Sell High

1). Carlos Beltran STL OF 28 R 13 HR 32 RBI 5 SB .295 AVG

Beltran’s power surge is completely out of line with the rest of his career. Add in his propensity to get injured and it all adds up to a player you’re better off sending away for a high reward.

2). Bryan LaHair CHC 1B 16 R 9 HR 20 RBI 1 SB .356 AVG

Odds are a 29 year old making his full season major league debut will not continue to hit at this rate. A regression to the mean or median is likely in LaHair’s near future…probably.

3). Rafael Furcal STL SS 25 R 2 HR 16 RBI 7 SB .370 AVG

Furcal should continue to produce solid numbers, but his average and runs should see a bit of a drop off. I’m not as concerned about injury possibilties because he actually entered this season healthy.

4). Melky Cabrera SF OF 21 R 2 HR 14 RBI 5 SB .338 AVG

Cabrera has been known for his prolonged hot streaks and prolonged slumps. Add in less then stellar support around him and it could lead him to seeing less and less good pitches to hit.

5). Carlos Ruiz PHI C 16 R 6 HR 23 RBI 0 SB .340 AVG

Nothing about Ruiz’s profile says he will keep up this pace. You can find similar catcher production on the free agency wire.

Buy Low

1). Albert Pujols STL 1B 10 R 1 HR 12 RBI .197 AVG

After a month long drought and producing numbers that would make Mario Mendoza blush, all signs point to Pujols turning it around and producing at his normal clip! Grab him now at half the price!

2). Ryan Zimmerman WAS 3B 13 R 1 HR 8 HR 2 SB .241 AVG

Zimmerman is on the verge of coming back off the DL, so it’s a perfect time to grab a top 5 3B. Great candidate to produce across the board for your team.

3). Ben Zobrist TB 2B/OF 21 R 6 HR 16 R 2 SB .218 AVG

Everything on the stat line for Zobrist has fallen into place except for his average. Zobrist will produce a 20/20 season and produce these stats at a premium position. Buy low before his owners realize what they actually have.

4). Eric Hosmer KC 1B 16 R 5 HR 17 RBI 1 SB .174 AVG

With how much Hosmer was crushing the ball, a start like this seems completely ridiculous. It’s not possible for this trend continue. With Hosmer’s power and his normal line drive numbers, expect him to start producing at a much higher rate.

5). Brian McCann ATL C 14 R 5 HR 1 SB .231 AVG

McCann went from being the league’s best offensive catcher to just plain “meh” the first few months this year. He’s only 27. He’s going to hit. Grab him because Piggy gonna start going to the trough on the constant.

1). Josh Reddick OAK 23 R 8 HR 21 RBI 4 SB .291 AVG

Reddick is flat out producing across the line in every category. The only question is will he be able to keep this up? He probably won’t keep up this pace, but he at his worst should be solid 4th outfielder.

2).  Jeff Samardzija CHC 38.2 IP 39 K 4-0 3.03 ERA 1.19 WHIP

The man is strait beasting the league. Producing ridiculous strikeout totals while also piling up a solid ERA and wins. He should continue to be a solid starter for the entire season!

3). Carlos Zambrano MIA 41 IP 32 K 1-0 1.98 ERA 1.02 WHIP

The change in location seems to be working for Big Z. As long as he continues to keep his emotions in check, he should produce solid numbers. Some regression should be expected.

4). Chipper Jones ATL 16 R 5 HR 22 RBI  .302 AVG

When healthy Chipper is still a productive fantasy member. Now that being healthy is a big if, but until he gets injured I would slot him in your lineup.

5). James McDonald PIT 44.2 IP 39 K  2-0 2.42 ERA 1.03 WHIP

McDonald’s stuff has always had the scouting community in awe and it looks like he is finally translating that talent into results. He may not get you a lot wins, but he is lesser known commodity that could slot in as a perfect back end to your fantasy staff.

3 Fantasy Baseball Thoughts

1). Josh Hamilton’s production this week is just completely out of this world. Him dropping out of the 1st round looks to be a major coup for those grabbed them.

