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It's a curious slate coming our way Monday; there are plenty of fantasy-useful starters heading to the mound, but just about every worthwhile play is someone that's owned in the majority of Yahoo! leagues. In other words, it's a solid slate for name-brand arms, but it's not a friendly card for the streamers.
Probable Pitchers for Monday, Sept. 26
1. Cliff Lee (at Atl): Philly could use shot of confidence
2. Doug Fister (Cle): A machine since trade (7 wins, 2.02, 0.90, silly K/BB numbers)
3. Jaime Garcia (at Hou): Five good turns in last six
4. Daniel Hudson (LAD): Best work comes at home (3.04/1.18)
5. Matt Garza (at SD): Luck finally came around for him down the stretch
6. Mat Latos (ChC): Superb form in second half (83 Ks, 3.10, 1.05)
7. James Shields (NYY): He's money but the matchup is tricky
8. Shaun Marcum (Pit): Some 2012 pressure, given how Brett Lawrie emerged
9. C.J. Wilson (at LAA): He's held up nicely, improving key numbers in second half
10. Anibal Sanchez (Was): Isn't winning much but other trends are positive
11. Josh Beckett (at Bal): Hasn't been all that sharp since return
12. Dan Haren (Tex): A 3.94 ERA in second half, though other indicators solid
13. Brandon McCarthy (at Sea): Super second half - 71 Ks, 3.02 ERA, 1.08 WHIP
14. Randall Delgado (Phi): Look for five solid innings, nothing more
15. Ubaldo Jimenez (at Det): Striking guys out, but otherwise uneven in Cleveland (4.62/1.38)
16. Homer Bailey (at NYM): Forever erratic but has strikeout upside
17. Ryan Vogelsong (Col): Getting knocked around over last month (4.11/1.40)
18. Wandy Rodriguez (StL): Career ERA is 2.31 lower at home
19. Jason Vargas (Oak): Back in form over his last three starts
20. Tommy Milone (at Fla): Doesn't miss bats but doesn't walk anyone either (3 BB in 21.2 IP)
21. Felipe Paulino (at Min): Plenty of strikeouts but other numbers leave a mark
22. Jhoulys Chacin (at SF): Just 16 strikeouts over last five turns
23. Dana Eveland (at Ari): Not in this ballpark you don't
24. Charlie Morton (at Mil): Modest strikeout push in second half, clip and save
25. Dylan Axelrod (Tor): Ordinary fastball, needs perfect location to be successful
26. Dustin McGowan (at CWS): Has a long way to go to complete comeback narrative
27. Chris Schwinden (Cin): Won't go deep, shouldn't be anything special
28. Tommy Hunter (Bos): Crooked numbers in six of last seven
29. Kevin Slowey (KC): Swinging-strike numbers have collapsed
The Yankees had yet to name their Monday starter as this edition went to press.
Stream Police: McCarthy (40 percent) came through last week against Texas with a pitch-to-contact gem (7 IP, 1 R). He was in line for a win but Grant Balfour squandered the lead. Delgado (four percent) will probably have a solid start but he's unlikely to get deep into the game. Bailey (17 percent) has strikeout potential (one per inning for September) but you never know when he'll lose his release point and start throwing batting practice. Vargas (10 percent) isn't a bad try if you really need to accumulate innings.
That will get you started on the Monday program; I'll be back later in the AM with additional notes, and some streaming ideas for Tuesday and Wednesday. Stay the course for four more days, and then we'll start production on your 2011 Championship DVD.
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Image courtesy Associated Press