After The Fall...

Boston ended their recent skid with a 6 to 5 win over the AL Central leading Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park. The win, coupled with a New York loss, brought the Red Sox back with 5.5 games of the Yankees.

The Chicago White Sox picked up Blue Jays Outfielder Alex Rios in a trade finalized yesterday. Rios is a good pickup for the Sox as they try to compete in the AL Central this year and the years to follow. He may be beyond the point of reaching his full potential (read: five tool player), but he is a fine player with good skills. Rios has fooled me a couple of times in fantasy baseball. He is a solid outfielder, but had so much promise. To tab him a disappointment might be a bit much, but he surely hasn't lived up to everything he could have been in a roto or points league.

Sergio Mitre spoiled the Yankees win streak, putting up a decent but still losing effort in a 5 to 4 loss to the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. Mitre will hold onto the fifth spot in the rotation for now, even with Chad Gaudin on the roster. The right hander is still be a major risk in AL only fantasy leagues, but you have to figure he'll get it together enough to start getting some wins. And if not, keep an eye on Gaudin who should be readily available in 10 or 12 team mixed leagues.

Troy Tulowitzki hit for the cycle in a 11 to 5 Rockies win over the Chicago Cubs. Tulo is the fifth Colorado player to accomplish the feat. In the link, there is a great recap of the Rockies shortstop and teammate Brad Hawpe discussing the possibility of hitting for the cycle. Tulowitzki is obviously a must start a short stop in all fantasy leagues. He always hits better in the second half then the first and this year is no different. After the All-Star Break, the diminutive Rockie is batting .349 with five home runs and 23 RBI. He has a slugging percentage of .663 and an OBP of .436. And remember, he is still only 24 years old. Plenty of great baseball ahead of him.

The New York Daily News has a report that Mets ownership has a plan to replace General Manager Omar Minaya. It's been a tough year to judge for New York, but Minaya has brought a lot of focus onto himself with his handling of a couple of key situations. If Minaya were to go, this team's roster could be decidedly different when the 2010 season opens up. This story appears in this morning's paper, after a dreadful showing by the Mets in a 7 to 4 loss to the Diamondbacks in Arizona.

The Marlins picked up another half game on the Phillies with a 8 to 6 win over the Astros. The fish sit just 3.5 back of the NL East leading Phillies, who are just three and eight since Cliff Lee joined the team.