A pennant race seems to have energized the bat and 38 year-old legs of Jim Edmonds, while youngsters Denard Span and Jed Lowrie are proving that the futures of the Red Sox and Twins are in good hands.

Marlon Byrd, OF, Texas Rangers
Status: Earning an everyday role
Key Stats: Hitting .618 with 7 RBIs in last 7 games
What to Watch For: Leveling out of recent gaudy numbers
Other Notes: Has multiple hits in 7 of last 8 games

Ty Wigginton, 3B, Houston Astros
Status: On hot streak for struggling Astros
Key Stats: .429 average, 4 HR, 11 RBIs during 10 game hit streak
What to Watch For: If power accompanies base hits
Other Notes: 7 RBIs and 2 multi-hit games in last 4 contests

Denard Span, OF, Minnesota Twins
Status: Thriving since Michael Cuddyer injury
Key Stats: .333 average, 6 RBIs, 3 SBs last 7 games
What to Watch For: More stolen bases as he gets comfortable
Other Notes: Hitting .304 in August

Jed Lowrie, SS, Boston Red Sox
Status: Looking more like Red Sox SS of the future – and present
Key Stats: .320 average, 8 RBIs in last 7 games
What to Watch For: How a healthy Julio Lugo affects playing time
Other Notes: .305 average, 14 RBIs at Fenway Park

Lastings Milledge, OF, Washington Nationals
Status: Proving he belongs in big leagues
Key Stats: .375 average, 5 HRs, 10 RBIs during 14 game hit streak
What to Watch For: How he responds as Nats continue downward spiral
Other Notes: Hitting .392 with 5 HRs in August

Rod Barajas, C, Texas Rangers
Status: Benefitting from powerful offensive supporting cast
Key Stats: Hit safely in 14 of last 18 games
What to Watch For: If catching rigors affect swing in last 2 months
Other Notes: Hitting .290 with 28 RBIs with RISP

Willie Harris, OF, Washington Nationals
Status: Set to see everyday time in depleted Nationals OF
Key Stats: Batting .299 with 4 HRs since All-Star break
What to Watch For: Not as many home runs, but higher average down the stretch
Other Notes: Hitting only .248, but with 4 home runs at Nationals Park

Jim Edmonds, OF, Chicago Cubs
Status: Heating up again for NL best Cubs
Key Stats: 3 HRs, 6 RBIs last 5 games
What to Watch For: Will be energized by pennant race
Other Notes: 9 home runs, 23 RBIs at Wrigley Field

Akinori Iwamura, 2B, Tampa Bay Rays
Status: Continues to set table for Rays offense
Key Stats: Multiple hits in 3 of last 7 games
What to Watch For: More power with Crawford and Longoria out
Other Notes: Hitting .305 with 18 HRs at Tropicana Field

Fernando Tatis, 3B, New York Mets
Status: Earning everyday time in Mets outfield
Key Stats: Hitting .339 with 6 home runs at Shea Stadium
What to Watch For: How playing time is affected after return of Ryan Church
Other Notes: .357 average, 3 home runs, 23 RBIs with RISP

Dave DeIuliis will be a senior at Penn State’s School of Journalism. He can be reached at dmd5042@psu.edu.

K-Rod could stop pitching today and still possibly lead baseball in saves. And as the saves pile up, we’re starting to see his typical dominance in strikeouts, something that was missing from his early season run. The rest of the top six remains virtually intact, the only change being Philadelphia’s Brad Lidge slipping in favor of Minnesota’s Joe Nathan and Kansas City’s Joakim Soria.

Chicago’s Kerry Wood is back in the closer role for the National League Central-leading Cubbies, which is a great benefit to fantasy teams looking to make a late-season push. Down to the middle tier of closers, there are tradeoffs to be made between saves and ratios. Francisco Cordero, Jose Valverde, Brian Wilson and George Sherrill are all closing down games, but are all sporting hefty WHIPs that taint their contributions.

Brad Ziegler, Eddie Guardado, Fernando Rodney, Jensen Lewis, John Grabow, and the Mets flavor of the week closer are all among those getting chances to pitch in the ninth inning. While Ziegler and Guardado appear to have some job security, it’s anyone’s guess how the rest of the season plays out for Rodney and Lewis as their teams search for someone – anyone – who can get the job done.

