Weekly Fantasy Touts: May 29 - June 4

By Michael Salfino

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Put 'em in

Ian Kinsler, 2B, Rangers: Homered twice on Thursday when he finally returned from a dislocated thumb. He's a good bet to finish with 20 homers and 15 steals and thus should be active in all formats.

Jose Lopez, 2B, Mariners: This year's Jorge Cantu is for real. But Lopez is smooth with the glove, too, and projects long-term at second base. Unlike Cantu, Lopez is a groundball hitter, which helps his average but limits his homer upside to the low 20s.

Bench 'em

Jorge Posada, C, Yankees: At press time, the word from the Bronx was that he wasn't going to be placed on the disabled list due to his torn hamstring tendon. But that doesn't mean he'll be playing this week.

Felix Hernandez, P, Mariners: Seattle screwed with a good thing when they ordered him to stop throwing his devastating slider out of fear that would cause an arm injury. So now it has a healthy starter who's getting raked. Congrats.

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Put 'em in

Cliff Floyd, OF, Mets: He's too good a hitter to continue slumping. As always, he's battling an assortment of minor injuries. But he's likely in the middle of a hot streak.

Greg Maddux, P, Cubs: The Pitcher of the Month of April has wilted in May. But most players randomly alternate cold and hot streaks. Maddux gets two starts this week (Cincy, at St. Louis).

Bench 'em

Taylor Buchholz, P, Astros: He's too young and owns stuff that's too modest to rely on in mixed leagues despite the shutout last week. Plus, he gets only one start this week (at St. Louis).

Jimmy Rollins, SS, Phillies: Long-term, he'll bounce back. But he isn't running enough and has been bumped down to the bottom of the lineup. So, mixed leaguers need to explore better options this week.