We are through ten weeks of the fantasy baseball season and while there are still a ton of games to go, it's getting to the point where you can start to figure out which picks were steals and which ones were busts.

One guy that has helped carry my team and many more for owners that plucked him off waivers is the Tampa Ray's Ben Zobrist.

The 28-year old journeyman has finally gotten an opportunity to show what he could on the big league level and has not disappointed.

He came up a double short of hitting for the cycle on Tuesday night, but did connect for his 14th homerun of the season and is now hitting .317 with 39 RBI's and eight stolen bases to boot.

He is hitting .356 in June with six homers and 13 RBI this month.

Zobrist's value was limited early on in the season as he struggled to find at bats in a stacked Rays' line-up.

However, injuries to 2B Akinori Iwamura (out for season) and SS Jason Bartlett opened the door for him to get in the lineup and despite the fact Bartlett is nearing a return there is no way that Tampa can't keep Zobrist in the line-up.

His versatility not only gives manager Joe Maddon some options, it also means good things for fantasy owners.  Zobrist is eligible in most leagues at second base, shortstop, and in the outfield. That makes him even more valuable.

A dip in production would not be surprising, but right now he's on pace to 34 HR's and 95 RBI's as a middle infielder.  That type of production is rare at those positions.

There is a reason for concern that when you consider his lack of production in brief stints with the Rays over the past few years, but a deeper look reveals the power numbers aren't that unexpected given the extra at bats. He hit 12 HR's in 198 at bats in 2008 for Tampa (1 homer every 16.5 at bats) and gone yard 14 times already this season in just 170 at bats (1 homer every 12 at bats).

Fantasy owners should ride the Zobrist's wave until it crashes and I'm not sure it will. Considering he was undrafted in nearly every fantasy league going at the start of the season, that makes him my pick for the Waiver Wire Pick-Up of the Year at this point! It doesn't hurt that he is on my team.

Career Statistics
Year	Team	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	BB	SB	BA	OBP	SLG
2009	TB	170	39	54	14	39	33	8	0.3176	0.4286	0.6941
On Pace	TB	417	95	132	34	95	81	19	0.3165	0.4277	0.6859
3-year Average	TB	159	17	35	5	19	13	2	0.2201	0.2800	0.3648
2008	TB	198	32	50	12	30	25	3	0.2525	0.3392	0.5051
2007	TB	97	8	15	1	9	3	2	0.1546	0.1845	0.2062
2006	TB	183	10	41	2	18	10	2	0.2240	0.2602	0.3115
4 Seasons		648	89	160	29	96	71	15	0.2469	0.3210	0.4552

Fantasy Baseball tampa rays, rays, ben zobrist, waiver wire

The American League East is arguably the best division in baseball with four teams that combined to average 91 wins in the Rays, Red Sox, Yankees, and Blue Jays. This year’s race appears to be wide open.

ORDER OF FINISH
Red Sox – They still have the best team in the division. I like their approach this off-season. Rather than spending big on one player, Theo Epstein took advantage of a slow market and signed several veterans (Brad Penny, John Smoltz, Rocco Baldelli, and Brad Wilkerson) at reduced rates to fill the gaps. The rotation is great at the top and as deep as any in baseball. Jonathan Pabelbon is the best closer in the game and the lineup is perfectly balanced with everybody knowing their role.

Yankees – They spent over $180 million to bring in C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Mark Teixeira. However, questions surrounding Alex Rodgriguez’s hip and an ongoing steroid scandal is enough to cause concern and controversy. There’s no doubt that they have shored up last year’s biggest weakness (the rotation), but this lineup is getting old. I would be surprised if they will be able to avoid the injury bug. They are going to be my pick for a wildcard and should finish in the 90-win range, but I just don’t like them as much as the Red Sox.

Rays – Tampa is for real, they are stacked with some of the game’s best young talent. Still, I am having a tough time picking them to repeat last year’s performance. Their rotation remains their strength and is the reason they will challenge again for the playoffs. The addition of Pat Burrell adds some more pop in an already productive line-up. However, in the end they are going to come up just a bit short.

Blue Jays – The team quietly won 85 games in 2008, but several key losses in free agency is going to force them to turn to some unproven commodities. Roy Halladay is one of the best five pitchers in the game, but the rest of the rotation is a bit shaky. They still have enough talent to play spoiler and would compete in nearly any other division in baseball, but they are a fourth place team amongst these heavyweights and will be hard pressed to match last year’s win total.

