The following players could help your team as it makes its stretch run:
American League1. Dana Eveland - SP - OAK - Eveland was a solid starter for Oakland in the first half: he went 7-6 with a 3.49 ERA. He hit a rough patch in the end of July, allowing 18 runs in 11 2/3 innings to raise his ERA almost a full point. Since being sent to the minors, Eveland has developed a new delivery style and seen great results: he's gone 3-0 with a 2.57 ERA and a 21/4 K/BB ratio in three starts. He's expected to start against Seattle this weekend, so it might be worth sticking him in your lineup immediately.
Recommendation: Should be owned in mixed leagues.
2. Travis Hafner - DH - CLE - Both Hafner and Victor Martinez are nearing returns, but Martinez is owned in over 75 percent of fantasy leagues, so we'll focus on Pronk. Hafner has followed up a disappointing 2007 campaign with an even more disappointing 2008 effort. It's likely that his shoulder was a recurring problem, and the Indians have given him three months to rest his ailing joint. There's a chance he'll come back and continue to suck, but it's worth gambling that he'll resemble a semblance of his self.
Recommendation: Worth a flier in mixed leagues.
3. Jim Johnson - RP - BAL - George Sherrill has been on the disabled list for a few days, but Jim Johnson is still available in over 75 percent of leagues. Perhaps fantasy owners are savvy enough to see that his 2.33 ERA and 1.16 WHIP are masking a mediocre 36/27 K/BB ratio. One thing working in Johnson's favor, however, is that he hasn't allowed a homer in 65 2/3 innings this season. For now, he's a fine option for saves, but beware a potential dropoff.
Recommendation: Should be owned in mixed leagues.
4. Jed Lowrie - SS - BOS - With Julio Lugo sidelined and not showing any signs of making it back soon, Lowrie appears to have locked down the shortstop job in Boston. So far in August he's hitting .365/.438/.619. His slugging percentage is boosted by doubles and triples: Lowrie isn't going to hit a lot of homers and he isn't going to steal many bases. He is going to score and drive in plenty of runs in Boston's lineup.
Recommendation: Should be owned in mixed leagues.
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5. Zach Miner - SP - DET - Zach Miner was hammered in his last start, yes, but since taking the starting job, he has thrown quality games in four of his six starts, with one miss falling just 2/3 an inning short. Both of his next two matchups are against the Royals, who Miner managed to shutout for six strong innings in his first start of the year. After that, things get shaky, but he's worth grabbing in the short term.
Recommendation: Should be owned in mixed leagues for the next week.
6. Brandon McCarthy - SP - TEX - McCarthy was very mediocre for the Rangers last season, but he was also hampered by injuries for most of the year. He hasn't pitched for Texas this season, but he's posted a solid 3.41 ERA and a 28/9 K/BB ratio in seven minor league starts. His last 13 innings have been scoreless. He'll face the Indians on Saturday, but after that he's scheduled to face the Mariners twice before facing Oakland, and that's a schedule that should make him valuable if he shows any semblance of his No. 3 starter potential.
Recommendation: Worth consideration in mixed leagues.
7. Asdrubal Cabrera - 2B - CLE - Cabrera has a very solid hold on second base for Cleveland, so much so that the team is considering moving Josh Barfield to a new position. Since rejoining the team last month, he has hit .293 with three homers and 10 RBI in 99 at-bats. That's very solid production from a second baseman.
Recommendation: Should be owned in AL-only leagues.
8. Carl Pavano - SP - NYY - In a sign of just how desperate things have gotten for New York, the Yankees will start Carl Pavano on Saturday. Pavano has been decent in his five minor league starts this season: he's 1-1 with a 3.32 ERA and a 19/4 K/BB ratio. He had a great 2004, but he has a career 4.27 ERA. His minor league coaches say he's looked great, and Pavano is looking at free agency, but at this point he's a flier at best.
Recommendation: Worth consideration as a flier in mixed leagues.
1. Jon Rauch - RP - ARI - Arizona acquired Jon Rauch to provide a bridge to Brandon Lyon, but Lyon has struggled recently and Rauch picked up his first save on Wednesday night. Rauch hasn't exactly been lights out in Arizona - especially this month - but he's posted a respectable 3.65 ERA. A swap of responsibilities could be coming.
Recommendation: Should be owned in mixed leagues.
2. Adam LaRoche - 1B - PIT - In the past three seasons, Adam LaRoche has hit .285/.341/.498 in September. He's struggled since returning from the disabled list, but a brief adjustment period is to be expected. LaRoche was heating up before his injury, and he's always been a second half player. He is poised to have a nice stretch run.
Recommendation: Should be owned in mixed leagues.
3. Yusmeiro Petit - SP - ARI - We've mentioned Petit before, but he's pitched very well since finding a spot in Arizona's rotation. He has a 3.27 ERA since assuming the role, and a 12/2 K/BB ratio in his last three starts. He also has a solid schedule to finish out the season. For now, he's tentatively set to face Florida, Los Angeles, St. Louis, San Francisco, San Francisco and Colorado. He's available in most every league, so he's worth taking a chance on. Just know his spot in the rotation is not guaranteed.
Recommendation: Worth a flier in mixed leagues.
4. Jody Gerut - OF - SD - Fun fact: Jody Gerut's middle name is "Diego," and he plays on the San Diego Padres! OMG! Gerut's run this season has been surprising, especially during an August in which he's hit .344/.344/.705. He's hit six homers in 61 at-bats this month, giving him 13 on the season. That obviously won't continue, but if you're looking for a solid outfielder to round out a roster, Gerut is a fine choice.
Recommendation: Worth consideration in mixed leagues.
5. Jeff Francis - SP - SD - Francis isn't necessarily a long-term solution at pitcher, but he's facing the Giants and the Padres in his next two starts, both of which will come in the opposing team's pitcher-friendly ballpark. He hasn't faced the Giants this year, but he's pitched seven scoreless against San Diego. Unfortunately for Mr. Francis, he's facing Matt Cain and Jake Peavy, so he might not get wins, but his other numbers should be solid.
Recommendation: Should be owned in mixed leagues next week.
6. Felipe Lopez - 2B - STL - Lopez seems to have taken well to his new surroundings: he's hitting .325/.400/.425 with two homers in 40 at-bats with his new team. That's a significant improvement over anything Lopez has done the last couple of seasons, but he was hitting at an 800 OPS/20 home run pace for the year and a half before he was shipped to Washington. It's possible the change of scenery could help him approach those levels once again.
Recommendation: Should be owned in NL-only leagues.
7. Al Reyes - RP - NYM - Billy Wagner will miss the next three weeks of the season, and there's a chance he could be out even longer. The Mets have added Al Reyes to their bullpen mix to help compensate. For now, he's rebuilding his arm strength, but he should rejoin the big league squad soon and for a lack of better options he could see some opportunities to save. He tallied 26 saves for the Rays last season, but he hasn't been striking out nearly as many batters this year. Still, if he impresses when he joins the team he should get an opportunity to hold down the role.
Recommendation: Worth consideration in deeper mixed leagues.
