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Fantasy Baseball and MLB News, Rumors and Injury UpdatesAmerican League West Weekly Outlook
By Nicholas Minnix LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIMWEEKLY SCHEDULE: 6 GAMES – BOS (3), NYY (3) PARK FACTORS: LAA - NEUTRAL Just a couple of weeks ago it looked as if the Angels might run away with the American League West crown. Not so any longer. After losing four of six, a streak that has coincided with a monstrous tear of wins by the Oakland Athletics, LA clawing and biting just to remain a factor. A big home stand that concludes with series against the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees (each for three games) should go a long toward determining whether the Angels have enough to make another trip to the postseason. HITTING OVERVIEW
This offense has disappeared in recent weeks. You wouldn't know it with a .293 team batting average for the previous weeks, but 3.3 runs per game just won't cut it. Outfielder Garret Anderson (back) has missed a few games with lower back pain (what else is new?), but he should be back by the time you read this. The team recalled outfielder Reggie Willits to fill in. Several bats have been hot without producing runs. Outfielder Juan Rivera isn't a culprit, and he shouldn't be on your league's free agent list. And it won't be long before second baseman Howie Kendrick is a household fantasy name. This team might be able to get to Boston (4.92 ERA, eighth, and a .277 BAA, tied for fifth). The Yankees, who've gotten surprisingly effective pitching overall, are kind of tough on the road (4.77 ERA, sixth, and .266 BAA, fourth). HITTING MATCHUP: SLIGHTLY NEGATIVE PITCHING OVERVIEW Considering the team's ERA over the past week (5.95), they're fortunate to have won a game here and there and remain competitive. This is the week to throw in starter Ervin Santana, who has only one win in his last five outings, including his last affair when he took a batted ball off the knee and left after one-third of an inning. He was able to make his next start and is a great play at home (7-2, 2.85 ERA, 1.06 WHIP) no matter the comp. That would mean the Red Sox, who have scored 5.4 runs per game and hit .262 (10th) on the road. And New York, who has scored 5.5 runs per game and batted .280 (second) on the road. Quite a pair. PITCHING MATCHUP: NEGATIVE OAKLAND ATHLETICSWEEKLY SCHEDULE: 6 GAMES – @TOR (3), @TEX (3) PARK FACTORS: TOR – NEUTRAL; TEX – ADV HITTER Oakland has won 10 of its last 11 to take a sizeable lead in the AL West. That's usually par for the course for this team that usually explodes in the second half, but many didn't feel that the A's had it in them, given their inconsistency, dependence on youth and depleted starting pitching. If they can hang on long enough (say, at least a month), they'll get starter Rich Harden back (elbow) just in time for a playoff push. This week they'll test their road mettle against the tough Toronto Blue Jays (three games) and division-rival Texas Rangers (three games). HITTING OVERVIEW
Do you need more evidence that Oakland is winning with situational pitching and great defense? In the past week they've scored just 4.3 runs per game while batting .247. Designated hitter Frank Thomas has been lowering the boom. Could third baseman Eric Chavez, a player you can usually depend on in the second half, finally be shaking his forearm tendinitis and coming around? That pain will probably affect him the rest of the way. The A's may need to come up with more O, unless they can keep getting timely hitting. They may have trouble against Toronto (4.12 ERA, seventh, and a .254 BAA, tied for third), but the A's may get a boost after visiting Texas (4.76 ERA, 11th, and a .272 BAA, 10th). HITTING MATCHUP: NEUTRAL PITCHING OVERVIEW A glimpse of the staff ERA (4.67) from the past week wouldn't lead you to believe that Oakland was so hot right now. Based upon his last two outings (10 innings, 10 earned runs and 18 hits allowed), the A's may have been better off with starting pitcher Barry Zito in another uniform by the deadline. He's the rare Oakland hurler who's more effective on the road (8-2, 3.11 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP) though, so don't give up on him with these tough matchups. At home the Blue Jays have batted .294 (third) while scoring 5.8 runs per game. At home the Rangers (.289 average, sixth, and 5.2 runs per game) are always dangerous. PITCHING MATCHUP: NEGATIVE SEATTLE MARINERSWEEKLY SCHEDULE: 6 GAMES – NYY (3), BOS (3) PARK FACTORS: SEA – ADV PITCHER The Mariners had been desperately trying to give their fans something to cheer for, but the playoffs seem to be a pipe dream at this point. The team placed first baseman Richie Sexson on the bereavement list Tuesday, Aug. 15, and the slugger flew home to be with his wife, who's pregnant with twins. He must remain on the bereavement list for a minimum of three days and can only be there for a max of seven, so Sexson should be back by the time you make any decisions. With a pair of three-game series with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, Seattle will need him. HITTING OVERVIEW
