Week 25 Fantasy Hitting Planner

The Fantasy Baseball Hitting Planner is the essential guide to setting your lineup for the upcoming week. Every weekend, we provide you with favorable and unfavorable matchups as well as lineup changes for each team.

This week's news and notes for each team:

Arizona Diamondbacks
Schedule: SF3, SD3
Heating Up: Chris B. Young isn't hot in the general sense, but considering he spent most of the year batting under .200, his .297 (11 for 37) batting average over his last nine games is a breath of fresh air. He also has two homers during that stretch. You probably wouldn't want to take a flier on him yet in mixed leagues, but he should be starting in NL-only leagues.
Cooling Off: Mark Reynolds is hitless in his last 12 at-bats and is two away from breaking his own record for strikeouts in a season, set just last year. You can't bench a guy with 42 homers and 24 steals, though.
Injury Concerns: None.
Platoon Possibilities: The Diamondbacks face three left-handers this week, which makes Brandon Allen a poor choice in NL-only leagues. He typically sits for Rusty Ryal against lefties.
Lineup Changes: Young has hit well enough since returning from the minors that the team has moved him up to the leadoff spot, bumping Ryan Roberts to the lower third of the order. The move might present Young with more stolen base opportunities, but it doesn't significantly alter his Fantasy appeal.

Atlanta Braves
Schedule: @NYM3, @WAS3
Heating Up: After a slow period to begin September, Adam LaRoche has resumed his second-half tear, batting .500 (14 for 28) with three home runs over his last eight games. You want him active now. Martin Prado has gotten back to hitting the way he did when he first took over as the regular second baseman, batting (9 for 16) with one home run over his last four games. If you're fumbling around for a second baseman, consider giving him a look. Brian McCann is batting .500 (15 for 30) with two home runs over his last eight games and remains a must-start.
Cooling Off: Yunel Escobar is batting .238 (5 for 21) over his last seven games, but that's not reason enough to sit him if you normally rely on him.
Injury Concerns: None specifically, but Chipper Jones is always at risk of sitting, especially since he just came back from an oblique injury.
Platoon Possibilities: The Braves face two lefties this week, so you can count on Ryan Church not to start those games. Matt Diaz might also replace him against a few righties.
Lineup Changes: None.

Baltimore Orioles
Schedule: @TOR3, @CLE3
Heating Up: Matt Wieters has finally begun to live up to his potential, batting .429 (9 for 21) with two home runs and 10 RBI over his last six games. At a weak position like catcher, that's all you need to get him active.
Cooling Off: Nick Markakis is batting .097 (3 for 31) over his last eight games, and he doesn't figure to break out against four left-handers this week. Still, you can't bench an elite player like him.
Injury Concerns: None.
Platoon Possibilities: The Orioles face four left-handers this week, which should mean plenty of starts for Ty Wigginton. Luke Scott, Felix Pie and Jeff Fiorentino all have some potential to sit against lefties, but at least two of them have to start just because the Orioles bench only runs so deep.
Lineup Changes: Fiorentino has worked his way into the outfield mix, but he's an ex-prospect and the least appealing of the bunch.

Boston Red Sox
Schedule: @KC4, @NYY3
Heating Up: Victor Martinez has an 18-game hitting streak during which he's batting .348 (23 for 46) with a home run. Dustin Pedroia has an 11-game hitting streak during which he's batting .326 (15 for 46) with three home runs. Both are obvious must-starts.
Cooling Off: Mike Lowell, who's getting only semi-regular playing time, is batting .268 (11 for 41) with one home run in September. He's barely viable in mixed leagues right now.
Injury Concerns: Jason Bay, who left Friday's game early with an illness, was originally in the lineup Saturday, but the Red Sox decided he was too sick to play. He likely won't miss more than a day or two more, and considering his hot September, you want to keep him active.
Platoon Possibilities: The Red Sox face two left-handers this week. Rocco Baldelli will likely start those games in place of J.D. Drew.
Lineup Changes: None.

Chicago Cubs
Schedule: @MIL3, @SF4
Heating Up: Ryan Theriot is batting .444 (8 for 18) with three stolen bases over his last three games, but he doesn't hit as well on the road, where the Cubs head this week.
Cooling Off: Kosuke Fukudome is falling apart in September, batting only .065 (2 for 31) over his last nine games.
Injury Concerns: Milton Bradley missed his second straight game Saturday with inflammation in his left knee. He has expressed his dissatisfaction with the Cubs recently, so you have reason to question his motivation. Considering he's batting only .196 in September, you should probably sit him.
Platoon Possibilities: The Cubs face two left-handers this week, but they don't have any lefty-righty platoons.
Lineup Changes: Since the loss of Alfonso Soriano, left field has become a testing ground for reserves. Lately, Bobby Scales has factored into the mix, but Micah Hoffpauir, Jake Fox and Sam Fuld should also get playing time.

