With this being the last week, my column will cover all of the American League today and focus on playing time.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

The Orioles were eliminated from the playoffs long ago and will continue to mix in some younger players with the veterans.

Jeff Fiorentino will play in left field against right-handed pitchers at the expense of David Newhan.  It is actually odd that the Orioles would not give all the playing time in left field to a prospect like Fiorentino over a veteran with an empty skill set like Newhan.

In his last start, Hayden Penn finally pitched like the good prospect he is supposed to be by allowing 2 ER in 6.2 innings against Tampa Bay.  He could be in-line for two starts this week.  Considering that he had allowed 22 ER in his previous 3 starts and one of his starts this week is against the Yankees, who lit him up for 7 ER in 3 innings, he is not worth using in any format.

BOSTON RED SOX

The Red Sox are now officially eliminated.

Coco Crisp will undergo surgery on his left index finger tomorrow and is done for the year.  Based on a disappointing 2006, he will probably be undervalued going into next year.  The injured finger most likely hampered his swing and he had 22 stolen bases in just 105 games.  Gabe Kapler and David Murphy could see some time in center field.  Wily Mo Pena could also slide over from right field.

Manny Ramirez has appeared as a pinch-hitter and could return to the line-up on Tuesday.  You better have a real good option if you are going to keep him reserved this week.

Devern Hansack figures to get one more start this week.  In his first start, he allowed 3 runs in 5 innings against the Blue Jays.  He is 28 years old, was pitching at Double-A this year, and just made his major league debut.  That should tell you all you need to know, avoid him.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

The Sox hold onto a slim chance of being the wildcard team.  Odds are they will be eliminated early in the week.

Jose Contreras is done for the season with a strained right hamstring.  Either Brandon McCarthy or Charlie Haeger will get the start.  Control issues make both risky plays.

Joe Crede continues to miss an occasional game with back problems.  Once the team is officially eliminated look for Josh Fields to get the majority of the starts at third base.

CLEVELAND INDIANS

The Indians were long ago eliminated and will continue to play some younger players.

After Tom Mastny blew two consecutive save chances and was on his way to a third, Rafael Betancourt got the call and bailed him out.  Mastny has been terrible in his last six appearances, allowing 9 ER and 4 walks in just 4 innings.  The league is catching up with him and he is not worth using this week.  Betancourt has the closer worthy skills of a 7.2 K/9 and a 1.6 BB/9.  As an extreme fly ball pitcher, he is better suited for a pitcher’s park, such as Jacobs Field, where the Indians will be for the rest of the season.  If you are in a tight race for saves, Betancourt has some potential to pick up a couple this week without doing damage to your ERA and WHIP.

C.C. Sabathia is a good play this week with two home starts, one against the White Sox and the other against the Devil Rays.

DETROIT TIGERS

The Tigers are fighting to hold onto the division lead and are also battling for the best record in the American League.  They should play their regulars right down to the wire.

Placido Polanco is back at second base.  At least manager Jim Leyland will not have to write Neifi Perez’s name on the starting line-up card again.

Jeremy Bonderman is a good play this week with two home starts, one against the Blue Jays and the other against the Royals.

If you are absolutely desperate for a starting pitcher, Wil Ledezma has a home start against the Royals.  In his last outing, which was also against the Royals, he held them to 1 ER in 5.2 innings. 

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

The Royals have long ago been eliminated, but don’t expect much in the way of younger players stealing starts.

Mark Grudzielanek is done for the year with a strained right groin.  Esteban German, who was already playing regularly, will play second base.  Jeff Keppinger, who was sharing third base with German, becomes the starter for the final week.  Keppinger does not hit for power, but does know how to get on base with strong contact and batting eye skills.  Once he is on base, he is not a threat to steal.  This basically makes him worthless for fantasy leagues. 

Shortstop Andres Blanco could be done for the year after leaving Sunday’s game when his left shoulder popped while swinging.  Angel Berroa would get the bulk of the starts, but is not recommended.

Shane Costa will get a few starts in the outfield.  In 229 AB this year, Costa has not shown much power, speed, or plate patience.  Don’t expect that to change in the final week.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS

The Angels need a miracle to catch the A’s and most likely will be officially eliminated early in the week.

