What's the Buzz? 9/3/06
Outstanding!! 2 players, 6 HR, 9 RBI and 6 runs scored. What a day for Ryan Howard and Albert Pujols. And all of this in just two games. Howard was actually in a doubleheader, but he did all his damage in the first game only. These two guys are just unbelievable machines. I could go on and on and on, but I'll spare you. I think they're both great...I like Howard a little better. But above all, the fans got some show today.
In the news...
Back to the bench for Chipper Jones as the Braves third baseman aggravated his oblique strain and has been declared out for the upcoming series against the Mets. We won't know if/when he'll be back this week, so if you have a worthy and healthier alternative, you might want to use him. Recently activated Willy Aybar will get the starts in his place.
Word out of Detroit is that SS Carlos Guillen could miss the entire upcoming week with the hamstring pull he suffered on Saturday. He's another one you probably should bench.
And since we're talking about benching guys for the week, let me just remind you that Cardinals OF Jim Edmonds will not be making the road trip this week, so he should also be benched. The trip is all week long so there's absolutely no chance he'll see any time for the upcoming scoring period.
Some other day to day guys you'll need to watch include: Angels' Garrett Anderson (hamstring) and Macier Izturis (quad), Reds closer Eddie Guardado (forearm), Jacque Jones (infected tear duct), Mike Lieberthal (back spasms), Armando Benitez (knee arthritis), Jeremy Hermida (ankle), and Gabe Gross (hamstring). None of them appear headed to the DL -- Guardado is actually just coming off -- but they could miss some time here or there this week.
Word out of Boston says that Manny Ramirez will be back this week. The Sox are in need of some serious juice here, so Ramirez and David Ortiz rejoining the team this week could be make or break for them at this point in the season. It appears safe to get both of them back in your lineups this week.
And it sounds like the cavalry is coming to back them up as the Red Sox activated Alex Cora, Jason Varitek and Trot Nixon today. If it wasn't for the lack of starting pitching in Boston, I'd say I almost feel sorry for the White Sox in the upcoming series. Get em all active folks!! It's gonna be a slugfest!
Do I really have to offer congrats to Blue Jays 1B Kevin Barker for hitting his first big league home run since 2000? 31 years old, career minor leaguer, zero fantasy value. Congrats, big guy!
Nothing official out of the Rockies organization, but it looks like they're leaning towards this whole middle infield overhaul as Kaz Matsui and Troy Tulowitzki seem to have supplanted Jamey Carroll and Clint Barmes respectively. Matsui is hitting .425 in 40 AB since his call up and Tulowitzki is a guy the organization has been pretty high on lately, especially with Barmes sitting in a season long slump. Both should have some decent value in NL only leagues throughout September.
All I can say for those who picked up Hayden Penn is "Ouch!!!" 8 earned runs in 2/3 of an inning. It won't be like that every time, but the Baltimore rookie is still a risky pick.
And speakin gof ouch, apparently Cubs catcher Michael Barrett will be out for two to three weeks now as he will have surgery to repair the bleeding in his scrotum. Remember that foul tip from yesterday? My legs are crossed just typing this. No jokes please. "Blood" and "scrotum" are two words that should never be in the same sentence. Never.
Hmmmmm. I know it seems like we've all forgotten about him, but Barry Bonds seems to be waking up a bit. He's hitting .500 with 5 dingers in his last 11 games, and with today's shot (#729) he sits just 26 behind Hank Aaron. At this point I'm sure his owners will take anything they can get.
Kevin Kouzmanoff = Travis Hafner? Probably not. But the kid did hit his second HR in as many games while playing in place of the Tribe's regular DH. It's good to see him up and hitting as he has always showed great promise. I wouldn't start betting the farm on him though. He'll probably go for more than he's really worth if he makes the bigs in 2007, but keep an eye on him anyway.
The revolving door of closers continues to spin, this time in Arizona where Jorge Julio has officially been removed after blowing another save on Saturday. Jose Valverde will step in and warrants waiver consideration if you're looking for bullpen help.
Also on the closer front, the Phillies welcomed back Tom Gordon today from the DL. He will immediately get his job back so expect some good save opportunities over the next month.