Chicago White Sox
Schedule: MIN3, DET3
Heating Up: Paul Konerko is batting .409 (9 for 22) over his last six games. Considering his power, he should be starting in all leagues.
Cooling Off: Gordon Beckham is batting .130 (3 for 23) over his last five games but has mostly hit well since returning from a strained oblique. If he qualifies at shortstop in your league, you probably can't afford to sit him.
Injury Concerns: None.
Platoon Possibilities: The White Sox face two left-handers this week, meaning Chris Getz will sit twice for Jayson Nix. You can leave both players for AL-only leagues.
Lineup Changes: None.

Cincinnati Reds
Schedule: @PIT3, @HOU3
Heating Up: Drew Stubbs, who didn't exhibit much power in the minors despite having the potential for it, continues to go Hanley Ramirez in the majors. He has three home runs in his last five games and eight in 131 at-bats. He has some sleeper appeal even in mixed leagues. Joey Votto has had some ups and downs this season, but he's batting .533 (8 for 15) over his last five games.
Cooling Off: Scott Rolen is batting .152 (5 for 33) over his last 11 games and has only four extra-base hits since returning from a concussion Aug. 23. Don't bother with him in mixed leagues.
Injury Concerns: None.
Platoon Possibilities: The Reds face one left-hander this week, but they don't have any lefty-righty platoons.
Lineup Changes: Jay Bruce, out since the All-Star break because of a broken wrist, returned Monday, forcing Wladimir Balentien to the bench. He has plenty of potential, but his low batting average tells you he's not much of a mixed-league option at this stage of his career. Ramon Hernandez came off the DL Saturday, but he didn't play. He'll likely get inconsistent at-bats over the final two weeks.

Cleveland Indians
Schedule: DET3, BAL3
Heating Up: Shin-Soo Choo has gotten back on track over his last nine games, batting .367 (11 for 30) with two home runs. He entered that stretch with only one home run in the second half. Keep him active in all leagues.
Cooling Off: Jhonny Peralta is batting .095 (2 for 21) over his last six games. He continues to have a disappointing season and is just a low-end choice in mixed leagues right now. Same goes for Travis Hafner, who's batting .083 (2 for 24) over his last six games.
Injury Concerns: None.
Platoon Possibilities: The Indians face all right-handers this week, so Luis Valbuena gets to start every game. The way he's hitting now, though, you wouldn't want to touch him.
Lineup Changes: Andy Marte has fallen out of favor again, going to the bench to make room for Trevor Crowe. Matt LaPorta has gone from left field to first base to accommodate the move. Crowe has some speed, but he hasn't hit well enough to matter outside of AL-only leagues.

Colorado Rockies
Schedule: SD3, STL3
Heating Up: Troy Tulowitzki is again approaching elite status in Fantasy with another monster second half. He has homered in four straight games and five of his last seven, batting .440 (11 for 25) during that stretch.
Cooling Off: Seth Smith is batting .136 (3 for 22) over his last six games. Todd Helton is batting .087 (2 for 23) over his last eight. Both should benefit from the team's return home this week, but Helton is the only one you should trust in mixed leagues right now.
Injury Concerns: None.
Platoon Possibilities: The Rockies face one left-hander this week. Lately, Brad Hawpe has been the one sitting against lefties instead of Carlos Gonzalez, but he and Smith should get almost a full week of at-bats, sitting only the one time for Ryan Spilborghs and Dexter Fowler.
Lineup Changes: None.

Detroit Tigers
Schedule: @CLE3, @CHW3
Heating Up: Magglio Ordonez has earned back regular playing time with his performance in September. He's batting .364 (16 for 44) over his last 12 games, but he still lacks the power to make a difference in mixed leagues. Brandon Inge has improved somewhat after a mostly disastrous second half, batting .333 (8 for 24) over his last eight games.
Cooling Off: Curtis Granderson hasn't shown much improvement lately, his season batting average dropping all the way to .250. He's batting .203 (13 for 64) in September, but his power and speed makes him too valuable to sit in Fantasy. Carlos Guillen is batting only .147 (5 for 34) in September and has become a platoon player as a result. Leave him for AL-only leagues.
Injury Concerns: None.
Platoon Possibilities: The Tigers face two left-handers this week. Marcus Thames usually replaces Aubrey Huff against the lefties, but Guillen has also begun to sit in favor of Ryan Raburn.
Lineup Changes: None.

