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Matthew Berry

  (3:03 PM)

'Sup kids? Who is ready to rock and rol, Let's get to it... as always, all questions answered. And remember, you can now follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/therealtmr

Tim (DC)

Buying or Selling Verlander?

Matthew Berry

  (3:05 PM)

Neiher.... Think he's not this good nor was he that bad.... but closer to the recent outings. Jason Grey wrote a great piece about him a few days ago (prior to the last game!) that I highly recommend

Mike (PA)

Should I hold onto Brandon Inge or should I sell high on him?

Matthew Berry

  (3:06 PM)

Depends what you can geton him. Inge's power is legit and I expect a .270 avg a the end of the year...S, if you gt a crazy offr, sure, but I don't fell he is a fluke. He adjusted his batting stance and he has always hit better when not playing C

Dan (Champaign)

Word out of Baltimore is that Sherill has lost the gig. Given that Ray was anointed the eventual closer in the preseason, does he get the first shot?

Matthew Berry

  (3:07 PM)

I was just on NEWS talking about this. Yes,he might get te first shot, but he's been SO BRUTAL... ERA over 7... sleeper there is Baez. 114 career saves,2.63 ERAand 0.80 WHIP this year

Ben (San Francisco)

Karabell says you gotta start Chris Davis. Would you play him over Cantu this week? Thanks!

Matthew Berry

  (3:08 PM)

Not ovr Cantu., no. Cantu is red hot

Rob (Frankfort, IL)

It is widely considered that Wieters and Price are major league ready...How do you explain their early struggles in AAA???

Matthew Berry

  (3:09 PM)

Mental. If everyone agreed you were VP quality execuive, you got it for a month and then they sent you down to the mailroom,would you sort mail with the same enthusiasm as you did on te first day. It's mental

Ryan (Morgantown, WV)

What would you do with Brian Fuentes at this point? Would I be crazy for dropping him and picking up Jim Johnson?

Matthew Berry

  (3:10 PM)

Yes. Lucky for Fuens ownes everyone else in the Angels bullpen has sucked. Think Baez gets sho overJohnson if Shrrie blows another

Josh (Philly)

Thoughts on Danny Haren? Look to trade him now (his ridiculous start is unobtainable), after the All Star break (considering his pre and post break splits) or don?t trade him at all (this is the year he finally puts it all together!)

Matthew Berry

  (3:11 PM)

Trade him in June. I think he falters again post AS

Joe (Morris Plains, NJ)

It's been a month and I'm holding Ubaldo, Cole Hamels, Livan Hernandez and Stults. I need to stop the bleeding. Please advise.

Matthew Berry

  (3:12 PM)

dump Livan and Stults

Beth Ostrosky (NYC)

Did you hear that Howard and I had our first fight?

Matthew Berry

  (3:13 PM)

I did. I'm a hug fane ut Howard can' be the easiest guy to live with...

Matthew Berry

  (3:13 PM)

Er,fan but... my keyboard is weird today

Paul (SE Virginia)

TMR, enjoyed your "Are they for Real" comumn. How about Adam Jones - for real or sell high?

Matthew Berry

  (3:14 PM)

Thanks. No, Jones is totally legit. The average will come down some but he is special.

Fellow Narcissist

Spilborghs and Justin Upton both looking good...thoughts?

Matthew Berry

  (3:15 PM)

Upton has been ridulous lately... 4 HR, 9 RBI, .364 in his last 9

Matt Holliday

Please tell me I am not this bad.

Matthew Berry

  (3:17 PM)

Two HR in last 4 games for Holliday... he'll be fine...

Mike (Indy)

Thoughts on LaPorta for the rest of the year. What do you see his stat line being for the rest of the year? Thanks!

Matthew Berry

  (3:21 PM)

Like him just concenred about playing time. His stat line s impossible to predict until we know significaceof Hafner's injury. My guess is it's fairly serious otherwise they wouldn't bring him up. This is a total stab in the darkbut I'll say 12 HR, 40 RBI, .280 in 150 AB

Gavin (Pittsfield, MA)

Thoughts on the return of Scotty Pods to the White Sox? Decent short term SB threat or washed up 5th OF?

Matthew Berry

  (3:21 PM)

Why can't he be both? Because he is.

Jem (Westchester, NY)

Are you looking through Ros-al-es-colored glasses right now and possibly even after EE comes back? And am I playing fantasy roulette if I start Brandon Wood for a second consecutive scoring period because he faces those two dominating lefties Brett Anderson and Dallas Braden to start off the week?

Matthew Berry

  (3:23 PM)

Yes, I like Rosales in CIN and it's not inconcievable... Depends on size of league and who else you would play instead of him

Donny (La Jolla)

I've been holding #1 waiver since draft so I could grab Wieters when he eventually enters system on waivers... however Nolasco was just dropped. I've got Sandoval at C now and a decent P-staff. Get Nolasco or hold out for Wieters?