2) Buy any starting pitcher in Miami. That stadium is the new Petco Park!

3). Two players I would sell high right now are Carlos Beltran and Rafael Furcal. Both are getting up there in age and simply will not continue this production for an entire season.

Manchester City is poised to win it’s first Barclay’s Premiership title and it’s first league title since 1968! On paper, it is very unlikely they can lose their grasp on the trophy. They face off against the 17th place Queens Park Rangers who are trying to hold a spot in the top division. QPR holds a two point lead on the Bolton Wanderers, who face Stoke City today. They have had a stunning year, but still are going to need goal difference to separate them from Manchester United. Currently they hold an 8 goal lead, and I can’t imagine United dismissing that advantage no matter how great their form. ManCity looks to continue their amazing home performance, unbeaten in their last 18 matches in league play. It seems Roberto Mancini will have the last laugh over Sir Alex Ferguson and the Red Devils.

Upset Potential

Bryce Harper

“Stop hitting yourself, stop hitting yourself” is usually accompanied by an older brother using his little brother’s own hand to pummel himself…but this time this is a very literal statement. Bryce Harper, quit hitting yourself! The 19yr old Major Leaguer decided to take out his frustration on himself, with a bat. He, seemingly, has the world on his shoulders with the expectations of greatness. Yet, he has conducted his stint in the spotlight with professionalism until Friday against the Reds. He grounded out in the 7th and went in to the tunnel to take some frustration out with his bat against the wall. At some point during his youthful rage, the bat bounced back and hit him in the eye. This behavior not only caused 10 stitches, but may have shown a chink in the armor.

Don’t Bother

Kevin Na’s “routine”

The leader going into today’s final round of the The Player’s Championship is Kevin Na, but the talk in the golf world is about what happens before he strikes the ball. Don’t bother trying to understand it. Amateur golfers are told all the time about routines, but Na’s pre shot antics are anything but routine. If he continues his success with this action then I can assure you we will see people at our local courses mimicking his “pull the trigger” set up!

Statistically Lebron had a great year. He averaged 27.1 pts this year, good enough for 3rd behind Durant and Bryant. He also added nearly 8 boards and just over 6 assists to his impressive resume. Even more impressive may be his shooting percentage of 53%. Of the top 30 scorers only Blake Griffin and Andrew Bynum, primarily dunkers, had a higher shooting percentage. It is believed that Durant will finish second after missing out on the the award last year to Derrick Rose.

James joins a very exclusive list with his 3rd award. Only 8 players, including James, has won at least 3 MVP’s.

Kareem Abdul Jabbar – 6
Bill Russell – 5
Michael Jordan – 5
Wilt Chamberlain -4
Larry Bird – 3
Moses Malone – 3
Magic Johnson – 3

James has come under fire for his post seasons and lack of rings. His amazing career has been defined by the idea that he can’t win the biggest games. Yet, he has led his teams to the 2 NBA Finals, and he is only 27! This season may finally be the year that he hoists the championship trophy. The Heat’s biggest perceived obstacle, The Bulls, were eliminated after the devastating loss of Rose. The West will offer several options that could keep lack of rings conversation going, including the Durant led Thunder.

I think after last seasons Finals loss to the Mavs, the Heat have plenty to prove and have the talent to do so. The trio in Miami need to win, but not as bad as the legacy of Lebron James’ needs the win. Only 4 more months (it seems like 4 months anyway) of NBA Playoffs before we find out who hoists the trophy!

Defensive Linemen

Andre Carter was a Pro Bowler last year, but hasn't found much love on the free agent market.

Andre Carter, DE: Last year was the fourth time in Carter’s 11-year career that he has put up double digit sacks, but the Patriots don’t seem to have much interest in bringing him back, probably because of the torn quad he suffered in week 14. The 32-year old former first round pick could definitely provide a pass rush boost if healthy, as evidenced by the four-and-a-half sack game he put up last year against the Jets.

