Manager values Brantley's at-bats: Indians outfielder Michael Brantley has figured it out offensively since being dropped out of the leadoff spot in the lineup. He's batting .326 since April 25, raising his average from .196 to .276. "Michael just gives you quality at-bats," manager Manny Acta said. "He got in a deep hole at the beginning of the season, but he doesn't panic. When he gets guys on base, he can pick up those cheap RBIs and then give you quality at-bats when guys are in scoring position with two outs. He can start a rally if he's leading off the inning. He's very versatile for us, and I value his at-bats." (Updated 05/17/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/22/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Brantley hit just .237 as a leadoff hitter this year. He's batting .346 everywhere else in the lineup. It seems Acta will continue to move Brantley all over the lineup. We just hope he keeps him out of the leadoff spot. Brantley has no homers and 10 RBI in his last 22 games, so it's not like he's an offensive superstar. He still is a low-end Fantasy option in deep mixed leagues. (Updated 05/17/2012).
05/16/2012 22:45 Indians batter King Felix, defeat M's
Ubaldo Jimenez overcame a shaky start to get the win and the Cleveland Indians pounded out a season-best five doubles to beat the Seattle Mariners 9-3 Wednesday night.
05/13/2012 20:18 Hit Parade for Week 7
As interleague play gets under way there are many matchups to break down. Our Scott White tells you who the best bets and biggest risks are in his Hit Parade for Week 7.
05/11/2012 23:30 Buchholz solid in Red Sox's win
Dustin Pedroia had three hits and three RBIs to back a solid outing by Clay Buchholz, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Cleveland Indians 7-5 Friday night to snap a three-game skid.
05/10/2012 23:19 The Lineup: Chen deals, Beckett crushed; Yu vs. Wilson in Texas Friday
In which Wei-Yin Chen beats the Rangers, Josh Beckett is shelled and we get to look ahead to the Rangers-Angels series -- notably Yu Darvish vs. C.J. Wilson Friday night. Finally, don't miss Pepper as there is a must-read story about a fake-prospect.
05/10/2012 22:42 Beckett booed off field in loss to Indians
Embattled starter Josh Beckett did nothing to help restore his reputation Thursday night, getting booed off the field at Fenway Park in the third inning of Boston's 8-3 loss to the Cleveland Indians.
Michael Brantley had his moments of Fantasy relevance last year and was hitting .290 as late as June 6. But that's about the time injuries intervened. His shoulder began to bother him late in June, and he missed some time with a stomach illness in July. The big blow came in early August, however, when he attempted to play through a wrist injury that was later determined to be a broken hamate bone in his right hand. He hit only .195 during his 77 at-bats with the injury, ruining what was shaping up to be a breakout season. But the year wasn't a complete loss for him. He averaged more Head-to-Head points per game than Drew Stubbs and Mark Trumbo. Granted, his upside isn't as high as either, which is why he'll get drafted later than both. But as a projected leadoff man with emerging extra-base power and the ability to steal 20-plus bases, Brantley has the potential to be a decent fifth outfielder in mixed leagues. He only figures to get better at age 24. (Updated 1/4/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
