Mike Morin
Huston Street is officially out for the season, and can be cut in all non-dynasty leagues in which owners were hoping for better news. Street left Saturday's game with a groin injury, and it turned out serious enough to cost Street the rest of 2015. As a result, the Angels' save opportunities are up in the air, and Sunday didn't do much to clarify the situation. Trevor Gott was the presumed favorite, but the Angels went with Mike Morin instead, and the righty sufficed, locking down the ninth with a 1-2-3 inning with a pair of strikeouts. One might point to the fact that Gott had pitched the previous two days as a reason for the Angels not going with Gott, but Morin had also pitched the previous two days. In all honesty, the Angels' saves probably aren't worth chasing here in the final week - it will just be a frustrating waste of pick ups and drops. Street remains the long-term closer in L.A. and should have solid value again next season.
Wade Davis
Davis got another save on Sunday, his 14th of the season, and is paying off for owners who were patient enough to hold on to him all season. Of course, it wasn't too challenging to hold onto the relief ace, as he put up dominant numbers once again this season, and was called upon for enough saves that he even had value that way. Davis now has an ERA of 0.97 after posting a 1.00 ERA last season - that's absurd. There are a few signs of trouble, notably an xFIP of 3.16 and the fact that his strikeout rate dropped from 13.63 per nine in 2014 to 10.30 this season, but given the possibility that he may take hold of the Royals' closer spot in 2016 if Holland has to have Tommy John to repair his UCL, overwhelms the negative in my opinion. Part of the reason xFIP thinks Davis is a bit overrated is what it thinks is an unsustainable defense behind him, but the Royals are going to be defensive studs next year as well, and his ability to leave runners on base (92.2 LOB rate) seems more legitimate with a pitcher like Davis who is dominant than some others. Even if Holland starts the year as the Royals closer I'd draft Davis, the upside is huge.
Adam Jones
Jones returned to the lineup with a 1-for-4 day on Sunday. Despite not being 100 percent, Jones came back after missing six games with back spasms. Even though it's the brink of the season for your fantasy team, the Orioles are mighty close to being mathematically eliminated even from the Wild Card chase, and given the long-term value of Jones, they may well tell him not to push it, and just give him the final week off. Jones reportedly wants to play, but Showalter and the organization may have the final say. Jones is obviously a top tier talent when healthy, but if he's not in the lineup he does nobody any good. Keep monitoring this situation, but don't be afraid to pull the trigger in non-dynasty leagues should Jones end up on the bench a couple more times.
Masahiro Tanaka
Tanaka threw on Sunday, but will have his Monday start pushed back, a big cut into his value as a potential two-start pitcher in the final week. The Yankee righty hasn't started a game since the 18th, and is driving owners nuts with the aggravating (no hamstring pun intended) "DTD" label these days. Tanaka is worth a roster spot when he's healthy, but in his current state, if you're desperate for starts feel free to cut him in non-dynasty leagues. Of course, there's the risk that he still starts Tuesday, but if he makes it to Thursday without feeling good enough to start, the Yankees will save him for their playoff rotation. Good luck to Tanaka owners keeping your sanity this final week.
Daily Fantasy Leagues
Jose Bautista
Yes, Bautista is a pricey recommendation, but he will be worth it Monday. Bautista has the powerful duo of a great match up and swinging a hot bat. In 36 career at bats against Monday starter, Chris Tillman, Bautista has ten hits, three of which have left the yard. Tillman has one of the highest ERAs (5.16) of a pitcher whose team regularly keeps sending him out there, and Bautista owners will love that. Joey Bats also has three home runs in his last three games, and is (obviously) one of the best power threats in baseball with 39 on the season. He's also one of just three players with at least 100 runs and 100 RBI on the season, and the only one of that bunch to also have 100 walks, which of course also are worth points in daily leagues. Only Harper and Trout cost more, but at $5,200, he's not going to break your bank.
DraftKings: $5,200
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