think he would keep up the pace all
season did you?
JACOBY ELLSBURY
Boston Red Sox, OF
Stats: .143 AVG, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2 R, 0 SB
Comment: Ellsbury has just one stolen base in July as his production has slipped dramatically.
CHONE FIGGINS
Los Angeles Angels, 3B
Stats: .222 AVG, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2 R, 1 SB
Comment: Batting average has begun to nose-dive in July.
PITCHERS
ZACK GREINKE
Kansas City Royals, SP
Stats: 0-2, 12.00 ERA, 2.56 WHIP, 10 SO
Comment: Season ERA climbed over 4.00 with a couple of poor outings from Greinke this week.
SHAUN MARCUM
Toronto Blue Jays, SP
Stats: 0-0, 11.57 ERA, 2.36 WHIP, 3 SO
Comment: First start off the disabled list ended up being his worst outing of the season.
JOSE VALVERDE
Houston Astros, RP
Stats: 0-1, 1 SV, 40.50 ERA, 4.50 WHIP, 2 SO
Comment: Gave up 6 earned runs while registering just one out in a horrific blown save against Pittsburgh on
Monday.
Start ‘Em
CHRIS IANNETTA
Colorado Rockies, C
Comment: Strong start this week based on his 2008 numbers versus Pittsburgh and Florida: .318 AVG, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 3 R in 22 at-bats.
PAUL LO DUCA
Washington Nationals, C
Comment: With a shortage of first-baseman in the Nats lineup, LoDuca is now getting everyday at-bats at first and has batted .314 with 6 RBI since July 12th.
JAMES LONEY
Los Angeles Dodgers, 1B
Comment: Has come out of the gate scorching after the All-Star break: .458 AVG, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 7 R in 6 games.
CHAD TRACY
Arizona Diamondbacks, 1B
Comment: After a disappointing 2007, Tracy has quietly emerged as a solid fantasy option in 2008. His production in July has been particularly impressive: .379 AVG, 1 HR, 14 RBI, 8 R in 17 games.
AARON MILES
St. Louis Cardinals, 2B
Comment: Over his past 10 games Miles has been a worthy fantasy asset: .394 AVG, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 7 R.
FREDDY SANCHEZ
Pittsburgh Pirates, 2B
Comment: Numbers since July 19th warrant mentioning: .500 AVG, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 9 R.
JHONNY PERALTA
Cleveland Indians, SS
Comment: Is batting .364 with 8 runs scored since the All-Star break and with the Indians playing better, expect him to have a strong week against Cleveland’s division rivals (Minnesota and Detroit).
TROY TULOWITZKI
Colorado Rockies, SS
Comment: After a 5-hit performance on Monday, Tulo’ looks ready to really start his season.
CASEY BLAKE
Cleveland Indians, 3B
Comment: Cleveland is heating up and Blake has serviceable numbers this year versus Detroit and Minnesota: .316 AVG, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 9 R in 57 at-bats.
MELVIN MORA
Baltimore Orioles, 3B
Comment: Mora has been a hitting machine of late, posting outstanding numbers in his last since July 17th: .500 AVG, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 6 R
JAY BRUCE
Cincinnati Reds, OF
Comment: Kid is streaking right now, making the adjustments to major-league pitching after a lengthy slump.
BRAD HAWPE
Colorado Rockies, OF
Comment: Kicking off the second-half in style: .433 AVG, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 6 R in 7 games.
WILLIE HARRIS
Washington Nationals, OF
Comment: Harris earned the right to start for fantasy rosters this week based on his stats over his last 62 at-bats: .339 AVG, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 10 R, 1 SB.
ADAM JONES
Baltimore Orioles, OF
Comment: Now entrenched in the no. 2 hole, Jones has hit .297 when batting second and should build on numbers hitting behind Brian Roberts and ahead of Nick Markakis.
ARMANDO GALARRAGA
Detroit Tigers, SP
Comment: Galarraga draws two road games this week, where he is 6-2 this year with a 2.69 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 44 strikeouts in 67 innings.
PAUL MAHOLM
Pittsburgh Pirates, SP
Comment: Over his past 10 starts, Maholm has gone 5-1 with 8 quality starts, a 2.90 ERA and 1.02 WHIP.
JOE SAUNDERS
Los Angeles Angels, SP
Comment: Saunders has been a thorn in the side of the Red Sox in his career, going 3-0 with a 2.87 ERA in 5 starts.
JAMES SHIELDS
Tampa Bay Rays, SP
Comment: Shields has never lost against the Tigers or Blue Jays in 7 career starts, garnering 6 wins, a 2.36 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 38 strikeouts in 49.2 innings.
