Movies, TV, Hotties & Baseball
September 10th, 2012 | by Ray Flowers |
I had an odd weekend. There was less booze than I anticipated. There was less fun than I anticipated. There was about the level of worry on Sunday for fantasy football as I expected (I’m in too many leagues to worry about certain plays or players in Week 1). There was a great novel (The Bourne Supremacy by Robert Ludlum, who by the way was one hell of an author. If you’ve seen the movies with Matt Damon it’s still worth your time to read Ludlum’s three novels as they have little to do, in plot at least, with the Hollywood films). At least there was plenty going on in the world of baseball to hold my attention.
Curtis Granderson has socked 35 homers for the Yankees this year on his way to 86 RBIs and a .235 batting average after his five RBI effort Sunday (he’s also scored 85 times). Still, he’s looked an awful lot like Adam Dunn with his all or nothing approach. Over his last 53 games, that’s a third of a season, Granderson has hit .213 (Dunn is hitting .208 on the year for the White Sox with 38 homers, 88 RBIs and 79 runs scored). The counting stats are great, but that’s an awfully high price to pay in the batting average category.
Nick Markakis will have surgery on his broken left thumb Tuesday. The Orioles are hopeful that they will make the playoffs and hang around long enough for us to see Markakis again this season. Don’t count on that happening. Regardless, Nick’s regular season is over. Thanks to hitting .335 with a .390 OBP over his last 54 games Markakis will end the year with a .298 average and .363 OBP, numbers nearly identical to his career marks (.295 and .365). He’s not an elite fantasy option, but he’s solid an about as consistent as they come.
I watched The Change Up this past week, a stupid film in which Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds party, pee in a fountain while drunk, and miraculously change bodies (apparently the fact that they made a “wish” while urinating in the fountain caused the goddess statue in the fountain to grant them their drunk wish – to live the others life. I told you it was a stupid movie). Why the hell would I bring this clunker up? Olivia Wilde. She is, simply put, gorgeous. If you look into those eyes and don’t feel a tingle, you aren’t a lover of women.
Mike Napoli is ready to rock as his quadriceps muscle is finally strong enough for him to go out and perform in game action. He’ll begin his rehab assignment at Double-A Frisco Tuesday. A big time disappointment after being a top-3 catcher selection in nearly every league this year, Napoli has hit just .233 with 17 homers and 40 RBIs this season, light year from the pace that saw him net a .320 average, 30 homers, and 75 RBIs in 2011. Still, Let’s compare his 2010 effort in 453 at-bats, to the pace that his effort this season would net him in 453 at-bats (he actually has 301 this season).
2010: .238-26-68-60 with a .784 OPS
2012: .223-26-60- 68 with a .771 OPS
I don’t see any difference at all there, do you?
Alexei Ramirez was scratched from the White Sox lineup Sunday since he showed up late to the ballpark (maybe he was watching Olivia Wilde in something?). When he has made it to the field on time Alexei has been fairly productive in the second half hitting .284 with a .771 OPS, numbers that are very similar to the .278 and .733 career marks that he owns. With one more homer he will also post his 5th straight 10 homer season, and it will also be his 4th 10/10 season in five years (he stole only seven bags last year or he would have pulled off the double/double in all five of his big league seasons).
If you like spy shows, comedy, cartoons, hell if you have any taste, you have to check out Archer on FX if you haven’t already. It’s flippin awesome — and I hate that word, but it truly fits.
B.J. Upton is trying to put the slow start he had to the season behind him. The elder Upton bashed three long balls Sunday giving him six homers in his last 11 games. His overall numbers include a mere .256 batting average, but he’s driven in 66 runs, has scored 65 times, and has gone 20/20 yet again (21 homers, 29 SBs). This is the third 20/20 effort of his career, the second in a row, and with one more steal he’ll also have 5-straight efforts of at least 30 thefts. He’s a ballplayer that brings everything in the fantasy game, other than batting average of course.
By Ray Flowers
Tags: Adam Dunn, Alexei Ramirez, Archer, B.J. Upton, Curtis Granderson, Jason Bourne, Mike Napoli, Nick Markakis, Olivia Wilde
By Mary on Sep 10, 2012
Is Kendrick from Philadelphia a good SP pickup? He has Miami at home today and at Houston this weekend. Does he look good from here on out? I would imagine getting run support could be a problem for him? I could pick up Minor also as an option.
By Ray Flowers on Sep 10, 2012
Mary – Kendrick is a strong pickup since he has two starts, and since one is against HOU. What I wrote about him a while back still stands today: http://baseballguys.com/2012/08/27/daily-joust-wk-21-did-we-learn-anything/
Minor is a more skilled pitcher, and he’s been nearly as good for twice as long. I’d go Minor.
By Donna on Sep 10, 2012
Ray- Playoffs are finally here! Should I play Jason Hammel(qualifies as RP or SP) who now has 2 starts this week or Soriano as my RP? You get 7 pts for a win, 5 for a save. Thanks!
By Ray Flowers on Sep 10, 2012
Donna – I don’t see Hammel as 2-time starter. he starts the 12th. His next start wouldnt be until next week the 17th.
By Donna on Sep 10, 2012
They moved him up to Tuesday according to CBS and the ESPN schedule
By Ray Flowers on Sep 10, 2012
Donna – Quandary — mlb.com has Gonzalez starting Tuesday:
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/probable_pitchers/index.jsp?c_id=mlb&date=2012/09/11
Hammel – Weds
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/probable_pitchers/index.jsp?c_id=mlb&date=2012/09/11
By mary on Sep 10, 2012
Well Minor pitched better than Kendrick…good choice, thanks…unfortunately Minor’s bullpen was horrible and lost him the game and Kendrick’s bullpen was stellar and he got the win.Does Atlanta have a weaker bullpen or just an off night? I have Minor pitching against the Nationals on Saturday and Kendrick against Houston.I am almost leaning towards the Houston game,as Washington’s been pretty hot,and Houston has a so-so pitcher scheduled. What do you think?I will keep the pitcher I choose to pitch on Saturday for the rest of the year though, also.No more streaming I am short on transactions. Would you sit Moore,for a game, against the Orioles in Baltimore on Wednesday or not? It seems like a tough environment.
