Line of the Day: 08/31/2010

2B/3B Neil Walker, PIT was 4-for-5 with double, home run, four RBI and three runs in the Pirates' 14-7 win over the Chicago Cubs. In 80 games, Walker has produced a nice .305/.348/.473 line with 8 HR, 48 RBI and 41 runs on 95 hits. Double that out to entire season (16/96/82) and Walker becomes a very ownable option at third base for 2011.

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Line of the Day: 08/30/2010

OF Alex Rios, CHW was 5-for-6 with a double, home run, four RBI, three runs and a stolen base in the White Sox' 10-6 win over the Cleveland Indians. Rios is on pace for 25 HR, 97 RBI, 100 R and 36 SB and currently ranked as the 4th best outfielder on ESPN's Player Rater. As a result, he'll definitely be drafted higher than this year's 115.2 come next season.

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Line of the Day: 08/29/2010

OF Carlos Gonzalez, COL was 3-for-4 with two home runs, four RBI and two runs in a 10-5 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. CarGo has been on fire lately, going 12/22 (.545 BA; 30 total bases) with four home runs, 11 RBI, eight runs and a stolen base over his last six games. He's on pace for 37 HR, 116 RBI, 111 R and 26 SB to go with his .326 BA. He's proving to be a legitimate superstar and MVP candidate. Unfortunately for him, a guy named Albert Pujols is in his league and challenging for the Triple Crown. Fantasy owners that used a mid-round pick (131.1 ADP) on CarGo are being rewarded with those MVP numbers.

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Line of the Day: 08/28/2010

SP Dallas Braden, OAK pitched a four-hit shutout against the powerful Texas Rangers in Arlington while walking none but only striking out one. It was the first time Texas had been shut out at home this season. He's allowed one earned run or less in three of his last four starts and gone the distance in three of his last six. Braden's not a strikeout pitcher (5.36 K/9) but has a low ERA (3.28) and nice WHIP (1.11).

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Line of the Day: 08/27/2010

OF Jay Bruce, CIN was 3-for-3 with three home runs, five RBI, three runs and a walk while batting leadoff for the Cincinnati Reds. After a homer-less July in which he batted .200 with only five RBI, Bruce is making up for it in August by hitting .319 with six home runs, 14 RBI with a .623 slugging percentage. Fantasy owners want him to have 30 HR potential but he continues to disappoint with a .250 career average and only 20 HR/80 RBI potential.

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Line of the Day: 08/26/2010

1B Albert Pujols, STL was 2-for-4 with a double and his 400th career home run while driving in one, scoring three runs and walking three times. Pujols became the 47th major league player to reach the 400 HR milestone. At 30 years, 222 days, he became the third-youngest player to reach the 400 mark. Alex Rodriguez hit #400 at 29 years, 316 days, and Ken Griffey Jr. reached the #400 at 30 years, 141 days. Congrats to the ball player I can't wait to tell my kids about!

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Line of the Day: 08/25/2010

SS Stephen Drew, ARI was 4-for-4 with two doubles, two home runs (12 total bases), two RBI and two runs in a 9-3 loss to the San Diego Padres. Drew lead off the game with questionable home run and was awarded the dinger after a video review (see the call). Drew is right on pace for matching his career averages in most statistical categories, so you now know that you get what you pay for with him (.270, 15 HR, 70 RBI, 80 R, 7 SB). He hasn't shown that he deserves to be in the elite class of shortstops since 2008 but he does bring respectable numbers to any fantasy baseball roster.

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Line of the Day: 08/24/2010

2B Freddy Sanchez, SF was 4-for-4 with a double, home run, an RBI, four runs and a walk in a 16-5 win over the Cincinnati Reds. It was Sanchez's second consecutive 4-hit game and he's 13/25 (.520 BA with 18 total bases) over the last seven days. Only 5.9% ESPN and 12% Yahoo! owned, Sanchez could help you down the stretch run in batting average.

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Line of the Day: 08/23/2010

3B/OF Jose Bautista, TOR went 2-for-3 with two home runs, three RBI, two runs scored and a walk as the Blue Jays beat the New York Yankees 3-2. Bautista now leads the majors with 40 homers and is on pace for a staggering 52 HR, 124 RBI and 109 Runs while hitting less than 260. Who does he think he is? Adam Dunn? Ha! For all you owners that stuck with him, you are being rewarded handsomely.

