MLB Fantasy Baseball: Wednesday News and Notes

Before watching a ball literally balance on top of a wall at Yankee Stadium, I can honestly say I'd never seen a ball really be ALMOST a home run.

Then, last night, the same thing happened in Kansas City to the same team. The one in Yankee Stadium was odd enough, but what got me was how much room there is on top of the wall in Kansas City. There was like three feet of space! Where does this make sense? 

While pondering that, let's get to the notes.

• One sentence, when uttered about any pitcher, gives teams, fans, and fantasy owners the creeps: "He's going to see Dr. James Andrews." The Tommy John specialist has a new client today, as Joba Chamberlain will be making the trek down to see him. Chamberlain is going to miss at least his next start on Saturday, a trip to the DL is likely, and now you just have to hope it isn't anything serious.
• Another injury note has Billy Wagner hitting the DL with a strained forearm. This is an injury we've seen a fair amount of this season across different pitchers. It just needs rest more than anything else. Aaron Heilman will get the chance to grab some saves while Wagner is sidelined.
• David Ortiz heard a pop in his wrist during an at-bat against Joakim Soria on Monday night. Ortiz has been told that this could happen from time to time as the injury heals, and it isn't cause for concern. What should concern him is that he's just 2-20 since the trading deadline. Without adequate protection behind him, Ortiz is not seeing the diet of fastballs he got when Ramirez hit fourth.
• You could see Mike Lowell was in pain last night, and he was the only Red Sox player to go hitless. I don't think one necessarily begets the other, but it certainly is worth noting. Lowell had trouble scoring from second on a double and seemed hobbled during each trip toward first base. The cortisone shots normally take about 24 hours to be effective, so let's hope tonight brings something different.
• With Brad Ziegler pitching as well as he has, and the continued struggles of Huston Street, one has to question how long Street will hold on to the job with Oakland not seemingly going anywhere once the season ends. Ziegler has been dominant, while Street has blown three of his last four save opportunities and picked up another loss in the process. Over his last 10 outings, his ERA has jumped from 3.60 to 4.20. Not a good sign.
• The final score looks like he got crushed, but Jamie Moyer had another steady outing against the Marlins. Moyer only gave up two of the eight runs scored, but did pick up his first loss against the Marlins all season. Josh Johnson threw a gem, going six innings while giving up just five hits and walking four. His control still isn't 100 percent, but it is much better than it was.
• Fausto Carmona has given up four or more runs in three of his last four outings and has only made it out of the fourth innings once. It's been downright ugly, and it hasn't been against the best offenses in baseball. While Texas is good, Minnesota and Detroit have struggled, and Tampa had been in a funk for about a week. Beware his next start and check the matchups prior to putting him out there.
• Chris Carpenter looked good for a second straight outing, getting himself through five innings while allowing just three hits, no runs, and no walks. The bullpen just blew a four-run lead for him in the ninth, led by new closer Jason Isringhausen. No other way to describe the scene than ugly.
• Some guys just have runs scored for them, and Mike Pelfrey seems to be one of those guys this season. He's pitching well overall, and he's certainly now a guy to grab when you need a win. Why? He's 8-1 with one no-decision in his last 10 starts. That's nearly unheard of. Forget the 8-1 record, but the fact he has nine decisions period in his last 10. If you need the win, don't be afraid to grab him. He's just 61 percent owned right now.

Notes for today's games:

• Adam Dunn is 12-24 against Jeff Suppan, and the Reds as a whole have done a decent job against the righty. The exception here is Jerry Hairston. While Suppan hasn't grabbed a win in two games against the Reds, he's pitched well against them. Both those starts, though, were back in April. Suppan is now 4-5 on the road with a 5.19 ERA. So, start all your Reds.
• Most of the regular Orioles have put up solid numbers against Ervin Santana. Brian Roberts, Kevin Millar, Nick Markakis, Aubrey Huff, and Melvin Mora all have more than 11 at-bats and better than .275 averages against the Angels starter tonight.
• Garrett Olson has been a favorite here at the 'Table all season long, when he pitches at home, but not so much on the road. He's allowed opponents to hit .317 in nine road starts and has an ERA over six in that time. Keep him reserved tonight.
• Jarrod Washburn has pitched fairly well against the Twins in the past, but the past is not this season. Washburn is just 2-5 at home with a 5.62 ERA and a .320 BAA. None of it spells success tonight against Minnesota. He's been much more effective against lefties than righties, but lefties are still hitting close to .270 against him.
• John Danks is much more effective on the road. Though he's won his only start against Detroit, it wasn't a pretty win. If you have better options, or can afford to miss the innings, you're better off keeping him sidelined. Make sure that Magglio Ordonez is in your lineup, as he's 8-11 against Danks in his career. Placido Polanco is also a decent play.
• Paul Konerko and Orlando Cabrera have struggled mightily against Justin Verlander, but they seem to be the only White Sox regulars worth holding out. Verlander has had some struggles against the White Sox this season, going just 1-3 with a 6.75 ERA.
• Odalis Perez has been an incredibly pleasant surprise with regards to total numbers this season, but he has been far from successful on the road. At Colorado, that is only going to be compounded. Matt Holliday is just 2-10 against him, but the Rockies as a team are at .397.
• Aramis Ramirez has put up very good numbers against Brandon Backe. Backe has had good success against the rest of the Cubs' players and could come in as a sleeper play for those looking for a cheap win.
• Albert Pujols is just 4-17 against Derek Lowe, but all other regular Cardinals are very good plays against the Dodgers' starter tonight. You never bench Pujols, but temper expectations for the evening. Despite his road splits, Lowe has had decent success in the last three seasons against the Cardinals', regardless of where he pitches.
• Spot starts for today: Go with Nick Blackburn, Backe, Derek Lowe, and Jeff Karstens.

Notes for Thursday:

• A.J. Burnett might be 8-3 at home, but his ERA is 5.05 for the season at the Skydome. He's been much better in four of his last five, but he has the propensity to just blow up. Given the numbers, I'd leave him alone but wouldn't start anyone on Oakland that wouldn't normally be in the lineup.
• Mike Mussina has been one of the more steady pitchers seen all season and is 5-1 on the road. Lefties are hitting just .222 against him on the season.
• Clayton Kershaw is going to be a solid pitcher in the majors; we just aren't quite seeing it yet. Given that he's only seen moderate success at home, starting him on the road against an offense like St. Louis that has hit lefties well isn't the way to win the week.
• Javier Vazquez is 1-2 with a 4.95 ERA and .306 BAA against the Tigers on the season. Placido Polanco (.360/1/3), Edgar Renteria (.444), and Miguel Cabrera (.353/2/5) are the best options, but, with these stats, all Tigers will be good plays.
• The Dodgers, as a team, are hitting .356 against Kyle Lohse. We've thought all season that at some point the wheels are going to come off the wagon. If you have better options, this is likely a matchup you could skip, especially if you don't need the innings for the week.
• Cole Hamels has run in to some tough luck against the Marlins, going 0-1 this season in three starts. He's held them to a .195 BAA and still makes a solid play, as he's a guy you never want to sit unless there's a valid reason. Hamels has been good at home all season, holding opponents to just a .220 BAA.
• Early spot start calls: Go with Jason Bergmann and Charlie Morton, but the rest of the list is slim pickings with a limited slate of games. 

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