By Ted Cahill

Two weeks remain in the 2009 regular season. All but two of the playoff teams have been determined, leaving the vast majority of players doing nothing but looking towards next year.

Many fantasy leagues have likewise been decided, leaving many owners to turn their attention to football.

But for all of you still fighting it to the finish line, there are a few things to remember before Fan Appreciation Day.

Check lineups daily: These last two weeks can produce some very strange lineups (Of course those of you that watch the Indians know that can happen every day.). Starters may get extra rest for contenders, while others may go on short rest. There are plenty of players out there with options about to vest and management may shut them down. Also, if Seattle decides to run Felix Hernandez out with Ken Griffey in center field and Mike Sweeny at first base, you might want to think twice.

Plan ahead: If you’re in a keeper league and not in contention watch for the leaders’ scraps. No, Max Scherzer and Jake Peavy aren’t doing much right now, but you’ll want them next year. And if you are a contender in a non-keeper league be prepared for an added day of rest or two for Chris Carpenter and J.A. Happ.

Watch your innings/games count: If you play in a league that has a maximum number of innings or starts, make sure you don’t exceed it a week early. Be even more selective in who you start if need be, but you don’t want to lose out on a week’s worth of games.

Much of this advice seems like common sense, but it’s not the summer anymore. Most owners just don’t have as much time to futz with their lineups everyday now that school is back in session and football is dominating the weekend TV lineups.

Much of this advice seems like common sense, but it’s not the summer anymore. Most owners just don’t have as much time to futz with their lineups everyday now that school is back in session and football is dominating the weekend TV lineups.

No roll of the dice: It looks like that three-month break did a lot of good for Daisuke Matsuzaka.

In his second start back from the DL, Matsuzaka allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings, striking out five. It wasn’t as good as his six-shutout innings against Los Angeles last week, but it’s still a positive sign.

While Matsuzaka wasn’t dominant, in comparison to his other starts this year, he was darn good. In fact, it probably qualifies as one of his best of the season.

Matsuzaka also exceeded 100 pitches for the first time since June. All of this points to him being a more reliable starter in the final two weeks of the year.

Bumbling Buehrle: A couple weeks ago it seemed like Mark Buehrle was about to come out of his slump. Now it looks like he might get shutdown early.

The left-hander had another sub-par outing last week in a blowout loss to Kansas City. Even during the four-game stretch when he allowed only seven earned runs in 26 innings, Buehrle has been getting hit. In that same stretch his WHIP was 1.35.

Buehrle has already thrown more than 200 innings. In the past it has seemed like Buehrle was the kind of horse that would just eat innings for the White Sox, but that seems to no longer be the case. Chicago is even considering making him the fourth starter next year, behind Jake Peavy, Gavin Floyd and John Danks.

But right now, there are better options for your fantasy team than Buehrle.

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Pitcher Pickup of the Week: Tim Hudson, Braves

Hudson’s return this September has been better than I expected. He’s picked up only one win, but lost two quality starts. And he clearly pitched well enough to win one of those games. Overall, Hudson has a 3.70 ERA and 15 strikeouts to go with a 1.31 WHIP. He’s also only allowed one more home run than he’s hit, always a plus.

Hudson starts Wednesday against the Mets. It will be his first appearance in Citi Field, but traditionally the right-hander pitches well against the Metropolitans. He’s 9-5 with a 3.82 ERA lifetime against New York. Hudson last faced them last May, going eight innings and allowing two runs for the win.