STUDS OF THE WEEK
The White Sox' series against the Pirates look for more like softball games and no hitter benefited more than Jermaine Dye, who has 10 hits in last 23 at-bats, inlcuding 6 HR's and 15 RBI's while hitting .435.  The Angels' Joe Saunders kept his good times rolling with his 11th win of the season on Saturday night, tying Brandon Webb for the MLB lead. Saunders has allowed two runs or less in six of his last eight starts and is posting a 1.26 ERA in his last two starts over the past seven days.

DUDS OF THE WEEK
The Phillies' Chase Utley is making a strong case for the NL MVP this year, but over the past two weeks you wouldn't know it. He has just 6 hits in his last 42 at-bats for .143 average. Jose Contreras allowed 10 hits and nine earned runs 3 1/3 innings in his latest start for the White Sox on Saturday, falling to 6-6 with the loss. He's now taken an 'L' in each of his last three outings, allowing more than 10 hits and six-plus runs inin two of them.


KEY INJURIES
Albert Pujols (calf): eligible to return June 26
Carlos Zambrano (shoulder): placed on 15-day DL
Alfonso Soriano (hand): sidelined 4-6 weeks
Chipper Jones (quad): day-to-day
David Ortiz (wrist): targeting early-July return
Chien-Ming Wang (foot): expected to be out until Sept.
Shawn Marcum (elbow): out until at least mid-July
Bartolo Colon (back): likely to return before All-Star game
Brad Penny (shoulder): disabled on 6/17
Carlos Pena (finger): expected to return this week sometime


TWICE AS NICE
Here are some two-start pitchers to consider this week:

AL
Must-starts:
Josh Beckett – ARI (Dan Haren), @HOU (Brian Moehler)
John Lackey - @WAS (Jason Bergmann), @LAD (Derek Lowe)
Jeremy Guthrie - @CHC (Undecided), @WAS (Jason Bergmann)

Sleeper Picks:
Mark Buehrle - @LAD (Derek Lowe), CHC (Undecided)
Andy Sonnanstine - @FLA (Scott Olsen), @PIT (Tom Gorzelanny)

NL
Must-Starts:
Jake Peavy – MIN (Kevin Slowey), SEA (Felix Hernandez)
Johan Santana – SEA (Felix Hernandez), NYY (Undecided)
Dan Haren - @BOS (Josh Beckett), @FLA (Scott Olsen)

Sleeper Picks:
Jo-Jo Reyes – MIL (Ben Sheets), @TOR (Undecided)
Jeff Francis - @KC (Brian Bannister), @DET (Kenny Rogers)


WAIVER WATCH (from leagues played at CBSSports.com)
Five most added:
RP Mike Gonzalez (+28% roster change)
SS Troy Tulowitzki (+27%)
SS Mike Aviles (+24%)
SP Armando Galarraga (+23%)
3B Chase Headley (23%)

Five most dropped (non-injured):
SP Jose Contreras (-12%)
SP Jesse Litsch(-11%)
SP Max Scherzer (-10%)
SP Dontrelle Willis (-9%)
SP Daniel Cabrera (-8%)


GAMES PLAYED
Let's take a look at how many games each team will be playing this week:

American League
7: Yankees
6: Everyone else in the American League plays six games this week.

National League
7: Mets
6: Everyone else in the National League plays six games this week

Fantasy Baseball jermaine dye, joe saunders, chase utley, jose contreras, albert pujols, carlos zambrano, alfonso soriano, chipper jones, david ortiz, chien-ming wang, shawn marcum, bartolo colon, brad penny, carlos pena, josh beckett, john lackey, jeremy guthrie, mark buehrle, andy sonnanstine, jake peavy, johan santana, dan haren, jo-jo reyes, jeff francis, mike gonzalez, troy tulowitzki, mike aviles, armando galarraga, chase headley, jesse litsch, max scherzer, dontrelle willis, daniel cabrera

STUDS OF THE WEEK
Seldom do we see a catcher pop in this category, but the Pirates' Ryan Doumit stated his case loud and clearly this week by batting .429 with 4 HR's and 7 RBI's. Not too shabby for a guy fresh off the DL.  The Tigers' Armando Galaragga (6-2) is another surpise stud after picking up another win on Friday night against Cleveland. The rookie allowed three hits in seven innings, walking one and striking out five. Opponents are hitting just .173 against him.