Marcus Thomas, DT: Still only 26 years old, Thomas is still in the prime of his career, but the Broncos opted not to re-sign the 315-pounder after five years with the club. 2011 was the first time the durable Thomas has missed games in his career, so some team will surely come knocking once the war of attrition starts down in the trenches.

Aubrayo Franklin, DT: Franklin is looking for his fourth team after spending 2011 with the Saints and only pedestrian results.  The monster 317-pounder hasn’t missed a game in four years, but is now on the wrong side of 30 and needs to prove he can still plant his roots in the middle of the field to plug up opposing teams’ running lanes.

Linebackers

EJ Henderson will gladly bring the pain for any team that wants his services.

Gary Brackett, MLB: An inspiration to short people everywhere, Brackett was calling the shots in the middle of the Colts defense for both of their recent Super Bowl appearances. Last year, however, Brackett suffered a season-ending injury in week one, and has been purged as part of Indy’s rebuilding efforts. The former undrafted free agent will no doubt make an ideal mentor for a young cat trying to learn the ropes in the middle of a defense.

EJ Henderson, MLB: Another stout middle linebacker who is over 30 and on the market, Henderson was a pro bowler last year on a horrible Vikings team. In each of the last four seasons that hasn’t been cut short by injury, the former two-time All American at Maryland has registered over 100 tackles, including last season when he had 109 stops and three forced fumbles. If you want to see a gruesome leg injury, YouTube Henderson’s broken leg versus the Cardinals a few years back.

Brandon Johnson, OLB: Former Louisville Cardinal Johnson has played in every game for the Bengals over the past four years, but more in a reserve/special teams role. Still just 29, Johnson can probably find a similar niche somewhere in the league, especially as a cover linebacker.

Defensive Backs

Jim Leohnard has been called short his whole life. Now, he is also being called unemployed.

OJ Atogwe, S: Atogwe joined a long list this offseason of Redskins’ free agent signings that fell on their face, as Washington cut the former NFC INT leader after just one season. The 30-year-old Atogwe was steady during his years with the Rams, but things went south once he signed with Washington, and now he finds himself and his 25 career INTs on the open market.

Yeremiah Bell, S: Not to be confused with Jeremiah, Bell has been a rock in the back of the Dolphins defense since coming into the league eight years ago. The former EKU Colonel will be looking to help solidify a needy team’s secondary, as the job market in Richmond, Kentucky is scarce in the summer time.

Jim Leonhard, S: Another proud member of the Midget Mafia, Leonhard was a walk-on at the University of Wisconsin who has worked into a solid NFL player. The 5’8″ fireball has also doubled as a punt returner over the course of his career, but back-to-back season-ending injuries, including a torn patella this past year, has teams balking at signing him just yet.

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Well apparently one person didn’t care too much for the coverage of this phenom. Cole Hamels decided that this rookie needed to be introduced to the big leagues, so he beamed him! In the first inning of a matchup between the Phils and Nats, Hamels put a fast ball just above the waist in to Harper’s back.

The young outfielder took his base and as you may know already, went from 1st to 3rd and then stole home on a pick off move to first by Hamels.

Now, Hamels hitting Harper really wasn’t a big deal. There had been no reason to suspect any hard feelings. The Nationals repaid the favor by hitting Hamels later in the game…so no harm no foul, at least until the post game interview. Hamels stated, “I was trying to hit him…I’m trying to continue the old baseball.” I believe pitchers have spent years hitting people on purpose and they have spent years using the phrase, “It just got away from me” or “I was trying to establish the inside part of the plate”. This is an accepted part of the game and I find no issue with these types of actions. Yet, what Hamels said was incomprehensible. The reaction has been fairly one sided against Hamels as actual old school guys like Jim Leyland called shenanigans on the pitcher’s reasoning.

The MLB has also decided that Hamel’s actions were questionable and provided him with an old school 5 game suspension! I am in full favor of the suspension, yet, It’s not because of the act but rather his reaction to questioning. The post game interview comments earned his suspension. He showed that he is much more immature than the 19 year old Harper and by making up his own unwritten rule he is sure to find a pitch that “gets away” next time he steps in the batter’s box.

