As of Thursday, there were precisely 18 days left in the regular season. And unless you're a lightning bug or a knock-off designer watch purchased on Canal Street (in which case 18 days is more than nine times your expected lifespan), that's not a lot of time.
With that in mind, there's an important measure those of us in the hunt should now take (and I'm guessing it's a task many of you have done periodically throughout the season): Go to your league's standings. As soon as you've once again become angry about your position in said standings, identify the categories where you have a chance to make a quick run and aggressively pursue them down the stretch.
It sounds obvious (and maybe it's obvious to you already), but this is how roto leagues are very often won. For example, if it appears that you're locked into homers (let's say you're 20 behind the guy ahead of you and 20 ahead of the guy behind you) but have three owners ahead of you within 10 steals, there's no reason you should be hanging onto an average power threat like
Luke Scott when someone Kaz Matsui (five steals in his last seven games, 24 percent owned in Yahoo leagues) is available. Sure, Scott has been solid, but this is no time to start getting all sentimental. When a pet goldfish ceases to be useful to you (i.e., it dies), do you give it a prominent spot on the mantle for old time's sake? No, you thank Goldie Hawn for the memories and promptly flush her down the toilet without a second thought.
The bottom line: It's all about getting as many points as you possibly can, even it if means going to what seems like an extreme to do so. Don't be afraid to flush.
And keeping in mind that piece of wisdom that can apply to so many walks of life (toilets included), let's get started:
MIXED LEAGUEJuan Uribe, 2B/3B/SS, SF (Yahoo: 19 percent owned; ESPN: 15 percent)
I don't know how long he can keep up the hot streak and I don't really trust him any further than I can shot put his rather bulbous head, but there appears to still be enough of Uribe's torrid pace to go around. I added him in a mixed league this week and have not been disappointed. In his last nine games, the Giants' third baseman has hit .424 (14-for-33) with three homers and 11 RBI, and he has five homers and 14 RBI this month. Uribe obviously isn't this good, but it doesn't take a stellar player to get absurdly hot, and there's no reason not to take advantage for as long as you possibly can.
Matt LaPorta, 1B/OF, CLE (Yahoo: 6 percent owned; ESPN: 3 percent)
He's been mentioned in this space before, but LaPorta is finally showing significant signs of life in the waning days of September. Between Tuesday and Wednesday he went a combined 5-for-8 with two homers and five RBI, and in his last eight games he has hit .303 (10-for-33) with three dingers and seven RBI. Don't go dropping any proven or reliable commodities for him, but if you have a lineup spot that needs a jolt, LaPorta is worth a look.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL (Yahoo: 28 percent owned; ESPN: 17 percent)
I know it's the end of the season and some owners have tuned out, but Gonzalez still needs to be owned in more leagues. With steals in three straight games and five steals in his last eight games, Gonzalez now has 11 homers and 16 steals in just 236 at-bats this season. When you prorate that to 500 at-bats, that's a 23-homer, 34-steal pace. In other words, there's no compelling reason that someone like
Hank Blalock (Yahoo: 44 percent owned) should be claimed in more leagues. On the off chance that Gonzalez is still out there in your mixed league, go get him.
For exclusive projections, player rankings and more, check out Rotoworld's NFL Season Pass.Jonny Gomes, OF, CIN (Yahoo: 4 percent owned; ESPN: 2 percent)
A reserve for a substantial part of the season, Gomes has been in the lineup nearly every day this month, and he has rewarded Dusty Baker's long overdue show of faith by drilling four bombs with seven RBI in his last 10 games. Granted, he is hitting just .244 (11-for-45) in September, but you're adding him for the power, not the BA. And Gomes now has 20 homers and 49 RBI in just 254 at-bats on the season, which, according to my trusty Pace-o-meter (the calculator on my desk), measures out to a 39-homer, 96-RBI pace over 500 at-bats. The bottom line: Gomes can mash. Dusty has finally decided to play him. Make the move.
Kevin Jepsen, RP, LAA (Yahoo: 3 percent owned; ESPN: 1 percent)
If you're scrapping for saves in a deeper mixed league,
Brian Fuentes blew his seventh save of the season on Wednesday night, giving him a 6.38 ERA and four blown saves in 24 appearances since the All-Star break. With that poor run in mind, Mike Scioscia might finally be ready to make good on his suggestion that he could give Jepsen some opportunities. He's not a must-add at this point, but give Jepsen a look if every save matters in your standings.
Brad Penny, SP, SF (Yahoo: 19 percent owned; ESPN: 18 percent)
In case you missed the memo to grab Penny two weeks ago or remain frightened by his 5.04 ERA and 1.43 WHIP on the season, allow me to remind you that the right-hander is 3-0 with a 1.64 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and .169 BAA as a member of the Giants. Granted, he only has 10 K's in 22 innings, but Penny has clearly been rejuvenated by the move from the AL East to the NL West and is worth grabbing where available.
Ryan Rowland-Smith, SP, SEA (Yahoo: 6 percent owned; ESPN: 3 percent)
Ryan Rowland-Smith, I pronounce thee a proud graduate of Spot Starter Roulette. Congratulations. After a glorious run in the S.S.R. ranks, Rowland-Smith now gets a more weighty endorsement after a run of four starts that has seen him post a 2.90 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 18/4 K/BB ratio in 31 innings. For the season, the lefty has a 3.59 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 77.2 innings and should be worth using against the Rays next week.
Vicente Padilla, SP, LAD (Yahoo: 10 percent owned; ESPN: 3 percent)
Also carrying a freshly minted diploma from S.S.R. Academy is Padilla, who now has a 3-0 record with a 2.01 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 17/7 K/BB ratio in four starts spanning 22.1 innings as a member of the Dodgers. Just like Penny, he's very clearly a different pitcher in the NL and should continue to be a useful option for the stretch run.
As of Thursday, there were precisely 18 days left in the regular season. And unless you're a lightning bug or a knock-off designer watch purchased on Canal Street (in which case 18 days is more than nine times your expected lifespan), that's not a lot of time.
With that in mind, there's an important measure those of us in the hunt should now take (and I'm guessing it's a task many of you have done periodically throughout the season): Go to your league's standings. As soon as you've once again become angry about your position in said standings, identify the categories where you have a chance to make a quick run and aggressively pursue them down the stretch.
It sounds obvious (and maybe it's obvious to you already), but this is how roto leagues are very often won. For example, if it appears that you're locked into homers (let's say you're 20 behind the guy ahead of you and 20 ahead of the guy behind you) but have three owners ahead of you within 10 steals, there's no reason you should be hanging onto an average power threat like
Luke Scott when someone Kaz Matsui (five steals in his last seven games, 24 percent owned in Yahoo leagues) is available. Sure, Scott has been solid, but this is no time to start getting all sentimental. When a pet goldfish ceases to be useful to you (i.e., it dies), do you give it a prominent spot on the mantle for old time's sake? No, you thank Goldie Hawn for the memories and promptly flush her down the toilet without a second thought.
The bottom line: It's all about getting as many points as you possibly can, even it if means going to what seems like an extreme to do so. Don't be afraid to flush.
And keeping in mind that piece of wisdom that can apply to so many walks of life (toilets included), let's get started:
MIXED LEAGUEJuan Uribe, 2B/3B/SS, SF (Yahoo: 19 percent owned; ESPN: 15 percent)
I don't know how long he can keep up the hot streak and I don't really trust him any further than I can shot put his rather bulbous head, but there appears to still be enough of Uribe's torrid pace to go around. I added him in a mixed league this week and have not been disappointed. In his last nine games, the Giants' third baseman has hit .424 (14-for-33) with three homers and 11 RBI, and he has five homers and 14 RBI this month. Uribe obviously isn't this good, but it doesn't take a stellar player to get absurdly hot, and there's no reason not to take advantage for as long as you possibly can.
Matt LaPorta, 1B/OF, CLE (Yahoo: 6 percent owned; ESPN: 3 percent)
He's been mentioned in this space before, but LaPorta is finally showing significant signs of life in the waning days of September. Between Tuesday and Wednesday he went a combined 5-for-8 with two homers and five RBI, and in his last eight games he has hit .303 (10-for-33) with three dingers and seven RBI. Don't go dropping any proven or reliable commodities for him, but if you have a lineup spot that needs a jolt, LaPorta is worth a look.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL (Yahoo: 28 percent owned; ESPN: 17 percent)
I know it's the end of the season and some owners have tuned out, but Gonzalez still needs to be owned in more leagues. With steals in three straight games and five steals in his last eight games, Gonzalez now has 11 homers and 16 steals in just 236 at-bats this season. When you prorate that to 500 at-bats, that's a 23-homer, 34-steal pace. In other words, there's no compelling reason that someone like
Hank Blalock (Yahoo: 44 percent owned) should be claimed in more leagues. On the off chance that Gonzalez is still out there in your mixed league, go get him.
For exclusive projections, player rankings and more, check out Rotoworld's NFL Season Pass.Jonny Gomes, OF, CIN (Yahoo: 4 percent owned; ESPN: 2 percent)
A reserve for a substantial part of the season, Gomes has been in the lineup nearly every day this month, and he has rewarded Dusty Baker's long overdue show of faith by drilling four bombs with seven RBI in his last 10 games. Granted, he is hitting just .244 (11-for-45) in September, but you're adding him for the power, not the BA. And Gomes now has 20 homers and 49 RBI in just 254 at-bats on the season, which, according to my trusty Pace-o-meter (the calculator on my desk), measures out to a 39-homer, 96-RBI pace over 500 at-bats. The bottom line: Gomes can mash. Dusty has finally decided to play him. Make the move.
Kevin Jepsen, RP, LAA (Yahoo: 3 percent owned; ESPN: 1 percent)
If you're scrapping for saves in a deeper mixed league,
Brian Fuentes blew his seventh save of the season on Wednesday night, giving him a 6.38 ERA and four blown saves in 24 appearances since the All-Star break. With that poor run in mind, Mike Scioscia might finally be ready to make good on his suggestion that he could give Jepsen some opportunities. He's not a must-add at this point, but give Jepsen a look if every save matters in your standings.
Brad Penny, SP, SF (Yahoo: 19 percent owned; ESPN: 18 percent)
In case you missed the memo to grab Penny two weeks ago or remain frightened by his 5.04 ERA and 1.43 WHIP on the season, allow me to remind you that the right-hander is 3-0 with a 1.64 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and .169 BAA as a member of the Giants. Granted, he only has 10 K's in 22 innings, but Penny has clearly been rejuvenated by the move from the AL East to the NL West and is worth grabbing where available.
Ryan Rowland-Smith, SP, SEA (Yahoo: 6 percent owned; ESPN: 3 percent)
Ryan Rowland-Smith, I pronounce thee a proud graduate of Spot Starter Roulette. Congratulations. After a glorious run in the S.S.R. ranks, Rowland-Smith now gets a more weighty endorsement after a run of four starts that has seen him post a 2.90 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 18/4 K/BB ratio in 31 innings. For the season, the lefty has a 3.59 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 77.2 innings and should be worth using against the Rays next week.
Vicente Padilla, SP, LAD (Yahoo: 10 percent owned; ESPN: 3 percent)
Also carrying a freshly minted diploma from S.S.R. Academy is Padilla, who now has a 3-0 record with a 2.01 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 17/7 K/BB ratio in four starts spanning 22.1 innings as a member of the Dodgers. Just like Penny, he's very clearly a different pitcher in the NL and should continue to be a useful option for the stretch run.
David Murphy, OF, TEX (Yahoo: 4 percent owned; ESPN: 3 percent)
With
Josh Hamilton's recovery taking a maddeningly long time, Murphy has made himself a significant beneficiary, hitting .320 (16-for-50) with four homers, eight RBI and 11 runs scored in 13 games this month. The Rangers have been in a massive offensive slump of late (one run in their last 27 innings entering Thursday), but that one run was a solo shot off Murphy's bat. He's now up to 16 homers and eight steals in 367 at-bats, and though those stats don't generate anything remarkable in the Wonderful Proration Machine, Murphy is hot enough right now to help mixed league squads.
Cliff Pennington, 2B/3B/SS, OAK (Yahoo: 4 percent owned; ESPN: 2 percent)
He had just three homers and a 712 OPS at Triple-A this season, but in the vein of another 2009 Oakland middle infield surprise (
Adam Kennedy), Pennington has surprisingly been a rather productive individual in the majors. In his last 10 games, the 25-year-old has hit .447 (17-for-38) with two homers, two steals, eight runs and five RBI, giving him four bombs and seven steals in 150 at-bats. Though I'm not convinced he can keep up the power, the speed, at the very least, is legit – Pennington had 27 steals at Triple-A and represents a very cheap source of speed at a middle infield spot down the stretch.
Drew Stubbs, OF, CIN (Yahoo: 4 percent owned; ESPN: 3 percent)
The batting average (.252) and K/BB ratio (37/9 in 123 at-bats) remain somewhat alarming, but Stubbs continues to provide an impressive power-speed combo – with two homers and a steal in his last two games, he now has seven dingers and six steals for the season. The power remains a surprise given that he had just three homers in 411 Triple-A at-bats in 2009, but unexpected homers still count. If you're not too worried about your batting average, Stubbs could definitely be of use.
SPOT STARTER ROULETTELast week we went 1-for-3 (thank you once again,
Vicente Padilla), but it wasn't a particularly painful 1-for-3, as neither
Homer Bailey (three runs in 5.1 innings) nor
Anibal Sanchez (two runs in 4.2 innings) truly got shellacked (though it was pretty brutal that Sanchez came within one out of recording a win in an 11-3 blowout).
But that was last week, and the good thing about this week is that it presents a fresh set of opportunities to give our pitching stats a critical boost, or drop a massive grenade on our ERA and WHIP. Here we go:
Jon Garland, LAD (Yahoo: 12 percent owned; ESPN: 8 percent) – starts Sat. vs. SF: The Dodgers are something of a S.S.R. gold mine these days, and this week we turn our attention to Garland, who has posted a 3.32 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in three starts since coming to LA, and has gone 4-0 with a 3.09 ERA in his last five starts overall. Hopefully he won't let
Vicente Padilla down.
Robinson Tejeda, KC (Yahoo: 7 percent owned; ESPN: 4 percent) – starts Sun. @ CWS: He was bothered by a blister in his most recent outing, but aside from that finger malady Tejeda has been a very compelling option of late. In three starts since moving from the bullpen into the rotation, the 27-year-old has gone 2-0 with a 0.55 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 19/8 K/BB ratio in 16.1 innings. For the season, Tejeda has allowed just 34 hits (and 38 walks) in 58.1 innings, with 74 K's and a .166 BAA. He's a spot-starter this week, but there's more upside than that here.
Tim Stauffer, SD (Yahoo: 6 percent owned; ESPN: 1 percent) – starts Fri. @ PIT: The Pirates have scored just 2.0 runs per game while losing five of their last six, and they've lost 12 out of 14 this month. Meanwhile, Stauffer is 3-0 with a 2.22 ERA in his last four starts, giving him a 3.31 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 65.1 innings this season. No need to do the math yourself – I already punched it into my calculator. Start vs. Pirates = Win for Stauffer on Friday.
AL-ONLYJeff Fiorentino, OF, BAL (Yahoo: 0 percent owned; ESPN: 0 percent)
After hitting .312 with 12 homers, 67 RBI and 13 steals at Triple-A, the 26-year-old has come up and hit .296 in his first 27 at-bats for the Orioles. He has yet to hit a homer or notch a steal and the Orioles' outfield is a little bit crowded, so any excitement needs to be tempered (and I'm guessing that won't be an issue since we're talking about
Jeff Fiorentino).
NL-ONLYIan Desmond, SS, WAS (Yahoo: 1 percent owned; ESPN: 0 percent)
After hitting .330 with seven homers and 21 steals in 348 at-bats between Double-A and Triple-A this season, Desmond has hit a scalding .588 (10-for-17) with four doubles, a homer and four RBI since his big league debut last Thursday. He hasn't been in the lineup every day, but that's going to have to change if he keeps hitting. Fans of the film
High Fidelity will be pleased to know that the National League is no longer an Ian-less universe. Add Desmond in all NL-only leagues right now.
Addendum: as an astute reader points out, the National League was in fact not an Ian-less universe prior to the arrival of Monsieur Desmond thanks to the existence of a certain Colorado Rockie named Ian Stewart. You'll have to forgive me. I lost a few memories in the lobotomy, the existence of Ian Stewart being one of them.