Carrying the Cubs since someone has to...

Arizona Diamondbacks

Hitters: First Baseman Conor Jackson was a popular pick this spring as being one of the more underrated guys at his position. However, his stock has taken quite a hit with his slow start to the season (.217-0-5 with .600 OPS in 19 games). Coupled with the slow start is the fact that Tony Clark has swung the bat pretty well (.265-4-9 with .944 OPS in 34 at-bats) particularly against right-handers. Jackson left Sunday’s game with tightness in his hamstring and was out of action until returning to the lineup Friday night (0-for-3). He should get it going soon and once he does Clark figures to be relegated to once again be relegated to a smaller role.

Pitchers: Don’t let the shiny 2.79 ERA fool you, Doug Davis has not pitched nearly as well as that stat would indicate. Consider his 21:16 K/BB ratio, 1.79 WHIP and .308 BAA in 29 innings pitched. Davis is lucky his ERA isn’t around 4.50 or higher at this point.

Atlanta Braves

Hitters: Outfielder Jeff Francoeur had a terrible April a year ago, but he has remedied that by hitting .294-4-24 with .870 OPS in 22 games so far this month. The 23-year-old has shown improved plate discipline—drawing nine walks after drawing none last April and just 23 in 162 games last season--and a knack for coming through in clutch situations runners in scoring position. Francoeur is batting .419-2-22 with 1.242 OPS with runners in scoring position and an even more impressive .500-2-17 with 1.609 OPS with RISP with two outs.

Pitchers: Pitcher Chuck James has been able to complete six innings of work in just one of five starts this season. That being said, outside of a rough outing at Shea Stadium on April 21, he hasn’t pitched too badly (3-1, 3.38 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 17K/7BB in 21.1 innings pitched in his other four starts). He figures to get better as the season moves along so don’t forget about him in mixed leagues.

Chicago Cubs

Hitters: Over his last five games, Aramis Ramirez has three home runs and seven RBI in 20 at-bats. He’ll see some favorable matchups this week as the Cubs are set to face the Pirates and Nationals for three games apiece.

Pitchers: Ted Lilly continued his fine start to the season on Wednesday as he allowed six hits and two runs (one earned) in seven innings. He is now 2-2 with a 2.18 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 33K/5BB in 33 IP this season. We have no confidence in Lilly maintaining anything close to his current pace. That being the case, now is the time to start shopping him around in an attempt to sell high. He is scheduled to face the Pirates and the Nationals in his next two starts so you have time to find the right deal.

Cincinnati Reds

Hitters: Touted as a sleeper at his position, Edwin Encarnacion has had a terrible April (.174-0-6 with .448 OPS in 22 games). Mixed leaguers would be wise to monitor him closely as there is no reason to think he will not right the ship in the near future.

Pitchers: It’s tough to complain about the performance of Bronson Arroyo thus far (0-2, 2.86 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 23:9 K/BB in 34.2 innings). He has allowed just three earned runs over his last 14 innings pitched while posting a 0.86 WHIP.

Colorado Rockies

Hitters: Todd Helton is no longer the home run threat he once was. After averaging 37 home runs per season from 1999-2004, he has managed just 35 HR in the past two seasons. So far this season in 77 at-bats Helton has slugged just one homer. However, he is still putting up some pretty stout offensive numbers (.364-1-15 with .485 OBP and .965 OPS) even without the homers.

Pitchers: There’s no denying the fact that Jeff Francis (1-3, 6.52 ERA, 2.00 WHIP and 18K/13BB in 29 innings pitched) has really struggled in each of his last three starts. Over that span he has allowed 33 hits and 17 earned runs in 16.1 innings pitched. Mixed leaguers should be able to find better options.

Hey Dontrelle, this is not a good way to get the big money...

Florida Marlins

Hitters: First baseman Mike Jacobs was off to a pretty decent start prior to suffering a bruised thumb on April 20. After missing six games, he returned Friday and went 4-for-4 with a home run. He should continue to provide solid value in NL-only leagues when he’s in the lineup.

Pitchers: The Marlins are currently dead last in the National League with a 5.12 ERA. The struggles of starting pitcher Dontrelle Willis (4-1, 5.28 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, and .310 batting average against in 30.2 innings) have certainly not helped matters. He had allowed 18 hits and 11 earned runs total in his last two starts heading into Saturday’s matchup with the Phillies.

Houston Astros

Hitters: OF/2B Chris Burke (.219-0-3 with five stolen bases in 73 at-bats) has been replaced as the team’s primary center fielder. The Astros promoted outfielder Hunter Pence, their top prospect, from Triple-A Round Rock. To say that Pence has been on fire would be an understatement. Consider that he led the team with a .571 batting average this spring in 28 at-bats before batting .341 with three home runs, 19 RBI, and two stolen bases in 85 at-bats for Round Rock. Pence should be picked up immediately in all NL-only leagues and mixed leaguers may want to go ahead and add him as well. Burke, incidentally, will be shifted into the role of utilityman.

Pitchers: The Astros have not produced many save chances, but closer Dan Wheeler has been throwing the ball exceptionally well of late. Over his last seven innings pitched, Wheeler has not allowed a hit or a run while walking one and striking out nine.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Hitters: Catcher Russell Martin has shrugged off any notion of a sophomore slump with a .338-2-17-17-5 start to the season. He is batting a scorching .421-1-8 in his last 19 at-bats. Though he will certainly cool at some point, Martin has a great chance to finish the season as the National League’s second-best fantasy catcher.

Pitchers: The Dodgers let out a collective gasp when starting pitcher Jason Schmidt (shoulder) was forced to the 15-day disabled list. Mark Hendrickson was tasked with replacing Schmidt in the starting rotation and has done a fine job. In two starts he is 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 6:3 K/BB in 11.2 innings pitched. Schmidt is expected to be out for at least three more weeks so Hendrickson should continue to have solid short term value in NL-only leagues.