Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.
Nationals outfielder Josh Willingham accomplished a feat that had been done just twice in National League history before yesterday, smacking two grand slams in the same game. Check this out -- the first National Leaguer to do this was Tony Cloninger, a pitcher, and the second was Fernando Tatis, who you may remember hit both his grand salamis in the same inning. By comparison, Willingham's slams look mundane. Ten American League players have also hit two grand slams in the same game, with the trick last being accomplished in 2003 by Bill Mueller.
It's time for another Fantasy Baseball Cram Session, this time I joined up with Tom Herrera for my first career cram session. (Fingers crossed). We discussed a handful of guys with huge first halves and which ones were real and which were not. Among the names involved were Mark Reynolds, Adam Lind, Aaron Hill and Juan Rivera.
We also discussed some injury troubles, including ones to very important fantasy contributors like Torii Hunter and Geovany Soto. Is Vladimir Guerrero completely breaking down? What happens to Roy Halladay's fantasy value if he gets traded? Join us for these topics and more in the latest cram session.
Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.
When Paul Konerko finished 2008 with a dismal .240 average and only 22 HRs, most fantasy players were quick to write off the 33-year-old Chicago first baseman as finished. A deeper look into the stats revealed two consecutive seasons with poor BABIPs (batting average on balls in play), alerting the shrewd among us that Konerko might have just been the victim of an unlucky two-year streak. Sure enough, his BABIP is back to its normal level in 2009, and it was kind enough to bring along Konerko's batting average.
Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.
There are times where you see a possible gem sitting on the waiver wire, but you decide to wait. Your gut is pleading with you that he's legit. You just don't want to make a trade-off, dumping one of your struggling stars for the "new flavor."
This time, please know Ricky Romero is more than a new flavor.
Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.
Heading into 2009, here's what we thought we knew about Rich Harden: Absolutely lights out stuff, but can't be counted on to stay healthy consistently. In 2008, he went 10-2 with a 2.07 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP and 181 strikeouts in 148 innings. Those are elite numbers on a per-start basis. The problem, of course, is that he only made 25 starts. In 2007, he had a 2.45 ERA, but only pitched 25 2/3 innings.
Until Monday night, 2009 had been quite surprising from the 27-year-old right-hander.
Categorically Speaking is designed specifically for Rotisserie GM's. The information is great for all fantasy baseball formats, but for those of you who could use some help bolstering a specific roto category, this is for you. We're going to pay close attention to players who might be readily available on your waiver wire or who you might target in non-blockbuster trade talks.
It makes me sad when people hit me up for advice and complain that their fantasy team has no power. I'm not saying that I don't appreciate and enjoy the questions, and believe me, I'll answer them all. But, home runs are extremely easy to find on the waiver wire. Let me show you.
Over the course of 162 games, longer if you count Spring Training and throw in a World Baseball Classic, players tend to get nicked up, bruised, broken and anxious. When the injury bug hits players on your fantasy roster you have to react quickly.
It's time to take a look at some recent injury news, talk about how it can effect your fantasy team, and find ways to fix the problem.
Ervin Santana, Angels - Santana wasn't progressing as well as he could have been with the comeback from his strained right forearm. He missed the first month of the season due to the injury and upon his arrival back went 1-3 with a 7.47 ERA in five starts. The Angels are bringing up Sean O'Sullivan, who threw seven solid innings last week in his major league debut, but he may be too green to add to your roster. Since you were hoping for a low ERA and big-time strikeout numbers when you drafted Santana, look at Ubaldo Jimenez who has a 3.73 ERA and 76 strikeouts. Jimenez is only owned in 56% of fantasy leagues.
Starting Five is our wrapup of the previous day's baseball action, with a quick nod to what is ahead.
You Oughta Know ... That the Angels and Cubs -- two overwhelming favorites to win their division entering 2009 -- finally seem to have their mojo back.
A day after Chicago rallied from four down in the eighth inning to beat the White Sox, they climbed out of a 7-0 fourth-inning hole to beat the Indians, thanks in part to another dramatic home run from Derrek Lee -- a drive that came off of longtime Cub Kerry Wood no less.
Not to be outdone, the Angels' Juan Rivera snapped a 4-all tie in the eighth inning of the Freeway Series opener with a decisive solo home run. The Halos have now reeled off seven straight wins, and, despite all the hard luck (and tragedy) they've had to deal with so far this season, are a 1/2 game behind the division-leading Rangers in the AL West.
Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.
It sure didn't take long for Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen to get used to the big leagues. Matt Wieters, on the other hand, needed 48 at-bats to respond to the hype.
Both top prospects hit their first home runs at the major-league level on Wednesday -- matching two-run jacks to left field -- but there's an acute difference in perceived fantasy value between them.
Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.
There I am. Bottom of the 10th inning. Promenade section of Citi Field.
With my hands swollen from furious applause throughout the night and my legs bobbing to stay warm, Fernando Martinez laced a hit to right field. We came alive once more, while the old man sitting next to me grumbled: "Another friggin single? Pelfrey's the only one who drove somethin'."
Sixteen hits and pitcher Mike Pelfrey was the Met with pop.
Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.
It's time for another Fantasy Baseball Cram Session, this time I joined up with Tom Herrera for my first career cram session. (Fingers crossed). We discussed a handful of guys with huge first halves and which ones were real and which were not. Among the names involved were 
Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the 
Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the 
Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the 
Categorically Speaking
Over the course of 162 games, longer if you count Spring Training and throw in a World Baseball Classic, players tend to get nicked up, bruised, broken and anxious. When the injury bug hits players on your fantasy roster you have to react quickly.
Starting Five
Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the 
