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Brendan Roberts

  (3:00 PM)

Hi, all! This will be strictly baseball for one more week. I'll open it up to baseball and football next week. I've been told to give some love to the baseball leaguers in this heavily football-centric week. But like I said, I'll be answering baseball and football questions in next Tuesday's chat. Let's get to the questions ...

Tommy (Chicago)

On average, how many starts does the ace of a contender miss in September? For example, Justin Verlander, Chad Billingsley, CC Sabathia will not all pitch on 4 days rest up until the end of the season, right?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:02 PM)

They might. Managers like to keep them in rhythm as the playoffs near, and some of those guys are even fighting for playoff positioning. If anything, they wipe out the guy's final start if it comes in the last two days of the season, but that's about it. They're safe owns right now.

Art (Boise)

Is it being overlooked how AMAZING Neftali Feliz has been thus far? Next year, starting or closing?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:04 PM)

It hasn't been overlooked ... in fact, he might have been too dominant. Now the team is saying he might just stay pitching out of the bullpen next year because of how he fits in the role. The team's prospects are all starting pitchers, so the team has more need for him as a reliever. And, well, he might nail down the closer role earlier than later. But still, we'd like to see him more as a starter, which is really where he belongs with that effortless delivery.

Brendan Roberts

  (3:06 PM)

I'd keep him around, simply for his steals potential. As you know, he has the capability to have multi-steal games when the pitcher-catcher combo is weak, and you'd hate to miss out on like a 5-steal week. Plus, the Rays are still in the hunt (despite playing poorly against the Yanks), and will keep throwing him out there. He simply has more week-to-week upside.

Tim (St. Louis)

Need help for the playoff!! Who has the most value down the stretch, Alex Rios, Dexter Fowler, or Corey Hart?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:07 PM)

I'm inclined to say Fowler here. You can expect some rust from Hart, and Rios just hasn't been much. But Fowler is coming back with fresh legs (he had a bruise, not a muscle strain), and was steadily getting better before getting hurt. Plus, the Rox have a bunch of home games remaining (more than on the road).

Anthony (Cali)

for next week ... Gallardo or Buchholz? Thanks!

Brendan Roberts

  (3:07 PM)

Definitely Gallardo.

Yoda (Outerspace)

In Uribe, do you believe?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:09 PM)

I don't, unfortunately. He's hot, as he's been known to be, but you kinda know what he is by now, and that's a career .255 hitter with little speed. Just watching a recent at-bat, he's loading up to hit homers, which in his case has eventually come back to bite him in stretches. Sorry, not a believer.

Caleb (Philly)

I know it's early, but what round should Sizemore be drafted in next year? Is he more keepable than J Upton or Ellsbury?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:13 PM)

Oh, a great question. Injury or not, his value has to take a hit, especially because even in his brilliant '08 season, he still hit only .268. And this year's numbers will sour owners. So even if you think he bounces back, you don't need to draft him as such. So I'm thinking maybe late 2nd round? I would definitely put Ellsbury above him. In fact, I'd probably put Ellsbury above all but maybe 8 hitters. He's a first-rounder, in my mind, with his steals potential, solid average, great lineup and relative youth. I even think he'll develop a bit more pop. Upton is a toss-up with Sizemore, in my mind. You'll have to select him earlier to get him, and in that respect, I think he'll be worth it. So Sizemore falls to No. 3 on your above list, in my mind.

Train (Cbus)

BR, how confident in Pedro are you against the Nats tnite? Fantasy playoffs are no time to get cute.

Brendan Roberts

  (3:15 PM)

I'm very confident. Washington's offense has cooled down mightily of late (including maybe 3 runs per game in September), and Pedro has been pitching well, regardless of opponent. Plus, he's plenty motivated to pitch well for the Phils and earn his "next" contract (if there is one), and a motivated Pedro often is an effective one. Start him with confidence.

James (Boston)

Chris B. Young is on the wire. I need an outfielder. Seems simple enough, but I've got this feeling that just ain't right. Is Jermaine Dye a safer bet, albeit, less sexy?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:16 PM)

Yeah, to think the D-backs reportedly were about to shut down Young for the season when he had the big game over the weekend. Still, I think they'll cut back his PT, and I think Dye is the safer bet.

