Mark Ellis has not been much of a fantasy weapon this year, but he has been a clutch performer for the streaking Oakland Athletics. Ellis’ grand slam in the 12th inning of Sunday’s game, his second game-ending home run of the year and third-career grand slam, helped his team avoid a sweep at the hands of the division rival Los Angeles Angels. Ellis finished the game 2-for-6 with 4 RBIs.

The win also halted a 7-game win streak for the Halos and held their lead in the division to 4 1/2 games. Although Ellis is the first Athletic to hit a game-ending grand slam since Mark McGwire, no one is comparing him to the much-maligned slugger yet. Ellis is hitting just .167 in his last 7 games and .231 on the season. He is batting .330 on the road this year, but until a little consistency is shown, he remains unworthy of a pick-up or start.

Mark Ellis has not been much of a fantasy weapon this year, but he has been a clutch performer for the streaking Oakland Athletics. Ellis’ grand slam in the 12th inning of Sunday’s game, his second game-ending home run of the year and third-career grand slam, helped his team avoid a sweep at the hands of the division rival Los Angeles Angels. Ellis finished the game 2-for-6 with 4 RBIs.

The win also halted a 7-game win streak for the Halos and held their lead in the division to 4 1/2 games. Although Ellis is the first Athletic to hit a game-ending grand slam since Mark McGwire, no one is comparing him to the much-maligned slugger yet. Ellis is hitting just .167 in his last 7 games and .231 on the season. He is batting .330 on the road this year, but until a little consistency is shown, he remains unworthy of a pick-up or start.

It’s hard to know what to make of the 2008 Texas Rangers. Sure, offseason acquisitions Josh Hamilton and Milton Bradley are talented players, but are they THIS good? And are they capable of staying healthy? Is David Murphy, the 22nd-ranked prospect in the organization entering the season, really a legitimate, middle-of-the-order type hitter?

Lots of individual questions, to be sure, but the collective question is, is the Texas offense for real? Yes and no, I think, is the answer to that one. The Rangers lead the majors in scoring, total bases, doubles, slugging percentage and OPS, using a mix of veterans, unknowns and emerging youngsters to put up staggering numbers. Read more »

Joba Chamberlain’s first career start, which did not  match the duration of his pre-game standing ovation, was not what the Yankees, a raucous Yankee Stadium crowd or his innumerable risk-taking fantasy owners had hoped for. The 22-year-old righthander lasted only 2 1/3 innings, throwing 62 pitches and walking 4 in a 9-3 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Although the results of Joba’s first start were not ideal, they were certainly not indicative either.

As expected, Chamberlain’s pitch count, effectiveness and confidence grew in his second outing Sunday against the Kansas City Royals. In 4 plus innings of work, he threw 78 pitches, allowed 5 hits, 2 earned runs and struck out 5 in a 6-3 Yankess victory, their fourth in five games. Several factors, in addition to the obvious numerical improvements and inept opponent, show that Joba’s transition remains on track. Read more »