Death of a Blog

Most of you have noticed that our writing here has died a bit. That is because we've been busy embracing the new sports community we've become a part of over at ArmchairGM.com. It is a sports site built and totally maintained by sports fans like us. It is quite the interesting site and we encourage all of our friends to check it out and become a member of it. We are still writing, we just found a bigger forum to wirte in.

Who Should Be the NL's Starter for the 2006 All-Star Game?

As I did with the AL yesterday, today I'm going to take a look at the top 5 guys that have a shot at being named the starter for the MLB All-Star Game. I want to say again that all of these guys may help or hurt themselves over the next month, but I think these are the ones to watch.

1. Brandon Webb, Arizona Diamondbacks - 8-1, 2.06 ERA, 2 CG, 2 SHO, 104.2 IP (leads MLB), 74 K, 13 BB, 1.07 WHIP. Almost everyone will agree that, for now, the discussion should start and stop with this guy. He's been spectacular for the first half of the season.
2. Bronson Arroyo, Cincinnati Reds - 8-2, 2.31 ERA, 1 CG, 68 K, 18 BB, 1.10 WHIP. Nothing brings a bigger smile to my face then a former Red Sox succeeding after being traded away, especially in the NL. Big concern here is whether during the second half of the season hitters will figure him out now that they've seen him a couple of times.
3. Tom Glavine, New York Mets - 9-2, 3.06 ERA, 64 K, 26 BB, 1.15 WHIP. Rock solid for arguably the best team in baseball this year. Sentimental favorite, but how can you deny Webb?
4. Brad Penny, Los Angeles Dodgers - 7-1, 2.34 ERA, 58 K, 23 BB, 1.17 WHIP. The Dodgers didn't make it to first on Nomar's bat alone. How many of you realized he was having this good of a year? Honestly.
5. Pedro Martinez, New York Mets - 6-2, 2.94 ERA, 97 K, 20 BB, 0.90 WHIP. Pedro barely gets the nod over Jason Schmidt because he has a ridiculously high 10.19 K/9 and a ridiculously low 5.99 H/9.
   

Honorable Mention: Jason Schmidt, Chris Young, Derek Lowe, Carlos Zambrano

Who Should Be the AL's Starting Pitcher in the All-Star Game?

es, I know the All-Star Game is still a month away, but I thought now was as good a time as any to take a look at the possible starters. First I'll start with the American League. Remember, many (if not all) of these players will still have 4 or 5 more starts before the All-Star break. Some could totally fall out of contention and others could move up, but these are the ones I feel are vying for the honor right now.

1. Mike Mussina, New York Yankees - 8-2, 2.76 ERA, 1 CG, 94.2 IP (leads AL), 85 K, 16 BB, 0.99 WHIP. Moose has been stellar this year and has solidified himself as the ace of the Yankees staff. As of right now I think he deserves the start over the other guys, but it's still a tight race.
2. Roy Halladay, Toronto Blue Jays - 7-1, 2.93 ERA, 2 CG, 43 K, 10 BB, 1.01 WHIP. Roy is having another Cy Young type of season and is helping the Jays keep pace with the Sox and the Yanks in the East.
3. Jose Contreras, Chicago White Sox - 6-0, 2.54 ERA, 36 K, 20 BB, 1.04 WHIP. The only thing holding Contreras back from being number one is the fact he's missed time due to injury. He could still make a strong surge over the next three weeks. Fun stat, batters are only slugging .301 against Contreras this year, the best in the AL.
4. Curt Schilling, Boston Red SOx - 9-2, 3.81 ERA, 77 K, 9 BB, 1.03 WHIP The old Curt is back and he's mowing down hitters. Schilling's been Boston's most consistent starter with Beckett, Clement, and Wakefield struggling at times. Only concern here is the 13 HR he's given up already this year, a rarity for Schill.
5. Johan Santana, Minnesota Twins - 6-4, 3.16 ERA, 91 K, 16 BB, 1.05 WHIP Living proof that a great win/loss percentage does not make a pitcher. Too bad the Twins have been so bad in the first half wasting many of his efforts.

Honorable Mention:Kenny Rogers, Scott Kazmir, Justin Verlander, Barry Zito, C.C. Sabathia

10 Players to Watch in Fantasy Baseball

Here are 10 players, 5 pitchers and 5 hitters, that I think are about to have a hot streak or should be getting more press for their current hot streak. Some of these guys may be available in your fantasy baseball leagues, but most won't...sorry.

PITCHERS

1. Livan Hernandez - Last 4 starts he's 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA. Perhaps Livan is back to last years form.
2. Jorge Julio - The move to Arizona means a move back to the closer role for Julio. In 3 years closing for Baltimore he recorded 83 saves and even posted a 1.99 ERA in 2002. If he can get back to his Baltimore form he can help keep the D-backs in the race.
3. Chris Young - Has flirted with a no-hitter each of his last two starts and is now 5-3 with a 3.39 ERA. The big 6'10" righty also has a better than 2:1 K/BB ratio.
4. Matt Wise - Since May 14 Derrick Turnbow has seen his ERA go from 1.88 to 4.74 and he has only converted 3 of 7 save oppurtunities. Look for Wise and his 2.79 ERA and 1.09 WHIP to get a chance sooner rather than later.
5. Kenny Ray - There have been whispers that hard throwing righty will take over the closer role in Atlanta for weeks now, but with Reitsma struggling (7.20 ERA and 8 for 12 in save oppurtunities) Cox may be ready to pull the trigger.

HITTERS

1. Jose Castillo - I actually had this guy on my fantasy team and dropped him, now look at him. For the month of May he had 101 AB and all he did was this: 15 R, 7 HR, 21 RBI, .413 OBP, .634 SLG, and a .366 BA.
2. Corey Patterson - If you aren't already riding this band wagon than it's too late. 7 HR and 25 SB already for the year and is still on an incredible run of 10 SB in his last 8 games.
3. Kendry Morales - This guy can flat out hit. A notoriously slow starter at every level, but look for him to be a force if the Angels get their offense going. In the Eastern League last year he had 17 HR and 54 RBI in just 74 games and he led the Arizona Fall League with 14 doubles and was third with a .380 BA.
4. Jason Botts - Called up last week by Texas this switch-hitter was batting .318 with 10 HR and 32 RBI in just 40 games at Triple-A Oklahoma. He's big (6'5") and powerful (led all Texas minor leaguers last year with 25 HR and 102 RBI) and is playing in a very hitter friendly ballpark.
5. Bobby Crosby - Has a career June BA of .337 compared to his non-June BA of .225 and has hit .395 over his last 10 games. A lot of people have given up on him this year so he may be available.