the role of president last month -- was present in Toronto and met with Ujiri this morning, but was not asked to join the two executives on stage. "This was not meant to send a message," Leiweke insiste

Fantasy Forecaster updated Monday, Sept. 18, at 12:51 p.m. ET.On tap: Its the penultimate week of the 2016 regular season -- and with it, fantasy baseball -- a time during which playoff races increase in intensity, while teams no longer battling for a playoff spot either amplify their efforts aligning rosters for the upcoming postseason (those who have clinched) or auditioning players for 2017 (those who are out of it). Besides Week 25, the final week, there might not be another week on the schedule during which player roles shift more rapidly than this one. What you want: Players on teams with playoff motivation. In other words, seek the games that mean something.As such, here are the teams that, entering play on Sept. 18, are within five games of a playoff spot (either havent clinched and lead in the standings, or trail by no more than five games): Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets,?Pittsburgh Pirates,?St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants. These teams are, therefore, the most likely to push their regulars to play roughly the same volume they might have one or more months ago. Rest? Wait until November!The American Leagues wild-card race might come into focus in Week 24, with the Blue Jays in a commanding position to make a statement. Tied with the Orioles for those two playoff spots, the Blue Jays first travel to Seattles Safeco Field to battle the Mariners, whom they lead by three games in the wild-card standings, from Sept. 19-21 (three games). They then return home to host the Yankees, who are four games back in the wild-card standings, at Rogers Centre from Sept. 23-25 (three games). Minor injuries (reportedly) to Marco Estrada, aligned as the teams two-start pitcher, and Aaron Sanchez thrust this team under the spotlight.A pair of division showdowns grace the early-week schedule, as the Red Sox, up three games on the Orioles in the American League East standings entering play on Sept. 16, visit Camden Yards from Sept. 19-22 (four games). The Dodgers, up five games on the Giants in the National League West standings as of the same date, host San Francisco at Dodger Stadium from Sept. 19-21 (three games). Well get another Clayton Kershaw-Madison Bumgarner showdown during this series on Sept. 19, and the Rich Hill-Johnny Cueto battle a day later is almost as compelling.Among the weeks schedule oddities: The Chicago White Sox visit the Kansas City Royals for a rescheduled game on Sept. 19, which makes up for their May 26 postponement. Though thatll cause an early start to Week 24 -- that game is scheduled for a 2:15 p.m. ET start -- that fortunately gives the White Sox a six-game week, eliminating what was initially slated to be the weeks only five-game schedule. All 30 teams are scheduled for at least six games, and 12 will play seven.Quickly jump to any section, if you want specific intelESPN lineup deadlinesInterleague impactProjected starting pitchersPitching scuttlebuttWeek 24 pitcher rankingsHitting ratingsHitting advantagesESPN leagues: Lineup deadlinesThe White Sox at Royals make-up game on Sept. 19 begins at 2:15 p.m. ET, resulting in an early start to Week 24 action.Championship matchups, which are two-week matchups, in ESPN leagues begin in Week 