Fantasy Baseball Daily Fix: Jered Weaver throws a no-hitter, Halladay gets rocked
Sorry, complaining about umpiring is boring though and everyone hates it. Let’s talk about what happened with actual MLB players on Wednesday night instead. Some of them hit the ball really well and one of them pitched really well.
Thanks to Edwin Encarnacion, the Blue Jays beat the Rangers 11-5. It was the first time the Rangers lost 2 games in a row since last August. Encarnacion hit his 5th HR in the last 6 games, bringing him to 9 HR on the year, tied for second in the league with Josh Hamilton and Curtis Granderson. It's really a tie for first in the league though, since you have to ignore Matt Kemp's 12 HR, because he's been unfairly inhabited by the ghost of 2004 Barry Bonds. Seriously, he may be possessed. Prepare for an onslaught of Kemp features asking “when did Matt Kemp become such a dickhead,” and “why does Matt Kemp have the same forehead as
Josh Whedon?”Alternate theory it’s the ghost of Babe Ruth, moved on to Kemp after previously possessing Albert Pujols for 11 seasons. I say this because Pujols can’t hit anymore. He was 1 for 5 on the night, dropping his season line to .208/.252/.287. That’s got to be it, the ghost of Babe Ruth jumped to Kemp. That, or Pujols is really 41 years old. Either way, thanks for the 200 million Artie Moreno.
The Angels won 9-0 over the Twins, thanks to a no hitter from Jered Weaver. Weaver was close to a perfect game and I'm sure Chris Ianetta, who let a baserunner on via a passed ball in the 2nd inning, breathed a big sigh of relief when Weaver walked Josh Willingham in the 7th. Weaver had 9 K. The Angels got home runs from Kendrys Morales, Howie Kendrick and Mark Trumbo.
Carlos Beltran continued his hot start against AJ Burnett and the Pirates. Beltran was 4 for 5 with 2 HR, 7 RBI and 2 R. The Cardinals beat the Pirates 12-3. Anyone out there think that a move back to the NL would reinvigorate Burnett? If so then give up that dream of writing fortune cookies. Burnett went 2.2 innings giving up 12 ER, pushing his ERA to 8.04.
Not to be outdone by his partner in Carlos, Carlos Ruiz also knocked in 7 RBIs, in a losing effort. The Braves beat the Phillies 15-13 in a wild, 11 inning, pitchers duel. Pitchers duel means the two starters might as well have shot each other right? Roy Halladay was spotted a 6-0 lead entering the bottom of the 5th, only to give up 6 ER, capped by a Brian McCann grand slam. Halladay went 5.1 IP with 8 ER on 12 hits. When asked about his outing after the game, he said “at least I'm not AJ Burnett.”
Will Middlebrooks was called up by the Red Sox today and got the start at third for Kevin Youkilis, who was placed on the DL with back issues. Middlebrooks’ debut was strong, 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. The Red Sox lost 4-2 to Oakland, stifled by Brandon McCarthy who went 6.2 IP with 4 K, 5 hits and 1 ER.
Of course Bryce Harper couldn’t bare to have the spotlight turned to another newly called up slugger, so he hit 2 doubles to outshine Middlebrooks, going 3 for 4 with 1 RBI and 2 R. Booooooo Bryce Harper, amirite Dodgers fans? Serious question, whose a bigger egomaniac, Bryce Harper or Tim Welke? The Nationals beat the Diamondbacks 5-4 on a 9th inning Ian Desmond walk-off HR. Harper could be seen on the periphery of the home plate celebration, trying to convince teammates to slap him on the head instead.
The Orioles continued to defy expectations, beating the Yankees 5-0, on the backs of blooming young talent; Matt Wieters and Jake Arrieta. Arrieta pitched 8 innings, striking out 9 and giving up 5 hits. Wieters hit his 7th HR of the season on a 3 for 4 night, pushing his season line to .303/.391/.618.
Royals optimists will tell you that Jonathan Sanchez outdueled Justin Verlander. He didn't. Sanchez only went 5 IP and threw 82 pitches, while Verlander went 8 IP, threw 123 pitches and had 7 K's. Still, Sanchez gave up 0 ER and 1 hit, to 2 ER and 6 H for Verlander. Any silver lining will do and the Royals won 3-2, thanks to a 9th inning infield single from Chris Getz.
Ryan Braun followed his insane night from Tuesday – 3 HR and a triple at Petco – by leaving the game sixth inning with a sprained right Achilles tendon. He's day to day. The game started on a sad note in San Diego, with a tribute to Junior Seau. RIP Junior.
Written by Ryan Coombs exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Follow Ryan on Twitter @RMCoombs.
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