Fantasy Sports

BY ADAM RONIS

When I saw Bronson Arroyo's line tonight, I had the same reaction when I heard Shaq's "freestyle" dissing Kobe Bryant: Boy does that suck! To even characterize Shaq's words as a freestyle is an insult to hip hop and Arroyo's line made his owners sick. He went one inning and allowed 11 hits, 10 runs, one walk and allowed three homers. What's worse? It came against the anemic Blue Jays!!! Arroyo is 4-7 with a 6.52 ERA.

A.J. Burnett was the beneficiary. He went eight innings and allowed four hits, one run, three walks and struck out seven. He is 7-7 with a 5.07 ERA. Walks have hurt him, but I still like him.

Mark Teixeira hit his 14th homer and has 57 RBIs.

Dave Bush had another strong start. He went seven innings and allowed four hits, one run, one walk and struck out five. He is 4-7 with a 4.94 ERA and should be considered in deep mixed leagues.

Salomon Torres allowed two hits, two runs and two walks, but picked up save No. 13.

Jonathan Sanchez still walks too many batters, but he has had some real good starts recently. He went 7 2/3 innings and allowed five hits, one run, two walks and struck out eight for a win against the Indians. He is 7-4 with a 3.98 ERA.

Brian Wilson allowed a run in one inning, but got save No. 20. He has a 4.55 ERA.

Miguel Cabrera hit his 11th homer and could still be a buy-low candidate after a very slow start for him.

Gary Sheffield returned from the DL and homered.

As if Mets fans need anymore depressing news, Braden Looper improved to 9-5 with a win over the Tigers. He went six innings, allowed seven hits, four runs, walked one and struck out three. He has a 4.22 ERA.

Bobby Abreu hit his ninth homer and stole his ninth base.

I said it when he was pitching well, but Darrell Rasner isn't a good option. He got some home games against weak offenses and looked good. He allowed seven runs and 10 hits in five innings and should't be used.

Chad Tracy was the DH and went 2-for-3 with a homer and four RBIs. He could see time at third base, so NL-only league owners should hold on to him.

Doug Davis is inconsistent and had one of his better outings against the Red Sox. He went seven innings and allowed seven hits, three runs, one walk and struck out six in a no-decision. He has a 3.68 ERA, but is a WHIP killer.

Jonathan Papelbon picked up his 22nd save.

Alex Rios has exhibited no power this season. He went 4-for-6 with three runs and his fourth homer. He is batting .280 and is a good buy-low candidate since he can't get much worse.

Josh Willingham returned from the DL and went 1-for-5 with an RBI.

Troy Percival walked four and allowed a run and still got his 18th save. What a stat. You can enter with a three-run lead and walk five batters and still get a save.

Are people serious when they said the Mets were back? I don't understand why there's optimism surrounding this team. The players just aren't that good. To not hit R.A. Dickey? He was 0-3 with a 14.11 ERA in three starts. My softball pitcher has a better ERA! He went seven innings and allowed six hits, no runs, two walks and struck out five. He is 2-3 with a 4.79 ERA.

The Cubs placed Reed Johnson on the 15-day DL with back spasms.

The Astros placed Kaz Matsui on the 15-day DL with a strained right hamstring.

Oliver Perez is way too inconsistent to rely on right now. Even as a spot starter because the Mariners at home sounds ideal and he went five innings, allowing seven hits, six runs -- five earned -- walked one and struck out three. He is 5-5 with a 5.29 ERA.

Lance Berkman hit his 21st home run.

Josh Hamilton left tonight's game with a knee injury.

George Sherrill picked up save No. 26.

Matt Holliday hit his 10th homer and should be ready to take off now that he is healthy.

Zack Greinke went six innings and allowed nine hits, three runs, walked none and struck out 10. He is 7-4 with a 3.40 ERA.

Kevin Slowey doesn't walk many. His biggest downfall has been the home run, but pitching in San Diego is a cure for that. He went six innings and allowed four hits, no runs, no walks, and struck out seven in a no-decision. He's someone to consider in deep mixed leagues.

Joe Nathan picked up his 20th save.

Pat Burrell hit his 19th homer.

Jermaine Dye continues to sizzle and hit his 17th homer.

Joe Crede didn't play because of back stiffness.