Father’s Day may have been this past Sunday, but this column is set for earlier in the week. So I hope you do not mind a little sappiness for my father a short time after Father’s Day.

I have been blessed to have lived 26  years with my father being a major factor in who I am today. Many do not get that opportunity for numerous reasons. My dad lost his father in his late teens to cancer. To this day, cancer is winning the battle of life and death more than it should, but back in the 1960’s, the disease led to those stricken with it to think of when they would die, not if.

Despite not having one of the cornerstones of his life around to guide him into adulthood, he still grew up to be a great man and a great dad. I grew up playing America’s pastime and learned a lot from him. He was a heck of a player in his youth and left me some big cleats to fill on the diamond. While he never reached the ultimate goal of playing pro ball, he played softball in the Chicagoland area on a team that won their fair share of hardware. The southpaw gave birth to a son who could not share his unique throwing abilities, but he passed on some serious speed to me which always made playing outfield easier and fun. He also continues to scare the crap out of me whenever he throws a sneaky good knuckleball for a man over the hill.

He grew up a Cardinals fan in large part because of his father. Lucky for me, I raised understanding what it was like to watch winning baseball and got to do so in a time when St. Louis has been one of the gold standards in the league. I regret not being with him for the recent championships in 2006 and 2011. One time I was trying to be cool and hang out with my friends in college, and the other I had a planned Halloween party with the woman I married the following summer. What I was able to do was be on the phone with him for the final outs of both, and was able to witness David Freese’s walk-off home run in game six of 2011’s fall classic.

Without my dad, I would not be the fan of baseball that I am today. While the passion that he has instilled in me for the game is minute in the grand scheme of his lessons taught, those moments spent on the field, in the stands, and watching the game have made me realize no one else could have made those times as special as they were and continue to be with him.

Peaking

Dan Straily and Jarrod Parker, Starting Pitchers, Oakland A’s: Since May, the two have combined for 12 quality starts, 9 wins, and falling ERA’s. Both will pitch twice this week against struggling offenses in Texas and Seattle. I would play both with confidence this week,

Trevor Rosenthal, Relief Pitcher, St. Louis Cardinals: What do Jeremy Guthrie, Wandy Rodriguez, Barry Zito, Kevin Correia, Zach McAllister, and Jonathon Niese have in common? They have less strikeouts and double the innings pitched than Trevor Rosenthal. While most of these starters tend to be hit or miss, Wandy and Guthrie have been utilized by owners in 2013 with positive results. Get Rosenthal on your staff for a high K rate and great ERA.

Jeremy Guthrie, Starting Pitcher, Kansas City Royals: While his strikeouts are lacking, his wins and ERA have been more than respectable for a contact pitcher. His lone start this week is against the White Sox. Cy Guthrie has had his way with Chicago the last few seasons, and has pitched superbly against them in 2013. In two starts, Guthrie has two wins, one being a complete game, a 0.60 ERA (!!!), and nine hits allowed in 15 innings pitched. Great spot start and maybe more.

There is no reason to not consider adding Wil Myers if he is available in your league. Shame on the other owners for letting him sit out there for so long. His plus power and arrival to the big show should wake up the Rays’ offense some.

In the Valley

Tampa Bay Rays Pitching Staff: This is a tough week for the young arms in Tampa. Boston and the Yankees will pose challenges offensively, and with Alex Cobb missing time after that horrible line drive to the head, the pitching staff is hurting and at the wrong time. If you choose to start any Rays starters limit expectations so if a gem does happen, the results can make your day.

Mike Carp, Outfielder, First Baseman, Boston Red Sox: It is not that I do not like the production; it is that Carp has 103 at-bats. Even with the injuries issues in Boston, it appears management wants to pick and choose starts for Carp. Will Middlebrooks is going to see time at first, limiting Carp’s time to the outfield with Jacoby Ellsbury questionable. Jose Iglesias has been just as hot with the stick as Carp and plays third base. Middlebrooks has seen the injuries pile up, so playing first helps save his body some. Temper all expectations with Carp if you choose to play him.

Colby Rasmus, Outfielder, Toronto Blue Jays: The centerfielder on Team Fools’ Gold is tempting owners across fantasy baseball. His current .331 BABIP is well above his career .295, so a fall-off is due. Do not fall for him.

Follow me on Twitter @jeffrotull44, and check out my work with The Sports Bank, where I cover the Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Blackhawks, and entertainment.