Some of my random thoughts on this Tuesday:
- Philip Hughes had an ERA under 2.00 his first five starts; his ERA over his last 11 is over 5.00. He's either getting tired, people are sitting on his curve (which can hang) or he's a victim of Yankee Stadium (he's given up all 12 home runs allowed this year there).
- I traded Tim Lincecum for Evan Longoria with Dalton Del Don in a league he runs. This trade made a ton of sense for both as we needed the respective needs of the trade. I drafted Halladay with pick 1.13 and Timmy with pick 2.1 in this league so I have a ton of pitching points. Longo went 3-for-4 last night with a SB in his last night of being on team Steven Segal. Tonight he entered Stevie Janowski and I benched two-HR Pedro Alvarez. I'm posting this prior to Timmy's start so a perfect game is what I'm expecting. You can't make this up. I'm also breaking my "don't write about it because no one gives a $h!t about your fantasy team" rule here.
- NY Giant Kevin Boss has a brother named Terry who is the backup goalie for the Seattle Sounders.
- Sticking with soccer for a moment, it's rumored that it'll take up to $20 million to transfer Landon Donavan out of the MLS. That's not how much he'll get paid, that's how much the MLS/LA Galaxy will get from whatever club wants him.
- Is it me or should we start believing that "Global Warming" stuff considering the summer we've had?
- Is there a goofier series than Brewers/Pirates? First series, Brewers outscore them 36-1. Second series, Pirates take two of three, losing the one 17-3. Third and fourth series were pretty even. Until last night, through 11 games there was at least seven runs a game. Tonight the Bucs had a 9-0 lead, it's now 10-7 in the through three innings. Stay tuned.
- Is something wrong with Matt Garza? He was on fire (a la Philip Hughes) to start the season but has struggles mightily until this point. His ERA per month since the start of the season looks like this – 2.06, 3.95, 6.83 and July will not be good by night's end. Luckily no one was on base when he gave up four solo shots through five innings tonight.
- What's worse? Getting beaned in the head with a come-backer (Dustin Nippert) or getting hit with an errant pickoff throw in the groin (Carl Crawford)? Discuss.
- Hottest player right now – Aramis Ramirez, Mike Stanton, Miguel Cabrera, Josh Hamilton or Nick Swisher?
- I'm starting to think a player changing their batting stance can make a world of difference. Jose Bautista shortened his swing and Alex Rios keeps his hands lower. I'll pay attention to these stories next spring training more than "Mr. X showed up in the best shape of his life".
-If/when the Nats trade Adam Dunn, how long do you give Washington to win the NL East? I'd go under on 2.5 seasons without thinking twice.