DUDS OF THE WEEK
Something is clearly not right with Brad Penny. The Dodgers' right-hander has lasted just 9 2/3 innings over his past two outings going 0-2 with 9.31 ERA and 1.86 WHIP in that span. Fantasy owners still holding out hope for the Blue Jays' Lyle Overbay to get going may consider otherwise when looking at his production so mid-way through June. The first baseman has managed just 8 hits in his last 43 at bats and has 0 HR's and 5 RBI's during the stretch.

KEY INJURIES
Albert Pujols (calf): hopes to be back in 3 weeks
Brandon Webb (hip): questionable for 6/17 start
David Ortiz (wrist): out until at least early July
Alfonso Soriano (hand): on DL until mid-July
Victor Martinez (elbow): expected to miss a month
Daisuke Matsuzaka (shoulder): set for Sunday rehab start
Carlos Pena (finger): targeting a return next weekend
Rafael Furcal (back): another setback keeps return in doubt
Frank Thomas (quadriceps): aims to be back in early July
Jair Jurrjens (ankle): may be headed to 15-day DL

TWICE AS NICE
Here are some two-start pitchers to consider this week:

AL
Must-starts:
Scott Kazmir – CHC (Ryan Dempster), HOU (Brandon Backe)
Javier Vazquez – PIT (Ian Snell), @CHC (Ryan Dempster)
Dustin McGowan - @MIL (Manny Parra), @PIT (Ian Snell)

Sleeper Picks:
Paul Byrd - @COL (Mark Reynolds), @LAD (Chad Billingsley)
Garrett Olson – HOU (Brandon Backe), @MIL (Manny Parra)

NL
Must-Starts:
Brandon Webb – OAK (Justin Duchscherer), @MIN (Nick Blackburn)
Tim Lincecum – DET (Justin Verlander), @KC (Kyle Davies)
Chad Billingsley - @CIN (Johnny Cueto), CLE (Paul Byrd)

Sleeper Picks:
Braden Looper – KC (Kyle Davies), @BOS (Bartolo Colon)
Andrew Miller - @SEA (Carlos Silva), @OAK (Justin Duchscherer)

WAIVER WATCH (from leagues played at CBSSports.com)
Five most added:
RP Brandon Morrow(+34% roster change)
2B Alexei Ramirez (+29%)
1B Jorge Cantu (+24%)
SP Armando Galarraga (+24%)
C Ryan Doumit(+21%)

Five most dropped (non-injured):
OF Ryan Church (-27%)
SP Dontrelle Willis (-26%)
SP Max Scherzer (-11%)
RP Dan Wheeler (-10%)
C Ivan Rodriguez (-10%)

GAMES PLAYED
Let's take a look at how many games each team will be playing this week:

American League
6: Everyone in the American League plays six games this week.

National League
7: ATL, COL
6: ARI, CHC, CIN, FLA, HOU, MIL, NYM, PHI, PIT, SD, SF, STL, WAS

Fantasy Baseball ryan doumit, armando galaragga, brad penny, lyle overbay, albert pujols, brandon webb, david ortiz, alfonso soriano, victor martinez, daisuke matsuzaka, carlos pena, rafael furcal, frank thomas, jair jurrjens, scott kazmir, javier vazquez, dustin mcgowan, paul byrd, garrett olson, brandon webb, tim lincecum, chad billingsley, braden looper, andrew miller, brandon morrow, alexei ramirez, jorge cantu, ryan church, dontrelle willis, max scherzer, dan wheeler, ivan rodriguez

STUDS OF THE WEEK
The Reds' Adam Dunn continued to hit a hot bat this week as he clubbed 3 HRs and drove in 5 RBIs while batting .473 to help the Reds turn around their West Coast trip. On the mound, it was the Angels' Jered Weaver that got our attention. The right-hander picked up a pair of victories while posting a 1.35 ERA, a 0.90 WHIP and striking out 13 batters in 13 1/3 innings.


DUDS OF THE WEEK
It was a rough week for Mariners' pitcher Carlos Silva as he lost both of his starts while allowing 20 hits, 2 walks in just 10 innings of work. The 10.80 ERA and 2.20 WHIP hurt many owners that were hoping for good things on his two-start week. Despite an impressive start to the season, Diamondbacks' rookie outfielder Justin Upton has fallen on hard times of late. He has mustered just one hit and four walks in his last 26 plate appearences on his way to .047 batting average.


