Ron Washington can just take a few deep breaths, and the Ozzie Guillen payout
Two nights in a row, I've thought, I don't like that move, Ron Washington.
Stanton: a small price to pay?
Game 1, fifth frame, two on, two out, three runs in to make it 5-2, Juan Uribe coming to bat. Cliff Lee was on the ropes for the first time in this postseason, so maybe the unexpectedness of the scenario threw Wash off. The ideal spot for Darren O'Day?
Lee (superfluous reminder: southpaw) was having trouble commanding his curveball against the San Francisco Giants, as could've been observed and we'd later hear confirmed. Washington was also concerned about how much Lee was leaving his fastball up.
Leave Lee? Call Neftali? Tap your mouse here for more »
Philadelphia Phillies need Ben Francisco treat, and one fantasy baseball message
Raul Ibanez is hitless in the NLCS. He had a fine second half, but the Philadelphia Phillies' rear ends are pretty close to contact with that second coat of semi-gloss, and it's not even dry yet.
Raul is playing it too cool
The San Francisco Giants will send Madison Bumgarner to the hill in Game 4, which presents Charlie Manuel with the perfect opportunity to give Ibanez a night to clear his head. The 38-year-old isn't a poor hitter versus southpaws, but there's still a lapse. (Then again, there's no drop-off from zero hits in 15 at-bats.)
Francisco in Frisco? Tap your mouse here for more »
Fantasy baseball's Magic 8-Ball, and Fall Classic fortunes for first-timers
Did you know that ...
- Jose Bautista's average on balls in play in 2010 was only .233?
- Cliff Lee stranded only 67.9 percent of the base runners he allowed?
- Carlos Gonzalez reached base at a .376 clip but walked in only 6.3 percent of his plate appearances?
- James Shields' opponents hit .354 on balls in play?
Are these players good and only getting better? Or are they good but not that good? Or are they bad but maybe not that bad? Or are they bad and only getting worse?
Fans of Phils, Yankees won't need their hankies Tap your mouse here for more »
Reactions, Rihanna and Ritalin: Matt Kemp frustrates Los Angeles Dodgers, fantasy baseball players
What's wrong with Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp?
Kemp's dedication in doubt?
Maybe he feels too much pressure. Or unwanted. (Joe Torre can have that effect on people.) Or maybe he's bored. Or worried. Or maybe he thinks too much. Or not enough. Or maybe it's Rihanna's fault. Or her tattoo's.
Maybe it's none of those. Maybe he's content with his fatter paychecks. Maybe he just stinks. After a night on which he went 3-for-5 with four RBIs, he's hitting only .263 with 16 stolen bases in 29 attempts.
Issue-Dodgers, Kemp-fires Tap your mouse here for more »
Roy Oswalt's option still an option for Philadelphia Phillies, and the Matt Capps contingency
Duh: Roy Oswalt's fantasy baseball value goes up.
Philly's albatross: Ibanez's contract
Joining the Philadelphia Phillies and diving headfirst into a pennant race will energize the 32-year-old. He has pitched well in his 27 2/3 innings against the Phils at Citizens Bank Park (2.60 ERA, 1.30 WHIP); facing clubs with lesser offenses at the Bank should come as a relief.
Oh Roy, Rauch and Pods Tap your mouse here for more »
If you don't pay your respects to the Boss, at least pay him some respect
George Steinbrenner was abrasive. For the longest time, despite repeated pledges to do so, he wouldn't stay out of day-to-day operations and trust the people he hired to make baseball decisions to make them. He loathed long locks and facial hair, sans the masculine Don Mattingly mustache.
I did it my way. And it worked.
George Steinbrenner was determined. For the longest time, despite in-house opposition, he couldn't exclude himself from the baseball decision-making process because he felt that he knew best what it took to win. He believed that a successful franchise should present itself in professional manner.
Steinbrenner's style, Capps raps Tap your mouse here for more »
Major League Baseball's ugliest 4-letter word
Baseball is a quirky game. It has some goofy rules. One league has a DH; the other doesn't. Not so big on that. Ballparks have different dimensions. Cool with me.
You look a little sneaky to me, pal
It's a thinking man's game. (Although the ability to think - cogito ergo sum - is apparently not required to play it, in some cases.) It's simple, yet complex. Subtle evolution. Its uniqueness makes it ... attractive.
But it's not perfect. So, if you had your druthers, commish for a day and all that... You can change one thing. What would you do?
I'd abolish the balk.
Balking at the notion Tap your mouse here for more »
A lesson in sub-mediocrity: Alex Gordon and the Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are afraid to succeed.
Gordon: from Royal box to gallery
Second baseman Chris Getz (oblique) is back from the disabled list. Alberto Callaspo has performed well as a Monarch. Naturally, it's Alex Gordon who must abdicate his lineup throne.
Tap your mouse here for more »
Alex Rodriguez is authentic
Alex Rodriguez has come a long way.
That was an unconscious observation as this 2009 baseball season unfolded. How profound was his turnaround, though; it hit me like a ton o' Mizuno Maples.
A FOX Sports poll asked readers whether A-Rod has proven himself with his 2009 playoff showing. Or is he still a postseason patsy? Or, is it TBD, get back to me after the World Series? Tap your mouse here for more »
Who knows what's best for Stephen Strasburg?
Scott Boras is looking out for Stephen Strasburg's Velcro wallet. Who's looking out for Stephen Strasburg?
Mark Prior, the second overall choice in 2001, signed what is considered the standard against which all other contracts for first-round picks are to be compared. We all saw how that $10.5 million investment turned out.
I'm not suggesting Strasburg's career will end up the same way. There are no guarantees, though, no matter how far scouting and mechanical evaluation have come in the past eight years. Strasburg has been labeled a once-in-a-lifetime prospect; don't forget that Prior was a can't-miss kid. Tap your mouse here for more »
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