7/15 Venting, Cheering, Huff's Ding Dongs, and NL MVP

[wrveres]

But first a word from our sponsor.

Andrew Baggarly: “I was looking heater,” Aubrey Huff said. “You have to, 0-2. I’m sure he wanted to bounce it but he left it up and I was just hoping it’d stay fair. It’s been one of those years, you know, nothing’s been falling. I knew I got it, but I was thinking, `Please, please, stay fair.’” “Listen, when you’re younger, you’re playing on losing teams,” he said. “You’re playing for yourself. I’d been so crappy in the first half and I was coming off one of my better years. I just wanted so badly to go out and do the same thing I did last year. The break really helped me unwind and take the step back.” “It’s one game,” Huff said. “There’s no doubt that this offense, if I’m doing what I’m supposed to do, it’ll get rolling a little bit better. I‘ve got to get going for us to get where we want to go.”

Splashing Pumpkins: -- Aubrey Huff broke one of the longest homerless streaks in history with that ninth-inning home run off of Heath Bell. No, it wasn't Huff's homerless streak; it was Bell's. Bell hadn't allowed a homer in nearly fifteen months. Incredible

Pick your Pony Previous Results.
(5/13) AL Roy: Eric Hosmer (13), Michael Pineda (6), Mark Trumbo (3)
(6/17) AL MVP: Adrian Gonzalez (14), Jose Bautista (13)
(6/24) NL Cy Young: Roy Halladay (16), Cole Hamels (9), Cliff Lee (4)
(7/01) NL Roy: Danny Espinosa (11), Brandon Beachy (10), Craig Kimbrel (7)
(7/08) AL Cy Young: Justin Verlander (29), Jered Weaver (4), Michael Pineda (3)

before you get all excited that he could be back soon, i remind you ... this is the Mets doctors we are talking about.

Jose Reyes (hamstring) is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list Monday, July 18, but is not expected to activated at that time. Reyes received treatment Thursday, July 14, and has shown progress. He is not be able to run at full speed yet but is jogging and was able to take batting practice at the All-Star Game.

Updating previous reports, Adrian Gonzalez has already been penned in as the the 2011 AL MVP.

Updating previous reports, Toronto Blue Jays 3B Jose Bautista (ankle) underwent X-rays on his injured ankle but they came back negative. Bautista probably will undergo an MRI Friday

Now that the Fatolo i know ...

Bartolo Colon failed to make it through the first inning Thursday, allowing eight runs – three earned -- on six hits and two walks over 2/3 of an inning in a loss to the Blue Jays. To make matters worse, all eight of the runs came home with two outs

Finally. sheesh.

The New York Yankees have placed 3B Alex Rodriguez (knee) on the 15-day disabled list because of a torn meniscus in his right knee.

Now thats just plain funny, i dont care who you are ...

Francisco Rodriguez said that the Brewers were one of the teams on his no-trade list but his his agent did not turn the list into the Mets in time. Rodriguez indicated that his list was formed when former RP Trevor Hoffman was the closer of the Brewers.

Goldie!!

Double-A Mobile's Paul Goldschmidt smacked his 26th homer on Wednesday. Back in June, Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers suggested that Goldschmidt was a candidate for a call-up around this time. Carrying a .311/432/.629 batting line, the 23-year-old is certainly someone to keep in mind, especially with Arizona's disappointing production from first basemen this season

Fresh from the cafe press ...

Brandon Gray: The unfortunate part for Zimmerman owners is that the team has announced an innings cap of 160 innings, meaning we only have 45 to go. If it’s not too late, try to move him. At this point, he is worth 50 cents on the dollar, especially in H2H leagues. In a roto league, if you are only being offered waiver wire material, stick with him and enjoy the ride. He could even be keeper potential.

Peter Christensen: Buying low doesn't just mean trading for player who is having a down year; if a player is having a good year, but you predict that he will perform even better than he has so far, that should also be considered as buying low. This week's trade target is Ian Kinsler, a player who is having a fine season, and one who should continue to do so in the second half. Here's why you should make Ian Kinsler a fantasy baseball trade target.

[wrveres]

Today's Games - Today's (ugh) Weather - Bullpen Report - Press Pass

Hey, how bout a little Morning Metallica. Perfect for the start of the second season, no?

