Catcher Kurt Suzuki may not offer speed or a high batting average, but he has led the A's to a 5-2 mark at the top of the lineup.

AP

We all had to deal with a bully growing up. I had two: Thad and Jake. Thad lived across the street, was two years older than me and just had that thing where he was always willing to go one step farther than what was considered OK in the realm of morality. My parents and sister always pushed me, even goaded me, to stand up to this kid. Yet, somewhere in my gut, I always had that sinking feeling that I was just too small to take that kid down, though I foolishly tried several times at their behest.  At age nine, I was living in England and found that bullying isn't simply an American tradition. Jake was a mammoth child for his age who wore suspenders with shorts (why do bullies wear clothing that's just so obviously made for them? -- I can answer that -- no one dares make fun of them). Jake sucked his thumb in public and his baby voice didn't match his giant frame. Jake could also put your face through a desk.

There's competitiveness, there's disparity and then there's baseball. Gary Sheffield, Magglio Ordonez, Miguel Cabrera, Carlos Guillen -- is there a scarier foursome for any pitcher to face in all of baseball? Now, add some role players: Pudge Rodriguez, Edgar Renteria, Brandon Inge, and Curtis Granderson. And they have others.

Can they be beaten? Of course. But somehow, in looking at the current makeup of the AL Central, you get the feeling they're not going to take this bully down. I know what you're saying. That lineup's played only 15 times and their record is 6-9. Sheffield is batting a stellar .169. The Tigers are 11-15, and if that's a bully, it needs to work on its toughness. Maybe, but the writing is on the wall. Sheffield has fought shoulder problems. Guillen fouled a ball of his foot, causing him to miss a few games. The team that started 2-10 is now 11-15, their pitching has been inconsistent and so has their health. Yet since the slow start, they're 9-5 and only three games off the pace.

But these are big market problems. Let's get to some smaller markets now:

Oakland Athletics

Previous week: 5-2  
Last 10: 8-2  
Overall: 17-10, 1st AL WEST

Does an Athletics lineup with Jack Cust and Frank Thomas scare you? And which way does it scare you? Is it scary because neither can get to the Mendoza line? Or will it be scary when the two of them actually start hitting? They have just four home runs between them so far. For the last three years, Thomas has made it clear he would prefer if the season started in May or later. Maybe he should approach spring training the way Michael Strahan approaches training camp: just skip it. As a career .300 hitter, I expect Thomas will awaken from his slumber, and much like a bear, you don't want to be near him when he does.

On the other hand, Cust's sample size in the majors is really too small to know whether pitchers have found an even bigger hole in his swing this year. His contact rate dropped from average to downright awful since his jump to the majors (75 percent to about 58 percent). My take is to lure your opponents who see his home run numbers from last year and get someone far more consistent. Oakland's patience may be running thin.

Kurt Suzuki now has added fantasy value in his promotion to leadoff hitter. He's the second catcher in two years to hit leadoff for the Athletics, following up Jason Kendall's stint at the top of the order last year. While Suzuki is playing above par, keep in mind he stole his first base of the year in the first week. He has yet to steal or be caught stealing since, so don't expect any stolen bases while he's perched up there, nor should you expect this move to be permanent. However, with the Oakland offense hitting well, this will definitely increase opportunities for his batting average and runs categories. The A's are 5-2 with Suzuki leading off, and in his seven games at No. 1, Suzuki's hitting .233 with five runs and five RBI.

UPCOMING SERIES: @LAA (4/29-4/30), TEX (5/2-5/4), BAL (5/5-5/7)

Arizona Diamondbacks

Previous week: 5-2    
Last 10: 7-3  
Overall: 19-7, 1st NL WEST

There's a sniff of fantasy relevance around Chris Snyder.  OK, so he's not yet really relevant, but he hit his first home run of the season, his first hit ever off Jake Peavy no less. At least we know the kid's got heart, as he's playing with a respiratory infection this week. Snyder's numbers have improved slightly, but he's not looking like the rising power threat he was perceived to be after his strong second half last year.

