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Fantasy Baseball: Hitters Outlook - Japan

March 21, 2008 @ 08:19:25

By Bryce McRae
Edited by Cory J. Bonini

Table: Do Not Bench

Player	Pos	Team
David Ortiz	DH	BOS
Manny Ramirez	OF	BOS

Great Plays

J.D. Drew, Outfielder, Boston Red Sox

Opponent	Games	Advantage	Home, 2007	Away, 2007
at Oakland Athletics	2	N/A	--	.259

Drew closed out the 2007 playoffs hitting .314 with one home run and 11 RBIs, which included a dramatic grand slam in the American League Championship Series. He was a disappointment in the regular season, hitting just .270 with 11 home runs, but the Athletics could be a team to get him going early this year. Last year, in six games against the A's, Drew hit .368 with three RBIs and one run. It will take a lot for Drew to live up to his massive contract, but he should at least be able to get off to a good start to his 2008 season.

Dustin Pedroia, Second Baseman, Boston Red Sox

Opponent	Games	Advantage	Home, 2007	Away, 2007
at Oakland Athletics	2	N/A	--	.282

The reigning American League Rookie of the Year, Pedroia was a sparkplug at the top of the Red Sox lineup during the season and into the playoffs. After the All-Star break, he hit .317 and scored 52 runs in just 67 games. He struggled last year against the Athletics, hitting just .217 one RBI and five runs in six games. With his surge at the end of last year, Pedroia is a great play this week and should score a few runs as the catalyst for a potent Red Sox offense.

Julio Lugo, Shortstop, Boston Red Sox

Opponent	Games	Advantage	Home, 2007	Away, 2007
at Oakland Athletics	2	N/A	--	.190

Lugo was significantly better in the second half of last season as he finally brought his average up from the .197 egg he laid in the first half. If not for that start, Lugo would have had a respectable season as he managed 73 RBIs, 71 runs and 33 stolen bases. However, the Athletics might not be the team for him to face. He has a career .197 average against them and slumped to a .100 average in eight games last year. Still, he has the capacity to score a lot of runs and steal bases; he should be used this week.

Jason Varitek, Catcher, Boston Red Sox

Opponent	Games	Advantage	Home, 2007	Away, 2007
at Oakland Athletics	2	N/A	--	.256

His average dipped in the last two months of the season, but Varitek experienced a power surge through August and September. Eight of his 17 home runs came in the final two months of the season. You won't want him for his average, but he can still hit the ball with some pop and drive in runs. Hitting behind Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz doesn't hurt, either. Historically, 'Tek has also hit for a better average in April than in all but one other month, discounting the one game he's played in March.

Travis Buck, Outfielder, Oakland Athletics

Opponent	Games	Advantage	Home, 2007	Away, 2007
vs. Boston Red Sox	2	N/A	--	.316

He might not be a household name just yet, but Buck had a solid year in 2007 aside from one rough month. He struggled out of the gate with a .190 average over his first 63 at-bats, but he came on strong with a .295 average over the second half (including a .327 average in August). A worrying sign could be that his power disappeared in the second half as he had just one home run. However, Boston should be a good place to start for Buck as he hit .333 with one home run and two RBIs in four games against them last year.

Kevin Youkilis, First Baseman, Boston Red Sox

Opponent	Games	Advantage	Home, 2007	Away, 2007
at Oakland Athletics	2	N/A	--	.311

The king of walks, Youkilis was up and down last year as his average jumped anywhere from .219 to .402 in a given month. Down the stretch he struggled as he hit just .238 in the second half. He seemed to lose his eye for pitches as he struck out almost once per game after the All-Star break. However, historically, Youkilis has been a solid hitter to begin the season with a career .306 average in April. That should help him against Athletics' pitchers, who have held him to just a .241 average in 83 career at-bats.

Mike Lowell, Third Baseman, Boston Red Sox

Opponent	Games	Advantage	Home, 2007	Away, 2007
at Oakland Athletics	2	N/A	--	.276

Fresh off a career year (coincidentally also in a contract year), Lowell was a beast for the Red Sox down the stretch, hitting .350 with 57 RBIs and 40 runs in the second half. He seemed to lose his power stroke, however, as he had just seven home runs. Lowell has been a good hitter in April for his career with a .306 average and has hit the most home runs of any month. Don't let his .237 spring average discourage you from starting Lowell this week.

Jack Cust, Designated Hitter, Oakland Athletics

Opponent	Games	Advantage	Home, 2007	Away, 2007
vs. Boston Red Sox	2	N/A	--	.219

A frustratingly inconsistent player, Cust's average bounced from .222 to .329 to .213 to .314 to .193 in consecutive months last year. While not consistent in that department, he posted solid power numbers in each month with only a few home runs variance from top to bottom (excluding his inexplicable May where he had eight). This will also be the first time Cust has regular at-bats in April, and it is a good thing he faces the Red Sox as he has a .306 career average against them with two of his 31 home runs.

Solid Choices

Jacoby Ellsbury, Outfielder, Boston Red Sox

Opponent	Games	Advantage	Home, 2007	Away, 2007
at Oakland Athletics	2	N/A	--	.325

With Crisp unable to stay healthy, Ellsbury likely will get the starts in center, although Crisp will still see some time. If he does start, he should find himself at the top of the lineup. Considering his speed, he is a great threat to score runs and steal bases. In fact, Ellsbury hit .353 with 18 RBIs, 20 runs and nine stolen bases in just 33 games last year. He has struggled a bit with a .209 average this spring, but continue to play him this week, provided he is indeed starting.

