2011 MLB Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Gems: National League

James Loney, 1B Los Angeles Dodgers ( 36 percent owned in Yahoo, 56 percent in ESPN)

Current Stat Line: .277 AVG / 44 R / 9 HR / 51 RBI / 3 SB

2011 MLB Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Gems: National League

Denis Poroy/Getty Images

Killin’ the Odds & the Regular Season

Welcome back 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.

Killin’ the Odds & the Regular Season

Welcome back 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.

2011 Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Gems: National League

I know, we should have told you that Jesse owned Roy Oswalt before your draft. Our bad. I will now offer a few NL waivers to help compensate for your loss.

Jason Bourgeois, OF Houston Astros (19% owned in Yahoo, 40.9% ESPN)  

Current Stat Line: .407 AVG / 9 R / 0 HR / 7 RBI / 12 SB                              

I was worried about his playing time dwindling when Carlos Lee returned to the lineup but, it looks like the Astros are finding creative ways to get Bourgeois at bats. Bourgeois started at second base last night because of Bill Hall’s struggles at the plate. He has played second base for a few innings in each of the last couple years and he should also serve as a sub in all three outfield spots. He will continue to hit in either the first or second spot in the order and he is swiping bases at a unbelievable rate.

My Projection: .269 AVG / 78 R / 1 HR / 50 RBI / 39 SB

Carlos Pena, 1B Chicago Cubs (46% owned in Yahoo, 43% ESPN)

Current Stat Line: .196 AVG / 7 R / 3 HR / 9 RBI / SB 0

For those of you who drafted Carlos Pena and decided to hold onto him through his struggles in April, you have been rewarded in May. Since May 1, Pena has hit .316 AVG / 5 R / 3 HR / 4 RBI with a fantastic BB:K ratio of 5:5. Grab him while you can, Wrigley Field in the summer months is a hitter’s paradise.

My Projection: .220 AVG / 65 R / 32 HR / 85 RBI / 0 SB

Bud Norris, SP Houston Astros (47% Owned in Yahoo, 66.3% ESPN)

Current Stat Line: 2 W / 2 L / 3.16 ERA / 52 K / 1.27 WHIP 

Bud Norris’ 52 K on the year, ranks him seventh in all of baseball. He has put up at least 6 K during every single outing this season. His first two outings of the year were a little shaky but since then he has a 1.65 ERA with 39 K in only 32.2 IP. This sounds more like a 90% owned pitcher.

My Projection: 13 W / 10 L / 4.05 ERA / 201 K / 1.29 WHIP

Brandon Beachy, SP Atlanta Braves (46% owned in Yahoo, 74.6% ESPN)

Current Stat Line: 1 W / 1 L / 2.98 ERA / 45 K / 0.97 WHIP

Beachy is still flying under the radar and I’m not sure why. He doesn’t have overpowering stuff (91.6 average fastball) but he has been striking batters out at an impressive rate (9.57 K/9) and he is a control freak (2.34 BB/9). I would like to see him induce more ground balls (30.5) and a few more fly balls could have left the park (7.7 HR/FB rate) but, this kid is for real.

My Projection: 10 W / 8 L / 3.45 ERA / 149 K / 1.20 WHIP

Vicente Padilla, SP/RP Los Angeles Dodgers (28% owned in Yahoo, 36.7% ESPN)

Current Stat Line: 0 W / 0 L / 1.50 ERA / 5 K / 0.83 WHIP /  1 S

Vicente Padilla has been named the closer for the Los Angeles Dodgers while Jonathan Broxton is out. In many leagues, all closers should be owned. In leagues that require two or more starting pitchers daily, he is very useful because you can plug him in a SP slot when your thin. I have been known for chasing down the relief pitchers with SP eligibility who may get an opportunity to pick up saves. In the past four years I have owned Koji Uehara, Franklin Morales, Joel Hanrahan, and Kevin Gregg. Don’t be afraid to cut bait when Kuo or Broxton get back into the mix though.                                        

My Projection: 2 W / 2 L / 2.69 ERA / 55 K / 1.12 WHIP / 12 S

Killin’ the Odds & the Regular Season

Welcome back 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.

Killin’ the Odds & the Regular Season

Welcome back 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.

Killin’ the Odds & the Regular Season

Welcome back 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 (4/26/11)

  

San Francisco Giants -1.5 (+115) @ Pittsburgh Pirates +1.5 (-135) My Pick: Pirates Run Line

Anytime you see a home team underdog with a run line of +1.5 at -140 or better, you should take a closer look. The Giants are 13th in the National League in runs and Matt Cain has started the year slowly. Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker have put together a few solid games at the plate. I also think a change of scenery will do Brandon Wood some good. Either way, I think this game will remain close.

