Fantasy : Start & Sit for Week 9!!!!!!!! : Extra Innings

Start’em

1. Shaun Marcum, TOR:

It has been a great year north of the border for Marcum. He is 4-2 with an impressive 2.50 ERA, which ranks him 9^th in the Major Leagues. In his last 6 games he has not surrendered more than 2 runs in any start. He is scheduled to make two starts in week 9 making him a great start.

2. Ryan Dempster, CHC:

Once a closer and now a starter, Dempster has had a smooth transition back into the rotation in Chicago. Dempster in 2008 has been phenomenal and posts an ERA of 2.70, which rank 12^th best in the Major Leagues. In his last four starts he has only allowed 6 runs in 26 1/3 innings, while striking out 31. It is about time to input him in every fantasy starting lineup for week 9, where he will be making two starts.

3. Milton Bradley, TEX:

Bradley is making the most of his opportunity in Texas and proving that he is not done. He has a seven game hitting streak, where he is batting .407 with four home runs and 10 RBI. For the season he has eight home runs and 26 RBI and is hitting .319. It is about time that fantasy owners start to become aware of this Ranger and a must start in week 9.

4. Robinson Cano, NYY:

He started 2008 in a dreaded slump and now is starting to live up to his draft position. Since the start of May, Cano is hitting .296 with 2 home runs and 5 RBI. He is becoming a factor again and his patience owners will now reap the benefits of his upward progression.

5. Jimmy Rollins, PHI:

He has not missed a beat since returning from the DL. Rollins is hitting over .350 with seven RBI and three stolen bases in eight games since being active from the DL. He is a must start in week 9 and should continue his stellar play.

6. Adam Jones, BAL:

He did not get off to the start he and O’s fans wanted but it was only a matter of time until he produced. He had a career high 4 RBI’s against the Yankees and will play the Yankees and Boston. At home this year, Jones is hitting .313 and he could be a good fill-in candidate for week 9.

7. Ryan Zimmerman, WAS:

He ranks 6^th among all 3^rd basemen in the Majors in home runs, (8) and leads the team with 25 RBI. In 18 games in May, Zimmerman has 5 homers with 12 RBI and is hitting .280. He has a five game hitting streak and should be a great start for week 9.

8. Javier Vazquez, CHW:

In his last four starts has only allowed 8 runs in 28 innings pitched. He has struck out 28, while only walking 4. He will face Paul Byrd in week 9 on the road, where Vazquez excels and he is a must-start in week 9.

Sit’em

1. Jeff Francoeur, ATL:

Francoeur is in horrendous slump in the past two weeks. In that span he 6 for his last 33 with only four RBI’s. It is apparent that manager Bobby Cox seeing that Francouer struggling at the plate gave him a day off, ending his 370 consecutive streak. He is not a recommend start for week 9.

2. Alex Rios, TOR,: at Oak, LAA

Many expected for Rios to have a breakout year for the Jays in 2008, yet it has not happen. Rios is only hitting .252 with 3 homers and 17 RBI. In his last six games he is hitting .192 with 2 RBI. In week 9, it will not get any easier for Rios because the Jays travel to Oakland and the Angels. Oakland has the best ERA in baseball and with the return of John Lackey, the Angels staff is finally together. Look for another option in the outfield in week 9.

3. Xavier Nady, PIT:

Nady, who is off the best start of his young career in Pittsburgh, recently ended a road trip going 2 for his last 21. He should still be capable of hitting over 20 home runs but his average may start to come back to his normal numbers of the past. Coming into play he is hitting .313 and his 36 RBI has him tied for 4^th in the Majors. Look for him to be on the bench in week 9.

4. Jeremy Hermida, FLA:

Hermida is having a great start to the 2008, as are the entire Florida Marlins, who lead the N.L. East coming into play in week 8. Hermida has been in a slump over his last six games. In that span, he is only hitting .160. and slugging .320. He is a nice number 4 OF but his recents struggles warrant a place on the bench for week 9.

5. Paul Byrd, CLE:

Byrd this year has been either great or horrible for Cleveland. He will follow up one outing with a complete disaster the next. In week 9, he will face hard-throwing Javier Vazquez. Byrd is too unpredictable to start in week 9 and is better suited on the bench.

6. Joey Votto, CIN:

It has been a great year so far the rookie but he has struggled in his last six games. In that span, he is only hitting .143. In May, his average has suffered tremendously hitting .208. It might be time to sit the rookie until he can get out of his slump.

7. Julio Lugo, BOS:

How far has Lugo fell since the start of this year? He was only a few years ago one of the most underrated shortstops in the game. Since being dealt to the Dodgers in 2006, he has not been the player who played well in his time in Tampa Bay. For the year he has only 11 RBI and 6 stolen bases. He should not be starting until he can prove he can hold down his position.

8. Johnny Damon, NYY:

May has seen Damon drop his average over 60 points. He is hitting .210 with 2 homers and only 5 RBI in 15 games. He value as a fantasy player is starting to diminish with the play of Melky Cabrera. Look for Damon to hit the bench for week 9.