Saturday, April 30, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Player Musings and Pickups For Week Five

It's week five in Fantasy Baseball, and April is finally over.  With a full month in the books, it's time to reevaluate some of the things we thought were true at the beginning of the year.  First, I'm going to go back to draft day for a minute and go over the first few rounds for players who have been underperforming so far and let you know whether or not it's time to panic.  Then I'm going to go through some mid level players, and let you know who to cut.

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Saturday 4/30/11

Friday's Recommendations' Stats - Daisuke Matsuzaka - 4.0 Innings Pitched - 4 Strikeouts - No Decision - 4.50 ERA - 1.75 WHIP
Week Four Cumulative Stats - 29 Innings Pitched - 17 Strikeouts - 5.28 K/9 - 2 Win in 5 Starts - 5.59 ERA - 1.52 WHIP
Cumulative Total Stats - 205.2 Innings Pitched - 157 Strikeouts - 6.87 K/9 - 14 Wins in 34 Starts - 3.72 ERA - 1.21 WHIP
Starter Spreadsheet Online Here

Daisuke had a short fairly poor day because of an elbow injury.  His fastball fell from 93 at the start of the game down to 87 when they pulled him with elbow tightness.  As always, while I count the stats, I don't take responsibility if the starter gets hurt.  I'm happy to take the four strikeouts here and just move on.  As we roll into Saturday, the pitchers are looking better as the match-ups look rockier.  It's a two-starter day as we move to the end of head to head match-ups....

Friday, April 29, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Friday 4/29/11

Thursday's Recommendations' Stats - Kyle McClellan - 5.2 Innings Pitched - 2 Strikeouts - Win - 7.94 ERA - 1.77 WHIP
Week Four Cumulative Stats - 25 Innings Pitched - 13 Strikeouts - 4.68 K/9 - 2 Win in 4 Starts - 5.76 ERA - 1.48 WHIP
Cumulative Total Stats - 201.2 Innings Pitched - 153 Strikeouts - 6.83 K/9 - 14 Wins in 33 Starts - 3.70 ERA - 1.20 WHIP
Starter Spreadsheet Online Here

It was a weak starting pitcher day Thursday and McClellan was just one example of that.  My second recommendation, Baker, ended up being pushed back to Friday, and the only good starts that came from anyone were Jeff Niemann and Carlos Carrasco.  McClellan didn't do much else, but he did squeak out a win because of the amazing Cardinal offense.  It's been a rough week, but as we get into the weekend we have a few solid spot choices coming up Saturday and Sunday, and we'll make up this bad week yet.  Fridays starter coming up...

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Thursday 4/28/11

Wednesday's Recommendations' Stats - Bartolo Colon - 8.0 Innings Pitched - 6 Strikeouts - Win - 1.13 ERA - 1.00 WHIP
Week Four Cumulative Stats - 19.1 Innings Pitched - 11 Strikeouts - 5.12 K/9 - 1 Win in 3 Starts - 5.12 ERA - 1.40 WHIP
Cumulative Total Stats - 196 Innings Pitched - 151 Strikeouts - 6.93 K/9 - 13 Wins in 32 Starts - 3.58 ERA - 1.18 WHIP
Starter Spreadsheet Online Here

Bartolo Colon goes out there and gives us eight great innings a day after Brandon McCarthy ruined everything for us.  Stick with me and I'll churn out more good days than bad, as my cumulative stats show through almost 200 innings.  Bartolo gave us six strikeouts and just one run over the eight innings, and Robinson Cano had a three run homer in the first to give him plenty of cushion for the win.  Going with another great starter today, coming up right now...

