Welcome to Week 17. Rick Ankiel is the NL version of Josh Hamilton. Both are terrific bounce-back stories, and Hamilton's showing in the Home Run Derby was remarkable. Ankiel is hitting .278 with 22 home runs and 55 RBIs. He is also playing well in center field for the Redbirds. He has gone 14-34 (.411) in his last ten games and should have a great second half. The Cardinals have a 7 game week coming up, so get Ankiel, Ryan Ludwick, and Albert Pujols in your lineups this week.
Sports Buff Contest and CDM Challenge
1. Ervin Santana ($38) - CLE Home, BAL Away
2. John Lester ($37) - SEA Away, NYY Home
3. Dana Eveland ($32) - TB Away, TEX Home
4. Nick Blackburn ($30) - NYY Away, CLE Away
5. Rich Harden ($37) - ARZ Away, FLA Home
6. Jake Peavy ($54) - CIN Away, PIT Away
7. Kyle Lohse ($34) - MIL Home, NYM Away
8. Shaun Marcum ($36) - BAL Away, SEA Home
9. Javier Vazquez ($48) - TEX Home, Det Away
10. Jorge Campillo ($30) - FLA Away, PHI Away
I personally like Santana, Lohse, and Harden.
CDM Diamond Challenge
1. Ervin Santana ($770) - CLE Home, BAL Away
2. John Lester ($520) - SEA Away, NYY Home
3. Rich Harden ($730) - ARZ Away, FLA Home
4. Jake Peavy ($1480) - CIN Away, PIT Away
5. Kyle Lohse ($730) - MIL Home, NYM Away
6. Shaun Marcum ($680) - BAL Away, SEA Home
7. Javier Vazquez ($1130) - TEX Home, Det Away
Team Schedules
Seven Games - Baltimore, Chicago Cubs, Florida, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, San Diego, St.Louis, Tampa Bay, Toronto.
Everybody else plays six games.
Injuries
1. Roy Oswalt (SP, HOU) - Went on the DL with that bad hip.
2. Yunel Escobar (SS, ATL) - Sore shoulder will have him out a few games this week.
Players On the Rise
1. Carlos Delgado (1B, NYM) - Hit .462 last week and seems in a groove.
2. Jermaine Dye (OF, CHW) - Hit .583 last week and blasted 5 dingers.
3. Robinson Cano (2B, NYY) - He also hit .462 last week and should have a big second half.
Players On the Decline
1. Andruw Jones (OF, LAD) - Came off the DL and is still in a rut.
2. Miguel Cabrera (3B, DET) - Only hit .125 last week; you have to wonder if Comerica Park is wearing on him.
3. Erik Bedard (SP, SEA) - Will not pitch again till August, meaning the M's may not be able to trade him at the deadline.
Got a fantasy question you would like answered in my column? Send it to me via e-mail at mikek@creativesports.com. Until next week, I wish you the best of luck.