Michael (Portland, ME)

Aren't they skipping a start or two with Gallardo?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:18 PM)

Yup, they are. They're skipping Gallardo's start this week, so he should be safe to start as a two-start pitcher next week. They'll maybe wipe out his last start, but to answer you, Anthony, I still like him better than Buchholz for the remainder of the season.

Barney (Sacramento, CA)

Thanks for your time, Brendan (and for the MLB focus). Setting aside Tulowitzki's back strain for a moment, is there a better 1-4 in the majors right now than CarGo-Smith-Helton-Tulo?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:20 PM)

As you know, this "crown" changes by the week. The Sox can be tough early in the lineup, so can the Rays, Yanks, Rangers if everyone is right ... but right now, the Rox are the team to beat. But is it any wonder the team took off when they returned home and faced the woeful Mets and D-backs? I think not.

Brendan Roberts

  (3:20 PM)

As you know, this "crown" changes by the week. The Sox can be tough early in the lineup, so can the Rays, Yanks, Rangers if everyone is right ... but right now, the Rox are the team to beat. But is it any wonder the team took off when they returned home and faced the woeful Mets and D-backs? I think not.

Erik (Atlanta, GA)

A-hoy! It's the Dread Pirate Roberts with Fantasy advice for all! Seriously, I'm in a pinch this week for SP's. In a 12-team mixed league is VandenHurk worthy of a start today (play-offs week 1)? The Mets are looking mighty weak. Thoughts?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:21 PM)

I picked him up for tonight's start because I agree, the Mets are mighty vulnerable, and I actually like that the game is at CitField.

Ryan (st.louis)

Drop Happ?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:23 PM)

Let's wait to see the status of this oblique strain. You can bet the Phillies won't take any chances with the youngster, but the fact that he thought about trying to work through it (he injured it hitting) means it probably wasn't that serious. If his start this weekend is scratched, then yeah, I'd probably bail on him considering the importance of these games in fantasy.

Nick (Philly)

Thanks for the baseball chat! It's H2H playoff times, and T. Hudson and J. Cueto are available (non-keeper). Do you trust them in Sept?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:25 PM)

I'd consider them "matchups pitchers" at this point, so it depends upon whom they start against. I don't either pitcher in their upcoming start, but both can be enticing in the right matchup next week, especially Cueto. Play the matchups there.

John (STL)

Think Cliff Lee can also turn it around against the Nats? Those last two starts really ate into my ERA lead.

Brendan Roberts

  (3:26 PM)

Yeah, I think the Nats are the team to do it against. In both starts, his stuff was actually fantastic again; he just allowed big hits at the wrong time. Of course, that's what pitching is all about, but even the big hits looked to me like they were on pitchers' pitches. Start him with confidence as well.

Steve (Ma)

PLEASE BR. I need RUNS and BA. Have Fowler and Beltran coming off DL. Keep them both and drop BJ Upton and Matsui or just keep one and if so who do I drop? Thanks

Brendan Roberts

  (3:27 PM)

Hmm, tough calls there. I like Fowler, but since he might miss the occasional start with Seth Smith hot, I'd probably have to keep Upton over him. And then I'd cut Matsui and start Beltran. Beltran and Upton.

Justin (SoCal)

Who would u start for tonight... Crawford vs (@NYY) , Granderson vs. (@KC) , or LaRoche (@HOU)

Brendan Roberts

  (3:30 PM)

I get to choose only one?! I'd probably say Crawford for two reasons: 1) I like him more, in general; 2) He'll face Chad Gaudin, who is easy to run on and of course hit against. Granderson is tempting, but he will face lefty Bruce Chen, so maybe a homer is not in order. LaRoche also tempting, but no Crawford.

jay (NY)

whose a better option from here on out, Buehrle or Romero? Thanks.

Brendan Roberts

  (3:31 PM)

It's a lot closer than it appears, but I'd still say Romero. Was looking at Romero last night, and it seems, as I mapped out, he has some very tough pitching matchups, especially inside his own division, from here to the end of the season. Buehrle is just safer.

John Smoltz (Wisconsin)

Are you starting me tonight in a head to head league in the playoffs? Had some good performances yesterday, so it's not a must start for stats.

Brendan Roberts

  (3:32 PM)

Yeah, I would. I think Milwaukee's lineup is plenty beatable for the Cardinals.

john (ma)

BR are you drinking the Stubbs Kool-Aid?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:33 PM)

I'm starting to. The kid just seems to have so much poise and confidence, I think he's here to stay. And he does so many different things well. Kinda reminds me of a poor man's Grady Sizemore. I'm a believer.

