May 22, 2009
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“It’s the most wonderful time of the year…”
Come on folks, sing it with me as we kick off the yearly, unnatural display of baseball where the junior circuit matches talent and wit with the senior circuit. AL pitchers flail helplessly at the plate in NL parks, and talented hitters with no defensive capability whatsoever get at-bats in AL parks with the designated hitter rule. Here a few matchups and players to focus on as we enter what should be a fun weekend of baseball. By the way, how long before they start playing interleague games in April?
**All statistics from the morning of May 21, 2009
Cleveland Indians (15-26) vs. Cincinnati Reds (21-18) These cross-town, cross-state battles are always fun and the “Battle for Ohio” is no different as the Reds invite the Tribe to their homer haven this weekend. There’s an interesting logjam developing at catcher for the Reds as Ramon Hernandez, hitting .286 with 14 RBIs on the year, is playing first right now because of an ear infection that has sidelined everyday first baseman Joey Votto. Hernandez does not have great fantasy value because of a lack of production in the power department but he is a reliable option at backstop if only because of his respectable on-base percentage of .351. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is at an even 13-12.
D.C. native Ryan Hanigan has been the recipient of increased playing time with 35 at-bats this month. His strong throwing arm and offensive capabilities have forced manager Dusty Baker’s hand to keep him in the lineup. Hanigan for right now is only a viable option at catcher in deep NL-only leagues and is owned by just 0.1 percent of owners in ESPN leagues. He has an on-base percentage of .364 in 50 at-bats and has also thrown out four of seven would-be base stealers. The Reds will get Votto back sometime within the next several days. Keep an eye on what happens with the backlog at backstop for the Reds if you have a need at catcher.
Tampa Bay Rays (20-22) vs. Florida Marlins (19-22)
I promise you that we will not spend all afternoon discussing interstate rivalries, but this one is one of my favorites. Last year’s AL East champion Rays are currently in fourth place, sitting 6.5 games behind the surprising Toronto Blue Jays. Let me repeat that, the Jays are leading the AL East. It’s still early and the Jays have not played much against the Sawx, Rays or Yanks, so once those teams go head-to-head we’ll see if the Jays are legit.
Part of the Rays’ troubles have come from their lack of quality outings from their starting rotation. But on the other side of the ball another player whom the Rays usually expect to product but who hasn’t is B.J. Upton. The guy is hitting just .177 on the year and has struck out 44 times in 141 at-bats. Manager Joe Maddon does not have anyone better to put there in place of the young, talented center fielder, who by the way is still only 24 years old. Seems like he’s been around forever though, right? Well he did get his first at-bats in the majors when he was just a teenager back in 2004. Either way, regardless of age, the weekend does not look like it will get any better for Upton as he is just 2-for-20 off the current Marlins staff.
New York Mets (21-19) vs. Boston Red Sox (24-16, 15-4 at home)
These next two matchups are my absolute favorites of the weekend just because they feature four teams that have a lot of attitude, personality and character. And oh by the way, they have a bitter hatred with their divisional neighbor that is playing the other’s rival over the weekend. Make any sense? Probably not. That’ll happen at times.
“Johan and pray for rain,” was how a good friend of mine described the New York Mets’ rotation a few months back. It is true that the much-maligned starting rotation of the Metropolitans has some glaring holes after their ace Santana, but they are looking to Tim Redding to give them a shot in the arm when the teams finish their series off Sunday afternoon. Redding’s only start of the year was a successful one May 18 at the Los Angeles Dodgers when he went six strong innings and gave up just two earned runs on two hits in a 3-2 loss. The only concern for Redding is that he walked four in the no-decision outing. The Red Sox are dominant at home but if Redding can put together another solid outing, it might open the eyes of a lot of fantasy managers looking for a cheap option in their rotation.
Philadelphia Phillies (21-17, 13-5 away) vs. New York Yankees (23-17)
The world champions and NL East leaders in the Bronx. A new stadium in the Bronx. The surging Yankees, owners of eight straight. The wind tunnel known as New Yankee Stadium. Two potent left-handed hitting lineups bashing balls into the seats in right all weekend. What more is there not to like here? Should I go further?
Here is a word of advice though for this potentially loaded series. Stay away from Brett Myers when he takes the hill at Yankee Stadium Friday night. While Myers does have two wins on the month to go along with a 3.93 ERA in three May starts, he has given up 12 bombs on the year. Both the Yankees and their opponents hit the ball out of the ballpark with regularity in the Bronx and some are beginning to compare Ruth’s new house to Coors Field. Seeing as how Myers has the disposition to give up the long ball, your staff’s ERA will benefit from sitting him this weekend.
The match up of the weekend will come Sunday as the resurgent Cole Hamels, 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA in three May starts, will take on CC Sabathia, 4-3 3.43 ERA overall, in a showcase of two talented southpaw aces. Will we see a pitcher’s duel Sunday afternoon? Uh, probably not. But hey, one can always wish for one, right?
2011 Fantasy Baseball Home
2011 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Catchers - 3/14
2011 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: First Basemen - 3/15
2011 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Second Basemen - 3/16
2011 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Closers - 3/17
More 2011 Fantasy Baseball Rankings to be posted soon.
2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 23
NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22
Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19
NFL Picks - Feb. 12
