Salfino (AL), Ferris (NL) on July 4 - July 10

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Put 'em in

Rafael Palmeiro, 1B, Orioles: Now batting cleanup against righties in place of the miserably slumping Sammy Sosa, Palmeiro has put some Viagra into his game of late: .338 over his last 17 games.


Victor Martinez, C, Indians: Guess who the majors' best hitting catcher was in June? Martinez (.309, six homers 20 RBI for the month, raising his average over 50 points) will continue rewarding his owners for their patience in April and May.


Bench 'em

Richard Hidalgo, OF, Rangers: Just 1-for-his-last-28 as manager Buck Showalter begins exploring other options. Hidalgo's constants fanning is nice for the crowds in blistering Arlington, but makes it necessary for his owners to explore other options.

David Wells, P, Red Sox: Here's a surprise: he may be hurt again. The Dunkin' Donuts conditioning program is never advisable for a professional athlete. Wells gets one start this week against the dangerous O's.


NATIONAL LEAGUE

Put 'em in

Greg Maddux, P, Cubs: He's a hit-or-miss guy nowadays, but starts in Atlanta and Florida should keep the ERA and ratio tidy this week. Give him a chance as a two-start play.

Kelly Johnson, OF, Braves: Forget the 1-for-27 start; Bobby Cox stuck with this kid and it's paid off. Johnson is hitting .324 over the past three weeks, in part because he only swings at strikes (13 walks). He figures to stay parked at the top of the order the rest of the year.

Bench 'em

Lyle Overbay, 1B, Brewers: Trade him now before your leaguemates realize that Overbay is a platoon situation waiting to happen. He's punchless against left-handed pitching and Prince Fielder isn't far away.


Jeff Weaver, P, Dodgers: This streaky fly-ball pitcher can't be trusted in Coors Field, that we know for sure. Even with Weaver going twice this week, the trip to Colorado makes him unusable.