Nick Fruscello: Welcome to another Fantasy Friday. I'm not one to brag and say I told you so, however... the first baseman currently known as Prince is starting to swing a hot bat and currently has 2 homers and 6 RBI's in his last 7 games. One key to his success is his renewed patience at the plate. Earlier this season he was swinging at everything and as I had said was pressing a bit. Fielder had only walked 3 times in the first two weeks of the season. This past week, he was walked 7 times. So those of you that hung onto him, you'll be rewarded in July when he's in the top 5 in homers and RBI's.

BronxBombers: I just joined the PG fantasy baseball. Seeing as how you're playing, I'm not sure if you'll help me, but who are the best bargin players? I'm having trouble staying under the cap.

Nick Fruscello: Of course, I'll help, even if it means giving away my secrets. Our fantasy baseball league has quite a bit of good deals right now. At 1B, you have Derek Lee, Justin Morneau, Paul Konerko, Casey Kotchman, Conor Jackson all around $7 or under. Those are some great deals. Tejada at $6.42 is a steal. BJ Upton at $7.01 is amazing. A-Ram is $7.03 for 3B. One of the strategies I use when doing a cap league is pick based on what you know about the player. People have the tendency to use how much they cost as a way to gauge how good they are, which isn't true. Most of the time the salaries are wrong, so if you can get a player you know is good for a good price, do it. Don't pass on a player just because they're cheap.

BronxBombers: In my Yahoo league, I'm having some big pitching problems. Bedard, Harden and Sheets are all injured. Who are some good fill ins till these guys get back?

Nick Fruscello: I had Harden as well and went with Ian Snell as a replacement. Snell is a good option as a fill in. Randy Wolf has gotten off to a good start in SD and is benefiting from that nice pitchers park there. Micah Owings is off to a good start right now as well.

SGL: I am trying to decide between Quentin and Dye. Do you think Quentin is gonna keep up this production or should I stick with the safer player?

Nick Fruscello: Quentin is off to a fast start, but Jermaine Dye is a far more talented player. Always go with talent over a hot streak.

millrat: Please explain why the Steelers are paying Starks all that money

Nick Fruscello: Because Max Starks has been undergoing a series of genetic experiments that will make him stronger than 10 men, therefore is worth every penny. Seriously though, I have no idea. The Steelers have a history of making bizarre roster moves, but as long as they keep winning, it won't be a problem

malkin71: How do you see the remaining series shaking out? I have the Pens and Flyers for the East and Stars and Wings for the West

Nick Fruscello: I think it'll be the Pens in 5 games, the Habs in 7, the Wings in 4 and the Sharks in 6.

Pens_fan: Hey Nick! Any predictions for tonight's game between the Pens and Rangers? How much are the Pens going to win by?

Nick Fruscello: Hello! I'm thinking, Pens 4, Rangers 2. It'll be with the Sidney Crosby show in this series.

BronxBombers: I kind of hit the panic button early and traded Fielder for Helton and Kent. Now I'm regretting it. Should I try and get him back now?

Nick Fruscello: HA!!! Yeah, I don't think that's going to work. As long as Kent stays healthy, that's not a bad 2B to have. But now you have Helton instead of Fielder. Helton is getting hits, but just isn't getting the RBI's to go with it. At this stage in his career, Helton is a serviceable first baseman. He's not going to hit in the high 300's and get well over 100 RBI's like he did in the past. You may want to check our Conor Jackson if he's still on your waiver wire. This guy is a young version of Helton and is swinging a really hot bat right now, batting .368.

malkin71: Seriously?? The Wings in 4?? The Pens in 5??

Nick Fruscello: I watched the Wings last night and they dominated the Avs until they got their 4th goal. After that, Detroit quit playing their game and let Colorado back into it. During the regular season, the Wings swept the Avs and in face, the Avs only scored a total of 2 goals in those 4 games. As for the Pens, they're simply a better team. Yeah, they have Jagr, Straka, Shanahan, but this isn't 1998. Those guys are shadows of their former selves. The Pens will have no problem with these old timers.

clueless: Are either Lilly or Buehrle worth picking up?

Nick Fruscello: I would probably stay away from both Chicago southpaws. Buehrle hasn't really pitched that well since they won the WS three years ago. As for Lilly, the fact that the Cubs gave him a big contract last year is robbery. Lilly has never really impressed me and he is getting killed out there now. He's given up 5 earned runs 3 times in five outings. Sorry if all those numbers made you go crossed eyed.

clueless: I'm in a 12-team league so the waiver wire is thin. My catcher is Yadier Molina. Would you prefer him or Bako or Laird or the hot hitting Mathis that plays 3 times/week because he can't catch very well?