24. These matchups last through the games of Sunday, Oct. 2.Remember that game times have tremendous influence upon daily planning, so be aware of every days first scheduled pitch. This week, they are:Monday, Sept. 19: 2:15 p.m. ET (Chicago White Sox at Kansas City Royals, the days only day game) Tuesday, Sept. 20: 7:05 p.m. ET (two games begin at that time) Wednesday, Sept. 21: 3:10 p.m. ET (St. Louis Cardinals at Colorado Rockies, one of three day games) Thursday, Sept. 22: 7:05 p.m. ET (Boston Red Sox at Baltimore Orioles) Friday, Sept. 23: 2 p.m. ET (St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs, the days only day game) Saturday, Sept. 24: 1:05 p.m. ET (two of four day games begin at that time) Sunday, Sept. 25: 1:07 p.m. ET (New York Yankees at Toronto Blue Jays, one of 14 day games)Interleague impactThis weeks interleague series:Chicago White Sox at Philadelphia Phillies (2 games, Sept. 20-21)Arizona Diamondbacks at Baltimore Orioles (3 games, Sept. 23-25)Diamondbacks probable DH(s), with three games in AL ballparks: Rickie Weeks has six of the Diamondbacks seven starts at DH this season and remains on the active roster, though he hasnt been playing nearly as much in games in NL venues of late, his last start coming on Aug. 31. Its possible, therefore, that the Diamondbacks could use the DH to rotate players as a half-day off, with Paul Goldschmidt (who has the other DH start), Brandon Drury, Jake Lamb and Yasmany Tomas other candidates to shift there. That means the extra at-bats could be divided evenly between players like Socrates Brito, Phil Gosselin, Mitch Haniger, Kyle Jensen and/or Weeks, meaning none of the five is a clear fill-in even for NL-only owners.White Soxs traditional DH, with two games in NL ballparks: Justin Morneau, though he has been sidelined recently by back stiffness, seemingly rendering the DH point moot in an NL park; hed simply start the two games in Philadelphia on the bench. Carlos Sanchez has been the player recently benefiting from Morneaus absence, playing third base with Todd Frazier at first base and Jose Abreu at DH, so expect Frazier to shift back to third base and Abreu to first for these two games.Projected starting pitchersThe chart below lists each of the 30 MLB teams schedules and projected starting pitchers, and provides a projected Bill James game score for each days starter.Projected starting pitchers, Sept. 19-25 P: The starting pitchers projected Bill James game score, accounting for past history (three years worth as well as past 21 days), opponent and ballpark. A 50 is typically deemed a quality start by this measure, while a 70 is considered a dominant start.Pitching scuttlebuttThe Tampa Bay Rays, Oakland Athletics, Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres have all been using six-man rotations and are expected to continue to do so through Week 24.Baltimore Orioles: Wade Miley (back) is questionable for his next start, so the Orioles seem likely to go with a five-man rotation for Week 24.Toronto Blue Jays: Marco Estrada (herniated disc) has been pitching through an injury, and it is unclear whether hell need to miss a start during Week 24. Aaron Sanchez (blister) is expected to rejoin the Blue Jays rotation on Sept. 21.Detroit Tigers: Manager Brad Ausmus recently insisted that the Tigers wont stick with a six-man rotation, but the team hasnt yet announced its starters beyond Sept. 22 (Thursday), so its possible that they might. Mike