13 Responses to “Around the Horn: August25, 2011”

1. By Mike on Aug 25, 2011

   I am looking to vulture a win on Saturday and could use whip and era help too. Please rank the following available pitchers:

   Dickey, Carmona, Detwiler, or Perez (TOR)

   Thanks!

2. By wesley on Aug 26, 2011

   im in a 13 team roto league on ESPN in 2nd place, looking to improve runs, hr, rbis, and stolen bases. I have bay, wells, and goldschmidt to drop. Here are my options on waivers J.heyward,bourjos,blanks,mayberry jr,
   JD Martinez,duda and belt. i was thinking bourjos and martinez. im not sure though thanks ray

3. By Ray Flowers on Aug 26, 2011

   Mike – I say it all the time… there is NO way to predict wins, especially when we are talking about just one outing.

   From your list of hurlers it comes down to Carmona and Dickey for me.

   I’d go with Carmona who has been on quite the roll (2.49 ERA, 1.13 WHIP over his last 7 starts). When his power sinker is working, he is one tough guy to hit.

4. By Ray Flowers on Aug 26, 2011

   Wesley – here are some thoughts.

   Duda – .321-7-24 w/ .994 OPS last 38 games

   Blanks – .316-6-18 with 1.014 OPS last 22 games.

   JD Martinez – not this good a hitter. No AAA experience. Por GB/FB, BB/K and NO WAY he keeps up 27% line drive rate.

   I’d drop Bay and Wells. Add Duda and Blanks. If you want to add some speed, add Bourjos instead of Blanks.

5. By Wayne McLaughlin on Aug 26, 2011

   Ray,

   Coming down the stretch, 10 team AL only, standard 5×5. 2 points out of 1st. Some choices to make:

   1) Encarnacion, Kotchman, or Guerrero – need to drop one to bring A-Rod back.

   2) Jiminez or Hochevar

   Thanks!

6. By Ray Flowers on Aug 26, 2011

   Wayne M – Encarnacion, Kotchman, or Guerrero – need to drop one to bring A-Rod back.
   Kotchman is 3rd in the AL in batting, how could you drop him?
   EE was on that hot streak, then went ice cold. Still, he quals. at a couple of spots. If Vlad is DH only, not much use for him.

   Jiminez or Hochevar
   Amazingly, as you are aware I’m sure, Hochevar has pitched much better the past month (I know, it’s shocking). I don’t really want to drop UJ, but at this point of the year its about who is going well, so I’m gonna say take the shot on Hochevar but keep your rabbit’s foot handy.

7. By Matthew on Aug 29, 2011

   Good morning, Ray.

   I needs your expert advice on my playoff lineup. I have a team that went 18-2 in the regular season of our head-to-head points league, but have major injury concerns in week 2 of the playoffs. Can you advise on the following?

   Should I start Jose Reyes coming off the DL or stick with Yuniesky Betancourt? I’m thinking yes because Bentancourt has been really struggling of late.

   I have Michael Cuddyer and Carlos Lee, both of who have nagging injuries. Should I start Vernon Wells and/or Tori Hunter in place of either? My gut tells me to start Wells, who is hitting .471 in the last week and plays seven games, but I’m hesitant to both of the aging Angel OFs. Risk starting Cuddyer, even though he only plays six games, including a weekend series against the tough Angles pitching staff, and hope he comes back from the wrist injury?

   I’ve been rolling with Drew Storen most of the year as our league has high risk/reward scoring for saves (+7 for a save; -7 for a blown save). Should I bench him for David Huff who has two favorable starts this week?

   THANK YOU!

8. By Ray Flowers on Aug 29, 2011

   Matthew – If it was me, I’d start Reyes over Betancourt. Reyes should be back today.

   Sounds to me like Lee should be able to play through his ankle issue, and he has been stinging it the past 10 days with a 9-game hitting streak. I’d sit Cuddyer and go with Hunter. Wells has been too much miss for me this year, and though hot the last week, Hunter is hitting .378 with 16 RBI and 17 runs his last 24 games.

   Saves are impossible to predict. No one knows when they will come. still, I’d go with Storen who is a far superior option to HUff, even if Storen has had a hiccup of late.

9. By rick on Aug 29, 2011

   Ray – wheres my draftguide?? sent you the dough 3 days ago. thanks

10. By Ray Flowers on Aug 29, 2011

    Rick – the nfl guide is sent out within 24 hours. If you don’t have it, send me your confirmation email at fantasyfandom@yahoo.com

    Also, check your spam folder, it might be in there.

11. By Matthew on Aug 29, 2011

    Thank you, Ray. Starting Lee makes me very nervous, but you are corrent about Wells. As always, I trust your sage advice.

    Much appreciated!

12. By bob on Aug 30, 2011

    need to ride out 1 catcher only for rest of season:

    suziki, buck, arencbia, ianetta, lucroy, olivo, ruiz, ramos, salty, toerrabla, barajas, aj piernesky, jaso

13. By Ray Flowers on Aug 30, 2011

    Bob – They’re all the same. Not really, but you know what I mean. Barajas on fire for power. JP Arencebia power all year long. Ruiz getting lots of hits of late. Iannetta a strong OBP option.What do you need? Power or average? For avg. Ruiz/Torrealba. Power Barajas/JPA.