Beyond the Boxscore - 07/30/08
Chris Carpenter made his triumphant return to the Cardinals lineup on Wednesday, as the former Cy Younger came back to try to help St. Louis make a playoff run. Carpenter wasn’t around long enough to take the win, but he was surely on a pitch count. Carpenter threw 67 pitches over four innings, allowed just one run and struck out two. Some of you might be disappointed by the performance of Carpenter tonight, but remember this was his first start in a long time, the Cardinals are going to protect one of their most valuable assets. Carpenter will probably be at 85-90 pitches next time out.
Carlos Pena is having a pretty good second half so far. After a tough beginning to the season, Pena had a pretty good July, raising his already low batting average ten points and hitting six homers and driving in 17 runs. If you can find him cheap, he might be a decent option for the rest of the season.
Joba Chamberlain won his second straight start for the first time as a starter, and since he became a starter, he has the best ERA in the American League. Granted it is easier to pitch with the kind of run support that he got tonight, but he allowed just one earned run over six innings and struck out six. I will say again that I expect Joba to be a big time starter for the rest of the season, and one of the best young pitchers if you are in a keeper league.
Fernando Rodney is really @%&$ing the bed here as he gets a chance to be the Tigers closer. Rodney gave up at least a run for the third consecutive appearance, and who knows how short the leash is that he is on. I would only have Rodney on my roster if I was the kind of fantasy player who doesn’t draft closers, and plays the waiver wire on them.
The slump of Jacoby Ellsbury seems to have cost him everyday playing in the Sox outfield. Coco Crisp has played himself back into at least a semi-platoon in the outfield. I can’t recommend letting go of Ellsbury as he is still very talented, and gives you great play in stolen bases, a category that everyone is always looking for. Keep patient with Jacoby.
Chad Billingsley kept his ascent into the ranks of the elite (at least in my opinion) as he threw a complete game shutout tonight against the Giants. OK, so the Giants stink, but Billingsley was masterful as he struck out eight over those nine innings. I’m telling you folks, if you are in a keeper league, you want this guy. I would even like him in a yearly league, this is a future star.
Ryan Dempster continued his dream season as he returned to the Cubs rotation, as he improved to 12-4 after striking out nine over seven innings as the Cubs beat the Brewers again. Dempster has been so much more than anyone could have hoped, and although I still expect a rough end of the season, you have to be thrilled with the way he has performed, especially the strikeouts. I’m still not convinced that this is for real, but keep playing the hot hand while it lasts.
After a couple of rough outings, Edinson Volquez finally bounced back to the level he’s been at all season. Volquez allowed just one earned run over 6.1 innings and struck out five. I still expect a big step back for Edinson soon, but you just have to keep starting him regardless of who he is playing.
As always, your questions (adds, drops, trades) and comments are welcome at fightingchancefantasy@gmail.com. I guarantee a response within 18 hours. Don’t forget to check me out at mlbfrontoffice.com on Tuesdays under In The News. Also go to fantasybaseballsearch.com to find me in the Gurus Blog, and listen to The True Gurus Show every Wednesday night at 9 pm. I am now a cohost on that show. To hear the best analysis on who to add/drop, your opportunity to call in and ask questions, and more don’t miss The Fantasy Baseball Scouting Report, every Tuesday night at 10. For more information on these shows and others like them, go to fantasygurusnetwork.com.
