Today's Fantasy Rx

Schedule recommendations for teams with 7 games

Good for hitters / Good for pitchers
Seattle: 4 Home vs. CLE; 3 Home vs. TEX.

Good for hitters / Bad for pitchers
Baltimore: 1 Home vs. KC; 3 Home vs. TOR; 3 Home vs. NYY.
Cleveland: 4 Road at SEA; 3 Road at KC.
Kansas City: 1 Road at BAL; 3 Road at CHW; 3 Road at CLE.
Milwaukee: 3 Home vs. STL; 4 Home vs. SD.
Minnesota: 3 Road at DET; 4 Road at BOS.
New York Mets: 3 Home vs. WAS; 1 Home vs. STL; 3 Home vs. FLO.
New York Yankees: 1 Home vs. TOR; 3 Road at TB; 3 Road at BAL.
St. Louis: 3 Road at MIL; 1 Road at NYM; 3 Road at PIT.
Toronto: 1 Road at NYY; 3 Road at BAL; 3 Home vs. TB.

Bad for hitters / Good for pitchers
San Diego: 3 Road at SF; 4 Road at MIL.

Schedule recommendations for teams with 6 games

Good for hitters / Good for pitchers
Boston: 2 Home vs. OAK; 4 Home vs. MIN.
Los Angeles Dodgers: 3 Home vs. COL; 3 Home vs. SF.
Seattle: 2 Home vs. CLE; 3 Home vs. TEX.

Good for hitters / Bad for pitchers
Arizona: 3 Road at PIT; 3 Road at COL.
Atlanta: 3 Road at PHI; 3 Road at HOU.
Chicago Cubs: 3 Road at FLO; 3 Road at CIN.
Chicago White Sox: 3 Home vs. KC; 3 Home vs. DET.
Cincinnati: 3 Home vs. HOU; 3 Home vs. CHC.
Colorado: 3 Road at LAD; 3 Home vs. ARI.
Detroit: 3 Home vs. MIN; 3 Road at CHW.
Florida: 3 Home vs. CHC; 3 Road at CHW.
Houston: 3 Road at CIN; 3 Home vs. ATL.
Philadelphia: 3 Home vs. ATL; 3 Home vs. WAS.
Pittsburgh: 3 Home vs. ARI; 2 Home vs. STL.
Los Angeles Angels: 3 Road at TEX; 3 Road at OAK.
Tampa Bay: 3 Home vs. NYY; 3 Road at TOR.
Texas: 3 Home vs. LAA; 3 Road at SEA.
Washington: 3 Road at NYM; 3 Road at PHI.

Bad for hitters / Good for pitchers
San Francisco: 3 Home vs. SD; 3 Road at LAD.

Schedule recommendations for teams with 5 games

Good for hitters / Bad for pitchers
Oakland: 2 Road at BOS; 3 Home vs. LAA.

Note: All doubles this week remain highly subject to change due to playoff preparations, last-minute milestone pushes, inclement weather, and managerial whim. Any cancelled game without playoff implications likely will not be rescheduled.

