08.04.11 Box Score Breakdown: Fantasy MLB News and Notes

Welcome to a special edition of Box Score Breakdown featuring your favorite Spot Start picker, me.  Mike is off to Pittsburgh as he continues his mini stadium tour.  Speaking of, I watched the ESPN special where they had the 2 FDNY Firefighters do the tour of all 30 MLB parks culminating in the All Star Game in Phoenix.  That has to be every true baseball fan’s dream come true.  On to it…

4th and Home Player of the Day: Cliff Lee – W, CG, SHO, 9/7/0/8:0… Lee pitched a masterful game shutting down the Giants including giving post season hero Cody Ross the golden sombrero.  The Phillies exact some revenge on the Giants and continue to roll on, 7 wins in a row, 8.5 game lead.  

The Bats:
Michael Young – 2/5, R, RBI…Batting .335, 3rd in MLB, 74 RBIs (11th).  Remember when he was falling off your draft radar because he would have no position?

Jose Bautista – 1/4, R, HR, RBI, 2 BB… Number 33 tied the game in the 8th.  Remember when you thought he couldn’t possibly repeat last year?

Casey Kotchman – 2/3, R, 3 BB… keeps up his .331 average, ups his OBP to .394.  Career Year.

Desmond Jennings – 3/6, R, RBI, HR… This guy is a star, Carl who?

Albert Pujols – 3/4, 3 R, RBI, HR, BB… Nice bounce back from the 0/5 yesterday with his 25th bomb.  He good.

Matt Holliday – 1/3, 2 R, 3 RBI, HR, BB… Putting together an awesome season – imagine if he hadn’t missed so much time.

Robinson Cano – 2/3, 2 R, RBI, HR, BB… Average back over .300 for first time since May 6th.  He’s always a strong finisher.

Alex Gordon – 4/5, 2 R… Batting .311 – 9th in AL.  34th double puts him tied for MLB lead.  Royals will not be push overs for much longer.

Billy Butler – 2/5, 2 R, 2 RBI… 27th double.  Just a solid across the board producer.

Troy Tulowitzki – 3/4, 2 R, 1 RBI, HR… 21st bomb.  This guy is a 2nd half killer, just sit back and enjoy.

Ryan Zimmerman – 3/4, 2 RBI, BB… 2 doubles, 13 game hitting streak (including 8 multi hit games).  He is finally healthy and showing why he is an elite third baseman.

Mark Trumbo – 2/4, 2 R, 4 RBI, HR… Trumbo’s 21st and now up to 62 ribbies.

Hunter Pence – 3/4, R, 2 RBI, HR… Pence has hit in every game as a Phillie and hit an absolute bomb for his 12th.  Working his way back to keeper status.  Batting .311, 8th in NL.

08.03.11 Box Score Breakdown: Fantasy MLB News and Notes

Too long of a drive and a 60% chance of showers, so Killboy and I did not go see Bryce Harper. They got the game in and he went 0/2, BB, 2 K, CS. He stinks.

Onto it!

4th and Home Player of the Day: Casey McGehee – 3/4, 3 R, 3 HR, 5 RBI…Had 5 HR coming into this one. Bet he was on your wire or your bench.

The Bats:
Dan Uggla – 2/4, 2 R, HR,  3RBI…Swinging a hot stick, he is simply on fire right now.

Mike Carp – 3/5, 2 R, 2 RBI…In deeper leagues, I’d take a gamble. He was a Mets’ prospect and we all know they trade the best ones away.

Rafael Furcal – 2/3, 2 R, HR, 4 RBI…This will be the start of something. I feel it!

Ryan Raburn – 3/4, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI…Remember when I thought he’d be a great buy during the pre-season? Well, he stinks.

Todd Helton – 2/4, R, HR, 3 RBI…At the age of 45, Helton still making good on his contract as he’s earning $60MM this season – or something close.

Ryan Howard – 2/4, R, HR, 4 RBI…Guy has been red hot since the Pence trade, but he always heats up in summer.

07.25.11 Box Score Breakdown: Fantasy MLB News and Notes

Happy Birthday, Mom!

4th and Home Player of the Day: Ian Kinsler – 4/6, 2 R, HR, 4 RBI…Must think it’s Spring Training!

The Bats:
Chris Denorfia – 2/5, 2 R, RBI, 2 SB…Who?

Michael Brantley – 2/3, 2 R, SB…I think MB is going to be one of my top sleepers heading into 2012.

Mark Teixeira – 2/4, R, HR, 3 RBI…The average is garbage. Remind me to pass next year.

