The Next "BIG THING"

Max Scherzer just made his major league debut yesterday for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He came with minor league numbers off the charts and like Johnny Cueto for the Cincinnati Reds his first appearance was nothing short of brilliant. Coming in for relief and pitching 4.1 innings of no hit, no walk, no run baseball while fanning seven. Yes he faced thirteen and retired thirteen. His smoke hit 98 on the radar gun as well. He seems like another of these can't miss type players. I actually wanted him in one of my leagues but snoozed a little too long before I decided to pull the trigger. I had actually put him on my watch list and was going to make up my mind on Saturday for next weeks lineup. Don't make the same mistake, if he is out there in your league, don't finish reading this, go get him. After you safety get this guy on your roster invite all your friends to come back with you and read some of the best "free" fantasy information out there. Here's hoping his future goes better than Cueto's has gone the last couple weeks. Cueto will have growing pains but he is a Major League Pitcher and will be a great fantasy pitcher as well.
Well as I write this Scherzer was just named a starter for the Backs. This is how much faith Arizona has in this guy and you should as well.

Fantasy Riser-Carlos Quentin

I've been waiting for Carlos Quentin (White Sox) to break out for a couple of years now. It looks like now he finally will under crazy skipper Ozzie Guillen. Right fielder Quentin has started out hitting .312 with 6 homers and 20 RBI. The stat I like best is 14 walks versus only 12 strikeouts. Here's a couple more big stats: OBP .454 and Slugging .623. Injuries always put a damper on his game in Arizona. If you haven't already picked this dude up..................DO IT!

Hot Starts.....But for how long

Before I get to what I want to write I just might rant on "my Reds" somewhat. What does Aaron Harang have to do to get a win. He could sue for non-support. I mean he hasn't given up more than two earned runs in all but one of his six starts so far this season. Tonight was another very good game for Harang after a 7 2/3 innings 8 strike out and one walk performance. The Reds had me as excited as I have been for quite a few years this spring. Last year we couldn't get a two out hit with RISP and that trend has followed this year. I hope you didn't draft Bronson Arroyo, he is the Cincinnati version of the Giants Barry Zito....I think it's time to stick a fork in both of them. They may be the most over paid players in the game today. How about Adam Dunn, hitting a cool .200 he is at least leading the league in walks, but do the Reds pay him ten million a year to walk...I think not.
Really I still think Adam will get his 40 home runs, but the question is will the Reds ever get it going. Does Jr. get number 600 on this road trip, I bet Reds ownership won't complain if he hits number 599 early on this road trip and then relaxes until he gets back home.......Does anyone else think Brandon Phillips is looking to hit a tater every time up.....Come on Reds....get it going.

Now for some hot starts that might or might not continue.

MIGHT NOT:

Chipper Jones is white hot and if you think he will keep this up the entire season, well really nobody does. If there is someone ready to give you way more than Chipper is actually worth that can actually help your team, I might consider pulling the trigger here. How long before his annual trip to the Dl. I love Chipper and hope he keeps this pace up, just don't count on it.

Pat Burrell has always had some pretty good power and usually with power comes the rib eye steaks and he has at least 22 as I write this. How many thinks he will continue to hit above .350.....sell high and you won't be sorry, his lifetime average is no where near .350 actually it's closer to .250 do the math....If someone wants him reach for the sky and see if a rookie fantasy player might bite.

MIGHT:

Derrek Lee is someone I wanted pretty bad before draft day, I might have stated this before, because we had a couple of Cub fans join our league this year he went a little earlier than I thought he would go. Turns out he was worth that early pick. I have said it before and I will say it again.....he's money and a fantasy stud. If you are in points league he will end the season in your leagues top ten in points.
Don't even think about unloading this guy unless someone offers you three players rated close to him. If you don't own him maybe you could play the injury card and let your competition know he is less than two years removed from that nasty break and it might not be totally healed, yeah right. If someone trades him in your league, you should offer this guy a trade everyday.

Miguel Tejada......We were all afraid to draft him this season not knowing if he would spend more time behind bars than at SS, and I am not talking about him lying about his age either. I will be the first to say I was very wrong about this guy. He had more baggage than my ex-wife would take to Florida for a week. I remember those baggage carriers you used when your trunk wouldn't hold everything for vacation, well even with a van I needed one and so did Tejada as this season started. I was wrong at the start of the season and I would now say he is one of the guys that will keep it going the rest of the way.