Florida Marlins
Schedule: PHI3, NYM3
Heating Up: With every week, Chris Coghlan improves his batting average a little more. He's batting .371 (13 for 35) over his last eight games and .370 (30 for 81) in September. Surely, you can find a place for him in your lineup.
Cooling Off: Nick Johnson is batting .154 (4 for 26) over his last eight games. His high walk rate keeps him a decent low-end corner infielder in mixed leagues, though.
Injury Concerns: Jeremy Hermida, out since Sept. 2 with a rib injury, should return to the lineup sometime this week. He'll likely split at-bats with Cameron Maybin, though, making him not worth using in mixed leagues.
Platoon Possibilities: The Marlins face two lefties this week, so John Baker will sit at least twice for Ronny Paulino. You wouldn't want to start either in mixed leagues.
Lineup Changes: None.

Houston Astros
Schedule: STL3, CIN3
Heating Up: Kazuo Matsui is making his first real Fantasy contribution of the season, batting .308 (20 for 65) with 11 stolen bases in September. Consider taking a flier on him if you need a few extra steals. Michael Bourn has gotten a few steals of his only lately, swiping five bases in his last six games, but he's an obvious must-start. He's batting .318 (7 for 22) during that stretch.
Cooling Off: No Astros are significantly underachieving right now.
Injury Concerns: None.
Platoon Possibilities: The Astros face only righties this week, so don't expect to see much of Jeff Keppinger. He usually replaces Geoff Blum against lefties.
Lineup Changes: None.

Kansas City Royals
Schedule: BOS4, MIN3
Heating Up: Miguel Olivo is looking like a worthwhile mixed-league catcher right now, hitting six home runs in his last nine games to give him 23 on the season. Willie Bloomquist certainly doesn't offer much power, but he's batting .455 (15 for 33) over his last nine games and qualifies at several positions. He should be starting now in AL-only leagues but is just a last resort in mixed leagues.
Cooling Off: Josh Anderson is batting .118 (2 for 17) over his last eight games, but he's just a light-hitting part-timer anyway.
Injury Concerns: Olivo left early Saturday with a stomach bug, but he should be fine. David DeJesus also left early Saturday with a sore right ankle, making him a risky start for the upcoming scoring period. Since the Royals have tough matchups this week, play it safe and sit him. Mark Teahen missed his sixth straight game with back spasms Saturday. He could return to action Monday, but since he offers little power at a power position, keep him reserved.
Platoon Possibilities: The Royals face one left-hander this week. Mike Jacobs might sit that game, but he's not in a strict lefty-righty platoon.
Lineup Changes: None.

L.A. Angels
Schedule: NYY3, OAK3
Heating Up: Torii Hunter is batting .333 (20 for 60) with three home runs and two stolen bases over his last 15 games. By some measurements, he's having a career season, and he doesn't seem to be slowing down. Start him in all leagues.
Cooling Off: Kendry Morales' slump has only gotten worse. He's now batting .140 (6 for 43) over his last 12 games and doesn't have a single home run in September. Chone Figgins has joined him recently, batting .160 (4 for 25) over his last six games. Both are too valuable to sit in Fantasy, however.
Injury Concerns: None.
Platoon Possibilities: The Angels face two lefties this week, but with Howie Kendrick recently overtaking Maicer Izturis at second base, they don't have any lefty-righty platoons.
Lineup Changes: Other than the changes in their middle infield, none.

L.A. Dodgers
Schedule: @WAS3, @PIT3
Heating Up: Casey Blake, always a streaky player, is looking useful right now. He's batting .429 (9 for 21) in seven games since returning from a hamstring injury. Matt Kemp is batting .304 (14 for 46) during an 11-game hitting streak and remains a must-start.
Cooling Off: Orlando Hudson is batting only .250 (10 for 40) in September and continues to lose at-bats to Ronnie Belliard. You can probably do better in mixed leagues right now. James Loney has seemingly cooled off over the last week, but he's a much better hitter on the road, where the Dodgers go this week.
Injury Concerns: None.
Platoon Possibilities: The Dodgers face two left-handers this week, but they don't have any lefty-righty platoons.
Lineup Changes: None.

