Fantasy Forecaster: Previewing Week 26
All statistics are through the games of Thursday, Sept. 18.
On tap: Well, this is it! The 26th and final week of the baseball regular season, and the traditional end to the fantasy baseball season. Playoff races are a top storyline, but so are teams resting and shuffling rotations to gear up for the playoffs -- like the Angels and Cubs, who have already clinched their spots. Remember, when a playoff spot is on the line, you get regular at-bats, innings, and maximum player effort, and these 11 teams are in that group, each no greater than five in the loss column away from a playoff spot (playoff scenarios updated through games of Saturday. Sept. 20):
| Astros | 5 losses back of NL Wild Card leader (Mets) |
| Brewers | 3 losses back of NL Wild Card leader (Mets) |
| Diamondbacks | 3 losses back of NL West leader (Dodgers) |
| Dodgers | Lead NL West (magic number 5) |
| Marlins | 5 losses back of NL Wild Card leader (Mets) |
| Mets | Lead NL Wild Card (magic number 6) |
| Phillies | Lead NL East (magic number 8) |
| Rays | Lead AL East (magic number 7) |
| Red Sox | Lead AL Wild Card (magic number 2) |
| White Sox | Lead AL Central (magic number 6) |
| Twins | 3 losses back of AL Central leader (White Sox) |
The White Sox and Twins will battle head-to-head in Minnesota to begin the week (Tuesday-Thursday); the Cubs and Mets will play in New York Monday-Thursday, in what seems a meaningless series for Chicago; and the Brewers, Mets, Phillies, Red Sox and Twins will all benefit in their races by playing entirely at home.
Quick click by section:
Game breakdowns | Hitters' matchups | Comfort Zone: Hitter value plays
Base stealers' matchups | Pitchers' matchups | Two-start pitchers
Note: Weather reports are based on upcoming weather forecasts (through Friday), as well as historical trends in those cities. "Poor weather" doesn't guarantee rainouts; those are merely the teams with the highest probability of one or more.
| Eight games | |
| Rays (@BAL-4, @DET-4) | |
| Seven games | |
| Angels (@SEA-4, TEX-3) | Marlins (@CIN-1, @WAS-3, @NYM-3) |
| Cardinals (ARI-4, CIN-3) | Mets (CHC-4, FLA-3) |
| Cubs (@NYM-4, @MIL-3) | Orioles (TB-4, TOR-3) |
| Diamondbacks (@STL-4, COL-3) | Red Sox (CLE-4, NYY-3) |
| Indians (@BOS-4, @CHW-3) | Reds (FLA-1, @HOU-3, @STL-3) |
| Mariners (LAA-4, OAK-3) | Tigers (KC-3, TB-4) |
| Six games, all home | Six games, all road |
| Astros (CIN-3, ATL-3) | Athletics (@TEX-3, @SEA-3) |
| Brewers (PIT-3, CHC-3) | Braves (@PHI-3, @HOU-3) |
| Giants (COL-3, LAD-3) | Pirates (@MIL-3, @SD-3) |
| Phillies (ATL-3, WAS-3) | Rockies (@SF-3, @ARI-3) |
| Twins (CHW-3, KC-3) | Royals (@DET-3, @MIN-3) |
| Yankees (@TOR-3, @BOS-3) | |
| Good weather (* -- weatherproof) | Riskier weather |
| Angels (@SEA-4, TEX-3) | Indians (@BOS-4, @CHW-3) |
| Astros* (CIN-3, ATL-3) | Mets (CHC-4, FLA-3) |
| Brewers* (PIT-3, CHC-3) | Nationals (FLA-3, @PHI-3) |
| Dodgers (SD-3, @SF-3) | Orioles (TB-4, TOR-3) |
| Giants (COL-3, LAD-3) | Phillies (ATL-3, WAS-3) |
| Mariners* (LAA-4, OAK-3) | Rays (@BAL-4, @DET-4) |
| Padres (@LAD-3, PIT-3) | Red Sox (CLE-4, NYY-3) |
| Pirates (@MIL-3, @SD-3) | |
| Rockies (@SF-3, @ARI-3) | |
| Twins* (CHW-3, KC-3) | |
Note: Hitter-friendly ballparks are based primarily on recent statistical data (2005-08) comparing home/road performance, much the same method as our Park Factor page. Some personal opinion does go into making ballpark selections.
