From the Windup is Matt Snyder's extended look at some aspect of America's pastime each Thursday -- it's running Friday this week.
Earlier this week, Brad Lidge's nightmare 2009 season continued, when he allowed a walk-off homer to Andrew McCutchen. Ed Price covered the outing the following morning. The abysmal performance by the Phillies' closer underlines the only weakness of the defending World Series Champions.
The American League stretched its unbeaten streak in the All-Star Game to 13 (12 wins, one tie), edging the National League 4-3 Tuesday night in St. Louis for its fourth consecutive one-run victory in the showcase. The win secured home-field advantage for the junior circuit in the World Series for the seventh straight season, making it unbeaten since the exhibition took on that meaning.
In stark contrast to last year's game, which lasted 15 innings and a record four hours and 50 minutes, this year's was a brisk two hours and 31 minutes, the shortest Midsummer Classic since 1988 and a tribute to the irrepressible pitching of the American League.
From the Windup is Matt Snyder's extended look at some aspect of America's pastime each Thursday.
I think we can all agree that it's far too early to start voting upon who the best 2009 players are when it's only the middle of May. That being said, there are certainly some shining stars at this point who deserve some props. Plus, Major League Baseball recently released their All-Star ballots for our voting pleasure -- we vote on who will start the All-Star Game. If that's not important, I don't know what is. Let's take a gander.
Curtis Granderson is already having quite a year for Detroit. With nine home runs and 19 RBI, he's seemingly developed a new power approach to his game and on pace to shatter his career highs.
But on Friday night, it was the gifted center fielder's glove work that wowed the crowd and had Cleveland's Grady Sizemore dropping his jaw in disbelief.
The Tigers' 2006 AL Rookie of the Year and 18-game winner in 2007 slumped to 11-17 last year and begain this season 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA. But now he seems to be straightened out.
Verlander on Friday shut out the Indians on two hits, his second straight start with 11 strikeouts. Over his past three outings, Verlander is 3-0 with a 0.39 ERA, allowing 11 hits and striking out 31 in 23 innings.
MLB Power Rankings:Where MLB FanHouse's editors, writers and bloggers team up to break down the who's who and the what's what in the baseball world.
What a zany week for a pair of pitchers with amazing stories: Zack Greinke is America's favorite story right now, somehow managing to be hotter than Twitter. (And if Oprah starts doing him too, I'm just quitting. And I mean everything.) Meanwhile, Rick Ankiel (you may hear word of this "podcast" we're doing about him, but that's because I'm shameless like that), a former star on the mound as well, nearly decapitates himself running into an outfield wall. And yet, life goes on. Just like our Power Rankings.
The Brewers ace struck out 11, only allowed two hits and provided the deciding solo homer over eight juggernaut innings against the Pirates. That outing brought his ERA for the season down to 2.86 and his record to 3-1. And with 34 K's over 34 2/3 innings, it's safe to say he's in fantasy stud territory. But Gallardo isn't the only pitcher that has transcended draft value so far.
Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.
Here are three abbreviations you don't want to see near your closer's name in the box score: BS, BB and HBP. Those three -- blown save, walk, and hit by pitch -- were all a part of B.J. Ryan's line Wednesday night against the Rangers. Prepare for the uptick in ownership of Jason Frasor and Scott Downs. Is it time to hit the panic button on Ryan after three blown opportunities?
Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.
In news that probably means a lot more to fantasy baseball players than real baseball fans -- with all due respect to the Pirates and their true fans -- Ryan Doumit is going to miss the next 8-10 weeks. He'll be undergoing wrist surgery and have some pins inserted. As fantasy owners, we must march on and look at how to replace the production of a very solid offensive catcher.
Curtis Granderson is a very popular guy in Detroit. Tiger fans love him because he's not only a good baseball player but an energetic young man and, by all accounts, a pleasure to be around.
He's so popular, in fact, that someone is impersonating him on the Internet (obviously the one true sign of being totally cool and universally loved). Specifically, someone is posing as Granderson under the Match.com screen name, Curtis4soulmate.
Different year, different path, same result.
Curtis Granderson is already having quite a year for Detroit. With nine home runs and 19 RBI, he's seemingly developed a new power approach to his game and on pace to shatter his career highs.
Starting Five is our wrapup of the previous day's baseball action, with a quick nod to what is ahead.
Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.
Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.
Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.
Curtis Granderson is a very popular guy in Detroit. Tiger fans love him because he's not only a good baseball player but an energetic young man and, by all accounts, a pleasure to be around.
