For the first time this season, a benched player could be the best player of the week. That player is Dexter Fowler and he plays for the Vicious Fishes. Fowler is wildly inconsistent so it's no surprise that Nikhil has him riding the pine. Still, it's no less painful for the rookie owner to see Fowler going 9 for 14 with two home runs, a stolen base, six RBI, seven runs scored and just two strikeouts in three games this week.
High Cheese 7, Vicious Fishes 4
The Fishes scored nine times Wednesday with only three players on the roster not crossing the plate at least once. Dustin Ackley scored twice, hit a home run and drove in three runs. Mark Trumbo and Paul Goldschmidt both hit home runs for High Cheese with Trumbo driving home three runs. Jason Hammel failed to earn a quality start for the Fishes, allowing four runs over 6.2 innings and opening the door for High Cheese to make a run at the category over the weekend. Javy Guerra and Pedro Strop were perfect in relief for the Fishes while John Axford earned a save for High Cheese. Closer Dale Thayer allowed a walk-off two-run homer and has now given up seven runs in his last 1.2 innings.
The Cys 6, Marin Menehunes 5
Tim Lincecum earned a quality start, Jason Grilli a hold, and the offense had 11 RBI Wednesday as the Menehunes jumped back into this series. For Lincecum, it was just the second time this season that he pitched at least five innings while giving up two or fewer runs. Offensively, Shane Victorino, Josh Willingham and Carlos Ruiz drove in eight of the team's RBI. Jason Kipnis continued his tear for the Cys, stealing two more bases Wednesday while Darren O'Day was perfect in relief. Max Scherzer will have a chance to tie this series with a quality start when he pitches tonight for the Menehunes.
Home Run 101 6, Twinkle Toes 5
Lucas Duda smacked two home runs while Josh Johnson and Johnny Cueto each had quality starts Wednesday to lift Home Run 101 into the series lead. Relief pitching was also instrumental in Home Run 101's rally, as David Hernandez earned the first save in this series and Cory Wade had a hold. Ian Kennedy earned a quality start for Twinkle Toes but the relief pitching was bombed. Setup man Mike Adams has now allowed five runs in two games in this series while recording just two outs. Michael Cuddyer led the Toes offensively, hitting a home run and driving in four of the team's five RBI.
A-Rod's Mirrors 7, Give it a Yankee 4
Kyle Seager scored four of the team's eight runs and drove in two of its three RBI Wednesday as the Mirrors moved further in front of Give it a Yankee. On the mound, Craig Kimbrel and Rafael Soriano each earned saves to give the Mirrors the category lead. Aaron Crow earned the first hold of the series for Give it a Yankee but Clayton Kershaw and Drew Smyly were both unsuccessful in their attempts at quality starts. Josh Beckett will have his turn tonight. At the plate, Mike Napoli had two RBI for Give it a Yankee.
The Machine 8, Bacon at Mile 11 3
Darwin Barney is having some kind of series for the Machine. On Wednesday, Barney scored three times, homered, drove in three runs and stole a base. He now has two homers, five RBI and six runs scored in three games this week. David Ortiz smacked his second home run of the series and Chase Headley stole a base for the Machine. Brian McCann, who has been fighting the flu, had a home run and four RBI for Bacon. On the mound Cliff Lee had a quality start Wednesday for Bacon while the bullpen was solid for the Machine. Matt Thornton and Francisco Rodriguez each had a hold and Jonathan Broxton had a save. Rodriguez now has three of the team's four holds in the series.
Scully's Slammers 10, Los Coche Bomba 1
Derek Holland and Bruce Chen were bombed in their starts Wednesday while Jason Motte allowed two runs in relief as Bomba continued to get pounded by the Slammers. Conversely, Yovani Gallardo struck out eight and earned a quality start while Logan Ondrusek and Ross Detwiler, pitching in relief, threw three scoreless innings for the Slammers. Zack Greinke will have an opportunity to widen that Quality Start lead when he pitches tonight. At the plate, Carlos Peña and Edwin Encarnacion each hit home runs for the Slammers while Jimmy Rollins went long and drove in three runs for Bomba.
Jersey Boys 9, HUMA 3
The Jersey Boys moved closer to their first series win of the season as Freddie Freeman and Curtis Granderson each had home runs and combined to drive in six of the team's seven RBI Wednesday. Brett Lawrie added a homer and Rickie Weeks continued to emerge from his early-season deep freeze by scoring twice. HUMA continued to suffer from a power outage in this series, driving in just two runs and scoring four times Wednesday. The bullpen continued to be rock solid for the Jersey Boys as Joel Hanrahan and Alfredo Aceves had saves and Edward Mujica earned his second hold of the series. Jon Lester struck out seven but failed to earn a quality start for HUMA and Octavio Dotel gave up a run in relief.
Lower Haighters 7, The Bulls 4
The Lower Haighters continued to crush the ball, scoring 10 times, hitting three home runs and driving in seven runs Wednesday. Catcher Jesus Montero was in the middle of everything, scoring four times, going long, and driving in four runs. On the mound, Brandon Morrow earned the team's first quality start, striking out eight in 6.1 innings while allowing just one run. Addison Reed also earned his second save of the series. Carlos Gonzalez provided his own offensive fireworks for the Bulls, hitting three home runs Wednesday while driving in four of the team's seven RBI. Bud Norris will take the mound tonight for the Bulls with an opportunity to widen the Quality Start gap.
The hot corner of the web to learn about fantasy baseball.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Halladay, Weaver, Pedroia Down With Injuries
Dustin Pedroia could miss up to a month with a torn abductor muscle in his right thumb. Jered Weaver has hit the DL with a lower back strain. Roy Halladay is expected to miss six to eight weeks with a latissimus dorsi strain. These are All-Star caliber players that are essential to their team's pennant hopes that have been felled by injury.
This week's injury news is the most dramatic of the season so far as so many good players on contending teams will lose substantial playing time. A-Rod's Mirrors will have to find a replacement for Pedroia at second base while not losing ground in the West Division title chase. High Cheese is 13-games out in the South Division and sits in the eighth and final playoff spot and now must replace Weaver. The Bulls have built a 12-game lead in the North Division but now find their ace on the shelf for up to two months.
Three teams now face a crossroad. How they replace these injured stars will define their seasons.
High Cheese 8, Vicious Fishes 3
The bullpen is coming to the rescue for High Cheese in Week 9. John Axford, Tom Wilhelmsen, and Steve Cishek pitched three scoreless innings Tuesday with Cishek earning a hold and Axford a save. The offense also responded with 10 runs, four homers, and eight RBI, led by two home runs, three RBI, and three runs scored for Adam Jones. The Fishes earned a third quality start when Dan Haren struck out seven over seven innings while allowing just one run Tuesday. Offensively, the team had two homers and eight RBI, led by Mike Moustakas' four RBI. It's early in the series but you get the feeling if Jason Hammel tosses a quality start tonight for the Fishes, it could win the category.
Give it a Yankee 5, A-Rod's Mirrors 4
The Mirrors miss Pedroia's bat. The team has just seven runs and three RBI in the first two days of this series. Second catcher Humberto Quintero has two of those RBI. While the Mirrors struggle at the plate, Give it a Yankee isn't building insurmountable leads in the offensive categories. The team had a homer, five runs, and five RBI Tuesday led by Chris Davis' homer and two RBI. The Mirrors missed an opportunity to build a substantial lead in Quality Starts Tuesday as Jake Westbrook and Justin Masterson combined to give up 11 runs in 11 innings. Daniel Bard had an opportunity for a quality start for Give it a Yankee, giving up just two runs, but he failed to complete six innings. Clayton Kershaw and rookie Drew Smyly take the mound tonight for Give it a Yankee in a series that is begging for a star to step up on the mound.
Lower Haighters 6, The Bulls 6
The Bulls have taken advantage of the pitching-challenged Lower Haighters, building leads in five of the six pitching categories in the first two days of this series. On Tuesday, Jason Vargas tossed a quality start and three relievers combined to pitch three scoreless innings while earning two saves and a hold. Ricky Romero struck out seven for the Lower Haighters but gave up four runs. Four relievers pitched 3.1 innings of shutout ball and struck out six batters. At the plate, the Lower Haighters are beginning to flex their muscle. They have built significant leads in five of the six categories. Brandon Morrow and Ivan Nova will start tonight for the Lower Haighters with the team desperate for a quality start.
Twinkle Toes 5, Home Run 101 4
The pitching in this series has been a train wreck and that continued Tuesday. Home Run 101 closer Brian Fuentes gave up a three-run homer to lose the game in the bottom of the ninth inning and his meltdown leaves the team ERA at 21.60 through two days. Ryan Vogelsong earned a quality start for Twinkle Toes and Jon Rauch recorded a hold but normally reliable setup man Mike Adams burped up three hits and two runs without recording an out. Dayan Viciedo supplied the offense Tuesday for Home Run 101, with a homer, two RBI and three runs scored. Today is crucial for Home Run 101 as Josh Johnson, Johnny Cueto, and Ryan Dempster all start. Ian Kennedy and Tim Hudson will start for Twinkle Toes.
The Cys 8, Marin Menehunes 3
Josh Willingham's walk-off, three-run homer was all the offensive generated on Tuesday in this series and it helped keep the Menehunes close in RBI and in front in Home Runs. Edwin Jackson's quality start for the Cys helped the team gain the category lead. The Menehunes received good news from the training room Tuesday, when it was announced that Carlos Ruiz's hamstring injury is not severe and he should return to action in this series. Tim Lincecum will try to figure out his problems tonight when he takes the mound for the Menehunes along with young Anthony Bass.
Jersey Boys 9, HUMA 3
The Jersey Boys have the lead as they look for their first series win of the 2012 season but they could regret the fact that both Justin Verlander and Andy Pettitte failed to earn quality starts Tuesday. The two aces combined to give up 10 runs in 13 innings. Alfredo Aceves and Glen Perkins pitched scoreless relief innings to help the team ERA and WHIP while Aceves also earned a save. The relief pitching wasn't as good for HUMA as Craig Stammen gave up a home run while recording just one out. Brett Lawrie scored three times and drove in three runs for the Jersey Boys while Josh Hamilton hit a home run and drove in three for HUMA. Jon Lester pitches today for HUMA with an opportunity to give the team a second Quality Start.
Scully's Slammers 9, Los Coche Bomba 1
Through the first two days of this series, the Slammers are destroying Bomba at the plate. On Tuesday, it was recently acquired second catcher John Jaso with a homer, two runs, and three RBI for the Slammers. On the mound, James Shields struck out eight for the Slammers but gave up five runs over six innings. Bomba had bullpen problems as Alexi Ogando was tagged for four hits and two runs in an inning. The Slammers will send Yovani Gallardo to the mound today while Bomba has Derek Holland and Bruce Chen pitching.
Bacon at Mile 11 5, The Machine 5
The pitching was perfect for the Machine on Tuesday. Rookie Jarrod Parker didn't give up a run in six innings to earn a quality start while relievers Matt Thornton and Francisco Rodriguez pitched scoreless relief with Rodriguez earning a hold. The pitching was also good for Bacon, as Anibal Sanchez tossed seven scoreless innings to earn a quality start while relievers Bobby Parnell and Jonny Venters each earned a hold. At the plate, David Ortiz homered and scored twice for the Machine while Dan Uggla homered and drove in three runs for Bacon. Cliff Lee and Ervin Santana take the mound for Bacon tonight with an opportunity to put the pressure on the Machine in the Quality Start category.
This week's injury news is the most dramatic of the season so far as so many good players on contending teams will lose substantial playing time. A-Rod's Mirrors will have to find a replacement for Pedroia at second base while not losing ground in the West Division title chase. High Cheese is 13-games out in the South Division and sits in the eighth and final playoff spot and now must replace Weaver. The Bulls have built a 12-game lead in the North Division but now find their ace on the shelf for up to two months.
Three teams now face a crossroad. How they replace these injured stars will define their seasons.
High Cheese 8, Vicious Fishes 3
The bullpen is coming to the rescue for High Cheese in Week 9. John Axford, Tom Wilhelmsen, and Steve Cishek pitched three scoreless innings Tuesday with Cishek earning a hold and Axford a save. The offense also responded with 10 runs, four homers, and eight RBI, led by two home runs, three RBI, and three runs scored for Adam Jones. The Fishes earned a third quality start when Dan Haren struck out seven over seven innings while allowing just one run Tuesday. Offensively, the team had two homers and eight RBI, led by Mike Moustakas' four RBI. It's early in the series but you get the feeling if Jason Hammel tosses a quality start tonight for the Fishes, it could win the category.
Give it a Yankee 5, A-Rod's Mirrors 4
The Mirrors miss Pedroia's bat. The team has just seven runs and three RBI in the first two days of this series. Second catcher Humberto Quintero has two of those RBI. While the Mirrors struggle at the plate, Give it a Yankee isn't building insurmountable leads in the offensive categories. The team had a homer, five runs, and five RBI Tuesday led by Chris Davis' homer and two RBI. The Mirrors missed an opportunity to build a substantial lead in Quality Starts Tuesday as Jake Westbrook and Justin Masterson combined to give up 11 runs in 11 innings. Daniel Bard had an opportunity for a quality start for Give it a Yankee, giving up just two runs, but he failed to complete six innings. Clayton Kershaw and rookie Drew Smyly take the mound tonight for Give it a Yankee in a series that is begging for a star to step up on the mound.
Lower Haighters 6, The Bulls 6
The Bulls have taken advantage of the pitching-challenged Lower Haighters, building leads in five of the six pitching categories in the first two days of this series. On Tuesday, Jason Vargas tossed a quality start and three relievers combined to pitch three scoreless innings while earning two saves and a hold. Ricky Romero struck out seven for the Lower Haighters but gave up four runs. Four relievers pitched 3.1 innings of shutout ball and struck out six batters. At the plate, the Lower Haighters are beginning to flex their muscle. They have built significant leads in five of the six categories. Brandon Morrow and Ivan Nova will start tonight for the Lower Haighters with the team desperate for a quality start.
Twinkle Toes 5, Home Run 101 4
The pitching in this series has been a train wreck and that continued Tuesday. Home Run 101 closer Brian Fuentes gave up a three-run homer to lose the game in the bottom of the ninth inning and his meltdown leaves the team ERA at 21.60 through two days. Ryan Vogelsong earned a quality start for Twinkle Toes and Jon Rauch recorded a hold but normally reliable setup man Mike Adams burped up three hits and two runs without recording an out. Dayan Viciedo supplied the offense Tuesday for Home Run 101, with a homer, two RBI and three runs scored. Today is crucial for Home Run 101 as Josh Johnson, Johnny Cueto, and Ryan Dempster all start. Ian Kennedy and Tim Hudson will start for Twinkle Toes.
The Cys 8, Marin Menehunes 3
Josh Willingham's walk-off, three-run homer was all the offensive generated on Tuesday in this series and it helped keep the Menehunes close in RBI and in front in Home Runs. Edwin Jackson's quality start for the Cys helped the team gain the category lead. The Menehunes received good news from the training room Tuesday, when it was announced that Carlos Ruiz's hamstring injury is not severe and he should return to action in this series. Tim Lincecum will try to figure out his problems tonight when he takes the mound for the Menehunes along with young Anthony Bass.