Connor Jackson...He might not hit you a lot of home runs but this guy is for real. He will hit for a high average and get you plenty RBI's and with a playing for a great Diamondback team he will also score plenty, so hold this guy and enjoy the ride that I do believe will last.

Fantasy Surprises End of Week 3

Wow, there are a couple of guys that have jumped up and surprised the fantasy baseball world. If they aren't picked up in your league, you better jump on them.

*Nate McClouth (Pirates) .384/3/15. Tack on 15 runs, 2 steals, a 16 game hit streak, and a league leading 10 doubles and this guy is suddenly a fantasy stud batting lead off for the Bucs. .384 can't keep up but it looks like McClouth is the real deal suddenly.

*Justin Upton (D-Backs) Look back and see that I said this guy is a must get as a potential break out superstar this season. .385/5/13 and he's off to a superstar start. His strikeouts are a bit of a concern, but this guy could hit over .300 and 30 this season. The D-Backs are loaded with young talent.

*Conner Jackson (D-Backs) .347/3/17. Conner Jackson is finally breaking out. I got to see him in the Futures Game in Detroit in 2005 and everyone expected him to break out right away. What I really love about him is only 3 strikeouts and 7 walks. Have I already mentioned the D-Backs are loaded?

*Yunel Escobar (Braves) .324/3/11 is off to the rookie start he was looking for. His strikeouts to walk ratio is staying in check at 10:10.

Fantasy Flops End of Week 3

Three weeks into the the season there are some guys who've been very disappointing and I'm not sure if they can bounce back.

*Edwin Encarnarcion (Reds) I was big on Edwin to start the season. I think it was mainly because I was blinded by his "Redness". Edwin's fielding is horrible at best. His bat has started to wake up in the past week (.348), but I don't think this guy may every be a big-time fantasy third baseman like I'd hoped. His season numbers are sitting at .241/2/7. His strikeout to walk ratio isn't as bad as I thought though at 10:12.

*Julio Lugo (Red Sox) I thought it might be back to 2005 form for Julio this year in a great spot with the Red Sox but...........NOPE. Batting .271 with 2 RBI and 1 SB isn't going to get it done for Lugo. Drop him now if you have him and find something better.

*Andruw Jones (Dodgers) Andruw Jones officially sucks. .167/1 homer/3 RBI=TERRIBLE!!!!
The Dodgers have to be kicking themselves for giving this bum enought money to buy his home country. Great job with 18 Ks in 54 at bats. If he was half a man, he'd give that money back but I think it all goes to child support.

*Russell Martin (Dodgers) .196/1/5. Martin has started terrible and can't seem to get along with new skipper Joe Torre. He didn't like getting sit down yesterday. It will be interesting to see if Martin can bounce out of this slump.

Notes from a crazy game today

I know this site is "THE WORLD OF FANTASY BASEBALL" and that's why most of you guys have been checking us out. With that said, I want to pass a few things by everyone. I have been a baseball fan all my life, not saying I am an expert on rules and why you do this and why you do that. Well this game had several strange things happen that I just didn't agree with. First, Henry Blanco the Cubs catcher came up with two on, no outs in the fourth, and bunted it foul for the out. This was a situation that simply didn't make sense. He actually was bunting all the way on every pitch. I thought maybe he was trying to fake the reds defense and then would swing away after showing bunt on the first pitch. To make matters all the more strange Ted Lilly was on deck, yes the pitcher was on deck and not in danger of being pulled at that time. I don't think I have ever seen such a thing. Not sure if he did this on his own or missed a sign or what.


Another thing that I will say was just plain stupid was this, the WGN annoucers said that Dave Weathers actually threw at Mark DeRosa when he hit him. It was the eighth inning and the Reds were up 9-2 and you want me to believe that Weathers was throwing at DeRosa, that's so much bullshit. After losing five in a row and the way the ball flies out of Wrigley why would you put runners on base like that. I guess the way the Reds were finally beating up on somebody and the crowd leaving they needed something to keep the veiwers watching. Also if Weathers was throwing at him don't you think Piniella would have plunked a Red in the ninth with the game all but over then.


