With the AL East and NL East races heating up, there were several guys coming off the DL on Tuesday, namely Phillies second baseman Chase Utley, Braves infielder Martin Prado and Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia. All three should be activated in fantasy leagues, if not on Tuesday, definitely by Wednesday.
Matt Weiters went 0-3 and is hitting ,240-.321-.366 with 9 HRs and 38 RBIs with a 68-39 K/BB rate. In just under 700 at bats, Wieters has hit 18 HRs and driven in 81 runs with a .266-.332-.392 triple slash line. Is he the 2010 version of a young Adrian Beltre?
With closer David Aardsma not available, Brandon League threw 1.1 innings of hitless ball to earn his 3rd save of the season for the Mariners.
Yankees starter CC Sabathia won his 16th game of the season on Tuesday, holding the Tigers to 2 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks, while striking out 9. Sabathia has to be one of the favorites to win the AL Cy Young award.
Speaking of Cy Young award, Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz should also be in the conversation, as he won his 14th game by shutting out the Angels for 7 innings. He lowered his ERA to 2.36.
Mets manager Jerry Manuel named Hisanori Takahashi his closer after he threw a scoreless 9th last night. Takahashi should be picked up in all leagues.
Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino went 2-4 with 2 RBIs and his 23rd SB while batting in the 5th spot in the order on Tuesday. Victorino is having one of his best power-speed seasons, while giving up the solid BA.
Chase Utley returned from the DL and went 0-5. He is hitting .271-.377-.457 with just 11 HRs and 37 RBIs and 5 SBs. Utley has been disappointing this season, and injuries appear to be taking a toll on his power and speed numbers this season.
Astros reliever Wilton Lopez earned the save on Tuesday night in the Astros win over the Mets. Lopez got the call as Brandon Lyon had pitched in 3 of the last 4 games, and Matt Lindstrom was not available after losing Monday night's game. Lopez has a solid 39-5 K/BB rate with 10 holds this season.
Hunter Pence went 2-4 with 2 HRs and 4 RBIs on Tuesday, with both homers coming off of Johan Santana. Pence is hitting a solid .287-.331-.487 with 18 HRs, 66 RBIs and 15 SBs. He is quietly on his way to a 20-20 season.
Rays starter Matt Garza dominated the hot-hitting Rangers on Tuesday night, throwing 7 shutout innings and striking out 10. Garza is now 12-7 with a 3.74 ERA.
Carl Crawford went 3-5 with a HR and 3 RBI on Tuesday. He is now hitting .302-.353-.488 with 14 HRs, 65 RBIs and 39 SBs. He is definitely a first round pick again in 2011.
Braves infielder Martin Prado went 3-5 with 3 runs scored and 2 RBI in his first game back from the DL. Looks like the finger is fully healed now.
Braves rookie starter Mike Minor won his first major league game by holding the Nationals to 2 runs, on 5 hits, 2 walks and 5 strikeouts. Minor looked good in the few innings I saw him pitch.