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Wednesday 4/27/11

Tuesday's Recommended Starter's Stats -  Brandon McCarthy  - 5.1 Innings Pitched - 3 Strikeouts - Loss - 11.81 ERA - 2.81 WHIP
Cumulative Starter Stats - 188 Innings Pitched - 145 Strikeouts - 6.94 K/9 - 12 Wins in 31 Starts - 3.69 ERA - 1.19 WHIP
Starter Spreadsheet Online Here

First off, I'd like to apologize for the worst recommendation I've given so far. McCarthy has looked sharp on the year so far, but the Angels beat him up and did it for 5.1 innings.  I went down with you here, with McCarthy damaging my WHIP and ERA.  Hopefully can make it up by Sunday.  Secondly want to say sorry everyone, but got back extremely late here after the horrible Yankee loss.  Don't have time before bed for the full write up today... just going to post my recommendation with an explanation.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Tuesday 4/26/11

Monday Recommended Starter's Stats - Dustin Moseley - 6.0 Innings Pitched - 2 Strikeouts - No Decision - 4.50 ERA - .67 WHIP
Cumulative Starter Stats - 182.2 Innings Pitched - 142 Strikeouts - 7.00 K/9 - 12 Wins in 30 Starts - 3.45 ERA - 1.14 WHIP
Starter Spreadsheet Online Here

Moseley's day wasn't great, but it wasn't an awful start.  The WHIP and the ERA don't match.  He only allowed four hits and didn't walk anyone, but those four hits happened to turn into three runs. Knew going into it that we weren't getting too many strikeouts, and the great WHIP offsets the subpar ERA on the day. Tuesday's starter coming up right now...

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Monday 4/25/11

Saturday Recommendation One's Stats -  Brandon Beachy  - 6.0 Innings Pitched - 7 Strikeouts - No Decision - 3.00 ERA - 0.50 WHIP
Saturday Recommendations Two's Stats -  Carlos Carrasco  - 3.0 Innings Pitched - 1 Strikeout - No Decision - 6.00 ERA - 2.67 WHIP
Week Three's Recommended Starters' Final Stats - 52.1 Innings Pitched - 43 Strikeouts - 7.40 K/9 - 2 Wins in 9 Starts - 2.92 ERA - 1.09 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 176.2 Innings Pitched - 140 Strikeouts - 7.13 K/9 - 12 Wins in 29 Starts - 3.41 ERA - 1.16 WHIP
Starter Stats Spreadsheet Online Here

Carrasco was taken out of the game after three innings with elbow tightness.  It adds to my totals, but I take no responsibility for any of his three inning mess.  No injury guarantees here folks.  On the other hand, Beachy gave another six solid innings of three hit no walk ball, showing off his excellent control.  The run support didn't come in time to get him a win, but you'll never be too mad at your starter for six innings of two run ball.  The numbers overall on the week were very solid.  Sub-3.00 ERA and Sub-1.10 WHIP will win you most of your match-ups.  The two wins in nine starts was a bit fluky, but that's the nature of wins even when you are trying to chase them.  Monday's spot starter recommendation.....

Fantasy Pickup, Musings, and Trade Ideas Heading into Week Four

It's Easter Sunday as I write this, and Week Four starts on Monday in most leagues, so this column is essentially my reaction to what we know from the first three weeks.  I'm going to talk about guys who are hot and who are cold, and end the column with pickups for those of you in weekly leagues.  Anything I say in terms of cutting or picking up guys is in ten-team mixed leagues....Adjust accordingly for your deeper or AL/NL-Only leagues.

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickup For Sunday 4/24/11

Saturday Recommendation One's Stats - Fausto Carmona - 5.0 Innings Pitched - 1 Strikeout - Loss - 7.20 ERA - 1.60 WHIP
Saturday Recommendations Two's Stats - Dillon Gee - 6.0 Innings Pitched - 5 Strikeouts - Win - 3.00 ERA - 1.00 WHIP
Week Three's Recommended Starters' Stats - 43.1 Innings Pitched - 35 Strikeouts - 7.27 K/9 - 2 Wins in 7 Starts - 2.70 ERA - 1.06 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 167.2 Innings Pitched - 132 Strikeouts - 7.09 K/9 - 12 Wins in 27 Starts - 3.38 ERA - 1.16 WHIP
Starter Stats Spreadsheet Online Here

One good one bad on Saturday.  Sorry that I didn't help your ERA and WHIP if you were chasing, but Gee gave us a decent amount of strikeouts and the win, so that'll help.  Still it's been a good week, and it's going into Easter Sunday and ESPN.com is down, combining for a very short pickup column today.  Pair of catchup pickups coming up....

