 |
Latest Articles
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FPM Columns
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Latest Posts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
FPM Articles
|
 |
|
3 Up, 3 Down :: 8/04/08
by Tenacious D-Store
Published: August 5, 2008, 4:50 pm
3 Up
Anibal Sanchez SP (Florida Marlins)
Anibal Sanchez is back from the 60 day DL and will be making his next start in the band box Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, however he will be sharing the mound with Kyle Kendrick so it is reasonable to assume the Marlins will give him a nice cushion of run support. Sanchez is a huge sleeper in the final months of the season and showed little rust going 2-0 with a 2.89 ERA in five rehab starts. Sanchez has loads of potential after his 2006 season where he went 10-3 with 2.83 ERA and a complete game no hitter against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Marlins themselves are quietly sneaking in to contention this season, and if Sanchez can stay healthy he could provide the push they need to surpass the Phillies in the NL East. Even after winning his first start back against the red hot Rockies, Sanchez is being ignored in fantasy leagues. Go get him for free if you need some pitching help.
Brandon Inge C,3B,OF (Detroit Tigers)
With Pudge in pinstripes, Brandon Inge is back as a regular backstop with the Tigers. While Inge is not a spectacular hitter, when you consider the garbage at the catcher position that many of us end up using you can certainly do much worse. Inge is a decent source of power compared to the majority of fantasy catchers. If he can manage to stay as hot as he has the past few days he may even pull ahead of Gary Sheffield in the batting order which should allow him more RBI chances. Regardless, Inge becomes a top ten option at the catcher position especially in the void of Victor Martinez and Jorge Posada.
Ian Stewart 2B,3B (Colorado Rockies)
As a fantasy second baseman, Ian Stewart is performing better than the majority of most owned players at the position. Stewart has hit safely in eleven of his past twelve games with fourteen RBI's during that period. The Rockies are determined to continue to provide him with at bats. With Barmes already pushed out of the big picture, and assuming Troy Tulowitzki doesn't fade to black again, it could create a battle between Ian Stewart and Jeff Baker as they battle to stay in the line up. Or could the unthinkable happen? If they all stay hot, could they spell the end of Todd Helton after he returns from the DL. Helton has not performed in a way that would justify his 16 million dollar salary this season and his slugger days are clearly a thing of the past. Stewart is playing amazing baseball at third, Garrett Atkins is playing better than ever since taking over at first. Why mess with a good thing? Grab Stewart to use at second rather than third where he is currently stationed, and consider Todd Helton a dishonorable mention for the Three Down segment.
3 DownHuston Street RP (Oakland A's)
2008 is the year of unforgivingness for closers. The newest victim would appear to be Huston Street. While Street has not completely lost the job, Jerry Blevins and Brad Ziegler are now also getting opportunities. Best case scenario for Street right now is a three way closer by committee. My opinion is that the amazing Brad Ziegler who has yet to allow an earned run in 32 innings pitched will dominate in the role securing it as his own. Street owners would be will advised to go and pick him up as a security blanket. Non-Street owners would be advised to go pick up Ziegler for no other reason than to screw over the Street owners.
Alexi Casilla 2B (Minnesota Twins)
It seems that not too long ago Alexi Casilla was featured on Three Up. However a severe thumb injury has altered his situation. Casilla is now procrastinating on whether to continue to play injured, or have season ending surgery. I don't understand what could be causing his indecisiveness. Is Casilla playing now? No, because he's injured. If a medical professional has advised him that he needs surgery, it's likely not going to get better by continuing the same activity that caused the injury in the first place. Regardless of his choice, he is now worthless from a fantasy prospective for this season.
Andre Ethier, Juan Pierre, Andruw Jones OF (Los Angeles Dodgers)
What happened? If you need to ask, you are not a baseball fan. Manny Ramirez happened. Andre Ethier will be the least affected by this and Andruw Jones will likely see the least playing time due to the addition of Manny. How far has the once mighty Andruw now fallen? I just dropped him in a 20 team league that starts five outfielders and two utility players. Juan Pierre is really just an off the bench pinch runner at this point.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
