Monday, May 30, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Tuesday 5/31/11

Sunday Starter One's Stats - Vance Worley - 3.0 Innings Pitched - 1 Strikeout - Loss - 15.00 ERA - 4.00 WHIP
Sunday Starter Two's Stats - Ryan Dempster - 6.0 Innings Pitched - 5 Strikeouts - Win - 3.00 ERA - 1.17 WHIP
Week Eight Starters' Stats - 51.2 Innings Pitched - 31 Strikeouts - 5.40 K/9 - 2 Wins in 9 Starts - 3.14 ERA - 1.30 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 447.2 Innings Pitched - 322 Strikeouts - 6.47 K/9 - 27 Wins in 71 Starts - 3.56 ERA - 1.21 WHIP
Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

Starting this one off with multiple apologies.  One apology for the lack of a Monday column.  Decided to hang out late at a Memorial Day BBQ on Sunday night, so took Memorial Day off.  This is probably going to be something I do with holidays most of the time, though with more notice in the future.  Usually going to miss the day after the holiday, as I write my columns the night before.

The second apology, is to all those who went with Vance Worley on Sunday night.  He cost me ERA and WHIP in my week eight matchup on Sunday night, and I'm sure some of you readers got bit as well.  I had no reason to think he'd be bad here but he just didn't have his control on Sunday night.  Hopefully you had also played Dempster, who delivered a fully solid start in all aspects while grabbing a win.  If you were in a deep league and went with Guillermo Moscoso, the ERA wasn't pretty, but the WHIP was good and he picked up a win for you.  

Starting week nine here late on Tuesday.  Today's recommended pitcher that's available in at least fifty percent of leagues is coming up...

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Sunday 5/29/11

Saturday Starter One's Stats - Randy Wolf - 7.1 Innings Pitched - 5 Strikeouts - No Decision - 1.23 ERA - 0.68 WHIP
Saturday Starter Two's Stats - Ivan Nova - 3.2 Innings Pitched - 1 Strikeout - No Decision - 9.81 ERA - 2.18 WHIP
Week Eight Starters' Stats - 42.2 Innings Pitched - 25 Strikeouts - 5.27 K/9 - 1 Win in 7 Starts - 2.32 ERA - 1.12 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 438.2 Innings Pitched - 316 Strikeouts - 6.48 K/9 - 26 Wins in 69 Starts - 3.49 ERA - 1.19 WHIP
Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

Posting real late tonight so don't have time for the full rundown.  Perils of being a one man show every day.  Wolf delivered a good start, and Nova got beat up.  It shouldn't have been as bad as it was with Nova, but Jeter committed an error that was changed to a hit for some strange reason. 

Two more guys coming up here.  Even with Nova's bad start, the weekly stats are still hot.  Keep riding it here Sunday night...

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Saturday 5/28/11

Friday Starter's Stats - Scott Baker - 7.0 Innings Pitched - 6 Strikeouts - No Decision - 0.00 ERA - 0.83 WHIP
Week Eight Starters' Stats - 31.2 Innings Pitched - 19 Strikeouts - 5.40 K/9 - 1 Win in 5 Starts - 1.71 ERA - 1.11 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 4.27.2 Innings Pitched - 310 Strikeouts - 6.52 K/9 - 26 Wins in 67 Starts - 3.47 ERA - 1.19 WHIP
Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

On a great roll right now with four straight great starts, including three of four scoreless.  Baker was one of those scoreless starts today, striking out six over seven without letting up a run.  He would have picked up the win too, as he exited with a five run lead after seven, but three relievers each let up two runs a pop over the eighth and ninth innings and the Twins ended up losing the game.  Wins are crazy. If you went with my alternate recommendation, Rick Porcello, you ended up getting beat up by the super hot Boston offense.  Tyler Chatwood didn't take advantage of his matchup with the Twins either, for those in deep leagues.  Hopefully, you got Baker in and added the seven scoreless to your numbers.

Saturday means it's the weekend, and that means two starters for those of you trying to catch up in your head to head matchups.  Hopefully can keep up the sparkling ERA and WHIP.  Saturday's guys coming up...

Friday, May 27, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Hitter Pickup And Drop Ideas For Friday 5/27/11

5/13/11 Recommendation - Drop Jonathan Broxton and Pickup Eduardo Sanchez / St. Louis Cardinals Closer

I told you to cut your losses on the DLed Broxton, and they still have no timetable for his return.  I told you to pick up Sanchez to replace him for now, but to stay on top of the situation going forward.  If you did, you would have let go of Sanchez and picked up Fernando Salas.  Salas looks to finally be the guy to grab onto the job long term and to have earned Tony La Russa's confidence.  Salas is going to be very valuable going forwards and should be a decent trade chip in the long term once everyone is sure he is going to hold on to his job.  If he's still available in your league, go get Salas now.

No recommendation last week, so jumping right into this week's drop and pickup now.  A second baseman from a horrible offense to drop, and another from a better offense that is heating up....

