A few days ago we had a post in the forums about the jersey numbers that the Steelers 2012 rookies and free agents will wear during the offseason and possibly into the 2012 season too. These are always subject to change as players get cut, and someone else tries to get their preferred number, the young guys try to get their favorite number away from a veteran before the season starts, etc. Plus with rosters up to 90 players now there’s only so many numbers to go around per position in the offseason.
A few changes that I took notice of rather quickly:
-4th round draft pick Alameda Ta’amu will wear #95. Personally I’ve always been partial to 95 as a linebackers number. Some numbers just fit for a certain position. That’s the Greg Lloyd homer in me though I guess.
-Baron Batch will wear #20 this year, formally Bryant McFadden’s number who was released earlier this offseason.
-3rd round draft pick Sean Spence will wear the James Farrior #51 jersey.
-Corbin Bryant is wearing #91, Aaron Smith’s old number.
-Chris Rainey, 5th round draft pick will wear 22, Will Gay’s old number.
This list comes from Ed Bouchette via his blog, which is a great resource and only costs very little per month compared to the insight he gives. Check out the full post with the full listing of number changes.
2- Grant Ressel
3- D: Drew Butler
3- O: Marquis Maze
5- Connor Dixon
8- Jerrod Johnson
10- Troy Smith
11- Toney Clemons
14- Jimmy Young
15- Derrick Williams
18- David Gilreath
19- Tyler Beiler
20- Baron Batch
22- Chris Rainey
30- D: Robert Golden
35- Terry Carter
37- Terrence Frederick
39- Walter McFadden
40- Marshall McFadden
41- Antonio Smith
44- Brandon Hicks
45- Leonard Pope
46- O: Will Johnson
46- D: Adrian Robinson
47- Myron Rolle
48- David Paulson
49- Brandon Lindsey
51- Sean Spence
61- David DeCastro
66- D: Mike Blanc
66- O: Desmond Stapleton
67- D: Kade Weston
68- O: Kelvin Beachum
68- D: Jake Stoller
69- D: Ikponmwosa Igbinosun
69- O: Ryan Lee
76- Mike Adams
80- Jamie McCoy
Be sure to check out other great articles at SteelerAddicts – Pittsburgh Steelers News, Forum, Blog, & Fan Site.
As we enter week 5 in fantasy baseball, we turn the calendar on April and go in to month two of the long baseball season. We’ve watched some amazing things happen so far like Matt Kemp hitting 12 HR, collecting 25 RBI, and batting .417, while the $250 million man, Albert Pujols, has driven in 4 runs, has no HR and is batting 200 points less than Kemp at .217. Some of the pitchers that were drafted early like Cliff Lee, Daniel Hudson, Rick Dempster, Drew Storen, Brian Wilson, and Andrew Bailey have all found a place on the DL.
And so here are some key waiver wire pick ups that you should be considering and who are not widely owned in most leagues:
Gerardo Parra-OF-Diamondbacks- Parra makes for a nice little pickup in all leagues basically for one category; stolen bases. While OF Chris Young is healing from what has been diagnosed as a slight ligament tear in his right shoulder , the speedster will continue his lead-off duties and probably see 3-4 more weeks on the field. In the last two weeks, he has stolen 7 bases, knocked in 10 runs, has 2 HR, and has scored 13 runs. Not bad for a replacement player. So if you have a ‘need for speed’ (and a little more), Parra is available in 75% of leagues.
#8 Gerardo Parra slides in safely in front of the tag by Jose Reyes of the Marlins. The speedster is worth a flier if you need SB. Photo: Sarah Glenn/Getty Images
Chris Davis-1B/3B-Orioles- This 26 year old has been red hot of late after a torrid weekend series versus the Athletics. He’s batting .310, which is bound to come down somewhat, but his power is his strong suit as he has hit 4 HR and driven in 12 in just 67 AB. I was surprised that Texas gave up on him so quickly because less than 2 years before he was traded to Baltimore, in 2009, he belted 21 HR in just 391 AB which equates to 1 HR every 18.6 AB. His dual position eligibility is also a plus. Davis is currently owned in just 35% of Yahoo! leagues and makes a nice add in 12+ leagues.
3B Chris Davis also has 1B eligibility which, together with his power makes him a nice add in most leagues. Photo: fansedge.com
Bryan LaHair-1B/OF-Cubs- Another player on fire is LaHair. Monday he doubled and hit a 2-run home run against the Phillies, which now gives him 5 moon-shots for the season to go along with 14 RBI. More impressive for the 29 year old who has spent most of his career in the minors, is his stellar .390 BA which, coupled with his obvious power, makes him a must add in most leagues. If you’re a gambler, you can think about trading LaHair while he’s got these amazing numbers. Or, if you don’t have him, you can pick him up on waivers which is becoming even harder to do as his stock rises. On Monday he was owned in 51% of leagues. Today it’s up to 62%. Don’t procrastinate-see if he’s still available.
