It's finally here, the opening of the 2011 season. Lots to look forward to over the next 7 months...a look at today now.
- Wicked March weather is playing havoc again across the country. It appears everything will get in but who knows the way things can change at a moment's notice.
- The great pitching matchups. Verlander/Sabathia, Lincicum/Kershaw. Nothing like the best out there on the biggest stage for March.
- Make sure your fantasy lineup is set. Only six games today so be sure everyone is in the lineup who is playing. That Angels/Royals game has potential for runs to be scored. Yes, Jared Weaver is pitching for the Halos but I think that's a 8-7 game this afternoon.
Now sit back, get something cool to drink (or warm considering the weather in 2/3 of the country) and let's play ball!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Predictions
Here are the predictions for the 2011 season....
AL East: Red Sox, Yankees (wild card), Blue Jays, Rays, Orioles
AL Central: White Sox, Twins, Tigers, Royals, Indians
AL West: Athletics, Rangers, Angels, Mariners
NL East: Phillies, Braves (wild card), Marlins, Nationals, Mets
NL Central: Brewers, Cubs, Reds, Cardinals, Astros, Pirates
NL West: Giants, Rockies, Padres, Dodgers, Diamondbacks
Playoffs
AL: Red Sox d. Athletics, Yankees d. White Sox......Red Sox d. Yankees
NL: Phillies d. Brewers, Giants d. Braves....Phillies d. Giants
World Series
Red Sox d. Phillies in 7 games
AL East: Red Sox, Yankees (wild card), Blue Jays, Rays, Orioles
AL Central: White Sox, Twins, Tigers, Royals, Indians
AL West: Athletics, Rangers, Angels, Mariners
NL East: Phillies, Braves (wild card), Marlins, Nationals, Mets
NL Central: Brewers, Cubs, Reds, Cardinals, Astros, Pirates
NL West: Giants, Rockies, Padres, Dodgers, Diamondbacks
Playoffs
AL: Red Sox d. Athletics, Yankees d. White Sox......Red Sox d. Yankees
NL: Phillies d. Brewers, Giants d. Braves....Phillies d. Giants
World Series
Red Sox d. Phillies in 7 games
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Fantasy Preview continues
Today we look at second basemen to draft and avoid...
Who to Draft
Dan Uggla, Braves. Coming over from the Marlins, Uggla has the potential to put up another season of 30-35 homeruns with some protection around him in Chipper Jones, Brian McCann and Jason Heyward.
Aaron Hill, Blue Jays. Hiding north of the border, Hill hit 26 HRs in 2010 but had a .205 average. That average will go up with the average staying the same. A steal late in the draft.
Chone Figgins, Mariners. Yes, Figgins didn't have a great year in 2010 but has 2B and 3B eligibility which makes me valuable. 40 steals are almost a sure thing and maybe if Ichiro can get on before him, a few RBI chances are there.
Who to Avoid
Brandon Phillips, Reds. Hitting from the leadoff spot in Cincy can help but you get the feeling that this is the season where the SBs are done and so are the HRs, just a hunch but avoid.
Brian Roberts, Orioles. Roberts seems to fight injuries every season and the Orioles always seem to find one big injury a year, Roberts is your man for that.
Omar Infante, Marlins. The man who Florida got back for Uggla. Hitting .321 last season was a one-hit wonder. Not happening this season, look for another option.
Tomorrow, a look at third base.
Who to Draft
Dan Uggla, Braves. Coming over from the Marlins, Uggla has the potential to put up another season of 30-35 homeruns with some protection around him in Chipper Jones, Brian McCann and Jason Heyward.
Aaron Hill, Blue Jays. Hiding north of the border, Hill hit 26 HRs in 2010 but had a .205 average. That average will go up with the average staying the same. A steal late in the draft.
Chone Figgins, Mariners. Yes, Figgins didn't have a great year in 2010 but has 2B and 3B eligibility which makes me valuable. 40 steals are almost a sure thing and maybe if Ichiro can get on before him, a few RBI chances are there.
Who to Avoid
Brandon Phillips, Reds. Hitting from the leadoff spot in Cincy can help but you get the feeling that this is the season where the SBs are done and so are the HRs, just a hunch but avoid.
Brian Roberts, Orioles. Roberts seems to fight injuries every season and the Orioles always seem to find one big injury a year, Roberts is your man for that.
