Borderline Starters, Fantasy Baseball Late Season
September 15, 2009
Category: fantasy baseball strategy
Pretty much everything I told you in the beginning of the year about trusting your big guns and not trusting the wayward sons goes out the window in September. If you’re battling for pitching points, you need to take some chances I wouldn’t necessarily take in April, or really even August. Suddenly, Brian Duensing gets his own post and Freddy Garcia doesn’t look like Freddy Garcia, but looks like a guy who’s facing the Mariners. It’s fantasy baseball in September and the rules were made to be broken, ya’ll. So I’ve assembled two or three starters from Tuesday, the new Humpday, until this Sunday that you could take a chance on depending on how bad your pitching shituation is. I’m not completely proud of all of these guys, but their mommas are (even Momma Padilla). Anyway, here’s some borderline starters for fantasy baseball late season:
Tuesday, September 15th
Freddy Garcia – Garcia is the new blech in most cases, but he’s had four straight decent enough starts and I’d throw him vs. the Mariners in Seattle.
Robinson Tejada – Has 69 Ks in 53 1/3 innings. Goes vs. the Tigers, who he just beat. It’s risky because I don’t trust the 2nd time being the charm. Teams figure a guy out usually, but he could give you some cheap Ks.
Wade LeBlanc – Has two solid back-to-back starts and he faces a K-razy offense (Diamondbacks) in Petco.
Wednesday, September 16th
Doug Davis – Has a 1.83 ERA in 19 2/3 innings vs. the Padres and hasn’t given up one earned run in Petco in two years.
Ryan Rowland-Smith – Has four straight solid starts and a serial killer name.
Hiroki Kuroda – Hasn’t had an embarrassing start since July 8th and he gets the Pirates.
Thursday, September 17th
Justin Masterson – vs. the A’s and I wouldn’t start him here unless you’re in absolute dire straits, Mark Knopfler.
Friday, September 18th
Brian Duensing – You’d think I really liked him with the amount I’m talking about him, but he’s worth a flier for a start or two.
Vicente Padilla – He actually just shut out the Giants, which scares me more than it instills confidence, but it’s still a decent match-up.
Saturday, September 19th
Brett Tomko – Shoot me now for suggesting Tomko.
Jason Hammel – Has an ERA around 3 away from Coors and he gets the swing happy Diamondbacks. This is still a risky start because Chase is a hitters park.
Sunday, September 20th
Paul Maholm – It’s not as great to face the Padres away from Petco, but it’s not that bad either.
Carl Pavano – Gets the Tigers on Sunday and has absolutely owned them this year. In over 30 innings, he has a 1.48 ERA and 4 wins. And, just think, you can tell your lady friend you had the cojones to start Pavano.
September 15th, 2009 at 11:37 am
This is gold, anyway to post this on a sunday (before lineups are set)
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@matthole: If schedules permit… Might make it the Sunday post next season for each week.
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September 15th, 2009 at 11:48 am
@Grey: Thanks, these are the kind of pitchers that im relying on for the stretch….
also, didnt mean to suggest to take away from your sunday time….just have to set lineups that night, etc
crazy 3 way race where 2HRs 5K’s 3 W’s and .01 ERA can determine the champ…good stuff
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September 15th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
@Grey: Re: Masterson.. are you going to start him? I don’t start pitchers against the A’s if Grey is.
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September 15th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Great stuff! I’ll be needing this the next two weeks for sure!
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September 15th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Debating who to start tonight: Montero vs. LeBlanc or Sandoval vs. Ubaldo. Leaning towards Montero, but I haven’t sat The Unabooboo since spring, even though he seems to be playing hurt….kind of a tossup.
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September 15th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
@Grey: That would be an awesome Sunday post…
Sheets, Meche, Andrew Miller next season?
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September 15th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
September is no time for the wayward sons to be laying their weary heads to rest.
Pity I used up too many starts with my so-called big guns.
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September 15th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
@Grey: Love the concept. How do you feel about these matchups?
Thursday – Morrow vs. White Sox
Friday – Moyer vs. ATL and/or Ohlendorf vs. SD
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September 15th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Enjoy the post! Anyway, how would you rank the pitchers that you have highlighted for today? (Garcia, Tejada, and LeBlanc)
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@peter: I’m not starting him. But I’d consider it in certain circumstances.
@GTS: Cool
@Telemachus: None of the above? I guess, Miller.
@struggler: I’d go with Morrow and Moyer, but both are very risky. The Dorf has been shut down.
@vinko: In that order, but they’re all close.
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September 15th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
@GREY……Which of these TWO would you start?
Krispie Young, Alexie Ramirez, Juan Rivera, Quentin, carlos gonzalez, and nick swisher are my options…..
swisher has been hot but is facing halladay, krispie is playing at petco, cargo hit last night, but was slumping……. idk i have a DEEP bench… thoughts
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@TYY: I’d start Krispie and CarGo, but it’s really a coin flip, no one’s matchups look great. Alexei’s had the most success but he’s been eh lately.
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September 15th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
What do you think about Juan Francisco? Seems to have received high marks so far. Any real chance of working his way into the lineup next season? Thanks
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@vinko: Doubtful with the way Dusty plays rookies.
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September 15th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
@Grey: i hear ya, alot of guys have been kinda hitting just not producing. I’ll go with you on this one, then i’ll curse you later if it hurts me, jk
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September 15th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Fun fact… Here are 2009 home run #s by month for Curtis Granderson (who is hitting .185 in the last month w/ no SB):
April: 7
May: 6
June: 5
July: 4
August: 3
September: 2
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@peter: Wonder how Leyland’s cigarette intake has correlated with those months.
