seanjweb

I wish MLB.tv would show the FOX national game not shown in my market.  Regardless of whether I get to see tha Cubs v. Cardinals or the Yankees v. Red Sox, I will still want to look in on the other game from time to time.  I guess I will have the Game Notes.

"Cardinal Troy Glaus was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and two foulouts and is 0-for-16 with five strikeouts against Cubs pitching this season. He took a called third strike for the first out of the ninth and complained after the game about home plate umpire Ted Barrett's call. "I'll say it once: I was having a good at-bat and the at-bat was taken out of my hands," Glaus said."  No, Troy.  The ump did not take the bat out of your hand.  You struck out.  The Cubs got in your head and you want to use the umpire as an excuse for your failure against their pitching.  Glaus has become a top 10 3B for fantasy owners. He's a nice find for about 10% of leagues. Just don't start him against the Cubs.

"Jonathan Papelbon got his 25th save in 29 chances, completing a six-hitter." Papelbon started the season strong and had a wonky early June.  His ERA is up a couple ticks to 2.19, but he is still producing for the BoSox and his owners. Paps was expected to have a great year and he's delivering.  He has cemented his place as a must have fantasy closer.

"RHP Josh Fogg, on the DL since June 1 with back problems, will be activated and start in place of RHP Aaron Harang on Saturday against Washington. Harang will start Tuesday against the Cubs at Chicago."  Fogg has been sort of a yo-yo going up and down between the minors and the mothership then back and forth from the DL. I don't see how his 9.85 ERA is going to help the Reds or any fantasy owner.

"Christian Guzman singled in the third inning to extend his hitting streak to 12 games, matching the season high he set June 7-19."  Guzman has come on to lead all MLB SS in average this year.  For roto owners, he is valued commodity despite his low power rate.  This second hitting streak will only increase his .315 BA.

"Kansas City OF Joey Gathright sat out for the second straight game with a sore left shoulder." Gathright is a .250 hitter with zero pop in his bat.  I'm shocked to see he is even owned in 10% of leagues. Gathright's only production has been in SB.  Even there, he's falling short.

"White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen is optimistic that closer Bobby Jenks will be available by Sunday. Jenks has not pitched since Sunday because of soreness below his left shoulder."  Ozzie is saying all the right things, but I have not heard such pronouncements from Jenks himself.  All he has said is that the shoulder was "getting better." As of yesterday, Jenks still had pain behind his shoulder blade.  Jenks is on pace for 35 saves for the White Sox.  Considering how well they have been playing of late, I cannot see them risking their closer's health so close to the All Star break.

"With Joe Borowski gone, Wedge said he will give the majority of the save opportunities to Masa Kobayashi, who has four saves this season. Wedge also said bullpen roles will remain undefined for a while as he tries different people in different situations."  (The Tiger fan in me wants Wedge to talk to Leyland about casting off horrific closers.)  Borowski's release means closer by committee for the Indians.  Kobayashi is first up.  He was a dominant closer in Japan and has told the Indians that he wants to be the man in Cleveland.  Wedge will give him the chance.  He might warrant a flyer if you are desperate for a closer.

"Jeff Francoeur was hitting only .234 this season."  I made a special entry about Frenchy's demotion yesterday.

"The Rockies placed ailing first baseman Todd Helton (back) on the 15-day DL and recalled power prospect Joe Koshansky from Triple-A Colorado Springs."  Helton has been a durable and consistent hitter for the Rockies.  Its obvious from his .233 June that something is wrong.  In fact, his BA has gone down even more significantly in his last 22 games.  This trip to the DL is probably best for the Rockies and for Helton.  He should be back by early August.  In the meantime, Koshansky has been mashing the ball in Triple-A hitting .281 with 18 HR and 78 RBI.  His obscene K rate (108 in 82 games) might keep him benched in favor of the flourishing Jeff Baker.

"Arizona RHP Micah Owings, who missed a turn with a sore gluteus muscle, made his first relief appearance of the season in the ninth."  Owings started the season off as a renaissance man - a pitcher with a basement ERA and WHIP who could hit the ball.  He even pinch hit (a HR, if I recall) for the D-backs.  Owings has fallen on hard times of late and his ERA and losses have ballooned.  It should not be surprising that the Diamondbacks are looking for ways to find Owings some success on the mound.  I finally gave up on Owings this morning.  I suggest you do the same.

Streakers! "Milton Bradley has 26 RBI in his last 24 starts...Kelly Shoppach has hit safely in 12 of his last 13 games."

Fully clothed! "Aramis Ramirez is in an 0-for-22 slump his last six games...Pirates 2B Freddy Sanchez did not play for the second straight game. Russell said Sanchez, batting .229 with one hit in his last four games, is pressing at the plate."