It's Rivalry Week!

It's the return of Rivalry Week! After three weeks of playing outside of the division, the SFRRC Fantasy Baseball League will see each team face a division rival in Week 5. These are the most important series on the schedule. Teams can quickly lose or gain ground in the division pennant race.

Last week, the BaseballMonster.com computer had a difficult time with predictions, going 4-4. It failed to identify upsets by Twinkle Toes, the Menehunes, and the Vicious Fishes. Here are the BaseballMonster.com predictions for a very important Week 5.

This is the battle for the East Division lead. Twinkle Toes is coming off a stunning 6-5-1 upset of Los Coche Bomba while the Slammers were defeated by the Marin Menehunes, 8-3-1. This will be the sixth meeting of these rivals, with Twinkle Toes holding a narrow 3-2 series lead and 29-27-4 advantage in categories won. In their last meeting in Week 22 of 2011, Twinkle Toes won 8-4. Twinkle Toes will add second catcher Hector Sanchez to the roster while the Slammers add utility man Maicer Izturis. The Slammers enter the series with both catchers ailing. Joe Mauer is nursing a sore knee while Geovany Soto has a tight upper back and is mired in a deep slump, going 3-for-23 over his last seven games. Edwin Encarnacion continues to be the hottest offensive player for the Slammers, hitting four homers and driving in 11 RBI over his last 13 games. Evan Longoria has been rock solid for Twinkle Toes this year. He enters this series with three homers and 14 RBI over his last 13 games. Final Prediction: Twinkle Toes 6-6.

The Bulls are coming off a devastating 8-4 loss to last year's Wooden Spoon recipient, the Vicious Fishes. Bacon at Mile 11 fell 6-5-1 in a hard fought battle with the defending league champions, the Lower Haighters. In five previous meetings, Bacon has dominated the series with the Bulls, winning three meetings and tying one. It has a 31-23-6 advantage in categories won. When they last met in Week 22 of 2011, Bacon won 9-3. Bacon limps into this series. Ace Cliff Lee is still nursing a side injury while third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and setup man Jesse Crain were both placed on the DL. Chris Capuano is throwing well for the Bulls. He has given up just three runs over 19.2 innings while striking out 18 in three quality starts. Second baseman Dan Uggla is beginning to heat up for Bacon. Uggla has three homers, 11 RBI and nine runs scored in his last 13 games.  Final Prediction: Bacon at Mile 11 7-5.

All you need to know about this series can be summed up in their last meeting. It was Week 22 of last year. High Cheese was two weeks away from its first South Division pennant. That's when HUMA thumped them 9-1-2, sending High Cheese into a late-season tailspin that ended with them finishing a half-game behind HUMA for the pennant and out of the championship bracket of the playoffs. HUMA has won three of the five meetings between the two teams and tied another. It holds a 34-22-4 advantage in categories won. High Cheese will add two new setup men this week, Steve Cishek and Ryan Cook. HUMA dropped struggling shortstop Jhonny Peralta and added the red-hot Alex Gonzalez. Gio Gonzalez, Joe Saunders and Jered Weaver are on a roll for High Cheese entering Week 5. Over their last 63.2 innings combined, the three have earned nine quality starts and struck out 54 batters. They've given up just eight runs over those nine starts. HUMA has a new weapon in the bullpen. Kenley Jansen has taken over as closer in LA. He has four holds and two saves in his last eight appearances.  Final Prediction: High Cheese 7-5.

Those pesky Menehunes made short work of the East Division leaders last week, beating Scully's Slammers 8-4. That kept the team on top of the West Division. Now they face A-Rod's Mirrors, a team coming off its first series win and set to challenge for the top spot in the division. When they last met in Week 22 of 2011, the Mirrors ripped the Menehunes to pieces, 10-1-1. The Mirrors have dominated the series, winning four of the five meetings and forging a 37-19-4 advantage in categories won. The Menehunes were quiet in the free agent market this week while the Mirrors added starting pitcher Kevin Correia and setup man Josh Lindblom. Stephen Strasburg is quickly becoming the ace for the Mirrors. He's given up just three earned runs over his last 19 innings, earning three quality starts while striking out 20 batters. The Menehunes are winning without the star power. Pitchers Cory Luebke and Bartolo Colon have thrown a combined 44.1 innings, giving up just seven earned runs while earning six quality starts over the past two weeks.  Final Prediction: Marin Menehunes 8-4.

Home Run 101 enters this series in a tailspin. They've won just four categories over the past two weeks and face a division rival they've beaten just once in five meetings. It's early, but this could be a season-defining series for the team. While things look bleak, there is hope. The last time the two teams met they tied, 6-6, and Give it a Yankee holds a narrow 30-26-4 advantage in categories won in the five series played between the two teams. Home Run 101 added free agent catcher David Ross and shortstop Alicdes Escobar for this series. For the first time this year, Give it a Yankee will field a healthy roster. Drew Smiley has been added to the pitching staff while Chris Davis steps in as a utility man. Home Run 101 needs to keep pitching to win. Johnny Cueto and Colby Lewis have given up just seven runs over 40.1 innings, striking out 29 while earning a combined six quality starts. Third baseman David Wright is swinging a hot bat for Give it a Yankee. He's 15-for-47 with a .458 OBP and 10 runs scored over his last 13 games.  Final Prediction: Give it a Yankee 7-5.

The Jersey Boys are shooting blanks. They've won just six categories over the past two weeks and have fallen into the basement of the East Division. This is a proud franchise that has never missed the playoffs but they are up against it early in 2012. The defending East Division champion Machine is coming off an impressive 9-3 series win over the Cys and have climbed back into the pennant race. The teams have a history of tough-fought series, splitting their four meetings. When they last met, the Jersey Boys prevailed 8-4 in Week 22 of last year. Neither the Jersey Boys nor the Machine made any roster changes for this series. Freddie Freeman and Curtis Granderson are a roll for the Jersey Boys entering Week Five. They have combined for nine home runs and 26 RBI over their last 12 games. Veteran pitcher Jake Peavy has found his groove for the Machine. He has given up just two runs while striking out 20 batters in his last three quality starts.  Final Prediction: Jersey Boys 6-5-1.

Bomba is coming off a stunning loss to Twinkle Toes and is feeling the heat from its South Division rivals. It can't afford to trip up against the last place team in the division and a team it has beaten four out of five times. The last time these two teams met, Bomba won 7-4-1 in Week 22 of the 2011 season. Bomba has compiled a 33-21-6 record in categories won in the five meetings. The Cys have added Ruben Tejada and John Jay to the roster but have benched Elvis Andrus, a player that has a .423 OBP, four stolen bases, and seven runs scored over the past 11 game. Outfielder Michael Bourn has been wreaking havoc on the base paths for Bomba. He has five stolen bases and he's scored eight times in his last 13 games. The Cys will enter this series with their two top-rated players, Desmond Jennings and Andrus, on the bench. Pitcher Yu Darvish has two quality starts under his belt, giving up just one run while striking out 15 over his past 14.1 innings.  Final Prediction: Los Coche Bomba 9-3.

The days of the Wooden Spoon appear to be over for the Vicious Fishes. Under the guidance of General Manager Nikhil Dinesh, the team is competitive. It thumped the Bulls 8-4 last week and is firmly entrenched in the West Division pennant race. Now it faces an old nemesis, the Lower Haighters, a team it has beaten once in five tries. The defending champions are not the same dominant team they were in 2011. They are mired in the West Division cellar and have narrowly won two series. Still, they have a 34-23-3 advantage in categories won when facing the Fishes, including a 7-5 victory in their last meeting (Week 22 of 2011). The Vicious Fishes will add reliever Pedro Strop in an effort to generate some saves while the Lower Haighters added setup man Sean Burnett and outfielder Tony Campana in an effort to add speed on the base paths. For the past three years, when the Lower Haighters need a stop, they turn to Felix Hernandez. In his last two starts, King Felix has given up just one run while striking out 14 over 15 innings. Veteran slugger Paul Konerko has four homers and eight RBI over his last 13 games to lead a strong offensive attack for the Vicious Fishes. Final Prediction: Lower Haighters 8-4.

Weekend Heroes

Jake Peavy, Joe Saunders and Anibal Sanchez stepped up big-time this weekend to lead the Machine, High Cheese and Bacon at Mile 11 in their respective series.

Peavy struck out seven over nine innings of one-run ball for the Machine on Saturday. The quality start helped the team forge a 9-3 advantage over the Cys in their head-to-head match-up. It also means the preseason favorites are back in the East Division pennant race.

High Cheese and Give it a Yankee are tied 5-5-2 with one day remaining in their series. Saunders was brilliant, tossing a complete game shutout and giving High Cheese a chance to tie the quality start category with ace Gio Gonzalez taking the mound today.  Give it a Yankee will counter with Josh Beckett.

Bacon trails the Lower Haighters 6-5-1 but Sanchez made sure the team controlled the WHIP category, giving up just three hits and four walks over seven innings while striking out 14. The series can now be decided at the plate, where the two teams are tied in home runs and Bacon trails by just one run.

Ace Stephen Strasburg came up big for A-Rod's Mirrors on Saturday as the team built a commanding 7-2-3 lead over the Jersey Boys. The two teams are tied in holds, stolen bases, and home runs entering the final day and the Jersey Boys trail by just two runs. Freddie Freeman and Alfonso Soriano are just 3-for-16 this weekend for the Jersey Boys.

Alex Gordon has officially broken out of his slump for the Vicious Fishes. Gordon and a dominating pitching staff have keyed a 9-2-1 rout of the Bulls, the North Division leaders. Gordon has three of his six runs this weekend and had a big stolen base to tie the category. Emilio Bonifacio, Hunter Pence, and Sean Rodriguez are a combined 3-for-21 for the Bulls the last two days.