This next thing that was strange, but not in a bad way, was two brothers pitch hit in same inning. I can't say for sure but I would bet plenty on this never ever happening before in MLB history. Well maybe not a plenty, there were a lot of Alou's playing at the same time years ago. But in the eighth inning again, brothers came in to pitch hit, Corey Patterson for the Reds and Eric Patterson for the Cubs. Tell me the last time you saw this happen.


Now a little fantasy numbers from this game.....Derek Lee, who is on fire, actually struck out three times today. I would venture to say this won't happen many times if ever again this year. I wanted him so bad this year, but just waited to long with two Cub fans playing in our league. I think you could offer the bank for this guy and not get hurt. He is finally healthy again and showing why he is one of the best fantasy players out there.


Joey Votto is hitting .351 and should be the everyday first baseman for the Reds. If he is avaiable in your league you might want to go grab him. Either he plays everyday or Dusty is a moron. Scott Hatteburg is a pretty good player but quite frankly is not as good as Votto and I think if the Reds could move him they would.


Listening to Reds radio before the game, Marty and Dusty were talking about player moves in the near future. Dusty told Marty that as soon as the Reds get back in town he will meet with the GM and go over a few moves that he would like to see get done. This doesn't bode well for Josh Fogg after getting his ass handed to him in his last start. I am not sure if Homer Bailey gets the call or Matt Belisle. Belisle has had three great outings on his rehab assignment and has posted a 3-0 record with an ERA of 1.09 and Bailey is 2-1 with an ERA of 1.29....look for one of these guys to be in Cincinnati as early as this weekend. You could do a lot worse if you need pitching help.


Oh yeah......Jr. hit #596 today.....time to head to Cincinnati and get some right field seats and be the lucky one to snag #600.........GO REDS!!!!!!!!!

And last, the strangest thing that happened in this game......THE REDS WON!!!!!

Google Approved

Just a short note to let our readers know that this site has now been tested and got the "GREEN CHECK MARK" on Google search engine. We are good to go, and really always have been, but when Google speaks people listen. I just wish I had listened and mortaged my house to buy all I could of their IPO. I am just a minor contributor but the guy that writes most of this blog knows his baseball and always gives you fantasy guys some great info. With that said tell your friends to check us out and get some great fantasy info and general baseball happenings here, best of all it's FREE.

Oh my Reds

Is it time to hit the panic button yet? I sure hope not but it's just ugly right now. Even our ace Aaron Harang got roughed up tonight. I know he can't carry this team by himself, and with the way the Reds are leaving guys on base, eighteen tonight by the way, I really feel for him. Also if you find someone crazy enough to trade him already after a 1-2 start then send me an invite to play in your league next year. I know they left over 30 men on base in the disapointing three game sweep the Priates just handed them over the weekend.


There was a few bright spots tonight, Griffey wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson hit his 595th home run. I can only dream of the numbers this guy would have put up if he had stayed healthy his entire career.
Speaking of good things, how about Jeff Keppinger. He has played in every game so far this year and is hitting .327 with just a tad of power, two HR's, and a lot of plate displine. Jeff has only struck out twice in 14 games, how does that work for your fantasy numbers. I bet you can't guess who is leading the team in K's, no it's not Adam Dunn, try Brandon Phillps with 13 K's and yes Dunn is second with 11 K's I guess that's the price you pay for all that power.....oh yeah they both have one home run so far, yes I said one HR.


Well, I am a little late on this guy but has anyone noticed Kansas City's Zack Greinke is 3-0 with an ERA of 0.75. How many guessed right on him this week as you were looking for your two start pitchers? Well yours truly did and he got me my best start of the year so far....23 points and oh does my team need those points right now. Greinke is not a big time strikeout pitcher but did get seven K's last night. He usually gets a lot of ground ball outs. I read in "The Sporting News" today that one scout said he had the arm to be a top five pitcher in the American league. If he is still out there in your league you might want to take a look at him.


Watch out, the Tigers have won four of their last five but are still in the basement of the AL Central. Boston, Chicago and the Angels aren't that much of a suprise leading their respective divisions tonight. Actually Oakland has the same 9-6 record as the Angels in the west and yes that is a suprise that won't hold up.

The only team in the National league that isn't a suprise leading their division is the Diamondbacks in the west. I really don't think the Cards or Marlins have enough to stay on top of their respective divisions. I really hope the Cards can't keep this up. If they do it spells doom for my Reds.......

