Gavin Floyd: Despite flirting with two no-hitters this year, there is not much to get excited about when looking at Floyd’s skill set, 4.3 K/9 and a 4.1 BB/9. His high FB% of 53% is going to lead to big

Unfavorable Matchups, American League Joe Mauer Minnesota (6 for 15, .400 CS%): 4 against Texas (Ian Kinsler, David Murphy), 3 against Detroit (Carlos Guillen, Curtis Granderson) Kurt Suzuki Oakland (7 for 20, .350 CS%): 3 against Tampa (Carl Crawford, BJ

Doug Davis: Less than a month removed from surgery to remove a cancerous thyroid, Davis threw a simulated game on Monday and is expected to make the first of two rehab starts on Saturday. The two rehab starts will give

Joe Saunders: Fantasy owners of Saunders are enjoying some good numbers, 5-0 record and a 2.55 ERA. Just be aware, that his skills are just average; 4.6 K/9, 2.1 BB/9, and a 50% GB%, and he is enjoying some good

Macier Izturis: Izturis was placed on the DL with back spasms. Even if he didn’t go on the DL, with Howie Kendrick coming back very soon, he would have been heading for the bench. Izturis’ poor start, 0/10/.197, is due

Eddie Guardado: Guardado is expected to return from the DL on Friday. Elbow surgery knocked out most of last season, but it has been shoulder soreness that has kept him out this year. Before he went down with the elbow

AL Favorable Matchups: John Buck KC (.111 CS%, 1/9): 3 games against Texas (Ian Kinsler, David Murphy), 3 games against Cleveland (Grady Sizemore) AJ Pierzynski CHW (.222 CS%, 2/9): 1 game against Baltimore (Brian Roberts, Nick Markakis), 2 games against

Manny Parra: In 2007 Parra put up impressive numbers in Double-A, 9.0 K/9 and a 2.9 BB/9, and in Triple-A, 8.7 K/9 and a 2.4 BB/9, before coming up to the big leagues where he put up big K’s, 8.9

Sean Rodriguez: The Angels called up Sean Rodriguez to replace the injured Howie Kendrick on the roster. The 22 year-old Rodriguez showed some nice pop in Double-A last year, 17 home runs and 31 doubles in 508 AB. However, he

Julio Lugo: Lugo is off to a better start this year, .271 average in 59 AB, than the first half of last season, 4/34/.190. Unlike last year, he is not stealing bases, just 1 for 3. Unless his back is

Favorable matchups for the week of 4/21 to 4/27: John Buck KC (.143 CS%, 1/7): 3 games against Cleveland (Grady Sizemore), 3 games against Toronto (Alex Rios, Marco Scuturo) AJ Pierzynski CHW (.167 CS%, 1/6): 3 games against NYY (Johnny

Jeff Weaver: The Brewers signed Jeff Weaver to a contract. He will need some time in the minor leagues to get into shape. Depending on how some of the younger Brewer pitchers and Weaver perform will determine if he goes

According to research by Fantistics.com only 10% of batters have a favorable control of balls hit into play. Such a low number means that many of the leaders in BHIP% (and thus batting average) are there only due to good

Miguel Olivo: When Olivo was starting for the Marlins, his low batting average, .237 last year, was tolerable in NL-only leagues because he brought some power to the table, 16 home runs in 452 AB in 2007. Now that he

Week of 4/14 to 4/20 Favorable Matchups, teams facing: Josh Bard San Diego (7% Caught Stealing in 2006): 3 games against Colorado (Willy Taveras, Scott Podsednik, Jayson Nix), 3 games against Arizona (Chris Burke, Eric Byrnes, Chris Young) Greg Zaun

Mike Gonzalez: Gonzalez, who has been out since the middle of last season after undergoing elbow surgery, could be ready to rejoin the Braves’ pen by the first week of June. His K/9, 2005/2006 #’s of 10.4/10.7, is worthy of

John Danks: Danks allowed an ER in 6.2 innings in a no decision against Cleveland yesterday. On the negative side he had just 2 strike outs while also walking a pair. In his rookie season last year, Danks pitched better

