Fantasy Baseball By The Numbers: Week Four

As someone who came from a fantasy football background, I can relate to the plight of newer players who get a little rattled by their guys hitting the DL, especially within the first month of the season. Such is the case of guys like Jimmy Rollins, Miguel Montero, anyone owning a second baseman from the AL East, and most recently Brett Anderson and Nelson Cruz, major players who both hit the list yesterday. Anderson is scheduled for an MRI and Cruz figures to be out for at least two weeks, but neither injury will make or break your season, unlike Frank Gore’s injury this past year that kept him out weeks 3-5 and probably cost you some match ups and as a result a possible playoff berth.

While this isn’t rocket science as baseball season is infinitely longer than football season, make sure you aren’t tempted by trades offering middle-ground talent just so you can have some production in the near-term. These guys will be back in due time and should continue to be major pieces of your fantasy squad. Remember, in fantasy baseball its about how your team is playing in September that counts.

Josh Beckett’s ERA. He had one stellar outing against Tampa Bay but followed it up with a combined 15 runs in his next two starts while only fanning seven. Ironically he did the exact same thing in his 4^th and 5^th starts last season. I’m not sure I’d call him overrated, but rather erratic. In 11 games last season he was filthy, allowing only one run or less. Unfortunately he also had seven games where he allowed five or more runs, including two eight run games and two seven run games. Don’t lose hope, just be prepared for him to screw up your team ERA every once in a while.

run differential for the Brewers in five games against the Pirates, with the sixth today at 12:15 EST. Ryan Braun owners were doing cartwheels in the streets after Braun posted an obscene 5/2/8/.636/3 during the first series. Still wasn’t enough to get Prince Fielder back on track though, as he continues to underperform. Hopefully that hand heals soon.

Just keep reading. You know you want to.