It’s getting close, can you smell it? The payoffs, not the playoffs, but the payoffs. The reason you pay attention from basically the beginning of February thru September. That’s almost as long as people stay married to professional sports athletes. So with the payoffs and the dollar signs (or banners for you non-money league participants) being near, staying ahead of the game to secure your seed or to gain the last few points are is crucial. So good luck this week and if your playoffs start this week double good luck. (Please keep in mind that pitchers and match-ups change.)
J.A. Happ (Bal vs Saunders, @Bos vs Buchholz) Last month of starts he’s averaging a K an inning. Pitching in a line-up that actually has players that people recognize makes a pretty big difference in confidence levels.
Patrick Corbin (@SF vs Zito, @SD vs Werner) Has pitched well and his numbers say he is pitching even better. Trying to make a claim for next year’s rotation, unfortunately the prospect numbers game is against him. Is the road warrior of the week, what a rush.
Joe Kelly (NYM vs McHugh, Mil vs Marcum) The match-up against the Mets seems like an old time pugilistic battle of the turn of the century variety. Way too hittable for full time rosterability, but match-ups help you here a little.
Ross Detwiler (CHC vs Samardzija, Mia vs Nolasco) In real life he’s a perfect 5th starter, fake life he is a 7th-8th. If he K’d more we would Kare more. Ask yourself this next year, would you rather own Detwiler or Wade Miley?
Sam Deduno (@CHW vs Axelrod, Cle vs Kluber) Has pitched OK, minus the beat down versus Tex last week. ERA is halved at home and Cleveland has already started making signs for 2013 to be their year.
Bruce Chen (Tex vs Darvish, @CHW vs Quintana) The two-start stalwart. Without you Bruce, I would be lost. Funny trend is he pitches best in the months of August and Sept. Too bad he will never see significant October baseball.
Drew Pomeranz (@Atl vs Hanson, @Phi vs Cloyd) Yeah, one look at his record shows why he isn’t owned. Depth in games is his problem, well to be honest it’s every Colorado starter’s problem. The Rockies are 14-16 against teams in the NL East this year.
Ricky Nolasco (Mil vs Fiers, @Was vs Detwiler) I like when veteran guys are owned in less than 50% of leagues, it just shows how far the mighty have fallen, and it lets me take pot shots at them. Coming off a complete game shutout versus the Nats, anyone else expecting a duplicate is also expecting a unicorn for their birthday.
Travis Blackley (LAA vs Wilson, @Sea vs Vargas) Is definitely in the conversation for best sleeve tattoos in the majors with Brandon League. Despite the yo-yo job by the A’s he still has limited his opponents to a BAA of .230.
Andrew Werner (@LAD vs Blanton, Ari vs Corbin) Funny, I have a husband at home named Dean Werner. Drew is going to go all “You mind if we dance with yo dates” this week, watch.
