Fantasy Baseball All-Stars week 14

This week ahead of us marks the Official All-Star Break, with a reduced stat set next week. In the meantime, we'll look at last week's studs...

Catcher: Ramon Hernandez, 4 runs, 8 hits, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 0 SB, .471 average, .500 on base
First Base: Mark Trumbo, 5 runs, 9 hits, 4 HR, 6 RBI, 1 SB, .360 average, .407 on base
Second Base: Dustin Pedroia, 11 runs, 10 hits, 4 HR, 6 RBI, 0 SB, .345 average, .407 on base
Third Base: Jose Bautista, 7 runs, 10 hits, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 0 SB, .370 average, .438 on base
Shortstop: Emilio Bonifacio (eligible only), 6 runs, 10 hits, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 6 SB, .476 average, .577 on base
Outfield: Jacoby Ellsbury, 5 runs, 14 hits, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 2 SB, .467 average, .515 on base
Utility: Ben Zobrist, 6 runs, 9 hits, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3 SB, .474 average, .565 on base
Starter: CC Sabathia, 16 IP, 2 wins, 20 K, 0.00 ERA, 0.75 WHIP
Starter: Dan Haren, 17.2 IP, 2 wins, 17 K, 1.02 ERA, 0.51 WHIP
Reliever: Fernando Salas, 6 IP, 1 win, 2 saves, 7 K, 0.00 ERA, 0.33 WHIP

Next week is a half week of games, so expect half values on the stats.

Sandwich Showdown XXV

This week, the showdown features a Turkey and Ham on Garlic and the sandwich of the month, Italian BMT on Herbs and Cheese. The T&H started off with a decent start, incorporating high quality marks throughout. However, deeper in the sandwich, a new ingredient was used, in the form of mayonnaise. This did not create too much conflict, as it meshed pretty well with the BBQ sauce traditionally found. The July Special fought as hard as it could, bringing in all the great parts and flavors of Italy in the sandwich. The bread here would put it well over the top, showing why it is the sandwich of the month. This will run again next week.

Song of the Week XXVI

This week we have a classic rock 'n' roll track from Aerosmith. The song is a first-person rendition of what any man has likely experienced with women. It details the high school version of hooking up. This song, entitled Walk This Way, is centered around meeting and getting to know a love interest. It is a staple of the rock 'n' roll era in music, featuring the normal guitar and drum rhythms for the harder rock of the time. It is a very good song as well, something that people can relate to. This feature will run next week.

Fantasy Baseball All-Stars week 13

Just as a note, the real All-Star game is coming up soon in the major leagues, and during that week we will have a recap of the game itself and possibly the Home Run Derby. That week's fantasy all-stars post will be the same as others, but obviously on a smaller scale with only one weekend of games instead of the full week. Here's the studs:

Catcher: Brian McCann, 3 runs. 10 hits, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 0 SB, .476 average, .500 on base
First Base: Lance Berkman, 7 runs, 5 hits, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 0 SB, .294 average, .480 on base
Second Base: Ian Kinsler, 5 runs, 7 hits, 4 HR, 6 RBI, 3 SB, .318 average, .444 on base
Third Base: Aramis Ramirez, 9 runs, 11 hits, 6 HR, 10 RBI, 0 SB, .393 average, .419 on base
Shortstop: Hanley Ramirez, 7 runs, 7 hits, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 0 SB, .318 average, .400 on base
Outfield: Carlos Gonzalez, 9 runs, 13 hits, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 2 SB, .464 average, .531 on base
Utility: Jose Bautista, 6 runs, 9 hits, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 0 SB, .391 average, .500 on base
Starter: Gio Gonzalez, 15 IP, 2 wins, 16 K, 0.60 ERA, 0.80 WHIP
Reliever: Craig Kimbrel, 4 IP, 4 saves, 9 K, 0.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP

Sandwich Showdown XXIV

The 24th installment of the Sandwich Showdown features a Roast Beef on Wheat and an Italian BMT on Herbs and Cheese. Leading off, the Roast Beef came in with a little less than strong meat flavor. This is uncharacteristic of the sandwich. It got a boost from the tasty bread, but seemed just slightly weaker than normal. The Italian BMT came out much stronger with all of its tri-meat flavor present. The bread was also exceptional, outweighing even the opponent's bread. By a landslide, the BMT would take the win this week. It will also have many more chances to defeat opponents as the featured $5 footlong of the month. This feature will run again next week.

Song of the Week XXV

This week, we have a song that was bound to be featured eventually, coming from Snow Patrol. The band's final track from A Hundred Million Suns is the song this week. Those familiar with this track know how truly amazing it is. Entitled The Lightning Strike: What If This Storm Ends?/The Sunlight Through the Flags/Daybreak, it runs at a total time of 16:18, or 5:10 for the first, 4:17 for the second, and 6:51 for the third part. Due in part to its sheer size, the song is a masterpiece. Sometimes it is viewed as excessive for the purposes it serves, but it all comes together for a continuous length of time. This song is one of my all-time favorites from Snow Patrol, and I'd like to give them their due credit for a great song. This feature will be back next week.

Fantasy Baseball All-Stars week 12

Catcher: Brian McCann, 4 runs, 5 hits, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 0 SB, .357 average, .471 on base
First Base: Adrian Gonzalez, 4 runs, 13 hits, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 0 SB, .500 average, .552 on base
Second Base: Brandon Phillips, 6 runs, 12 hits, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 0 SB, .444 average, .483 on base
Third Base: Evan Longoria, 8 runs, 10 hits, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 0 SB, .370 average, .393 on base
Shortstop: Yuniesky Betancourt, 3 runs, 10 hits, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 SB, .417 average, .417 on base
Outfield: B.J. Upton, 5 runs, 8 hits, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 2 SB, .320 average, .393 on base
Utility1: Ty Wigginton, 5 runs, 8 hits, 5 HR, 8 RBI, 0 SB, .333 average, .333 on base
Utility2: Michael Young, 5 runs, 13 hits, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 0 SB, .481 average, .481 on base
Starter: Clayton Kershaw, 18 IP, 2 wins, 22 K, 1.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP
Reliever: Mariano Rivera, 3 IP, 3 saves, 6 K, 0 holds, 0.00 ERA, 0.33 WHIP