John Danks: Danks allowed an ER in 6.2 innings in a no decision against Cleveland yesterday. On the negative side he had just 2 strike outs while also walking a pair. In his rookie season last year, Danks pitched better

Favorable matchups for the week of April 7th to April 13th: San Diego: Josh Bard and Michael Barrett were ranked 33rd and 29th in catching runners, so anyone playing San Diego should have a field day. This is great news

Joel Pineiro: Pineiro, who has been out of action with an inflamed left shoulder, could pitch in a minor league game by the end of this week. If that happens it would put him on schedule for a major league

Johan Santana: As if he already wasn’t the best pitcher in baseball, Santana’s move to the Mets gives him two big advantages. The first is that historically lefthanders moving from the American League to the National League tend to have

Oliver Perez: After struggling in his first two outings, Perez looked good against the Nationals on Monday, 5 innings with 1 ER while striking out 5 and walking none. Perez has loads of talents, as evidenced by his 2003/2004/2005/2006/2007 K/9’s

Matt Morris: Morris is assured of a spot in the Pirates rotation. Barring a complete disaster, it will be his big contract, not his skills that will keep him there. Morris’ K/9 has now declined in the last five seasons,

Brad Lidge: There is a chance that Lidge, who had surgery on his knee, could be ready by opening day. He certainly has the skill set to be a successful closer, 11.8 K/9, but there also some warning flags. He

Jeremy Bonderman: Fantasy owners of Bonderman in keeper leagues will have a whole winter to ponder whether his complete second-half collapse, 3-8 record with a 6.19 ERA was the product of a tender elbow or just bad skills. At the

Aaron Hill: It has been an excellent growth season for Hill's power, 17 home runs and 46 doubles vs. 6 home runs and 28 doubles in 2006, fully supported by a rising FB%, 39% vs. 35% in 2006. He has

Nyjer Morgan: Over the last 11 games, Morgan has shown nice speed, 7 steals in 9 attempts. He is already 27 years of age and with no power, 1 home run in 86 AB with the Pirates and 0 home

Justin Verlander: Verlander's second full-season, 17-6 with a 3.70 ERA in 30 starts, is almost a replica of last year, 17-9 with a 3.63 ERA in 30 starts. However, beneath the surface, Verlander has greatly improved his strike outs, 2006/2007

Ryan Spilborghs: After a hot stretch, 7 home runs in 108 AB, Spilborghs power has gone MIA, 1 home runs in his last 86 AB. Outside of the mid-season surge, Spilborghs had never shown that kind of power in his

Daric Barton: Since being called up, Barton is doing his best to show the A's that he deserves to start at first base in 2008, 9 for 26 with a home run and 3 doubles. He had a fine season

Jason Bartlett: Whether it is the strained hamstring that he suffered in late August or the sore knee that has been bothering him recently, something is keeping Bartlett from running, just 2 steals attempts since August 25th, in which both

Orlando Hernandez: Last night's debacle against the Braves, 8 ER in 3 innings, was long overdue for Hernandez. Coming into the game, a ridiculously low .144 BHIP% was depressing his 3.32 ERA, which shot up to 3.75. His 7.8 K/9

Grady Sizemore: In his third full major league season, Sizemore has taken a step back. His power is down; 28 home runs, 11 triples, and 53 doubles in 2006 vs. 23 home runs, 3 triples, and 29 doubles in 2007,

Jason Isringhausen: On paper it has been a fine season for Isringhausen, 1.77 ERA and 26 saves in 28 opportunities. However, there is some trouble lurking beneath the surface. A depressed .164 BHIP% and a ridiculously low HR/FB% of 3.6%

Alexi Casilla: Given his lack of power, 0 home runs in 148 AB, Casilla will need to make better contact, 86% Ct%, and draw more walks, 5.1 BB%, to be effective. It is surprising that he has swiped 9 bases

Jose Lopez: It is looking like another second-half collapse for Lopez, 1/8/.237 in 177 AB vs. 7/44/.280 in the first-half. The same thing happened last year, 9/58/.280 in the first-half vs. 1/21//285 in the second-half. Although he is still only

Brian Schneider: Schneider provides very little power, 6 home runs and 17 doubles in 352 AB, and no speed. However, he does have a good approach at the plate, 86% Ct% and a .94 BB/K, and with a few more