Derek Jeter – 2/5, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI…Speaking of passing, how did he pass on Jessica Biel?

Yadier Molina – 3/4, 3 R, HR, 2 RBI…Actually been quite serviceable this year. Still wouldn’t draft him though.

Colby Rasmus – 1/3, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI…Look who’s heating up!

07.10.11 Box Score Breakdown: Fantasy MLB News and Notes

Derek Jeter made history over the weekend by getting his 3,000th hit. Could it have gone any differently for him? The hit was a home run and what a way to put himself in the books. Jeter is a first-ballot Hall of Famer and although I think he is one of the more overrated players of this generation, there is nothing overrated about accumulating 3,000 hits. My thoughts aside, a great day for Derek and the Yankee faithful. And yes, I would’ve sold that ball to the highest bidder. it’s tough times and you must be nuts to give a ball away that was worth thousands.

Onto it…

4th and Home Player of the Day: C.C. Sabathia – 4-hit SHO/9:1…Sabathia has been as dominant as they come. Look for a great second half from him.

The Bats:
Emilio Bonafacio – 3/3, 2 R, 3 SB…Just a few short years ago he was the hottest pick-up in April. Now? Not so much. (Though he’s been red hot of late!)

Eric Thames – 3/5, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI…The Pepperdine product has been scorching since his recall. Take a look.

Raul Ibanez – 2/5, 2 R, HR, 6 RBI…Ibanez has had an awesome 5-game stretch.

07.05.11 Box Score Breakdown: Fantasy MLB News and Notes

Did you catch Jesse on The 4th and Home Show last night?

4th and Home Player of the Day: Curtis Granderson – 3/6, 3 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI…A 50/30 season? Possible now!

The Bats:
Aramis Ramirez – 1/4, R, HR, 2 RBI…That makes 8 HR in his last 12 games. Yeah, his power is back.

Derek Jeter – 2/6, R, 2 RBI…4 hits shy of 3,000 now.

Brandon Wood – 2/3, R, HR, 3 RBI…Oh yeah, I remember this guy. Quad-A stud.

Jose Bautista – 2/4, R, HR, 2 RBI…No. 28 and counting.

Matt Holliday – 2/4, 2 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI…Holliday seems to produce more power in the second half in his old age. Looks like he’s starting early this year.

05.10.11 Box Score Breakdown: Fantasy MLB News and Notes

Full schedule last night, so let’s get into it…

4th and Home Player of the Day: Adrian Gonzalez – 3/6, 2 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI…He is making up for lost time in a big way lately.

The Bats:
Andrew McCutchen – 3/4, 2 R, 2 HR, 2 RBI…Despite the .242 average, McCutch now has 7 HR and 19 RBI.

Matt Kemp – 2/4, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI…Kemp has cooled off in May, much to Jesse’s delight, but tonight was a nice showing. He is now batting .336 with 7 HR and 24 RBI.

Martin Prado – 2/5, 2 R, HR, RBI…Prado has had a quiet year, but his numbers aren’t too shabby.

Jayson Werth – 1/4, R, HR, 3 RBI…The average is still terrible, but I think he is a nice buy low.

Derek Jeter – 2/4, R, RBI, SB…Look who’s still kicking!

Victor Martinez – 3/4, 2 R, 4 RBI, BB…Continues to rake!

Austin Jackson – 2/5, R, BB, SB…Last four  games have been nice. Rest of season? Not so good.

05.08.11 Box Score Breakdown: Fantasy MLB News and Notes

Thanks to Jesse for getting me caught up on baseball over the weekend. Was a nice read after being in the car seven hours. I can’t believe New York drivers get such a bad wrap, because Massachusetts drivers are by far the worst!

4th and Home Player of the Day: Derek Jeter – 4/6, 2 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI, SB…Box score filler-upper! Nearly won Jesse his game over future bro-in-law Chris, but no-can-do.

Here’s what else I saw:

The Bats:
Hanley Ramirez – 1/5, R, RBI, SB…Still batting under .200 and as we’re well into May, his season is reminding me of David Wright’s 2009.

Gaby Sanchez – 4/4, 3 R, HR, 3 RBI, BB…Gaby is up to .328 with 4 HR and 20 RBI as the Fish’s clean-up hitter. In OBP leagues he is the MAN!

Andre Ethier – 2/4, R, HR, 2 RBI…A one-game hit streak is ALIVE!

B.J. Upton – 2/4, 4 RBI…Upton is racking up the ribbies. He might break Hack Wilson’s record if he faces the Orioles weekly.

