Last week I started a new column called 3 Up / 3 Down. The premise behind 3 Up / 3 Down is to take a look at the career numbers of hitters who’ve had success or failure against the pitchers they are facing this weekend. I also take into consideration whether these players have been hot or cold; looking at their numbers over the last 14 days. My final decision on which players to recommend is their RotoHog price. There is no sense in me telling you that Albert Pujols is an up player when he’s sold out. These three factors determine which players make it into this column.

Now that you know how this column works, lets jump right into 3 Up / 3 Down for June 7th and 8th:

3 UP

Kelly Johnson – Atlanta Braves – 2B - $10.89: This is a big weekend for the Atlanta Braves. The Braves welcome in the National League East leading Philadelphia Phillies who are 8-2 over their last 10 games and hold a four and a half game lead over the Braves. Kelly Johnson over his career has had great success against the Phillies, especially against starters Howie Kendrick and Adam Eaton. Over Johnsons career he’s batted .500 with a home run against each. Johnson is currently ranked eighth amongst all starting second baseman with 286.55 points, and at his price, should be a great matchup this weekend.

Dan Uggla – Florida Marlins – 2B - $30.12: If you’re looking for a more pricey second baseman, look no further than Dan Uggla of the Florida Marlins. Over his career Uggla has been a Cincinnati Reds killer. Saturday he’ll face Bronson Arroyo. Over Uggla’s career, he’s batting .667 (4-6) with one home run against Arroyo. On Sunday, Aaron Harang will try to get Uggla out, something he has doesn’t well over his career. Uggla is batting .444 (4-9) with two homeruns and four RBI against Harang. Many will probably shy away from Uggla because of his price, but if you can spare some change, he’s a player you should try to get in your lineup this weekend.

Johnny Damon – New York Yankees – OF - $13.61: When doing my research on Johnny Damon I was surprised to see how many RotoHog points he’s accumulated over this season (359.61). That’s more than Ichiro ($29.38), Alfonso Soriano ($26.51) or Vlad Guerrero ($27.85). This weekend he goes up against the struggling Kansas City Royals and two pitchers Damon has feasted off of over his career. On Saturday Damon will face Brian Bannister who, in his only game against went 3-4 with a home run. Sunday, Damon will take on Zack Greinke, a pitcher he’s hitting .364 against. I’m just flabbergasted that Damon has 359 RotoHog points and he’s only at $13.61. Time to snatch him up RotoHog-a-holics.

Now lets take a look at the players you should probably avoid this weekend:

Brian McCann – Atlanta Braves – C- $29.84: Brian McCann has been tearing the cover off of the ball lately for the Atlanta Braves. So how did he end up on the down list? Well, like I mentioned above, the first thing I look at are the players career numbers against the starting pitchers they’ll be facing this weekend. Unlike Kelly Johnson who I mentioned above, McCann hasn’t had the type of success against Howie Kendrick and Adam Eaton that would warrant him being in my lineup. Against Kendrick, McCann is batting .125 and against Eaton, although a little better, it’s still a lousy .143. McCann’s current price also factors into my decision to place him on the down list. Don’t get me wrong, McCann hands down is the best catcher in the game right now, but the matchups this weekend just don’t favor him scoring many points for your Fantasy team.

JD Drew – Boston Red Sox – OF - $13.67: Every year we wonder what JD Drew will do? Will he finally exceed the expectations many have for him? Or, will he end up on the disabled list like he does each and every year? This guy has tremendous talent, it’s just that he’s never reached his potential. Going to Boston, many thought that he’d exceed their because he wouldn’t be the guy who would have to carry the offense like he did while playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Nope. Still riddled by injuries and thin skin, Drew is just you average outfielder. This weekend he goes up against two soft throwing pitchers, Miguel Batista and Jarrod Washburn of the Seattle Mariners. Drew has been horrible against each (Batista - .222 / Washburn - .111) pitcher and I’m sure many of you don’t own him, but if you do, dump him today. See Johnny Damon above and you’ll save yourself the headache of having to deal with Drew and his many headaches.

Jason Varitek – Boston Red Sox – C - $17.41: The captain of the Red Sox is playing for a contract next year. Unlike Jorge Posada of the New York Yankees, he’s not enjoying much success. Like Drew, Varitek has struggled against the soft throwers from Seattle. Over his career against Batista, Varitek is batting .235 (4-17). It doesn’t get much better against Washburn either, .240 (6-25). Varitek may be the captain of the best team in the American League, I can’t believe I just said that being a New Yorker, but let him lead from behind the plate, because when he’s at bat for your Fantasy team, he’ll be anything but a captain.

Good luck this weekend.