Zack Greinke: The Royals are moving Greinke back into the starting rotation. His numbers as a reliever; 9.3 K/9, 2.5 BB/9, and a 3.54 ERA, have been much better than when he was a starter earlier this year; 5.2 K/9,

Seth McClung: The Brewers called up the recently acquired Seth McClung from Triple-A to work in middle relief. His high minor league K/9's, 10.5 in Triple-A this year, makes him intriguing, but he should be nowhere near a fantasy roster

Cameron Maybin: In his second major league game, the 20-year-old Maybin connected for his first major league home run off of Roger Clemens yesterday. Maybin has outstanding potential as a five-tool player, but prior to being called up, he had

Clay Buchholz: Buchholz is scheduled to be called up today to start game 1 of today's doubleheader and then go back to the minors. Regardless of what happens, he seems to be next-in-line for a spot in the rotation if

Greg Maddux: At 41 years of age, Maddux is no longer among the elite starting pitchers in baseball, but he is still serviceable, 8-9 record with a 4.00 ERA. He is using pinpoint control, 1.3 BB/9, and a ground ball

Hanley Ramirez: Despite an average Ct% of 84% and a BB% of 7.3%, Ramirez is batting a sizzling .341. A slightly inflated .297 BHIP% is helping, but the real reason behind the high average is the awesome power/speed package that

Franklin Gutierrez: After a hot start, 7 home runs and 4 doubles in his first 103 AB, Gutierrez has gone into a power slump, 1 extra-base hit in his last 34 AB. He is still showing a nice power/speed package,

Mike Fontenot: After a hot start, 3 home runs and a .400 batting average in his first 80 AB, Fontenot has come back to earth, .213 batting average and zero home runs in his last 84 AB. A comparison of

Robinson Cano: Now in his third season, it is looking like Cano can thrive as a bad ball hitter, 2005/2006/2007 batting average's of .297/.342/.311 and BB%'s of 3%/4%/5%. He used good contact skills, Ct%'s of 87%/89%/86%, and power, 11 home

C.J. Wilson: Since the trade of Eric Gagne, Wilson has picked up two saves, although neither was a typical save situation for a closer. For the first one he pitched 1.2 innings and for the other he came into to

Octavio Dotel: There is a chance that the newly acquired Dotel could take over the closing duties from Bob Wickman. A look at Dotel's skill set, 11.4 K/9, 4.3 BB/9, and a 45% FB% against Wickman's skill set, 7.2 K/9,

Luis Castillo: Castillo's constantly sore legs prevent him from being a force on the basepaths, 9 steals in 13 attempts. Without the steals and with a .299 BHIP%, there is plenty of downside with his powerless .306 batting average. Josh

Jarrod Saltalamacchia: In his first 137 career AB, Saltalamacchia is off to a nice start, 4/12/.285. At just 22 years of age, there are a few warning signs that suggest some rough spots in the near future. An inflated .290%

Jhonny Peralta: After an off-year, it may appear that Peralta's power is back to 2005 levels, 2005/2006/2006 home run totals of 24/13/14 and doubles of 35/28/17, but Peralta will have trouble maintaining this pace with his GB% trending in the

Jermaine Dye: With 5 home runs in his last 33 AB, Dye is showing signs of breaking out his season-long slumber. He battled a quad strain in the first-half and could finally be healthy. The lingering quad problem could have

Russell Martin: While the 11 home runs and 21 doubles is impressive, it is hard to believe that Martin can keep up that kind of power with a 49% GB rate. Add in the rigors of catching as the season

Reed Johnson: Johnson returned to the active roster after a two-month stint on the DL with a back problem. His 2006 career year, 12/49/.319, was more the product of good fortune, .298 BHIP%, than an improvement his average skill set,

Billy Butler: With Mike Sweeney out for at least six weeks, Butler will get a chance to show that he is ready to hit in the major leagues. In his first go around with the Royals earlier this season, he

Chad Gaudin: Gaudin turned in another good performance last night, 2 ER in 7.2 innings, to improve his record to 8-3 with a stingy 2.88 ERA. His high GB% of 53% compensates for an average 5.6 K/9. At some point