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Saturday 4/23/11

Friday's Recommended Starter's Stats -  Tyson Ross  - 4.1 Innings Pitched - 0 Strikeouts - Loss - 6.24 ERA - 1.85 WHIP
Week 3 Starters' Stats - 32.1 Innings Pitched - 29 Strikeouts - 8.07 K/9- 1 Win in 5 Starts - 1.95 ERA - 0.99 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 156.2 Innings Pitched - 126 Strikeouts - 7.24 K/9 - 11 Wins in 25 Starts - 3.27 ERA - 1.15 WHIP
Starter Spreadsheet Online Here

Due to a postponement in Minnesota, instead of my original choice for Friday, I'm defaulting to my second recommendation, Tyson Ross.  I warned that Ross was a risky second option yesterday, and it showed.  He pitched just 4.1 innings and let up four hits and four walks without giving a strikeout.  It would have been decent despite the strikeouts, but he was pulled with two men on base, and the reliever Jerry Blevins proceeded to walk the bases loaded, then walk a run home credited to Ross, and let up a two run single which one run of was credited to Ross, before they pulled Blevins.  Anyways, Ross had strikeout potential, but wasn't showing it as a starter on Friday night.  Still have fin numbers on the week though.  Because we are getting to the last two days of the weekly match-ups, I'm offering up a pair of spot starter recommendations for those attempting to catch up....

Friday, April 22, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Friday 4/22/11

Thursday's Recommended Starter's Stats - Brandon McCarthy - 8.0 Innings Pitched - 6 Strikeouts - Loss - 1.13 ERA - 0.63 WHIP
Week 3 Starters' Stats - 28.0 Innings Pitched - 29 Strikeouts - 9.32 K/9- 1 Win in 4 Starts - 1.29 ERA - 0.86 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 152.1 Innings Pitched - 126 Strikeouts - 7.44 K/9 - 11 Wins in 24 Starts - 3.19 ERA - 1.13 WHIP
Starter Spreadsheet Online Here

Can't complain about the game McCarthy had on Thursday night.  He was great except for the one home run.  Complete eight inning game, six strikeouts and just the solo home run that lead to him getting a loss.  Sometimes you run up against Felix Hernandez and don't get a win in a one run game.  Regardless, he gave you eight solid innings of great ERA and WHIP and the strikeouts with it. Still have a great week going so far, in spite of my lack of wins.  You can ride my hot streak with my Friday recommendation coming up...

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Thursday 4/21/11

Wednesday's Recommended Starter's Stats - Bud Norris - 6.0 Innings Pitched - 6 Strikeouts - No Decision - 4.50 ERA - 1.83 WHIP
Week 3 Starters' Stats - 20.0 Innings Pitched - 23 Strikeouts - 10.35 K/9- 1 Win in 3 Starts - 1.35 ERA - 0.95 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 144.1 Innings Pitched - 120 Strikeouts - 7.48 K/9 - 11 Wins in 23 Starts - 3.30 ERA - 1.16 WHIP
Starter Spreadsheet Online Here

So Bud Norris didn't end up being quite the start that Beachy or Zambrano were, but it wasn't too offensive for a spot start.  The ERA and WHIP were bad, but with just six innings pitched, it will only take one solid start to bring it down to an acceptable level.  Balancing the ERA and WHIP are the six solid strikeouts.  I'll take six strikeouts from a guy who was owned in just 2.6% percent of standard leagues.  The week three stats are still great, and going to follow that up with my Thursday pick coming up....

