2 seamed debate
2 GOOD REASONS TO CHEER
I'm writing solo this week. And that's OK, because as far as I'm concerned, this is an issue for which there should be no debate.
We should all be pulling for Boston and St. Louis — to a certain point — for two very good reasons. They are Rick Ankiel and Jon Lester.
Take it from someone whose baseball loyalties reside thousands of miles away from Red Sox Nation and nowhere near St. Louis.
These are two great stories.
After a tiring week weighed down by the negativity and controversy surrounding Barry Bonds' home run chase, Ankiel sent a feel-good moment up and over the wall in St. Louis on Thursday. It was the same day he was recalled from Triple-A and made his major league debut as an outfielder.
If you ask me, it was the best baseball moment of the week — and that includes Bonds' No. 756.
If you didn't feel good for Ankiel, then you're probably one of those people who cheers for the computer to win when your buddy is playing video games. You probably also root for freshman walk-on kickers to miss.
Ankiel's story — the one of the promising rookie who lost control of both the strike zone and his career after a string of wild pitches in his playoff debut — most likely did something to your stomach, whether it punched you in the gut or just made you feel a little empty inside.
It's one of those human stories most of us can relate to. How many of us have seen something in our lives, whether it be a fastball, our confidence or something entirely different, spin beyond our control?
It was great to see him back in a Cardinals uniform.
I can't say I know much about Ankiel or about his comeback. All that I know is that he re-emerged from some pretty deep professional depths and is now a successful power hitter.
And I know that I'll be rooting for him every time he steps to the plate.
Then there's Lester, who saw his season abruptly end in 2006 after being diagnosed with lymphoma. At the time, he was 7-2 with a 4.76 ERA.
He now has his health back, which is the most important thing. On July 23, in his major league comeback, he picked up a win after yielding just two runs against Cleveland.
Also great to see.
The second-year player hasn't been as effective in his past three outings, and his ERA has risen to 6.43. But those numbers do not do anything to derail his status as a feel-good story.
So as far as Ankiel and Lester are concerned, I have no problem saying "Go Cardinals" and "Go Red Sox." — Aaron Shill
Top 10
TEAM Last week
1. Boston Red Sox 1
Pedroia — .402 OBP last 25 games
2. New York Yankees 4
This week — 4-game series vs. Tigers
3. Los Angeles Angels 6
Figgins hitting .434 over past month
4. New York Mets 3
El Duque 3-0, 2.72 in last 6 starts
5. Seattle Mariners 5
Sexson's average down to .201
6. Arizona Diamondbacks 8
Won 16 of past 19 entering Saturday
7. Cleveland Indians 2
Carmona has been best starter lately
8. Atlanta Braves —
Pitching, not Teixeira, is biggest story
9. Philadelphia Phillies 10
Kendrick (5-2, 3.75) has helped staff
10. Detroit Tigers 7
Team ERA has fallen to 4.69
Dropped out: Cubs
Fantasy tip
A look at the divergent value of three Minnesota Twins:
FALLING — Torii Hunter, OF, Twins: A top-20 fantasy player through the first week of July (.304-19-67 and 11 SBs), Hunter has hit a wall in the last month: .258-4-12 and zero SBs.
RISING — Scott Baker, SP, Twins: In his previous two starts before losing to the Angels on Friday, the 25-year-old Baker couldn't be any hotter: 2-0 with a 0.56 ERA and 0.50 WHIP.
RISING — Matt Garza, SP, Twins: After Thursday's 1-0 loss, Garza's record stands at 1-3. But don't be deceived by the losing mark — Garza, 23, has been lights-out ever since being recalled July 1. Over 37 IP, he boasts a 1.70 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 35 Ks. — J.G. Askar