Omar Infante, Marlins. The man who Florida got back for Uggla. Hitting .321 last season was a one-hit wonder. Not happening this season, look for another option.
Tomorrow, a look at third base.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Fantasy Friday
Today with fantasy drafts approaching, a look at who you should target and avoid in your draft. First Base is being looked at today
Who to Target
Kendrys Morales, Angels. The 2010 season for Morales ended very badly on a broken leg during a celebration. However, he is the middle of a potent Angel lineup with Torii Hunter, Vernon Wells and Bobby Abreu. Going to get a lot of RBI chances as the lone left-handed threat in the lineup. Look for 30 HR, 110 RBI.
Billy Butler, Royals. Butler is an up-and-coming star in Kansas City. While the amount of protection in his lineup isn't super, Butler is a doubles machine with 20 HR power. If you miss out on the top group of first basemen, Butler is the man you want.
Ike Davis, Mets. Davis is like Butler but with protection in his lineup with Jason Bay and David Wright. Could Davis hit 20 HR this season, no doubt. He hit 19 last year. A great person to put into a utility position on your team.
Who to Avoid
Derrek Lee, Orioles. While Lee played well in Chicago last season and didn't produce as much in Atlanta, Lee is aging. Protection is nice in the Baltimore lineup with Vlad, Markakis and Adam Jones but Lee has become injury-prone. Stay away.
Justin Morneau, Twins. Very simple. Concussion symptoms are still around. Who knows how long this will take.
James Loney, Dodgers. Loney seems to be declining instead of getting better. Dodgers have lost Manny and Russell Martin and haven't added much in return. 15 HR/80 RBI is there, just not likely
Who to Target
Kendrys Morales, Angels. The 2010 season for Morales ended very badly on a broken leg during a celebration. However, he is the middle of a potent Angel lineup with Torii Hunter, Vernon Wells and Bobby Abreu. Going to get a lot of RBI chances as the lone left-handed threat in the lineup. Look for 30 HR, 110 RBI.
Billy Butler, Royals. Butler is an up-and-coming star in Kansas City. While the amount of protection in his lineup isn't super, Butler is a doubles machine with 20 HR power. If you miss out on the top group of first basemen, Butler is the man you want.
Ike Davis, Mets. Davis is like Butler but with protection in his lineup with Jason Bay and David Wright. Could Davis hit 20 HR this season, no doubt. He hit 19 last year. A great person to put into a utility position on your team.
Who to Avoid
Derrek Lee, Orioles. While Lee played well in Chicago last season and didn't produce as much in Atlanta, Lee is aging. Protection is nice in the Baltimore lineup with Vlad, Markakis and Adam Jones but Lee has become injury-prone. Stay away.
Justin Morneau, Twins. Very simple. Concussion symptoms are still around. Who knows how long this will take.
James Loney, Dodgers. Loney seems to be declining instead of getting better. Dodgers have lost Manny and Russell Martin and haven't added much in return. 15 HR/80 RBI is there, just not likely
Thursday, March 10, 2011
The games roll on
Let's look at what's been happening...
- The Phillies announced a two-year extension with Charlie Manuel this morning. Smart move by the Phils, locking up their manager who took them to two straight World Series. Now to figure out what is wrong with Chase Utley's knee....could a trade for the Rangers' Michael Young be coming?
- The Yankees are still trying to figure out the back end of their rotation. Why not just trot Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon out there and hope you win those games 12-11. The offense is there and with that ballpark, runs are being scored. It's typical American League baseball, wait and hope for the three-run homer.
- Matt Garza so far doesn't look like much for the Cubs. Yes it is spring training and pitchers are trying to get their stuff together for the regular season but you can't be too happy about him giving up five or six runs every time out. The Cubbies need him along with Zambrano and Dempster if they stand any sort of chance in the NL Central.
Today, we begin to look at fantasy baseball and players you want to look for and avoid. First up are the pitchers.
Players to Get
Zack Greinke, Brewers: Yes he is hurt right now with the rib but even if he is out for a month, he is a pitcher you will want on your roster for later in the season. Expect 12-15 wins in Brew Town
Heath Bell, Padres: You can argue if he is the best closer in baseball right now but I would say he is. While San Diego has lost their big slugger, this is a young team that will give Bell many chances to save games. Look for 40-45 saves.
