I just want to make a few points before I divulge into my bag of tricks here:

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman and my fantasy baseball love interest Mark Reynolds (back), is tied for second in the National league with five home runs. In addition, he is atop the NL in RBIs (15) and is tied for third in runs scored (13).

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Edinson Volquez is 1-0 with nine strikeouts, five walks, a 0.87 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP in 10 1/3 innings. Not to mention, he has limited opposing hackers to a paltry .222 average.

As you probably already know, I mentioned these two guys in last week’s blurb. I just wanted to remind you of how beneficial it is to own them.

It’s no fluke that Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Pat Burrell is hitting .373 with six home runs, 17 RBIs and 11 runs scored in 51 at-bats this season. He’s in a contract year and has been flirting with legitimate stardom since his first swing for the Phillies in 2000. Chances are he’ll maintain his steady streak of 100-plus strikeouts that he has exhibited over his last eight seasons, and most likely sport an average around .285 by the end of the campaign, but he has surreal power and a career .855 OPS that screams production. If you can get this guy from a manager who still stares at his career .260 batting average clouded by a world of doubt, then pull the dang trigger cowboy.

In most formats, Atlanta Braves shortstop Yunel Escobar is eligible at second base, shortstop and third base. He’s a 6-foot-2, 200-pound 25-year-old developing stud that has provided his lucky owners with a solid .345 average, three home runs, 11 RBIs and 12 runs scored in 55 at-bats thus far. For me, he has filled in admirably for injured Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins (ankle). Escobar is currently sporting a 1.019 OPS, has hit safely in nine consecutive games and has cranked at a .379 clip off of right-handed pitching this season. Folks, he’s legit, trust me. I’ve been watching this kid since his days with Atlanta’s Double-A affiliate in Mississippi.

The bats of the Detroit Tigers have finally come out of hibernation. They have scored 30 runs combined over their last three contests and have looked dominating in doing so. Currently, starting pitcher Justin Verlander is struggling immensely. He has a 0-2 record with 13 whiffs, eight walks and a 6.52 ERA in 19 1/3 innings. However, if you can believe me, there are some very promising signs to the stuff that Verlander has been tossing towards the plate this year. For instance, he currently has a 1.19 WHIP and has limited opposing hitters to a staunch .203 batting average over his first three starts. If you have the spare parts hanging around your roster, throw some bait out to your fellow owners. You just might hook the 6-foot-5, 200-pound hurler.

Cultivating sleepers is one of my favorite pastimes. Finding those hidden gems to decorate my roster with is as gratifying as, well, you know. One guy that you may or may not have heard of is Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Nate McLouth. He currently sports a .382 average with two home runs, 14 RBIs, 13 runs scored and two stolen bases in 68 at-bats. In addition, he boasts a nasty 1.065 OPS, a disgusting .435 average against southpaws and a righteous .356 off of right-handed hurlers. The 26-year-old McLouth is currently in the midst of a 15-game hitting streak and is showing no signs of regression. If you’re starved for some outfield depth, you will not walk the plank with McLouth on your roster.

The potent elixir of talent and potential that New York Mets starting pitcher Mike Pelfrey has been rumored to be toting is finally fermenting just right. Over his first two starts this season, Pelfrey is 2-0 with seven strikeouts, four walks, a 1.50 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP in 12 innings. He has also limited opposing hackers to a demoralizing .227 batting average. The 6-foot-7, 230-pound hurler out of Wichita State is only 24, so what we have been seeing could be a sign of what’s to come. However, he’s still young and has a career ERA of 5.09 in a total of 106 innings, so the possibility of an implosion or two is real. If he’s available and you have the room, grab him.

Rob McCarthy has played fantasy sports since the days of tediously transferring his daily points from the Boston Herald to a tattered notepad every morning.  He has been featured on Yahoo! Sports, FOX Sports and currently scribes for KFFL.com.  In addition, Rob is an avid fan of all Boston sports.

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