Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga smiles while beings presented a Chevrolet Corvette by the manufacturer on the field before a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians in Detroit Thursday, June 3, 2010. Galarraga lost his bid for a perfect game with two outs in the ninth inning on a disputed call at first base by umpire Jim Joyce on Wednesday night. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
- In case you missed it, and unless you live under a rock (my apologies to rock dwellers out there), Armando Galarraga (DET-SP) threw a perfect game on Wednesday only to have it stolen by Jim Joyce’s blown call and Bud Selig’s inability to realize we’re in 2010. Every other major sport has instituted some way, shape or form of instant replay, yet baseball is unable to correct the admitted human error that cost this kid the game of his life. Bravo, Selig. Joyce proved to be a real class act by owning up to his mistake by offering a sincere apology to Galarraga and admitting that he blew the call at first.
- As far as fantasy purposes are concerned, Galarraga’s perfect game has done very little to add to his fantasy stock as he’s only owned in 6 percent of leagues. Prior to the perfect game, Armando spent time at Triple-A Toledo to open the season, posting a sub 4.00 ERA with a slender 8.2 K/9 ratio. His next start comes against the White Sox and it’s not until after then will I make the add/drop for this feel-good story.
- Quick! Name that player: in his last two starts, our under-owned fantasy wiz turned in this line: 14.1 innings 6 H 1 ER 4 BB 9 K
Fantasy sleuth John Ely (LAD-SP) has proven to be a very consistent and valuable option still owned in only 35 percent of Yahoo! Leagues. In his last six starts, Ely has gone no less than six innings of work while not allowing more than two runs in each of those starts. Ely’s attacking the zone, sporting a sexy 37:8 K/BB ratio in 46 innings for the Dodgers. His next turn against the sizzling Atlanta Braves is going to be a good measuring stick for the rest of the season for the right-hander
- Fred Lewis (TOR-OF) just keeps hitting. The 10 percent owned Lewis is scorching right now, riding an eight-game hitting streak with the last three games being multi-hit affairs. The Jays lead-off man has six extra base hits during the streak, including nine runs scored. Lewis matched last season’s home run totals, connecting for his fourth homer of the year against the Rays on Tuesday. Get em’ while he’s still hot.
- Reid Brignac (TAM- 2B,SS) is going to see a lot of playing time now that Jason Bartlett has hit the DL with a sore Hamstring. In the Rays deep offensive squad, adding Brignac to man your middle infield in deeper league formats is a smart play. In limited action, Brignac has posted a lofty .299 average while driving in 22 runs in only 117 AB’s. At 7 percent owned, the brandy-infused Brignac (cognac) will have your opponents seeing double up the middle. Other valuable and severely under-owned middle infield options include: Macier Izturis (LAA-2B,SS,3B) 19 percent owned has been moved to the top of the lineup which equates to more AB’s and more chances to score runs. Freddy Sanchez (SF-2B) 12 percent owned is another viable option at a severely shallow position, 2B. The former batting champion and career .300 hitter will offer a boost to anemic batting averages and runs sitting lofty in front of another great hitter, Pablo Sandoval.
Fantasy Team Name of the Week: Strasburger Deluxe
Fantasy land is soon to be invaded by Strasburgermania as Washington Nationals top pick Stephen Strasburg is set to make his MLB debut against the Pittsburg Pirates on Tuesday, June 8 in Washington. It’s already been well documented how dominant Strasburg has been in his minor league starts. All eyes will be on the pitcher’s mound come Tuesday night.