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Line of the Day: 08/22/2010

2B/3B/SS/OF Omar Infante and OF Jason Heyward were a combined 8-for-10 with four home runs (two each), eight RBI (four each) and eight runs (four each). That's an incredible 1-2 punch en route to a 16-5 trouncing of the Chicago Cubs. What a way to send Lou Pinella out of baseball.

 

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Line of the Day: 08/21/2010

3B Josh Bell, BAL was 3-for-4 with two home runs (the firsts of his career), five RBI and three runs to lead the Orioles to a victory over the Texas Rangers. Bell is going to get an extended audition to show what he can do at the big-league level but has little-to-no fantasy value until he proves he can get it done. A two-homer game is the kind of confidence builder a rookie needs to relieve the pressure of a "top prospect" label.

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Line of the Day: 08/20/2010

1B Lyle Overbay, TOR was 4-for-5 with two home runs, seven RBI and three runs scored in a 16-2 rout against the Boston Red Sox. Overbay is only 2.4% ESPN and 6% Yahoo! leagues owned, but really only a lower-tier first base option. With a .253 average, he's on pace for 20 HR, 72 RBI and 78 Runs. If your team is plagued by injuries, Overbay may be worth a look for the next six weeks.

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Line of the Day: 08/19/2010

SP Ted Lilly, LAD tossed a complete game two-hit shutout in which he walked two and struck out a season-high 11 batters in a win over the Colorado Rockies. Lilly improved to 4-0 with the Dodgers and has given up just four runs in 28 innings with his new team. Fantasy owners are reaping the benefits of Lilly being traded away from the lowly Cubs.

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Line of the Day: 08/18/2010

C Joe Mauer, MIN was 4-for-5 with a double, home run, two RBI and two runs. The home run was only his eighth of the year and surprisingly, his first at the new Target Field. Mauer is on pace for 11 homers this season, a far cry from the 28 he hit last season and what most people expected while drafting him 12th, on average. It's hard to feel any sympathy for those managers that are getting a .335 average, 91 RBI and 99 Runs from the catcher position. Over the last 15 days, Mauer is lighting it up with a .451 average (23/51), two homers, nine RBI and 11 runs.

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Line of the Day: 08/17/2010

OF Hunter Pence, HOU was 2-for-4 with two home runs (both off Johan Santana) and four RBI against the New York Mets. The second wound up being the game winner in the bottom of the eighth inning. Pence is on pace for 25 HR, 92 RBI, 101 Runs and 21 SB. A very solid season for a star player on a poor team.

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Line of the Day: 08/16/2010

SP Shaun Marcum, TOR pitched a complete game one-hitter against the Oakland Athletics en route to his 11th win. The one hit allowed was a seventh inning home run to Connor Jackson. Marcum struck out five and walked one and continues to show flashes of brilliance mixed in with bouts of ineffectiveness. Spot starting in favorable match ups may be the way to go with him the rest of the way.

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Line of the Day: 08/15/2010

SP Kevin Slowey, MIN pitched seven innings of no-hit ball while striking out five, walking three and earned the win. Slowey has been dealing with an elbow injury and was pulled after 106 pitches. Congrats to manager Ron Gardenhire for having the balls to put the team's needs over the personal milestones of a player. Slowey needs to be healthy for the Twins to make a run at any post-season success. Feel free to add him to your pitching staff or stream him if he's still available in your league (50.7% E; 62% Y! owned).

