Use of middle relievers during playoffs

[BeautifulBrunette]

Guys, my league just wrapped up week #1 of the playoffs with 2 to go. I put a solid 8-2 beatdown on my opponent. I now go on to face the league's regular season champ. Questions --

1) After a solid season, Orlando Cabrera's production has really fallen off the last 3 weeks. I see that Carlos Guillen is hot. Is it prudent to drop Cabrera, pick up Guillen?

2) What do you guys think of the use of middle relievers such as LaTroy Hawkins or G. Mota? Will their low ERA's/WHIPS be significant enough to impact my team's overall pitching stats (excluding wins, of course)?

Please let me hear comments, your help is very much appreciated!

[ramble2]

Disclaimer: This is my first year of H2H. Up 'til now I've only done roto leagues. I did finish in first by 24 games, though.

1. Regarding Cabrera. I had a similar thought regarding Vidro (except that I'm not sure who I'd replace him with). However, keep in mind that the Expos are playing in Bithorn Stadium today through Thursday. Also keep in mind that on Friday they play a home game in Montreal. Probably worth keeping Cabrera around at least while he's in PR.

2. Regarding MRs. Depends on whether you have to drop someone (and who it would be) to pick them up or not. I find MRs very valuable in roto, less so in H2H. But then, I have seven good starters (Zito, Hudson, Schilling, Beckett, Santana, Webb and Buehrle) and four good closers (Rivera, Foulke, Worrell and Hasegawa), so my pitching staff is rarely in want of Ks, Saves, WHIP or ERA. I have found that my closers typically lower my WHIP and ERA by a small amount. Usually not enough to help me win ERA, but I've twice gone from a 5-5 tie to a 6-4 win thanks to a Sunday night 3 up 3 down inning by Rivera that lowered my WHIP.

3. Congrats on your first round win! I hope you continue on to victory!

[Madison]

I'd keep Cabrera at least for the games in Puerto Rico.

As to middle relievers, use them if you have them. I wouldn't drop anyone significant in order to pick one up though.

Congrats BeautifulBrunette on your 1st round win!

[Super GM]

Congrats from the GM too!

I like to keep at least one middle reliever with a low ERA on my team in case one of my starters gets rocked....I still have the middle reliever to bring the ERA back to earth. I like to use Guillermo Mota or Will Cunnane for that....