The Baseball Ticker: Week of September 26, 2005

by Ray Flowers
September 25, 2005

Heads up for Yahoo! playoff leagues. Monday is a roster switch day so you can regain some ground. Also everyone should keep in mind that division leaders like St. Louis, Atlanta and San Diego, not to mention AL teams that clinch playoff spots are likely to rest key starters and to limit pitch counts all this week to between 60-80.

Our two start pitcher selections for the week:
Jon Lieber (NYA, @WAS) 9/27, 10/2
Greg Maddux (PIT, @HOU) 9/27, 10/2
Brett Myers (NYN, @WAS) 9/26, 10/1
Horacio Ramirez (COL, FLA) 9/27, 10/2
Johan Santana (KC, DET) 9/27, 10/2
Jae Seo (@PHI, COL) 9/26, 10/1
Jeff Weaver (ARI, @SD) 9/27, 10/2
Dontrelle Willis (WAS, ATL) 9/27, 10/2 - unless clinched.
Victor Zambrano (@PHI, COL) 9/27, 10/2

You make the call:
Scott Baker (KC, DET) 9/26, 10/1
Joe Blanton (LAA, @SEA) 9/26, 10/1
Gustavo Chacin (@BOS, KC) 9/27, 10/2
Bruce Chen (NYA, @TB) 9/27, 10/2
Adam Eaton (SF, LAN) 9/27, 10/2
Scott Elarton (TB, CHA) 9/27, 10/2
Jon Garland (@DET, @CLE) 9/26, 10/1
Felix Hernandez (TEX, OAK) 9/27, 10/2
Randy Johnson (@BAL, @BOS) 9/26, 10/1
Esteban Loaiza (@FLA, PHI) 9/27, 10/2
Mike Mussina (@BAL, @BOS) 9/27, 10/2
Roy Oswalt* (@STL, CHN) 9/27, 10/2
Jake Peavy* (SF, LAD) 9/26, 10/1
Ervin Santana (@OAK, @TEX) 9/27, 10/2
Curt Schilling (TOR, NYA) 9/26, 10/1
Tim Wakefield (TOR, NYA) 9/27, 10/2

Other two Start Pitchers:
David Bush (@BOS, KC), Hector Carrasco (@FLA, PHI), Brandon Clausen (@MIL, @STL), Aaron Cook (@ATL, @NYN), Kevin Correia (@SD, ARI), Mike Esposito (@ATL, @NYN), Rick Helling (CIN, @PIT), Brad Hennesey (@SD, ARI), J.P. Howell (@MIN, @TOR), Joe Kennedy (LAA, @SEA), Jason Johnson (CHA, @MIN), John Lackey (@OAK, @TEX), Cameron Loe (@SEA, LAA), Rodrigo Lopez (NYA, @TB), Brandon McCarthy (@DET, @CLE), Seth McClung (@CLE, BAL), Tomo Ohka (CIN, @PIT), Ramon Ortiz (@MIL, @STL), Nate Robertson (CHA, @MIN), Kip Wells (@LAN, MIL)

*likely to get rested or short counted.

At the best hitters’ parks this week:
At Ameriquest Field (Rangers): Angels (3 games)
At Bank One Ballpark (Diamondbacks): No games.
At Citizen’s Bank Ballpark (Phillies): Mets (3 games)
At Coors Field (Rockies): No games.

Teams with 7 games: Angels, A’s, Blue Jays, Brewers, Dodgers, Giants, Mets, Red Sox, Reds, Rockies, Royals, Tigers, White Sox,
Everyone else plays six times.

Ratchet them up!

Brandon Backe (SP, Astros): 4.59 ERA, 1.44 WHIP this season are way less than impressive…but he has finally realized that everyone else in HOU can pitch so why shouldn’t he? Last 2 starts: 0.66 ERA, 0.66 WHIP and 2 Wins.

Barry Bonds (OF, Giants): Is back in the swing and the home runs are flying again. He’ll enjoy the final week against some rookie opposition.

Bobby Crosby (SS, A’s): Returned from the DL but probably too late to help the A’s make the playoffs.

