Unfavorable Matchups, American League

Dioner Navarro, Tampa Bay (20 for 54 .370 CS%): 3 against NYY (Johnny Damon, Alex Rodriguez, Bobby Abreu, Derek Jeter), 3 against Toronto (Alex Rios, Marco Scuturo, Joe Inglett)

Kurt Suzuki, Oakland (27 for 75, .360 CS%): 3 against Kansas City (Joey Gathright, David DeJesus, Mike Aviles, Esteban German), 3 against Baltimore (Brian Roberts, Nick Markakis, Jay Payton)

Ivan Rodriguez, NYY (24 for 68, .353 CS%): 1 against Detroit (Carlos Guillen, Curtis Granderson, Placido Polanco, Gary Sheffield), 3 against Tampa Bay (BJ Upton, Jason Bartlett, Eric Hinske), 3 against Seattle (Ichiro Suzuki, Adrian Beltre, Jose Lopez)

Favorable Matchups, American League

John Buck, Kansas City (8 for 55, .145 CS%) 3 against Oakland (Rajai Davis, Mark Ellis, Eric Patterson), 3 against Cleveland (Grady Sizemore, Jamey Carroll, Franklin Gutierrez, Shin-Soo Choo)

AJ Pierzynski, CHW (19 for 100, .190 CS%): 3 against Cleveland (Grady Sizemore, Jamey Carroll, Franklin Gutierrez, Shin-Soo Choo), 3 against LAA (Chone Figgins, Torii Hunter, Howie Kendrick, Gary Matthews, Erick Aybar)

Ramon Hernandez, Baltimore (24 for 106, .226 CS%): 3 against Boston (Jacoby Ellsbury, Coco Crisp, Dustin Pedroia, Jason Bay), 3 against Oakland (Rajai Davis, Mark Ellis, Eric Patterson)

Unfavorable Matchups, National League

Jason Kendall, Milwaukee (33 for 78, .423 CS%): 3 against NYM (Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, David Wright, Endy Chavez), 4 against San Diego (Tadahito Iguchi)

Yadier Molina, STL (17 for 49, .347 CS%) 3 against Arizona (Chris Young, Mark Reynolds, Conor Jackson), 3 against Florida (Hanley Ramirez, Jeremy Hermida, Alfredo Amezaga)

Bengie Molina, SF (25 for 76, .329 CS%): 3 against Colorado (Hanley Ramirez, Jeremy Hermida, Alfredo Amezaga, Jorge Cantu), 3 against Pittsburgh (Nate McLouth, Nyjer Morgan)

Favorable Matchups, National League

Russell Martin, LAD (15 for 74, .203 CS%) 3 against Arizona (Chris Young, Mark Reynolds, Conor Jackson), 3 against San Diego (Tadahito Iguchi)

Brian McCann, Atlanta (23 for 100, .230 CS%): 3 against Florida (Hanley Ramirez, Jeremy Hermida, Alfredo Amezaga), 4 against Washington (Lastings Milledge, Willie Harris, Emilio Bonifacio, Elijah Dukes)
Geovany Soto, CHC (23 for 88, .284 CS%): 3 against Houston (Michael Bourn, Kaz Matsui, Lance Berkman), 3 against Cincinnati (Brandon Phillips, Corey Patterson, Chris Dickerson)

Pickup Recommendations:

Chris Dickerson: Since being called up, Dickerson is more than holding his own against major league pitching; 3/6/.327 with 6 doubles in 49 AB. The hot start should guarantee him plenty of playing time on a team going nowhere this year. He should be good for a decent amount of steals the rest of the way, 3 for 4 with the Reds and 26 for 33 in Triple-A this year.

Jonathan Herrera: With an unsettled second base position, the Rockies may give Herrera a shot at regular playing time in September. He has dramatically improved as a base stealer; 18 steals in 30 attempts in Double-A last year vs. 14 steals in 16 attempts in Triple-A this year. He doesn’t have any power and could use better plate patience, but good contact skills and his speed should get him on base enough to be a factor in the steals department.

Cameron Maybin: The 21-year old Maybin is a top prospect, but is far from a polished player at this time, 69% Ct% in Triple-A. However with some nice pop in his bat, an ability to take a walk, 13% BB, and speed, 20 steals, he could be a factor if he gets playing time when the rosters expand in September.

Andrew McCutchen: McCutchen will definitely get a good look in the Pirates outfield in September. He also will definitely run often, but he also could get caught often, 31 steals in 49 attempts in Triple-A this year.

Eric Patterson: Patterson has little power and trouble making contact, 72% Ct%, but knows how to take a walk, 14% BB%, and steal a base, 7 for 8 in steals this year. With the A’s having some injuries, he has been seeing a decent amount of playing time lately and can be used in AL-only leagues.

Elvis Andrus: Andrus is a bit of a longshot to get a September callup, but with the Rangers out of it, Ian Kinsler being hurt, and Michael Young playing with a fractured finger, the Rangers may give the 20 year-old a shot. His approach at the plate definitely needs work, 7% BB% and 20% Ct% with little power in Double-A, but he can fly, 50 steals in 110 games.

Joaquin Arias: If Ian Kinsler is not ready to return in September, Arias will see plenty of time at second base for the Rangers. He is off to a hot start, 11 for 27, and has speed, 23 steals in 28 in Triple-A this year.