Ben Sheets is a two start pitcher this week, as is C.C. Sabathia, forming a nice one two punch.

Welcome to this week’s edition of Leading Off. As the MLB regular season continues the unstoppable march towards conclusion, several of the races for the division title are getting tight, and the wild card races are becoming more clearly defined. The AL East is becoming a contest between the Rays and Red Sox. The Yankees are nine and a half games behind the first place Rays making it likely that they will miss the playoffs this season. The Red Sox are three and a half games behind the Rays and surging. The Sox also have the lead in the wild card race over the Twins and White Sox by a game and a half. It appears now that the AL wild card race will end up being between the top four teams from the East and Central, with one of those four playing golf with the Yankees in October. The Angels have essentially clinched the AL West with no other team offering any sort of challenge.

Over in the National League, the picture is somewhat less clear. In the East, the Mets, Phillies, and Marlins are duking it out for the division title, with the Mets currently surging having won eight of their last ten and 15 of their last 25. The Phillies have lost seven of their last ten and are 12-13 over the last 25, but remain just two games behind the Mets in second place. The Marlins have gone 4-6 over the last ten games and are also 12-13 over their last 25. They remain three and a half games out in third place. The Central division has Chicago on top with the Brewers four and a half games back and the Cardinals six and a half games out. Meanwhile, the NL West is a two horse race between the Diamondbacks and the Dodgers, who are separated by just one game. Right now, Milwaukee is your wild card winner, but the Cardinals at two games behind, and the Phillies at five and a half out, are right on their heels. 

Fantasy team owners need to keep a wary eye on the division races, particularly as September 1^st rolls around. Rosters will be expanded to as many as 40 players, and this is a time when some MLB teams change their lineups to the detriment of the fantasy manager. Teams that have the division clinched, like the Angels, will often rest their veteran players during the last month. They will play often enough to stay sharp at the plate, but rest often enough to preserve some energy for the postseason. Teams that are completely out of contention will often bring up several young players to gain experience for future seasons. Usually that means sitting some of the regulars to give these rookies some at bats. While some of these rookie call-ups represent a potential boon to the fantasy owner, they are just as often too volatile and unproductive for use in a tight fantasy race.

Teams that are still in contention will continue to use their regular lineups and represent the best teams to draw fantasy players from during the final month of the season. The bottom line here is that you will need to watch the races and keep an eye on the call-ups when they arrive. Some of the call-ups will play a lot, and perhaps take at bats from some of your fantasy studs, all depending on their team’s status in the pennant races. Keep a close eye on our fantasy player news, and all of our weekly columns for the latest scoop on who is playing and who is losing playing time.

Two Start Pitchers for Week 21

Low Risk – These two start pitchers are must-starts for this week.

Harden vs. Reds, vs. Nationals

Perez vs. Braves, vs. Astros

Maine @ Pirates, vs. Astros

Nolasco @ Giants, @ Diamondbacks

Sabathia vs. Astros, vs. Pirates

Sheets vs. Astros, vs. Pirates

Looper vs. Pirates, vs. Braves

Jimenez @ Dodgers, vs. Reds

Sonnanstine vs. Angels, @ White Sox

Burnett vs. Yankees, vs. Red Sox

Buehrle vs. Mariners, vs. Rays

Blackburn vs. A’s, @ Angels

Slowey vs. A’s, @ Angels

Santana, E @ Rays, vs. Twins

Hernandez @ White Sox, vs. A’s

Medium Risk – These pitchers can be started, but carry some measure of risk.

Blanton vs. Nationals, vs. Dodgers

Fogg @ Cubs, @ Rockies

Wolf @ Brewers, @ Mets

Maholm vs. Mets, @ Brewers

Davis vs. Pirates, vs. Marlins

Kuroda vs. Rockies, @ Phillies

Banks @ diamondbacks, @ Giants

Zito @ Braves, vs. Padres

Guthrie vs. Red Sox, vs. Yankees

Cabrera vs. Red Sox, vs. Yankees

Lester @ Orioles, @ Blue Jays

Reyes vs. Royals, @ Rangers

Rogers @ Rangers, @ Royals

Galarraga @ Rangers, @ Royals

Hochevar @ Indians, vs. Tigers

Garland @ Rays, vs. Twins

Duchsherer @ Twins, @ Mariners

High Risk – Don’t start these pitchers unless you enjoy gambling and losing.

Bergmann @ Phillies, @ Cubs

Correia vs. Marlins, vs. Padres

Rasner @ Blue Jays, @ Orioles

Gallagher @ Twins, @ Mariners

Washburn @ White Sox, vs. A’s

Campillo vs. Giants, @ Cardinals

Carlyle @ Mets, @ Cardinals

Feldman vs. Tigers, vs. Indians

By the Numbers – Get the maximum at bats by using players on teams playing the most games during Week 21.

The Braves, Mets, Giants, Twins, Angels, A’s, and Mariners are all playing seven (7) games.

The Cardinals are playing five (5) games, and the rest of the teams are playing six (6).

Park Factors

Hitter’s Parks

The Phillies are at home all week long.

The Nationals, Reds, Red Sox, and Yankees are on the road in hitter’s parks all week.

The Cubs are in the friendly confines of Wrigley all week.

The Brewers are at home all week.

The Diamondbacks are at home all week.

The Orioles play at home all week.

The Blue Jays are at home all week

The White Sox play at the Cell all week.

The Rangers are at home all week.

Pitcher’s Parks

The Braves and A’s are on the road in pitcher’s parks all week.

The Mets play all but one game at home this week.

The Cardinals are at home all week.

The Giants play at home all week.

The Twins play in pitchers parks all week, including three home games.

Need for Speed

The Marlins, Reds, Brewers, Pirates, Cardinals, Reds, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Giants, Orioles, Red Sox, Rays, Tigers, and Indians should all be in a good position to steal bases this week. Have your speedy players from those teams active.