Reid Ryan, son of Nolan, is new Astros prez - Bud Norris | HOU

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports the Reid Ryan will be named the new president of the Houston Astros.

Bud Norris: Lingering Back Spasms

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Bud Norris: Norris was still "pretty sore" Tuesday, a day after leaving his start with lower back spasms. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Bud Norris exits outing with back spasms - Bud Norris | HOU

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Bud Norris left Monday's start against the Tigers with back spasms.

Bud Norris exits start with apparent injury - Bud Norris | HOU

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Bud Norris left Monday's start against the Tigers with an apparent injury.

Fantasy Baseball – FAAB Report, Wk.7

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

Another week, another series of injuries, another series of desperation moves on the waiver-wire. Well that’s not quite accurate, but the fact is that my fantasy baseball teams are struggling with injuries, just like many of yours. We’re all doing the best we can to piece together a competitive squad until health returns. Here are my moves in free agency Monday, May 13th.

TOUT WARS (15 team mixed): Let’s go through the DL’d guys first –

Closing Time: Juan Francisco making noise; Heath Bell saving games

Source: Roto Arcade by Andy Behrens

When Juan Francisco hits 'em, they generally stay hit. That dude leaves no doubt.

Francisco drilled an eighth-inning grand slam over the right field wall in Cincinnati on Wednesday, blowing open the game. The homer was his fifth of the season, in 79 plate appearances — and most of them have been launched.

Remember this thing, off the upper-deck facade in Miami? And

Norris grounds Angels as Astros prevail 3-1 - Bud Norris | HOU

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Bud Norris allowed one run in eight-plus innings as the Astros beat the Angels 3-1 on Wednesday.

Shuffle Up: The Tony Cingrani Problem

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

Alright, gamers, settle in and let's get to work. Of all the baseball shuffles, this is the one that really matters: the starting pitcher shuffle. The fickle men of the mound are sure to define our season, for good or for bad.

We're trying to gauge everyone's 5x5 value going forward - everything to this point is merely an audition. We're only playing for 2013 here, and we're assuming a mixed-league environment. Don't worry about what the prices mean in a vacuum - they're only tools to compare the players with one another. Players at the same price tag are considered even.

I'll add comments as the night goes along, and I reserve the right to make rank changes over that time frame. Your intelligent

Norris picks up third win as Astros trump M's - Bud Norris | HOU

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Bud Norris allowed one run over five innings as the Astros beat the Mariners 3-2 on Tuesday.

Fantasy Baseball: Two-Start Pitchers for Week 1

Source: Fake Teams by Alex Kantecki

Welcome back, baseball!

Each Sunday, I'll be ranking all of the two-starters and highlighting four or five guys I think can safely be used for both of their starts (unless noted otherwise). The first week is a little tougher because all of the two-starters are aces or No. 2's, which means most of this week's options are owned in the majority of leagues. Fortunately for us, Vance Worley and Bud Norris qualify as aces in the Year 2013.

On to the ranks...

Justin Verlander: Mon-@MIN (Worley), Sun-NYY (Sabathia)
Clayton Kershaw: Mon-SF

Empty Wallet: The All-Avoid Team, 2013

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

The good cops have had their say, the optimistic spins are already out there. Today I'm here to play bad cop, throw some red ink around. Let's get ready for the Anti-Value team, the names to avoid.

There's a sneaky industry secret when it comes to target and avoid lists; the second group generally gets the short end of the stick. It's common for many a fantasy pundit to

Bud Norris to start Opening Day for Astros - Bud Norris | HOU

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Bud Norris will start Opening Day against the Rangers.

Report: Cardinals interested Harrell, Norris - Lucas Harrell | HOU

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

MLB Network's Peter Gammons reports that the Cardinals are interested in trading for Lucas Harrell and Bud Norris.

K-BAD – 2013: Part III, BBGuys Team

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

The fellas over over at KFFL.com have a fantasy baseball league nicknamed K-BAD, for Baseball Analysis Draft, and for the 5th straight year I’m honored to have been asked to participate (the proceeding link takes you to an analysis by every participant on the league). In Part III of this three part review I’ll break down how my squad turned out.