One of the league's premier pitching staff deserted Scully's Slammers this week and Yovani Gallardo's performance Friday was symbolic of why the East Division leaders trail the Marin Menehunes 8-4. Gallardo gave up eight runs in just two innings of the work, contributing to a 5.10 team ERA for the Slammers. For the Menehunes, outfielder Torii Hunter has two home runs on the weekend as the team leads the category by three.

Los Coche Bomba has one day - and three starting pitchers on the mound - to avoid a big upset by Twinkle Toes. Even if Bomba gets three quality starts from Matt Garza, Derek Holland, and Bruce Chen, the Toes can still win the category if Madison Bumgarner delivers. Matt Harrison and Luis Perez have given up 10 earned runs in a combined 5.1 innings for Bomba the last two days.

HUMA has been waiting for Jon Lester to deliver and the ace did just that Saturday. Lester struck out seven in seven scoreless innings to key a surprising advantage for the team in the pitching categories over Home Run 101. That has led to a commanding 9-2-1 advantage overall for HUMA and will help the team claw its way back into the South Division pennant race. Home Run 101 continues to scrap at the plate. Ian Desmond, Ryan Roberts, Alexei Ramirez and Jayson Werth are a combined 2-for-33 over the last two days.

Weekend preview - upsets are brewing

Three of the league's four division leaders trail heading into the final three days of Week Four. All four teams in the North Division, the league's strongest division early this season, are trailing. Teams in the West Division, the league's weakest, hold leads. It is shaping up as a great baseball weekend.

 Starting pitching has pushed the Vicious Fishes to an impressive 8-4 lead over the favored Bulls. Jason Hammel and David Price combined to pitch 16 shutout innings with 13 strikeouts and the Fishes have Tommy Hanson, Jake Arrieta, Ricky Romero, Carlos Zambrano, Dan Haren, and Price set to take the mound this weekend. The Bulls have Roy Halladay, Bud Norris, Chris Capuano, and Jason Vargas pitching but they trail by two in the quality start category and could lose their lead in the strikeouts category given the number of pitchers the Fishes will throw. The bats have been silent for the Bulls in the first four days of this matchup. Ike Davis, Emilio Bonifacio, and Colby Rasmus are a combined 3-for-38 with no runs or RBI. Alex Gordon, who scuffled to start the season, is now swinging a hot bat for the Fishes. He is 5-for-17 with a home run, three runs and three RBI this week.

 The West Division leading Menehunes hold an 8-3-1 lead in this series but it is precarious. Both teams have five starting pitchers set to take the mound this weekend with the Menehunes holding narrow advantages in quality start, WHIP and ERA. Cory Luebke, Tim Lincecum, Johan Santana, Jaime Garcia and Bartolo Colon will pitch for the Menehunes. Yovannai Gallardo, James Shields, Ross Detwiler, Kyle Lohse, and Zack Greinke for the Slammers. The Slammers need some of their big sluggers to wake up over the next three days. Edwin Encarnacion, Mark Teixeira, and Zack Cozart are 6-for-39 with no homers, no RBI and just one run scored. The team also needs closer Heath Bell to pull out of his funk. He walked four and gave up two runs when he blew a save opportunity on Thursday. If Santana and Garcia repeat their performances from earlier in the week, the Menehunes could pull off the upset. They combined to pitch 14.1 innings, giving up just two runs while Santana struck out 11.

 The pitching, especially the bullpen, has not been good for Bomba, which is why they trail 6-4-2. Derek Holland gave up seven runs in his first start. Relievers Jason Motte and Jose Veras have combined to pitch 2.2 innings giving up six runs and blowing two saves. The weekend could bring redemption as Matt Harrison, Bruce Chen, Matt Garza and Derek Holland start for Bomba. Twinkle Toes will counter with a pair of aces, Ian Kennedy and Madison Bumgarner. Bumgarner already has one quality start in this series. At the plate, Buster Posey and Ian Kinsler have led Twinkle Toes. They've combined to hit three homers, score eight runs, and drive in four. Pablo Sandoval and Miguel Cabrera have provided the power for Bomba. They are 9-for-32 with three homers, six RBI, and seven runs scored.

This is a dead heat. The teams are tied 5-5-2 and each will have aces on the mound this weekend with the quality start category tied at 3. High Cheese will rely on Jered Weaver, Joe Saunders, Blake Beavan, and Gio Gonzalez. Give it a Yankee will start Clayton Kershaw, Wandy Rodriguez, John Danks, Daniel Bard, and Josh Beckett. Gonzalez will pitch Sunday and already has a quality start for High Cheese. He tossed six scoreless innings while striking out six. Jay Bruce and John Axford have also emerged from their early season slumps. Bruce is 5-for-11 with a homer, a stolen base, four RBI and three runs scored while Axford has two saves without giving up a run. Give it a Yankee is waiting for Nick Swisher, Eric Aybar, and Mike Napoli to wake up. They are a combined 5-for-32 with one homer, one RBI, and one run scored this week.

The Jersey Boys are in deep. They trail 6-4-2 and cling to a 3-2 advantage in quality starts with ace Justin Verlander the only pitcher scheduled to start for the team this weekend. The Mirrors will counter with Jake Westbrook, Justin Masterson, Stephen Strasburg, Ervin Santana and Max Scherzer. It should be noted, the Mirrors have had several opportunities to close out series wins this year only to watch as the pitching staff melted down. This should be great theater. Quality starts from Jeff Samardzija and Cole Hamels have given the Mirrors the series lead. They combined to pitch 14.2 innings, giving up two runs while striking out 16. On the basepaths, Dee Gordon has been the difference, stealing two bases. For the Jersey Boys, J.J. Hardy and Curtis Granderson have yet to get untracked. They are 3-for-21 with eight strikeouts this week.

Bacon at Mile 11 is behind the eight ball heading into the weekend, trailing 7-5. They are down by two in quality starts and hold a narrow two point advantage in strikeouts with Anibal Sanchez and Joe Blanton pitching. The Lower Haighters will counter with  Ivan Nova, Brandon Morrow, Erik Bedard. Ugly starts from Jhoulys Chacin and Trevor Cahill have led to Bacon's deficit. They gave up nine runs in 10.1 innings. At the plate, Dan Uggla and Eric Hosmer have been terrific. They have combined for three homers and six RBI. The bats have finally come around for the defending league champions. Ryan Braun and Kevin Youkilis are 11-for-30 with three homers, eight RBI and eight runs scored for the Lower Haighters. Huston Street has been perfect in relief, saving two games without giving up a hit.

Home Run 101 trails 8-2-2 and the pitching, which has been so good for the team, has faltered. Philip Humber, coming off a perfect game, gave up nine runs in five innings and reliever Vinnie Pestano has blown a save. The team will rely on Johnny Cueto, Colby Lewis, Jeff Niemann, and Josh Johnson this weekend. Johnson tossed a gem earlier in the week, striking out nine over 6.2 innings. HUMA will counter with Jon Lester, Chad Billingsley, Mat Latos and Henderson Alvarez. HUMA's offense has been led by some unusual characters this week. Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Jason Kubel are 10-for-24 with five homers and 11 RBI. Home Run 101 is looking for some production from the middle infield at the plate. Howie Kendrick, Alexei Ramirez, and Ian Desmond are 5-for-41 with no homers, two RBI, and three runs scored.

 The Cys trail 7-3-2 but could make this a series with good starting pitching. A.J. Burnett and C.C. Sabathia will start this weekend with an opportunity to claim three categories - quality starts, WHIP, and ERA. Brandon McCarthy, Jake Peavy, and Gavin Floyd will pitch for the Machine as they try to hold the lead. The Cys will also be looking for production from Starlin Castro and Shelley Duncan. They are 3-for-22  with 12 strikeouts. The team also needs a solid relief performance from Hector Santiago, who is hanging on by a thread to his closer role after giving up three runs while recording just one out in a blown save. Floyd and Peavy already have two quality starts for the Machine, giving up just one run in a combined 16.1 innings. David Ortiz leads the team at the plate, going 5-for-14 with a homer, four RBI and three runs scored.

Is it time to ditch some of your struggling players?

Last week we discussed certain trigger points to help determine when players you drafted should be cut and replaced by better performing free-agents. It's safe to say the following players have reached that point.

Catchers

Rod Barajas, Pirates - Barajas is just 5-for-41 with no RBI in his first 13 games. If you invested heavily in Rod Barajas you probably have bigger problems but because it's doubtful you're that dumb, it's time to make the move. Add - Steve Clevenger, Cubs. Clevenger is 11-for-22 with only two strikeouts to begin the season. In a two-catcher league, that's gold.

Kurt Suzuki, A's - Suzuki has struck out (13) almost as often as he's managed hits (15) over his first 66 at bats. He has no homers but does have seven RBI. Add - David Ross, Braves. Atlanta's backup catcher makes the most of his opportunities. He's 5-for-11 with a home run and four RBI in the four games he's played.

First Basemen

John Mayberry, Phillies - There was a mild buzz around Mayberry entering this season. Unfortunately, his numbers have been a buzz-kill - 9-for-45 with 14 strikeouts, no home runs and two RBI. Boy, do the Phillies miss Ryan Howard. Add - Mat Gamel, Brewers. Gamel is now 16-for-57 with nine runs scored, six RBI, three stolen bases, and a homer. It's better production than Albert Pujols.

Ike Davis, Mets - Davis is 9-for-68 with 22 strikeouts. Ouch. No wonder Manager Terry Collins is moving him down the batting order, further eroding his fantasy league value. Add - Brett Pill, Giants. This is another player making the most of limited opportunities. He's been coming off the bench late in games to give the G-Men some pinch-hitting thump at the plate. He's 6-for-18 with a home run and only three K's. If his role expands - and it could given his ability to play left field - this kid could take off.

