Monday October 1st, 2012

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Peter Stein:  Although the past week may have marked the end of your fantasy season, in many of the most competitive leagues the championship comes down to the very last games of the regular season. Just as many of these games have significant meaning to many MLB times, the same holds true with fortunate fantasy owners. If you fighting it out for a championship in the final days, then read on. If not, check back next week as the focus will shift to strategy and 2013 rankings.

First and foremost, in the final days some teams will be sitting players to rest for the playoffs or giving their youngsters a taste of the big leagues. However, with the second wild card spot implemented this year, these games actually have significance for almost half of the teams in the league. No team can rest easy, including Texas, as teams want to avoid the one game playoff. Ironically, with a now a three game lead, it will probably be the Tigers (7th best record in the AL) that will clinch first and be able to rest players. However, don’t think they will be sitting Miguel Cabrera when he is in the hunt for the elusive Triple Crown title. Thus, the good news is that you most likely don’t need to worry about your star player being benched, but these are the people you need to monitor over the final three days:

Edwin Encarnacion was pulled from Sunday’s game with an injury and I would not be surprised if the Blue Jays shut him down, especially with all of the injury woes the team has endured in 2013 Edwin had an amazing campaign (.280/42/110/13) so hopefully his potential absence won’t affect owners. I expect more of the same from Edwin in 2012, and perhaps he can improve upon his numbers with a healthy lineup around him.

Mike Moustakas (.242/20/73)was also pulled from Sunday’s game, although he insists that he is okay. Monitor his status, but prepare to have another option to plug into your lineup. Moustakas made strides this season but will need to improve his batting average to enter the top ten of the third base rankings.

Adrian Beltre also had an early exit least night and we are still waiting to hear the severity of his injury. Texas has yet to clinch, but my inclination is they will give him a day to rest. Then, if they clinch, you can definitely expect him to sit. Look for another option, but Beltre had an incredible year for owners in 2012: .319/36/101.

Michael Young left last night’s game early as well and is expected to play on Monday. However, Texas is likely to clinch, so once they do, expect Young to get some rest.

Erick Aybar also left the game early on Sunday, and since the Angels are almost out of the race, we might have seen the last of Aybar in 2012. Aybar was quiet, but once again very effective and had a productive under the radar season: .290/8/45/20

Josh Willingham, a pleasant surprise in 2012 (.260/35/110), still remains out of the lineup. At this point I would consider his season over. Chances are you have already found a replacement, but I wouldn’t count on him returning. Owners have to be pleased with Willingham’s production and it will be interesting to see if he can eclipse 30 and 100 again.

Mark Teixeira is expected to return to the lineup on Monday. These games are very important for the Yankees and this would be his first game since September 9th. Activate Teixeira if you own him and hope for the best!

One last strategy, that may or may not be applicable, is loading up on starts on the final days to make a push in the strikeout and wins categories of a roto league. I advise to be careful and not sacrifice your hard-earned ERA and WHIP totals, but sometimes you have no other option.

Here are some guys that might be available on waivers with decent match-ups in the final days:

Monday:

Shaun Marcum vs .San Diego

Paul Malholm at Pittsburgh

Tuesday:

Ivan Nova vs. Boston

Justin Masterson vs. Chicago

Barry Zito at Los Angeles

Wednesday:

Bud Norris at Chicago

Scott Diamond at Toronto

Gavin Floyd at Cleveland

(*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com ***)

***Today’s feature was prepared by our Fantasy Baseball Analyst, Peter Stein. We highly encourage you to leave your comments and feedback at the bottom of the page and share in the discussion with our readers.  You can also follow Peter on Twitter (@peterWstein)***

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