Fantasy Baseball: Thursday News and Notes

So no one wanted to win the game last night between the Angels and Red Sox. Both teams took leads, gave them back, and stranded small villages on the bases. Beyond that, it was one of the more exciting and entertaining games of the season. 

Still, the Angels got rooked on a couple calls that likely made the difference in the game itself. Both came in the ninth inning, and both came on basically the same at-bat. With Nick Green at the plate with the bases loaded, Brian Fuentes was set to record the final out. 

Green got down quickly 0-2. The next pitch, Green checked his swing. The Angels appealed to first, but it was ruled that he did not break the wrists. Mike Scioscia and the Los Angeles bench saw it the other way. Replays showed it was close, but it did look like the right call was made. After a sequence of foul balls, Green had forced the count to 3-2. 

The next pitch sent two sides into a frenzy. Fuentes threw a fastball that to the naked eye, and everyone in the ballpark, looked like a strike. Green hesitated, but home plate umpire Rick Reed called it a ball. The replay showed that not only was it not a ball, it caught plenty of the zone. 

The Angels had every right to be angry with the call, but, face facts, that did not lose this game. Los Angeles blew three different leads in this one, and the call was simply a culmination of these wasted efforts. They have one more shot to take down Boston today, but rest assured they are not looking forward to playing this team in the opening round of the playoffs. 

On to the notes. 

Wednesday Rewind

• There is plenty of concern with Josh Hamilton. The outfielder is continuing to experience nagging issues that have forced him out of the lineup. The Rangers have not said that he will not return, but between the back issues and muscle tightness, he could certainly be sidelined through the weekend. The team could get Michael Young back for the weekend.
• Victor Martinez missed the game for Boston last night, but he is expected to be back and in the lineup against the Angels today. Martinez traveled to Cleveland for personal reasons, so there are no injuries to be concerned with. Certainly expect Jason Varitek to be given the game off. Kevin Youkilis' back is slowly getting better, but it is likely he still misses today's game.
• While he worked five innings on Tuesday, Roy Oswalt complained of more issues and soreness in his pitching arm. As a result, the Astros have decided to shut down the pitcher for the remainder of the season. There are still plenty of options available for owners. One of the most successful of late has been Bronson Arroyo. If he is not available, look for Jorge De La Rosa.
• Sticking with De La Rosa, he picked up win No. 15 last night. De La Rosa threw eight shutout innings, allowing only three hits while striking out nine. This month, he has given up just three earned runs in 26 innings. After starting the season 0-6, De La Rosa is 15-3 since June 4th and could end the season with over 200 strike outs. Still just 35 percent owned.
• After having surgery to repair his elbow earlier this week, Grady Sizemore had another procedure to address a sports hernia. Sizemore came through fine. He expects to be fully recovered by spring training. When it comes to drafting next year, expect Sizemore to slip. A savvy owner could get him in a good rebound year in 2010.
• No one is paying attention, but David DeJesus is riding a 14-game hitting streak and has recorded multiple hits in four of his last 10 games. DeJesus is hitting .322 for the month, coming off an August where he hit over .300 as well. The Royals are not going to provide much for fantasy owners, but deep leagues could use what DeJesus brings to the table.
• Owners can still find Hiroki Kuroda available in about 30 percent of all leagues. He continues to improve with each outing, and has now pushed his ERA under 4.00 for the entire season. Kuroda draws the Nationals in his next outing, one that should be very favorable for those heading into the finals.
• Michael Cuddyer continued his hot-hitting, recording three hits yesterday. Cuddyer has multiple hit games in three of his last four and is 10 for his last 27 overall. The Twins draw the Tigers over the weekend, and Cuddyer is hitting .333 against them in 48 at-bats this season. He is still about 50 percent available.
• As a result of the brawl the other night, Jorge Posada will be forced to sit for three games. It is not likely that he appeals the suspension at this point in the season. Look to get him out of your lineup over the next few days.