Second Basemen

Ryan Raburn, Tigers - Raburn is 6-for-47 with a .212 OBP over his first 16 games. Yuck. You drafted him for a little speed and that's what you got at this point - one stolen base. Add - Mark Ellis, Dodgers. I know, Ellis is not young and sexy. He's old and steady. Personally, I find something attractive about a 17-for-65 start with a .368 OBP and 15 runs scored.

Gordon Beckham, White Sox - I keep waiting for the White Sox to give up on Beckham. When you start 9-for-50 with 13 punchouts and a miserable .255 OBP you are begging to be demoted. Add - Eric Young, Jr. Rockies. Young provides the speed you were hoping to get from Raburn. He has three stolen bases in just 13 at bats. He also has five hits and he's scored five times.

Shortstop

Jason Bartlett, Padres - Through 17 games, Bartlett is 8-for-49 with 13 strikeouts and no homers or stolen bases. What is it that you are telling yourself to convince yourself that Bartlett should be on your roster? Add - Alcides Escobar, Royals. The free-swinging Escobar is 20-for-70 with 10 K's but he has four stolen bases and a home run to begin the year. He's scored eight times and the Royals have yet to generate offense. He has upside - provided he reaches base.

Jhonny Peralta, Tigers - Peralta is a rare bird - a power-hitting middle infielder that was available in the 15th round of your draft. There is a reason he was still there. He's now 15-for-63 with 14 strikeouts and a .279 OBP. Add - Alex Gonzalez, Brewers. Gonzalez has game, folks. He has three homers and 11 RBI in 16 games.

Third Basemen

Mark Reynolds, Orioles - C'mon, deep down inside, you knew this was coming. It's hard to hit home runs if you constantly strikeout. Reynolds is now 8-for-51 with a whopping 23 strikeouts and zero homers to begin the season. Add - Jack Hannahan, Indians. He's not flashy. He's keeping the hot corner warm for a hyped prospect. Yet Hannahan continues to deliver. He has 13 RBI in his first 15 games. Driving in runs is why you draft a third baseman.

Ian Stewart, Cubs - The Ian Stewart reclamation project is a disaster. Stewart is 11-for-63 with 15 strikeouts and just one home run. He is supposed to be a power hitter but he hasn't been effective in either Coors Field or Wrigley Field. What does that tell you? Add - Juan Francisco, Braves. He's walked just once in 30 at bats but he has three homers and seven RBI. He can drag your OBP down but he does it with power.

Outfield

Jose Tabata, Pirates - I've gone over Tabata's numbers before but here's a refresher for those who weren't paying attention. He's 11-for-55 with 10 strikeouts and a .241 OBP. He's a base stealer that can't get on base. Add - Carlos Gomez, Brewers. Gomez is doing everything you drafted Tabata to do. His OBP is .389, he has five stolen bases, a home run and seven runs scored. And you have Tabata in your lineup.

Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins - What, are you crazy? Drop one of the most-hyped power hitters of the season? He's going to wake up. Or is he? It was about this time last year we had the same discussion regarding Adam Dunn. How did that work out for you? Stanton has 17 strikeouts in 61 at bats and no homers. Add - Gerardo Parra, Diamondbacks. Five stolen bases, two homers, eight RBI, and 10 runs scored in just 51 at bats. He should be starting by Memorial Day.

Starting Pitchers

Clay Buchholz, Red Sox - Bobby Valentine saw something positive in Buchholz's last start. He didn't give up five home runs. Where is the value in a pitcher that has given up six homers in 22.1 innings pitched? His ERA is 8.87 and his WHIP is 1.93. He's like a giant hairball clogging your roster. Add - Kevin Correia, Pirates. Three quality starts, 18 innings and only one gopher ball allowed. How does that look Buchholz owners?

Jair Jurrjens, Braves - The Braves aren't prone to rash decisions so when they demote a player to the minor leagues there's a reason. In Jurrjens' case it's a 9.37 ERA and 17 earned runs over 16.1 innings. Add - James McDonald, Pirates. Wasn't hitting supposed to be Pittsburgh's strength while pitching was the team's weakness? McDonald is picking up where he left off last year. He's given up just one homer in 22.2 innings while earning two quality starts. And unlike Jurrjens, he's still in the Majors.

Relief Pitchers

Greg Holland, Royals - Were the runs Holland allowed a result of the rib injury? If you believe that, hold on to him. He gave up eight runs over 6.1 innings before heading to the DL. His ERA stands at 11.37 and his WHIP is 2.68. Add - Ryan Cook, A's. In case you haven't noticed, the A's are playing .500 ball which means late-inning setup men are getting opportunities. Cook has made the most of them, allowing a run in nine innings while nabbing five holds.

Heath Bell, Marlins - Ok, you aren't going to toss a proven closer onto the free agent scrap heap this early in the season but if this was anybody but Bell, he would have lost his ninth inning gig. Look at these numbers - six earned runs in 5.2 innings and seven walks. Add - Pedro Strop, Orioles. Strop has made the most of his opportunities with Baltimore closer Jim Johnson sidelined with a flu-like illness. Over 12 innings, Strop has two holds, two saves, and struck out 14 while allowing just three runs.

Cargo Carries the Load

Welcome to 2012 Carlos Gonzalez! Sure, it took a while, but CarGo has finally figured out that Spring Training is over. Last night, he smacked two homers, drove in four runs and scored twice. In addition, he didn't twist an ankle, strain a groin, or dislocate a shoulder. He's still just 15-for-54 on the season with nine RBI but this is a start.

Brian Benzing has played the first three weeks with holes at second base, outfield, and starting pitcher as he hasn't replaced injured or demoted players. It hasn't mattered. Another player has always stepped up for Give it a Yankee. On Tuesday, it was Brandon Phillips and Corey Hart. Hart went 2-for-4 with a home run, a stolen base, two runs scored and two RBI while Phillips homered, drove in three, and scored twice. As good as Mike Napoli was last week, Hart is the team MVP for Give it a Yankee over the first three weeks. He has five home runs, 12 RBI and 14 runs scored in 17 games.

Matt Patchell has been waiting for Jay Bruce to break out. The wait may be over. He was 2-for-3 with two RBI a run scored and a stolen base Tuesday. High Cheese needs Bruce to heat up if they are going to compete with Los Coche Bomba in the South Division.

Carla King-Baughman has stuck by Ichiro Suzuki despite his early-season struggles. It paid off Tuesday. He went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and a stolen base. Is he a three-hole hitter? Probably not, but he is starting to produce.

David Price was a keeper for Nikhil Dinesh in February but he had pitched like a minor leaguer until Tuesday when he tossed a complete game shutout striking out six. Price has given up seven earned runs in four starts but this quality start might jump start his season.

Elizabeth Gravely and the Menehunes are taking it to Scully's Slammers and Tuesday night Johan Santana piled on. Santana gave up one run over 6.2 innings and struck out 11. There was some question whether Santana could rebound from his shoulder injury but this performance is encouraging.

In the same game that Santana tossed a gem, Josh Johnson rebounded for Bailey Penzotti and Home Run 101. Johnson's quality start - one run allowed over 6.2 innings with 9 Ks - helped Home Run 101 keep the series with HUMA close.

Sunni York is invested in Buster Posey. She has his poster above her bed. Posey has responded with a hot start to 2012. Tuesday, he smacked another homer and drove in two runs. Posey is playing at an All-Star level to start the season, hitting three homers, driving in seven and reaching base at a .429 clip.

Whenever a star player falls into a slump, a fantasy league owner worries. That was certainly the case with Miguel Cabrera owners. Not to worry, the big guy cranked out his fifth homer of the season Tuesday and drove in two runs. That was a big sigh of relief you heard from Jenni Kirk.

Sean McKenna has been waiting for something to spark his club and he may have found it with the return of B.J. Upton. Bothered by sore ribs from a Spring Training collision, Upton has just 10 at bats on the season. He's made the most of them, as he's hit a dinger and drove in six runs.

Bailey desperately needs to add power to Home Run 101 so she picked up free agent Luke Scott. He went deep Tuesday night.

If you stick with Jose Tabata through his early 2012, you should be rewarded. That was the case for Eric Brown, as Tabata went 2-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base last night. We're not sure if Eric forgot Tabata was in his starting lineup or if he was wearing his managerial cap and takes credit for the move.

How bad was Rex Brothers last night? He managed to walk a batter, give up two hits, and allow two earned runs without recording an out. Rudy at Razzball said this morning that Brothers is virtually unownable in any fantasy format. As a Rex Brothers owner, I concur, and plan to toss him and his erratic left arm into the free agent pool.

Albert Pujols is now 16-for-69 with no home runs and four RBI following another 0-for-4 night. As a Pujols owners you are trapped. You can't bench him. You simply wait for him to pull out of one of the worst slumps of his career or you sink slowly into the fantasy league depths on the S.S. Pujols.

Week Four Power Poll

BaseballMonster.com is buying Bacon long term. Bacon at Mile 11 jumps three spots into second in this week's Power Poll, leapfrogging Bomba, the team it lost to in Week 3. Nobody said the Power Poll was fair.

While the oracle of the fantasy baseball internet projects the future, it has forecasting flaws. It ranks teams based on a traditional rotisserie format, where 16 points are awarded to the team winning a scoring category, 15 points for second, 14 points for third and down to one point for the last place team in the category.  The maximum number of points a team can receive is 192 (16 points for winning all 12 scoring categories) while the lowest number of points is 12.

Of course, in a weekly head-to-head format, you have to live with the inevitable hot streaks and slumps that baseball teams go through. Your statistics aren't parceled out in evenly divided weekly increments. It can be feast or famine and that impacts the standings. Exhibit A: Mike Napoli in Week 3.

