Today's Fantasy Rx

Arizona: Mike Koplove, RH Reliever
2-1 on a 17:10 K:BB in 22.1 IP over 23 G
with 20 H, 0 HR, a 3.37 G-F, and a 4.84 ERA.

Although Koplove doesn't own great control, his outstanding ground-fly rate severely limits his downside. Allowing 8 walks in 11.1 April innings illustrated his need for a longer spring training to fully recover from September shoulder surgery, however his 10:2 K:BB in 11 IP indicates his fantasy potential. Koplove probably ranks as Arizona's most reliable reliever, and he looks like a safer option to close than Jose Valverde. Unfortunately, the combination of the Diamondbacks' mediocre defense and their very hitter-friendly park makes any Arizona middle reliever a definite gamble. Certainly target him anywhere you own Valverde, but don't expect a significant qualitative contribution from Koplove despite his strong skill set.

We'll continue tomorrow with National League underachieving pitchers.

Internet Challenge

SP(6)
Pedro Martinez: Sat:TOR(T.Lilly)
Randy Johnson: Sun:@FLO(D.Willis)
Roy Halladay: Fri:@BOS(B.Arroyo)
Javier Vazquez: Sun:@TEX(R.Dickey)
Kevin Brown: Fri:@TEX(J.Benoit)
Jose Contreras: Sat:@TEX(R.Drese)
Shawn Chacon: 3 Road at NYM.

No starts: Schilling, Mussina, Hudson, Oswalt, Wood, Beckett.

While Pedro, Randy, and Chacon are the only safe picks, we don't mind running Halladay, Vazquez, and Brown given each pitchers' recent success.

Fullmer replaces the hurting Teixeira, the scalding hot Ichiro replaces Pierre, and Cintron replaces Matsui to let us set our salary at the 30000 cap. Hinske and Hidalgo similarly stay benched.

The Umpire Hunter(17th lg; 565th overall)
Week 7b: May 21-May 23

C	Mike Piazza		990
C	Jason Varitek		680
1B	Brad Fullmer		700
1B	Lyle Overbay		400
2B	Alfonso Soriano		1930
2B	Orlando Hudson		550
3B	Hank Blalock		850
3B	Joe Crede		600
SS	Alex Rodriguez		2010 
SS	Alex Cintron		450 
OF	Ichiro Suzuki		1560
OF	Vernon Wells		1150 
OF	Carl Crawford		1040
OF	Scott Podsednik		980
OF	Adam Dunn		690
OF	Miguel Cabrera		570 
DH	Carlos Beltran		1760
DH	Brad Wilkerson		690 

SP	Pedro Martinez		1800 
SP	Randy Johnson		1550 
SP	Roy Halladay		1350 
SP	Javier Vazquez		1280  
SP	Kevin Brown		1180
SP	Shawn Chacon		630
RP	Eric Gagne		1890
RP	Octavio Dotel		1250
RP	Arthur Rhodes		800
RP	Matt Herges		670

Total Salary for Week 7b: 	30000

Today's Fantasy Rx: Despite playing in a respectable pitchers' park, San Francisco owns the second-worst ERA in the league, the second-worst NL relief corps, and the National League's fourth worst defense. While I normally recommend targeting middle relievers on any California team as safe choices as roster filler, only Tyler Walker currently appears a safe choice among Giants' pitchers. Brower's career-worst strikeout rate makes him slightly risky, and Eyre and even FRod suffer from flyball problems. Rostering any of these three relievers isn't a terrible idea in deep leagues, but attempt to find alternatives like Scott Linebrink, Duaner Sanchez, or Jay Witasick who might receive more help from their teammates.