Fantasy Baseball: Weekend Warriors

Alex Cobb – The Rays Minor League system is clearly the best in baseball, and Cobb is another product of Major League ready talent. The 23 year old in seven starts this season is 3-0 with a 2.57 ERA and has helped keep Tampa alive in the playoff hunt. Cobb dominated Kansas City on Sunday allowing blanking the Royals over seven innings on 81 pitches before being removed with a blister on his finger. Cobb’s 0.21 HR/9 has been impressive, showing that he’s not making mistakes when it tough situations against baseballs best hitters. His next start is Saturday against the Mariners and their 64 homeruns on the season as a team Cobb can lower that number. A viable spot starter in mixed leagues, keep an eye on the rookie as he solidified himself in the Rays rotation.

Eric Chavez – Not that he’s the savior to get the Yankees ahead of Red Sox, but Chavez has been more than adequate while in the lineup for the Bronx Bombers.  Chavez came back from the disabled list earlier this week and in his return to the lineup had two hits and an rbi hitting eighth in the lineup. While Eduardo Nunez has played well in the absence of Alex Rodriguez, Chavez has a superior bat and glove and will likely see the majority of time at third base.  With such a scarcity of dominant third baseman this season, Chavez is a nice play while waiting or Rodriguez for Placido Polanco to return back to action. Owned in 0.3 percent of ESPN standard leagues, scoop up Chavez for this weekend’s battle with the pedestrian Orioles rotation and bullpen.

R.A. Dickey - Last season Dickey was considered a fluke, but as we approach the last two months of the season Dickey has proved to be worthy in fantasy circuits. Through the month of July Dickey’s 1.16 WHIP has been one of the best in the National League, as his knuckleball continues to devastate batters. While Dickey is unpredictable when it comes to strikeouts, the Nationals are predictable when it comes to hitting (.234 BA, 28^TH in MLB) and striking out (842 2^nd worst in MLB). In need of a win in your head to head matchup, scoop up Dickey as eases his way through the Washington lineup.

Freddy Garcia – Who need’s Cliff Lee when you can sign Garcia to a minor league contract and get the same results. After barely making the Yankees opening day rotation, Garcia has been more then valuable with his 3.23 ERA, ranking him 15^th amongst American League starters. With 17 strikeouts in his last three starts, there is no reason to expect Garcia to slow down even at his age of 34.  Now three wins away from matching his total of last season (12) Garcia duels with the division rival Orioles who he shutout over six innings when they met earlier this season. With tons of run support from the New York offense, look for Garcia to notch double digit wins on Sunday.