While I’m not here to bash the credibility of the school or degree that O’Neal has obtained, I view this as a very beneficial thing for young basketball fans everywhere.  In a market where minorities are already outnumbered in PhD’s obtained, Shaq has sent a very big message that emphasizes education.  Although he didn’t even need this degree, Shaq showed perseverance in continuing his education and I only hope that this will spill over onto O’Neal fans everywhere.

Congratulations Shaq, you not only accomplished a great feat, but you sent a powerful message to youth everywhere!  

Quarterbacks

Vince Young: It seems like eons ago when VY won NFL Rookie of the Year in 2006, as now the former Texas Longhorn can’t even get a contract. After an unspectacular three starts last season with the Eagles, Young is trying to vindicate a career that has gone south since his initial success with the Titans. He got a long look recently from the Bills, but no paperwork has been signed.

Donovan McNabb: Much to Rush Limbaugh’s chagrin, the 35-year-old McNabb is still hoping to catch on with a team after failed experiments the past two seasons with the Redskins and Vikings. The six-time Pro Bowler only appeared in six games last year with Minnesota before Christian Ponder took the reigns, but is looking for another opportunity with a QB-starved squad that may need a veteran.

Running Backs

Surely this stiff arm will help Ryan Grant get a job.

Ryan Grant: Grant has been a two-time 1,000-yard rusher with the Packers, but the former Golden Domer had his 2010 season ended by injury in week one, and last year he gained just 559 yards as part of a RB-by-committee approach. The Pack don’t seem too interested in re-signing the 29-year-old Grant, and he reportedly has an offer on the table from the division rival Lions.

Ronnie Brown: A former first-round pick with the Dolphins, Brown is now a running back on the wrong side of 30 who spent last year with the Eagles gaining only 136 yards. It’s tough to completely write off Brown, who was very productive in his time with Miami and has 39 career touchdowns. Perhaps a training camp injury or perilously thin depth chart will allow Brown to get a job before the season starts.

Wide Receivers

Braylon Edwards: After a lackluster season in 2011 with the 49ers, Edwards finds himself back on the market as a free agent for the second straight offseason. There has never been a question of Edwards’ talent and playmaking abilities, but his diva-esque antics seems to have worn out his welcome everywhere he went, and now he finds himself looking for his fourth team in five years.

Legedu Naanee: After setting a career-high in catches and yards last season in his first year with the pass-happy Panthers, Naanee now finds himself back on the market. The former Boise State Bronco is only 28, and should provide a viable option for a team in need of some more able bodies to run routes.

Tight Ends

Dallas Clark hopes life without Manning starts with a job offer.

Dallas Clark: Clark has spent the last nine years playing pitch and catch with Peyton Manning in Indianapolis, but now that Peyton is in the mile-high club, the 32-year-old Clark is out of a job. Although Clark is just three years removed from a 100-catch season, the last two years he has fought injuries, and he has found the market for his services scarce. A recent visit with the Chiefs is reportedly his only interest since being cut loose from the Colts.

Visanthe Shiancoe: The British-born Shiancoe is another player on this list that is over 30, yet enjoyed an incredibly productive career. The nine-year veteran hasn’t missed a game his entire career, but with the Vikings’ signing of John Carlson, it seems as if Shiancoe may be on the lookout for his third team.

Offensive Linemen

Vernon Carey: The behemoth Carey, who is 340 pounds, hasn’t played football outside the city of Miami his whole life, as the former Dolphin and Hurricane is a Miami native. Carey has spent eight years with the ‘Phins, starting at least 12 games every year at tackle. Now, at age 30, he finds himself most likely looking for a new team, as Miami drafted OT Jonathan Martin early in the 2nd round.

Jeff Faine: At age 31, Faine has proved his worth as a center in the NFL, starting every game he has ever played played over his nine-year career that he wasn’t injured. After spending the last four years in Tampa, Faine finds himself unsigned and looking for work, but it’s hard to believe that a team won’t need a veteran presence in the trenches as they head into training camp.

