Howdy Fantazzle Faithful,

What a great time of year it is to be active in fantasy games. The Masters wrapped up an entertaining week of fantasy golf, while the NBA’s best continue to put on a show as we approach the playoff push. In my opinion, this is the best time of the year for fantasy basketball salary cap leagues, as the stars are out in full force, looking to position their teams in the ideal spot for postseason action.

But the season with the most life remaining, and therefore the most advice needed, is fantasy baseball. Pitching has dominated the early going, so don’t get discouraged with your slumping batters. Here are the studs, duds, and sleepers at SS for this season.

1. Troy Tulowitzki – Playing at Coors field will never hurt a batter, but until opposing pitchers start throwing bowling balls at Tulo, the man will continue to rake. Mark him down for 30 bombs and a .300 average, the only SS who will do both. Add in the potential for double digit steals, and you’ve got yourself the top SS and a 1st round selection.

2. Hanley Ramirez – I’m all in on a Hanley bounce back in 2012. He is still eligible at SS, and you should take full advantage. He’ll be the best Marlin infielder this year due to his power. There is speed in the later rounds, but his Ramirez’s 5 tool skills are few and far between. Hitting in the 3 spot helps his RBI potential, and I see him knocking in 100 runs this season. Add that to his 90 runs, 25 homers, 30 steals, and .300 average, and you’ve got a middle infielder you can trust.

Note: Jose Reyes would be my next ranked SS, but there is to much of a drop off from second to third for me to consider Reyes “elite”. He’ll steal bases and score runs, but I’m not buying .337 again, and the health risk needs to be acknowledged.

Sleeper: Dee Gordon – Value wise, I like him compared to Reyes. Why can’t this guy swipe 60 bags? He doesn’t play for a great team, and his youth will lead to some prolonged slumps, but with such little risk in most fantasy baseball leagues, you can live with that. Remember when Juan Pierre won you steals every single week? Imagine if he played at a shallow position and had as high a ceiling as anyone.

Bust: Asdrubal Cabrera – Bust might be a little harsh, but there is no way Cabrera duplicates his breakout 2011 performance. He had 18 career homers going into last year, but powered up for 25 long balls last year. He had averaged 41.5 RBI in his 4 year career before 2011, but knocked in 92 in 2012. Cabrera will see fewer pitches this year, and there is little protection in that weak lineup. He won’t be bad, but I’m not spending the money required to get his services in fantasy baseball salary cap games.

As the weather heats up, the bats tend to as well. So stick to your guns, trust the same players, and your loyalty will pay off. Don’t make erratic decisions … we are less than 2.5% through the season.

May the fantasy gods treat you well this week!

Fantazzle Kyle

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TGIF Fantazzlers,

This marks the first weekend in 2012 that both fantasy basketball and fantasy baseball games will be going on and we have you covered more than you could ever imagine. For starters, tonight we have fantasy basketball salary cap and limited lineup games starting at 7:00PM ET and then of course our, unique to Fantazzle, NIGHT GAMES ONLY fantasy basketball games starting at 9PM ET for you night owls trying to get in some more games and maximize your bankrolls.

If you are reading this then you likely know that MLB games already started for today and you may have missed out on playing fantasy baseball games for today…unless you are a member of Fantazzle! Just like our night games only fantasy basketball games, any time there are three or more MLB games played at least two hours after the first game of the day, we will bring you NIGHT GAMES ONLY fantasy baseball! Today the lights come on and players will be taking the field at 7:05PM ET for the one-of-a-kind fantasy games.

Since we like to pride ourselves on being the most creative fantasy sports site in the industry we also bring you MORE MASTERS FANTASY GOLF GAMES! Starting tomorrow, Saturday April 6, at 12PM ET, you can join in more fantasy golf action. And, if you are starting to get the theme here, you realize that this opportunity is available only at Fantazzle!

Still plenty of time to enter for the Saturday and Sunday portion of the Masters.

We’re taking a break from fantasy NASCAR this week, but don’t fret racing fans, it will be back next week and better than ever!

Enjoy Your Easter Weekend!

–Fantazzle Zac

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Happy Hump Day All,

The new look Marlins (Josh Johnson) host the world champion Cardinals (Kyle Lohse) tonight, with most Fantazzle fantasy baseball games opening on Monday.

If you need to fill your fantasy hunger before then (I know I do), make Fantazzle part of your day with golf season getting under way, as Masters fantasy games are now available. Available are salary cap fantasy golf games as well as fantasy challenge and pick’em options. Is Tiger back in business? Is a fourth green jacket in the works for Lefty (1:53 Thursday tee time)? No lack of story lines on the pro tour this week, and Fantazzle provides both the casual and the die hard golf fans extra incentive to tune in this weekend.

As for baseball, filling your middle infield spots is tough, as the crop of reliable players gets very thin very fast. Here is a spot where I’d suggest either going for the top player, or waiting and trying to get a sleeper choice for relatively cheap in fantasy baseball salary cap games.

Studs:

1. Robinson Cano – In my opinion, it is Cano and everybody else at 2B this year. He comes with almost no downside, as he has played at least 159 games over the five years, and playing that volume of games in a loaded lineup at a friendly ball park is all a fantasy owner can ask for. His power and average can’t be matched, he’ll knock in and score over 100 runs, and he’ll even steal you a few bases. It is simply impossible to overpay the Yankees second basemen.

