What's the Buzz? 9/17/06
Big buzz out of Detroit today as we've gotten conflicting reports on the condition of 2B Placido Polanco. While Polanco himself said that he was done for the year, and possibly spring training 2007, Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski said that he received a cortisone shot and was on schedule for BP on Monday. Obviously you have to go with the player here. If he says he's done, then he's not pushing himself in rehab enough to get back early from an injury. It just looks like Dombrowski is circling the wagons, trying not to give his potential first round playoff opponents too much information. Yeah, Polanco off the bench is what other managers are thinking about. Could be a moot point. If the Tigers continue to play as poorly as they have, they might not even have a first round playoff opponent. And what a collapse that would be. Of course, the White Sox don't seem to want to even make this interesting.
In other news...
Padres reliever Cla Meredith had his scoreless inning streak stopped at 34 today by a Russell Martin home run. He had gone 28 straight appearances without allowing a run and currently sits with a 0.83 ERA, a 0.690 WHIP with 29 K's. Do you think the Red Sox are regretting their move now? Meredith was the pitcher sent to the Pods in the Doug Mirabelli re-trade. Doh!!
Speaking of the Sox, congrats to OF David Murphy who hit his first career big league homer today. Always nice to see them trot the bases for the first time.....they always go so fast. they're so excited. Can't blame him though. Maybe he'll make a decent September call up next year, but he's not going to be on the roster come next April.
Let's take a look at the day to day list here: Stephen Drew (groin), Rod Barajas (back), Paul Konerko (back), Alex Rios (hand), Ichiro Suzuki (leg), Kevin Youkilis (shoulder), Ray Durham (knee), Royce Clayton (bone bruise), David Eckstein (ribs), Mariano Rivera (elbow), and Damion Easley (wrist).
Worried if your pitcher's gonna start this week? Here's a few that are throwing sessions and are expected to pitch this week: Safe to start -- Andy Pettitte (elbow), David Wells (ankle), Rich Harden (elbow), Anthony Reyes (tired arm). Best to avoid -- Rodrigo Lopez (bicep tightness), Josh Johnson (will miss start due to forearm stiffness).
Pitchers that are done for the year? The guys who won't be helping you out include Eric Milton, Chad Orvella, Scott Kazmir (it's not official, but we know it's coming), Mike Pelfrey (another high probability), and Kason Gabbard (also not official but highly probable).
Hey, how about September Sleeper Scott Baker today? He pitched great against the Indians, going 6 innings and only allowing 1 earned run. With Francisco Liriano's injury and today's quality start, he just might have bought another start this week against Baltimore. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about keeping him in my active lineup this week, but c'mon....it's Baltimore. I say go ahead....but maybe that's just fantasy pride talking. Start him at your own risk, but I'm gonna take one more shot with him.
Special sorry to Derek Jeter whose 25 game hit streak came to an end tonight after going 0-4 in the second game of the doubleheader against the Red Sox. Perhaps David Ortiz will use tonight's performance against Jeter as he continues to campaign for himself for the AL MVP.
Ryan Howard -- 57 HR on the year and with 13 games left to play the Phillies are within 1 game of the wild card. Everyone say it together...MVP!!! MVP!!!
Dan Uggla -- 26 HR and 89 RBI Let's get another chant going...R.O.Y!!! R.O.Y.!!!
And finally, let's give it up for the Big Hurt!! A little revenge for Frank Thomas, I suppose, as he led the charge for the A's to seep the White Sox in the 3 game series. He smacked his 38th of the season (his 10th in the month) tonight after providing 4 RBI the night before. Lots of bad blood between the Sox organization and Thomas -- Thomas playing the nice guy, loyal to the team, innocent victim and the Sox are portraying him as Stan Ross. Either way...love him or hate him...the Big Hurt is having a spectacular year.
Catch you next time...
In other news...
Padres reliever Cla Meredith had his scoreless inning streak stopped at 34 today by a Russell Martin home run. He had gone 28 straight appearances without allowing a run and currently sits with a 0.83 ERA, a 0.690 WHIP with 29 K's. Do you think the Red Sox are regretting their move now? Meredith was the pitcher sent to the Pods in the Doug Mirabelli re-trade. Doh!!
Speaking of the Sox, congrats to OF David Murphy who hit his first career big league homer today. Always nice to see them trot the bases for the first time.....they always go so fast. they're so excited. Can't blame him though. Maybe he'll make a decent September call up next year, but he's not going to be on the roster come next April.
Let's take a look at the day to day list here: Stephen Drew (groin), Rod Barajas (back), Paul Konerko (back), Alex Rios (hand), Ichiro Suzuki (leg), Kevin Youkilis (shoulder), Ray Durham (knee), Royce Clayton (bone bruise), David Eckstein (ribs), Mariano Rivera (elbow), and Damion Easley (wrist).
Worried if your pitcher's gonna start this week? Here's a few that are throwing sessions and are expected to pitch this week: Safe to start -- Andy Pettitte (elbow), David Wells (ankle), Rich Harden (elbow), Anthony Reyes (tired arm). Best to avoid -- Rodrigo Lopez (bicep tightness), Josh Johnson (will miss start due to forearm stiffness).
Pitchers that are done for the year? The guys who won't be helping you out include Eric Milton, Chad Orvella, Scott Kazmir (it's not official, but we know it's coming), Mike Pelfrey (another high probability), and Kason Gabbard (also not official but highly probable).
Hey, how about September Sleeper Scott Baker today? He pitched great against the Indians, going 6 innings and only allowing 1 earned run. With Francisco Liriano's injury and today's quality start, he just might have bought another start this week against Baltimore. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about keeping him in my active lineup this week, but c'mon....it's Baltimore. I say go ahead....but maybe that's just fantasy pride talking. Start him at your own risk, but I'm gonna take one more shot with him.
Special sorry to Derek Jeter whose 25 game hit streak came to an end tonight after going 0-4 in the second game of the doubleheader against the Red Sox. Perhaps David Ortiz will use tonight's performance against Jeter as he continues to campaign for himself for the AL MVP.
Ryan Howard -- 57 HR on the year and with 13 games left to play the Phillies are within 1 game of the wild card. Everyone say it together...MVP!!! MVP!!!
Dan Uggla -- 26 HR and 89 RBI Let's get another chant going...R.O.Y!!! R.O.Y.!!!
And finally, let's give it up for the Big Hurt!! A little revenge for Frank Thomas, I suppose, as he led the charge for the A's to seep the White Sox in the 3 game series. He smacked his 38th of the season (his 10th in the month) tonight after providing 4 RBI the night before. Lots of bad blood between the Sox organization and Thomas -- Thomas playing the nice guy, loyal to the team, innocent victim and the Sox are portraying him as Stan Ross. Either way...love him or hate him...the Big Hurt is having a spectacular year.
Catch you next time...
posted by Howard Bender at
10:46 PM