C:

Norris available, drawing interest from teams - Bud Norris | HOU

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Bud Norris is available and drawing interest from other teams according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

Player Profile: Bud Norris

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

The Astros are awful. They won only 55 games, losing 107 times, as the worst team in baseball in 2012 (they won a mere 20 games on the road last season). They were outscored by 211 runs, also the worst mark in baseball. But things are looking up for 2013. They are moving to the AL. They have new uniforms. They… that’s about it. Given how embarrassing things were last

Jed Lowrie (SS-HOU)

Source: TG Fantasy Baseball

Astros agree to one-year deals with Lowrie, Norris. The Astros signed shortstop Jed Lowrie ($2.4 million) and starter Bud Norris ($3 million) to one-year deals, thus avoiding arbitration with both. Source: http://mlb.mlb.com

Liriano the Buc, and Three Starters on the Comeback Trail

Source: Fantasy Baseball 365

Francisco Liriano has reportedly agreed to a two-year contract worth $12.75 million with the Pirates according to Jon Heyman. In less publicized news, a trio of once exciting pitchers agreed to minor-league contracts. Jeremy Bonderman signed a deal with the Mariners, Scott Kazmir signed with the Indians, and Rich Harden inked a deal with the Twins. None of the three pitchers pitched in the majors last year.

Liriano is a maddeningly inconsistent pitcher that looks brilliant for stretches of time, and completely lost at other times.

Liriano the Buc and Three Starters on the Comeback Trail

Source: Fantasy Baseball 365

Francisco Liriano has reportedly agreed to a two-year contract worth $12.75 million with the Pirates according to Jon Heyman. In less publicized news, a trio of once exciting pitchers agreed to minor-league contracts. Jeremy Bonderman signed a deal with the Mariners, Scott Kazmir signed with the Indians, and Rich Harden inked a deal with the Twins. None of the three pitchers pitched in the majors last year.

Liriano is a maddeningly inconsistent pitcher that looks brilliant for stretches of time, and completely lost at other times.

Astros listening to offers for Bud Norris - Bud Norris | HOU

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports hears that teams are calling the Astros about the availability of Bud Norris, and they "are listening."

2013 Astros Projections: Norris, Harrell, Lyles

Source: Fantasy Baseball 365

Fantasy owners won't be looking at any of these pitchers early in 2013 drafts, but is there any hidden value here, or is staying away the best decision?

  Bud Norris - SP - HOU 2013 Age: 28 2013 Projection: 189 IP, 8 W, 4.09 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 183 K, 72 BB Notes: Huge potential due to consistently high strikeout rate, but needs better command and control to limit long-ball damage. has yet to stay healthy over a full season at the big league level.   Upside: 10 W, 3.55 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 200 K Downside: 4.95 ERA, 1.45 WHIP   Lucas Harrell - SP - HOU 2013 Age: 27 2013 Projection: 190 IP, 8 W, 4.32 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 133 SO, 71 BB Notes: Ground ball specialist, but projections are cloudy due to weak K/BB rates throughout his entire MiLB/MLB career.   Upside: See 2012 numbers Downside: 5+ ERA   Jordan Lyles - SP - HOU 2013 Age: 22 2013 Projection: 161 IP, 4.74 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 119 SO, 45 BB Notes: Still extremely young (22) and learning at the big-league level. Upside is in already excellent control and improved ground ball rate from '11 to '12, but 2013 is not likely his breakout season.   Upside: 10 W, 3.95 ERA, 1.30 WHIP Downside: See 2012 numbers

 

Your 2012 RCL Champions: Nobody’s Perfect

Source: Razzball by grey@razzball.com (Grey Albright)

Congratulations to the 2012 champions, RCL 40′s Rank Railheads. Co-managers Charley and JungleMike guided the Railheads to an incredible 119-point finish, missing out on perfection by a mere 3 stolen bases. While they had pretty much clinched their league title long ago, the overall title was up for grabs, and they continued to carefully make the moves necessary to stay ahead of the pack.

The Draft

I have included each player’s Razzball Player Rater rank [after the name]. The

10/2/2012: The Day the Offense Died

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

Don't feel too bad if your fantasy offense went into a 7-for-51 tailspin during Tuesday's play. Your arch rival might have fared even worse.

Make no mistake, the penultimate day of the baseball season turned into a Streaming Party. For whatever reason, offense took a complete holiday on Tuesday. Only one team, the Mariners of all clubs, scored six runs. A whopping 13 of the 15 games went under the posted total, and the other two games were pushes. Vegas projected we'd see 119.5 runs from the full slate — instead, we got 87. It felt like a backyard Wiffle Ball game, dominated by the bagel.

