We have just 10 days to go!  There’s not much time to make up ground in some categories. Batting average (or OBP), ERA and WHIP are probably locked in.  Getting those categories to go up or down are tough right now, and it’s more likely a horrendous pitching outing will hurt you than any good will come from a shut out, so carefully choose your pitching!  

The other categories usually still have some play in them, and are tightly bounced.  A couple wins or saves, and some strikeouts could move you a couple points in your standings, so pay attention.  If you need three saves or wins to gain a point or two, it probably won’t happen.  And if you have a five save or five win advantage, you might consider dropping closers or starters to load up on the other end to get a point or two.

The same goes for hitters. See if you have a better chance of gaining points by switching some SB/runs guys for HR/RBI guys, and vice a versa.  A Bubba Thompson type could steal three to six bases the next 10 days. Could that help?  Now’s the time to make those changes that could make the difference in winning a championship.

Of course, the best way to get stats is to have guys playing as many games as possible, which at this point in the season is difficult.  Managers have gone to six-man rotations, skipping starts and limiting innings for young pitchers, and trying to set up veterans for playoff starts.  They’re trying to evaluate rookies and sitting veterans, and while they try to keep the hitters in there to keep their timing, they also want to give them some rest before the playoffs.  At least some still get at bats at DH.

The teams to load up on this week are the five playing seven; Boston, Baltimore and New York Mets over seven days and Philadelphia and Washington in six days.  The three to avoid only playing five games are St. Louis, Houston and Arizona.  The other 23 teams play six games.  If you’re looking ahead to the last three games of the year next week, four teams will be playing four while everyone else plays three.  The Yankees/Rangers and the Tigers/Mariners will play a doubleheader on Tuesday, so you might look for a free agent on them.

If you’re looking for strikeouts (and perhaps wins), pitchers with two starts give you and edge.  If you’re looking for two start pitchers to pick up on your waivers, here’s some options; Brad Elder, Conner Seabold, Michael Wacha, Chase Anderson, Jordan Lyles, Kyle Branish, Adrian Houser, Bailey Ober, James Kaprielian, Roansy Contreras and Blake Snell.

Gone and Now Forgotten

Here is a list of players that are hurt and now done for the season: Sonny Gray, Garrett Whitlock, Trevor Story, Nick Sensel, Mike Minor, Frankie Montas, Joe Jimenez, Dustin May, Luis Robert, Joey Wendle, Trevor Rodgers, Brandon Rodgers, Ryan Yarbrough, and Julio Rodriquez.

Back and Ready to Contribute

These players will be back for the last week of the season: Freddy Peralta, Eric Lauer, Aaron Ashby, Ehine Adrianna, Joe Kelly, Joe Barlow, Luis Severino, Harrison Bader, Scott Effross, David Bednar and Zack Wheeler.

Have a great week!

Charlie Wiegert was the sixth person to be inducted in the Fantasy Sports Hall Of Fame in 2001. He is a founder of CDM Fantasy Sports and Fantasy Sports Trade Association. He has been playing and winning fantasy baseball leagues since 1984. If you have any questions for Charlie, email them to cwiegert@cdmsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @GFFantasySports.