Playoff fever is running rampant across Major League Baseball, and I’m keeping that in mind as I put together my Star Fantasy Leagues daily lineup. Today, my team is primarily filled with players on teams that have clinched a postseason spot or are fighting for one. Those teams have a lot to play for and their players know that. So here is what I have come up with. To build a team for yourself, head on over to SFL and use the promo code “SJN” for a 40% deposit bonus.
(C) Salvador Perez $6,097 – Perez has hit safely in six straight games and nine of 10. Tonight, he faces Martin Perez who has allowed well over a hit an inning over his last three starts.
(1B) Paul Goldschmidt $9,542 – His Diamondbacks may not be heading to the playoffs, but that doesn’t mean Goldschmidt is ending the season quietly. He has at least one hit in each of his last nine games and 18 total in that time. He has also scored a run in eight of those games to go with his 12 RBI.
(2B) Chase Utley $7,685 – Utley is doing what he can now to prove he deserves the extension he signed this summer. He has hits in nine of his last 10 games and 15 RBI in that stretch.
(3B) Ed Lucas $4,802 – Lucas is on what may be the best run of his brief Major League career. He has hits in 10 of 11 games and at least two hits in each of his last five. Even playing for the lowly Marlins, Lucas is worth a look today.
(SS) Elvis Andrus $7,342 – The Rangers’ shortstop has provided a nice spark for the last couple games. In his last three games, he went 6-for-13 with two homers, six RBI and four runs. He’s now hitting .352 in September.
(OF) Bryce Harper $7,728 – Harper has been a key part of the Nationals’ lineup over the last week-and-a-half. He has hits in eight of nine games, with 11 over his last six. With his home run last night he is now up to 20 on the season.
(OF) Wil Myers $6,335 – Myers got a routine day of rest yesterday, but should be back in the lineup tonight. He is working on an eight-game hitting streak, during which seven of his 12 hits have gone for extra bases.
(OF) Matt Kemp $5,343 – Kemp returned to the Dodgers’ starting lineup on Tuesday for the first time in nearly two months. In that game, he went 4-for-4 with two doubles. He’s picked up a hit in each of his two games since. If he’s in the L.A. lineup again tonight, I want him in mine.
(U) Nick Swisher $6,385 – Swisher is enjoying one of his most productive stretches of the season and it comes at the most important time for the Indians. During his nine-game hitting streak, he is 14-for-35, including a 4-for-4 effort last night against Houston, the same team he faces again tonight.
(SP) Max Scherzer $18,753 – Scherzer has made four failed attempts to pick up his 20th win, but I suspect he’ll get it tonight. He has a very favorable matchup against the White Sox, and is coming off a great outing against Kansas City in which he gave up just one run in seven innings while striking out 12. Win number 20 comes tonight.
(SP) Bartolo Colon $12,807 – Over his last four starts, Colon has pitched 24 innings and has given up just three earned runs. He’ll look to stay sharp as he gets ready for the playoffs in facing the Twins tonight.
(RP) Koji Uehara $2,469 – The Red Sox officially clinched their spot in the postseason last night, and they can close out the American League East tonight. I don’t expect them to simply do that with a Tampa loss. With as great as Uehara has been for Boston this season, it only makes sense that he gets the last outs as the Sox lock up the division.
(P) Matt Shoemaker $4,500 – As I have done many times this season, I’m starting a pitcher making his Major League debut. He has established himself in the minors as a very good control pitcher and owns a 5.52 K/BB ratio. His 4.64 ERA is likely inflated from playing in the Denver-like elevations of Salt Lake City. I like him for the fact that he can hit spots, which should serve him well against the Mariners. Oh, and he has a beard that looks like Brian Wilson’s crossed with Chuck Norris. Can’t go wrong with that.