Jersey Boys 9, HUMA 3
The Jersey Boys have the lead as they look for their first series win of the 2012 season but they could regret the fact that both Justin Verlander and Andy Pettitte failed to earn quality starts Tuesday. The two aces combined to give up 10 runs in 13 innings. Alfredo Aceves and Glen Perkins pitched scoreless relief innings to help the team ERA and WHIP while Aceves also earned a save. The relief pitching wasn't as good for HUMA as Craig Stammen gave up a home run while recording just one out. Brett Lawrie scored three times and drove in three runs for the Jersey Boys while Josh Hamilton hit a home run and drove in three for HUMA. Jon Lester pitches today for HUMA with an opportunity to give the team a second Quality Start.
Scully's Slammers 9, Los Coche Bomba 1
Through the first two days of this series, the Slammers are destroying Bomba at the plate. On Tuesday, it was recently acquired second catcher John Jaso with a homer, two runs, and three RBI for the Slammers. On the mound, James Shields struck out eight for the Slammers but gave up five runs over six innings. Bomba had bullpen problems as Alexi Ogando was tagged for four hits and two runs in an inning. The Slammers will send Yovani Gallardo to the mound today while Bomba has Derek Holland and Bruce Chen pitching.
Bacon at Mile 11 5, The Machine 5
The pitching was perfect for the Machine on Tuesday. Rookie Jarrod Parker didn't give up a run in six innings to earn a quality start while relievers Matt Thornton and Francisco Rodriguez pitched scoreless relief with Rodriguez earning a hold. The pitching was also good for Bacon, as Anibal Sanchez tossed seven scoreless innings to earn a quality start while relievers Bobby Parnell and Jonny Venters each earned a hold. At the plate, David Ortiz homered and scored twice for the Machine while Dan Uggla homered and drove in three runs for Bacon. Cliff Lee and Ervin Santana take the mound for Bacon tonight with an opportunity to put the pressure on the Machine in the Quality Start category.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Slammers Jump to Big Lead Over Bomba
The Slammers scored 10 runs and drove in eight more thanks to three home runs by Mark Teixeira, Jed Lowrie, and Edwin Encarnacion on Monday, giving the team the early lead in its pivotal series with Bomba.
Bomba could not get the offense going in the first day of the series, scoring just three runs while driving in one. Todd Helton, Miguel Cabrera, Michael Bourn, Jimmy Rollins and Robinson Cano combined to go 4-for-27 with nine of the team's 12 strikeouts.
Scully's Slammers 8, Los Coche Bomba 1
The Slammers dominated the mound as well as the plate Monday. James McDonald struck out five over eight scoreless innings giving up just five hits while walking one to earn a quality start. Reliever Brandon League, who lost his closer role in Seattle, pitched a scoreless inning of relief. Matt Harrison earned a quality start for Bomba, giving up two runs over eight innings while fanning five. Luis Perez and Greg Holland pitched well in relief but the enigmatic Francisco Rodriguez gave up four hits and two runs while recording just one out to damage the team ERA and WHIP. James Shields will pitch tonight for the Slammers as they try to take over the quality start lead.
The Cys 6, Marin Menehunes 2
Both teams got off to a fast start in this series on the mound and at the plate. The Cys scored nine runs and drove in 11 thanks to Starlin Castro and Willin Rosario. Castro went 2 for 5 with a home run, three RBI and a stolen base while Rosario was 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBI. Jason Kipnis continued his hot play for the Cys, going 3 for 4 with two runs scored, two RBI, and a stolen base. The Menehunes were also swinging a hot bat Monday led by Kelly Johnson's 3 for 4 with a homer, three RBI and two runs scored. Josh Reddick also added his 14th homer of the season. Young Matt Moore was stellar on the mound for the Cys, striking out 10 over seven innings to earn a quality start. Veteran Barry Zito earned a quality start for the Menehunes while relievers Casey Janssen, Matt Belisle and Ramon Ramirez combined to pitch 3.2 shutout innings with Janssen earning a save. Edwin Jackson starts tonight for the Cys with a chance to take the quality start lead for the team.
Vicious Fishes 7, High Cheese 1
A single pitching performance can alter a series and that was the case for Chris Sale Monday. Sale struck out 15 over 7.1 innings to earn a quality start for the Vicious Fishes. Carlos Zambrano also had a quality start and five strikeouts as the team jumped out to a 29-1 lead in the strikeout category. To make matters worse for High Cheese, ace Jered Weaver left his game with a back injury. Both teams missed a golden opportunity offensively when bench players posted high scores. Ty Wigginton had a home run and six RBI for High Cheese while Dexter Fowler had a home run, five runs scored, three RBI and stolen base for the Fishes. Sonavabench! Jake Arrieta and Dan Haren start tonight for the Fishes while Joe Saunders pitches for High Cheese.
Jersey Boys 7, HUMA 4
Home runs from Curtis Granderson and Alfonso Soriano and solid bullpen work have the Jersey Boys in the lead. Soriano went 3 for 4 with three RBI and two runs scored while Granderson was 2 for 5 with two runs scored and an RBI. Joel Hanrahan earned a save and Edward Mujica a hold as the veteran relievers combined to pitch two scoreless innings. HUMA had a meltdown on the mound Monday, as Doug Fister and Jordan Zimmerman combined to give up 10 earned runs over 11 innings. Scott Diamond rescued the staff with a quality start. At the plate, Jarrod Saltalamacchia continued his hot play, slugging another homer for HUMA. The Jersey Boys could grab the quality start lead and another point in the series when veteran hurlers Justin Verlander and Andy Pettitte pitch tonight.
Lower Haighters 7, The Bulls 3
Both teams got off to an excellent start on the mound Monday. Closers Joe Nathan and Addison Reed each pitched scoreless innings and earned saves for the Lower Haighters while James Russell, Santiago Casilla and Wilton Lopez were perfect in relief for the Bulls with Casilla recording a save. The difference was the quality start from Shaun Marcum. Marcum struck out nine over seven innings while allowing just one run for the Bulls. At the plate, Adam Dunn and Giancarlo Stanton both homered for the Lower Haighters while Marco Scutaro drove in three runs and stole a base for the Bulls. The erratic Ricky Romero pitches tonight for the Lower Haighters while Jason Vargas is on the mound for the Bulls.
Bacon at Mile 11 8, The Machine 2
It was an offensive free-for-all Monday, as these teams combined for eight homers, 17 runs and 18 RBI. The hit parade was led by Chase Headley, who had two homers, three RBI, and two runs scored for the Machine. Darwin Barney and John Mayberry also went long for the team. Eric Hosmer, Troy Tulowitzki, Mike Trout, and Logan Morrison all hit home runs for Bacon. Lance Lynn struck out eight and earned a quality start and Matt Capps had a save as Bacon took the lead in five of the six pitching categories. Francisco Rodriguez earned a hold but allowed a run for the Machine. Rookie Jarrod Parker pitches tonight for the Machine while Anibal Sanchez starts for Bacon.
Twinkle Toes 6, Home Run 101 4
Juan Nicasio was unfortunate to be pitching in Wrigley Field when the wind was blowing out so he gave up six runs over six innings for Twinkle Toes Monday. Closer Brett Myers was also rocked, giving up a run in relief while recording just one out. Vinnie Pestano, who has been steady all year for Home Run 101, earned a hold in a perfect inning but Cory Wade gave up a run without recording an out. Offensively the two teams combined for six runs and nine RBI with Howie Kendrick and Aramis Ramirez knocking in five of those runs for Home Run 101. Ryan Vogelsong will try to settle things down for Twinkle Toes when he starts tonight.
Bomba could not get the offense going in the first day of the series, scoring just three runs while driving in one. Todd Helton, Miguel Cabrera, Michael Bourn, Jimmy Rollins and Robinson Cano combined to go 4-for-27 with nine of the team's 12 strikeouts.
Scully's Slammers 8, Los Coche Bomba 1
The Slammers dominated the mound as well as the plate Monday. James McDonald struck out five over eight scoreless innings giving up just five hits while walking one to earn a quality start. Reliever Brandon League, who lost his closer role in Seattle, pitched a scoreless inning of relief. Matt Harrison earned a quality start for Bomba, giving up two runs over eight innings while fanning five. Luis Perez and Greg Holland pitched well in relief but the enigmatic Francisco Rodriguez gave up four hits and two runs while recording just one out to damage the team ERA and WHIP. James Shields will pitch tonight for the Slammers as they try to take over the quality start lead.
The Cys 6, Marin Menehunes 2
Both teams got off to a fast start in this series on the mound and at the plate. The Cys scored nine runs and drove in 11 thanks to Starlin Castro and Willin Rosario. Castro went 2 for 5 with a home run, three RBI and a stolen base while Rosario was 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBI. Jason Kipnis continued his hot play for the Cys, going 3 for 4 with two runs scored, two RBI, and a stolen base. The Menehunes were also swinging a hot bat Monday led by Kelly Johnson's 3 for 4 with a homer, three RBI and two runs scored. Josh Reddick also added his 14th homer of the season. Young Matt Moore was stellar on the mound for the Cys, striking out 10 over seven innings to earn a quality start. Veteran Barry Zito earned a quality start for the Menehunes while relievers Casey Janssen, Matt Belisle and Ramon Ramirez combined to pitch 3.2 shutout innings with Janssen earning a save. Edwin Jackson starts tonight for the Cys with a chance to take the quality start lead for the team.
Vicious Fishes 7, High Cheese 1
A single pitching performance can alter a series and that was the case for Chris Sale Monday. Sale struck out 15 over 7.1 innings to earn a quality start for the Vicious Fishes. Carlos Zambrano also had a quality start and five strikeouts as the team jumped out to a 29-1 lead in the strikeout category. To make matters worse for High Cheese, ace Jered Weaver left his game with a back injury. Both teams missed a golden opportunity offensively when bench players posted high scores. Ty Wigginton had a home run and six RBI for High Cheese while Dexter Fowler had a home run, five runs scored, three RBI and stolen base for the Fishes. Sonavabench! Jake Arrieta and Dan Haren start tonight for the Fishes while Joe Saunders pitches for High Cheese.
Jersey Boys 7, HUMA 4
Home runs from Curtis Granderson and Alfonso Soriano and solid bullpen work have the Jersey Boys in the lead. Soriano went 3 for 4 with three RBI and two runs scored while Granderson was 2 for 5 with two runs scored and an RBI. Joel Hanrahan earned a save and Edward Mujica a hold as the veteran relievers combined to pitch two scoreless innings. HUMA had a meltdown on the mound Monday, as Doug Fister and Jordan Zimmerman combined to give up 10 earned runs over 11 innings. Scott Diamond rescued the staff with a quality start. At the plate, Jarrod Saltalamacchia continued his hot play, slugging another homer for HUMA. The Jersey Boys could grab the quality start lead and another point in the series when veteran hurlers Justin Verlander and Andy Pettitte pitch tonight.
Lower Haighters 7, The Bulls 3
Both teams got off to an excellent start on the mound Monday. Closers Joe Nathan and Addison Reed each pitched scoreless innings and earned saves for the Lower Haighters while James Russell, Santiago Casilla and Wilton Lopez were perfect in relief for the Bulls with Casilla recording a save. The difference was the quality start from Shaun Marcum. Marcum struck out nine over seven innings while allowing just one run for the Bulls. At the plate, Adam Dunn and Giancarlo Stanton both homered for the Lower Haighters while Marco Scutaro drove in three runs and stole a base for the Bulls. The erratic Ricky Romero pitches tonight for the Lower Haighters while Jason Vargas is on the mound for the Bulls.
Bacon at Mile 11 8, The Machine 2
It was an offensive free-for-all Monday, as these teams combined for eight homers, 17 runs and 18 RBI. The hit parade was led by Chase Headley, who had two homers, three RBI, and two runs scored for the Machine. Darwin Barney and John Mayberry also went long for the team. Eric Hosmer, Troy Tulowitzki, Mike Trout, and Logan Morrison all hit home runs for Bacon. Lance Lynn struck out eight and earned a quality start and Matt Capps had a save as Bacon took the lead in five of the six pitching categories. Francisco Rodriguez earned a hold but allowed a run for the Machine. Rookie Jarrod Parker pitches tonight for the Machine while Anibal Sanchez starts for Bacon.
Twinkle Toes 6, Home Run 101 4
Juan Nicasio was unfortunate to be pitching in Wrigley Field when the wind was blowing out so he gave up six runs over six innings for Twinkle Toes Monday. Closer Brett Myers was also rocked, giving up a run in relief while recording just one out. Vinnie Pestano, who has been steady all year for Home Run 101, earned a hold in a perfect inning but Cory Wade gave up a run without recording an out. Offensively the two teams combined for six runs and nine RBI with Howie Kendrick and Aramis Ramirez knocking in five of those runs for Home Run 101. Ryan Vogelsong will try to settle things down for Twinkle Toes when he starts tonight.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Week 9 Preview - Two Top Teams to Meet
Scully's Slammers and Los Coche Bomba, two of the best teams in the league, will face each other in a Week 9 showdown. Bomba has the best record in the league at 57-32-7 and lead the South Division. The Slammers lead the East Division and have a 51-36-9 record, third best in the league. Bomba has won three consecutive series and six of eight. The Slammers have won three in a row and five of eight.
Bomba beat the Slammers 7-4-1 when they met last in Week 16 last year. The Slammers whipped Bomba 8-2-2 in their first meeting in 2010. Andrew McCutchen has the ability to control a series for Bomba. In his last 13 games, he has five homers, four stolen bases, 12 RBI and 10 runs scored. Reliever Tyler Clippard has emerged as the closer for the Nationals which lessens the blow of Heath Bell's ineffectiveness for the Slammers. Clippard has three saves in his last seven games, allowing just one run over 6.2 innings. This is a matchup of the two top run scoring teams in the league. The Slammers also lead the league in home runs and RBI while Bomba sits third in RBI. Bomba is second overall in stolen bases. On the mound, no team has more quality starts than the Slammers. This is a top-level series.
The Cys are gaining momentum while the Menehunes are losing their mojo. The Cys have won three of the past four series including a 10-2 demolition of Home Run 101 last week. The Menehunes fell to Bomba 3-8-1 last week but have won five of their eight series. The Cys have moved to fifth in the overall standings but still trail Bomba in the South Division standings by 8.5-games. The Menehunes dropped out of first in the West Division, falling 3-games behind A-Rod's Mirrors. They now sit seventh overall. Historically, this has been a close series. The Cys won 7-5 in Week 4 last year and they tied in the only other meeting. The Cys own a narrow 13-11 advantage in categories won. Carlos Ruiz is the hottest catcher in the league over the last two weeks and has been the MVP for the Menehunes over that period. Ruiz has a .531 OBP and just four strikeouts in his last 42 at bats. Melky Cabrera has 24 hits in his last 14 games and has helped the Cys win three of the past four series. Cabrera has scored 15 times and driven in 11 runs over his last 57 at bats.
