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FB365's Morning Drive 7/3/09

By Charlie Saponara | July 3, 2009 | Fantasy Baseball 365

In Cincinnati, Chris Dickerson is making a case for the full time centerfield job. As Willy Taveras continues not to get on base (NOT A SINGLE WALK IN THE MONTH OF JUNE!!) Dickerson finds himself with a respectable .288 AVG and .389 OBP. He's not doing much with regards to power or stolen bases, but if by chance Dusty Baker decides to bat him leadoff because, deep breath, HE ACTUALLY GETS ON BASE, then he could see a slight rise in value for NL-only and deep mixed leagues. Francisco Rodriguez blew the save, his third in 10 days. Nothing new here. Frankie has averaged 5.5 blown saves per season since becoming a full time closer, which is about the norm. This is what I worried about with Kevin Correia. His fastball velocity was back a little yesterday, but not where it was during is hot streak. You can see from the chart below (via fangraphs.com) the upward trend in Correia's average velocity and how it dropped significantly his last outing. Yesterday's outing is represented with the red dot, which indicates an average fastball velocity of just over 91 mph. A.J. Happ is becoming an interesting starter to watch. Since converting to a full time starter he has shown a nice progression in K/BB rate. Also, Happ's velocity is showing signs of progression as well. He's currently owned in only 37% of Yahoo! Leagues. Franklin Gutierrez stays hot. He hit .304 with 4 homers and 3 stolen bases in June. Pitchers are not giving anything to Albert Pujols and he'll take his walks all day long. The beneficiary? Ryan Ludwick. It's been a struggle this season with healthy and a prolonged slump, but he has 7 hits in his last 5 games and 3 RBI in his last 2 games with Pujols getting on in front of him. Derrek Lee didn't just hit 2 homeruns last night. He hit 2 pure bombs last night. One was a grand slam and Lee collected 7 RBI on the night. Lee hit .333 and slugged .973 in June. Will there be a place for Jake Fox to play once A-Ram returns from the DL? I think I'm done betting against Mark Buehrle....

Read more | Discuss | Tags: A.J. Happ, Albert Pujols, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chris Dickerson, Cincinnati Reds, Derrek Lee, Fantasy, Fantasy Baseball, Francisco Rodriguez, Franklin Gutierrez, Kevin Correia, Mark Buehrle, MLB, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Ryan Ludwick, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, Willy Taveras

Friday's Games of the Day

By Jonathan Etkowicz | July 3, 2009 | MLB Notebook

The Fourth of July Weekend kicks off with a full schedule of games. The Yankees look to start a new winning streak against the Blue Jays. The Brewers and Cubs continue their seesaw NL Central battle. The Brewers need wins to stay ahead in the division because the Cardinals and Reds are battling for positioning in the division. The Mets and Phillies begin a series that will determine which team is in first in the NL East on Monday. These games, and many more, can be found in Friday's Games of the Day. Toronto at New York Yankees: The Mariners...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: AJ Burnett, Boston Red Sox, Brian Tallet, Carlos Zambrano, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Curtis Granderson, Derek Lee, Detroit Tigers, Felix Hernandez, Franklin Gutierrez, Games of the Day, Gordon Beckham, Hideki Matsui, Homer Bailey, Houston Astros, J.J. Hardy, Jeff Suppan, Joel Pineiro, Jose Lopez, Kansas City Royals, Kevin Slowey, Luke French, Mike Cameron, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, MLB, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Paul Konerko, Philadelphia Phillies, Rodrigo Lopez, Ryan Sadowski, San Francisco Giants, Scott Kazmir, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Tim Wakefield, Toronto Blue Jays, Zack Greinke

Hey Guys, A Few Runs Would Be Nice

By Robert E Hunt Jr | July 2, 2009 | MLB Notebook

Here's a quick stat that's hard to believe ...After today's no decision against the Reds, Arizona's Doug Davis is now 3-8 with a 3.15 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. But that's not the hard to believe part ...A good friend of mine and a fantasy foe ... we'll call him "Deep Stat" ... pointed out that all three of Davis's wins have come when he's allowed zero earned runs. When he's surrendered just 1 earned run, Davis is 0-1 in three outings. When he's given up 2 earned runs, he's 0-1 with three no decisions. And when Davis has been...

