UP

Adam LaRoche, 1B, Pirates: It took him awhile to get going, but the Pirates first baseman is now showing the power he displayed last season in Atlanta. LaRoche is batting .429 with four doubles, four homers and nine RBIs over the last week. Overall, he's hitting .238 with 13 homers and 51 RBIs. LaRoche hit 32 bombs last season before being traded to Atlanta in the offseason.

Brandon Phillips, 2B, Reds: Cincinnati's second baseman is 9-for-23 (.391) with three homers, seven RBIs and 11 runs in his last five games. Phillips' power has been a major surprise this season. He's tied for the home run lead among second basemen with 17 bombs, matching his total from all of last season. Phillips has also 15 steals and a .277 average.

Daisuke Matsuzaka, SP, Red Sox: Living up to expectations would have been impossible for Boston's starter, but he's been productive on all fronts through the first half of the season. Dice-K has allowed one earned run or less in four straight starts and two earned runs or less in six straight. On the season, he's 10-5 with a 3.53 ERA and 119 strikeouts.

DOWN

Derrek Lee, 1B, Cubs: Chicago's first baseman has been good this season but is currently mired in a 3-for-23 (.130) slump. Overall, Lee is batting .332 but hasn't shown the power he displayed in previous seasons. He only played in 50 games last season, but Lee hit 46 homers in 2005, 32 in 2004 and 31 in 2003. Lee has six homers and 41 RBIs this season.

Rickie Weeks, 2B, Brewers: Milwaukee's second baseman is 1-for-27 in his last eight games. Weeks missed time because of injury and is hitting .223 on the season. He has five homers and 19 stolen bases.

Brian Fuentes, RP, Rockies: He lost his role as Colorado's closer after blowing four straight save chances. Fuentes has 20 saves on the season to go along with a 4.06 ERA. Fuentes had 30 saves last season and 31 in 2005.