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Also, if you are going to be in attendance make sure to stop by and get a t-shirt and take a famous Strait Pinkie picture with the gang. And if you’re a yump stay longer!

Go here for more information about our Carrera De Caballos get together at the Derby!

CarlH

Win: Union Rags
Place: I’ll Have Another
Show: Bodemeister

Could never be a Jockey: Verne Troyer, he could never reach the stirrups.

Read More from CarlH HERE and if you think you are yumpy enough contact him via EMAIL.

Nick Ev

Win: Union Rags
Place: Creative Cause
Show: I’ ll Have Another

Could never be a jockey: First off, Carl H is a damn idiot. Verne Troyer would be like having no jockey at all. How is that not an advantage. It’s kind of like plopping a 1,000 pound lardo in front of a hockey net and begging the opposition to score. You dumb boy.

Kate Upton could never be a jockey. Think about it. How would the other jockeys/horses pay attention? Huh?

I know that’s a cow and not a horse. Who cares? Still need more clarification. Watch this and tell me you could ride a horse to the finish line while this is going down.

See more from NickEv HERE and listen to him on Elizabethtown’s 101.5 ESPN Radio every Tuesday and Friday at 5:15 pm and on The Sunday Morning Hangover every Sunday morning from 10-12 on ESPN 680 AM and espnlouisville.com.

Cory Collins

Win: Union Rags (Show the 1% who’s boss!)
Place: Went the Day Well
Show: I’ll Have Another

Could never be a jockey: Sarah Jessica Parker – Sarah and the horse would wonder who is supposed to ride who.

Go Here to see more from Cory

George

Win: Dullahan
Place: Creative Cause
Show: Gemologist

Could never be a jockey: Dick Clark because he’s….oh wait, too soon?

To Read more from George go HERE . He knows stuff and things, but mostly stuff!

And Our Expert on The Inside

Andy

Win: Dullahan
Place: Union Rags
Show: Hansen

Could never be a jockey: Rosie O’Donnell. Obvious reasons with weight but her loud mouth and an overall blow hard attitude would spook the horses. Horses are very skittish animals.

Andy loves bourbon so leave us a comment on who you think will win and your bourbon of choice.

BODEMEISTER, the Arkansas Derby winner and 4-1 morning line favorite for the Kentucky Derby, will break from post position 6 in Saturday’s fabled classic at Churchill Downs.

Carl H’s 138th Kentucky Derby Predicted Finish

20. OPTIMIZER – PP:2 – Optimize your winnings on Saturday by NOT betting on OPTIMIZER. ODDS: 50-1

19. TRINNIBERG – PP:9 – After finishing an unimpressive 7th in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, TRINNIBERG has won his last two races (both Grade III’s). Time to be unimpressive again. ODDS: 50-1

18. DADDY LONG LEGS – PP:1 – On the rail is NOT a desirable place to be when the gates fly open and you hear “AND THEY’RE OFF!” ODDS: 30-1

17. ALPHA – PP:11 – ALPHA will finish closer to the Omega. ODDS: 15-1

16. PROSPECTIVE – PP:12 – He finished dead last in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, won the Grade II Tampa Bay Derby and then finished 6th in the Grade I Toyota Blue Grass at Keeneland on April 14th. Last year jockey Luis Contreras was the leading rider at Woodbine and set a record for purse earnings with over $11 million as well as winning a record tying 6 races on one day. ODDS: 30-1

15. LIAISON – PP:20 – This beast’s jockey, Martin Garcia is a descendant of Mexico and was victorious in the 2011 Kentucky Oaks aboard PLUM PRETTY. On Cinco de Mayo, he will be trying to get back to the Winner’s Circle, this time on a slightly bigger stage. ODDS: 50-1

14. SABERCAT – PP:18 – SABERCAT’s jockey Corey Nakatani will be riding in his 16th Kentucky Derby. His highest finish was last year’s runner-up ride aboard NEHRO. Nakatani will be trying to finish one spot higher this year, but will fall well short. ODDS: 30-1

