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

Up:

• OF Chase Headley
• 2B Blake DeWitt

Down:

• OF Chris Dickerson
• SS Ryan Theriot

Tim Lincecum took a shutout into the ninth inning Monday and ended up allowed two runs — one earned — in 8 1/3 innings in a win over the Diamondbacks. Lincecum, who started the ninth with a 6-0 lead, threw 127 pitches to help the Giants improve to 17 games under .500. We’d hate to see what kind of workload the team would be saddling him with if it was actually in contention. Lincecum allowed five hits through eight, but with one out in the ninth, he gave up a single, a double and a walk. Two of the runs came around to score off Alex Hinshaw, but one was declared unearned because of Hinshaw’s error. Lincecum improved to 16-3 with a 2.54 ERA. He probably has a slight edge over Brandon Webb in the NL Cy Young race, but after throwing 132 pitches on 8/27, Lincecum followed with a five-inning five-run effort in his next start. Of course Coors Field may have had something to do with those runs. Lincecum shouldn’t have a problem next time out with the Padres in Petco Park. The Giants haven’t exactly made an effort to preserve their 24-year-old ace’s arm, which might concern you a little going into next season. Lincecum looks like one of the most dominant pitchers in Fantasy, though, winning games even for the lowly Giants. (Rotoworld, Rotowire, CBS Sports)

Phillies SP Joe Blanton allowed four runs on five hits in five innings Monday against the Marlins, walking three and striking out one. He managed to win, though, for the first time in eight starts. Blanton has pitched as many as six innings only once in his last six starts, allowing four earned runs in four. He’s a mediocre pitcher at best, but pitching for the Phillies allows him to win a few games here and there. His next start is scheduled for Sunday against the Brewers. (CBS Sports)

Giants SP Noah Lowry, out all year following forearm nerve surgery, threw another bullpen session and will soon face live hitters and report to instructional league in Arizona. He also plans to play winter ball to get back to his top form. “I’m happy to be back on the mound,” Lowry said. “It’s encouraging to be doing baseball work.” Lowry won’t be able to help in Fantasy leagues until spring 2009 at this point. Consider him a candidate to be a nice comeback player, but drop him in annual formats right now. (CBS Sports)

Even though Kevin Gregg could return Tuesday, Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said he intends to leave Matt Lindstrom in the closer’s role. Lindstrom is getting an audition to see if he should be the choice in the role in 2009. If he disappoints, then the team could try to add an inexpensive veteran to close. (Rotoworld)

Overall Standings

Rank Team                Batting Pitching Total Dif  Behind
---- ------------------- ------- -------- ----- ---- ------
 1   Atomic Roadrunners  42.0    37.5     79.5  -1.0 0.0
 2   X-Men               31.5    38.0     69.5  -1.5 10.0
 3   Shoeless Jews       32.0    33.5     65.5  1.5  14.0
 4   Goodfellas          39.0    20.5     59.5  1.5  20.0
 5   Stanimals           21.0    37.0     58.0  0.0  21.5
 6   The Pi Train        25.0    27.5     52.5  0.0  27.0
 7   Uncle Lester        12.0    39.0     51.0  1.0  28.5
 8   Cover Zero          27.0    15.0     42.0  -1.0 37.5
 9   Get Off Kong!       24.5    13.5     38.0  -1.0 41.5
 10  Misogynistic Padres 21.0    13.5     34.5  0.5  45.0

Yesterday's Stats

Atomic Roadrunners Players Yesterday (9/8/08) F
Player                        BA HR R RBI   SB
------------------------- ------ -- - --- ----
Blake, Casey 3B LA        0.0000  0 0   0    0
Dickerson, Chris OF CIN   0.0000  0 1   0    0
Fielder, Prince 1B MIL    0.0000  0 0   1    0
Hart, Corey C. RF MIL     0.0000  0 0   0    0
Iannetta, Chris C COL     0.0000  0 0   0    0
Jones, Chipper 3B ATL     0.0000  0 0   0    0
Milledge, Lastings LF WAS 0.0000  0 0   0    0
Moss, Brandon OF PIT      0.2500  0 0   1    0
Phillips, Brandon 2B CIN  0.2000  0 0   0    0
Reyes, Jose B. SS NYM     0.0000  0 0   0    0
Sandoval, Pablo C SF      0.2500  0 1   1    0
Teixeira, Mark 1B ANA     0.0000  0 1   2    0
Theriot, Ryan SS CHC      0.0000  0 0   0    0
Victorino, Shane CF PHI   0.0000  0 1   0    0

Atomic Roadrunners Players Yesterday (9/8/08) F
Player                       ERA  K S   W WHIP
------------------------- ------ -- - --- ----
Lincecum, Tim SP SF         1.08  9 0   1 1.08