By Ray Flowers on Sep 10, 2012
Mary – It’s just one game – though admittedly it came at an awful time for you. ATL’s bullpen has a better ERA than Philly by more than a run, but Phi has slightly better K/9 while ATL has a better K/BB. ATL also has better OPSA by .040 points.
I dont understand why you just dont start both Kendrick and Minor? Why can’t you just do that?
By mary on Sep 11, 2012
I own Gio,Dickey,Fister,Anderson,Morrow,Darvish,Gonzalez,Scherzer,Medlen,Minor, and Kimbrel.I am in 1st place overall. The Saves category I have 2nd to last place wrapped up. I can’t go up or down.I was toying with the idea of dropping Kimbrel and picking up Moore for Wednesday,then the other free agent available was Kendrick.Depending on who seems more valuable for the rest of the year, Minor or Kendrick will go in Minor’s spot for Saturday, I figured since I need wins and k’s and not saves,why wouldn’t I go with 10 SP the rest of the year? Never did this FB before, good idea? Or keep Kimbrel for k’s and WHIP/ERA.Only thing is I go back and forth for 1st in wins and k’s every day. But I really only have 2 spots for Moore,Kendrick,Minor, that’s if I drop Kimbrel.Really all the other pitchers I own have been pitching well also. There’s none of them I would want to drop,is there? What route do you suggest?
By Ray Flowers on Sep 11, 2012
Mary – I think dropping the best closer in baseball is a very odd thing to consider. However, if you feel your lead in the saves category is so large that you cannot be caught, play those categories. Kendrick and Minor are both pitching very well. Moore is a better power arm, but it sounds like need Ks at this point. That being the case, which seems pretty darn odd with dickey, gonzalez, darvish, morrow and the leagues top K arm (scherzer) on your club, it would be wise to keep Moore on your roster. Ultimately, that means you go Moore and Minor… tough since Kendrick is pitching so well.
By Bill on Sep 12, 2012
Ray,
I wanted your opinion of a good DEF matchup to go with this week
OAK (@Mia)
WAS (@StL)
DAL (@Sea)
DEN (@Atl)
TB (@NYG)
STL (Was)
MIN (@Ind)
Thanks
By Steve on Sep 12, 2012
Ray,
Fantasy Football questions. I lost F-Jax to injury and Jennings plus my team just didn’t show up in week #1. My questions are:
1) Eli or Flacco?
2) Start Benson or McCluster at RB?
3a) Who would you drop (Heyward-Bey or James Jones) for Jets, Oak, Min, or Cin defense?
3b) …and which defense?
Thanks, Ray!
Steve in Arlington, MA
By Ray Flowers on Sep 12, 2012
Bill – Redskins are the best bet this week but they are barely inside the top-12.
By Ray Flowers on Sep 12, 2012
Steve – NFL questions…
1 Manning
2 You didn’t say if it was a PPR or not. Go Benson, but neither is anything to get excited about.
3- I would not drop either WR but it would be Jones of the two.
4- CIN
By Steve on Sep 12, 2012
Thanks, Ray! Sorry about that… It is a 1/2 PPR league.
By Steve on Sep 12, 2012
Ray,
One more question for this week: Hawkins is available on the waiver wire. Would you recommend dropping DHB for him?
Thus, I am planning on dropping James Jones for Cincinnati defense (as you suggested) and may drop DHB for Hawkins depending on what you think. I believe he had something like 11 targets, which I don’t see he’ll get every week, but 7-8 targets a week sounds about right, right =:)
Again, THANKS for all your time and help.
By Ray Flowers on Sep 12, 2012
Steve – I’m not a fan of Jones to CIN, especially since it sounds like Jennings isn’t going to play this week. Really dont like the move at all.
DHB is who you want. DONT let one week of games influence you so heavily. Hold on to DHB.
By Steve on Sep 12, 2012
Ray,
I’m not a fan of dropping JOnes either, but I have to drop someone. My WRs are Victor Cruz, Colston, DHB, Cobb, McCluster (who I’m starting at RB), and Jones. My RBs are Foster, Tate, F-Jax, Benson, Dwyer. Of the lot, I’m leaning towards relinquishing Jones unless you think I should let go of one of the other players. We start 2RBs, 3WRs, and 1R/W Flex… And1/2 PPR league.
Again, many thanks, Ray.
By Steve on Sep 13, 2012
Ray,
Update. Seattle defense became available… and the owner that dropped them picked up Cincy. They beat me to the punch. I was mere seconds behind… ARGH! So, the following interesting defenses are available: Seattle, Minnesota, Oakland, and Washington. I’m leaning towards Oakland and the horrible QB that plays for Miami. Which one would you recommend?
Thanks for all your time, Ray!
By Ray Flowers on Sep 13, 2012
Steve – I could suggest dropping Benson, but with FJax hurt, Tate just a caddy, and Dwyers role uncertain, you can’t drop him. It’s Jones who goes adios – unfortunately.
By Ray Flowers on Sep 13, 2012
Steve – I would go Redskins this week vs. Rams. If I was looking at a few weeks I’d go SEA.
By Steve on Sep 13, 2012
As always, Thanks, Ray!