Pelfrey, Anibal Sanchez or Buck Farmer will get the Sept. 21 start, with Sanchez a virtual lock to start during the Sept. 23-25 otherwise. Pelfrey, Farmer and Jordan Zimmermann are the three starters not listed above would could slot in sometime during Week 24.Cleveland Indians: Carlos Carrasco (fractured hand) is out for the season, leaving the Indians in need of a Sept. 24 fill-in. The team could go with a bullpen day arrangement, or Cody Anderson could fill in.Kansas City Royals: Jason Vargas (DL: elbow) rejoined the Royals rotation on Sept. 17, seemingly lining him up to make another start on Sept. 22 during Week 24.Minnesota Twins: The Twins used the Sept. 19 off day to push Tyler Duffeys next start back to Sept. 24.Atlanta Braves: Josh Collmenter joined the Braves rotation on Sept. 17, seemingly lining him up for a Sept. 22 start during Week 24.Miami Marlins: Wei-Yin Chen (DL: elbow) will rejoin the Marlins rotation on Sept. 19, replacing Jake Esch.New York Mets: Jacob deGrom (forearm/elbow) is out for the season, leaving the Mets with a rotation opening on Sept. 23; they used Gabriel Ynoa for a spot start on Sept. 18. Steven Matz (DL: shoulder) could be a candidate to take that turn.Washington Nationals: Joe Ross (DL: shoulder) rejoined the Nationals rotation on Sept. 18, seemingly lining him up for a Sept. 24 start during Week 24. The team could always go in another direction in that spot, howveer, with Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez candidates for starts.Milwaukee Brewers: Junior Guerra has been shut down for the season after reaching his innings limit, so the Brewers appear likely to revert to a five-man rotation for Week 24.St. Louis Cardinals: Anthony Reyes replaced Jaime Garcia in the Cardinals rotation on Sept. 18, seemingly lining him up to make another start on Sept. 24 during Week 24.Arizona Diamondbacks: With Rubby De La Rosas health in question, the Diamondbacks will move Braden Shipley back into their rotation in his place, beginning on Sept. 19.Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers have been rotating pitchers through the fourth and fifth spots in their rotation, which next arrive Sept. 22-23. Brock Stewart and Jose De Leon were the pitchers most recently used in those turns, but Bud Norris, Ross Stripling, Julio Urias and Brett Anderson (DL: finger) are all considered candidates to fill in on either day.Tristans Week 24 pitcher rankings1. Madison Bumgarner (SF) -- Mon-@LAD (Kershaw), Sat-@SD (Cosart)2. Clayton Kershaw (LAD) -- Mon-SF (Bumgarner), Sat-COL (Bettis)3. Noah Syndergaard (NYM) -- Mon-ATL (Blair), Sat-PHI (Asher)4. Chris Sale (CWS) -- Wed-@PHI (Eickhoff)5. Max Scherzer (WSH) -- Wed-@MIA (Koehler)6. Rich Hill (LAD) -- Tue-SF (Cueto), Sun-COL (Anderson)7. Jose Fernandez (MIA) -- Tue-WSH (Roark), Sun-ATL (Teheran)8. Jake Arrieta (CHC) -- Fri-STL (Leake)9. Johnny Cueto (SF) -- Tue-@LAD (Hill), Sun-@SD (Richard)10. Zack Greinke (ARI) -- Wed-@SD (Perdomo): He doesnt look right since his return from the DL, but this is about the best matchup one could ask, against an extremely whiff-prone Padres team in a far superior ballpark for his skill set than his typical home, Chase Field.11. Corey Kluber (CLE) -- Wed-KC (Kennedy)12. Kevin Gausman (BAL) -- Tue-BOS (Rodriguez), Sun-ARI (Shipley): He just produced the second-best game score of his career (79) in his most recent outing against the Red Sox, and has nine quality starts, a 2.58 ERA and 26.3 