Jacoby Ellsbury – 3/5, R, SB…17-game hit streak and hitting close to .300 now thanks to a .371 May.

Adrian Gonzalez – 3/5, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI…A-Gonz is heating up.

Kevin Youkilis – 2/4, 4 R…The Youka! or The Greek Gawd of Waks! if you will. Didn’t know he had the legs to get 4 runs in a game. First time since July 11th, 2009.

04.24.11 Box Score Breakdown: Fantasy MLB News and Notes

Josh Johnson – 7 IP, 3 H, ER, 6:3…Typical JJ. 13 hits now given up in 34 innings. That is ridiculous.

Ubaldo Jimenez – 5 IP, H, 3 ER, 7:4…He’s coming around and once he’s shaken off the rust he’s going to be dynamite. Buy low if you can

Max Scherzer – 8 IP, 4 H, 7:3…You missed your opportunity to buy low on this SP.

John Danks – 6 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 8:2…Another fine start from Danks, but finds himself at (0-3).

David Wright – 2/4, 3 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI, BB, SB…Wright did everything in this one as he is really starting to heat up.

James Shields – SHO, 4 H, 7:2…Yes, it was the BJays but it was on the road where Shields has not been good in his career. That makes him (2-1) with a 2.35 ERA and 0.97 WHIP.

Ben Zobrist – 2/4, R, HR, 2 RBI, SB…B2B games now with a HR as he lifted his average over .200. Good job, Benny!

2011 Fantasy Baseball Hot & Cold W/E 4-10

Every Monday we will be bringing you the Top 3 hot and cold baseball players from around the major leagues. The twist, I’ll also be providing a buy or sell recommendation on the cold players to help you decide if this is a guy to target in a trade offer or someone you should cut if they’re clogging a bench spot, while on the other side giving you the sign on whether to sell high or buy the continued dominance.

For the last week, here are your Hot & Cold recommendations:

HOT

Paul Konerko

Last 7 games: .393 Avg, 5 R, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 0 SB

Call: Sell

Konerko will get you around 30 home runs and 100 RBI, but if an owner in your league is seeing over 40 homers and a .300+ batting average, sell high.

Killin’ the Odds & the Regular Season

Welcome to Killin’ the Odds & the Regular Season! In the “Today’s Games” section, you will see my picks to win for the day. I will post either the “Money Line” or the “Run Line”. The money line is always a “straight up” bet which means your team will never need to win or lose by a specific amount of runs. The money line odds represent what amount has to be wagered or what can be won. For example, if there is a minus sign (-) next to an amount, you have to wager that amount to win 100. If there is a plus sign (+) next to an amount, you will receive that amount for every 100 wagered. When you see a “Run Line”, that means a spread is involved. In Baseball, the spread is always 1.5 runs but you can find alternate run lines on some websites. When I post a run line of -1.5, that means our team must win by two runs. When you see a run line of +1.5, that means our team can lose by one run and still win the wager. Listen to our show from April 5th, 2011 for more explanation and tips.

 

Today’s Games (4/9/11)

 

New York Yankees (+134) @ Boston Red Sox (-144) My Pick: New York Yankees Money Line  +134

I’m not a huge Buchholz fan and +134 straight up for the Yankees is just too good. Cano, Jeter, A Rod and Teixeira are hitting a combined .388 with 3 home runs off of Buchholz.

 

(Game 1) Texas Rangers (-113) @ Baltimore Orioles (+103) My Pick: Texas Rangers Money Line -113

With injuries to JJ Hardy and Brian Roberts, the Orioles are a little dinged up at the moment. Since this is the first game of a double-header, Showalter will need to keep Zach Britton in the game as long as possible so he doesn’t run out of relief pitchers.

 

St. Louis Cardinals @ San Francisco Giants (Over/Under 6.5) My Pick: Over -120

It’s rare to see an over/under as low as 6.5 runs. As good as Jamie Garcia was last year, he was bad on the road with a 3.82 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP. Matt Cain has had struggles with St. Louis in his career. In 5 starts he is sporting a 4.71 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. On top of all this, Brian Wilson and Ryan Franklin have been terrible!

 

 

Thursday’s Results

 

Toronto Blue Jays: LOSS -100

 Why did Romero have to leave the game?!?!

 

Atlanta Braves: LOSS -100

Hanson was a disappointment again. Only three strikeouts in two starts?

 

Daily Total: -200

 

Brian “Killboy” Kilpatrick is currently up +368 imaginary dollars in 2011.

 

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