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, Doug Davis, Gatorade, MLB

The NL Central Is Apparently Over

By wrigleyville | July 2, 2009 | wrigleyville23

The Wisconsinians have declared the Milwaukee Brewers the 2009 National League Central champions: Tear down that silly Wild Card pennant, here comes the big boy - the real deal. It's gonna happen. The Brewers WILL win the NL Central this year, and here's 5 reasons why. Our friend Brad goes on to list four reasons (he forgot the all important No. 2). Speaking of No. 2, they can tear down that "silly Wild Card pennant" from 2008, but they'll have to pry the Commemorative DVD of the 2008 Wild Card out of Wisconsinians' cold dead hands....

Read more | 10 Comments | Tags: Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB

Thursday's Games of the Day

By Jonathan Etkowicz | July 2, 2009 | MLB Notebook

Thursday brings us another short schedule with only nine games scheduled. Thursday is still filled with good games. The Mets and Pirates finish a series that began in June. Houston and San Diego face off in a matchup of teams just out of last place in their divisions. The Phillies look to beat the Braves and stay in first in the NL East. And the Brewers and Cubs renew their rivalry. Those games and more can be found below. New York Mets at Pittsburgh: This game is a makeup of the June 3 game that was postponed. If Paul Maholm and...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Adam LaRoche, Adrian Gonzalez, Albert Pujols, Atlanta Braves, Barry Zito, Bruce Chen, Carlos Beltran, CC Sabathia, Chase Utley, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Games of the Day, Houston Astros, Ichiro Suzuki, J.J. Hardy, JA Happ, Jason Vargas, Javier Vazquez, Kansas City Royals, Mark Buehrle, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Paul Maholm, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Ryan Dempster, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, Tim Redding, Wandy Rodriguez

Wells, Lee Lead Cubbie Charge

By Randy Linville | July 1, 2009 | Pittsburgh Lumber Co.

Randy Wells continued his solid pitching effort and Derrek Lee hit a two run first inning homer as the Cubs took two of three at PNC. Wells evened his record at 3-3 (he's won his last three starts) and lowered his ERA below 2.50. He went seven and allowed one run on six hits (five singles and a double) and one walk. Lee's homer was all Wells would need. The Pirates only run came in the home half of the first as Andrew McCutchen came around on a Brandon Moss single. Virgil Vasquez didn't do himself much disservice. He went six and gave up three runs - a Kosuke Fukudome tater in the sixth was the final tally off him. He gave up seven hits and three walks. He struck out a pair. Carlos Marmol and Kevin Gregg finished up, with Gregg getting a save. The Good McCutchen had two...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Chicago Cubs, Derrek Lee, Pittsburgh Pirates, Randy Wells, Virgil Vasquez

In Defense Of Carlos Zambrano

By wrigleyville | July 1, 2009 | wrigleyville23

For those over-the-hill columnists and Cubs fans (and White Sox trolls) who believe the Cubs are better off trading Carlos Zambrano for a "bag of balls," let's take a look at what they are advocating giving up. Over the last seven seasons, there are nine pitchers who have won 90 or more games (wins being a statistic the angry hordes can understand and usually cling to): Johan Santana (107), Roy Halladay (104), Roy Oswalt (100), Carlos Zambrano (95), Andy Pettitte (94), CC Sabathia (94), Derek Lowe (92), Josh Beckett (90) and Mark Buehrle (90). Of those, only Sabathia is younger than the just turned 28-year-old Zambrano - by 50 days. Of those, only Lowe (218) and Buehrle (214) have started more games than Zambrano (206). Of those, only Santana (2.88), Halladay (3.18) and Oswalt (3.26) have a lower ERA than Zambrano (3.41). Of those, only Santana (1,462) and Sabathia (1,151) have more strikeouts than Zambrano (1,141). Of...