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Friday 5/27/11

Thursday Starter's Stats - Ryan Vogelsong - 8.0 Innings Pitched - 3 Strikeouts - Loss - 1.13 ERA - 1.13 WHIP
Week Eight Starter Stats - 24.2 Innings Pitched - 13 Strikeouts - 4.74 K/9 - 1 Win in 3 Starts - 2.19 ERA - 1.18 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 420.2 Innings Pitched - 304 Strikeouts - 6.50 K/9 - 26 Wins in 66 Starts - 3.53 ERA - 1.20 WHIP
Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

Vogelsong makes three straight days of very good starts.  Kyle McClellan and Erik Bedard each went six innings with no earned runs over the last two days, and Vogelsong went eight innings here on Thursday and let up just one earned run.  The strikeout numbers haven't been there this week, but the ERA and WHIP have been great, and sometimes you have to be careful with the spot starters to avoid getting beat up chasing strikeouts.  The deep league players WHIP didn't get hurt too bad by Dickey's 2.2 scoreless innings before he left the game with a heel injury covering first base, but it wasn't a great use of a start for those in start limit leagues.

Friday's recommendations coming up right here...

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Thursday 5/26/11

Tuesday Starter's Stats - Kyle McClellan - 6.0 Innings Pitched - 4 Strikeouts - No Decision - 0.00 ERA - 0.33 WHIP
Wednesday Starter's Stats - Erik Bedard - 6.0 Innings Pitched - 4 Strikeouts - Win - 0.00 ERA - 1.17 WHIP
Week Eight Starter Stats - 16.2 Innings Pitched - 10 Strikeouts - 5.40 K/9 - 1 Win in 3 Starts - 2.70 ERA - 1.20 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 412.2 Innings Pitched - 301 Strikeouts - 6.56 K/9 - 26 Wins in 65 Starts - 3.58 ERA - 1.20 WHIP
Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

Was never able to re-update yesterday's post, so I'm going to just talk about McClellan's stats on Tuesday here.  And it was a great start.  He let up a two run home run, but it was in an inning extended by an error, and wasn't charged to his ERA.  Other than that he only let up just one hit over the six innings he was in there.  He didn't catch a win, but it was an otherwise great six innings to add to your team.

On Wednesday, I had a good day with everyone i talked about.  Bedard delivered six innings of actual shut out ball (even though that doesn't matter in fantasy) but scattered six hits in a walk over that time so the WHIP was just good, not amazing like McClellan's Tuesday.  Luckily he did pick up the win that McClellan didn't.  If you couldn't get Bedard and went with Ervin Santana, you still got a win in six innings, but he let up an earned run over that time.  Deep league players got good ERA and WHIP from Mike Minor, but he didn't pick up the win in a game that went to extra innings.

No Pickup/Drop column today, as I have work early tomorrow and it's four AM as i write this.  I'm not just dodging Denard Span's hot week, as Brantley has been nearly as good.  Just very late at night.  Thursday's travel day starter coming up....

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Pitcher Pickup And Drop Ideas For Wednesday 5/25/11

Two Weeks Ago's Recommendation - Drop Jose Lopez and Pickup Scott Rolen

Lopez has been hitting .353 over the last two weeks, but has picked up just two runs and a single stolen base.  Rolen has hit for a similarly solid average at .342 but has been much better in the counting stats, picking up six runs and five RBIs with a stolen base.  This is going to continue to go this way.  Rolen plays in a better offense so he'll pick up more counting stats, and he will hit for a better average as well.

Last Week's Recommendation - Drop Josh Tomlin and Pickup Madison Bumgarner

It's harder to evaluate a pair of pitchers after just one week because generally they will only have one start each, and that's what happened here.  Both guys did turn solid starts in wins.  Bumgarner went a little deeper into the start so he had a better ERA, but Tomlin let up less hits and walks so he grabbed a better WHIP.  That was the only difference between the two through one week.  We'll keep an eye on this for a while, but I have to insist that you drop Tomlin.  He's going to blow up soon.  He's not this good of a pitcher.

This Wednesday we are also going to look at a pair of starting pitchers.  I write about spot starter recommendations every day, but that doesn't help you evaluate pitchers that are owned in more than fifty percent of leagues.  One to drop and one to pickup coming up...

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Wednesday 5/25/11

Tuesday Starter's Stats - Kyle McClellan - N/A
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 400.2 Innings Pitched - 293 Strikeouts - 6.58 K/9 - 25 Wins in 64 Starts - 3.68 ERA - 1.21 WHIP
Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

Writing this on Tuesday afternoon because I don't think I'll have time to do it late tonight, so will update with McClellan's stats either late tonight or tomorrow morning.

Wednesday there are many options available, but they aren't all pretty.  Picking out the good options from the bad for your Wednesday needs...

Fantasy Baseball Hitter Pickup And Drop Ideas For Tuesday 5/24/11

Two Tuesdays Ago's Recommendation - Drop Jason Bay and Pickup Logan Morrison

Morrison has played less games that Bay still, but has been basically even in RBIs and Runs.  Morrison has two homers to Bay's one, but Bay has thrown in two steals.  The big difference is Logan's .286 average compared to Bay's ugly .205 average.  It was fairly obvious that Morrison was going to be better than Bay, but at the time Bay was ridiculously owned in more leagues.  Morrison is going to be a much better player than Jason Bay will be at this stage of his career.

Last Tuesday's Recommendation - Drop Juan Pierre and Pickup Cameron Maybin

After last week's column, Pierre started off on a tear and has gone 10/27 and scored five runs.  Maybin on the other hand went just 4/16 and popped in two RBIs.  The difference is that Maybin managed to pick up a steal despite getting on base far fewer times.  Maybin is going to be better going forwards and continue to be a five tool player, while Pierre is only contributing with runs and RBIs.

