The New York Mets are turning things around, having won three of four against the Cubs at home this week to keep pace in what’s looking like a very competitive NL East. Now the Mets have a chance to go right after the third-place Braves, who come to Citi Field for a three-game set this weekend.
Fantasy Notes: How Lowe Can You Go? Read Post »
Don’t look now, but the Astros have rhymed off four straight wins and are now holding their own after a simply abysmal start. Houston has even pulled within a half game of the Reds and Cubs for a share of fourth place in the NL Central. The offense is still the worst in the NL, but at least the pitching is heading in the right direction. As we’ve done a couple of times in recent days, lLet’s again turn our attention to Houston’s minor league ranks and check in on some of their prospects.
Minor Matters: More Astro Stargazing Read Post »
Truly, the end has to come sometime and sadly the regular season has ended There are 60 minutes to go until my hockey podcast. The question is can I finish this before the show starts? The fun of pressure and meeting deadlines in a hockey-centric world is at its height at this time of year. It’s time to get fired up. If you are not, you may need some serious help here!
The Wire Troll: An End For a Beginning? Read Post »
Closers make up 10 per cent of the counting categories in Fantasy baseball and undoubtedly will contribute 90 per cent of a team owner’s grief. The game of spin-the-closer already commenced on numerous even before Opening Day. The value in drafting a proven, stable closer at the top-end might never be higher than it is this year as we watch the early turnover in mid- and lower-tier closers. If you’re in a gambling mood when shopping for saves, it would be prudent to tie yourself to the corresponding set-up man. An ounce of prevention could be a smart move this season.
Cheat Sheets: 2010 Relief Pitcher Rankings Read Post »
The Houston Astros have started to dig their way out of an early-season hole by winning the final two games in Chicago this weekend. But even with this modest winning streak, the ‘Stros still find themselves six games under .500, owners of the worst offense and one of the worst pitching staffs in the NL. In a nutshell, it’s going to be a long year in Houston. And yes, we have a problem.
Minor Matters: Help on the Way for Houston? Read Post »
Take a deep breath and settle in for the long haul. The slumping vets will turn it around. If you chose to panic, there are owners in every league that are always more than accommodating when it comes to helping you with your early season dilemmas – a situation that usually leads to serious regret down the road. Just focus on the better days ahead and repeat after me, “’Tis a Marathon, not a Sprint.”
The Wire Troll: Maxwell’s Smart Read Post »
Wright was a seventh round pick of the Dodgers way back in 2003 and came to Houston in the Rule V draft in 2007. He’s a good strikeout pitcher, having averaged 10.8 K/9 in five seasons in the minors, although you’d expect that figure to drop with him starting. Of course, what Wright really needs to do to succeed, whether as a starter or a reliever, is to improve his control. Last year he walked 25 in just 44 2/3 IP with the Astros, and that was actually an improvement over his rookie season when he issued 34 free passes in 55 2/3 IP. In his first start of the season for Round Rock, Wright wasn’t awful, giving up just one earned run (and one unearned run) in four innings, but the six hits and two walks against just two strikeouts tells me he has a long way to go. Wright will get another crack Saturday night to show that he has a future as a starter.
Fantasy Notes: The Wright Stuff? Read Post »
