Fantasy

Evan Longoria, Josh Hamilton, Chase Utley, Rafael Furcal. There have been a number of ailing fantasy baseball stars. What looked like an offense that only featured Billy Butler as a fantasy option, has produced several players with hot starts.

Wilson Betemit leads the team with a .379 batting average. The third baseman has scored eight runs, drove in five more and swiped two bases. He’s not Evan Longoria, but he has been productive.

Last week, we took a look at the closer’s situations in the American League (click here to view); this week, we turn to the National League. 

Who could be in jeopardy of losing their job? Which closer in waiting is worth stashing? 

Let’s take a look:

East

What the Fuentes is up with the incompetence of relief pitching in 2011? Baseball jargon designates closers as "firemen" due to their propensity of extinguishing infernos in the later innings of ballgames. Yet pyromania has engulfed the Major League landscape, dominating the early season headlines.

I took a look at starting pitchers available in at least half of Yahoo! fantasy baseball leagues. Most guys in that range are either hurt or unproven, but there are some viable options in case the back end of your rotation is still shaky. Here are five guys I would consider.

Begin Slideshow

This weekly column will focus on guys who are out there to be had for nothing in most leagues that can help your team even if only as a short term fill in. So if you’re like me and have Evan Longoria, Jason Bay, Brian Matusz and Chase Utley sitting on your DL, these are some names you might have to call to the rescue!

Jeremy Guthrie: SP Baltimore Orioles (40 percent owned in Yahoo, 29 percent in ESPN leagues)

Current Stat Line: 1 W/6 K/ 0.00 ERA

Every Monday I will be bringing you the Top 3 hot and cold baseball players from around MLB. The twist, I’ll also be providing a buy or sell recommendation on the cold players to help you decide if this is a guy to target in a trade offer or someone you should cut if they’re clogging a bench spot. I'll also give advice on those playing well, if you should sell high or buy the continued dominance.

For the last week, here are your Hot & Cold recommendations—

Milwaukee Brewers’ pitcher Chris Narveson tossed seven shutout innings against the Cubs Saturday night, allowing just six hits and one walk while striking out nine.

Everyone knows it's not all about the draft, that you need to make moves throughout the season. This post is designed to help you rule the waivers! So when your league-mates are in an 11 team race to see who will acquire the next Willie Bloomquist, you can take your pick and laugh all the way to a fantasy championship!

Logan Morrison, OF Florida Marlins (38% owned in Yahoo, 37% in ESPN)

Current Stat Line—.333 AVG/ 5 R/ 2 HR/ 5 RBI

Here’s a look at the unheralded fantasy baseball players who played well yesterday.

Philadelphia Phillies @ Atlanta Braves
Raul Ibanez went 1-for-4 with two runs. Carlos Ruiz went 2-for-2, with two runs, a Grand Slam and five RBI. Alex Gonzalez went 2-for-4 for the Braves.

New York Yankees @ Boston Red Sox

Here’s a look at the unheralded fantasy baseball players who played well yesterday.

New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox

J.D. Drew went 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI.


Kansas City Royals at Detroit Tigers

Will Rhymes went 2-for-4 with a run. Jhonny Peralta went two for three with three RBI. Chris Getz went three for four with a run. Max Scherzer gave up one run in six innings to improve to 2-0.


Oakland A’s vs. Minnesota Twins