Keith Lipscomb

  (3:02 PM)

Hey everyone! Only one afternoon ballgame going on right now, so let's chat instead.

Raisin (DC)

Is Justin Masterson worth a flier? It looks like he is going to get the fill-in start if Dice-K can't go (and not Buchholz)

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:03 PM)

Definitely worth a shot as a spot start. He's looked good in his limited major league exposure and he's talented enough to keep it up whenever he does get the opportunity.

dave issaquah wa

thoughts on jr toweles..... will he turn it around?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:05 PM)

I'm gonna have to hang with him, since I've been saying in this space that he'll get it going eventually. I think he's a good hitter and expect him to begin showing it. That being said, at .143, if there's a catcher that you really like on the waiver wire, how could I tell you not to go get that guy, ya know? But if you've got the space and patience, I still think Towles gets it turned around at some point. I'm probably in the minority on that one.

KEVIN BOSTON MA

NAME GAME A.COOK D.CABRERA OR LITSCH

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:08 PM)

Well, you know I like strikeouts and Cabrera is obviously the best choice out of these three, and he's shown vast improvement in his control recently. I'm buying in, so I'd take him first here. Cook and Litsch are similar fantasy commodities to me. Coors Field always scares me away and the fact that Cook's ERA is so low right now, I'd take Litsch the rest of the way over him.

Chris, Toledo OH

Should I drop Rich Hill for Campillo in a 10-team head to head?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:09 PM)

In a 10-team league, I don't see a real problem with that because Campillo can help you right now and Hill can't. Your waiver wire will always have guys worth grabbing, with so few teams in the league, so yeah that makes sense.

Yasmine (PR)

Over/Under 30 Homeruns for Votto?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:10 PM)

I'm going to say under this year, but it should be close. I think he's a 25-homer guy, but I do think his power is legit and still growing.

Craig (PA)

Who's a better 2B till Kendrick comes back, Vazquez or Casilla?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:12 PM)

It's pretty close to me, because I don't expect Vazquez to continue to hit so well. But I think it depends on whether you need steals or not. Casilla should help you a little in the SBs, while Vazquez is more likely to help your BA at this point in time, in my estimation. The home runs they've hit are fluky, so don't expect any more of those, really.

Brandon (OKC, OK)

Needs K's...Cain, Arroyo, Bergmann, Wolf, or Chacon?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:13 PM)

Easy for me. Cain!

Ethan (Memphis)

About Votto, would you trade him for Putz assuming he's expendable and you could use saves?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:14 PM)

Well, I think it's a fair trade if you consider that you're getting something you need from someone who's been one of the top closers in the past couple years. Putz hasn't quite looked himself this season, but I assume he'll heat up. Since you say Votto's so expendable, then fill that need!

Brad (Philly)

Hey Keith, who do you like better at SS: Khalil Greene or Jerry Hairston? (Great options, I know...) Thanks!

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:17 PM)

Well, Greene has the job no matter what, if that factors into your decision at all. Hairston is very unlikely to keep hitting at his current pace, but could definitely swipe you 15-20 bags if he remains as the starter for a while here. Greene's average will definitely drag you down, but while I don't expect a repeat of his HR production from last season, he is still a threat for 20 overall. So, if you're not worried about the BA, Greene's your guy, but if you are and could use some steals, go with Hairston.

Bruce (Banner)

Everyone keeps ignoring me. Its making me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry. Victor Martinez is making me angry. I have a trade open to get Geovany Soto. I am wondering if I should do this: I get: Geovany Soto Hideki Matsui Andy Pettitte I give: V-Mart Sizemore Cliff Lee

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:18 PM)

I don't want to make you angry, but I wouldn't do that deal. Martinez is still hitting the ball well, despite the lack of homers and you're downgrading your squad in the OF and SP as well.

Frank (NYC)

Karabell referred to you as the very underrated Lipscomb this morning.....do you feel you are underrated as an analyst? Also, which would you rather have for the rest of this year, Crede or Headley (assuming a promotion is coming soon) Thanks, love your b-ball work!