Thursday Notes

• Look to avoid most of your Tigers against Zack Greinke. Greinke is 2-1 against the Tigers in four starts this season, posting a 1.16 ERA. Over his last four starts overall, covering 32 innings, he has given up only three earned runs. The only safe bet? Placido Polanco, who checks in with 13 hits in 38 at-bats.
• Look to avoid Bobby Abreu today against Josh Beckett. Abreu is only a .215 hitter in 65 at-bats against Beckett. Torii Hunter, Howie Kendrick, Chone Figgins, and Maicer Izturis are all over .300 in at least 12 at-bats against Beckett. These four should remain in all lineups.
• Careful with Derrek Lee against Dave Bush. He is hitting just .148, with just four hits in 27 at-bats. The Cubs this season are hitting only .208 in two starts against him this season. Bush, though, struggles dramatically on the road. His 6.84 road ERA in 10 starts would not make for a decent option even in NL-only formats.
• Edwin Jackson has had a fair amount of problems of late, but he still is 7-1 at home with a 2.35 ERA. Jackson has allowed four or more runs in three of his last four starts, which does not bode well for many owners. Still, he has given up 16 hits in 12.1 innings to the Royals this season. He is a start, but be aware.
• Jair Jurrjens is 2-0 against the Mets this season in three starts. He has not allowed more than three earned runs in his last six starts. While David Wright remains effective against the starter, the rest of the Mets have had no luck. Jurrjens has been on a role, and is very hard to hit at home.
• Gavin Floyd showed his struggles on the road yesterday, but John Danks does not have those same problems. Danks is 7-3 with a 3.45 ERA away from home this season. Over his last three road starts he has given up just five earned runs in 19 innings of work. Against Seattle, he should be a good start.
• While Cole Hamels does not have great numbers against the Nationals this season, his last few starts have showed marked progress from where he was prior to the All-Star break. He has given up only one run at home in his last two starts, covering 15.2 innings. In his last four starts, he has given up more than one earned run just once.
• The Red Sox would not likely start Jason Varitek, and certainly will not with Martinez available. Varitek is 0-for-11 against Ervin Santana. Santana has had a better run of success lately, but has given up at least three earned runs in five of his last six road starts. In not one of those starts did he work beyond the sixth inning.
• Spot Starts: Randy Wells, Justin Masterson, Wade Davis

Friday Notes

• Owners should look to start Lyle Overbay against James Shields. Overbay is 10-for-33 with three home runs against Shields. Adam Lind is always a start, and he has three home runs in 24 at-bats against the Tampa starter. Only other major option would be Kevin Millar, and that is only in deeper leagues.
• Mark Buehrle does own the Royals, but there are several in that lineup Buehrle has to at least pay rent to. Billy Butler is swinging a hot bat, and he has gone 10-for-32 against Buehrle. Others to start would be Willie Bloomquist, who checks in at .464 in 28 at-bats, and Mark Teahen, who is available again and has hit .453 in 53 at-bats against the lefty.
• Ted Lilly suffered his only loss to the Cardinals this season on the road, where he has had little success this season. Away from home, Lilly is only 4-7 with a 4.62 ERA. He has been dominant in September, but two starts were at home with the third on the road against Pittsburgh.
• A.J. Burnett has been a disaster on the road this season. His 6-6 record is ok, but the 5.12 ERA should scare owners off, even against Seattle. Burnett has given up six runs in two of his last three starts overall, and has an ERA of 7.50 in his last five starts on the road. Nothing about this screams "start me in the playoffs."
• Avoid Andre Ethier against Jonathan Sanchez. The outfielder is only 3-for-19 against the starter lifetime. Keep normal Dodgers active otherwise. Russell Martin, Matt Kemp, and Manny Ramirez are all over .400 against Sanchez and Orlando Hudson sits at 7-for-22.
• Spot Starts: Tim Stauffer, Tim Hudson, J.A. Happ

Collin Hager writes The Elmhurst Pub fantasy blog. You can get your questions answered by sending an e-mail to [e-mail]. He's also on Twitter @TheRoundtable.