Our weekly digest of everything fantasy baseball. Facts don't lie and The Lineup is full of 'em. Projections for the week of Sept. 9- Sept. 15. Stats through Sept. 8:



Los Angeles Angels, OF
Stats: .458 AVG, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 6 R, 1 SB
Comment: Actually leads the league in RBIs since the All-Star break. How long can this ridiculous streak last?

St. Louis Cardinals, OF
Stats: .417 AVG, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 10 R, 0 SB
Comment: Real shame that these HGH allegations are coming out as Ankiel's story was one of the better ones in 2007.

New York Yankees, 3B
Stats: .545 AVG, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 6 R, 2 SB
Comment: Can we please just give him the AL MVP award already?


Boston Red Sox, SP
Stats:2-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.42 WHIP, 12 SO
Comment: He followed up a no-hitter with three scoreless frames on Thursday. What can you say?

Washington Nationals, RP
Stats:1-0, 3 SV, 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 7 SO
Comment: This past week has been his best stretch of 2007. It will be very encouraging for next season to see if he can keep this up.

Boston Red Sox, RP
Stats: 0-0, 4 SV, 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP, 5 SO
Comment: Was used in three consecutive games this past week for the first time this season.



Milwaukee Brewers, SS
Stats: .200 AVG, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2 R, 0 SB
Comment: Please don't feel any shame in cutting him, especially this late in the season.

Cleveland Indians, OF
Stats: .120 AVG, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1 SB
Comment: Up until Friday against Los Angeles, Sizemore had not stolen a base since August 12.

Atlanta Braves, 1B
Stats: .238 AVG, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1 R, 0 SB
Comment: Hard to take pleasure in the NL Player of the Month award for August when you're just tanking in September.


San Francisco Giants, SP
Stats: 0-1, 20.25 ERA, 2.63 WHIP, 5 SO
Comment: This past Monday's game against Colorado was his shortest career outing. He lasted only 2.2 innings.

Minnesota Twins, SP
Stats:0-1, 6.00 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 3 SO
Comment: Fantasy owners are wondering what happened. He has three straight starts giving up four ER in the second-half?!

Chicago Cubs, SP
Stats: 0-1, 16.62 ERA, 2.77 WHIP, 6 SO
Comment: Absolutely horrible since signing that contract extension, perhaps the Cubs should have let him play for a deal the rest of the season.


Milwaukee Brewers, C
Comment: : Estrada has been hitting the ball well thus far in September (.389 AVG, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R, 0 SB in 18 at-bats) and he will look to keep it going against sub-par squads in Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.

Boston Red Sox, C
Comment: Useful fantasy player this week based on his season numbers so far against Tampa Bay (.375 AVG, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 7 R, 0 SB in 8 games) and New York (.308 AVG, 4 HR, 6 RBI, 8 R, 0 SB in 13 games).

Chicago Cubs, 1B
Comment: Tons of production from Lee in 2007 against St. Louis (.333 AVG, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 13 R, 0 SB in 11 games) and Houston (.333 AVG, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 6 R, 1 SB in 12 games).

Los Angeles Dodgers, 1B
Comment: Nice start to the month and he has had success this year versus Arizona (.429 AVG, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 3 R, 0 SB in 3 games) and San Diego (.300 AVG, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 0 R, 0 SB in 6 games).

Arizona Diamondbacks, 2B
Comment: Solid production this season against San Francisco (.326 AVG, 0 HR, 6 RBI, 2 R, 0 SB in 12 games) and Los Angeles (.302 AVG, 0 HR, 7 RBI, 3 R, 2 SB in 12 games).

Pittsburgh Pirates, 2B
Comment: Since the start of August, Sanchez has been helping his fantasy owners out a lot (.383 AVG, 5 HR, 35 RBI, 27 R, 0 SB in 37 games).

Washington Nationals, SS
Comment: Has started the month on the right foot and he has quality 2007 numbers against the Braves (.295 AVG, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 3 R, 1 SB in 11 games) and Marlins (.300 AVG, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 11 R, 2 SB in 15 games).

Chicago Cubs, SS
Comment: Those in need of runs and stolen bases should feel free to use Theriot this week. He's got nice stats this year versus the Cardinals (.286 AVG, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 7 R, 1 SB in 10 games) and Astros (.341 AVG, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 7 R, 3 SB in 11 games).