Tuesday we are going to take a look at first baseman affected by injuries.  Two guys on the DL that aren't worth hanging onto, and one player who is getting playing time because of other players DL stints.

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Tuesday 5/24/11

Monday Starter's Stats - Jason Vargas - 4.2 Innings Pitched - 2 Strikeouts - No Decision - 9.64 ERA - 2.36 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 400.2 Innings Pitched - 293 Strikeouts - 6.58 K/9 - 25 Wins in 64 Starts - 3.68 ERA - 1.21 WHIP
Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

I finally believed Vargas turned it around, and he went out on Monday an started week eight off in a horrible way.  He couldn't make it five innings, and had an absolutely horrible ERA and WHIP.  Vargas' biggest problem was he got blasted for two home runs in spacious Target Field.  He should be a solid starter for Seattle, but he's been inconsistent so far on the year.  It wasn't much better if you went with Bartolo Colon as an alternate it wasn't much better, as he let up six runs over six innings but at least helped you out with eight strikeouts.

I'm sorry about Vargas, but I can't do anything about Monday, just look on towards Tuesday.  A good starter with hopefully better results here Tuesday night...

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Closer Pickup And Drop Ideas For Monday 5/23/11

Two Mondays Ago's Recommendation - Drop Aubrey Huff and Pickup Eric Hosmer

Huff has hit just one home run since I recommended dropping him two weeks ago, while Eric Hosmer has already hit three homers with a better average in his short major league career.  Hosmer is going to continue to be a strong hitter and is worth making a trade to pick up now that he's owned in almost every league.  Huff continues to be worth dropping for a guy like Mark Trumbo or Freddie Freeman.

Last Monday's Recommendation - Drop Jed Lowrie and Pickup J.J. Hardy

This recommendation looks bad right now, but thats only because Hardy is mired in the midst of a slump. Hardy has hit safely just once since I offered him as a pickup, so hasn't accumulated any counting stats for you either.  I would still make the move right now.  Lowrie's playing time still can't be banked on, and when Hardy starts hitting again, he'll produce better than Lowrie does anyways.

This Monday we are going to take a look at a pair of relief pitchers.  One is a closer on the way out of a job, while the other might be picking one up, and is worth a roster spot in anything but shallow ten team mixed leagues even if he doesn't.

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Monday 5/23/11

Sunday Starter One's Stats - Rick Porcello - 8.0 Innings Pitched - 3 Strikeouts - Win - 0.00 ERA - 0.38 WHIP
Sunday Starter Two's Stats - Edwin Jackson - 5.2 Innings Pitched - 7 Strikeouts - Win - 1.59 ERA - 1.23 WHIP
Week Seven Final Stats - 53.0 Innings Pitched - 25 Strikeouts - 4.25 K/9 - 3 Wins in 8 Starts - 2.21 ERA - 1.02 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 396 Innings Pitched - 291 Strikeouts - 6.61 K/9 - 25 Wins in 63 Starts - 3.61 ERA - 1.20 WHIP
Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

At the end of a strong week seven, Porcello and Jackson were the Sunday cherry on top.  Porcello started a little earlier and turned in eight great innings of one hit ball.  You'd love more strikeouts, but there is no way to complain about eight innings of spotless ERA and near spotless WHIP and a win.  Porcello needs to be owned in more leagues than he is owned in right now.  Pick him up if you have the roster spot or need the pitcher. Jackson also went out there and turned in a very acceptable start. His ERA and WHIP weren't as great, but were still sparkling and he gave you seven strikeouts.

Week seven delivered great ERA and WHIP numbers with a decent number of wins even though the strikeouts weren't there.   However, I'm not going to change anything with my selection process.  The ERA and WHIP have been there, and just got unlucky with decent strikeout pitchers not picking up strikeouts.  Monday's spot starter is coming up...

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Sunday 5/22/11

Saturday Spot Starter One's Stats - Clayton Richard - 5.0 Innings Pitched - 2 Strikeouts - Loss - 5.40 ERA - 1.60 WHIP
Saturday Spot Starter Two's Stats - Mark Buehrle - 7.0 Innings Pitched - 1 Strikeout - Win - 2.57 ERA - 1.00 WHIP
Week Seven Starters' Stats - 39.1 Innings Pitched - 15 Strikeouts - 3.43 K/9 - 1 Win in 6 Starts - 2.75 ERA - 1.12 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 382.1 Innings Pitched - 281 Strikeouts - 6.61 K/9 - 23 Wins in 61 Starts - 3.72 ERA - 1.22 WHIP
Starter Stats Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

One good and one bad start combine for an average day here Saturday.  Clayton Richard got beat up by Seattle in a surprise of a start.  It wasn't long enough or bad enough to kill your ERA or WHIP, but there weren't enough strikeouts  to make up for it.  Luckily, Buehrle gave a solid start with basically exactly what you've come to expect from him.  You can't bank on him for strikeouts, but his ERA and WHIP are passable on the year and good against certain matchups and he picks up a decent amount of Wins with the White Sox.  Not enough strikeouts to own him regularly, but hes always good in matchups.

Week Seven has been a slow strikeout week, but we've been churning along the ERA and WHIP.  Have a pair of guys going with more strikeout potential on Sunday coming up...

