Beyond the Boxscore for August 14, 2008
It doesn’t get much better of a pitching matchup than Jake Peavy and Ben Sheets. Sheets has beaten the odds and actually remained healthy for the vast majority of the season, while Peavy has been his usual dominant self in 2008. They didn’t disappoint. Sheets went 6.2 innings, allowed three runs and struck out four. But he was outdone by Peavy who went seven innings, gave up a single run and struck out eight. Poor Peavy didn’t fall victim to it today, but he has gotten horrendous run support again this year, as he has just nine wins. He is still the best, or at worst, second best pitcher in fantasy. Trevor Hoffman nearly cost him another win as he gave up a 9th inning homer to Mike Cameron, but he was able to lock down the save for himself, and the win for Peavy.
Johnny Cueto is continuing his incredibly inconsistent rookie season with another great outing on Thursday. He improved his record to 8-11 after getting the win by going five innings, allowing just one run and striking out seven. Cueto has looked great, and he has looked horrible at different times during the season. In the long run I think he will be a quality pitcher in the major leagues. If you are in a keeper league that you keep a good number of players, I would even hold him for next year. The Reds will most likely stink again, but I think his ERA will go down by a run or more, and his strikeouts are better than average.
Carlos Pena continues his hot hitting for the Rays. Pena hit his 23rd homer of the year, and fourth this week for Tampa. With the injuries to Carl Crawford and Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay really needs him to stay hot to help them hold on to their lead in the AL East. The Rays are one of the best stories in baseball in a long time from a team aspect, and I for one are rooting for them to hold on to a playoff spot, but would really love to see them actually win the division crown. Sorry Andy. I’m sure Pena must be picked up in your league by now, but if for some ridiculous reason he isn’t I would certainly find a way to add him.
Tom Glavine returned from the disabled list today, and was rudely welcomed back by the Cubs as he was only able to go four innings and allowed SEVEN runs, walked four and struck out only three. I would stay far away from Glavine for the rest of 2008, and I’m not a big fan of his for the future either. There must be a better option for you out there in free agency.
On a positive note for the Braves, outfielder Mark Kotsay hit for the cycle on Thursday, but don’t be the person who reacts to one good game. Kotsay hasn’t been a viable fantasy player for years, and I don’t see that changing for the last six weeks of the season. It was a good night, but that’s exactly what it was. One good night.
Oliver Perez continued his dominance since the All-Star Break by hammering the Nationals. Perez lasted 6.2 innings, allowed three runs, walked three, and struck out eight. Oliver continues to be fanastic, and is making a case for one of the best second halves by a pitcher. However, if your trade deadline hasn’t passed yet, I would think about trying to sell high on him before it does pass. I really don’t expect him to do this for the rest of the season, although it is possible since he is a free agent after the season.
Two Cardinals continued their fairy tale season, as Todd Wellemeyer won his 10th game of the season, against just four defeats. Anyone who predicted this kind of season out of Wellemeyer, please raise your hand. Show me a hand raised, and I will show you a liar. I have been bad mouthing Wellemeyer all season long, but it appears that he will be effective for all of 2008. Just don’t expect this to continue next season. OF Ryan Ludwick hit his 30th homer of the season on Thursday, making him most likely the biggest surprise of 2008. Ludwick came out of nowhere to solidfying the Cardinals batting lineup, and has given them a chance to win the Wild Card. I can’t decide whether I expect him to have another great season in 2009, but if you have him in a keeper league, what choice do you have? You have to keep him.
According to some reports, the Cardinals are the team that placed the waiver claim on Jarrod Washburn, meaning the Mariners and Cards have 48 hours to come up with a trade. Not sure how much of an upgrade this is for the Cardinals pitching, and I wouldn’t pick him up if he is available in your league.
Red Sox rookie Jed Lowrie is having an impact on the team already. In his last ten games, Lowrie has 13 RBI after another 3-4 with an RBI game on Thursday. Lowrie should be getting regular playing time, at least while Mike Lowell is out, and my guess is, if he keeps playing like this you can expect him to be in the starting lineup most days.
House of Pain (Injury Notes)
Aramis Ramirez left the game on Thursday with a hip injury after scoring on an awkward slide against the Braves. He did walk off the field after the play, so he could be all right, but he did play no more baseball after the play. We will look to update when more info becomes available.
Brad Penny landed back on the DL after just two starts with tendonitis in his shoulder. He got pounded in his start on Thursday, and I would recommend cutting him for the season in yearly leagues. I don’t see him coming back and being effective, not to mention there is stilll no timetable for how long he will be out.
I am proud to announce that my softball team EWH Trucking/Landscrape Excavation (or EL for our superfans like Linda and Grace) is going to play in the championship two of three series. This is my fifth year on the team, and in the first four we were ousted in the first round of the playoffs. We would not be denied tonight, as we crushed the competition with a final score of 14-3. Fighting Chance’s contributor and designer Andy Houle had three hits and played a great third base tonight. He scorched the ball pretty much every time up, and made most every play at third. Yours truly had four hits, including two infield hits. as I went 4-5. Only two plays came out to me in left field, and I made both. It was an incredible feeling to win the game, and we are very excited to play for the title. The first game is next Thursday, and you will definitely be updated, even if you really don’t care….because I do.
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.
Ry, very nice EWH Trucking and Landscrape update! Go team EL!