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Z - MLB Positional OutlookThird Basemen Outlook
By Richard Garcia THIRD BASEMANTable: Do not bench list
UPPER ECHELONScott Rolen, St. Louis Cardinals Schedule: 7 games - @NYM (4), @CIN (3) Analysis: The defending World Series champs to this point have underachieved; Scott Rolen is one of the reasons why. Rolen hasn't had a season this bad since 2005 when he had season-ending shoulder surgery. But there is reason to be optimistic this week. Rolen has had success in his career against two of the top Mets pitchers. Rolen is batting .345 with two home runs and seven RBI versus Tom Glavine, and batting .450 versus Oliver Perez. Rolen has not hit for power against Cincinnati this season, but his .375 average in 16 at-bats is respectable. Rolen is hitting 24 points better on the road this season. Akinori Iwamura, Tampa Bay Devil Rays Schedule: 7 games - CHW (4), @CLE (3) Analysis: The first-year player out of Ethime, Japan, has struggled after being bumped up to the leadoff spot in June. After a great start to the season that saw him hit .364 through April and May, Iwamura is batting .259 in June. Iwamura has had to deal with multiple injuries this season, hampering his ability to find a consistent stroke at the plate. Iwamura has hit one home run since being activated off the disabled list and has a total of two on the season. Iwamura was on the DL when the team faced the White Sox and has two hits in 10 at-bats versus Cleveland. Ryan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals Schedule: 6 games - @ATL (3), @PIT (3) Analysis: Zimmerman is currently having his best month of the season, batting .260 with five home runs and 16 RBI. Zimmerman has had his struggles versus Atlanta this season; putting out seven hits in 35 at-bats (.200). He has had success against John Smoltz, including two home runs and a .308 average in 26 at-bats. Pittsburgh held Zimmerman to a .154 average in their first meeting, taking two out of three in RFK. Zimmerman is batting a combined .417 in 12 at-bats versus Ian Snell and Zach Duke. His successes this month and on the road make Zimmerman a strong play. He is batting 38 points higher on the road (.268) than at RFK Stadium. Casey Blake, Cleveland Indians Schedule: 7 games - OAK (4), TB (3) Analysis: Blake's consistency at the plate this season makes him a solid fantasy option this week. The eight-year veteran saw his career-high 26 game hitting streak come to an end June 19. The hitting streak was the longest in the majors this season. The Athletics, who hold the second-best pitching staff in the majors, saw Blake get five hits in 11 at-bats (.455). In seven at-bats against the Devil Rays, Blake is batting .286. Blake sits atop an Indians lineup that is in the top-three in runs scored, home runs and RBI. Jacobs Field hasn't been home-sweet-home for Blake, but we expect him to produce solid numbers this week. Chone Figgins, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Schedule: 6 games - KC (3), @BAL (3) Analysis: After struggling the first two months of the season, Figgins' play has taken off in June, batting .451 with 14 RBI and 10 stolen bases. Figgins matched the American League record for number of hits in a nine-inning game June 18, going six-for-six including a walk-off triple. Figgins struggled against the Royals in early May where the Angels lost two-of-three. Earlier this month, Figgins tore apart Orioles pitching, getting nine hits in 15 at-bats (.600), leading the Angels to a three-game sweep. Expect Figgins to bounce back against the Royals who have one of the worst pitching staffs in the majors. Figgins is absolutely too hot to sit on any fantasy bench. MIDRANGEEric Chavez, Oakland Athletics Schedule: 7 games - @CLE (4), @NYY (3) Analysis: Chavez has won six consecutive Gold Gloves and is on his way to winning his seventh. He currently holds a .971 fielding percentage, which is good for third among American League third baseman. June has been his most successful month offensively this season. Chavez has hit .283 with six home runs in June, doubling his combined home run total for April and May. In an earlier match up against the Indians, where the Athletics took two-of-three, Chavez got four hits in 13 at-bats (.308) including one home run. Chavez has success in his nine-year career against all of the Yankees' starters, including the team's closer Mariano Rivera. Chavez leads the club and is ninth in the AL with 12 home runs. Chad Tracy, Arizona Diamondbacks Schedule: 7 games - LAD (4), @SF (3) Analysis: Since returning from the 15-day DL, Tracy (rib cage strain) has struggled, batting .200 with three home runs in June. Manager Bob Melvin has incorporated Tracy