Salfino (AL), Ferris (NL) on August 1 - 7

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Put 'em in

Dan Johnson, 1B, A's: We advised getting him right after his call up. With more walks than strikeouts, he's likely to continue hitting .300 with 20-homer power. Don't be afraid of the Twins pitchers and look forward to the Royals next weekend.

Joe Blanton, P, A's: Has fallen out of favor because he's slumped since the break, but we see 14 Ks in his last 17-plus innings and two starts this week (Twins, who've never faced him, and Royals).

Bench 'em

Aaron Hill, 3B, Blue Jays: The Blue Jays are trying to find him more playing time by swinging a deadline deal, but Hill is mired in a slump and doesn't flash power or speed. The chance of decent average isn't worth the risk of lost playing time.

David Bush, P, Blue Jays: We like Bush, who has been excellent since returning. But the lack of strikeouts suggests he's overachieving and he only gets one start this week in Chicago, an extreme hitter's park.


NATIONAL LEAGUE

Put 'em in

Chris Duffy, OF, Pirates: Speedy centerfielder should have a job for the last two months as the Bucs start getting ready for 2006. The Pirates are just one of four NL teams to play seven games this week, another plus for Duffy.

Claudio Vargas, P, Diamondbacks: Pitching coach Mark Davis has worked wonders with Vargas, and Arizona faces two mediocre offenses this week (Astros and Rockies, the latter likely without Todd Helton).

Bench 'em

Rob Mackowiak, OF, Pirates: Mack Daddy has turned into Hack Daddy - a puny .156 average in July with just five walks. The Pirates have a host of roster options at the moment, so Mackowiak's time as a regular could be short lived.

Josh Beckett, P, Marlins: He's still more of a fantasy tease than anything else, and this week his lone start comes at St. Louis, the hardest spot in the NL this year now that Colorado is de-clawed. In more shallow leagues that offer multiple options, this is the time to rest Beckett.