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.