Yardbarker: Tim Hudson

TOP 11 REASONS THE A'S TRADED RICH HARDEN

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:35:04 -0500

by DMtShooter, Five Tool Tool

Before we get into today's list, I'd like to ask you all to visit Hugging Harold Reynolds and vote for your old pal Shooter in this week's Iron Ref contest. Together, we can beat the World of Isaac and Soxaholix menace of non-Scrap titties and Boston-based Web comics.

I'm DMtShooter, and I approve this naked moment of self-serving wankery.

11. By losing Harden, the A's can dramatically lower their health insurance costs

10. By being very good, Harden made the tragic mistake of deserving a salary above the league minimum

9. The A's believe that the idolatry of fans owning jerseys with player names is blasphemous, and that it can only end if they always move players the fans actually know and like

8. Harden's already 26, which means that in four short years, his palms will glow red and he'll be killed

7. When you have the opportunity to get Corey Patterson's brother, you move heaven and earth

6. Matt Murton's failure to get routine at-bats in Chicago despite good offensive numbers must mean that the Cubs R Stoopid, rather than Murton's bad defensively or a clubhouse problem

5. Justin Duchscherer has more than capably filled his role as Staff Ace Who Gets Hurt And Crushes All Hope

4. With the Angels 4.5 games ahead in the division and the club 4 games out of the wildcard, it's high time to fold up the tents

3. Winning before they move into their new stadium is not in their precise and perfect plan

2. BILLY BEANE IS A GENIUS. ALL HAIL BILLY BEANE. I FEEL MUCH BETTER NOW, THANK YOU.

1. Trading a staff ace for spare parts and prospects always works out like the Mark Mulder deal, except when it works out like the Tim Hudson deal

1 Tough Game Down, 34 Tough Games To Go

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 06:27:11 -0500

Thank goodness I didn't push the power button on the remote when Chris Coste hit what should have been the game ending pop-up, because I would have missed one helluva finish to the game. Braves second baseman Kelly Johnson drops the ball allowing Eric Bruntlett to score, but did throw Pedro Feliz out at the plate, thus ending the top of the 9th with the score tied 2-2. Tom Gordon worked a scoreless frame in the bottom of the 9th, then magic-maker Shane Victorino stole the show in the 10th. Chris Snelling doubles, Jimmy Rollins sacrifice bunts, Vic triples (2nd of the game), Chase Utley doubles...Phils up 4-2. Then in the bottom of the 10th Brad Lidge surrenders what looks to be a game-tying single, but Vic guns the 2nd runner down at home plate to save the game and Phils triumph in the series opener in what is going to be just one tough game in a series of tough games. Starting with last night, the Phils are set to play 35 games before the All-Star break and every single club they face has a record of .500 or better (thanks scheduling geniuses!). That truly was a great game last night. Jamie Moyer pitched well, Tim Hudson was dominating, Phils bullpen was good, Pat Burrell and Vic threw men out at the plate, home plate umpire was getting bitched at from both dugouts, Brian McCann showed why he's one of the best young catchers in baseball...just a great game, and made all the greater because the Phils won and gained ground in the NL East (now up 3.5 on the Fish). Notes: *Bobby Cox is a fun manager to watch. He's the smartest manager I've ever had the pleasure of viewing on the diamond, and he really goes off when he thinks an ump makes a questionable call. *Jayson Werth may be activated from the DL today just in time to be slotted into the starting lineup as the Braves toss lefty Jo-Jo Reyes at us tonight. Poor Chris Snelling is likely ticketed to Lehigh Valley. Snelling has sparked two victories with pinch-hits this season, 1 against the Astros and the other being just last night. *Run differential is a stat that many use to judge the true effectiveness of a team, because it takes into a account for offensive, pitching, and defense. Through 63 games the Phils have outscored their opponents 332-260 for a run differential of 72 runs...wow!

Victorino leads Phillies past Braves with arm, bat

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 23:25:52 -0500

3 Up 1. The Flyin' Hawaiian: Shane Victorino did it all tonight, going 2 for 3 with 2 triples, 2 runs scored, 2 walks and he drove home the run that gave the Phillies a lead in the 10th inning. Oh, and he ended the Braves rally in the bottom of the 10th by throwing out the possible tying run at the plate. 2. Bullpen Dominance: Jamie Moyer pitched well but was only able to go 5 2/3rds innings. Enter the bullpen. 3. Chipper is ridiculously good: I hate to give an Up to a Brave, but Chipper Jones had two hits on the night and pushed his batting average up to .421 for the season. 3 Down: 1. Lidge bailed out: You'll notice I did not mention Brad Lidge when praising the Phillies bullpen. Lidge was spared from blowing his first save of the season by the rocket arm of Shane Victorino. 2. The disappearing Phillie offense: It's not time to sound the alarm because they are still winning games, but the Phils offense has really come back to Earth. After averaging 12 runs a game over a five game stretch last week, the Phillies are averaging 3.4 runs per game over their most recent five games. 3. Feliz nailed at home As always, click the link for video highlights, including footage of Victorino's game winning throw.

