http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB Fantasy Sports Blog en MJB MJB Thu, 28 Apr 2005 22:39:19 +0200 daily 1 Since this is my last post, I'd like to thank everyone that has taken the time to read my blog during the past three months.  I have had a great time updating it, and I hope you were able to take something away from it yourselves.  Who knows, maybe I'll miss this blog and start posting again at some point.  But for now, thanks again and hopefully you enjoyed my blog. Thu, 28 Apr 2005 22:39:19 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Thanks-Everyone/68/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Thanks-Everyone/68/ So the NFL Draft came and went last weekend and it was definitely an action-packed two days.  The question now becomes: which rookies will make a fantasy impact this season?  ESPN.com's Scott Engel reviews the draft and comments which players selected in the first two rounds will have immediate fantasy value.  He also discusses which players drafted in rounds three through seven could be valuable down the line. Thu, 28 Apr 2005 22:29:12 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/2005-NFL-Draft-Fantasy-Review/67/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/2005-NFL-Draft-Fantasy-Review/67/ Do you have a few players who are off to torrid starts but, in the back of your mind, you just know they will soon cool off?  If you do, check out Tristan Cockcroft's "Stop and Swap"  article on ESPN.com.  He discusses which players you can sell high right now and what you should be getting in return.  Thu, 28 Apr 2005 22:22:01 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Fantasy-Baseball-Who-to-Trade-Away/66/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Fantasy-Baseball-Who-to-Trade-Away/66/ Sometimes, fantasy owners get their priorities mixed up and focus too heavily on drafting strikeout pitchers instead of winning pitchers.  The problem with doing this is that while these flamethrowers may rack up a lot of K's, there is a good chance that their wins, ERAs, and WHIPs could all be suffering and, in turn, hurting your team.  Pitchers who pile up victories, on the other hand, could be lacking in punchouts but are likely to have above average ERAs and WHIPs, meaning they are helping your team in more categories than not.  For more on this debatable topic, be sure to read Eric Karabell's latest article on ESPN.com. Thu, 28 Apr 2005 22:15:12 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Fantasy-Baseball-Wins-or-K-s/65/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Fantasy-Baseball-Wins-or-K-s/65/ Pick ups, pick ups.  They drive us fantasy owners insane most of the time and are successful quite infrequently.  But if you make the right move once in a while, it could pay big dividends.  Check out who to pick up this week in ESPN.com's "Waiver Wire Work." Thu, 28 Apr 2005 22:07:47 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Fantasy-Baseball-Waiver-Wire-Work/64/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Fantasy-Baseball-Waiver-Wire-Work/64/ We've been anticipating it for months, but the day has finally come to sit back and watch the future of the NFL develop right before our very eyes.  The 2005 NFL Draft has arrived, and both casual football fans as well as fantasy junkies are extemely interested to see who goes where.  This year's draft should be the most interesting and unpredictable one we have seen in quite a long time, as numerous possibilies exist for which players end up on which teams.  Though expert guesses this year will be about as accurate as picking out of a hat, here is Yahoo's final mock draft .  Be sure not to miss one moment of the action beginning at Noon ET on Saturday, April 23, on ESPN. Sat, 23 Apr 2005 09:27:24 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/The-NFL-Draft-Is-Finally-Here/63/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/The-NFL-Draft-Is-Finally-Here/63/ After a tremendous NBA season that saw a changing of the guard in both the Eastern and Western Conferences, get ready for what will surely be an unpredictable playoff stretch.  The NBA playoffs begin Saturday, April 23, and the first round has some great matchups to keep an eye on.  The Wizards and Bulls should have a very competitive series, as should the Kings and Sonics and even the Pacers and Celtics.  The best clash of the opening round, however, should be between the Rockets and the Mavericks, a battle that will pit two of the league's brightest stars, Houston's Tracy McGrady and Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki, head to head.  Beyond round one, anything can and probably will happen in the 2005 NBA playoffs.  For some predictions, check out who the Yahoo experts pick to win each series.  Be sure to catch all the action in the coming weeks on ABC, ESPN, and TNT. Sat, 23 Apr 2005 09:07:21 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Get-Ready-for-the-NBA-Playoffs/62/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Get-Ready-for-the-NBA-Playoffs/62/ It's that time of the week again.  Yes, time for Tristan Cockcroft's "Weekly Forecast" on ESPN.com.  As usual, Cockcroft gives you tidbits on which pitchers and hitters could be in store for a big week from April 25-May 1.  Don't miss it. Sat, 23 Apr 2005 08:50:08 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Fantasy-Baseball-Weekly-Forecast/61/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Fantasy-Baseball-Weekly-Forecast/61/ Are any of your closers in danger of his job?  If you're not sure, check out Eric Karabell's "Closer Report" on ESPN.com.  Each week he breaks down which closer situations to watch and ranks the MLB stoppers from 1 to 30.  If you are in need of saves, this should be a very useful tool. Sat, 23 Apr 2005 08:39:22 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Fantasy-Baseball-Closer-Report/60/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Fantasy-Baseball-Closer-Report/60/ If you're like most fantasy owners, you're always looking for the next superstar to add to you team off the free agent list.  For those of you that fit this description, be sure to check out ESPN.com's "Waiver Wire Work" article each week.  