Milwaukee Brewers
Schedule: CHC3, PHI4
Heating Up: Felipe Lopez is batting .400 (12 for 30) over his last nine games and is a deserving starter in mixed leagues even though he doesn't offer much power or speed.
Cooling Off: Mike Cameron is batting .130 (3 for 23) over his last six games, but he's the kind of player you can never trust for consistent numbers.
Injury Concerns: None.
Platoon Possibilities: The Brewers face four left-handers this week, but they don't have any lefty-righty platoons.
Lineup Changes: None.

Minnesota Twins
Schedule: @CHW3, @KC3
Heating Up: Michael Cuddyer is looking to finish the season on a high note, batting .417 (10 for 24) with four home runs in his last six games. He already has a career high in homers, and he might finish with 30 for the first time if he stays hot. Start him in all leagues. Joe Mauer has gotten back on track lately, picking up the slack for Justin Morneau. He's batting .611 (11 for 18) over his last six games.
Cooling Off: Orlando Cabrera is batting .161 (5 for 31) over his last eight games. He's the kind of player only worth starting when hot.
Injury Concerns: None.
Platoon Possibilities: The Twins face three left-handers this week, but they don't have any lefty-righty platoons.
Lineup Changes: With Morneau going down for the year with a back injury, the Twins have moved Cuddyer over to first base, allowing both Carlos Gomez and Delmon Young to play every day. Neither has hit well enough to have any mixed-league appeal. The Twins have resorted to using two utility infielders, Nick Punto and Matt Tolbert, at second and third base respectively. Their lack of offensive upside makes them no more than last resorts in AL-only leagues.

N.Y. Mets
Schedule: ATL3, @FLA3
Heating Up: Jeff Francoeur continues to hit well in a Mets uniform, batting .475 (19 for 40) over his last 10 games. His season batting average is up to .280, making him a viable option in mixed leagues even if his OPS is lacking.
Cooling Off: Angel Pagan, a sleeper for much of the second half, is batting .154 (4 for 26) over his last 11 games. Since the Mets have tough pitching matchups this week, you might want to sit him.
Injury Concerns: None.
Platoon Possibilities: The Mets face just one left-hander this week. Expect Fernando Tatis to replace Daniel Murphy, but the Mets might also use that game as an opportunity to rest Josh Thole, who appears to have taken over as the No. 1 catcher.
Lineup Changes: Other than the increased use of Thole, none.

N.Y. Yankees
Schedule: @LAA3, BOS3
Heating Up: Hideki Matsui has quietly had a loud second half to reestablish himself as a high-end Fantasy outfielder, batting .298 with 12 home runs. He's batting .435 (10 for 23) with three home runs over his last six games and should be starting in all leagues. Mark Teixeira hit two home runs and drove in five runs Saturday, making him 14 for 31 (.452) with 12 RBI over his last seven games. He's an obvious must-start. So is Robinson Cano, who's batting .485 (16 for 33) over his last eight games.
Cooling Off: Melky Cabrera was hot at the beginning of September but he's leveled off lately, batting .174 (4 for 23) over his last nine games. Now isn't the time to start him in mixed leagues.
Injury Concerns: None.
Platoon Possibilities: The Yankees face two lefties this week, but they don't have any lefty-righty platoons.
Lineup Changes: None.

Oakland Athletics
Schedule: TEX4, @LAA3
Heating Up: Rajai Davis is on fire in September, batting .394 (28 for 71) with 10 stolen bases, which is really no different from the rest of his second half. He should be starting in all Fantasy leagues. Adam Kennedy is batting .383 (23 for 60) in September, but the A's have recently shied away from starting him against left-handers.
Cooling Off: Jack Cust is 1 for 14 over his last four games. His .235 batting average makes him not worth starting in mixed leagues.
Injury Concerns: None.
Platoon Possibilities: The Athletics face only right-handers this week, which means Bobby Crosby, Matt Carson and Nomar Garciaparra won't steal many at-bats from Kennedy, Ryan Sweeney and Cust.
Lineup Changes: None.

