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Crawford, Carl LF TB
News: Hits career-high five RBI
Carl Crawford had two home runs before the Tampa Bay Rays really got started. Crawford's second homer of the game started a 10-run, 14-batter, 32-minute barrage in the fifth inning, and the Rays defeated the Florida Marlins 15-3 Wednesday. Crawford had a career-high five RBI.

Analysis:
Crawford extended his hitting streak to seven games. He is 14-for-32 (.438) with two homers and 11 RBI during the streak. Crawford has hit safely in allevery game since returning from a four-game suspension. He has upped his average from .265 to .284 during his latest streak. Fantasy owners are giddy over the fact Crawford is starting to raise his batting average. Crawford has been slowed by a bum knee in 2008 and it has hurt his production in some regard. Still, he is posting favorable Fantasy numbers and is worth starting on most occasions.

Wood saves 20th game for Cubs
Wood, Kerry RP CHC
News: Cubs closer Kerry Wood struck out the side in the ninth for his 20th save in 24 chances against Baltimore Wednesday.

Analysis:
Wood picked up his first save in his first opportunity since June 21. With the Cubs owning the best record in baseball, Wood should see plenty of saves as the year wears on. Continue to treat him as No. 1 Fantasy closer.

Halladay survives early onslaught
Halladay, Roy SP TOR
News: Blue Jays SP Roy Halladay survived five early runs to pitch into the seventh inning during a no decision Wednesday against the Reds. Halladay struck out the first two batters in the seventh, but left after loading the bases by walking Ken Griffey, giving up a double to Joey Votto, and walking Jeff Keppinger. Scott Downs came on and ended the threat by fanning Norris Hopper, who pinch hit for Corey Patterson. The Reds started the scoring early with a two-run homer by Griffey in the first. They would take a 5-0 lead with a three-run third. Toronto would eventually tie the game at 5 in the sixth and Halladay was off the hook for the loss. Halladay allowed five runs and nine hits. He walked four and struck out seven.
Analysis: Not many pitchers can battle back after taking a beating early on, but that's why Halladay is an ace. He is one pitcher that is not afraid to go deep into games, no matter how bad he is pitching. Halladay is 8-6 on the season and might already be a 10-game winner if he was pitching for a top contender. Continue to start him in all Fantasy formats. His next scheduled start is for Monday against the Mariners. He is on track to be a two-start pitcher Fantasy Week 14 (June 30-July 6) with his second start coming against the Angels. Both starts are on the road where Halladay is 4-4 with a 2.75 ERA this season.

Nady now looking at Thurs. return Nady, Xavier RF PIT
News: Pirates OF Xavier Nady, out since June 14 with a sore shoulder, might return Thursday against the New York Yankees. Analysis: Nady has had a breakthrough season, but he cannot kick his injury-risk label. Track his progress through the weekend before you consider him for Fantasy Week 14 (June 30-July 6).

Braun playing through sore hand Braun, Ryan J. 3B MIL
News: MLB.com reports that Brewers 3B Ryan J. Braun is playing through a minor injury on his right hand and has been getting treatment in the meaty part between his thumb and forefinger for about a week. "I'm just trying to get by right now until I get healthy," Braun said. "I feel OK, but not great."

Analysis:
Braun is hitting only .256 in June, but he does have six home runs and 17 RBIs. Despite his streakiness, he remains a must-start in all Fantasy formats at the hot corner.

Ellsbury slowing down at the plate Updated Jun 25 Ellsbury, Jacoby CF BOS
News: Red Sox OF Jacoby Ellsbury went 1-for-4 with a run scored Tuesday against the Diamondbacks and is technically on a six-game hitting streak. However, he's batting only .188 (6-for-32) over his last eight games.
Analysis:
Ellsbury is still lightning quick (34 stolen bases) with decent pop (five home runs). He has emerged as a must-start Fantasy OF and should remain active despite this little slump.

Morneau extends streak to 12 games Updated Jun 25 Morneau, Justin 1B MIN
News: Twins slugger Justin Morneau, who went 2-for-3 with a walk Tuesday against the Padres, extended his hitting streak to 12 games. Morneau is 18-for-48 (.375) with one homer and 15 RBI during the hitting streak. Analysis: Morneau has been solid at the plate in June despite hitting just one homer. It's unfortunate his power has been drained since that's why Fantasy owners drafted him in the first place. However, he continues to hit and post RBI. Hopefully, the power will come with time. Keep Morneau active in all Fantasy formats.

