NEW YORK YANKEES

With back-to-back doubleheaders against Boston over the weekend and Corey Lidle going to the bullpen due to tendonitis in his right index finger, Jeff Karstens and Darrell Rasner will get starts this week against the Blue Jays.  In 28.2 innings this year, Karstens has a 4.08 ERA, 3.8 K/9, 2.5 BB/9, and a .77 G/F ratio.  Fly ball pitchers with low K/9s are a risky proposition.  It seems like a disaster start is right around the corner for Karstens.  Rasner has put up good numbers in Triple-A this year, a 2.76 ERA, 7.2 K/9, and a 1.7 BB/9.  He has continued the good work since being called up to the Yankees, with 8 K’s and no walks in 11.2 innings.  If you are chasing wins, Rasner could be a good pickup for the week.

Gary Sheffield should also be back by the end of the week.  Mixed leaguers should keep him reserved until there is a good read on how the playing time will shake out.

Mariano Rivera’s next bullpen test will be tomorrow.  If all goes well he could return on Friday.  For those that have both Rivera and Kyle Farnsworth on their teams, reserving Rivera is the better bet.  Even if he returns on Friday, Farnsworth could still see save chances over the weekend, as it is doubtful that Rivera will pitch more than an inning or in back-to-back games.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

Corey Patterson returned to the line-up on Saturday, though his shoulder is not 100%.  It should affect his power the rest of the way, but he still will be good for steals.

Jay Gibbons missed 6 games with a sore back.  His playing time due to injuries is too erratic to keep him active in any format.

Nick Markakis’ first-half/second-half splits in average, .268/.341, home runs, 2/13, RBIs, 21/37, batting eye, .53/.64, and contact rate, 85%/87%, show a young hitter getting better the more he sees major league pitching.

BOSTON RED SOX

Kason Gabbard’s season could be over due to tightness in his lat muscle. Kevin Jarvis will continue to get starts.  His ERA of 8.00, K/9 of 4.3, and BB/9 of 3.7 in 27 innings this year tells you all you need to know, avoid him.

There is a chance that Manny Ramirez is done for the year due to a sore right knee.  He should definitely be kept reserved for the week.

Dustin Pedroia is struggling in his first taste of major league action with a .158 average in 57 AB.  On the positive side, he is continuing to show the good contact skills, 89%, that he displayed in the minors.  If he continues to do that and gets a few more breaks, he will snap out of this funk.

TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS

Third baseman, B.J. Upton now has 12 errors in 37 games.  He is also struggling at the plate, making poor contact, 79%, and not hitting for any power, just 3 extra-base hits in 130 AB.  There is no guarantee that he will be a regular in 2007.

The Devil Rays will decide today or tomorrow whether to shut down Scott Kazmir for the season.  Since there is nothing to gain by him pitching again this season, the prudent and most likely outcome is to end his season.  His 2006 numbers of a 3.24 ERA, 10.1 K/9, and a 3.24 BB/9, which is down from last year’s 4.8, are the skills of an elite pitcher. 

Even though he is 6 for 7 in save chances, the jury is still out on whether Seth McClung can succeed as a closer.  He has pitched in 18.2 innings in relief since being recalled in August and has allowed 16 walks.  The lack of control will catch up with him.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

In his last 3 starts, covering 24 innings, A.J. Burnett has allowed just 4 ER and 5 walks, while striking out 22. His K’s had been down this year, probably due to the elbow problems he had earlier in the year.  With his K’s back up and control in check, the groundball/strikeout pitcher should finish the year strong.

After allowing 25 home runs in his first 26 starts, Ted Lilly has allowed just 1 in his last four starts.  The results have been 3 wins and just 7 ER in his last 25.1 innings. 

The 9 extra-base hits in Adam Lind’s first 39 major league AB are impressive and will guarantee him playing time for the rest of the season.