Los Angeles Dodgers, 3B
Comment: Nomar's back and at home this week. Good thing too, he's been productive at Dodger Stadium this season (.321 AVG, 5 HR, 35 RBI, 23 R, 3 SB in 58 games).

San Diego Padres, 3B
Comment: With the way the Padres offense has picked it up in recently (and the fact that Kouzmanoff is batting just under .300 since the start of August) he is an intriguing play this week against division rivals Dodgers and Giants.

Boston Red Sox, OF
Comment: Speedy 23-year old can help you on the base-paths this week as he will see increased playing time as long as Manny is shelved.

Houston Astros, OF
Comment: Rookie is sporting some robust home numbers this season: .343 AVG, 7 HR, 29 RBI, 28 R, 4 SB in 46 games.

Kansas City Royals, OF
Comment: Has grossly underachieved overall this year with just 6 HR all year, but he's a solid play in the outfield this week thanks to his season numbers against the Twins (.333 AVG, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 6 R, 1 SB in 11 games) and Indians (.343 AVG, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 6 R, 0 SB in 9 games).

Tampa Bay Devil Rays, OF
Awesome season thus far, but take a look at his road numbers in 2007: .364 AVG, 10 HR, 33 RBI, 36 R, 8 SB in 48 games.

Los Angeles Dodgers, SP
Comment: Has performed extremely well against San Diego in his career: 3-1, 2.32 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 38 SO in 31 IP).

Arizona Diamondbacks, SP
Comment: Absolutely owns the Dodgers in his career: 3-1, 0.00 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, 22 SO in 30 IP.

San Francisco Giants, SP
Comment: Has two starts this week against the Padres and Diamondbacks. Against those teams this season, Lincecum has not allowed a run in 14 innings while whiffing 20.

St. Louis Cardinals, SP
Comment:Has become a reliable fantasy pitcher since joining the Cardinals (4-2, 3.63 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 23 SO in just under 40 innings) and is actually starting twice this week against Chicago.


Cincinnati Reds, C
Comment:Since returning from injury, his numbers have been ghastly (.138 AVG, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 R, 0 SB in 10 games).

Philadelphia Phillies, C
Comment: Against the Rockies and Mets this season he is hitting just .179 with no homers, 2 RBI and 1 R.

Chicago White Sox, 1B
Comment: His batting average versus the Indians (.196) and Angels (.160 AVG) this year are hard to ignore, as is the fact that he could be traded during the off-season.

Washington Nationals, 1B
Comment: After a white-hot August, the Nationals 2007 All-Star Game representative has cooled off considerably in September (.118 AVG, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 R, 0 SB in 5 games).

Colorado Rockies, 2B
Comment: Enjoyed a stellar August, but so far this month he's been terrible (.174 AVG, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 4 R, 1 SB in 6 games).

Baltimore Orioles, 2B
Comment: Speedy second baseman is stumbling in September (.091 AVG, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1 R, 2 SB in 6 games).

St. Louis Cardinals, SS
Comment: Not doing too much this year against Chicago (.176 AVG, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1 R, 2 SB in 10 games) and Cincinnati (.233 AVG, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 5 R, 0 SB in 8 games).

San Francisco Giants, SS
Comment: You could find someone better this week considering what Viquel has done this year against Arizona (.256 AVG, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R, 1 SB in 12 games) and San Diego (.235 AVG, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3 R, 1 SB in 9 games).

Tampa Bay Devil Rays, 3B
Comment: Numbers have suffered on the road this year: .259 AVG, 3 HR, 14 RBI, 40 R, 6 SB in 50 games.

Arizona Diamondbacks, 3B
Comment: This month has been troublesome for Reynolds (.227 AVG, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2 R, 0 SB in 6 games) and he's been inconsistent all season.

Kansas City Royals, OF
Comment: Many thought they struck waiver-wire gold when they scooped him up in April, but since August, he's been waiver-wire excrement: .218 AVG, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 19 R, 4 SB in 33 games.

Chicago White Sox, OF
Comment: The White Sox see a lot of promise for him in the future, but fantasy owners should ignore him in the present. He's been underwhelming since the start of August (.164 AVG, 0 HR, 6 RBI, 13 R, 11 SB in 33 games).

Arizona Diamondbacks, OF
Comment: Going through some hard times on the road so far: .238 AVG, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 3 R, 0 SB in 12 games.

Philadelphia Phillies, OF
Comment: Not sure what's up with his calf, but keep him reserved until this gets sorted out.

