Around the diamond

Wondering who has the most favorable matchups this week? How about the most unfavorable? Each Monday, we'll take a look at every position on the field and give you a guy who looks to be in line for big-time numbers, as well as a guy who could be in line for big-time disappointment.

Note: All stats, unless otherwise noted, run through Saturday's games.

Make sure you play ... Mike Napoli, L.A. Angels

Napoli has rediscovered his power stroke just when owners need him, as he has posted a .400 average with four homers and eight RBIs over the last two weeks.

Honorable mention: Brian Schneider, New York Mets (.298-7-17 since Aug. 1)

Don't expect much from ... Miguel Olivo, Kansas City Royals

Olivo supplied a decent amount of offense in the first half, but he's fallen off dramatically after the break, hitting just .235 with three homers. He's been particularly bad over the last two weeks, hitting only .188.

Honorable mention: Jason Kendall, Milwaukee Brewers (.133 BA over the last two weeks)

Make sure you play ... Adam LaRoche, Pittsburgh Pirates

The 2008 season was looking like a lost one for LaRoche, but he has heated things up down the stretch, batting .347-5-18 over the last two weeks.

Honorable mention: Oscar Salazar, Baltimore Orioles (.387-3-8 over the last two weeks)

Don't expect much from ... Billy Butler, Kansas City Royals

Butler looked to be turning his season around with a nice month of August, but he has fallen on hard times in September, hitting just .188 this month. He hasn't had an extra base hit since Sept. 4.

Honorable mention: James Loney, LA Dodgers (.196 over the last two weeks)

Make sure you play ... Kelly Johnson, Atlanta Braves

The Braves are on the road to close the season, and that's a good thing for Johnson, as he has hit 24 of his career 36 homers away from home. He also has a career OPS of .989 at Citizen's Bank Park, where the Braves will begin the week.

Honorable mention: Ray Durham, Milwaukee Brewers (.387-2-7 over the last two weeks)

Don't expect much from ... Mark DeRosa, Chicago Cubs

DeRosa has hit the skids lately, batting a mere .179 over the last two weeks. The Cubbies' playoff spot is locked in, so they are likely to sit Mark at least a couple games this week.

Honorable mention: Sean Rodriguez, L.A. Angels (.196 over the last two weeks)

Make sure you play ... Cliff Pennington, Oakland A's

If you're looking for a boost at a middle infield position over the final week, consider Pennington. He's been playing nearly every day and is batting .333 with a steal over the last two weeks.

Honorable mention: Orlando Cabrera, Chicago White Sox (.467 BA over the last eight games)

Don't expect much from ... David Eckstein, Arizona Diamondbacks

The D'backs added the former World Series MVP after the deadline hoping he could help them out a bit down the stretch. That hasn't happened, as Eckstein is batting only .191 since arriving in the desert.

Honorable mention: Craig Counsell, Milwaukee Brewers (.172 BA, 0 RBI over the last two weeks)

Make sure you play ... Jorge Cantu, Florida Marlins

Cantu has had an incredible bounceback season, putting together a .279-29-93 line. He's been superb lately, batting .340 with six homers and 18 RBI over the last two weeks.

Honorable mention: Brian Buscher, Minnesota Twins (.333 BA over the last two weeks; 5 games vs. RHP)

Don't expect much from ... Andy LaRoche, Pittsburgh Pirates

His brother has been fantastic of late, but Andy's production hasn't been up to par, as he's hitting just .151 in 42 games with the Bucs.

Honorable mention: Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays (.174 BA over the last two weeks)

Make sure you play ... Nelson Cruz, Texas Rangers

Cruz could give you that power boost you need over the final week. He's hitting .391 with four homers and 17 RBI over the last two weeks.

Honorable mention: Shin-Soo Choo, Cleveland Indians (.413-4-14 over the last two weeks)

Don't expect much from ... Mike Cameron, Milwaukee Brewers

Like all streaky hitters, Cameron's string of success at the plate had to end eventually. He is hitting just .125 over the last two weeks.

Honorable mention: Mark Kotsay, Boston Red Sox (.147 over the last two weeks)

Make sure you play ... Scott Baker, Minnesota Twins

Baker owns a 3.28 ERA and 1.08 WHIP at home, where he will make both of his starts this week. He's also 2-0 in four starts against the White Sox and Royals this year.

Honorable mention: Jason Marquis, Chicago Cubs (6-3 with a 3.05 ERA on the road this year)

Don't expect much from ... Tim Wakefield, Boston Red Sox

Wakefield has been too inconsistent of late to earn our trust. He has sandwiched an outing in which he tossed eight shutout frames with two games when he allowed 13 runs over four innings.

Honorable mention: Ubaldo Jimenez, Colorado Rockies (5.14 ERA and 1.74 WHIP on the road this year)