percent strikeout rate in 12 second-half starts. Anyone care to keep doubting him?13. Jon Lester (CHC) -- Tue-CIN (TBD)14. Michael Pineda (NYY) -- Tue-@TB (Smyly), Sun-@TOR (Estrada)15. Rick Porcello (BOS) -- Mon-@BAL (Bundy), Sat-@TB (Andriese)16. Kyle Hendricks (CHC) -- Sat-STL (Reyes)17. Justin Verlander (DET) -- Thu-@MIN (Santana)18. Chris Archer (TB) -- Fri-BOS (Pomeranz)19. Yu Darvish (TEX) -- Fri-@OAK (Graveman)20. Tanner Roark (WSH) -- Tue-@MIA (Fernandez)21. Seth Lugo (NYM) -- Thu-PHI (Morgan): Phillies matchups are back to being outstanding, as they rank last in baseball in runs per game (3.21) and strikeout rate (28.8 percent of PAs) during the month of September. Lugo might not be a long-term fantasy investment, but he has got plenty of juice left to help with this Week 24 matchup.22. Kenta Maeda (LAD) -- Wed-SF (Moore)23. Masahiro Tanaka (NYY) -- Wed-@TB (Cobb)24. Jeff Samardzija (SF) -- Thu-@SD (Friedrich)25. Anthony DeSclafani (CIN) -- Fri-@MIL (Davies): Only the Padres have whiffed with greater frequency than the Brewers (24.9 percent rate) since the All-Star break, so even with fatigue concerns, DeSclafanis matchup is too outstanding to doubt.26. Drew Smyly (TB) -- Tue-NYY (Pineda)27. David Price (BOS) -- Thu-@BAL (Tillman)28. A.J. Cole (WSH) -- Mon-@MIA (Chen), Sun-@PIT (Brault)29. James Shields (CWS) -- Tue-@PHI (Thompson)30. Matt Moore (SF) -- Wed-@LAD (Maeda)31. Drew Pomeranz (BOS) -- Fri-@TB (Archer): Ten of the past 13 left-handed starters to face the Rays have tossed quality starts, including Pomeranz on Aug. 30, with the group combining for a 3.01 ERA and 28.9 percent strikeout rate.32. Julio Teheran (ATL) -- Tue-@NYM (Gsellman), Sun-@MIA (Fernandez)33. Jason Hammel (CHC) -- Mon-CIN (Adleman), Sun-STL (Martinez)34. John Lackey (CHC) -- Wed-CIN (Stephenson)35. Jon Gray (COL) -- Fri-@LAD (De Leon)36. Jose De Leon (LAD) -- Fri-COL (Gray)37. Carlos Martinez (STL) -- Mon-@COL (Anderson), Sun-@CHC (Hammel)38. Felix Hernandez (SEA) -- Wed-TOR (Sanchez)39. Taijuan Walker (SEA) -- Mon-TOR (Estrada), Sun-@MIN (Santiago)40. Jameson Taillon (PIT) -- Fri-WSH (Gonzalez)41. Cole Hamels (TEX) -- Wed-LAA (Weaver)42. Gio Gonzalez (WSH) -- Fri-@PIT (Taillon)43. Alex Reyes (STL) -- Sat-@CHC (Hendricks)44. Jose Quintana (CWS) -- Sat-@CLE (TBD)45. Chad Bettis (COL) -- Sat-@LAD (Kershaw)46. Robert Gsellman (NYM) -- Tue-ATL (Teheran), Sun-PHI (Thompson)47. Tyler Anderson (COL) -- Mon-STL (Martinez), Sun-@LAD (Hill)48. Albert Suarez (SF) -- Fri-@SD (Jackson)49. Joe Ross (WSH) -- Sat-@PIT (Nova)50. Sean Manaea (OAK) -- Tue-HOU (Musgrove)51. J.A. Happ (TOR) -- Tue-@SEA (Iwakuma)52. Luis Cessa (NYY) -- Thu-@TB (Snell)53. Archie Bradley (ARI) -- Tue-@SD (Clemens)54. Collin McHugh (HOU) -- Wed-@OAK (Mengden)55. Michael Fulmer (DET) -- Fri-KC (Duffy)56. Jharel Cotton (OAK) -- Mon-HOU (Peacock)57. Dan Straily (CIN) -- Sat-@MIL (Peralta)58. Danny Duffy (KC) -- Fri-@DET (Fulmer)59. Robbie Ray (ARI) -- Sat-@BAL (Bundy)60. Trevor Bauer (CLE) -- Fri-CWS (Gonzalez)61. Blake Snell (TB) -- Thu-NYY (Cessa)62. Carlos Rodon (CWS) -- Mon-@KC (Ventura), Sun-@CLE (Tomlin)63. Alex Cobb (TB) -- Wed-NYY (Tanaka)64. Tyler Chatwood (COL) -- Thu-@LAD (Stewart)65. Hisashi Iwakuma (SEA) -- Tue-TOR (Happ)66. Aaron Sanchez (TOR) -- Wed-@SEA (Hernandez)67. Marcus Stroman (TOR) -- Sat-NYY (Sabathia)68. Jerad Eickhoff (PHI) -- Wed-CWS (Sale)69. Joe Musgrove (HOU) -- Tue-@OAK (Manaea), Sun-LAA (Wright)70. James Paxton (SEA) -- Fri-@MIN (Gibson)71. John