The Baseball Ticker: Week of August 15, 2005

by Jonathan Leshanski and Ray Flowers
August 14, 2005

Our two start pitcher selections for the week:
Kris Benson (PIT, WAS) 8/16, 8/21
Aaron Harang (SF, ARI) 8/15, 8/20
Felix Hernandez (KC, @MIN) 8/15, 8/20
Livan Hernandez (@PHI, @NYN) 8/15, 8/20
Brett Myers (WAS, PIT) 8/15, 8/20
Andy Pettitte (CHN, MIL) 8/16, 8/21
John Smoltz (LAD, SD) 8/16, 8/21
Barry Zito (BAL, KC) 8/15, 8/20

You make the call:
Bronson Arroyo (@DET, @LAA) 8/15, 8/20
Jose Contreras (MIN, NYA) 8/15, 8/21
Cory Lidle (WAS, PIT) 8/16, 8/21
Derek Lowe (@ATL, @FLA) 8/16, 8/21
Joel Pineiro (KC, @MIN) 8/16, 8/21
Brad Radke (@CHA, SEA) 8/16, 8/21
Kenny Rogers (@CLE, @TB) 8/16, 8/21
Ben Sheets (@COL, @HOU) 8/15, 8/20 - not to my taste
Jeff Suppan (ARI, SF) 8/16, 8/21

Other two Start Pitchers
Paul Byrd (TOR, BOS), Gustavo Chacin (@LAA, @DET), Bruce Chen (@OAK, @CLE), Kevin Correia (@CIN, @STL), Aaron Cook (@MIL, @CHN), Ryan Drese (@PHI, @NYN), Casey Fossum (NYA, TEX), Zack Greinke (@SEA, @OAK), Brad Halsey (@STL, @CIN), Kyle Lohse (@CHA, SEA), Rodrigo Lopez (@OAK, @CLE), Brian Lawrence (@FLA, @ATL), Eric Milton (SF, ARI), Brian Moehler (SD, LAN), Mark Redman (NYN, @PHI), Nate Robertson (BOS, TOR), Wandy Rodriguez (CHN, MIL), Glendon Rusch (@HOU, @COL), C.C. Sabathia (TEX, BAL), Ervin Santana (TOR, BOS), Victor Santos (@COL, @HOU), Jason Schmidt (@CIN, @STL)


At the best hitters’ parks this week:
At Ameriquest Field (Rangers): No Games.
At Bank One Ballpark (Diamondbacks): No Games.
At Citizen’s Bank Ballpark (Phillies): Nationals (4 games), Pirates (3 games)
At Coors Field (Rockies): Cubs, Brewers (3 Games Each)

Teams with 7 games: Angels, Astros, Brewers, Giants, Mariners, Nationals, Phillies, Red Sox, Reds, Twins,
Everyone else plays six times.


Ratchet them up!

Jason Bay (OF, Pirates): No one’s hotter right now, hitting .480 in the past week (12 for 25) with 1 HR, 10 RBI and 4 SB.

Victor Diaz (OF, Mets): Was called up from AAA Norfolk to replace the injured Mike Cameron. He hit two home runs his first game back (Friday), he could be a sleeper the rest of the way.

Ryan Franklyn (SP, Mariners): Returned from his suspension for violation of MLB’s steroid policy.

Todd Linden (OF, Giants): Was called up from AAA Fresno where he led the Pacific Coast League in HRs. He’ll probably play the rest of the way.

Todd Helton (1B, Rockies): Season AVG is up to .298 after collecting 5 hits in his first 12 AB back from injury. Has hit .402 in his last 87 AB.

Jarrod Washburn (SP, Angels): Was activated off the DL on Friday and should be a welcome arm in Anaheim as they try to catch the streaking A’s.

Jayson Werth (OF, Dodgers): Came off the DL and is back in the Dodgers lineup. If you need an outfielder he could be the one to fill the spot.

Oliver Perez (SP, Pirates): Could optimistically be back at the end of this week, but he could see some bullpen time until he’s ready to start again. Or, he could always get attacked by some piece of clubhouse equipment again too.

Dioner Navarro (C, Dodgers): Has been killing the ball since August 5th going 10-26 with a home run over that span. If you are desperate for a catcher, he’s a decent gamble.

Vladimir Guerrero (OF, Angels): He’s back in MVP form hitting .429 with six home runs an 18 RBI so far this month (only 10 games).

Mark Grudzielanek (2B, Cardinals): On fire lately hitting .484-1-9-9-1 in 9 August games. For good measure, he is also batting .381-3-18-17 in 24 games since the break.