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September 15th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
@Grey: The inverse would be his packs per game for that particular month.
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@Steve: Those *are* Lucky Strikes then.
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September 15th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
@Grey: Zing! Glad to see *someone* is still hitting dingers…
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September 15th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Who would you rather lose for Pedro – Soriano or Nunez? I’m not attached to either of them, I’m just going by the numbers.
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@peter: Hehe
@Lines: Flip a coin? I guess Soriano…
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September 15th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Grey, just also wanted to say how awesome this is.
Thanks.
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September 15th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
So does Dombrowski order Granderson to sweep Magglio’s leg before the fourth innining tonight? Maybe they’ll pick up Curtis’ 2013 option in exchange…
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September 15th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
should i bench Andre Ethier tonight against a LHP in favor of Denard Span or Julio Borbon in my H2H playoff matchup (still competing in all categories early in the week) or am I overthinking things?
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@Bob: No problem.
@bostonaccent: Ha!
@Corey II: I could see going with Borbon, but it does feel a bit like you’re overthinking.
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September 15th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Hey Grey, since you didn’t mention Morrow for Thursday (vs CWS), I guess you’d prefer to go with Masterson…?
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@Vince: I would. Barely.
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September 15th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
That’s what I was thinking. Thanks as always, Grey.
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September 15th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
Zobrist is killing me… Would you suggest dropping him for Uribe (Can’t believe I’m actually thinking of getting him), Yunel Escobar, or Andrus? Or just sit tight and hope and pray for a turn around?
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September 15th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
dammit swisher! my bench is constantly hitting more than my line up, thats not good….
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September 15th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
@Nick0rz: 3 for 3 with a double and a triple so far tonight. I am going to hang on (but it has been a tough drought).
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@Nick0rz: I’d go with Andrus for speed, otherwise hang on.
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September 15th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
@Simply Fred: Oops hadn’t looked at the scores from tonight…
@Grey: Thanks. Because of tonight I think I’ll hang on for a day or two more.
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September 15th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Hiroki Kuroda – Hasn’t had an embarrassing start since July 8th and he gets the Pirates. what about that time in the shower?
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@mr baseball: Ha!
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September 15th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
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Borderline Starters – good stuff man – this is important but sometimes overlook information
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September 15th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
@Grey: Do any of your fantasy players need fantasy tires?
I got a bunch of em……………………
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September 15th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Rajai Davis sonovabench!
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September 15th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Which Chris? B. Young or Davis?
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September 15th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Neftali Feliz hates all of my fantasy teams.
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@mr baseball: Cool
@BigFatHippo: Ha! How’s it going, man?
@penpen: Davis while Young is in Petco.
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September 15th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
@Grey: This is a helpful format Grey. Much appreciated.
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September 15th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Is Ubaldo Jiminez going to ruin my week? Really, Ubaldo??
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September 15th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
What do you see out of Cueto or Dice-K going forward? Are they worth owning over J. Sanchez? Nolasco? Bills? Ubaldo?
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September 15th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Home run Mini Donkey!
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@CocoPoolies: I’d own either over Bills at this point and I’d go for Cueto first.
@Elijah: About time!
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September 15th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Tejeda’s always had the stuff. If he can keep the walk rate to even around 4/9 IP even, he’d be pretty good with that strong K rate.
I just nabbed him for his K’s. I am set in W, ERA, and WHIP, so I can afford to gamble.
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September 15th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Yovani Gallardo puts babies on spikes.
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September 15th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
How the eff is it that a guy that has been nails for the last two weeks, suddenly falls completely apart the minute he gets so much as a sniff of my lineup?
Yes, Carlos Villanueva – I’m looking at YOU.
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September 15th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
Grey is 3 for 3 today. The streak shall continue!
(For those who don’t need HR and SB, Ryan Sweeney looks interesting.)
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@papasmurf: Yup
@Nathan: Ha!
@Steve: Why did you have Villanueva?
@Quintero: Yeehaw!
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September 15th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
@Grey: Last two weeks his ratios and Ks have been great. I wanted to rock an MR and the rest is history. Gregorson worked out a bit better.
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September 16th, 2009 at 12:07 am
@Steve: In short, you, sir, is a Mr. B.
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September 16th, 2009 at 12:39 am
@Quintero: Of long standing.
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September 16th, 2009 at 2:49 am
monday my opp throws Nolasco, awesome
I have frasor and chris perez, BAD
Tuesday my opp throws gallardo, awesome for me again.
I throw wainy and UBALDO! F me again…. seriously, Ubaldo had 12 starts IN A ROW of 3 runs or less!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now when i need him vs. SF mediocre offense he blows up?
WEAK SAUCE
basically me and my opp are dead even since both of our pitchers have sucked balls, our eras are 16.20 and 10.29
DISGUSTING, Ubaldo throws a solid start and this week was OVER.
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September 16th, 2009 at 5:16 am
Is it time to drop DeRosa? He’s in my OF & he’s been crap for a while now. Options are Reimold, Cuddyer, Gutierrez, Borbon, Bryd.
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September 16th, 2009 at 5:55 am
grey start blanton tonight vs the nats?
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September 16th, 2009 at 6:09 am
Any thoughts on a Wednesday start of Floyd @ SEA and/or Blackburn vs. CLE? & your Tuesday “Borderline” recommendations have set a pretty high standard Grey; causing an intesified pursuit of Ryan Rowland-Smith!
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@steamer: I’d grab Borbon.
@mikey boy324: It’s risky, but I thknk you gotta. Well, I guess you don’t, but I would in a 12 team league. (In most circumstances.)
@zombie: I’d go with Floyd first.
******THERE’S A NEW POST FOR FOLLOWUPS.*******
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