The Baseball Ticker: Week of September 12, 2005

by Jonathan Leshanski and Ray Flowers
September 11, 2005

Our two start pitcher selections for the week:
Paul Byrd (@SEA, DET) 9/13, 9/18
Chris Capuano (@ARI, @HOU), 9/13, 9/18
Chris Carpenter (PIT, @CHN) 9/13, 9/18
Jose Contreras (@KC, @MIN) 9/13, 9/18
Aaron Harang (@CHN, @PIT) 9/12, 9/17
Mark Mulder (PIT, @CHN) 9/12, 9/17
Jeff Weaver (COL, @SF) 9/12, 9/17
Dontrelle Willis (@HOU, PHI) 9/12, 9/17
Chris Young (BAL, SEA) 9/12, 9/17
Carlos Zambrano (CIN, STL) 9/13, 9/18

You make the call:
Josh Beckett (@HOU, PHI) 9/13, 9/18 - v. Astacio & Floyd.
Daniel Cabrera (@TEX, TB) 9/12, 9/18
Tom Glavine (WAS, AT) 9/13, 9/18 - pitching well
Tim Hudson (@PHI, @NYN) 9/12, 9/17 - v. Pedro
Noah Lowry (SD, LAN) 9/13, 9/18
Greg Maddux (CIN, STL) 9/12, 9/17 - v. Harang & Mulder
Vincente Padilla (ATL, @FLA) 9/12, 9/17 - v. Willlis & Hudson
Brad Radke (@DET, CHA) 9/13, 9/18 - not good lately.
CC. Sabathia (OAK, KC) 9/12, 9/18
Ervin Santana (@SEA, DET) 9/12, 9/17 - weak oppoents
Jason Schmidt (SD, LAN ) 9/12, 9/17 - may miss start due to injury
Javier Vazquez (MIL, COL) 9/13, 9/18

Other two Start Pitchers
Bronson Arroyo (@TOR, OAK), Ezequel Astacio (FLA, MIL), Brandon Backe (FLA, MIL), Matt Clement (@TOR, OAK), Roman Colon (MIN, @LAA), Gavin Floyd (ATL, @FLA), Jeff Francis (@LAN, @ARI), Ryan Franklin (LAA, @TEX), Danny Haren (@CLE, @BOS), Joe Kennedy (@CLE, @BOS), Edwin Jackson (COL, @SF), Ted Lillly (BOS, NYA), Jose Lima (CHA, @CLE), Eric Milton (@CHN, @PIT), Joel Pineiro (LAA, @TEX), Mark Redman (@STL, CIN), Nate Robertson (MIN, @LAA), John Thomson (@PHI, @NYN), Doug Waechter (NYA, @BAL), Edison Volquez (BAL, SEA), Jaret Wright (@TB, @TOR)

At the best hitters’ parks this week:
At Ameriquest Field (Rangers): Orioles (3 games), Mariners (4 games)
At Bank One Ballpark (Diamondbacks): Brewers, Rockies (3 games each)
At Citizen’s Bank Ballpark (Phillies): Braves (4 games)
At Coors Field (Rockies): No games.

Teams with 7 games: Angels, As, Astros, Braves, Cardinals, Cubs, Dodgers, Giants, Mariners, Marlins, Phillies, Rangers Red Sox, Tigers
Everyone else plays six times.

Ratchet them up!

Barry Bonds (OF, Giants): Will return in time for next week’s games. The only question is what he has to bring to the table. Just his reputation will help in leagues which count OBP or walks.

Kyle Farnsworth (RP, Braves): Has taken over the closer role in Atlanta and Bobby Cox all but said the job is his full-time.

Jeff Bagwell (1B, Astros): Returned from a long DL stint. He’s not the player he used to be but he could be a good replacement if you need one, though make sure he is playing in the field because he might be limited to PH duties for a while.

Ryan Church (OF, Nationals): The highly touted rookie was activated off the DL and should be getting plenty of playing time next week. He hasn’t shown the power that fantasy owners were hoping for but the time off may give him a bit of a second wind.

Ryan Dempster (RP, Cubs): Just when the Cubs were written off, he is coming on strong with 4 SV in the past week.

Aaron Guiel (OF, Royals): Finally something good coming out of KC. Guiel is hitting like a champ the past week: .462-2-3-6.

Jason Marquis (SP, Cardinals): Finally! Last two starts he has 2 Wins with a 1.06 ERA an a 0.82 WHIP.

Mike Piazza (C, Mets): Should return to the lineup in the next few days. He’s still one of the best NL catchers out there.

Ramon Hernandez (C, Padres): Came back from wrist surgery and will attempt to reclaim his job. The Padres won’t rush him since Miguel Olivo has been playing well in the position.

