HUSTLE POINTS (6/6)

By Si Korot, Associate Editor

The Florida Marlins hope that Mike Stanton's big bat will be what ails their outfield's offense.

STANTON TALL: Mike Stanton seems to be going off the shelf real quick. He is showing remarkable power in the minors this season and is slated to be called up this week…and why not? The Florida Marlins’s top prospect hit for the cycle for Double-A Jacksonville on Friday. He is hitting over .300 with 20 HRs and 50 RBI on the season. Florida’s outfield is in such utter disarray that they can’t help but try out the minor league phenom’s talents at the MLB level immediately. It was hinted that the 20-year-old rookie would be slotted into the seventh spot in the batting order, so as not to deal with pressure of being an offensive savior. You can’t ask for a better scenario than that. Just don’t do what a leaguemate of mine did…he picked up the Mike Stanton that plays for the Cubs by mistake and then wondered how I ended up getting him two days later. Florida’s Stanton is a member of a very elite group of minor leaguers scheduled to come up and make an impact this season. The first to be announced this season was Washington Nationals pitching prospect Stephen Strasburg, who is making a much-anticipated big league debut this Tuesday vs. Pittsburgh.

Holy Heck: Angel Pagan is one helluva pickup!

RIPE FOR THE PICKIN’

John Axford is holding court as the present Milwaukee Brewers fireman and is worth a flier, as he is getting the save ops… Speaking of save ops, Brad Lidge is supposed to be getting his back soon… Keeping with a pitching theme here, I liked the way Dontrelle Willis looked for Arizona last night. Maybe it was just the AL that was messing up his game. He wouldn’t be the first (see Javy Vazquez)… Angel Pagan’s ownership keeps gong up, as it should be. His .287/4/23 with 9 SBs does not belong on the waiver wire in leagues over 10 teams… In the very deepest of leagues it is noteworthy that Toronto’s 1B Lyle Overbay is on a multi-hit rage, with 2+ hits in 7 of his past 9 games. He is also hitting for a bit of power this season, though the batting average sits in the low .230s. He might be a good stopgap guy, depending on your needs.

INJURY WATCH

Before you use them this week, check the injury news on Josh Hamilton (knee), Stephen Drew (finger) and Casey Blake (back)… short list, so more time to watch Lakers-Celtics!

DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE

Everyone who owns Stephen Strasburg has him in the lineup for 2 starts in week 10.

Two-start pitchers for the week ahead…

Use ‘em:

Cole Hamels PHI
Phil Hughes NYY
Mike Pelfrey NYM
Barry Zito SF
Jeff Niemann TB
Kevin Slowey MIN
Stephen Strasburg WAS
Cliff Lee  SEA
Jered Weaver ANA
Chris Carpenter STL
Felix Hernandez SEA
Yovani Gallardo MIL
Matt Cain SF
Dan Haren ARI

Steady and Willing:

Johnny Cueto CIN
Zack Greinke KC
Daisuke Matsuzaka BOS
Derek Lowe ATL
Carlos Silva CHC
Ted Lilly CHC
Colby Lewis TEX
Edwin Jackson ARI
Ben Sheets OAK
Clayton Richard SD
Hiroki Kuroda LA
Fausto Carmona CLE
Kris Medlen ATL

Only if you have to, but take an antacid first:

Armando Galarraga DET
Scott Feldman TEX
Chris Volstad FLA
Kevin Millwood BAL
Wade LeBlanc SD
Kyle Kendrick PHI
Tim Wakefield BOS
Scott Kazmir ANA
Wandy Rodriguez HOU
Gavin Floyd CHW
Jeff Francis COL

♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ You’ll be sorrrryyyyy ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫:

Brian Tallet TOR
Brian Moehler HOU
Vin Mazzaro OAK
Jeff Karstens PIT
Jason Hammel COL
Dana Eveland PIT
Sam LeCure CIN
David Huff CLE

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