Cheap Yard Work takes a look at unheralded hitters who are raking and helps you plan your starting lineup each week.Jose Bautista, 3B, PIT
Stats: .417/.444/.875, 3HR, 7RBI, 2BB, 1SB
I was going to make a Pirates joke, but you know, they haven't been that bad this year, at least from a fantasy perspective. Bautista has accrued almost all of those above stats over the weekend, so he might seem like too aggressive of a start. How-EVA, he's killing lefties this year, hitting .346/.419/.808. And given that four of the six guys the Pirates will face this week are lefties, he makes a pretty nice spot start in deep leagues.
Juan Pierre, OF, LAD
Stats: .563/.611/.688, 0HR, 3RBI, 1BB, 3SB
Okay, I dislike Pierre as much as anyone, but someone drafted him looking for those elusive steals. And have probably dropped him since. But he's getting decent AB's (16 over the last week) and producing big time with them. If he gets on base over 60% of the time, Joe Torre will play him, especially with Andruw Jones stink-bombing it up. (Although it's worth noting that Matt Kemp is even hotter right now). But if you're ever gonna use him to get those swipes, now is the time.
Mark Kotsay, OF, ATL
Stats: .429/.456/.667, 1HR, 6RBI, 1BB, 1SB
Speaking of Druw Jones, you're replacement is lapping, you brah. Get it together. Just to avoid the shame. Anyway, Kotsay is raking the ball the last week and is known for being streaky and getting injured. You're better off riding the streak early before he gets hurt. Start him in deeper leagues and consider the flier even in smaller ones if your outfield is banged up.
Mike Cameron, OF, MIL
Stats: .270/.367/.654, 3HR, 7RBI, 4BB, 0SB
Ah, look at that average. Welcome back, Mr. Cameron. Oh and he has eight strikeouts in 26 at bats too, which is pretty, um, impressive. Still, the guy's hitting the ball out of the park and he's getting at bats for the Brewers. You could do worse if you've got a banged up outfield, especially when the best pitcher they face is Scott Olsen. No, seriously. The rest of the list includes names liiike: Badenhop, Pineiro, Looper, Wellemeyer and Hendrickson.