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Wednesday 4/20/11

Tuesday's Recommended Starter's Stats - Brandon Beachy - 6.0 Innings Pitched - 7 Strikeouts - Win - 0.00 ERA - 0.67 WHIP
Week 3 Starters' Stats - 14.0 Innings Pitched - 17 Strikeouts - 10.93 K/9- 1 Win in 2 Starts - 0.00 ERA - 0.57 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 138.1 Innings Pitched - 114 Strikeouts - 7.42 K/9 - 11 Wins in 22 Starts - 3.25 ERA - 1.13 WHIP
Starter Spreadsheet Online Here

Week Three is off to a great start so far.  First Carlos Zambrano came through huge on Monday, and now Brandon Beachy does the job today.  I didn't expect him to be this good, but he does have the stuff to strike guys out like this on a regular basis, and to be nearly unhittable when he's on like he was tonight   14 innings of no run ball with more than a strikeout per inning is more than you can really ask for from spot starters, but hopefully I can keep the streak going on Wednesday...

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Tuesday 4/19/11

Monday's Recommended Starter's Stats - Carlos Zambrano - 8.0 Innings Pitched - 10 Strikeouts - No Decision - 0.00 ERA - 0.50 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 132.1 Inning Pitched - 107 Strikeouts - 7.28 K/9 - 10 Wins in 21 Starts - 3.40 ERA - 1.15 WHIP
Starter Spreadsheet Online Here

Week three started off amazingly here, as Big Z did everything you could ask of him in a Cubs win over San Diego.  He didn't get the win, but he went eight innings and didn't allow any runs while striking out ten.  He did everything in his power to deliver you a strong fantasy day. So who do I like as a spot start for Tuesday?  Find out right here....

Monday, April 18, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Monday 4/18/11

Sunday's Recommended Starter's Stats - Jeff Francis - 6.1 Innings Pitched - 1 Strikeouts - Loss - 4.27 ERA - 0.95 WHIP
Week 2 Starter Stats - 50 Innings Pitched - 32 Strikeouts - 3 Wins in 8 Starts - 4.68 ERA - 1.18 WHIP - 5.76 K/9
Cumulative Starter Stats - 124.1 Innings Pitched - 97 Strikeouts - 10 Wins in 20 Starts - 3.62 ERA - 1.19 WHIP - 7.02 K/9
Starter Spreadsheet Online Here

One of my Sunday spot starters didn't make it, and the other one didn't do anything good for your team.  I'm just going to put week two behind me and point to the fact that my cumulative numbers are still pretty good despite a horrible week two.  Anyways, onto my starter recommendation for Monday on a free week three start....

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Sunday 4/17/11

Saturday's Recommended Starter One's Stats - Gavin Floyd - 6.0 Innings Pitched - 3 Strikeouts - Loss - 9.00 ERA - 1.67 WHIP
Saturday's Recommended Starter Two's Stats - Kyle McClellan - 7.0 Innings Pitched - 2 Strikeouts - Win - 1.29 ERA - 0.86 WHIP
Week 2 Starter Stats - 43.2 Innings Pitched - 31 Strikeouts - 3 Wins in 7 Starts - 4.74 ERA - 1.33 WHIP - 6.39 K/9
Cumulative Starter Stats - 118 Innings Pitched - 96 Strikeouts - 10 Wins in 19 Starts - 3.58 ERA - 1.20 WHIP - 7.32 K/9
Starter Spreadsheet Online Here

Offered you one good pitcher and one bad pitcher here, with neither giving you too many strikeouts.  Sorry about another unsuccessful day.  Hopefully, Gavin Floyd was already owned in your league like he was in mine and you ended up pitching McClellan on Saturday.  Been a slow week, but my cumulative stats are still really strong in spite of the slow week.  Stick with me here Sunday, I promise some good starters coming up...

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickup For Saturday 4/16/11

Friday's Recomended Starter's Stats - Chris Narveson - 5.2 Innings Pitches - 5 Strikeouts - No Decision - 4.76 ERA - 1.59 WHIP
Week 2 Starter Stats - 30.2 Innings Pitched - 26 Strikeouts - 2 Wins in 5 Starts - 4.70 ERA - 1.37 WHIP - 7.63 K/9
Cumulative Starter Stats - 105 Innings Pitched - 91 Strikeouts - 9 Wins in 17 Starts - 3.43 ERA - 1.20 WHIP - 7.8 K/9
Starter Spreadsheet Online Here

Narveson didn't perform as well as expected against the Nationals.  He gave the strikeouts that were expected of him, but giving up three runs over 5.2 innings is too many when you are going up against the Washington lineup.  And it was all on Narveson too.  He loaded up the bases and then proceeded to issue two free passes, walking a pair of runs home.  The control was there in his previous start when he walked just one, but this time he walked four including three in the second.  The ERA is a little high, but we've still pitched few enough innings this week that we can bring it down over the weekend.  Spot starters for Saturday coming up...

