Atomic RoadRunners

Prince Fielder homered, his 33rd, and doubled to drive in three runs as the Brewers beat the Reds 8-1 on Sunday. Much like last year, when he hit 20 home runs between August and September, it won’t be Fielder’s fault if the Brewers miss the playoffs. He’s batting .319 with five homers and 17 RBI this month. Today’s win, combined with a Mets loss, moves the Brewers within one and a half games of the NL Wild Card. Fielder has been Milwaukee’s only consistent threat at the plate in the last two weeks, but played a starring role in their most recent meltdown. He had a fielding error that set up Cincinnati’s comeback, and struck out with the bases loaded to end a 4-3 loss Saturday. He got the Brewers going with a solo homer in the second inning off Bronson Arroyo (15-11), who had won his last five decisions. (Rotoworld, CBS Sports)

Angels 1B Mark Teixeira hit a two-run home run in the first inning Sunday at Texas — his 12th for the Angels and 32nd of the season. He finished 1-for-3.Teixeira has three home runs in his last seven games, is having his usual monster second half and is clearly an elite Fantasy 1B. Start him in all leagues. (CBS Sports)

Brian Wilson worked a 1-2-3 11th for his 40th save in 45 chances Sunday. Wilson became just the third Giants pitcher to reach 40 saves, joining Rod Beck and Robb Nen, who did it four times. Wilson hasn’t been a shutdown closer, but it is hard to argue with his saves total. It comes along with a solid rotation and a weak offense that gets him a lot of save situations. He is a decent option for deeper formats in the final Fantasy Week 26 (Sept. 22-28) and for Draft Day 2009. (CBS Sports)

Braves closer Mike Gonzalez recorded a save for a second day in a row Sunday against the Mets. He allowed two runs, though, on one hit and one walk, striking out three in one inning. Gonzalez is a sleeper at the closer position down the stretch. He has had some struggles lately, but you had to expect a few as he comes back from Tommy John surgery. Unfortunately, the Braves don’t give him many save opportunities. (CBS Sports)

Blake DeWitt will remain the Dodgers’ starting second baseman despite the activation of Jeff Kent (knee) off the disabled list, the Dodgers’ official site reports. If Kent could field and run, he’s probably be in there, but DeWitt has impressed, both offensively and (somewhat surprisingly) defensively. He’s batting .267/.382/.400 this month. (Rotowire)

Ryan Theriot has had just three hits in his last 33 at-bats, the Chicago Tribune reports. He’s going through a bit of a rough patch, perhaps due in part to whatever caused the dizziness and dehydration earlier this month. With the Cubs having clinched their division, manager Lou Piniella may start to use some of his subs over the last week to get ready for the post season. Theriot’s on-base percentage had been .395 in late August, but it is down to .375. His batting average has fallen to .298 because of a September in which he has gone 11-for-60 (.183). (Rotowire, CBS Sports)

Pablo Sandoval, bothered by a strained left quad, was limited to pinch-hitting duties for a second straight day on Sunday. He should be fine to keep active in NL-only leagues this week, and is expected to be available to play again on Tuesday against Colorado. Sandoval is a catcher with pop, so he is an intriguing sleeper in deeper leagues. He has long-term potential, but his future might not be behind the plate. He has played 15 games at first, 11 at catcher and 10 at third through Sept. 20. He needs 20 games at a position to qualify there for 2009 — failing that he will likely assume the position he plays the most games at (unless there is a tie). Right now that is first base, which will hurt his Draft Day value some. He should get enough games at catcher next year to qualify in-season, though, and his offensive potential makes him next year’s Ryan Doumit breakthrough candidate. (Rotoworld, CBS Sports)

Chris Iannetta, who left Sunday’s game with cramps in both legs, is expected to play on Tuesday, the Rocky Mountain News reports. Iannetta was removed immediately after singling against Leo Rosales. Adam Melhuse took over versus the Diamondbacks. (Rotoworld, Rotowire)

Chipper Jones, who sat out yesterday’s game with right shoulder tendinitis, returned to action as a pinch-hitter on Sunday. He walked in his lone at-bat. However, he has problems hitting right-handed and the Braves face left-handed starters in the first two games of the series. Jones still leads the National League with a .362 batting average and has enough plate appearances to qualify for the title, so the club won’t rush him back if he’s not 100 percent. (Rotoworld, Rotowire)

Braves rookie SP James Parr, who pitched six shutout innings in each of his first two starts, had worse than a 9.00 ERA for the second straight start Sunday against the Mets. He allowed four runs on four hits in 1 2/3 innings, striking out two and walking four. He didn’t factor in the decision. Parr disappointed in his two-start week and no longer looks like a hot commodity off the waiver wire. His four walks are particularly discouraging. He’s not worth starting in the final week of the season, when he goes Saturday at Houston. (CBS Sports)

Overall Standings

Rank Team                Batting Pitching Total Dif  Behind
---- ------------------- ------- -------- ----- ---- ------
 1   Atomic Roadrunners  44.0    38.0     82.0  1.0  0.0
 2   X-Men               32.0    38.0     70.0  0.5  12.0
 3   Shoeless Jews       32.0    33.0     65.0  1.0  17.0
 4   Goodfellas          40.0    23.0     63.0  1.0  19.0
 5   Stanimals           24.0    37.0     61.0  -1.0 21.0
 6   The Pi Train        23.0    27.0     50.0  -2.0 32.0
 6   Uncle Lester        12.0    38.0     50.0  0.0  32.0
 8   Cover Zero          26.0    16.0     42.0  -0.5 40.0
 9   Get Off Kong!       24.0    13.0     37.0  1.0  45.0
 10  Misogynistic Padres 18.0    12.0     30.0  -1.0 52.0

Yesterday's Stats

Atomic Roadrunners Players Yesterday (9/21/08)
Player                        BA HR R RBI   SB
------------------------- ------ -- - --- ----
Blake, Casey 3B LA        0.0000  0 0   0    0
DeWitt, Blake 3B LA       0.2500  0 0   0    0
Dickerson, Chris OF CIN   0.0000  0 0   0    0
Fielder, Prince 1B MIL    0.5000  1 2   3    0
Headley, Chase 3B SD      0.2500  0 0   1    0
Iannetta, Chris C COL     0.6667  0 0   0    0
Jones, Chipper 3B ATL     0.0000  0 0   0    0
Milledge, Lastings LF WAS 0.2500  0 0   0    0
Moss, Brandon OF PIT      0.2500  0 0   1    0
Reyes, Jose B. SS NYM     0.0000  0 0   0    0
Sandoval, Pablo C SF      0.0000  0 0   0    0
Teixeira, Mark 1B ANA     0.3333  1 1   2    0
Theriot, Ryan SS CHC      0.0000  0 0   0    0
Victorino, Shane CF PHI   0.2500  0 1   0    0

Atomic Roadrunners Players Yesterday (9/21/08)
Player                       ERA  K S   W WHIP
------------------------- ------ -- - --- ----
Gonzalez, Mike RP ATL      18.00  3 1   0 2.00
Wilson, Brian RP SF         0.00  2 1   0 0.00