Alex Gonzalez: Gonzalez is putting on a nice power display for the Reds this year, 13 home runs and 18 doubles in 288 AB. He is just 30 years old and has showed power before, 18 home runs in 2003

Jason Bartlett: Bartlett has quietly gone a perfect 15 for 15 in the steals department this year. He is not hitting for power, but is making good contact, 87% Ct%, and exercising plate patience, .79 BB/K, to get him on

Chuck James: There could be some trouble looming for James. In two seasons, he has been at the league average with his HR/FB%, 10.3% last year and 10.6% this year. His fly ball pitching ways, 49% in 2007, means that

Fernando Rodney: Despite Todd Jones' problems, 5.46 ERA, the Tigers are more likely to stick with him as the closer or look outside the organization rather than turning to Rodney. Rodney has struggled also, 5.40 ERA, but has also been

Julio Lugo: The Red Sox have dropped the struggling Lugo, .201 batting average in 264 AB, to the bottom of the order. There doesn't seem to be much wrong with Lugo's skill set, 86% Ct% and .67 BB/K. A low

So Taguchi: Taguchi should be the regular center fielder while Jim Edmonds is out. He has been on fire, going 18 for his last 40, raising his average to .310. The soon to be 38 year old is making the

Nick Markakis: After a strong second-half to finish off his rookie campaign, it has been a mixed bag for Markakis in his sophomore season, 9/39/.267. There has been some nice growth in his power, 28 extra base hits in 257

Christian Guzman: After missing all of all of 2006 with an injury and being slowed by a hamstring injury early this year, Guzman has been red-hot, 1/8/.336 in 134 AB.. Although he is not stealing bases, just 2 in 2

Frank Catalanotto: Catalanotto, who has missed some time with a shoulder injury, is having a tough time at the plate, 4/14/.181 in 94 AB. Over the last four seasons, he has been a consistent high batting average contributor, 2003/2004/2005/2006 averages

Kevin Millwood: What has happened to Millwood? This is not the same pitcher that had a stingy 2.86 ERA with Cleveland and who won 16 games last year while pitching his home games in a hitter-friendly home park. He was

Kevin Gregg: If Manager Fredi Gonzalez is going strictly from skill sets, Gregg, 9.4 K/9, 3.6 BB/9, and a 40% GB%, is a much better choice than the recently acquired Armando Benitez, 8.4 K/9, 4.6 BB/9, and a 38% GB%,

David DeJesus: Besides runs, DeJesus is not contributing much in any fantasy category, 4/12/.258, with no steals. For a player with his speed, 3 triples this year, it is surprising that he has attempted only one steal. His career success

Yorvit Torrealba: Last night, Torrealba picked a good time to hit a grand slam, as he had sat the previous two games in favor of equally unproductive Chris Iannetta. It is not hard to see why the Rockies at some

Richie Sexson: Sexson's .172 batting average is being held down by a .102 BHIP%. He is still showing a good walk rate, 12%, and his usual contact rate, 78%. What is more worrisome is that the 46% GB% could keep

Willie Harris: If you picked up Harris, be grateful that you enjoyed some nice stats, 0/5/.362 with 4 stolen bases in 58 AB and then cut bait. He is benefiting from a .390 BHIP% and a 38% LD%, neither of

Jeremy Sowers: Sowers was hit hard again last night, 7 ER in 6 innings and for the year his record is now 0-4 with a 7.13 ERA. Sowers had success last year, 7-4 with a 3.57 ERA, despite having a

Scott Elarton: Elarton picked up a win yesterday against Oakland in an unspectacular fashion, allowing 4 ER in 5.1 innings, while striking out just 1 batter. Elarton's 2006 numbers; 4-9, 5.34, 3.6 K/9, 4.1 BB/9, and a 52% FB%, hardly

Fred Lewis: In his first 19 AB, Lewis has 9 hits, 3 for extra-bases, and 7 RBI. Lewis went 4/15/.263 with 7 SB in 114 AB for Fresno in Triple-A. He has the potential to steal bases and hit for