Philadelphia Phillies
Schedule: @FLA3, @MIL4
Heating Up: Jayson Werth, who has been a must-start all season despite some streakiness, is hot again, batting .500 (9 for 18) over his last five games. Ryan Howard has three home runs in his last two games and remains a must-start.
Cooling Off: After a brief surge in the middle of September, Raul Ibanez is slumping again, batting .200 (3 for 15) over his last six games. He's probably too valuable to sit, but Pedro Feliz isn't. He's 1 for 18 over his last five.
Injury Concerns: Shane Victorino missed a second straight game with a stomach illness Saturday, but he appeared as a pinch hitter and should return to the lineup Sunday. Keep him active. Carlos Ruiz sat out Saturday with a wrist injury, which might keep him out a few days. He's just a low-end option, though.
Platoon Possibilities: The Phillies face only right-handers this week, not that they have any lefty-righty platoons.
Lineup Changes: If, for some reason, Victorino can't return, Ben Francisco, who had three hits and a homer Friday, would start in his place. That seems unlikely, though.

Pittsburgh Pirates
Schedule: SD1, CIN3, LAD3
Heating Up: Ryan Doumit is batting only .263 (5 for 19) over his last five games, but he has a home run and five RBI during that stretch. He remains a must-start Fantasy catcher.
Cooling Off: Lastings Milledge has gotten a long look as the Pirates assess him for next year, but he's batting .194 (7 for 36) over his last 10 games. He still has little Fantasy appeal.
Injury Concerns: Garrett Jones injured his shoulder diving for a ball Friday and missed Saturday's game. He's a risk for the upcoming scoring period if he doesn't return Sunday. If you want to take an ultra-conservative approach, you'll bench him. Andy LaRoche missed his second straight game with an illness Saturday. He should return in time to play this week, but his poor offensive numbers make him just an NL-only option. Delwyn Young has missed time with soreness in his back, but he was at risk of losing his job because of poor hitting anyway.
Platoon Possibilities: The Pirates face two left-handers this week. Ramon Vazquez, who has replaced Young at second base, will probably sit for Luis Cruz against the lefties.
Lineup Changes: Doumit got a start in right field Saturday with the injury to Jones, but if you start him in Fantasy, you start him at catcher. The added versatility doesn't do much to his value.

San Diego Padres
Schedule: @PIT1, @COL3, @ARI3
Heating Up: Tony K. Gwynn hasn't done anything to improve his Fantasy value, but he's batting .412 (7 for 17) over his last six games.
Cooling Off: Will Venable is batting .208 (5 for 24) over his last seven games, but he's actually a good sleeper this week with the Padres going on the road and facing only one left-hander.
Injury Concerns: Kevin Kouzmanoff remains sidelined with a strained calf, but he hopes to return Monday. He could always suffer a last-minute setback, making him a risky start. Since his lack of plate discipline makes him barely viable in mixed leagues, you might want to leave him for NL-only leagues this week.
Platoon Possibilities: The Padres face one lefty this week, but they don't have any lefty-righty platoons.
Lineup Changes: With Chase Headley moving to third base during Kouzmanoff's absence, Drew Macias and Oscar Salazar have platooned in left field. They'll go back to the bench once Kouzmanoff returns.

San Francisco Giants
Schedule: @ARI3, CHC4
Heating Up: Juan Uribe continues to offer surprising Fantasy production after looking like he'd spend the rest of his career as a reserve infielder. He's batting .435 (10 for 23) over his last six games and .355 (22 for 62) with five home runs in September. Since he qualifies at so many weak positions, he's actually worth using in mixed leagues.
Cooling Off: Aaron Rowand is batting .154 (4 for 26) over his last eight games and is too inconsistent to use in mixed leagues.
Injury Concerns: None.
Platoon Possibilities: The Giants face one left-hander this week, so Travis Ishikawa will sit that game, likely in favor of Ryan Garko.
Lineup Changes: Determined to keep Uribe's bat in the lineup, the Giants have resorted to using him at shortstop, forcing Edgar Renteria, who has battled inconsistency all season and injuries down the stretch, to the bench. Pablo Sandoval has moved back to third base, allowing the Ishikawa-Garko platoon back into the lineup at first.

Seattle Mariners
Schedule: @TB2, @TOR4
Heating Up: Ichiro Suzuki isn't so much being hot as being himself, but he's batting .389 (14 for 36) over his last eight games. He's an obvious must-start.
Cooling Off: Ken Griffey is a platoon player better left for AL-only leagues, but he's batting .067 (1 for 14) over his last five games.
Injury Concerns: None.
Platoon Possibilities: The Mariners face three left-handers this week, so Griffey and Mike Carp don't look like the best starts in AL-only leagues. They sit in favor of Mike Sweeney and Josh Wilson against lefties.
Lineup Changes: None.