Chances are you'll find at least one diamond in the rough every so often. Sat, 23 Apr 2005 08:33:55 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Fantasy-Baseball-Guys-to-Add/59/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Fantasy-Baseball-Guys-to-Add/59/ Hey fantasy baseball owners out there, don't forget about rookies when it comes to picking up hot players!  ESPN.com's Tristan Cockcroft analyzes 2005's rookies through three weeks in his "Rookie Report."   You never know when an MLB rookie may provide you with a needed fantasy spark. Sat, 23 Apr 2005 08:26:04 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Fantasy-Baseball-Rookie-Report/58/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Fantasy-Baseball-Rookie-Report/58/ In the NBA's final full week, Cleveland's LeBron James decided to end the season with a bang.  A contender for the league's MVP award, James had a four-game stretch from April 11-17 where he posted 135 points, 42 rebounds, 25 assists, 8 steals, and 8 3-pointers.  A tremendous week and incredible year for LeBron, who is clearly the future of the NBA. LeBron James (AP Photo/Peter Cosgrove) Tue, 19 Apr 2005 21:55:48 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Fantasy-Player-of-the-Week-LeBron-James/57/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Fantasy-Player-of-the-Week-LeBron-James/57/ The landscape of fantasy baseball is an ever-changing environment, which is why Yahoo's Brandon Funston provides analysis of players' fantasy values each week in his article, "The Skinny."   This week, Brandon looks at closers whose jobs aren't very safe as well as which guys' stocks are rising or falling.  Continue to check out this interesting column every Monday. Tue, 19 Apr 2005 21:48:35 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Fantasy-Baseball-The-Skinny/56/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Fantasy-Baseball-The-Skinny/56/ It's April in the fantasy baseball season, which means there will always be some surprises.  The real question is, though, which players off to great starts will be around come August?  ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick examines hot and cold starts around the major leagues and lets readers know whether these players' numbers are for real or are simply mirages. Tue, 19 Apr 2005 21:37:46 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Fantasy-Baseball-Starting-Points/55/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Fantasy-Baseball-Starting-Points/55/ We're entering the third week of the young baseball season and already fantasy owners are noticing some surprising trends.  Where did red-hot Orioles' 2B Brian Roberts come from?  Why is All-Star Cardinals' pitcher Mark Mulder struggling so badly?  With answers as well as predictions, ESPN.com's Tristan Cockcroft offers up his "Weekly Forecast" for the enlightenment of all fantasy baseball players.  Sun, 17 Apr 2005 12:20:27 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Fantasy-Baseball-Weekly-Forecast/54/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Fantasy-Baseball-Weekly-Forecast/54/ With the NFL Draft just one week away, it's time to start discussing which rookies will have the biggest fantasy impact in 2005.  ESPN.com's Scott Engel ranks the top 20 prospects based on what kind of fantasy contribution they can make in their first year.  As all fantasy football owners know, running backs are the most valuable commodity, which could explain why Engel's top three players all reside in the backfield.  Be sure to check back here for more updates leading up to and following draft day.   Sun, 17 Apr 2005 12:08:20 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/NFL-Draft-Preview-Fantasy-Perspective/53/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/NFL-Draft-Preview-Fantasy-Perspective/53/ We are quickly nearing the end of the NBA regular season, which concludes on Wednesday, April 20, and what a year it has been.  Check out ESPN.com to see which players surprised fantasy owners most this season and, more importantly, to find out who ended up taking home the fantasy hardware .  To anyone still alive in your hoops league, good luck this week! Sun, 17 Apr 2005 11:57:56 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Fantasy-Basketball-2004-05-Fantasy-Awards/52/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Fantasy-Basketball-2004-05-Fantasy-Awards/52/ Looking for guys to trade for at a discount?  Check out ESPN.com's Tristan Cockcroft's article on which players to target right now while their market value is reasonably low.  Many of these guys are liable to get hot at any time and would be great additions to your fantasy teams. Tue, 12 Apr 2005 21:53:19 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Fantasy-Baseball-10-Guys-to-Get-Now/51/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Fantasy-Baseball-10-Guys-to-Get-Now/51/ Since being traded to the Warriors at this year's trade deadline, Davis has played like a man possessed.  And never was he more determined to post huge numbers than the week of April 4-10.  In four games last week, Baron had 115 points, 25 rebounds, 48 assists, 10 steals, and 11 3-pointers.  He has definitely elevated his game to another level and is the main reason why Golden State has been one of the NBA's hottest teams down the stretch. Baron Davis (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)     Tue, 12 Apr 2005 21:47:39 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Fantasy-Player-of-the-Week-Baron-Davis/50/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/Fantasy-Player-of-the-Week-Baron-Davis/50/ The 2005 edition of The Masters concluded Sunday at Augusta National Golf Club, and it will certainly be remembered as one of the best finishes in the history of golf.  Trailing leader Tiger Woods by three strokes heading into the final round, Chris DiMarco shot a four-under-par 68 to draw even with Woods and force a sudden-death playoff.  Then, on the first playoff hole, Tiger sunk a 15-foot birdie putt to win his fourth Masters title.  For more on Sunday's events at Augusta, check out this Masters recap . Tue, 12 Apr 2005 02:19:37 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/The-2005-Masters-What-a-Finish/49/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/MJB/The-2005-Masters-What-a-Finish/49/