For many fantasy players like myself, the playoffs are starting this week. As a member of a head-to-head league, my next two weeks are against the same team, one that employs the opposite theory on pitching I do. I always carry it in abundance and rotate my staff, while his staff is equal part starter, reliever and injured/DFA'd dudes, leading him to winning pitching categories more often than not. Knowing this, I figured I would surely lose if I kept throwing out all my starters, so I trimmed some roster fat, benched a couple starters and claimed some additional relievers.

When it comes down to the money, down to the glory, down to the gold, don't be afraid to shake things up. Whether you are in a head-to-head league like me, points-based or roto, look at your strengths and weaknesses going into these final weeks. Here are some last-minute lottery tickets to consider this week, all owned in 25% or less of Fleaflicker leagues.

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American League Waiver Wire Targets

Hitters

Michael Bourn (OF, BAL) - 2% Owned

A late addition to the American League player pool, outfielder Michael Bourn has joined the Orioles as they push for the playoffs. Though he has been a shell of his former useful fantasy self the past two years, he has really turned things around this season and re-approached positive value. After going 1-for-3 in his first at-bats with Baltimore, he's hitting .262 with three home runs and 13 stolen bases in 332 at-bats this season. With Bourn targeted as an occasional starter and off-the-bench speedster, he could steal 3-6 bases before the season closes if the Orioles use him right. But as Baltimore is dead last in the Majors with only 15 stolen bases on the season, he's a pick for the only the most speed-deprived.

Nick Franklin (2B/SS/3B, TB) - 2% Owned

Infielder Nick Franklin was hitting himself onto fantasy radars before a concussion mid-August took him out for a week. But since returning August 27th, he's right back to crushing, hitting .333 in 24 at-bats. He's now hitting .300 with five home runs, 24 RBI and six stolen bases in only 120 at-bats this year as he plays for a full-time job next year. With the ability to both hit for power and steal a base, Franklin should be owned, if only to block another player from using him as his ownership will soar once the long balls reappear.

Jarrod Dyson (OF, KC) - 8% Owned

Over the past 30 days, only one player in the American League is close to Jarrod Dyson's nine stolen bases--Jose Ramirez, who also has nine--as the undervalued outfielder continues to sit on many waiver wires. Though he has hit only .229 in that time, he's trending upwards out of that slump, hitting .318 with four stolen bases in his last five games. Dyson doesn't offer much outside of stolen bases and average (sometimes)--not unlike Mr. Bourn, but slightly better-- so be sure that's an exchange your team can afford to make.

Andrelton Simmons (SS, LAA) - 3% Owned

Shortstop Andrelton Simmons represents one of my favorite type of players on draft day: dirt cheap, average-only middle infielders. He has been a second-half darling this season, hitting .293 with 13 RBI and three stolen bases in 167 at-bats since the All-Star Break, including .341 over the past two weeks. Average isn't a category easily manipulated this late into the season, but if your team needs an extra boost in that department, Simmons makes a great candidate at a position not known for high averages.

Dae-Ho Lee (1B, SEA) - 1% Owned

Rookie first baseman Dae-Ho Lee has returned from a mid-August demotion to Triple-A as the Mariners continued to befuddle themselves with their repeated use of the terribly inconsistent Adam Lind. Though Lee started out this season looking like he was going to pan out as a starter, he hit a wall in July, one over which he couldn't conquer. After hitting .519 with two home runs and six RBI in 27 at-bats in the minors, he's hitting .393 with six RBI in his first 28 at-bats back with the Mariners. Much like Franklin, the moment the power comes back, the ownership rate will shoot back up.

 

Pitchers

Alex Cobb (SP, TB) - 15% Owned

In his first start since 2014 this past Friday, right-hander Alex Cobb looked solid in his first post-Tommy John surgery. Facing the Blue Jays, he allowed two runs on four hit and one walk over five innings, striking out seven. He'll be on a strict pitch count for the rest of the season as the Rays are completely out of contention and don't need to risk his health, which will limit his value in some leagues. But with the talent to strike out at least a batter per inning and limit base runners, Cobb could come up big for fantasy owners willing to take on the chance.

Derek Holland (SP, TEX) - 20% Owned

Though he may not be the ace of the Texas rotation anymore (it has been awhile), left-hander Derek Holland is sure pitching that way, as the Rangers look to run away with the AL West title. In three starts since returning from an early-season shoulder injury, he's 2-1 with a 2.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 12 strikeouts in 18 innings. Holland's next couple starts are going to come on the road, a place he struggles in comparison to his work at home. While his next start in Houston is not a recommended fantasy start, his remaining road starts in Seattle and Oakland most definitely are, as is the case any time he pitches at home.

CC Sabathia (SP, NYY) - 17% Owned

The 2016 renaissance of left-hander CC Sabathia earlier this season eventually went off the rails, much like his fantasy value the past few years. But unlike in those bad times, he's actually bounced back as of late to help the Yankees claw themselves back into the playoff race. Though Sabathia's overall August was a disaster, he's found better results since his August 23rd start, going 1-2 with a 2.29 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 19.2 innings. With a tough schedule going forward though, including tough home starts against the Dodgers and Red Sox, he's about as volatile as a recommendation can come.

Bruce Rondon (RP, DET) - 0% Owned

I still can't believe I am writing about right-hander Bruce Rondon in this column again, but that's apparently the world we live in. Not content to one streak of decent pitching this year, he's 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA, 19 strikeouts and one hold in 13.1 innings since July 26th. That's why the Tigers were so excited to install this man into their bullpen so many games and seasons ago before Rondon's personal life overshadowed his professional one. The only person ever holding Rondon back was himself, so it looks like he may have finally gotten out of his own way.

Andrew Bailey (RP, LAA) - 2% Owned

The Angels' closer carousel continues to spin, spin, spin! The newest stopper for the Halos is right-hander Andrew Bailey, a pitcher who has struggled to find a new home since injuries derailed a very promising career. Since 2012, he's had an ERA below 5.86 just once--3.77 in 2013--following his departure from Oakland with a 2.07 ERA and 75 saves in 174 innings, including his 6.40 ERA in 32.1 innings with the Phillies this season. Despite all of that baggage, Bailey has two saves and a 0.00 ERA in three games with the Angels so far, not to mention effective in the minors for both of his teams this season. He could be the last full-time closer to be available on the waiver wire, so don't miss this possible last chance for saves.

 

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