TheBaseballStars

When I set out to publish this piece Tuesday morning, I had lots on my mind. The re-anointed fantasy savior Juan Pierre had hit the disabled list, Grady Sizemore was tied for the American League lead in homers, and I attempted to discuss my reasoning for NOT playing Todd Wellemeyer this week. Well, much has changed since then, so lets not waste anymore time.

`Freedom’ no more

Just days after declaring Juan Pierre had returned to fantasy relevance, the Dodger speedster was placed on the disabled list Monday for the first time in his career. Supposedly it’s a sprained ligament in his left knee, so we really have no idea what this means for his value. If he can’t run, he aint worth much. Keep an eye on this situation. Thankfully Gary Sheffield returned from the DL just in time to be take Pierre’s place in the lineup for No Gimmicks Needed.

The almighty Sizemore

OK, Grady Sizemore has been a fantasy force for the last three seasons, often flirting with the 30-30 mark. But did we ever envision a day when he would lead the league in homers? Currently Sizemore is tied with Josh Hamilton and Jermaine Dye for the most homers (19) in the American League. Interesting.

UPDATE: Sizemore is now your American League homerun leader. Grady popped two dingers Wednesday night to give him 21 on the season. Perhaps MLB should change their marketing strategy from “Tell Papi Where to Hit it,” to include Grady. That said, he’s still a few homers behind the top five guys in Major League Baseball, all of whom reside in the National League. What’s even quirkier is that two of them are second basemen.

Screw you Matt Capps

I hate closers with a passion. OK, that maybe a bit harsh considering I actually like Trevor Hoffman and Billy Wagner. But fantasy wise, is another position in the fantasy game that can cause such heartache? Matt Capps posted this spectacular line last night: 0 Innings Pitched, 1 Loss, Infinite ERA, Infinite WHIP and 1 blown save. Thanks, jackass. When closers do their job, it’s a ho-hum achievement. But damnit when they implode it hurts.

UPDATE: Well, Capps managed to blow another lead Tuesday night, his second of the week. While he did salvage the night and record a win, it came at his expense. Capps has been placed on the DL with bursitis in his right shoulder and is probably out until mid-August. Just as well. If he can’t pitch, he can’t hurt me. Right, Sensei Silver.

The matchups

Todd Wellemeyer has had a spectacular season thus far. He’s 7-2, his ERA is under 3.50 and his WHIP is a stellar 1.19. But you know you haven’t quit made it into the fantasy upper echelon when owners have to consider benching him because of his opponents. Wellemeyer faces a streaky Mets lineup today, and is scheduled to pitch against the Cubs this weekend. Maybe I’m wrong in not giving him the green light, but something about these lineups just doesn’t sit well with me. Perhaps I’d feel differently if I didn’t own the Mets two bets offensive stars: Jose Reyes and David Wright.

UPDATE: Lots of updates, I know. But damn I made the right move here. Wellemeyer allowed 14 baserunenrs in just five innings of work and notched his third loss of the season. Ugh. David Wright hit his 16th homer of the season, but it was not off Wellemeyer.

The hit king

Pop quiz: Who led No Gimmicks Needed in hits last week en route to a 11-3 victory?

Answer: Dustin Pedroia. Boston’s second baseman is scorching hot again after seeing his average dip 20 points over the last month. Pedroia had 15 hits last week, including a pair of homers, earning him the No. 3 position among all fantasy players in Yahoo Formats last week. Yeah, yeah, it was one week. I know. But how can you argue with a second baseman who is hitting .300, is fourth in the league with 104 hits and has 54 runs scored?

UPDATE: Since writing this, Pedroia has collected five more hits and another homer.

Rock Bottom

You know you’ve hit rock bottom when you collect 9 RBIs and blast two homers in a win over the Yankees, yet you remain on the Free Agent list in many fantasy leagues, including TheBaseballStars League. Yes, I’m talking about you Carlos Delgado. In fact, I think I’d add him to the “Dead Thread.”

C’mon, Meat

Brett Myers and Clayton Kershaw were demoted this week for one reason or another. Myers was demoted because he sucks. Not Dontrelle Willis kind of sucking, but just not good enough to be with the Big club right now. Meanwhile Kershaw has command issues and the Dodgers felt it best to send their top pitching prospect back to the minors for a little work. Fantasy wise it’s rather difficult to outright drop both guys. If you’ve got the room stash em and wait. They’ll both return sooner than later.