Last week, RotoExperts' Jason Revelia covered Max Scherzer. No sooner had Jason penned his immediate support for Scherzer than he was called up to the Diamondbacks to replace Yusmeiro Petit. Scherzer has been lights out for Triple-A Tucson, striking out 38 batters while walking three in 23 innings. He'll start in the bullpen and be called upon generally for middle or long relief work. He could also see a spot start here or there for Randy Johnson or Edgar Gonzalez if he brings anything close to his dominant ratios to the show. Monitor him, particularly in deep NL-only leagues. Jason knows of whom he speaks, as Scherzer's seven-strikeout, four-and-a-third inning debut attests.

UPCOMING SERIES: HOU (4/29-4/30), NYM (5/2-5/4), PHI (5/5-5/8)

Florida Marlins

Previous week: 3-3  
Last 10: 6-4
Overall: 15-10, 1st NL EAST

And Mike Jacobs is injured again. It's a sentence that could almost always end any discussion that starts with, "How those Marlins doing?" Apparently, this time he fouled a ball off his finger. Yunel Escobar did the same thing last week and he hasn't seen action since. So expect Jacobs out for probably a week as the bruise heals. That means Wes Helms will get a few extra starts, either at first of third.  He's virtually interchangeable with Jorge Cantu, who is also versed in both positions. As for his value, Helms is 32 and on the decline. He's a career .264 hitter without a lot of power. In NL-only leagues, he's a serviceable third baseman at best.  Anywhere else, don't bother.

Here's something interesting from the world of Andrew Miller. The young left-hander had a more successful go of it his last time out, and what I mean by successful is that he wasn't feasted upon for a ton of runs. Of course, he did give up nine hits and two walks while striking out none in only five innings. The fact that he gave up one earned run salvaged his ERA, but if you're a fan of the WHIP category, this is an outing to lose your lunch over. However, in observing Miller, I noticed that he delivers his fastball and breaking ball with a slightly different arm action. In other words, Miller may actually be tipping his pitches. Miller's fastball delivery came from over the top, while his breaking balls were delivered in a high 3/4 arm delivery, which could be the reason teams are mauling him so mercilessly. It's something to watch for, because if the strikeouts vanish, so does the only fantasy category Miller was good for right now.

UPCOMING SERIES: LAD (4/29-5/1), SD (5/2-5/4), MIL (5/6-5/8)

Washington Nationals

Previous week: 4-2
Last 10: 5-5  
Overall: 9-17, 6th NL EAST

What a week for Felipe Lopez. Just two days removed from becoming strikeout victim number ,3000 for John Smoltz, Lopez clobbered a walk-off grand slam and a career-high six RBI in a game against the Mets. So what does one make of this not-so-young kid. At 28, he's managed to play 140 games in only two seasons of his career, and other than an '05 anomaly year (.291/23/85/97 with 15 SBs), he's been forgettable. Though he stole 46 bases in 617 at bats in '06, he stole half that in 603 at bats last year.  He's been up and down from the minors throughout, and the only thing consistent about Lopez is inconsistency. His numbers are trending downward, including his SBs (only three so far in 71 AB). The Kool Aid not only shouldn't be drunk, it should be thrown out.

Will Nieves has been raking the ball ever since being called up. Unfortunately, much like Jesus Flores, the catcher will find himself likely being demoted with the return of Paul Lo Duca. 

Elijah Dukes begins his rehabilitation at Class A Potomac to work on his hamstring, and there's still no turntable for Dmitri Young's return. Perhaps his disc is a little more than "irritated" (see the Royals below).

UPCOMING SERIES: ATL (4/29-4/30), PIT (5/1-5/4), @HOU (5/6-5/8)

Baltimore Orioles

Previous week: 3-2  
Last 10: 6-4  
Overall: 14-11, Tied 1st AL EAST

Adam Loewen owners will have to endure a DL stint, and just in time. Loewen was picked by some as an up-and-comer to watch this year. Well, other teams have enjoyed watching him as well, as he gives up tons of runs. In his four starts, he relinquished 16 earned runs in just over 18 innings. Not only that, but his K/9 ratio is almost down a full point from '07 and almost two from '06. Not the dominance trend you want to see in a young pitcher.