Read more | 3 Comments | Tags: Carlos Zambrano, Chicago Cubs, MLB

Z Pays You No Mind

By wrigleyville | July 1, 2009 | wrigleyville23

Carlos Zambrano doesn't much care what you think: PITTSBURGH -- Carlos Zambrano had some fun with an unscientific Tribune fan poll in which 57.2 percent of respondents said he should be moved, as Phil Rogers suggested in a column Monday. "Fine, trade me to Boston," Zambrano said. Last weekend Zambrano said he would play for only two other teams than the Cubs -- Boston and the White Sox. But apparently he changed his mind about the White Sox now that he knows pitching coach Don Cooper doesn't care for him. In truth, the Cubs can't send Zambrano anywhere without his approval. "Got the no-trade clause, man," he said. Any other team in the National League he would consider being traded to? "The Dodgers," he said. Why the Dodgers? "Can you see me in Hollywood?" he said. "Me and (Sylvester) Stallone? Rocky VI." Zambrano then began shadow boxing in the middle of the...

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MLB Stock Market - Nut Hut Edition

By Kurt Evans | June 29, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Have you ever listened to one of those morning zoo nut-hut talk radio shows? I'm sure you have, and yet you managed to change the dial before slitting your wrists. Often times these extremely boring people will go to excrutiating lengths to have a compelling talk segment. Right about now they're probably talking about how we are now over the hump - the days are getting short again (but they were so long for a while there, ha-ha! Can you beileve how long the days were? Blah blah, I couldn't go to sleep some nights the sky was so bright! Haw!) - and how winter is already on its way. As much as I detest those jabrones, I can't help but think about the same sort of thing -- the year is flying by. We're coming upon the All Star Break -- aka the most boring week in sports...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB, MLB Outsider, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers

MLB Great Debates: Which Playoff Contender Needs a Trade to Stay in the Race?

By Staff Report | June 26, 2009 | MVN Outsider

MLB Outsider's Jaymes Langrehr and Kurt Evans debate the issue: Which contending team most needs to make a deal before the July 31 trade deadline in order to stay in the race? Jaymes Langrehr argues that the Brewers desperately need starting pitching:As we get closer to the trade deadline, a good number of teams are developing clear needs that need to be addressed if they're going to stay in playoff contention. Some teams will be able to cope with their weaknesses and still make the playoffs due to their other strengths. Other clubs will need to make a move if they have any chance at contending in the second half.The Milwaukee Brewers are a prime example. Heading into this season, they knew that their pitching wouldn't be as good as it was down the stretch last season. Given the strength of their offense, however, they figured to be in okay...Read more

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MLB Outsider - In Which We Examine Closers

By Kurt Evans | June 25, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Not too long ago, Cubs closer Kevin Gregg came in to face the Detroit Tigers. He managed to get one of the three necessary outs before serving up a game-losing, two-run homerun to pinch hitter Ryan Ratburn. I doubt Gregg had even finished his walk of shame back to the clubhouse before Cub fans were spewing all over the internets their disdain for the closer, who has been other-than-reliable this season.The thing is, he actually hasn't been so bad. It's just that he's pitching under a microscope since the Cubs rarely seem to so much as reach the 9th inning with a lead these days. Anyway, something one reader said really stuck with me. He felt that any closer should blow no more than 3 saves a season. Unfortunately, that is a tremendously unrealistic expectation.I always defer to Randy Myers, retired closer, who once said that if he saves 80%...Read more

