World Series Favorites

July 29th, 2008 kNuke

After the Mark Teixeira trade to the Angels, I thought it’d be a good time to handicap the World Series favorites.

1. Boston Red Sox: They’ve been there before and they’ll be there again.  The Red Sox can do it all, run, hit, field, and pitch.  Beckett, Dice-K, Lester, and Papelbon to go along with Jacob, Dustin, Manny, Big Papi, and the Greek God of Walks; it don’t get much better than that. Maybe we should start calling Beantown, “Baseballtown USA?”
2. Chicago Cubs: Assuming Rich Harden stays healthy, the Cubs have two power pitchers and a power bullpen to go along with enough hitting and speed to make a serious run at the World Series title.
3. Anaheim Angels: A lot of people are picking the Angels to win it all, but I just don’t see it.  I like their bullpen, defense, and ability to win, but minus Lackey, I don’t think they have enough starting pitching to make it through the playoffs.  The addition of Teixeira will help mask their soft tossing starters, but he’s not enough.
4. Milwaukee Brewers: After the CC Sabathia trade, the Brew Crew looks prime for a long postseason run, but bullpen issues will stop any chance of a World Series berth.
5. Arizona Diamondbacks: The Diamondbacks are the dark horse in all of this. With Brandon Webb and Dan Haren, their young hitters will have opportunites to win games.  I wouldn’t be surprised if they get on a roll during the playoffs and slip into the World Series.
6. Tampa Bay Rays: I’d thrown down a pretty decent bet that the Rays won’t make the playoffs, but if they do, I’d love to see what Scott Kazmir and James Shields could do in a 7-game series.  They’re young, athletic, and have the “we shouldn’t be here” card to play.  They’d be a fun team to watch, but their chances are slim to none.

As it stands right now, I’d take the Red Sox and Diamondbacks in the World Series with the Red Sox drinking champagne in 6 games.

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2008 MLB All-Star Game

July 14th, 2008 kNuke

Isn’t it time we turn the All-Star Game back into an exhibition game?  I think it’s retarded that this game decides home-field advantage in the World Series!  Home-field advantage should go to the team with the best record; it’s a pretty simple formula.

Don’t get me wrong, the 2008 All-Star Game was great, unless your name was Dan Uggla, but it should only go 9 innings max.  If the game is tied after 9 innings, I got the solution.  Each team puts together its best 9 man lineup, trots a BP pitcher out there, and each batter in the lineup gets one out.  The team with the most HRs wins the game.  Now that would be a fun thing to watch!

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2008 State Farm Home Run Derby

July 13th, 2008 kNuke

If I were a betting man, I’d have to put my money on Josh Hamilton. The guy is built to hit HRs.

I’d take a flyer on Ryan Braun as well. I heard a rumor that Ichiro was asked to be in the contest.  If he were in the contest, I’d pick Ichiro to win it all; I would have loved to see him spray home runs around the park. 

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BBTN Take Me Out to the Ballgame: Battle of the Bands

June 29th, 2008 kNuke

As you all know, Baseball Tonight is my favorite show on ESPN, so I thought I’d post about a cool “American Idol” type contest they got going on the show.  It’s a Battle of the Bands, Take Me Out to the Ballgame style!  Check out the videos.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/notebook?page=bbtn/takemeout

I’m voting for Ozomatli.  I love it when a group throws their favorite team into the song.

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Injury Alert: Chien-Ming Wang

June 16th, 2008 kNuke

Chien-Ming Wang has an injury to his right foot and will be out for at least six weeks. 

The trade market should be heating up pretty soon and a great replacement would be Justin Verlander. 

If you’re looking on the waiver wire, look to see if Armando Galarraga, Randy Wolf, John Danks, or Jair Jurrjens is available.

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SN Update: 5/21/08

June 12th, 2008 kNuke

Pickups

1. Ryan Doumit: This is a few days late, but better late then never.  His value will increase for a few more days and he should produce as long as he’s healthy.  If you do pick him up, you better make sure to check his injury status on a minute-by-minute basis.
2. Gavin Floyd: His next matchup against the Colorado Rockies isn’t optimal, but his value should increase a little more and he’s only $1.08.
3. Ryan Ludwick: His price should rise for a few more days and he’s batting third now that Albert Pujols is out for 3 weeks.  Some people are worried that without Pujols, Ludwick will slip, but I think otherwise.  He’ll still have Rick Ankiel hitting behind him so he shoul be okay.

Possibility

1. JD Drew: His price is increasing, because the dude’s been en fuego since David Ortiz got injured, but we have to remember, this is JD Drew.
2. Edison Volquez: His price will increase for a few more days, but buyer beware, he’s pitching against the Boston Red Sox in his next start.
3. Ramon Vazquez: The guy is a good value at $1.13, but his price fluctuates like a woman’s mood so be watchful.

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Injury Alert: Victor Martinez

June 12th, 2008 kNuke

To update my last post, Victor Martinez will be out about 6 weeks with an injured elbow.  Like I said before, good luck finding a replacement on the waiver wire right now.  Your best bet could be Rod Barajas, but be aware that Gregg Zaun is coming back from injury and will take away some of his at-bats. 

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Injury Alerts

June 11th, 2008 kNuke

Albert Pujols is out for 3 weeks with a strained calf.  Get on the wire and see if Jorge Cantu is still available.  I doubt it, since the guy hit 2 bombs today.  If that’s the case, go ahead and pickup Ryan Garko or Ty Wigginton.  You’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Alfonso Soriano is out for 6 weeks plus with a fractured hand.  I wouldn’t count on Soriano being back to normal for at least 8 weeks.  Luke Scott or Lastings Milledge would be adequate fill-ins for a couple categories.

JJ Putz seemed to have injured himself today.  Pick up Brandon Morrow quickly!

Another day, another injury for Victor Martinez, who left today with an injured elbow.  There’s not much help on the waiver wire catcher wise.  Swapping guys out on a routine basis might be your best bet.

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2008 All-Asian Fantasy Team

May 31st, 2008 kNuke

Does anyone think they could win with an All-Asian Fantasy team?

• Catcher: Kurt Suzuki, Athletics
• First Base: Johnny Damon, Yankees (He’s played a few games at 1B)
• Second Base: Kazuo Matsui, Rockies
• Third Base: Akinori Iwamura, Rays
• Shortstop: Chin-Lung Hu, Dodgers
• Outfield: Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners
• Outfield: Hideki Matsui, Yankees
• Outfield: Shane Victorino, Phillies
• Utility: Kosuke Fukudome, Cubs
• Bench: Tadahito Iguchi, Padres
• Starting Pitcher: Daisuke Matsuzaka, Red Sox
• Starting Pitcher: Chien-Ming Wang, Yankees
• Relief Pitcher: Hideki Okajima, Red Sox
• Relief Pitcher: Takashi Saito, Dodgers
• Pitcher: Hong-Chih Kuo, Dodgers
• Pitcher: Hiroki Kuroda, Dodgers

Not a bad looking team huh?  If these guys didn’t get injuried, I’d like my chances of finishing in the Top 3 of a 12-team league. 

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Closer Alert: Troy Percival

May 29th, 2008 kNuke

Troy Percival just went on the 15-day DL.  If you have an open roster spot, go and pickup Dan Wheeler and pray for a few saves.  The Rays have stated that they have a bunch of guys who can close games, which means they have none, but I’d put my money on Wheeler. 

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