Apparently, it is a fact that Rick Ankiel, of the St. Louis Cardinals, received enough Human Growth Hormone in 2004 to last a whole year of continuous use. It is also fact that Ankiel made the extremely rare transition from a pitcher to a power hitting outfielder at that same time. This is, possibly, the only instance that real Major League Owners may envy Fantasy Owners. Fantasy Owners don't have to worry about reputation, penalty or public outcry so cheaters are a great option in fantasy baseball! Ankiel came into Friday hitting a homerun every 9 at bats and driving in a run every 2.8 at bats (sounds like Steroid numbers to me) putting him on a full season projection to hit 61 homeruns and drive in 196. The good news for owners that have already picked him up is that no drug test reveals current use of HGH so he should keep on hitting.
Tom Glavine, of the New York Mets, has not lost a game since July 2nd and he has lost only two games since June 16th. Over that stretch Glavine has made 15 starts and collected seven wins. Today Glavine will take on the Houston Astros in New York. Since June 16th Glavine has allowed more than three runs only three times and the Mets score 4.86 runs per game so the chances are pretty good that this streak continues. Glavine is currently 12-6 with a 4.06 earned run average and a WHIP of 1.39.
As far as I am concerned Geovany Soto, of the Chicago Cubs, should be in the lineup almost every day for the rest of the season. As far as Lou Piniella appears to be concerned Jason Kendall is going to play almost every day even though he is one for his last 15. Soto was the Pacific Coast League's Most Valuable Player this season with a batting average of .353 along with 31 doubles, 26 homeruns, and 109 runs batted in. Since joining the big league team on September 1st Soto has two starts. In those two starts he is four for seven and amazingly showed that a Cubs' catcher can actually throw out a base runner attempting to steal. I often hear Cubs fans complain, "Why can't we call up a guy from our farm system and have him end up like Pujols, Duncan, Ankiel, Fielder, Braun, etc..." Well, they have a AAA MVP at a position they have been brutal at all year and he has 14 at bats in 2007.
Jorge Sosa, of the New York Mets, appears to have found his niche by being moved to the bullpen on July 31st. Sosa came into the game on Friday night with the bases loaded and only one out and he quickly got out of the inning leaving the bases loaded. Sosa did allow a run in the next inning but the game was well in hand so it didn't matter much and he earned his seventh hold. Since making the switch Sosa has logged 22.2 innings, allowed seven earned runs, and posted a WHIP of 1.19.
Wandy Rodriguez, of the Houston Astros, has been consistent on the road this year, unfortunately for his fantasy owners it has been consistently bad. Rodriguez allowed five earned runs on six hits and four walks over just four and a third innings against the New York Mets. This performance dropped Rodriguez to 2-10 on the season with a 7.31 ERA and a 1.68 WHIP all on the road this season. DON'T EVER THINK ABOUT STARTING THIS GUY ON THE ROAD!!!
