Posts belonging to Category Teams

Once again, extra innings make a sombrero possible

Bottom 3: Lou Marson called out on strikes against Rick Porcello

Bottom 5: Marson called out on strikes against Porcello

Bottom 7: Marson grounds out to third against Porcello

Bottom 10: Marson strikes out on foul tip against Al Alburquerque

Bottom 12: Marson strikes out swinging against Brayan Villarreal

Final Line: 0-5, 4 strikeouts

Notes: Marson did absolutely nothing to help his team win the extra inning affair against the Tigers.  He is the second player on the Indians to record a golden sombrero this season (Shin-Soo Choo the other).

Total 2011 Sombreros: 15

You know things are bad when the Mariners are about to give up on you…

Top 1: Jack Cust called out on strikes against Justin Verlander

Top 4: Cust struck out swinging against Verlander

Top 5: Called out on strikes against Verlander

Top 8: Called out on strikes against Al Alburquerque

Top 9: RBI double off of Brad Thomas

Final Line: 1-for-5, 2B, RBI, 4 K

NOTES: With his golden sombrero against the Tigers on Wednesday, Cust has now fanned 29 times in 79 at-bats and sports a .177/.316/.203 slash line.  The fading slugger has struck out multiple times in eight of his 22 games.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 14

Stats through April 27, 2011

Troy Tulowitzki: .326/.416/.674, 7 2B, 3B, 7 HR, 17 RBI, 58 TB, 14 BB, 8 K, 1.4 WAR, .349 ISO

• 10 multi-hit games
• April 11 – April 16:  13-for-24, 2 2B, 3B, 4 HR, 8 RBI

Joey Votto: .376/.505/.624, 21 R, 7 2B, 3B, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 53 TB, 21 BB, 12 K, 2.1 WAR, .276 ISO

• 10 multi-hit games
• Reached base safely in every game
• vs. left-handers: .579/.600/.842
• w/ runners in scoring position: 7-for-16, 2 2B, HR, 9 RBI, 9 BB, 2 K

Lance Berkman: .371/.443/.729, 18 R, 7 2B, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 51 TB, 9 BB, 8 K, 1.2 WAR, .321 ISO

• 10 multi-hit games
• April 11 – April 15: 10-for-21, 9 R, 6 HR, 12 RBI
• w/ runners in scoring .412/.500/.647, HR, 10 RBI
• w/ two outs: .450/.542/.900, 3 HR, 10 RBI

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Recently I mentioned Archie Bradley’s current ranking as the third-best prep pitching prospect in this June’s draft, behind Dylan Bundy of Owasso (OK) and Taylor Guerrieri of South Carolina’s North Augusta.  Let’s look a little more closely at these two young flamethrowers as the prep season approaches the postseason.

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Playing fantasy baseball is fashionable for many reasons.  It appeals to not only rad people, such as myself, but also has qualities that attract the nerdiest guy you know from your AP stats class back in high school.  People love the stats, and people love trying to predict the future.  If they didn’t, then why are psychic hotlines so popular?  For me, though, it is not really about the stats.  It is all about playing the role of the Fantasy GM.

I am sure that there are others who feel this way.  Maybe it is just the fact that I am now a baseball coach/manager, or maybe it is because I can’t stand being drug through the mud for another season as an Astros’ fan.  Whatever the reason, I love to play the role of the GM.  The best part about being the GM: the trades.  Oh, yes.

Trading is maybe the most exciting part of any fantasy season.  I love trying to negotiate a deal on a buy low candidate or trying to convince another owner that so-and-so is not really as good as he thinks he is.  Or maybe I just want some new blood in the lineup.  Regardless, I love trading and think that it is one of the most crucial components to a successful fantasy season.

With the one month mark rapidly approaching, I would like to introduce the first article in a new series I plan on putting out every other week this year.  I call it, Trade Bait.  It is a list of some players that I would like to acquire, as well as guys I am getting rid of as if they were the plague.  I will also start each article off with the list of trades that have gone down in the Denslow Cup before introducing each list.

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