Scott Kazmir- TB- FYI- This is my last chance to get on my Kazmir soapbox and I will do it with a word of caution. Keep an eye on his usage in this last regular season start and also during the postseason. There were already injury and control issues with Kazmir this year which are possibly connected with how manager Joe Maddon has used him. If Maddon is more careful, as he has been over the past few starts, then there is less likelihood of carry over effect in 2009. If, however, Maddon pushes Kazmir to the edge, leaving him in for 110+ pitches with regularity, then the risk of breakdown or fatigue shoots up. Hopefully Maddon will keep Kazmir’s long term value in mind and not ride him like a rented mule.

New York- NYA- Rookie- No, Francisco Cervelli is not the director of some old spaghetti westerns. He is a catcher that may be competing for a backup spot with the Yankees in 2009. Cervelli’s first major league start could come today. Manager Joe Girardi wants to get a look at the 22-year-old before the season ends for the Bronx Bombers. Cervelli is unlikely to end up as more than a backup as his defense is major league caliber, but his bat isn’t. He has little power (5 homers in 576 minor league at bats and none this season) and while he has shown some ability to hit (.280 career average) and draw walks (68) he has little bat speed and will probably be overmatched by major league pitchers.

Mark Teixeira- LAA- Great Player- You can hear the “cha-ching” whenever Teixeira steps to the plate. It’s the sound of his free agent contract and also 2009 fantasy price going up. Last night he went 4-for-5 with a homer to boost his numbers in 183 ABs with the Angels this year to a .361 average and 13 homers. Teixeira will be highly sought after in the offseason by major league teams and next spring in fantasy leagues.

Chris Carter- BOS- Hot- Carter went 1-for-3 and picked up his first major league RBI in his first start since being called up earlier this month. The effort dropped his major league average to .556 (5-for-9). Carter is a slugger, as evidenced by his 24 homers at Pawtucket and also hits for average (.300 at AAA this year). His main problem is that he plays Michael Jackson defense (wears a single glove for no apparent reason). Carter’s best position is DH and with Big Papi in Boston, there is not much playing time available at that position.

Radhames Liz- BAL- Cold- Color commentator Buck Martinez made an observation on the Orioles’ telecast last night that makes a lot of sense in light of what happened with Liz. Martinez said that the struggles of the young Baltimore starters have come about because they do not have multiple out pitches. They have success the first time through the opponents’ batting order but then the hitters wait on them and hit them hard the next time around. This certainly seemed to be the case last night. Liz went through the first three innings allowing no runs and just one hit. Then he was hammered in the 4th, getting charged with 5 runs (4 earned) on 3 hits, 2 walks and a hit batter. If Martinez is correct, then Liz is not yet ready for the majors.

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