Day 89

Notes from yesterday:

Phillies rookie speedster garnered six more ABs in yesterday's double-header loss to the Mets. Whether he is being showcased for a trade or has displaced the awful Pat Burrell is not important. What is is the cheap SBs he will provide.

Oh yeah. He stole two bases yesterday and is now 13-13. If Shane Victorino can be turned into a speed demon by Davy Lopes, I shudder to think what a real speedster can do.

Day 88

Notes from yesterday:

Despite the dreaded "vote of confidence" from his manager and GM, Todd Jones successfully closed out yesterday's win.

*

With the All-Star Break less than two weeks away, do not be surprised to see players go on the DL now or have their stays on the DL extended through the break a la Curt Schilling.

Day 87

Notes from yesterday:

Jack Cust hit is 13th HR yesterday. With the adjustment to the pitcher's adjustment, there is reason to believe he has become a legitmate major league hitter.

*

There is something going on in the Giants' bullpen. Closer Brad Hennessey was ineffective in the 8th inning and was replaced by Vinny Chulk for the 9th inning. Will it be Chulk? Randy Messenger? Kevin Correia? AAA closer Brian Wilson?

Day 86

Notes from yesterday:

Alex Cora is going to get more time at SS in hopes he does for Lugo what he did for Pedroia - turn him into a .300 hitter.

*

Who's that Gonzalez guy playing OF for the White Sox?

Day 85

Notes from yesterday:

The Rangers back-up catcher Adam Melhuse is now 8-18 since being dealt from the A's. In AL-only leagues with two catchers, he is a great option at the second catcher spot.

*

I pick-on the Rangers line-up. Check out the White Sox one. In particular the outfield.

S. Podsednik lf
A. Gonzalez rf
J. Thome dh
P. Konerko 1b
T. Iguchi 2b
J. Fields 3b
L. Terrero cf
J. Uribe ss
T. Hall c

Day 84

Notes from yesterday:

Royals 3B Alex Gordon stole his 9th base yesterday and has his AVG up to 234. Is it possible to be a post-hype sleeper three months into you career?

*

Am I crazy to think Corey Hart is going to have a Grady Sizemore season circa 2006?

Day 83

Notes from yesterday:

Matt Kemp walked twice yesterday. As I have said previously, I'd like to see some more HRs, but walks will keep Kemp in the line-up and on the base paths where he can swipe a base or two.

Day 83

Notes from yesterday:

Matt Cain did not strike out any Yankees in his five inning effort yesterday but walked four.

*

The Elijah Dukes Saga appears over for now. Hopefully, he doesn't assault/kill anyone.

*

Rich Harden struck out two in his first inning of major league rehab. I hope more teams begin to do this.

Day 82

Notes from yesterday:

Pirates rookie John Van Benschoten pitched a decent major league game. With the struggles of Zach Duke and Pat Maholm, the Pirates had better be thinking of dealing a one of their controllable starting pitchers for a hitter with the ability to draw walks.

*

Matt Kemp had another good game. He started off with such a bang last season, that the discontinuation of that power has knocked the shine from him. However, he seems to be a better player now regardless.

Day 81

Notes from yesterday:

Terry Evans homered for the Angels. As Willits was a player to watch last season, the same applies to Evans this year. With an opportunity, he will be an excellent fantasy hitter. That opportunity may not be this season, though.

*

Jeff Weaver pitched a shutout yesterday. With him available in all leagues, I have do ask, "Do you feel lucky today? Do you, punk?"

Day 80

Notes from yesterday:

Angels' starter John Lackey is dealing with throwing shoulder soreness and may be pushed back. This would end his CY young contention.

*

Bartolo Colon threw another stinker. Given he is a free agent aftert this season, who has more to lose if Colon is shut down?

Day 79

Notes from yesterday:

Cory Hart hit his 8th HR. For a while this seasopn, he looked like a sleeper loser. Now he is on pace for the 20/20 I hoped for.

*

John Lackey's 5th inning implosion against the sudden offensive resurgence of the Astros Has him falling back in the CY Young race.

*

Speaking of the Astros, is it coincidence the team scoring has picked-up following the removal of Adam Everett from the line-up?

Day 78

Notes from yesterday:

Matt Kemp had another good day going 1-3 with a SB. I wonder about the power, but he looks like an everyday player now. Grab him.

*

Gary Mathews Jr is sure earning that $50MM with his 10th HR and 11th SB of the season yesterday.

Day 77

Notes from yesterday:

Jose Reyes has stolen five bases this weekend and reports feeling really good. Does this mean he is ready to be the player everyone thought he'd be when he was drafted in the Top 5? Realy, that means starting to hit HRs.

*

Happy Father's Day.

Day 76

Notes from yesterday:

The Padres recalled top prospect, 3B Chase Headley. He fit right in with the current crop of Padres by going 0-3.

*

Danny Haren won his 8th game. He has to be in the AL Cy Young discussion. I still believe Ws will determine the winner.

*

By going 2-4, rookie 3B Alex Gordon spent the second day of his major league careeer over .200. He may never ride the interstate again!

Day 75

Notes from yesterday:

Homer Bailey was on the hook for the W despite striking out one batter in six innings. Jerr Narron ran him out in the 7th to walk the first two batters. The bullpen proceed to implode. I'd like to see many more Ks before believing for 2007.

*

If Zach Greinke is the main set-up man, why doesn't he pitch in the 8th inning?