| Good for hitters | Poor for hitters |
 Angels (@SEA-4, TEX-3) |  Cubs (@NYM-4, @MIL-3) |
 Astros (CIN-3, ATL-3) |  Indians (@BOS-4, @CHW-3) |
 Phillies (ATL-3, WAS-3) |  Orioles (TB-4, TOR-3) |
 Rays (@BAL-4, @DET-4) |  Rockies (@SF-3, @ARI-3) |
| Games at hitter-friendly ballparks | |
| Chase Field (ARI): Rockies, Sept. 26-28 | |
| Citizens Bank Park (PHI): Braves, Sept. 22-24; Nationals, Sept. 26-28 | |
| Coors Field (COL): No games | |
| Great American Ball Park (CIN): Marlins, Sept. 22 | |
| Rangers Ballpark (TEX): Athletics, Sept. 22-24 | |
| U.S. Cellular Field (CHW): Indians, Sept. 26-28 | |
| Wrigley Field (CHC): No games | |
| Lefty-heavy | Righty-heavy |
| Athletics (3 LHP, 3 RHP) | Astros (6 RHP, 0 LHP) |
| Cubs (3 LHP, 3 RHP, 1 TBD) | Diamondbacks (7 RHP, 0 LHP) |
| Nationals (3 LHP, 3 RHP) | Marlins (5 RHP, 1 LHP, 1 TBD) |
| Orioles (3 LHP, 3 RHP, 1 TBD) | Padres (5 RHP, 1 LHP) |
| Phillies (4 LHP, 2 RHP) | Pirates (5 RHP, 1 LHP) |
| Rangers (3 LHP, 2 RHP, 1 TBD) | Reds (6 RHP, 1 LHP) |
| Red Sox (5 LHP, 2 RHP) | Tigers (6 RHP, 1 LHP) |
| Rockies (3 LHP, 3 RHP) | Twins (5 RHP, 1 LHP) |
| Royals (3 LHP, 3 RHP) | Yankees (5 RHP, 1 LHP) |
| White Sox (3 LHP, 3 RHP) | |
Looking for a decent hitter value pick for this week? Here are 10 strong matchup choices, among the beneath-the-elite crop:
| Hitter (Team) | Schedule | Recent stats (since?) |
| Nelson Cruz (TEX) | OAK-3, @LAA-3 | (Sept. 1) 15 G's, .373 BA, 1.186 OPS |
| Career versus OAK: 21 G's, .284 BA, 16 RBIs, .849 OPS ... 2008 versus LHP: 22 PAs, .438 BA, 1.403 OPS | ||
| Aaron Cunningham (OAK) | @TEX-3, @SEA-3 | (Aug,. 31) 15 G's, .305 BA, .834 OPS |
| 2008 Double-A: 87 G's, .317 BA, 12 HRs, .893 OPS ... 2008 Triple-A: 20 G's, .382 BA, 5 HRs, 1.106 OPS | ||
| Elijah Dukes (WAS) | FLA-3, @PHI-3 | (Aug. 27) 20 G's, .310 BA, 7 HRs |
| 2008 road: 33 G's, .286 BA, 6 HRs, .891 OPS ... Career versus LHP: 146 PAs, .252 BA, 8 HRs, .860 OPS | ||
| Mike Jacobs (FLA) | @CIN-1, @WAS-3, @NYM-3 | (Aug. 26) 20 G's, .338 BA, 7 HRs |
| Career at Shea Stadium: 39 G's, .322 BA, 9 HRs, 1.050 OPS ... 2008 road: 61 G's, .265 BA, 18 HRs, .899 OPS | ||
| Kelly Johnson (ATL) | @PHI-3, @HOU-3 | (Sept. 1) 16 G's, .443 BA, 1.231 OPS |
| Career at Citizens Bank Park: 17 G's, .250 BA, 5 HRs, .989 OPS ... 24 of 36 career HRs hit on road | ||
