I'll be hosting my final live chat of the regular season today at 3 p.m. ET. I want lots and lots of questions, and you should send them now to beat the rush.

Who's off: Nobody, and we've got two doubleheaders: Pirates-Cubs and White Sox-Indians

First pitch: The Bucs-Cubbies twinbill starts the NL day at 2:05, while the White Sox and Indians are on tap at 4:05. Here's the full schedule.

Pitcher to start: The record stood at 96-92 Monday morning, and since then:

• Monday: Jeff Niemann and Hiroki Kuroda both got knocked around.
• Tuesday: Clay Buchholz finally got hit hard, but 2010 Reds ace Homer Bailey shut down the Cardinals. Plan on starting him again Sunday, because he's on fire.

We're at 97-95, and tonight we'll go back to Colorado's Jason Hammel (5.2 percent owned) against the Brewers. He's got a solid 3.30 ERA over his last eight starts, and is whiffing almost a batter per inning this month.

On to the news:

• The Rangers have shut down Josh Hamilton for the season due to a pinched nerve in his back. His fantasy flop of a season finishes with a .268 batting average, 10 home runs, 54 RBI, 43 runs scored and eight stolen bases. Raise your hand if you picked Hamilton in the first or second round this year.
• Hamilton's teammate, OF Marlon Byrd, left Tuesday's game with a hip injury, according to the team's Web site. He's day-to-day with not many days left.
• The Angels are setting up their rotation for the playoffs, with Scott Kazmir getting scratched last night, and Matt Palmer getting Jered Weaver's start tonight. The weekend probables are currently Joe Saunders-Ervin Santana-TBD, but don't be surprised if that changes. Thanks a lot, Mike Scioscia.
• Ryan Madson got a six-out save last night for the Phillies. I can't wait to see what happens the first time they have the lead late in a playoff game.
• Reds OF Jay Bruce hit two homers last night, and he's batting .375 with four homers and 16 RBI since coming off the DL a couple of weeks ago. I know I told you he'd break out this season, but it's really going to happen in 2010.
• If anyone still cares, the Mets are shutting down Mike Pelfrey for the rest of the season. I'm guessing you planned on something better than a 5.03 ERA from him this season.
• Cubs 3B Aramis Ramirez probably won't play much this week due to a sore shoulder. Dump him if you own him in a daily transaction league.
• Orioles OF Felix Pie probably won't play any more this season due to a strained quad. Also, keeper leaguers should note that in the story linked to above, O's manager Dave Trembley says that Koji Uehara is a candidate to be the team's closer next season. If they use an in-house option, he could be it.
• Josh Beckett expects to start Saturday after getting scratched on Monday.
• Royals OF David DeJesus is still out with flu-like symptoms. He might be back this weekend.
• Pirates SS Ronny Cedeno is a question mark to return before Sunday because of two balky hamstrings.
• Cardinals C Yadier Molina's knee is still bothered by the foul ball he hit off it over the weekend, and he's questionable for today and tomorrow. Expect the Cardinals to play it safe with him since they've already clinched.
• Ouch! White Sox 2B Chris Getz will undergo surgery for a sports hernia, and is done for the season.
• Remember that if you're in a daily transaction league, any starting pitcher from today on will be making his final start, so you can waive him after he pitches. If you need Ks and wins, and can take a chance with your ERA and WHIP, this strategy makes sense.
• Today's Hot Streak pick is for Ryan Howard to go deep against the Astros. Make your selection now!

In addition to my usual football duties tomorrow and Friday, I'll be back here next Tuesday to wrap up some baseball loose ends, and will try to tweet the spot starter selections through Sunday. If I don't get to it Sunday, remember to start Homer Bailey.

You can expect a baseball column on the site just about every week from October through January, probably on Tuesdays (but don't quote me on that yet). Thanks a ton for reading the baseball editions of this blog all season - I hope you enjoyed is as much as I did.

If you have any baseball questions during the offseason, please e-mail me at jhalpin37@gmail.com, or find me on Twitter at @jhalpin37. Thanks again.