 

Seattle Mariners (-119) @ Detroit Tigers (+109) My Pick: Mariners Money Line

It’s hard to argue against Felix Hernandez but it’s even harder to argue against Felix Hernandez when he’s playing the Tigers. In his past 5 starts against the Tigers, King Felix is 4-0 with a 1.87 ERA and 39:5 K:BB in only 33.2 IP. The Tigers are not great versus right-handed starters because their lineup is mostly right-handed. The last time Phil Coke has pitched against the Mariners was exactly one week ago and he gave up  6 ER in only 3.2 IP. King Felix will have to go a long way in this one but he is due.

 

 Los Angeles Dodgers (-137) @ Florida Marlins (+127) My Pick: Dodgers Money Line

It’s no wonder why the Marlins are trotting around with a 14-7 record. Any lesser record would be a disappointment after facing teams like the Mets, Nationals, Astros, and Pirates. With Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers coming to town, it is time for them to come back to Earth. Kershaw’s last start in Sun Life Stadium was stellar with 7 innings of one-hit ball. Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp are still on a roll plus, Juan Uribe is expected back today. Volstad has given up 14 R in 15 IP this year. Hanley Ramirez is still slumping and Logan Morrison is still on the DL.

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2011 Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Gems: National League

Seth Smith, OF Colorado Rockies ( 22 % owned in Yahoo, 39.4% ESPN)

Current State Line: .310 AVG / 13 R / 2 HR / 11 RBI / 1 SB

Seth Smith is hitting 5th or 6th everyday for the Colorado Rockies. Hopefully he put his problems against lefties behind him. In the early going, he is 3 for 9 with 2 doubles versus southpaws (small sample size, I know). He has showed pop in the minors and he has also hit for a good average. Seth Smith has the potential to be a .300 hitter.

My Projection: .290 AVG / 80 R / 19 HR / 80 RBI / 5 SB

Juan Uribe, 2B/SS/3B Los Angeles Angels ( 47% owned in Yahoo, 32% ESPN)

Current State Line: .236 AVG / 6 R/ 2 HR /12 RBI / 0 SB

Just before Uribe tweaked a quad injury, he was heating up at the plate with a 6 game hit streak. During the streak he hit .435 AVG with 5 R, 2 HR and 9 RBI. He is listed as day-to-day but when he returns, he will continue to hit 5th in the Dodgers lineup behind Andre Either and Matt Kemp. Since west coast games start later, you can plug him into your lineup for a last minuet replacement and he’s eligible at 3 different positions.

My Projection: .250 AVG / 75 R /22 HR / 85 RBI /0 SB

Brett Wallace, 1B Houston Astros ( 7% owned in Yahoo)

Current Stat Line: .324 AVG /14 R /1 HR /7 RBI /0 SB

In deeper leagues Brett Wallace would make a great speculative add. He has always produced in the minors even though he has bounced from organization to organization. Wallace currently has a modest 5 game hitting streak with 4 multi-hit games during the streak. If he continues to produce, I could see him moving from the 5th spot in the lineup to cleanup. His power hasn’t transferred over to the big league level yet but 15-20 HR is possible.

My Projection: .270 AVG / 80 R /18 HR / 85 RBI / 1 SB

Cameron Maybin, OF San Diego Padres ( 18% owned in Yahoo, 24.6% ESPN)

Current Stat Line:.260 AVG / 10 R / 3 HR / 5 RBI / 6 SB

Cameron Maybin is the best option for the Padres at leadoff and he may even be the team’s best offensive player. Unfortunately, Jason Bartlett and Will Venable have had starts at leadoff also. This offense is too bad to roster Maybin if he is going to hit in the lower half of the lineup but he makes a good speculative add in deeper leagues because the potential is there.

My Projection: .270 AVG / 65 R / 9 HR / 55 RBI / 27 SB 

Mitchell Boggs, RP St. Louis Cardinals ( 50% owned in Yahoo, 66.5% ESPN)

Current Stat Line: 0 W / 0 L / 1.59 ERA / 13 K / 0.71 WHIP / 2 S

Mitchell Boggs has been awarded the closer job in St. Louis last week and he is still only 50% owned in Yahoo. Boggs currently has a K:BB ratio of 13:3 in the young season so grab him while he’s hot.

Killin’ the Odds & the Regular Season

Welcome back 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.