Gant (ATL) -- Wed-@NYM (Colon)72. Robert Stephenson (CIN) -- Wed-@CHC (Lackey)73. Ivan Nova (PIT) -- Sat-WSH (Ross)74. Ubaldo Jimenez (BAL) -- Fri-ARI (Miller)75. Brock Stewart (LAD) -- Thu-COL (Chatwood)76. Anibal Sanchez (DET) -- Wed-@MIN (Berrios)77. Francisco Liriano (TOR) -- Fri-NYY (Mitchell)78. Mike Clevinger (CLE) -- Thu-KC (Vargas)79. Chad Kuhl (PIT) -- Wed-@MIL (Nelson)80. Marco Estrada (TOR) -- Mon-@SEA (Walker), Sun-NYY (Pineda)81. Dylan Bundy (BAL) -- Mon-BOS (Porcello), Sat-ARI (Ray)82. Daniel Norris (DET) -- Sat-KC (Ventura)83. Zach Davies (MIL) -- Fri-CIN (DeSclafani)84. Ian Kennedy (KC) -- Wed-@CLE (Kluber)85. Brad Peacock (HOU) -- Mon-@OAK (Cotton), Sat-LAA (Chacin)86. Wei-Yin Chen (MIA) -- Mon-WSH (Cole), Sat-ATL (Blair)87. Luke Weaver (STL) -- Wed-@COL (Marquez)88. Jake Odorizzi (TB) -- Sun-BOS (Rodriguez)89. Jhoulys Chacin (LAA) -- Mon-@TEX (Perez), Sat-@HOU (Peacock)90. Eduardo Rodriguez (BOS) -- Tue-@BAL (Gausman), Sun-@TB (Odorizzi)91. Josh Tomlin (CLE) -- Tue-KC (Volquez), Sun-CWS (Rodon)92. A.J. Griffin (TEX) -- Tue-LAA (Wright)93. Ariel Miranda (SEA) -- Sat-@MIN (Duffey)94. Tim Adleman (CIN) -- Mon-@CHC (Hammel), Sun-@MIL (Garza)95. Steven Brault (PIT) -- Tue-@MIL (Garza), Sun-WSH (Cole)96. Matt Andriese (TB) -- Sat-BOS (Porcello)97. Luis Perdomo (SD) -- Wed-ARI (Greinke)98. Yordano Ventura (KC) -- Mon-CWS (Rodon), Sat-@DET (Norris)99. Tom Koehler (MIA) -- Wed-WSH (Scherzer)100. Mike Fiers (HOU) -- Thu-LAA (Nolasco)101. Ervin Santana (MIN) -- Thu-DET (Verlander)102. CC Sabathia (NYY) -- Sat-@TOR (Stroman)103. Alex Meyer (LAA) -- Fri-@HOU (Fister)104. Mike Leake (STL) -- Fri-@CHC (Arrieta)105. Clay Buchholz (BOS) -- Wed-@BAL (Gallardo)106. Colby Lewis (TEX) -- Sat-@OAK (Alcantara)107. Daniel Mengden (OAK) -- Wed-HOU (McHugh)108. Ricky Nolasco (LAA) -- Thu-@HOU (Fiers)109. Tyler Duffey (MIN) -- Sat-SEA (Miranda)110. Jeremy Hellickson (PHI) -- Fri-@NYM (TBD)111. Raul Alcantara (OAK) -- Sat-TEX (Lewis)112. Matt Wisler (ATL) -- Fri-@MIA (Cashner)113. Paul Clemens (SD) -- Tue-ARI (Bradley)114. Braden Shipley (ARI) -- Mon-@SD (Richard), Sun-@BAL (Gausman)115. Hector Santiago (MIN) -- Tue-DET (Boyd), Sun-SEA (Walker)116. Clayton Richard (SD) -- Mon-ARI (Shipley), Sun-SF (Cueto)117. Jake Thompson (PHI) -- Tue-CWS (Shields), Sun-@NYM (Gsellman)118. Christian Friedrich (SD) -- Thu-SF (Samardzija)119. Jose Urena (MIA) -- Thu-ATL (Collmenter)120. Kyle Gibson (MIN) -- Fri-SEA (Paxton)121. Edwin Jackson (SD) -- Fri-SF (Suarez)122. Bartolo Colon (NYM) -- Wed-ATL (Gant)123. Andrew Cashner (MIA) -- Fri-ATL (Wisler)124. Ryan Vogelsong (PIT) -- Thu-@MIL (Anderson)125. Josh Collmenter (ATL) -- Thu-@MIA (Urena)126. Jorge De La Rosa (COL) -- Tue-STL (Wainwright)127. Matt Boyd (DET) -- Tue-@MIN (Santiago), Sun-KC (Volquez)128. Shelby Miller (ARI) -- Fri-@BAL (Jimenez)129. Bryan Mitchell (NYY) -- Fri-@TOR (Liriano)130. German Marquez (COL) -- Wed-STL (Weaver)131. Alec Asher (PHI) -- Sat-@NYM (Syndergaard)132. Adam Wainwright (STL) -- Tue-@COL (De La Rosa)133. Jose Berrios (MIN) -- Wed-DET (Sanchez)134. Daniel Wright (LAA) -- Tue-@TEX (Griffin), Sun-@HOU (Musgrove)135. Jimmy Nelson (MIL) -- Wed-PIT (Kuhl)136. Adam Morgan (PHI) -- Thu-@NYM (Lugo)137. Kendall Graveman (OAK) -- Fri-TEX (Darvish)138. Chase Anderson (MIL) -- Thu-PIT (Vogelsong)139. Miguel Gonzalez (CWS) -- Fri-@CLE (Bauer)140. Edinson Volquez (KC) -- Tue-@CLE (Tomlin), Sun-@DET (Boyd)141. Jason Vargas (KC) -- Thu-@CLE (Clevinger)142. Chris