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:21 PM)

What Eric didn't mention is that he gets paid by the name drop. And the question is a tough one, because I'm not sure we can assume Headley gets the call anytime soon, because Kouzmanoff has picked it up and the Pads don't seem to be in any hurry. Crede is capable of 25-30 homers and since he's guaranteed to be in the majors the whole time, I'd have to go with him if we're talking the rest of the way from here on. It's possibly Headley doesn't come up until the All-Star break, which gives Crede a 6-week headstart on numbers in that case.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:22 PM)

Now, if the Pads act soon, which I've read the same as you have, then I'd go with Headley. Just want to set that straight. I'm having a hard time figuring out the Pads these days.

David (LA, CA)

Keith, AJ ranked Votto ahead of Fielder (and both ahead of Alex Gordon and Ankiel) for the rest of the season. Your thoughts?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:25 PM)

Well, it's hard to argue with it, considering the way he's played thus far. I would put him ahead of Gordon for sure, and I can see Ankiel, too, although I think it'd be close for me. I have a hard time thinking Fielder won't hit 35 homers still, so that means he'd have to really turn it up and would put him ahead of what Votto will do.

Dan (Iowa)

I am a beginner and need your help Keith. I can trade Ryan Theriot and Gorzy for Alex Rios and Arroyo. Is this a fair deal?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:26 PM)

For you, it is, Dan. But I think you're getting the better player on both accounts, although the pitcher can be considered close. But for you, I'd definitely do it. Rios is a stud. Theriot is not.

Steve (Blacksburg, VA)

Keith, thoughts on Oswalt tonight? Start or sit?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:28 PM)

Something just doesn't seem right with Oswalt, don't you think? He's been extremely hittable recently, especially for lefties, and I can see the Cards hitting him well tonight. I think I'd stay away tonight if I could afford to, or if I had a starts limit to adhere to.

Mike (Cleveland)

Need saves and want Dan Wheeler...my only two options to drop are Travis Hafner or Yunel Escobar. Escobar has 3 studs at 2B, SS, and 3B blocking him, but is a nice backup to have. James Loney is my 1B and he's not exactly going off. Who do you drop?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:31 PM)

Well, you're in Cleveland and likely get to see Pronk continue to struggle. I'm really not sure if he gets it going or not. If he's actually hurt, the team should just DL him and get him right again. Escobar, as nice as he is to have as insurance, is really good mostly for average only. He doesn't score a crazy amount of runs, doesn't provide many steals and doesn't drive in a lot of runs. If you think Hafner will turn it around, then I would drop Escobar. It'll be easier to find a MI to do close to what he does than it would be to find a major power threat should Pronk actually find his swing.

Bub (charlottesville, VA)

Should I drop wainwright, billingsley or scherzer for kershaw? 12-team mixed and we count holds.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:35 PM)

I'm still trying to grasp how Arizona will use Scherzer (and how often). If he's going to be used every second or third day out of the pen, then he'll be useful to you for the holds. But Kershaw is good enough that, even with his innings limited, he could help you in ERA, WHIP and Ks...I don't expect a lot of wins, because he won't go deep into games. I'm one of the few who thinks the D'backs might try to work Scherzer in as a closer late in the season if Lyon falters, but that's simply a gut feeling and I have no foundation behind that.

Ron (NY)

Keith, does Wells perform as top-20 OF when he gets back, or is that too generous? Thanks.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:38 PM)

I think that's generous, Ron, because he doesn't combine enough home run pop with steals for me. And that's even if he were to hit, say. 290 the rest of the way.

J. Franceour (Atlanta)

My strikeouts, low OBP and relatively few HRs are frustrating fantasy owners everywhere - should I be riding the bench in favor of a free agent like Andre Ethier or Adam LaRoche?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:39 PM)

I can't recommend that. I think Frenchy's too good of a hitter to continue at this rate. Am I buying his preseason 'prediction' of 20 steals? About as much as I was when he said it -- not at all, but I do think he gets it going at the plate. He's the type of hitter you don't want to get rid of just before he goes on a crazy tear, which I have to think is coming soon.

