Fantasy Sports

BY ADAM RONIS

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Buy low -- Brandon Webb: Rarely do you get an opportunity like this, but if there was ever a time to get a discount on Webb, now is the time. The overall numbers are good, but he has struggled recently, possibly because of a dead arm period. He was much better after the All-Star break last season as well. In his last three starts, he has pitched 15 1/3 innings and allowed 22 hits, 14 earned runs, walked six and struck out 11 and is 0-2.

Sell high -- Dan Haren: Haren has been excellent, especially over his last five starts. He is 8-4 with a 3.04 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and a 89/17 K/BB ratio. Before the All-Star break last season he was 10-3 with a 2.30 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. After the break he went 5-6 with a 4.15 ERA and 1.50 WHIP. He had similar splits in 2006 with a 3.52 ERA and 1.13 WHIP before and a 4.91 ERA and 1.31 WHIP after.

Pickup --Tony Pena: If you need to keep your WHIP down and are looking for a quality setup man, consider Pena. He has struck out 26 in 34 2/3 innings and has a 3.12 ERA with a 1.15 WHIP.

COLORADO ROCKIES

Buy low -- Brad Hawpe: Hawpe has finally come around this month with six homers and 12 RBIs with a .315 average. He's only had 44 at-bats against lefthanders. His overall numbers are subpar, especially because of a DL stint and he could be had for little right now.

Sell high -- Aaron Cook: To be 10-4 on this team is impressive. A lot of his success is due to his sinker that induces a lot of ground balls to get him out of trouble. He doesn't strike out many and over his last eight starts he has allowed 10, 10, 4, 10, 6, 9, 10 and 12 hits. He has a 3.57 ERA and 1.31 WHIP.

Pickup -- Clint Barmes: More of an NL-only league pickup here. Jeff Baker is hot right now and should stay in the lineup, but once he cools off, expect Barmes to take over. He is batting .341 with five homers and 20 RBIs in 138 at-bats.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

Buy low -- Derek Lowe: Lowe doesn't have sexy numbers, but he is a reliable pitcher. He had a 5.34 ERA on May 18 and is now at 4.05. He is 5-7 with a 75/27 K/BB ratio. He usually goes deep into games, pitching at least seven innings in six of his last seven starts.

Sell high -- Juan Pierre: The steals are nice, everything else isn't. It's tough to have Pierre in an outfield slot when all you get are steals. Find a team that is desperate for steals and implore them to take Pierre.

Pickup -- Hong-Chih Kuo: If your starting pitching is in shambles and you're trying to slice ERA and WHIP, Kuo is an option. He's pitched well out of the bullpen. He is 3-1 with a 1.76 ERA, 55/11 K/BB ratio and a 1.00 WHIP.

SAN DIEGO PADRES

Buy low -- None

Sell high -- Greg Maddux: The numbers are very good and his value could increase if he gets traded. But as long as he is on this team with no run support and he doesn't pitch deep into games, you can forget about wins. He has a 3.17 ERA and 1.19 WHIP, but a 3-5 record. He has struck out just 49 in 96 2/3 innings. He is mainly a six-inning pitcher.

Pickup -- Chase Headley: He has some power, but will strike out a lot. He's more of an NL-only league and very deep mixed league pickup. He is 7-for-28 with two homers, three RBIs and a 12/0 K/BB ratio.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

Buy low -- Matt Cain: He has been inconsistent, but he has the ability to succeed. He has pitched well in his last three starts. Owners tend to sour on him because of the lack of wins. He is 4-5 with a 4.31 ERA and 1.33 WHIP. His BAA is .244. He has a 93/42 K/BB ratio. It is 25/3 over his last three starts.

Sell high -- Tim Lincecum: It's hard to envision him being much better. He is 8-1 with a 2.54 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 103/40 K/BB ratio. He has allowed nine runs over his last 12 innings. He threw 146 1/3 innings last season in the majors starting in May and is already at 102 2/3 innings, so he's in for a huge spike. I still think he could be good, but it's something to watch and think about now, while he's still dominating.

Pickup -- Randy Winn: He's still unowned in many league, but he can hit .300 with some pop and steal bases.