Week 9 Diamond Two-Start Pitchers

Sun, 25 May 2008 21:03:03 -0500

Looking ahead to the coming week in fantasy baseball, FIO co-founder & editor Matt Hinzpeter discusses some of the two-start pitchers for Week 9. This is a must-read for weekly leagues or if you like to stream pitchers on your roster. Check the Favorable Match-Ups, Two-Start Pitchers to Stay Away From, and the two-start pitchers to Keep an Eye On.

Friday Tidbits 5/23/08

Fri, 23 May 2008 09:32:57 -0500

A look back at the happenings in sports over the past week 5/16/08-5/22/08.

Braves Have Split Personality

Fri, 23 May 2008 00:42:22 -0500

The Atlanta Braves may answer to multiple names, which makes sense, after all, since they seem to be suffering from a split personality.

Everyone Loves A Clean Sweep!

Thu, 22 May 2008 23:17:48 -0500

The Braves swept the Mets clean out of town in a four game series. Some quick stats - Jair Jurrjens has the same record as Johan Santana, Mets starters gave up 17 earned runs in 20 innings, and the best start of the series came from Jorge Campillo, making his first start since 2005.

The Braves And Their "Rotation" Scare Me

Mon, 19 May 2008 07:50:00 -0500

I'll admit it. What I thought at the beginning of the season was a very deep rotation with the nastiest one-two in baseball has turned into an iffy starting rotation with only three consistent starters and two gap-fillers. This can't last long.

State of the NL East: Phillies, Mets, Marlins, Braves, Nattys

Wed, 14 May 2008 01:33:40 -0500

4and26sports.com delves into the NL East.

Fantasy Baseball All-Value Team

Tue, 13 May 2008 22:56:18 -0500

While #2 overall fantasy player Hanley Ramirez's statistics are impressive, no one is that surprised after he was a top 5 pick in nearly every fantasy draft, but when Nate McLouth puts up similar numbers and is ranked as the #7 fantasy player overall...eyebrows are raised. The McLouths and Cliff Lees of baseball is exactly what this list celebrates - the players who produce tremendous statistics considering the value they cost their fantasy owners, whether that be a late round pick or a timely pick up off the waiver wire. This team is chalked full of players who were mere afterthoughts until late on draft day, if even that.

Fantasy Baseball Weekend Happy Recap - Week 5

Mon, 05 May 2008 16:19:56 -0500

We take a look back at the night that was in fantasy baseball highlighting the best/worst performances, emerging fantasy options and developing trends. Check out the Happy Recap, every weekday on Fantasy Sports Experience!

Hudson Makes Statement, Leads Braves to Victory

Fri, 02 May 2008 22:33:39 -0500

Maybe Tim Hudson was embarrassed or frustrated by only going 3 innings in 2 of his last three starts. Today, Hudson had his best performance of the year, throwing a complete game three-hitter and shutting out the Reds.

Jair Jurrjens is the Braves Best Pitcher

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:49:38 -0500

Slated as the Braves 5th starter, Jair Jurrjens has blossomed into an awesome pitcher, filling a huge hole in the Atlanta rotation and far exceeding expectations. He should be NL Rookie of the Month.

Fantasy Baseball Happy Recap - 4/21/08

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:33:15 -0500

In this daily column, we take a look back at the night that was in fantasy baseball highlighting the best/worst performances, emerging fantasy options and developing trends. Check out the Fantasy Baseball Happy Recap every weekday on FSE!

Week 4 Diamond Two-Start Pitchers

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 12:58:28 -0500

Looking ahead to the coming week in fantasy baseball, FIO co-founder & editor Matt Hinzpeter discusses some of the two-start pitchers for Week 4. This is a must-read for weekly leagues or if you like to stream pitchers on your roster. Check the Favorable Match-Ups, Two-Start Pitchers to Stay Away From, and the two-start pitchers to Keep an Eye On.