Matthew Berry

  (3:25 PM)

Hang tight. I like Nolasco as another bounce back guy the way Verlander has. That said, I wouln't use my #1 waiver on him in what sounds like a shallow league

Shane (Edison)

You starting Lohse and E-Jax tonight? Is Parra about to turn it around?

Matthew Berry

  (3:25 PM)

Yes on Lohse, no on EJAX.

Johnny, NYC

Just finished listening to the podcast, always a good time-waster at work. Anyway, are you starting Liriano tonight @DET (shallow points league, favors pitching)? Thanks TMR

Matthew Berry

  (3:26 PM)

Aw, shucks. Yes on Liriano in a pts lg.

Chad (New Buffalo, MI)

Stick it out w/ Scott Baker or drop him for Scott Richmond?

Matthew Berry

  (3:27 PM)

Sticking it out w/ Baker. Richmond was NEVER this good in minors.

Bill Simmons (LA, CA)

I am about to pass TMR's number of followers on twitter.. that will teach you to beat me in a fantasy league!

Matthew Berry

  (3:28 PM)

This is becaue you are much more famous than I am with a much bigger following. I suspect a week from now you will have doubled me.

Russell Martin (Los Angeles, CA)

Am I this terrible?

Matthew Berry

  (3:29 PM)

Nope, but I'd be slightly concerned...

Fred (Tacoma)

Is Sean Marshall a permanent starter now? You like him?

Matthew Berry

  (3:30 PM)

Permanent depends on the size of th league an your other starters but yes, I like him. 15 K in his last 18 ip

Ryan (Morgantown, WV)

F/F question. I have Jacobs, MJD, Burner Turner, and Chris Johnson, in a keeper league where we keep 7 each year. I figure I might need to trade one, which one would you trade, and what would you look for from the trade?

Matthew Berry

  (3:33 PM)

Those are 4 top 10 RB this year so... I'd need Brees or Brady... or a WR plus a solid RB. But given Jacobs injury history and assuming you ay 4 RB I'd probably say put

Crainbo (Columbus)

I know you love Anne Hathaway, but just google Jessica Beil and "Powder Blue"... gotta love the more "serious" roles.

Seriously Berry....

Twitter?? C'Mon man! Maybe if you would be twittering so much you could actually get a date.....with a girl.

Matthew Berry

  (3:33 PM)

I like twittering.

Robert A. Booey (Sirius Radio)

Hello, hello! Gotta type quickly or my bawth will yell at me. Have a supplemental draft tonight and looking for saves potential. Anyone to recommend besides Baez?

Matthew Berry

  (3:36 PM)

Hilarious. Well, Weurtz in OAK. Tavarez, Biemel and Logan Kensing in WSH, Aardsma obviously... Jim Johnson is another guy in BALT, Juan Cruz in KC,

Twitter Bird

You have over 4000 followers on twitter. Do you actually read everything people post on your site? P.S. - so do you follow Ashton?

Matthew Berry

  (3:36 PM)

Yes on my site and no, not one of the million plus following Ashton.

Ryan Braun (Mil)

How worried are you about my back? Buy low now or too scared?

Matthew Berry

  (3:37 PM)

Buy low. Not that worried. He'll have flare up now and again... but nothing serious

Marc (New Jersey)

Of all of the hot start pitchers, Kevin Millwood, Zach Duke, Jason Marquis, Dallas Braden....which one would you be buying?

Matthew Berry

  (3:38 PM)

Braden

Matthew Berry

  (3:39 PM)

Oh, and another deep saves guyculd be Alan Embree. Street is no sure thing, Corpas may be eaded to minors and Embree did save 17 games for OAK one year

Jason (T-Town)

Geren says Andrew Bailey could be an option at closer. Are you buying it?

Matthew Berry

  (3:42 PM)

anything is possible in OAK and he has pitched well, but it's Ziegler, Casilla and Wuertz, in that order, in my opinion, if everyone is healthy

Alfonso Soriano

Who would you rather have in your OF - me or Beltran?

Matthew Berry

  (3:42 PM)

YOU

John (Chitown)

Purely hypothetical, but if you were 28, how much older or younger of women would you consider dating?

Matthew Berry

  (3:42 PM)

8 years either way

Dan (San Jose)

I'm Twittering you right now....I love Twittering you.

JasonG (St. Louis, MO)

BUZZER BEATER? FOOTBALL!? Keep 3 from this CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM! Andre Johnson, Matt Forte, Larry Fitzgerald, and Drew Brees. Thanks

Matthew Berry

  (3:44 PM)

I throw back Andre. A great as he is, he is still an injury risk...

Brett Cecil (Toronto)

Do you know who I am, because no one seems to have noticed that I'm legit and just got called up?

Matthew Berry

  (3:48 PM)

Um, have you looked at your stats recenty? Last year in Triple A... 4.11.. THIS year in AAA ? An ERA over 8... You had a9/8 K/BB in 17 ip at AAA this year...You're only 21 and went from single A to Triple A. You are not ready.

Seriously.....

If you're 28 you would date someone who's not old enough to go to a bar? Maybe you could meet someone at a Karaoke bar.

