MLB Today: The Resurrection of Micah Owings
Micah Owings could suddenly be a Fantasy factor again.
It’s been quite some time since Micah Owings was a Fantasy factor. In fact, you’d have to go back to 2008 to find the last time he had any value, but by August of that year, things were already going downhill. Owings was slightly better in 2009, but last year – pitching strictly out of the bullpen – he was awful.
Now all of a sudden, he’s re-emerged with value for the D-Backs. Owings has mostly been a long reliever this year, but he looked really strong in his start last Sunday, earning himself the fifth starter job in Arizona for the time being. Saturday Owings gets the Dodgers – a really good match up, especially in LA where the Dodgers have been unable to generate any offense this year.
Looking for a decent spot start? Give Owings a shot. This could be his last chance to stick as a starter in the bigs, so you know he’s super motivated. That’s worth gambling on in our books.
Quick Hits
- Casey Blake (neck) is expected to be activated off the DL Saturday. He’s injury prone and didn’t exactly light it up the last time he came off the DL (there’s an understatement), but with third base being one of the hardest hit positions in The Year of the Injury, Blake is worth a look.
- We expected David DeJesus to be a top 90 outfielder this year, but he’s barely been in the top 125, rendering him pretty much useless in all formats except very deep AL-only leagues. However, DeJesus makes for a very sneaky play Saturday as he’s 12-for-27 in his career against Twin starter Nick Blackburn. Those are the kind of odds you have to lay money down on if you’re going to win a Fantasy championship.
- On the flipside, we only though Michael Cuddyer would be a top 65 outfielder, but he’s perhaps played at a top 15 level this year. On Friday he spanked a three-run dinger, giving him two jacks, six RBI and a .348 BA over the last five games. Cuddyer now has a season-high 35 hits in July and is enjoying a superb comeback season after scuffling last year. In fact, he’s well on his way to the best BA of his career (currently at .300, previous best .284). Throw in eligibility at first base (and second base in some leagues), and you’ve got yourself a must-own player in Cuddyer.
- Will Venable was MIA Friday with back spasms. We recommended him in mid-June when he was brought back from the minors, and it was a good call as he hit well in limited opportunities. Venable hasn’t stayed as hot lately, and when you add up his laundry list of health woes, it’s time to cut bait on him in all formats.
- The Colorado Rockies have been holding their own lately, but that’s not good enough to cut into their 11-game deficit in the NL West, so this team needs to pick up the pace. Playing the Padres this weekend will help, as the Rox have won three straight against San Diego, taking 6-of-10 for the season. What the Rockies could really use now is some pop. Five straight games without a homer? Really?! You’d have to go back to August to find the last time they didn’t go yard in six straight. Ty Wigginton – assuming he doesn’t get dealt in the interim – could be a good bet to bust Colorado’s homer drought. He’s smacked a pair of dingers and gone 6-for-12 against Padre starter Aaron Harang in his career. Wigginton has been getting dumped en masse lately, but makes for an intriguing plug and play for Saturday.