According to the Baltimore Sun, this means that recent call up Jim Johnson is likely to get his second ever start this week. Since being recalled from Triple-A, Johnson hasn't yielded a run in 11 innings out of the bullpen. However, in his only start in '06. Johnson was pulverized in three short innings for eight earned runs on nine hits and one homer. So there's also a chance that Garrett Olson will be called up for a spot start. Olson's last outing was a rough one where he walked four and allowed three hits and an earned run in just two innings. So far this year he was 1-1 with a 1.85 ERA in five games with Norfolk.

UPCOMING SERIES: TB (4/29-5/1), @LAA (5/2-5/4), @OAK (5/5-5/7)

Pittsburgh Pirates

Previous week: 3-3  
Last 10: 3-7  
Overall: 10-15, 6th NL CENTRAL

Recently, I wrote this in regards to John Van Benschoten. 

The call is coming once Pirates management decides to eat Morris' salary. Problem is, that's $10 million worth of chewing.

Apparently, the Pirates are releasing the bicuspids into a dinner called Matt Morris.  With the demons of first innings' past resurrected on the Pirates pitching mound, Morris is the first to be shown the door. Now we just have to wait for another blockbuster trade in July (Jason Bay for Luis Gonzalez anyone?).

Yet another southpaw, Phil Dumatrait, will move into the starting rotation (which probably won't last), while the Pirates recall John Van Benschoten from AAA. Van Benschoten struck out 17 in 23 innings while sporting a 1.88 ERA, including last week's start: 6 2/3 innings, no hits, eight strikeouts. Dumatrait himself began to look like a pitcher when, in relief for Morris, he retired 10 straight before another Pirate error sparked a two-out rally for the Phillies. Neither pitcher has me excited just yet.

There's more to be concerned about for Tom Gorzelanny owners. Although he yielded only 1 hit in five innings against the Mets Tueaday, he walked five batters before leaving with a sore back. He should be firmly stashed on your fantasy team's bench. On the other hand, Paul Maholm had a second game with crazy command, striking out six in six innings. He's the high risk, high reward candidate here -- if he becomes consistent, which is distinctly possible as the year goes on, he's going to make the biggest splash in the Pirates rotation. I'm high on Maholm - sounds like I'm delivering a deodorant ad, doesn't it?

Lastly, the other name to note in the Pirates farm system: Sean Burnett. He is breezing through his bullpen assignments in Triple-A Indianapolis, with a 1-1 record and a 1.35 ERA. More important, he's struck out 13 batters in just over 13 innings.

UPCOMING SERIES: @NYM (4/29-4/30), @WAS (5/1-5/4), SF (5/6-5/8)

Texas Rangers

Previous week: 2-4
Last 10: 2-8  
Overall: 9-17, 4th AL WEST

After five innings Sunday, the Rangers were actually having fun. It appeared they were in for a two-game winning streak for the second time this month. And they had Sidney Ponson to thank for it. Yes, Ponson, who was released by the Twins a year ago and hadn't pitched in majors for nearly that long. Yes, Ponson, the same inconsistent Orioles pitcher who seemed to have turned a corner when he went 14-6 with a 3.77 ERA in '03 and garnered a trade to the Giants to help them close out their playoff run. Ponson used 93 pitches to retire 16 batters, striking out four and departing with a 5-1 lead. He efficiently retired Twins hitters with a 3:1 ratio of ground balls to fly balls, the kind of ratio that tells you his sinker was poisonous. And then Ponson and the rest of the Rangers' crew watched their bullpen implode yet again. Ironically, Ponson adds to a growing list of quality performances from Rangers' starting pitching. With Kason Gabbard on the DL, expect that Ponson has earned himself at least another start. Ron Washington can ill afford to let a guy go who might prevent him from turning to anyone in middle relief. With Washington's job now hanging in the balance, the only thing MR stands for in his book is mosquito repellent. 

