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Fantasy Baseball Tip Sheet - Aug. 15

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By James LoPresti / The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 15, 2008

INJURY REPORT

Ryan Braun, 3B/OF (Brewers) - Braun has missed the last four games with an injured muscle in his rib cage sustained Saturday against the Nationals. A trip to the disabled list seems likely unless he shows considerable improvement in the next few days. Don't panic too much; a short trip to the disabled list actually will give him some much-needed rest before what figures to be a long playoff run. He should be right back to form once he gets back into the lineup.

Mike Lowell, 3B (Red Sox) - Lowell was placed on the 15-day disabled list after straining an oblique muscle while swinging in Tuesday's 19-17 win against Texas. The Red Sox will be cautious bringing Lowell back, because it is easy for players to aggravate oblique muscles if they come back too early. Kevin Youkilis will move from first base to third, and Sean Casey will take over as the starting first baseman for the next few weeks.

Matt Capps, RP (Pirates) - Capps is making considerable progress in the minors, and he looks like he could return to the Pirates by late August. Capps will move back into the closer's role when he returns, and it would be wise to pick him up if you are looking for saves down the stretch. He should be owned in deep leagues and monitored closely in shallow formats.

WAIVER-WIRE PICKUPS

Chris Perez, RP (Cardinals) - With Jason Isringhausen and Ryan Franklin struggling to close games, Manager Tony La Russa has decided to go with Perez as the team's closer. Perez has already picked up three saves, and he should be able to hold onto the closer's role for the rest of the year. He needs to be owned in all leagues.

Jed Lowrie, 3B/SS (Red Sox) - Lowrie appears to be sliding under the radar despite putting up a .346 average this month, including hits in 12 of his last 13. He also has 18 RBIs and counting in August. He continues to benefit from Julio Lugo's injury and should be able to keep his job once Lugo returns. Owners should jump on Lowrie while he's hot.

Vernon Wells, OF (Blue Jays) - Wells is back in the Blue Jays' starting lineup after missing 26 games with a strained hamstring and he looks like he's ready to rebound from a disappointing first half. Manager Cito Gaston has inserted Wells into the cleanup spot, and in five games, Wells is 5-for-19, with a home run, three runs scored and seven RBIs.

Ty Wigginton, 1B/2B/3B (Astros) - Carlos Lee's injury puts enormous pressure on Lance Berkman and Miguel Tejada to produce, but so far it looks like Wigginton has emerged as a dependable RBI producer. He's currently sporting an 11-game hitting streak and has four homers and 11 RBIs in that span.

Mike Cameron, OF (Brewers) - Cameron has been a speed demon this week, swiping four bases while chipping in with a .335 average, three home runs and nine runs. Cameron has struggled to keep his average above .240, but he has 20 home runs and 12 stolen bases. Cameron is a great pickup capable of hitting 25 home runs and stealing 20 bases.

Here is a list of a few likely available pitchers who have a good shot of picking up a win in their next scheduled starts:

STREAMING PITCHERS

Kyle Kendrick (Phillies) - Owners might not like Kendrick's 4.74 ERA, but his 10 wins and ability to receive run support each time he pitches make him a smart play Saturday against the struggling Padres offense. He might give up a few runs, but he is likely to pick up a victory.

Jonathan Sanchez (Giants) - Sanchez has a favorable matchup Saturday at Atlanta, and he has a good shot at picking up a win in what figures to be a low-scoring game. Sanchez has pitched effectively lately, but a few bad breaks have cost him some wins. Despite San Francisco's inability to score many runs, they should provide enough to help Sanchez get a win.

Zach Miner (Tigers) - Miner is 1-1 with a 2.94 ERA in three starts this month, and he is a strong play Sunday at home against the Orioles, who have lost 15 of 17 games played on Sundays this season. Expect six or seven innings, four to five strikeouts, and a victory.

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