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Fantasy Baseball Tip Sheet - July 25

By James LoPresti / The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 25, 2008

HOT & COLD

HOT

Dustin Pedroia, 2B (Red Sox) - Pedroia has the highest batting average of all major-leaguers in July, hitting .438, and he has chipped in nicely with 24 runs scored and 15 RBIs.

Troy Glaus, 3B (Cardinals) - Entering Wednesday, Glaus was working on a 10-game hitting streak and he had eight home runs and 19 RBIs in July.

Delmon Young, OF (Twins) - Young is hitting just more than .400 this week and .353 this month, raising his batting average close to .300. He hasn't found his power groove yet, but he should provide solid run and RBI production the rest of the year.

John Lannan, SP (Nationals) - Despite a misleading 6-9 record, Lannan has one of the lowest ERAs in the big leagues at 3.29. During the past month, he is 2-1 with a 3.13 ERA.

COLD

Jack Cust, OF (Athletics) - More than half of Cust's at-bats in his last 25 games have resulted in strikeouts. In his last 92 plate appearances, he has 47 strikeouts and has compounded the problem by hitting .179.

Aramis Ramirez, 3B (Cubs) - Ramirez has been horrible this week, registering one hit in 26 at-bats, and he has two hits in his last 34 plate appearances.

Jacoby Ellsbury, OF (Red Sox) - Ellsbury has just five hits in his last 42 plate appearances and hasn't stolen a base since July 1.

John Maine, SP (Mets) - Maine is 1-2 with a 6.54 ERA in his past five outings, and he has pitched past the fifth inning only twice since June 25.

INJURY UPDATE

Kerry Wood, RP (Cubs) - The news on Wood is he likely will take a trip to the disabled list with a blister on his pitching hand, meaning Carlos Marmol will take over the closer role while Wood is out. However, because of Marmol's poor track record as a closer, Manager Lou Piniella could turn to relievers Bob Howry or Kevin Hart to help fill the void.

Chipper Jones, 3B (Braves) - Jones left Wednesday night's game against the Marlins in the fourth inning with a strained left hamstring. Jones ran hard out of the box and pulled up after crossing first base. He limped off the field and into the locker room. Bad news for fantasy owners: Jones was just starting to regain his timing after missing time with thigh and groin injuries. It is likely he will miss at least a few games recuperating, and it could be more if it turns out he has to make a trip to the DL.

PICKUPS OF THE WEEK

Melvin Mora, 3B (Orioles) - Mora has been tearing it up since the All-Star break, smashing four home runs and 15 RBIs in seven games. Obviously, don't expect Mora to keep this up, but it wouldn't be shocking if Mora maintained a .275 average with 10-12 home runs in the second half. He is a good short-term pickup.

Joel Hanrahan/Saul Rivera, RP (Nationals) - With Jon Rauch gone to Arizona, Hanrahan and Rivera are the leading contenders to pick up saves for Washington. It's unclear who will emerge as the clear-cut closer, but if you're desperate for some saves, these two would be solid options.

Ubaldo Jimenez, SP (Rockies) - Jimenez is 4-1 in July, including a complete game Tuesday against the Dodgers. Jimenez has always had the explosive stuff to dominate, but he struggled early with his control. Now, it seems like he is pitching rather than throwing. With Jeff Francis on the DL, Jimenez has turned into the ace of the Rockies staff. Pick him up if he is still available; he is a great play in his next start Sunday against the Reds.

Manny Corpas, RP (Rockies) - It seems inevitable that current closer Brian Fuentes will be traded within the next week. It would be smart to pick up Corpas as insurance. He has allowed two runs in his last 13 appearances, and he looks to have solved the control problems that have plagued him all year.