All right, I need to go find me a catcher that can come thru for me as good as Zack Greinke did.....any ideas for me now!!!!!!!!!

Rough Starts

Where do I start. First and maybe most importantly, my Cincinnati Reds just got swept by the damn Pittsburgh Pirates. I know the Reds are better than this. Johnny Cueto came back to earth today, but he could also sue for non support as he went to the fifth inning without the Reds scoring a run. Anytime the Pirates sweep you home or away things are not good. It's time, yes it's already time for the Reds to give all these young guns a spot and start them everyday and leave them there. I am begininng to think that Encarnacion isn't a major league third baseman. He is now on the interstate hitting an awesome .171 with at least four errors.


I was all over the Detroit Tigers at the begining of the season, yes I know we are only two weeks in, but they are in dead last in a very tough division where the Kansas City Royals might be the suprise of baseball. I still have to believe that the Tigers will be there when it's all said and done, but last place in a very competive central division, they better get it going after being shutout on Sunday 11-0 by the White Sox.


In other news....the Yankess found a David Ortiz jersey a construction worker buried in three feet of conrete at the site of the new Yankee Stadium across the street from the house that Babe built. The worker that buried it was you guessed it a Red Sox fan trying to put a jinx on the new stadium. Word got out and Yankee officals started jack hammering around where it was supposed to be buried and they found it in there and plan an extractment ceremony tomorrow. Make you you watch Baseball Tonight as I'm sure they will be there all over this story. Does anyone else wonder if ESPN understands there are thirty other teams in MLB besides the Yankees and Red Sox.


Speaking of rough starts, I will never ever draft that lame duck Rich Harden again, how many times will I get burned by the same guy. More players on my all time slow start team....Kenji Johjima, Hunter Pence, Justin Morneau and Jimmy Rollins gets hurt on me midweek....here's hoping your team got off to a better start than mine and that week three wakes up some of my guys and yours too.......GO REDS, GET IT IN GEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Baseball 2Nite 4-11-08

*Yanks and Red Sox tonight in game 1 of 2008=Wang 2 hitter complete game and only 1 ER.

*Tigers won for only the 2nd time all year.

*Volquez looked great for the Reds tonight vs the Pirates. He went 5 innings with 3 Ks and no ER before being pulled after a long lightning delay. He dropped his ERA to 0.87.

*David Wright finally hit tonight going 2-4.

*Pujols' elbow is holding up. He hit bomb #3 tonight.

*The Cubs big three all hit homers tonight: Derek Lee (4), Aramis Rameriz (3), and Soriano (2).

*C.C. Sabathia sucked it up big time. That contract year isn't starting off so well. He's o-2 with a 11.57 ERA.

*Carlos Pena is at it again prooving he's no one year wonder. He hit two shots tonight. (4, 5)

*Mike Jacobs hit #5 for the Marlins tonight. If you're looking for a 1B, you might want to snatch him up.

*Jake Peavy is off to a rough start against the Dodger Blue tonight giving up 7 hits in the first two innings. My son is going to have a melt down when he wakes up and sees that.

Baseball 2Nite 4-8-08

Nice night of baseball. My high school team went 1-1 in a tourney today and the Kentucky Wildcats just hit a walk-off homer against those evil Cardinals from Loserville.

**Johnny Cueto had another wonderful fantasy outing tonight for the Reds going 6 1/3, 2 ER and 8 Ks in a no decision.

**Dice K had a nice 7 K win for the Red Sox against the still O'fer Tigers.

**Mark Reynolds is tearing it up for the D-Backs. He hit his 5th homer of the year tonight. He's batting a lovely .367 and 9 RBIs. If you haven't already.....pick this dude up.

