Weekly Fantasy Touts: May 22 - 28
By Michael Salfino
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Put 'em in
Francisco Liriano, P, Twins: Finally in the rotation after toiling away in middle relief while the Twins trotted out mediocrities like Carlos Silva and Kyle Lohse. Don't buy into the Johan Santana Jr. hype, but get him active in all formats.
Justin Verlander, P, Tigers: He's only striking out five guys per nine innings despite being clocked at 100 MPH. But his walk rate is about half that and one of his two starts this week is vs. KC.
Bench 'em
Matt Clement, P, Red Sox: He hasn't been the same since being being hit in the face with a line drive, which is not unprecedented in baseball history. One start this week vs. the Yankees mean any hopes of a turnaround will very likely have to wait.
Adrian Beltre, 3B, Mariners: 2004 was a career year. Now, he is struggling mightily, being called into closed-door meetings, battling a tender hammy.... What more do you need to put him on the pine?
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Put 'em in
Cole Hamels, P, Phillies: You can never expect a rookie pitcher to break out. But while he's battling some rookie jitters and only throws in the low 90s, Hamels' minor league stats indicate a decent chance for quick success.
Pedro Feliz, 3B, Giants: He had 10 ribbies in a three-game series in Houston last week and entered the weekend slugging .500. But it won't last long with him striking out more than five times as often as he walks.
Bench 'em
Brandon Phillips, 2B, Reds: Since he hit only .254 in AAA last year, it's no shock that he's crashed back to earth (hitting .233 with just a .267 slugging percentage over the past three weeks). He'll soon play his way out of a job.
Moises Alou, OF, Giants: He's recovering more quickly than expected from an ankle sprain, but is still iffy for the week. So soldier on with your designated replacement.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Francisco Liriano, P, Twins: Finally in the rotation after toiling away in middle relief while the Twins trotted out mediocrities like Carlos Silva and Kyle Lohse. Don't buy into the Johan Santana Jr. hype, but get him active in all formats.
Justin Verlander, P, Tigers: He's only striking out five guys per nine innings despite being clocked at 100 MPH. But his walk rate is about half that and one of his two starts this week is vs. KC.
Matt Clement, P, Red Sox: He hasn't been the same since being being hit in the face with a line drive, which is not unprecedented in baseball history. One start this week vs. the Yankees mean any hopes of a turnaround will very likely have to wait.
Adrian Beltre, 3B, Mariners: 2004 was a career year. Now, he is struggling mightily, being called into closed-door meetings, battling a tender hammy.... What more do you need to put him on the pine?
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Cole Hamels, P, Phillies: You can never expect a rookie pitcher to break out. But while he's battling some rookie jitters and only throws in the low 90s, Hamels' minor league stats indicate a decent chance for quick success.
Pedro Feliz, 3B, Giants: He had 10 ribbies in a three-game series in Houston last week and entered the weekend slugging .500. But it won't last long with him striking out more than five times as often as he walks.
Brandon Phillips, 2B, Reds: Since he hit only .254 in AAA last year, it's no shock that he's crashed back to earth (hitting .233 with just a .267 slugging percentage over the past three weeks). He'll soon play his way out of a job.
Moises Alou, OF, Giants: He's recovering more quickly than expected from an ankle sprain, but is still iffy for the week. So soldier on with your designated replacement.
Entry #114806435910936179 posted by Catherine Salfino at 2:44 PM
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