I’m in Vegas, at Paris, writing this from my hotel bed. I know, glamorous life. There are no playmates or pornstars with me, no comment if there were any over the weekend, but as I prepare to head home to do my radio show tonight I thought I would fire off this little diddy with some thoughts from the road. Here goes.

Jose Abreu’s projected pace this season: .290-31-99-97 with a .852 OPS. Last year he hit .317-36-107-80 with a .964 OPS. #ImJustSaying

Charlie Blackmon stole his 38th base of the season Sunday, third in baseball behind Billy Hamilton and Dee Gordon. Blackmon has had one hell of a follow up to last year’s effort hitting .287 with 15 homers, those steals, and 80 runs scored. Time we take him pretty seriously in fantasy even though he still doesn’t know how to take a walk (41 this season). Oddly, the top-3 outfielders in baseball in steals – Billy Hamilton (56), Blackmon and A.J. Pollock (34) – all have walked 43 or fewer ties. Bryce Harper leads the way with 110 walks.

From the Mayweather fight this weekend.

Robinson Cano is not having an all-star level season. But, he’s been very productive. In the second half he’s gone deep 10 times with 33 RBIs and 34 runs scored in 52 games. He’s also pushed his average up to .322 with a .908 OPS. Those are “normal” type of levels of production for Cano after a disappointing first half. The strong push has brought him within five runs of the 77 he scored last season. He’s also hit 16 homers, two more than last year. He’s down 19 RBIs, and his average is .278, but at least he’s pushing hard to the finish. His 2015 effort is also the 11th time, in 11 seasons, that he’s had at least 50 extra base hits. Only four other players accomplished that in each of their first 11 years in baseball.

Chris Davis continues to be out of control. He leads baseball with 42 homers and is second with 106 RBIs. Since the All-Star Game he has 23 homers, 54 RBIs and 43 runs scored… in 54 games.

Todd Frazier has 33 homers, 84 RBIs, 78 runs scored and 12 steals. Does it really matter that he’s batting only .260? Only real negative with Frazier this year is that he hasn’t played one game at first meaning he’s only going to be eligible next year at third base.

From the club this weekend. 

Ken Giles… if only the Phillies hadn’t waited so long to trade Jonathan Papelbon. Giles has been a rather silent assassin this season and he continues to crush it. Since Papelbon was dealt Giles has a 1.43 ERA with 24 strikeouts and 13 saves in 13 chances over 19.1 innings. Toss in a mere three free passes and you’ve got yourself one hell of a 9th inning arm.

Rich Hill made his first start since 2013 and promptly struck out 10 and walked one over seven innings against the Rays. Wow, no one could have seen that coming. The last time he was an effective big league starter was in 2007 when he was with the Cubs. Fool’s gold. Let other’s chase it.

Ryan Howard finally ended his 0-for-35 slump late last week. The big fella has 22 homers and 76 RBIs on the season. He’s also hitting .277… wait, that’s his OBP. He’s hitting a mere .228 on the campaign. He’s due $25 million next years and in 2017 he’s either getting his $23 million salary or a 410 million buyout. In reality Howard has one year left on his deal and is due $35 million. Good luck dealing that.

From the hotel this weekend.

Chris Johnson is batting .372 over 43 at-bats as an Indian. I still don’t care unless I’m in an AL-only league.

Francisco Liriano last 2.1 innings over the weekend as he allowed five runs, four earned, to the Brewers. Maddening is this guy. In two of his last thee stats he’s allowed for or more runs while failing to complete 5.1 innings in each outing. Over his last eight trips to the bump he’s allowed at least four runs on four occasions leading to a 5.09 ERA and 1.72 WHIP. He’s a hair pulling out own as he simply cannot harness his ability to the point where start to start success can be expected. As the innings pile up on his fragile arm there should be continually concern moving down the stretch.

I don’t hear anyone talking about Danny Valencia. Maybe it’s cause so many people play in 10 team mixed leagues anymore? For those in 15 team leagues, or ideally those in AL-only leagues, Valencia has been one hell of a weapon. In 30 games since being dealt by the Jays to the Athletics, Valencia has gone deep seven times while driving in 28 runners. All told he’s batting .286 with 14 homers, 57 RBIs and 45 runs scored in a mere 282 at-bats. He likely qualifies at first, third and outfield in your league. Hell of a half season  of work.

INJURIES

Carlos Gomez is having tests run on an intercostal strain that he suffered. It’s unclear how much time he will miss for the Astros. On the year he’s batting .253 with 12 homers, 14 steals and 59 runs scored. Chris Coghlan is batting .257 with 16 homers, 11 steals and 59 runs scored. Ugh for those that spent a first round pick on Gomez.

Cesar Hernandez is done for the year with a dislocated left thumb. The Phillies infielder hit .272 with 19 steals on the season as a decent option in NL-only leagues. He had a nice couple week run where he was seemingly stealing a base a game. It was short lived.