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MLB Top 10: Rox Still Hot

By Jaymes Langrehr | June 22, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Sure, the Colorado Rockies may not be on an insanely long winning streak at the moment (they're back to a merely above-average 5-game streak), but they're still playing the best baseball outside of Los Angeles or Boston at this point. For that reason, they hang on to the #1 spot in this week's Top 10 list. But who takes the #2 spot? With quite a few teams piecing together winning streaks lately, there are plenty of contenders -- there are seven teams who have won at least three games in a row, so there's no shortage of teams playing well, unlike in previous weeks.1. Colorado Rockies (36-33)Sure, it may not be an 11-game win streak, but after dropping a game to the Rays to snap the streak, Colorado has won five straight. For those of you keeping track at home, that's 16 wins in their past 17 games, and it's...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB, MLB Outsider, MLB Top 10, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays

MLB Outsider - Does Firing the Manager Actually Ever Help?

By Kurt Evans | June 21, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Over on my personal Cubs blog, Cheap Plugs of the Apocalypse, I recently made the mistake of suggesting that the Cubs would be better off without Lou Piniella as manager. The result of this view was a firestorm of ANGER from Cub fans everywhere who love Lou. Let that be a note to you if you ever want to stir up controversy: all you need to do is talk smack about Ron Santo or Lou Piniella and Cub fans everywhere will be on you like mosquitoes on bannanas. Basically, the Con Firing argument appears to be this: it's not the manager's fault if the general manager fails to give him the tools necessary to build a winner. Besides, if the entire team plays really badly how can you blame the manager for that? It's not like he's the one out there swinging the bat as if he'd never held one...Read more

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MLB Outsider - Those Damned Ball Park Ads!

By Kurt Evans | June 12, 2009 | MVN Outsider

For those of you who don't know, I am a Cubs fan. That's right, I love losing! I follow a team that plays at Wrigley Field, which was almost named Keep Your Paws Off My Shrine Ballpark. Every year, the execs in the Tribune figure out a new way to milk ad dollars from those ivy-lined brick walls. This causes Cub fans to go slightly more nuts. How dare they put a rotating ad sign behind homeplate? How could they sell the naming rights to the bleachers! Under Armor ads in the ivy? An attrocity! Except I've probably seen thousands of Cub games on TV or in person and while my enjoyment has been soiled by things like blown saves and blow-outs I have never felt anger because of -- or even ever really noticed -- the advertisements.I'm not sure if you've noticed, but ads are everywhere. There are at...Read more

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MLB Top 10: Yanks Enter Week Hotter Than Boston -- Will it Stay that Way?

By Jaymes Langrehr | June 8, 2009 | MVN Outsider

It was an interesting week in baseball -- Randy Johnson won his 300th career game in front of about 12 people in Washington, the Dodgers stole a couple wins from Philadelphia in walkoff fashion, the Rangers proved their worth with a brutal East Coast road trip, and the Rockies started slugging the tar out of the ball...and they weren't even playing at home. So who heads up this week's Top 10 list as the team playing the best baseball?1. Philadelphia Phillies (33-22)The Phillies had a pair of tough walkoff losses in Los Angeles over the weekend, but prior to the late-game collapses the Phils were winners of seven straight. With the Mets running into serious injury problems, Philadelphia has a hold on the NL East -- they have a chance to expand that three game division lead starting Tuesday night when they travel to New York for a three game...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, MLB Outsider, MLB Top 10, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers

MLB Outsider - Slammin' the Door on Sammy?

By Kurt Evans | June 6, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Note: a very similar version of this appeared the other day on my personal Cubs blog Goat Riders of the Apocalypse. I'm not planning on ever reproducing GROTA content -- in any variety -- on this site again, but after writing it I came to realize that it was probably better suited for MVN. So please forgive me just this once for doing an exceptionally hackish thing.Question: Should a guy who's never been caught doing steroids be banned from the Hall of Fame over suspicions that he may have been doing something that wasn't against the rules of baseball at the time? We're asking ourselves this today and we'll be asking it again in four or five years as Sammy Sosa enters Hall of Fame eligibility. But unless something dramatically changes the way the voters think then we can already guess the answer: Sammy is going to have about as...Read more

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