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Waiver Saviors: 08/15/2010

Here's the latest batch of players that are widely available in ESPN and Yahoo! leagues in the latest installment of COSFBA's Waiver Saviors:

• OF Pat Burrell, SF (10.8% E; 10% Y!) has found a home in San Francisco. After batting just .202 in 24 games with two home runs (42.0 AB/HR) with Tampa Bay, Burrell is hitting .290 in 55 games with 10 home runs (16.2 AB/HR). He's now hitting .385 with 4 HR, 13 RBI and a 1.290 OPS in August.
• OF Mike Stanton, FLA (58.4% E; 39% Y!) is riding a six-game hitting streak in which he's gone 14/24 (.583) with four home runs and eight RBI. His average is now up to .270 after being as low as .217 as recently as July 25th.
• OF J.D. Drew, BOS (42.9% E; 41% Y!) is in the midst of a hot streak (8/27, 4 HR, 6 RBI, 5 R) and on pace for another 20+ HR season.
• 1B/3B Wilson Betemit, KC (0.7% E; 1% Y!) has been the Royals' primary option at third base since they traded Alberto Callaspo, and he has responded by going 19-for-56 (.339) with five home runs in 16 games.
• SP Jeremy Guthrie, BAL (3.7% E; 9% Y!) has run off six straight quality starts (41.2 IP) while going 4-1 with a 1.51 ERA and 0.94 WHIP over that span. He's definitely worth a spot start in favorable match ups against any non-AL East opponents.
• RP Hong-Chih Kuo, LAD (20.7% E; 32% Y!) has taken over the closer role for the Dodgers and definitely needs to be owned while in that role. He sports a robust 11.20 K/9 and ridiculous ratios (a 0.88 ERA and a 0.80 WHIP). A definite own if your league uses Holds too (17 Holds on the season).
• RP J.J. Putz, CHW (12.5% E; 26% Y!) should be in the mix for Saves and Holds while Bobby Jenks struggles through an injury and maybe even a DL stint. Overall, he's carrying a 2.28 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and a 10.38 K/9 ratio.

Stay active on the waiver wire and be sure to keep an eye on your league settings. If you are in a close race or need to make up ground, be sure to exploit any setting that you can. Being aware can be the difference between a money spot or an almost-ran.

Line of the Day: 08/14/2010

3B Alex Rodriguez, NYY was 4-for-5 with three home runs, five RBI, three runs and a stolen base against the Kansas City Royals. It was the fourth three-homer game of AROD's career and his first since April 26, 2005. Some may perceive this as a "down" season but Rodriguez is still on pace for 30 HRs and 138 RBI despite only hitting .268 (a .303 career average). He'll continue to warrant a first-round pick.

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Line of the Day: 08/13/2010

SP R.A. Dickey, NYM pitched a complete game, one-hit shutout against the Phillies, striking out seven and walking just one. The veteran knuckleballer continues to produce at an improbable rate (2.43 ERA/1.15 WHIP) and should be owned or at least streamed at this point. Widely available (25.8% E; 35% Y! owned) if you are willing to take a chance on him.

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Line of the Day: 08/12/2010

SP Johan Santana, NYM pitched a complete-game, four-hit shutout against the Colorado Rockies, striking out 10 and walking two. Santana is 5-1 in his last nine starts, allowing zero runs in four games and one run in three while going at least seven innings in eight of those nine starts. Surprisingly, this was only the second time this season that he's struck out 10 or more batters (both in August). Now would be a great time for fantasy owners to see him return to dominant form.

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Line of the Day: 08/11/2010

OF Michael (Mike) Stanton, FLA was 5-for-5 with two doubles and a tape-measure home run (10 total bases).  He added four RBI and two runs, too. Stanton has raised his average from .231 to .259 by going 12/29 (.414) in the month of August. Keep in mind he's only 20 years old and should be part of any long-term success the Marlins have.

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Line of the Day: 08/10/2010

SP Felix Hernandez, SEA pitched eight shutout innings, allowing five hits and a walk while striking out a career-high 13 against Oakland. It was his first win since July 10th. With a 2.71 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and on pace for a career-high 234, Hernandez deserves better than his eight wins, so far.

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Line of the Day: 08/09/2010

OF Jacoby Ellsbury, BOS was only 1-for-2 with a walk and a HBP, but it was his four stolen bases that was most impressive. Ellsbury had been 0-for-16 since returning from the disabled list and was dropped from first to ninth in the batting order. A move like this and a game like this may be all a player needs to get out of a serious funk. Overall, Ellsbury has been a disappointment while battling injuries in 2010. Hopefully he is healthy and gives you some return for your dollar from now until the end of the season.

