Nick Fruscello: Welcome to Fantasy Good Friday! Its the semi finals for most fantasy hockey leagues and in my opinion the most difficult week in any head to head league. Odds are you're playing against somebody good, players are banged up, playoff spots are on the line in the NHL, lots of intensity. I've had teams dominate the whole season and struggle on this week. Also, its fantasy baseball draft season. I had my draft the other day and snatched up Matt Holliday Road (great, now that song will be in my head all day) as my first rounder and the first baseman formerly known as Prince in the second. If you're stumped on who to take in your draft or need help mining that gold mine that is the waiver wire, let me know.

baseball_nut: Just had my baseball draft the other day. I didn't know about K. Matsui's anal fissure. Should I keep him on my roster?

Nick Fruscello: HA!! Ah yes, the anal fissure injury. Kaz got surgery for it on Wednesday, but he'll most likely start the season on the DL. Your league should have a DL roster spot, so I would just stash him away there. Matsui should have a good season at the top of the batting order for the Astros. Lots of runs and steals, not to mention there isn't a lot at the second basemen position.

nutterbutter08: Who would you pick if you got to draft first this year?

Nick Fruscello: Without a doubt, I'd take A-Rod. Consistently good, good lineup around him, rarely gets injured, everything you want in a 1st round pick. After him, I would go with Matt Holliday who I think will be the NL MVP. I'm really like Prince Fielder this year too. The Brewers have a lot of guys with speed and power and can get on base. Fielder should rack up a ton of RBI's and the homers will come in bunches too. I'm picking the Brew Crew to win the NL comedy central this year and he'll be the driving force.

baseball_nut: In my draft, I took Papelbon, Street, and Percival as relief pitchers. What do you think?

Nick Fruscello: Papelbon has been the best in the business the last couple years. His ERA was 0.92 in 06 and 1.85 in 07. Unless he gets injured, he'll be solid again this year. Street is a pretty solid closer as well, but his success will, of course, depend on the A's. I could very easily see him going to a contender in late July. As for Percival, the once dominant closer will once again be closing but now for the Devil Rays. He looked good for the Cards at the end of last year and Al Reyes did a pretty good job for them last year, so Percival could be a steal. I would just watch him very closely, he has a very injury plagued career, so have a backup option ready.

BronxBomber: Who should I pick as my 3rd OF? Delmon Young or Josh Hamilton?

Nick Fruscello: Ohhhh tough one. Both are former number one picks and have a lot of potential. Young is currently slated to bat 5 or 6 in the Twins lineup, which means he'll drive in whatever Mauer and Morneau don't, which isn't good for Young owners. If Young moves in the order between Morneau and Mauer (which he should lefty -righty - lefty), his value will go through the roof, but right now Hamilton is a better pick. He's batting 3rd or 4th in the Rangers lineup and he's looking unbelievable in spring training.

BronxBomber: Which one of these three starters should I take for my 4th or 5th pitcher spot? Snell, Sheets or Randy Johnson?

Nick Fruscello: Well if its just for your 4th or 5th spot, you can take a risk and Ben Sheets is a good risk to take. He's the ace of the Brewers and as you know I think they're division winners, so he should get around 15-16 wins and close to 200 K's, IF he stays healthy. Johnson breakdown at some point this year for sure and Snell plays for the Pirates resulting in less wins.

BronxBomber: Who was your gamble pick(s) in your draft?

Nick Fruscello: Hmmmm, I don't know if some of these players can be considered gambles, but I picked up Manny Ramirez, who was subpar last year, Miguel Tejada, Pudge Rodriguez and Freddy Sanchez. They're not the cream of the crop, but I'm thinking they'll return to their old form or at least be serviceable.

zarley_zalapski: i'm in a sporting news salary cap league and just came across pascal dupuis for the bargain basement price of the league minimum. in a league where assists are awarded as much as goals, how big of a steal is it to pick up dupuis for next to nothing and save some serious money for an all-star caliber player?

Nick Fruscello: The Dupuis - Hossa - Staal line is playing really well right now, so if you can get Dupuis at a great price right now, go for it.

zarley_zalapski: i picked up alfredsson yesterday. what's the deal with him lately? i understand he was recently injured, but in the three games he's been back for, he's only been able to manage one point? what gives? am i going to be sorry for passing up other sure picks and instead adding a recently injured/currently slumping alfredsson, or do you think he will soon return to form?

Nick Fruscello: Alfie has recently been moved to the second line with Mike Fisher and Cory Stillman in an attempt to have two lines that can generate offense. So far, not so good. If the Sens top line of Spezza and Heatly struggles as well, Bryan Murray will put that line back together faster than you can say choke again in the playoffs.

BronxBomber: I keep hearing about Kosuke Fukudome of the Cubs, who is this guy? Is he like Ichiro?

Nick Fruscello: He's another Japanese import that will play OF for the Cubs. In Japan his numbers were around 30 HR's and 100 RBI's with a 300 avg, but those numbers never translate as well in MLB. He's not like Ichiro, he's more power than speed. Fukudome will be a decent 3rd OF pick.

zarley_zalapski: do you think malkin will ultimately overtake ovechkin for the scoring title?

Nick Fruscello: No, I think this is Ovechkin's year. He'll win the Art Ross and probably the Hart as well.

Pens_fan: Happy Easter Nick! Do you think Ty Conklin will get to play in the play-offs or will it be all Fleury?

Nick Fruscello: Hey thanks! Unless Fleury gets injured or plays really bad down the stretch, Conklin will be watching the playoffs from the bench. Then again, Thierren didn't hesitate to pull Fleury in WB in the playoffs a few years ago in favor of the brick wall known as Andy Chiodo.

Pens_fan: Once Crosby comes back, who's going to be on the Pens first line, Malkin, Malone, Sykora, Hossa and Crosby, too many good players to juggle the first and second line?

Nick Fruscello: They should leave Malkin, Sykora and Malone together and with the solid play of Dupuis, Staal and Hossa. When Crosby comes back, he'll take Staal's spot.

cedric_wilson: what is the medical definition of an anal fissure?

Nick Fruscello: According to Wikipedia, "An anal fissure is an unnatural crack or tear in the anus skin. As a fissure, these tiny tears may show as bright red rectal bleeding and cause severe periodic pain after defecation.[1] The tear usually extends from the anal opening and located posteriorly in the midline. This location is probably because of the relatively unsupported nature of the anal wall in that location." So there you have it.... a letter opener

Nick Fruscello: Well that's it for this week. Good luck in the fantasy hockey playoffs and good luck to those of you that have yet to draft baseball teams. The season officially starts next Tuesday in Japan. See you next week!