Corey Patterson: When Patterson swiped 45 bases in 2006, he ran roughly half the time that he was on first base. In 33 games this year, he has only attempted 8 steals. Fantasy owners of Patterson cannot be happy with

Andy LaRoche: Nice debut for the 23-year old rookie, 3 for 8 with 2 RBI and a stolen base after his first 3 games. The problem is that Laroche was not exactly tearing it up in Triple-A, .245 average, 3

Kei Igawa: Igawa has been awful this year, 7.63 ERA in 30.2 innings. He was an effective pitcher in Japan, but one thing he did struggle with was the longball. Unfortunately that has carried over across the Pacific Ocean, as

Al Reyes: Reyes notched his 10th save in 10 opportunities last night against the Twins. He has shown nice skills in the past, but he has never put up these numbers, 11.6 K/9 and a 1.29 ERA. While he has

Tom Gordon: All the calls for Brett Myers to take over the Phillies' closer job seem premature, as Gordon converted a save last night against the Braves by pitching a perfect ninth inning, impressively fanning 2 batters. Gordon's K/9 of

Gerald Laird: Prior to his last two games in which he has gone 3 for 6 with 2 walks, Laird had been mired in a 1 for 34 slump. Laird's breakout 2006 season of 7/22/.296 was partially luck driven, .269

Anthony Reyes: Reyes continues to struggle, after 3 starts, his record stands at 0-3, with a 5.63 ERA. A 57% strand rate is not helping, but his K/9 of 5.6 is below the levels that he has put up in

Michael Young: There is no reason to panic about Young's .171 batting average after his first 70 AB. Players with a 3-year BHIP% of .291, who currently have a BHIP% are .143, will normally bounce back. Ignore the .15 batting

Howie Kendrick: The injury-depleted Angels suffered another blow when it was learned that Kendrick suffered a broken bone in his finger. He is expected to miss anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks. Kendrick was off to a good start, going

Juan Encarnacion: Encarnacion is scheduled to play in a few extended spring training games this week and if pain free, he should begin a minor league rehab assignment next week. At 31 years of age, Encarnacion has average power for

Joakim Soria: It didn't take Buddy Bell long to figure out that David Riske is not a closer. It looks like he is leaning towards using Soria, the rookie, Rule 5 pick, as the closer. It doesn't make much sense

Andre Ethier: Manager Grady Little said that Ethier and Matt Kemp are in competition for the starting right field position. That comment is surprising because so far he has played them in a strict platoon. With Kemp going on the

Sammy Sosa: Sosa hit his first homer of the year yesterday and has started in all five of the Rangers' games this year. Before he took a year sabbatical from baseball, Sosa's power was in a steep decline, 2002/2003/2004/2005 home

Elijah Dukes: Rocco Baldelli sat last night with the cold weather in New York. It looks like if the weather is cold or if the field is wet, the Rays will not let Baldelli play the field. That will help

Matt Kemp/Andre Ethier/Luis Gonzalez: Kemp started on Tuesday facing left-hander Chris Capuano and should play in the bad half of a platoon going forward. Andre Ethier was the one who sat, but that doesn't make much sense. Although the sample

Tom Gordon: All that talk about Brett Myers becoming the closer was all just smoke. Despite being 39 years old, Gordon's 2006 numbers of a 10.4 K/9 and a 3.4 BB/9 are still in the upper tier of closers. His

Reds Bullpen: There have been some rumblings that Dustin Hermanson could take over the closer role from David Weathers. Back problems caused him to miss virtually the entire 2006 season, but in 2005 he saved 34 games in 39 tries,

Devil Rays Closer: It is no shock that alleged closer Seth McClung has struggled this spring with 7 ER in 4 innings. With a 2006 BB/9 of 5.9, his skills are not even major-league worthy. If the Rays break

Marlins Closer: The Fish still have not named a closer. There are some rumblings about importing Jorge Julio from Arizona, but as of now, it is a battle between four in-house candidates, Kevin Gregg, Taylor Tankersley, Matt Lindstrom, and Henry

Travis Hafner: Took the step up from a fantasy superstar (FPI: .82) to the elite (FPI: .91). The move up in class was fully supported by the growth in his underlying stats. His batting eye rose to .90 in 2006