Orioles – The safest pick amongst my predictions inside the division, the Orioles are in a league of their own in the AL East cellar. I do like their young outfield of Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, and Felix Pie, even though they are still far from developing into their potential. The rotation is horrid and the infield is getting a little long in the tooth. The O’s are a mortal lock to finish fifth unless the Blue Jays simply tank.

AWARDS
MVP – Dustin Pedroia (BOS)

Cy Young Candidate – C.C. Sabathia (NYY)

Biggest Bust – A.J. Burnett (NYY)

Biggest Breakout – Adam Jones (BAL)

Comeback Player – Robinson Cano (NYY)

Rookie of Year – David Price (TB)

MLB 2009 mlb predictions, al east, red sox, yankees, rays, blue jays, orioles

It's my annual reminder that spring is right around the corner, the first day of Spring Training.  The Reds kicked of the final year of Grapefruit League  by beating the defending AL Champions, the Tampa Rays, 7-0 (box score).

Standings mean nothing in exhibition games, but anytime you can hear Reds' Hall of Fame annoucner Marty Brennenman rattle out his classic line - "this one belongs to the Reds!" - it is a good thing.

Seventeen-game winner Edinson Volquez started for the Reds and was a bit wild at first, but settled to pitch three solid innings as he allowed a pair of hits, walked a batter, and struck out three. Johnny Cueto relieved him and tossed three scoreless, no-hit innings, picking up the win while fanninig three Rays' hitters. 

Homer Bailey, who is battling for the team's No. 5 spot,  struck out two of three batters he faced. Journeyman Aaron Fultz and Jared Burton finsihed out the shutout by each tossing scoreless forms.

Offensively, it was the long ball that provided most of the fireworks as Jerry Hairston Jr. hit a grand slam and minor Adam Rosales added a two-run shot in the ninth inning.

Manager Dusty Baker likely tipped his hat on what the Opening Day line-up looks like as of today, with his first line-up card of the Spring:

CF Taveras
SS Hairston
1B Votto
2B Phillips
RF Bruce
3B Encarnacion
LF Dickerson
C Hernandez
P Volquez

MLB reds, spring training, grapefruit league, rays, marty brenneman, edinson volquez, johnny cueto, homer bailey, aaron fultz, jared burton, dusty baker, jerry hairston jr, adam rosales, willy taveras, joey votto, brandon phillips, jay bruce, edwin encarnacion, chris dickerson, ramon hernandez

The World Series didn't lack its fair share of storylines, but now it's over. The Phillies made sure they didn't have to travel back to Florida as they took care of business as Game 5 was continued on Wednesday night, beating the upstart Rays 4-3 and laying claim to their second title in franchise history.

It was something never before experienced in World Series' history, a game suspended after 5.5 innings and tied at 2-2.

It was odd last night watching the Rays warm-up both Grant Balfour, who pitched a scoreless inning of relief in Monday's monsoon and was in the game when it was suspended, and lefty J.P. Howell. The Phillies had Cole Hamels due up when the game resumed, forcing Charlie Manuel to start the game with a pinch hitter.

Veteran Geoff Jenkins was summoned from the bench and he delivered with a double to open up the evening. Jayson Werth drove him in with a double, giving the Phills a 3-2 edge. The Rays would fight back though. Rocco Baldelli, who was hitless in the series, quickly tied the game at 3-3 when he took Ryan Madsen deep.

The Phillies would get the decisive run of the game and the series when Pat Burrell, who was 0-for-13 in the series, doubled to lead off the bottom of the seventh inning. Manuel opted to pinch run  Eric Bruntlett. He moved up to third when Shane Victorino grounded to second after failing to get down a bunt. The Rays had to bring their infield in once again, and Pedro Feliz was able to guide a Chad Bradford pitch back through the middle, making it 4-3.

Brad Lidge, who didn't blow a save the entire year, locked down the win in the ninth, but not before the Rays had the tying run in scoring position. Evan Longoria popped out before Dioner Navarro broke his bat on a base hit to right field. Pinch-runner Fernando Perez stole second base, but pinch-hitter Ben Zobrist lined out to right field. Pinch-hitter Eric Hinske swung through a low pitch to strike out, and the Phillies piled on top of each other near the mound in celebration. 

Hamels pulled off a rare feat Wednesday, becoming just the fifth player in history to win the Most Valuable Player award in both the World Series and in a League Championship Series.

MLB world series, phillies, rays, cole hamels, geoff jenkins, jayson werth, pat burrell, eric bruntlett, shane victorino, pedro feliz, brad lidge, charlie manuel, rocc baldelli, ryan madsen, chad bradford, evan longoria, dioner navarro, fernanado perez, eric hinske

Some of the nation's top writers sound off the weather-plagued Game 5 of the World Series...

