People need to start spelling Jason the right way. That's all I've got to say for now.
Oh, one other thing: there're a couple active games going on right now, except I'm tired x1000. I'll get them in the comment section in the morning.
Shocking News
• The Phillies didn't TOTALLY CRUSH Jason Marquis. I mean, they BEAT him; it just wasn't via a TOTAL CRUSH.
Notables
• Hey, Aramis Ramirez went 2-for-4 with a 2B and HR today. And even NOT including that, he'd slashed .296/.342/.568 since returning from the DL on June 25th. Before that, he was batting .168/.232/.285 in 198 PA.
• Derrek Lee went 0-for-4 with 2 K in his Atlanta debut. Turner Field or whatever it's called probably won't be as kind to him as Wrigley. On the plus side, he's playing on a more productive team.
• Josh Thole might be the goods. He was batting .281/.360/.348 through 100 PA before today, with basically same numbers of BB and K (11 and 12, respectively). Today he went 2-for-4.
• C.J. Wilson continues to merit attention. He recorded 12 K tonight in 8.2 IP after recording 8 K (against only a single BB) in his last start.
• Bad: Jon Lester allows 9 ER in 2.0 IP. Also bad: he only gets a single K (versus 3 BB) through 16 TBF. Unlucky: Jon Lester allowed 8 H on 11 BIP. I don't know, I didn't see the game, but my guess is you shouldn't freak out on Lester. Trade FOR him if you can.
• Jose Bautista hit his 38th donger. Totally saw it coming.
• Anibal Sanchez has a great start for Florida today: 7.0 IP, 24 TBF, 5 K, BB, 11 GB on 17 BIP (64.7|PERCENT|). Dave Cameron actually wrote an article about Sanchez's recent performance earlier today at FanGraphs.
• Dominant Brian Duensing! Line: 8.0 IP, 29 TBF, 6 K, 0 BB, 19 GB on 23 BIP (82.6|PERCENT|). That's a GREAT start. Like, really great.
• Jake Westbrook through four Cardinal starts: 26 K in 25 IP (including 7 in 6 tonight). Jake Westbook's career strikeout rate: 4.99 K./9. Then again, he's never really pitched in the National League.
Caution, Warning
• Just in case you were about to pick up Jeff Karstens, how about don't do that.
• Caution! There's a possibility God hates Justin Masterson. The latter entered play with a .337 BABIP. Today, he conceded 11 H on just 21 BIP. The good news is, his BABIP was like .400 through his first 10 starts or thereabouts.
• Do NOT be seduced by Armando Galarraga's 8 K, 0 BB, 0 R performance. He's not that kind of pitcher.
• Hey, what's the deal, Yovani Gallardo? You're usually pretty good, but tonight you recorded 5 BB against only one K while facing 21 batters.
Stolen Bases
• Chone Figgins (31), Ichior Suzuki (31), Jose Reyes (27), Andrew McCutchen (26), Austin Jackson (19), Franklin Gutierrez (18), David Wright (18), Jimmy Rollins (15), Alcides Escobar (9).
Caught Stealing
• David Wright (9), Julio Borbon (7), Howie Kendrick (4), Jayson Werth (3), Hector Luna (1).
Save Chances
• Carlos Marmol, blown (5). He have up a triple TO RICK ANKIEL. EEEk.
• Billy Wagner, converted (30). He totally dominated the imposing Koyie Hill en route to the save.
• Brad Lidge, converted (17). He allowed an H, got a K. Whatevs.
• Neftali Feliz, converted (30). He pitched the last 1/3 of an inning of C.J. Wilson's shutout.
• Brian Wilson, converted (35). He allowed 2 H, but it was a 3 R lead.
Other Relievers
• Sean Gallagher has resurfaced -- in Pittsburgh! Today he got 9 GB facing a mere 12 batters. You go, Sean Gallagher.
Lineup-ology/Injury Junk
• Mike Sweeney started at 1B today.
• Rogearvin Bernadina of the Washington Nationals started at LF for only the second time this season. He'll probably be the everyday LF what with Josh Willingham out for the season.
• Julio Lugo played LF today for Baltimore. That should impact your fantasy team not at all.
• Alex Rodriguez, playing DH, was replaced by Austin Kearns after just on plate appearance. His calf appears to still be bothering him.
• John Buck, catcher for Toronto, returned from the DL today and decided to get his rake on: 5 PA, 4 1B, 2 RBI, 4 R. Get him all up in your lineup.
• Tommy Manzella played short for Houston tonight for the first time since June 22nd. Manzella proves that PLAYING in the major leagues is a different thing than BEING a major leaguer.
• Angel Brandon Wood played 1B for the first time this season. Seeing as he hits poorly for a 3B, this doesn't seem like much of a help to the fantasy owner.
• Corey Hart left Friday's game after the seventh inning with tightness in his right hamstring. Either that, or to become a pro wrestler. More on this as it develops.
• With Tony Gwynn Jr. out for the remainder of the season (wrist), Chris Denorfia played CF this evening.
• Pedro Feliz made his Cardinal debut. At 3B. He was 2-for-4!
• Jon Jay played CF today, and will continue to do so for the next couple games in Colby Rasmus' absence.
The Young and Potentially Restless
• Mitch Moreland of Texas hit his third HR today. The K totals (15 in 53 PA entering play) are a cause for concern -- esp since contact was his big skill in the minors. Still, he seems to be on the strong side of a platoon at 1B with Jorge Cantu right now.
• Matt Tuiasosopo started in LF for the M's tonight. He's the jack of all trades, master of none -- esp. if one of the trades is "not striking out a lot."
• Milwaukee CF Lorenzo Cain entering today: .389/.439/.556. Is his BABIP inflated? Absolutely. But even when you nomalize for BABIP, you still get a slightly above-average hitter. Is that Cain's true talent? Hmmm. Questions, questions.