Milton Bradley has once again become a definitive fantasy pickup. He should give you at least a few good months before something in his head snaps and he tackles the Rangers' mascot. Adam Melhuse was sent back to Triple-A after breaking a bone in his hand, returning Jarrold Saltalamacchia to pro status.  "Salty" was batting .291 with two home runs in the minors. He'll be both 1B and C eligible, and since the Rangers' are batting .216 with RISP, you can expect the lineup to be consistently in flux, with Salty getting his share of at bats. In AL-only leagues, he's someone to add.

Hank Blalock is injured again. I feel like I'm repeating myself when I say this could end every conversation that starts with, "How those Rangers doin'?" Oh yeah, see Mike Jacobs of the Marlins. Blalock has a small tear in his hamstring. He goes on the DL for at least three to four weeks after hitting .299 with three long balls and seven RBI. The rather streaky Ramon Vazquez takes his place, but will likely bat ninth.  Unfortunately, the word streak in Vazquez's case tends to mean drought.

UPCOMING SERIES: KC (4/29-5/1), @OAK (5/2-5/4), @SEA (5/5-5/8)

Tampa Bay Rays

Last week: 6-0
Last 10: 8-2
Overall: 14-11, Tied 1st AL EAST

Matt Garza returned to the mound with pep and fire, but with little else. He struck out only one in just over five innings of work and tossed 40 pitches in the second inning. Of note for Garza is his low K/9 rate this year, which in the past two years hovered at seven. This year it's dropped by about 25 percent, which has to be of concern to the Rays' manager Joe Maddon. One has to wonder if the nerve irritation that forced Garza to the DL has been there all spring because Garza's WHIP is a 1.92 after his three starts. However, relief might be on the way in the form of the Baltimore Orioles. Though his first start this year against the birds wasn't kind, in the last three years, he's sported a 2.16 ERA in Camden Yards.

In the continuing saga that is Dan Johnson, he was designated to Triple-A, yet surprisingly accepted the assignment (could be because he's being paid). So those of you who love you some DJ, there's a chance he might be back.

After sweeping Boston, the Rays sport the best bullpen in the majors. And this week calendars the anticipated return of Scott Kazmir. As if the Rays haven't been gaining momentum with James Shields' two-hitter on Sunday, suddenly they add another ace, making a one-two punch that might be compared to Brandon Webb and Micah Owings. Tampa Bay management didn't just change the team name (to the Rays), they've actually changed this team. They're now tied for first in the AL East.

UPCOMING SERIES: @BAL (4/29-5/1), @BOS (5/2-5/4), @TOR (5/6-5/8)

Colorado Rockies

Previous week: 1-6            
Last 10: 2-8  
Overall: 10-16, Tied 3rd NL WEST

The cavalcade of stars in the April soap opera that is the Colorado Rockies continues.  With the offense struggling, Todd Helton moves up to bat second, sending Troy Tulowitzki owners into a full-on panic about whether he'll find his mojo again this year. According to the Denver Post, Tulowitzki believed he was about to come out of his slump -- until he hurt his suffered a quad strain this week. Hey, I believe I'm about to come out of my current dating slump any day now. I'll believe both when I see them. Certainly, April has been very disappointing for this ADP fourth rounder.

Meanwhile, Clint Barmes takes over as the full time second baseman because Jayson Nix has been demoted. So, fairwell Jayson Nix. Hello ... Jose Capellan?  Now I know you incredibly knowledgeable fans are asking, which Jose Capellan? Oh, you mean the Jose Cappellan with Colorado, not the one with Boston - the older Jose Capellan. Simply put, Capellan is being called up to help stabilize the most used bullpen in the majors: as of Sunday, the Rockies relief corps had posted 89 2/3 innings. 