**Matt Holliday is heating up......Mark Texeria is NOT!

**James Loney will win the batting title. I'm hoping so b/c I have him on my team.

Tigers or should I say Kittycats

After all the hype of the spring about this recreation of the 27 Yankees, I ask you is this the real Detroit Tigers we are seeing after the first six games of the season. I say no, not by a long shot. After being out scored 12-6 and being swept by the Kansas City Royals, yes the Kansas City Royals I said, the Tigers were licking their wounds. You might think this would wake the sleeping gaint, I mean Tiger, well think again. The Chicago White out scored the Tigers 26-10 as they also sweep the Tigers in another three game series. Yes the mighty Tigers that had the lineup that could score at will along with a decent pitching staff just couldn't get it done. We are heading into the second week of the season still loking for their first win.
These Tigers came into the season with all the power that Detroit use to love to put into their souped up high performance engines of yesteryear. The Tigers are playing like the auto's that are all so popular today though, those weak ass four cylinders that we all are headed back to fighting sky high fuel prices.
How does a team that is so stacked start off 0-6. Well don't think this will continue you can't hold down a squad like this for long. I still think they will be there when the season is over. The Sox will give them a run but look for Detroit to seal the deal and win the division.

Two Start Pitchers of note week 2 (4-7-08)

There are a ton of two-start pitchers for this upcoming week. Here are some fantasy notable two-starters.

**Ted Lilly will get two starts both at the Pennsylvania teams.

**Javier Vasquez will at home vs. the Twins and the o''fer the season Tigers.

**Cole Hamels will face Arroyo at Cincy and Zambrano at home vs. the Cubbies.

**Dan Haren will be at home vs. the Dodgers and Colorado.

**Matsuzaka will be at home for big games with Detroit Rock City and the Evil Empire.

**The Man Johnny Cueto will be on the road at the Brew Crew and the Pirates.

**Rich Harden will face another two start pitcher when he takes on AJ Burnett north of the border and then travels to Cleveland. Burnett will pitch his second game of the week at Texas.

**Erik Bedard will be at Tampa Bay and back home vs. the Halos.

**Tim Lincecum will be in San Fran vs. the Padres and Cards.

**Fausto Carmona will travel to the Angels and back home vs. the As.

Baseball 2Nite 4-5-08

Saturday Night update 4-5-08

**Jake Peavy dominated today pitching a complete game shutout and 8 Ks against the Dodgers.

**Big day from Justin Morneau with a homer and 4 RBIs.

**Ryan Howard hit his first bomb of the year but Harang and Cordero were too much for the Phils continuing the Reds march to the postseason.

**My Sleeper team of the year, the Blue Jays, rocked the Red Sox behind new Mr. Big Money Alex Rios.

**Justin Upton continues his red hot start hitting his 3rd homer tonight at Colorado. Get ready for the leagues next super star.

**Pretty much everybody hit for the Braves today. Francour had 3 hits and Texieria had another big day.

**Ichiro is right where he left off in the spring batting .211 this first week. Something has to be wrong with this guy.

**Everybody's playoff lock Detroit is 0-5. Dontrellle didn't give up much in his first Tiger start but they found a way to lose again b/c their bull pen sucks! Looks like the AL Central is wide open. It looks a lot like the NL Central now.

**Roy Oswalt is off to a rough start at 0-2 with an ERA of 6.00. I like Roy a lot. He's a deer huntin country dude that loves to win.

**I'm excited to see Volquez for the Reds tomorrow. Hopefully he can duplicate the start of Johnny Cueto.

Baseball 2Nite 4-4-08

Friday night update 4-4-08

**Chase Utley has 2 bombs and 3 RBI Friday night against my Reds. Big night for Chase.

**Pat Burrell continues to stay hot going 2-2 so far tonight with a bomb.

**Pick up Jeff Keppinger if you already haven't. I said it before, this guy won't hurt you in your lineup.

**Bill Hall....man of a thousand positions had 2 homers and 6 RBI today.

**San Francisco is TERRIBLE. Their lineup is brutal. I feel sorry for Matt Cain and Lincecum.

**The other Upton, Justin, is off to a hot start. He's one of those young players that could break out that you had to take a chance on somewhere in your draft.

**Rick Ankiel is off the juice and still hitting. He hit homer #2 from the 2 hole tonight for the Cards.

**If Toronto's rotation can stay healthy, they can give the Sox and the Yanks a run for their big $ in the AL East. Marcum beat the Red Sox tonight. He's a guy you need to put on your watch list.

JOHNNY CUETO

Nice MLB debut for the Red's Johnny Cueto. 7 innings 1 hit 1 ER and 10 Ks. Not a bad fantasy line. With Cueto, Volquez, and hopefully Homer Bailey coming back soon, the Red's staff looks like solid enough to more than contend in the NL Central. It'll be a sad day when the pretenders in my league log on tonight and see that I snagged Johnny C up!!