TAINTED BY TELEVISION - Phil Sheridan, Philadelphia Inquirer
"In April or May, in June or July, in August or September, the umpires would have stopped play at that moment - if they hadn't already. Pop-ups that drop toward unseeing eyes can seriously injure a player. It was pouring rain. Pools of water were forming in front of the infielders. Pitchers were cleaning their spikes after every pitch.

In October, the game went on. And Major League Baseball should be ashamed for allowing its most important game of the year to deteriorate into an embarrassing mess because of slavish obedience to its pimp, the Fox Television Network.

Simply put, Game 5 is hopelessly tainted by what transpired between the time the game should have been called and the middle of the sixth inning, when it was finally suspended.

Whatever happens when play resumes, whether the Phillies celebrate their first World Series championship or the Rays force a Game 6 in Florida, MLB can't justify its decision or its decision-making process."

ON RAINY NIGHT IN PHILLY, MLB DROPS THE BALL - Bill Conlin, Phildelphia Daily News
"Tell that to the used-car salesman running baseball and a Fox network paranoid over the prospect of being forced to play a Friday night makeup game, when America is off watching high school football in thousands of towns.

With two outs in the sixth, a trained seal named Hamels was pitching while surrounded by an infield closer to an Everglade than major league. And when

Pena splashed a single to left, B.J. Upton belly-surfed across the plate with the tying run.

The game had splashed totally out of control. A Perfect Storm has put Game 5 into the most bizarre hold since the 10-day earthquake postponement in 1989. Too bad the imperfect men running Major League Baseball performed like landlubbers trying to sail an America's Cup yacht in a hurricane."

MLB world series, phillies, rays

In a game they simply had to get the Tampa Rays did just that, winning Game 2 of the World Series, 4-2. The victory evens up the best-of-seven series at one game a piece. Right-hander James Shields rebounded from a rough ALCS showing by tossing nearly 6 innings of shutout baseball. Only three major pitchers had won a game in the Fall Classic after losing twice in an LCS: Atlanta's Tom Glavine (twice), Cleveland's Chad Ogea and the New York Yankees' Mike Mussina. Shield allowed 7 hits and 2 walks through 5 2/3 innings, but got huge plays from the young Rays' defense when he needed them.

From there, the Rays' bullpen did there job, including 2 1/3 tough innings by Dan Wheeler. However, it was the team's timely hitting and execution that would prove to be the deciding factor. 

Groundouts by Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria brought in runs in the first. Tampa Bay also scored on an out in the fourth, as Jason Bartlett dropped a bunt down the first-base line with Cliff Floyd on third, bringing home the big man on the sacrifice. Meanwhile, the Phillies continued to struggle at the plate. They managed to win Game 1 despite leaving 11 men on base and going 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position. The same offensive troubles showed up again, as the Phillies left 11 more runners on base and went 1-for-15 with them in scoring position, but this time Charlie Manuel's club could not overcome the poor hitting.

The Phillies are struggling, but nobody more so than shortstop Jimmy Rollins. He enters Game 3 of the World Series an 0-for-10 hitter in the series, 9-for-47 (.192) this postseason, 11-for-58 (.190) in his playoff career, including last year's 2-for-11 exhibition in the National League Division Series sweep by the Rockies.

The teams take Friday off to travel as they head to Citizen's Bank Park in the City of Brotherly Love. Tampa Bay's Matt Garza and Philadelphia's Jamie Moyer are scheduled to pitch in Game 3 Saturday night and it appears that Sunday night's Game 4 will shape up to be Andy Sonnastine against Joe Blanton.

SCHEDULE
Game One - Philadelphia 3, Tampa Bay 2
Game Two - Tampa Bay 4, Philadelphia 2
Game Three - Saturday, October 25th - Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, 8:35 p.m.
Game Four - Sunday, October 26th - Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, 8:29 p.m.
Game Five - Monday, October 27th - Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, 8:29 p.m.
*Game Six - Wednesday, October 29th - Philadelphia at Tampa Bay, 8:35 p.m.
*Game Seven - Thursday, October 30th - Philadelphia at Tampa Bay, 8:29 p.m.

