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

Giants closer Brian Wilson got his team out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth and then kept the Braves off the scoreboard in the ninth Sunday as he picked up his NL-leading 33rd save of the season in a 2-1 victory. Wilson has only two blown saves this season and has shown you can be an effective Fantasy closer, even if you’re on a bad team. He hasn’t allowed a run in 10 straight outings, so treat him as no worse than a No. 2 Fantasy RP. (CBS Sports)

Giants RP Brian Wilson, who had recorded a save in each of his last seven appearances, finally worked in a situation where he couldn’t Saturday against the Dodgers. He allowed one hit in one scoreless inning. Wilson has managed to keep opponents off the scoreboard in his last eight outings, allowing just five hits in that span. His ERA has dropped from 4.93 to 4.08. Wilson continues to be a better than expected Fantasy option in 2008 and worth starting in most formats. (CBS Sports)

Giants RP Brian Wilson pitched a perfect ninth inning during Wednesday’s 3-2 win against the Braves for his NL-leading 32nd save in 34 chances. He retired all three hitters on infield grounders for his seventh save since July 22. Wilson has managed to keep opponents off the scoreboard in his last seven outings — allowing just four hits in that span. His ERA has dropped from 4.93 to 4.17. Wilson continues to be a better than expected Fantasy option in 2008 and worth starting in most formats. (CBS Sports)

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)

Giants closer Brian Wilson recorded his fifth save since July 22 and second in two days Saturday at San Diego. He recorded one strikeout in one perfect inning. Wilson hasn’t allowed a run en route to those five saves, but he does have a 4.36 ERA on the season. Because he pitches for a pitching-first team, he should continue to rack up enough saves to serve as a No. 2 Fantasy closer. (CBS Sports)

Brian Wilson, the sixth Giants pitcher, worked a perfect ninth inning during Monday’s 7-6 win against the Dodgers for his NL-leading 28th save in 30 chances. He retired the side on 13 pitches, which included strikeouts of Angel Berroa and Andruw Jones. Wilson has three saves in the last week and has allowed just one hit and one walk in his last three innings. He also has a strikeout in five straight outings and seven total. Wilson usually makes things interesting when he is on the hill, but he has blown just two saves in 2008 and continues to lead the NL in that category. Wilson remains more of a No. 2 Fantasy RP. (CBS Sports)

Brian Wilson picked up save number 27 against the Nationals on Wednesday night. Wilson put two runners on with two outs in the ninth inning Wednesday against the Nationals. Wilson allowed a single to Ryan Zimmerman and hit Jesus Flores with a pitch, but struck out two, including Kory Casto to end the game. Wilson also closed out Tuesday’s 6-3 win. 27 saves for a team that’s not so good is a boon for fantasy owners. (Rotowire)

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

Brian Wilson persevered through a shaky ninth inning Sunday to earn his 25th save of the season. Wilson walked Jim Edmonds, gave up an RBI single to Geovanny Soto, and enabled the Cubs to move the tying run to third base with just one out. Wilson bounced back immediately with a strikeout of Daryle Ward, then got Ryan Theriot to ground out and ended the first half of the season in fine fashion. He heads to his first All-Star Game with the highest save total in the National League. (Rotoworld)

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.

Giants closer Brian Wilson got four outs for his 24th save in 26 chances — including 15 in a row — Saturday against the Dodgers. He allowed neither a hit nor a walk. Wilson has a good save total and percentage, but he can’t seem to get his ERA below 4.00. Still, with 24 saves this season, continue to think of him as a No. 2 Fantasy closer. (CBS Sports)

Giants RP Brian Wilson recorded the final three outs Tuesday against the Cubs for his National League-leading 23rd save in 25 opportunities during a 2-1 win. He got his fourth save since June 24th not before allowing Derrek Lee’s leadoff triple in the ninth and Geovany Soto’s RBI single two batters later. He was charged with three hits and one run. He struck out one. Wilson has allowed runs in three of his last five appearances and is by no means a dominant closer. But he has blown just two saves in 2008 and leads the NL at this point. Consider Wilson a decent No. 2 Fantasy RP. (CBS Sports)

Giants closer Brian Wilson worked the ninth Saturday against the A’s for his NL-leading 22nd save in 24 opportunities. He walked one and struck out two. Incredible that the NL’s leading closer and one its best starters — Tim Lincecum — pitch for one of its worst teams. Still, they are getting the job done. Continue to treat Wilson like a No. 1 Fantasy closer until he starts doing what he hasn’t done all year…giving up leads. (CBS Sports)

Brian Wilson recorded his 20th save of the season Tuesday when he allowed one run in the ninth inning of the Giants’ 3-2 win over the Indians. Entering with a 3-1 lead, Wilson gave up two hits and walked one, but he was able to record two crucial strikeouts to end the game. He now has a 4.55 ERA and a 35:15 K:BB ratio over 29.2 innings this year. Wilson is an interesting case. He is leading the national league in saves with 20, though he plays for a poor team in the Giants. Plus, he’s not exactly lights out, is he? That’s two games in a row where he’s been shaky and has allowed runs to cross. (Rotowire, CBS Sports)

Giants RP Brian Wilson entered Monday’s game against the Tigers in a non-save situation in the ninth inning, but almost turned it into a save situation for another pitcher. Wilson was pitching with a 8-4 lead and loaded the bases with one out. He struck out Edgar Renteria before Curtis Granderson slapped a two-run single into left. Wilson worked out of trouble by getting Placido Polanco to ground out to end the game. Wilson allowed three hits, two runs and one walk while striking out two. Wilson had managed nine straight scoreless appearances before Monday’s outing. He has a 4.40 ERA, but still leads the NL with 19 saves. Even with the Giants’ suspect offense, Wilson might have a chance for a good number of saves the rest of the way. Use him as a No. 2 Fantasy RP. (CBS Sports)