September 29, 2009

By George Kurtz

This is the final week in most fantasy leagues, and it’s a tough week to figure out whom to start in your lineup.  Teams that have clinched a playoff spot won’t be having their starters play every game.  Starting pitchers on those teams will pitch, but will be held to a strict pitch count so as not to over tax their arms going into the playoffs.  You need to be aware of this day in and day out.  Listen to the news as any minor ache and pain could cause a starter (Josh Beckett) to be replaced.  Look at matchups, you’re only looking to grab players now for one start or for just a couple of games, don’t be afraid to drop a superstar for a fringe player if that player is hot.  There are no prizes for style points.

Red Sox fans and Jon Lester fantasy owners had a scare on Friday night when Lester took a Melky Cabrera line drive off of his knee and had to come out of the game.  Everything turned out well however as Lester is expected to make his next start on Thursday.  Josh Beckett missed his turn on Monday with back spasms, but Boston stated if the game was important he would’ve pitched.  Beckett will make a tune-up start on Saturday before the playoffs begin next week.

Can’t wait to see the doubleheader between Minnesota and Detroit on Tuesday.  Minnesota is two games behind Detroit with seven games left to play including four against one another.  With Zach Greinke lined up to pitch against the Twins over the weekend, you would have to think the Twins need to take three out of four in this series, which will only be tougher with a doubleheader.  Traditionally it is extremely difficult to sweep a doubleheader, so winning game one is almost a must, especially with Justin Verlander lined up to pitch the second game.  I’m hoping Minnesota can take three of four, would love to see their be a division race come the final weekend.

As for Zach Grenike, the big debate is whether or not he should win the CY Young award.  His last two starts he has pitched lights out against the Red Sox and the Twins, one team that is going to the playoffs, and the other that is on the fringe and had everything to play for.  I know CC Sabathia may win 20 games and pitches in the American League East and Felix Hernandez has had the most “great starts” in the AL, but if Greinke pitches another great game against at Twins team that is trying to get into the playoffs this weekend, I don’t know how I couldn’t vote for him.

The other playoff race is the National League Wildcard which is a battle between Atlanta and Colorado.  Colorado has a two game lead with six games remaining.  Colorado has three games at home against Milwaukee and than three games at Los Angeles.  Atlanta has all six games at home, two against Florida, and four against Washington.  Florida will throw Josh Johnson against Atlanta on Tuesday, but they have looked pretty lifeless of late, but they need to treat these two games like their playoffs.  Atlanta just swept the Nationals in Washington last weekend, so they may not put up much of a fight.  One has to think Atlanta has to win out to have a chance.  Milwaukee’s best chance of winning a game in Colorado may be by outscoring the Rockies and if the Dodgers have home field clinched by this weekend, than they may not feel much desire to beat the Rockies.