| Paul Konerko (CHW) | @MIN-3, CLE-3 | (Sept. 1) 11 G's, .325 BA, 4 HRs |
| 2008 versus LHP: 144 PAs, .233 BA, 5 HRs, .781 OPS ... 2008 home: 52 G's, .286 BA, 11 HRs, .939 OPS | ||
| Adam LaRoche (PIT) | @MIL-3, @SD-3 | (Sept. 3) 14 G's, .365 BA, 1.150 OPS |
| Career at Petco Park: 13 G's, .333 BA, 3 HRs, .999 OPS ... 2008 versus RHP: .287 BA, 18 HRs, .881 OPS | ||
| Lastings Milledge (WAS) | FLA-3, @PHI-3 | (Sept. 7) 10 G's, .333 BA, .856 OPS |
| 2008 at Citizens Bank Park: 6 G's, .333 BA, 1 HR, .929 OPS ... Career versus FLA: 26 G's, .316 BA, .871 OPS | ||
| Joey Votto (CIN) | FLA-1, @HOU-3, @STL-3 | (Aug. 29) 18 G's, .284 BA, .989 OPS |
| 2008 road: 70 G's, .286 BA, 8 HRs, .817 OPS ... 2008 versus RHP: 369 PAs, .293 BA, 12 HRs, .846 OPS | ||
| Jayson Werth (PHI) | ATL-3, WAS-3 | (Aug. 27) 21 G's, .329 BA, 1.091 OPS |
| 2008 home: 60 G's, .275 BA, 10 HRs, .861 OPS ... 2008 versus LHP: 159 PAs, .315 BA, 15 HRs, 1.055 OPS | ||
Note: Matchups are determined by examining both an opponent's catcher and pitching staff. Obviously, teams like the Astros (catcher: Brad Ausmus/Humberto Quintero) and Athletics (Kurt Suzuki/Rob Bowen) rate as tough teams to run on, while teams like the Padres (Nick Hundley/Josh Bard) and Orioles (Ramon Hernandez/Guillermo Quiroz) rate as easy teams to run on.
| Good for stolen bases | Top speedsters |
| Blue Jays (NYY-3, @BAL-3) | Alex Rios (7 SB since All-Star break), Joe Inglett (6) |
| Dodgers (SD-3, @SF-3) | Matt Kemp (12), Russell Martin (8), James Loney (4) |
| Phillies (ATL-3, WAS-3) | Jimmy Rollins (18), Shane Victorino (11), Jayson Werth (7) |
| Rays (@BAL-4, @DET-4) | B.J. Upton (15), Fernando Perez (2), Ben Zobrist (2) |
| Poor for stolen bases | Top speedsters |
| Braves (@PHI-3, @HOU-3) | Josh Anderson (4), Gregor Blanco (4), Brian McCann (4) |
| Reds (FLA-1, @HOU-3, @STL-3) | Chris Dickerson (5), Corey Patterson (3), Joey Votto (3) |
| Tigers (KC-3, TB-4) | Placido Polanco (5), Curtis Granderson (4), Gary Sheffield (4) |
| White Sox (@MIN-3, CLE-3) | Alexei Ramirez (5), Brian Anderson (3), Orlando Cabrera (3) |
Note: As with the hitter-friendly ballparks, pitcher-friendly ballparks are based mostly on 2005-08 data, with some personal opinion involved.