Matthew Berry

  (3:49 PM)

Who needs to go to a bar to meet someone if you ar already dating her? More to life than drinking

Jarrett (NJ)

90210 reference! Is Adrianna becoming the "hot chick" on the show from out of nowhere more of a surprise than Greinke's fast start?

Matthew Berry

  (3:50 PM)

Dude,she's pregnant

Sammy

Was the long pause because you had to look up who Brett was?

Matthew Berry

  (3:52 PM)

No, wanted to make sure I had the stats right. I know he was getting rocked at Triple A, didn't make team out of ST and they are desperate ... didn't have his exact stats off top of my head.

tyger (bettendorf, IA)

NAME GAME: justin upton or chris young? would have to drop y. escobar...

Matthew Berry

  (3:52 PM)

Upton

CB (Virginia)

Last try...what do you think of Pat Burrell's start? And would you pick up JJ Hardy and drop Elvis Andrus in a keeper league?

Matthew Berry

  (3:53 PM)

Rather hve Elvis in a keeper league. Not worried aout Burell's start... new league, slow starter, he'll be fine

Jimmy (Boston)

Rapid Fire BERRY!I get Abreu for Papelbon...fair deal?

Matthew Berry

  (3:53 PM)

yes

Chris (Commack, NY)

What do you think of Brad Penny? He hasn't been great so far and i have depth at SP. I could use a guy like Kendry Morales who is a Free Agent in my league? Would you drop Penny and add Morales?

Matthew Berry

  (3:54 PM)

Yes. Like Penny but Morales hs been on fire recently too

Matt (The Nooga)

Bigger impact in year 1--Donald Brown or Shady McCoy?

Matthew Berry

  (3:54 PM)

Brown. At worst, a Dominic Rhodes type year

Doug (LA)

Trade Choo for Ziegler and Downs? Morgan replaces Choo for me and my pen is a mess.

Matthew Berry

  (3:55 PM)

I would trade Choo for more of a sure thing closer.

Name Game

Jhonny Peralta, Yunel Escobar or Jason Bartlett?

Matthew Berry

  (3:55 PM)

You have them ranked correctly

Joe (Grand Rapids, MI)

You gonna watch Kobe Doin Work? I think it could be interesting...Also, I read in one of the past Bill Simmons mailbags that you got a best screenplay oscar for Crocidile Dundee in Los Angeles. Thats gotta be a joke right? When the movie marathon is played on TV, they completely skip that one! The Rocky marathon even includes Rocky V!!!

Matthew Berry

  (3:56 PM)

Went to premiere. I liked it but I am a Kobe fan. It's a basketball movie, not a Kobe movie. Yes, that was a joke. I am a Razzie nominee for my work on Croc 3.

Jake (US)

Strasburg in the majors this year? how many starts?

Matthew Berry

  (3:57 PM)

Yes. 12 starts

Brett Cecil (Toronto)

Um only 30 inn in AAA last year, but in 77 inn previous to that at AA I had a 2.55 era with a 87/23 K/BB ratio. Oh and I currently play in a hitters park/league and my "D" is brutal.

Matthew Berry

  (3:59 PM)

Right. You couldn't get guys out in AAA last year,you couldn't do it this year so far, and you are very young. My opinion is you are not ready for the majors yet. But becue there is no bookon you yet, you ma get lucky out of the gate.

Dave

Pablo Sandoval will be a top 3 catcher in leagues in which he is eligible, true or false?

Matthew Berry

  (4:00 PM)

false. I'll give you top 10

Michael Scott (Scranton)

I'm as far from a Boras hater as there is, (IMO dude's just great at his job) but 12 starts for Strasburg? No way. Scotty will draw those negotiations out a little too long for that, no? How soon you anticipating he signs? Pre-draft maybe?

Matthew Berry

  (4:01 PM)

Boras and NATS under a lot of pressure to make a deal happen. Nate and I discussed in our podcast today

Cliff Claven (Boston)

Back in the early 1800s baseball was played with a stick of salami and a a head of cabbage. It eventually changed to a wooden bat and leather ball after the birds kept eating the all equipment.

Matthew Berry

  (4:02 PM)

I don't know why but this made me laugh

MattD (NYC)

Following Barry Zito on Twitter is making me start to belive he's worth owning again (that, and his past 3 solid starts). Can you please talk me out of it?

Matthew Berry

  (4:03 PM)

He's been pretty decent at home this year... 1.33 ERA in 3 home starts... I'm starting to believe in him as a spot starter

Sally (Los Angeles)

Bush or Masterson?

Matthew Berry

  (4:03 PM)

Masterson

The Running Meat (Bristol, CN)

AT THE BUZZER: Kelly Johnson or Mike Fontenot?It's actually wonderful...

Matthew Berry

  (4:04 PM)

Fontenot... been crazyho recently... KJ long term but for right now, MF

Carl Crawford (TAMPA)

How many bags am I going to swipe this year constantly playing weak catchers like posada tek and zaun

Matthew Berry

  (4:04 PM)

75

Matthew Berry

  (4:05 PM)

Ok guys,I gotta run. Thanks for stopping by!