Tillman (BAL) -- Thu-BOS (Price)143. Aaron Blair (ATL) -- Mon-@NYM (Syndergaard), Sat-@MIA (Chen)144. Wily Peralta (MIL) -- Sat-CIN (Straily)145. Jarred Cosart (SD) -- Sat-SF (Bumgarner)146. Matt Garza (MIL) -- Tue-PIT (Brault), Sun-CIN (Adleman)147. Doug Fister (HOU) -- Fri-LAA (Meyer)148. Ross Detwiler (OAK) -- Sun-TEX (Perez)149. Jered Weaver (LAA) -- Wed-@TEX (Hamels)150. Yovani Gallardo (BAL) -- Wed-BOS (Buchholz)151. Martin Perez (TEX) -- Mon-LAA (Chacin), Sun-@OAK (Detwiler)Hitting ratingsThe chart below lists each of the 30 teams total number of scheduled games, home games and games versus right- and left-handed pitchers, and provides a matchup rating for the weeks games in terms of overall offense, offense for left- and right-handed hitters and base stealing. Matchup ratings for each individual game are listed under the corresponding date.Hitting matchup chart, Sept. 19-25 H: Hitters matchup rating, which accounts for the opposing starting pitchers past history (three years worth as well as past 21 days) as well as ballpark factors. L: Hitters matchup rating accounting only for left-handed hitters. R: Hitters matchup rating accounting for only right-handed hitters. S: Base-stealing matchup rating, which accounts for the opponents catchers ability to gun down opposing base stealers. Ratings range from 1-10, with 10 representing the best possible matchup, statistically speaking, and 1 representing the worst.Hitting advantagesHere are this weeks volume plays, defined as the teams that play the most home games, or games against right- or left-handed starters:Total games: Baltimore Orioles 7, Boston Red Sox 7, Kansas City Royals 7, Houston Astros 7, Los Angeles Angels 7, Atlanta Braves 7, Miami Marlins 7, New York Mets 7, Colorado Rockies 7, Los Angeles Dodgers 7, San Diego Padres 7, San Francisco Giants 7. All other teams play exactly six games apiece.Home games: Baltimore Orioles 7, Miami Marlins 7, New York Mets 7, Los Angeles Dodgers 7, San Diego Padres 7, Tampa Bay Rays 6, Cleveland Indians 6, Minnesota Twins 6, Oakland Athletics 6, Chicago Cubs 6, Milwaukee Brewers 6.Versus LH: San Francisco Giants 4, Baltimore Orioles 3, New York Yankees 3, Cleveland Indians 3, Kansas City Royals 3, Minnesota Twins 3, Los Angeles Dodgers 3. Seven teams face two left-handed starters.Versus RH: Boston Red Sox 7, Miami Marlins 7, Houston Astros 6, Atlanta Braves 6, New York Mets 6, San Diego Padres 6. Eleven teams face five right-handed starters.If the Mets are to squeak into the wild-card game, this is a week during which their offense, which has indeed picked up the pace recently, needs to step up. Theyll play seven home games, three against the Braves and four against the Phillies, teams that rank among the bottom 10 in baseball in ERA during the past month. In their past 20 games (entering play on Sept. 16), the Mets have averaged 4.95 runs per contest, with .260/.332/.456 triple-slash rates and 33 home runs. During that time, Asdrubal Cabrera (.365/.413/.730, .489 wOBA) and Wilmer Flores (.308/.339/.577, .393 wOBA), players available in greater than two-thirds of ESPN leagues, have been the Mets most productive hitters. Curtis Granderson is also a strong play in a week where the Mets will face six right-handed starters.The American League West should also provide good sources of offense, specifically the Astros, Angels and Rangers, teams who will play nothing but intradivision games against one another as well