This is the most exciting time of the year in baseball. Pennant races and Wild Card races dot the landscape, yet baseball gives way to football every September. That's fine. I have no real objection. Here are some random thoughts as we close in on September.

I'm a Koji Uehara believer. So much so that I picked him up in an important league this week. I trust his stuff and I like that he's getting the ball in the 9th inning. Baltimore has a new energy and I look for Uehara to get some saves in the last month.

Even with votes of confidence from the new ownership in Texas, I really believe Ron Washington and his staff better bring home an American League flag or Wildcard ticket if he is to remain on the job. I don't think they're in any danger of coughing up their playoff spot, but stranger things have happened.

I didn't expect the monster year we're seeing from Josh Hamilton. He is a wrecking crew. So far, he is wrecking my fantasy chances in my Challenge League.

Did Jose Reyes, Nelson Cruz and Ryan Howard come back too soon? Was more time needed for healing? It sure looks that way. Reyes and Cruz went down again and Howard is almost an automatic out at the plate. I have a similar concern about Tulo and Tex. They're both hurt and they're both playing. We'll see.

Don't totally count out the Rockies in the west. Those guys know how to turn it on. If they're healthy.

My biggest fantasy bust? Try Tommy Hanson. Of course he would have to line up next to Elvis Andrus and Pablo Sandoval. Yes, I know. They both are starting to hit a little. But it's August. Where were they the rest of the season? Andrus was hitting ground balls to the infield and Sandoval was at the buffet table. Andrus is better than a .275 hitter.

Manny's power is gone, right? Even in U.S. Cellular Field? I'm just askin' here. I like what he can do in that park.

Can Atlanta get it done for Bobby Cox?

I got to see Jason Knapp pitch in the Arizona League. He threw an easy 98 and he repeated his delivery. It looks like he has fully recovered from his shoulder surgery. I'll watch him throw in the Instructional League. Target him now folks. He's going to be special and he'll help soften the blow Cleveland fans have taken from the Cliff Lee trade.

The Diamondbacks are building the 2011 team around Daniel Hudson, Ian Kennedy and Barry Enright with Joe Saunders thrown in the mix. The club is looking at lengtheing right and left field fences by removing seats. That would make the bandbox a more pitcher friendly park. Better be aware of that before you draft next spring.

I like Carl Crawford hitting third. Wonder where he'll hit in the Yankees lineup next year?

Admit it---did you ever consider Jose Bautista for 40 homers? We should have seen it coming. He had a great second half last year and he's very selective at the plate. Batting average wise, he's a right handed Adam Dunn.

Mat Latos is big enough and strong enough not to wilt down the stretch.

The Cardinals are a totally inconsistent offensive club. Now we find out that Tony La Russa and Colby Rasmus don't play nice with each other. I guess La Russa claims that Jon Jay is a less selfish player and can do more to help the club. Why would you ever go public with that? I don't get it.

Add Adam Wainwright to the list of those struggling down the stretch. Josh Johnson has had a few hiccups as has Ubaldo Jimenez. But not like the aforementioned Hanson and Tim Lincecum. Just when we think guys are "automatic" they turn human on us. From "freak" to human in one half season.

That's the Vernon Wells I remember. He's the second half guy, not the first half guy. And now that I've dumped him, Adam Lind looks more like last year's Adam Lind. Ok, a little bit like him? What a strange game.

Here's a puzzler--the Rocks kept Jason Giambi and dumped Brad Hawpe. Why not Giambi as well? I'm just askin' here.

Now that Pittsburgh is completely stocked at the major league level with their minor league players they can begin to dump them like they always do. Then they can start over with a whole fresh crop of young, cheap recently drafted rookie players. While they do all this they can share revenue they get from other major league clubs. I guess I'm saying I've seen this movie before. I hope the ending is different this time.

I've seen enough of Edinson Volquez to last a lifetime. To be truthful, I saw enough last season.

I really like what Bud Norris and J.A. Happ bring to the Astros. They can both pitch. What a unique quality for an Astros team that hasn't had pitching for the past two seasons. Their rotation can be pretty solid moving forward. I've been a Bud man since the first time I saw him light up the radar gun. If he harnesses the fastball, watch out!

I'm just sick about Stephen Strasburg. When it happened I got a call from a friend that day who said the following..."Tommy John."
I admit it-I missed that. I had no idea it was so bad. Looking at it over again, he had the signs. But few people thought it was as bad as it turned out to be. It took two MRI's to discover the depth of the problem. Will he be back? Most pitchers come back from Tommy surgery. Many are better than before. The key? All elbows and arms aren't alike. Some pitchers take a year. Some more. Time will tell.

The Red Sox don't seem to pitch well at the same time. If Beckett, Buchholz, Matsuzaka. Lester and Lackey ever could have a sustained streak they would be awesome. They are each very, very good pitchers. But each is pitching in streaks. Catch them when they're all hot and they can shut a team down for a week. If they want to play in the sandbox in October, they better get going.

Having Ivan Nova around certainly helps when a team has A.J. Burnett. The Yankees still have a starting rotation that's haunting them.

And I still don't hear enough or read enough about guys like Delmon Young and Angel Pagan. Great years for both but they remain a secret.

Does Carlos Beltran still play major league baseball?

My prospect article for RotoWire this week is about Thomas Neal, a Giants power prospect outfielder. Please stop by and give it a read. I also write about some names I'll look for this coming fall and next spring. Have a great week. I've said enough for now.