[EmpireMaker]

Which pitcher would you rather have in fantasy for the rest of this year Tanaka or Burnett ?

[EmpireMaker]

Phillies starting pitcher prospect Aaron Nola will make his highly anticipated MLB debut Tuesday against the Rays, the team announced Friday. The 22-year-old Nola will become the first player drafted by the Phillies to make his MLB debut the following season since Pat Combs, who was selected in the June 1988 draft and made his debut in Sept. 1989. Nola was the seventh overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft.
Nola is a combined 10-4 with a 2.39 ERA in 18 starts between Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley this season. He also had a 1.05 WHIP, .241 opponents' batting average and 92 strikeouts in 109 1/3 innings.
The right-hander entered the season ranked as a top-40 prospect by MLB.com (No. 37) and Baseball America (No. 39).

[koz-man]

Crazy Stat of Day:

LA Angels 1-0 win was 1st time since 1991 a team won on a walk-off HR managing 2 hits or less.

[koz-man]

...and who hit the walk off homer...

Mike Trout of course.

[MexicanStallion]

Couldn't be having a better week. Futures game to another promotion.

Making his return to the majors, Kyle Schwarber went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored Friday against the Braves.

This guy can hit a little bit. Schwarber was called up to serve as the designated hitter while the Cubs were playing under American League rules last month, but he's set to share catching duties now that Miguel Montero is expected to miss six weeks with a thumb sprain. He made two errors Friday and is considered a work in progress behind the plate, but the Cubs will be patient with him. The 22-year-old isn't going to play every day, but his upside makes him worth adding in most fantasy formats.

[Shortstop]

Which pitcher would you rather have in fantasy for the rest of this year Tanaka or Burnett ?

Burnett

[Shortstop]

Crazy Stat of Day:

LA Angels 1-0 win was 1st time since 1991 a team won on a walk-off HR managing 2 hits or less.

Was the walk-off HR one of the 2 hits??

[Shortstop]

1		Mike Trout, Angels. He's 23, he's running an OPS+ of 188, and he's got a career line of .306/.397/.559. Then there's the value he adds on the bases and with the glove in center. There's no reason to expect anything less than Trout-ian excellence in the second half.
2		Andrew McCutchen, Pirates. A lingering knee injury probably limited McCutchen's effectiveness in the early weeks of the season, but since he bottomed out on May 6 he's batting .341/.438/.586. More of that to come.
3		Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks. The NL's best right-handed hitter? Yes. The 2015 OPS is north of 1.000 at the break, and since the start of .311/.412/.562 since the start of the 2013 season. At age 27, Goldy's in the heart of his prime.
4		Josh Donaldson, Blue Jays. Donaldson in his first season in Toronto is providing standout defense at the hot corner, and he's on pace for 37 homers and 40 doubles. Consider him on the short list of AL MVP candidates here at the midpoint. Now that he's in a park that suits his skills as a hitter, he's taken the next step.
5		Bryce Harper, Nationals. I don't expect Harper to repeat his first-half numbers, mostly because you shouldn't expect anyone to repeat those kinds of numbers. So, yes, I expect regression. He's been the best player in baseball to date, and I think he'll end the season as the best player in baseball. That said, I think he'll step back a bit in the second half. Excellence, yes, but not quite this level of excellence.
6		Manny Machado, Orioles. Machado is the best defensive third baseman in the game today, and the bat is coming along nicely in 2015. He's batting .298/.361/.525, and he's added almost 10 feet of distance to his average fly ball. Keep in mind that he's still just 23.
7		Anthony Rizzo, Cubs. The 25-year-old is on his third organization, and his first two organizations are very likely regretting their decisions. At present, he boasts an OPS+ of 165, and he's walked 45 times against just 46 strikeouts. If you don't already think of Rizzo as a top-tier hitter, please begin doing so.
8		Kris Bryant, Cubs. Yes, he's a rookie. Yes, he's swinging and missing, as we expected. The larger, more important reality is that he's batting .269/.376/.472 as a 23-year-old getting his first taste of baseball highest level. For Bryant, better things are ahead.
9		Buster Posey, Giants. Posey's gradually spending more time at first base, but he's still on pace to spend more than 900 innings behind the plate. Oh, and he's also batting .314/.381/.498 despite playing his home games in a pronounced pitcher's park.
10		Carlos Correa, Astros. This season, the average big-league shortstop is batting .256/.301/.368. Correa, meantime, is batting .276/.312/.507 through the first 141 plate appearances of his career. In terms of exit velocity off the bat, he compares favorably to some of the best hitters in the game today. Believe in him.

And now the pitchers ...

