TLOS Fantasy Update

By Brad Berreman
Love of Sports Correspondent

As the baseball season’s stretch drive starts, you may need to face reality with your fantasy baseball team.

Are you a serious playoff contender? Or are you better suited to spoiling someone else’s playoff hopes?

Either way, since it seems injuries have hit some key players once again, who you add to your team could have a big impact on your league’s standings.

This week, I’ll give you all an update on the standings in our fantasy baseball league and recommend some players to start and bench for the coming week.

But first, here’s this week’s add or drop portion of the program.

TRASH

3B Eric Chavez, A’s - Is expected to have season-ending shoulder surgery this week
1B Todd Helton, Rockies - May be done for the season (back), but is out until at least September at best
2B Mark Grudzielanek, Royals - Has a torn ankle ligament, could be out for the season
OF Michael Bourn, Astros - Unless you’re desperate for SBs, he probably isn’t worth hanging onto
2B Orlando Hudson, Diamondbacks - Out for the season with wrist injury
3B Scott Rolen, Blue Jays - 15-day DL as of August 5th (shoulder), might be too much of an injury risk
RP Brandon Morrow, Mariners - Demoted to Triple-A in order to be converted into a starter
DH Jose Vidro, Mariners - If you’ve hung onto him, has now been designated for assignment
OF Elijah Dukes, Nationals - Has been placed on the DL again (calf)
OF Ryan Church, Mets - The team doesn’t seem optimistic that he will return this season (concussions)
OF Michael Cuddyer, Twins - He had missed time recently with a hand injury, now suffered a broken foot on his rehab assignment and could be done for the season
SP Jose Conteras, White Sox - Ruptured his Achilles’ tendon in first start back from the DL, out for the season
C Josh Bard, Padres - If you even had him, he’s now on the 15-day DL as of August 9th (elbow)
OF Willie Bloomquist, Mariners - Might be done for the season with a hamstring injury, if you even owned him in the first place
3B Josh Fields, White Sox - Has been demoted back to the minors

TREASURE

SP Anthony Reyes, Indians - Has joined the Indians starting rotation and pitched well in his first start, could be a solid AL-only option
RP Eddie Guardado, Rangers - With C.J. Wilson struggling and injured, he’ll become Rangers closer
RP Brad Ziegler, A’s - Has been impressive as a set-up man, could get a chance to close regularly with Huston Street’s struggles
SP Chris Tillman, Orioles - The top prospect could be called up soon and could be a solid AL-only option right away
SP Brian Moehler, Astros - Has pitched well recently, is a good NL-only option
2B Emilio Bonifacio, Nationals - Is getting playing time and has excellent potential for SBs
IF/OF Omar Infante, Braves - Has been getting a lot of opportunity to play due to injuries and has been fairly productive
3B Alex Gordon, Royals - Has hit well lately, could be worth taking a flier on if you need the help
SP Gio Gonzalez, A’s - Made his major league debut last week, could be worth a shot particularly in AL-only leagues
OFs Jeremy Reed and Wladimir Balentien, Mariners - Could both see significant playing time down the stretch, and Reed has already been starting a lot in CF
OF Jason Kubel, Twins - Could be in for a solid stretch drive for a contending Twins team
RP Aaron Heilman, Mets – Got his first chance to close in Billy Wagner’s absence, but top prospect Eddie Kunz lurks
C John Baker, Marlins - Has been hitting reasonably well lately, but is really only an NL-only option
OF Rocco Baldelli, Rays - Has returned after missing the whole season to this point, could be worth a flier in AL-only leagues
SP Livan Hernandez, Rockies - If you’re desperate for pitching, he’s been picked up by Colorado
OF Marlon Byrd, Rangers - With injuries in the Ranger outfield, he could continue to see some playing time but is really only an AL-only option

TLOS Fantasy League

After 19 weeks of our fantasy baseball league, the cream has begun to rise to the top. The top six teams make the playoffs, which start in a few weeks. Here’s the way the the teams would be seeded if the playoffs started this week:

1. Love It When You Fukudome (Mad Love)—108-66-16
2. Pancakes For Dinner (Scott Rathmill)—106-75-9
3. Pedro Cerrano Clones (Brad Berreman)—98-79-13
4. The Brilliant Ones (Ashley Brilliant)—97-81-12
5. Springfield Isotopes (Richard Diaz)—93-80-17
6. Diamond Notes (Gino Pilato)—90-83-17

Still in contention for a playoff spot is John Gorman’s “Afghanistan Banana Stand” with an 80-92-18 record and Tim St.Sauver’s “The Hurlers” with an 81-94-15 mark. A couple other teams need big weeks to remain in contention, and the rest are simply playing out the string.

