Casey Blake - Fantasy News & Updates
Casey Blake - Fantasy News & Updates
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The absence of Manny Ramirez brought out the leader in Blake, who gave owners great bang for their buck before the All-Star break before settling down in the second half. The veteran third baseman always manages to finish each year with respectable numbers, having launched at least 17 homers in each of the last seven seasons, though you have to wonder when age will catch up with him.
The start was Blake's first since Sept. 22 at Washington, when he went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs. With only three games left in the season, Blake is running out of time to get his swing in shape for the postseason. It's unclear how rusty he will or will not be over the rest of the fantasy season, but owners should feel free to get him back into their lineups.
Blake has missed five games for the second time in a month with the hamstring. "It just hasn't gone away," said manager Joe Torre. "Yesterday he went to run and felt tightness and that's why we sent him back last night. He'll join us in San Diego [Tuesday]." Blake is batting .280 with 18 homers and 77 RBIs on the season.
Blake was ready to go, but a rain-soaked night convinced manager Joe Torre to sit Blake as a precaution. Ronnie Belliard, who had been starting at second base, moved over to third base and Orlando Hudson took over second. Look for Blake to return on Sunday as long as the weather is rain-free.
Despite Blake’s recent decline in the power department, his overall line of 18 homers and 77 RBIs has made him a solid option at the hot corner.
Blake had been able to do everything but run for the previous few days, which made the injury that much more frustrating. Blake's productive return to the lineup bumps Ronnie Belliard -- who had filled in admirably and drew the start at second base on Friday and went 1-for-5 -- back to the bench. Blake had been scuffling somewhat at the time of his injury, going just 6-for-35 (.171) over his previous 10 games. Owners with a solid second option at third may want to take their time with Blake before putting him back in their lineups. but Friday's performance suggests that he's not feeling all that rusty.
Manager Joe Torre said Blake was "a lot better but still can't run" full speed and likely wouldn't be used in a pinch-hitting role if running hard to first base was essential.
No word on when the Dodgers expect the third baseman to return. In the meantime, NL-only owners can turn to his replacement, Ronnie Belliard, who's batting .316 (6-for-19) with three RBIs in his first six games in Dodger Blue.
Blake hurt the hammy while running to first base in the sixth inning during Friday's matchup. "It's probably going to be a couple of days," manager Joe Torre said. "He could probably hit, but the problem is we can't hid anybody to run to first for him." Blake has suffered through hamstring ailments this year, so this is a situation to keep track of if you don' t have insurance for Blake at the hot corner. Ronnie Belliard filled in for Blake at third base and figures to be his replacement until he comes back.
This was Blake's third jack in six games, so the third baseman is clearly rounding back into form. He had been mired in a nine-game funk from Aug. 9-18 in which he hit just .133 with 13 strikeouts. It's safe to say Blake has overcome the mid-August slump and is primed to do damage in the heart of the Dodgers lineup down the stretch.
Blake is 6-for-18 during his streak, with a pair of homers and three RBIs. While he's not a game-changing fantasy player, Blake deserves points for giving owners a bit more than what they expected on draft day. His .283-15-69 line puts him roughly on track for 20 homers and 90 RBIs on the season.
Blake's current .281/.357/.468 line is nearly identical to last season's .274/.345/.463 marks. That's hardly surprising for a guy who's generally been very consistent from year to year. When this season is in the books, he'll likely have his usual 18-20 jacks, 80 RBIs and 80 runs scored.
Blake has been struggling in the power department of late as this was just his third home run in his last 37 games. Still, with a .279 average, 14 homers and 67 RBIs, the Dodgers third baseman is doing more than enough damage to warrant a roster a spot. Batting behind the likes of Andre Ethier and Manny Ramirez can't hurt his RBI production, either.
Blake has destroyed the ball during a nine-game hitting streak, going 18-for-39 with seven extra-base hits and eight runs. The veteran third baseman has been running on hot and cold all season, so owners should ride the wave throughout his latest fiery stretch.
Blake has put good wood on nearly everything that's entered his wheelhouse lately, going 13-for-26 with five extra-base hits and seven runs during a six-game hitting streak. He’s used the brief fiery stretch to boost his average up nearly 20 points to .287.
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