(Best-of-seven series tied, 1-1)

MLB world series, phillies, rays, james shields, brett myers, dan wheeler, carlos pena, evan longoria, jimmy rollins, matt garza, jamie moyer, andy sonnastine, joe blanton

Relive some of the best World Series memories ever with GETSPORTSRADIO.COM: WIRE TO WIRE

The team that has won the first game of the World Series has went on to be crowned champions in 10 of their last 11 years. The Phillies hope to make it 11 of the last 12. Philadelphia took Game 1 on Wednesday, beating Tampa 3-2. It was a game they needed to win. For starters, in order to win the best-of-seven-series they had to take at least one in Tampa. Secondly, with a questionable rotation it doesn't appear as if the Phils could affrod to lose with ace Cole Hamels on the mound.

The Rays produced 22 homers in their first 11 postseason games, but Wednesday, the heart of their lineup —B.J. Upton, Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria— went hitless in 12 at-bats without a ball leaving the infield.  

Hamels has been amazing. We all knew he was good, but after winning his fourth straight playoff start in dominating fashion he is now a superstar. In Philadelphia they are comparing him to another great Phillies' lefty, Steve Carlton. While he has a bit more to go before I can put in that Hall of Fame company you can't deny the fact that his 1.55 ERA effort this October has been outstanding.  

Scott Kazmir, who was drafted two spots ahead of Hamels in the first round of the 2002 Amateur Draft, struggled through is six innings allowing three runs on six hits and four walks. 

Chase Utley and Carl Crawford both went yard, but for the most part the offenses both struggled in the clutch all night long.

Both bullpens did great, yet the Phillies still possess the edge with Brad Lidge closing out games. He made the Rays look silly with his nasty slider working a perfect 1-2-3 ninth inning. 

The drop off starts now though for the Phillies as after Hamels it gets a bit rough. Brett Myers will to go to the hill in Game 2 and he'll be opposed by right-hander James Shields for the Rays. It is a must-win game for the Rays as they can ill afford to leave town down 0-2.

SCHEDULE
Game One- Philadelphia 3, Tampa Bay 2
Game Two - Thursday, October 23rd - Philadelphia at Tampa Bay, 8:29 p.m.
Game Three - Saturday, October 25th - Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, 8:35 p.m.
Game Four - Sunday, October 26th - Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, 8:29 p.m.
*Game Five - Monday, October 27th - Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, 8:29 p.m.
*Game Six - Wednesday, October 29th - Philadelphia at Tampa Bay, 8:35 p.m.
*Game Seven - Thursday, October 30th - Philadelphia at Tampa Bay, 8:29 p.m.
(Philadelphia leads best-of-seven series, 1-0)

MLB world series, phillies, rays, cole hamels, scott kazmir, bj upton, carlos pena, evan longoria, chase utley, carl crawford, brad lidge, brett myers, james shields

Here are some interesting stats and storylines I have dug up when looking ahead to the World Series...

*Brad Lidge - The Phillies' closer was a perfect 41-for-41 in save opportunities during the regular season, and erased his postseason demons by going a perfect 5-for-5 against the Brewers and Dodgers. It's pretty ironic that his only blown save of the year came in the 15th inning of the All-Star Game, a loss that now cost his team homefield advantage (I hate that stupid rule).

*Chase Utley - For the second straight year, Utley struggled in the NLDS, but showed some signs of life against the Dodgers. The second baseman hit a big two-run homer to even Game 1 and was 6-for-17 in the NLCS with three RBI. 

*Cole Hamels - The Phillies' ace has been lights out for Charlie Manuel, winning all three of his starts this postseason while pitching to a 1.23 ERA.  It's been a nice turnaround after the 24-year old lefty finished the regular season by going just 5-6 over the last two months.

*Ryan Howard - Philly needs the big slugger to wake up a bit. He showed a pulse by hitting .500 (6-for-12) over the final three games against the Dodgers, but has yet to hit a home run this postseason and has driven in a mere three runs. He's been streaky all season, but finish the season on a tear and carried the Phillies to the NL East title.

*BJ Upton - He only hit 9 HR's during regular season, yet he has hit seven homers in these playoffs, one short of the major league record held by Bonds (2002) and Carlos Beltran, who did it for Houston in 2004.

*Matt Garza - Talk about a time to break out, the former twin won the ALCS MVP was magnificent allowing just two runs and two wins. Both teams are going to go into the World Series with their rotations rested and set the way they want them to be.

*Carl Crawford - The longest tenured Ray in team history, batted .302 and swiped six bases during the first two rounds. He is going to cause fits for Philly on the base baths. It's hard to imagine what this season has been like for him.

