Yardbarker: Dan Wheeler

AccuScore Closer Report - 8/19

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:57:50 -0500

The landscape of bullpens continues to change. St. Louis has an intriguing decision to make soon between a rookie and a playoff hero. Both Cleveland and Oakland have found new closers while Pittsburgh is on the verge of getting its own stopper back from injury.

Inside The Box August 20th Edition

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:53:38 -0500

Today's look shows a guy pitching his way out of a guaranteed $24 million, a hitter chasing 40-40, BABIP explaining hot reliever and a cold starter, a reminder to not chase saves on draft day and lots more.

Disrespect

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:21:00 -0500

Tonight in Texas, your Tampa Bay Rays were ahead 7-3 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. At the plate was Josh Hamilton, 2 for 4 in the game, the tying run, hitting .302 with 28 home runs and 112 RBIs; perhaps, this year, the most dangerous hitter in baseball.

The Rays walked him. Intentionally. To force in a run, and put the tying run on first base, and the winning run at the plate... in the form of ex-Phillies OF Marlon Byrd (.290, 8 and 34).

Unfortunately for the Rangers, Hamilton didn't pull the Kelly Leak trick (Bad News Bears, original) of swinging at the intentional pitch. Because the Rays' closer of the moment with Troy Percival out again, Dan Wheeler, got Byrd swinging, and that was the ball game. Tampa stays 4 up of Boston in the East, with the second-best record in the AL and the third-best record in all of baseball.

Plus, they get major cojones points for their ability to do, well, anything to get a win... including adapt to the bandbox environment of Texas, and insult Marlon Byrd in a way that he probably hasn't felt since he was in Philly...

Lights Out Lidge Has Regained His Form

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 21:54:07 -0500

Hunched over, hands on knees, and a look of utter disbelief on his face - that is the image thousands of baseball fans had of Phillies' closer Brad Lidge. That was before the 2008 season. Lidge had given up a walk off home run to Scott Podsednik (only the outfielder's second home run of the entire 05 season and playoffs) to win game two of the World...

Back on the Job

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:56:30 -0500

The All-Star break was last week, but several players are finally getting back to work. Troy Percival and J.J. Putz came off the disabled list over the weekend while other closers are having their own injury issues. And what does the presence of Ray Durham in Milwaukee mean for Rickie Weeks?

MLB Start 'Em, Sit 'Em (7/7)

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 06:37:09 -0500

Screaming Sports' Phil Yoon goes over a week of upcoming matchups and determines who you should sit, who you should start and why. Surprisingly, there are three pretty big names that should be riding the pine this coming week.

Tampa Bay Rays are the New .... ?

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:51:02 -0500

The Tampa Bay Rays have taken the AL East and all of baseball by storm. They are attempting to go from worst-to-first as has happened only a few times in the past. But the Rays remind us...remind us A LOT...of another media darling that took the sport by storm. See how similar these two teams really are...

Best players at each position among AL East powers

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:04:09 -0500

Prompted by a few questions on the subject, I decided to do my own version of the AL East player debates. Solely focusing on the three best teams—record-wise at the midway point—in the American League East, here are my picks for the top players at each position among the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays.

The Freaking Tampa Bay Rays

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:58:26 -0500

I am a diehard Yankee fan, pinstripes in my blood. But the Tampa Bay Rays are for real, and it is throwing my world off. Today is July 1. July 1 and the best record in baseball belongs to the Rays. I can't even write that without cringing a bit. The worst part is, as the Yankees are attempting to regroup, use players from within the system, and get younger, the Rays have already done it, and are winning with it. They drafted well, picking up players like Andy Sonnanstine, Delmon Young, B.J. Upton, Carl Crawford, Josh Hamilton, Elijah Dukes, Jason Hammel, Jonny Gomes, James Shields, and Evan Longoria. Young was traded to get Matt Garza. And also their was the raping of the Mets in the Scott Kazmir deal. Bringing in veteran relievers Dan Wheeler, Al Reyes, Troy Percival and Trever Miller, has helped anchor a solid bullpen that isn't hurting the young rotation. More so the team believes in themselves, they believe they can win against any opponent, anywhere. All of the credit goes to Joe Maddon and his coaching staff, for telling these guys they can win, and then making them believe it. Case and point, the Red Sox. The "favorite" for the World Series this season, they have struggled against Tampa, having been swept earlier this season and having lost last night to end June. I don't know what it is but these Rays are just plain throwing the baseball world for a loop. And I like it.

AccuScore: Waiver Wire Wonders

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:36:26 -0500

If you are in need of pitching, but missed out on early season Waiver Wire Wonders like Justin Duchscherer or Jair Jurrjens, AccuScore fantasy expert Tim Williams has a few options for you, and suggests patience is the key to realizing their long term value on your team.

AccuScore Closer Report - 6/10

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:59:39 -0500

Brandon Lyon hasn't given up a run since April 6. J.J. Putz suffered another injury, and Troy Percival is set to return. Find out where these three rank, and expanded middle reliever rankings in this week's Closer Report.

Fantasy Rundown: Bruce Almighty

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 06:01:20 -0500

Jay Bruce had a spectacular debut week in Cincinnati, and should be a top fantasy option for the rest of the season. He wasn't the only top prospect reaching the big leagues however as Oakland called up Carlos Gonzalez. Elsewhere in this edition Ken Griffey Jr. nears a milestone, Bartolo Colon keeps winning, and Dontrelle Willis regains a starting spot.

Who in the World is Jorge Campillo?

Fri, 30 May 2008 13:56:56 -0500

Meet Jorge Campillo. He is a little known 29-year old rookie for the Braves and throws an invisible pitch. He has gone from obscurity in the Mexican league to baffling major league batters. Troy Percival hits the DL, and Jason Bartlett and Ian Stewart arrive to help your fantasy teams in the middle infield.

Troy Percival To The DL: Fantasy Impact

Thu, 29 May 2008 15:42:50 -0500

Troy Percival was placed on the 15 day DL on Thursday. We explain why and who you can expect to see getting saves while he is out.

Percival back on the shelf

Wed, 28 May 2008 19:06:38 -0500

During today's game Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Troy Percival fell on the mound while throwing a pitch. He officially left the game because of tightness in his hamstring, thou the official type of injury hasn't been announced yet. The pitcher will undergo an MRI and then be re-evaluated by team doctors on Thursday. This could be worrisome for Rays fans, as Percival was already experiencing tightness in the hamstring last week, so he possibly could of made the injury worse in the fall. The ironic part of all this? Ken Rosenthal had just put out an article today saying bullpen health is key for the Rays, especially with Percival.