Known as the Sacagawea of fantasy primers, the Weekly Rundown guides head-to-head owners through a forest of obscure stats and exploitable matchups in an attempt to help solve lineup conundrums. While reading, keep in mind matchups are subject to change due to managerial moves, unforeseen injuries and Mother Nature's influences.

Every season fantasy managers are astonished by the numbers certain unheralded difference makers accumulate. Melvin Mora's(notes) '08 campaign instantly comes to mind.

Come October when the lights on the virtual diamond dim, numerous owners will look back at Marlon Byrd's(notes) totals in utter amazement.

The once highly touted Phillies farmhand -- Baseball America rated him the organization's No. 1 prospect in 2002, calling him a "poor man's Kirby Puckett" -- has transformed from docile pigeon to Hitchcockian terrorist since the All-Star break. American League pitchers, Tippi Hedren and freshly washed luxury cars have lived in fear. Over that stretch, the 31-year-old has totaled a balanced .288-6-21-16-5 line. That output, according to Baseball Monster, ranks 50th overall, several spots ahead of roster mainstays Jayson Werth(notes), Justin Morneau(notes) and Hunter Pence(notes).

Despite his sound across-the-board production, most owners continue to unfairly overlook the 34 percent-owned veteran. To the obtuse, Texas' crowded outfield, Ron Washington's general flakiness and Byrd's generic name are turnoffs. But for deep-league waiver hawks and the Rangers' arm-flapping fans, the sparkplug has been a revelation of sorts.

Coming off microfracture surgery and a torn meniscus, Byrd was understandably a forgettable commodity at drafts, even in AL-only leagues. But his rigorous offseason rehabilitation program added lower body bulk, which greatly enhanced his strength and ability to drive the baseball. Mentally, he also feels stronger this season than at any other point previously. Though more aggressive at the dish (0.28 K/BB), his dramatic rise in fly-ball percentage supports the outfielder's claims (career: 32.7, '09: 41.6). So far he's gone yard 14 times, a new career high.

While growing up in Atlanta, Byrd worshiped Dale Murphy (Side note: Like many cardboard collecting enthusiasts we hope he also shredded Upper Deck packs during the summer of '89 hoping to uncover the legend's lucrative reverse negative). Based on his consistent returns, friendly hitting environment and entrenched everyday spot, he very easily could compile year end totals which could be deemed mini-Murph-like -- and surprising.

Fearless Forecast (rest of season): 121 at-bats, .291 BA, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 21 R, 3 SB

DOUBLE DIPPERS

For stream conscious owners who want to push the innings-pitched envelope this is the list for you. Run support, ballpark factors, historical and recent trends, opposing offenses, opposing SPs, managerial tendencies and meteorological influences are painstakingly taken into account to give you the top double dippers of each week.

Other AL douple dippers: Ryan Rowland-Smith(notes), Sea (Oak, KC), Jose Contreras(notes), ChW (at Bos, at NYY), Vin Mazzaro(notes), Oak (at Sea, at LAA), Jeremy Sowers(notes), Cle (at KC, at Bal), Freddy Garcia(notes), ChW (at Bos, at NYY)

Other NL double dippers: Sean West(notes), Fla (NYM, SD), Ross Ohlendorf(notes), Pit (Phil, at Mil), Jason Hammel(notes), Col (LAD, at SF), Garrett Mock(notes), Was (at ChC, at StL), Bobby Parnell(notes), NYM (Phi, at ChC), Collin Balester(notes), Was (Mil, at StL)

FEAST OR FAMINE?  

Torn between two stat-similar infielders this week? Use the pitching and hitting staff sorters below to help you decide whether or not Adam LaRoche or Rick Porcello is fantasy feast or famine. Stats are for games played through August 20:

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Image courtesy of US Presswire

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