Projo Fantasy Sports Blog

By Rob Steingall

These recommendations are only for the fantasy week Sept. 1 to 7, unless otherwise suggested.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Put 'em in

Lyle Overbay, 1B, Blue Jays: After a largely disappointing season, he's finally showing signs of life, posting a .385 average, two homers, and eight runs batted in during the past week. During his last healthy September ('06), his .326 average made him a nice corner infield option for those looking to solidify the position during the season's final month.

Paul Byrd, SP, Red Sox: What a run this guy has been on, winning six of his past seven decisions, with more on the horizon following his trade to Boston. He's got a tidy 3.31 ERA over the past month, and gets two starts this week against the Orioles and the Rangers -- teams seeing him for the first time this season. Double the starts means double the Ks this week.

Bench 'em

Hank Blalock, 1B/3B, Rangers: Those hoping for a late-season boost from the often injured Ranger can forget about it, as he's struggled mightily since returning from the DL (just four singles his first 24 ABs). He's no sure thing to stay healthy; so those in leagues setting weekly lineups need to find another option because the next injury could be just one wrong step away.

Jered Weaver, SP, Angels: Let's start with his 5.52 ERA and one win during the past month and combine that with his 4.50 ERA in September '07. That's a fantasy pitcher who doesn't look like a great play as the season winds down. His one start this week is against the White Sox, whom he's beaten twice already this season. Major league hitters make adjustments though, and with his recent performance, he looks like a sketchy play this week.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Put 'em in

Ty Wigginton, 1B/2B/3B/OF, Astros: He holds quality value due to his multi-position eligibility, but now has seriously improved his stock due to his hot hitting ways. Over the past month, he's belted nine home runs, driven in 23 runs, and is hitting for a .371 average. He takes a trip to Coors Field to face the Rockies this week, always a plus for fantasy hitters.

Ian Snell, SP, Pirates: He's been pretty bad this season, but has yielded some good results recently (three out of his previous four starts have been quality). And he has a two-start week against the Reds and the Giants. He's been horribly unlucky this season, with an average on balls in play at .370 (way above the league average of .300). He has strikeout potential (7.29 K/9) that could really shine against two of the weaker NL lineups.

Bench 'em

Andy LaRoche, 3B, Pirates: Fantasy owners in deeper leagues were salivating at the possibility of him getting full-time at-bats following a trade to the Pirates, but he's been nothing short of a bust since, gathering a pathetic eight hits during the month of August. Keep him on your radar in the late rounds of '09 drafts, but cut ties with him now before he does more damage to your team. That .159 batting average is sure to hurt his value heading into next year.

Jamie Moyer, SP, Phillies: The old guy just keeps getting the job done, posting another double-digit win season, his fourth in a row. What I don't like about him is his lone start against the Mets, a team facing him for the sixth time this season. He was pounded by the Amazins just last week. The risk here is not worth the reward.

 Tags  Adam LaRoche baseball Hank Blalock Ian Snell Jamie Moyer Jered Weaver Lyle Overbay Paul Byrd Rob Steingall Ty Wigginton Weekly planner

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