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Saturday 5/21/11

Thursday's Spot Starter's Stats - Chris Narveson -7.1 Innings Pitched - 4 Strikeouts - No Decision - 0.00 ERA - 0.68 WHIP
Fridays's Spot Starter's Stats - Ryan Vogelsong - 6.0 Innings Pitched - 5 Strikeouts - No Decision - 1.50 ERA - 1.00 WHIP
Week Seven Starters' Stats - 27.1 Innings Pitched - 12 Strikeouts - 3.95 K/9 - 0 Wins in 4 Starts - 2.31 ERA - 1.06 WHIP
Cumulative Starers' Stats - 370.1 Innings Pitched - 278 Strikeouts - 6.76 K/9 - 22 Wins in 59 Starts - 3.72 ERA - 1.22 WHIP
Starter Stats Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

First, I'd like to apologize for Friday's lack of a column.  Didn't get it done before work, and couldn't gut it out after work.  I'd understand if you weren't confidant in the prediction, even though it worked out.  But first lets talk about Thursday's spot starter, Narveson, who delivered a gem.  7.1 innings of no run ball with a 0.68 WHIP is great for a free agent pickup.   The four strikeouts weren't anything to write home about, but nothing to complain about either, and he just didn't luck into the win.  The same thing happened with Friday's starter, Vogelsong, who went six innings but let up a single earned run leading to him not earning a decision.  The early spot starts in the week by Joel Pineiro and Brandon McCarthy weren't great, but they were good enough for Vogelsong and Narveson to bring the ERA and WHIP to great numbers.  You'd like more strikeouts, but there's always the new day.  As always, the recommended starters are available in more than fifty percent of ESPN leagues.  Saturday means the weekend, and the weekend means a pair of spot starters....

Friday, May 20, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Friday 5/20/11

Sorry everyone.  Ended up drinking before I got home to write this, and having trouble typing well. Luckily it doesn't take much typing to tell you all that my Friday night pickup is Ryan Vogelsong.  He's turned in two straight solid starts, and gets to take the mound on Friday agaisnt Oakland's horrible offense.  Play Vogelsong here and don't worry about it.  Will update this post with full explanation and alternates plus Thursday results on Friday morning proper.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Hitter Pickup and Drop Ideas For Thursday 5/19/11

Last Thursday's Droppable Player - Jorge Posada - Catcher - New York Yankees - 3/7 - .429 Avg- 1 Run - 0 HR - 0 RBI - 0 SB- ESPN Player Rater Last 7 Days - -0.47
Last Thursday's Pickup - Chris Iannetta - Catcher - Colorado Rockies - 3/14 - .214 Avg - 1 Run - 0 HR - 1 RBI - 0 SB - ESPN Player Rater Last 7 Days - N/A
(Player Rater Numbers from 7 day period not including Wednesday's games.  Stats updated for last 7 through Wednesday)

Last weeks column was deleted in blogger's outage last week, but I offered up Posada for you to drop and Iannetta as a pickup and it has worked out.  While Podada had a better average, he had just half the at bats because of his issues in New York right now.  Between being platooned at DH and his otherwise horrible average, hes losing playing time.  Ianetta played five of seven games and isn't going to lose any playing time. Iannetta is the better long term solution than Posada, and you should add him now before you're late.

This Thursday we are going to be moving along and swiching another pair of outfielders...

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Thursday 5/19/11

Wednesday's Recommended Starter's Stats - Brandon McCarthy - 7.0 Innings Pitched - 1 Strikeout - No Decision - 3.86 ERA - 1.29 WHIP
Week Seven Starters' Stats - 14 Innings Pitched - 3 Strikeouts - 1.93 K/9 - 0 Wins in 2 Starts - 3.86 ERA - 1.29 WHIP
Cumulative Starter's Stats - 357 Innings Pitched - 269 Strikeouts - 6.78 K/9 - 22 Wins in 57 Starts - 3.83 ERA - 1.23 WHIP
Starters' Stats Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

McCarthy basically gave us an identical start to what I got from Joel Pineiro on Monday, just with one strikeout instead of two.  They gave you identically average ERA and WHIP, but no strikeouts to speak of through two days.  It hasn't been any bad starts, but the starts haven't been great.  He was better than Ryan Dempster, the alternate choice, who got blown up for 9.00 ERA and 2.00 WHIP.  I told you Dempster was a bigger risk even with the higher strikeout potential, and he didn't even give you the strikeouts in this outing.  Deep league players got four innings of poor ball out of Julio Teheran, but it wasn't enough innings to really hurt your counting stats.  Another starter coming up here on Thursday, looking to deliver a great start option...