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Line of the Day: 08/08/2010

SP Brandon Morrow, TOR pitched 8 2/3 innings of no-hit ball, en route to a 1-hit complete game shutout against the Tampa Bay Rays, allowing just two walks while striking out a staggering 17 batters. Morrow raised his already-league-leading strikeout rate to 10.67 K/9. With numbers like that, I was shocked to see he was only owned in 27.4% of ESPN leagues and 32% of Yahoo! leagues. His strikeout totals alone warrant higher ownership numbers. Now would be a good time to grab him if you are hurting in that category.

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Line of the Day: 08/07/2010

OF Chris Young, ARI went 3-for-4 with two solo home runs, two RBI and two runs. His first was his 16th career leadoff homer and the second was of the walk-off fashion that gave the Diamondbacks the win over the rival Padres. He's currently reached base safely in 16 straight games. Young is on pace for 28 HR and 32 SB to go along with career highs in BA (.269), OBP (.339), SLG (.467) and OPS (.806).

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Waiver Saviors: 08/07/2010

Here are some names of note worth a look in your league(s) that are widely available in ESPN and Yahoo! leagues in the latest installment of Waiver Saviors:

• C Carlos Ruiz, PHI (20.8% E; 27% Y!) hit .327 (18/55) in July and is off to a .417 (10/24) start in August. If you are thin at catcher and he's available in your league, grab him. Catcher is a position that many bail on in one-catcher formats if they miss out on an upper tier guy, so he may be easier to get than in a two-catcher format league.
• 2B/3B/SS/OF Omar Infante, ATL (34.3% E; 18% Y!) hit .429 (27/63) in July and .357 (10/28) in August. Toss a current 10-game hitting streak and a full-time role as a result of Martin Prado's injury. He won't bring more than a hot bat to your roster but he can fill a lot of holes while he's on fire.
• 3B Chris Johnson, HOU (60.7% E; 34% Y!) hit .414 in June, .359 in July and .368 so far in August. He's hit in 18 of his last 19 games, accumulating 30 hits, while driving in 11 runs in his past six games. He's the 3rd-ranked third baseman over the last 30 days, according to ESPN's Player Rater. Fantasy owners...WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???
• OF Dexter Fowler, COL (31.4% E; 7% Y!) is hitting .341 (14/41) over the last 15 days and a crisp .400  (4/10) to start the month of August. Colorado is notorious for heating up as the season winds down and you can expect Fowler to be a part of this season's surge.
• SP R.A. Dickey, NYM (31.5% E; 39% Y!) is 1-4 in his last eight starts. So why would I be recommending you add him? During that span, he's recorded two no decisions in which he gave up ZERO runs. Also, 12 of his 15 starts have been of the quality nature while compiling a 2.36 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. Fantasy wins are unpredictable but ratios speak volumes.
• SP Brett Cecil, TOR (22.4% E; 31% Y!) had a rough June (5 starts, 2-3, 534 ERA) but has been much better in July and August (6-for-6 in QS, 2-0, 1.60 ERA). Definitely worth streaming at this point.
• RP Aaron Heilman, ARI (10.1% E; 12% Y!) is now the Diamondbacks' closer. For whatever that's worth, if you need saves, Heilman is available and should get first crack at any save chances. Good luck!

If you're still active and within striking distance of the lead or a payout spot, working the waiver wire and cutting ties on dead weight could mean the distance in a title or a larger payday.

Line of the Day: 08/06/2010

SP Adam Wainwright, STL was dominant in throwing a complete game two-hit shutout, walking three and striking out seven. The two hits were a swinging bunt and a blooper. He's now 16-6 on the season with a 2.07 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP and has struck out 154 in 169.1 innings pitched. Wainwright is on pace for a 24-9 record and 229 K's and will definitely be in the mix for the NL Cy Young Award.

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Line of the Day: 08/05/2010

3B Ryan Zimmerman, WAS was 2-for-4 with two solo home runs, two RBI and two runs. Zimmerman is hitting .301 with 21 HR, 61 RBI and 63 Runs. That puts him on pace for 32 HR, 93 RBI and 96 Runs. He's currently the 7th-ranked third baseman, according to ESPN's Player Rater. He's definitely given owners the value they hoped for with an ADP of 35 and is a nice keeper candidate for 2011.