The full list:
**Statistics as of Aug. 12 games

1. Francisco Rodriguez, LAA: Has 14 more saves (46) than next closer on list [1]
2. Jonathan Papelbon, BOS: As dominant as ever; sports 60:7 K-to-BB ratio [2]
3. Mariano Rivera, NYY: Bound to happen; blew first save of year on Tuesday [3]
4. Joakim Soria, KC: Rising star has twice as many Ks (58) as hits (29) [6]
5. Joe Nathan, MIN: Few bumps in road; has allowed 2 ER since May 28 [5]
6. Brad Lidge, PHI: Has tired shoulder, 14:11 K-to-BB rate over last 13.2 IP [4]
7. Kevin Gregg, FLA: BBs make for drama, still has 2.29 ERA, 26 saves [10]
8. Kerry Wood, CHC: Transition to closer role from DL nearly complete [NR]
9. Bobby Jenks, CHW: Maturation has involved unfortunate drop in K rate [12]
10. Salomon Torres, MIL: Is 22-for-25 in save opps since taking over as closer [14]

11. Jonathon Broxton, LAD: Has met first adversity with 4 ER in last 2 outings [7]
12. Troy Percival, TB: HRs becoming a problem; has allowed 7 in 37.2 IP [11]
13. Francisco Cordero, CIN: More erratic than usual, has 31 BBs in 52.1 IP [13]
14. Brian Fuentes, COL: Has 0.66 ERA, 22 Ks, 8 saves in last 13.2 IP [15]
15. Brandon Lyon, ARI: Wise to add Rauch as hittable Lyon struggles [8]
16. Jose Valverde, HOU: Bi-polar closer has 1.13 ERA, 4 saves in last 8 IP [17]
17. J.J. Putz, SEA: Back in closer role with Morrow transitioning to SP [NR]
18. Brian Wilson, SF: Somehow 32-for-34 saves despite 4.08 ERA, 1.42 WHIP [18]
19. George Sherrill, BAL: Has struggled to 8.77 ERA, 3 BS in last 14 outings [16]
20. B.J. Ryan, TOR: Uncharacteristic BB totals cause for 1.33 WHIP [21]

21. Trevor Hoffman, SD: Surefire HOFer at his most hittable in ‘08 [22]
22. Brad Ziegler, OAK: Scoreless streak has propelled him into closer role [NR]
23. Eddie Guardado, TEX: Gets job done; has security through end of season [NR]
24. Jason Isringhausen, STL: Will lead Cards committee or win job outright [19]
25. Fernando Rodney, DET: Gets 2nd chance to perform and keep job [NR]
26. Mike Gonzalez, ATL: No threat to job with Soriano likely done for year [26]
27. Joel Hanrahan, WAS: Has been OK as closer; few save opps limits value [28]
28. Eddie Kunz, NYM: Anybody’s gig until Wagner returns from DL [NR]
29. Jensen Lewis, CLE: Has converted Tribe’s last 2 save chances [NR]
30. John Grabow, PIT: Days numbered with Capps rehabbing sore shoulder [NR]

Four players come to mind as going that route in ’08. The most heralded of the group was Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano, who was called up for an early test in his first major league action since 2006 Tommy John surgery. Liriano crashed and burned in the earlyaudition and was sent to Triple-A Rochester, where he went 10-0 in his final 11 starts and hit the ground running upon his recall to Minnesota.

Toronto’s Adam Lind flopped in two previous stints in the big leagues, but kept hitting in the minors and got a third chance when hitting guru Cito Gaston replaced the fired John Gibbons as manager. Since returning to Toronto, Lind has hit .331 with solid power and production numbers to confirm the organization’s belief in him as a franchise cornerstone.

Kansas City’s Billy Butler and Colorado’s Ian Stewart are two more who have found new life after stints in the minors. Butler was sent to Triple-A Omaha to re-focus and discover his power stroke, and he has flashed better slugging numbers since his return. Where he hit .263 with just one home run in 186 at-bats before the demotion, Butler has hit .279 with six home runs in 129 at-bats since returning.

Stewart was a man without a position in Colorado, filling in at second base in May and June, then getting shipped back to Triple-A Colorado Springs after he hit just .218 in 55 at-bats. An injury to Todd Helton has opened the door for him to return to the parent club and play everyday at his natural position, third base. The results have been exponentially better this time around, as he’s hit .397 and forced the organization to include him in its future plans.

Of course, the up-and-down approach doesn’t always work out. Cincinnati’s Homer Bailey was called up far too soon as a 21-year old in 2007, then returned to Cincinnati for two more troublesome stints this season. As the Reds have forced the action with Bailey, he has failed to meet the challenge, which could have some long-term negative effects on him.