Pitchers with 2 starts(to deploy everywhere you own them):
A.J. Burnett: Mon:@NYY(A.Pettitte); Sat:TB(Ed.Jackson)
Brian Burres: Tue:TOR(J.Litsch); Sun:NYY(R.Clemens)
David Bush: Mon:STL(A.Wainwright); Sat:SD(C.Young)
Daniel Cabrera: Mon:KC(G.Meche); Sat:NYY(A.Pettitte)
Matt Cain: Tue:SD(B.Tomko); Sun:@LAD(B.Penny)
Roger Clemens?: Tue:@TB(J.Hammel); Sun:@BAL(B.Burres)???
Jose Contreras: Tue:KC(B.Bannister); Sun:DET(N.Robertson)
Chad Gaudin: Tue:@BOS(C.Schilling); Sun:LAA(Jer.Weaver)
Felix Hernandez: Tue:CLE(C.Sabathia); Sun:TEX(V.Padilla?)
Ted Lilly: Tue:@FLO(D.Willis); Sun:@CIN(H.Bailey)
Braden Looper: Tue:@MIL(J.Suppan); Sun:@PIT(I.Snell)
Gil Meche: Mon:@BAL(D.Cabrera); Sat:CLE(A.Laffey)
Mike Pelfrey?: Mon:WAS(M.Chico); Sun:FLO(D.Willis)?
Brad Penny: Tue:COL(U.Jimenez); Sun:SF(M.Cain)
Jeff Suppan: Tue:STL(B.Looper); Sun:SD(B.Tomko?)
Andy Pettitte: Mon:TOR(A.Burnett); Sat:@BAL(D.Cabrera)
Nate Robertson: Mon:MIN(C.Silva); Sun:@CHW(J.Contreras)
C.C. Sabathia?: Tue:@SEA(F.Hernandez); Sun:@KC(J.de la Rosa)???
Curt Schilling?: Tue:OAK(C.Gaudin); Sun:MIN(M.Garza)???
Ian Snell: Tue:ARI(Do.Davis); Sun:STL(B.Looper)
Adam Wainwright: Mon:@MIL(D.Bush); Sat:@PIT(T.Gorzelanny)
Dontrelle Willis: Tue:CHC(T.Lilly); Sun:@NYM(M.Pelfrey)
Chris Young: Mon:@SF(B.Zito); Sat:@MIL(D.Bush)
Barry Zito: Mon:SD(C.Young); Sat:@LAD(C.Billingsley)

Pitchers with 2 starts to deploy only in leagues that don't count qualitative stats:
Homer Bailey: Tue:HOU(J.Gutierrez); Sun:CHC(T.Lilly)
Matt Chico: Mon:@NYM(T.Glavine); Sun:@PHI(J.Moyer)
Doug Davis: Tue:@PIT(I.Snell); Sun:@COL(U.Jimenez)
Matt Garza: Tue:@DET(J.Bonderman); Sun:@BOS(C.Schilling?)
Juan Gutierrez: Tue:@CIN(H.Bailey); Sun:ATL(C.James)
Jason Hammel: Tue:NYY(R.Clemens); Sun:@TOR(J.Litsch)
Chuck James: Tue:@PHI(J.Moyer); Sun:@HOU(J.Gutierrez)
Ubaldo Jimenez: Tue:@LAD(B.Penny); Sun:ARI(Do.Davis)
Jesse Litsch: Tue:@BAL(B.Burres); Sun:TB(J.Hammel)
Ervin Santana: Mon:@TEX(A.Galarraga); Sat:@OAK(L.DiNardo?)
Carlos Silva: Mon:@DET(N.Robertson); Sat:@BOS(T.Wakefield)
Brett Tomko?: Tue:@SF(M.Cain); Sun:@MIL(J.Suppan)???
Jered Weaver: Tue:@TEX(M.Wood?); Sun:@OAK(C.Gaudin)

Diamond Challenge

SP(6)
Johan Santana: Wed:@DET(J.Jurrjens)
John Smoltz: Thu:@PHI(A.Eaton?)
Jake Peavy: Wed:@SF(P.Misch)
Roy Halladay: Wed:@BAL(J.Guthrie)
Brandon Webb: Thu:@PIT(P.Maholm)
John Lackey: Fri:@OAK(D.Haren)
C.C. Sabathia?: Tue:@SEA(F.Hernandez); Sun:@KC(J.de la Rosa)???
Josh Beckett: Thu:MIN(S.Baker?)
Chris Young: Mon:@SF(B.Zito); Sat:@MIL(D.Bush)
Felix Hernandez: Tue:CLE(C.Sabathia); Sun:TEX(V.Padilla?)
Jon Papelbon: 2 Home vs. OAK; 4 Home vs. MIN.