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Pitcher Pickup And Drop Ideas For Wednesday 5/18/11

Last Wednesday's Droppable Player - Jose Lopez - Third Base - Colorado - 5/11 - .455 Average - 2 Run - 0 Home Runs - 0 Runs Batted In - 1 Stolen Bases - ESPN Player Rater Last 7 Days - 0.72
Last Wednesday's Pickup - Daniel Descalso and Scott Rolen - Third Base - St. Louis and Cincinnati - 10/28 - .357 Average - 3 Runs - 0 Home Run - 5 Run Batted In - 0 Stolen Bases - ESPN Player Rater Last 7 Days - N/A
(Stats as of before Wednesday's games)

Lopez gave you a week of good average, but that's only because he is part of a platoon.  He didn't help you much in the counting categories.  On the other hand, even if you just went from Lopez to Descalso in a deep league you got an upgrade, as Descalso gave you a run and four RBIs over the seven day span, and if you went Descalso then Rolen like i recommended, you picked up three runs and five RBIs along with a solid average to go with it.  Rolen has been on fire in the four days since he came back and should be picked up in standard mixed leagues.  This Wednesday we are going to take a look at starting pitching.  While I write a spot starter column daily, I generally only supply opinions on readily available players when I do that.  Today I'm going to be talking about players owned in more than fifty percent of leagues, one pitcher that shouldn't be owned as much as he is and another who should be owned in every league...

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Wednesday 5/18/11

Tuesday's Recommended Starter's Stats - Rick Porcello - Rained Out
Cumulative Starter's Stats - 350 Innings Pitched - 268 Strikeouts - 6.89 K/9 - 22 Wins in 56 Starts - 3.83 ERA - 1.23 WHIP
Starters' Stats Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

Porcello got rained out Tuesday night, and I didn't offer up an alternative on an otherwise poor night for starter choices.  Sorry about that, but I didn't trust anyone else.  Wednesday we have a good starter and a solid alternate, so if you need two, feel free to take both and expect good results.  Wednesday's gem candidate coming up...

Fantasy Baseball Hitter Pickup And Drop Ideas For Tuesday 5/17/11

Last Tuesday's Droppable Player - Jason Bay - Outfield - 4/21 - .190 Average - 4 Run - 1 Home Run - 1 Run Batted In - 2 Stolen Bases - ESPN Player Rater Last 7 Days - 3.24
Last Tuesday's Pickup - Logan Morrison - Outfield - 4/16 - .250 Average - 2 Runs - 1 Home Runs - 1 Run Batted In - 0 Stolen Bases - ESPN Player Rater Last 7 Days - 0.37

Bay has been better over the last week, but Morrison has only back for four days.  Morrison would have probably driven or scored some more runs to make it even if he was given the extra two days.  We'll look back on this one in another week, as Jason Bay continues to slump and be an expensive part of a dreadful Mets lineup and Morrison works into better shape in the plate after his foot injury.  Today we are going to look at another pair of Outfielders to add and drop...

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Tuesday 5/17/11

Monday's Recommended Starter's Stats - Joel Pineiro - 7.0 Innings Pitched - 2 Strikeouts - No Decision - 3.86 ERA - 1.29 WHIP
Cumulative Starter's Stats - 350 Innings Pitched - 268 Strikeouts - 6.89 K/9 - 22 Wins in 56 Starts - 3.83 ERA - 1.23 WHIP
Starters' Stats Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

Pineiro wasn't great, but in the end he didn't hurt anything.  The ERA and WHIP are both passable numbers, and two strikeouts are better than none.  He was in position to pick up a win when he left the game, but Jordan Walden and Fernando Rodney blew the game for him.  If you went with Homer Bailey, you picked up a win but with worse ERA and WHIP.  It was the better start, and it looks like you can trust Homer going forward.  The deep league players who went with John Lannan got a solid ERA performance, but a bad WHIP and missed out on picking up the win.  It was a pretty average start to the week overall, hopefully can pick it up with some better choices here on Tuesday...

Monday, May 16, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Hitter Pickup And Drop Ideas For Monday 5/16/11

Last Monday's Droppable Player - Aubrey Huff - 5/16 - .313 Average - 1 Run - 1 Home Run - 4 Runs Batted In - ESPN Player Rater Last 7 Days - 1.39
Last Monday's Pickup - Eric Hosmer - 6/24 - .250 Average - 4 Runs - 2 Home Runs - 5 Runs Batted In - ESPN Player Rater Last 7 Days - 4.36

It's only a week, but Hosmer looks like the better choice than Huff already.  Hosmer is going to keep playing every day in the Royals lineup, and is only going to get better as he gets more accustomed to major league hitting.  While Huff is on the downside of his career, Hosmer is on the upside.  You should have made the move last week, but Huff is still droppable if you can find another good replacement.  This Monday we are going to look at some Shortstops...

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Monday 5/16/11

Sunday's Recommended Starter One's Stats - Carlos Zambrano - Rained Out
Sunday's Recommended Starter Two's Stats - Mark Buehrle - 6.1 Innings Pitched - 6 Strikeouts - Win - 4.27 ERA - 1.58 WHIP
Week Six Starters' Final Stats - 54.2 Innings Pitched - 39 Strikeouts - 6.42 K/9 - 5 Wins in 9 Starts - 4.45 ERA - 1.45 WHIP
Cumulative Starter's Stats - 343 Innings Pitched - 266 Strikeouts - 6.98 K/9 - 22 Wins in 55 Starts - 3.83 ERA - 1.23 WHIP

Starters' Stats Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here


Zambrano was our best starter option but he was rained out, and I failed to provide an alternate catchup starter for rain-outs yesterday.  Luckily, Buehrle came through and delivered exactly what you expect from Buehrle.  I thought he'd go a little deeper into the game with the Sox' light bullpen, but you expect something around a 3 or 4 ERA and he's always a bit of a WHIP risk.  He balance out the ERA and WHIP by delivering nearly a strikeout per inning and picking up a win to get me to five wins in nine starts on the week.  It wasn't a great ERA and WHIP week, but managed to pick up a bunch of wins from my spot start choices.  The deep league starters have been good as well, and if you played Capuano you got Buehrle's day with better ERA and worse WHIP.  A great start in a deep league.  Monday's starter recommendation to kick off week seven coming up...