Nick Fruscello: Catcher is ALWAYS a tough spot. There are very few good ones so basically finding someone serviceable is like finding gold. Mathis is probably the best there. Even though Mathis doesn't play a lot, he's doing better than both of the other two. Maybe the Angels will finally wise up and get this kid in the lineup more often. He's definately make a great case to play everyday right now.

steel_rsd: Ok, Nick, the question that really counts this weekend....What position are the Steelers taking with the first pick?

Nick Fruscello: Tough to say. If it were me, I would just go with the best player available regardless of position. If it ends up being a RB, then so be it. Except for QB, no position is so solid that you can afford to pass up a good player.

theWellHungarian: What should I do with Liriano? He has been awful ... Also, is Xavier Nady worth hanging onto or should I sell him high?

Nick Fruscello: Liriano, like most pitchers coming off Tommy John surgery, is a wreck. His value is too low to trade him and you can't afford to keep him on your roster and have him hurt you. So its time to cast him into the waiver wire and be ready to pick him back up if he gets hot again, but I don't see that happening. As for Nady, I would get as much for him right now as I could. The Pirates will trade him and his value will probably drop because he'll be platooned in the OF.

clueless: In leagues where every #1 closer is gone, whom do you look at as a possible replacement for Corpas. Someone got Fuentes before I did? Who is closing for Atlanta or is Rausch @ Wash worth picking up?

Nick Fruscello: Atlanta's current closer is Manny Acosta, whom I don't know too much about. I know he'll be yanked as soon as regular closer, Rafael Soriano gets back. Rausch doesn't have much value either as the Nationals closer. Its a tough spot because basically you have to hope for someone to get injured. In this type of situation, get the best setup man you can find. He won't get many saves, but he would get a late win, help your ERA and WHIP and give you a few extra K's. Joba Chamberlin sounds like a nice replacement. Or Jonathan Broxton of LAD

Pens_fan: Of the remaining teams, which team do you think will give the Pens the hardest time in their quest for the Stanley Cup?

Nick Fruscello: I would say the Sharks and Wings. Both play great defense and have guys that can score a lot of goals too.

clueless: I looked at his throwing stats and figured out why he does not play more. Seems to be worse defensively than Doumit.

Nick Fruscello: I don't think anyone was as bad a defensive catcher as Mike Piazza. Teams constantly ran on him, yet he always had a spot in the lineup. Teams will deal with a bad defensive catcher as long as he can swing a bat.

theWellHungarian: Im in a Fantasy English Premier League ... What is your gut feeling on Frank Lampard for Saturday's clash against Man Utd? Should I start him?

Nick Fruscello: Wow, that's a first. Sorry, but my knowledge of English Premier Soccer is limited to what I hear on the Mark Madden show.

clueless: Lots of good looking pitchers that are throwing really well, better than the apparently over-hyped Cueto. Any thoughts on who are merely the flashes that will flame out or who is legit?

Nick Fruscello: I know, one Yahoo "expert" said something to the effect of "Cueto's sweat could cure cancer" or something to that effect. Really, its still too early to know the real good young pitchers from the flashes in the pan. A lot of young pitchers are successful right now simply because they're throwing stuff that some hitters haven't seen before or just aren't used to seeing. Give it a couple months, when these young guys are facing hitters for the second or third time around. Then you'll know the greats from the fakes.

theWellHungarian: any suggestions on where to pre-game before going into the Pens game tonight?

Nick Fruscello: I'm assuming the big screens will be outside the arena for tonight. No place will be more hyped than the atmosphere in and around Mellon Arena.

theWellHungarian: Magglio had 2 jacksons yesterday ... Is he ready to explode or what?

Nick Fruscello: I think that whole team is ready to explode. Mags won't be smacking a lot of homers this year, but I don't see any reason why he won't repeat last year's 139 RBI output.

clueless: Is Cliff Lee for real?

Nick Fruscello: I know, I can't believe it myself. Honestly, I think he's just on a good run right now. Lee has been bad to average his whole career, so I just think the cards are falling into place for him right now. He's a great sell high player right now.

Nick Fruscello: Alright, lots of good questions todays folks. Enjoy Game One tonight and I'll see you all next Friday!!