







I don’t know if I ever remember a season where the waiver wire has been more important. Between major injuries and the ridiculous state of relief pitching in the big leagues, you can’t rest on your laurels and figure things are just going to be ok. In 2012, if you aren’t paying attention every day, your chances of coming out on top aren’t very good. This week we give you a couple of relief pitchers, one incredibly obvious, the other to stash away. If you have any need in the outfield we have a few for you to choose from, a player behind the dish, and if you are in need of a starting pitcher there’s a choice or two for you as well out of the National League West. So instead of perusing the waiver wire looking at name after name, read on and then go and target the right guy to help your team going forward. read more...

This is my happiest time of the year. Dynasty drafts and rookie drafts are in full force. I always like to remind myself of some important draft commandments to follow. Now is the time our wives, girlfriends, children, and non-football friends just shake their heads and ask us why fantasy football? They don't get why it is so important in the spring for us hardcore players or summer for everyone else. Many of us with this madness can’t wait to draft and as you can see I don't wait. This is when the hours of scheming, studying, scouting, reading countless blogs, and listening to podcasts and Sirius satellite, finally get rewarded. read more...

What an outstanding day for baseball on Tuesday! Normally, when I go through the games (the ones I haven’t watched first-hand, that is), the recaps, and the stat sheets, there are usually a handful of performances that stand out as a cut above the rest. Whether it’s a complete-game shutout or a two or three-home run performance, these events stand out and deserve to be recognized. But after everything that went down on Tuesday, that “handful of performances” just became a wheelbarrow-full. I can’t imagine that I was the only fantasy owner sitting there, eyes the size of saucers, mouth agape, a tiny stream of drool coming down from the corner of my mouth, staring at my live scoring page like a little kid staring at that new bike under the Christmas tree. The levels of performances given were outstanding. So much so, that I’m forced to forego the usual format, call them all fantasy beasts and just serve you up the highlights. read more...

Which guys are hot when they get to sleep in their beds and have some home cooking on the table? Conversely, which players seem to do better when they can order room service? Is there such a thing as a first or second half player or are we merely fooling ourselves because it seems logical? I'll debate that line of thought with --- myself. I'll also mention a former slugging first baseman who is coming off the DL. I'll touch on a dominating hurler from the NL East who is headed to the DL. I'll then talk about two middle relievers that are being wasted by their teams and tell you whey their clubs should get these two fellas into the starting rotation. read more...

Before I head off to watch the Tigers take on the Twins this evening, I thought it would be a good idea to publish a short article about the Thursday Pitch & Ditch options. Two of these guys are here for the short term, most like, so take advantage now if you need the stats. The main weekend article will be published tomorrow. read more...

While I could sit here and run down the concept of interleague play and talk about how it cheapens the meaning of the World Series because these teams have now all played each other several times over a few year span, I’ll take the glass is half full approach here and relish in the fact that when we near interleague play, the week is filled with a full slate of games every day. No slow Monday or Thursday here; every team is playing. And with that full slate of games comes the usual excitement and fanfare that all full baseball days bring. But on Monday, we had the excitement of a number of firsts. And nothing’s better than your first, right? read more...

*While the Eastern Conference featured Philadelphia's shocking win over top seeded Chicago, the Western Conference held serve, for the most part. The Clippers seven game elimination of Memphis could be considered an upset, while expected by others.* read more...

As we work our way towards Pro Basketball's version of the Final Four, injuries have and continue to play a huge role. Is there any doubt that Chicago would have taken care of business against Philadelphia with a healthy Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah? read more...