Atomic RoadRunners | Andrew Flynn’s High-Energy Fantasy Baseball

Brandon Webb pitched eight innings of one-run ball against the Dodgers to become the first 15-game winner of 2008 on Thursday. Webb outdueled Derek Lowe in a 2-1 game and moved to 10-3 with a 2.54 ERA in 16 career starts versus the Dodgers. He hasn’t allowed a homer in any of his last five starts. Webb is still just eighth in the NL with a 3.04 ERA, but because of the wins, he might be the NL Cy Young favorite anyway. The 2006 NL Cy Young Award winner is 8-0 in his last nine starts against Los Angeles, allowing nine runs in 71 innings. (Rotoworld, CBS Sports)

Mark Teixeira had two hits and a stolen base in Thursday’s laugher over the Yankees. He scored one run and drove in one. The steal was Teixeira’s first in almost two years. Perhaps the aggressive way the Angels run the bases will rub off a little on Teixeira, but Los Angeles knows why it acquired the slugger - for his bat. (Rotowire)

Prince Fielder was ejected in the ninth inning of Thursday’s game against the Cubs for arguing balls and strikes. Fielder grounded out in the ninth, smashed his bat into pieces, and then proceeded to give the umpire plenty of verbal abuse before being tossed. At least he’s not hurt, though Brewers fans are probably a little hot under the collar as well after a four-game sweep at the hands of the arch rival Cubs. Fielder did homer in the game, his 22nd of the season. (Rotowire)

Diamondbacks RP Brandon Lyon blanked the Dodgers in the ninth inning to earn his 23rd save in 28 chances during a 2-1 win Thursday. Lyon worked around a two-out single to Casey Blake for his third save since Saturday. He struck out one. Lyon has closed out his last three games with scoreless outings since allowing seven runs during a two-outing span from July 19-20. He also has five strikeouts in his last three innings. Arizona acquired Jon Rauch from Washington as insurance just in case Lyon falters down the stretch. It has really motivated the right-hander and he remains a decent No. 2 Fantasy RP. (CBS Sports)

Braves closer Mike Gonzalez allowed only one hit and recorded one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning of work Thursday against the Cardinals. He didn’t record a save, though, since the Braves led by five runs. The Braves have offered their closers few save opportunities this season, and Gonzalez has only four saves since taking over in mid June. He remains a low-end Fantasy option, especially with the Braves now out of contention. (CBS Sports)

Jody Gerut went 2-for-4 with a leadoff homer Wednesday night against Arizona. He has hit safely in seven of his last eight starts, going 13-for-31 with two doubles, three homers and six RBI. Gerut has pop in his bat and will play as much as he can stay productive at the plate. Consider him a sleeper in deeper leagues, most NL-only formats at this point while he’s going so well. (CBS Sports)

Carlos Villanueva allowed his first inherited runner of the season to score in the sixth inning Wednesday against Chicago. Villanueva had stranded all 14 runners he inherited before taking over with a runner on third and one out. Originally a starter, Villanueva probably won’t find himself in the Brewers rotation again anytime soon so he’s just an NL-only relief option for the time being. (CBS Sports)

Overall Standings

Rank Team                Batting Pitching Total Dif  Behind
---- ------------------- ------- -------- ----- ---- ------
 1   Atomic Roadrunners  43.5    37.0     80.5  1.5  0.0
 2   X-Men               23.0    39.0     62.0  0.0  18.5
 2   Stanimals           29.5    32.5     62.0  -3.0 18.5
 4   The Pi Train        30.0    29.0     59.0  1.5  21.5
 5   Shoeless Jews       24.0    34.0     58.0  2.0  22.5
 6   Goodfellas          36.0    17.5     53.5  -1.5 27.0
 7   Uncle Lester        12.0    38.5     50.5  1.0  30.0
 8   Misogynistic Padres 27.0    15.5     42.5  -1.5 38.0
 9   Cover Zero          25.0    17.0     42.0  -1.0 38.5
 10  Get Off Kong!       25.0    15.0     40.0  1.0  40.5

Yesterday's Stats

Atomic Roadrunners Players Yesterday (7/31/08)
Player                       BA HR R RBI   SB
------------------------ ------ -- - --- ----
Blake, Casey 3B LA       0.2500  0 0   0    0
Blanco, Gregor M. OF ATL 0.2000  0 0   0    0
Coste, Chris C PHI       0.0000  0 0   0    0
Fielder, Prince 1B MIL   0.2500  1 1   1    0
Gerut, Jody RF SD        0.0000  0 0   0    0
Hart, Corey C. RF MIL    0.0000  0 0   0    0
Headley, Chase 3B SD     0.0000  0 0   0    0
Iannetta, Chris C COL    0.0000  0 0   0    0
Pearce, Steve RF PIT     0.0000  0 0   0    0
Phillips, Brandon 2B CIN 0.0000  0 0   0    0
Reyes, Jose B. SS NYM    0.0000  0 0   0    0
Teixeira, Mark 1B ANA    0.5000  0 1   1    1
Theriot, Ryan SS CHC     0.0000  0 1   0    0
Victorino, Shane CF PHI  0.5000  0 1   0    1

Atomic Roadrunners Players Yesterday (7/31/08)
Player                      ERA  K S   W WHIP
------------------------ ------ -- - --- ----
Gonzalez, Mike RP ATL      0.00  1 0   0 1.00
Lyon, Brandon RP ARI       0.00  1 1   0 1.00
Webb, Brandon SP ARI       1.12  6 0   1 0.88

Casey Blake went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles Wednesday against San Francisco, giving him multiple-hit games in three of his first five games with the Dodgers. Blake was acquired from Cleveland on Saturday for minor-leaguers Jon Meloan and Carlos Santana. Since the trade, Blake is hitting .412 (7-for-17) with three doubles and four runs. He’s worth activating in any Fantasy format right now. (CBS Sports)