Boston Red Sox, SP
Comment: Starting against the Yankees again. Need to be reminded about his dreadful career numbers against them? Here they are: 3-3, 7.49 ERA, 1.92 WHIP, 32 SO in 39.2 IP).

Toronto Blue Jays, SP
Comment: Two-start pitcher this week against teams he has pitched poorly against in his career, the Yankees (1-2, 5.28 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 20 SO in 30.2 IP) and Orioles (0-1, 7.91 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 11 SO in 19.1 IP).

Chicago Cubs, SP
Comment: Facing a couple teams who have hit him well this season, Houston (1-1, 6.32 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 10 SO in 15.2 IP) and St. Louis (2-1, 4.34 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 6 SO in 18.2 IP).

St. Louis Cardinals, SP
Comment: The Chicago Cubs have rocked him in his three career starts against them: 0-2, 11.66 ERA, 2.39 WHIP, 16 SO in 14.2 IP.


Starbonell is UPDATE! Major League Baseball Editor.

178 Consecutive games played at first base without an error by Boston Red Sox 1B Kevin Youkilis, tying the Major League record set by Mike Hegan in 1973.

56 A stolen base on Thursday by Los Angeles Dodgers OF Juan Pierre gave him 56 this season. It is the most for the franchise since 2B Steve Sax swiped reached the mark in 1983.

7 Leadoff HRs Chicago Cubs OF Alfonso Soriano has this season. He is one shy of the franchise record by Ricky Monday in 1976.

3 Number of players this week who hit 2 HR and drove in 7 RBI. New York Mets C Paul LoDuca did it on Tuesday against Cincinnati, Tampa Bay Devil Rays 1B Carlos Pena's grand slam helped him accomplish the feat Wednesday against Baltimore and Cincinnati Reds OF Rick Ankiel accomplished the feat on Thursday against Pittsburgh.


Cincinnati Reds, 1B
Comment: As expected, last year's Southern League MVP got a call-up for the month of September and, wouldn't you know it, he homered against the New York Mets in his second major-league at-bat. Votto has a decent power stroke that will be helped by Cincinnati's hitter friendly ballpark. The only problem is that he is currently sharing at-bats with veteran first baseman Scott Hatteberg. Hopefully the Reds will play Votto more this month with the idea that he may take the starting job in 2008. If that's the case, he's worth adding, especially in NL-only leagues. Keep track of Votto's at-bats to see if he does indeed see an uptick in playing time.


Between all the injuries and drama they have incurred this season, the defending World Series Champion Cardinals should be left for dead. Yet here they are, in the thick of the NL Central Division race with the Chicago Cubs coming to town for what should be a terrific match-up. The Cubs currently lead the season series 7-4, but the Cardinals have been playing over .500 since the start of July while Chicago has stumbled, recently losing three out of four in a series to the Dodgers. St. Louis is sending Joel Piniero, Mark Mulder and Adam Wainwright to the hill while Steve Trachsel, Ted Lilly and Jason Marquis toe the rubber for the Cubs.

 RICK ANKIEL'S BIG DAY

• The Lineup: Sept. 1-7 2007
• The Lineup: Aug. 25-31 2007
The Lineup: Aug. 18-24 2007
• The Lineup: Aug. 11-17 2007
• The Lineup: Aug. 4-10 2007
• The Lineup: July 28-Aug. 3 2007
• The Lineup: July 21-27 2007
• The Lineup: July 14-20 2007
• The Lineup: July 7-14 2007
• The Lineup: June 30-July 6, 2007
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• The Lineup: June 17-23, 2007
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• The Lineup: May 14-20, 2007
• The Lineup: May 7-13, 2007
• The Lineup: April 30-May 6, 2007
• The Lineup: April 23-29, 2007
• The Lineup: April 16-22, 2007
• The Lineup: April 9-15, 2007
• The Lineup: April 2-8, 2007
• The Lineup: March 26-April 1, 2007
• The Lineup: March 19-25, 2007
• The Lineup: March 12-18, 2007
• The Lineup: March 5-11, 2007
• The Lineup: Feb. 26-March 4, 2007
• The Lineup: Feb. 19-25, 2007
• The Lineup: Feb. 12-18, 2007
• The Lineup: Feb. 5-11, 2007
• The Lineup: Jan. 29-Feb. 4, 2007
• The Lineup: Jan. 22-28, 2007
• The Lineup: Jan. 15-21, 2007
• The Lineup: Jan. 8-14, 2007
• The Lineup: Jan. 1-7, 2007