Wade Davis (TB)

Do I have ace potential?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:35 PM)

A lot of people are suggesting that, but I guess I don't see it. A good starter? Sure, but not ace material, in my mind. I just don't see the dominance. It seems he still allows a lot of runners, and doesn't have that true out pitch to get out of jams. He's young, and admittedly I've never seen him pitch, but just based on scouting reports, I'd have to say no.

Rod (Shillington Pa)

When you make your keeper list, do you look mostly at the talent level or do you offset that by the salary you have him signed for and look for the bargains on your roster? For example I have Fielder at $32 but Lind might be the better keeper at $3.

Brendan Roberts

  (3:37 PM)

I look at value, and Lind is definitely the better keeper there. You can maybe get Fielder again at that price, but you'd pay a heck of a lot more for Fielder. Even if you pay more, that's fine. Think of it this way, if you keep Fielder and buy Lind for, say, $23, about what he's worth (or more). Then you've spent $55 for both players. If you Lind and go up to $40 for Fielder, then you've spent $43 on both players. Put in that perspective, keeping Lind makes sense.

Smith (NJ)

Audrey Huff has been terrible. Drip him for Ronnie Belliard or Melvin Mora? Also, Felix Pie or Angel Pagan to replace Adam Jones? Thanks.

Brendan Roberts

  (3:38 PM)

Very tempting in both cases, but I'd stand pat. I'm seeing signs of life in Aubrey -- including a big game over the weekend -- and he's still getting plenty of good RBI opportunities. And Jones is streaky, and might still have a patented hot streak left in him.

Jeff (Twin Cities)

I am debating between Alex Rios vs. Raul Ibanez in my keeper league. The way I see it, I go with potential, which has never been reached or the aging vet in the potent lineup....

Brendan Roberts

  (3:39 PM)

That is, indeed, a very tough call. If it's Ibanez circa June, then he's the easy call. But you're right, Rios does have a lot more well-rounded potential, and he's more than 10 years younger. After all, Ibanez himself didn't blossom until into his 30s. As it looks now, I'd probably have to go with Rios in a keeper league.

Billy (NYC)

Is Hanson missing his next start? If so what does that mean for him down the road?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:42 PM)

Hmm, somebody asked me that earlier today, too, but I've gotten no indication that he is missing a start. If anything, as I've noted, the team shuts him down for the final week of the season, but as it is, I think he's safely in there. Until his last start, the team had done a pretty good job of limiting his pitches start to start, so they might not think it's necessary to shut him down. That said, I think they will for his last start.

John (Phx)

Is Rodney appealing his suspension? Or serving his time starting today?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:44 PM)

I've gotten no word, honestly, which usually means he's NOT appealing. We usually hear about that right away. An unfortunate occurence that happened there. I saw the very play on Baseball Tonight, and it clearly was an act of celebration, albeit a stupid of firing the ball up in the air and into the crowd.

Sally (Los Angeles)

Which pitcher of I keep for next year - Hanson or Baker?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:44 PM)

Oh, I love both those guys. But I like Hanson's all-around (especially K's) upside more.

Bob (Ma)

Hope you had a great weekend. Any word on TULO? Can i drop McGeehee for tomorrow? Thanks

Brendan Roberts

  (3:46 PM)

Well, it's a strained lower back, and serious enough that he'll miss the next couple games. But the Rox can't afford for him to miss much longer, so I think he comes back fairly soon, albeit maybe at less than 100 percent. I'm no doctor, but he seems willing to play in pain, and he can probably can still play well.

Jason (Phoenix)

Will Posey see regular playing time this year?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:47 PM)

I don't think young Buster will; I think he's here just to learn the big-league game, which really is necessary for catchers. I hate it when teams bring up a catcher prospect and throw him to the dogs. It's too much to take in. But I do see him being at least part of the regular catcher rotation next year, if not starting.

Peter (Jacksonville NC)

I need a pitcher for the stretch run in my playoffs. David Price is available. Pick him up and drop either Scherzer or Tommy Hunter?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:48 PM)

Yup, tough draw for Price tonight, but I like him better than Tommy Hunter as the season closes out.

