Salfino (AL), Ferris (NL) on August 29 - September 4

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Put 'em in

Matthew LeCroy, DH, Twins: He's been flashing light-tower power since Torii Hunter's regular-season-ending injury and even qualifies at catcher in many leagues, given his 26 starts there in '04.

Mike Mussina, P, Yankees: He's been rotten on the road and bad in his last three starts. But we like him this week at Seattle and at Oakland because he's had a solid 76/26 K/BB ratio in road starts, suggesting he's been unlucky.

Bench 'em

Shannon Stewart, OF, Twins: He's avoiding the disabled list with his bad shoulder, but is that merely wishful thinking on the part of the injury-ravaged Twins? He's scheduled to sit all weekend and will be too risky to start come Monday.

Jeremy Bonderman, P, Tigers: He's disappointed since the All-Star break and now is battling a sore wrist after taking a liner in his last start. His two starts this week are very much up in the air.


NATIONAL LEAGUE

Put 'em in

Kyle Farnsworth, P, Braves: He's zoomed past Chris Reitsma and looks set to be Atlanta's closer for the stretch drive. The schedule agrees with the Braves, as they get the punchless Nationals and the free-swinging Reds.

Dustin Mohr, OF, Rockies: Don't let his season numbers throw you; he's around .290 with eight home runs in the second half. This week Mohr takes aim at two weak Chicago pitchers, then he heads home to friendly Coors Field.

Bench 'em

Livan Hernandez, P, Nationals: He's been racked in four of his last five turns, perhaps because of the season-long knee problems he's been dealing with. Forget the fact that he gets two starts this week; you don't want to use him against the Braves and Phillies.

Rich Aurilia, 2B, Reds: It's not a good time to roll with any fringe Cincinnati player, with the Reds facing Andy Pettitte, Roy Oswalt and Tim Hudson over three consecutive nights.