Must Start Hitters for Week 3
1. OF Luke Scott BAL
2. OF Nate McLouth PIR
3. 3B Joe Crede CWS
4. 3B Mark Reynolds ARI
5. SS Rafael Furcal, LAD
6. SS Miguel Tejada HOU
7. OF Rick Ankiel, STL
8. 1B Nick Johnson WAS
9. 3B Aubrey Huff BAL
10. OF J.D. Drew BOS
11. OF Jermaine Dye CHW
12. OF Grady Sizemore CLE
13. 1B Ryan Garko CLE
14. OF Torii Hunter LAA
15. OF Vernon Wells TOR
Sit’em
1. OF Andruw Jones LAD
2. DH Jim Thome, CWS
3. C Russell Martin LAD
4. OF Brad Hawpe COL
5. OF Hunter Pence HOU
6. 2B Richie Weeks MIL
7. 1B Adam LaRoche PIT
8. 3B Ryan Zimmerman WAS
9. DH David Ortiz BOS
10. 3B Casey Blake CLE
11. DH Gary Sheffield DET
12. 2B Robinson Cano NYY
13. 1B Richie Sexson SEA
14. SS Michael Young TEX
15. SS Ryan Theriot CHC
National League:
Atlanta Braves:
Yunel Escobar owners are very please with the start of the rookie. He is batting .314 and has driven in 8 runs. 1B Mark Texiera is off to another slow start but Chipper Jones has started the season on fire. He is hitting .385 with 1 home run and 9 RBI’s. The era of rookie phenom Jair Jurrjens has become and will be an interesting week for the youngster. He will start twice in week 3 and will look to solidify his position in the starting rotation.
Arizona Diamondbacks:
Mark Reynolds has started the season off very well leading the team in HR (5) and RBI (13). Justin Upton is doing great in RF and will continue to post huge numbers all year. CF Chris Young will probably never hit for average but has the power numbers fantasy owner’s love. Facing the Giants on the road and the Padres at home will be tough for owners of Dback players. I would look for other options in week 3. In daily lineups look for pitching match ups to determine who to start.
Chicago Cubs:
Cubs fans and fantasy owners could not be more pleased with the start of OF Kosuke Fukudome; he is leading the team in average (.419). The Cubs will face the Reds and Pirates at home. The Cubs have a favorable match up for the entire week.
Cincinnati Reds:
SS Jeff Kiplinger has started the season strong by leading the team in hitting (.382) and is second on the team with 7 RBI. The Reds will play in Chicago and go on the road to Milwaukee. Both fields are hitter’s park and will make the Brewers and their fantasy stars great starts. Jason Kendall is leading the team in hitting and is on a roll. Look to pick him up and ride him while he is hot; especially if you own Russell Martin who is struggling to start the season.
Colorado Rockies:
OF Brad Hawpe is struggling batting only .231 and OF Matt Holiday after a slow start is starting to hit himself out of his slump. The Rockies play in Petco for three games and travel to Houston. The Padres are among the top staff’s in ERA and will prove difficult for the Rockies to score runs.
Florida Marlins:
With the departure of Miguel Cabrera, no one has been able to fill his huge shoes. Mike Jacobs leads the team with 4 homeruns and 9 RBI’s but is only hitting .212. Although his low average in week two he has started to turn it on. He is very good young hitter who needs at-bats and his average will turn around. 2B Dan Uggla was going to be counted on to drive in more runs and has not delivered only hitting .188. The Marlins host the Braves and Nationals in week 3, look for Jacobs, Ramirez and Willingham to start.
Houston Astros:
New arrival Miguel Tejada is leading the team in RBI’s and unfortunately Michael Bourne in struggling only hitting .216 to start the season. To the surprise of many is the play of OF Hunter Pence. He has started the season only hitting .186 and does not look comfortable at the plate. He may be able to return to form playing in Philadelphia and hosting the Rockies at home. I would wait before putting him in the line up for week three.
