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

Marlins RP Matt Lindstrom allowed one hit and no runs in 1 1/3 innings in relief of Scott Olsen during Tuesday’s 4-1 loss to the Mets. Lindstrom struck out two. The Marlins optioned Lindstrom to the minors in late June when he posted a 0-1 record with a 16.62 ERA in 4 1/3 innings spanning six June outings. He returned in early July and has been nothing short of spectacular. He has not allowed a run in 11 outings spanning 11 1/3 innings. He also has 11 strikeouts in that span. The old Lindstrom is back and is once again a reliable Fantasy middle reliever. (CBS Sports)

Brandon Moss went 2-for-4 with two RBI as the Pirates fell to the Diamondbacks on Monday night. Moss had a two-run double to open a 3-0 lead Monday. The double gave the Pirates a double in each of their last 36 games. Since being acquired by the Pirates, he’s gone 4-for-12 with a homer, a double and two RBI. He should continue to see regular playing time in Pittsburgh’s outfield, and could prove a solid option in NL-only leagues this season. Moss is an outstanding addition in NL-only leagues at this point. There is pop in his bat and the rebuilding Pirates will give him a good long look down the stretch. (Rotoworld, CBS Sports)

Brewers RP Seth McClung allowed three walks, two hits and two runs over 1 1/3 innings Sunday in his first action since being removed from the rotation. McClung was splitting starts with Dave Bush in the No. 5 spot in Milwaukee, but Bush was named the full-time guy on Saturday. With his move to the bullpen, McClung lost all of his Fantasy value outside of super-deep NL-only leagues. (CBS Sports)

Rockies OF Ryan Spilborghs was moving around for the first time in a week since being sidelined with a pulled muscle in his side. Spilborghs was getting everyday at-bats hitting at the top of the Rockies lineup before getting hurt. He doesn’t have a massive amount of power, but you can expect him to hit for a decent average and for him to score some runs and steal a handful of bases, when healthy. He’s a nice, low-end starting option for NL-only leagues when healthy, so stash him in those formats for the next couple of weeks. (CBS Sports)

We’re going to miss Spilborghs. A Roadrunner for each of the past three seasons, 2008 was the first time that he had broken with the squad from Spring Training, having been selected in the third round of the minor league draft. But with a $10 salary, he wasn’t going to be protected, and facing a lengthy rehab, he likely wouldn’t be able to play until September. And at that point, the Rockies are likely to be showcasing Willy Taveras and bringing up Dexter Fowler with a call-up, so he probably won’t contribute much for the remainder of 2008.

FAAB Acquisitions:

• OF Brandon Moss, Pirates [$3 bid, Add to Actives]
• P Matt Lindstrom, Marlins [$0 bid, Add to Actives]

Up:

• P Brett Myers
• P Carlos Villanueva

Down:

• OF Chase Headley
• P Jason Bergmann
• P Jason Marquis
• P John Maine

Cut:

• OF Ryan Spilborghs
• P Seth McClung

Notes:

• Lindstrom had been drafted originally by Get Off Kong! in the 4th Round of the Minor League Draft, thus his salary of $10
• Moss came to the NL in the Manny Ramirez - Jason Bay - Andy LaRoche 3-Way trade at the deadline last week.  He had been on Boston’s AAA squad in Pawtucket.

Prince Fielder got into an altercation with Manny Parra in the dugout after Parra was removed from his start on Monday. Cameras caught Fielder shoving Parra to the dugout floor. Parra had just departed after giving up six runs in six innings in the contest. Fielder then shoved Parra twice before teammates pulled him away. Fielder remained in the game afterwards.It was reminiscent of Aug. 2 last season, when manager Ned Yost got into a heated dispute with catcher Johnny Estrada in the dugout tunnel during a loss to the Mets and players intervened. That came during a run of 10 losses in 14 games, a fade that dropped Milwaukee out of first place. Analysis: Fielder is unlikely to be suspended by the team in a pennant race, so consider him a must-start in leagues. He had been hot and resurgent as a Fantasy superstar again after a slow start. (Rotoworld, CBS Sports)

ESPN has footage of the shoving match. Here’s the fallout of the altercation:

Giants closer Brian Wilson pitched a perfect ninth inning Monday against the Braves, recording two strikeouts to pick up his 31st save. He has three saves already in four August games. Wilson’s 4.26 ERA is his lowest mark since June. The low-scoring Giants keep providing him with plenty of opportunities, and he has made the most of them lately. Even with some of his struggles at times during the year, he remains a No. 2 Fantasy closer. (CBS Sports)

Cubs manager Lou Piniella kept three starters out of Monday’s lineup for a rest: Derrek Lee, Mark DeRosa and Ryan Theriot. DeRosa pinch-hit in the seventh and lined out to Carlos Lee, who made a nice catch in the ivy in left field with a runner on. Lee is a must-start Fantasy first baseman, while DeRosa and Theriot are sleepers in deeper leagues — one for his pop and versatility and the other for his slap-hitting and basestealing ability. (CBS Sports)

Reds 2B Brandon Phillips went 0-for-4 with a strikeout Monday against the Brewers and is batting .133 (2-for-15) over his last four games. Phillips is batting only .238 with one home run since the All-Star break. He can get streaky at times, but as one of the few 30-30 candidates at second base, he deserves to start in all leagues. (CBS Sports)

Overall Standings

Rank Team                Batting Pitching Total Dif  Behind
---- ------------------- ------- -------- ----- ---- ------
 1   Atomic Roadrunners  44.5    37.0     81.5  2.5  0.0
 2   X-Men               22.0    39.0     61.0  -1.0 20.5
 2   Shoeless Jews       27.0    34.0     61.0  5.0  20.5
 4   Stanimals           28.0    32.0     60.0  -5.0 21.5
 5   The Pi Train        28.5    29.0     57.5  0.0  24.0
 6   Goodfellas          36.0    18.0     54.0  -1.0 27.5
 7   Uncle Lester        13.0    38.0     51.0  1.5  30.5
 8   Misogynistic Padres 27.0    16.0     43.0  -1.0 38.5
 9   Cover Zero          24.5    18.0     42.5  -0.5 39.0
 10  Get Off Kong!       24.5    14.0     38.5  -0.5 43.0

Yesterday's Stats

Atomic Roadrunners Players Yesterday (8/4/08)
Player                       BA HR R RBI   SB
------------------------ ------ -- - --- ----
Blake, Casey 3B LA       0.0000  0 0   0    0
Blanco, Gregor M. OF ATL 0.0000  0 0   0    0
Coste, Chris C PHI       0.0000  0 0   0    0
Fielder, Prince 1B MIL   0.3333  0 0   0    0
Gerut, Jody RF SD        0.0000  0 0   0    0
Hart, Corey C. RF MIL    0.5000  0 0   1    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 2   1    0
Theriot, Ryan SS CHC     0.0000  0 0   0    0
Victorino, Shane CF PHI  0.0000  0 0   0    0

Atomic Roadrunners Players Yesterday (8/4/08)
Player                      ERA  K S   W WHIP
------------------------ ------ -- - --- ----
Lyon, Brandon RP ARI      18.00  1 0   0 5.00
Wilson, Brian RP SF        0.00  2 1   0 0.00