Cubszone.com | Chicago Cubs News, cubs Scores, Game Recaps & Commentary - <div>What a weekend!</div>I ran myself ragged with the usual spate of weekend activities, carting my daughter to stores, the playground, tricycle rides, play dates and the like. This weekend offered a new twist. On Saturday, we attended her first-ever swim lesson. Now, she's seen water before, between hotel swimming pools and walks down to the "blue, blue beach" as she calls it. No, this weekend included her first-ever swim lesson. It's notable in that I can barely keep myself afloat, but proper use of the "noodles" and other devices helped save me. Her desire to jump off the edge of the pool left me a bit nervous for the days and years ahead, but I found comfort in her leg strength, demonstrated by her pummeling my midsection during the "kicking" portion of the lesson. There will be plenty of sleepless nights ahead as I ponder her propensity to dive off the edge with reckless abandon, but she'll be able to take care of herself just fine.Sunday was a day of rest and relaxation, replete with sporting events spaced nicely throughout the day. Sure, I'm convinced that a pesky raccoon sabotaged my plans for filling the kiddie pool (evidently the raccoon did battle with the frog-shaped pool) and slinking off for the split screen of U.S. Open and LifeLock 400 action, but it forced me to test my lung capacity. It also allowed me to sit and spend time with my daughter in the backyard, drawing buildings, animals and whatever she could imagine in chalk on the sidewalk. We laughed and sang "Hit the road, Jack," "Walk Hard" and other classics at the top of our lungs, no doubt forcing the neighbors to break out the earplugs. It's live to you if nobody calls with the news, so I still sat at the edge of my seat as Junior battled his fuel tank and dropped to the floor in awe as Tiger forced a playoff. (The "don't cancel the room reservation" remark during the broadcast was one of my favorite moments in a while.)Hey, that's why they invented DVRs. There's always time to catch up with those events following another reading of "Good Night, Moon." Anyway, let's return to the task at hand and break down the week on the diamond by Short-Hopping The Wall. <h4>Fantasy forces: High yields</h4>Boston outfielder J.D. Drew started the season slowly, but he's found his stroke at the right time for the Red Sox. With Manny Ramirez slowed by a hamstring injury and David Ortiz on the shelf indefinitely, Drew has been positively dominant in the month of June. He possesses a scorching .447 average (21-for-47) with seven home runs and 16 RBI. Fifteen of Drew's hits in June have gone for extra bases. He's scored 19 runs (more than in either April or May already) and has reduced his strikeout rate to one in every six at-bats.Perhaps that game-winning home run (I struggle with the term "walk-off") against the White Sox last week will serve to jumpstart Miguel Cabrera's bat. Cabrera has hit safely in six straight games and nine of his past 10 starts, with two home runs and eight RBI. During this stretch, Cabrera has batted .359 (14-for-39). The Tigers have won eight of their past 10 games.Outfielder Marcus Thames of the Tigers has rediscovered his power stroke. Thames homered in each game of the weekend sweep of the Dodgers and has homered in five of his past eight games (he's registered only six hits, so the baverage hasn't been helped, but the home runs and eight RBI are intriguing). Let's complete the trio of Tigers heroes with a nod to starter Nate Robertson. Robertson has turned in back-to-back quality starts, parlaying solid offensive support into victories. He's allowed three earned runs in his past 12 1/3 innings. Robertson has won four of his past five starts. Veteran hurler Mike Mussina of the Yankees has quietly won 10 games this season, his 17th straight season with double-digit victories. Mussina allowed three earned runs in six innings while striking out four. He pitched to a record of 3-3 with a sizable 4.72 ERA in April. Mussina owns a record of 7-1 with a strong 3.30 ERA since May 1 (2.70 ERA in June). He's struck out 34 hitters against six walks during this period. White Sox starter Mark Buehrle has posted back-to-back stellar performances in which he allowed two earned runs in 16 innings (1.13 ERA). Buehrle owns a stellar 2.05 ERA in his three June starts and has produced five quality starts in his past six turns in the rotation (2.88 ERA in these starts). He next faces the Pirates at U.S. Cellular Field. Ricky Nolasco narrowly missed completing a terrific effort against the Rays this weekend. Nolasco allowed two earned runs in 8 2/3 innings with 12 strikeouts. In his past two starts, Nolasco has struck out 15 batters against two walks while allowing two earned runs in 14 2/3 innings (1.23 ERA). He's won five of his past six starts. The Cubs have witnessed a resurgence from starter Ted Lilly this month. Lilly has been inconsistent this season (four or more earned runs allowed in seven of his 15 starts), but he's on his game right now. Lilly pitched six innings of one-hit, shutout ball against the Blue Jays this weekend. He struggled a bit with his control (he issued five walks), but left unscathed. Lilly owns a terrific 2.25 ERA this month. Scott Olsen of the Marlins struggled with his control earlier this season, but he's started to hit his spots in June. Olsen has struck out 16 batters against just four walks in his three June starts, helping to produce a strong 1.89 ERA. He's been less hittable (14 in 19 innings) and has improved his groundball-to-flyball ratio (1:1 this month). <h4>Fantasy flops: Trimming margins </h4>Justin Upton of the Diamondbacks has done a great job in drawing walks (10 in 43 plate appearances), but that's been about it. Upton has struck out 16 times in 33 June at-bats with just three hits (.091 average) and zero RBI. </div><h4>Injury updates</h4>When you get the "mercy rule" invoked when it comes to the mountain of injuries faced by a single team? On Sunday, the Cardinals received yet another scare when catcher Yadier Molina was flatted by Eric Bruntlett of the Phillies. Molina was carried off the field on a body board, but all of the latest reports indicate that the youngest of the Molina brothers avoided serious injury. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Molina is recovering from "whiplash-like" symptoms and will only miss several games. Jason LaRue (.196 with three RBI in 56 at-bats) will see time behind the plate in Molina's absence.Yankees starter Chien-Ming Wang received great support against the Astros and was cruising along (five shutout innings) when he left the game with a foot injury while running the bases. The New York Post reports that Wang left Minute Maid Park on crutches and that nobody would hazard a guess at the extent of the injury. Wang will undergo an MRI on Monday in New York. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko was a late scratch for Sunday's series finale against the Rockies with a strained left oblique muscle. Konerko felt pain in his side following a swing during batting practice. The White Sox are off on Monday, and manager Ozzie Guillen's postgame comments seemed to indicate that he believes a trip to the disabled list might be in the cards for Konerko. Brad Penny of the Dodgers has been battling a sore shoulder all season. It couldn't have felt any better on Saturday when the Tigers roughed him up for seven hits (two home runs) and seven earned runs in 3 2/3 innings. The Los Angeles Times reports that Penny will undergo an MRI to assess the extent of the damage. Chris Carpenter had been making solid progress in his bid to return to the Cardinals at midseason. According to The St. Louis Post-Dispatch , Carpenter was shut down following a throwing session last Wednesday when he reported discomfort when throwing breaking balls. Carpenter is scheduled to see, you guessed it, Dr. James Andrews to determine whether additional surgery will be required. Sigh. On Monday, Hank Blalock will begin his rehabilitation assignment following surgery to correct carpal tunnel syndrome. The Star-Telegram reports that Blalock has been throwing and working on his footing at first base, where he'll play upon his return to the big club. Boston outfielder Ramirez missed his second straight game with soreness in his right hamstring (he pinch-hit on Saturday). Although Saturday was a regularly scheduled day off, Ramirez had left Friday's game in the seventh inning because of the injury. The Red Sox outfield of Coco Crisp, Drew and Jacoby Ellsbury packed a mighty punch this weekend. I suspect that Ramirez will miss several more games before returning to the lineup. There's no reason to risk him, particularly given the severity of the injury to Big Papi. It appears that the Tigers have started to awaken from an extended slumber, and they're about to add two pieces back to their bullpen. The Detroit Free Press reports that Fernando Rodney will rejoin the club on Monday. Hard-throwing Joel Zumaya (who has been topping out at 100 mph) should be available later this week. Slugger Gary Sheffield will also begin a rehabilitation assignment in Florida on Monday. Suddenly, the AL Central became that much more interesting. Atlanta reliever Rafael Soriano had been experiencing discomfort in his surgically-repaired elbow for several weeks. Soriano was placed on the 15-day disabled list this weekend, and the team is currently awaiting the results of an MRI. David O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Dr. Lewis Yocum will review the findings and determine the course of treatment to be undergone. Yocum performed Soriano's 2004 elbow surgery. Barring a setback, former Pirates closer Mike Gonzalez will return to the Atlanta bullpen and may be in line to close games immediately. Pittsburgh outfielder Xavier Nady missed Sunday's game with a shoulder injury sustained when he crashed into a wall chasing down a flyball late in Saturday's game against the Orioles. Nady is scheduled to have an MRI early Monday morning, per the The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . The team is hopeful that his shoulder is merely bruised and that Nady will be available for the mid-week series against the White Sox. For what it's worth, Nady has also been battling an ankle injury for the past two weeks. Toronto second baseman Aaron Hill awaits clearance by the Blue Jays front office after days of demonstrating post-concussion symptoms. Hill is clearly frustrated, but understands the need for such precautions. He was placed on the disabled list on May 30. The injury-decimated Cardinals activated reliever Jason Isringhausen on Friday night. The veteran closer has yet to return to the mound, and it appears that he'll settle into middle relief for a spell. Ryan Franklin has been effective in the closer role during Isringhausen's absence. For your daily news and injury updates, don't forget to check out John Halpin's blog.