The weekly power poll gives you a chance to assess your team's strengths and weaknesses through the unblinking, analytical eye of the BaseballMonster.com forecasting computer. Here are the Week 4 numbers. This week, I've provided the total points for each team and the number of points the computer predicts teams will earn in each category.

Total Points 133: The Machine loses one point in this week's Power Poll but does not relinquish the top spot. It has three players ranked in the Top 25 (Matt Cain, Chase Headley, and David Ortiz). The decision to keep Headley instead of pitcher Dan Haren is looking like a masterstroke by Donna. The biggest concern at this point is pitching. Ricky Nolasco has yet to record a quality start, giving up five earned runs in 10.1 innings. Setup man Francisco Rodriguez has given up six runs in seven innings and Brandon McCarthy has allowed nine runs in three starts. Pitcher Daniel Hudson joins Jacoby Ellsbury on the injured list with a sore shoulder but Hudson is expected to miss no more than two starts. Offensive Total 73: Home Runs 16, RBI 16, Stolen Bases 5, Runs 16, Strikeouts 7, OBP 13. Pitching Total 60: Saves 5, ERA 14, WHIP 14, Strikeouts 2, Holds 14, Quality Starts 11.

Total Points 121: Despite losing a close series to Los Coche Bomba in Week 3, Bacon at Mile 11 jumps three spots in this week's Power Poll, passing Bomba. Bacon gained 12 points overall, including 10 in pitching. The team doesn't have a player ranked in the Top 25 but it has four ranked in the Top 50 (Brian McCann, Jason Heyward, Anibal Sanchez, and Mitchell Boggs). Eric added Boggs as a free agent this week to solidifying the bullpen. Catcher Rod Barajas and outfielder Jose Tabata are still trying to find their stroke. Barajas is 2-for-26 to start the season with no RBI. Tabata, who is expected to steal bases for the team, is just 5-for-33 with one stolen base. All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is hitting for average but not power. His average is .318 and his OBP is a healthy .400 but he has just one home run. Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and outfielder Lorenzo Cain are nursing nagging injuries while ace Cliff Lee was placed on the disabled list with a strained side. Lee shouldn't miss more than two starts. Offensive Total 64: Home Runs 13, RBI 10, Stolen Bases 9, Runs 8, Strikeouts 13, OBP 11. Pitching Total 57: Saves 12, ERA 4, WHIP 4, Strikeouts 15, Holds 10, Quality Starts 12.

Total Points 118: The team with the best record in the league rises one spot and gains six points in this week's Power Poll. Outfielder Michael Bourn, who has seven stolen bases, and catcher A.J. Pierzynski, who has four home runs, both rank in the Top 10 for Jenni. Pierzynski is riding a hot streak and will not finish the season ranked in the Top 10 but Bourn could finish in the Top 25. Injuries are beginning to take their toll on one of the league's best bullpens. Setup man Greg Holland and closer Sergio Santos are both on the DL. To move to the top of the Power Poll, Bomba will need starting pitching. Specifically, it needs a power pitcher. It ranks 13th in strikeouts. Matt Garza leads the staff with 16 punchouts. It's too early to worry, but Miguel Cabrera has started slow. He's 13-for-51 with just one home run and 10 strikeouts. Of bigger concern is second baseman Jemile Weeks. He's 10-for-56 with two stolen bases and a miserable .259 OBP.
Offensive Total 77: Home Runs 3, RBI 13, Stolen Bases 15, Runs 14, Strikeouts 16, OBP 16. Pitching Total 41: Saves 14, ERA 7, WHIP 9, Strikeouts 1, Holds 9, Quality Starts 1.

Total Points 117: The Slammers own a 6.5-game lead in the East Division, gain 10 points, and move up three spots in the poll, It's no fluke. The team is third in RBI, second in home runs, and second in runs scored. After keeping pitching in February, Leslie focused on building a competitive offense in the draft. The team is now the most balanced of any in the top five. Edwin Encarnacion, a notoriously streaky hitter, ranks eighth overall and has four home runs and three stolen bases to begin the season. First baseman Mark Teixeira, the team's first pick in the March draft, ranks 35th overall and has three home runs and 11 RBI. The Slammers have three pitchers ranked in the Top 25 (James Shields, Kyle Lohse, and Yovani Gallardo). The primary concern through the first three weeks is the bullpen. Closer Heath Bell has given up two runs in 3.2 innings, setup man Tyler Clippard has given up four runs in five innings, and setup man LaTroy Hawkins has one hold in six appearances. Offensive Total 59: Home Runs 9, RBI 14, Stolen Bases 6, Runs 15, Strikeouts 5, OBP 10. Pitching Total 58: Saves 10, ERA 13, WHIP 13, Strikeouts 3, Holds 12, Quality Starts 7.

Total Points 116: The Bulls gain a point this week but lose three positions in the Power Poll. Teams are making improvements and putting pressure on the North Division leaders. Roy Halladay and Shaun Marcum have led the pitching staff through three weeks. Both have three quality starts. Halladay has struck out 14 while Marcum has struck out 17. Outfielder Matt Kemp is the league's top-rated player, hitting seven home runs and knocking in 14 runs in his first 12 games. He's the only player on the Bulls roster ranked in the Top 50. Several big name players have started the season in a funk for Carolyn. Closer Frank Francisco has given up six runs in 3.1 innings. He's walking a tight rope to keep his job. Bud Norris, a keeper, has not earned a quality start, giving up eight runs in 12 innings. First baseman Ike Davis is 8-for-43 with 12 strikeouts and outfielder Hunter Pence is 13-for-51 with one home run and is nursing a sore shoulder. The team has a lot invested in Norris and Pence and will need them to heat up soon. Offensive Total 47: Home Runs 6, RBI 6, Stolen Bases 11, Runs 6, Strikeouts 6, OBP 12. Pitching Total 69: Saves 13, ERA 12, WHIP 12, Strikeouts 11, Holds 13, Quality Starts 8.

Total Points 113: Give it a Yankee falls three spots but gains one point in this week's poll. The bigger issue for Brian is the two North Division rivals that rank higher. It is the only division with three teams ranked in the top six. Give it a Yankee has three players ranked in the Top 50 (Mike Napoli, Clayton Kershaw, Nick Swisher). Closer Chris Perez is emerging as one of the league's best relievers, earning five saves in five appearances without giving up a run. Two starters, Luke Hochevar and John Danks, are struggling to start the season. Hochevar has given up eight runs in nine innings over two starts while Danks has started three games, earned one quality start, and given up 11 runs over 18.1 innings. Catcher Alex Avila is 5-for-29 with 11 strikeouts and no homers in his first nine games. The team is still without Chase Utley and Mike Morse while Brandon Phillips has been battling nagging injuries to begin the season. Offensive Total 63: Home Runs 14, RBI 15, Stolen Bases 7, Runs 11, Strikeouts 9, OBP 7. Pitching Total 50: Saves 8, ERA 8, WHIP 6, Strikeouts 12, Holds 2, Quality Starts 14.

Total Points 107: The defending league champions drop a spot in the poll and lose one point following another series loss in Week 3. It's been a rough start to the 2012 season for Robert. Only one player, Felix Hernandez, ranks in the Top 100. The offense is in a three-week slump led by All-Stars Albert Pujols and Giancarlo Stanton. Pujols does not have a home run in his first 55 at bats and has driven in just three runs. Stanton is 9-for-43 with seven strikeouts and no home runs while he's struggled with a knee injury. Despite the slow start there are some bright spots. Henry Rodriguez, added as a free agent after Drew Storen underwent elbow surgery, hasn't given up a run in 6.1 innings while earning three saves. Setup man Addison Reed hasn't allowed a run in 4.2 innings, striking out seven and earning three holds. Offensive Total 70: Home Runs 12, RBI 11, Stolen Bases 10, Runs 12, Strikeouts 10, OBP 15. Pitching Total 37: Saves 15, ERA 1, WHIP 1, Strikeouts 10, Holds 6, Quality Starts 4.

Total Points 100: Twinkle Toes remains in the eighth spot in the Power Poll but loses five points. Sunni also sees two East Division rivals ranked higher than her team. The team's weak spot is a pitching staff that features just four relievers. While the two additional starters help the quality starts category, they hurt the team's ERA and WHIP. This includes Brian Matusz, who has given up 13 earned runs in 14.2 innings without earning a quality start in three attempts. Juan Nicasio has given up 10 earned runs in nine innings without earning a quality start. Three position players - Ian Kinsler, Alejandro de Aza, and Evan Longoria, all rank in the Top 50. Kinsler has had an MVP-caliber start to the season, hitting three homers, driving in 10 runs, and stealing two bases in his first 13 games. The most effective pitcher for Twinkle Toes has been setup man Mike Adams. The veteran reliever has given up just one run in six innings while earning three holds. Offensive Total 51: Home Runs 11, RBI 12, Stolen Bases 4, Runs 7, Strikeouts 8, OBP 9. Pitching Total 49: Saves 3, ERA 2, WHIP 3, Strikeouts 14, Holds 11, Quality Starts 16.

Total Points 98: The Jersey Boys move up a spot in the Power Poll but remain on 98 points overall. Outfielder Curtis Granderson and pitcher Justin Verlander both rank in the Top 30. Granderson has six homers in his first 49 at bats. Verlander has 24 strikeouts and two quality starts. The team is searching for starting pitchers to compliment Verlander. Leigh-Ann had hoped Michael Pineda would play an important role on the staff but he's hurt and it's unclear when he'll return. That leaves Aaron Harang in the No. 2 slot and he's given up seven runs in 12.1 innings. R.A. Dickey has also struggled, allowing nine runs over his first 11.1 innings. First baseman Freddie Freeman struggled the first week of the season but has suddenly caught fire. He has three homers and 15 RBI in 12 games. Outfielder Alfonso Soriano, on the other hand, is ice cold. He's 8-for-43 to begin the season with no homers and 13 strikeouts. Offensive Total 39: Home Runs 15, RBI 4, Stolen Bases 8, Runs 9, Strikeouts 3, OBP 1. Pitching Total 59: Saves 16, ERA, 16, WHIP 16, Strikeouts 5, Holds 4, Quality Starts 2.

