Jonathan Lee    AccuScore Analyst
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Sabathia is 4-0 with a 1.36 ERA with his new team striking out 31 in 33 IP.  Yeah, he’s pretty good.  The Brewers are going for it all this year, and with Sabathia and Sheets heading the rotation in the playoffs they will be tough to beat.  Right now we have Milwaukee a longshot to pass the Cubs and win the Central, but almost a lock to win the Wild Card (83.8 percent chance to make the playoffs, second best in the NL).  Memo to all NL hitters against CC:  don’t even try or close your eyes, swing, and hope you make contact.

• Billy Wagner caused an uproar earlier this week with an is he or isn’t he injured drama.  His unavailability Tuesday led to an epic ninth inning collapse against the Phillies.  Of course Wagner came back to save back to back games on Wednesday and Thursday to alleviate any and all concerns.  Wagner is fine.  The interesting thing to note is that Duaner Sanchez was the man to enter the ninth for the save chance Tuesday (even though he blew it).  It also took three pitchers to struggle before Charlie Manuel turned to Aaron Heilman which should say a lot about the pecking order in the bullpen.  Sanchez is the handcuff for Wagner.  The Mets and Phillies are again tied atop the division standings with Florida just a game behind.

• Francisco Rodriguez threw one pitch and got his 42^nd save in a wild 14-11 win over Cleveland.  Just goes to show the value (or lack thereof) of a save, but all that matters here is that it counts in fantasy.  Just remember not to draft K-Rod next season like he’s going to get 60 saves again.  His numbers only a result of pure circumstance; his actual performance is in decline.

• Mike Scioscia is praised as one of the best managers in the game, but he makes some odd decisions at times.  Wednesday he batted Eric Aybar third which happened to work out as he went 2-5 with a run.  Still, placing a light-hitting middle infielder third in the lineup is questionable at best.  Even if the strategy was sound why not go with the far better Howie Kendrick (and went 4-5) who is on a tear and is a contact machine?  Odd to say the least.  Juan Rivera started again and batted fifth.  He has been getting consistent playing time lately, and is a name to note as he has very good power.  Rivera hit 23 home runs as recently as 2006.  The Angels would do well to replace Gary Mathews Jr. full-time with Rivera, and that would make Rivera standard league relevant.

• Chipper Jones suffered yet another injury to his hamstring, and will probably miss at least a few days.  This is why I hate Chipper Jones.  He’s fantastic when healthy, but you spend more time monitoring unreliable injury reports than you do enjoying his stats, plus you have to carry a back-up.  Omar Infante will be the replacement in the interim and holds zero fantasy value except in deep NL-only leagues.

• It took two days, but A.J. Burnett got his 11^th win of the season.  He threw five innings Wednesday night striking out seven and giving up one run before play was suspended due to rain.  The game was completed early Thursday, and the bullpens took over with the Blue Jays beating the Orioles 5-1.  Burnett has now won three of his last four starts and has given up just four runs in his last 20.1 IP.  He name is consistently mentioned as a possible trade target for several teams.  A move to the NL would certainly enhance his value.

• Also from Toronto, a bat to pick-up is definitely Adam Lind.  I highlighted his name after he was called back up in June as a name to watch.  He has delivered on his prospect status finally hitting in the major leagues.  He is batting .350 since the time of his call-up (6/22) and has 5 home runs and 22 RBI in just 80 at-bats.  He has gone hitless just twice in 17 games in July.  Nobody has noticed however because he plays in Canada and still bats at the bottom of the order.

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