In the latest episode of Our Lives in the Rockies, Clint Hurdle has inadvertently created drama because of a growing platoon situation that is leaving Willy Taveras unsettled, and Scott Podsednik and Ryan Spilborghs owners perplexed. With Nix's demotion, only four bench players remain. This means you can expect extra at-bats and more playing time from Pods and Spilborghs. Pods is batting over .300 off the bench with four stolen bases, half of Taveras' total, in only 28 at bats. Spilborghs is sporting a .293 average with one home run and nine RBI in 41 at bats. Both make interesting spot players for NL leagues, and are worth monitoring for the anticipated Annual Scott Podsednik Injury(TM). 

Tune in to next week's episode to see if Willy Taveras' outrage sparks a Clint Hurdle hair-pulling incident.

UPCOMING SERIES: @SF (4/28-4/30), LAD (5/2-5/4), STL (5/5-5/8)

Kansas City Royals

Previous week: 2-3 
Last 10: 2-8  
Overall: 11-14, Tied 3rd AL CENTRAL

With Mark Grudzielanek now fighting disc problem of his own, all-purpose man Alberto Callaspo finds himself starting at second base. Not to make light, but right now the Royals are referring to "Gruds'" injury as an :irritated" disc. I'm not certain how irritated it is, or what irritated it. After all, Gruds' back can't be irritated at his .286 average, or his .357 OBP. Let's be real here. We've all seen the effects of an irritated' disc. It's a stint on the DL almost certainly, and if Joe Crede's season last year is any indication, the red flag is up on Grudzielanek for the rest of this year.

Tony Pena, Jr. and Esteban German have been struggling terribly. Even if Gruds doesn't go on the DL, Callaspo is shortstop eligible, meaning he at least forces Pena to keep the eyes open in the back of his head. Callaspo was the '06 minor league player of the year for Arizona, batting .337, and has batted over .300 every year since moving to the North American circuit. He is also considered to have an elite batting eye. In two years at the professional he's posted a .65 BB/SO. The knock on him is that he can't be categorized as a power hitter or a base stealer, and in his first year with the D'backs, Calllaspo was charged with domestic violence. But what you're going to get from him, very possibly, is an everyday player very soon. At present, Washington seems content to bat Callaspo in Gruds' spot, second in the order, and in 33 at bats it has paid off with Callaspo hitting .351. Here's your next shot Alberto -- don't blow it.

UPCOMING SERIES: @TEX (4/29-5-1), @CLE (5/2-5/4). @LAA (5/5-5/7)

Minnesota Twins

Previous week: 2-4  
Last 10: 4-6  
Overall: 11-14, Tied 3rd AL CENTRAL

Francisco Liriano stood on the mound and looked at the baseball as if it were a dog he could no longer get to follow his commands. Thus is the story of his short season, one which has generated many reasons for frustration. In earnest, Ron Gardenhire has played the situation more like someone who was being forced into towing the company line. And his frustration has been vindicated by Liriano's complete loss of command and inability to get anybody out. This week, "Franchise" couldn't make it out of the first inning. After the game, Gardenhire wasted no time demoting Liriano to Triple-A to work out the kinks. The kink is simple, as fantasy expert David Young always says:

"Tommy John surgery requires 18 months [recovery] at minimum. It's really that simple."

Meanwhile, while Sidney Ponson was tossing a gem on his side of the plate, Scott Baker was laboring. After two quality starts, he could only manage 4.1 IP and surrendered five runs. One reason could be that Baker apparently suffered a groin injury during the outing. He's listed as day-to-day right now, but considering the Twins are on a four-man rotation already, if Baker's forced to the DL, the pitcher with significant starting experience in the bullpen is Denny Reyes. He has 40 professional starts under his belt.

UPCOMING SERIES: CHW (4/29-4/30), DET (5/2-5/4), @CHW (5/6-5/8)

When not playing fantasy baseball or football, Jonathan Phillips is admiring the grass on the other side of the fence, which for some reason is always greener. Why, oh why, is it always greener over there?  Suggest a good lawn-mowing device to him or better planting techniques at writerguy@rotoexperts.com.