Total Points 93: The defending South Division champions lose four points in this week's Power Poll but gain one spot. For a team traditionally strong offensively, only Travis Hafner and Josh Hamilton rank in the Top 100. The slow start can't be blamed on either. Hamilton has six home runs and 15 RBI and ranks second to Matt Kemp in the League MVP race. Hafner is 13-for-32 with just six strikeouts. The bullpen has also been solid. Setup man Kenley Jansen has struck out 14 batters in 7.2 innings while earning four holds. Jim Johnson has emerged as one of the league's best closers, earning five saves in six appearances. The team's top two starting pitchers have really struggled for David. Jon Lester has allowed 10 runs in 10 innings and Mat Latos doesn't have a quality start in two appearances, giving up 10 runs in 10.2 innings. The middle infield of Jhonny Perralta and Danny Espinosa is also cold. They are a combined 19-for-85 with 24 strikeouts. Offensive Total 35: Home Runs 7, RBI 8, Stolen Bases 1, Runs 2, Strikeouts 11, OBP 6. Pitching Total 58: Saves 7, ERA 15, WHIP 15, Strikeouts 7, Holds 8, Quality Starts 6.

Total Points 92: Last year's Wooden Spoon recipient remains on 92 points but climbs one spot in the poll. Nikhil has done a good job of rebuilding this team with veteran talent. Shortstop Derek Jeter is 23-for-55 with four home runs, 12 RBI, and just four strikeouts. Paul Konerko, a keeper, is 16-for-46 with two homers and eight RBI. Closer Javy Guerra has five saves in seven appearances, giving up just two runs in 6.1 innings. Young fireballer Ricky Romero has stepped up as the No. 1 starter, earning three quality starts and striking out 14 batters in 22.1 innings. Second baseman Dustin Ackley had a nice start to the season but is now struggling. He is 10-for-47 with 11 strikeouts. Ace David Price has given up five runs in two starts and hasn't earned a quality start. Reliever Brad Lidge was added to the team to deliver saves. Instead, he's delivered Lidge-like uncertainty, including walking seven in six innings and allowing five runs.
Offensive Total 49: Home Runs 8, RBI 7, Stolen Bases 3, Runs 13, Strikeouts 4, RBI 14. Pitching Total 43: Saves 9, ERA 3, WHIP 2, Strikeouts 13, Holds 1, Quality Starts 15.

Total Points 90: Bailey is moving Home Run 101 in the right direction. The team gains four points and improves two slots in this week's poll. She added Luke Scott hoping to find a power source for the offense. The pitching staff is one of the league's best. Colby Lewis and Philip Humber rank in the Top 35 overall. Lewis has given up just four earned runs in 20.2 innings while striking out 15. All Humber has done is throw a perfect game. The team is fighting injuries. Closer Brian Wilson is lost for the season. Ryan Dempster and Brett Gardner are both on the DL. Outfielder Coco Crisp had the flu and missed most of last week. The team is also trying to get ace Josh Johnson started. Johnson has given up eight runs in 10.2 innings to start the season. Catcher Kurt Suzuki is also scrapping, going 9-for-39 with seven strikeouts. Offensive Total 33: Home Runs 1, RBI 1, Stolen Bases 14, Runs 1, Strikeouts 14, OBP 2. Pitching Totals 57:

Total Points 86: The Menehunes have moved out of the cellar and gained three points in this week's poll. That's good news for Elizabeth, one of the league's most active general managers. Her primary task is developing an offense to go with a strong pitching staff. Outfielder Nolan Reimold, a free agent acquisition, is the team's top-rated position player, rated 14th overall. He has five home runs in his first nine games while battling a neck injury. Two more free agents, pitcher Bartolo Colon, and outfielder Josh Willingham, are also ranked in the Top 25. Colon hasn't given up a run in 15 innings while striking out 10 and earning two quality starts. Willingham has four home runs and nine RBI in 13 games. The team is hoping ace Tim Lincecum breaks out of his slump. He hasn't earned a quality start in three games. Third baseman Danny Valencia has started the season 11-for-48 with 15 strikeouts. Offensive Total 36: Home Runs 5, RBI 3, Stolen Bases 2, Runs 3, Strikeouts 15, OBP 8. Pitching Total 50: Saves 1, ERA 10, WHIP 10, Strikeouts 8, Holds 16, Quality Starts 5.

Total Points 85: The concern for Carla coming out of Spring Training was young first baseman Brandon Belt not getting enough at bats to produce. Now the worry is he's not going to produce when given at bats. The offense is reflective of Belt, who doesn't have a home run and just two RBI in seven games. The veteran hitters are also struggling. Kendrys Morales is 10-for-39 with seven strikeouts and Ichiro Suzuki is 13-for-52 with a .278 OBP. The team does have two players in the Top 50, young pitcher Mike Minor and shortstop Starlin Castro. Minor has given up just one run in 15.1 innings, striking out 13 and earning two quality starts. Castro is 18-for-50 with three stolen bases. Offensive Total 37: Home Runs 2, RBI 2, Stolen Bases 13, Runs 5, Strikeouts 12, OBP 3. Pitching Total 48: Saves 4, ERA 5, WHIP 5, Strikeouts 16, Holds 5, Quality Starts 13.

Total Points 83: The Mirrors take the league's biggest weekly Power Poll tumble, falling six spots and a whopping 20 points. It can be attributed to a perceived weakness in relief pitching, specifically setup men. It's no surprise, as Rafael Soriano is the team's only setup man on the roster. To surpass expectations, Sean has to rely on starting pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Justin Masterson to reverse slow starts. Masterson has given up 15 runs in 13.2 innings failing to register a quality start in three attempts. Samardzija has allowed 10 runs in 8.2 innings. Ervin Santana has also struggled, failing to earn a quality start in two attempts while giving up nine runs in 13 innings. The computer values good setup man over average starting pitchers. The Mirrors do have an excellent starter, Stephen Strasburg, and they've added veteran Jake Westbrook to compliment their young ace. Utility man Eduardo Nunez and outfielder J.D. Martinez are the only offensive players ranked in the Top 100 for the Mirrors. Nunez is 9-for-19 with three stolen bases and Martinez is 13-for-43 with two home runs and 11 RBI. Offensive Total 40: Home Runs 4, RBI 5, Stolen Bases 16, Runs 10, Strikeouts 1, OBP 4. Pitching Total 43: Saves 11, ERA 6, WHIP 7, Strikeouts 6, Holds 3, Quality Starts 10.

Total Points 80: High Cheese drops four points and falls back into the cellar in this week's poll. Where to start? Stars Adam Wainwright and Jay Bruce are cold. Wainwright has given up 12 runs in eight innings and has yet to earn a quality start. Bruce has 14 strikeouts in 12 games. He has zero homers and two RBI in 49 at bats. The team has a solid nucleus and should rebound. Seven players rank in the Top 35 (Chris Young, Gio Gonzalez, Michael Young, Adam Jones, Hanley Ramirez, Joe Saunders, and Jordan Schafer). And while the long-term future of the team isn't computing with BaseballMonster.com High Cheese is competitive in the South Division. That's all that's important for Matt. Offensive Total 43: Home Runs 10, RBI 9, Stolen Bases 12, Runs 4, Strikeouts 3, OBP 5. Pitching Total 37: Saves 6, ERA 9, WHIP 8, Strikeouts 4, Holds 7, Quality Starts 3.

Week Four Predictions

BaseballMonster.com is on a roll when it comes to predictions. The website correctly predicted six of the eight series winners in Week 3. It failed to predict Mike Napoli's career week lifting Give it a Yankee past Twinkle Toes and it didn't see the Bulls thrashing of the Menehunes.

This week, Give it a Yankee will face High Cheese in the week's best series. Both teams are second in their respective divisions and looking to gain ground on the leaders. Here are the Week Four Predictions.

High Cheese is coming off a 7-4-1 victory over A-Rod's Mirrors and gained a game on South Division leader Los Coche Bomba. Give it a Yankee had a convincing 9-3 victory over East Division leader Twinkle Toes but still fell a game further behind the red-hot Bulls in the North Division standings. Give it a Yankee is looking for its first series victory over High Cheese. They've met twice, with High Cheese winning 7-3-2 in 2010 and 6-5-1 in Week 9 last year. Give it a Yankee pitcher Daniel Bard will move back to the bullpen this series, giving the team a more balanced pitching staff. Matt Joyce is red-hot entering this series for High Cheese. He collected nine hits last week, scored eight runs, and hit three homers. Mike Napoli was 11-for-25 with five homers and 10 RBI for Give it a Yankee. Napoli was the league's best player last week. This series is dead-even offensively but BaseballMonster.com sees a slight advantage for Give it a Yankee in the pitching categories. The team that wins ERA and WHIP, will likely win the series. Final Prediction - Give it a Yankee 6-4-2.

