MLB Fantasy Baseball: Friday News and Notes

It feels good to have baseball back doesn't it? I know, the All-Star Game is nice, but this is what it's all about. Having Wednesday without anything to talk about only made Thursday that much better. And today brings us back into the swing of things. Let's get to some notes.

• David Ortiz homered in his rehab game last night with Pawtucket. Ortiz went 1-3 with a walk. He said after the game that he felt good and was really just looking to get his timing back. Other than chasing a few high fastballs, he felt he was well on his way. A very good sign for owners.
• Here is something that will not end well. Francisco Liriano's agent is asking for a union investigation as to why his client hasn't been called up. Liriano is dominating in AAA, going 7-0 with a 2.63 ERA. Right now, there just doesn't seem to be room for him. The Twins starting rotation has been very solid for the last month. Liriano certainly has fantasy value, but it just may not be seen this season.
• Richie Sexson has a tentative deal with the Yankees in place. Sexson would be used strictly for his power against left-handed pitching, as he's hitting nearly .300 against lefties. If you use a platoon system of your own at first base, then this is a good spot. Otherwise, this qualifies as, "who cares?" type news.
• Joe Blanton, who has virtually no value in the AL West, has been traded to a much more offensive division in the NL East to play in a smaller ballpark with less foul territory. He's 5-12 with a 4.96 ERA. I can't see that getting better. You do have to wonder what this will do to the value of Brett Myers. Myers has been expected to get the call at the end of the month. That looks less likely.
• Johnny Cueto, as predicted, struggled against the Mets last night. He's just having more and more problems against good offenses. Last night, it was just a buzzsaw of a Mets team that has been clicking on all cylinders. Not necessarily Cueto's fault, but something to keep in mind. He still has deep league value, but there are better options in most formats.
• Johan Santana is typically dominant in the second half of the season, but struggled with command last night. Worse, he gave up 10 more flyball outs, as well as back-to-back home runs. His last several starts had been better, but Santana has been playing with this fire all season. Owners should take note.
• I'm going to stop trying to understand how Kyle Lohse has been successful. Every time I think the wheels could fall off, he puts up another solid performance. Lohse has been dominant at home. I'm still a few steps away from using him on the road, but at home makes sense.

Notes for today's games:

• Again, remember the lack of inning limits in most formats.
• Felix Hernandez should always be started. No concerns based on what the Indians have done against him. No one has enough at-bats to develop enough of a trend. His .242 BAA at home is certainly a good sign though. He's been especially tough on righties, holding them to a .206 batting average.
• Mark Teahan is 14-33 against Mark Buehrle. He should be in all lineups, but Buehrle has been very good against Kansas City over his career. He makes a solid spot-start today and should be started in all formats. His last start against KC was a seven-inning effort where he allowed no runs. He's had a run of rough luck in July, posting an 0-2 record but a 2.77 ERA.
• While Paul Konerko is only 4-33 against Zack Greinke, find and start any other White Sox. Greinke has struggled against every Chicago regular and has a 6.23 ERA in two appearances against them this season. His 4.55 ERA on the road combined with 4-5 record make this a bad matchup.
• Kevin Millwood has let opponents hit .344 against him on the road this season. While Craig Monroe is 2-20 against him, any other Twins player will be a fine option against a struggling Millwood. Glen Perkins has been much stronger during his last two outings at home than in his prior six. Texas' offense has been very good, so this is still a gamble likely not worth the risk given limits.
• Greg Smith will get the start in place of Joe Blanton. I like this matchup with the Yankees much more than if Blanton had been given the ball. Mussina is still pitching very well in New York, and the Yankees are playing good ball in general, but this is a decent risk to take.
• Hiroki Kuroda will be the most consistent Dodgers pitcher in the second half. Arizona has put out an offense that has had a lot of trouble lately getting runs on the board. Even though he hasn't been outstanding on the road, this is a good matchup for Kuroda.
• Ted Lilly has owned the Astros. Lance Berkman is just 1-11, Miguel Tejada is 4-27, and Carlos Lee is 4-21. Not great numbers from three of the best players on the team. Lilly has allowed two or fewer runs in his last four road starts. All good signs, start him with confidence.
• I can't recommend Tim Redding in any league. Chipper Jones is 7-9 with two home runs against Redding, and Mark Teixeira is 3-7. Keep Redding benched and all your regular Braves in the lineup. Jair Jurrjens is a solid play and good start against the Nationals.
• Jamie Moyer has pitched well against Florida and has a 3.13 ERA on the road this season. He's feast or famine, but my bet is a feast tonight. Solid spot-start if you need a cheap win. I'll start him over Ricky Nolasco, but I think both will pitch well enough to warrant consideration in all formats.
• Spot starts today? Go with Kuroda, Nolasco, Moyer, Lilly, and Smith.

Notes for Saturday:

• In the same way you don't start Greg Maddux on the road, you don't start Randy Wolf on the road. I don't care who the opponent is, it's not worth it. Get all your Cardinals in the lineup.
• Leave the bats at home in the Yankees-A's matchup. Justin Duchscherer and Joba Chamberlain will not make it worth starting anyone but your absolute studs. Same is true when you look at Ben Sheets against Jonathan Sanchez. Only start the hot bats here, like Corey Hart and J.J. Hardy. Your studs are always good plays, but if you have decent bench players, go that route in these types of matchups.
• Vlad Guerrero is just 5-23 against Josh Beckett. The only decent play on the Angels is Garrett Anderson, who is 4-10 against the Boston starter. No one else cracks the .300 mark and has at least eight plate appearances. Beckett may just be 4-4 on the road, but his BAA is .234.
• Matt Garza is always a decent play at home. The Blue Jays' offense just hasn't been good, so take the chance of starting him against Halladay. He'll give you decent WHIP and strikeout numbers, even if he can't provide the win you might be looking for. And just so we're clear, unless under the most dire of circumstances, you don't bench Doc Halladay.
• I don't trust Daniel Cabrera, even if he's 3-0 at home. Cabrera's stuff is electric, but he loses composure quickly and has trouble with his command. I'll take the Tigers bats in this matchup over the Baltimore pitcher. Could be an offensive battle, as Nate Robertson has been awful away from home.
• Gavin Floyd has simply dominated at home, going 7-1 with a .172 BAA and a 2.57 ERA. The Royals are no reason to think that will change. Gil Meche was roughed up by the White Sox in his last outing and sports an ERA near five on the road. A.J. Pierzynski and Joe Crede don't hit Meche well, but all other White Sox regulars should be in lineups.
• While Lance Berkman has four home runs against Carlos Zambrano, he's just 8-54 lifetime against the Cubs' pitcher. Carlos Lee is the best bet for success, going .364/4/12 against Zambrano. No other Astros player has the numbers to start. Especially true given his dominance in July.
• Find other options for Mark DeRosa or Jim Edmonds if you start them regularly, but all other Cubs should be in the lineup against Wandy Rodriguez. Weird that he can dominate anyone, but there you have it.
• Tim Hudson has held the Nationals to a collective average just at .200. He's a solid option against them, especially at home. John Lannan has a 2.53 ERA on the road, but hasn't pitched well in his two previous starts against Atlanta this season.
• Oliver Perez would have made a good start just because he's going against Josh Fogg. His numbers against the Reds make that an even better play, as the Reds are under .200 as a team against Perez.
• Spot starts? Go with Jeremy Sowers, Scott Olsen, and Todd Wellemeyer.

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