Nick Fruscello: Welcome to Fantasy Friday! After two dominating performances by the Wings, the Pens got back into the series with a thrilling Game 3 win, setting up for the ever so important Game 4. This game will determine whether or not the Wings go back home with a chance to win the Cup or make the Finals a best of three series. It does NOT get any better than this. As for the Pirates, they continue to get close to .500 but like a little kid at the ocean, runs in the opposite direction when it comes close. Its times like these that make me very glad for Fantasy Baseball. Without it, why would we even care about this sport? Now for some questions...

MBN: When is Matt Holliday coming back?

Nick Fruscello: Matt will be out till June 10th with a strained left hammy. Good news for his fantasy owners, most of the games he'll miss will be on the road including a three game set in LA. So you shouldn't miss out on his usual big home numbers.

starshow: I was offered Josh Hamilton for Prince Fielder. I hate to sell low, but Hamilton is playing great right now.

Nick Fruscello: Prince Fielder has a whopping 5, yes count them, 1,2,3,4,5 RBI's in the month of May. Plus only two homers. It may be tough to trade someone like Fielder knowing what he is capable of, but Hamilton is doing what he's capable of. Trade for Hamilton and look for another first baseman. There's plenty of good ones out there.

MBN: I give up Jay Bruce and Houston Street and get Jay Upton and Zack Greinke. Is this a fair trade?

Nick Fruscello: It really depends on Jay Bruce. He's a highly touted prospect and looks good so far, so its kind of a mystery at this point where this trade stands. If it were me, I'd do it. Justin Upton is a proven player that has a lot of upswing himself and Zack Greinke, who has always been in my dog house since he peformed badly for my team a couple years ago, has really started looking like the pitcher everyone thought he'd be going into his professional career. Right now, you have the edge, but if Jay Bruce turns into a Josh Hamilton and Greinke turns back into a pumpkin at midnight, you could be getting the wrong end of that deal.

starshow: Is Gary Sheffield done now?

Nick Fruscello: I would say so. He either injured or just flat out playing bad. Don't hold onto him thinking he's going to regain his old form, it isn't gonna happen.

Brooks_Orpik_is_my_hero: Someone told me that Nate Mclouth is a huge Red Wings fan. Do you know if this is true? Please say that it isn't because I don't want to have another reason to hate the Buccos.

Nick Fruscello: According to our newspaper, it is true. He grew up in Whitehall, MI and has been a Wings fan his whole life. Larry Foote is also a big Wings fan as well.

Brooks_Orpik_is_my_hero: How many Wings do you think Orpik will flatten Saturday night? I think at least a half dozen

Nick Fruscello: I'm thinking somewhere in the neighborhood of... ohhhh let's say none. He's had his great shift, now its time for him to be out of position and make bad passes like he has for the last few years.

Brooks_Orpik_is_my_hero: The Pens are going to come out of the gate with even more intensity on Saturday. They proved last game that they can pretty much keep that high level of intensity all game. If the Pens score first, I can't see them losing. What do you think, and what do you forecast the final score to be?

Nick Fruscello: I think the Pens will definately be on fire for this game. The Wings are going to have to weather the storm in the early parts, but if they can and the Wings happen to score first, that will take a lot of wind out of the Pens' sails. The first goal is critical for both teams in this one. I'm predicting a 4-2 victory for the Wings.

Brooks_Orpik_is_my_hero: It's inevitable that Hossa and Malkin will eventually find the back of the net. Do you see this starting to happen on Saturday?

Nick Fruscello: Hossa, maybe. Malkin, no. Hossa created a lot of offense in Game 3, but didn't bury his chances. They were either blocked or he missed the net. Malkin almost looks like he's skating in quicksand out there. No jump in his step.

Wing_Clipper: Inside sources tell me you're conducting this chat with a Red Wings jersey on. Say it ain't so, Nick! Say it ain't so. haha!

Nick Fruscello: HA!! Well I can say for sure that I am NOT wearing a Red Wings "jersey" right now.

theWellHungarian: Hi Nick, my buddy texted during the Penguin game: "this is like Rocky IV, when he cuts Drago" I told him that this was a stupid analogy, because Rocky was in Moscow & the Pens were at home ... Who's right?

Nick Fruscello: You're right, its a bad analogy. Especially since Rocky went on to win that fight.

Carnegie: What are you thoughts on Erik Bedard?

Nick Fruscello: I picked Bedard to win the AL Cy Young award and so far, its not looking like its going to happen. His strikeout numbers are up, his BB's are down, but he's been lit up a few times this past month. Aside from two bad starts, he's been pretty solid and incredible at home this year. If you don't have him, trade for him. If you do, hang onto him, he may not win the Cy Young, but he will still be a valuable contributor.

Carnegie: I am in a baseball head to head league and have been offered Erik Bedard and Orlando Cabrera for Michael Young and Bobby Abreu. Would you make that deal? If not what about Bedard for Abreu? In our pitching categories we have CG and SHO so a starting pitcher only contributes to 4 categories realistically. A position player contributes to all seven categories.

Nick Fruscello: Hmmmm, well if position players contribute in more categories, I would hang onto Abreu and Young. Unless there's someone on waivers that can pick up the slack for one of those two, keep what you have.

Carnegie: Should I give up on Tom Gorzolenny?

Nick Fruscello: Absolutely. If you've held onto him this long, I'm really sorry for you. Once a pitcher's walks exceed his strikeouts, you HAVE to drop him. That shows control problems and you don't want any part of that.

malkin71: Pens in 6!!!

Nick Fruscello: You mispelt Wings and 5

Carnegie: Your thoughts on Eric Byrnes and his hamstring issues?

Nick Fruscello: Never really been a Byrnes fan. The best he'll ever do is 30 HR's and 90 RBI's and that's if he stays perfectly healthy, which he hasn't. He might be good trade bait, but the fact that he's injured now and it sporting a .219 BA, might make it difficult to move him.

Carnegie: Brad Penny is on waivers-is he a worthwile pickup?

Nick Fruscello: He's had a really tough May, which included three games where he gave up 5 ER and one game he gave up 10. He doesn't look anything like the 16-4 pitcher he was last year. I'd let him sit there until he shows some improvement.

malkin71: Could we have a moment of silence for recently killed defenseman Luc Bourdon?

Nick Fruscello: Absolutely...

theWellHungarian: i picked up Delmon Young today off the waiver-wire any chance in him returning to where he is supposed to be?

Nick Fruscello: I don't see how. He's batting 7th in the order and that's not exactly going to help spark his bat. I thought having him bat between Morneau and Mauer was the way to go, but its not happening.

Nick Fruscello: We'll that's it for this week. Enjoy the hockey games, they should be great ones and see you next Friday!