The Mirrors are now on top of the West Division, three games clear of the Menehunes. After losing their first three series of the season, they've been on a roll, fashioning a 48-39-9, the fourth best record in the league. Give it a Yankee is battling through injuries and trying to stay close to .500. They held on for a 6-4-2 victory over the Jersey Boys last week but they look anything but dominant. The Mirrors have won two of the three meetings between these teams, including an 8-4 win in Week 19 last year. The Mirrors own a 19-15-2 advantage in categories won. Give it a Yankee broke a four week losing skid last week thanks to Josh Beckett and Clayton Kershaw. They've combined to give up just five earned runs over 44.2 innings. They've struck out 35 batters during that period and earned six quality starts. The Mirrors have won five of their past six series thanks to the return to health of outfielder B.J. Upton and precocious rookie Bryce Harper. Upton has seven stolen bases over his last 13 games and he's scored 12 times. Harper has a .423 OBP in his last 45 at bats, including three homes and 12 runs scored.
Bacon is desperate for a good series. They were thumped, 8-2-2 by the Mirrors last week and have lost five of their last six series. They now sit at 37-50-9 16.5-games out in the North Division and 14th overall. The Machine is 48-44-4 and just 5.5-games behind the Slammers in the East Division. They are sixth overall. Bacon slammed the Machine 9-3 in Week 16 last year and have won two of the three meetings. Bacon owns a 20-15-1 advantage in categories won. The Machine saw its five week winning streak snapped in Week 8 but Joel Peralta can't be blamed for the loss. Peralta has given up just one run over his past 6.2 innings while striking out seven and earning six holds. Outfielder Jose Bautista is also showing signs of life, hitting four homers over his last 13 games. Young Mike Trout has been one of the most exciting players in the league over the last two weeks, giving Bacon hope that the team's fortunes will turn soon. Trout has two home runs, six stolen bases, and 10 runs scored in his last 14 games.
The Bulls are the second best team in the league with a 55-35-6 record. They leveled High Cheese 9-2-1 last week to claim their fourth consecutive series win. The Lower Haighters are 39-51-5, 13th overall, and 10.5-games behind the Mirrors in the West Division. Despite the overall record, they are gaining momentum. The Lower Haighters have never lost to the Bulls in their two meetings, winning the categories 18-6. The last time they met, the Lower Haighters won 8-4 in Week 12 last year. The Lower Haighters have lost just one series over the past five weeks and, not surprisingly, two familiar names are in the middle of the team's resurgence. Albert Pujols has struck out just six times in his last 56 at bats while hitting six homers and driving in 14 runs. Ryan Braun has three homers, four stolen bases, and 13 RBI in his last 13 games. The Bulls have lost just one series all season and over the last two weeks they've been paced by catcher Jonathan Lucroy. Lucroy has a .422 OBP and has struck out just six times in his last 43 at bats while hitting three homers and driving in 14 runs.
High Cheese experienced its worst loss of the season last week, a 9-2-1 debacle at the hands of the Bulls. They have fallen to third in the South Division, 13-games behind Bomba. The Vicious Fishes are 43-49-4, 11th overall, and just 7.5-games back in the West Division. This is a dramatic improvement over last year's Wooden Spoon campaign. When they last played in Week 3 last year, these teams tied, 6-6. The Fishes won the other two meetings and they won big. They own a 21-12-3 advantage in categories won. The Fishes won their first series in a month last week and veteran slugger Paul Konerko is the primary reason. Konerko has five homers in his last 40 at bats while driving in 14 runs and scoring 15 more. High Cheese has now lost three consecutive series but you can't blame outfielder Adam Jones. Over the past two weeks, Jones is 19-for-54 with four homes, three stolen bases, and 10 RBI.
While the focus will be on the Jersey Boys and their losing streak, it should be noted that the team has lost by two points or less in three of the past four series. Still, they have the league's worst record at 31-52-13 and are now 18-games back in the West Division. HUMA is 12th overall, 16-games behind Bomba in the South Division, with a 40-47-9 record. These team split two meetings last year, with the Jersey Boys winning 7-3-2 in Week 19 while HUMA won 6-5-1 in Week 3. HUMA has won three of the four meeting and holds a 24-19-5 advantage in categories won. Will this be the week the Jersey Boys win their first series of the season? Pitching hasn't been the issue the past two weeks. R.A. Dickey, Justin Verlander, and Andy Pettitte have seven quality starts and 65 strikeouts between them during that span. They've given up just eight runs over the past 52.1 innings. A Texas slugger has paced HUMA the past two weeks but it's not Josh Hamilton. It's Mitch Moreland. Moreland has four homers and nine RBI in his last 11 games.
Home Run 101 had some momentum until last week's crushing 10-2 loss to the Cys. Now they've fallen to 38-53-5, 15th overall, and 17.5-games behind the Bulls in the North Division. Twinkle Toes salvaged a 6-6 draw with the Vicious Fishes last week. They are 42-47-7 and 10th overall, 10-games behind Scully's Slammers in the East Division. At this point, the Toes are battling for their playoff lives. Twinkle Toes beat Home Run 101 7-4-1 in Week 16 last year. It's a series Twinkle Toes has dominated, winning all three meetings by a combined 21-11-4 count. Twinkle Toes has lost three straight series and hasn't won a series in five weeks. Ryan Vogelsong has three straight quality starts, striking out 12 while giving up just four runs over the last 20.1 innings. It's safe to say, Vogelsong isn't the reason the Toes are struggling. Home Run 101 has built one of the best bullpens in the league, helping the team win two of its last four series. In their last six games, Vinnie Pestano and Sergio Romo have combined to earn eight holds, strikeout 14, while allowing just three runs over 10.1 innings.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Two aces square off as High Cheese and the Bulls decide their series
Two of the best arms in baseball will help decide the series between High Cheese and the Bulls today. The Bulls will rely on Roy Halladay while High Cheese throws young ace Gio Gonzalez. Their efforts will go a long way in deciding a series that has nine categories still up for grabs.
The Bulls 8, High Cheese 3
The Bulls enter the final day with a commanding overall lead but it is built on narrow category leads that can vanish quickly. The current score is the result of a wild Saturday that saw Derek Lowe and Dale Thayer get hammered and High Cheese finish the day with a 29.25 ERA. It wasn't much better for the Bulls, as setup man Wilton Lopez and starter Bud Norris were both rocked. It was Wei-Yen Chen, a familiar hero for the Bulls, that earned a critical quality start. Joaquin Benoit and Scott Downs each had a hold Saturday to give the Bulls a narrow lead in that category. Offensively, Colby Rasmus homered and stole a base for the Bulls while Mark Trumbo and Adam Jones stole bases for High Cheese. While the spotlight will be on Halladay and Gonzalez, each team will have a second starter in action Sunday. Chris Capuano will pitch for the Bulls and Adam Wainwright for High Cheese. For the Bulls, a series win would be the fourth consecutive and sixth in the last seven weeks. High Cheese is looking to break a two week losing streak.
Vicious Fishes 6, Twinkle Toes 5
The hot bat of Paul Konerko has sparked an amazing rally for the Fishes, which was left for dead early in the week. Konerko is the highest rated player this week, going 12-for-20 with two homers, six RBI, eight runs scored and just two strikeouts. On Saturday, Konerko scored three times, drove in two runs and reached base every time he was at bat. The Fishes scored eight runs and drove in 11 more to take the lead in both categories. While the Fishes have the lead, the series is far from over. The Quality Start category is tied and Twinkle Toes will send Ubaldo Jimenez, Jeremy Hellickson, and Brian Matusz to the mound. One quality start will tie the series. Three could give Twinkle Toes the WHIP category and the series win. Twinkle Toes hasn't won a series in four weeks and is hoping to avoid its third consecutive series loss. The Fishes are also hoping to avoid a third consecutive series loss.
Los Coche Bomba 8, Marin Menehunes 2
This could get ugly for the Menehunes. Matt Garza and Brandon Beachy will throw today for Bomba with an opportunity to take the Quality Start category. The Menehunes will look to its bullpen to try and gain points in Holds and Saves. The Menehunes saw a golden opportunity slip away Saturday when Bartolo Colon, Max Scherzer, and Jaime Garcia all failed to earn quality starts. Only Johan Santana kept the day from being a total disaster. Andrew McCutchen left his imprint on the series Saturday when he stole two bases and stole the category for Bomba. A series win would be the sixth in the first eight weeks for Bomba and the third consecutive. The Menehunes had won three of their past four series and two in a row entering Week 8.
Give it a Yankee 8, Jersey Boys 3
It looks like the Jersey Boys will have to wait one more week to earn its first series victory of the 2012 season. Josh Beckett threw a critical quality start for Give it a Yankee Saturday and setup man Jordan Walden recorded the first hold of the series. The team will rely on Luke Hochevar to protect the Quality Start lead today while the Jersey Boys have an opportunity to tie the category when Hiroki Kuroda and R.A. Dickey pitch. A series win for Give it a Yankee would be just the third in the first two months of play and would break a four-week losing streak. The Jersey Boys have lost five straight series since tying High Cheese in Week 2. The Jersey Boys have fought injuries all season and have played the league's toughest schedule to date.
A-Rod's Mirrors 8, Bacon at Mile 11 3
Neither team has a scheduled start on Sunday so it will be up to the bullpens to decide the Strikeout category that the Mirrors currently lead by one. With a big day, Bacon could also earn category wins in Runs and OBP. The Mirrors are wondering how ace Stephen Strasburg got roughed up Saturday and failed to earn a quality start which would have given the team the category win. Bryce Harper and Denard Span both hit home runs for the Mirrors while Eric Hosmer, Dan Uggla and Logan Morrison each scored two runs for Bacon. If the Mirrors hang on, this would be their fourth series win in the past five weeks. A loss for Bacon would mean six series losses in the first two months and five in the past six weeks.
Lower Haighters 7, The Machine 4
The Machine should break the Quality Start deadlock in this series when Matt Cain, Ricky Nolasco, and Gavin Floyd pitch today. Three quality starts could help the Machine win the ERA category and tie the series. On Saturday, Felix Hernandez allowed a grand slam and failed to earn a quality start for the Lower Haighters while Jake Peavy was rocked for the Machine. The two teams have combined for two quality starts all week. Offensively, Albert Pujols continued his onslaught with another homer for the Lower Haighters while Shin-Soo Choo scored twice for the Machine. A series win for the Lower Haighters would give the defending league champions it second consecutive series win and fourth in the first eight weeks. The Machine is hoping to rally to stretch its current winning streak to six consecutive series.
The Cys 9, Home Run 101 3
The Cys will rely on C.J. Wilson, Yu Darvish, and Edinson Volquez to pitch adequately today to give the team a big series victory. The three starters just need to avoid disasters on the mound for the Cys to maintain their category leads in WHIP and ERA. Home Run 101 will try to salvage a point in the RBI category, where it currently trails by one. The team had just two RBI on Saturday while Jason Kipnis was driving in four of the seven RBI recorded by the Cys. Kipnis homered twice giving the Cys a chance to win that category as well. A series win for the Cys would be the team's second straight and third in the past four weeks. Home Run 101 is looking at its fifth series loss in eight weeks.
Scully's Slammers 6, HUMA 4
HUMA can gain a point by winning the Quality Start category today when Mat Latos toes the rubber. After recording 10 runs, three homers, and 10 RBI Saturday, the team is also in position to steal the RBI category and possibly the series. Josh Hamilton, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Mitch Moreland all hit home runs for HUMA, helping to offset a brilliant night by Mark Teixeira for the Slammers. Teixeira had two home runs and five of the team's six RBI. Octavio Dotel earned a point for HUMA Saturday when he recorded a hold. The Slammers are trying to hold on for their third consecutive series win while HUMA is hoping to avoid its third series loss in the last four weeks.
The Bulls 8, High Cheese 3
The Bulls enter the final day with a commanding overall lead but it is built on narrow category leads that can vanish quickly. The current score is the result of a wild Saturday that saw Derek Lowe and Dale Thayer get hammered and High Cheese finish the day with a 29.25 ERA. It wasn't much better for the Bulls, as setup man Wilton Lopez and starter Bud Norris were both rocked. It was Wei-Yen Chen, a familiar hero for the Bulls, that earned a critical quality start. Joaquin Benoit and Scott Downs each had a hold Saturday to give the Bulls a narrow lead in that category. Offensively, Colby Rasmus homered and stole a base for the Bulls while Mark Trumbo and Adam Jones stole bases for High Cheese. While the spotlight will be on Halladay and Gonzalez, each team will have a second starter in action Sunday. Chris Capuano will pitch for the Bulls and Adam Wainwright for High Cheese. For the Bulls, a series win would be the fourth consecutive and sixth in the last seven weeks. High Cheese is looking to break a two week losing streak.
Vicious Fishes 6, Twinkle Toes 5
The hot bat of Paul Konerko has sparked an amazing rally for the Fishes, which was left for dead early in the week. Konerko is the highest rated player this week, going 12-for-20 with two homers, six RBI, eight runs scored and just two strikeouts. On Saturday, Konerko scored three times, drove in two runs and reached base every time he was at bat. The Fishes scored eight runs and drove in 11 more to take the lead in both categories. While the Fishes have the lead, the series is far from over. The Quality Start category is tied and Twinkle Toes will send Ubaldo Jimenez, Jeremy Hellickson, and Brian Matusz to the mound. One quality start will tie the series. Three could give Twinkle Toes the WHIP category and the series win. Twinkle Toes hasn't won a series in four weeks and is hoping to avoid its third consecutive series loss. The Fishes are also hoping to avoid a third consecutive series loss.
Los Coche Bomba 8, Marin Menehunes 2
This could get ugly for the Menehunes. Matt Garza and Brandon Beachy will throw today for Bomba with an opportunity to take the Quality Start category. The Menehunes will look to its bullpen to try and gain points in Holds and Saves. The Menehunes saw a golden opportunity slip away Saturday when Bartolo Colon, Max Scherzer, and Jaime Garcia all failed to earn quality starts. Only Johan Santana kept the day from being a total disaster. Andrew McCutchen left his imprint on the series Saturday when he stole two bases and stole the category for Bomba. A series win would be the sixth in the first eight weeks for Bomba and the third consecutive. The Menehunes had won three of their past four series and two in a row entering Week 8.
Give it a Yankee 8, Jersey Boys 3
It looks like the Jersey Boys will have to wait one more week to earn its first series victory of the 2012 season. Josh Beckett threw a critical quality start for Give it a Yankee Saturday and setup man Jordan Walden recorded the first hold of the series. The team will rely on Luke Hochevar to protect the Quality Start lead today while the Jersey Boys have an opportunity to tie the category when Hiroki Kuroda and R.A. Dickey pitch. A series win for Give it a Yankee would be just the third in the first two months of play and would break a four-week losing streak. The Jersey Boys have lost five straight series since tying High Cheese in Week 2. The Jersey Boys have fought injuries all season and have played the league's toughest schedule to date.
A-Rod's Mirrors 8, Bacon at Mile 11 3
Neither team has a scheduled start on Sunday so it will be up to the bullpens to decide the Strikeout category that the Mirrors currently lead by one. With a big day, Bacon could also earn category wins in Runs and OBP. The Mirrors are wondering how ace Stephen Strasburg got roughed up Saturday and failed to earn a quality start which would have given the team the category win. Bryce Harper and Denard Span both hit home runs for the Mirrors while Eric Hosmer, Dan Uggla and Logan Morrison each scored two runs for Bacon. If the Mirrors hang on, this would be their fourth series win in the past five weeks. A loss for Bacon would mean six series losses in the first two months and five in the past six weeks.