Ben (LA)

Harden for $28 or Haren for $34?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:50 PM)

Hmm, Haren at $34. Let's just say I owned Harden in about every league this season, and when I needed to trade SPs for hitting during his hot stretch, I tried to deal him. He still doesn't have much of a name on the trade market, at least in my leagues, and thus wouldn't have a $28 name in auctions next spring. I think you can get him back at that rate, whereas that's less of a chance with Haren.

Rafa (Puerto Rico)

Brendan, at the beginning of the chat you were talking about someone with stolen-base potential. Who were you talking about? The question didn't show up, even after refreshing. Thanks!

Brendan Roberts

  (3:51 PM)

Hmm, sorry about that. Not sure how that happened, but I think I was talking down a Crawford owner who wanted to drop him in a H2H league. He has so much stolen base potential when the pitcher-catcher combo is weak that I wouldn't.

Shane (Los Angeles, CA)

Just curious: When you dont have the "baseball only" disclaimer, what is the ratio of football-to-baseball questions you get?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:53 PM)

That's a good side question. Probably 9 out of 10 questions are football, early in the season. Which means most baseball questions aren't even seen since they fly by so fast in these chats. That's why we go baseball-only, so baseball questions actually have a chance of being answered. But it's football as well next week.

CF (NY, NY)

Any word on Beckham's injury?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:54 PM)

He's due back very soon. I watched a part of Monday's game, and they made it sound like it literally was a one-game injury. He might miss tonight, but shouldn't miss much more time. Just a tweak in his oblique, and sounded like he even wanted to play through it.

Tony (Ohio)

Baseball Keeper Question!!! Johan, Cliff Lee, or Adam Wainwright as a keeper?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:56 PM)

Boy, that might be the toughest keeper question I've been asked in weeks. My opinion could change based on Johan's recovery, but right now, I'd have to say Wainwright. I think he'd be the toughest guy to get back in a draft or auction.

Robert (Monrovia, Ca)

Should I drop Josh Hamilton to pick up and extra pitcher? I have Nelson Cruz on the bench.

Brendan Roberts

  (3:57 PM)

That sounds insane, but the way Hamilton looks right now, and considering you have little time left in the season to miss out on him, I give you my endorsement to do so. Having Cruz on the bench plays into this too. Do it up!

Erik (Atlanta, GA)

Would you take a flier on Brett Myers to close out some games this week? All my closers have been hit or miss the last two weeks (Gregg lost his job, Capps blew up, Soria blew up).

Brendan Roberts

  (3:58 PM)

Myers is becoming a trendy sleeper saves pick, but there's no real indication that he's actually ready for that role, or that he'd jump over Ryan Madson for it. So I really can't help ya there, Erik, but predicting saves for him. I could be wrong, but I just don't see 'em coming.

Johnny Tuttle (Michigan)

I've tried building a winning H2H 12-team keeper league team through pitching, but boy, has that been hard. I've lost Peavy and Johan for potentially the season. I've completely lucked into trading Bedard, Dice, Volquez before they got very hurt. How do you approach SP in a keeper? Is it just to risky to try to focus on it, or do you have to cover the inevitable blow ups?

Brendan Roberts

  (4:00 PM)

I think you just got bit by injuries, which of course is the risk you get with pitchers. That's why there really are only maybe 8-10 good SP keepers (and yes, Peavy and Johan were two of them). Building through pitching is not necessarily a bad idea, it just can be risky because there's a greater chance with SPs for serious, value-changing injuries than for hitters. Just so happens this year you got bit a few different times. It's not a bad strategy, just bad luck. One more question ...

Rick (Detroit)

Your response to Tony (Ohio) brings up a questions. When you are drafting and deciding keepers, do you try to get guys back or once you haven't kept them, are you just looking for the best value?

Brendan Roberts

  (4:02 PM)

Well, it's all relative, of course. I'm always looking for best value, but if I had to throw a guy I really like back into the pool, I might spend a few extra bucks to get him back. It's just like that Fielder example. If I've saved money by keeping great, low-dollar guys, then I feel I have the freedom to spend extra for a Fielder type. Hope that answers it!

Brendan Roberts

  (4:03 PM)

And I hope I helped some here today! I answered as many as I could, with thoughtful replies and quick research in a few cases. Thanks for coming by, and look for more football next week. You stay classy!