With no saves upside in league and little incentive to run Papelbon with Boston readying for the playoffs, a rotation of Peavy, Webb, Sabathia, Beckett, Young, and Felix seems solid to finish the year. Dempster also return to the lineup for Capps with the Cubs seemingly better positioned to grab a couple of saves on the road.

Pujols' injury issues also prompt us to run Howard over him, leaving with plenty of cap room but hopefully a lineup full of guys who'll play six games this week. Morneau, Kelly Johnson, Teahen, Bill Hall, Bonds, Victorino, and Manny all stay seated.

Rotohelp.com(2nd lg; 24th div; 278th overall)
Week 26: September 24-September 30

 
C	Brian McCann		880
C	Russ Martin		680 
1B	Ryan Howard		1420
1B	Prince Fielder		910
2B	Brandon Phillips	930 
2B	Howie Kendrick		520
3B	Alex Rodriguez		1940 
3B	David Wright		1550
SS	Jose Reyes		1610 
SS	Hanley Ramirez		1100
OF	Matt Holliday		1410 
OF	Magglio Ordonez		820 
OF	Nick Markakis		770 
OF	Curtis Granderson	760 
OF	Delmon Young		750
OF	Corey Hart		430
DH	Garrett Atkins		1150 
DH	Ryan Braun		750

SP	Jake Peavy		1180 
SP	Brandon Webb		1130 
SP	C.C. Sabathia		1040 
SP	Josh Beckett		1000
SP	Chris Young		880
SP	Felix Hernandez		840 
RP	Francisco Cordero	1260
RP	Takashi Saito		1200 
RP	Ryan Dempster		1130
RP	Joe Borowski		1110 

Total Salary for Week 26: 	29150

Diamond Challenge - 2nd Season

SP(6)
Johan Santana: Wed:@DET(J.Jurrjens)
John Smoltz: Thu:@PHI(A.Eaton?)
Jake Peavy: Wed:@SF(P.Misch)
Brandon Webb: Thu:@PIT(P.Maholm)
John Lackey: Fri:@OAK(D.Haren)
C.C. Sabathia?: Tue:@SEA(F.Hernandez); Sun:@KC(J.de la Rosa)???
Jeremy Bonderman: Tue:MIN(M.Garza)
Daisuke Matsuzaka: Fri:MIN(K.Slowey)
Dan Haren: Fri:LAA(J.Lackey)
Tim Hudson: Wed:@PHI(K.Lohse)
Jon Papelbon: 2 Home vs. OAK; 4 Home vs. MIN.

Sabathia, Peavy, Webb, Sabathia, and Papelbon all seem solid, and Haren edges Lackey as the home starter and the pitcher more likely to pitch more innings with Lackey just prepping for the playoffs. Valverde sits with Arizona headed to Pittsburgh, where he faces Capps, and then Colorado.

Morneau enters the lineup for the hurting Pujols, Sizemore replaces the injured Griffey, and to slide under the cap, J.J. Hardy replaces Lowell. Victor, Vlad, Youkilis, and Kelly Johnson all remain benched.

Rotohelp.com(7th lg; 24th div; 161st overall)
Week 26: September 24-September 30

 
C	Brian McCann		880
C	Russ Martin		680 
1B	Justin Morneau		1180
1B	Prince Fielder		910 
2B	Brandon Phillips	930 
2B	Howie Kendrick		520 
3B	Ryan Braun		750
3B	B.J. Upton		410 
SS	Jose Reyes		1610 
SS	Hanley Ramirez		1100 
OF	Matt Holliday		1410 
OF	Grady Sizemore		1380
OF	Alex Rios		1000
OF	Magglio Ordonez		820 
OF	Nick Markakis		770
OF	Corey Hart		430
DH	David Wright		1550 
DH	J.J. Hardy		420  

SP	Johan Santana		1960 
SP	Jake Peavy		1180 
SP	Brandon Webb		1130
SP	C.C. Sabathia		1040 
SP	Dan Haren		940 
SP	Jon Papelbon		900
RP	Francisco Cordero	1260 
RP	Takashi Saito		1200 
RP	Al Reyes		750
RP	Matt Capps		600