Lower Haighters 7, The Machine 4
The Machine should break the Quality Start deadlock in this series when Matt Cain, Ricky Nolasco, and Gavin Floyd pitch today. Three quality starts could help the Machine win the ERA category and tie the series. On Saturday, Felix Hernandez allowed a grand slam and failed to earn a quality start for the Lower Haighters while Jake Peavy was rocked for the Machine. The two teams have combined for two quality starts all week. Offensively, Albert Pujols continued his onslaught with another homer for the Lower Haighters while Shin-Soo Choo scored twice for the Machine. A series win for the Lower Haighters would give the defending league champions it second consecutive series win and fourth in the first eight weeks. The Machine is hoping to rally to stretch its current winning streak to six consecutive series.
The Cys 9, Home Run 101 3
The Cys will rely on C.J. Wilson, Yu Darvish, and Edinson Volquez to pitch adequately today to give the team a big series victory. The three starters just need to avoid disasters on the mound for the Cys to maintain their category leads in WHIP and ERA. Home Run 101 will try to salvage a point in the RBI category, where it currently trails by one. The team had just two RBI on Saturday while Jason Kipnis was driving in four of the seven RBI recorded by the Cys. Kipnis homered twice giving the Cys a chance to win that category as well. A series win for the Cys would be the team's second straight and third in the past four weeks. Home Run 101 is looking at its fifth series loss in eight weeks.
Scully's Slammers 6, HUMA 4
HUMA can gain a point by winning the Quality Start category today when Mat Latos toes the rubber. After recording 10 runs, three homers, and 10 RBI Saturday, the team is also in position to steal the RBI category and possibly the series. Josh Hamilton, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Mitch Moreland all hit home runs for HUMA, helping to offset a brilliant night by Mark Teixeira for the Slammers. Teixeira had two home runs and five of the team's six RBI. Octavio Dotel earned a point for HUMA Saturday when he recorded a hold. The Slammers are trying to hold on for their third consecutive series win while HUMA is hoping to avoid its third series loss in the last four weeks.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Albert Pujols - rumors of his demise have been greatly exaggerated
The road to mediocrity for Albert Pujols has taken a sudden turn. He has three homers and seven RBI in five games this week and has shown why he's considered the greatest hitter of this generation. His contributions have sparked the Lower Haighters, and the team is on course to possibly break HUMA's Week 6 record of 52 RBI in a week.
Lower Haighters 6, The Machine 5
The Lower Haighters had four homers, 12 RBI and nine runs scored on Friday. Pujols, Giancarlo Stanton, Ryan Braun, and Adam Dunn all went long and tallied nine of the team's RBI. The Lower Haighters don't lead by more in this series because of Friday's disaster start by Brandon Morrow. Morrow recorded just two outs while giving up six runs. It was the shortest outing of his career and he handed the ERA and WHIP lead to the Machine. Jake Peavy will pitch tonight for the Machine while Felix Hernandez throws for the Lower Haighters.
Give it a Yankee 6, Jersey Boys 4
If either team records a stolen base or a hold over the next two days it could change the entire series. On Friday, Cory Hart and Nick Swisher both homered for Give it a Yankee while Alex Avila drove in three of the team's eight RBI. Rickie Weeks hit a homer for the Jersey Boys, who tallied just three RBI and three runs scored. Clayton Kershaw earned a quality start Friday as Give it a Yankee took the lead in that category. Josh Beckett will try to pad that lead when he starts tonight.
Los Coche Bomba 7, Marin Menehunes 3
Tim Lincecum had another poor outing for the Menehunes while Derek Holland was striking out nine in a quality start for Bomba. Holland's outing gave Bomba the lead in the category and moved the team within three in the Strikeout category. The Menehunes had a homer from Josh Reddick but only scored three runs and three RBI on Friday. A.J. Pierzynski, Robinson Cano, and Todd Helton all went yard for Bomba. The Menehunes did even the Hold category thanks to a perfect inning of relief work by Matt Belisle. The Menehunes could climb back into this series today as Johan Santana, Jaime Garcia, Max Scherzer, and Bartolo Colon all take the mound.
A-Rod's Mirrors 7, Bacon at Mile 11 4
Cliff Lee struck out seven in a quality start Friday but Ervin Santana deprived Bacon of an opportunity to take the category lead when he gave up four runs to Seattle. The Mirrors will send ace Stephen Strasburg and Kevin Correia to the hill tonight to try and reclaim the Quality Start lead while Bacon counters with Jerome Williams. Rafael Soriano earned another save Friday to give the Mirrors a cushion in that category. Offensively, the Mirrors did not record an RBI Friday while Jason Heyward homered for Bacon and Ryan Zimmerman drove in three runs.
The Cys 8, Home Run 101 4
Home Run 101 had a chance to grab the quality start lead Friday but Josh Johnson and Johnny Cueto both bombed leaving Ryan Dempster as the team's only effective starter. Cueto allowed five runs in 4.2 innings which hurt the team ERA and WHIP, both close categories. Offensively, Lucas Duda homered for Home Run 101 while Jason Kipnis stole two bases for the Cys. Colby Lewis and Wade Miley will try once again to tie the quality start category for Home Run 101 while CC Sabathia pitches for the Cys.
High Cheese 5, The Bulls 3
With two days remaining in this series, four categories remain tied. Both teams earned important saves Friday as Steve Cishek and Scott Downs each pitched perfect relief innings. Each team also had a home run, Hunter Pence for the Bulls, and Matt Joyce for High Cheese. The Bulls will send Bud Norris and Wei-Yen Chen to the mound tonight while High Cheese has recently acquired free agent Derek Lowe starting. With the Quality Start category tied and WHIP very close, these starts will be critical.
Twinkle Toes 7, Vicious Fishes 4
The Fishes have climbed back into this series and could rally for a victory if they can take the lead in Quality Starts, Holds, Saves, and Runs. All four categories are still up for grabs with two days remaining. The Fishes took the RBI lead Friday when the team tallied 11, including an amazing eight from Nelson Cruz. The team also snatched the home run led thanks to bombs from Rafael Furcal and Cruz. On the mound, Jason Hammel earned a quality start for the Fishes while Ian Kennedy labored for the Toes. The Toes are clinging to a one point advantage in the category but they have four starters remaining while the Fishes have just David Price.
Scully's Slammers 7, HUMA 3
HUMA will need to protect narrow advantages in the Quality Start and WHIP categories and break the deadlock Holds and Stolen Bases if they hope to make this a competitive series over the next two days. Each team has two starting pitchers remaining. Henderson Alvarez will throw tonight for HUMA while Zack Greinke and Mark Buehrle pitch for the Slammers. Mat Latos will finish the series Sunday for HUMA. Stolen bases on Friday from Maicer Izturis and Mike Aviles helped the Slammers tie the category while Yovani Gallardo earned an important quality start on a night when starting pitching for both teams was less than quality.
Lower Haighters 6, The Machine 5
The Lower Haighters had four homers, 12 RBI and nine runs scored on Friday. Pujols, Giancarlo Stanton, Ryan Braun, and Adam Dunn all went long and tallied nine of the team's RBI. The Lower Haighters don't lead by more in this series because of Friday's disaster start by Brandon Morrow. Morrow recorded just two outs while giving up six runs. It was the shortest outing of his career and he handed the ERA and WHIP lead to the Machine. Jake Peavy will pitch tonight for the Machine while Felix Hernandez throws for the Lower Haighters.
Give it a Yankee 6, Jersey Boys 4
If either team records a stolen base or a hold over the next two days it could change the entire series. On Friday, Cory Hart and Nick Swisher both homered for Give it a Yankee while Alex Avila drove in three of the team's eight RBI. Rickie Weeks hit a homer for the Jersey Boys, who tallied just three RBI and three runs scored. Clayton Kershaw earned a quality start Friday as Give it a Yankee took the lead in that category. Josh Beckett will try to pad that lead when he starts tonight.
Los Coche Bomba 7, Marin Menehunes 3
Tim Lincecum had another poor outing for the Menehunes while Derek Holland was striking out nine in a quality start for Bomba. Holland's outing gave Bomba the lead in the category and moved the team within three in the Strikeout category. The Menehunes had a homer from Josh Reddick but only scored three runs and three RBI on Friday. A.J. Pierzynski, Robinson Cano, and Todd Helton all went yard for Bomba. The Menehunes did even the Hold category thanks to a perfect inning of relief work by Matt Belisle. The Menehunes could climb back into this series today as Johan Santana, Jaime Garcia, Max Scherzer, and Bartolo Colon all take the mound.
A-Rod's Mirrors 7, Bacon at Mile 11 4
Cliff Lee struck out seven in a quality start Friday but Ervin Santana deprived Bacon of an opportunity to take the category lead when he gave up four runs to Seattle. The Mirrors will send ace Stephen Strasburg and Kevin Correia to the hill tonight to try and reclaim the Quality Start lead while Bacon counters with Jerome Williams. Rafael Soriano earned another save Friday to give the Mirrors a cushion in that category. Offensively, the Mirrors did not record an RBI Friday while Jason Heyward homered for Bacon and Ryan Zimmerman drove in three runs.
The Cys 8, Home Run 101 4
Home Run 101 had a chance to grab the quality start lead Friday but Josh Johnson and Johnny Cueto both bombed leaving Ryan Dempster as the team's only effective starter. Cueto allowed five runs in 4.2 innings which hurt the team ERA and WHIP, both close categories. Offensively, Lucas Duda homered for Home Run 101 while Jason Kipnis stole two bases for the Cys. Colby Lewis and Wade Miley will try once again to tie the quality start category for Home Run 101 while CC Sabathia pitches for the Cys.
High Cheese 5, The Bulls 3
With two days remaining in this series, four categories remain tied. Both teams earned important saves Friday as Steve Cishek and Scott Downs each pitched perfect relief innings. Each team also had a home run, Hunter Pence for the Bulls, and Matt Joyce for High Cheese. The Bulls will send Bud Norris and Wei-Yen Chen to the mound tonight while High Cheese has recently acquired free agent Derek Lowe starting. With the Quality Start category tied and WHIP very close, these starts will be critical.
Twinkle Toes 7, Vicious Fishes 4
The Fishes have climbed back into this series and could rally for a victory if they can take the lead in Quality Starts, Holds, Saves, and Runs. All four categories are still up for grabs with two days remaining. The Fishes took the RBI lead Friday when the team tallied 11, including an amazing eight from Nelson Cruz. The team also snatched the home run led thanks to bombs from Rafael Furcal and Cruz. On the mound, Jason Hammel earned a quality start for the Fishes while Ian Kennedy labored for the Toes. The Toes are clinging to a one point advantage in the category but they have four starters remaining while the Fishes have just David Price.
Scully's Slammers 7, HUMA 3
HUMA will need to protect narrow advantages in the Quality Start and WHIP categories and break the deadlock Holds and Stolen Bases if they hope to make this a competitive series over the next two days. Each team has two starting pitchers remaining. Henderson Alvarez will throw tonight for HUMA while Zack Greinke and Mark Buehrle pitch for the Slammers. Mat Latos will finish the series Sunday for HUMA. Stolen bases on Friday from Maicer Izturis and Mike Aviles helped the Slammers tie the category while Yovani Gallardo earned an important quality start on a night when starting pitching for both teams was less than quality.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
A-Rod With an A-Bomb (or two)
Alex Rodriguez launched two home runs Wednesday, ending a 14-game homerless streak, but it was quality starts from Cole Hamels and Jeff Samardzija that has the Mirrors comfortably in front of Bacon at Mile 11 heading into the final four days of the series.
A-Rod's Mirrors 9, Bacon at Mile 11 2
Both of A-Rod's homers were needed as Bacon launched its own assault Wednesday - three homers, eight RBI, and five runs. Dan Uggla, Troy Tulowitzki and Justin Upton all went long and Tulowitzki is beginning to have that look that could end in another four or five homers before the week is finished. Lance Lynn walked a tightrope for Bacon on Wednesday, allowing 11 base runners but still managing a quality start but Rafael Dolis wasn't as fortunate. Dolis gave up three earned runs in .2 of an inning and became the second closer this week to cough up a hair ball on Bacon's ERA and WHIP. Bobby Parnell and Marc Rzepczynski did soften the blow with a pair of holds. The Mirrors will start Jake Westbrook and Justin Masterson tonight while Bacon throws Anibal Sanchez.
Twinkle Toes 10, Vicious Fishes 1
The Fishes are trying to swim out of a deep hole. Tommy Hanson and Chris Sale both earned quality starts Wednesday to begin the process but Carlos Zambrano gave up seven runs in five innings and Jake Arrieta allowed four in 5.2 to erase most of the gains. Seth Smith homered for the Toes while Hector Sanchez knocked in three runs. Paul Konerko scored three times for the Fishes to give the team the category lead in runs and the only point of the series so far. Dan Haren will pitch for the Fishes tonight while Ryan Vogelsong takes the hill for the Toes.
Scully's Slammers 8, HUMA 4
James Shields struck out 10 and earned a quality start as the Slammers pushed further ahead of HUMA on Wednesday. The Slammers needed Shields as Ted Lilly allowed eight earned runs in 3.1 innings, his worst start of the season. HUMA earned two quality starts as Doug Fister and Scott Diamond combined to give up four runs over 12.2 and strikeout seven. Offensively, Adrian Beltre homered for HUMA while Carlos Beltran and Edwin Encarnacion went deep for the Slammers.
Give it a Yankee 8, Jersey Boys 2
This series is much closer than the score indicates as seven categories are still up for grabs. Give it a Yankee took the lead in quality starts Wednesday when Wandy Rodriguez and Jonathon Niese combined to allow just two runs over 14.2 innings. Daniel Bard was two outs away from a quality start but couldn't finish the sixth inning. Andy Pettitte earned a much-needed quality start for the Jersey Boys, striking out eight over seven innings. Curtis Granderson homered for the Jersey Boys while Alex Rios went long for Give it a Yankee. Ace Justin Verlander will try to even the quality start category for the Jersey Boys when he pitches tonight.
Los Coche Bomba 7, Marin Menehunes 4
Home Runs by Billy Butler and Shane Victorino Wednesday helped the Menehunes keep this series close. Bomba failed to score a run yesterday, had no homers, and just four RBI. On the mound, Barry Zito was pounded for four earned runs in just three innings as the Menehunes lost an opportunity to take the quality start lead. Both bullpens pitched shutout ball, with Jason Motte earning a save and Jose Veras a hold for Bomba.
High Cheese 6, The Bulls 4
The Bulls scored 10 runs, hit two homers, and drove in seven runs on Wednesday. The hit parade was led by a pair of catchers. Jonathan Lucroy and Kelly Shoppach both hit homers. The Bulls are the only team in the league with a third catcher in the utility position and it paid off yesterday. David Freese and Will Venable each homered for High Cheese while Jered Weaver earned a quality start and John Axford a save. Axford's save tied the category while the Bulls saw Frank Francisco earn his second save of the week - from the bench. Sonavabench! Jason Vargas can tie the quality start category in his start for the Bulls tonight.
Home Run 101 6, The Cys 5
Both teams are struggling offensively in this series. They combined for six runs and seven RBI Wednesday. Aramis Ramirez had three of the runs driven in for Home Run 101. Edwin Jackson earned a quality start for the Cys but Darren O'Day and Darren Oliver both gave up runs in relief.