| Good for pitchers | Poor for pitchers |
 Dodgers (SD-3, @SF-3) |  Giants (COL-3, LAD-3) |
 Cardinals (ARI-4, CIN-3) | Indians (@BOS-4, @CHW-3) |
 Twins (CHW-3, KC-3) |  Nationals (FLA-3, @PHI-3) |
 White Sox (@MIN-3, CLE-3) | Rays (@BAL-4, @DET-4) |
| Games at pitcher-friendly ballparks | |
| Dodger Stadium (LAD): Padres, Sept. 23-25 | |
| Dolphin Stadium (FLA): No games | |
| McAfee Coliseum (OAK): No games | |
| Progressive Field (CLE): No games | |
| Petco Park (SD): Pirates, Sept. 26-28 | |
| Safeco Field (SEA): Angels, Sept. 22-25; Athletics, Sept. 26-28 | |
| Shea Stadium (NYM): Cubs, Sept. 22-25; Marlins, Sept. 26-28 | |
Two-start notes: Rotation shuffling for playoff-bound teams is key, so as with the past couple weeks, brace yourself for frequent changes in Week 26. Still, this has the makings of an excellent final week for two-start pitchers, with everyone through No. 17, Gil Meche, a definite mixed-league option. … The Angels can start Ervin Santana on Monday and Saturday and still have him ready for Game 2 of the Division Series, but prepare for a short outing in his second turn, if he takes it at all. Joe Saunders is slated to start Tuesday, but it'd be his final regular-season start, and kidney stones threaten it. Better to not count on two starts from any Angels starter. … I'm counting on the Athletics using four starters this week thanks to Thursday's off day. They don't seem to want to use Gio Gonzalez any more than they have to. … I think the Cubs will go Carlos Zambrano-Ted Lilly-Ryan Dempster for their Division Series rotation, so no serious concerns they'll shuffle Rich Harden off his Tuesday-Sunday schedule for Week 26. … The Dodgers might skip Chad Billingsley's second start on Sunday if they've already wrapped up the division. He'd presumably need to start either Game 1 or 2 of the Division Series. … Tim Lincecum will start twice for the Giants this week despite his standing no chance at a 20-win season. … The Mets will start Jonathan Niese on Monday and then might go to a four-man rotation if the races remain tight. It's a concern that Johan Santana is currently lined up to start Sunday's game, because he'd be the team's preferred Division Series Game 1 starter. Be prepared for his second start to be skipped. … Jake Peavy, whose wife gave birth to their third child this past week, is scheduled to return to the Padres' rotation on Tuesday. Manager Bud Black also says it's a good bet Peavy would pitch the regular-season finale on Sunday. … The Phillies could use J.A. Happ on regular rotation on Sunday's regular-season finale, or they could bring back Cole Hamels on four days' rest. It'll depend on their playoff positioning. … The Red Sox rank among the most likely teams to shuffle their rotation, with Josh Beckett due to start on Saturday. If he's