Projo Fantasy Sports Blog

By Rob Steingall

These recommendations are only for the fantasy week June 9-15 unless otherwise suggested.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Put 'em in

Ben Francisco, OF, Indians: This Tribe rookie leads the club in doubles with 13 despite playing in only 28 of the team's 58 games. It is getting to the point where he needs to begin being taken seriously in mixed leagues, especially with his power/speed potential (12 home runs and 22 stolen bases in Triple A last season). After posting three multihit games in a row this past week, it's time to snatch him up and ride the hot streak.

Mike Mussina, SP, Yankees: After looking as if he was washed up in April, “Moose” has rallied over the past month (5-1, 3.72 E.R.A.) and proven to be the Yankees' most reliable starter. He gets starts against the Royals and the Astros this week, two teams against which he has a career E.R.A. below 3.00.

Bench 'em

Garrett Anderson, OF, Angels: Stuck in a serious slump over the past week (four hits in 26 at-bats with zero runs batted in), he’ll face the surprisingly good Rays pitching staff and the always-tough Braves to close the week. He gets a heavy dose of right-handed pitchers this week, who have been tough on him to the tune of a .258 batting average this season.

Andy Pettitte, SP, Yankees: Originally, Jeremy Bonderman was listed here; but he's out for up to a year after surgery Saturday to correct a Thoracic Nerve Syndrome. As for Pettitte, you can't start a pitcher when he's getting one outing the week after a 10-run bludgeoning (versus the Royals). It's against the A's, against whom he had an 8.31 E.R.A. against in 2007.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Put 'em in

Randy Winn, OF, Giants: The veteran outfielder has helped lead the club back to respectability, filling five categories the past month (24 runs, 5 HRs, 11 RBI, 4 SBs, .333 BA). Three of those home runs have come in the past week, and with a trip to Colorado ahead, he should stay hot.

Chad Billingsley, SP, Dodgers: Don’t let the 4-6 record this season fool you, this young Dodgers hurler is the real deal. He sits just outside the top five in strikeouts in the NL (71 in 65 2/3 innings), has given up only three homers on the year and sports a tidy 3.29 E.R.A. He’ll get starts this week against the Padres and the Tigers on the road, where he’s posted a 2.97 E.R.A. this season, making him a strong play in all formats.

Bench 'em

Rick Ankiel, OF, Cardinals: The feel-good story from ’07 has fallen on hard times over the past week, mired in a 1-for-15 slide while nursing a swollen knee that has held him out of a handful of games. His mighty bat has also been dormant recently, with May 21 being the last time he drove a ball out of the yard, his only home run in the past 51 at-bats.

Wandy Rodriguez, SP, Astros: The Astros’ hurler is still rounding into form following a month-long trip to the DL. He’ll get one start this week at home against the Yankees, who boast one of the better lineups in all of baseball. June has traditionally not been a good month for him, as evidenced by his 5.70 career E.R.A.

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