Considering I recommended Jesus Guzman, Yuniesky Betancourt, Brett Lawrie, Johnny Giavotella and Mark Buehrle last week, you’d be well served to take heed…

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Rafael Betancourt (RP, Rockies) – 22%.  Well, Huston Street’s annual injury is upon us, and Rafi is the new Rockies’ closer.  He’s only got one save this year, but his peripherals are outstanding.  He hasn’t given up an earned run since July 6, and aside from a horrendous two weeks at the end of June and beginning of July, he’s been as close to lights out as any reliever in baseball.  48 innings and 58 K’s with a WHIP of 1.06 can help you regardless, but when you factor in saves, it’s a no-brainer.

Edwin Encarnacion (1B/3B, Blue Jays) – 34% owned.  After another 2-hit game yesterday (and the game winning RBI, to boot), Edwin now has 21 runs, 5 homers, 14 RBI, 3 steals and a .352 average over the past month.  A maddeningly streaky hitter prone to huge dips in performance (yes, he had 15 RBI and a sub .700 OPS on July 1), he’s flipped the script since July 1.  He’s been better than Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder and Asdrubal Cabrera (among others) since the Break, and belongs on your roster.

Hideki Matsui (OF, Athletics) – 39%. No one comes within 20 points of Godzilla’s .410 average since the Break and his 1.100 OPS is right behind Mr. Encarnacion’s.  Contrary to popular belief (ok fine, maybe just my belief), he *is* eligible in the outfield, and now that he’s finally gotten hot, and your title on the line, insert him now.

Mike Carp (1B/OF, Mariners) – 14%.  Nearly 100% owned in AL-only leagues, Carp shouldn’t be relegated to single-league territory any longer.  Since being promoted to a full-time starting role following the All Star break, the former Mets draftee is hitting .371 with 4 homers, 23 RBI, 13 runs, and an OPS of an even 1.000.  And now that Justin Smoak has hit the DL with a broken nose and facial fractures, he’s got no one knocking down his door.  Help bring up that paltry 14% ownership figure, and Give Carp a Chance!

The sub-20% Ownership Hitters:

• Rick Ankiel (OF, Nationals – 6% owned) – hitting over .300 with 6 homers, 19 runs and 18 RBI with an OPS of .900 since July 1.
• Cliff Pennington (SS, Athletics – 7% owned) – .342 with 13 RBI and a .917 OPS since All Star Break.
• Will Venable (OF, Padres – 4% owned) – Guy I loved in Spring Training finally hitting.  .342 with 14 runs and 8 steals over the past month.
• Casey Kotchman (1B, Rays – 18% owned) – Above 10% but the AL batting leader getting no love at all, has 4 homers, .400 average and 1.159 OPS in August.

The sub-20% Ownership Pitchers:

• Luke Hochevar (SP, Royals – 10% owned) – last month has 3 wins, 3.18 ERA and 1.13 WHIP.
• Alfredo Aceves (SP/RP, Red Sox – 5% owned) – Sawx’ Jack Of All Trades reliever is also very good – 4 wins and a 2.79 ERA over the past month.
• Ivan Nova (SP, Yankees – 35% owned) – Cheating, I know, but since his callup has been lights out – 20 IP, 16 Ks, 3 wins, 2.61 ERA and 1.02 WHIP.
• Yoshinori Tateyama (RP, Rangers – 0% owned) – Another great addition to the Rangers bullpen, Tateyama has been fantastic all year, but never more than since the All Star Break, since which time he’s allowed one earned run.

Written exclusively by Jesse Mendelson for www.thefantasyfix.com.  And lo and behold, Jesse joined Twitter.  Follow him @jessemendelson immediately.

(February 20, 2009 – Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images North America)

Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire, Waiver Wire, 2011 Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Baseball Advice, Fantasy Baseball Rankings, NL Only, AL Only, Jesse Mendelson