Total Salary for Week 26: 	27710

Internet Challenge

SP(6)
Johan Santana: Wed:@DET(J.Jurrjens)
Roy Oswalt: No start.
Ben Sheets: No start.
Jake Peavy: Wed:@SF(P.Misch)
Brandon Webb: Thu:@PIT(P.Maholm)
Greg Maddux: No start.
Josh Beckett: Thu:MIN(S.Baker?)
Daisuke Matsuzaka: No start.
Dan Haren: No start.
Felix Hernandez: Tue:CLE(C.Sabathia)
Matt Cain: Tue:SD(B.Tomko)
Brett Myers: 3 Home vs. ATL.
Jon Papelbon: 2 Home vs. OAK; 1 Home vs. MIN.

Right now wins appears more important to us than saves, so our six starters will pitch. Despite a desire to deploy Dempster over Capps, Capps also remains active for cap purposes.

Offensively, we need essentially everything except RBI, and with Hafner enjoying four games in Seattle, he'll replace McCann, who joins Pujols, Kelly Johnson, Teahen, Hall, and Bonds on our bench.

Rotohelp.com(6th lg; 88th overall)
Week 26a: September 24-September 27

 
C	Victor Martinez		1310 
C	Russ Martin		680 
1B	Ryan Howard		1420
1B	Prince Fielder		910
2B	Brandon Phillips	930	
2B	Howie Kendrick		520
3B	David Wright		1550
3B	B.J. Upton		410
SS	Jose Reyes		1610 
SS	Hanley Ramirez		1100
OF	Matt Holliday		1410 
OF	Alex Rios		1000 
OF	Nick Markakis		770 
OF	Curtis Granderson	760
OF	Delmon Young		750 
OF	Corey Hart		430 
DH	Alex Rodriguez		1940 
DH	Travis Hafner		1380

SP	Johan Santana		1960 
SP	Jake Peavy		1180 
SP	Brandon Webb		1130
SP	Josh Beckett		1000 
SP	Felix Hernandez		840
SP	Matt Cain		840
RP	Francisco Cordero	1260 
RP	Takashi Saito		1200
RP	Joe Borowski		1110 
RP	Matt Capps		600

Total Week 26a Salary:		30000

Fantasy Baseball & Fanball.Com Cap Challenge (aka Budget Baseball)
(Same rules = same rosters and moves for both teams)

SP(6)
Johan Santana: Wed:@DET(J.Jurrjens)
Brandon Webb: Thu:@PIT(P.Maholm)
John Lackey: Fri:@OAK(D.Haren)
Jake Peavy: Wed:@SF(P.Misch)
Josh Beckett: Thu:MIN(S.Baker?)
C.C. Sabathia?: Tue:@SEA(F.Hernandez); Sun:@KC(J.de la Rosa)???
Daisuke Matsuzaka: Fri:MIN(K.Slowey)
Chris Young: Mon:@SF(B.Zito); Sat:@MIL(D.Bush)
Fausto Carmona: Wed:@SEA(J.Washburn)
Brett Myers: 3 Home vs. ATL; 3 Home vs. WAS.
Jon Papelbon: 2 Home vs. OAK; 4 Home vs. MIN.

Myers, Papelbon, Young, and Sabathia appear automatic, and like Sabathia, Peavy also might appear on Sunday as a final playoff tune-up. Beckett claims the last spot by virtue of a strong home start. In the bullpen, with Seattle hosting Cleveland for four, Putz hits the bench.

On offense, while Pujols' injury still concerns us, he stays active on his drive for a hundred RBI while Howard and Delmon Young replace Teahen and Swisher. Bard, StephenDrew, Adrian Gonzalez Bonds, Taveras, and even Kinsler stay seated.