Lower Haighters 5, The Machine 5
Rookie Jarrod Parker evened the quality start category for the Machine on Wednesday and in the process evened the series. Parker struck out eight over seven innings while allowing just one run. Ricky Romero failed to earn a quality start for the Lower Haighters but did strike out seven. Ernesto Frieri earned a save for the Lower Haighters while Francisco Rodriguez had a hold for the Machine. Offensively, the teams combined for just six runs and five RBI with Jose Buatista hitting the only homer. Randall Delgado will try to earn a quality start and regain the series lead for the Lower Haighters when he takes the mound tonight.
A-Rod's Mirrors 9, Bacon at Mile 11 2
Both of A-Rod's homers were needed as Bacon launched its own assault Wednesday - three homers, eight RBI, and five runs. Dan Uggla, Troy Tulowitzki and Justin Upton all went long and Tulowitzki is beginning to have that look that could end in another four or five homers before the week is finished. Lance Lynn walked a tightrope for Bacon on Wednesday, allowing 11 base runners but still managing a quality start but Rafael Dolis wasn't as fortunate. Dolis gave up three earned runs in .2 of an inning and became the second closer this week to cough up a hair ball on Bacon's ERA and WHIP. Bobby Parnell and Marc Rzepczynski did soften the blow with a pair of holds. The Mirrors will start Jake Westbrook and Justin Masterson tonight while Bacon throws Anibal Sanchez.
Twinkle Toes 10, Vicious Fishes 1
The Fishes are trying to swim out of a deep hole. Tommy Hanson and Chris Sale both earned quality starts Wednesday to begin the process but Carlos Zambrano gave up seven runs in five innings and Jake Arrieta allowed four in 5.2 to erase most of the gains. Seth Smith homered for the Toes while Hector Sanchez knocked in three runs. Paul Konerko scored three times for the Fishes to give the team the category lead in runs and the only point of the series so far. Dan Haren will pitch for the Fishes tonight while Ryan Vogelsong takes the hill for the Toes.
Scully's Slammers 8, HUMA 4
James Shields struck out 10 and earned a quality start as the Slammers pushed further ahead of HUMA on Wednesday. The Slammers needed Shields as Ted Lilly allowed eight earned runs in 3.1 innings, his worst start of the season. HUMA earned two quality starts as Doug Fister and Scott Diamond combined to give up four runs over 12.2 and strikeout seven. Offensively, Adrian Beltre homered for HUMA while Carlos Beltran and Edwin Encarnacion went deep for the Slammers.
Give it a Yankee 8, Jersey Boys 2
This series is much closer than the score indicates as seven categories are still up for grabs. Give it a Yankee took the lead in quality starts Wednesday when Wandy Rodriguez and Jonathon Niese combined to allow just two runs over 14.2 innings. Daniel Bard was two outs away from a quality start but couldn't finish the sixth inning. Andy Pettitte earned a much-needed quality start for the Jersey Boys, striking out eight over seven innings. Curtis Granderson homered for the Jersey Boys while Alex Rios went long for Give it a Yankee. Ace Justin Verlander will try to even the quality start category for the Jersey Boys when he pitches tonight.
Los Coche Bomba 7, Marin Menehunes 4
Home Runs by Billy Butler and Shane Victorino Wednesday helped the Menehunes keep this series close. Bomba failed to score a run yesterday, had no homers, and just four RBI. On the mound, Barry Zito was pounded for four earned runs in just three innings as the Menehunes lost an opportunity to take the quality start lead. Both bullpens pitched shutout ball, with Jason Motte earning a save and Jose Veras a hold for Bomba.
High Cheese 6, The Bulls 4
The Bulls scored 10 runs, hit two homers, and drove in seven runs on Wednesday. The hit parade was led by a pair of catchers. Jonathan Lucroy and Kelly Shoppach both hit homers. The Bulls are the only team in the league with a third catcher in the utility position and it paid off yesterday. David Freese and Will Venable each homered for High Cheese while Jered Weaver earned a quality start and John Axford a save. Axford's save tied the category while the Bulls saw Frank Francisco earn his second save of the week - from the bench. Sonavabench! Jason Vargas can tie the quality start category in his start for the Bulls tonight.
Home Run 101 6, The Cys 5
Both teams are struggling offensively in this series. They combined for six runs and seven RBI Wednesday. Aramis Ramirez had three of the runs driven in for Home Run 101. Edwin Jackson earned a quality start for the Cys but Darren O'Day and Darren Oliver both gave up runs in relief.
Lower Haighters 5, The Machine 5
Rookie Jarrod Parker evened the quality start category for the Machine on Wednesday and in the process evened the series. Parker struck out eight over seven innings while allowing just one run. Ricky Romero failed to earn a quality start for the Lower Haighters but did strike out seven. Ernesto Frieri earned a save for the Lower Haighters while Francisco Rodriguez had a hold for the Machine. Offensively, the teams combined for just six runs and five RBI with Jose Buatista hitting the only homer. Randall Delgado will try to earn a quality start and regain the series lead for the Lower Haighters when he takes the mound tonight.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Posey Power is Drowning the Fishes
Buster Posey is 3-for-9 to begin the week but two of those hits are three-run homers including a mammoth shot off the scoreboard last night in Milwaukee. Posey's power combined with excellent starting pitching has Twinkle Toes on the verge of climbing back into the East Division pennant race.
Twinkle Toes 11, Vicious Fishes 0
Four of the five starting pitchers to take the mound have earned quality starts for Twinkle Toes including Ubaldo Jimenez and Brian Matusz on Tuesday. This has the Fishes in a 0-4 hole in the quality start category. They can make up ground quickly tonight as Tommy Hanson, Carlos Zambrano, Chris Sale, and Jake Arrieta all start. Those starts will determine if this series is competitive or if the Fishes are floating belly up on Thursday morning. Neither team has been overwhelming offensively but Twinkle Toes currently leads all six categories.
A-Rod's Mirrors 9, Bacon at Mile 11 2
J.J. Putz had a bullpen meltdown Tuesday night and now Bacon is trailing 9-2 and is left with a 5.87 ERA that must be whittled down in the next five days. While Putz was being a, well, putz, Rafael Soriano was pitching a perfect ninth to earn a save for the Mirrors. In addition, the offense was stealing everything in sight, as Alex Rodriguez, Drew Stubbs, and Denard Span all swiped bases. Stubbs is now 3-for-6 with two homers and a stolen base in the series. The Mirrors will send Cole Hamels and Jeff Samardzija to the mound tonight while Lance Lynn pitches for Bacon.
Give it a Yankee 7, Jersey Boys 2
Brandon Phillips took this series by the throat Tuesday, smacking two homers, driving in three runs, and scoring twice. On the mound for Give it a Yankee, Luke Hochevar earned a quality start and struck out eight and Chris Perez bagged a save. The Jersey Boys had a homer from Alfonso Soriano and a brilliant quality start from knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, who struck out 11. Give it a Yankee has an opportunity to break the pitching categories open tonight as Wandy Rodriguez, Jonathon Niese, and Daniel Bard all start. Veteran Andy Pettitte will try to keep the Jersey Boys close.
Lower Haighters 7, The Machine 5
Gavin Floyd destroyed the Machine's ERA and WHIP Tuesday when he gave up nine earned runs in 3.1 innings. But he wasn't alone. Matt Cain and Ricky Nolasco also failed to deliver quality starts. The three pitchers combined to allow 17 runs in 16.1 innings. Albert Pujols homered for the Lower Haighters while Joe Nathan was earning a save. Rookie Jarrod Parker will try to salvage the Machine's pitching stats tonight while Ricky Romero takes the mound for the Lower Haighters.
Marin Menehunes 5, Los Coche Bomba 4
Michael Bourn is an unlikely source of power but his two home runs Tuesday has Bomba back in this series. Robinson Cano added a third homer for Bomba, which evened up the offensive categories at three apiece. Rajai Davis was strong on the basepaths for the Menehunes, swiping two bags. Matt Harrison earned a quality start for the Bomba but ace Brandon Beachy allowed four runs over seven innings. Barry Zito will pitch for the Menehunes this morning.
Home Run 101 6, The Cys 5
Home runs by Ian Desmond and Luke Scott on Tuesday are the difference in this series. Desmond has been red-hot for Home Run 101 and is now 3-for-7 with two homers, a stolen base and three RBI this week. Sergio Romo, Vinnie Pestano and Cory Wade all earned holds for Home Run 101. Aroldis Chapman has made a successful transition to closer, earning his second save of the series on Tuesday. Fernando Rodney added a second save while Darren O'Day had a hold. C.J. Wilson had a brilliant start for the Cys, striking out seven over eight scoreless innings, while Edinson Volquez also earned a quality start. Edwin Jackson will pitch tonight for the Cys.
High Cheese 5, The Bulls 5
Hanley Ramirez knocked in two runs and swiped two bases as High Cheese tied this series Tuesday. Both offenses seemingly took the night off, as they combined for just six runs, three RBI, and no homers. On the mound, the Bulls saw Roy Halladay and Shaun Marcum both struggle, allowing a combined 11 runs over 12 innings. On the other side, Adam Wainwright had his best start of the season for High Cheese, hurling a complete game shutout while striking out nine. Both bullpens were strong. Santiago Casilla earned his second save of the series for the Bulls and Wilton Lopez had a hold while Steve Cishek had a hold for High Cheese. Jered Weaver and Joe Saunders will pitch today for High Cheese.
Scully's Slammers 6, HUMA 4
HUMA is keeping this series close with excellent pitching. Mat Latos struck out eight over seven innings and Jordan Zimmerman pitched six innings of one-run ball as both earned quality starts Tuesday. In the bullpen, Kenley Jansen added a save with a scoreless inning of relief. For the Slammers, James McDonald struck out eight over seven innings for a quality start while Tyler Clippard and Jim Johnson each had saves and Logan Ondrusek added a hold. Carlos Peña busted a homer for the Slammers while the diminutive Jose Altuve launched one for HUMA. Both teams will send two starters to the mound tonight. James Shields and Ted Lilly pitch for the Slammers while Doug Fister and Scott Diamond take the hill for HUMA.
Twinkle Toes 11, Vicious Fishes 0
Four of the five starting pitchers to take the mound have earned quality starts for Twinkle Toes including Ubaldo Jimenez and Brian Matusz on Tuesday. This has the Fishes in a 0-4 hole in the quality start category. They can make up ground quickly tonight as Tommy Hanson, Carlos Zambrano, Chris Sale, and Jake Arrieta all start. Those starts will determine if this series is competitive or if the Fishes are floating belly up on Thursday morning. Neither team has been overwhelming offensively but Twinkle Toes currently leads all six categories.
A-Rod's Mirrors 9, Bacon at Mile 11 2
J.J. Putz had a bullpen meltdown Tuesday night and now Bacon is trailing 9-2 and is left with a 5.87 ERA that must be whittled down in the next five days. While Putz was being a, well, putz, Rafael Soriano was pitching a perfect ninth to earn a save for the Mirrors. In addition, the offense was stealing everything in sight, as Alex Rodriguez, Drew Stubbs, and Denard Span all swiped bases. Stubbs is now 3-for-6 with two homers and a stolen base in the series. The Mirrors will send Cole Hamels and Jeff Samardzija to the mound tonight while Lance Lynn pitches for Bacon.
Give it a Yankee 7, Jersey Boys 2
Brandon Phillips took this series by the throat Tuesday, smacking two homers, driving in three runs, and scoring twice. On the mound for Give it a Yankee, Luke Hochevar earned a quality start and struck out eight and Chris Perez bagged a save. The Jersey Boys had a homer from Alfonso Soriano and a brilliant quality start from knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, who struck out 11. Give it a Yankee has an opportunity to break the pitching categories open tonight as Wandy Rodriguez, Jonathon Niese, and Daniel Bard all start. Veteran Andy Pettitte will try to keep the Jersey Boys close.
Lower Haighters 7, The Machine 5
Gavin Floyd destroyed the Machine's ERA and WHIP Tuesday when he gave up nine earned runs in 3.1 innings. But he wasn't alone. Matt Cain and Ricky Nolasco also failed to deliver quality starts. The three pitchers combined to allow 17 runs in 16.1 innings. Albert Pujols homered for the Lower Haighters while Joe Nathan was earning a save. Rookie Jarrod Parker will try to salvage the Machine's pitching stats tonight while Ricky Romero takes the mound for the Lower Haighters.
Marin Menehunes 5, Los Coche Bomba 4
Michael Bourn is an unlikely source of power but his two home runs Tuesday has Bomba back in this series. Robinson Cano added a third homer for Bomba, which evened up the offensive categories at three apiece. Rajai Davis was strong on the basepaths for the Menehunes, swiping two bags. Matt Harrison earned a quality start for the Bomba but ace Brandon Beachy allowed four runs over seven innings. Barry Zito will pitch for the Menehunes this morning.
Home Run 101 6, The Cys 5
Home runs by Ian Desmond and Luke Scott on Tuesday are the difference in this series. Desmond has been red-hot for Home Run 101 and is now 3-for-7 with two homers, a stolen base and three RBI this week. Sergio Romo, Vinnie Pestano and Cory Wade all earned holds for Home Run 101. Aroldis Chapman has made a successful transition to closer, earning his second save of the series on Tuesday. Fernando Rodney added a second save while Darren O'Day had a hold. C.J. Wilson had a brilliant start for the Cys, striking out seven over eight scoreless innings, while Edinson Volquez also earned a quality start. Edwin Jackson will pitch tonight for the Cys.
High Cheese 5, The Bulls 5
Hanley Ramirez knocked in two runs and swiped two bases as High Cheese tied this series Tuesday. Both offenses seemingly took the night off, as they combined for just six runs, three RBI, and no homers. On the mound, the Bulls saw Roy Halladay and Shaun Marcum both struggle, allowing a combined 11 runs over 12 innings. On the other side, Adam Wainwright had his best start of the season for High Cheese, hurling a complete game shutout while striking out nine. Both bullpens were strong. Santiago Casilla earned his second save of the series for the Bulls and Wilton Lopez had a hold while Steve Cishek had a hold for High Cheese. Jered Weaver and Joe Saunders will pitch today for High Cheese.
Scully's Slammers 6, HUMA 4
HUMA is keeping this series close with excellent pitching. Mat Latos struck out eight over seven innings and Jordan Zimmerman pitched six innings of one-run ball as both earned quality starts Tuesday. In the bullpen, Kenley Jansen added a save with a scoreless inning of relief. For the Slammers, James McDonald struck out eight over seven innings for a quality start while Tyler Clippard and Jim Johnson each had saves and Logan Ondrusek added a hold. Carlos Peña busted a homer for the Slammers while the diminutive Jose Altuve launched one for HUMA. Both teams will send two starters to the mound tonight. James Shields and Ted Lilly pitch for the Slammers while Doug Fister and Scott Diamond take the hill for HUMA.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Another free agent steps up for the Menehunes
Several free agents played well Monday and should be on your radar this week. They include:
Bacon at Mile 11 6, A-Rod's Mirrors 5
Outfielder Drew Stubbs smacked two homers and B.J. Upton added another as the Mirrors jumped to a significant advantage in the offensive categories in its series with Bacon. The Mirrors did not have any pitchers in action Monday, which allowed Bacon to capture the pitching categories by default. Jerome Williams earned a quality start but setup man Mark Rzepczynski gave up a run without recording an out. Neither team has a starting pitcher on the mound tonight.
