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

Brandon Webb, who battled soreness in his rib cage all weekend after getting hit by a liner Thursday, didn’t fare well in his next trip to the mound Tuesday at San Diego. In his first bid for his 20th win, Webb had one of his worst starts of the year Tuesday, giving up six runs in 4 2/3 innings against the Padres. Webb took his first loss in two months and fifth overall. He hadn’t allowed an earned run in his two previous starts versus the Padres, both of which were victories. No telling if the soreness affected Webb’s pitching, but the Diamondbacks didn’t consider it serious at last check. He looks like the favorite for NL Cy Young, so he remains a must-start in Fantasy, obviously. (Rotoworld, CBS Sports)

Brandon Webb (bruised chest) pronounced himself ready for Tuesday’s start against the Padres, the East Valley Tribune reports. With two chances to win his 20th game of the season before the end of August, Webb could become the sixth player since 1990 to have 20 victories prior to Sept. 1. Roger Clemens (1990, 1997), Bob Welch (1990), Jack McDowell (1993), John Smoltz (1996) and Curt Schilling (2002) are the five most recent players to accomplish the same feat. (Rotowire)

Despite taking a line drive to the the chest Thursday, Brandon Webb remains on track to make his next scheduled start on Tuesday. We didn’t think he’d miss a start. Webb was apparently sporting a baseball-sized bruise Friday, but he played catch and felt fine. (Rotoworld)

Brandon Webb became the first 19-game winner of 2008 by blanking the Padres for seven innings on Thursday. Webb allowed three hits — all of them singles — and struck out eight before being removed. He won his 19th on the same day that Cliff Lee became the second to 18 wins. The Diamondbacks have 35 games left, meaning Webb will probably make seven starts or maybe even eight if the race goes down to the wire. He has a chance to become baseball’s first 25-game winner since Bob Welch won 27 in 1990. (Rotoworld)

Brandon Webb allowed just two runs in eight innings to pick up his 18th win of the season on Friday. Webb was once again dominant, allowing just four hits, striking out six and issuing just one walk. The outing lowers his ERA to 2.85, and with two contests against San Diego looming, Webb could have 20 wins by the end of August. Webb won his seventh straight decision and fifth straight start against Houston. He allowed two runs, including a solo home run from Ty Wigginton, and one walk. Webb’s 18 wins are the most in the majors. Arizona manager Bob Melvin said Webb’s sinker looked as good as it has all season, but Webb was more modest. “I don’t know if it was my best,” Webb said, “but it was pretty good.” Webb hasn’t allowed more than two runs in his last four starts and has gone eight innings in three of those outings. He is once again contending for the NL Cy Young and Webb remains a must-start Fantasy SP. His next scheduled start is for Thursday against the Padres.(Rotoworld, CBS Sports)

Brandon Webb earned his major league-leading 17th win of the season Sunday after holding the Braves to one earned run over six innings. Webb allowed six hits, but struck out five and tossed 62 of his 96 pitches for strikes. He also drove in two runs with a double in the fourth. The right-hander lowered his ERA to 2.88 and has a good chance of continuing the success against the Astros next week. (Rotoworld)

Brandon Webb scattered nine hits while going the distance Tuesday in a 3-1 victory over the Pirates. Webb, who struck out four and walked none, improved to 4-0 in his last seven starts and became the year’s first 16-game winner. He’s 5-0 with a 2.11 ERA in six career starts versus the Pirates. Webb has worked seven innings or more in five straight starts, compiling a 1.85 ERA during that stretch. He has fully bounced back from his June swoon and again looks like one of the top pitchers in Fantasy.

