RADIO
Can’t Stop the Camden Crusher
Orioles’ first baseman Chris Davis is having a dream season. The realization of power, the sweet stroke, the insane average and the run production keep piling up for Davis with every game. The one-time Texas Rangers prospect whom some tabbed as “quad-A” even before his 26th birthday has found a home in Baltimore. Davis, who posted career highs in 2012 with a .270 average and 33 homers, has reached even higher heights this season, nearly reaching his 2012 home run total with 26 already, and we aren’t even at the All-Star break. His 66 RBI are second in the majors, trailing only Miguel Cabrera. Davis has been the talk of the fantasy world all season; naysayers will keep hating, but haters gon’ hate-- Davis is here to stay, so enjoy the show.
Stronger: Weeks
With an awful start to the season, Rickie Weeks has been in fantasy owners’ doghouse. We've seen his ownership numbers progressively drop over the past few weeks, and understandably so. Weeks is sporting a sub-par .217 average and has only driven in 15 runs. After posting three straight 20+ homer seasons, Weeks has been a decent commodity at second base in recent years, but his slow starts have become a bit troublesome in the past two seasons. Weeks finished 2012 with 21 homers and just 63 RBI, to go along with a poor .229 average due to a lackluster start. This year has been much of the same. However, Weeks powered-up in the second half of 2012, and he seems to be trending in the same direction this season. Right now is a great time to buy low on the slugging second baseman. His average is creeping up, as he’s hit .419 with three homers in his last eight starts.
AL Recaps:
- C.J. Wilson blanked the Mariners over seven innings for his 6th win of the season. Joe Saunders was just as good, as he lasted eight frames allowing 1 ER on a wild pitch. Ernesto Frieri closed out his 16th save.
- Chris Tillman improved to 8-2 with a win over the Tigers powered by two homers by Chris Davis and another by backup catcher Taylor Teagarden.
- Justin Masterson defeated the Royals with six-plus innings and 2 ER with 8 K. Michael Brantley found the power stroke with two homers and 3 RBI. Michael Bourn (11) and Jason Kipnis (16) each swiped a bag. Eric Hosmer was 3-for-4 with 2 SB, raising his average to .274.
- The Rangers rallied to defeat the A’s. Nelson Cruz and Ian Kinsler knocked in two runs apiece with Adrian Beltre, Lance Berkman and Leonys Martin adding RBI of their own.
- The Yankees held off Hanley Ramirez, Yasiel Puig and the rest of the Dodgers for a 6-4 victory in game two of a doubleheader. Ichiro homered for his 3rd of the season. Lyle Overbay added 2 RBI as the everyday first baseman-- he could be a great add for Corner Infield positions with 32 RBI already in limited time. In the first game, it was a different story as Chris Capuano blanked the Yanks. HanRam homered on his way to a 4-for-4 afternoon, and Puig smacked his 5th homer. The rookie sensation now owns a ridiculous .474/.500/.789 through his first 15 games.
- Brian Dozier and Justin Morneau homered for the Twins as they defeated the White Sox on Wednesday. Alejandro De Aza hit his 9th homer in the loss which saw Chris Sale fall to 5-6 on the year. Glen Perkins recorded his 18th save. Aaron Hicks will begin a rehab assignment next week.
- Mark Buehrle defeated the Rockies backed by a three-run homer by Adam Lind. Juan Nicasio took the loss and Carlos Gonzalez homered for the 21st time this season.
NL Recaps:
- Ian Desmond lead the Nats to victory lane with an eleventh-inning grand slam to defeat the Phillies 6-2. Dez now has 10 homers and 38 RBI on the season with 7 SB. Michael Young hit his 3rd homer in the loss and has been scorching with the bat of late.
- Rickie Weeks and Aramis Ramirez homered to help the Brewers grab a come from behind win over the Astros. Francisco Rodriguez got the save, his 5th of the season. Jose Altuve stole 3 bags and now is up to 16 on the season.
- Jay Bruce homered for the Reds in a pitchers’ duel with the Pirates. The homer was Bruce’s 14th on the season.Craig Kimbrel earned his 20th save as the Braves downed the Mets 5-3. Chris Johnson homered for only the 4th time this season and Kris Medlen earned the W.
- Heath Bell closed out an Arizona win over the Marlins despite once again allowing a homer, this time to Justin Ruggiano (who deserves to be playing more). Jose Fernandez pitched well enough to win but the offense could not muster any output off of reliever Josh Collmenter who replaced Trevor Cahill going 6 strong with 7 Ks. Cahill was removed after taking a liner off the leg but is expected to be fine for his next start. Collmenter may find himself in the rotation soon as Randall Delgado has not yet been guaranteed the spot.
- Madison Bumgarner earned his 7th win and Sergio Romo bounced back from a rough outing last time out to earn his 18th save. Will Venable (10) and Jesus Guzman (3) homered for the Friars. Venable now has 10 homers, 26 RBI and 9 SB. His .227 average leaves for improvement but the production is worth a flier.
- Edward Mujica bounced back and got save number 21 after blowing his first one this week. Yadier Molina homered for the 5th time on the year in the victory over the Cubs and Edwin Jackson who fell to 3-9 on the year.
==========
If you want this article and other high-end fantasy baseball analysis delivered to you on a daily basis, sign up for our daily newsletter. And be sure to check out our 2013 Waiver Wire Watch List (updated daily) for in-depth analysis on gems that you may be able to find sitting on your waiver wire. It’s one of the best fantasy baseball features currently on web!
Follow Shawn Caswell on Twitter, or don’t: @CasKnowsRoto