There were a few starting pitchers who bombed, but not too many. Captain Erratic Tommy Hanson allowed five earned

Shields Runs Into Orioles Lucksaw

Source: Razzball by grey@razzball.com (Grey Albright)

Yesterday, James Shields yields 15 Ks, 1 run, but a win ain’t won.  Murray Chass just bid a penny on the world’s smallest violin on eBay so he can play it just for Shields.  Murray had this to say, “When men were gristled, and ladies were more gristled, we had a name for yellow-bellies like James Shields.  That name was ‘Can’t do what needs to be done for a win.’  It may not have been the most succinct of names, but before Al Gore went and invented the Internet, we didn’t need succinct.  We needed appropriate.  Now you only have 140 characters to say something and it’s never appropriate!”  I’ll say this for Murray.  He sure has ornery in spades.  ”Now kids are playing spades on their

Stream Police: Can Jeremy Guthrie tame the Tigers?

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

Two more streaming days and then we're all done. Here's the Tuesday card. As always, consider everyone to be tentative and double check anything you can.

Bloc Party
Hisashi Iwakuma vs. LAA
Miguel Gonzalez at TB
Jeremy Guthrie vs. DET

Guthrie's run in Kansas City (3.18 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 16 walks, 53 strikeouts) has been too good to ignore, even with this matchup. And perhaps the Tigers will enter the game with little incentive. Guthrie does have to face Doug Fister, however; he's been very good, too.

Party Out of Bounds
Chris Carpenter vs. CIN
Barry Zito at LAD
Jacob Turner vs. NYM
Chris Capuano vs. SF
Bud Norris at CHC

The Capuano story has

Wednesday Was Don’t Take The Hump Day

Source: Razzball by grey@razzball.com (Grey Albright)

Did anyone pitch well yesterday?  Clayton Richard (3 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 10 baserunners, 2 Ks) went in Petco.  Hodgepadre, why do you let me down the last week of the season?  Do I not feed you after midnight like you ask?  Every time Martin Perez (2/3 IP, 5 ER) nodded for a sign from Napoli, Perez dispensed runs.  Carlos Villanueva, aka Chuck Newtown, got run out of town.  Kyle Kendrick (2 IP, 4 ER) confused me.  I always thought people turned back into a pumpkin at midnight Eastern Standard Time.  Justin Masterson (4 2/3 IP, 4 ER), well, he’s been kinda miserable all year.  You can tell from the bolded name, I wanna talk briefly about Martin Perez for 2013 fantasy baseball.  He looks rough around the edges,

Bud Norris goes seven-plus scoreless in win - Bud Norris | HOU

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Bud Norris fired 7 1/3 innings of scoreless ball Wednesday in the Astros' 2-0 victory over the Cardinals.

Stream Police: An evening with Miguel Gonzalez

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

The majority of the Wednesday card falls in the streaming range; we have 23 arms to consider. But that doesn't mean you really have that many viable options. Amino acid time, let's break it down.

And please remember the golden rule of September baseball: everyone on this list should be considered tentative. Scratches and changes can come down at any time.

Green Light
Kyle Kendrick vs. WAS — Two runs or less in seven of eight turns.
Bronson Arroyo vs. CIN — Ziggy changed speeds, played guitar.
Jeremy Guthrie at DET — Tricky spot, but 1.49/1.05 ratios last

The user’s guide to two-start pitchers, Week Last

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

I don't know that there's a best way to present the final 10 days of the regular season, but this is how we'll look at it.

In this post is a listing, and ranking, of every pitcher slated to work twice over the final 10 days of the season. It's as tentative as tentative can be. Some contending clubs will get ready for the post-season once a spot is secured (and maybe go easy on stars). Some non-contenders might shift into shutdown mode. We'll keep producing daily streaming pieces during the week, but if you need to plan for 10 days now, what's below is for you.

Hope you're in the finals, or fighting for a much-coveted roto title.

National League, Sept. 24-Oct. 3

Pitcher Ranks: No luck at all

Source: Sporting News Fantasy Source Baseball

Fangraphs ranks Cliff Lee as the ninth-most valuable pitcher in all of baseball this year, but he likely won't get many, if any, Cy Young award votes.

How can there be such a discrepancy? Well, you don't need to look any further than Lee's 6-7 record. It's remarkable, really, that any pitcher can make 27 starts and only have 13 decisions, but the fact that it's one of the best pitchers in baseball and it's a losing record make it all the more strange.

