Rickie Weeks (2B - MIL) - Weeks hit his seventh home run to raise his line to .194/.311/.332 as he attempts to climb out of a huge hole. He is walking more than normal, but his usually high strikeout rate is at an astronomical 29.4%. Although his batted ball rates are relatively in line with his career averages, his HR/FB% is five percent below his career average and around half of his 2009-11 mark and his BABIP is almost 40 points below career norm. Weeks is likely being hampered by a hand/wrist injury suffered on a hit by pitch in early May, but it's highly unlikely that he'll be this bad going forward and is certainly worth a flier if possible.
Logan Morrison (OF - MIA) - Morrison hit his third home run in the last four games. After an awful start, he has raised his OPS 92 points in the last nine games and is now hitting .248/.326/.447. He's been hurt by the large dimensions of Marlins Park as he's hit seven of his 11 home runs and slugged more than 100 points higher on the road, but he's hitting a career-high amount of fly balls which will produce more home runs. He projects as a solid option going forward and should be bought if he's being sold low.
Ryan Howard (1B - PHI) - Howard went 2-4 with a double in his season debut. He should provide a decent power boost, but is in a two-year decline with a skill set that is prone to rapid downfall. He has also been a liability against left-handed pitching in three out of the last four seasons and is much less effective outside Citizens Bank Park. Howard still has plus-option potential in many games but should be used selectively based on the handedness of the opposing pitcher and the ballpark.
Anthony Rizzo (1B - CHC) - Rizzo had the best night of his young Major League career, going 4-5 and taking Johan Santana deep for his fourth home run of the year to raise his line to .375/.390/.750. That line is obviously unsustainable as there will be natural regression, but his contact rates (albeit in a small sample size) are much better compared to his call-up last season. He will also start drawing more walks as pitchers start to pitch around him. He should be used at Wrigley Field and against right-handers and could be upgraded to a matchup-proof play if he keeps hitting quality lefties.
Erik Bedard (SP - PIT) - Bedard unraveled in the fourth against the Giants, allowing five runs (four earned) on four hits in 3 2/3 innings and walking three with only one strikeout as he finishes the first half with a 4.80 ERA. After a 2.65 ERA with a 37/14 K/BB and only one home run allowed in his first five starts over 34 innings, he has given up eight home runs in nine starts and 51 innings since while striking out fewer than twice as many as he's walked. He's also had problems with hard contact as he came into the night with a 24.6 LD%. Bedard is still a plus matchup at home with the big left-center field at PNC Park but should be avoided outside against lineups with good right-handed options. His health should also be monitored as he's on pace to throw his highest amount of innings in five years.
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