Bomba, which narrowly defeated Bacon at Mile 11 in Week 3, is the hottest team in the league entering Week 4 but they face a team they've never defeated. The Twinkle Toes are 3-0 against Bomba, including a 7-5 victory when they last met in Week 19 last year. Twinkle Toes was clubbed by Give it a Yankee - and specifically Mike Napoli - in Week 3 and fell to second in the East Division standings. Bomba will enter this series with a banged up bullpen. Closer Sergio Santos and setup man Greg Holland are both injured and will miss the series. Outfielder Michael Bourn enters the series hot for Bomba, going 13-for-28 last week with five stolen bases. Evan Longoria continued his great season for Twinkle Toes in Week 3, going 9-for-26 with two home runs and nine RBI. Bomba has a significant offensive advantage as Twinkle Toes limps into this series. The Toes are stronger on the mound, which is where they'll make this a closer-than-expected final score. Final Prediction - Los Coche Bomba 6-5-1.

Week 3 was a difficult one for the Menehunes. They were clubbed 10-2 by the Bulls and saw A-Rod's Mirrors and the Vicious Fishes cut into their West Division lead. The opposite was true for the Slammers. They beat Home Run 101 10-2 and climbed to the top of the East Division standings. The Menehunes have dominated this series. They have a 16-7-1 advantage in categories won the two times they've met. In Week 12 last year, the Menehunes dominated, winning 9-2-1. The Menehunes will have the services of All-Star shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera who missed last week's series after his grandfather passed away in Venezuela. The Slammers continue to have the best starting pitching staff in the league. James Shields and Kyle Lohse combined for four quality starts last week. Cory Luebke had two quality starts for the Menehunes. The Menehunes can hold their own with the Slammers on the mound but they'll need a hot bat if they want to compete in the offensive categories. Final Prediction - Scully's Slammers 8-4.

Week 3 was big for the Cys. They trounced the Jersey Boys 9-3 and gained ground in the South Division pennant race. It was their second consecutive series win. The Machine is coming off an 8-4 win over the Vicious Fishes and have moved out of the East Division cellar. The Cys have never beaten the Machine. They are 0-2 including last year's 6-5-1 loss in Week 13. Starting pitcher Daniel Hudson will miss this series for the Machine as he was placed on the DL with a shoulder injury last week. Outfielder Desmond Jennings is heating up for the Cys. He was 9-for-29 with two homers and two stolen bases last week. Chase Headley filled in for the injured Jacoby Ellsbury for the Machine and responded with an MVP week. He went 10-for-25 with two homers and a stolen base. The Cys need a bat - specifically Brandon Belt - to get hot or their two week run is coming to an end. Final Prediction - The Machine 10-2.

The Bulls are on a tear. They dismantled the East Division-leading Menehunes 10-2 in Week 3 and widened the gap in the North Division. The Vicious Fishes fell 8-4 to the Machine but did gain ground on the Menehunes in the West Division pennant race. The Bulls won two series from the Vicious Fishes in 2010 but the Fishes turned the tables last year, winning two very close series, both by a score of 6-5-1. As good as Matt Kemp was for the Bulls last week, he wasn't the team's best player. That was catcher Nick Hundley, who went 9-for-24 with two homers and eight RBI. A pair of veteran middle infielders led the Fishes last week. Rafael Furcal went 12-for-24 last week with a stolen base while Derek Jeter went 11-for-27 with two homers and six RBI. The Bulls are a hot team but this is a trap series. The Fishes have played everyone tough and they'll drag this series out pitch by pitch. Final Prediction - The Bulls 6-6.

Both teams enter Week 4 in desperate need of a series win. The Jersey Boys are coming off a 9-3 thumping at the hands of the Cys while High Cheese beat A-Rod's Mirrors 7-4-1.  These teams have met three times with the Jersey Boys winning twice and the Mirrors once. The Mirrors won the last meeting, 6-3-3 in Week four last year. Young pitcher Michael Pineda, who has missed the beginning of the year with a shoulder injury, will not make a mid-May return for the Jersey Boys as it was announced he had a setback last week in his rehab. Last week's series loss for the Jersey Boys can't be blamed on Freddie Freeman and Curtis Granderson. They combined to hit seven home runs and drive in 19 RBI. Starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg is a budding star. The young fireballer led the Mirrors last week, giving up two runs in 12 innings, striking out 11 while earning two quality starts. Strasburg will try to match Justin Verlander, the ace for the Jersey Boys. Two teams desperate to win a series will watch as setup men decide their fate. Final Prediction - A-Rod's Mirrors 6-6.

HUMA bounced back in Week 3 with a hard-fought 6-4-2 victory over the Lower Haighters. Home Run 101 was not as fortunate, getting bounced 10-2 by Scully's Slammers. These teams have met twice with HUMA winning one series and the other ending in a draw. Both series have been close, with HUMA winning 7-5 in 2010 and last year's Week 11 meeting ending in a 6-6 tie. Adrian Beltre will miss at least the beginning of this series for HUMA with a hamstring injury. Starting pitcher Ryan Dempster has been placed on the DL for Home Run 101 and will miss this series. Home Run 101 relies on its starting pitching to be competitive. Johnny Cueto led the team last week, earning two quality starts. Outfielder Josh Hamilton is HUMA's hottest player. He went 12-for-26 with three homers, a stolen base and 11 RBI last week. HUMA has a clear advantage offensively with the red-hot bat of Josh Hamilton. Final Prediction - HUMA 7-4-1.

No team has played Los Coche Bomba closer than Bacon at Mile 11 did in Week 3. They fell 6-5-1 in a very competitive series. The Lower Haighters lost their second consecutive series, this time 6-4-2 to HUMA, and remain mired in the West Division cellar.  Bacon at Mile 11 and the Lower Haighters have met four times with each team winning two series. Bacon does own a 24-22-2 advantage in categories won. The last time these two teams met in Week 19 last year, Bacon scored a convincing 8-4 victory. The Lower Haighters catch a break in this series as Bacon's ace, Cliff Lee, has been placed on the DL and will not start this week. Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is heating up for Bacon. Tulo went went 6-for-20 with a homer and a stolen base last week. Closer Henry Rodriguez, a free agent acquisition for the Lower Haighters, finished last week with three saves without giving up a run. This series is simply too close to call. Final Prediction - Lower Haighters 6-1-5.

Assessing this week's free agent options

In a competitive fantasy baseball league, the search for free agent help should be difficult. Good players are added to active rosters quickly. That's certainly been the case in the SFRRC Fantasy Baseball League this year.

Two years ago, owners could afford to wait for an emerging free agent starting pitcher to make several starts before adding him to the roster. Not anymore. One great start, and that pitcher is gone the next day. The same holds true for position players.

A total of 73 free agents have been added since the season began. That's 17 percent of the available roster spots in the league.

Here's a look at the best available free agents.

Jake Westbrook, SP, Cardinals - The crafty veteran has three quality starts over the past two weeks, giving up just three runs over 20.2 innings while striking out 10.

Steve Cishek, RP, Marlins - Cishek was first called up to the Marlins late last May and responded with 11.1 innings of scoreless work. He quickly emerged as a valuable setup man. In 6.1 innings to start this season, Cishek has given up one run, struck out eight, and earned three holds.

Bronson Arroyo, SP, Reds - Arroyo is viewed as a junkballer. The kind of guy who eats innings but isn't that effective. He's earned two quality starts in three attempts over the last two weeks, giving up seven runs in 21.2 innings while striking out 13. If you are desperate for a fifth starter, Arroyo is an option but if you are starting him as a sixth or seventh starter over a setup man, you are going to cripple your ERA and WHIP.

Mitchell Boggs, RP, Cardinals - Boggs has given up just one run over six innings while striking out seven. He has three holds and has become a valuable setup man for the Cardinals. Remember, he entered the 2011 season with a chance to earn saves, second in line to closer Ryan Franklin. Boggs is moving in that direction again.

Alex Gonzalez, SS, Brewers - Gonzalez has had a good start to the season. Over the last two weeks he has three home runs and 10 RBI. While those power numbers won't continue, Gonzalez does have some pop in his bat and plays in the NL Central, a division with small ballparks.

Carlos Gomez, OF, Brewers - Gomez has five stolen bases the last two weeks. The trick is getting him on base. Gomez can fill your need for speed.

Mat Gamel, 1B, Brewers - Mat Gamel is quietly proving he can hit at the Major League level. He's 12-for-42 in his last 13 games with a home run and three stolen bases. In 2011, he hit 28 homers in AAA, so the power potential is there.

Juan Francisco, 3B, Braves - Since his early-season trade from the Reds, Francisco has played the hot corner in 10 games for the Braves. He's 7-for-20 with two home runs and six RBI. Chipper Jones is likely to be hurt while you are reading this, so Francisco is a solid play moving forward.

Maicer Izturis, 2B/3B/SS, Angels - Izturis has made the most of his part-time status in Los Angeles. He has a .464 OBP in his last 23 at bats, going 8-for-23 with three stolen bases. Are your utility players giving you that kind of production?

When do you give up on a player?

When do you give up on a player on your fantasy baseball team? I hear that question frequently at this point in the season. To date, we've seen about 10 percent of a player's portfolio for 2012. That's not enough at bats or innings to render a decision on whether to drop or trade him. At least in most cases.

When making player transactions in the first month of the season, I use the following guidelines:

• Address category weaknesses by dropping late draft choices and adding players that can help in that category. Following the draft, you know which scoring categories are your strengths and where you are weak. On a 26-player roster, you haven't invested much in your last five picks. Feel free to drop them if they aren't performing and add a free agent that can address your weak categories.
• Don't touch top 10 draft choices or "keepers". It's too early to panic. Don't overreact to a player's slow start. Trust your draft day instincts. Those players form the core of your team and you'll need to live and die with them. Resist the urge to trade them to owners looking to buy low.
• Use the Disabled List. You are going to have injured players. If they are placed on the DL by their Major League team, you need to place them on your fantasy league DL. This allows you to add another player that can help you address a weak category. Do not allow injured players to stay in your starting lineup or on your bench.
• If a Major League team gives up on a player, so should you. The best early-season example of this is reliever Mark Melancon. He's been shipped to the minor leagues by the Boston Red Sox. He can't help your fantasy team there. If an under performing player is benched or demoted by his Major League team, feel free to do the same.