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Line of the Day: 08/04/2010

3B Alex Rodriguez, NYY was only 1-for-4 but that one hit was his 600th career home run (video). Rodriguez is the seventh player to hit 600 or more home runs in a career and the youngest ever to reach that milestone number. His admission to using steroids undoubtedly takes some of the shine off this accomplishment and will taint his pursuit of 714, 755, 762 and beyond.

As a Yankee fan and baseball fan, I sadly choose to celebrate this milestone through the filtered reality of the unfortunate "Steroid Era". I wish you were better than that, AROD.

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Line of the Day: 08/03/2010

SS Angel Sanchez, HOU went 4-for-6 with a double, triple and six RBI in the Astros' win over the Cardinals. Sanchez is a relative nobody in the fantasy realm (0.2% E; 0% Y! owned) and should continue to be treated that way. Four hits and six RBI deserves to be recognized, regardless of the player's name. Congrats on a career day. COSFBA loves ya!

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Ups and Downs: 08/03/2010

This edition of Ups and Downs looks at a few players being added and dropped the most (according to ESPN leagues) and the possible reasons why.

• RP Drew Storen, WAS (+33.8%) was considered by many to be the new closer in Washington after Matt Capps was traded to Minnesota but it now looks like he will be eased into the role by sharing save opportunities with Tyler Clippard and Sean Burnett. Storen is definitely the future closer for the Nationals and should claim that role as soon as he proves able to handle the pressure.
• SP Brett Myers, HOU (+28.9%) extended his franchise-best streak to 22 consecutive starts of six or more innings to start the season and fantasy owners are starting to take notice. Myers is only 8-6 for the lowly Astros but is sporting a 3.10 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP with 117 strikeouts in 151 innings pitched. The wins may not come but he shouldn't hurt your ratios this late in the season.
• OF Andres Torres, SF (+26.1%) is 11/25 (.440 BA) with 1 HR, 3 RBI, 5 R and 2 SB over the last 7 days and a solid .286, 10 HR, 42 RBI, 58 R and 19 SB on the season. Torres continues to be waiver-wire gold for owners that grabbed him early.
• RP Jon Rauch, MIN (-32.2%) was an unfortunate fantasy casualty at the trading deadline. The Twins brought in Matt Capps and demoted Rauch to a setup role. Rauch owners are left scratching their heads as to why since he was 21 of 25 in converting saves with a 2.97 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. Rauch definitely has value if your league counts Holds and could pick up a few more saves if Capps struggles moving into the American League.
• SP Joel Pineiro, LAA (-29.2%) is out 6-to-8 weeks with an oblique injury that may keep him out the entire season. No sense stashing him in a DL slot at this point and he has no keeper value, either. Time to part ways.
• OF Brennan Boesch, DET (-27.7%) struggled in July (.209, 0 HR in 91 AB) and is currently mired in a 4-for-52 (.077 BA) slump and hasn't homered since June 27th. It may have been premature to hand him the AL ROY in June.

Keeping an eye on late-season call-ups and injury replacements could mean the difference between winning and losing a league. Stay active! If you're more concerned with your upcoming fantasy NFL draft(s), the MLB season may be way too long for you.

Line of the Day: 08/02/2010

1B Prince Fielder, MIL was 5-for-7 with four singles and a double with five RBI and two runs in the Brewers' 18-1 rout of the Cubs. Fielder is on pace for 36 HR, 77 RBI and 97 Runs...nearly HALF the 141 RBI he drove in last season. Fielder owners may have a hard time justifying him as a first-round pick (an ADP of 8.0) with his .267 batting average, 24 HR and 51 RBI.

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Line of the Day: 08/01/2010

1B Adam LaRoche, ARI was 3-for-6 with a double and two home runs while knocking in six and scoring two runs. He's only hitting .257 but projecting 25 HR, 111 RBI and 82 Runs. He's a frustrating player to own because he goes through extreme hold and cold streaks. Be sure to grab him off waivers (73.8% ESPN owned) if you see a hot streak coming.

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