What a weekend!

I ran myself ragged with the usual spate of weekend activities, carting my daughter to stores, the playground, tricycle rides, play dates and the like. This weekend offered a new twist. On Saturday, we attended her first-ever swim lesson. Now, she's seen water before, between hotel swimming pools and walks down to the "blue, blue beach" as she calls it. No, this weekend included her first-ever swim lesson. It's notable in that I can barely keep myself afloat, but proper use of the "noodles" and other devices helped save me. Her desire to jump off the edge of the pool left me a bit nervous for the days and years ahead, but I found comfort in her leg strength, demonstrated by her pummeling my midsection during the "kicking" portion of the lesson. There will be plenty of sleepless nights ahead as I ponder her propensity to dive off the edge with reckless abandon, but she'll be able to take care of herself just fine.

Sunday was a day of rest and relaxation, replete with sporting events spaced nicely throughout the day. Sure, I'm convinced that a pesky raccoon sabotaged my plans for filling the kiddie pool (evidently the raccoon did battle with the frog-shaped pool) and slinking off for the split screen of U.S. Open and LifeLock 400 action, but it forced me to test my lung capacity. It also allowed me to sit and spend time with my daughter in the backyard, drawing buildings, animals and whatever she could imagine in chalk on the sidewalk. We laughed and sang "Hit the road, Jack," "Walk Hard" and other classics at the top of our lungs, no doubt forcing the neighbors to break out the earplugs.

It's live to you if nobody calls with the news, so I still sat at the edge of my seat as Junior battled his fuel tank and dropped to the floor in awe as Tiger forced a playoff. (The "don't cancel the room reservation" remark during the broadcast was one of my favorite moments in a while.)

Hey, that's why they invented DVRs. There's always time to catch up with those events following another reading of "Good Night, Moon."

Anyway, let's return to the task at hand and break down the week on the diamond by Short-Hopping The Wall.

Fantasy forces: High yields

Boston outfielder J.D. Drew started the season slowly, but he's found his stroke at the right time for the Red Sox. With Manny Ramirez slowed by a hamstring injury and David Ortiz on the shelf indefinitely, Drew has been positively dominant in the month of June. He possesses a scorching .447 average (21-for-47) with seven home runs and 16 RBI. Fifteen of Drew's hits in June have gone for extra bases. He's scored 19 runs (more than in either April or May already) and has reduced his strikeout rate to one in every six at-bats.

Perhaps that game-winning home run (I struggle with the term "walk-off") against the White Sox last week will serve to jumpstart Miguel Cabrera's bat. Cabrera has hit safely in six straight games and nine of his past 10 starts, with two home runs and eight RBI. During this stretch, Cabrera has batted .359 (14-for-39). The Tigers have won eight of their past 10 games.

Outfielder Marcus Thames of the Tigers has rediscovered his power stroke. Thames homered in each game of the weekend sweep of the Dodgers and has homered in five of his past eight games (he's registered only six hits, so the baverage hasn't been helped, but the home runs and eight RBI are intriguing).

Let's complete the trio of Tigers heroes with a nod to starter Nate Robertson. Robertson has turned in back-to-back quality starts, parlaying solid offensive support into victories. He's allowed three earned runs in his past 12 1/3 innings. Robertson has won four of his past five starts.

Veteran hurler Mike Mussina of the Yankees has quietly won 10 games this season, his 17th straight season with double-digit victories. Mussina allowed three earned runs in six innings while striking out four. He pitched to a record of 3-3 with a sizable 4.72 ERA in April. Mussina owns a record of 7-1 with a strong 3.30 ERA since May 1 (2.70 ERA in June). He's struck out 34 hitters against six walks during this period.

White Sox starter Mark Buehrle has posted back-to-back stellar performances in which he allowed two earned runs in 16 innings (1.13 ERA). Buehrle owns a stellar 2.05 ERA in his three June starts and has produced five quality starts in his past six turns in the rotation (2.88 ERA in these starts). He next faces the Pirates at U.S. Cellular Field.

Ricky Nolasco narrowly missed completing a terrific effort against the Rays this weekend. Nolasco allowed two earned runs in 8 2/3 innings with 12 strikeouts. In his past two starts, Nolasco has struck out 15 batters against two walks while allowing two earned runs in 14 2/3 innings (1.23 ERA). He's won five of his past six starts.

The Cubs have witnessed a resurgence from starter Ted Lilly this month. Lilly has been inconsistent this season (four or more earned runs allowed in seven of his 15 starts), but he's on his game right now. Lilly pitched six innings of one-hit, shutout ball against the Blue Jays this weekend. He struggled a bit with his control (he issued five walks), but left unscathed. Lilly owns a terrific 2.25 ERA this month.

Scott Olsen of the Marlins struggled with his control earlier this season, but he's started to hit his spots in June. Olsen has struck out 16 batters against just four walks in his three June starts, helping to produce a strong 1.89 ERA. He's been less hittable (14 in 19 innings) and has improved his groundball-to-flyball ratio (1:1 this month).

Fantasy flops: Trimming margins

Justin Upton of the Diamondbacks has done a great job in drawing walks (10 in 43 plate appearances), but that's been about it. Upton has struck out 16 times in 33 June at-bats with just three hits (.091 average) and zero RBI.