St. Louis Cardinals
Schedule: @HOU3, @COL3
Heating Up: Skip Schumaker has multiple hits in five of his last six games, batting .600 (12 for 20) during that stretch. As a platoon player with little power or speed, he's mostly just an NL-only option. Yadier Molina is batting .500 (7 for 14) over his last four games.
Cooling Off: Ryan Ludwick is slumping again and probably doesn't have enough time to earn back your trust over the final two weeks. He's batting .190 (4 for 21) over his last seven games. Mark DeRosa is falling out of favor in mixed leagues, batting .184 (9 for 49) in September. He's batting only .230 since coming over from the Indians.
Injury Concerns: None.
Platoon Possibilities: The Cardinals face two lefties, which means Schumaker will sit twice for Julio Lugo.
Lineup Changes: None.

Tampa Bay Rays
Schedule: SEA2, @TEX3
Heating Up: Carl Crawford is batting .440 (11 for 25) with three stolen bases over his last six games, solidifying his place as a must-start Fantasy outfielder, but he has had a disappointing second half overall.
Cooling Off: Pat Burrell, who brought his batting average up to .243 on Sept. 2, is hitting .226 now. He's batting .106 (5 for 47) over his last 15 games.
Injury Concerns: None.
Platoon Possibilities: The Rays face two left-handers this week, but neither Gabe Gross nor Gabe Kapler starts consistently enough for it to make a difference.
Lineup Changes: Chris Richard has hit only .154, so the Rays have resorted to Willy Aybar as their everyday first baseman with Carlos Pena out for the year. The move is a good one for Fantasy purposes since Aybar has power and qualifies at both second and third base. He's worth a flier even in mixed leagues if you need help at those positions.

Texas Rangers
Schedule: @OAK4, TB3
Heating Up: No Rangers are performing better than usual right now.
Cooling Off: Marlon Byrd, who just last week was looking like a sleeper, is batting .125 (3 for 24) over his last seven games, giving him little appeal in mixed leagues. Ian Kinsler continues to battle inconsistency, batting .105 (2 for 19) over his last six games, but he remains a must-start. Same goes for Nelson R. Cruz, who's 1 for 18 over his last six games.
Injury Concerns: Josh Hamilton (back) remains out of the lineup and won't even resume baseball activities until Monday, so who knows if he'll return to the lineup this week? Better keep him reserved. Michael Young (hamstring) tried to return Friday but bailed out at the last minute. He has a better chance of returning this week, but he's still too risky for mixed-league use.
Platoon Possibilities: The Rangers face one lefty this week, so Julio Borbon should get to start six games. Andruw Jones will replace him against the lefty.
Lineup Changes: None.

Toronto Blue Jays
Schedule: BAL3, SEA4
Heating Up: Vernon Wells got a day off Saturday, but he had recorded multiple hits in six of his previous seven games, batting .538 (14 for 26) during that stretch. You probably didn't bench him in the first place, but you want him active now.
Cooling Off: Aaron Hill is batting .194 (6 for 31) over his last seven games, but you'd never bench him.
Injury Concerns: Joe Inglett missed his sixth straight game with a strained ribcage Saturday and doesn't appear any closer to returning. He's just a slap-hitting part-timer, though.
Platoon Possibilities: The Blue Jays face two left-handers this week, meaning Lyle Overbay will sit twice for Kevin Millar and Travis Snider will sit twice for Jose A. Bautista.
Lineup Changes: None.

Washington Nationals
Schedule: LAD3, ATL3
Heating Up: Ian Desmond, a long-awaited shortstop prospect, has lived up to the hype so far, batting .393 (11 for 28) in seven games. Don't let him go unowned in NL-only leagues.
Cooling Off: Josh Willingham is having a September much like his April, batting .184 (9 for 49). With the Nationals at home and facing only right-handers, Willingham should continue to struggle this week.
Injury Concerns: Wil Nieves could return from his hamstring injury Tuesday, but he splits time with Josh Bard and has virtually no Fantasy appeal.
Platoon Possibilities: The Nationals face only right-handers this week, but they don't have any lefty-righty platoons.
Lineup Changes: The Nationals have found a way to get Desmond and Cristian Guzman into the lineup at the same time, moving Desmond to second base. The maneuver relegates Pete Orr and Alberto Gonzalez to the bench, but the two of them were just low-end NL-only options to begin with.

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