RANK		COMMENT
1		Max Scherzer, Nationals. The $210-million man boasts a 2.11 ERA, and he's backing it up with a whomping good K/BB ratio of 10.71 (!). He has command of four pitches, and he's at the peak of his skills.
2		Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers. Yes, Kershaw's ERA is elevated by his standards, but the underlying peripherals remain exceptionally strong. To wit, the reigning NL MVP boasts a K/BB ratio of 5.93, and he's struck out a career-best 32.7 percent of opposing hitters.
3		Chris Sale, White Sox. Sale has emerged as the elite bat-misser in the game right now, and that, needless to say, bodes very well for the immediate future. This season, he's faced 469 batters, and he's sat down 157 of them. Is a 300-K season in the offing?
4		Felix Hernandez, Mariners. King Felix hasn't been quite his vintage self thus far in 2015, but the supporting numbers are doing just fine. He's on target for his eighth straight season of at least 200 innings. He's still in the discussion for best changeup in the game.
5		Jose Fernandez, Marlins. Fernandez is two starts into his comeback from Tommy John surgery, and in his final first-half outing he struck out nine Reds (and walked none) across seven shutout innings. The fastball's averaging 96 mph, so expect Fernandez to resume his pre-injury dominance after the break.
6		Corey Kluber, Indians. Kluber's ERA is a solid but disappointing 3.38. However, there's a lot of bad luck baked into that ERA. If you look at FIP -- or what his ERA should be based on his fundamentals -- then Kluber ought to have a mark of 2.51. Expect him to come close to that figure in the second half.
7		Johnny Cueto, Reds. Since turning 25, Cueto has pitched to an ERA of 2.52 (154 ERA+). As well, although he was one branded as a fragile pitcher, he's logged 362 1/3 innings since the start of last season. Throw in the likelihood of an energizing deadline trade to a contender, and I expect big things from Cueto over the rest of 2015.
8		Dallas Keuchel, Astros. Keuchel's secret? The strongest groundball tendencies in the game today. Specially, he presently boasts a ground-ball/fly-ball ratio of 4.32, which is easily tops in all of baseball. That plus a lot of canny infield shifting behind him has yielded good results. It'll continue.
9		David Price, Tigers. The free-agent-to-be is enjoying a fine campaign thus far: 125 IP, career-best 165 ERA+, 115 strikeouts against just 23 unintentional walks. Just four times this season has he given up more than three runs in a start.
10		Carlos Martinez, Cardinals. The results have risen to meet the stuff. Armed with a four-pitch mix, excellent velocity and increasing stamina and durability, Martinez -- an All-Star -- is enjoying one heck of a breakout season. He's still just 23 years of age

Gerrit Cole not in the Top 10? What???

[Andy117]

Which pitcher would you rather have in fantasy for the rest of this year Tanaka or Burnett ?

I'd go with Tanaka, hard to believe that Burnett won't regress in the 2nd half. He's having a career year at 38.

[EmpireMaker]

I'd go with Tanaka, hard to believe that Burnett won't regress in the 2nd half. He's having a career year at 38.

I have Burnett and a guy offered me Tanaka and I want to take it. I agree with your thoughts Andy. I'll accept tomorrow and get my 2 start week out of Burnett and then trade him.

[Shortstop]

Glen Perkins is human after all... What a year this guy is having!

Minnesota Twins
Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	PC-ST	ERA
Hughes	7.0	6	1	1	1	2	1	100-67	4.15
Boyer	0.1	0	0	0	1	1	0	11-6	2.72
O'Rourke	0.2	0	0	0	1	1	0	13-6	0.00
Perkins (B, 1)	1.0	2	1	1	0	1	0	18-13	1.41
Fien (L, 2-4)	0.0	2	1	1	0	0	0	11-7	4.45

[Chi_archie]

I have Burnett and a guy offered me Tanaka and I want to take it. I agree with your thoughts Andy. I'll accept tomorrow and get my 2 start week out of Burnett and then trade him.

yeah i predict a rough 2nd half for AJ

[koz-man]

Clayton Kershaw is 1st pitcher since Cy Young (1905) to Strikeout at least 10 with 0 Runs & 0 BB in back-to-back games.

[EmpireMaker]

this guy is red hot in AA and the Mets need bats: Mets No. 3 prospect Michael Conforto is 8-for-16 with two homers and five RBIs in his last four games for Binghamton

[MexicanStallion]

May as well throw a wrench into the bullpen now.

Cubs recalled RHP Rafael Soriano from Triple-A Iowa.

The 35year-old hurler will add some much needed depth to the back-end of the Cubs bullpen. He fired seven scoreless innings while posting a 7/3 K/BB ratio at Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa before getting recalled.