*Evan Longoria - He has struggled at times during the playoffs, but his six homeruns say all that you need to know about this rookie hot corner. He could get even more dangerous in the hitter-friednly Citizens Bank Park.

Here's what the oddsmakers at BetUs.com have for the series predictions for the outcome and MVP winner:

Who will be named the World Series MVP?
BJ Upton (TB) ....................... 7/1
Ryan Howard (PHI)................15/2
Evan Longoria (TB)..................8/1
Jimmy Rollins (PHI)................11/1
Chase Utley (PHI)..................12/1
Pat Burrell (PHI).....................13/1
Cole Hammels (PHI)...............10/1
Brade Lidge (PHI)...................12/1
Brett Myers (PHI)...................13/1
Scott Kazmir (TB)...................13/1
James Shields (TB) ................12/1
Carlos Pena (TB)....................12/1
Carl Crawford (TB)...................12/1
Akinori Iwamura (TB)................15/1
Any Other Player ................... .5/1

Correct Series Result
Tampa Bay 4-2 ......................4/1
Tampa Bay 4-1 ......................9/2
Tampa Bay 4-3 ......................9/2
Philadelphia 4-2 .....................6/1
Philadelphia 4-1......................8/1
Tampa Bay 4-0.......................9/1
Philadelphia 4-0.....................18/1
Philadelphia 4-3 ....................11/2

MLB world series, phillies, rays, brad lidge, chase utley, ryan howard, cole hamels, bj upton, matt garza, evan longoria, carl crawford

Wow, what a series the ALCS turned out to be. The upstart Rays outlasted the experienced Red Sox and they did it in thrilling fashion. I have a tough time remembering a playoff series with more roller coaster rides.

The Rays had everything locked up on Thursday night in Game 5. They were up 7-0 at the 7th inning stretch and needed just 9 outs to get to the World Series, but the Red Sox weren't having it. They made the amazing comeback on that night and forced a Game 6. Boston carried that momentum in Saturday night's action and pulled out a 4-2 win on the road, evening the series at 3-3.

Everybody figured that after collapsing in Fenway and allowing the Red Sox to even things up that the unexperienced Rays would fold in Game 7, but they had different plans.

"To play these guys and to be able to do that versus the Red Sox really is actually a little bit more special based on where they've come from over the last couple years and what they've done," said Rays manager Joe Maddon. "It's a tremendous benchmark for us to compete against them and actually win." 

Matt Garza for the second time in the series outpitched Boston ace Jon Lester as he allowed just two hits and a run, walked three and had nine strikeouts over seven-plus innings on his way to earning the ALCS MVP award.

As good as Garza was, it was rookie David Price that blew me away as he did to the Boston hitters as well. Keep in mind the 22-year old didn't even make his Major League debut until September and only pitched one innning of work in this series. He came in the 8th inning with the bases loaded and got the biggest strike out of his life, fanning J.D. Drew. The left hander returned for the 9th inning , walking Jason Bay and striking out Mark Kotsay and Jason Varitek before getting pinch-hitter Jed Lowrie ground into a game-ending force play.

"I felt really good about David tonight," said Maddon. "This young man is composed beyond his years, he really is, and I think you've all had a chance to understand that if you've even had one conversation with him." 

MLB alcs, rays, red sox, joe maddon, matt garza, jon lester, david price, jd drew, jason bay, mark kotsay, jason varitek, jed lowrie

I left the bar it was 7-0, I didn't even think about turning it on when I went home. The fact that the Red Sox scored 8 runs in three innings is not only amazing, it could doom the Rays and their World Series hopes.

The comeback Boston made on Thursday night ranks with any for the greatest in playoff history. They look beat, they looked finish. The celebration was ready to rip in bars all across Tampa, but the Terry Francona's team did the unbelievable.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the comeback was the second largest in postseason history, eclipsed only by the Philadelphia A's rallying from 8-0 down to beat the Cubs in the 1929 World Series. But no team facing postseason elimination had ever come back from seven or more runs down.

"I mean, a loss and we stay home," Francona said. "I can't say [most of] the game was exciting, because the first six innings, we did nothing. They had their way with us every way possible. And then this place became unglued, and we've seen that before. But because of the situation we're in, it just -- that was pretty magical."

Can the young Tampa team overcome and win one of the potential two games left as the series shifts to Tropicana Field?

They will have the home crowd behind them and their ace James Shield on the mound when the series continues on Saturday night. The Red Sox will counter with Josh Beckett. If Tampa can't slow Boston down and this goes seven, I don't like their chances.

MLB alcs, rays, red sox, james shields, josh beckett, terry francona