going to start Game 1 of the Division Series, he's either not going to pitch twice this week or he'll be on a very limited pitch count in start No. 2. … The Tigers will give Nate Robertson another start on Wednesday, though it's unclear whether that means they plan to skip someone or use six starters in Week 26. If it's the latter, Freddy Garcia would lose his second turn. … For as long as he has a legitimate chance at 20 wins, Mike Mussina will be lined up to pitch Tuesday and Sunday. He could be skipped Sunday, though, for Phil Hughes if he suffers a loss or no-decision in his first turn.
| Two- start pitchers -- Tristan's rankings | ||
| Pitcher (Team) | First start (Opponent) | Second start (Opponent) |
| 1. Johan Santana (NYM) | Sept. 23, CHC (Harden) | Sept. 28, FLA (Olsen) |
| Past 5 GS: 2-0, 2.70 ERA, 1.35 WHIP ... Career versus FLA: 4 GS, 4-0, 2.49 ERA, 1.07 WHIP | ||
| 2. Tim Lincecum (SF) | Sept. 23, COL (U. Jimenez) | Sept. 28, LAD (Billingsley) |
| Past 5 GS: 3-1, 2.37 ERA, 1.00 WHIP ... 2008 home: 14 GS, 7-2, 2.76 ERA, 1.14 WHIP | ||
| 3. Brandon Webb (ARI) | Sept. 22, @STL (Wellemeyer) | Sept. 27, COL (G. Reynolds) |
| Past 5 GS: 2-3, 6.59 ERA, 1.78 WHIP ... 2008 versus COL: 3 GS, 3-0, 2.42 ERA, 0.81 WHIP | ||
| 4. Rich Harden (CHC) | Sept. 23, @NYM (J. Santana) | Sept. 28, @MIL (Bush) |
| Past 5 GS: 3-0, 1.50 ERA, 0.80 WHIP ... 2008 road: 9 GS, 5-2, 2.44 ERA, 1.10 WHIP | ||
| 5. Jake Peavy (SD) | Sept. 23, @LAD (Billingsley) | Sept. 28, PIT (Ohlendorf) |
| Past 5 GS: 0-3, 3.44 ERA, 1.29 WHIP ... Career at Dodger Stadium: 10 GS, 5-1, 3.30 ERA, 1.30 WHIP | ||
| 6. Chad Billingsley (LAD) | Sept. 23, SD (Peavy) | Sept. 28, @SF (Lincecum) |
| Past 5 GS: 3-1, 3.90 ERA, 1.57 WHIP ... Career at AT&T Park: 5 G's, 3 GS, 2-0, 3.00 ERA, 1.48 WHIP | ||
| 7. Ervin Santana (LAA) | Sept. 22, @SEA (Rowland-Smith) | Sept. 27, TEX (Feldman) |
| Past 5 GS: 2-1, 3.03 ERA, 1.07 WHIP ... 2008 versus TEX: 3 GS, 3-0, 4.09 ERA, 1.18 WHIP | ||
| 8. Josh Beckett (BOS) | Sept. 22, CLE (Z. Jackson) | Sept. 27, NYY (Pettitte) |
| Past 5 GS: 2-1, 3.38 ERA, 1.09 WHIP ... 2008 versus NYY: 4 GS, 3-1, 3.25 ERA, 1.05 WHIP | ||
| 9. Cliff Lee (CLE) | Sept. 23, @BOS (Wakefield) | Sept. 28, @CHW (J. Vazquez) |
| Past 5 GS: 4-0, 2.33 ERA, 1.14 WHIP ... July 1, 2008 at U.S. Cellular Field: Win, 8 IP, 6 H's, 1 ER, 3 K's | ||
| 10. Aaron Harang (CIN) | Sept. 22, FLA (Nolasco) | Sept. 27, @STL (Wellemeyer) |
| Past 5 GS: 1-3, 2.25 ERA, 0.94 WHIP ... Career at Busch Stadium: 6 GS, 3-2, 3.86 ERA, 1.26 WHIP | ||
| 11. Edinson Volquez (CIN) | Sept. 23, @HOU (Backe) | Sept. 28, @STL (Lohse) |
| Past 5 GS: 1-1, 5.81 ERA, 1.48 WHIP ... 2008 road: 16 G's, 15 GS, 8-3, 2.53 ERA, 1.23 WHIP | ||
| 12. Mike Mussina (NYY) | Sept. 23, @TOR (Purcey) | Sept. 28, @BOS (Wakefield) |
