Today was the seventh consecutive start for Jacoby Ellsbury for the Boston Red Sox. He has brought a spark to the Sox offense, and stole two bases for the second consecutive day, and now has eight on the season. Ellsbury came into the season as someone that I expected to make a big fantasy impact (especially on the basepaths), and this recent outburst shows what he is capable of if Boston stops trotting Coco Crisp out there every few days. If by some chance he is still available in your league, Jacoby has shown enough to warrant a place on a roster in every fantasy league.

Another young Red Sox player and reigning AL Rookie of the Year, Dustin Pedroia, is following up last year with another good season. With his two hits on Monday, Pedroia pulled into a three way tie for the league lead in hits with Chone Figgins and teammate Kevin Youkilis. Pedroia hit his eighth double and drove in his 11^th run Monday, and is proving that little guys can produce too. Have you ever seen anyone swing the bat as hard as Pedroia?

OK, I don’t want this to sound like a Red Sox only blog, but Clay Buchholz had a great outing on Patriots’ Day and is looking like he will be a solid contributor to the rotation this season. Buchholz threw six shutout innings and struck out six as he completed the sweep of the Rangers. After throwing a no hitter in his second career start, it looked like Buchholz was one the fast track to superstardom, and although he looks like he will still be good, it maybe too soon to anoint him the king just yet.

It appears that Yankees’ new owner Hank Steinbrenner will follow in the footsteps of his father. He has been opening his mouth, and spitting out ignorance ever since he took over for dear old dad. Hank’s newest junk was that Joba Chamberlain has to be placed into the rotation, and he said “There is no question about it, you don’t have a guy with a 100-mile-per-hour fastball and keep him as a set-up guy. You just don’t do that. You have to be an idiot to do that.” Yankees GM Brian Cashman apparently thinks he should stay in the setup role. We shall see in the near future who wins out on this one, but it appears that Joba will be moved to the rotation sooner rather than later.

Rangers OF Josh Hamilton is following up his solid return to baseball in 2007 with a great start to 2008. Hamilton hit two more doubles and ran his RBI total to 19. The former number one pick (and crackhead) is certainly looking like he is set to start to live up to the potential he left behind so many years ago. Hamilton came into the season as one of the sleepers for 2008, and I believe he will continue to produce at a good rate.

Rockies 2B Clint Barmes has now apparently taken over the starting job from Jayson Nix. Barmes started for the sixth consecutive game Monday, and has had at least two hits in all but four games. Considering he was the talk of the town in fantasy just a few years back, it is possible that Barmes could keep this hot streak continue, but I don’t expect that he will keep this going all season long.

Coming into the season, Russell Martin was in the discussion as the number one catcher in fantasy. So far in 2008, he has yet to live up to that ranking. After homering on Sunday, Martin went 3-3 on Monday with a double and two singles. Those of you who used a high pick on Martin, stay patient, he will perform up to last year’s statistics.

Astros’ CF Michael Bourn is taking both end of the spectrum on a fanatsy league. On one hand, he is leading the league in steals with 13 after two more on Monday night. Unfortunately for his owners, he is currently hitting .216. Those of you who have him strictly for his steal capabilities should be happy, but the rest of his numbers leave something to be desired. If you NEED steals, grab Bourn, but if there’s a close second option, you might want to add Bourn right now.

As the Tigers continue to win games, their offense continues to get well. Now on Monday there is some more good news as Miguel Cabrera filled in a first base, and for those of you whose leagues who only require one game for eligibility, Miggy now plays first.

One of my favorite players, Eric Byrnes hit his third homer of the season. Byrnes should be good for another 20/40 year, and if things go right, maybe 25/40. Byrnes isn’t happy unless he goes home dirty, and is a role model of how to actually play the game. Expect one or two good more years out of Byrnes before his production starts to drop off.

As always, your questions (adds, drops, trades, etc) and comments are welcome at fightingchancefantasy@gmail.com. I guarantee a response within 18 hours.

I will also be starting up an idea with waht the prospects who are still in AAA are doing. I will follow ten hitters and ten pitchers. If there is someone specific you would like covered, please leave it below.