Sit ‘Em
RUSSELL MARTIN
Los Angeles Dodgers, C
Comment: Hitting at a .204 clip this year against the Diamondbacks and Giants. Also, his road batting average is 54 points lower than his home mark.
JOSE MOLINA
New York Yankees, C
Comment: While the prospect of hitting in the Yankees offense may widen the eyes of fantasy owners, keep in mind that Molina is a below-average hitter, even for a back-stop.
CARLOS PENA
Tampa Bay Rays, 1B
Comment: As his struggles continue this season, we have to wonder if his 2008 campaign is a lost cause for fantasy owners.
KEVIN YOUKILIS
Boston Red Sox, 1B
Comment: Youkilis is batting just .233 this year versus the Angels and Athletics.
JEFF KENT
Los Angeles Dodgers, 2B
Comment: The 40-year old second baseman is batting .226 at home this season in what looks like his farewell campaign.
EUGENIO VELEZ
San Francisco Giants, 2B
Comment: While he is now starting at second for the Giants and has tantalizing base-stealing ability, Velez still needs to develop more as a major-leaguer before being worthy of a fantasy roster spot.
JED LOWRIE
Boston Red Sox, SS
Comment: While fantasy owners may be excited about Lowrie getting a shot to start with that Red Sox lineup, keep in mind that he is batting .250 at home and faces a couple of tough pitching staffs this week when the Athletics and Angels invade Fenway Park.
JACK WILSON
Pittsburgh Pirates, SS
Comment: Numbers have been dreadful since the All Star break: .080 AVG, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 3 R, 0 SB in 7 games.
JOE CREDE
Chicago White Sox, 3B
Comment: White Sox are on the road this week and Crede has been very below-average away from US Cellular Field in 2008: .247 AVG, 6 HR, 17 RBI, 12 R in 43 games.
MIKE LOWELL
Boston Red Sox, 3B
Comment: Lowell is batting .229 in July and .185 since the All-Star break.
MILTON BRADLEY
Texas Rangers, OF
Comment: After a superb first-half, Bradley has stumbled out of the gates after the All-Star festivities: .227 AVG, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2 R, 0 SB in 6 games.
DAVID MURPHY
Texas Rangers, OF
Comment: Since the second-half of the season kicked off, Murphy has been in a slump, batting .214 AVG with just 1 RBI.
MATT STAIRS
Toronto Blue Jays, OF
Comment: Stairs has been just brutal in July with a .116 in 43 at-bats.
NICK SWISHER
Chicago White Sox, OF
Comment: When the White Sox are on the road, Swisher is the last guy you want in your fantasy outfield: .211 AVG, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 23 R, 1 SB in 47 games.
CHAD BILLINGSLEY
Los Angeles Dodgers, SP
Comment: In 22 career innings pitched (including 4 starts), Billingsley sports a 5.32 ERA and 1.82 WHIP.
DAVE BUSH
Milwaukee Brewers, SP
Comment: Bush’s lifetimes stats against the Cubs warrant a benching: 1-6, 4.88 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 48 SO in 59 IP.
CLIFF LEE
Cleveland Indians, SP
Comment: Lee may hit a road-bump in his career year when he faces Detroit this week: 4-6, 5.13 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 70 SO in 80.2 career innings.
KEVIN SLOWEY
Minnesota Twins, SP
Comment: Since carving up National League teams, Slowey is 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA and 1.67 WHIP following the end of inter-league play this season.
Go Figure
450- Distance, in feet, of a home run hit by St. Louis Cardinals OF Ryan Ludwick on Tuesday. It is the longest recorded home run at the new Busch Stadium.
41- Runs scored by the New York Yankees during Sidney Ponson’s four starts with the team this season. Talk about run support.
9- Days between outings for Milwaukee Brewers RP Eric Gagne who, before throwing on July 21st, had not pitched in a game since July 12th.
6- RBI driven in by Detroit Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera on Monday. A strong sign that his fantasy owners are in store for a big second-half.
Prospect Watch
GIO GONZALEZ, Oakland Athletics, SP
Comment: While Dallas Braden got the first shot at a rotation spot in Oakland with the departure of Joe Blanton, Gio Gonzalez has to be next in line. The 22-year old southpaw has immense strikeout potential as evident by his 701 whiffs in 612 career minor-league innings. His fastball tops out at 95 mph and because he can change speeds, he can use it very effectively. Gonzalez also has an improving change-up, but the top pitch in his repertoire is his devastating curveball that should be able to baffle hitters even at the major-league level. His command can be spotty at times, but he’s got the stuff to get past it and projects to be a very successful major-league pitcher. Gonzalez has been particularly impressive over his past 5 starts (4-0, 1.53 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, 34 SO in 29.1 IP). If Braden or Sean Gallagher hit a rough patch, Oakland may not hesitate to call-up their prized prospect, who has the make-up to succeed immediately in the big-leagues. Should he join the A’s roster, he should be snatched up immediately by fantasy owners looking to gain an edge in starting pitching.