Twinkle Toes 10, Vicious Fishes 1
Having both catchers homer on a Monday night is a great way to start the fantasy week. Buster Posey hit a three-run shot while Hector Sanchez smoaked a game-winner in extra-innings to give Twinkle Toes the early lead in this series. Madison Bumgarner and Jeremy Hellickson added quality starts and relievers Jon Rauch and Mike Adams tossed scoreless innings to complete the night. Mike Moustakas homered for the Fishes but erratic reliever Henry Rodriguez allowed a run while recording just one out and was relieved of his closing duties in Washington. Ironically, Rodriguez earned a hold for his effort. The Toes can really apply the pressure in the pitching categories tonight as Ubaldo Jimenez, Juan Nicasio, and Brian Matusz all start.
Scully's Slammers 4, HUMA 4
The Slammers may regret not starting Heath Bell and Zack Cozart Monday. Bell earned a save while Cozart homered. Sonavabench! Andre Either and Jed Lowrie did go long for the Slammers but starter Mark Buehrle allowed four runs in 7.2 innings and failed to earn a quality start. Tyler Greene and Mitch Moreland homered for HUMA while Sean Marshall earned a save and Kris Medlen pitched an inning of scoreless relief. HUMA will try to capture the quality start category Tuesday when Mat Latos and Jordan Zimmerman start. James McDonald will pitch for the Slammers.
High Cheese 5, The Bulls 5
The pitching was nearly flawless in this series on Monday. Gio Gonzalez struck out nine in six scoreless innings for High Cheese while Bud Norris struck out eight in seven scoreless innings for the Bulls and teammate Chris Capuano gave up just one run in six innings to earn the team's second quality start. Both bullpens added scoreboard goose eggs with Ryan Cook earning a hold for High Cheese. Hanley Ramirez scored three times and stole a base to give High Cheese two category leads to start the week. Roy Halladay and Shaun Marcum will pitch tonight for the Bulls while Adam Wainwright starts for High Cheese.
Home Run 101 5, The Cys 4
Yu Darvish gave up four runs in four innings as the Cys had one of their ace pitchers fall flat to open this series. They'll try to rebound Tuesday behind C.J. Wilson, Edinson Volquez, and Matt Moore. The red-hot Ian Desmond provided the only offense on the first night, slugging a homer for Home Run 101. Brian Fuentes also recorded a save as the bullpen was perfect.
Marin Menehunes 7, Los Coche Bomba 2
Matt Garza was knocked out early and Bomba finds itself in an early hole to the Menehunes. Garza was rocked for seven runs over three innings and Bomba's ERA stands at 8.59 to start the week. The Menehunes had a quality start from Jaime Garcia but Johan Santana allowed four runs over 6.1 innings. Newly acquired third baseman Chris Johnson joined the rag-tag Menehune lineup and promptly smacked a three-run homer to become the offensive star on the first night of the series. Bomba will rely on ace Brandon Beachy and Matt Harrison to get them back in the series tonight.
Give it a Yankee 5, Jersey Boys 2
There's good Hiroki and there's bad Hiroki. On Monday, bad Hiroki Kuroda reared his head, giving up three earned runs in 5.1 innings. Relievers Joel Hanrahan and Alfredo Aceves bailed Kuroda out with a pair of saves and no runs allowed so the Jersey Boys didn't fall into too big of a pitching hole. Offensively, the two teams combined for one run, four RBI and 19 strikeouts. R.A. Dickey and Aaron Harang will start tonight for the Jersey Boys while Luke Hochevar starts for Give it a Yankee.
Lower Haighters 7, The Machine 2
The King returned to his throne Monday night, as Felix Hernandez rebounded from his worst start since 2010 to strike out seven over eight innings of one-run ball. Offensively, both teams are off to a hot start, combining for four homers, nine runs, and 14 RBI Monday. Giancarlo Stanton had a grand slam homer for the Haighters while shortstop Jose Reyes stole two bases. Yunel Escobar and David Ortiz both went long for the Machine. Tonight is a big one on the mound for the Machine as Matt Cain, Ricky Nolasco, and Gavin Floyd all start.
- Austin Kearns, OF, Miami - Kearns went 4-for-4 last night with two RBI and a stolen base. The Marlins are not shy about swiping bags so if you need a fourth outfielder to help in that category you should continue to monitor Kearns. He's 11-for-20 over his last eight games with six RBI.
- Mike Leake, SP, Cincinnati - Leake struck out six over eight innings while allowing just one run Monday. Two of his last three starts have been quality and he's struck out 14 in his last 17 innings pitched.
- Jason Castro, C, Houston - Castro had a homer and three RBI Monday but over his last nine games he's just 4-for-27. He's worth monitoring but probably not adding to your team at this stage.
- Felipe Paulino, SP, Kansas City - Paulino struck out eight in 6.2 shutout innings Monday and has given up just four earned runs in his last three starts. He has 23 strikeouts in his last 19.1 innings.
Bacon at Mile 11 6, A-Rod's Mirrors 5
Outfielder Drew Stubbs smacked two homers and B.J. Upton added another as the Mirrors jumped to a significant advantage in the offensive categories in its series with Bacon. The Mirrors did not have any pitchers in action Monday, which allowed Bacon to capture the pitching categories by default. Jerome Williams earned a quality start but setup man Mark Rzepczynski gave up a run without recording an out. Neither team has a starting pitcher on the mound tonight.
Twinkle Toes 10, Vicious Fishes 1
Having both catchers homer on a Monday night is a great way to start the fantasy week. Buster Posey hit a three-run shot while Hector Sanchez smoaked a game-winner in extra-innings to give Twinkle Toes the early lead in this series. Madison Bumgarner and Jeremy Hellickson added quality starts and relievers Jon Rauch and Mike Adams tossed scoreless innings to complete the night. Mike Moustakas homered for the Fishes but erratic reliever Henry Rodriguez allowed a run while recording just one out and was relieved of his closing duties in Washington. Ironically, Rodriguez earned a hold for his effort. The Toes can really apply the pressure in the pitching categories tonight as Ubaldo Jimenez, Juan Nicasio, and Brian Matusz all start.
Scully's Slammers 4, HUMA 4
The Slammers may regret not starting Heath Bell and Zack Cozart Monday. Bell earned a save while Cozart homered. Sonavabench! Andre Either and Jed Lowrie did go long for the Slammers but starter Mark Buehrle allowed four runs in 7.2 innings and failed to earn a quality start. Tyler Greene and Mitch Moreland homered for HUMA while Sean Marshall earned a save and Kris Medlen pitched an inning of scoreless relief. HUMA will try to capture the quality start category Tuesday when Mat Latos and Jordan Zimmerman start. James McDonald will pitch for the Slammers.
High Cheese 5, The Bulls 5
The pitching was nearly flawless in this series on Monday. Gio Gonzalez struck out nine in six scoreless innings for High Cheese while Bud Norris struck out eight in seven scoreless innings for the Bulls and teammate Chris Capuano gave up just one run in six innings to earn the team's second quality start. Both bullpens added scoreboard goose eggs with Ryan Cook earning a hold for High Cheese. Hanley Ramirez scored three times and stole a base to give High Cheese two category leads to start the week. Roy Halladay and Shaun Marcum will pitch tonight for the Bulls while Adam Wainwright starts for High Cheese.
Home Run 101 5, The Cys 4
Yu Darvish gave up four runs in four innings as the Cys had one of their ace pitchers fall flat to open this series. They'll try to rebound Tuesday behind C.J. Wilson, Edinson Volquez, and Matt Moore. The red-hot Ian Desmond provided the only offense on the first night, slugging a homer for Home Run 101. Brian Fuentes also recorded a save as the bullpen was perfect.
Marin Menehunes 7, Los Coche Bomba 2
Matt Garza was knocked out early and Bomba finds itself in an early hole to the Menehunes. Garza was rocked for seven runs over three innings and Bomba's ERA stands at 8.59 to start the week. The Menehunes had a quality start from Jaime Garcia but Johan Santana allowed four runs over 6.1 innings. Newly acquired third baseman Chris Johnson joined the rag-tag Menehune lineup and promptly smacked a three-run homer to become the offensive star on the first night of the series. Bomba will rely on ace Brandon Beachy and Matt Harrison to get them back in the series tonight.
Give it a Yankee 5, Jersey Boys 2
There's good Hiroki and there's bad Hiroki. On Monday, bad Hiroki Kuroda reared his head, giving up three earned runs in 5.1 innings. Relievers Joel Hanrahan and Alfredo Aceves bailed Kuroda out with a pair of saves and no runs allowed so the Jersey Boys didn't fall into too big of a pitching hole. Offensively, the two teams combined for one run, four RBI and 19 strikeouts. R.A. Dickey and Aaron Harang will start tonight for the Jersey Boys while Luke Hochevar starts for Give it a Yankee.
Lower Haighters 7, The Machine 2
The King returned to his throne Monday night, as Felix Hernandez rebounded from his worst start since 2010 to strike out seven over eight innings of one-run ball. Offensively, both teams are off to a hot start, combining for four homers, nine runs, and 14 RBI Monday. Giancarlo Stanton had a grand slam homer for the Haighters while shortstop Jose Reyes stole two bases. Yunel Escobar and David Ortiz both went long for the Machine. Tonight is a big one on the mound for the Machine as Matt Cain, Ricky Nolasco, and Gavin Floyd all start.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Week 8 Preview: Can the Menehunes Work Their Magic Against Bomba?
Los Coche Bomba and the Marin Menehunes enter Week 8 each winning their last two series and leading their divisions. Bomba has the league's best record at 49-29-6 while the Menehunes stand at 43-35-6. Their paths to success couldn't be more different. Bomba is led by keeper stars including starting pitcher Brandon Beachy and outfielder Andrew McCutchen. New Menehunes GM Elizabeth Gravely, on the other hand, has patched together a band of free agents led by Josh Willingham and Josh Reddick.
The Menehunes are the surprise of the 2012 season. A new star seems to emerge from out of nowhere each week to lead the team to a series victory. The Menehunes have won five of their seven series but this will be the team's biggest test to date. They've lost two of the three series they've played against Bomba over the last two years and have won just 15 of the 36 categories. Bomba has also won five of the seven series they've played this year and they've done it without the usual contributions from second baseman Robinson Cano. Cano has driven in just 16 runs in his first 162 plate appearances. The Menehunes will send their best pitchers to the mound on Monday, Jaime Garcia and Johan Santana, and should get two starts out of them for the series. Matt Garza will pitch tonight for Bomba. A series victory against the league's top team will move the Menehunes from a possible playoff contender to a team with serious championship aspirations. Final Prediction: Los Coche Bomba 9-2-1.
The Slammers have the league's second best record at 45-32-7 and sit atop the East Division standings. Team HUMA, last year's South Division champs, are 36-41-7 and mired in the division cellar. The Slammers have owned this series, winning both meetings in the last two years including a 6-5-1 upset in Week 8 last year. The Slammers are on a roll, losing just one series over the last five weeks while HUMA has lost two of its last three. These two teams were involved in one of the league's biggest trades earlier this year when HUMA sent closer Jim Johnson to the Slammers for young second baseman Jose Altuve. The trade was good for both teams as Johnson has emerged as one of the league's best closers and Altuve is stealing bases. As good as the Slammers have been this year, they are still just 3.5-games up on last year's division champ, the Machine. HUMA is 12.5-games back and can't afford to lose ground to Bomba. Final Prediction: Scully's Slammers 6-6.
The Bulls enter Week 8 having won five of their last six series. They've built a commanding 9.5-game lead over Give it a Yankee in the North Division. High Cheese is second in the South Division but trail Bomba by seven games. The team has lost its last two series. High Cheese has never lost to the Bulls, winning both series by a combined score of 14-8-2. The Bulls will limp into this series as Emilio Bonifacio and Matt Kemp are both sidelined with injuries. High Cheese will be without the services of Vance Worley and setup man David Robertson. The Bulls have made a habit of winning close series, as illustrated by last week's improbable 6-5-1 victory over the Jersey Boys. Last week's hero was catcher Jonathan Lucroy, who had two homers and seven RBI on the final day of the series. High Cheese will enter this series with a new closer, Dale Thayer, and a new starting pitcher, veteran Derek Lowe. Offensively, Adam Jones is on a tear. He had four homers and eight RBI last week with an OBP of .424. Final Prediction: The Bulls 7-5.
The Machine has won just one of the three meetings between these two teams and lost a heart-breaking 6-5-1 playoff series that prevented the team from playing in last year's championship. But this is a different year and the Machine enters this series on a roll. They've won their last five series and trail the Slammers by just 3.5-games in the East Division pennant race. The Lower Haighters have won just three series all year but they have won two of the last four. The defending champions have become more competitive behind the resurgence of starting pitcher Brandon Morrow and the addition of Ricky Romero and Neftali Feliz. Outfielder Ryan Braun is also catching fire, reaching base at a .483 clip last week, stealing three bases, hitting a homer, and driving in seven runs. Jose Bautista is flashing the power that was expected for the Machine. He hit three homers last week. The Machine will be without the services of starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy, who has a shoulder injury. Final Prediction: The Machine 7-5.
The Mirrors had won three straight series until last week's 5-6-1 loss to Bomba. Bacon has won five of its last six series but is still 10-games behind the Bulls in the North Division pennant race. Bacon has won two of the three meetings all-time against the Mirrors. Both teams are hoping some of their struggling stars turn it around this week. Logan Morrison, Eric Hosmer and Jose Tabata were a combined 9-for-68 for Bacon last week with no homers and just three RBI. Rookie Mike Trout picked up the slack, hitting two homers and stealing four bases. For the Mirrors, pitcher Kevin Correia gave up nine earned runs in 9.2 innings last week while Dustin Pedroia was just 6-for-29 with no RBI. Catcher J.P. Arencibia is providing the power that was expected when the Mirrors made him a keeper, bashing four homers last week. The return to health of outfielder B.J. Upton has also helped the team, as he stole five bases and had an OBP of .448 last week. The Mirrors have also gambled by inserting Matt Carpenter into the lineup over the hot hitting Adam LaRoche. Final Prediction: Bacon at Mile 11 9-3.
The Jersey Boys were oh so close to pulling off one of the season's biggest upsets last week until a Sunday collapse and a three-homer performance lifted the Bulls to another come-from-behind victory. Inconceivably, the Jersey Boys did not have an RBI and just one run on Sunday, helping the Bulls steal the win. Now the team will try to earn its first series victory of the season against Give it a Yankee, a team that has lost five of its last six series. Both teams have been injury-riddled through the first two months of the season. The Jersey Boys have won three of the four meetings between these teams and have a 28-15-5 record against Give it a Yankee. Outfielder Vernon Wells will miss this series for Give it a Yankee and is expected to go on the DL with a broken finger. Austin Jackson still has a sore abdomen for the Jersey Boys but could play this week while third baseman Brett Lawrie will return from suspension. Hiroki Kuroda, who has been up and down all season, will start for the Jersey Boys on Monday. Final Prediction: Jersey Boys 7-5.