Coco Crisp, Outfielder, Boston Red Sox

Opponent	Games	Advantage	Home, 2007	Away, 2007
at Oakland Athletics	2	N/A	--	.256

Ellsbury's competition in center field, Crisp has been bothered by groin injuries this spring that have limited him to just six at-bats. However, manager Terry Francona said he will get Crisp some at-bats in Japan, although this could just be showcasing him in hope of a possible trade. It won't help matters much that he is facing the Athletics, who have held him to just two home runs, nine RBIs and 12 runs in 129 at-bats. Still, he is someone you will want to start this week, provided he is healthy enough to play.

Emil Brown, Outfielder, Oakland Athletics

Opponent	Games	Advantage	Home, 2007	Away, 2007
vs. Boston Red Sox	2	N/A	--	.260

Joining the Athletics from the perennial American League doormat, the Kansas City Royals, Brown improved significantly over the course of the 2007 season. He hit his best in September, posting a .333 average, although he failed to hit a home run and drove in just seven runs. Historically, Brown has been a slow starter in the past with a career .208 average in April, the lowest mark of any month. Things could change against the Red Sox, who Brown has hit .344 against with four home runs in just 64 career at-bats. He could be worth a start this week.

Kurt Suzuki, Catcher, Oakland Athletics

Opponent	Games	Advantage	Home, 2007	Away, 2007
vs. Boston Red Sox	2	N/A	--	.264

Suzuki will take over the full-time catching duties this year after a 68-game introduction in the second half last year. In that stretch, Suzuki hit just .249, but he knocked in 39 runs and scored another 27. He has hit better against the Red Sox, going 2-for-7 (.286). For now, it might be best to lay off Suzuki until he gets more experience, although his .325 spring average could tempt you to use him.

Bobby Crosby, Shortstop, Oakland Athletics

Opponent	Games	Advantage	Home, 2007	Away, 2007
vs. Boston Red Sox	2	N/A	--	.235

Like Rich Harden, Crosby has talent but can never seem to stay healthy. Last year he played in just 93 games and hit a career-low .226 with only eight home runs. If he wants to secure a job past this season, Crosby will have to turn things around. That could be tough for him in April as he has been shown to be a slow starter with just a .214 average and seven home runs in 58 April games. He has also struggled against the Red Sox in the past with a .205 career average.

Daric Barton, First Baseman, Oakland Athletics

Opponent	Games	Advantage	Home, 2007	Away, 2007
vs. Boston Red Sox	2	N/A	--	.419

Another of the Athletics young guns, Barton could be a sleeper in 2008. In an 18-game call-up at the tail end of last season, Barton hit .347 with four home runs and 16 runs. He was particularly impressive against Boston pitchers, posting a .571 average and one home run in two games. While no one should expect those numbers this year on a sustained basis, he should be a solid addition to any lineup for the opening week of the season.

Mark Ellis, Second Baseman, Oakland Athletics

Opponent	Games	Advantage	Home, 2007	Away, 2007
vs. Boston Red Sox	2	N/A	--	.293

At nearly 31 years of age, Ellis will be one of the elder statesmen for the Athletics. Last year saw him come alive as he posted a career-high in home runs, runs and RBIs. The majority of those home runs also came later in the season, which is a good sign for fantasy owners. Ellis even finished the year off with a sparkling .351 average. If you needed any more convincing, Ellis has hit .323 with 16 RBIs and 23 runs in 34 games against the Red Sox for his career. He would be worth starting to open the season.

Others to Consider

Chris Denorfia, Outfielder, Oakland Athletics

Opponent	Games	Advantage	Home, 2007	Away, 2007
vs. Boston Red Sox	2	N/A	--	--

Denorfia will be making his first major league appearance since 2006 when he takes the field for the A's. With little to go on, one could look at his spring numbers, which see him hitting just .244 in 15 games. He has also never faced American League pitching, which could baffle him a bit on opening day. If you have other outfielders, this could be the week to start them in place of Denorfia, especially with the Red Sox solid pitching staff.

Ryan Sweeney, Outfielder, Oakland Athletics

Opponent	Games	Advantage	Home, 2007	Away, 2007
vs. Boston Red Sox	2	N/A	.111	.259

Sweeney was brought over from the White Sox as part of the revamped Athletics outfield. He has never hit well in the majors with a .213 average, but that is not a great enough sample size with just 80 career at-bats. He has faced the Red Sox three times in his career, hitting .222 with one RBI in nine at-bats. As with Denorfia, Sweeney might be someone to pass on this week, especially with a .225 average in spring training.

Jack Hannahan, Third Baseman, Oakland Athletics

Opponent	Games	Advantage	Home, 2007	Away, 2007
vs. Boston Red Sox	2	N/A	.295	.258

Getting the call at third base due to the injury of Eric Chavez (back), Hannahan was an adequate substitute for the A's last year with a .278 average and 24 RBIs in 41 games. If you have him, now would be the time to use him as he figures to see his playing time cut back once Chavez returns. He also has a .283 average this spring but has no home runs and is a horrible power source.

Author Bio

Bryce McRae
Bryce McRae is a Managing Editor with KFFL and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1999. He joined KFFL as a volunteer writer in March 2005 before becoming a Hot off the Wire Analyst in March 2006. He began working in his current capacity in September 2008. His work has appeared on fantasy sports sites such as Yahoo! and CBS Sportsline as well as in print. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2008 with a B.A. in History and U.S. Studies.