Fantasy Sports

BY ADAM RONIS

There are certain players that you become enamored with playing fantasy baseball. Sometimes, it can be a bad thing. I have my list of players and one of them has been Ben Sheets. I think he is one of the best pitchers in baseball, but he never stays healthy. I have owned him the last few years only to be disappointed when he lands on the disabled list. I decided not to go out of my way to get him this season and I didn't get him anywhere.

So, here he is staying healthy and in contention for the Cy Young. After tonight's gem, he is up to 104 1/3 innings pitched. The most innings he has pitched in the last three years is 156 2/3 innings. People may forget because it was so long ago, but take a look at the season he had in 2004. He threw 237 innings, allowed 201 hits, walked just 32 and struck out 264. He had a 2.70 ERA and 0.98 WHIP, but went 12-14 because the Brewers were bad back then.

Sheets had another excellent game tonight against the Braves to improve to 9-1 with a 2.59 ERA. He threw a four-hitter, allowed one run, walked none and struck out seven. He has allowed 87 hits, walked 21 and struck out 84. He is in a contract year and is looking great now that he is healthy. He's a tough gauge for owners. He can certainly put these numbers up for an entire season. On the other hand, a potential injury always looms and he could get you some real value right now. If you own him, I wouldn't look to ship him off. I would put offers out there just to see what's out there.