Hopefully, fantasy owners know that there's much more to Lee than his lack

Norris (flu) starting Thursday against Cards - Bud Norris | HOU

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Bud Norris (flu) is starting Thursday in St. Louis.

Stream Police: Jeremy Guthrie, stealth righty

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

The Thursday slate should be a rich and entertaining one. Thirteen games are on the docket, with a 12-hour spread in starting times. Something for everybody.

Easy Street
Phil Hughes vs. TOR
Wandy Rodriguez vs. MIL
Anibal Sanchez vs. OAK

Rodriguez and Sanchez are long gone in most formats, but it's possible their resurgences were ignored in your pool. Every league is different. Hughes had his turn pushed back a day after Tuesday's rainout.

Fascination Street
Jaime Garcia vs. HOU

Bud Norris (blister) won't start Friday - Bud Norris | HOU

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Bud Norris will not start Friday against the Phillies due to a blister on his right middle finger.

Kenley’s Heart Being Questioned, Josh Beckett Knows How He Feels

Source: Razzball by grey@razzball.com (Grey Albright)

It didn’t take long for Josh Beckett to cause people to question the heart of the Dodgers staff.  And they didn’t even have to send them a Valentine.  Look, we wouldn’t wish a heart issue on anyone but of all the Dodger closers over the years, why Kenley Jansen?  Why not Steve Howe?  He was a coke fiend.  Or Eric Gagne?  He was a steroid/HGH fiend.  Or Jonathon Broxton.  He looks like he was on the Josh Beckett diet every day of the week.  This is the same condition that sent Kenley to the DL last year and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the same this year.  It’s not really something to mess with (or joke about, except in certain instances, apparently.  Don’t worry, I won’t joke about

Fantasy Baseball 2012: 2-Start Pitchers Log for Aug. 27-Sept. 2

Source: Bleacher Report MLB

For head-to-head league owners looking to squeeze out another six to nine strikeouts or one more win per week with unassuming free agents like Vance Worley, Luis Mendoza, Tommy Milone or Arizona rookie Tyler Skaggs...this list might have a purpose.

For a top-10 ranking of this week's biggest two-start stars, click here.

David Price, Rays Justin Verlander, Tigers Felix Hernandez, Mariners Chris Sale, White Sox Matt Cain, Giants Yovani

The user’s guide to two-start pitchers, Week 21

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

We've replaced Andy's usual fine content here with Folger's Crystals. Let's see what the patrons say.

National League

Cookie Monster
Matt Cain -- at HOU, vs. CHC
Stephen Strasburg -- at MIA, vs. STL
Wade Miley -- vs. CIN, vs. LAD

It's going to be a fun Rookie of the Year chase between Miley and Todd Frazier, unless Dusty Baker pulls the plug on his candidate.

The Amazing Mumford
Paul Maholm -- at SD, vs. PHI
Yovani Gallardo -- at CHC, vs PIT
Kyle Lohse -- at PIT, at WAS
Bronson Arroyo -- at ARI, at HOU

FS Lineup Card: Aug. 26-Sept. 1

Source: Sporting News Fantasy Source Baseball

Here's a look at what to expect from the Fantasy Source this week:

Sunday, Aug. 26: First Pitch. Fantasy Source subscribers should be sure to check out First Pitch every weekday morning by 9 a.m. ET and every Saturday and Sunday by 10 a.m. ET. You'll get a look back at the most notable performances from the day before in our 3 Up, 3 Down section, then a look ahead to the upcoming day with splits to exploit, weather watch and a ranking of every SP. Make First Pitch part of your daily fantasy baseball routine.

Monday, Aug. 27:

Shuffle Up: The riddle of Zack Greinke

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

I'm not trying to slander every pitcher from Angels history, it just seems that way. I'll try to tackle Frank Tanana, Mike Witt and Chris Knapp before the New Year.

You should know the Shuffle Up rules by now. We're talking 5x5 roto value for the rest of the season. This isn't a keeper-league list, and it's not an A-to-Z ranking of what they've already done. I'll add comments as the day goes along, maybe tweak a ranking here and there.