[EmpireMaker]

Phillies starting pitcher prospect Aaron Nola will make his highly anticipated MLB debut Tuesday against the Rays, the team announced Friday. The 22-year-old Nola will become the first player drafted by the Phillies to make his MLB debut the following season since Pat Combs, who was selected in the June 1988 draft and made his debut in Sept. 1989. Nola was the seventh overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft.
Nola is a combined 10-4 with a 2.39 ERA in 18 starts between Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley this season. He also had a 1.05 WHIP, .241 opponents' batting average and 92 strikeouts in 109 1/3 innings.
The right-hander entered the season ranked as a top-40 prospect by MLB.com (No. 37) and Baseball America (No. 39).

Nola is pitching on Tuesday.

[Chi_archie]

Clayton Kershaw is 1st pitcher since Cy Young (1905) to Strikeout at least 10 with 0 Runs & 0 BB in back-to-back games.

crazy it took over 110 years between

[EmpireMaker]

The Pirates announced today that shortstop Jordy Mercer has been placed on the disabled list with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee as well as a lower leg contusion. The injury, which comes with a recovery time of approximately six weeks, per the team, was sustained on a controversial takeout slide (video link) by Brewers center fielder Carlos Gomez.
To fill Mercer’s spot on the roster, the Pirates selected the contract of Brent Morel. First baseman Corey Hart was transferred to the disabled list to make room for Morel on the 40-man roster.
The loss of Mercer further depletes Pittsburgh’s infield depth. Starting third baseman Josh Harrison is already on the shelf for up to six more weeks with a torn ligament in his thumb, which has caused offseason pickup Jung Ho Kang to shift into a full-time role at the hot corner. Presumably, Kang will now take over as the club’s shortstop, with Morel playing third base. As Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review tweets, acquiring a right field upgrade probably becomes a luxury for the Pirates, with the focus shifting to a third base upgrade.
The list of third base candidates believed to be available is relatively limited, with Aramis Ramirez from Milwaukee standing out as the most oft-mentioned possibility. Atlanta’s Chris Johnson, of course, is available, though his contract has stood as a significant road block. His Braves teammate, Kelly Johnson, is a versatile bat that could potentially play some third base in the short term. Utility options such as Cliff Pennington and Clint Barmes, who was with the Pirates from 2012-14, could potentially be acquired to step in at shortstop, with Kang remaining at third base.

[koz-man]

Greinke continues his dominant dealing

Zack Greinke extended his scoreless innings streak to 43 2/3 and lowered his ERA to 1.30 after pitching eight shutout innings to beat Max Scherzer and the Nationals.

[Shortstop]

Greinke continues his dominant dealing

Zack Greinke extended his scoreless innings streak to 43 2/3 and lowered his ERA to 1.30 after pitching eight shutout innings to beat Max Scherzer and the Nationals.

Greinke is walking on water!

I never thought Orel Hershiser's streak of 59 scoreless IP's would ever be threatened, but here we are...

Interesting notes: When Hershiser set the record, he broke yet another Dodgers streak. (Don Drysdale had 58)

*Also, Hershiser's streak actually hit 67 in 1988, but the record books didn't count the postseason...

[Chi_archie]

Greinke is walking on water!

I never thought Orel Hershiser's streak of 59 scoreless IP's would ever be threatened, but here we are...

Interesting notes: When Hershiser set the record, he broke yet another Dodgers streak. (Don Drysdale had 58)

*Also, Hershiser's streak actually hit 67 in 1988, but the record books didn't count the postseason...

drysdale still holds record for 6 straight shutouts though

it is a different era, where 6,7,8 innings is enough

[Shortstop]

Mark Melancon records save #100 as the Pirates defeat the Royals, 10-7

Pittsburgh Pirates
Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	PC-ST	ERA
Burnett (W, 8-3)	6.0	11	6	6	1	2	2	93-62	2.44
Bastardo (H, 5)	0.1	1	1	1	0	0	0	4-3	4.08
Hughes (H, 14)	0.2	1	0	0	0	0	0	3-3	2.18
Watson (H, 21)	1.0	1	0	0	0	1	0	20-13	2.05
Melancon (S, 30)	1.0	0	0	0	1	1	0	20-11	1.43

[Shortstop]

drysdale still holds record for 6 straight shutouts though

it is a different era, where 6,7,8 innings is enough

One of my favorite Brady Bunch episodes!

[EmpireMaker]

CHICAGO -- Less than two weeks after first playing Stephen Piscotty at a new position, the Cardinals plan to promote their top prospect to the Majors before the start of Tuesday's series against the White Sox. The club has not confirmed the news, but a source confirmed the impending callup, which was first reported by Rob Rains.
Piscotty, 24, will have to be added onto both the 25- and 40-man rosters, both of which are currently full. As a result, the Cards don't expect to announce any of those rosters moves until Tuesday.


