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Fantasy Baseball Hit and Run-October 28

Here’s today’s edition of the Fantasy Baseball Hit and Run on the day of the biggest game of the baseball season. It doesn’t get any better than game 7 of the World Series. Even if you aren’t a Rangers or Cardinals fan game 6 was nothing short of epic, full of twists and turns in every storyline. Here’s some fantasy baseball notes to read during LaRussa’s 8 pitching changes for the Cards (hey he wants to make sure his call goes through correctly) and pitching coach Mike Maddux’s 6 trips to the mound for the Rangers. Let’s be honest, if game 6 is any indication it could take a while before this one gets sorted out….

The Hit and Run is designed to be a weekly update on the news in the world of baseball both real and fantasy. The setup is fairly simple. The news is given “quick-hit” style with links to the full story if you want more info; then I’ll be off with the pitch and give you the run-down analysis of how I think it affects the teams involved and the value of the players from a fantasy perspective. So here’s the pitch, with the runner going…

Hit: Cardinals come from behind again, and again, and again, and again…

Run: Cards-Rangers is a surprisingly intriguing series with more plots than we’ll break down here since this is primarily a fantasy-based site. As a fan of baseball though it’s been lots of fun to watch, and congratulations to whoever comes out with the game 7 win.

 

Hit: Theo finds a new home. Chicago Tribune

Run: Let the housecleaning begin. The rebuilding and remodeling of Theo’s new Wrigley home will take years through player development but expect a new-look Cubs team next year. It looks like that will include a new manager (Ryne Sandberg?) and probably some mid-level free agents. My guess is that Epstein moves some pieces in a trade or two and signs some decent (but not top-shelf) free agents and that next year’s Cubs have more fresh faces than returners.

 

Hit: Hey new guy, find the new guy. Boston.com

Run: Theo’s old stomping grounds are now run by his old sidekick as Ben Cherington steps into the GM roll with the Red Sox. It’s impossible to predict with surety what Ben will do but it would appear from his background that the continued and increased emphasis will be young players and not as many Lugo’s and Lackey’s (high-priced free agents from elsewhere). The first order of business though has to be to find the right manager. While John Farrell would seem to be the first choice of all the Boston fans I know, they also admit that it appears he’s a longshot (Toronto’s blocking it pretty hardcore) and it will probably one of a host of other names that have been floated out there over the past few weeks. It will be an incredibly important hire for Cherington and for all the Red Sox players both in real life and fantasy baseball so come back weekly to see who lands Tito’s old seat in the dugout.

 

Hit: Toronto interested in Ortiz? Baseball Nation

Run: He’d be a good fit and has always played well in Toronto, but I think Cherington will keep the icon in Boston and Papi will retire with the Red Sox.

 

Hit: Giants, Yankees, Red Sox all expected to be in on Carlos Beltran. SI.com

Run: No matter where he ends up Beltran will get another big payday with those suitors in on the deal. My guess is the Giants keep him, but if he comes to NY or BOS his run scoring and RBI totals could jump significantly. Where he goes will have a huge impact on his value for next season so stay tuned…

 

Hit: Nationals, Marlins, and Royals are likely to pursue CJ Wilson. NY Post 

Run: While the big market teams will lead the pack there will be plenty of teams in on Wilson. It’ll be interesting to see how much his World Series woes hurt his value. He’ll be a top starter worth drafting regardless of where he ends up. Exactly where he ranks will be dependent on the situation he lands in.

 

Hit: Lackey to have Tommy John surgery and is out for 2012. Yahoo

Run: Not that you would have drafted him anyways, but at least that may be an explanation for his miserable 2011.

 

Hit: Phillies decline options on Oswalt and Lidge. Philadelphia Inquirer

Run: Both could come back but at much cheaper rates. Oswalt will get a lot of interest but would seem best served to stay in the NL. My guess is he ends up in the NL West either with the Dodgers, Giants, or even the DBacks.

 

Hit: Red Sox probably to pick up Scutaro’s option. Boston Herald

Run: Scutaro got hot in September and while he’s a very streaky hitter, when he’s rolling can be a useful option even in mixed leagues. He may be challenged for his starting job but if he’s in the lineup every day he’s a borderline mixed league middle infielder and definitely a good source of R, RBI, and AVG in AL only leagues.

 

Hit: Thome wants to play another year. AP

Run: Watch where he lands. If he’s even a part time DH in AL only leagues he’ll help you with homers and RBI’s without hurting your average.