as the Athletics. Here are the second-half ERAs and rankings of those four teams: Athletics 4.25 (19th), Astros 4.30 (21st), Angels 4.39 (23rd), Rangers 4.39 (24th). The toughest individual matchup any of them will face is the Angels battling Rangers lefty Cole Hamels on Sept. 21, but be aware that Hamels has a 5.27 ERA in his past five starts, and the Angels will get all of their games in more hitting-friendly ballparks than their own: three at Texas Globe Life Park and four at Houstons Minute Maid Park. In case you werent aware, Andrelton Simmons is a .322/.367/.489 hitter (.375 wOBA) during the past month, C.J. Cron a .287/.316/.500 (.357 wOBA) and Jefry Marte a .267/.313/.500 (.351 wOBA) hitter during that same time span.Astros hitters might be the best to exploit, however, considering their standing in the wild-card race. Theyll need to keep everyone in regular roles through at least Week 24, which greatly increases the chances of the team accelerating the returns of Jose Altuve (oblique) and Alex Bregman (hamstring), if at all possible. Neither is a slam dunk to play, however, with them only worthwhile plays if news breaks in advance of the weeks lineup deadline hinting an imminent return for either. Instead, consider Yulieski Gurriel, a .338/.360/.521 hitter (.384 wOBA) in 21 games during the past month, and Teoscar Hernandez, a .211/.318/.439 hitter (.331 wOBA), strong plays.Meanwhile, the Rangers, while perhaps more focused on resting regulars for the postseason, still get a significant boost with five games against right-handed starters, considering how lefty-leaning their lineup is. Rougned Odor, a .306/.322/.601 hitter (.400 wOBA) against righties since the All-Star break, Mitch Moreland, a .243/.318/.478 (.349 wOBA) hitter and Nomar Mazara, a .243/.310/.447 (.333 wOBA) hitter, all warrant places in your lineup, even with the risk any or all might sit out a game or two.Byron Cowart Jersey . The move comes after the Canadiens were approached by the Buffalo Sabres for permission to speak to Dudley - a former Sabres player and head coach. "The Sabres called for permission and I appreciate that, Im flattered, Dudley told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun of ESPN. Nate Ebner Jersey . The veteran safety was a starter for the Bengals from 2008-2012. He totaled 41 tackles and three interceptions while starting all but four of the 13 games he played last season. https://www.patriotsjerseysale.com/621p-cody-kessler-jersey-patriots.html . PETERSBURG, Fla. Shilique Calhoun Jersey . The incident occurred at 19:56 of the second period of the Kings 4-2 road win over Edmonton on Sunday. Nolan punched Oilers forward Jesse Joensuu in the jaw in front of the Kings goal during a scrum. Wholesale Patriots Jerseys . - Goaltender Philippe Desrosiers of the Rimouski Oceanic has broken a shutout record that was only three months old in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.TORONTO - Masai Ujiri could not hide his emotion when he was introduced as the incoming president of basketball operations and general manager of the Toronto Raptors Tuesday morning. Ujiri, 42, met with local media at the Air Canada Centre for the first time since accepting the job four days prior. The NBAs reigning Executive of the Year, formerly with the Denver Nuggets, was at a loss for words facing the realization that hell be returning to Toronto, where he spent time as director of global scouting and assistant GM