Mark Ellis (2B, A’s): Just wont stop hitting batting .324 overall. Will probably finish a few PA short of the required 502 for the batting title, but he would be 2nd in the league with enough PA. He’s hitting .364 in 217 AB since the break.

Morgan Ensberg (3B, Astros): Returned to the Astros lineup and probably won’t be rested unless the Astros either clinch or are eliminated in the Wild Card hunt. Plus he’s hitting only .256 the past two months.

Khalil Greene (SS, Padres): Doing everything he can to make sure the Pads make the playoffs. Greene, recovered from multiple injuries, is batting .423-4-13-5 in the past 7 days.

Travis Hafner (1B/DH, Indians): Most out of control man on the planet with 7 HR in the past 6 games (at least one in each). For good measure he also has 10 runs scored and 18 RBI.

Roberto Hernandez (RP, Mets): Is the heir apparent to the Mets closer role following the demotion of Braden Looper. His first two tries have not been good however.

Matt Holiday (OF, Rockies): 8 RBI in one game gets you on the list…but he also had a fine week overall (.423-3-14).

Todd Helton (1B, Rockies): While no one has noticed, he has been on fire batting .600 in the past week (15 for 25 with 7 RBI and 9 Runs scored).

Mike Mussina (SP, Yankees): Has returned for the pennant run and looked good against the double AA affiliate of the Orioles, oh, wait that was the Orioles.

Jorge Posada (C, Yankees): Finally, a week to be proud of. Basically slept through the first 5 months of the season but has finally gotten going in SEPT (.367-4-15).

Jose Reyes (SS, Mets): Set a career high for steals this season (58) and is making an attempt to win the ML crown in that category (he’s two ahead of Scott Podsednik).

Freddy Sanchez (MI, Pirates): Finally hitting, actually doing more than just hitting, he’s ripping (.452-4-7-9).

Brian Schneider (C, Nationals): Has recovered enough from his shoulder problems to get back into the lineup on a regular basis.

Chad Tracy (1B/3B/OF, D’backs): Has anyone noticed that he is hitting .299 with 24 HR? Been hot the past week too: .478 with 6 RBI/Runs.

Ratchet them down!

Garret Anderson (OF, Angels): Has missed the past 3 games with back issues. You know the Angels need him, so if he isn’t playing , he must be injured.

Roger Clemens (SP, Astros): Has been bothered by a hamstring injury in his left leg. He could need extra rest this week though he’s likely to get one tune up game unless the Astros get knocked out of the Wild Card.

Jose Guillen (OF, Nationals): Was suspended by MLB for throwing a tantrum last month. He has appealed but could miss a game this week.

Pedro Martinez (SP, Mets): Will be shut down as soon as the Mets are mathematically eliminated but has had a great season (2.82 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 208 K). With a few more Wins, he would be in the CY discussion.

Rafael Palmeiro (1B, Orioles): Was told he’s no longer welcome on the team and will miss the remainder of the season and is probably done for his career, or at least he should be.

Ken Griffey (OF, Reds): Is done for the season. Despite his injury, is still one of only of only 11 players who currently has 30 HR an a .300 AVG.

Jason Schmidt (SP, Giants): Is still being bothered by a strained groin and probably will be shut down as soon as the Giants are mathematically eliminated.

Johnny Damon (OF, Red Sox): Probably won’t get much time off despite a very sore shoulder. Lower your expectations.

Jeremy Bonderman (SP, Tigers): Has been shut down for the rest of the season with tendonitis.

Brad Radke (SP, Twins): Ditto

Keith Foulke (RP, Red Sox): Whether it was his choice or the Sox, the bottom line is that Foulke looks to be done for the year. The Sox will go with Mike Timlin as the closer and Craig Hansen as a setup man.

Aramis Ramirez (3B, Cubs): Finally ready to call it a season because of that leg. Did hit .302 with 31 HR.

Brian Roberts (2B, Orioles): Had his elbow dislocated and tore the left pronator tendon AND his ulnar collateral ligament during a play at first base against the Yankees. He’s not likely to be ready for opening day 2006 and could miss all of next season.

Sean Casey (1B, Reds): Has been shut down for the season with a concussion.

Braden Looper (RP, Mets): Has lost his job as the Mets closer.