Rotohelp.com(FB: 7th lg; 411st overall)
& Rotohelp.com(FC: 7th lg; 909th overall)
Week 26: September 24-September 30

 
C	Joe Mauer		1890
C	Brian McCann		1880 
1B	Albert Pujols		3890 
1B	Prince Fielder		1850
2B	Chase Utley		2850
2B	Brandon Phillips	1160
3B	David Wright		2900  
3B	B.J. Upton		1000
SS	Jose Reyes		2460 
SS	Hanley Ramirez		2150
OF	Matt Holliday		2730
OF	Grady Sizemore		2760 
OF	Magglio Ordonez		1770 
OF	Curtis Granderson	1550 
OF	Delmon Young		1500
OF	Chris B. Young		1000 
DH	Ryan Howard		3240 
DH	Garrett Atkins		2240 

SP	Jake Peavy		2730 
SP	Josh Beckett		2520
SP	C.C. Sabathia		2490
SP	Chris Young		1760 
SP	Brett Myers		2540
SP	Jon Papelbon		1950 
RP	Takashi Saito		2200
RP	Joe Borowski		2100 
RP	Jose Valverde		1880
RP	Matt Capps		1000

Total Salary for Week 26:	59990

Mid-Season Fantasy Baseball

SP(6)
John Smoltz: Thu:@PHI(A.Eaton?)
Brandon Webb: Thu:@PIT(P.Maholm)
Jake Peavy: Wed:@SF(P.Misch)
Josh Beckett: Thu:MIN(S.Baker?)
C.C. Sabathia?: Tue:@SEA(F.Hernandez); Sun:@KC(J.de la Rosa)???
Roy Halladay: Wed:@BAL(J.Guthrie)
Daisuke Matsuzaka: Fri:MIN(K.Slowey)
Tim Lincecum: No start.
Fausto Carmona: Wed:@SEA(J.Washburn)
Jon Papelbon: 2 Home vs. OAK; 4 Home vs. MIN.

Despite some upside for Halladay, we need cap room for offense, so Carmona will join Webb, Peavy, Beckett, Sabathia, and Papelbon. Borowski also flips for Putz here.

Howard and Reyes deploy for Pujols and Kendrick while Mauer, Morneau, Cano, Iwamura, Sheffield, and Sizemore stay seated.

Rotohelp.com(2nd lg; 88th overall)
Week 26: September 24-September 30

 
C	Brian McCann		1880 
C	Russ Martin		1290
1B	Ryan Howard		3240
1B	Prince Fielder		1850 
2B	Chase Utley		2850
2B	Brandon Phillips	1160
3B	Ryan Braun		1500 
3B	B.J. Upton		1000 
SS	Hanley Ramirez		2150 
SS	J.J. Hardy		1030
OF	Matt Holliday		2730 
OF	Alex Rios		1970
OF	Magglio Ordonez		1770 
OF	Curtis Granderson	1550 
OF	Corey Hart		1120
OF	Chris B. Young		1000
DH	Alex Rodriguez		3630 
DH	Jose Reyes		2460

SP	Brandon Webb		2850
SP	Jake Peavy		2730 
SP	Josh Beckett		2520
SP	C.C. Sabathia		2490
SP	Fausto Carmona		1070
SP	Jon Papelbon		1950 
RP	Takashi Saito		2200 
RP	Joe Borowski		2100
RP	Kevin Gregg		1430 
RP	Matt Capps		1000

Total Salary for Week 26:	54520

Today's Fantasy Rx: As we see little chance for a 163rd game for any team, set your rosters without consideration for any bonus stats in October. Remember that many minor aches and pains will turn into season-ending injuries over the next week. Also, with the Red Sox, Indians, and Angels already in the playoffs, and the Yankees, Cubs, Mets, and Diamondbacks all able to clinch by mid-week, expect these teams to set their rotations and rest their regulars at their leisure. The only teams guaranteed to press for every possible win look like the Padres, Rockies, Phillies, and Brewers, so err in favor of starters from those teams, particularly when determining your offense.