Yu Darvish is becoming an ace for the Cys. Last week he gave up just one run in 7.2 innings while striking out seven. He takes the mound today and will have two starts in this series. Home Run 101 will be looking for its first series victory against the Cys, having lost both meetings by a combined score of 9-15-0. The Cys have won four of their last six series and are now 39-39-6 and third in the South Division pennant race. Their bullpen became stronger over the weekend when Aroldis Chapman was named the new closer in Cincinnati. Home Run 101 had a two series winning streak snapped last week by the Lower Haighters but the team's 36-43-5 record has it in early playoff contention. Ultimately, this could be an important series in the playoff race. Starting pitchers Josh Johnson and Wade Miley each had two quality starts last week and lead a staff that been very consistent. Now the team needs to find some power, as it is near the bottom of the league in home runs, RBI, and runs scored. Final Prediction: The Cys 8-4.
The Vicious Fishes have never beaten Twinkle Toes, losing one series and tying another in their two matchups. The Fishes have played every team close, but have not won a series over the past three weeks. They are now 37-43-4 and third in the West Division. Twinkle Toes is 36-41-7 and has also failed to win a series over the past three weeks. They are third in the East Division, 9-games behind the surging Slammers. Twinkle Toes lost Lance Berkman to a torn ACL in his right knee on Saturday and will likely miss the rest of the season. The Fishes should have the services of slugger Paul Konerko, who was hit in the face over the weekend with a pitch but suffered no major injuries. Shortstop Derek Jeter also took a bad bounce off his wrist on Sunday but is expected to play this week. Twinkle Toes will have the first starting pitchers in action, as Madison Bumgarner and Jeremy Hellickson play tonight. Final Prediction: Vicious Fishes 6-5-1.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Verlander, Pettitte, have Jersey Boys smelling upset
Justin Verlander carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning Friday and Andy Pettitte tossed eight scoreless innings with nine strikeouts as the Jersey Boys took another step towards a major Week 7 upset of the Bulls.
Verlander's one-hit, 12 strikeout performance was the highest rated pitching performance of the week. Pettitte's was third highest, trailing only Kevin Millwood's one-hit shutout. With neither the Bulls or the Jersey Boys performing well offensively, starting pitching could decide the series.
Jersey Boys 8, The Bulls 4
The two teams combined for four RBI and six runs on Friday so it's safe to say the offenses didn't contribute much. Hunter Pence had the only home run for the Bulls. Both teams had strong bullpen performances as Santiago Casilla earned a save for the Bulls while Scott Downs earned a hold. Jonathan Papelbon recorded a save for the Jersey Boys. Jason Vargas will have an opportunity to tie the quality start category this afternoon when he starts for the Bulls.
Lower Haighters 6, Home Run 101 5
This became a competitive series on Friday as Neftali Feliz, Ricky Romero and five relief pitchers combined to pitch 15 innings of two run ball, lifting the Lower Haighters into the lead in both strikeouts and ERA and tying the WHIP category. Ryan Braun and Ian Desmond provided the only home runs on Friday while Miguel Montero had three RBI. With all 12 categories close, every pitch and swing of the bat will be big. Brandon Morrow and Ivan Nova start today for the Lower Haighters while Ryan Dempster pitches for Home Run 101.
Los Coche Bomba 6, A-Rod's Mirrors 5
The only categories not up for grabs in the final two days of this series are ERA and WHIP. Earlier disasters on the mound by Mirrors pitchers have given Bomba category supremacy. J.P Arencibia's two homers and six RBI Friday helped the Mirrors close the gap in the RBI category. Arencibia's three runs were also instrumental in the Mirrors taking a 33-29 lead in runs scored. Cole Hamels, Justin Masterson and Jeff Samardzija all had quality starts for the Mirrors Friday to tie the category while Josh Lindblom and Chad Qualls both had holds. Bruce Chen and Derek Holland will pitch for Bomba today while Jake Westbrook starts for the Mirrors.
Marin Menehunes 6, HUMA 6
Barry Zito had an opportunity to tie the quality start category for the Menehunes Friday but gave up four runs in 5.1 innings. Jon Lester will pitch today for HUMA with an opportunity to help the team close the gap in the strikeout category and open a significant advantage in quality starts. Offensively, strikeouts and OBP are still close and will help decide the series. HUMA had just a .225 OBP Friday.
The Cys 6, Vicious Fishes 4
This has turned into a very competitive series, with a minimum of seven categories to be decided in the final two days. Carlos Zambrano, Tommy Hanson and Jake Arrieta helped the Fishes tie the quality start category Friday when they combined to give up five earned runs over 21 innings and strikeout 15 batters. Offensively, Brandon Belt is coming alive for the Cys, driving in three runs Friday. He now has a .538 OBP and five RBI for the series. The Fishes will look to Dan Haren and Jason Hammel to take the quality start lead on Saturday.
The Machine 7, High Cheese 5
The Machine is still looking for its first quality start in this series, after rookie Jarrod Parker was bombed by the Giants Friday. This series will likely come down to home runs, RBI, and the closers. Cody Ross homered for the Machine Friday but left the game with a foot injury. Will Venable went long for High Cheese. The two teams have combined for just one save, so they will both look for closers to step up in the final two days.
Bacon at Mile 11 8, Twinkle Toes 2
A Jonny Venters hold tied the category for Bacon on Friday while three Justin Upton runs are the difference in that category. Twinkle Toes will need to win the stolen base, hold, and run categories if they hope to make this a series. Ryan Vogelsong and Ian Kennedy start for Twinkle Toes today while Anibal Sanchez and Joe Blanton go for Bacon. Twinkle Toes cannot afford to lose the quality start category which it currently leads by two.
Scully's Slammers 8, Give it a Yankee 2
Clayton Kershaw, Drew Smyly and John Danks will pitch for Give it a Yankee today. If all three pitch well, this could become a competitive series on Sunday. Yovani Gallardo and Ross Detwiler will try to hold the ERA and WHIP categories for the Slammers. Strikeouts, runs scored, and OBP are still close and could help Give it a Yankee get back in the series.
Verlander's one-hit, 12 strikeout performance was the highest rated pitching performance of the week. Pettitte's was third highest, trailing only Kevin Millwood's one-hit shutout. With neither the Bulls or the Jersey Boys performing well offensively, starting pitching could decide the series.
Jersey Boys 8, The Bulls 4
The two teams combined for four RBI and six runs on Friday so it's safe to say the offenses didn't contribute much. Hunter Pence had the only home run for the Bulls. Both teams had strong bullpen performances as Santiago Casilla earned a save for the Bulls while Scott Downs earned a hold. Jonathan Papelbon recorded a save for the Jersey Boys. Jason Vargas will have an opportunity to tie the quality start category this afternoon when he starts for the Bulls.
Lower Haighters 6, Home Run 101 5
This became a competitive series on Friday as Neftali Feliz, Ricky Romero and five relief pitchers combined to pitch 15 innings of two run ball, lifting the Lower Haighters into the lead in both strikeouts and ERA and tying the WHIP category. Ryan Braun and Ian Desmond provided the only home runs on Friday while Miguel Montero had three RBI. With all 12 categories close, every pitch and swing of the bat will be big. Brandon Morrow and Ivan Nova start today for the Lower Haighters while Ryan Dempster pitches for Home Run 101.
Los Coche Bomba 6, A-Rod's Mirrors 5
The only categories not up for grabs in the final two days of this series are ERA and WHIP. Earlier disasters on the mound by Mirrors pitchers have given Bomba category supremacy. J.P Arencibia's two homers and six RBI Friday helped the Mirrors close the gap in the RBI category. Arencibia's three runs were also instrumental in the Mirrors taking a 33-29 lead in runs scored. Cole Hamels, Justin Masterson and Jeff Samardzija all had quality starts for the Mirrors Friday to tie the category while Josh Lindblom and Chad Qualls both had holds. Bruce Chen and Derek Holland will pitch for Bomba today while Jake Westbrook starts for the Mirrors.
Marin Menehunes 6, HUMA 6
Barry Zito had an opportunity to tie the quality start category for the Menehunes Friday but gave up four runs in 5.1 innings. Jon Lester will pitch today for HUMA with an opportunity to help the team close the gap in the strikeout category and open a significant advantage in quality starts. Offensively, strikeouts and OBP are still close and will help decide the series. HUMA had just a .225 OBP Friday.
The Cys 6, Vicious Fishes 4
This has turned into a very competitive series, with a minimum of seven categories to be decided in the final two days. Carlos Zambrano, Tommy Hanson and Jake Arrieta helped the Fishes tie the quality start category Friday when they combined to give up five earned runs over 21 innings and strikeout 15 batters. Offensively, Brandon Belt is coming alive for the Cys, driving in three runs Friday. He now has a .538 OBP and five RBI for the series. The Fishes will look to Dan Haren and Jason Hammel to take the quality start lead on Saturday.
The Machine 7, High Cheese 5
The Machine is still looking for its first quality start in this series, after rookie Jarrod Parker was bombed by the Giants Friday. This series will likely come down to home runs, RBI, and the closers. Cody Ross homered for the Machine Friday but left the game with a foot injury. Will Venable went long for High Cheese. The two teams have combined for just one save, so they will both look for closers to step up in the final two days.
Bacon at Mile 11 8, Twinkle Toes 2
A Jonny Venters hold tied the category for Bacon on Friday while three Justin Upton runs are the difference in that category. Twinkle Toes will need to win the stolen base, hold, and run categories if they hope to make this a series. Ryan Vogelsong and Ian Kennedy start for Twinkle Toes today while Anibal Sanchez and Joe Blanton go for Bacon. Twinkle Toes cannot afford to lose the quality start category which it currently leads by two.
Scully's Slammers 8, Give it a Yankee 2
Clayton Kershaw, Drew Smyly and John Danks will pitch for Give it a Yankee today. If all three pitch well, this could become a competitive series on Sunday. Yovani Gallardo and Ross Detwiler will try to hold the ERA and WHIP categories for the Slammers. Strikeouts, runs scored, and OBP are still close and could help Give it a Yankee get back in the series.
Friday, May 18, 2012
It's no day at the Beachy for the Mirrors
How good was Brandon Beachy Thursday? He tossed nine shutout innings, allowing just five hits without a walk, while striking out six. It was one of the premier pitching performances of the week and helped Los Coche Bomba widen the gap in the pitching categories in its series with A-Rod's Mirrors.
Los Coche Bomba 9, A-Rod's Mirrors 2
The Mirrors can tie the quality start category today if Jeff Samardzija, Cole Hamels and Justin Masterson all pitch well. They can't hurt the team ERA and WHIP, which stand at 9.87 and 2.54. Adam LaRoche continues to be the hottest hitter for the Mirrors, driving in six runs in a 5-for-15 effort this week.
Scully's Slammers 6, Give it a Yankee 4
Brandon League and Logan Ondrusek both blew saves for the Slammers Thursday and in the process killed the team WHIP and ERA. James McDonald struck out 11 batters but failed to register a quality start that would have given the Slammers the category lead. It's a big night on the mound for both teams Friday as the Slammers pitch James Shields and Ted Lilly while Give it a Yankee throws Daniel Bard, Jonathan Niese, and Wandy Rodriguez.
Bacon at Mile 11 7, Twinkle Toes 5
Bacon exploded offensively Thursday and is now in firm control of the home run and RBI categories. Rod Barajas, Troy Tulowitzki and Justin Upton all hit home runs as the team had 10 RBI and seven runs scored. Brian Matusz earned a quality start for Twinkle Toes, which now holds a 6-4 lead in the category. Rookie Lance Lynn will try to close that gap for Bacon tonight.
The Machine 7, High Cheese 4
Jered Weaver and Joe Saunders take the hill tonight as High Cheese tries again to record its first quality start of this series. Rookie Jarrod Parker will pitch for the Machine. Jose Bautista and Cody Ross both hit home runs for the Machine on Thursday and Ross drove in four runs.
The Cys 7, Vicious Fishes 3
Four starting pitchers climbed the mound on Thursday in this series but only Matt Moore emerged with a quality start for the Cys. Tommy Hanson and Carlos Zambrano will pitch tonight for the Fishes while Edwin Jackson starts for the Cys. Carlos Santana is now 6-for-13 with a homer and a stolen base in this series.
HUMA 7, Marin Menehunes 5
Carlos Ruiz and Asdrubal Cabrera drove in five of the Menehunes' eight runs Thursday as the team continued to build on its RBI lead. Doug Fister earned a quality start for HUMA, which took over the category lead. Barry Zito will pitch for the Menehunes tonight and try to even the quality start category.
Jersey Boys 7, The Bulls 3
Freddie Freeman homered while Aaron Harang and R.A. Dickey earned quality starts as the Jersey Boys continue to lead this series. If they hang on, this will be one of the biggest upsets of the season. Justin Verlander and Andy Pettitte will start tonight for the Jersey Boys and a pair of quality starts would give the Jersey Boys another category lead.
Home Run 101 8, Lower Haighters 4
Newly acquired Ricky Romero and Neftali Feliz start tonight for the Lower Haighters, which could tie the quality start category but, more importantly, help lower the team ERA and WHIP. Albert Pujols continued to come alive, as he homered again for the Lower Haighters Thursday. Sergio Romo and Juan Cruz recorded two important holds for Home Run 101 Thursday as the team now leads the category 4-1.
Los Coche Bomba 9, A-Rod's Mirrors 2
The Mirrors can tie the quality start category today if Jeff Samardzija, Cole Hamels and Justin Masterson all pitch well. They can't hurt the team ERA and WHIP, which stand at 9.87 and 2.54. Adam LaRoche continues to be the hottest hitter for the Mirrors, driving in six runs in a 5-for-15 effort this week.
Scully's Slammers 6, Give it a Yankee 4
Brandon League and Logan Ondrusek both blew saves for the Slammers Thursday and in the process killed the team WHIP and ERA. James McDonald struck out 11 batters but failed to register a quality start that would have given the Slammers the category lead. It's a big night on the mound for both teams Friday as the Slammers pitch James Shields and Ted Lilly while Give it a Yankee throws Daniel Bard, Jonathan Niese, and Wandy Rodriguez.
Bacon at Mile 11 7, Twinkle Toes 5
Bacon exploded offensively Thursday and is now in firm control of the home run and RBI categories. Rod Barajas, Troy Tulowitzki and Justin Upton all hit home runs as the team had 10 RBI and seven runs scored. Brian Matusz earned a quality start for Twinkle Toes, which now holds a 6-4 lead in the category. Rookie Lance Lynn will try to close that gap for Bacon tonight.
The Machine 7, High Cheese 4
Jered Weaver and Joe Saunders take the hill tonight as High Cheese tries again to record its first quality start of this series. Rookie Jarrod Parker will pitch for the Machine. Jose Bautista and Cody Ross both hit home runs for the Machine on Thursday and Ross drove in four runs.
The Cys 7, Vicious Fishes 3
Four starting pitchers climbed the mound on Thursday in this series but only Matt Moore emerged with a quality start for the Cys. Tommy Hanson and Carlos Zambrano will pitch tonight for the Fishes while Edwin Jackson starts for the Cys. Carlos Santana is now 6-for-13 with a homer and a stolen base in this series.
HUMA 7, Marin Menehunes 5
Carlos Ruiz and Asdrubal Cabrera drove in five of the Menehunes' eight runs Thursday as the team continued to build on its RBI lead. Doug Fister earned a quality start for HUMA, which took over the category lead. Barry Zito will pitch for the Menehunes tonight and try to even the quality start category.