Daniel Cabrera (SP, Orioles): Returned to the rotation last week. He’s not a great option except in deep leagues though he does have excellent K potential (135 K in 138.1 IP).

Paul Konerko (1B, White Sox): 11 for his last 23 (.478) with 5 HR, and 8 RBI/Runs.

Chin-Ming Wang (SP, Yankees): Returned to the Yankee rotation but was just dreadful in his start v. Tampa Bay.

Ted Lilly (SP, Blue Jays): Came off the DL late last week.

Kelvim Escobar (SP, Angels): Came off the DL late last week but he’s going to be pitching in relief the rest of the way.

Oliver Perez (SP, Pirates): Had a decent first start back giving up 3 ER in 4.1 IP with 5 K. Wouldn’t expect much from him until next year.

Carl Crawford (OF, Devil Rays): Is back in the basestealing business. He’s stolen 7 bases in the last 10 days.

Randy Winn (OF, SF): The move to SF has done wonders for him. He is hitting .519 (14 for 27) with 4 HR, 6 RBI and 7 Runs the past week.


Ratchet them down!

AJ Burnett (SP, Marlins): Shortest start of the season on FRI for his 4th straight loss. In his last two starts his ERA is 12.27 with a 2.18 WHIP.

Zack Duke (SP, Pirates): Will not make his expected start on Tuesday. How well his ankle will hold up is a big question mark. At this point, the Pirates may shut him down to avoid overuse of his young arm.

Mike Mussina (SP, Yankees): Will miss this week with an inflammed elbow. If the Yankees fall out of contention it's possible he’ll be shut down.

Gary Sheffield (OF, Yankees): Strained a thigh muscle last week and is unlikely to be at his best even if he plays the entire week. Has missed the past 2 games.

Mike Hampton (SP, Braves): Was placed on the 15 day DL with a strain of the right forearm, shouldn’t be much longer than that but does it matter?

Jason Schmidt (SP, Giants): Has a strained muscle in his groin. He could miss some time next week or even be shut down if the Padres put any more distance between themselves and the Giants.

Curt Schilling (SP, BoSox): The move back into the rotation hasn’t helped at all. In the last 30 days Schill has an ERA of 8.75 and a WHIP of 1.86 in 23.2 IP

Morgan Ensberg (3B, Astros): Has a bruised right hand which cost him some games late in the week, he’s unlikely to be swinging at full strength early in the week.

Jose Mesa (RP, Pirates): Has been pretty brutal the past two months since the break (6.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, .315 BAA). If you have another option, go with it.

Guillermo Mota (RP, Marlins): In his 4 games (5 IP) he has given up 13 baserunners (2.60 WHIP) and 7 ER (12.60 ERA).

Jake Peavy (SP, Padres): Will miss at least one start due to pain in his shoulder. Unless the Padres need his service expect very light work from him the rest of the way. Hopes to pitch on Friday.

Roger Clemens (SP, Astros): Is battling a sore hamstring which may account for his getting roughed up on Friday. This could be a concern next week though he says he will still be on the hill.

Rafael Palmeiro (1B, Orioles): Slunk home to rehab from alleged ankle problems. He may not be back this season or next.

Kerry Wood (SP/RP, Cubs): Was shut down for the season so that he could have shoulder surgery and be ready in time for spring training. Too bad, he was pitching well out of the bullpen (0.76 WHIP, .135 BAA).

Ken Griffey (OF, Reds): Strained his foot, or worse last week. Opinions differ as to when or even if he’ll be back this season. Judging from past history his injury is likely to be severe.

Cesar Izturis (SS, Dodgers): Will undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the rest of this season.

Troy Glaus (3B, Diamondbacks): Will probably be shut down in the next 10 days when hope is lost in Arizona. Damn knee.

Milton Bradley (OF, Dodgers): Is done for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery for a torn patellar ligament. Maybe he should just call it a career and keep his crap attitude to himself.

Rich Harden (SP, A’s): Joe Kennedy will stay in his spot until he returns. The A’s need him badly, and can't win in the playoffs without him. He hopes to be back next weekend, though no one knows.

Mike Morse (OF, Mariners): Was suspended for violation of MLBs policy on performance enhancing steroids. There is a possibility this positive test is from usage over a year ago. How baseball will deal with that is up in the air.

Mark Prior (SP, Cubs): Has a slight muscle strain in his right leg. He could get shut down if it persists since the Cubs are going nowhere.

Javier Vazquez (SP, D’backs): What a tease. Up one month, down the next. Well the last month has been down to the tune of only 1 Win an a 6.67 ERA with a 1.62 WHIP.

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