MLB Fantasy Baseball: Saturday News and Notes

I love hot dogs. But I don't love them enough to eat 59 of them in ten minutes, and then eat another five to break a tie. Not a chance. It's the right and duty of every American to have a hot dog on the fourth, but wow, that's just scary. Let's not think about that and get on to the notes.

• Instead of DL news, we're going to talk about comings and goings of players. Joe Borowski was designated for assignment by Cleveland. Borowski had 47 saves last season, but even in recording those, he was awful. That didn't change this year, as Borowski routinely had trouble closing out games. Look for Masa Kobayashi to be given the first chance at the closer role in Cleveland.
• Jeff Francouer was sent to AAA Richmond. He struggled all of June, hitting just .206 for the month. The Braves say they will recall him after the break, but he's not providing much help for fantasy owners as it is. If the Braves are willing to give up on him, I think it's probably time fantasy owners did as well.
• Todd Helton has hit the DL with a sore back. He hasn't been as effective as he has in the past. This is a solid chance for owners to pick up Chris Davis and give him a trial run. He'll provide as much, if not more, power than Helton was giving.
• Johnny Damon has arguably been the most consistent offensive force on the Yankees this season. Unfortunately, he suffered a bruised shoulder in the loss to Boston. Damon is at least day-to-day, but I'd expect a DL stint in order to make sure he's actually healthy. This will only make the Yankees offensive problems worse the longer he is out. The younger players the Yankees have brought up aren't viable fantasy players at this point. Look for Jason Kubel or Skip Schumaker on waivers.
• If you're still holding on to any Boston relievers not named Papelbon and hoping for holds or cheap saves, there are much better options available. The Red Sox bullpen is a disaster, to the point it is costing starters wins left and right. Hideki Okajima was a great guy for both holds and saves like that. Not this year.
• Chris Ianetta is providing some decent power in his part-time play. His platoon mate, Yorvit Torrealba, has asked for a trade. If one were to happen, Ianetta should become an everyday player that is certainly a better option than many current catchers... especially people stuck with Ramon Hernandez or Jason Varitek in deeper leagues.
• Paul Byrd dropped to 1-8 on the road and had his road ERA jump over seven. He may catch lightning in a bottle once in a while, but you'll want to start any and all offensive threats that he faces away from Cleveland. He's nearly four runs a game better at home, one of the largest disparities in baseball.
• Brian Bannister is another pitcher that shouldn't be started away from home. Bannister gave up six earned runs in five innings of work against Tampa. While Tampa is playing well, his road ERA is now over eight on the season. This is not a train you want to ride and makes Bannister a hard pitcher to own. Fantasy owners should look to focus on pitchers that can be used regardless of location. Playing with matchups is one thing, but you'd rather make a decision based on team as opposed to already limiting yourself to 50 percent of starts.

Notes for Saturday's Games:

• As tough as Justin Masterson has been on right-handed hitters, lefties are getting the better of him. I'd make sure to have any and all of them in my lineup. Masterson has shown some vulnerability, and this will be his first major test in Yankee Stadium. The Yankees are patient, and he has struggled with his command. Not a good combination.
• If Jason Varitek's recent struggles weren't enough, he hits just .172 against Mike Mussina. Mike Lowell (.579/3/8), Manny Ramirez (.280/9/24), Kevin Youkilis (.316), and Dustin Pedroia (.462) are all must-plays.
• You probably have better options than Carlos Beltran against Jamie Moyer. Beltran hits just .222 against the lefty. The rest of the Mets should be in all lineups. You may even want to grab one off of waivers, specifically Carlos Delgado (.423/8/17). Moyer also has one of the worst BAA's at home, allowing opponents to hit .305.
• Shannon Stewart is the only Blue Jay worth having in the lineup against John Lackey. Lackey has just been out-and-out dominant. No need for concern here at all. Roy Halladay will still give you the peripheral stats, but expect Lackey to record another win. Torii Hunter is the only Angel regular with poor numbers against Halladay.
• Kevin Slowey is pitching better at home than his 2-3 record indicates. Slowey sports a 1.00 WHIP and .232 BAA. The only concern is the number of flyballs he allows, but he has kept the home-run totals in check his last three starts. He's a good option against the Indians if you need a starter.
• I wouldn't go out of my way to start lefties against Aaron Laffey. Better options probably aren't plentiful if you own Justin Morneau or Joe Mauer, but explore them if you have them. Lefties are only hitting .176 against Laffey.
• Ah, the Brewers are at home. Time to start Dave Bush. Opponents are only hitting .235 against Bush at home, and at Miller Park, he has a 3.18 ERA this season. Keep your regular Pirates in the lineup, unless you have better options. Freddy Sanchez, though, is a .438 hitter against Bush.
• Conor Jackson is a .320 hitter against Jake Peavy, but no other Diamondback has decent numbers. Despite Peavy's struggles on the road, you don't bench an ace unless there is a legit threat on the other side. Conor Jackson does not qualify. Another bad outing by Peavy on the road and we'll seriously re-evaluate. Right now, his ERA is 5.61 and opponents hit over .300 against him away from Petco.
• Doug Davis has kept the Pirates to a .197 average as a team. He's a solid spot-start option.
• Roy Oswalt is expected to make his start against Atlanta. Mark Kotsay is a good option against him if you're looking for a few points in average. Oswalt should be started if healthy enough to go.
• Spot starts? Go with Greg Smith, Dave Bush, Doug Davis, and Armando Galarraga.

Notes for Sunday's Games:

• Tim Wakefield hasn't had much success against the better Yankee bats. Jeter, Abreu, and Cano all hit over .300 against the knuckler. You probably have better options than Jason Giambi, who's just a .183 hitter against Wakefield. Wakefield is just 2-8 against the Yankees since 2005 and just 1-4 at Yankee Stadium.
• Joba Chamberlain hasn't seen an offense like Boston's, but he's improved in every single start this season. I wouldn't let what Boston has done deter me from the start in this case. He's a solid option.
• Kevin Millwood will make his start, despite suffering a bruised calf on Tuesday. That should only make you want to start more of your Orioles. Millwood has had nothing but problems on the road all season long, recording just one win and allowing a .342 opponents batting average.
• Jeff Suppan at home is always a good play. He's been able to keep the better Pirates hitters in check, keeping Xavier Nady to .269 and Jason Bay to .129. Nate McLouth and Ryan Doumit are the best of the options for the Pirates. I'd start Nady, but look for a better option if I had one for Bay.
• No concerns in starting your better Brewers against Zach Duke. Duke struggles on the road and hasn't been able to figure out J.J. Hardy, Prince Fielder, Corey Hart, or Rickie Weeks. All are good plays.
• Glen Perkins has allowed three runs or less in his last five starts and has worked into the sixth in four of those outings. Perkins draws a Tigers' lineup that is hitting better, but he is still a decent spot-play if you're looking for a decent WHIP and ERA number to end the week.
• Jon Garland has not pitched well against Toronto and is just 2-4 at home on the season. Vernon Wells and Shannon Stewart struggle, but any other Blue Jay that you would normally have in your lineup should still be there.
• If there's ever a reason to bench Ryan Howard, his 1-16 totals against Oliver Perez is probably that reason. Perez has had a fair amount of problems on the road, but hasn't allowed a run against the Phillies in 11 innings this season.
• Spot starts for Sunday? Suppan, Jesse Litsch, Todd Wellemeyer, and Wandy Rodriguez.

Back as the need arises.