5:33 PM Fri, Aug 15, 2008 | Permalink
Mike McDermott  Email
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By Rob Steingall
These recommendations are only for the fantasy week Aug. 18 to 24, unless otherwise suggested.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Put 'em in
Marlon Byrd, OF, Rangers: Fewer hitters have been hotter than this Ranger over the past month, with a .402 average, four homers and 19 runs batted in. Playing in one of the more potent offenses and hitter's parks in all of baseball helps make a continuation of this surge more likely. He'll spend this scoring period at home, where he's batting .328 on the season. Pick him up if recent injuries have left a hole in your outfield.
Mark Buehrle, SP, White Sox: Lots to like here. Over the past month, four wins with a 4.07 ERA. He gets two starts at home this week, against the Mariners and the injury-plagued Rays, where he's posted a 7-3 record and a 2.72 ERA this season. He's a low-risk play with tons of upside this week.
Bench 'em
Adrian Beltre, 3B, Mariners: One of the more streaky corner-infield options in baseball, he's running cold again as of late, posting a .196 average in August with zero long balls. Nothing seems to be going right in Seattle this season, including its third baseman's batting average at home (.219). And that's where Beltre is playing four games against the A's this week. Injuries have thinned out the position recently, but this is a name to avoid while scouring your league waiver wire for a replacement.
Glen Perkins, SP, Twins: His 4.07 ERA and nine wins have been a pleasant surprise, but his 4.6 K/9 rate is pretty ugly, as is his 1.43 WHIP. He'll only be getting one start this week, against the tough Angels on the road, where he has posted a 4.60 ERA this season. Find a safer mixed-league play this week.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Put 'em in
Jody Gerut, OF, Padres: After playing the role of reserve for the past few seasons, he's making the most of regular playing time in San Diego, belting five homers and driving in nine runs in August thus far. He'll be on the road this upcoming week, where he's hit nine of his 11 homers this season, along with a .302 batting average. He hit 22 home runs in his rookie season of 2003, so the power is legit.
John Maine, SP, Mets: He looked strong in his return from shoulder fatigue, pitching five innings and giving up zero earned runs en route to a victory over the Nats. He'll face an equally weak Pirates lineup on the road this week before returning home to face the Astros; he is 5-1 at Shea this season. If an owner got impatient and dropped him while he spent a few weeks on the DL, snatch him up and reap the benefits.
Bench 'em
Kosuke Fukudome, OF, Cubs: He's been looking like the most recent Japanese bust as of late, as his batting average has dropped each month since the start of the season, and now sits at .135 thus far in August. Manager Lou Pinella has decided that its finally time to start looking at other options while his right fielder is in a funk, so expect a drop in his at-bats going forward. When right, he's a quality fantasy performer in multiple categories, but a rebound is necessary in order to trust him again.
Aaron Harang, SP, Reds: His first start back from the DL was a disaster (18.00 ERA), possibly a sign he still isn't healthy. His lone start this week comes on the road against the Rockies, not the place or the team he wanted to face as he works his way back from injury. Cut ties with him now and hope for a rebound next season, when he'll be able to be grabbed cheaply.
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