http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/41685 Recent articles about Eric Hurley en-us Yet another injury to the Texas Rangers pitching staff opens the window of opportunity for 2007 supplemental-round draft pick Tommy Hunter. Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:38:07 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/298394 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/298394 Ramon Vazquez's dramatic walk-off double underscores a day filled with significant Texas Rangers news. Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:30:01 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/298391 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/298391 With just 72 hours remaining until the July 31st trade deadline, the Texas Rangers continue to ponder the respective futures of Gerald Laird and Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:07:06 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/297079 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/297079 While trade rumors continue to sizzle, Eddie Guardado and C.J. Wilson contribute to a heartbreaking Texas Rangers meltdown at U.S. Cellular Field. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:53:40 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295004 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295004 Swirling trade winds underlie the Texas Rangers' latest blowout defeat at the hands of the first-place Chicago White Sox. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:59:34 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294669 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294669 Former 30th-round pick Scott Feldman bails out the ill-prepared Texas Rangers yet again with a quality start - one that he was never supposed to make. Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:02:33 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/293885 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/293885 Taylor Teagarden's heroics power the Texas Rangers to their first 1-0 victory in nearly four years. Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:33:53 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/293570 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/293570 Alright, I already know what you're thinking. You're in 2nd to last place in your league, about 20 games out of the last playoff spot and you are just waiting for the season to end. Fortunately for you, I am here to help you overcome your deficit in the last 6 weeks of the season and perhaps steal a fantasy baseball championship away from one of your friends. At this point in the season, the focus on acquiring players via trade and free agency should be on a week to week basis, especially in head to head formatted leagues. Certain categories should be focused on to help you chip away at your deficit until you get within striking distance. For example, if you are weak in the areas of Earned Run Average and Walks and Hits per Innings Pitched, focus on Wins, Losses, and Strikeouts. A way to do this is to find starting pitchers who are starting twice this week, especially against weaker opponents. Scott Kazmir owners are in a very good mood this week because he will face off against the Oakland Athletics and Kansas City Royals. Other guys that are worth taking a flyer on are pitchers such as Toronto Blue Jays SP Jesse Litsch (@ BAL, vs. SEA), Texas Rangers SP Eric Hurley (@ CHW, @ OAK), Washington Nationals SP Jason Bergmann (@ SF, @ LAD), and Florida Marlins stud Chris Volstad (vs. ATL, @ CHC). Volstad is a guy that if not picked up in your league, you should be scouring the waiver wire as we speak. In his major league debut, he was one out shy of a complete game, and only giving up 1 run on 5 hits against the Dodgers. Volstad also struck out 6 and walked 1. If he is picked up, I would offer a veteran starter such as a Jered Weaver for him because his ceiling is so high. At this point, it is worth taking such a risk to try and get your team back in the playoff hunt. On the other side of the ball, hitters should be picked up and dropped faster then Kevin Federline's pitch for a reality show. This is another area in which picking up particular categories per week will help you make up necessary ground. It is important not to hold onto these players for too long and ride their hot streaks for more time than you should. Willie Harris, a 2B, 3B and an OF, is a good pick up at this point. In the last week he is the number 1 ranked player on Yahoo! Sports. He is worth a pick up if he is available but he shouldn't be held onto for much longer. Austin Kearns is a player who may be worth keeping for the rest of the season. In the last week he is .429 with a HR and 6 runs scored. Kearns has always been a producer in the 2nd half of the season and has been tearing the cover off the ball, even when making outs. In 2 out of his last 3 seasons, Kearns has seen positive changes in most of his statistics and with the way he's hitting lately, he should be in for another solid run. Finally, another key component of making a large comeback is by keeping your eye on what closers get injured or lose their jobs late in the season. With the trade deadline coming around in Major League Baseball, it is likely closer roles will be changing based on potential trades that can be made. For instance, Colorado Rockies reliever Brad Fuentes has been the talk of the deadline. This can open up a job for someone like Taylor Buchholz or the incumbent closer from last year, Manny Corpas. Chicago Cubs closer Kerry Wood may be making a trip the Disabled List (No Way!!!!!) for blister problems. (On a side not here, doesn't Wood look like Leo Dicaprio from "The Departed."When he takes the mound, I can't help but hear the announcer say, "Now coming in to pitch, William Costigan Jr.") This will open up from save chances for youngster Carlos Marmol, who even though he has been struggling lately, is worth being started as an everyday closer. Keep a close watch on more injuries to closers or even their backups to see where you can steal some saves. It is easy to just give up on your season and say "Let's get'em next year," but where's the fun in that? The whole point of fantasy baseball is to rub your conquests in your friends' faces. There is nothing better than getting into an argument with your friend over something non-fantasy related, and when you find yourself stuck in a corner without a point, just bringing up some fantasy sports history. My only advice is too persevere and read whatever tips I may offer in the upcoming weeks. Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:02:26 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/293411 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/293411 Cutting through the fat to see who, from a quartet of exciting All-Stars, truly deserves to be called the Texas Rangers' first-half MVP. Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:15:55 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291765 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291765 Josh Hamilton's stunning walk-off home run versus All-Star closer Francisco Rodriguez conjures to mind grandiose visions of a summer pennant chase in Arlington. Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:02:18 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/288620 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/288620 This was another week to forget for the Phillies, as their struggles continued against the Athletics and Rangers. The Phils went 2-4 on the week, failing to beat such powerhouses as Joe Blanton (4-11, 4.97 ERA), Eric Hurley (1-1, 3.57 ERA), and Kason Gabbard (2-3, 4.82 ERA). The Phils' offense, which has been struggling mightily over the past few weeks, finally found some life this weekend in Texas, only to have the pitching falter in its place. In the first two games of the series, the Phillies scored a total of 15 runs, but gave up 14 runs. The Fightins just can't seem to catch a break. As a result of his struggles this year, pitcher Brett Myers (3-9, 5.84 ERA) could be headed back to the bullpen. Full coverage of that story here. Who can say if that will help Myers? I, for one, was not all that impressed with his pitching as the team's closer last year, and under no circumstances do I want the Phillies to think that he is a viable option when considering whether to offer current closer Brad Lidge a serious contract extension next year. Myers has never quite lived up to his potential, and has been down right awful this year. With Adam Eaton and Kyle Kendrick filling the back end of the rotation, and aging lefty Jamie Moyer (who continues to amaze as a guy who consistently keeps the Phillies in the game, despite being the oldest player in the major leagues) as the number three man, the Phillies really needed Myers to step up and be the man he's always supposed to have been. That didn't happen. Maybe a return to the pen will do him some good. It certainly can't make him any worse. In other, happier, news, the Flyers' officially signed forward Jeff Carter to a three year deal worth $15 million. For more on Carter's signing, check out Jay's post from Sunday. The Flyers have been busy this week. In addition to signing Carter, they signed Steve Eminger to a one year contract. Eminger was a draft day acquisition from the Washington Capitals. They made two trades yesterday, acquiring Tim Ramholt from the Calgary Flames for Kyle Greentree, and traded recently acquired defenseman Janne Niskala to Tampa Bay for a sixth-round pick in next year's draft. The Flyers traded for Niskala from the Nashville Predators last week for forward Triston Grant and a seventh-round draft pick in next year's draft. Today is the first day of free agency in the NBA and we fully expect the Sixers to be major players in this year's market. Los Angeles Clippers' star Elton Brand opted out of the last year of his contract, making him available to the Sixers to negotiate with. For more on Brand and the Sixers' free agency plans, go here. Continue to check back as we break all the developing Philly sports stories, from the Phils' attempts to right their ship to the Sixers' free agency moves, Hot Stove Philly has you covered. Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:44:21 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/284593 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/284593 They managed just five hits and a scrap run in a 5-1 loss to Texas, making it six series losses in a row, dropping their record against the American League to 4-11. With the interleague schedule complete, it only gets easier, right? Or wasn't this series supposed to be the calm after the storm? I guess it depends whether you think Eric Hurley and the Rangers rival Boston, Los Angeles and Oakland. In my estimation, the Rangers had nothing, but... Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:04:48 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/284174 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/284174 Texas Rangers pitcher Eric Hurley notches his first big league win Sunday against the Phillies. Sun, 29 Jun 2008 21:25:07 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/283956 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/283956 Left-hander Jamie Moyer (7-5, 4.09) helps usher out the interleague schedule this evening when the Phillies take on Eric Hurley (0-1, 4.24) and Rangers. First pitch is 5:05. Sun, 29 Jun 2008 11:53:30 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/283824 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/283824 A comprehensive rundown of the top 25 prospects in the Texas Rangers organization. Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:53:32 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/281940 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/281940