Key Match-up
Chicago White Sox @ Minnesota Twins
Before the start of the season, everyone expected a slug-fest for the AL Central division to go down between the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers. But after the All-Star break, it is the White Sox (sitting pretty atop the division) and Twins that are leading the pack. It was just a year ago that Chicago finished 72-90, good for fourth in the AL Central. But after making a couple of free agent signings that have saved their bullpen (Octavio Dotel and Scott Linebrink) and improved pitching from their starting rotation, the White Sox are the ones being chased. Even more impressive, however, is the way the Twins are playing. After losing Torii Hunter and Johan Santana, many figured this team was left for dead. Yet their continued adherence to small-ball and the development of quality starting arms from their minor-league system (Scott Baker, Kevin Slowey, Nick Blackburn) has kept Minnesota in the thick of the hunt. The White Sox lead the season series 7-4 and this promises to be a great match-up. Kevin Slowey, Glen Perkins, Livan Hernandez and Scott Baker are the scheduled starters for the Twins and they will be opposed by Mark Buehrle, Jose Contreras, Gavin Floyd and John Danks.
The Lineup
July 4, 2008
BY CHRIS STARBONELL
UPDATE! Writer
Every week, The Lineup will help you figure out who to start, sit and watch. Facts don’t lie and The Lineup is full of ‘em. Here is your weekly digest of everything fantasy baseball. Projections for the week of 7/7/08-7/13/08. All stats up to and including 7/3/08.
Who’s Hot
BATTERS
IAN KINSLER
Texas Rangers, 2B
Stats: .520 AVG, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 8 R, 4 SB
Comment: Even though Chase Utley has had a huge season, I’d take Kinsler’s production in 2008 over Philadelphia’s two-bagger in a heart-beat.
EVAN LONGORIA
Tampa Bay Rays, 3B
Stats: .417 AVG, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 5 R, 2 SB
Comment: As June wore on, Longoria put on quite a display at the plate and in the field.
DUSTIN PEDROIA
Boston Red Sox, 2B
Stats: .516 AVG, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 10 R, 1 SB
Comment: Has been streaking at the plate all month and the pesky second-baseman may even earn an All-Star nod with Terry Francona filling out the American League lineup.
PITCHERS
MATT GARZA
Tampa Bay Rays, SP
Stats: 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.71 WHIP, 3 SO
Comment: Followed-up his one-hit complete game performance against Florida with a gem against Boston on Tuesday.
CLIFF LEE
Cleveland Indians, SP
Stats: 0-0, 1.13 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 3 SO
Comment: Keeps his skeptics silent by giving up just 3 earned runs in his last 3 starts.
RICKY NOLASCO
Florida Marlins, SP
Stats: 2-0, 1.80 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, 17 SO
Comment: Has given up more than 3 runs just once in his last 11 starts.
Who’s Not
BATTERS
CHONE FIGGINS
Los Angeles Angels, 3B
Stats: .063 AVG, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 R, 0 SB
Comment: Is stuck in a 1-for-21 slump and he has not scored a run since June 24th.
VLADIMIR GUERRERO
Los Angeles Angels, OF
Stats: .182 AVG, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R, 0 SB
Comment: Had a 16 game hit-steak snapped this week and fantasy owners hope he does not fall into another offensive malaise.
TORII HUNTER
Los Angeles Angels, OF
Stats: .105 AVG, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1 R, 0 SB
Comment: Hey, let’s make it a trifecta of struggling Angels hitters! What’s up with LA?
PITCHERS
BRIAN FUENTES
Colorado Rockies, RP
Stats: 0-2, 0 SV, 37.80 ERA, 6.67 WHIP, 1 SO
Comment: Fuentes is going through one of his patented implosion periods at the moment. Nothing to boost a player’s trade value like a couple of catastrophic relief outings.
RANDY JOHNSON
Arizona Diamondbacks, SP
Stats: 0-1, 17.18 ERA, 3.00 WHIP, 6 SO
Comment: Has surrendered 7 earned runs in 3 of his last four starts.
CARLOS MARMOL
Chicago Cubs, RP
Stats: 1-1, 0 SV, 22.50 ERA, 3.00 WHIP, 2 SO
Comment: At the start of the season Marmol was unhittable, recently though, he’s become a mound piñata.
Start ‘Em
RAMON CASTRO
New York Mets, C
Comment: Has been seeing a rise in at-bats as manager Jerry Manuel is trying to get more offense out of his team. If Manuel sticks to that mantra this week, expect Castro to see the bulk of playing time as the team heads into the All-Star break.