| Past 5 GS: 2-2, 4.20 ERA, 1.43 WHIP ... 2008 road: 12 GS, 7-2, 3.53 ERA, 1.28 WHIP | ||
| 13. Randy Johnson (ARI) | Sept. 23, @STL (Lohse) | Sept. 28, COL (U. Jimenez) |
| Past 5 GS: 0-0, 3.23 ERA, 1.27 WHIP ... 2007-08 versus COL: 3 GS, 3-0, 3.18 ERA, 0.94 WHIP | ||
| 14. Javier Vazquez (CHW) | Sept. 23, @MIN (S. Baker) | Sept. 28, CLE (Cl. Lee) |
| Past 5 GS: 2-3, 4.03 ERA, 1.41 WHIP ... 2006-08 versus CLE: 12 GS, 6-3, 3.44 ERA, 1.28 WHIP | ||
| 15. Scott Baker (MIN) | Sept. 23, CHW (J. Vazquez) | Sept. 28, KC (Meche) |
| Past 5 GS: 2-1, 3.52 ERA, 1.37 WHIP ... 2008 home: 10 GS, 3-1, 3.28 ERA, 1.06 WHIP | ||
| 16. James Shields (TB) | Sept. 23, @BAL, Gm. 1 (Olson) | Sept. 28, @DET (F. Garcia) |
| Past 5 GS: 2-1, 3.25 ERA, 1.17 WHIP ... Career at Camden Yards: 5 GS, 1-0, 3.25 ERA, 1.17 WHIP | ||
| 17. Gil Meche (KC) | Sept. 22, @DET (Miner) | Sept. 28, @MIN (S. Baker) |
| Past 5 GS: 2-2, 4.45 ERA, 1.39 WHIP ... Career at Comerica Park: 11 GS, 4-1, 3.38 ERA, 1.32 WHIP | ||
| 18. Dave Bush (MIL) | Sept. 23, PIT (Karstens) | Sept. 28, CHC (Harden) |
| Past 5 GS: 1-1, 4.11 ERA, 1.24 WHIP ... 2008 home: 15 GS, 6-4, 3.51 ERA, 1.06 WHIP | ||
| 19. Ubaldo Jimenez (COL) | Sept. 23, @SF (Lincecum) | Sept. 28, @ARI (Ra. Johnson) |
| Past 5 GS: 2-1, 4.88 ERA, 1.30 WHIP ... 2008 road: 16 GS, 4-8, 5.14 ERA, 1.74 WHIP | ||
| 20. Jair Jurrjens (ATL) | Sept. 22, @PHI (Happ) | Sept. 28, @HOU (Backe) |
| Past 5 GS: 2-1, 6.48 ERA, 1.80 WHIP ... July 25, 2008 at Citizens Bank Park: Win, 8 IP, 3 H's, 0 ERs, 6 K's | ||
| 21. Ricky Nolasco (FLA) | Sept. 22, @CIN (Harang) | Sept. 27, @NYM (TBD) |
| Past 5 GS: 3-0, 2.83 ERA, 0.91 WHIP ... 2008 road: 17 GS, 9-3, 3.31 ERA, 1.10 WHIP | ||
| 22. Kevin Millwood (TEX) | Sept. 22, OAK (G. Smith) | Sept. 28, @LAA (TBD) |
| Past 5 GS: 2-2, 4.81 ERA, 1.31 WHIP ... Career at Angel Stadium: 7 GS, 2-2, 2.83 ERA, 1.11 WHIP | ||
| 23. Tim Wakefield (BOS) | Sept. 23, CLE (Cl. Lee) | Sept. 28, NYY (Mussina) |
| Past 5 GS: 2-3, 7.43 ERA, 1.39 WHIP ... 2005-08 versus CLE: 3 GS, 1-1, 3.38 ERA, 1.55 WHIP | ||
| 24. Kyle Lohse (STL) | Sept. 23, ARI (Ra. Johnson) | Sept. 28, CIN (Volquez) |
| Past 5 GS: 1-0, 2.81 ERA, 1.34 WHIP ... 2008 home: 17 GS, 7-2, 3.25 ERA, 1.13 WHIP | ||
| 25. Jason Marquis (CHC) | Sept. 22, @NYM (Niese) | Sept. 27, @MIL (TBD) |
| Past 5 GS: 2-2, 3.19 ERA, 1.32 WHIP ... 2008 road: 12 GS, 6-3, 3.05 ERA, 1.32 WHIP | ||
| 26. Scott Olsen (FLA) | Sept. 23, @WAS (Martis) | Sept. 28, @NYM (J. Santana) |
| Past 5 GS: 2-2, 4.70 ERA, 1.24 WHIP ... Career at Nationals Park: 2 GS, 1-0, 4.61 ERA, 1.17 WHIP | ||
| 27. Todd Wellemeyer (STL) | Sept. 22, ARI (Webb) | Sept. 27, CIN (Harang) |
| Past 5 GS: 1-4, 3.09 ERA, 1.03 WHIP ... 2008 home: 16 GS, 8-6, 4.32 ERA, 1.41 WHIP | ||
| 28. Zach Miner (DET) | Sept. 22, KC (Meche) | Sept. 27, TB (Garza) |