October 26, Streak for the Cash Picks

If only I could follow my own advice I’d have a W3. Somehow though I got the wrong soccer team in the morning matchup and although the advice I gave was solid, my pick went the other way. As it is I’m still on a decent W2 as we head into this Wednesday which might be the last day of the 2011 MLB season. The Cardinals may have something to say about that though (if they can get their walkie-talkies functional). Anyway, here’s the picks for today as I continue my pursuit of a .500 record by the end of the month:

2:00-Real Zaragoza win or tie: Back to soccer and the Spanish Primera for the early pick. I’m not in love with any of these matchups but since this is what’s on the board I’ll fly in the face of the majority and go with the home team to at least get a draw against a Valencia squad that hasn’t won (which they need to do to win the way the matchup is set) since October 1. Zaragoza’s only home defeat was their opener against Real Madrid on August 28. It’s no guarantee to be sure, but don’t follow the flock on this one. I’ll buck the trend with a confidence level (CL) of 2 1/2 out of 5.

8:05-Texas Rangers: Sorry St Louis midnight officially sounded on this Cinderella story somewhere back in the 8th inning (we’ll tried to call you and let you know when but your phone wasn’t working). Colby Lewis has been the Rangers big game pitcher and even though Garcia pitched well in game 2 I don’t see him doing it again. I picked the Rangers (albeit in 5) and I’ll stick with ’em through to the end. I think Nolan Ryan and the boys will be celebrating is St. Louis tonight and I’ll take them with a CL of 3.

Because of the way the schedule falls that’s really about all there is for today’s streak picks. Once college hoops gets fired up that should help fill in the hockey and football gaps and keep us plenty busy here in streak-ville. Stay tuned throughout the day, much more to come (including college pick’em and hopefully NFL trade rankings over at fantasycpr) and make sure to Keep Pickin’!

current streak: W2

so far in October: 31-33 (if all goes well, .500 headed into tomorrow)

October 23, Streak for the Cash Picks

USC and the Kings got my streak to W2 as I enter this NFL week 7 Sunday. Lots of good picks on the board and hopefully I can get back to .500 as we enter this last week of the month-long contest. Here’s how I’m rolling this Sunday.

1:00-Tampa Bay: as explained in my NFL picks. I’ll take them with a confidence level (CL) of 3 1/2 out of 5

4:15-Packers win by double digits: breakdown in NFL Picks. CL: 4

8:05-Texas Rangers: The Rangers will even the series behind Derek Holland. Edwin Jackson has pitched well in the playoffs but I think the Rangers bats will come alive and get them back to a 2-2 tie in this series. If I am on a W4 I’ll probably sit this one out because I only have a CL: 2 since the Cards charmed life continues to roll on to this point.

So there’s the picks for today. Have a Great Sunday and make sure to keep pickin’!

current streak: W2

so far in October: 26-28

October 20, Streak for the Cash Picks

Here’s the link to our FantasyCPR week 7 trade rankings, and as soon as it’s posted I’ll send on the link to the positional rankings for the coming weekend. Yesterday, I ran my streak up to a W3 headed into today’s action, and here’s how I plan to build that and hopefully finish the month back over .500:

1:00-Atletico Madrid win or draw: 2 evenly matched teams that sit atop their group. My guess is this will be a draw but if I had to choose I’d take Madrid as the better team (esp wieh Udinese missing some starters due to injury) and since Atletico’s drawn their last 3 matches I’ll take this one with a confidence level (CL) of 2 1/2 out of 5.

8:05-Texas Rangers: Lots of ways you can go in the evening. You can get propy with the world series, get frozen by hockey, or roast in the desert but I’m choosing this one since Colby Lewis has been probably the best Rangers “big-game” pitcher. I picked Texas in 6 and even after last night I saw nothing to change my mind. I have confidence that the Rangers can score on Garcia and their bullpen will be the one we’re calling “dominant” come tomorrow. CL: 3

I’ll try and get my college challenge picks up later today and NFL picks tomorrow. Come back for that and more streak tips as we head to the end of the month. Have a good Thursday and as alawys “Keep Pickin’!”

current streak: W3

recrod this month:22-25

October 19, Streak for the Cash Picks

College pick’em picks coming out momentarily, and later today check on fantasyCPR for the link for the positional rankings for this weekend (I’ll post it here as well)… On to our streak. Yesterday I missed early with Bayern but closed strong with the Sabres to start today on a W1. Here’s how I’m gaining momentum as we roll towards another busy sports weekend, even if the picks today are a little slim (we blame you NBA!)

2:45-Marseille win or draw: Arsenal may be the bigger name (esp if you live in England) but Marseille is a solid team and at home they should be able to beat Arsenal; the fact that we get the draw too with this pick makes it easy. I’ll take it with a confidence level (CL) of 3 1/2 out of 5.

7:30-Toronto Maple Leafs: Toronto burned me earlier this season by dropping their last home game in OT to CO. They should be able to bounce back against a Winnipeg team that’s struggled coming out of the gate. The only thing that scares me is that this game is like 99 percent for Toronto right now and those picks usually come back to bite me, but I’ll still take them with a CL: 4

10:30-No runs in the eighth: As long as the earlier picks are done I’ll take this one with a CL: 2 since both bullpens are solid and the odds say that it’s more likely that a run won’t score than will. If I’m on a W3 I may let this one ride, but check back in the comments for updates. It kinda depends on the flow of the game.