And finally, here's a little tidbit of info for you...did you know that with today's victory over the Brewers, the Marlins became the first team since the 1899 Louisville Colonels to return to .500 after falling 20 games below that line earlier in the season? Thank you to our friends at the Elias Sports Bureau.
Catch you next time...
In the news...
Back to the bench for Chipper Jones as the Braves third baseman aggravated his oblique strain and has been declared out for the upcoming series against the Mets. We won't know if/when he'll be back this week, so if you have a worthy and healthier alternative, you might want to use him. Recently activated Willy Aybar will get the starts in his place.
Word out of Detroit is that SS Carlos Guillen could miss the entire upcoming week with the hamstring pull he suffered on Saturday. He's another one you probably should bench.
And since we're talking about benching guys for the week, let me just remind you that Cardinals OF Jim Edmonds will not be making the road trip this week, so he should also be benched. The trip is all week long so there's absolutely no chance he'll see any time for the upcoming scoring period.
Some other day to day guys you'll need to watch include: Angels' Garrett Anderson (hamstring) and Macier Izturis (quad), Reds closer Eddie Guardado (forearm), Jacque Jones (infected tear duct), Mike Lieberthal (back spasms), Armando Benitez (knee arthritis), Jeremy Hermida (ankle), and Gabe Gross (hamstring). None of them appear headed to the DL -- Guardado is actually just coming off -- but they could miss some time here or there this week.
Word out of Boston says that Manny Ramirez will be back this week. The Sox are in need of some serious juice here, so Ramirez and David Ortiz rejoining the team this week could be make or break for them at this point in the season. It appears safe to get both of them back in your lineups this week.
And it sounds like the cavalry is coming to back them up as the Red Sox activated Alex Cora, Jason Varitek and Trot Nixon today. If it wasn't for the lack of starting pitching in Boston, I'd say I almost feel sorry for the White Sox in the upcoming series. Get em all active folks!! It's gonna be a slugfest!
Do I really have to offer congrats to Blue Jays 1B Kevin Barker for hitting his first big league home run since 2000? 31 years old, career minor leaguer, zero fantasy value. Congrats, big guy!
Nothing official out of the Rockies organization, but it looks like they're leaning towards this whole middle infield overhaul as Kaz Matsui and Troy Tulowitzki seem to have supplanted Jamey Carroll and Clint Barmes respectively. Matsui is hitting .425 in 40 AB since his call up and Tulowitzki is a guy the organization has been pretty high on lately, especially with Barmes sitting in a season long slump. Both should have some decent value in NL only leagues throughout September.
All I can say for those who picked up Hayden Penn is "Ouch!!!" 8 earned runs in 2/3 of an inning. It won't be like that every time, but the Baltimore rookie is still a risky pick.
And speakin gof ouch, apparently Cubs catcher Michael Barrett will be out for two to three weeks now as he will have surgery to repair the bleeding in his scrotum. Remember that foul tip from yesterday? My legs are crossed just typing this. No jokes please. "Blood" and "scrotum" are two words that should never be in the same sentence. Never.
Hmmmmm. I know it seems like we've all forgotten about him, but Barry Bonds seems to be waking up a bit. He's hitting .500 with 5 dingers in his last 11 games, and with today's shot (#729) he sits just 26 behind Hank Aaron. At this point I'm sure his owners will take anything they can get.
Kevin Kouzmanoff = Travis Hafner? Probably not. But the kid did hit his second HR in as many games while playing in place of the Tribe's regular DH. It's good to see him up and hitting as he has always showed great promise. I wouldn't start betting the farm on him though. He'll probably go for more than he's really worth if he makes the bigs in 2007, but keep an eye on him anyway.
The revolving door of closers continues to spin, this time in Arizona where Jorge Julio has officially been removed after blowing another save on Saturday. Jose Valverde will step in and warrants waiver consideration if you're looking for bullpen help.
Also on the closer front, the Phillies welcomed back Tom Gordon today from the DL. He will immediately get his job back so expect some good save opportunities over the next month.
And finally, here's a little tidbit of info for you...did you know that with today's victory over the Brewers, the Marlins became the first team since the 1899 Louisville Colonels to return to .500 after falling 20 games below that line earlier in the season? Thank you to our friends at the Elias Sports Bureau.
Catch you next time...
posted by Howard Bender at
10:48 PM
