At Home Plate - The Fantasy Ticker (September 24 to 30)

At Home Plate

Written by Jonathan Leshanski (Contact & Archive) on September 22, 2007

Consider this week’s ticker to be even more speculative than usual as a lot of players will find themselves getting extra rest this week either in preparation for the playoffs or just because the season is essentially done. This is especially true of starting pitchers who’ve thrown a lot of innings this season. In fact the only starters I’d count on this week are those for teams still fighting for a playoff spot.

Our Suggested Two Start Pitchers for this week:
A.J. Burnett (9/24, 9/29 - @NYA, TB)
Felix Hernandez (9/25, 9/30 - CLE, TEX)
Ted Lilly (9/25, 9/30 - @FLA, @CIN)
Brad Penny (9/25, 9/30 - COL, SF)*
C.C. Sabathia (9/25, 9/30 -@SEA, @KC)*
Joe Saunders (9/25, 9/30 -@TEX, @OAK)
Chris Young (9/24, 9/29 - @SF, @MIL)*

You Make the Call:
Dave Bush (9/24, 9/29 -STL, SD)
Chuck James (9/25, 9/30 - @PHI, @HOU)
Mike Mussina (9/24, 9/30 -TOR, @BAL)
Micah Owings (9/25, 9/30 - @PIT, @COL)
Mike Pelfrey (9/24, 9/30 - WAS, FLA)
Nate Robertson (9/24, 9/29 - MIN, @CHA)*
Curt Schilling (9/25, 9/30 - OAK, MIN)*
Ian Snell (9/25, 9/30 - ARI, STL)
Jeff Suppan (9/25, 9/30 - STL, SD)*

Other Two Start Pitchers:
Daniel Cabrera (9/25, 9/30 - TOR, NYA)
Matt Chico (9/24, 9/29 - @NYN, @PHI)
Jose Contreras (9/25, 9/30 - KC, DET)
Josh Fogg (9/25, 9/30 - @LAD, ARI)
Matt Garza (9/25, 9/30 - @DET, @ BOS)
Armando Galarraga (9/24, 9/29 - LAA, @SEA)
Chad Gaudin (9/25, 9/30 - @BOS, LAA)
Jason Hamels (9/25, 9/30 - NYA, @TOR)
Jesse Litsch (9/25, 9/30 - @BAL, TB)
Brandon McCarthy (9/25, 9/30 - LAA, @SEA)
Jamie Moyer (9/25, 9/30 - ATL, WAS)
Felipe Paulino (9/25, 9/30 - @CIN, ATL)
Tom Shearn (9/25, 9/30 - HOU, CHN)
Carlos Silva (9/24, 9/29 - @ DET, @BOS)
Brett Tomko (9/25, 9/30 - @SF, @MIL)
Todd Wellemeyer (9/24, 9/30 - @MIL, @PIT)
Dontrelle Willis (9/25, 9/30 - CHN, @NYN)
Barry Zito (9/24, 9/29 - SD, @LAN)

* Denotes players likely to miss a start or see limited action this week as the playoff picture becomes clear.

Teams with 5 Games: A’s
Teams with 7 Games: Blue Jays, Brewers, Cardinals, Indians, Mariners, Mets, Orioles, Padres, Royals, Yankees
Everyone else plays 6 times

At Pitchers Parks this week:
Turner Field (Atlanta): No Games.
Petco Park (San Diego): No Games.
Busch Stadium (St. Louis): No Games.
Minute Maid Park (Houston): 3 games v. Braves.
Tropicana Field (Florida): .3 game v. Cubs

At Hitters Parks this week:
Fenway Park (Boston): 6 Games (2 v. A’s, 4 v. Twins).
Great American Ballpark (Cincinnati) 6 Games (3 each w/ Astros, Cubs)
Kaufman Stadium (Kansas City): 3 games v. Indians
Yankee Stadium (New York): 1 game v. Blue Jays
U.S. Cellular Field (Chicago): 6 Games (3 each v. Royals, Tigers)

Ratchet them up!

J.R. Towles (C, Astros): The rookie is making a case with his bat that the Astros should make him their catcher of the future. Coming into the weekend he’s hitting .400 with 2 home runs and 11 RBIs (admittedly 8 of them came in the 18-1 rout of the Cards on Thursday) in just 7 games. He could be a great final week pick up.

Carlos Delgado (1B, Mets): Delgado’s hip isn’t 100% but he’ll see at least light duty this upcoming week;

Christian Guzman (SS, Nationals): Came back off the DL and should play all of next week.

Gary Matthews Jr. (OF, Angels): Will return for at least some light duty this week to get ready for the playoffs.

Ratchet them down!

Greg Maddux (SP, Padres): Has a torn ligament in his right elbow. He’s likely done for the season.

Lasting Millege (OF, Mets): Will miss at least one game this week in order to serve a suspension.

Cesar izturis (SS, Pirates): Backup SS Izturis was pulled from Friday’s game with a sore elbow. It’s hardly a loss for fantasy players.

Jay Payton (OF, Orioles): Was suspended two games.

Ken Griffey Jr. (OF, Reds): Is done for the season due to a groin sprain.

Hunter Pence (OF, Astros): Suffered a back strain and will miss several games. He might be done for the season.

Chris Duncan (OF, Cardinals): Is done for the season due to a hernia. Cut him.

Daniel Cabrera (SP, Orioles): Was suspended six games by MLB for intentionally throwing a pitch at the head of Dustin Pedroia on Sept 7th. He’ll miss at least one start.

Alex Gonzalez (SS, Reds): Injured his knee on Wednesday and as of yet hasn’t been back. Don’t count on him next week.

Richie Sexson (1B, Mariners): will not play next week due to soreness in the tendons of his left hamstring.

Chris Duncan (OF, Cardinals): Will miss most or all of next week following hernia surgery.

Vernon Wells (OF, Blue Jays): Will undergo shoulder surgery early this week. He’s done for the season.

Albert Pujols (OF, Cardinals): May well be limited to pinch hitting duties the rest of the way.

Carl Crawford (OF, Devil Rays): is likely done for the season with a groin strain.

Lyle Overbay (1B/DH, Blue Jays): Is done for the season as of Tuesday when he’ll have surgery.

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