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Do you know anyone who likes the fact that MLB's 2011 regular season is ending in the middle of a week? I sure don't. Ah, baseball, the things you do to us.
Specifically, the last day of regular-season ball will be Wednesday, Sept. 28. There's no universal way to make this week's Rundown universally helpful, but hey, I face that dilemma with every issue. Let's keep the same routine and analyze who is slated to pitch twice over the next seven-game segment (Monday to Sunday), and we'll handle final three games after that on an a la carte basis.
As always, consider every pitcher here to be probable, especially at this point, the silly part of the season. And your questions are welcome in the comments, I'll do what I can.
National League Double Dips: Sept. 19-25
1. Clayton Kershaw (SF, at SD): He'll make amends for the flimsy, early ejection
2. Cliff Lee (Was, at NY): There's no wrong answer at No. this week
3. Roy Halladay (STL, at NY): Would be cool to see him win a ring
4. Ian Kennedy (Pit, SF): Best work has come at home (2.81/1.03)
5. Tim Lincecum (at LA, at Ari): Stepped it up in second half (1.87 ERA, .195 BAA)
6. Edwin Jackson (NY, Chi): Only one bad start since joining Redbirds
7. Bud Norris (at Cin, Col): Big strikeout numbers, deserves better than 6-10
8. Mike Minor (at Fla, at Was): Rarely works past six innings
9. Kevin Millwood (SD, at Hou): He's been better than I expected (3.68 ERA, almost 5:1 K:BB)
10. Ricky Nolasco (Atl, at Mil): Makes bad luck into an art form
11. Cory Luebke (at Col, LA): Colorado start is a buzzkill
12. Chris Narveson (at Chi, Fla): Recent strikeouts don't move the needle
13. Mike Pelfrey (at Stl, Phi): Passable at home (3.57/1.31), a mess on road (5.36/1.55)
14. J.A. Happ (at Cin, Col): Now his 6-15 has been well-deserved
15. Casey Coleman (Mil, at Stl): Nothing easy with these assignments.
American League Double Dips: Sept. 19-25
1. Ricky Romero (LA, at TB): He's pitched like a borderline ace in second half
2. Derek Holland (at Oak, Sea): High-variance guy but the schedule is right
3. Gavin Floyd (at Cle, KC): ERA a little high but otherwise second-half numbers look good
4. Jeremy Guthrie (at Bos, at Det): Tricky schedule but he's been solid
5. Wade Davis (at NY, Tor): Forget the Bronx tale, but he's solid at home (3.58/1.25)
6. Phil Hughes (Min, Bos): There's no pattern to the Phil Hughes Matrix
7. Fausto Carmona (Sea, Min): Plenty of stuff but it moves too much
8. Rich Harden (Tex, at LA): Basically the right-handed version of Erik Bedard
9. Brad Penny (at KC, Bal): Tough watch, tougher own
10. Liam Hendriks (Sea, at Cle): One good turn, one mediocre one, not many missed bats
11. David Huff (Sea, Min): No real strikeout upside
12. Carl Pavano (at NY, at Cle): A lot of history here, not much of it good
13. Joel Pineiro (at Tor, Oak): There's nothing to recommend here
14. Luis Mendoza (Det, at Chi): They've shut down three Duffy, Hochevar, Francis
15. Charlie Furbush (at Cle, at Tex): ERA has swelled with Mariners
16. Jerome Williams (at Tor, Oak): Send it in, Jerome
You'll notice the better options, per usual, come in the National League. That's nothing new.
Let's run off some bulletry:
•*The Giants still want to make a playoff push, no matter that they're five games out of a spot (for the division or the wild card). Not tanking the season means we'll see Brian Wilson (elbow) back in the fold; he's expected to come off the disabled list Sunday. Santiago Casilla has been the closer of late, nailing down three of the last four wins (though he allowed two runs in Saturday's win at Colorado). Until I know for sure that Wilson is back and ready to handle his normal role, I'll hold onto a Casilla share or two. Your plan, and your mileage, will vary.
•*If you're in a deep league and looking for an extra catcher or a Swiss Army Knife, perhaps Colorado's Jordan Pacheco can help you. Pacheco is 13-for-39 with a couple of homers since joining the Rockies (after an ordinary minor-league season to be fair) and he's one of our favorite things in the fantasy world, a catcher-eligible player who isn't actually asked to catch. Pacheco qualifies at third as well, and could pick up first-base eligibility soon. Jim Tracy is no bargain with the lineup card, but I'm willing to ride this out through the remainder of Colorado's home schedule.
•*Nolan Reimold took the collar Saturday but otherwise he's been plenty helpful as a category juice guy, homering three times and stealing five bases in September (along with nine walks and a .452 OBP). Do the right thing, Buck Showalter — keep this guy in the lineup. The Orioles and Red Sox have a juicy doubleheader Monday, if you find yourself looking for possible at-bat overlays.
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Photos courtesy Associated Press