Friday, April 15, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starting Pitcher Pickups For Friday 4/15/11

Thursday's Recommended Starter's Stats - Brandon Beachy - 5.1 Innings Pitched - 8 Strikeouts - No Decision -  8.44 ERA - 2.06 WHIP
Cumulative Recommended Starters' Stats - 99.1 IP - 86 Strikeouts - 9 Wins in 16 Starts - 3.35 ERA - 1.18 WHIP - 7.79 K/9
Week Two Starts' Stats - 25 IP - 21 Strikeouts - 2 Wins in 4 Starts - 4.68 ERA - 1.32 WHIP - 7.56 K/9
Cumulative Starter Stats Spreadsheet Online Here

While I felt I had nothing to apologize for Thursday with Zambrano, I do feel bad about what happened with Beachy today.  He just got off to a rough start, and even though he picked up in later innings, the three earned runs in the first inning really hurt his day.  Somewhat salvaging the start was his eight strikeouts, which you can't really complain about.  In todays starter pickups, I offer a good candidate to bring the ERA and WHIP down while still giving you more strikeouts coming up right now....

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Fantasy Trades, Pickups, and Musings After Week Two

Hey everyone.  It's the weekend, and here on Big Derf Sports that means the big fantasy breakdown.  I provide starting pitcher pickups every day, but thats something I can only do because there are different pools of starters available every day.  With hitters, you can't evaluate on a day by day basis, so that's what this column is for.  I'm going to list guys to try and trade away, guys to trade for, guys to drop, and guys to try and pickup if available, and just offer general fantasy advice and opinions between each list.  Any ADP values, ownership values, or positional rankings are taken from espn.com's fantasy baseball service.

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Thursday 4/14/11

Wednesday's Recommended Starter's Stats - Carlos Zambrano - 5.2 Innings Pitched - 4 Strikeouts - Win - 7.94 ERA - 1.73 WHIP
Cumulative Recommended Starters' Stats - 94 IP - 78 Strikeouts - 9 Wins in 15 Starts - 3.06 ERA - 1.13 WHIP - 7.47 K/9
Week Two Starts' Stats - 19.2 IP - 13 Strikeouts - 2 Wins in 3 Starts - 3.66 ERA - 1.12 WHIP - 5.95 K/9
Cumulative Starter Stats Spreadsheet Online Here

I have nothing to apologize for with Carlos Zambrano's stats here.  I can't believe the Cubs let them rack up 5 runs on him without taking him out in the sixth inning. Just go look at the play by play. He lets up a walk, a single, then gets a guy to ground out.  Then lets up two more RBI singles and a fielder's choice RBI.  He should have been pulled there, if you didn't get him out of there before that. Instead, he then let up a home run to Matt Downs, the number seven hitter.  They even let him give up a walk after that to further hurt his WHIP.  Big Z still managed to pick up the win because in the top of the sixth he jacked a solo home run.  Hopefully this doesn't happen again with todays starter....

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Wednesday 4/13/11

Tuesday's Recommended Starter - Jeff Francis - 7.0 Innings Pitched - 5 Strikeouts  - 3 Runs - No Decision - 3.86 ERA - 1.29 WHIP
Cumulative Recommended Starters' Stats Through Monday - 88.1 IP - 74 Strikeouts - 8 Wins in 14 Starts - 2.75 ERA - 1.09 WHIP - 7.54 K/9
Recommended Start Stats in Week 2 - 14 IP - 9 Strikeouts - 1 Wins in 2 Starts - 1.93 ERA - .86 WHIP - 5.79 K/9
Starter Spreadsheet Google Doc Here


Jeff Francis had a solid spot start Tuesday even though he didn't pick up the win.  Five strikeouts in seven innings is always nice from a free agend, and his ERA and WHIP weren't offensive in anyway.  If he had had more run support and gotten the win it would have been an all around fine start.  Wednesday's spot starter recommendation coming up....