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Sunday 5/15/11

Saturday's Recommended Starter One's Stats - Chris Narveson - 6.0 Innings Pitched - 5 Strikeouts - Win - 1.50 ERA - 1.33 WHIP
Saturday's Recommended Starter Two's Stats - Tyson Ross - 7.1 Innings Pitched - 8 Strikeout - Win - 2.46 ERA - 0.95 WHIP
Week 5 Starters' Stats - 48.1 Innings Pitched - 33 Strikeouts - 6.15 K/9 - 4 Wins in 8 Starts - 4.47 ERA - 1.43 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 336.2 Innings Pitched - 260 Strikeouts - 6.95 K/9 - 21 Wins in 54 Starts - 3.82 ERA - 1.22 WHIP
Starters' Stats Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

The two best start since Travis Wood on Monday, here on Saturday night.  Took a pair of solid spot pitcher choices here, and both paid off with great pitching perfomances and were lucky enough to pick up a win.  Narveson just gave up just one run that the Pirates sacrificed two batters to get across the plate, and Ross rolled with eight strikeouts and just let up a two run home run to the red hot Paul Konerko.   If you went with Alex White in your deep league, he caught a rain delay, and I can't be held responsible for the weather.  Going for another pair of strong starters on Sunday for all those chasing in head to head leagues...

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Saturday 5/14/11

Friday's Recommended Starter One's Stats - Fausto Carmona - 7.2 Innings Pitched - 2 Strikeouts - No Decision - 4.69 ERA - 1.04 WHIP
Friday's Recommended Starter Two's Stats - Philip Humber 6.0 Innings Pitched - 1 Strikeout - Win - 4.50 ERA - 1.00 WHIP
Week 5 Starters' Stats - 35 Innings Pitched - 20 Strikeouts - 5.14 K/9 - 2 Wins in 6 Starts - 5.40 ERA - 1.54 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 323.1 Innings Pitched - 247 Strikeouts - 6.88 K/9 - 19 Wins in 52 Starts - 3.90 ERA - 1.22 WHIP
Starters' Stats Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

First a quick note for those looking... The regular pickup column is just going to run Monday to Friday.  The Spot Starter column would be on the same schedule, but they are actually most important for those players chasing stats on the weekends.  Also, Blogger going down messed up the 5/12/11 entries' posting and their tagging so I've deleted them.  The spot starter information is available on the spreadsheet and the pickup column said to drop Jorge Posada and had Chris Iannetta as a pickup

It was a decent double start day today. Carmona didn't help your ERA, but you can see by his WHIP that he didn't pitch poorly. He just gave up a pair of bad home runs. Humber delivered six innings of no run ball, but then was left in to start the seventh inning and taking credit for three earned runs and taking four extra hits to spoil a .33 WHIP. For those in the deep leagues, Gee gave you the strikeouts and should have had one earned over five innings, but they also got greedy and left him in to start the sixth inning. A pair of better starters coming up here for Saturday to help those chasing in head to head leagues...

Friday, May 13, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Closer Pickup And Drop Ideas For Friday 5/13/11

--Sorry this is late. Blogger being down ruined my normal posting time.


Still not enough time passed to start bragging about my pickups, but Hosmer has hit homers in back to back games and looks to be every bit as good as advertised. Anyways, this week I gave a first base recommendation Monday, an outfield recommendation Tuesday, a third base plan Wednesday, and a catcher switch on Thursday. Today I'm going to offer a pickup and drop recommendation at a position that I haven't looked into so far this year, closers...

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Friday 5/13/11

----Sorry this is too late to be helpful.  Blogger was down at normal posting time last night.


Thursday's Recommended Starter's Stats – Ivan Nova – 3.0 Innings Pitched – 2 Strikeouts – Loss – 12.00 ERA – 4.00 WHIP
Week 5 Starters' Stats – 21.1 Innings Pitched – 17 Strikeouts – 7.17 K/9 – 1 Win in 4 Starts – 5.91 ERA – 1.88 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats – 309.2 Innings Pitched – 244 Strikeouts – 7.09 K/9 – 18 Wins in 51 Starts – 3.87 ERA – 1.23 WHIP
Starters' Stats Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

A second bad start in a row butchers my ERA and WHIP on the week through the halfway point here, so I'm going to be “chasing” here late in the week and going to offer two starters for you on Friday. My alternate pitcher was fine yesterday, and if you played Vargas you have to be happy with the nine shut out innings and four strikeouts, even though you have to be upset that you didn't get a win out of him. That's life with the Seattle Mariners' Offense backing you up. Luckily we'll be playing against that trend with one of the recommendations here on Friday...

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Hitter Pickup And Drop Ideas For Wednesday 5/11/11

Still don't have enough results to really evaluate how I'm doing so far, so instead of evaluating, I'll simply link to Monday's first base pickup here and Tuesday's outfield pickup here.  Going with third baseman today...

