Ryan Ludwick's bat heating up
2011 MLB Features
Fowl Ball Blog DebutFantasy Fever: Praising Pronk
MLB Power Rankings for May 23
2011 World Series Simulaton
MLB SimMatchup
Create Your Own MLB Dream Team
After catching the opening act of the 2011 Billboard Music Awards, it seems that the "Wonderful World of Disney" is no closer to making a comeback on Sunday nights.
In fact, the Mickey Mouse Club may want to consider updating its image with Mickey checking IDs at the door, Pluto bouncing trouble and Minnie behind the bar if they ever want to revive the series.
If you haven't witness the primetime pillow fight between Rihanna and Britney Spears, make sure to fast forward to the 2:48 mark for the big finish. Be forewarned, M-I-C-more-than-mouse-ears on that stage.
From one desire to the next, let's talk fantasy baseball.
New Error-a
When it comes to fantasy baseball, errors really don't play a major factor except when it comes to costing your starting pitcher the win.
After watching a handful of interleague games over the weekend, I was shocked to witness how quickly the big leagues could turn "Bad News Bears" accompanied by the Benny Hill theme song as its soundtrack. The epitome of this sandlot effort was Boston and Chicago's issues in the 8th inning on Saturday night. On one play, Darwin Barney flew out to right that should have allowed Alfonso Soriano to tag and score easily, but Soriano botched that fundamental. That led to he and Jeff Baker getting tangled up at third base. This should have been a sure out had it not been for Kevin Youkilis taking his eye off the ball on Jason Varitek's throw. The ball ended up down the leftfield line where Carl Crawford joined in on the fun with a throw home that was off the mark. Boston committed three errors in the inning and the Cubbies dropped an 8-spot on the Green Monster.
Here is the breakdown for total interleague errors over the weekend:
- Friday - 20
- Saturday - 21 (5 by Arizona)
- Sunday - 20
I thought the Diamondbacks' five-pack was astonishingly high until I saw the Toronto Blue Jays committed five errors on Thursday.
Here are the four worst fielding teams that could cost your starting pitcher the win:
Team (Field%)- Rangers - .978 (38 errors)
- Astros - .978 (39 errors)
- Cubs - .979 (35 errors)
- Padres - .979 (39 errors)
- League Average - .984 (29 errors)
45/55 Club
The waiver wire is the New York Stock Exchange of fantasy baseball. Lucky for you, insider trading isn't frowned upon. The 45/55 Club is a list of players currently owned in only 45-55 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy baseball leagues.
- C - Geovany Soto (DL), A.J. Pierzynski
Soto is currently on the DL with a groin strain. He's hit the most home runs in his career in the month of June (13). Pierzynski is swinging a hot bat (.382 over last 14 days) and in the month of June has hit .312 for his career.
- 1B - Todd Helton, Adam LaRoche, Derrek Lee (DL), Carlos Pena
Helton just came back after missing three games with back stiffness. Adam LaRoche is hitting .172 currently. Carlos Pena may be your best bet if you are in need of some pop in your lineup and don't really mind a low average.
- 2B - Kelly Johnson, Ryan Theriot, Aaron Hill
Ryan Theriot would be the top candidate out of this bunch. He'll pump up your batting average, but not much else.
- 3B - Chase Headley, Alberto Callaspo, Chone Figgins
If you want runs go with Headley, if you want RBIs go with Callaspo and if you are desperate, and I mean desperate, for steals go with Figgins. AC is the best pick of this group.
- SS - Erick Aybar, Miguel Tejada
Aybar should be on your roster if you need a shortstop. He could also vulture some SBs as a utlity guy.
- OF - Ryan Ludwick, Brennan Boesch, Delmon Young, Logan Morrison, Rajai Davis, Luke Scott
- OF - Vernon Wells (DL), Garrett Jones, Raul Ibanez, Jonny Gomes
I'd take a close look at Morrison, Boesch and Davis with Jones interchangeable with Davis if you don't need SBs.
Fowl Tips
Ryan Ludwick has hit .386 with 14 runs batted in, four home runs and six runs scored in the last 14 days.
Ludwick owners may be interested to know he has struggled in June with monthly lows in average (.221), RBIs (60), home runs (15) and runs scored (85) for his career.
In Cincinnati, there are reports Edinson Volquez is organizing a petition and collecting signatures to have the first inning removed from MLB games. The Reds' starter has allowed a run in the first in seven out of his ten starts this season. Three times he's allowed four runs in the first inning including Sunday against the Indians. Thanks to Cincy's bats he's 3-2, but is carrying a 6.35 ERA.
Fowl Out...of the Office
Due to a cross-country business trip, the Fowl Ball Blog will be taking a brief hiatus. Remember to appreciate the Killer B's this Memorial Day weekend: brats, burgs, brew and bikinis and if you want Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio and Derek Bell.
Ryan Fowler is the Content Manager for Whatifsports.com. He can be reached at rfowler@whatifsports.com.



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