13. ROUSING SERMON – PP:7 – Unfortunately for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, jockey Jose Lezcano and whomever puts some green down on ROUSING SERMON, it won’t be rousing enough. ODDS: 50-1

12. DONE TALKING – PP:17 – Won the Grade III Illinois Derby, and if I understand pedigree properly, he is the grandson of 1990 Kentucky Derby winner, UNBRIDLED. ODDS: 50-1

11. EL PADRINO – PP:16 – EL PADRINO in espanol means ‘The Godfather’. He finished fourth in the Florida Derby just behind UNION RAGS. He’ll finish a bit farther behind this time. ODDS: 20-1

10. TAKE CHARGE INDY – PP:3 – I don’t like Indy, Indy don’t like me. I’m wanted there for roaming the downtown area with some of the city’s horses… However, I’m giving TAKE CHARGE INDY a Top 10 finish here for one reason and one reason only: Calvin Borel. ODDS: 15-1

9. DADDY NOSE BEST – PP:10 – Will improve upon his starting position by a nose. This will be jockey Garret Gomez’s 10th appearance in the Kentucky Derby with his best finish coming in 2009 on PIONEEROFTHE NILE, who ran second. ODDS: 15-1

8. HANSEN – PP:14 – Named after his owner Dr. Kendall Hansen, this majestic beast won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile back in November over UNION RAGS. His rider Ramon Dominguez is the two-time defending Eclipse Award winner for Outstanding Jockey. ODDS: 10-1

7. WENT THE DAY WELL – PP:13 – Trained by H. Graham Motion (Derby 137 winner ANIMAL KINGDOM) WENT THE DAY WELL is also ridden by jockey John Velasquez (Derby 137 winner). Velasquez will be trying to match Calvin Borel’s back-to-backs in Derby 135 and 136 (MINE THAT BIRD and SUPER SAVER). His sire, PROUD CITIZEN, was runner-up in the 2002 Kentucky Derby. ODDS: 20-1

6. GEMOLOGIST – PP:15 – Never count out Todd Pletcher who thus far has his only Derby win in 2010 with SUPER SAVER. GEMOLOGIST won at Churchill back in November in the Kentucky Jockey Club and also won his last time out, on April 7th in the Resorts World Casino New York City Wood Memorial. ODDS: 6-1

5. DULLAHAN – PP:5 – His only two wins in the past five races have been at Keeneland and finished fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile right behind CREATIVE CAUSE, where he’ll end up again. He has an experienced jockey in Kent Desormeaux who is a three-time winner of The Kentucky Derby (1998, 2000 and 2008). ODDS: 8-1

4. CREATIVE CAUSE – PP:8 – Hasn’t finished out of the money in last seven races dating back to August, 2011. Finished third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile just behind UNION RAGS and most recently was runner-up in the Santa Anita Derby, won by I’LL HAVE ANOTHER. ODDS: 12-1

3. BODEMEISTER – PP:6 – Putting him in the money based on those around him. Trainer Bob Baffert has won three Kentucky Derbys (1997, 1998 and 2002) and a record-tying five Preakness Stakes. He has also won two of the three legs of the Triple Crown four times. BODEMEISTER will be ridden by Mike Smith, who was aboard GIACOMO to win the 2005 Kentucky Derby. As far as the actual horse’s accomplishments? On April 14th he won the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park. ODDS: 4-1

2. I’LL HAVE ANOTHER – PP:19 – Has won both of his 2012 races so far, the Robert B. Lewis in February and the Santa Anita Derby on April 7th. Also the favorite for most uttered phrase in the infield and out on Derby day. ODDS: 12-1

1. UNION RAGS – PP:4 – Third on the Graded Stakes Earnings List with just over $1.1 million in winnings and ridden by Julian Leparoux, UNION RAGS opened as the favorite. He finished 2nd at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile back in November at Churchill, won the Fountain of Youth in February and finished third in the Florida Derby on March 31st. Next up is winning the Kentucky Derby… ODDS: 9-2