Here we are - the last SP Buy/Sell of the season. It seems like just yesterday I was giving you such stellar advice as "trade Zack Greinke" and "buy low on Anibal Sanchez." The lesson, as always: Never trust the experts...or a man in a blue trenchcoat.

Once more unto the breach, dear friends.

Starting Pitcher Buys

Bartolo Colon (NYM)

Since getting demolished by the Rockies at Coors Field on August 21, Colon has put together a 1.21 ERA and 1.02 WHIP, and struck out five batters for every walk issued. Backed by a resurgent Mets offense, he’s won four games in that span. Colon will close out his 72^nd season in the majors (I’ll have to check my numbers, but it’s something like that) with a pair of cake matchups against the Braves and Phillies.

Jake Peavy (SF)

Peavy hasn’t been able to replicate the sparkling numbers he posted down the stretch last season after coming to the Giants in a deadline deal, but he’s pitched to a solid 3.52 ERA and excellent 0.98 WHIP over the last month. He’ll take on his old team, the Padres, today before finishing the year with a pair of home starts. The Dodgers may well be resting players by next week and the Rockies are hopeless on the road, so those ought to be favorable matchups.

Tyler Duffey (MIN)

Duffey got a rude welcome to the majors six weeks ago when he was knocked around by the Blue Jays. Since then, he’s reeled off five quality starts in seven tries with a 2.06 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. His last two starts will come against the Tigers and Indians, both teams he has already faced and fared well against.

Starting Pitcher Sells

Sonny Gray (OAK)

No matter how you look at it, Gray’s second full season in the majors has been a huge success. But he’s been blown up in three of his last four starts, leaving him with unsightly September ratios (7.97 ERA, 1.97 WHIP). In the second half, his strikeouts are down and walks are up, both by significant margins. He’s also drawing the Rangers and Angels in his last two games this season. Gray has been a boon to many fantasy teams this year, but he looks to be faltering a bit down the stretch.

Matt Harvey (NYM)

I doubt anyone is surprised to see Harvey’s name here. Given the uncertainty over how he’ll be used in the last week and a half of the season, his value doesn’t match his talent or production to this point. If manager Terry Collins decides to deploy him out of the bullpen in short bursts, he’ll still be worth a roster spot in some formats. Until that’s settled, though, Harvey should probably be on your bench.

Jason Hammel (CHC)

For the second consecutive year, Hammel has faded badly in the second half. Though he’s 2-0 and has struck out over a batter an inning this month, he’s carrying a 5.43 ERA and 1.52 WHIP since the break. He’s also only logged two quality starts in his last 12 games. The Cubs are a virtual lock for a wild-card berth, but they’d certainly like to play that game at home. They’re two games behind the Pirates, whom Hammel will face in his next start. Considering how poorly he pitched against them last week, he’s far from an optimal play.

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