MLB Fantasy Baseball: Tuesday News and Notes

Labor Day actually provided a light schedule to start off the playoffs, but that changes today. Everyone is back in action, and it will make updating rosters that much more important. The regular season is in the books, so now it's time to get serious. Let's check the notes and get it all started.

• Mike Lowell looks like he will return this weekend in Texas. Good news for Boston and fantasy owners. Lowell could provide a boost to teams needing power in the semifinals. Don't rely on him this weekend, even if he is activated off the DL. This type of injury is going to require him to regain timing in his swing. Plan accordingly.
• Words that have become all too common over his career got uttered again last night, as Ben Sheets was removed from the game with an injury. Sheets felt tightness in his groin after five innings, although it is being termed that it was very slight. Regardless of the strain, it's tough to deal with as an owner, simply because of timing. Sheets is expected to make his next start without issue, but be wary as we move later in the week.
• Roy Oswalt looked dominant against the Cubs, coming within two outs of a complete-game shutout. Oswalt has allowed three or fewer runs in his last six starts, going 5-1 over that stretch and lowering his ERA from 4.52 to 3.91. At this late stage in the season, that's pretty impressive. Even better, he did it against the Cubs. Oswalt seems to be coming around and should be looked at as a steady hand over the next couple weeks.
• Want a steal this late in the season? Ryan Zimmerman is only 50 percent owned but is on an absolute tear. The Nationals' third baseman is hitting .429 in his last six games. He draws Philadelphia on Tuesday, a team he is hitting .298 against on the season. While Hamels is pitching, Zimmerman is a .303 hitter this season against lefties. Teams looking for some help at the utility or corner spots should look to Zimmerman.
• It's not often that you have to look at a guy that was a projected stud and say that he should be benched in the playoffs, but that's the recommendation with Justin Verlander. This space in particular has given Verlander more than his fair share of chances, but the fact is, he just doesn't have it. Whatever the reason, it would have to be a matchup that is beyond favorable for him to be recommended again. Against subpar offenses such as Baltimore, he's been fine. When the bats get better, he hasn't been good, and in his own division, things have been worse.
• Paul Byrd didn't look quite as good as his last several outings, but still managed to come away with the win. His next start will come down in Texas, which will be a much different approach than what he has taken at Fenway. Byrd has been much better since the break, but is still a fringe player in anything but deeper leagues. As a spot starter, don't look for him in Texas. If you're in deep leagues, he's still a decent play because of the win potential and low walk numbers.
• Jonathan Sanchez was activated from the DL yesterday and fell in his first outing. He's 0-6 in his last seven starts, but has just as often been a product of poor run support as much as anything else. In his last 10 starts, he's allowed more than three earned runs just twice. Again, in deeper leagues, he's a solid option. He'll draw the Pirates during his next time out, so look to use him there.
• Adrian Beltre and Stephen Drew both hit for the cycle yesterday. With Beltre, many teams have him for use as a reserve third basemen. It makes sense given total stats. That said, he should be active in all formats based on the .529 AVG in his last six games. He's also hit .295 on the road this season, and that's where he faces Texas for the next two nights. Stephen Drew is a solid home-field player. He's hitting .314 at home, but just .265 on the road. He gets the Cardinals at home, so keep him active if you have the space as well. He has hit .400 in his last six games.

Notes for Today's Games

• Jon Lester has been solid against Baltimore this season, posting a 2-0 record to go with a 2.88 ERA. At home, Lester is 7-1 with a 2.93 ERA. Overall, lefties are hitting just .220 against him. If you've been starting Luke Scott, look for another option. Aubrey Huff (7-for-17) and Ramon Hernandez (6-for-17) are still good options for Baltimore. Kevin Millar has just two hits in 12 at-bats against Lester.
• Ian Snell is 2-7 on the road and has a 6.23 ERA against the Reds in three starts this season. While you would think you should start any Reds player, Brandon Phillips is just 4-for-21 against Snell in his career. All other Reds are must-plays.
• The White Sox have put up a .322 average against Fausto Carmona. Jim Thome has struggled, posting just three hits in 15 at-bats against the Cleveland starter, but the rest of the White Sox shouldn't be held back. Carmona has done a solid job in holding righties to just a .209 AVG on the season, and pitched well in his only outing against the White Sox.
• While Joe Saunders did not pitch well last time out against the Tigers, he is 8-3 on the road this season, with an ERA under three. Opponents are hitting just .228 against him away from home. Saunders hasn't been overly tough on lefties or righties, so start your Tigers as you normally would. No concerns on any Angels.
• Matt Garza is a must-play every time out at home. Garza is 7-2 with a 2.47 ERA inside the Trop. He pitched well against the Yankees in his only outing this season, but hasn't had great success in his career. We're going to push that aside based on the numbers we have out there right now.
• Mike Mussina has been very tough on Tampa, having gone 2-0 with a 1.46 ERA. His 6-1 road record make his stats more impressive. Don't expect to see Rocco Baldelli or Eric Hinske in the lineup, as both are below .200. If you have a better option for Carlos Pena, he is also below .200 against Mussina for his career.
• Manny Parra has been very tough at home, having posted a 6-2 record. Parra was hit hard by the Mets in his only other outing against them, but that was on the road. At home, his 3.36 ERA and .208 BAA against lefties should be enough to make him a quality start today.
• Parra will be facing Mets prospect Jonathon Niese. Niese has all the hype to be a solid addition to the Mets rotation. Don't look to him as a spot-play here, especially on the road against a solid-hitting Brewers offense. Keep Niese reserved, but monitor the start. In NL-only formats, he has the most potential this season. In deep leagues, he has the ability to spot-start, but shouldn't be added outright.
• Clayton Kershaw has held lefties to a .225 BAA in his limited time and has pitched well at home. Against an offensively challenged San Diego team, Kershaw is a good option at home for teams needing a win.
• Spot starts: Kershaw, Parra, Glen Perkins, Anibal Sanchez.

Notes for Wednesday

• Wednesday has its share of afternoon games, with the first pitch coming at noon. Look to set lineups early to avoid any major issues.
• Javier Vazquez has held down Grady Sizemore (.208 in 34 at-bats), Jhonny Peralta (.154 in 26 at-bats), and Victor Martinez (.208 in 24 at-bats). Looking for some quick offense? Asdrubal Cabrera is 5-for-12 against Vazquez.
• Jeremy Guthrie has pitched very well against Boston, and there is no reason to expect that to change on the road. Guthrie should be started in all formats. While he may not get the win, his other stats are going to be solid enough to justify the start.
• While Jon Garland is 7-3 on the road, his ERA is still 4.70 in that time. Magglio Ordonez is just 7-for-30 against him, but all other Tigers have good numbers and should be considered must-starts where available.
• Dave Bush hasn't faced the Mets this season but is 6-3 at home on the season. Bush has held batters to a .225 AVG at home this season and batters are only hitting .236 for the entire season against him. Keep him active.
• Odalis Perez at home is one of the better starts, even against a tough Phillies offense. He should be in line for a win, going against Joe Blanton. Perez has been very tough at home, keep him active and grab him as a spot starter in every format.
• Spot starts: Perez, Bush, Kuroda, and Edwin Jackson.

Back as the need arises.