Pirates sink Rasner, Yankees' ship Updated Jun 25 Rasner, Darrell SP NYY
News: Yankees SP Darrell Rasner (4-5) lost his fifth in six decisions by giving up seven runs in five innings Tuesday against the Pirates. Rasner gave up 10 hits in the game and also struck out four. He walked none and gave up two homers in the game.

Analysis:
Rasner has been struggling lately, with losses in five of his past six outings. He's failed to get past the fifth inning in each of his last three performances and seemingly is getting worse with each start. Right now he's pitching his way south of being a Fantasy contributor in mixed leagues. He's more of an AL-only option for the time being. He makes his next start at the Mets on Sunday.

Another 'routine' save for O's Sherrill Updated Jun 25 Sherrill, George RP BAL
News: Orioles' closer George Sherrill struck out Ronny Cedeno, Kosuke Fukudome and Henry Blanco to escape a no-out, bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the ninth to preserve Baltimore's victory Tuesday over the Chicago Cubs.

Analysis:
Sherrill has the incredible ability to turn possible ninth-inning disasters into routine saves and did it again Tuesday. He's now got 26 saves on the season and continues to roll for the O's in the ninth inning. It may not be pretty, but it sure is effective. Continue to start him as a No. 1 closer in all Fantasy formats.

Jonathan O. wins again for Giants Updated Jun 24 Sanchez, Jonathan O. RP SF
News: Jonathan Sanchez won for the fifth time in six starts and Omar Vizquel dropped down a suicide squeeze in his emotional homecoming as the San Francisco Giants beat the Indians 3-2 on Tuesday night in the first game between the clubs in Cleveland since the 1954 World Series. Sanchez (7-4) allowed five hits, stuck out eight and improved to 4-0 on the road since May 28. The left-hander was four outs from his first career complete game when the Indians threatened in the eighth.

Analysis:
Sanchez, a two-start pitcher for Fantasy week 13 (June 23-29), makes his next start at Oakland on Sunday. He's been incredibly hot of late. The only game he lost in his last six outings, he still managed to throw seven innings giving up only three runs. He's becoming a must-start Fantasy SP in all formats. Ride him while he's hot.

Torres gives up homer, but holds on Updated Jun 24 Torres, Salomon RP MIL
News: Brewers closer Solomon Torres almost blew a 4-1 lead Tuesday at Atlanta and left the tying run on third base. Mark Teixeira, who had three homers Sunday against Seattle, hit a two-run homer off Torres in the ninth inning, but the right-hander earned his 13th save and is 12-for-12 since taking over as closer on May 24.

Analysis:
Torres doesn't have sizzling stuff, but his 2.62 ERA will get the job done more often than not. He entered Tuesday with a 6 2/3-inning scoreless streak. Use him as a No. 2 Fantasy closer.

Barmes back playing second Monday Updated Jun 23 Barmes, Clint SS COL
News: Rockies 2B Clint Barmes (sprained knee), returning from the DL, returned to his normal spot in the infield Monday at Kansas City even though his replacement, Jeff Baker, just won NL Player of the Week honors. Baker remained in the lineup, though, manning DH. "Truth be told, Barmes is a better defensive player than Bake is at second base," manager Clint Hurdle told MLB.com. "Bake has done a fine job. You want to get the two involved. I think it's the best way to get them both involved." Barmes went 1-for-4 in the game with a run scored.

Analysis:
Barmes is expected to be the everyday second baseman for the Rockies. He was enjoying a renaissance before he was injured, so consider him a sleeper in any deeper leagues he is available. There is pop in his bat, especially for the thin second base position.

A-Rod extends hitting streak Updated Jun 23 Rodriguez, Alex 3B NYY
News: Alex Rodriguez extended his hitting streak to 10 games with an eighth-inning single Sunday. Rodriguez has hit safely in 21 of his past 23 games and is hitting .412 (35-for-85) over that stretch with seven homers. Analysis: A-Rod is a must-start in all leagues through thick and thin. Keep him active without batting an eyelash.