Daniel, Boston

Votto, Ludwick, Nady... who's more likely to produce more the rest of the way?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:41 PM)

Votto. And, for your money, I'd keep them in the order you have them. I'm not a big Nady guy overall, but that doesn't mean I don't think he can finish with 80-85 RBI still. Heck, he's halfway there already.

Bob (Mahwah)

Any word on Percival?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:43 PM)

I wish I could give you some, but I haven't seen anything cross our wires today. I'm guessing he at least misses a few games, and by then, the team should know whether or not he'll need a DL stint. It didn't look great yesterday, so I think the smart thing would be to DL him just to be sure. Wheeler has been very strong so far and now that Reyes is back, he can handle the 8th.

Alan (NY, NY)

I don't find you underrated, Keith! You can hold your own with the best of them. Name game: Blackburn or Jonathan Sanchez?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:46 PM)

There's such a large difference in Ks, that I have to go with Sanchez here. While Blackburn has vastly superior control, he also isn't terrible difficult to hit and he'll get knock around a few times in the future because of it. Neither are huge win candidates in my mind, so I'll go with Sanchez and the K's.

Andrew (NJ)

What do you think of this trade: Hamilton for Rios and Francouer in a 20 team keeper league.....

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:48 PM)

Well, I think that having two quality OFs like Rios and Francoeur would be really nice to have in such a deep league, so even as much as I like Hamilton, I'd take the Rios/Francoeur side there. Hey, remember Hamilton has played just 170 games since 2003 ... and that's at all levels, and he's been injury prone in his past. I love him, but there is reason to sell high here.

bob (houston)

keith, don't you have to be rated before you can be underrated?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:49 PM)

Nice, Bob! There is no question about that, and I think you've hit the nail on the head with that one.

Colin (Detroit)

Acosta or Everyday Eddie for more saves value going forward?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:51 PM)

I'd go with Guardado, Colin. Acosta came in very early on Monday and I think he stays in the 7th inning area as long as Soriano (and eventually Smoltz and Gonzalez) remain healthy. Guardado, on the other hand, could be next in line for saves should the Rangers want to relieve Wilson of his duties.

Joe (Boston)

Better going forward...Kemp or Hermida?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:53 PM)

Kemp for me, because he steals bases. The other numbers could be close, but I like Kemp in BA for sure. And although Hermida will hit more homers, the RBI should still be close. I'd go with Kemp.

Johnny (NYC)

Hey Keith, I'm currently last in saves. I'm thinking of dealing Pence for Sherrill and Hermida. Thoughts on that move?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:55 PM)

I can see that working out for you. I definitely like Pence more than Hermida going forward, and I'd rather have a historically stronger closer, if I could, but that's a deal that should serve its purpose for you.

Ken (IL)

Is it time to give up on Carlos Pena in a standard league? Votto is available

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:57 PM)

I don't think it's time to give up on him, but I think Votto outperforms him in BA the rest of the way for sure, and should do enough for you in other categories to make it worth your while. I say, go for it!

BOB(NY)

START DANKS TONIGHT? TY

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:59 PM)

Yes, I think Danks is definitely worth starting, even if he doesn't go deep. He's been very solid and should be in there until he shows signs of slowing down.

Nick (LA)

NAME GAME - BUZZER BEATER - Smoltz or Soriano?

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:00 PM)

Smoltz, until he says he just can't do it anymore.

Pat (IL)

Will Granderson ever steal?

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:01 PM)

Not like he did last season, Pat. The Tigers have the fewest attempts in the AL and I don't see that changing. I still think he steals double digits, but nowhere near the 26 from last year.

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:02 PM)

Thanks for your time this week. I'll see you all again next week in this slot. Have a great weekend!