Los Angeles Dodgers:
The Dodgers will face the Pirates at home and take on the Atlanta Braves on the road. Look for Rafael Furcal to continue to produce and he looks very healthy after battling an ankle injury last year. In his first 9 games, James Loney has at least one hit in every game and is looking like the next coming of John Olerud with more power.
Milwaukee Brewers:
Prince Fielder has not hit a homerun in his first eight games spanning 29 at-bats. He should still be able to reach the 40 homer mark. 3B Bill Hall is having the year so far many fantasy owners thought he would have last year. He is leading the team in homeruns (4) and RBI (9). Brewers will play 6 games at home against the Astros and Mets, making the Brew Crew advisable starts in week 3.
Philadelphia Phillies:
Pat Burrell has started the season strong and is leading the team in RBI’s (9) homeruns (3). Keep your eye on the injury situation with SS Jimmy Rollins, he did not play his past three games. Hopefully his injury with not linger for the entire year. OF Shane Victorino is struggling to start the season hitting .175. Phillies play all of there 6 games at home against the Astros and Mets.
Pittsburgh Pirates:
No one is noticing that C Ryan Doumit is hitting .390 to start the season. He leads in hitting but OF Xavier Nady leads the team in homeruns (3). OF Nate Mclouth is probably one of the most grabbed free-agent and he should be starting in your lineup. He leads the team with 10 RBI and hitting with a .390 average. The real challenge for Mclouth and Nady will be in week 3. The Pirates face the Dodgers and Cubs on the road. Monitor both players’ stats because it could reflect how they do for the rest of the year.
St. Louis Cardinals:
The Cards have stated the season well winning 7 of there first 10 games. 1B Albert Pujols is not struggling like some predicted because of his injury. He leads the team in homeruns and RBI’s. OF Rick Ankiel is hot and should be started in week 3.
San Diego Padres:
Will SP Jake Peavy ever lose? He has started where he left off last year and is on the verge to win over 20 games this year. 1B Adrian Gonzalez is leading the team in average, homeruns and RBI’s. Despite hitting .297, do not start OF Brian Giles in any format. 3B Kevin Kouzamanoff is playing very well and his numbers show.
San Francisco Giants:
Giants C Benjie Molina leads the team with 3 homeruns but what is shocking is that no other player has hit a homerun. OF Aaron Rowland who signed a 5-year contract in the off-season will struggle to hit 20 homeruns. Despite these two players no other position player should have consideration to start on any fantasy team.
Washington Nationals:
It is going to be a long year in Washington but at least so far 1B Nick Johnson is injury free and contributing to the Nationals. OF Lastings Milledge if he continues to play the well, the Mets are going to regret trading him. All Mets fans remember the Scott Kazmir for Victor Zambrano trade. Despite starting off well Ryan Zimmerman is only hitting .209 and it will not get any easier as the Nats travel to New York and Florida.
American League:
Baltimore Orioles:
The O’s are the only team that will play 7 games this week making their players even more valuable in week 3. Despite trade rumors surrounding 2B Brian Roberts he has continued to play well. Everyone needs to pay attention to 3B Aubrey Huff. He is hitting .303 but has 2 homeruns and 11 RBI’s, making him an excellent start for week 3.
Boston Red Sox:
The Sox are going to play a difficult schedule in week 3. They have games on the road in N.Y. and Cleveland and finish up at home against the Rangers. What is going on with David Ortiz? He is hitting only .083 and has a SLUG% of .167. OF J.D. Drew is hitting .440 and seems to have found his stroke. He leads the team with 7 RBI’s.
Chicago White Sox:
The Sox have to be pleased with the play of 3B Joe Crede. He leads the team with 3 homeruns and 11 RBI’s. Unfortunately for Sox fans, he is a free-agent to be. Quietly, Carlos Quentin has 8 RBI’s and is hitting a respectful .261. He could be one to watch as the season goes on.