In fantasy, knowing the difference between a resurgence and a flop is as simple as seeing and reading the results. By understanding what a prospect means to an organization and spotting good, consistent results, future gains can be sought out and found. Opportunities are especially easy with players who struggled in the past because season stat lines don’t reflect the improvements they have made.

With speed that was quoted by Rangers assistant general manager Thad Levine as being “just a tick above average” in an SI.com article, Kinsler has still managed 26 stolen bases to go with 16 home runs. He ranks third in the American League batting race (.320), while leading the league with 99 runs scored and ranking second among major league second basemen with his 26 steals.

Teammate Michael Young, as the SI.com story goes on to point out, has been a tremendous influence on him. While we can take SI’s word for it when it comes to Young’s leadership and clubhouse presence, we can pretty easily see some similarities in their swings. Like Young, Kinsler can perennially contend for an American League batting title, while giving fantasy owners just what they need in all five standard offensive categories.

All Kinsler needed was his health to put together one of the best fantasy seasons of ’08. He had flashed five-category production in both ’06 and ’07, but came down with injuries that shortened his season and affected him when he did play. While he has improved across the board during a career year, all of the vitals to his fantasy success — K-to-BB rate, OPS and stolen base percentage — have been effectively the same.

A look back at last season, when he hit .263 with 20 home runs and 23 stolen bases in 483 at-bats, and what we see is a line that is arguably more dynamic than what Kinsler has done so far in ’08. The differences, of course, have been in his health and batting average, which has climbed 57 points to its current .320. Far fewer walks and strikeouts have contributed there, as Kinsler has a much higher contact rate than in any of his previous seasons.

All of the numbers help draw one conclusion: This guy’s career year is no fluke. Maturity, experience and (knock on wood) no oddball injuries have made him an All-Star, not any kind of dramatic change in what he does at the plate. Credit fantasy owners who used eighth round draft choices on him in the preseason with good vision, but we all should have seen this one coming.

Huff is hitting .390 with 5 home runs, 14 runs and 15 RBIs during his league-high 19-game hitting streak, and now has 24 homers and 77 RBIs on the year. Although he has seven multi-hit games during the streak, seven of the last eight games have been one-hit performances.

Not a problem, though, as he has now hit a home run in two straight and scored four runs in the last three. He’s never been an eye-opening run-producer – his highest RBI total of 107 came in 2003 – but this recent streak proves that the former Devil Rays can’t-miss prospect can indeed be an elite fantasy outfielder.

There’s no reason to believe it won’t continue as well, as 25 of the Orioles remaining games come against the Blue Jays, Yankees, Red Sox and Rays, against whom Huff has hit a combined .324 with eight home runs. The Orioles remaining schedule is also home heavy, where Huff is hitting .305 with 14 home runs and 39 RBIs this season.

Dave DeIuliis will be a senior at Penn State’s School of Journalism. he can be reached at dmd5042@psu.edu.

While Buck is a nice addition to a resurgent Cincinnati farm system, Dunn is the only player of significance in fantasy. The move from Cincinnati into the National League West playoff race is likely a lateral one in terms of his overall value. But, for a player whose fantasy merits are derived almost exclusively from the home run ball — he’s tied for major league lead with 32 — it’s tough to see him leave Cincinnati’s Great American Ballpark.

Lineup support in Arizona will be comparable to what the Reds had to offer in lefty hitting Jay Bruce and righty Edwin Encarnacion. He will likely be plugged into the D-backs cleanup spot, behind Conor Jackson and ahead of either Mark Reynolds or Chad Tracy. Opportunities for production shouldn’t change much, if at all, in his new surroundings.

With Dunn presumably taking over everyday left field duties, Jackson will now get the majority of at-bats at first base, relegating Tracy to bench duties. Tracy could also get at-bats at third base and shift Reynolds to second base, where he could platoon with Augie Ojeda in the absence of team leader Orlando Hudson, who had season-ending wrist surgery last week.

If Reynolds does play enough second base to gain middle infield eligibility, it could be the biggest development resulting from this deal. While second base and shortstop are typically havens for high-average, low-power options, plugging Reynolds into that spot could help fantasy teams make up some serious ground in the power categories.

Stay tuned, Reynolds, a second baseman in the minors, has yet to play a game there in 2008. Depending on your league’s eligibility requirements, it will take a minimum of two weeks for him to be eligible at second.