These general guidelines can help you overcome early season anxiety related to slumping players. Take a deep breath, be patient, and take your lead from the Major League teams that have more invested in the player than you do.

Now, let's take a look at this week's series in the SFRRC Fantasy Baseball League.

 Twinkle Toes is trying to weather a baseball storm named Hurricane Napoli. Give it a Yankee catcher Mike Napoli is the league's top-rated player this week on the strength of four home runs, nine RBI and six runs scored. Twinkle Toes will start Ubaldo Jimenez, Brian Matusz, Ryan Vogelsong, and Ian Kennedy over the next three days. Give it a Yankee will counter with Jonathon Niese, Luke Hochevar, Clayton Kershaw, Wandy Rodriguez, John Danks, and Daniel Bard. The teams are tied in the holds category, so setup men will be valuable this weekend. Given the number of starting pitchers scheduled to take the mound, the ratio categories are still up for grabs.

While Mike Napoli is the top player in the league so far this week, Curtis Granderson and Freddie Freeman sit second and third respectively. Granderson and Freeman have enabled the Jersey Boys to keep this series close but if they are going to win, they'll need better pitching. Rookie Liam Hendriks, and ace Justin Verlander will start this weekend. The Cys will counter with their own ace, C.C. Sabathia, Edinson Volquez, and rookie Matt Moore. The Cys could turn this series into a rout if they can overcome small Jersey Boy advantages in the runs and RBI categories. The Jersey Boys trail by just one point in the quality start category, but to win it they'll need Hendriks and Verlander to pitch well and hope two of the three starters for the Cys have bad outings.

Both teams are desperate for wins as they struggle to get out of their respective division cellars and eight of the 12 categories are still up for grabs with three days to play. This series could easily come down to the final day. Ivan Nova and Erik Bedard pitch for the Lower Haighters while Homer Bailey and Chad Billingsley start for HUMA. Felix Hernandez has had the best performance in this series, tossing eight shutout innings while striking out 12 in Thursday's start. Josh Hamilton has been hot at the plate, going 7-for-13 with a home run, six RBI and no strikeouts. Hamilton's exploits have led to narrow advantages for HUMA in four of the six offensive categories. The holds and stolen base categories are tied.

Can anyone stop Bomba? The league's hottest team holds a 9-3 advantage in this series but Bacon can make it close if they can overcome Bomba in quality starts, holds, home runs and stolen bases, all very close categories currently led by Bomba. Trevor Cahill, Jhoulys Chacin, rookie Lance Lynn, Anibal Sanchez, and Joe Blanton will start for Bacon this weekend. Brandon Beachy and Matt Harrison pitch for Bomba. A.J. Pierzynski continues his early-season tear for Bomba, going 7-for-11 with two homers in this series. Cliff Lee was amazing for Bacon in his start, tossing 10 shutout innings with seven strikeouts. Jason Heyward has three steals for Bacon to keep the category close.

Two of the best pitching staffs in the league are facing off in this series and, as expected, the pitching has been brilliant. James Shields tossed 8.1 scoreless innings while striking out five to lead the Slammers. Ryan Dempster struck out eight in six scoreless innings for Home Run 101. Ross Detwiler, Ted Lilly, Shields, Yovani Gallardo and Kyle Lohse still have starts remaining for the Slammers. Josh Johnson, Johnny Cueto, Dempster, Colby Lewis, and Jeff Niemann will all start on Sunday for Home Run 101. Carlos Beltran has been the offensive start of this series. He has two homers, three RBI, and a stolen base.

The Machine hold a commanding 9-1-2 lead entering the weekend but seven of the 12 scoring categories are still close. A strong finish could push the Fishes to an upset, come-from-behind victory. Chase Headley was moved into the Machine's starting lineup when Jacoby Ellsbury was hurt last week and Headley has responded. He has two home runs, five runs scored, four RBI and a stolen base. Matt Cain has the best start in the series, tossing nine scoreless innings while giving up just two hits. Brandon McCarthy will make the only start for the Machine this weekend while the Fishes have Chris Sale, Carlos Zambrano, Tommy Hanson, Neftali Feliz, Jake Arrieta, Dan Haren and Ricky Romero starting. Four of the six pitching categories will be decided based on those starts.

The stolen base, saves and holds categories are tied with three days to play but the Mirrors need to win them all to get back in this series. Justin Masterson, Stephen Strasburg, and Cole Hamels will start for the Mirrors this weekend. Jered Weaver, Joe Saunders, Mike Leake, Jeremy Guthrie and Gio Gonzalez take the mound for High Cheese. Hanley Ramirez has taken over this series offensively for High Cheese. Ramirez has two home runs, five RBI, four runs and a stolen base. Gonzalez already has one quality start, striking out eight in seven scoreless innings. Jose Valverde has two saves for the Mirrors while Dustin Pedroia has a homer.

The Bulls are trying to pull away from the pack in the North Division. They hold a commanding 10-1-1 lead in this series and have a significant lead in nine of the 12 categories. Emilio Bonifacio has been the star of the series, stealing four bases, reaching base at a .571 clip, and scoring three times. The Menehunes have the best start of the series. Free agent acquisition Bartolo Colon struck out five in eight scoreless innings. Shaun Marcum, and Roy Halladay will start for the Bulls this weekend while Tim Lincecum, Cory Luebke, and Barry Zito pitch for the Menehune. The quality start category is tied, so every start will be important.

Week 3 Power Poll

If the season ended today, the Machine would be a smoking, wheezing, clanking mess. But the season has just started and while the preseason favorites have chugged slowly out of the gate, BaseballMonster.com still views it as the team to beat.

The weekly power poll does not focus on the here and now. It forecasts the entire fantasy baseball season and ranks team based on their potential over 162 games. If your team is off to a hot start but you still rank low in the power poll, you have some work to do. If you have stumbled out of the gate, but your team is ranked high, you need to weather the early-season storm and trust your stars will shine.

While the oracle of the fantasy baseball internet projects the future, it has forecasting flaws. It ranks teams based on a traditional rotisserie format, where 16 points are awarded to the team winning a scoring category, 15 points for second, 14 points for third and down to one point for the last place team in the category.  The maximum number of points a team can receive is 192 (16 points for winning all 12 scoring categories) while the lowest number of points is 12.

Of course, in a weekly head-to-head format, you have to live with the inevitable hot streaks and slumps that baseball teams go through. Your statistics aren't parceled out in evenly divided weekly increments. It can be feast or famine and that impacts the standings.

The weekly power poll gives you a chance to assess your team's strengths and weaknesses through the unblinking, analytical eye of the BaseballMonster.com forecasting computer. Here are the Week 3 numbers. This week, I've provided the total points for each team and the number of points the computer predicts teams will earn in each category.

Total Points 134: Despite the loss of Jacoby Ellsbury, the Machine continues to sit atop the weekly power poll. This team's strength remains hitting and a solid bullpen. Catcher Matt Wieters is beginning to blossom into a star. Chase Headley is not spectacular but he's a consistent force at the plate. Outfielder Jose Bautista has started slowly, going 7-for-34 with just one home run but Bautista is the home run king and can be expected to break out of this early season slump. Matt Cain remains the team's ace while Matt Thornton anchors the bullpen. Offensive Total 76: Home Runs 15, RBI 16, Stolen Bases 5, Runs 16, Strikeouts 9, OBP 15. Pitching Total: 58: Saves 5, ERA 16, WHIP 16, Strikeouts 2, Holds 14, Quality Starts 5.

Total Points 115: The defending North Division champs move up one slot in this week's power poll. Outfielder Matt Kemp is currently the best player in baseball and can take over a weekly series. On the mound, the Bulls can match any ace with Roy Halladay. The questions surround the supporting staff, especially on offense. Can Carlos Gonzalez finally realize his potential? Will Dan Murphy or Sean Rodriguez contribute enough at second base? Can Shaun Marcum and Jason Vargas support Halladay over the course of the season? This is a championship-caliber team that simply needs one or two players to compliment its biggest stars. Offensive Total 44: Home Runs 7, RBI 6, Stolen Bases 11, Runs 5, Strikeouts 6, OBP 9. Pitching Total 71: Saves 13, ERA 12, WHIP 12, Strikeouts 11, Holds 15, Quality Starts 8.

Total Points 112: The Power Poll likes the potential of Give it a Yankee but it is based on sound roster management. This team, possibly more than any other in the league, may have a difficult time fulfilling its potential. Give it a Yankee is facing its crisis moment at the beginning of the season due to injuries. If owner Brian Benzing replaces Michael Morse, Chase Utley, and Julio Teheran with productive players in the starting lineup it will be bolstered later in the summer when they return. If not, it will suffer more weekly upsets. At its core, this is a great team. Corey Hart, Alex Avila, and David Wright provide power while Jonathan Niese and Clayton Kershaw form an excellent one-two punch at the top of the rotation. Offensive Total 58: Home Runs 13, RBI 12, Stolen Bases 6, Runs 9, Strikeouts 10, OBP 8. Pitching Total 54: Saves 7, ERA 10, WHIP 9, Strikeouts 12, Holds 2, Quality Starts 14.

Total Points 112: This is the hottest team in the league but to become a championship contender, it will have to boost its starting pitching. Matt Garza is off to a strong start and he has become the team's ace. Owner Jenni Kirk added Bruce Chen to the starting staff this week but Chen is not a power pitcher and can be erratic. Derek Holland's development may hold the key to the starting staff. Despite the presence of Miguel Cabrera in the lineup, this is not a team built on home runs but it does have RBI power and speed. It is currently the strongest offensive lineup in the league. Alexi Ogando is the best bullpen arm but Sergio Santos needs to hold the closer role in Toronto or the team's primary pitching strength will become a liability. Offensive Total 78: Home Runs 2, RBI 15, Stolen Bases 15, Runs 15, Strikeouts 15, OBP 16. Pitching Total 34: Saves 14, ERA 5, WHIP 5, Strikeouts 1, Holds 8, Quality Starts 1.