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Wednesday 5/11/11

Tuesday's Recommended Starter Stats - Kevin Correia - 6.1 Innings Pitched - 2 Strikeouts - Loss - 5.69 ERA - 1.58 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 300.1 Innings Pitched - 235 Strikeouts - 7.02 K/9 - 18 Wins in 49 Starts - 3.67 ERA - 1.19 WHIP

Correia laid a bit of an egg on Tuesday, but a look at the play-by-play shows why you can't kill him.  One of the four earned runs came on a two out single by Andre Ethier, and then the other three came on a homer by Matt Kemp in the next at bat.  Ethier has hit successfully in all but two games to start the year, and Kemp has been as hot as anyone to start the year.  Sometimes you just get unlucky.  If you took Correia you weren't missing much with Jason Hammel, who let up four earned runs to the Mets.  Those in deeper leagues had Rick Porcello pitch a good game for them.  Not a lot of strikeouts, but ERA, WHIP and a win.  Starters for Wednesday coming up...

Fantasy Football 2011: The Marshall Faulk Strategy Is Coming Back

First off, I haven't been reporting on football news because outside of a hard to predict or judge draft without free agency, nothing has happened.  I'm assuming though, that of course there will be a full season of football played this year.  There is no reason to believe there won't be football.  Don't listen to the media and every little detail they give predicting they won't be football.  Panic sells in the media.  There will be a full season of football this year, and I'd also be willing to bet we'll be up to an 18 game season in the next few years.

That said, while I'm not reporting on football news until transactions start happening, I'm going to be talking about fantasy football still.  I want to have something similar to a ESPN's draft kit full of information, ready for everyone to get ready to draft across a bunch of articles that can help everyone from newbies to ten-year vets like me.  It's obviously impossible to debate overall rankings on players until free agency happens, but there are still things to discuss.  There are players who have fairly set values because of their overall stable offenses.  Most of the major players on teams like the Eagles, Packers, and Colts for example are all locked up through next year, so I'll be able to talk about those types of players.  And of course, I can always do what I'm doing today and discuss draft strategy.  Now that the draft has happened, we know the talent that will be there in the league.  Free agent shifts will change opportunity for individual players, but it's fairly easy to see which positions are deep, and which are shallow.

Today, I'm going to be writing about my favorite draft strategy year in and year out, and one that should be more prevalent with everyone this year due to the weakness at the running back position...The Marshall Faulk Strategy

Fantasy Baseball Hitter Pickup And Drop Ideas For 5/10/11

Hard to evaluate my pickups based on just one day of work (especially when both players have the day off), so I'm going to look back at my pickups/drops after a week and see how I'm doing.  So for now, lets just get in the pickups and drops for today.  The idea, for now, is to not just list a guy you could drop and one to pickup, but to have a pickup you can actually replace the droppable player with. Today we're going with outfielders...

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Tuesday 5/10/11

Monday's Recommended Starter Stats - Travis Wood - 6.2 Innings Pitched - 6 Strikeouts - Win - 0.00 ERA - 1.05 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 295 Innings Pitched - 233 Strikeouts - 7.11 K/9 - 18 Wins in 48 Starts - 3.63 ERA - 1.18 WHIP

I told you my gut said to start Wood over Santana.  Both have been unlucky to start the season, but Wood has been unlucky to an extreme and is really a better fantasy pitcher option than Santana anyways.  Starting off the week with six strikeouts and a clean ERA in a win is always good for your team.  For the deeper league players, it wasn't super pretty, but Jeff Karstens was definitely a decent starter given the dearth of option.  Tuesday's starter coming up...

Monday, May 9, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Hitter Pickup And Drop Ideas For 5/9/11

In what should become a second daily column here on Big Derf Sports, I'm going to give you an idea of a hitter that is officially droppable and offer you a pickup idea for a player at that same position.  Hopefully this will keep your roster in tip top shape as we drive towards summer here in fantasy baseball...

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Monday 5/9/11

Sunday's Recommended Starter One's Stats - Erik Bedard - 5.0 Innings Pitched - 9 Strikeouts - No Decision - 1.80 ERA - 1.40 WHIP
Sunday's Recommended Starter Two's Stats - Kyle McClellan - 8.0 Innings Pitched - 3 Strikeouts - Win - 1.13 ERA - 0.88 WHIP
Week Five Starters' Stats - 55.1 Innings Pitched - 39 Strikeouts - 6.34 K/9 - 2 Win in 9 Starts - 4.39 ERA - 1.28 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 288.1 Innings Pitched - 227 Strikeouts - 7.09 K/9 - 17 Wins in 47 Starts - 3.71 ERA - 1.19 WHIP

Bedard and McClellan both came through with great starts here to save my week five numbers.  First Bedard gave us five innings of one earned run ball with nine strikeouts...almost two per inning.  Then, McClellan pitched eight innings of great ball and picked up a win, which had been hard to come by so far this week.  Week five closes looking good, and week six is going to bring a change to the format of this column.

When I started this column, it was a good way to make myself write every day, but I spend so much time working on this column at this point, that it is making it hard for me two write anything else.  In order to get time to write more fantasy baseball stuff and continue working on other endeavors, I'm no longer going to rank all of the starters every day.  I'm still going to offer daily recommendations, but I'm just going to give the recommendation and an alternate owned in less than fifty percent of leagues, along with a recommendation owned in less than five percent of leagues for deeper players.  And don't worry, I'm still going to offer extra recommendations for head to head players on weekend.  This new format debuts right now...

