12 Andy Dirks, LF

After sitting out a couple of games to rest his sore knee, Andy Dirks has been on fire for the Tigers, batting .354 (17 for 48) with four home runs and two steals over his last 13 games. And because he's gotten to start 12 of those games, Fantasy owners have taken notice.

But just because he's getting everyday at-bats doesn't mean he's an everyday player. We can all hope his recent surge will convince the Tigers to keep him in the lineup, especially with Austin Jackson sidelined, but the fact of the matter is Dirks still has sat out each of the Tigers' seven games against left-handed pitchers this year. They just haven't faced one in a while.

For what it's worth, he actually has a higher batting average and OPS against than lefties than righties in his career, but you can't ignore history. Until the Tigers' behavior changes, Dirks will remain an AL-only option.

After a strong game Monday, Tigers outfielder Andy Dirks will reprise his role in the leadoff spot Tuesday.

Dirks had three hits Monday, including a home run. With Austin Jackson on the disabled list, it looks like Dirks will have a shot to prove himself at the top of the team's lineup. He's hitting .260/.345/.427 in 96 at-bats. He'll face Astros pitcher Lucas Harrell Tuesday.

Tigers outfielder Andy Dirks batted leadoff in Monday's series opener against the Astros and had a productive night at the plate. He went 3 for 4 with a grand slam and a pair of runs scored in a 7-2 win.

The 27-year-old doubled in his first at-bat before singling his next time up. He then launched his fourth long ball with the bases loaded in the fourth inning.

With Austin Jackson on the disabled list, Dirks is expected to bat leadoff against righties. He is hitting .361 (13 for 36) in his last nine games with three homers, seven RBI and two stolen bases.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Monday that outfielders Don Kelly, Andy Dirks and Avisail Garcia could all see playing time in center field with Austin Jackson on the disabled list. Although, Leyland hinted Garcia could see the majority of starts in center field. 

"He’s going to play," Leyland told MLive.com. "I’ll put him in center against a right-hander. I’ll play him in center against left-handers. I don’t know how it’s going to work out. It could be Dirks, it could be Kelly. But I’m not going to move Torii over."

As for the leadoff spot in Jackson's absence, Leyland added Dirks would likely only hit leadoff against right-handed starters.

Outfielder Andy Dirks hit leadoff Monday against the Astros after the Tigers placed primary leadoff hitter Austin Jackson on the disabled list with a hamstring injury. Dirks made his third start in the leadoff spot and is the only other player besides Jackson to start as the leadoff hitter this season. 

Dirks is batting .185 (12 for 65) with a .221 on-base percentage, one triple, two RBI and three doubles in 19 career games hitting leadoff.

Dirks enters play Monday batting .318 (14 for 44) in his last 12 games, raising his season average from .167 to .239. He has one triple, two stolen bases, three home runs, four RBI, five walks and eight runs in that span.