Cleveland Indians:
3B Casey Blake days may be numbered, he is struggling at the plate hitting .185 and super prospect 3B Andy Marte has been seeing playing time. 1B Ryan Garko is playing full-time and making the most of his chance.
Detroit Tigers:
The Tigers finally won a game. The news on OF Curtis Granderson is good and he should be ready hopefully for week 4. The Tigers seem to be showing their age 2B Placido Polanco and DH Gary Sheffield are hitting under .200.
Kansas City Royals:
It may not last all year but the Royals are in first place. Sweeping the Tigers surprised everyone but their pitching staff should not have. 3B Alex Gordon and OF Mark Teahan are two of the best young hitters in the game. Week 3 will be a huge test for the Royals as they travel to Seattle, L.A. and Oakland. Royal owners may want to rethink putting them into your fantasy lineups.
Los Angels Angels:
New arrival OF Torii Hunter has done very well in his home opener for the Angels. He hit a game winning grand slam. The platoon at shortstop between Erick Aybar and Maicer Izturis is not working out. Each player is hitting under .200 and the Angels may regret trading SS Orlando Cabrera. If they continue to struggle it may only be a matter of time until highly touted prospect Brandon Wood is called up.
Minnesota Twins:
The Twins are struggling as a team to score runs. Rookie OF Carlos Gomez is doing well taking over for departed OF Torii Hunter, he is batting .316. The Twins will travel to Detroit and host the Rays and Indians.
New York Yankees:
The hot start by OF Bobby Abreu and Hideki Matsui are great signs for Yankee fans and their fantasy owners. However, 2B Robinson Cano is not hitting again early on. He struggle to open the season last year and his April numbers show. Look for him to be on the bench until he can get back on track.
Oakland Athletics:
As I have stated last year, C Kurt Suzuki will eventually become an All-Star and he is showing his brilliance. He is hitting .324 and his defense is improving each day. DH Mike Sweeney made the in spring training but has not been able to hit.
Seattle Mariners:
The Mariners and their hitters will have a tough time this week. They will host K.C. and travel to Oakland and Los Angeles. 1B Richie Sexson is hitting .206. Look for DH Jose Vidro numbers to regress as the year goes on.
Tampa Bay Rays:
The Rays hitters have struggled to start the season. No one gave 3B Willy Aybar any shot to hold down the 3rd base job but he has played well. He is hitting .292 and has a SLUG% of .500. OF Jonny Gomes is playing his way into fantasy lineups. He has 2 homeruns and 5 RBI’s and is hitting .294.
Texas Rangers:
The Rangers are struggling to score runs. Only one regular is hitting over .300 and that is LF David Murphy. 2B Ian Kinsler is hitting .297 and although he does not have a homerun he is showing patience at the plate.
Toronto Blue Jays:
The Jays have to be pleased with the play of OF Vernon Wells. He is back to his old form and is hitting .306 with 3 homeruns and 10 RBIs. 2B Aaron Hill has played outstanding and is starting to become an elite second baseman. He is leading the team in hitting with a .353 clip.
Teams playing 7 Games
Baltimore Orioles:
Boston Red Sox:
Chicago White Sox:
Cleveland Indians:
Detroit Tigers:
Kansas City Royals:
Los Angels Angels:
Minnesota Twins:
New York Yankees:
Oakland Athletics:
Seattle Mariners:
Tampa Bay Rays:
Texas Rangers:
Toronto Blue Jays:
Teams playing 6 Games:
Atlanta Braves
Arizona Diamondbacks
Chicago Cubs
Los Angeles Dodgers
Washington Nationals:
St. Louis Cardinals:
San Diego Padres:
San Francisco Giants:
Atlanta Braves:
Arizona Diamondbacks:
Chicago Cubs:
Cincinnati Reds:
Colorado Rockies:
Florida Marlins:
Houston Astros:
Milwaukee Brewers:
Philadelphia Phillies:
Pittsburgh Pirates:
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