from 2007-10. "Im overwhelmed," said Ujiri. "I dont even know where to start. I dont have anything written guys, Im going to speak straight from the heart." "Im home. I came home." Sitting to the left of Tim Leiweke, new president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, Ujiri expressed humility and gratitude to be given the opportunity to head up basketball operations in a city he is passionate for but didnt hide from the challenge that is now in front of him. Mired in a five-year playoff drought, the longest in franchise history, the Raptors have failed to live up to recent expectations while struggling to achieve a consistent level of respectability throughout their existence. "Why cant I change it," asked Ujiri, the fifth GM in the franchises embattled 18-year history. "Its our job. Its our job to make it better, its our job to make it good, its our job to create a winning environment and thats why Im here." Leiweke has pursued Ujiri aggressively since the Nuggets granted Toronto permission to meet with their top executive late last month. Terms have not been disclosed but the deal is reported to be in the neighbourhood of $15 million over five years. "This is not an organization that wants to make the playoffs, this is an organization that would like to win championships," Leiweke said. "We understood that we needed fresh new thinking, dynamic thinking and leadership in order to get us to where we want to go to and we clearly understood that wwe have not had the success that the owners, the fans or this team deserves and so we set our sights on bringing in a new leader, a new chemistry and culture for the organization.dddddddddddd" "When we set our sights, we decided to set our sights high." Ujiri remained tight-lipped in regards to philosophy and player personnel, speaking generally about the organizations goal to build the right way and choosing not to discuss specifics until he has a staff in place. Ed Stefanski, former executive vice president, was relieved of his duties on Saturday along with a number of scouts and several others will be evaluated by Ujiri in the coming days. Head coach Dwane Casey is under contract for one more season and is expected to be kept on, pending further conversation with Ujiri to get on the same page. The elephant in the room was the team president, who was not in the room. According to Leiweke, Bryan Colangelo -- who was stripped of the GM title but kept on in the role of president last month -- was present in Toronto and met with Ujiri this morning, but was not asked to join the two executives on stage. "This was not meant to send a message," Leiweke insisted. "I know theres a lot of controversy and a lot of opinions out there about our reporting structure but theres no confusion from within, this is simple. [Colangelos] going to be there to advise and give input when Masai asks for it." Ujiri thanked Colangelo, one of his mentors, for bringing him to Toronto and giving him an opportunity back in 2007 but firmly denied the prospect of a power struggle with his former boss. "Theres no issue with Bryan Colangelo [and I]," Ujiri said. "Theres no issue. None whatsoever." "Im on the [hot] seat now and Ill take Bryans input when I feel its necessary," he continued. "At the end of the day, Im going to put my staff together and were going to figure this all out collectively but my decisions, like Tim said, basketball decisions are going to be my decisions." ' ' '