Beyond the Boxscore–Fantasy MLB News and Notes 9/3-9/4
Chris Carpenter will be back with the Cardinals for the rest of the season, but this time he will come back as a reliever. Not only that, but don’t think he will be doing any closing for the Cards, he will just be a middle reliever. So, those who own him have a decision to make. Will he help you enough with Ks, ERA, and WHIP to make it worth keeping him? I think that there should be someone else on your waiver wire that can help you more than Carpenter, but if not, you should have a great relief pitcher, but again no saves will be coming. Even with the blown save on Wednesday, Chris Perez will be closing for the Cardinals.
Good news, Billy Wagner owners. It is being reported tonight that he should be make with the Metropolitians by Tuesday. He is supposed to pitch some rehab over the weekend and then join the team next week. Too bad he won’t be there for the series against the Phils, but at least there is a light at the end of the tunnel for Wagner and his owners. Considering the struggles the Mets’ bullpen has had, there is NO CHANCE they will ease him back into the role like other teams have done with their injured closers returning, he will be put right back in the 9th inning.
Toronto’s Jesse Litsch now has four straight good starts after throwing a complete game shutout on Thursday. Litsch had a nice stretch earlier in the year before being demoted to the minors, so if you are in need of a spot starter, Litsch could definitely be your guy.
Keep an eye on Texas starter Dustin Nippert. Nippert was once a highly touted prospect for the Diamondbacks who never really panned out in Arizona, but perhaps this change of scenery is helping. Nippert threw seven shutout innings on Wednesday with four strikeouts. It ws definitely his longest outing of the season, and I wouldn’t go run and grab him, but just keep a watch on Nippert.
Ryan Church has been hitting again for the Mets since returning from his concussion problems, including a grand slam on Wednesday. It is safe to get Church back on your team, and in your lineups.
Young Hitters
One time super prospect Brandon Wood has been hitting a little bit better this time up with the Angels. He had five hits over last weekend, and then had another two hit game on Wednesday. He will take his fair share of 0fers too and will strikeout a ton, but we all are still waiting for this guy to breakout.
Jays’ rookie Travis Snider hit his first career major league homer on Thursday, and it won’t be his last. It was his second straight three hit game, and this 20 year old is making the most of his call to the majors.
Dodgers’ Blake DeWitt is back with the Dodgers and will be playing 2B everyday after the injury to Jeff Kent. He helped a lot of fantasy teams in his first call up when he was replacing Nomar at third. This guy has some good skills and can play a number of positions. He could help your team at middle infield now.
Athletics’ Daric Barton apparently can only hit in September. After a very impressive callup in 2007, Barton was awful to start the season before he was demoted. Now that he is back, he is hitting up a storm again. In the last 10 games he has 13 hits including three homers and seven RBI. There might be better options out there, but he should be able to help you some down the stretch if you are in a larger league, although he isn’t a big power hitter.
Royals’ Billy Butler has really started hitting like we expected. He has eight multi hit games since August 22, and has three homers and ten RBI over that span. He has been one of the better hitting prospects of the last couple of years, so if this guy gets hot like this, he could stay that way for a while.
Giants rookie Pablo Sandoval keeps hitting and homered again on Wednesday. He should have catcher eligibility in your league, so that is an extra bonus. Nate Schierholtz has been called back up and has had two great games in that time. Schierholtz has six hits in two games, including two doubles. He had a cup of coffee with the Giants last season as well. You can count on a pretty good average, but next to no pop.
Kila Ka’aihue has been called up by the Royals to play first base. Kila had 37 homers between AA and AAA this season, and with only Ross Gload holding down 1B for the Royals, chances are he could get some playing time down the stretch. And 37 homers is pretty impressive, even if it was in the minors.
Dexter Fowler has been called by the Rockies, although the way that they are charging up the standings again this season, I would be surprised if he played too much for the Rox. He doesn’t have much power, but damn this kid can run. His best season in the minors he stole 43 bases in just 99 games for Single-A. Most likely he will get some playing time, but I think he will be used mostly as a pinch runner.
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