Here's a fun experiment to test the intensity of your fantasy baseball league.  First, bring up concerns over Stephen Strasburg's innings pitch limit.  If the conversation lasts longer than 30 seconds, you play in an intense fantasy league. 

So much attention has been paid to that topic (and over the last few weeks, Chris Sale, too) that you may have overlooked other starting pitchers who haven't pitched this much in their career.  In May and early-June, Doubront was on fire with an impressive K-rate and ERA for a guy thrown into the fire by Bobby Valentine.  Now it looks like he may be hitting that proverbial wall.  It took 104 pitches to get through 4 1/3 innings in his last start and he's allowed 10 earned runs in his last 16 1/3 innings pitched.  I'd bench him this week. - Ryan Fowler

I may have whiffed on Zimmerman’s suggested start last week, but my opinions on Chicago Sam have been spot on. He’s allowed 27 earned runs over his last five starts. He only has one win in his last nine starts.

Bench or cut him, you’re doing yourself a favor. - Ryan Fowler

 

Brandon Phillips, I’m sorry. Uggla could be setting up fantasy owners for another monster second half like he did in 2011, but at the moment he’s awful. He hit just .160 with three home runs, 33 strikeouts, and 17 walks in June.

I’d start Ryan Theriot over Uggla the rest of this week if I were you. - Ryan Fowler
 

I couldn’t take it anymore. So, this baseball fan born and raised in the suburbs of Cleveland (I appreciate your sympathy), cut Santana over the weekend. A variety of injuries have hindered his ability to find any groove at the plate this season. He’s currently sitting at .220 with five home runs and a nagging sore back has kept him out of the lineup for nearly a week.  - Ryan Fowler
 

First it was Lance Lynn (All-Star). Then we were introduced to Wade Miley (All-Star). Could Milwaukee’s Mike Fiers be next?

He’s only allowed one run in his last four appearances (21 1/3 innings pitched) with 24 strikeouts. It looks like he’ll face the Marlins on Thursday. That will be his seventh start of the season. Hopefully, an increase in sample size (we need to find a phrase to replace “increase in sample size”) will allow owners to either crown Fiers the next Lynn/Miley or continue to observe from a distance. - Ryan Fowler

 

After pounding the crud out of the ball for the Giants during the 2010 postseason, Ross regressed in 2011 with a .240 / .325 / .405 triple slash (121 games). The well-traveled Ross bounced back with Boston the first month and a half of 2012 with eight home runs and a .271 average (.883 OPS) before he broke a bone in his foot and missed a month.

Since returning on June 19, Ross has knocked four more out of the park with 11 RBI and 10 runs scored while boosting his average to .287. - Ryan Fowler

 

The Year of the Catcher must be a few years down the road. Just look at Brian McCann’s and Carlos Santana’s numbers (in fact, Santana is mentioned in this gallery).

Grandal hit two home runs in his first career start for the Padres over the past weekend. He was hitting .335 for the club’s Triple-A squad with six home runs. On top of Petco being a tough park for hitters, history doesn’t suggest a ton of homers, but if you are streaming catchers or have an open roster spot, give Grandal a look. - Ryan Fowler

 

With an average draft position of “who does Wilson Betemit play for?” the rush to draft and/or pick the third baseman off the waiver wire shares a John Carter-on-opening-weekend vibe.

Still, the guy hit .382 with a 1.015 OPS in June. The three home runs, 8 RBI and 11 runs scored won’t run up and smack you in the face, but if your OBP/AVG is in the basement … - Ryan Fowler

 

JT-Money is back in the American League where his aging body, lack of defensive agility and huge bat could survive a few more seasons. He should genuflect (or Tebow) in front of an Edgar Martinez status ASAP.

I think it’s a great move by the Orioles to sacrifice a few prospects for the pop provided by Thome. During a recent nine-game interleague road trip with the Phillies, he was inserted into the starting lineup every game because of the DH. With the consistent playing time, he hit .333 with four home runs, eight runs scored and 14 RBI. In nine games!

The lefty will also get to enjoy a nice, short rightfield porch in Camden Yards (318 feet) during the second half of the season. - Ryan Fowler

 

I’ll have what he’s having.

Before last Tuesday, Ryan Zimmerman was stuck in the doldrums of fantasy hell. He had one home run and six RBI the first 25 days of June, but then a shot – you know, a legal one – injected into his aching shoulder numbed the pain as if he was the latest Lance Harbor of Major League Baseball.

Unfortunately, I cut Zimmerman a week ago, Sunday and suggested you bench him during his best week of 2012: .364 BA / 3 HR / 12 RBI / 7 R. I apologize.

Could you imagine the uptick in productivity and efficiency if that cortisone cocktail was applied to all employees? The BMV would become a beehive of activity with the unnecessary chip on its shoulder. - Ryan Fowler

Note: "Sit" suggestions are more "take note and pay attention" to these guys' current slumps rather than flat out bench