Total Points 109: Bacon at Mile 11 moves from 10th in last week's power poll to fifth, the biggest jump of the week. The top of the rotation is sound with Cliff Lee serving as the ace. He is complimented by rookie Lance Lynn and Trevor Cahill. Joe Blanton, Jhoulys Chacin, and Jair Jurrjens need to perform well enough to help the team's ERA and WHIP. Carrying six starters and just five relievers also stresses the WHIP and ERA. Offensively, the team is solid. Outfielder Jason Heyward is having a bounce-back year and Eric Hosmer is blossoming into a star. When Dan Uggla heats up - he's a notoriously slow starter - Bacon will be difficult to beat in the offensive categories. Offensive Total 62: Home Runs 11, RBI 9, Stolen Bases 10, Runs 7, Strikeouts 12, OBP 13. Pitching Total 47: Saves 12, ERA 1, WHIP 2, Strikeouts 13, Holds 7, Quality Starts 12.

Total Points 108: The defending league champions drop from second in the Power Poll to sixth. The path to a third West Division pennant will not be easy. The offense is beginning to show signs of breaking out of its early season slump but the starting pitching remains a long-term work in progress. Kyle Drabek was added to provide depth but Brandon Morrow has to develop into a No. 2 starter or the Lower Haighters will continue to struggle. Henry Rodriguez has replaced the injured Drew Storen but hasn't secured the closer role in Washington. Albert Pujols has played 10 games without a home run and just four RBI. Offensive Total 71: Home Runs 16, RBI 14, Stolen Bases 8, Runs 11, Strikeouts 8, OBP 14. Pitching Total 37: Saves 15, ERA 2, WHIP 1, Strikeouts 7, Holds 9, Quality Starts 3.

Total Points 107: The Slammers drop one spot in this week's Power Poll but remain a threat in the East Division pennant race. This is a balanced team as owner Leslie King has developed an offense to compliment a strong pitching staff. The biggest concern facing the Slammers is the early-season struggles of closer Heath Bell. He has yet to record a save and has given up four earned runs in three innings. Brandon League is steady, but the team needs Bell to anchor that second closer role. A healthy Andre Ethier and a rejuvenated Carlos Peña have keyed the offensive turnaround. Offensive Total 50: Home Runs 8, RBI 11, Stolen Bases 7, Runs 12, Strikeouts 5, OBP 7. Pitching Total 57: Saves 8, ERA 13, WHIP 14, Strikeouts 4, Holds 12, Quality Starts 6.

Total Points 105: Twinkle Toes remains in the eighth spot in the Power Poll. The team leads the East Division by a half game over Scully's Slammers but the Power Poll predicts both teams will still need to contend with the Machine before the end of September. The biggest issue facing Twinkle Toes is the back end of the bullpen. Brett Myers is currently the only closer but Mike Adams could emerge with that role in Texas if Joe Nathan stumbles. Every relief appearance is crucial in April as bullpen roles are defined. Offensively, second baseman Ian Kinsler is having a sensational start to the season and could carry the team. Offensive Total 54: Home Runs 12, RBI 13, Stolen Bases 4, Runs 8, Strikeouts 7, OBP 10. Pitching Total 51: Saves 2, ERA 3, WHIP 4, Strikeouts 16, Holds 10, Quality Starts 16.

Total Points 103: A-Rod's Mirrors jumps three spots in this weeks' Power Poll. Pitching remains the team's strength while the offense is a work in progress. It hasn't helped that Gaby Sanchez, Drew Stubbs, and J.P. Arencibia are a combined 15-for-101 with nine RBI and three runs scored. The team has added outfielder J.D. Martinez and first baseman Adam LaRoche to the roster to increase productivity. Starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg is a star. How the Nationals handle his innings load down the stretch will be important for owner Sean McKenna. Offensive Total 47: Home Runs 4, RBI 8, Stolen Bases 16, Runs 14, Strikeouts 1, OBP 4. Pitching Total 56: Saves 11, ERA 11, WHIP 10, Strikeouts 9, Holds 5, Quality Starts 10.

Total Points 98: The Jersey Boys drop five places in the latest Power Poll, due largely to a weak starting pitching staff and an offense that has a difficult time getting on base. The team currently has seven players with an OBP under .300 and the team is projected to finish with a .331 OBP, lowest in the league. Related is the high strikeout rate illustrated by two players - Rickie Weeks and Freddie Freeman - who have already combined for 28 strikeouts in 75 at bats. Justin Verlander and R.A. Dickey are the only starting pitchers above league average, so owner Leigh-Ann Wendling will need to monitor her starting staff closely. Offensive Total 44: Home Runs 14, RBI 7, Stolen Bases 9, Runs 10, Strikeouts 3, OBP 1. Pitching Total 54: Saves 16, ERA 15, WHIP 15, Strikeouts 3, Holds 3, Quality Starts 2.

Total Points 97: HUMA falls three spots in this week's Power Poll as the offense is struggling to support one of the league's best pitching staffs. Owner David Kahn has built a rock solid starting staff, with four pitchers rated above league average led by Chad Billingsley and Jordan Zimmerman. Closer Jim Johnson is a tremendous asset in the bullpen. The offense is sputtering due to a lack of speed. Peter Bourjos, the team's major base stealing threat, is having trouble getting on base in the first place. Danny Espinosa, another source of stolen bases, is just 7-for-36 with 10 strikeouts. Both players need to find their rhythm to kick-start the offense. Offensive Total 33: Home Runs 6, RBI 5, Stolen Bases 1, Runs 2, Strikeouts 13, OBP 6. Pitching Total 64: Saves 9, ERA 14, WHIP 13, Strikeouts 10, Holds 11, Quality Starts 7.

Total Points 92: The Fishes advance one spot in this week's Power Poll as they seek ways to generate stolen bases on offense and holds in the bullpen. Owner Nikhil Dinsesh has built a pitching staff full of starting pitchers. The strategy strengthens the team in quality starts and strikeouts but lowers the team ERA and WHIP and guts the holds category. It's a strategy that's been employed often over the last three years but has never resulted in a championship. Offensively, the team has just four stolen bases on the season. Outfielder Dexter Fowler is being counted on for stolen bases and he's just 6-for-29 to start the season. Offensive Total 43: Home Runs 9, RBI 4, Stolen Bases 2, Runs 13, Strikeouts 4, OBP 11. Pitching Total 49: Saves 10, ERA 6, WHIP 3, Strikeouts 14, Holds 1, Quality Starts 15.

Total Points 87: The Cys have been busy transforming their team over the past two weeks and it shows, as they move up four spots in this week's Power Poll. The team needs first baseman Brandon Belt to provide power and he's off to a 3-for-17 start. Second baseman Jason Kipnis leads the team in home runs with three. The pitching is strong but could use another setup man. Average starters hurt a team's ERA and WHIP while another setup man to support the sensational Aroldis Chapman will help the team improve in those categories and provide holds. Offensive Total 37: Home Runs 3, RBI 3, Stolen Bases 13, Runs 4, Strikeouts 11, OBP 3. Pitching Total 50: Saves 4, ERA 8, WHIP 6, Strikeouts 15, Holds 4, Quality Starts 13.

Total Points 86: Home Run 101 remains in the 14th spot in this week's Power Poll as owner Bailey Penzotti searches for ways to build an offense to support an above-average pitching staff. Jayson Werth is currently hitting for average, but not power while Aramis Ramirez is mired in a deep slump, going 4-for-35 to start the season. Even when both are hitting consistently, the team will need to add at least one more power hitter to compete in the home runs and RBI categories. Four of the top five players on the team are pitchers, led by Ryan Dempster and Colby Lewis. Offensive Total 35: Home Runs 1, RBI 1, Stolen Bases 14, Runs 1, Strikeouts 16, OBP 2. Pitching Total 51: Saves 3, ERA 9, WHIP 11, Strikeouts 6, Holds 13, Quality Starts 9.

Total Points 84: High Cheese remains in the 15th spot in this week's Power Poll. Owner Matt Patchell is searching for ways to build a bullpen and score more runs. The pitching staff is short on relievers, which is hurting the ERA and WHIP. John Axford and Grant Balfour are the team's closers while Fernando Salas and David Robertson are the setup men. Adding at least one more setup man is a priority. Offensively, the team is competitive with outfielder Chris Young leading the way early. Offensive Total 45: Home Runs 10, RBI 10, Stolen Bases 12, Runs 6, Strikeouts 2, OBP 5. Pitching Total 39: Saves 6, ERA 4, WHIP 7, Strikeouts 5, Holds 6, Quality Starts 11.

Total Points 83: The Menhunes lead the West Division pennant race but they get no love from the Power Poll, dropping five spots and into the basement. Why? The offense is struggling to generate both power and speed while the bullpen was nearly shutout of the always tight closer market. Of course, winning a Power Poll means nothing and the Menehunes lead where it counts, at the top of the division standings. Owner Elizabeth Gravely did add reliever Bryan Shaw this week. Shaw immediately becomes the team's top-ranked relief pitcher. Offensively, there's a glaring hole at third base where Danny Valencia is 9-for-34 with no home runs and just three RBI. Offensive Total 39: Home Runs 5, RBI 2, Stolen Bases 3, Runs 3, Strikeouts 14, OBP 12. Pitching Total 44: Saves 1, ERA 7, WHIP 8, Strikeouts 8, Holds 16, Quality Starts 4.