Felix Doubront - I like Felix Doubront less and less with each passing start. After posting OK-to-decent ERAs with excellent strikeout rates in 3 of the first 4 months of this season, the wheels have fallen for the southpaw in August and September. He entered Tuesday's start against the Rays with an ERA over 8.00 since August 1. On Tuesday, Doubront went 6 innings and gave up 3 ER while striking out 5, but he also walked 5. He's too risky to start in his final 2 outings versus Baltimore, but I like Doubront as a potential sleeper in 2013. While the walk (4.16) and HR (1.35) rates leave something to be desired, Doubront can provide cheap strikeouts thanks to an outstanding whiff rate of 8.94. It's hard to find pitchers with such a high strikeout rate, so I'd be interested in Doubront as a late pick or $2 buy in 2013 drafts/auctions.
Brandon Moss - Brandon Moss continued his excellent 2012 season on Tuesday by tallying 3 hits against the Tigers and he's now batting .268/.333/.568 with an incredible .300 ISO in 68 games. Simply put, Moss destroys RHP to the tune of a .939 OPS and 16 HRs in just 170 ABs. He's worth owning and spot starting against righties because he's been that good in 2012. Aside from hitting HRs, Moss also likes striking out as evidenced by his 32% whiff rate compared to a meager 8% walk rate. Prior to getting called up this season, Moss had hit 15 HRs at AAA and connected for 45 minor league HRs between the 2010 and 2011 seasons. If you're desperate for another bat in your fantasy baseball playoffs, you could do much worse than Moss.
AJ Griffin - AJ Griffin faced the Tigers on Tuesday evening and allowed 5 ER on 8 hits while striking out 3 in just 4 2/3 innings. For the season, Griffin has now made 12 starts since getting called up and owns a sparkling 2.45 ERA. A 3.70 xFIP indicates the right hander has enjoyed some luck as does an 86% strand rate and .244 BABIP. That said, Griffin's 7.23 strikeout rate and 1.55 walk rate are strong so he's putting himself in a position to be fortunate. He's not a good start in his next outing versus NY, but does draw a beautiful matchup against Seattle to end his season.
Yunel Escobar - Yunel Escobar was suspended 3 games due to putting a homophobic slur on his eye-black on Monday so get him out of your lineup until the end of the week. It's been a disappointing season at the plate for the shortstop as he's seen his slash line drop from .290/.369/.413 in 2011 to a measly .251/.295/.346. His ISO has also fallen from .123 in 2011 to just .095 this year. Interestingly, Escobar is hitting the same number of line drives, ground balls and fly balls as he did in 2011, but he is hitting 3% more infield fly balls, which has contributed to a drop in his BABIP from .316 to .271. That increase in infield fly balls doesn't explain the whole reason for the BABIP dip, so I assume it's partly some old-fashioned bad luck at work as well. With just a few weeks remaining in the regular season, Escobar remains a weak option in all formats at SS.
Joe Mauer - Joe Mauer continued his torrid hitting by going 3-for-4 with 2 walks against the Tribe on Tuesday and is now 10 for his past 16 at the plate. This season has seen Mauer do what he does - post a high BA and OBP while also filling in all 5 stat categories with 10 HRs and 8 steals. He won't ever replicate the power he showed in 2009 when he blasted 28 HRs, but he remains one of the top catchers in fantasy. One encouraging sign for Mauer's owners has been his improved power. In 82 games in 2011, Mauer posted just a .081 ISO and .368 SLG%. This season, he's improved those numbers to .134 and .458%, respectively. The backstop also owns an impressive 25% LD rate, so he should continue to retain his high value heading into 2013.
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