Saturday, the 15th

Good morning, everyone. Because of a bit of a long night that seems not so long ago, let's get straight to it today.

YESTERDAY

There were a good few pitching implosions last night, Weaver and Wandy included. Fortunately, most of us avoided them as we had Wainwright (19) and Kershaw (12). I had Wain, and felt pretty decent about it until I got up thismorning. My bats must have been worse than I thought. Ortiz gave me 12 and the rest putted along, totalling out at 30, so I ended the night with a 49. I would have expected this to be OK, but I ended up dropping to #29 overall and #691 in the half. Wow. I really didn't expect that, but oh well.

TODAY

I have not seen the daily summary at this time, but I suspect that Johan and Cain will split the majority of the pitching, while Jackson will get a smaller share of the pot. If I am correct, the tilt between the Giants and the Mets will be the game of the day. I am a little nervous that the Giants got shutout last night, but who knows? maybe it can happen again, It did to the Red Sox last weekend, why not the Giants? Here's my final again. I will post the daily leaders, if time premits this afternoon.

OK, the summary is up and about 75% took the Mets, with Cain a very distand second.

C: Mauer*
1B: Prince*
2B: Hill*
3B: Longoria*
SS: Bartlett (Hanley*)
LF: Soriano (Braun*)
CF: Kemp (Hamilton*)
RF: Hawpe (Ethier*)
DH: Jones (Vlad*)
PS: Johan*

TOMORROW

Weather:
Phils/Braves scattered t-storms
Rocks/Marlins isolated t-storms

Teams Facing Lefty Starters:
Reds, Mets, Rays, Twins, Cards, A's, DBacks, Marlins, Braves


Teams Facing Rookie Starters:
Orioles vs. O'Sullivan (3-1 5.12 in 7 starts)
Rays vs. Rzepczynski (1-3 4.38 in 7)
Rangers vs. Tazawa (1-1 4.05 in 2)
Yankees vs. Fister (0-0 0.00 in 1)

Possible Load-ups:
Tigers vs. Davies (4-8 6.11, .333 BAA)

Bats You May Want to Avoid:
Olivo (0-11 vs. starter)
Taveras (1-10)
Vlad (1-14)
Wells (3-17)
Prince (4-31)
Cuddyer (2-11)
Kubel (2-11)
Peralta (1-12)
Eckstein (2-18)
Reynolds (2-13)
Rollins (10-53)
Stairs (2-24)
Werth (2-16)
Victorino (2-12)

Pitchers:
Lannan (8-9 3.58, Low K's, 3-8 5.92 road, 1-1 5.91 August, 0-0 1.50 at Cin)
Garza (7-8 3.80, 3-4 4.43 road, 0-0 5.23 August, 2-0 1.69 vs. Tor)
Oz (6-4 3.87, 0-0 10.80 August, 0-0 4.26 at Mil)
Laffey (6-3 3.25, 2-3 4.95 road, 2-0 0.00 August, 2-0 1.26 at Min)
Harden (7-7 4.30, 130 K's in 111 IP, 3-5 6.31 home, 2-1 1.95 post break, 1-0 1.29 vs. Pit)
Joba (8-2 3.85, 5-0 2.78 road, 1-0 6.55 August, 0-0 5.06 at Sea)
Wolf (6-6 3.43, 1.17 WHIP, 5-4 2.85 road, 1-0 4.15 at Zona)
Happ (8-2 2.75, 1.16 WHIP, 1-0 1.20 August, 0-0 4.00 at Atl)
Vazquez 10-7 2.90, 171 K's in155 IP, 1.04 WHIP, 3-5 2.82 home, 2-0 1.80 August, 1-0 3.32 vs. Phi)
Harden, Joba, Happ and Vazquez are the only ones I can even gove consideration to here. I won't take Joba on the road, so that gets me down to three. I also don't like to ever go against the Phills if I can avoid it and Happ faces better bats than Harden. He's also on the road. Harden is the call.

First:
Miggy (7-23, 3HR)
Berkman (10-27)
Morneau (5-15 vs. good lefty)
AGonz (4-15)
Helton (2-3)
I'll go with Pujols. Richard has never faced him and that has to be intimidating. I eliminated Morneau because of Laffey's success vs.the Twins. Gonzo would have been my second choice, but since he has no support around him, the pick is easy.

Second:
Uggla (4-8 vs. lefty)
Phillips (4-8 vs. good lefty)
Roberts (2-3 vs. rookie)
Utley (6-18, HR vs. good starter)
Pedroia (5-8)
Roberts and Cano are the only ones I am looking at. Because of his power advantage, I will take Robbie against the rook with the funny name.

Third:
Wright (3-7 vs. lefty)
Sandoval (2-3)
Figgins (4-13)
Blake (3-4, HR)
Cantu (2-4, HR vs. lefty)
There is absolutely nothing I like here. I think I'll take Gordon Beckham. You say why. I say why not.

Short:
O Cabrera (6-11 vs. good lefty)
A Cabrera (6-16)
Wilson (2-2 vs. good starter)
Tulo (3-6, HR)
Hanley (4-9 vs. lefty)
Obviously, Hanley is the pick here.

Left:
Braun (5-11, 2HR vs. good starter)
Ibanez (7-19, 4HR vs. good starter)
Both of these two have impressive numbers,but they also face pretty good pitching. I like Dunn and Holliday more, but will take Holliday as he is possibly the hottest bat in the league since the break.

Center:
Granderson (5-14, 2HR)
Ad Jones (3-3 vs. rookie)
Ellsbury (2-5)
Span (2-5 vs. good lefty)
Sizemore (6-19)
I hate to do it, but give me Granderson again. Last chance, pal. You better not let me down again.

Right:
Mags (7-19)
J Guillen (5-11)
Hart (6-18, HR vs. good starter)
Pence (10-22, HR)
Ichiro (3-6 vs. good starter)
Pence has actually been hitting pretty well lately. The numbers are good enough for me to give him another chance. Nothing else impresses anyway.

DH:
Ortiz (4-8)
Since I don't feel like digging for a hidden jewel, Papi will work.

Catcher:
Laird (5-12, HR)
Soto (2-3)
Kendall (17-44 vs. good starter)
Mauer (5-10, HR vs. good lefty)
Shop (3-5, HR)
You just have to go with mauer here. It would be senseless not to. VMart would be the only other possible option.

FINAL LINEUP

C: Mauer
1B: Pujols
2B: Cano
3B: Beckham
SS: Hanley
LF: Holliday
CF: Granderson
RF: Pence
DH: Papi
PS: Harden

DISCLAIMER

My picks are exactly that, my picks. If you choose to follow my lead, you are welcome to do so at your own risk. Thanks as always for reading, please come again, and pass the word if you will.

FU HALL OF FAME

Kerry MF'n Wood (Founder, -14, -11, -7, -6)
Nick MF'n Blackburn (record holder at -43)
Jake MF'n Peavy (2 time offender at -8 and -2)
Houston MF'n Astros Staff(-4)
Los Angeles MF'n Dodgers Staff (-11)
Zach MF'n Greinke (-4)