The news of Moore's extension is bound to get mixed reviews from Royals fans who have watched the team suffer through another losing season, but it's apparent that team owner David Glass still believes that Moore is the right man to help turn the franchise around.
It's a great pitching week for Chicago-based teams. All four of the starting pitchers (two from the White Sox and two from the Cubs) are "Must Start" options.
Lineups lock on Monday at 1:05 PM ET, so get those two-start pitchers into your lineup before then.
Must Start Jon Lester, Red Sox - Tuesday at TB (W. Davis) and Sunday at CWS (J. Danks) Rich Harden, Cubs - Monday vs HOU (R. Oswalt) and Saturday at NYM (N. Figueroa) Randy Wells, Cubs - Tuesday vs HOU (B. Moehler) and Sunday at NYM (M. Pelfrey) John Danks, White Sox - Tuesday at MIN (N. Blackburn) and Sunday vs BOS (J. Lester) Gavin Floyd, White Sox - Monday at MIN (A. Gabino) and Saturday vs BOS (T. Wakefield) Josh Johnson, Marlins - Monday vs ATL (T. Hudson) and Saturday at WAS (G. Mock) Roy Oswalt, Astros - Monday at CHC (R. Harden) and Sunday vs PHI (C. Hamels) Randy Wolf, Dodgers - Monday vs ARZ (D. Davis) and Saturday vs SD (M. Latos)
Looking to cycle spot-starters each day? Check out the Stream Team, where we tab pitchers that are likely to help you in your quest for fantasy gold.
Yesterday, Luke Hochevar managed to turn in a quality start for the Team, pitching seven innings while limiting the Twins to three runs, five hits, and no walks. While we didn't get the win, I'll take that line (sub-1.00 WHIP) from a guy that entered the contest with a 5.73 ERA. Aaron Laffey is our pick for today's slate of games, and he'll be facing the Mariners tonight.
Looking to cycle spot-starters each day? Check out the Stream Team, where we tab pitchers that are likely to help you in your quest for fantasy gold.
I had a little trouble choosing between Jeff Niemann and Mat Latos for last night's spot start. Luckily, I took Niemann, who brought us another win (our 12th in August) by pitching 7.1 innings and allowing one run and one walk while striking out five.
On the flip side, Latos was rocked for five earned runs in 3.2 innings. In his last two starts, Latos' ERA has jumped from 2.43 to 4.82. With the imposed inning limit on his arm, I would discard Latos in redraft leagues, unless you play in an NL-only or very deep mixed league.
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 2005, Tom Gorzelanny pitched in the majors for the first time. He was just 22. Two years later, he went 14-10 with a 3.88 ERA -- logging more than 200 innings in 32 starts for the hapless Pittsburgh Pirates. He did allow too many hits, but he was only 25 years old, so it appeared he would settle in as an anchor for the ever-rebuilding Pirates.
Instead, he had a disastrous past two seasons and had been relegated to the minors. Last week, Gorzelanny was traded to the Cubs, and Tuesday night he passed his Cubs debut with flying colors.
Every Sunday, MLB FanHouse empties out its notebook in Baseball Brunch.
Now that the hands are dealt -- expect for one or two more this month -- we can examine the pennant races to come.
There wasn't much point in assessing the races until after Friday's non-waiver trade deadline, when we know what we're dealing with. Some important pieces will change hands after they clear waivers this month, but they probably won't be difference-makers.
Before we get to the predictions, though, let's talk about one trade that didn't happen.
Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.
We've seen our fair share of no-hitters and perfect games get busted up in late this season, maybe even more then our fair share. In fact, if Jonathan Sanchez hadn't finally made it all the way through nine innings back in early July, I'd think there was some sort of conspiracy against the no-hit bid in 2009.
Sunday, Brett Anderson took a perfect game into the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Angels. But, just like most of the attempts for perfection this season, the Angels found a way to play spoiler. This time it was Bobby Abreu in the seventh inning.
Abreu also was responsible for breaking up Anderson's perfect game, grounding a clean single through the left side with two outs in the seventh. Anderson promptly picked him off.
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.
Some of the biggest of big-named pitchers are throwing twice this week. With names going like Johan Santana, Tim Lincecum, Roy Halladay and Dan Haren, to name a few, we are absolutely going to see great pitching.
In total there are 42 pitchers who are getting two starts. Be sure to set your fantasy baseball lineups by 7:05 PM ET tonight.
Must Start Dan Haren, Diamondbacks - Tuesday at CIN (B. Arroyo) and Sunday at COL (U. Jimenez) Jon Lester, Red Sox - Monday at BAL (J. Berken) and Sunday vs SEA (B. Morrow) Gavin Floyd, White Sox - Monday at CLE (C. Pavano) and Saturday at KC (L. Hochevar) Ricky Nolasco, Marlins - Monday vs WAS (S. Olsen) and Sunday vs PIT (R. Ohlendorf) Nick Blackburn, Twins - Monday at KC (L. Hochevar) and Sunday vs DET (R. Porcello) Johan Santana, Mets - Tuesday at MLW (M. Burns) and Sunday at PHI (J. Blanton) Tim Lincecum, Giants - Monday at STL (B. Thompson) and Saturday vs HOU (R. Oswalt) Chris Carpenter, Cardinals - Tuesday vs SF (R. Johnson) and Sunday at CIN (B. Arroyo) Roy Halladay, Blue Jays - Monday vs TB (J. Niemann) and Sunday at NYY (J. Chamberlain)
Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, theRoto Rushis your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.
Every year in fantasy baseball there are a number of players whose hype exceeds reasonable expectations, because so many freaking people have them tagged as a "breakout." Peter Gammons may have been the first to tag Adam Jones with such a label, but it caught on quickly, and he was a popular fantasy draft selection. (Note that this also applies to my homie Chris Davis, who I think might hit 40 taters, but who was wickedly overvalued coming into drafts. More on this in a second.)
And the man that wants no part of being called "Pacman" -- for obvious reasons -- is suddenly flat-out destroying opposing pitching. Jones was always considered a "five-tool" prospect, with power and speed potential, not to mention just being a great baseball player.
As was reported by FanHouse's Ed Price last week, the Kansas City Royals are set to announce a contract extension for general manager Dayton Moore, possibly as soon as Monday night. The tentative agreement would keep Moore in Kansas City through 2014.
It's a great pitching week for Chicago-based teams. All four of the starting pitchers (two from the White Sox and two from the Cubs) are "Must Start" options.
Looking to cycle spot-starters each day? Check out the 
Looking to cycle spot-starters each day? Check out the 
Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the 
Every Sunday, MLB FanHouse empties out its notebook in 
Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the 
Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the 
Boy are we getting a treat this week. 
Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the