But, the worst part of this equation is that Crawford is a question mark to return to the Rays lineup this season, according to the Rays’ official site. Again, a silver lining, if there is one to this cloud, is the fact that Crawford really hadn’t performed that great before suffering the injury. Even at his healthiest, the 27-year old was on pace for his lowest career batting average (.273) and stolen base total (25).

Disappointment is one thing, and injury is another. Crawford owners justifiably were holding out hope that he would bounce back and finish strong. Who knows, maybe he does upon his potential return. Stay tuned to your favorite baseball news source for developing news on this one.

In terms of replacements, this is a good time to take a flier on Twins outfielder Denard Span. Not only does Span have the look of a quality fantasy outfielder, he is energizing Minnesota’s lineup and establishing himself as an everyday player. He doesn’t have the huge steals potential of a Crawford, but a .300 average, 5-7 steals and decent production elsewhere would be as good as a fantasy can hope for in Crawford’s absence.

Washington’s Lastings Milledge should hit more home runs and steal more bases the rest of this season than Span, but he won’t match the batting average. Determine if his or Span’s strengths best fit your lineup, then check for their availability on the waiver wire.

Some other names to watch: Kansas City’s David DeJesus, who is steady and reliable, but limited when it comes to power and speed; Washington’s Willie Harris, who can contribute in four categories but hold you back in batting average; and Texas’ Marlon Byrd, who isn’t a big stolen base threat, but is poised to produced hitting fifth in the Rangers’ explosive lineup.

There’s no replacing Lee’s 40-home run, 120-RBI type production, which makes the timing of this injury so tough to handle. Roster flexibility, if you’re fortunate enough to have it, makes this a little easier because the waiver wire is currently better stocked with non-outfielders with upside.

If you are open to the best available talent: take a look at Detroit’s Gary Sheffield, who can nearly match Lee’s star power, and Colorado’s Ian Stewart, who is talented and benefits from the thin air at Coors Field.

If only an outfielder will due: Texas’ Marlon Byrd, who is on fire and in the middle of a prolific offense, can help. So can Minnesota’s Denard Span, who has a very promising fantasy future, but lacks the power and RBI potential of Lee. Milwaukee’s Mike Cameron is more dynamic than Lee because he can steal bases, but he’s having his typical struggles with a .230 batting average.

Don’t use this injury as a crutch for a losing season. Pick up one of these lesser replacements, keep managing, and aim to win a league championship in the face of bad luck.

Milledge was 3-for-6 with his 12th home run and two RBIs Sunday and has now hit safely in a season-high 11 straight games. He is hitting .391 with 5 home runs, 10 RBIs and only 5 strikeouts in 45 at-bats during the streak, and in the first six games of the Nats’ current road trip, he’s hitting .406 with three home runs. Milledge is hitting only .255 overall and .256 on the road so far, so his recent success is a sign that he’s finally figuring out major league pitching.

His 61 strikeouts aren’t alarming for a rookie, but his 25 walks are. Overaggressiveness is not uncommon in young, confident players like Milledge and his former New York Mets teammate Jose Reyes, but Milledge doesn’t have slumpbusting Jose Reyes speed.

This stretch is refreshing in that it shows he can compete at the big league level and serve as a starting outfielder in deep fantasy leagues, even if he doesn’t live up to the staggering hype just yet. But don’t get too excited, the Nationals have 16 games left against the Braves and Phillies, against whom Milledge is hitting a combined .206 in 63 career at-bats. 

Dave DeIuliis will be a senior at Penn State’s School of Journalism. He can be reached at dmd5042@psu.edu.

Four years ago it would have been unnecessary to preface Giles’ name with “Padres outfielder,” but after seasons of 15, 14, and 13 home runs, he got lost in the Petco Park outfield. This season, although he has only 6 home runs and 37 RBIs, his plate discipline has made him a target of contenders, but far too few fantasy owners.

Giles is hitting .350 with a .435 OBP in August and has two multi-hit games in his last five. He ranks fifth among Major League outfielders with only 44 strikeouts in 390 at-bats and 15th with 61 walks. Giles is only 5 feet 10 inches tall and consequently has a small strike zone and the plate discipline to take advantage. He hasn’t struck out more than 64 times in any the last three years, and as he continues to put the ball in play over the final two months, the outs made on the Petco Park warning track will eventually even out.

Also, Giles and the Padres travel to Coors Field and Chase Field nine times, where Giles is hitting a combined .303 with 12 home runs and 45 RBIs in 218 at-bats over the past three years.

Dave DeIuliis will be a senior at Penn State’s School of Journalism. He can be reached at dmd5042@psu.edu.