Indians (48-42) @ Orioles (36-53), 7:05pm
  CLE: Josh Tomlin (26, RHP, 10-4, 3.81)
  BAL: Jake Arrieta (25, RHP, 9-6, 4.90)

WhiteSox (44-48) @ Tigers (49-43), 7:05pm
  CHW: Gavin Floyd (28, RHP, 6-9, 4.59)
  DET: Justin Verlander (28, RHP, 12-4, 2.15)

Yankees (53-36) @ Blue Jays (46-47), 7:07pm
  NYY: Freddy Garcia (34, RHP, 7-6, 3.13)
  TOR: Brandon Morrow (26, RHP, 5-4, 4.60)

RedSox (55-35) @ Rays (49-41), 7:10pm
  BOS: Andrew Miller (26, LHP, 3-0, 3.57)
  TBR: David Price (25, LHP, 8-7, 3.70)

Royals (37-55) @ Twins (42-48), 8:10pm
  KCR: Luke Hochevar (27, RHP, 5-8, 5.46)
  MIN: Nick Blackburn (29, RHP, 7-6, 4.24)

Angels (50-42) @ Athletics (39-53), 10:05pm
  LAA: Dan Haren (30, RHP, 10-5, 2.61)
  OAK: Brandon McCarthy (27, RHP, 1-5, 3.66)

Rangers (52-41) @ Mariners (43-49), 10:10pm
  TEX: Colby Lewis (31, RHP, 8-7, 4.38)
  SEA: Doug Fister (27, RHP, 3-10, 3.09)

Marlins (44-48) @ Cubs (37-56), 2:20pm
  FLA: Ricky Nolasco (28, RHP, 6-5, 3.70)
  CHC: Ryan Dempster (34, RHP, 6-6, 5.01)

Cardinals (49-43) @ Reds (45-47), 7:10pm
  STL: Jake Westbrook (33, RHP, 7-4, 5.34)
  CIN: Johnny Cueto (25, RHP, 5-3, 1.96)

Phillies (57-34) @ Mets (46-45), 7:10pm
  PHI: Vance Worley (23, RHP, 4-1, 2.20)
  NYM: R.A. Dickey (36, RHP, 4-7, 3.61)

Nationals (46-46) @ Braves (54-38), 7:35pm
  WSN: Livan Hernandez (36, RHP, 5-8, 4.01)
  ATL: Tim Hudson (35, RHP, 8-6, 3.57)

Pirates (47-43) @ Astros (30-62), 8:05pm
  PIT: Jeff Karstens (28, RHP, 7-4, 2.55)
  HOU: Brett Myers (30, RHP, 3-9, 4.88)

Brewers (49-44) @ Rockies (44-48), 8:40pm
  MIL: Chris Narveson (29, LHP, 6-5, 4.75)
  COL: Juan Nicasio (24, RHP, 3-2, 4.91)

Dodgers (41-51) @ D'backs (49-43), 9:40pm
  LAD: Clayton Kershaw (23, LHP, 9-4, 3.03)
  ARI: Joe Saunders (30, LHP, 6-7, 3.86)

Giants (53-40) @ Padres (40-53), 10:05pm
  SFG: Tim Lincecum (27, RHP, 7-7, 3.06)
  SDP: Dustin Moseley (29, RHP, 2-8, 3.21)

[bigh0rt]

No Jose Reyes in the poll? Really?

[bigh0rt]

After an A and A+ start from Liriano and Holland yesterday, today I launch Colby Lewis @ SEA and hope for the same result as yesterday... and due to the long week in ESPN and 20 start limit (normally it's 10), maybe against my better judgement, I'm actually tossing Brandon Morrow vs NYY at Home. He's a Pick 'Em with Garcia, the Yanks don't have A-Rod, not that he was doing a ton when he was healthy, but I'm crossing my fingers and hoping for the best.

[bigken117]

Jose Reyes leads the NL in Fangraphs WAR ... there is no other option, it's so obvious who it should be.

[Pogotheostrich]

No Jose Reyes in the poll? Really?

No McCutchen in the poll? Really?

[lastingsgriller]

i am not voting on this poll as there aren't nearly enough Jose Reyes'

[lastingsgriller]

maybe against my better judgement, I'm actually tossing Brandon Morrow vs NYY at Home. He's a Pick 'Em with Garcia, the Yanks don't have A-Rod, not that he was doing a ton when he was healthy, but I'm crossing my fingers and hoping for the best.

This is waaaayyyyy against your better judgement.

[wrveres]

lol... aint no Met being named MVP. Besides, you'll be lucky if he plays again this year.
I had McCutchen in the poll, but bumped him for a third Philly pitcher.

[bigken117]

lol... aint no Met being named MVP. Besides, you'll be lucky if he plays again this year.

he leads the NL in Fangraphs WAR. It's not even a debate