IVAN RODRIGUEZ
Detroit Tigers, C
Comment: With Brandon Inge on the DL, Pudge assumes starting duties and since the time-share between the two catchers was instituted on June 9th, Rodriguez has put up great numbers: .420 AVG, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 7 R, 3 SB.
AUBREY HUFF
Baltimore Orioles, 1B
Comment: Has been scorching the ball since early June and has quietly been one of the more productive corner infielders in fantasy this season.
CASEY KOTCHMAN
Los Angeles Angels, 1B
Comment: Is on the road this week, where he is batting .309 with 6 homers, and he gets to face the awful Rangers rotation.
ALEXI CASILLA
Minnesota Twins, 2B
Comment: Bat has not slowed down a bit and when he faced the Tigers earlier in the season he batted .381 with a homer and 5 RBI in 5 games.
JOE INGLETT
Toronto Blue Jays, 2B
Comment: Killing it with Aaron Hill still out with a concussion, batting .417 with a homer, 5 RBI and 5 runs scored in his last 6 games
JASON BARTLETT
Tampa Bay Rays, SS
Comment: Batting .400 over his past 5 games with 2 steals and with the Rays are playing, his production could be on the uptick.
JULIO LUGO
Boston Red Sox, SS
Comment: Has been markedly better at home this season than on the road: .298 AVG, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 15 R, 7 SB in 37 games.
ADRIAN BELTRE
Seattle Mariners, 3B
Comment: Streaking big-time at the plate since June 17th: .389 AVG, 1 HR, 14 RBI, 8 R, 2 SB.
CASEY BLAKE
Cleveland Indians, 3B
Comment: Since June 18th, Blake has been one of the hotter hitters in baseball: .423 AVG, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 6 R, 1 SB.
RYAN CHURCH
New York Mets, OF
Comment: Church is batting .381 since returning from the disabled list and since he was a solid fantasy performer on an underachieving Mets team before the concussion, fantasy owners should have no fear investing in him again.
JERRY HAIRSTON
Cincinnati Reds, OF
Comment: Since coming off the DL, Hairston has picked up where he left off, swinging a hot bat: .323 AVG, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 5 R, 1 SB in 8 games.
HUNTER PENCE
Houston Astros, OF
Comment: Inconsistencies in his game have been frustrating, but Pence should have an easier time of it this week when he faces the weak pitching of Pittsburgh and Washington.
MARCUS THAMES
Detroit Tigers, OF
Comment: Thames has been a fantasy force since June 11th: .328 AVG, 10 HR, 17 RBI, 13 R.
JORGE CAMPILLO
Atlanta Braves, SP
Comment: On the road this season, Campillo’s numbers have been tremendous: 1-1, 1.00 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, 26 SO in 27 IP.
HIROKI KURODA
Los Angeles Dodgers, SP
Comment: Has yet to take a loss at home this season, where he sports a 3.00 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 39 innings.
DANA EVELAND
Oakland Athletics, SP
Comment: More of a home-body with his 4-2 record and 2.84 ERA in games played at Oakland.
MIKE MUSSINA
New York Yankees, SP
Comment: Mussina has an impressive career track record against the Blue Jays: 24-12, 3.31 ERA, 1.13 ERA, 237 SO in 299 IP.
Sit ‘Em
BENGIE MOLINA
San Francisco Giants, C
Comment: Numbers suffered in June as he went without a home run and had fewer runs scored, RBI and doubles last month than in April or May.
MIGUEL MONTERO
Arizona Diamondbacks, C
Comment: Montero was once believed to be a potentially productive catcher when he was coming up with Arizona, but he batted .247 last year and has yet to prove himself as a major-leaguer. Ignore him despite the spike in at-bats with Chris Snyder out.
CHRIS DAVIS
Texas Rangers, 1B
Comment: Davis has had an impressive start to his major-league career, but he faces two of the best pitching staffs in the American League this week when Texas plays against the Angels and White Sox.
MIKE JACOBS
Florida Marlins, 1B
Comment: Jacobs’ production has really fallen off lately as he has batted .174 with 0 HR or RBI and 8 whiffs in 7 contests.
CLINT BARMES
Colorado Rockies, 2B
Comment: Though he’s back from the disabled list, Barmes has been ice-cold at the plate: .176 AVG, 0 HR, 0 RBI in 6 games.
JEFF KENT
Los Angeles Dodgers, 2B
Comment: Batting average (.250) and OBP (.292) have been worse at home for Kent this season than on the road.
BOBBY CROSBY
Oakland Athletics, SS
Comment: