Well, friends, it's been a long haul, but the time has finally come to preview the final week of the 2009 MLB season. Scheduled games go right through to next Sunday, so we do have a full slate of two-start pitchers and streamer suggestions for you. Be careful with these projections as playoff-bound teams may make unforeseen rotation adjustments this week as they set up their top starters for postseason competition.
I've enjoyed bringing you these weekly previews all season long and have been privileged to interact with a lot of brilliant baseball minds through this column over the course of the year. Thanks to everyone who wrote in to chip in their two cents or correct my careless mistakes. Feel free to stay in touch during the offseason by emailing me at nels2807@gmail.com or following me on Twitter @nnelson9. You can also keep up with my Twins blog here, if you're so inclined.
Enjoy the playoffs and offseason, everyone.
Going Twice...
American League Strong PlaysScott Feldman: @LAA (Kazmir), @SEA (Morrow)
Tommy Hunter: @LAA (Santana), @SEA (Rowland-Smith)
Jeff Niemann: BAL (Hendrickson), NYY (Pettitte)
Ervin Santana: TEX (Hunter), @OAK (Eveland)
Scott Kazmir: TEX (Feldman), @OAK (Gonzalez)
Justin Verlander: MIN (Duensing), CWS (Danks)
Josh Beckett: TOR (Richmond), CLE (Masterson)
Clay Buchholz: TOR (Romero), CLE (Carrasco)
Decent PlaysScott Richmond: @BOS (Beckett), @BAL (Guthrie)
Wade Davis: BAL (Guthrie), NYY (Burnett)
Brian Duensing: @DET (Verlander), KC (Hochevar)
Rick Porcello: MIN (Blackburn), CWS (Hudson)
John Danks: @CLE (Masterson), @DET (Verlander)
Justin Masterson: CWS (Danks), @BOS (Beckett)
Jeremy Guthrie: @TB (Davis), TOR (Richmond)
Brandon Morrow: OAK (Cahill), TEX (Feldman)
At Your Own RiskChad Gaudin: KC (Hochevar), @TB (Davis)
Nick Blackburn: @DET (Porcello), KC (Greinke)
Luke Hochevar: @NYY (Guadin), @MIN (Duensing)
Carlos Carrasco: CWS (Buehrle), @BOS (Buchholz)
Mark Hendrickson: @TB (Niemann),TOR (Richmond)
National League Strong PlaysJoel Pineiro: @CIN (Bailey), MIL (Narveson)
Jonathan Sanchez: ARI (Davis), @SD (Mujica)
J.A. Happ: HOU (Norris), FLA (Sanchez)
Cole Hamels: HOU (Bazardo), FLA (Sanchez)
Jason Marquis: MIL (Narveson), @LAD (Padilla)
Jair Jurrjens: FLA (Sanchez), WAS (Detwiler)
Decent PlaysRandy Wells: PIT (Morton), ARI (Davis)
Doug Davis: @SF (Sanchez), @CHC (Wells)
Bud Norris: @PHI (Happ), @NYM (Figueroa)
Homer Bailey: STL (Pineiro), PIT (Morton)
Tim Hudson: FLA (VandenHurk), WAS (Martin)
Nelson Figueroa: @WAS (Detwiler), HOU (Norris)
Vicente Padilla: @PIT (Hart), COL (Marquis)
At Your Own RiskAnibal Sanchez: @ATL (Jurrjens), @PHI (Happ)
J.D. Martin: NYM (Pelfrey), @ATL (Hudson)
Ross Detwiler: NYM (Figueroa), @ATL (Jurrjens)
Kevin Hart: LAD (Billingsley), @CIN (Cueto)
Charlie Morton: @CHC (Wells), @CIN (Bailey)
Chris Narveson: @COL (Marquis), @STL (Pineiro)
Yorman Bazardo: @PHI (Hamels), @NYM (Misch)
Streamer City
The following pitchers are generally available in over 50 percent of fantasy leagues and have favorable match-ups this week:
American League Wednesday, 9/30: Carl Pavano @ DETPavano has absolutely dominated the Tigers all year, with a 4-0 record, 1.69 ERA and 22-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio in five starts against them.
Thursday, 10/1: Doug Fister vs. OAKFister has struggled against high-powered offenses in his past couple starts, but should be able to get back on track at home against the A's.
National League Wednesday, 9/30: Jon Garland @ SDGarland has thrived since moving over to the Dodgers and draws a solid match-up in San Diego this week.
Friday, 10/2: Tom Gorzelanny vs. ARIPlay the hot hand? Gorzelanny tied his career-high by fanning nine in his last start against the Brewers, and should be able to take care of business against the D-Backs.
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Nick Nelson is a frequent contributor to Rotoworld's baseball coverage and regularly blogs about the Minnesota Twins at Nick's Twins Blog. |
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