Stretch Run (H2H Leagues)

Hey guys.  If you're in a league like mine, the playoffs are only a couple weeks weeks away.  In this article I'll give you some pickup tips that will give you the upper hand in your league. 

Hopefully you were able to snag a buy low or two at trade deadline.  However, if you never all is not lost.  Here are some players that I would pick up for the stretch run:

Batters:

Jose Tabata and Coco Crisp:  If you just lost Jacoby Ellsbury for the season or just need AVG,Runs and SB, go pick up one of these guys. 

Ramon Hernandez:  Do you own Bengie Molina or a catcher that's even worst.  If so go pick this guy up (at least short term).  Did you know in the past month, in a potent Red offense, he has put up a .364 AVG with 3HR and 12 RBI?

Omar Infante:  I actually picked this guy up almost a week ago for the struggling Elvis Andrus and he has not disappointed me.  He will get a lot of runs, very high AVG, a few SB and even a HR or two.  Also, he can be plugged into almost any position, so he is a great bench player to have.

David Murphy:  He is ranked 66th the past month.  Guess who is ranked 63-65.  Robinson Cano, Carl Crawford and Carlos Lee.  He has been a 5 tool player the past month and should get plenty of playing time as long as Nelson Cruz is out.

Pitchers:

I don't value pitching as much as hitting since you can usually finally good pitchers who have great match ups on the WW (for example Neise @Pit today).  So instead I'm going to give you some relievers that can help your team. Here are some guys I would pick up:

Brandon Lyon:  Need saves?  Go get him, he is the new closer in Houston with Lindstrom gone to the DL.

Ryan Madson:  Over the past month, he has a 0.55ERA and a 0.73WHIP.  If you still own a reliever like Clippard, drop him and pick Madson up.

Matt Belisie:  Here's another reliever who can help out with ERA and WHIP.  Over the past month he has a 0.50 ERA an a 0.89 WHIP

If you're like me and fighting for a playoff seed, you are going to have to take chances.  Me?  I just picked up Lyon, Crisp and Infante and have not looked back.  It's not the name, it's the numbers that count.

Oh, and if you need more help, go to http://www.fantasysportsthief.com/.