Fantasy : Start & Sit for Week 18!!!!!!!! : Extra Innings

Start’em

1. Troy Glaus; 3B, STL:

What a resurrection to his career so far in St. Louis. He has made the most of opportunity and more importantly is healthy. In July, he is batting .347 with seven home runs and 16 RBIs in 19 games. Last month he quietly finished with eight home runs and 17 RBIs. He has found his stroke once again and with four games on the road in week 18, Glaus for the year is hitting .310 on the road, making a must-start.

2. Alexi Ramirez; 2B,OF, CHW:

Since taking over the at second base, Alexi has not looked back. Known as the Cuban Missle is his native Cuba, Ramirez has been jump started the White Sox with his play. In June he hit .355 and now he has followed that performance by hitting .344 in July. What is impressive are his OBP and SLUG%. His OBP is .327 and SLUG% is .462, which translate to an OPS of .789. His numbers compare well to a great fantasy second baseman Brandon Phillips. For the season he has an OBP of .318 and SLUG% of .465, which is OPS of .783. If available pick up Ramirez and play he for the rest of the year.

3. Carlos Delgado; 1B, NYM:

Before July came around many including myself were thinking Carlos Delgado was done. He was hitting under .230 and his bat swing look slowed. However, in July he has turn around his season by hitting .406 in 19 games. He has five home runs and 14 RBIs and has raised his average from .228 to 262. Look for him as a must start for week 18.

4. Marcus Thames; 1B, OF, DET:

What a stretch for Marcus Thames in the last month and a half. It almost seems that everything he hits goes for a home run. The Tigers will play seven games next week all on the road. Most of Thames damage occurs on the road, of his 19 home runs 12 of them have been on the road and over half of his RBIs have come on the road. Look to start Thames this upcoming fantasy week.

5. Jonathan Broxton; RP, LAD:

It was only a matter of time until Broxton would have his opportunity to close games in the majors. Last week, he was 2-2 in save opportunities and look for him to keep the job for the rest of the season. Dodger closer Takashi Saito is scheduled to be out 4-6 weeks but with an elbow injury it can flare up at any moment, so it is safe to pick Broxton and ride him for the rest of the season.

6. Magglio Ordonez; OF, DET:

Coming off his injury has not slowed down this slugger. Ordonez is back to his old ways driving in runs. He is a great start for all fantasy teams and should be in any line up for the upcoming week.

7. Armando Galarraga; SP, DET:

Galarraga is coming off a great outing in his last start and is scheduled to pitch twice in week 18. Both starts will be on the road, where he excels. In 11 games, Galarraga is 6-2 with a ERA of 2.69. Opposition is hitting a mere .194 against him. Look for him to give your club a boost in week 18 and is a must start.

8. Carlos Zambrano; SP, CHC:

Zambrano has won ten games this year and will try to make 11 and 12 in week 18 where he will pitch twice. He will face the Brewers and Pirates. Zambrano has been to completely different pitchers at home and on the road. At home in ten games he is 5-0 with a stellar 2.25 ERA. On the road in nine games he is 5-4 with an ERA of 3.84. Look for too challenge for two wins in week 18.

Sit’em

1. John Lackey; SP, LAA:

In his last four starts in is 2-1 but has an ERA of 7.60. In his last 23 1/3 innings he has surrendered 36 hits and allowed 20 earn runs. It is not going to get any easier for him as he travels to Boston and New York. He has always struggled in Boston and New York is playing as well as any team in the majors making him a undesirable start this week.

2. Zack Grienke; SP, KC:

Grienke has not look sharp in his last six games, posting a record of 1-3 with an ERA of 6.27. His WHIP is 1.67 over that span and has allowed 47 hits in 33 innings. He is schedule to pitch twice in week 18 and he is not a recommended start for either game.

3. Ted Lilly; SP, CHC:

Lilly has pitched better of late but will face the Brewers and Pirates in week 18. In one start against the Brewers he is 0-1 with ERA of 7.71. Against the Pirates, he has no record but has an ERA of 8.38 in two starts against them. He will face CC Sabathia and Paul Maholm, both have been pitching excellent. Look for Lilly to sit this week on the bench.

4. Kelly Johnson; 2B, ATL:

What a disappointment so far this year for Johnson owners. He was on the verge of a breakout year but it has not happened. In July he has had his worst month at the plate. He is hitting .170 with one home run and five RBIs. Not to mentioned he is starting to lose at-bats when a lefty goes on the mound. Look for him to not start this week.

5. Paul Konerko; 1B, CHW: away hitting .199

How far has Konerko fallen in 2008, he is hitting only .218 with nine home runs and 35 RBIs. In July, he is hitting .234 with one home run and five RBIs. To put things into perspective since May, he has hit only four home runs and driven in 16 RBIs in 49 games. He should only be owned in AL-only leagues.

6. Alex Gordon; 1B, 3B, KC:

Gordon has not lived up to expectations this year and it is a great time to trade him if there is a buyer. In July he is hitting .190 with one home run and five RBIs in 17 games. His average dropped to .248 the lowest all year, look for him to be on the bench.

7. Miguel Tejada; SS, HOU:

Coming into play Wednesday, in July, he is hitting .200 with no home runs and only 2 RBIs. His OBP during this slump is a mere .235 and his SLUG% is .231. It may be a good time to consider trading the veteran because he could start to tire in the second half of the season.

8. Kosuke Fukudome; OF, CHC:

July has not been a good month for the Japanese import. He is hitting .194 with one home run and two RBIs in 18 games. One must wonder if the majors have caught up to him and are findings ways to get him out. Look for him to not start in week 18.