This isn't the time to lose a hot Sexson – in the past week the team has scored just 4.3 runs per game while batting .246. Expect first basemen Ben Broussard and Eduardo Perez to split the at-bats while the lanky Sexson is gone. Can this team ride third baseman Adrian Beltre and catcher Kenji Johjima? Ugh. The Yankees have been tough opponents on the road (4.77 ERA, sixth, and .266 BAA, fourth). The Red Sox aren't quite as effective (4.92 ERA, eighth, and a .277 BAA, tied for fifth) when they travel, but they're still game. HITTING MATCHUP: NEGATIVE PITCHING OVERVIEW In the past week this team has put up a 5.64 ERA, so it'll be glad to spend some time at pitcher-friendly Safeco Field. They still only sport the ninth-best home ERA (4.29), however. Starting pitcher Jamie Moyer may be good at home (4-5, 3.80 ERA, 1.25 WHIP), but remember that he's been horrendous since the break (1-3, 7.79 ERA, 1.89 WHIP), and Boston shellacked him a month ago (4.1 innings, seven earned runs and five home runs allowed). New York has scored 5.5 runs per game and batted .280 (second) on the road. It doesn't get much easier with the Red Sox, who have scored 5.4 runs per game and hit .262 (10th) on the road. PITCHING MATCHUP: NEGATIVE TEXAS RANGERSWEEKLY SCHEDULE: 7 GAMES - @TB (4), OAK (3) PARK FACTORS: TB – ADV PITCHER; TEX – ADV HITTER Coming into the week, Texas had won five in a row and jumped into a tie for second in the division, after an Angels loss on Monday night. Things are looking up for the Rangers, who have a prime opportunity to make up some ground in the AL West. They head to Tampa Bay to tangle with the Devil Rays for four games, and then they host the team they're chasing, the Athletics, for three more. Can Texas continue to get quality innings from its hurlers down the stretch and become a threat? HITTING OVERVIEW
The offense is often there, and this past week was one where it was REALLY there: a .364 team average and 12 bombs that led to 9.5 runs per game. Who ISN'T hot? Pretty much every regular is swinging a hot stick right now, and must-add infielder Mark DeRosa, with his four jacks, is your reigning AL Player of the Week. And leadoff man and outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. continues his career year. What a pleasure it should be, then, to see Tampa Bay, who despite the slight pitchers' advantage at Tropicana Field still throws out some pathetic arms (4.81 ERA, 12th, and a .274 BAA, 11th). Oakland should be tougher – they sport a 4.23 ERA (second) and .263 BAA (third) on the road. The Rangers are happy that they get this team at Ameriquest Field. HITTING MATCHUP: SLIGHTLY POSITIVE PITCHING OVERVIEW With offense like that, who needs pitching? Texas got it anyway, posting a 3.91 ERA over the past week. Keep an eye on starting pitcher Edinson Volquez. The recent call-up is the club's top prospect and has gone 1-1 in his first two starts. He was shaky in his debut, allowing four runs and five hits at Oakland, but he followed that with seven shutout innings (four hits allowed) at home against Seattle. Promise plus run support equals future (and perhaps present) fantasy commodity. At home (or anywhere) the Devil Rays aren't exactly tough cookies – they've batted .251 (13th) while plating just 4.7 runs per game. The A's don't exactly have the most formidable offense, either, and on the road they've hit just .250 (12th) while scoring 4.6 runs per game. Is it possible for Texas pitchers to have favorable matchups? PITCHING MATCHUP: POSITIVE More Articles You Will Like
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Author Bio
Nicholas Minnix KFFL's baseball editor plays in LABR and Tout Wars and won the FSWA Baseball Industry Insiders League in 2010. The University of Delaware alum is a regular guest on Sirius/XM Fantasy Sports Radio and Baltimore's WNST AM 1570. Follow him on Twitter. Featured LinksTalk Sports 24/7! |
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