KEY INJURIES
Jake Peavy (elbow): not expected back until early June
Matt Holliday (hamstring): day-to-day w/hamstring pull
Fausto Carmona (hip): placed on 15-day DL on 5/24
Brad Hawpe (hamstring): out until early June
Chris Young (nose): Out until after All-Star break
Rafael Furcal (back): out until at least late May
Andruw Jones (knee): surgery will cost him 4-6 weeks
Clay Buchholz (fingernail): will make rehab start SUN
John Smoltz (shoulder): rehabbing well; could return soon
Vernon Wells (wrist): slated to being rehab this week

TWICE AS NICE
Here are some two-start pitchers to consider this week:

AL
Must-starts:
Scott Kazmir – TEX (Sidney Ponson), CHW (Javier Vazquez)
A.J. Burnett - @OAK (Greg Smith), @LAA (Jon Garland)
Bartolo Colon - @SEA (Felix Hernandez), @BAL (Brian Burres)

Sleeper Picks:
Darrell Rasner - @BAL (Garrett Olson), @MIN (Nick Blackburn)
Andy Sonnanstine – TEX (Vicente Padilla), CHW (Mark Buehrle)

NL
Must-Starts:
Brandon Webb - @ATL (Jair Jurrjens), WAS (Jason Bergmann)
Johan Santana – FLA (Andrew Miller), LAD (Hiroki Kuroda)
Dan Haren – SF (Tim Lincecum), WAS (Shawn Hill)

Sleeper Picks:
Jair Jurrjens – ARI (Brandon Webb), @CIN (Matt Belisle)
Ian Snell - @CIN (Johnny Cueto), @STL (Joel Pineiro)


WAIVER WATCH (from leagues played at CBSSports.com)
Five most added:
SP Bartolo Colon (+26% roster change)
SP Darrell Rasner (+24%)
3B Alex Rodriguez (+23%)
OF David Murphy (+23%)
SP Clayton Kershaw(+18%)

Five most dropped (non-injured):
SP Max Scherzer (-15%)
C Jeff Clement (-13%)
RP Rafael Betancourt (-11%)
3B Edwin Encarnacion (-9%)
SP Carlos Silva (-8%)


GAMES PLAYED
Let's take a look at how many games each team will be playing this week:

American League
7: CHW, KC, TB, TOR
6: BAL, BOS, CLE, DET, LAA, MIN, NYY, OAK, SEA, TEX

National League
7: ARI, ATL, CHC, COL, LAD, MIL, NYM, WAS
6: CIN, FLA, HOU, PHI, PIT, SD, SF, STL

Fantasy Baseball adam dunn, jered weaver, carlos silva, justin upton, jake peavy, matt holliday, fausto carmona, brad hawpe, chris young, rafael furcal, andruw jones, clay buchholz, john smoltz, vernon wells, scott kazmir, a.j. burnett, bartolo colon, darrell rasner, brandon webb, johan santana, dan haren, jair jurrjens, ian snell, alex rodriguez, david murphy, clayton kershaw, max scherzer, jeff clement, rafael betancourt, edwin encarnacion

April showers have turned into May flowers and many fantasy are blossoming with a little of our help. Here's a look ahead to Week 6:

STUDS OF THE WEEK
Rafael Furcal is off to a red-hot start on the young season and this week was the icing on the cake for the Dodgers' shortstop. Furcal knocked out 13 hits in 28 at bats (.464) and drew four walks. The homerun on Friday was the highlight to his run production, but 5 RBIs and 12 runs provided owners a boost. Throw in two more stolen bases and you can see why he gets the nod. The Yankees' Chien-Ming Wang (2-0) struckout 14 batters in 13 innings while posting a 0.69 ERA and 0.85 WHIP in his two starts last week.

DUDS OF THE WEEK
Third baseman Mark Reynolds has hit seven homeruns already this year for the D-Backs, but he is strikeout machine. This past week was a nightmare for owners that have taken a flyer on him. He mustered just one hit in 19 at bats and if strikeouts count against you his 10 whiffs could have been devastating.The Mariners' Felix Hernandez turned into two dismal efforts last week, raising a bit of concern with owners. The 0-2 mark with 10 earned runs in 12 2/3 innings didn't help owners either. He did strikeout 13, but 10 of them came in one start.