| Past 5 GS: 2-0, 4.70 ERA, 1.24 WHIP ... 2008 versus KC: 4 G's, 3 GS, 3-0, 1.29 ERA, 0.90 WHIP | ||
| 29. Ryan Rowland-Smith (SEA) | Sept. 22, LAA (E. Santana) | Sept. 27, OAK (G. Smith) |
| Past 5 GS: 2-0, 2.81 ERA, 1.22 WHIP ... 2008 as starter: 10 GS, 2-1, 3.70 ERA, 1.37 WHIP | ||
| No thank you (in alphabetical order): Brandon Backe (HOU), Sept. 23, CIN (Volquez), Sept. 28, ATL (Jurrjens); Brian Bass (BAL), Sept. 22, TB (Price), Sept. 27, TOR (Richmond); Ryan Feierabend (SEA), Sept. 23, LAA (Saunders), Sept. 28, OAK (Outman); Freddy Garcia (DET), Sept. 23, KC (Greinke), Sept. 28, TB (J. Shields); J.A. Happ (PHI), Sept. 22, ATL (Jurrjens), Sept. 28, WAS (Martis); Zach Jackson (CLE), Sept. 22, @BOS (Beckett), Sept. 27, @CHW (Richard); Shairon Martis (WAS), Sept. 23, FLA (Olsen), Sept. 28, @PHI (Happ); Garrett Olson (BAL), Sept. 23, TB, Gm. 1 (J. Shields), Sept. 28, TOR (Purcey); Josh Outman (OAK), Sept. 23, @TEX (Nippert), Sept. 28, @SEA (Feierabend); David Purcey (TOR), Sept. 23, NYY (Mussina), Sept. 28, @BAL (Olson); Greg Smith (OAK), Sept. 22, @TEX (Millwood), Sept. 27, @SEA (Rowland-Smith). | ||
| One-start pitchers -- value plays (owned in under 50 percent of ESPN.com leagues) | ||
| Pitcher (Team) | Start (Opponent) | |
| Bronson Arroyo (CIN) | Sept. 26, @STL (Looper) | |
| Past 5 GS: 4-0, 1.49 ERA, 1.02 WHIP ... Career at Busch Stadium: 6 GS, 2-2, 4.50 ERA, 1.34 WHIP | ||
| Joe Blanton (PHI) | Sept. 26, WAS (Lannan) | |
| Past 5 GS: 1-0, 4.55 ERA, 1.45 WHIP ... 2008 at Citizens Bank Park: 6 GS, 1-0, 3.94 ERA, 1.25 WHIP | ||
| Jon Garland (LAA) | Sept. 25, @SEA (Silva) | |
| Past 5 GS: 3-0, 5.17 ERA, 1.37 WHIP ... Career at Safeco Field: 6 G's, 5 GS, 1-2, 3.90 ERA, 1.67 WHIP | ||
| Josh Johnson (FLA) | Sept. 24, @WAS (Redding) | |
| Past 5 GS: 2-1, 3.21 ERA, 1.22 WHIP ... Career versus WAS: 4 G's, 3 GS, 2-0, 3.15 ERA, 0.95 WHIP | ||
| Hiroki Kuroda (LAD) | Sept. 26, @SF (Hennessey) | |
| Past 5 GS: 2-1, 2.76 ERA, 1.19 WHIP ... Aug. 9, 2008 at AT&T Park: 8 IP, 8 H's, 1 ER, 4 K's | ||
| Greg Maddux (LAD) | Sept. 25, SD (Estes) | |
| Past 5 GS: 1-3, 4.55 ERA, 1.21 WHIP ... 2006-08 at Dodger Stadium: 9 GS, 5-2, 2.62 ERA, 0.95 WHIP | ||
| Brandon Morrow (SEA) | Sept. 26, OAK (Gallagher) | |
| Career as starter: 3 GS, 1-2, 4.86 ERA, 1.38 WHIP ... Career home: 52 G's, 1 GS, 2.35 ERA, 1.01 WHIP | ||
| Jamie Moyer (PHI) | Sept. 27, WAS (Od. Perez) | |
| Past 5 GS: 3-0, 5.74 ERA, 1.46 WHIP ... 2008 versus WAS: 4 GS, 2-0, 2.82 ERA, 1.57 WHIP | ||
| David Price (TB) | Sept. 23, @BAL, Gm. 2 (TBD) | |
| Career: 2 G's, 3.00 ERA, 0.67 WHIP ... 2008 minors: 19 GS, 12-1, 2.30 ERA, 1.13 WHIP | ||
| Randy Wolf (HOU) | Sept. 25, CIN (Cueto) | |
| Past 5 GS: 2-1, 3.52 ERA, 1.11 WHIP ... Career versus CIN: 14 GS, 7-2, 3.39 ERA, 1.03 WHIP | ||
Tristan H. Cockcroft covers fantasy sports for ESPN.com. You can e-mail him here.