Some good matchups on tap are “The Brilliant Ones” vs. John Kelly’s “The Dutch Masters,” as the “Masters” need to have a nice week to remain in playoff contention and the “Ones” are trying to keep a grip on their spot. Also, “Afghanistan Banana Stand” takes on the “Springfield Isotopes” as the “Stand” tries to sneak into a playoff spot and the “Isotopes” try to hang on.

Two more matchups with potential playoff implications are “Love It When You Fukudome” vs. “Diamond Notes” and “Pancakes For Dinner” vs. “The Hurlers.” On the opposite end of the spectrum, our own Tough Love’s “Von Hayes Hair Club” takes on Adam Ruggiero’s “Minnesota Nice Guys” in the battle to stay out of the league’s cellar.

START

RP Kerry Wood, Cubs - Was activated from the DL last week, should return to closing games soon
OF Alex Rios, Blue Jays - Has started to heat up so far in August, offers multi-category help
SP Jeff Francis, Rockies - Returned from injury last week
OF Raul Ibanez, Mariners - Has a major hot streak going
OF Jason Bay, Red Sox - Has hit well since being acquired, he should continue to be productive
OF Vernon Wells, Blue Jays - Has returned from injury
SP Brad Penny, Dodgers - Returned from injury last Friday and pitched well in his first start back
OF Matt Kemp, Dodgers - Should see better pitches to hit with Manny Ramirez around
3B Chipper Jones, Braves – League’s leading hitter is officially back in the lineup
SP Joe Blanton, Phillies - Has an 0.64 ERA in his last two starts, has finally acclimated to the NL
3B Troy Glaus, Cardinals - Is prone to being streaky, but might be starting to heat up
OF Mark Teahen, Royals - Has a six-game hitting streak through Sunday, consider plugging him in while he’s going well
SP Aaron Harang, Reds - Struggled in his first start back from injury, but is still worth plugging in your lineup
1B Adam LaRoche, Pirates - Could rejoin the team on Wednesday

BENCH

OF Ryan Braun, Brewers - Is considered day-to-day with a rib cage injury, monitor his status
OF Carlos Lee, Astros - Was hit by a pitch in the hand over the weekend and placed on the 15-day DL with a broken pinkie. He might miss the rest of the season.
SP Joba Chamberlain, Yankees - 15-day DL as of August 6th (shoulder tendinitis)
RP Billy Wagner, Mets - 15-day DL as of August 5th (forearm strain)
OF Carl Crawford, Rays - 15-day DL as of August 10th (hand), could be out for the season
OF Adam Jones, Orioles - 15-day DL retroactive to August 3rd (foot)
RP C.J. Wilson, Rangers - 15-day DL as of August 5th (elbow), and is not guaranteed to get his job as closer back when he returns
OF David Murphy, Rangers - Rookie of the Year candidate has been placed on the 15-day DL (knee) as of August 7th after home plate collision with Pudge Rodriguez
SP Chris Carpenter, Cardinals - Left his start last weekend with an apparent shoulder issue, keep an eye on his status
1B Joey Votto, Reds - Has been placed on bereavement list, probably won’t return until late in the week
SP Tim Wakefield, Red Sox - 15-day DL as of August 10th (shoulder)
OF Milton Bradley, Rangers - Has missed a lot of time lately, could be a risky start this week
1B Carlos Guillen, Tigers - Missed two straight games over the weekend with back spasms, is a risky start

(Catch Berreman’s Fantasy Baseball column in this same spot each and every week.)