Your respectful disagreement is always welcome, just make sure you defend your argument. It's good that you disagree; that's why we have a game. Just make sure you'd adding to the discussion when you comment; respect the room, gamer. And remember the golden rule: a player doesn't add

F-Herfection

Source: Razzball by grey@razzball.com (Grey Albright)

Felix Hernandez joined Philip Humber and Matt Cain in the Perfect Game club this year, shutting down the Rays in Seattle yesterday.  If only it was against the Yankees and Ichiro (hitting 9th) was the last hitter and Ichiro bunted.  Oh, the Internet drama!  Or is it a total dramacracy?  What are the kids saying nowadays?  For a while King Felix looked out of shape.  Oh, uneasy lies the head that wears a crown made from Snickers wrappers.  But he checked his Ho Hos at the door and, after a 2011 year where a higher BABIP led to a rise in ratios (3.47/1.22), F-Her is back down to 2010 levels (2.60/1.06) and a not that shabby 11 wins, considering

Bud Norris diagnosed with left foot contusion - Bud Norris | HOU

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Bud Norris was diagnosed with a left foot contusion.

Two-Start SPs: July 30-Aug. 5

Source: Sporting News Fantasy Source Baseball

Below is a breakdown of next week's projected two-start pitchers divided into four groups: useable SPs with a pair of decent matchups; guys you can use for one of their two projected starts (favorable starts bolded); bottom feeders to avoid; and must-start aces. An asterisk indicates a pitcher's two-start status is in question.

DOUBLE PLAY: Edinson Volquez (@Cin, NYM); Matt Harvey (@SF, @SD); Max Scherzer (@Bos, Cle); Tommy Milone (TB, Tor); Aaron Harang (Ari, ChC); Trevor Cahill (@LAD, @Phi); Tommy Hanson (Mia, Hou); Homer Bailey (SD, Pit).

Analysis:Volquez has been so good lately that his homecoming in Cincinnati isn't the scary start it used to be. ... Daily leaguers can take

The user’s guide to two-start pitchers, Week 17

Source: Roto Arcade by Andy Behrens

Yup, that's right, it's another Homer Bailey fire drill. He's been hyped, de-hyped, post-hyped and un-hyped again. Bailey has really put together a terrific month — July stats: 4-0, 37.2 IP, 34 Ks, 8 BB, 1.43 ERA, 1.04 WHIP — his upcoming starts aren't too threatening (Pads and Bucs), and he's still available in 56 percent of Yahoo! leagues. Add as needed.

I've got Homer starting in a couple leagues this week and Mike Leake double-dipping in NL-only, so the Reds can do a great deal of harm to my fantasy portfolio in a short period of time. Or they can help. Feel free to head to the comments section to talk me out of this ridiculous multi-league commitment to Cincinnati. Before you do, please visit the Week 17 ranks

2012 Fantasy Baseball Two Start Pitchers, Week 18

Source: Razzball by grey@razzball.com (Grey Albright)

This week could end up being a jumbled up mess with the trade deadline, so that is my fair warning salvo.  With only a handful of weeks remaining, it is getting to be put up or shut up — or fantasy football prep.  I mean, as fun as the drafting is, isn’t it better to finish what you started way back in March.  I know the trade deadline may or may not throw monkey wrenches into real life baseball, but we play fake baseball with mythical stallions and our sword is a mouse.  I mean, what’s more intimidating than having the ability to right click somebody, I know I just shivered. This time of year is my favorite because it starts to become an all out battle for waiver wire adds and strategy of when to drop.  It’s an individual

Creeper of the Week: Todd Frazier

Source: Razzball by grey@razzball.com (Grey Albright)

This week’s subject was mentioned in Grey’s buy/sell column, and while I typically try to avoid doubling up on a Grey recommendation for my Creeper post, Grey only gave him a two sentence blurb. Consider the following several paragraphs positive reinforcement, a reminder, or an admonition. Let’s get to it!

If the title of the post or the clues in my intro didn’t tip you off, Week 17′s Creeper is Todd Frazier. The 3B is filling in as the every day 1B with Votto on the DL, and he’s available in 95% of ESPN leagues and 92% of Yahoo leagues. Frazier and the Reds open the week with a 3-game set against the Astros in Minute Maid Park, a pretty generous HR park for right-handed hitters. StatCorner gives

Fantasy Baseball 2012: Emergency Waiver-Wire Pitcher for July 20

Source: Bleacher Report MLB

Mixed-league roto owners, are you in need of a waiver-wire pitcher before Friday's slate of games?