So with the start of the World Series I’ll remind you of the pick I gave yesterday of Texas in 6 and they would be my pick today to beat Carp and take a 1-0 advantage even on the road. I don’t see their hitting slowing down and their pitching should be just good enough. That’s all for today, make sure to check back later for more and as always “keep pickin’!”

current streak: W1

record this month: 20-25

Hit and Run, October 14

In my continued roll as contributor to fantasyCPR, my first hit and run article all about the already fired up hot stove in baseball is now up. Check it out and feel free to give me any feedback or comments on it. This week’s piece features Albert’s heat streak, Theo’s exit, Ventura in Chicago, and even more Laffey in KC.

October 11, Streak for the Cash Picks

Rough day for streakers yesterday and my streak particularly as I lost both my matchups and slid to an L3. Looking to turn it around as we head into this Soccer, baseball, and Hockey filled board on this Tuesday. College picks and fantasy helplines coming out later today as well as an exciting announcement which will enhance and expand the material made available here at the bureau. Here’s the picks for today:

1:00-Germany win by 2: This must be on the board to get people to watch on ESPN2. Germany is #3 in the world; Belgium #34. Both these teams have already advanced, but the Germans always love to put on a show at home and since the Belgians will be a little short on defense due to injury, I’ll take the Germans to use their phenomenal depth to finish qualifying with a perfect record by 2 or more goals with a confidence level (CL) of 3 out of 5.

8:00-4 pitches or fewer: Since the game is in Detroit, the leadoff hitter is probably Ian Kinsler. Kinsler has see only 3.86 pitcher per plate appearance in the post season and Fister throws strikes, especially early in the game. Picking props is the only way to get multiple evening picks in and since my streak is so small I’m going quantity and taking this one. CL: 2

10:15-Yes XBH in the 7th or 8th: Props are tricky but with these 2 lineups and bullpens at least a little overstretched from last night I expect someone to at least hit a double in one of these 2 innings. I’m trying to get some momentum going forward, hopefully these props can help me with that. CL: 3

Props to thenewsofsports for a nice 7 gamer headed into today. You can see if W8 is in the cards for today and check my progress too by joining our Streak group. More to come later so stay tuned and Keep Pickin’!

current streak: L3

record for October: 10-18 (bad; very, very bad)

October 10, Streak for the Cash Picks

Happy Columbus Day! Yesterday was a rough one for my streak but finished the day on a W1 thanks to the 2nd half prop in the Sunday Night game. Plenty of action on the ice, field, and gridiron today so let’s get right to it.

1:00-Minnesota Wild: The new-look Wild looked good in their opener against Columbus while the Isles struggled and ultimately couldn’t find the net against Florida. It’s not a huge sample size since both teams have only played once, but early in the season on neutral ice (in Helsinki) I still feel like I can give this matchup a confidence level (CL) of 2 1/2 out of 5.

8:05-Milwaukee Brewers: Staying in the upper mid-west with my picks for the day, I’ll take the Beer-makers to batter Edwin Jackson and get to a commanding 2-0 lead. The Brew-crew bats are just too hot right now and while this series won’t be a sweep; I’ll take Milwaukee at home with a CL: 4

Tomorrow, I’ll have the college picks or players ready to roll for the coming weekend as well as your fantasy helplines for the waiver wire. Hopefully you get the day off to enjoy watching your streak run up, and as always remember to keep’ pickin!

current streak: W1

record for October: 10-16

October 8, Streak for the Cash Picks

A nice bounceback day for my picks yesterday as they went 3 for 3. The only downside was that I missed the window between the Brewers and Boise by all of 2 minutes. Moore rolled Fresno so I could’ve been on a W3, but instead I’m on a W2 looking to grow that over the 3 day weekend starting with these picks:

3:35-K State: The early picks are kinda iffy to me. In fact I would take any other result in the Purdue game if I had to make a pick, but with a W2 I’ll sit the first window out and instead go with the Wildcats to remain undefeated and beat Missouri. I talked more about the game already, so I’ll go with a confidence level (CL) of 3 out of 5.

8:05-Detroit Tigers: I’ll take Texas to win in 7 for the series but in game 1 it’ll be the Verlander show. The saying goes “good pitching beats good hitting” and Verlander is the best that there is. CJ Wilson has been inconsistent lately and is nowhere near the ace the Tigers have. Give me the Rangers for the series, but I’ll take the Tigers with a CL: 3 to steal game 1 on the road. (note: if I lose the afternoon game I may try to squeeze in Vols football @ 7 and no misses in the kicking game @ 10. stay tuned to the comments for updates)

Should be a great sports weekend and plenty of solid college action today. If you need picks or players check out those posts of look ahead to the NFL slate tomorrow. Have a great Columbus day weekend and Keep Pickin’!

current streak: w2

record this month: 8-11