Mark Ellis (2B, A’s): As good as Grudzielanek since the break: .394-2-17-19. In his last 39 games: .336-3-24-27.

Noah Lowry (SP, Giants): 2.00 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, with 14 K in 14.1 IP in the last week. In 6 post break starts he’s 3-2, 1.62 ERA, 0.92 WHIP in 39 IP.

Ivan Rodriguez (C, Tigers): Came back from his suspension for bumping an umpire during an argument last week

Duaner Sanchez (RP, Dodgers): Should share closer duties with Steve Schmoll while Yhency Brazoban looks to regain his form.

Armando Benitez (RP, Giants): Should return to active status within the next week or so, but won’t be thrown back into the closer mix right away.

Mike Hampton (SP, Braves): Should be activated from the DL for next week, oh, yippee.

Jaret Wright (SP, Yankees): Should be activated from the DL for next week. Don’t get too excited even though he’s slated to start against Tampa Bay.

Brandon Lyon (RP, Diamondbacks): Should be activated from the DL anytime now, though it appear that Jose Valverde has a hold on the closers spot right now with his recent strong performance.

Shae Hillenbrand (1B/3B, Blue Jays): Last week’s performance recalls his .390 April; .462-3-7-9-1.

Alex Rios (OF, Blue Jays): Often overlooked this year because of his lack of power (only 8 HR), this man has a wonderful future. Hitting .444-3-9-5-2 in the last week.

THE OAKLAND A’s: 9 consecutive series wins. 12 consecutive series wins at Home. 13-1 in one run games. Winners of 13 of 15, 19 of 23, 25 of 31, 39 of 49 and 49 of 66.


Ratchet them down!

Mike Cameron (OF, Mets): Had a head to head collision with Carlos Beltran during Thursdays game against the Padres. He suffered a broken nose, broken bones on the zygomatic arch of the skull on both sites with possible sinus damage and a concussion. He’ll miss at least a month and possibly the rest of the season.

Carlos Beltran (OF, Mets): Collided with Mike Cameron in a head to head collision with last Thursdays game with the Padres. He suffered a concussion and a non-displaced fracture of the cheekbones on the right side of this face. His long-term status is unknown.

Carlos Zambrano (SP, Cubs): Has been suffering with back spasms and could have his next start moved back a few games. It’s not enough reason to bench him however.

Jim Thome (1B, Phillies): Has decided to have season ending elbow surgery, so much for a mighty return to lead the Phils to the playoffs. Ryan Howard gets a boost since he will be the 1B the rest of the way.

Chipper Jones (3B/0F, Braves): Returned to the lineup but he has damage to his rotator cuff which should curtail his power somewhat. As long as the Braves are leading the East expect him to play, just don’t expect the same production as the healthy Chipper.

Moises Alou (OF, Giants): Was placed on the DL, again. That’s really nothing new is it?

Richard Hidalgo (OF, Rangers): Has not responded to treatment for his sore wrist. He’ll miss time this week.

Randy Johnson (SP, Yankees): Is still battling back problems and could miss at least one start more start. Signs of a fall abound: hasn’t had an ERA below 3.63 in any month, career K per 9 IP is 11.12, this year only 8.6, and his 1.22 WHIP would be his highest in a season with 150+ IP since 1998.

Yhency Brazoban (RP, Dodgers): Was removed from the closers role due to recent struggles.

Johnny Estrada (C, Braves): Was placed on the 15 day DL with a strain of the cervical spine (neck).

Aramis Ramirez (3B, Cubs): Has been battling a chronic quadriceps injury and can’t run at full speed. This will hurt his total bases and Slugging Percentage in leagues which count those stats.

Roy Halladay (SP, Blue Jays): Suffered a setback while rehabbing and is out indefinitely at this point.

Adam Eaton (SP, Padres): He will miss this week as he gets more rehab starts at AAA.

Jason Marquis (SP, Cardinals): Just can’t seem to get on the winning track with just one win in his past 11 starts. Here are his numbers in his last 15 starts since June 1: 3-8, 5.15 ERA, 1.48 WHIP in 80.1 IP.

Matt Morris (SP, Cardinals): Another struggling SP, without Chris Carpenter where would the Cards be? Morris has a 2-2 record with a 5.52 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 5 post all-star break starts.

Brian Lawrence (SP, Padres): Not helping the Pads in their attempt to win the West with a 7.16 ERA and 1.62 WHIP in his last 32.2 IP.

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