The Cardinals will be able to utilize a designated hitter during their two-game Interleague series in Chicago, but Piscotty's arrival is not solely for that purpose. With production at first base lacking, the Cards are likely to give Piscotty plenty of playing time at a position he just began appearing at this month.
After weeks of pregame work at first base, Piscotty played there in a game for the first time on July 10. He's been at first base in another five games since. Piscotty, though drafted as a third baseman, played exclusively in the outfield in 2013-14. He is more than capable of filling in at either corner outfield spot for the Cardinals, though there is not expected to be substantial playing time available there.
Piscotty has hit safely in 35 of his past 45 games (54-for-176) and ranks fourth in the Pacific Coast League with 28 doubles. Piscotty has 11 homers and 41 RBIs along with a .272/.366/.475 slash line this season.
The Cards have shuffled through various first basemen since Matt Adams suffered a severe quad injury in late May. Mark Reynolds has made the majority of starts, with Xavier Scruggs and Dan Johnson also occasionally filling in. Overall, though, the production has been insufficient.
In comparing the Cardinals' production to other National League teams, the club ranks among the league's bottom three in runs scored (30), batting average (.233), on-base percentage (.289), OPS (.657), doubles (16) and home runs (10).
Piscotty will advance to the Majors a little more than three years after being taken by the Cards with the 36th overall pick in the 2012 Draft. Piscotty, a Stanford University graduate, is currently ranked as MLB's No. 71 prospect by MLB Pipeline.

[Chi_archie]

never heard of piscotty

i'm sure he will be a stud like everyone the cards bring up

[BigSpoon]

Detroit is putting Price and Cespedes on the trade market according to ESPN. Both are free agents at the end of this season.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/13...trade-deadline

[koz-man]

On this date in 1972, Willie Mays cracked his 650th career home run in a 3-1 win vs. SF

[koz-man]

Phillies prospect debuts tonight

Aaron Nola, 3-1 with a 3.58 ERA in six starts for the Phillies' Triple-A team this season, will make his MLB debut tonight against the Rays. The No. 7 overall pick in last year's draft was the 2014 National Pitcher of the Year at LSU.

[Robber]

Total steamed down in that game

Rays may struggle against Nola's debut

[MexicanStallion]

To keep up the Nola posts going.

Aaron Nola pitched well but lost his major league debut, holding the Rays to one run in six innings on Tuesday.

Nola made one mistake, resulting in a solo home run to opposing starter Nate Karns. It served as the game's only run, unfortunately for the rookie. He allowed five hits and a walk overall while striking out six in an impressive debut. Nola, worth a flier in deeper mixed leagues, will take the hill in Toronto to face the Blue Jays next week.

[EmpireMaker]

To keep up the Nola posts going.

Aaron Nola pitched well but lost his major league debut, holding the Rays to one run in six innings on Tuesday.

Nola made one mistake, resulting in a solo home run to opposing starter Nate Karns. It served as the game's only run, unfortunately for the rookie. He allowed five hits and a walk overall while striking out six in an impressive debut. Nola, worth a flier in deeper mixed leagues, will take the hill in Toronto to face the Blue Jays next week.

Kid pitched really well, wasn't even a bad pitch that Karns hit out, low and inside, I like him and recommend him in all deeper leagues and he is worth considering in less deep leagues. He does have to pitch in Toronto next so be careful starting him there.

[Shortstop]

Yeah, not too shabby of a start. Tough loss. Nola even got his first MLB knock.

Philadelphia Phillies
Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	PC-ST	ERA
Nola (L, 0-1)	6.0	5	1	1	1	6	1	88-59	1.50

[Chi_archie]

Yeah, not too shabby of a start. Tough loss. Nola even got his first MLB knock.

Philadelphia Phillies
Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	PC-ST	ERA
Nola (L, 0-1)	6.0	5	1	1	1	6	1	88-59	1.50

nice start to the career young man

[EmpireMaker]

Pirates No. 1 prospect (No. 9 overall) Tyler Glasnow notched a season-high 10 strikeouts for Double-A Altoona. While he also surrendered four hits and three runs, the 6-foot-8 righty took home a 'W' after the Curve sealed an 18-7 blowout win over Erie. Glasnow has won three straight starts and stands at 5-2 with a 2.37 ERA in 11 appearances for Altoona. He also boasts a 70-to-17 strikeout-to-walk line after Tuesday's start.

[koz-man]

Bobbleheads just keep getting bigger

Mike Trout will be honored with a life-size bobblehead outside of Angel Stadium at 8 ET Friday. The 2014 AL MVP is 6-foot-2 and weighs 235 pounds but the weight of the bobblehead is unknown.