There are 25 weeks down and two to go!  If you’re still trying to gain a point or two in a couple categories to finish in the money in your leagues, it’s crunch time.  Getting the maximum out of games played, at bats, innings pitched, etc., is the best chance to get the stats you need.

With that in mind, there’s four double headers on the slate to make up games.  Remember, they are only seven inning games, and a lot of players don’t play both ends of the double header.  Cleveland leads the group with nine games, including two double headers with Kansas City and Chicago White Sox. Atlanta and St. Louis play eight with double headers. The Braves with the Padres and the Cardinals at the friendly confines of Wrigley Field against the Cubs.

The teams to fade players on this week are Boston and New York Mets. Both playing only five games.  Playing six are Chicago Cubs, Colorado (all at home but against Dodgers and Giants), Detroit, Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami, Minnesota, New York Yankees, San Francisco and Tampa Bay.  The other 16 teams will be playing seven games.

As expected, slim pickings finding two-start players on waiver wires.  My favorite this week is Nationals rookie Josh Rogers at Miami and home with the Phillies.  Nationals starter Erick Fedde has the same two teams for his starts.  Pirates Dillion Peters, will try to play spoiler against Cincinnati and Philadelphia.  The Indians Logan Rogers gets two home starts against Kansas City and Cleveland.  As the White Sox clinch the AL Central, Dallas Keuchel will try to show he deserves a playoff start at Detroit and at home against Cleveland.  And if you’re desperate, Tigers rookie Matt Manning gets two home starts vs the White Sox and Royals.

A tough category to find help right now is stolen bases.  Seems like everyone has stopped running.  My bids this week are going on the Twins Nick Gordon and Rangers Yonny Hernandez, with hopes of getting a few before the end of the season. Hopefully, both play most of their games as neither team has anything to play for and they’d need to evaluate these guys.

Help is on the way

Jesse Winker returned to the Reds Friday, and returned to the DL Sunday. He is probably out for the rest of the season.  Brandon Nimmo returned to Mets outfield and Willie Calhoun returned to the Rangers outfield. It looks like Jose Berrios will avoid the DL and start for the Blue Jays this week. 

Gone for the rest of the year

Houston starter Jake Odorizzi is done with a sore right foot. Orioles Trey Mancini is out with abdominal soreness. And Brewers Avisail Garcia is finished because of lower back problems.

Closer Carousel

A couple injuries have opened the door to some save opportunities.  The Giants Jake McGee oblique injury opens the door for Dominic Leone. And Tigers Gregory Soto fractured left ring finger puts Michael Fullmer in the closer spot.  Some of the other players that might get save chances are on teams that have losing records, but they could get a few saves; Pirates Chris Stratton, Nationals Kyle Finnegan, Marlins Dylan Floro, Rockies Carlos Estevez, or the Barlow brothers, Joe in Texas and Scott in Kansas City.  The Diamondbacks will use JB Wendelken and Tyler Clippard.  Pick your poison.

Have a good week!

Charlie Wiegert was the sixth person to be inducted in the Fantasy Sports Hall Of Fame in 2001. He is a founder of CDM Fantasy Sports and Fantasy Sports Trade Association. He has been playing and winning fantasy baseball leagues since 1984. If you have any questions for Charlie, email them to [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @GFFantasySports.