Brian Matusz, Orioles: This may be a curious selection pitching in the AL East against that division but Matusz finished the last two months 7-1 with an ERA just above two and has a career ERA under three against the Red Sox and Yankees. Use a flyer late on the big lefty.
Players to Avoid
Trevor Cahill, Athletics: Yes Cahill was 18-8 last season with a 2.97 ERA but Cahill's problem is he can't seem to strike anyone out to avoid a ball being put in play in a key situation. A lot of luck involved last season. Might be a .500 pitcher but not worth how high he could go.
Jonathan Broxton, Dodgers: Broxton lost the closer job last season after having trouble getting people out. He is on a very short leash and unless you are more focused on strikeouts and K/9 instead of saves, he's your guy. Just not my guy.
Ervin Santana, Angels: 17-game winner in 2010 and while the Halos have made some upgrades, 17 games is not going to happen again. Look deeper on a Shaun Marcum from Milwaukee or Detroit's Rick Porcello.
- The Phillies announced a two-year extension with Charlie Manuel this morning. Smart move by the Phils, locking up their manager who took them to two straight World Series. Now to figure out what is wrong with Chase Utley's knee....could a trade for the Rangers' Michael Young be coming?
- The Yankees are still trying to figure out the back end of their rotation. Why not just trot Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon out there and hope you win those games 12-11. The offense is there and with that ballpark, runs are being scored. It's typical American League baseball, wait and hope for the three-run homer.
- Matt Garza so far doesn't look like much for the Cubs. Yes it is spring training and pitchers are trying to get their stuff together for the regular season but you can't be too happy about him giving up five or six runs every time out. The Cubbies need him along with Zambrano and Dempster if they stand any sort of chance in the NL Central.
Today, we begin to look at fantasy baseball and players you want to look for and avoid. First up are the pitchers.
Players to Get
Zack Greinke, Brewers: Yes he is hurt right now with the rib but even if he is out for a month, he is a pitcher you will want on your roster for later in the season. Expect 12-15 wins in Brew Town
Heath Bell, Padres: You can argue if he is the best closer in baseball right now but I would say he is. While San Diego has lost their big slugger, this is a young team that will give Bell many chances to save games. Look for 40-45 saves.
Brian Matusz, Orioles: This may be a curious selection pitching in the AL East against that division but Matusz finished the last two months 7-1 with an ERA just above two and has a career ERA under three against the Red Sox and Yankees. Use a flyer late on the big lefty.
Players to Avoid
Trevor Cahill, Athletics: Yes Cahill was 18-8 last season with a 2.97 ERA but Cahill's problem is he can't seem to strike anyone out to avoid a ball being put in play in a key situation. A lot of luck involved last season. Might be a .500 pitcher but not worth how high he could go.
Jonathan Broxton, Dodgers: Broxton lost the closer job last season after having trouble getting people out. He is on a very short leash and unless you are more focused on strikeouts and K/9 instead of saves, he's your guy. Just not my guy.
Ervin Santana, Angels: 17-game winner in 2010 and while the Halos have made some upgrades, 17 games is not going to happen again. Look deeper on a Shaun Marcum from Milwaukee or Detroit's Rick Porcello.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
A few things to think about today.....
1. Will the Cubs ever stop fighting one another? Doesn't seem like they know how to do that.
2. Spring Training is too long. The players are already in shape when they come in for the most part. Shorten it by two weeks or so.
3. Who will be the next big domino to fall injury-wise? With Wainwright out in St. Louis and Carpenter very achy now, who is next?
4. With fantasy baseball being so big, who would you take after Pujols and Hanley?
5. Wouldn't it be nice if we could all be in Arizona or Florida, soaking in the rays and enjoying baseball. Seems like the people there don't care if you look at most of the crowds this spring.
2. Spring Training is too long. The players are already in shape when they come in for the most part. Shorten it by two weeks or so.
3. Who will be the next big domino to fall injury-wise? With Wainwright out in St. Louis and Carpenter very achy now, who is next?
4. With fantasy baseball being so big, who would you take after Pujols and Hanley?
5. Wouldn't it be nice if we could all be in Arizona or Florida, soaking in the rays and enjoying baseball. Seems like the people there don't care if you look at most of the crowds this spring.
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