FANTASY BASEBALL: HOOTS & HOLLERS

Article written by the Fantasy Geek

Si’s on vacation this weekend (yes, he’s burning both of his vacation days at once), so The Geek’s filling in. (Wait a minute, Si just tweeted…I think he suckered me into covering his column!) I’ll try my best to replicate the top-notch reporting that makes Hustle Points one of the most popular columns on the site (not that there’s much competition). We’ll stick with the same lineup as usual. At the plate is a brief section of random thoughts. On deck are the injuries to watch out for as you set your lineup. And in the hole, we have Week 8’s 2-start pitchers. Heeeeeeeere we go…

Looks like Encarnacion has been re-incarnated.

How about that hat trick of homers for Edwin Encarnacion? He was most likely dumped in a ton of leagues when he got hurt. Today’s shot makes it 5 HR in 3 games. With so many hot corner options underachieving, he’s someone to keep an eye on. Not sure who loses out when Travis Snider eventually returns to the Blue Jays lineup though … I just missed out on Encarnacion in a 12-team mixed league, so I picked up the “Reds hot” Scott Rolen to fill in for Aramis Ramirez (more on him very shortly) … Alright, I’ll say it: it’s time to buy low on Javier Vazquez. His value is already on the rise after two successful starts. But, surely, (“Don’t call me Shirley!”) there are owners who are still down on him after his current finger injury and recent bullpen appearance … If you’re in a deep league, now’s the time to grab Trevor Cahill. I don’t expect Justin Duchscherer to be back anytime soon and if Cahill can continue to pitch like he did vs. the Giants on Friday, he’ll stick in the A’s rotation when Brett Anderson returns. He’s yet another young Oakland arm with upside … As if he hasn’t tortured fantasy owners (including me) enough, now Aramis Ramirez says his thumb is bothering him and he’s doubtful for the upcoming series vs. LA. So don’t look for that average of a-buck-60 to improve much anytime soon. I see A-Ram’s season going one of two ways: 1) He struggles into June, but eventually figures things out and has a solid second half, or 2) He goes down with another injury and the season becomes a complete waste. I can’t bring myself to drop him, but I wouldn’t mind if he went on the DL for a little while to get right … Whaddayasay we start a new paragraph to break things up a bit?

The Geek's Wife will be pointing a gun at The Geek if he doesn't post this article before the Lost finale starts!

I’m not at all worried about Tommy Hanson. He cited dizziness for the reason he got shelled in his last start. I believe him … I actually picked up OLD friend Jamie Moyer in a H2H points league this week because he’s getting a couple of starts. It’s truly amazing that this guy is still around. I mean he was owned in my very first fantasy league, way back in 1989. Moyer’s been around so long, the back of his baseball card reads: “Continued on a second card.” … Is it just me, or is anyone else worried that Hanley Ramirez isn’t going to come anywhere close to living up to his #2 average draft position? … Dammit. I was already to use this little joke, until David Price got hit hard on Sunday: I wonder if the good people at Price-Pfister Faucets are lobbying to get Doug Fister to add a “P” to the front of his name, so when people look at the AL ERA leaders, they get some free publicity … Looks like we can take Corey Patterson’s face off the back of the milk carton now … Speaking of lead-off man returns, the Red Sox finally get Jacoby Ellsbury “Doughboy” back. That should get their inconsistent offense cooking again … So much for the “Smoak Monster” destroying AL pitching. Justin Smoak is hitting just .165 after 97 at bats. The 4 home runs are okay though … So how’s that for a seamless transition to the Lost finale. Time to pick up the pace so I can get this column posted before the big finale. Should be lots of answers.

INJURIES TO WATCH

“Fettuccine” Alfredo Simon (leg) left Sunday’s game early … Same with Denard “Wing” Span. He’s nursing a shoulder contusion … Homer “Simpson” Bailey exited his Sunday start early, also with a shoulder injury … Carlos “Car-Go” Gonzalez is questionable for the start of Week 8 with a wrist injury … Keep an eye on Jason “Say” Heyward’s wrist. He pinch hit Sunday, but may not start the Braves next game … Make sure you DL or bench Scott “Turf Builder” Olsen, Brad Penny “For Your Thoughts,” Kyle “Shooting” Blanks and Eric Chavez “Ravine.”

DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE

Two-start pitchers for the week ahead:

Use ‘em

Adam Wainwright
Jon Lester
James Shields
John Danks
Ryan Dempster

Steady and Willing

AJ Burnett
Clay Buchholz
Jake Peavy
Mike Leake
Dallas Braden
Ian Kennedy
Wade Davis
Scott Baker
Anibal Sanchez
Randy Wolf
Jon Garland

Only if you have to, but take an antacid first

Livan Hernandez
Brett Cecil
Joe Saunders
Jhouyls Chacin
Jamie Moyer
Aaron Harang
Jeremy Guthrie
Paul Maholm

♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ You’ll be sorrrryyyyy ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫

Justin Masterson
Gil Meche
Felipe Paulino
Kenshin Kawakami
Brian Burres
RA Dickey
Ramon Ortiz
Todd Wellemeyer (may get skipped)

I want to close with a moment of silence for one-time fantasy stud Jose Lima, who died of a heart attack at the young age of 37…

(Waiting)

Okay, and we’re back. For more advice and updates, follow Si on Twitter and join us Monday at 3pm ET/12 pm PT for Hardball Help Live Chat. All the good stuff is at thefantasygeek.com.