Once the Angels are eliminated, they should scratch Jered Weaver from his final start.  He has already thrown 193.1 innings this year and pitching him in a meaningless game would be foolish.

Look for Tim Salmon to get a lot of playing time this week.  He is retiring after this season and is just 2 home runs away from 300 for his career.

MINNESOTA TWINS

The Twins are trying to catch the Tigers, have pretty much locked up a wildcard spot, and have a shot at the best record.  The regulars will play early in the week.  Playing time later in the week will depend on whether the games have any meaning.

Brad Radke will start on Thursday provided he is healthy enough.  It is a test to see if he should be included on the playoff roster.  It is not worth the risk to activate him.

Johan Santana may have two starts at home, where he has dominated.  He definitely will face the Royals and may face the White Sox depending on whether the game has any meaning for the Twins.

NEW YORK YANKEES

The Yankees are still battling for best record.  The regulars should be active all week.

Jason Giambi could return as early as Wednesday, but will only DH, which will move Hideki Matsui back to left field and Melky Cabrera to the bench.  Gary Sheffield will continue to play first base.

Manager Joe Torre wants to see how Mariano Rivera handles pitching on consecutive days, so it is a good idea to get him active for the week.  Kyle Farnsworth’s back issues make him a risky play this week.

OAKLAND ATHLETICS

The A’s have pretty much clinched the division and have an outside shot at the best record in the American League.  The regulars will play early in the week, but some will most likely sit in the latter part of the week.

Rich Harden did not encounter any problems in his first start since coming off of the DL.  He will start on Tuesday at home against the Mariners and will pitch more than the 3 innings that he was restricted to in his last start.  It is ok to activate him for the week.

Bobby Crosby’s ailing back has not made any progress.  He looks to be done for the year, including the playoffs.

SEATTLE MARINERS

The Mariners have been eliminated.  It is possible that younger players like Adam Jones, Mike Morse, and T.J. Bohn could steal a start or two from the veterans.  Although none of the above players are recommended.

Because Felix Hernandez threw 5 innings in his last start, he will make one more start on Saturday at home against Texas.  The Mariners had originally taken the prudent route and said that they were shutting him down because of excessive innings for the young arm.  Starting him again defies logic.  Fantasy owners may want to keep him reserved because he will probably not throw more than 5 innings.

Cha Baek will not pitch again this season due to a sore arm.  Cesar Jimenez will take his place and start tonight at home against Oakland.  Jimenez had trouble getting out Triple-A hitters with a 5-10 record and a 4.36 ERA.  It will not get any easier against major league hitters.

TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS

The Devil Rays were long ago eliminated.  Most of the younger players have already been playing, so don’t expect too much of a change.

James Shields will most likely be shut down for the year after throwing 186 innings.  Although he was inconsistent, Shields flashed a nice skill set with a 7.5 K/9, 2.7 BB/9, and a 1.26 G/F ratio.  He will be in the Devil Rays starting rotation next year and could be fly under the radar in fantasy leagues.

The Triple-A caliber pitchers, Tim Corcoran and Brian Stokes, that the Rays are trotting out for starts this week are not recommended in any format.

TEXAS RANGERS

The Rangers have been eliminated.

Joaquin Arias could see a few starts at shortstop.  Arias’ glove is his ticket to a starting major league job.  He doesn’t hit for power or exercise much plate patience, but he makes good contact.  The 26 steals in Triple-A could translate into a steal or two in the final week.

Nelson Cruz will continue to play everyday in right field.  He has been showing some nice power, but still needs to work on making contact and working counts.  If you are in a tight race for home runs and can stand a hit to your batting average, he is worth a shot for the final week.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

The Blue Jays have been eliminated

Roy Halladay will not make his last start due to a strained right forearm.  Josh Towers, who has been terrible this year, will probably replace him.  Avoid him unless you are gunning for the booby prize for last place in your league.

Shaun Marcum will get two starts this week, tonight at home against the Red Sox and Saturday in Yankee Stadium.  He has been hit hard in his last two starts and still has a too high BB/9 of 4.8.