Fantasy Baseball Tonight 8/21

Billy Butler continues to hit, and I can tell you now that I will be pushing him big time in next year's rankings. Butler's average is still around .300, but he has driven in eight more runs in the past ten games, and now has 65 on the season. He has a serious shot at 80 this year, and should be over 90 in 2010.

"The King of the Solo HR" Garrett Jones struck again, but this time it was of the three run variety and he now 14 homers in 43 games, and now APPEARS to be someone that you will be able to count on for fairly consistent production for the rest of the season. However, as a prospect who is 28 years old and just getting his first real taste of the majors, Jones won't be someone that I will be counting on for repeating his performance from 2009.

Matt LaPorta has been back with the Tribe for a few days now, and so far it has been a little better than his first stint with the big club. He only has two hits in the two days, but he has also driven in three runs, and is hitting seventh in the lineup. I wouldn't expect to get consistent performance from him for the rest of this season, but if he can find a comfort zone, perhaps he will be able to have a strong 2010.

Mike Pelfrey is just impossible to figure out. Raise your hand if you thought he had a chance of being effective against the Phillies tonight. No one? Me either. Well, he allowed just two runs over six innnings and struck out five against the division winner, while he just got tattooed against the lowly Diamondbacks just a two starts earlier.

Adam LaRoche is kind of known as a second half player, but he is absolutely scorching since his return to the Braves. LaRoche homered for the fourth time in five games and now has a nice even 20 on the year. For his career he actually has three more home runs after the All-Star Break in 130 less games, and he actually hits 50 points higher. If you need a guy to give you a little power boost down the stretch, maybe LaRoche is your guy. Just be sure you pick up Adam and not Andy.

Anibal Sanchez returned from his latest major arm/shoulder/elbow injury and pitched quite well again for the Marlins. In his first start since the beginning of June, Sanchez lasted six innings, allowed just one run and struck out seven. Sanchez has a ton of talent, and could be the kind of pitcher that could make an impact down the stretch if he is able to stay healthy. Unfortunately, the kid has been unable to do that yet in his short career. If he is available and you are in any need of pitching, I would give Sanchez a try, but don't be surprised if he is back on the DL before too long.

Johnathan Sanchez threw five shutout innings of two hit ball, and struck out eight. He loses some points for walking four guys over that stretch, but that is still a WHIP of just 1.20, so it is another quality outing for Sanchez. Since his no hitter, he has allowed three runs or less in five of his seven starts, and has struck out at least five in every outing. If he is out there in your league, make sure he isn't after you read this article, and I would choose him over Anibel if you are considering both.

Clayton Richard is now 3-0 in his short stint with the Padres. In his five starts since coming over from the White Sox in the Jake Peavy trade, Richard has only allowed more than three runs once, but hasn't been getting many strikeouts. He shutout the Cardinals over six innings and struck out six on Friday, but it was the first time he struck out more than five. I would also consider him for late in the season pitching, but he would be farther down the line.
As always, your comments and questions are welcome at fightingchancefantasy@gmail.com. I guarantee a response within 18 hours.