Preview/Prediction

After a disappointing 2-5 stretch against three of their biggest rivals, the Yankees finally got an off day before making their first trip to the new Target Field for another difficult series against the American League Central leading Twins.

New York had won 12 straight against Minnesota, including a three-game sweep in last year's AL Division Series, until Jason Kubel hit a grand slam off Mariano Rivera on May 16 to spark a 6-3 Twins victory.

Rafael Furcal is ready to rejoin the Dodgers—finally.

After a longer than expected stint on the disabled list, Furcal will be reactivated on Tuesday, as Los Angeles opens up a three game series at Wrigley Field against the Cubs.

Furcal has been inactive since April with a strained hamstring, and was originally slated to return on May 14. However, the tightness persisted, and additional healing time was required.

The Rockies return home to Denver and Coors Field for a six game home stand with all 6 games against divisional rivals. The Rockies will play 3 games against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and then 3 games over the weekend with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Is this home stand a make or break critical six games for the Rockies and their chances of winning the National League West?

It’s time to look at the potential two-start options for the upcoming fantasy week.  If I have someone rated as a three, four, or five-star option, they are someone I would definitely use.  A two-star option is someone who is borderline, but I’d strongly lean against it unless I have no other options.  The one-star options are an absolutely not scenario.

So, with that said, let’s take a look at the players available to you this week:

Five-Star Options

The arrival of Stephen Strasburg in the big leagues has to be one of the most anticipated stories of 2010.

The 21-year old phenom is cruising through the Minor Leagues with a 6-1 record, posting a god-like 0.89 ERA. With 49 strikeouts in 40.1 innings, Strasburg is the most dominating pitcher in the Minor Leagues.

He hasn't allowed a run yet in Triple AAA Syracuse and doesn't look like he is going to slow down any time soon.

Will Strasburg be answer to the Washington Nationals prayers? Or will he be just another draft bust?

Ned Yost, former Major League player and manager of the Milwaukee Brewers, is leading the Kansas City Royals: to the bright side of things.

Yost was fired as the Brewers manager, even after posting a 83-67 record, his best winning percentage yet at that time.

After his firing, the Royals put Yost as their bench coach, while Trey Hillman was leading the Royals to another disaster season.

If you thought last night's pitching matchup was something, get a load of this one.

Tonight, in the rubber game of the Subway Series, it'll be a battle of left-handed aces. Two guys that have been paid over $150 million to lead their respective starting rotations.

For the Mets, that man is Johan Santana. Coming off of a game in which the Mets lost, to no fault of Santana, he'll be trying to pitch the Mets to a series win. That would be a feat in itself, considering the Mets lost against Javier Vazquez and had the hard task of beating the top two Yankees pitchers.

Most teams have played a little over 40 games, and despite my barely passing grades in every single math class I've ever taken, I still managed to figure out that the MLB season is roughly a quarter over.

The good thing about making predictions this early is that if they turn out to be correct, boom. You're a genius. A pundit. A prophet.

If they're wrong. So what? Nobody can read the future, get off my ass will ya?

Stage Set for World Series Repeat, But Which One?

Thank you ESPN. Thank you Seattle newspapers. Thank you Mariners fans. Thank you radio talk shows. Thank you sports world. Oh yeah, and thank you Kevin Gregg.

I say thank you to all of the above because you have awoken one of the greatest baseball players of all time from his slumber.

Throughout this season, Griffey had been criticized day in and day out on how he should retire. People have said he's too old, doesn't have the same bat anymore, and simply cannot perform at the Major League level.

What a pitching matchup we have in store today for game two of the Subway Series. It'll be a battle of two right-handed starters who have this season developed in to big time pitchers.

For the Mets, it'll be Mike Pelfrey. The last time Big Pelf pitched, he was trying to snap a five-game losing streak in Atlanta on a night in which the entire Mets front office was on hand.

He did a fantastic job of doing that, as he went 7 2/3 strong innings, allowing only two runs.