John Maine has now made two starts since he was activated off of the DL, and he hasn't given up a run yet. Let's not get crazy though, these starts have been far from dominating. He went just five innings in each start, allowing just one hit the first time, and two on Monday. His problem has been his control. In these 10 innings, he has walked eight batters, and struck out just nine. That is a horrible ratio. It appears that Maine is getting somewhat lucky that all of these extra base runners he is allowing haven't come back to bite him. He still a pitcher that I feel you can trust mostly, and he should help you more than hurt you in the last six weeks of the year.

Carl Pavano is one of the options that the Yankees are considering to start the game on Saturday because Dan Giese and Joba Chamberlain are on the DL. The other choice they are thinking about is bringing Phil Hughes back. Obviously, if it is Hughes there are some fantasy implications there. If it is Pavano, please ignore him and don't think about adding him to your team. His joke of a contract is almost over, and even though he is pitching to try to get a job next year, I would be shocked if he was effective.

For those of you who have been nervous about the effectiveness of Edinson Volquez coming down the stretch, it appears those worries can be calmed. After having a run of one good start, one bad start, Volquez has now put together two great ones in a row, as he mowed down the Cardinals Sunday. Volquez improved to 15-5 by pitching seven scoreless innings and whiffing four. Although the Reds have been putrid for most of the season, Volquez has been an amazing surprise, and might be one of the top 10 pitchers drafted next year.

Johan Santana did what he needs to do when he wants to record a win. For the second time this season, Santana didn't give the bullpen the chance to blow the game for him, as he threw a complete game shutout. Johan twirled a three hitter and struck out seven as he continued his great season (except for the win/loss record, of course). Look for Santana to finish the season really strong.

Clayton Kershaw had another solid outing, making that four out of five that he has given up less than two runs. Kershaw allowed one run over six innings, and struck out six, and has come a long way from his struggles when he was called up the first time with the Dodgers. Seasonal leagues, I would think you are going to be able to count on this guy to be effective more times than not, keeper leagues, I really doubt he is still available…..but if he is, what are you waiting for?

Don't look now, but Pedro Martinez has been pitching pretty good lately. Although he genereally doesn’t go deep into games, this is now six starts that he hasn’t allowed more than three runs, and his start on Saturday was his best of the season. Pedro pitched seven innings, allowed just one run, and struck out four. I really don't expect this to continue, plus the way the Mets' bullpen has been pitching, sometimes even when Martinez pitches well, the 'pen has a chance to blow the lead.

It is over in 2008 for Aaron Harang. Stay away, drop him, you just can't start him anymore. He has been AWFUL! This is now six of his last seven starts he has given up five runs or more. He is now 3-13 with a 5.59 ERA. I’m not saying his career is over, he is a pitcher that I liked going into the season, but you have to cut ties with him this year, stick a fork in him, he's done.

Roy Halladay threw his eighth complete game, has thrown 191 innings already, and won his 14th game of the season against the Red Sox. It appears he will hold up for the whole season, and has a shot to win 17 games. He spoiled the Red Sox debut of Paul Byrd. Byrd lasted 7.1 innings, allowed four earned runs and didn't walk or strikeout a batter.

Closer News

Jensen Lewis saved another game for the Indians on Sunday, giving him three since August 8th. If you are a player who plays the rotating save game, Lewis looks to be the guy that is getting the most opportunities for the Tribe right now, and would be the one I would be adding if I needed saves.

Pirates closer Matt Capps is due to be activated from the disabled list on Friday as long as he has no setbacks this week. If you own Capps, definitely get him back activated in time for Friday night’s game.

Tampa closer Troy Percival will not need surgery on his injured right knee, and now expects to be ready when he is eligible to come off the DL on August 30th. This is the third time that Percival has been on the disabled list already this season, and fantasy owners are hoping that it is his last. The Rays have been a good source of saves, but it is impossible to decide who will close in Percival's absense. Sometimes it has been Grant Balfour, while Monday it was Dan Wheeler who got the save.

Finally, the Brewers' Salomon Torres is dealing with some tight groin trouble he has treated for after he pitched on Saturday. There has been no word yet the extent of this issue, and since C.C. Sabathia always throws a complete game, there was no use for a bullpen on Monday to see if they made any adjustments with the injury to Torres.

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