Monday, April 11, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Tuesday 4/12/11

Monday's Recommended Starter's Stats - Alexi Ogando - 7.0 Innings Pitched - 4 Strikeouts - Win - 0.00 ERA - 0.43 WHIP
Cumulative Recommended Starters' Stats - 81.1 IP - 69 Strikeouts - 8 Wins in 13 Starts - 2.66 ERA - 1.07 WHIP - 7.64 K/9
Cumulative Starter Stats Spreadsheet Online Here

Ogando cruised for me in the early game on Monday.  He didn't strikeout as many guys as his career numbers would expect, but thats the only way I can complain about his seven runs of two hit ball.  Don't get over excited about these numbers so far however. Texas has Brandon Webb on the DL and Ogando has now developed a blister and a callous on his throwing hand in consecutive starts.  Ogando hands might prevent him from being a good long term starter and Webb will provide Texas with the replacement it needs to possibly send Ogando back to the bullpen. Short term, you're not going to want to start him Sunday against the Yankees.  Luckily for you guys, I provide you with a spot starter every day.  Tuesday's starter is right beyond the jump break...

Monday 4/11/11 Daily Links

According to espn's Adam Schefter... The NFL and the NFLPA are to be sent to mediation this week.  Awesome news.  I always believed the lockout would end quickly, but with them getting sent back to mediation this week, there is a serious possibility that this might be hammered out before the draft even takes place. That would  give draft picks a defined value with the expected rookie salary limits and possibly give an opportunity for some free agency to happen before the draft. Even though I'm an optimist, it's nice to put in the bag that football will be back on this year.

Rotographs Week 2 Two Start Fantasy Pitchers analysis and the update.  And Tristan Cockcroft's week 2 forecast - I write all my fantasy analysis based on daily leagues because that's how I believe it should be played in the internet age, but I realize that some readers have weekly leagues. I'll link to good different analysis every week and likely to Tristan's amazing full forecast on most weeks.

MLBDepthCharts.com - Just linking to this site for it's general awesomeness. I use it all the time to recheck teams lineups for my fantasy advice.  The info is available elsewhere obviously, but all the relevant lineup stuff is just a click away from the mlbdepthcharts main page and you'll use fangraphs or something usually if you want to check player stats.

My Thursday Fantasy Column - Yeah, linking to myself.  Besides my daily pitcher pickup columns, i also write about fantasy in general here.  The column format is still a work in progress, but do look for it every Thursday-ish here.  And everything from this column is still good save my good word for Mike Aviles. He's been benched since.

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups for Monday 4/11/11

Sunday Pitcher Stats-
Aaron Harang - 6.0 Innings Pitched - 2 Strikeouts - Win - 1.50 ERA - .83 WHIP
Gavin Floyd - 8.0 Innings Pitched - 8 Strikeouts - Win - 0.00 ERA - .63 WHIP

Cumulative Stater Stats - 74.1 Innings Pitched - 65 Strikeouts - 7.87 K/9 - 7 Wins in 12 Starts - 2.91 ERA - 1.13 WHIP
Starter Stat Spreadsheet Here

A nice way to wrap up the first fully head to head week.  Two pitchers with that ERA and WHIP are great for your overall totals and Floyd made up for Harang's minor absence of strikeouts.  Curiously enough, both pitchers I selected on Sunday had a run cross the plate that wasn't charged to their ERA because of an error even though in both cases, the pitchers themselves were charged with the error.  I feel like, because the error is on the pitcher the run should probably be charged to the pitcher, but who am I to argue with it as it helps my pitcher's ERA, right?  Anyways, ranking Monday starters available in more than 50% of mixed leagues coming up right after the jump....

