Week 4

Back home this week and got to watch some games. Think that really helps too. Know some play fantasy baseball mostly through the box scores. I think seeing the stats as they occur offers extra insights though. Troy Glaus is a good example. His stats were looking pretty awful and based on just that, he was a pure negative. But, watching the games... you could see that he was hitting balls hard and that he looked good at the plate. Also got feedback from the local play by play guys that shared that Bobby Cox had no concerns.

Now obviously I wasn't going to cut Troy Glaus... or trade him when his value was so low. So, the info I got wasn't valuable in helping me make any decisions. But, there are insights from watching games that do pay off. Plus... I like watching baseball games... lol... and telling my wife "I need to see how so and so does for my team" seems to work better than "I want to watch the game" (which EASILY can lead to... "well, I want to watch a movie on Lifetime about a battered woman that finds lost babies - and you watched a game yesterday"). So, scouting games is a double plus!

On to week 4...

My poor hitting continued into a second week and it started to cost me some points. It looked like I'd finish the week in 4th place... until my team went totally nuts on Sunday. One of the best overall days I've had in a long time (20 for 56 with 4hr, 12rbi, 14rs, 0sb -and- 19.1ip, 1.86era, 1.19ratio, 11k, 2w, 0s). Heck of a day! It not only kept me in second place, but pushed me close to first.

1 ~ Fantasy Tools 80.0
2 ~ Antelope Crusaders 77.5
3 ~ Balls Deep 66.0
4 ~ Gang Green 62.5

My hitting continues to zip along. 49 total points there, and that's with only getting 7 points in steals. Have think I'll do better than that. On the pitching side, things are looking up. I collected 6 points (total) in ERA and Ratio. To have any chance at all... I have to do a little something in those categories. Didn't happen last year, and I thus never had a chance to win. Watching it happen to my buddy Nick this year now. And yea... can't give away two categories and have much chance.



Hitting (97 for 312, .311ba, 10hr, 52rs, 8sb)
An awesome hitting week, again propelled by a strong weekend finish. Lots of solid efforts. I was especially thrilled with Tony Gwynn (7 for 17, 1rbi, 4rs, 3sb... with a couple of spectacular catches). He even scored a start against a LHP and is definitely back in the starting mix in San Diego. Nate Schierholtz (8 for 23) looks to have at least won back his platoon job, which is more good news. Like players to have good weeks, of course... but when playing time is an issue... it's especially important.

Jorge Cantu (8 for 22, 2hr, 5rbi, 4rs) continued what looks to be a break out season. Ryan Howard and Albert Pujols had big weeks too (of course). Troy Glaus (8 for 21 with 5rbi) busted out, which was great to see. Heck, B Molina and G Zaun both went 7 for 15 this week. Huge weeks all over the place.

Hanley Ramirez (9 for 22, 4hr, 8rbi, 5r)... finally... had the biggest week of all though. He did most of that during the weekend. A lot of players are clicking right now... but Hanley has the ability to get going and not stop.

As for goats, not many of those. Placido Polanco had an off week. He got dinged early in the week though and I think that had something to do with it. He looked good Sunday night, so I think he's back to full health. Matt Kemp was pretty bad (6 for 28)... and I'm sure getting blasted by the Dodgers for his poor defensive play had something to do with that. He has struggled in CF this year... for whatever reason... but I don't think going to the media ~in April~ was the way to address it.

Ryan Spilborghs (1 for 9) was the goat of the week though. He went from a 4th OF that was getting starting ABs...to the 5th OF that gets to PH a few times a week. The depth of the Colorado OF is quite impressive, and that really hurts Spilborghs value (along with his making lots of outs when he does play).


Pitching (79.2ip, 4.29era, 1.62ratio, 65k, 5w, 1s)
Despite putting way too many men on base, it was an overall good pitching week for the Crusaders. Juan Gutierrez actually picked up a save... and not because Chad Qualls needed rest. He got it because Qualls has struggled. But, Gutierrez also got hammered in an outing. He could have that closer job if not for 2 bad games (really bad). I hope he can step up while the getting is good. Would be a massive help.

With one exception my starters were strong this week. Luis Atilano... added when V Padilla went on the DL... had a stong outing. The Nats actually have a decent team to pitch for this year. The hitting looks well above average, and the top of the bullpen is actually a strength (T Clippard and M Capps backed up Atilano's start with 3 shutout innings). He could be decent moving forward (was highly thought of not too long ago).

Hiroki Kuroda (14ip, 1.93era, 1.00ratio, 7k, 1w) continues to be my best draft day buy (at $2). Got to watch him pitch this week... and he looks great. Anibal Sanchez... the draft day player I was most worried about... is looking good too. He's throwing strikes, which is the key to his success. Brett Myers is looking pretty good too.

Jon Garland (13ip, 0.69era, 1.08ratio, 13k, 2w) was easily my pitcher of the week. I don't believe he is this good. I'm betting he has some tough turns on the road. But... at home... he's a pretty good bed, and certainly came through big time this week. Padre SP are pretty darn good bets (like Astro pitchers back in the Dome days).

Goat of the week... a couple of RP were pretty stinky. Brian Bruney can't throw strikes and I'm on the lookout to replace him with a SP. He's very close to a mop-up pitcher Washington... and add that with the can't throw strikes thing... and danger-danger. Nick Masset continues to suck too. 3ip with 6ks is pretty neat... but 3er and 7on obviously doesn't work.

Hands down though, Zach Duke (10ip, 10.80era, 2.40ratio, 5k) was the goat of the week. 18 hits and 6 walks is pretty ugly. Not sure what the deal is but that's an ugly week.


Other News
Chris Dickerson landed on the DL with a wrist injury and he figures to be there a while. Knew he was a risk, but for $1 it was worth taking. Looks like a bust though. I replaced him with Chad Durbin. The Phillies bullpen is a mess and I'm hoping Durbin can take advantage. He's healthy (unlike in 2009) and has a solid arm. Worst case, I have a decent middle RP that will throw a lot of innings for a great hitting team. Not a bad spot. If he can return to his 2008 form (88ip with 2.89era)... maybe I get more (even a few saves... please!... lol).

Also added Roger Bernadina (and cut Badenhop). The Nats have named him the RH hitting platoon starter in RF. He was 23 for 61 with 2hr and 7sb in AAA this year... so there is some very real upside there. Of course, he's 1 for 11 thus far and I don't know how long they'll give him. He's well worth the risk though. Starting position players aren't on the free agent wire too often in this league. I'll burn a cut to throw a dart at starting hitter every time.

So, basically...
Chad Durbin for Bruke Badenhop
Roger Bernadina for Chris Dickerson

... which is an upgrade.

Also...
Luis Atilano... added when V Padilla
... which is probably break even (at least Ihope, because Padilla is out at least a month).