After the game, Webb said that the Diamondbacks recently rescinded a contract offer that would have kept him in Arizona through 2013. The Diamondbacks announced a contract extension for Dan Haren earlier in the day. “I just want to let fans know that I’m not the one who pulled it off the table,” Webb said. “We just didn’t see eye to eye on a couple of things, and that was it. I love Arizona, and this is my first choice.” Webb is under the team’s control through 2010, so there’s still plenty of time to work something out. (Rotoworld, CBS Sports)

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)

Brandon Webb was credited with his 14th win after holding the Giants to three runs in seven innings on Saturday. The score was 3-2 Giants when Webb’s night ended, but the Diamondbacks came up with three in the top of the eighth to move Webb back into a tie for the major league lead in wins with Cliff Lee. With eight strikeouts tonight, Webb moved past 1,000 for his career. (Rotoworld)

Brandon Webb went eight innings and surrendered just one run in a no-decision against the Dodgers on Sunday. Webb departed with a 5-1 lead, but Brandon Lyon couldn’t close it out and the Diamondbacks eventually lost the game. Webb had 10 wins through the first two months of the season, but he has just three in nine starts since. He’s still on pace to break last year’s pace of 18, however. (Rotoworld)

All-Star Game Statistics:

Hitters		AB  R  H  RBI  BB  K  LOB  AVG
----------------------------------------------
Hart, Corey	3   0  0   0    0  1   3   .000
Jones, Chipper  3   0  1   0    0  1   2   .333

Pitchers	IP  H  R  ER  BB  K  HR  ERA
----------------------------------------------
Webb, Brandon	 1  0  0  0   0   2   0  0.00
Wilson, Brian	.2  0  0  0   0   1   0  0.00

Brandon Webb allowed two earned runs over seven innings Sunday against the Phillies but was left with a no-decision. Webb struck out six and was pretty solid, but got only two runs from his offense and was pulled after 108 pitches. He carries a 3.23 ERA and 13-4 record into his third straight All-Star Game. (Rotoworld)

Brandon Webb earned his 13th win on Tuesday night by holding the Nationals scoreless over six innings in a 2-0 Diamondbacks victory. Webb struck out six and walked two while scattering six hits. He had seen his ERA rise by nearly a full run over his past four outings, but got back on track tonight. He’s now 13-4 with a 3.27 ERA in 19 starts this season. This start didn’t come without a price, as Webb needed 112 pitches to get through six innings. It was the 16th time in his 19 starts Webb lasted at least six innings. Analysis: Webb has won two straight decisions, but has allowed two or fewer runs just twice in his last six starts. Webb has had some rough outings after a great start to the season, but you can’t keep a good pitcher down for long. Continue to start Webb in all Fantasy formats. His next scheduled start is for Sunday against the Phillies. Webb is 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA against the Phillies this season. (Rotoworld, Rotowire, CBS Sports)

3B Chipper Jones has been voted as starter for the National League for next week’s All-Star game. Pitchers Brandon Webb, Tim Lincecum, and Brian Wilson were also named to the squad. “A little surprised, yes, because I don’t think I’ve done a super job this year. I’ve done mediocre. But I’ve done a good job saving wins. It was a little surreal, getting a call saying I made the All-Star team,” said Giants closer Brian Wilson, on joining the NL All-Star team. (Rotoworld)

Update (July 11th): Brewers OF Corey Hart was named as the final member of the NL squad for the All-Star game, receiving the most votes in the “Monster All-Star Game Final Vote”. 47 million votes were cast online at MLB.com from Sunday evening to Thursday, and Hart beat out David Wright, Pat Burrell, Aaron Rowand, and Carlos Lee. Evan Longoria of Tampa Bay was voted in by fans for the AL squad.

The New York Post has learned that Brandon Webb will start the All-Star Game for the NL. Voted in as starters were C Geovany Soto, 1B Lance Berkman, 2B Chase Utley, 3B Chipper Jones, SS Hanley Ramirez, OF Alfonso Soriano, OF Kosuke Fukudome and OF Ryan Braun. Webb is something of a surprising choice to start given his recent struggles, but he’s still as deserving of the honor as anyone. Also likely considered were Edinson Volquez, Ben Sheets and Tim Lincecum. (Rotoworld)