MLB

Anyone who has seen the Orioles bat this season knows how terrible they have been. Actually, one doesn’t even need to do that much; they just need to look at their record (14-30) and number of runs scored (26th in the MLB).

Amongst many things creating a shortage of runs is the lack of power in the O’s lineup. Now, manufacturing runs via baserunning and situational hitting can be improved throughout the season, but power can’t. Teams either have it, or they don’t. The Orioles don’t.

Several years ago after cutting him for the umpteenth time off countless rotisserie baseball squads over my career, I was certain that I would never miss Jose Lima.

But I was wrong.

The 37-year-old former big league pitcher died in his sleep after a “massive” heart attack sometime Sunday morning.

The eccentric thrower, who often referred to his pitching appearances as “Lima Time,” always drew me in with his charisma and passion for his craft.

Former All-Star pitcher Jose Lima was found dead Sunday morning at his Los Angeles home, after suffering an apparent heart attack. The 37-year-old had not pitched in the majors since a stint with the New York Mets in 2006.

He had recently spent time in the Korean League and Independent league just last summer.

It’s time to look at the potential two-start options for the upcoming fantasy week.  If I have someone rated as a three, four, or five-star option, they are someone I would definitely use.  A two-star option is someone who is borderline, but I’d strongly lean against it unless I have no other options.  The one-star options are an absolutely not scenario.

So, with that said, let’s take a look at the players available to you this week:

Five-Star Options

(This article was originally posted on my personal blog, MetsJetsNetsBlog , and can be found here .)

July 30, 2004 is a day that lives in infamy for Mets fans of my generation.

The Mets were six games out of a playoff spot, not exactly contenders, but not exactly out of it. So, they decided to become buyers at the deadline.

Carter’s MLB Power Rankings-Teams:
NOTE: Team and Player Statistics updated through 11:00 AM CT, May 23

1. Tampa Bay Rays (31-12)
For the fifth straight week, the Rays (aka-the Road Warriors) are in the top spot. They deserve to be number one.

2. New York Yankees (26-17)
Despite only going 4-6 in their last ten games, the Yankees are still the MLB’s second-best team in my book. If they keep it up offensively, they might not have much to worry about going forward.

3. Philadelphia Phillies (26-16)

It seems that nary a week goes by without another player being indicted on, or at least suspected of, charges of using PEDs. While the juicers', and their suppliers' house of cards, fell in the MLB, PED investigations and suspensions have now proliferated to the NFL, professional cycling, and other sports.

One thing is clear: These substances, the people who use them, and the people who distribute them are not going away.

Every conviction represents just a drop out of the vast ocean purists believe professional sports are sinking in.

Jose Lima, a former Major League Pitcher for five teams from 1994-2006, died early Sunday morning, May 23.

Lima was 37 years old.

According to numerous ESPN news wire services, Lima's wife—Dorca Astacio—believes the cause of death was a heart attack.

"Jose was complaining while sleeping and I just thought he was having a nightmare," Astacio told ESPNdeportes.com. "I called the paramedics, but they couldn't help him."

Lima's best season in the majors came in 1999 when he was pitching with the Houston Astros—going 21-10 with a 3.58 ERA.

The arrival of Stephen Strasburg in the big leagues has to be one of the most anticipated stories of 2010.

The 21-year old phenom is cruising through the Minor Leagues with a 6-1 record, posting a god-like 0.89 ERA. With 49 strikeouts in 40.1 innings, Strasburg is the most dominating pitcher in the Minor Leagues.

He hasn't allowed a run yet in Triple AAA Syracuse and doesn't look like he is going to slow down any time soon.

Will Strasburg be answer to the Washington Nationals prayers? Or will he be just another draft bust?

Former All-Star pitcher Jose Lima died of a heart attack Sunday morning, according to a news report by ESPN.

Wife Dorca reportedly told ESPNdeportes.com that the 37-year-old star from the Dominican Republic was complaining during his sleep, but that she thought he was just having a bad dream.

Lima was signed by the Detroit Tigers as a free agent in 1989 as a 17-year-old and he made his debut in 1994.