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Sunday 4/10/11

Friday Starter Stats - R.A. Dickey - 5.0 Innings Pitched - 3 Strikeouts - Loss -  5.40 ERA - 2.20 WHIP
Saturday Starter - Justin Masterson - 6.1 Innings Pitched - 9 Strikeouts - Win - 1.42 ERA - 0.79 WHIP

Cumulative Starter Stats - 60.1 IP - 55 Strikeouts - 8.20 K/9 - 5 Wins In 10 Starts - 3.43 ERA - 1.23 WHIP
Starter Stats Spreadsheet here

I had a feeling that Dickey would be solid again at home, but he split a nail during the first inning and had problems gripping his knuckleball all day.  He toughed it out and gave the overworked Mets the five innings keeping the team in the game,  but it didn't amount to great fantasy stats.  Injuries are out of my control folks. Luckily Masterson cruised to a Saturday night victory.  One earned run that sorta came on an error and 9 strikeouts I'll take every day of the week. My Sunday recommendations (yes plural) are right after the jump break...

Friday, April 8, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickup For Saturday 4/9/11

Sorry guys. Busy in real life today...No time for the full write up and rankings today but wanted to pass along my starter rec anyways.

Justin Masterson -  Cleveland Indians at Seattle Mariners - 9:10 PM EST- 0.7% ESPN Ownership

Masterson had a good first outing against the White Sox despite not picking up any strikeouts.  He went 7 innings and let up just one earned run to a powerful White Sox offense.  Now he gets to play in pitcher friendly Safeco field against the not so good Seattle offense.  Masterson is a +7.00 K/9 guy.  As long as his control is good, he should have no problem tearing through the Mariners lineup.

Back to regular updates tomorrow.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Friday 4/8/11

Thursday's Starter Stats - Edwin Jackson - 8.0 IP - 13 Strikeouts - Win - 1.13 ERA - 0.63 WHIP

Cumulative Stater Stats - 49 IP - 43 Strikeouts - 7.9 K/9 - 4 Wins in 8 Starts - 3.49 ERA - 1.18 WHIP
Starter Spreadsheet here

I told you Jackson was a no-brainer.  The Tampa lineup is just dreadful, and Jackson made them look silly.  His one earned run came in the eighth inning, late in a start for this early in the year.  The 13 Ks are one less than the last three guys I suggested combined.  All in all it was an amazing start for fantasy purposes.  As I wrote in my Week 1 Thoughts and Pickups column Thursday, Jackson is worth rostering in all leagues.  He has a decent match-up with the As next followed by another game against Tampa Bay.  But if you need help sooner for this week's matchup, I have another great starter for you after the jump...

Fantasy Baseball Musings And Pickups From Week 1 (3/31-4/7)

This column is going to be all about the season so far.  Where you should be reacting.  Where you shouldn't be reacting.  Who to grab off of waivers.  All the good stuff you need to know through the first week.

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Thursday 4/7/11

Wednesday's Starter - Mike Minor - 4.1 IP - 2 Strikeouts - No Win - 10.38 ERA - 2.54 WHIP

Cumulative Starter Stats - 41 IP - 30 Strikeouts - 3 Wins - 3.95 ERA - 1.29 WHIP
Starter Spreadsheet here

Wow, Minor was just horrible.  He walked the first three batters he faced in the game and I knew it was going to end bad from there.  Thats two misses in a row I'd like to apologize for.  Hopefully you don't judge my work based on just those two outings.  Even after having two pitchers get blown up I still have an ERA under 4.  It's workable.  Today's starter pick is a better pitcher and has an amazing match-up.  Find out who after the jump...

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Wednesday 4/6/11

Tuesday's Starter Stats - Gavin Floyd - 7.0 IP - 5 Strikeouts - No Decision - 5.14 ERA - 1.29 WHIP

Cumulative Starter Stats  - 36.2 IP - 28 Strikeouts - 3 Wins - 3.19 ERA - 1.15 WHIP
(Full Starter List With Full Stats Here)

Floyd was my first big miss so far this year.  The five Ks weren't bad, but any ERA over 5.00 has to be considered a failure.  Buehrle had a worse ERA, but that was only because he was left in too long with the White Sox having a double digit lead.  I apologize for Floyd, but if you've been taking my starter recommendations since I've started it shouldn't affect your ERA too much.  Anyways, just click through the jump break to find out who I like today.

