Month: May 2006
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Market Watch
SELL HIGH Brett Tomko – Tomko has shown flashes of brilliance before in his career, but don’t fall for it. He’s as inconsistent as they come. With two consecutive poor starts, this recommendation may be too late. If you can’t deal him, look into starting him exclusively at Dodger Stadium, as his home/road splits are…
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Playoffs? Playoff?!
By Robby Wellington – Staff Writer In fantasy football, I have long been a proponent of analyzing a player’s “playoff schedule,” who they play in weeks 14-16, and factoring it in when determining their overall value. After all, I reason, I have to assume that my team will be good enough to make my league’s…
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Possible Pick ups
It’s tough to recommend pick ups, as every league is different. In some leagues, these players are long gone, in others they might not even be worth adding. Whether deep or shallow, some of these guys should be available on the waiver wire and deserve consideration of a pick up. Anthony Reyes – This one…
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News & Notes
Jake Plummer, I understand how you would be sensitive to people in your rearview mirror after the Cutler acquisition, but no need for the road rage. Ryan Madson threw 105 pitches in relief Tuesday. Good thing he’s stretched out, as the Cole Hamels injury came quicker than even the pessimists could have expected. Speaking of…
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The Hot Fallacy
By Dalton Del Don – Senior Writer Everyone knows a big part of being a successful fantasy player is the ability to buy low and sell high. I’m all for this and even write articles suggesting players that fit the bill. There is, however, a common misconception about baseball players who are exceeding expectations and…
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Preseason TE Rankings
By Jeff Chudnofsky – Staff Writer 1) Antonio Gates– At this point, the man needs no introduction. After breaking into the league in 2003 with no college football experience, Gates has scored 23 touchdowns in his last 30 games. There is no debating his status as the No. 1 tight end, as he is head…
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Activity Matters
By Robby Wellington – Staff Writer Take a look at which teams in your league have made the most transactions and which have made the least. Now compare that to your current standings. Notice a correlation? If you don’t yet, wait until the end of the season when the teams with the most transactions rise…
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NBA Conference Finals Preview
WESTERN CONFERENCE Phoenix (2) vs. Dallas (4) Phoenix returns to the conference finals for the second year in a row. The season series was split two games apiece, and this one figures to be just as competitive. I personally think the Suns are often overlooked, and just because they lack defense, doesn’t mean they can’t…
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NBA Second Round Recap
WESTERN CONFERENCE San Antonio (1) vs. Dallas (4) My Prediction: Spurs 4-3 Outcome: Mavs 4-3 Some of the best basketball you’ll see played; this series lived up to the hype. It’s too bad it wasn’t the Western Conference Finals because these two teams are close to the best in the league. When Jason Terry was…
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News & Notes
Danny Almonte, yes that Danny Almonte, was named to the PlayStation All-American Baseball Game and will join some of the country’s best prospects at the event in New Mexico on June 7. Almonte, a pitcher and first baseman whose fastball has been clocked in the low 90s, is expected to be drafted by a major…
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Preseason WR Rankings
By Jeff Chudnofsky – Staff Writer 1) Terrell Owens– Through seven games in Philadelphia last year, Owens amassed 763 receiving yards and six touchdowns before the infamous locker room brawl got him booted from Philly for good. Owens is the most versatile WR in the game and will be motivated to destroy the Eagles and…
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The Bonds Quandary
By Robby Wellington – Staff Writer Don’t worry, I’m not going to beat a dead horse here, although I will quickly say two things. First, all things being equal, if he had never taken steroids, Bonds would still have a ton of home runs, maybe 50-70 fewer than he does now (as opposed to the…
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Player Spotlight: Cole Hamels
Francisco Liriano is baseball’s best pitching prospect. He got all the attention in spring training and was drafted in virtually every league out there. With the Twins starting rotation imploding, he is getting his chance to join the rotation and live up to my expectations, as I picked him for ROY in the AL. Hamels…
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News & Notes
In the same game that featured a triple play, Mark Buehrle became the first pitcher since 1900 to win a game after giving up seven runs in the first inning. What is up with Chan Ho Park? Not only is he pitching well, but Park, a career .083 hitter, also went 3-for-3 with two RBI…
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Undervalued Pitchers
By Robby Wellington – Staff Writer Here are three closers and three starting pitchers who may very well be undervalued in your league. We’ll start with the closers. . . 1. Brad Lidge – He’ll be fine and back in the closer’s role in no time once he harnesses his control (his stuff is as…
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Preseason Fantasy RB Rankings
By Jeff Chudnofsky – Staff writer The Elite 1) Larry Johnson– Gram’mama amassed 2,093 all-purpose yards and 21 touchdowns in 2005, despite starting only nine games for the Chiefs after filling in for the injured Priest Holmes. Kansas City’s new bell cow will continue where he left off last year with the offensive line intact…
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News & Notes
In the fourth inning Wednesday night, Bruce Froemming forgot the count and rang up Josh Barfield on a second strike. Is it merely a coincidence that Curt Schilling’s season to this point can be divided into two halves, the four starts before he hurled 133 pitches at Cleveland and the four following that night? Schilling…
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Shortstop Rankings
1. Miguel Tejada (1) – Still the best among a suddenly deeper position. 2. Michael Young (2) – It’s argued that he’s the most underrated player in all of baseball. 3. Jose Reyes (3) – He’s greatly increased his walk rate, something that really figures to benefit him in the long run. He’s still the…
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Updated Second Base Rankings
1. Chase Utley (1) – I had him as my No. 1 ranked middle infielder going into the year, and he’s done nothing to suggest anything different so far. 2. Alfonso Soriano (3) – Well, it has gone much smoother than anticipated. Soriano is on his way to putting up fat numbers in an effort…
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News & Notes
In their first 14 games with Derrek Lee, the Cubs scored 73 runs, and in the following 16 games, they scored 40. Colorado’s bullpen has allowed only five homers, the fewest in the majors. The best the team has ever ranked in this category at the end of a season is 25th, in 1998. The…