KEY INJURIES
David Ortiz (knee): Questionable for May 5-8 series @DET
Alex Rodriguez (knee): Out until at least mid-May
Jimmy Rollins (ankle): Should return by end of week
John Smoltz (shoulder): Out indefinitely; will head to bullpen
Troy Tulowitzki (quad): On DL; out for at least two months
Jorge Posada (shoulder): Will likely be out until mid-June
Josh Willingham (back): Placed on 15-day DL
Howie Kendrick (hamstring): Could return May 5-7 @KC
Rich Harden (shoulder): May pitch 5/11 @TEX
Hank Blalock (hamstring): Targeting mid-May return
Yovani Gallardo (knee): Out for the season

TWICE AS NICE
Here are some two-start pitchers to consider this week:

AL
Must-starts:
Cliff Lee - @NYY (Andy Pettitte), TOR (A.J. Burnett)
Javier Vazquez - @TOR (Dustin McGowan), @SEA (Jarrod Washburn)
Ervin Santana - @KC (Brian Bannister), @TB (Andy Sonnanstine)

Sleeper Picks:
Brian Bannister – LAA (Ervin Santana), BAL (Matt Albers)
Dana Eveland – BAL (Matt Albers), @TEX (Sidney Ponson)

NL
Must-Starts:
Chris Young - @ATL (Jair Jurrjens), COL (Mark Redman)
Oliver Perez - @LAD (Chad Billingsley), CIN (Johnny Cueto)
Max Scherzer – PHI (Jamie Moyer), @CHC (Jason Marquis)

Sleeper Picks:
Jonathan Sanchez - @PIT (Tom Gorzelanny), PHI (Adam Eaton)
Brandon Looper - @COL (Mark Redman), @MIL Jeff Suppan 

WAIVER WATCH (from leagues played at CBSSports.com)
Five most added:
SP Max Scherzer - ARI(+53% roster change)
OF Carlos Quentin - CHW (+37%)
OF Alfonso Soriano - CHC (+27%)
SP Andy Sonnanstine - TB (+27%)
C Jeff Clement - SEA (+25%)

Five most dropped (non-injured):
RP Manny Corpas - COL (-20%)
SP Rich Hill - CHC (-19%)
SP Barry Zito - SF (-19%)
1B Mike Jacobs - FLA (-12%)
SP Francisco Liriano - MIN (-12%)

GAMES PLAYED
Let's take a look at how many games each team will be playing this week:

American League
7: BAL, BOS, CHW, DET, KC, SEA, TEX, TOR
6: CLE, ANA, MIN, NYY, OAK, TB

National League
7: ARI, COL, PHI, STL
6: ATL, CHI, CIN, FLA, HOU, LAD, MIL, NYM, PIT, SD, SF, WAS

Fantasy Baseball rafael furcal, chien-ming wang, mark reynolds, felix hernandez, david ortiz, alex rodriguez, jimmy rollins, john smoltz, troy tulowitzki, jorge posada, josh willingham, howie kendrick, rich harden, hank blalock, yovani gallardo, cliff lee, javier vazquez, ervin santana, brian bannister, dana eveland, chris young, oliver perez, max scherzer, jonathan sanchez, brandon looper, carlos quentin, alfonso soriano, andy sonnanstine, jeff clement, manny corpas, rich hill, barry zito, mike jacobs, francisco liriano

Max Scherzer was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 43rd round (1291st overall) in the 2003 Major League Baseball draft but did not sign and instead attended the University of Missouri. He was then drafted again in 2006 by the Arizona Diamondbacks, this time in the 1st round as the 11th overall pick. He began playing in the Diamondbacks orginization in 2007 with the Single-A Visalia Oaks. He was promoted to Double-A Mobile BayBears after three impressive starts for the Oaks. After a good start to the 2008 season in Tucson he was called up to the Diamondbacks on April 27, 2008.

The D-Backs needed a boost in the pen and the kid that throws 98-mph and has a wicked array of secondary pitches filled the bill. Scherzer had a 1.17 ERA and a 38/3 K/BB ratio in 23 innings for Tucson and forced the team's hand. Although he was a starter the team initially said it was it going to use the young hurler in the bullpen. However, that didn't last long. 

Tuesday, Scherzer made his MLB debut against the Houston Astros when he came on in relief and threw 4 1/3 perfect innings, while striking out seven. While doing so he also set the record for the number of consecutive batters retired (13) for a pitcher making his MLB debut as a reliever. The previous record was 12 set in 1962 by the Dodgers' Pete Richert.

Scherzer is currently only owned in 65% in leagues played at CBSSports.com and if he is still available in your league go get him now as he has superstar potential. He will likely be a two-start pitcher in Fantasy Week 6 (May 5-11), with a second start on Saturday at the Cubs.

Fantasy Baseball diamondbacks, max scherzer