2. Ian Kinsler – High risk, high reward. If you can stay healthy, he could challenge Cano, as the Rangers are potent from top to bottom. Kinsler offers elite power and speed, without hurting you in batting average. Warning: he has yet to play over 121 games in an even numbered year, and for the record, this is 2012.

3. Dustin Pedroia – He scraps and claws his way to great fantasy numbers every year, and this year shouldn’t be much different. I’m confident in Adrian Gonzalez in the middle of that lineup, and a Carl Crawford bounce back could make this a top 5 offense in all of baseball. He’s not the run producer that top two are, but he offers solid stats across the board. He’s more reliable than most think (aside from 2010, he has played at least 154 games since 2008) but his ceiling is lower than that off the top two. That being said, his floor is lower than that of Kinsler, and he’ll cost you less.

Dud:

Dan Uggla – You know what you get from Uggla, lots of power and little of anything else. It’s not that I don’t like him this year, but I just don’t understand his ADP. His home run numbers are the tops for his position, but he isn’t elite anywhere else. Power is available late in drafts, so don’t spend an early pick on Uggla. At second base, I want a player that can be efficient across the board as opposed to elite in one area and harmful in others.

Sleeper:

Ryan Roberts – The baby backs are growing up before our eyes, and Roberts should be in the middle of things again this year. I expect Justin Upton to continue to improve, thus improving the pitches everyone else will see. Fill out your fantasy baseball lineup with him, as his 20/20 potential makes for solid value.

Enjoy the return of the boys of summer as well as the main golf event of the season,

Fantazzle Kyle

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Sure, it’s Monday but that doesn’t mean it can’t be exciting. Fantazzle is offering you the ONLY opportunity on the face of the planet to play Fantasy College Basketball for the Championship game tonight. While Kentucky and Kansas duke it out for the rights to be named the best this season you can take on your friends, and other Fantazzle members, for the right to be the final winner of the College Fantasy Basketball season.

Don’t forget to check your FREE College Basketball Brackets to see if you are one of the ten entrants who will be taking home a chunk of FanStock this week.

2012 Fantasy Baseball Games Start Thursday, April 4, at 1PM ET

Did you enter the FREE Fantasy Baseball Season-Long Game, yet? If not, you still have a few hours left. Don’t hesitate though, as we will be shutting this game down prior to the start of the season, to keep it limited and more exclusive.

We are also holding Monthly, Weekly and Daily Fantasy Baseball Salary Cap, Challenge, Pick’em and Limited Lineup games this season. Also, this season we will be continuing our innovative ways and will be offering Night Games Only Fantasy Baseball Salary Cap Games anytime there are at least three night games  (games starting at least two hours after original start time) on the schedule.

Make Fantazzle your home for 2012 Fantasy Baseball and receive up to a $200 first-time deposit bonus now!

Enjoy your week Fantasy Ballers!

–Fantazzle Zac

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Howdy fantasy fanatics!

With the MLB season technically beginning tonight in Japan, I’m here to alleviate the stresses that come with pre ranking players for your upcoming drafts or weekly fantasy baseball games on Fantazzle. Today my positional preview is at first base, where I offer up the top three players, a sure fire sleeper, and a player who isn’t worth a penny of your valuable budget in salary cap games.

1. Miguel Cabrera – The edition of Prince simply can’t hurt, and his move to third base only makes him more valuable. A rare combination of elite power and a selective eye, Miggy is just as likely to win a HR crown as he is a batting title. He’s my top ranked fantasy baseball player overall, and I expect another rock solid year. His on the field risk is next to nothing, and his off the field issues are worth putting up with for a player who can lead your team.
2. Albert Pujols – Relax people, it’s a change of scenery, not a change in sports. Pujols’ move will mean exactly nothing, which means he is a lock for at least .300 – 110 – 35 – 100. He adds a handful of steals every year, a stat that very few 1B players will get you. His “down” year last year still ranks him as a top 10 option, and I’ll take my chances on “the machine” continuing his historic pace.
3. Adrian Gonzalez – My optimism stems from the change in mindset in Boston, as well as my confidence in a Crawford bounce back. With Bobby Valentine calling the shots, I think Gonzo will thrive in the business first approach. Gonzalez lived up to the hype last year, even with minimal support at times, and should increase across the boards. If Crawford can regain his form, he’ll combine with Jacoby Ellsbury for the best table setting duo in the MLB. He wouldn’t shock me if he was the top overall player this season.

Sleeper: Freddie Freeman – The Braves young gun was overshadowed by some of the strong young players, but make no mistake about it, this man can rake. He hit 21 bombs while batting .282 last year, and should benefit as the Braves lineup begins to gel. With Michael Bourn at the top of the lineup, and plenty of power sprinkled up and down the Atlanta roster, look for Freemen to crack the top seven or eight at his position.

Bust: Michael Morse – He played way over his head last year, cranking 31 homers and leading the Nationals offense. With Ryan Zimmerman back in the folds, and the expected call up of Bryce Harper, I just don’t see Morse getting nearly as many bats with runners in scoring position. He will be moved down in the lineup, and opposing pitchers will not take him as lightly as last year. Freemen will out-homer Morse this year, and with a cheaper price tag.

And don’t forget, Season Fantasy Baseball Salary Cap games will start on April 9, 2012 at Fantazzle, including a special $100 freeroll. Fantazzle will also be offering daily, weekly, and monthly fantasy baseball games all season long. Play free games and entry fee salary cap, challenege, pick’em, and limited lineup fantasy baseball games. The choice is yours.

Enjoy the return of the boys of summer,

-          Fantazzle Kyle

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