Cubs 1B/OF celebrates with Starlin Castro after LaHair’s 2 run HR in the 8th inning vs the Phillies over the weekend. Photo: associated press
Jason Hammel-SP/RP-Orioles- Hammel, who has spent the last three seasons in the thin air of Colorado, has watched his wins and K’s go up while his ERA 1.97, and WHIP 1.03 has dropped significantly since being traded to Baltimore this past winter. He’s 3-1 in the month of April and has fanned 30 in just 32 innings pitched. On Monday versus the Yankees he allowed 2 runs over six innings and struck out five but took the loss. The red hot Red Sox are up next for Hammel so it won’t be an easy task for the 29 year old. He is another player you might consider selling high but would suggest waiting another start or two. His 10 strikeout performance against the White Sox is what impressed me the most and is worth a grab in most leagues. He is available in 50% of leagues.
#39 Jason Hammel got the win over the Minnesota Twins 3-1 on Sunday and lowered his ERA to 1.97 on the season. Photo: GREG FIUME/Getty Images
Pedro Strop-RP-Orioles- Our third Oriole of the week, is a 26 year old fire-baller who can bring it. With closer Jim Johnson securely in place with his 7 saves, 0.00 ERA and 1.15 WHIP, Strop is a nice alternative if you’re lacking in the RP slot and could use an occasional save and/or win. He finished April with a 3-1 record and has added 2 saves to his resume. He also has struck out 14 in 13 innings and has a 2.08 ERA with a 1.08 WHIP which makes him more than serviceable. In Yahoo! leagues, he is currently ranked 70 among all pitchers. He is widely available in 85% of leagues and is definitely worth a flier.
RP Pedro Strop makes for a nice pickup if you’re looking for wins, saves, and K’s from your RP. Photo: csnbaltimore.com
WANT MORE?
Be sure to check out other great articles at DailyShootout.com.
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Kentucky is a prohibitive favorite in what is expected to be a high scoring game against Kansas in the national championship game. Joe Duffy of sports betting podcast fame and CEO of OffshoreInsiders.com tells is that Kentucky is currently laying 6.5 points, though Wildcats are laying seven in some sportsbooks. The total ranges from 139.5-140. The sports handicapping preview will be posted sometime Sunday.
| NCAA BASKETBALL |
Mon, Apr 2nd |
| # |
Team |
PS/RL |
Total |
ML |
| 06:20 PM |
| 613 |
KANSAS |
+6.5 -110 |
139.5 ov -110 |
- |
| 614 |
KENTUCKY |
-6.5 -110 |
139.5 un -110 |
- |
GodsTips has now hit 6-of-7 Wise Guy sides in the NCAA Tournament. Wise Guy plays from GodsTips are widely accepted by virtually every bookmaker, Vegas runner, pro bettor, Vegas insider, oddsmaker, and fellow handicappers alike as the strongest pick in sports gambling.
The college basketball morning line is up for the 2012 Sweet 16 as well as the best sports services picks.
| NCAA BASKETBALL |
Thu, Mar 22nd |
| # |
Team |
PS/RL |
Total |
ML |
| |
| 813 |
WISCONSIN |
+3.5 -110 |
120.5 ov -110 |
+150 |
| 814 |
SYRACUSE |
-3.5 -110 |
120.5 un -110 |
-170 |
|
| |
| 815 |
CINCINNATI |
+7.5 -110 |
129 ov -110 |
+320 |
| 816 |
OHIO STATE |
-7.5 -110 |
129 un -110 |
-400 |
|
| |
| 817 |
FLORIDA |
+2 -110 |
147.5 ov -110 |
+105 |
| 818 |
MARQUETTE |
-2 -110 |
147.5 un -110 |
-125 |
|
| |
| 819 |
LOUISVILLE |
+5 -110 |
125 ov -110 |
+180 |
| 820 |
MICHIGAN STATE |
-5 -110 |
125 un -110 |
-220 |
|
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Now to Friday’s games:
| NCAA BASKETBALL |
Fri, Mar 23rd |
| # |
Team |
PS/RL |
Total |
ML |
| |
| 873 |
INDIANA |
+9 -110 |
144.5 ov -110 |
+400 |
| 874 |
KENTUCKY |
-9 -110 |
144.5 un -110 |
-500 |
|
| |
| 875 |
XAVIER |
+6 -110 |
142 ov -110 |
+235 |
| 876 |
BAYLOR |
-6 -110 |
142 un -110 |
-275 |
|
| |
| 877 |
OHIO UNIVERSITY |
+10.5 -110 |
143 ov -110 |
+520 |
| 878 |
NORTH CAROLINA |
-10.5 -110 |
143 un -110 |
-650 |
|
| |
| 879 |
NC STATE |
+8 -110 |
143 ov -110 |
+320 |
| 880 |
KANSAS |
-8 -110 |
143 un -110 |
-400 |
