Fantasy : Start & Sit for Week 14!!!!!!!! : Extra Innings

Start’em

1. Kurt Suzuki, OAK:

Suzuki was a highly touted player coming into play last season. When the A’s traded Jason Kendall it paved the way for the rookie to start everyday. He held his own and now he is emerging as a fantasy player. In June, he has at least one hit in 15 of 18 games. In June, he is hitting .359 with two home runs and 13 RBI’s. He has an OBP of .425 and is slugging .531. Look for him as a low-end No. 1 fantasy catcher and a great start for week 14.

2. . Luke Scott, BAL:

Scott at times this year has outplayed fellow Oriole Nick Markakis but of late he has struggled. In his last six games he is hitting .167 and has only one home run. However, he is hitting .317 in June and has six home runs and 11 RBIs. The O’s will play all their games at home where he is hitting .343. He is must-start for week 14.

3. Kyle Lohse, STL:

He is on a six game winning streak, and over that span has an ERA of 1.95. He has been the hottest pitcher in the game and will make two scheduled starts in week 14. Before the year began, he was looking for a job and now each start is making him a rich man in the off-season.

4. Corey C. Hart MIL:

Hart has been on a tear in his last six games. He is hitting .318 and has two home runs and seven RBI’s. He has been a great player in fantasy terms because he can hit for power, average, and steal bases. He is a great start in week 14.

5. Armando Galarraga, DET:

Galarraga has been lights in his last five games. He has given up seven runs in 30 innings. He is 4-0 in his last five starts and will pitch twice in week 14. For the year, he is 7-2 with an 3.03 ERA. He is a must start for week 14 and if available pick him up right away.

6. Casey Blake, CLE:

One of the most underrated fantasy player, Blake is having another good year. He has struggled on the home but has excel on the road. He is hitting .333 on the road and has seven home runs and 35 RBIs. On the year, he has seven home runs and 45 RBIs. Clearly he is served to start on the road and every game in week 14, the Indians will be on the road, making him an excellent start.

7. Justin Verlander, DET:

Verlander is now finally pitching like a fantasy ace. In his last three starts he has given up five runs in 21 1/3 innings. In June, he has been fantastic. He is 2-1 but has a 2.63 ERA and opponents are hitting a mere .188. Look for him to continue success in week 14.

8. Brian Wilson, SF:

Coming into the season the Giants were in a rebuilding year and a pleasant surprise has been the play of Brian Wilson. He had good numbers in the minors and is translating well in the majors as a closer. He ERA of 4.55 may worry some but he leads the National League in saves (20). The Giants play seven games and all are at home.

Sit’em

1. Zach Grienke, KC:

Finally, he is putting together a good season and he started off 2008 on a roll. He went 3-0 in April, posting an ERA of 1.25. However, in June he has struggled. He is 1-2 with an ERA of 4.68. He is scheduled to start twice in week 14, both starts are on the road, where Greinke posts an 3.94 ERA.

2. Chris B. Young, ARI:

He has been an enigma on year long but is he too good to bench? He does not hit average, yet he has awesome power. In his last seven games, he is hitting .333 with one home run and five RBI’s. Nevertheless, in June he is hitting .225 with one home run and nine RBI’s. Look for him to be on the bench.

3. Edgar Renteria, DET:

Renteria is another player that is much better suited in the National League. Did the Tigers forget what happen in Boston? In his last six games he has no offensive statistics. He is hitting .182 and in June he is hitting .275 but what worries me is his OBP of .325 and slugging percentage of .232. Ouch! Look for him to sit.

4. Jose Contreras, CHW:

I thought I could count on Contreras a couple weeks ago and he blew it for me. Numbers do not lie, usually. Before June 10, he was on a roll. In his last three starts he has been pathetic. His ERA has gone from 2.76 at the start of June to 3.96. Look for him to be on the bench.

5. Mike Cameron, MIL:

He has been hot and cold all year since coming off his 25 game suspension to start the season. In his last six games, he is hitting .227 but has three home runs and six RBIs. He is hitting .205 in June but five of his nine hits in June have been home runs. He cannot be trusted and should be on the bench.

6. Ryan Ludwick, STL:

June has been a month to forget for Ludwick. He is hitting .235 with three home runs. Translate his statistics in May, where he had nine home runs. He OBP in June is .302 and he only has scored 13 runs. Look for him to be on the bench.

7. Joe Blanton, OAK:

The guy is a horse. He has pitched 110 innings, which ranks 4^th in the majors. However, he has not been consistent. He will have two or three great starts and then have two or three horrendous starts. He shut down the Phillies allowing one run in seven innings but then gave up eight runs against a struggling Diamondbacks team. Will the real Joe Blanton please stand up? Look for him to be on the bench.

8. Bronson Arroyo, CIN:

Whoa! He gave up ten runs in one inning. He could not get out of the second inning. I would be surprised if he is owned after this start. He should not be owned even in NL only leagues. There are much better options and in June he has been horrible.