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Tuesday 4/5/11

Monday's Starter Stats - Brandon Beachy - 6.0 IP - 7 Strikeouts - No Decision - 1.50 ERA - 0.83 WHIP

Cumulative Starter Stats - 29.2 IP - 23 Strikeouts - 3 Wins - 2.73 ERA - 1.11 WHIP

Got another great spot start yesterday out of Beachy.  He let up just one run over six innings and kept the WHIP down while racking up over a strikeout per inning.   He is someone who should be owned in way more leagues than he currently is.  The Brewers are a solid hitting team and he just made them look goofy.  Of his 88 pitches 61 were strikes and he threw first pitch strikes to 18 of the 24 batters he faced.  He's going to have a very solid overall year and can be having it for you if you scoop him up between now and his next start.  Click through the jump to find out who is available in more than 50% of standard ESPN leagues that I like tomorrow...

Monday, April 4, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Monday 4/4/11

Sunday's Starter's Stats - Zachary Britton - 6.0 IP - 6 Strike Outs - 1 Win - 1.50 ERA - 1.00 WHIP

Cumulative Starter Recommendation Stats - 23.2 IP - 16 Strike Outs - 3 Wins - 3.04 ERA - 1.18 WHIP

As you can see, Zach Britton worked out wonderfully as a spot start yesterday and through four days worth of recommendations the total stats are very workable. Obviously could use a few more strike outs, but that total is being brought down by Mark Buehrle's 0 strike outs the other day. Going to be looking to grab more strikeouts in the future but not going to sacrifice ERA and WHIP in order to do it. Find out my recommendation for today right after you click through the jump...

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Sunday 4/3/11

Another day, another spot starter recommendation from me.  If you'd been following along so far, I've recommended Derek Lowe, Mark Buehrle, and Carlos Zambrano on the first three days of the year.  The  Buehrle and Zambrano picks suffered because their managers left them each in too long, but combined the three have thrown 17.2 innings of 3.66 ERA and 1.27 WHIP ball with 2 wins and ten strike outs.  Not bad numbers considering these are guys you are getting off of the waiver wire.  Sunday presents the best opportunity for pick ups yet, as teams get to their third ,and generally less owned, starters.   See who i like today after the jump break...

Friday, April 1, 2011

Daily Links For 4/1/11

Just a quick pair of links today.  Running late for work.

John Hollinger Murders Derrick Rose's MVP Candidacy (Link ESPN Insider Only) - I don't like stepping on the toes of my links too much usually, but since this one is insider only I'm gonna.  Hollinger out right destroys the idea that D-Rose should be MVP.  First, he goes back and rips the Nash and Iverson MVPs and Jason Kidd's 2001 MVP candidacy as all about the story.  He shows how all of those guys had better years in other years but received no MVP support in their better years because there was no story.  Derrick Rose's candidacy is all about the story and the improvement of the Bulls from last year and that they have been good in spite of all their injuries.  But that doesn't make him the MVP.  His team doesn't get as much worse when he leaves the floor as the Heat do when LeBron sits or the Magic do when Dwight Howard sits.  And their defense, their league best defense, actually gets better when he comes off the floor.  Hollinger comes to the conclusion that Rose is definitely not the MVP and Dwight Howard is the clear cut MVP and I'd have to agree with him.

Bill Simmons Breaks Down The NBA Season - Simmons wrote an 800 page basketball bible... So when he writes about the season itself, you should take a look at it.  This link is to part one of his two part review.  He power ranks all the non-contenders in this column as the look for the future.

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickup For 4/2/11

Whether you are streaming starters or just looking for a spot start because of injury, you've come to the right place. Everyday here on my blog I offer the best starting pitcher that is readily available in espn.com standard leagues and rank the rest of the available pitchers in the order I would pick them up.  See who I recommend today right after the jump.