Here's my free-agent choice (from the majority of 12-team leagues) for one day of fantasy stardom:

 

Vance Worley, Philadelphia Phillies (vs. Giants)

Of his last nine starts, Vance Worley (5-5, 3.47 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 76/32 K-BB) has allowed three runs or less eight times. In that span, Worley has yielded two or less walks seven times. In 15 outings this season, Worley has surrendered three or less runs 12 times, while collecting five or more strikeouts 10 times. Worley boasts strong marks in his 23 career home appearances: 9-4, 2.93 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 108/46 K-BB.  In two

Braves Chop Nationals, Fantasy Gold Spills Out

Source: Razzball by grey@razzball.com (Grey Albright)

Sometimes there’s a game with so much fantasy goodness, a game with so many notable nights for so many fantasy-relevant stars, that it’s almost overwhelming to choose which players to single out. Last night, the Braves came back from 9 runs down to complete their biggest comeback since 1987 and pull within 2 1/2 of the first place Nats, winning the game 11-10. This was a wild one, folks, I don’t know where to start. I know what you’re thinking, “Enough about the game man, how did it help my team!?” Calm down, my overzealous friend. Did I ever tell you about the time the Atlanta Braves overcome a 9-0 deficit? Ahem. Well, the “Birthday Boy” Stephen Strasburg pitched 5.1 innings and gave up 4 ER, striking

Fantasy Baseball 2012: Emergency Waiver-Wire Pitcher for July 20

Source: Bleacher Report MLB

Mixed-league roto owners, are you in need of a waiver-wire pitcher before Friday's slate of games?

Here's my free-agent choice (from the majority of 12-team leagues) for one day of fantasy stardom:

 

Vance Worley, Philadelphia Phillies (vs. Giants)

Of his last nine starts, Vance Worley (5-5, 3.47 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 76/32 K-BB) has allowed three runs or less eight times. In that span, Worley has yielded two or less walks seven times. In 15 outings this season, Worley has surrendered three or less runs 12 times, while collecting five or more strikeouts 10 times. Worley boasts strong marks in his 23 career home appearances: 9-4, 2.93 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 108/46 K-BB.  In two

The Dread Pirate Is A Swashbuckling Mofo

Source: Razzball by grey@razzball.com (Grey Albright)

Andrew McCutchen went 3-for-4 with his 21st homer yesterday, and now has five homers in his last 4 games. On the year, he’s batting .371. For s’s and g’s, I went back to look at April comments about McCutchen when he had zero homers and only 7 RBIs through the first month. Y’all are ridiculously fickle. Or refickulous, if portmanteaus do it for you. BTW, if anyone out there wants to open a store selling pickles, I’d go with the name, That’s Repickulous! Gotta have the exclamation mark, too. Some of those comments from April go like this, “I don’t understand this site’s man crush on Andrew McCutchen. He’s not worth where you ranked him, and this comment is written by a man who actually

Creeper of the Week: Stephen Drew

Source: Razzball by grey@razzball.com (Grey Albright)

Quick recap of last week’s Creeper:

When I wrote last week’s post, the Red Sox hadn’t yet set their rotation, leaving some of Adam Lind‘s value for this week up in the air. That’s now changed, and Boston’s throwing Clay Buchholz, Josh Beckett, and Aaron Cook against the Jays. Buchholz was pretty solid in June, posting 25 K and a 2.40/1.00 ERA/WHIP in 30 innings, but has allowed 9 HR to lefties in 51 IP for the season, and lefties have slugged their way to a .907 OPS against him. Beckett’s got a near even platoon split (career 3.65 xFIP v L, 3.58 v R), but has a lifetime HR allowed of 1.05 per 9 IP to lefties. Cook is an extreme pitch-to-contact groundball artist, never striking out more than 4.45

The Dread Pirate Is One Swashbuckling Mofo

Source: Razzball by grey@razzball.com (Grey Albright)

Andrew McCutchen went 3-for-4 with his 21st homer yesterday, and now has five homers in his last 4 games.  On the year, he’s batting .371.  For s’s and g’s, I went back to look at April comments about McCutchen when he had zero homers and only 7 RBIs through the first month.  Y’all are ridiculously fickle.  Or refickulous, if portmanteaus do it for you.  BTW, if anyone out there wants to open a store selling pickles, I’d go with the name, That’s Repickulous!  Gotta have the exclamation mark, too.  Some of those comments from April go like this, “I don’t understand this site’s man crush on Andrew McCutchen.  He’s not worth where you ranked him, and this comment is written by a man who