Rescue me

Dear Ed Wade:

Hello, it’s me Erin, a fellow team owner…but of the imaginative variety. I am writing to enlist your help with my fantasy team. You see, I’m in second place, but with two teams nipping at my heels, both just one game behind me. And because our league was too cheap for the upgraded Yahoo Plus league, our head-to-head scoring makes it possible to plunge from second to eighth place in just one week. Amateurish, if you ask me. This leads me to why I’m writing you…

I lose the save category every single week.

I have two closers: Matt Capps and LaTroy Hawkins. I hear you laughing. I realize both are relief pitchers for sub-.500 teams. One isn’t even a closer, and one is rumored to be dealt to the Twins as a set-up man. I know all of this. Trust me, I know every painful detail of my miserable save scenario.

I have a decent excuse for Hawkins. I claimed him when Jose Valverde’s calf ballooned with fluid. You don’t even want to know who he replaced on my staff. As for Capps, no excuse.

You would think with 28 MLB teams, there would be enough closers to go around in a 10-team league. But my league (so cleverly named Astros 2009) has this infatuation with closers. They even put closers in the SP/RP slot. Really. I don’t get the strategy, yet it has blocked me out of the save category every week. I compare it to playing blackjack with the fool who hits/stands randomly. It completely jacks with the cards you’re supposed to get, not to mention annoying. This is exactly how I feel.

If you’re still reading, here’s how you can help. TRADE VALVERDE. Think about it. Do you really think the Astros can be successful with Felipe Paulino in the rotation? You land another starting pitcher, move Hawkins to closer, and we both win. Well, I’d probably earn a save, but you know what I mean.


Check out these starting pitchers (you too, Ed):

Ryan Sadowski – Two games, 13 innings, no runs, two wins. Not bad. Friday night, he completely mesmerised the Astros lineup, as most new pitchers too. Funny how the pitcher usually has the advantage in that situation. Still, take advantage while you can. Currently only owned by 11 percent in Yahoo leagues. But that’ll continue to climb.

Scott Richmond – Only owned in 62 percent of all Yahoo leagues, Richmond has given up more than 2 earned runs only once (three runs on June 30) since May 13. Nice ERA and WHIP at 3.69 and 1.20 respectively.

John Lannan – I now have Lannan in both of my leagues. Surprised to see him available, and even more surprised to see that he’s taken in only 5 percent of Yahoo leagues. Really? His ERA is an impressive 3.45. I know he plays for the Nationals, so he won’t help your win count as much as others. But it’s not like Roy Halladay is available in anyone’s league.

Brian Bannister – I was reluctant to include him with his inconsistent performance this year, but he’s hot right now. I realize he pitches for the Royals. His last three starts, he’s posted a 3.38 ERA, but no wins to show for it. So consider him a decent pickup if you're in a deep league.

Have a question? E-mail Erin at erskelley@yahoo.com.