Day 74

Notes from yesterday:

The Angels' John Lackey continues his march towards the 2007 CY Young with his 10th victory. Given his low 2.00s ERA, there is little to argue against those 10 Ws.

*

Don't look now, but the Rangers currently lead the race towards next year's #1 pick. Scott Boras couldn't be happier. He may get a record contract if he gets to deal with Rangers' owner Tom Hicks.

Day 73

Notes from yesterday:

The Padres lost again - as one would expect a team with an AVg under .250 to do. Acquiring Adam Dunn would help the power but doing nothing about getting hits.

*

The Yankees won for the seventh time in a row to climb back to a .500 record. Buying low time is close to ending.

Day 72

Notes from yesterday:

The Giants' Matt Morris pitched his 3rd complete game last night. He wasn't mowing down batters, so I am curious why Bruce Bochy didn't go to his closer, Brad Hennessey, in the 9th.

*

Whatever was said about Dan Ortmeier as a 4th OF in San Francisco, now applies to Nate Schierholtz.

Day 71

Over the weekend, the Dodgers recalled top prospects Matt Kemp and James Loney. Both appear to be in situations to struggle for ABs - Kemp in the OF and Loney at 1B.

*

C Adam Melhuse was dealt to the Rangers. In AL-only leagues with two catchers, he becomes a viable #2. Sad but true.

Day 70

Notes from yesterday:

Arizona's Mark Reynolds is down to .321. The mainstream media may not have noticed the big drop in production due to the current AVG, but you should. He is 4-31 in the month of June.

*

With Mark Teixeira going on the DL, the Rangers officially have a last place offense.

Lofton CF
Byrd RF
Young SS
Sosa DH
Catalonotto/Wilkerson 1B
Kinsler 2B
Diaz LF
Vazquez/Hairston 3B
Laird C

Day 69

Notes from yesterday:

Brewers rookie Ryan Braun continues to bat third and excel. His strikeouts and walks, though, bring into question how long that will continue. 16 Ks in 52 ABs and just 3 BBs?

*

Victor Diaz struck out four times last night bringing his total to 26 in 76 ABs. Selling high is the wise thing to do. Buying high isn't.

Day 68

Notes from yesterday:

The closer news of the day was the possibility of Brad Lidge returning to the closer's role. Dan Wheeler preceded to fuel that fire by blowing a three run lead.

*

Rajai Davis got his first hit yesterday and is 1-9 in three consecutive starts. Unimpressive but he has drawn a walk in each of those starts for a Pirates-impressive .333 OBP.

*

Dodgers reliever Chad Billingsley had taken quite well to the bullpen. With three Ks yesterday, he now has 39 in 32 innings of work with a 1.25 WHIP.

Day 67

Notes from yesterday:

Pirates rookie Rajai Davis stole his first base of the season. He's started two games in a row in centerfield. If he gets regular ABs, he is going to steal 15+.

*

The Royals recalled Joey Gathwright, who preceded to steal a base in his first game. As with Davis, he should be expected to steal a significant numbers of bags with regular playing time.

Day 66

Notes from yesterday:

Is this a play-off caliber outfield? Marlon Byrd, Jerry Hairston and Victor Diaz?

*

Phillies OF Michael Bourn stole his 8th base. With Aaron Rowand's free agency looming next off-season, Bourn is an excellent 2008 sleeper.

Day 65

Notes from yesterday:

The DeviL Rays' James "Don't Call Me Jamie" Shields threw another gem last night. Are the Cy Young rumblings going to start?

*

Alfonso Soriano went 5-5. Did I spell that right?

Day 64

Notes from yesterday:

Dodgers' closer Takashi Saito left the 9th inning with a hamstring tweak. To the extent this is minor and that it gives his shoulder additional rest, it is a good thing. The fact he has been sidelined with shoulder soreness and a hamstring issue within a week is not.

*

Maybe J.P Howell is the rookie Devil Rays' starter deserving of the hype and not Andy Sonnanstine? I am concerned that reports had his pitches coming in at the high 70s to low 80s.

Day 63

Notes from yesterday:

Mike Napoli hit his sixth HR for the Angels - and stole his 4th base! If you use just reltive values, he should be worth a decent starting pitcher or outfielder given the horrible catchign situation in the AL.

*

Magglio Ordonez looks like this year's version of Jermain Dye - a good hitter who has a career year.

*

Rookie JP Howell pitches for the Devil Rays today. With Fossum and Seo setting the bar so low (7.00 ERA), Howell should give the Rays a chance to win.

Day 62

Notes from yesterday:

Todd Jones pitched another poor game. It's as if he waited until Zumaya and Rodney were hurt to start beign Todd Jones.

*

The White Sox recalled OF Jerry Owens. He should be picked-up in all AL-Only leagues. Thinks Reggie Willits minus the OBP.

*

Rookie Kevin Slowey pitched a gem in his major league debut. I am curious to see how he does against his next opponent.

Day 61

Notes from yesterday:

Will Armando Benitez be given the closer's role in Florida? Early signs say no, but Fredi Gonzalez has been unpredictable so far.

*

Kevin Thompson is going to be recalled to replace Jason Giambi. In very deep Al-only leagues he's worth picking-up only because he's better than what is available i.e. back-up catchers.

*

Watch the San Francisco bullpen. Brad Hennessey is likely to get the first shot, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a top-down review of the bullpen where Sabean has more influence on the role than manager Bruce Bochy.