Jersey Boys 7, The Bulls 3
Freddie Freeman homered while Aaron Harang and R.A. Dickey earned quality starts as the Jersey Boys continue to lead this series. If they hang on, this will be one of the biggest upsets of the season. Justin Verlander and Andy Pettitte will start tonight for the Jersey Boys and a pair of quality starts would give the Jersey Boys another category lead.
Home Run 101 8, Lower Haighters 4
Newly acquired Ricky Romero and Neftali Feliz start tonight for the Lower Haighters, which could tie the quality start category but, more importantly, help lower the team ERA and WHIP. Albert Pujols continued to come alive, as he homered again for the Lower Haighters Thursday. Sergio Romo and Juan Cruz recorded two important holds for Home Run 101 Thursday as the team now leads the category 4-1.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
King Felix is Crowned
Entering Wednesday, Felix Hernandez had a string of 10 consecutive quality starts against Cleveland. It was the longest such streak in the Majors. The ace for the Lower Haighters was perfectly positioned to help the defending champions retake the series lead against Home Run 101.
Then something went terribly wrong. Hernandez gave up 10 hits, walked three batters, and allowed six earned runs over 3.2 innings. It was his worst start since 2010 and allowed Home Run 101 to take the lead in ERA and WHIP and maintain a cushion in quality starts.
Home Run 101 8, Lower Haighters 4
There is no truth to the rumor that the CIA will use tapes of the starting pitching in this series to perform enhanced interrogations in Eastern European gulags. Thankfully, neither team has a starter on the mound today. On Wednesday, the Lower Haighters' offense began to resemble the one envisioned on draft day. Jose Reyes stole home, Albert Pujols hit a three-run homer, and Giancarlo Stanton hit a two-run bomb. Ian Desmond hit the first home run for Home Run 101 in this series. While the bats are coming alive for both teams, starting pitching will determine the series winner.
The Bulls 6, Jersey Boys 5
The injury plagued Jersey Boys received more bad news as outfielder Austin Jackson left Wednesday's game with an abdominal strain that will require an MRI. Jackson was 5-for-11 with four RBI and three runs scored in the series. The offenses cooled off for both teams Wednesday following a torrid Tuesday evening that featured eight homers between the two teams. The Jersey Boys took the lead in runs scored after Daniel Murphy scored the only run for the Bulls. This series has featured some shaky pitching and that continued Wednesday as Hiroki Kuroda gave up seven earned runs in five innings for the Jersey Boys. Chris Capuano was able to earn a quality start for the Bulls but both teams have ERA's north of 4.40. The Bulls will send ace Roy Halladay and Shaun Marcum to the mound today while the Jersey Boys counter with R.A. Dickey and Aaron Harang.
Los Coche Bomba 7, A-Rod's Mirrors 4
Jimmy Rollins swiped a base, Matt Garza earned a quality start and Jason Motte recorded a save to keep Bomba in the series lead. J.P Arencibia and Adam LaRoche both homered for the Mirrors with LaRoche driving in four runs. LaRoche, who is making a bid to be series MVP, has been one of the best free agent acquisitions of the year. Bomba has built a significant advantage in the pitching categories and can widen it today when Brandon Beachy and Matt Harrison make their starts.
HUMA 6, Marin Menehunes 5
The Menehunes tightened this series up behind the pitching of Jaime Garcia and Johan Santana. They combined to give up just three runs over 14 innings pitched Wednesday, earning two quality starts and striking out 14 batters. Travis Hafner had a home run and three RBI for HUMA, which had its first two long balls of the series. This could be the defining day in the matchup as HUMA sends three starters to the mound. Mat Latos, Doug Fister, and Jordan Zimmerman have an opportunity to close the strikeout gap and break the series deadlock in quality starts.
The Cys 6, Vicious Fishes 3
The Cys grabbed the lead in quality starts behind another brilliant performance by Yu Darvish. Darvish allowed just one run over 7.2 innings while striking out seven. The bullpens are waging a war in this series, with saves and holds tied. On Wednesday, the teams combined for two saves and a hold as five relief pitchers tossed shutout ball. Offensively, Dustin Ackley homered for the Fishes while catcher Carlos Santana swiped a bag for the Cys. Rookie Chris Sale starts for the Fishes today while C.J. Wilson, Edinson Volquez, and rookie Matt Moore pitch for the Cys.
The Machine 6, High Cheese 5
It was bombs away Wednesday as this series saw five homers, 12 RBI and 14 runs scored. Carlos Lee, Chase Headley and Jose Bautista combined for three homers, seven RBI and five runs scored for the Machine. David Freese and Adam Jones both homered for High Cheese. Gio Gonzalez had the first quality start in the series to help High Cheese narrow the overall score. Gonzalez struck out 10 over seven innings. The Machine is poised for a big day on the mound as Matt Cain, Ricky Nolasco, and Brandon McCarthy start Thursday. Adam Wainwright will take the hill for High Cheese.
Bacon at Mile 11 6, Twinkle Toes 5
While other teams have struggled to earn quality starts this week, these two teams have combined for nine in the first three days. On Wednesday, Ubaldo Jimenez and Jeremy Hellickson both had quality starts for Twinkle Toes, which took a 5-4 lead over Bacon in the category. Struggles by Madison Bumgarner and a bullpen meltdown by Jon Rauch cost the Toes in ERA and WHIP. Both teams struggled offensively Wednesday, combining for just eight runs and four RBI with no home runs. Trevor Cahill will pitch for Bacon Thursday while Juan Nicasio and Brian Matusz toe the rubber for the Toes.
Scully's Slammers 7, Give it a Yankee 2
Don't be fooled by the overall score, this series is very close. Nine of the 12 categories are up for grabs heading into the final four days. Cory Hart and Vernon Wells hit the first two homers of the series for Give it a Yankee Wednesday while closer Jim Johnson earned another save for the Slammers. Edwin Encarnacion remains red-hot for the Slammers, slugging a three-run bomb Wednesday. Luke Hochevar will start for Give it a Yankee on Thursday while James McDonald pitches for the Slammers.
Then something went terribly wrong. Hernandez gave up 10 hits, walked three batters, and allowed six earned runs over 3.2 innings. It was his worst start since 2010 and allowed Home Run 101 to take the lead in ERA and WHIP and maintain a cushion in quality starts.
Home Run 101 8, Lower Haighters 4
There is no truth to the rumor that the CIA will use tapes of the starting pitching in this series to perform enhanced interrogations in Eastern European gulags. Thankfully, neither team has a starter on the mound today. On Wednesday, the Lower Haighters' offense began to resemble the one envisioned on draft day. Jose Reyes stole home, Albert Pujols hit a three-run homer, and Giancarlo Stanton hit a two-run bomb. Ian Desmond hit the first home run for Home Run 101 in this series. While the bats are coming alive for both teams, starting pitching will determine the series winner.
The Bulls 6, Jersey Boys 5
The injury plagued Jersey Boys received more bad news as outfielder Austin Jackson left Wednesday's game with an abdominal strain that will require an MRI. Jackson was 5-for-11 with four RBI and three runs scored in the series. The offenses cooled off for both teams Wednesday following a torrid Tuesday evening that featured eight homers between the two teams. The Jersey Boys took the lead in runs scored after Daniel Murphy scored the only run for the Bulls. This series has featured some shaky pitching and that continued Wednesday as Hiroki Kuroda gave up seven earned runs in five innings for the Jersey Boys. Chris Capuano was able to earn a quality start for the Bulls but both teams have ERA's north of 4.40. The Bulls will send ace Roy Halladay and Shaun Marcum to the mound today while the Jersey Boys counter with R.A. Dickey and Aaron Harang.
Los Coche Bomba 7, A-Rod's Mirrors 4
Jimmy Rollins swiped a base, Matt Garza earned a quality start and Jason Motte recorded a save to keep Bomba in the series lead. J.P Arencibia and Adam LaRoche both homered for the Mirrors with LaRoche driving in four runs. LaRoche, who is making a bid to be series MVP, has been one of the best free agent acquisitions of the year. Bomba has built a significant advantage in the pitching categories and can widen it today when Brandon Beachy and Matt Harrison make their starts.
HUMA 6, Marin Menehunes 5
The Menehunes tightened this series up behind the pitching of Jaime Garcia and Johan Santana. They combined to give up just three runs over 14 innings pitched Wednesday, earning two quality starts and striking out 14 batters. Travis Hafner had a home run and three RBI for HUMA, which had its first two long balls of the series. This could be the defining day in the matchup as HUMA sends three starters to the mound. Mat Latos, Doug Fister, and Jordan Zimmerman have an opportunity to close the strikeout gap and break the series deadlock in quality starts.
The Cys 6, Vicious Fishes 3
The Cys grabbed the lead in quality starts behind another brilliant performance by Yu Darvish. Darvish allowed just one run over 7.2 innings while striking out seven. The bullpens are waging a war in this series, with saves and holds tied. On Wednesday, the teams combined for two saves and a hold as five relief pitchers tossed shutout ball. Offensively, Dustin Ackley homered for the Fishes while catcher Carlos Santana swiped a bag for the Cys. Rookie Chris Sale starts for the Fishes today while C.J. Wilson, Edinson Volquez, and rookie Matt Moore pitch for the Cys.
The Machine 6, High Cheese 5
It was bombs away Wednesday as this series saw five homers, 12 RBI and 14 runs scored. Carlos Lee, Chase Headley and Jose Bautista combined for three homers, seven RBI and five runs scored for the Machine. David Freese and Adam Jones both homered for High Cheese. Gio Gonzalez had the first quality start in the series to help High Cheese narrow the overall score. Gonzalez struck out 10 over seven innings. The Machine is poised for a big day on the mound as Matt Cain, Ricky Nolasco, and Brandon McCarthy start Thursday. Adam Wainwright will take the hill for High Cheese.
Bacon at Mile 11 6, Twinkle Toes 5
While other teams have struggled to earn quality starts this week, these two teams have combined for nine in the first three days. On Wednesday, Ubaldo Jimenez and Jeremy Hellickson both had quality starts for Twinkle Toes, which took a 5-4 lead over Bacon in the category. Struggles by Madison Bumgarner and a bullpen meltdown by Jon Rauch cost the Toes in ERA and WHIP. Both teams struggled offensively Wednesday, combining for just eight runs and four RBI with no home runs. Trevor Cahill will pitch for Bacon Thursday while Juan Nicasio and Brian Matusz toe the rubber for the Toes.
Scully's Slammers 7, Give it a Yankee 2
Don't be fooled by the overall score, this series is very close. Nine of the 12 categories are up for grabs heading into the final four days. Cory Hart and Vernon Wells hit the first two homers of the series for Give it a Yankee Wednesday while closer Jim Johnson earned another save for the Slammers. Edwin Encarnacion remains red-hot for the Slammers, slugging a three-run bomb Wednesday. Luke Hochevar will start for Give it a Yankee on Thursday while James McDonald pitches for the Slammers.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
K/9 - A Siren's Song For Fantasy Baseball General Managers
As a beginning general manager, Elizabeth thought she could add Scherzer to her team and harness that 95 mph heater. Silly, silly woman. Scherzer coughed up five runs in four innings, walking as many batters as he fanned. Her team ERA and WHIP are in tatters and she trails HUMA 7-5 in this week's series. The only saving grace was she wasn't tethered to Scherzer for two starts this week.
In other news:
The Vicious Fishes are tied 5-5-2 with the Cys thanks to the hot bat of Bryan LaHair, who homered for the second consecutive day. Mike Moustakas and Paul Konerko also homered for the Fishes while David Price struck out six in a quality start, Rafael Betancourt earned a save and Pedro Strop had a hold. Meanwhile, the Cys saw ace CC Sabathia give up four runs over six innings while Melky Cabrera, Jason Kipnis, and Kendrys Morales all fell into a funk. They are a combined 3-for-26 in the series. The Cys will try to rebound behind Yu Darvish tonight.
While Scherzer, Tim Lincecum, and Bartolo Colon were getting slapped around for the Menehunes, young Henderson Alvarez was turning in a quality start for HUMA, allowing just two runs over 6.2 innings. The Menehunes will send Johan Santana and Jaime Garcia to the mound tonight as they seek that elusive first quality start in this series.
The bats have been silent this week for Give it a Yankee and the team now trails Scully's Slammers 6-3-3. Cory Hart, Mike Napoli, Alexis Rios, Gordon Beckham, Erick Aybar and Adrian Gonzalez are a combined 4-for-40 with no home runs and two RBI in this series. The pitching for both teams has been sensational and that was evident again Tuesday. Josh Beckett struck out nine in seven scoreless innings for Give it a Yankee and Zack Greinke fanned seven in seven scoreless innings for the Slammers. Mark Buehrle will try to maintain the momentum when he starts today for the Slammers.
Bacon at Mile 11 holds an 8-3-1 lead over Twinkle Toes thanks to two quality starts Tuesday from Cliff Lee and Ervin Santana. They combined to give up one run in 15.2 innings while striking out 19. A quality start from Tim Hudson wasn't enough to offset a blown save by Brett Myers as Twinkle Toes tries to make up ground in ERA/WHIP. Offensively, home runs from Brian McCann and rookie Mike Trout were the difference for Bacon. Tonight could be a turning point in the series for Twinkle Toes as Madison Bumgarner, Ubaldo Jimenez, and Jeremy Hellickson all start.
The bullpen has been the difference for the Machine, as they've taken a narrow 6-5-1 lead over High Cheese in their Week 7 series. Setup man Joel Peralta earned the Machine's third hold Tuesday. The 'pen has now pitched 4.2 scoreless innings while earning three holds, a save, and six strikeouts. Neither team has earned a quality start but both will send pitchers to the mound Wednesday. High Cheese sends ace Gio Gonzalez while the Machine counters with Gavin Floyd.
Pitchers continued to cough up runs for A-Rod's Mirrors on Tuesday as the team ERA has bloated to 9.87 and the WHIP is 2.54 this week. Stephen Strasburg allowed four runs in four innings, Kevin Correia gave up six in 3.2 innings, while relievers Jose Valverde and Chad Qualls each allowed a pair of runs. The lack of pitching by the Mirrors has helped Los Coche Bomba build an 8-3-1 lead in this series. Matt Garza takes the mound today for Bomba as the team tries to build on its quality start and strikeout advantage.
The bats erupted Tuesday for both the Jersey Boys and Bulls. The two teams combined for eight home runs, 15 RBI, and 13 runs scored. When the dust settled, the Bulls emerged with a 7-4-1 lead thanks to a quality start from a Korean import and a hold from Scott Downs. Wei-Yin Chen was masterful for the Bulls, giving up just two runs over seven innings to a strong Yankee lineups. The Jersey Boys will send Hiroki Kuroda to the mound Wednesday while the Bulls throw Chris Capuano.
Home Run 101 earned quality starts from Josh Johnson and Wade Miley, giving the team a narrow 6-5-1 advantage over the Lower Haighters, but now they must watch as the Haighters send their starting pitchers to the mound. It starts Wednesday when Felix Hernandez pitches. The Lower Haighers still have five starts remaining while Home Run 101 has just one. Neither team is showing much offense, with one home run between them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Followers
|
Share It
|
About Me
- Robert Hood
- I am a former journalist and sportswriter, nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 1993 for investigative reporting. Today, my passion is helping baseball fans learn how to enjoy the game of fantasy baseball, which I've been playing since the early 1980s.