in the lineup, rotating him with Mark Reynolds at third, and playing Tracy at first base. The Dodgers, who hold the third-best staff in the majors, have taken four-of-five against the D-Backs. Tracy has struggled versus the Blue Crew, getting two hits in 15 at-bats (.133). In two series against the Giants, both three-game sweeps in their favor, Tracy had five hits in 13 at-bats (.385). Tracy is hitting over .300 at home this season and .271 on the road. Schedule: 6 games - HOU (3), CHC (3) Analysis: In his first full month of the season, Braun is batting .338 with three home runs and a .998 OPS. The highly touted prospect out of the University of Miami has the ability to hit for average and significant power. His speed has garnered comparisons to New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez. In an earlier matchup with the Cubs, Braun went five-for-12 (.417) including a home run off of Ted Lilly. He has yet to face the Astros this season. Braun has torn apart left-handed pitching (.421) and is hitting a solid .319 with two home runs at Miller Park this season. OTHERS FOR CONSIDERATIONEdwin Encarnacion, Cincinnati Reds Schedule: 6 games - @PHI (3), STL (3) Analysis: Encarnacion has played well since his May 22 call up from Triple-A Louisville. Encarnacion was frequently benched in favor of Ryan Freel at third; giving Josh Hamilton more starts in centerfield. His average didn't help his case either, batting .218 through the first month and a half. Since his recall, he is hitting .332 and batting .324 in June. Encarnacion is hitting .300 in 10 at-bats versus the Philles, while getting eight hits in 19 at-bats (.421) including a home run against the Cardinals. After reclaiming the starting job at third, it is safe to say it is his to lose, again. Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals Schedule: 6 games - @LAA (3), CHW (3) Analysis: Gordon, the second overall pick in the 2005 draft, is another franchise caliber player that is getting his shot this season. Gordon comes with all kinds of expectations, even receiving comparisons to Hall-of-Famer George Brett. Gordon struggled to live up to his lofty expectations, batting .185 with three home runs through April and May. Gordon has turned around his slow start and is batting .302 in June that includes two home runs and a recently ended career-high seven-game hitting streak. The old Gordon struggled against both the White Sox and Angels earlier this season, but the new Gordon is one of the Royals' hottest hitters. Schedule: 7 games - TEX (4), MIN (3) Analysis: Critics praise Inge for his excellent defensive skills while denouncing his bat to just average. Inge has been making a strong push over the past couple months to make the critics eat their words. He brought his average up 131 points in May and is currently batting .383 in June. Inge goes through hitless streaks during the season, waiting for the perfect time to erupt with a two or three RBI performance. For that, some fantasy owners hold a roster spot for him. The Tigers' offense has been on fire of late and this home stand against the Rangers and Twins will be like adding kindling to the fire. Expect huge numbers and expect Inge to be a major contributor. Melvin Mora, Baltimore Orioles Schedule: 6 games - NYY (3), LAA (3) Analysis: The month of June has been miserable for the Orioles. The team fired manager Sam Perlozzo and the club has won only three-of-17 games. The Yankees come in as one of the hottest teams in baseball, while the Angels have the second best record in the majors. Besides all that, Mora has picked it up a little in June, batting .273 with four home runs and 10 RBI. Mora has had success against the Yankees this season, getting five hits in 14 at-bats (.357) including one home run and five RBI. While the 35-year-old has struggled at home this season, he matches up well with the Yankees; the Angels are a different story. Adrian Beltre, Seattle Mariners Schedule: 6 games BOS (3), TOR (3) Analysis: Beltre's status this week should be watched closely. The nine-year veteran has had a lingering thumb problem, requiring a cortisone shot before games for him to play. The thumb problem has led Beltre to play in only seven games, while batting .206 with no home runs in June. Beltre struggled in an earlier match up with the Red Sox, batting .100 in a two-game split. If the thumb injury doesn't require him to go on the disabled list, Beltre could put up some numbers at home. Beltre is currently batting .295 with three home runs and 16 RBI at Safeco Field this season. KEY PLAYERS ON DLHank Blalock, Texas Rangers - Out until August Joe Crede, Chicago White Sox - Out until September
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