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Sunday 5/8/11

Saturday's Recommended Starter One's Stats - Chris Young - Start Scratched
Saturday's Recommended Starter Two's Stats - Doug Fister - 5.2 Innings Pitched - 1 Strikeout - Loss - 7.94 ERA - 2.47 WHIP
Week Five Starters' Stats - 42.1 Innings Pitched - 27 Strikeouts - 5.74 K/9 - 1 Win in 7 Starts - 5.31 ERA - 1.35 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 275.1 Innings Pitched - 215 Strikeouts - 7.03 K/9 - 16 Wins in 45 Starts - 3.82 ERA - 1.19 WHIP
Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

Chris Young got scratched from the start, which hurt because Dillon Gee looked in his place.  If it was a single starter day I would take the number two starter on my list for stats, but since it was a two start day, all I have to show for it is this rough Fister outing.  My ERA is creeping up dangerously close to the 4.00 line, so hopefully tho starts today will help bring it down.  Lots of guys available on Sunday, so getting right into it with a pair of recommendations now...

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Saturday 5/7/11

Thursday's Recommended Starter One's Stats - Philip Humber - 7.0 Innings Pitched - 4 Strikeout - No Decision - 2.57 ERA - 0.86 WHIP
Thursday's Recommended Starter Two's Stats - Tim Stauffer - 6.2 Innings Pitched - 6 Strikeout - No Decision - 0.00 ERA - 0.75 WHIP
Week Five Starters' Stats - 36.2 Innings Pitched - 26 Strikeouts - 6.38 K/9 - 1 Win in 6 Starts - 4.91 ERA - 1.17 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 269.2 Innings Pitched - 214 Strikeouts - 7.14 K/9 - 16 Wins in 44 Starts - 3.74 ERA - 1.16 WHIP
Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

A pair of great starts on Friday to help recover from the awful John Lackey outing on Thursday.  Both Humber and Stauffer went deep into the game and gave a handful of strikeouts.  The ERA and WHIP were good, and both guys pitched well enough to get a win.  Stauffer was fully in line for a win until Heath Bell blew the save in the ninth.  Once again here Saturday, I'm eliminating players below the 50% line from my spot start choices here.  Bud Norris is an obvious number one choice, but he is going to be owned in any league thats on top of things.  Madison Bumgarner is also a solid spot starter choice, but he probably shouldn't have been cut anyways and was likely picked back up after his two good starts.  Bartolo Colon should be owned in your league, but I'm not recommending him here at Texas anyways, so I'm also disqualifying him here. Now, onto a pair of starters who should be available in your league for Saturday...

Friday, May 6, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Friday 5/6/11

Thursday's Recommended Starter's Stats - John Lackey - 4.0 Innings Pitched - 1 Strikeout - Loss - 1.50 ERA - 0.67 WHIP
Week Five Starters' Stats - 23 Innings Pitched - 16 Strikeouts - 6.26 K/9 - 1 Win in 4 Starts - 7.04 ERA - 1.39 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 256 Innings Pitched - 204 Strikeouts - 7.17 K/9 - 16 Wins in 42 Starts - 3.87 ERA - 1.18 WHIP
Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

Just takes one awful start to ruin all your stats, and that's what Lackey gave us right here.  I could mention that four of the runs came with two outs in the third inning, but that would excuse the prior four runs.  All I can do here is promise to go with my gut and not my brain and to never ever start John Lackey again.  Hopefully can make up for it here on Friday.  I'm going to offer up two starter recommendations today for those of you chasing after Lackey yesterday.  Normally only offer two on Fridays and Saturdays, but playing catchup early here...

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups for Thursday 5/5/11

Tuesday's Recommended Starter's Stats - R.A. Dickey - 6.0 Innings Pitched - 1 Strikeout - Loss - 9.00 ERA - 1.33 WHIP
Wednesday's Recommended Starter's Stats -Vance Worley - 6.0 Innings Pitched - 7 Strikeouts - Win - 1.50 ERA - 0.67 WHIP
Week Five Starters' Stats - 19 Innings Pitched - 15 Strikeouts - 7.11 K/9 - 1 Win in 3 Starts - 4.74 ERA - 1.00 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 252 Innings Pitched - 203 Strikeouts - 7.25 K/9 - 16 Wins in 41 Starts - 3.64 ERA - 1.15 WHIP
Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

Once again, sorry about the shortened column yesterday.  It's going to happen on occasion unfortunately, because life gets in the way, but hopefully it will continue to be a rare occurrence.  Tuesday's spot starter was R.A. Dickey, who got blasted.  I still like him going forwards at home, but I want to wait a few weeks until I know he has the knuckleball going right again.  It wasn't breaking well Tuesday, and it showed in his stat line. Luckily I bounced back with the Vance Worley pick on Wednesday.  Strikeouts were there...The win was there...The ERA and WHIP were there...It was a great fantasy start.  Week five's numbers are solid save the ERA, which we'll get down over the next few days.  As a side note, Colby Lewis is owned in 50% of league still so is ineligible for my list, and Brandon Beachy is owned in 49.7% of leagues, and any active leagues so it would be cheap for me to recommend him here today.  Beachy is the best guy available under 50% and is my recommendation if he's available, but otherwise my official Thursday recommendation is coming up...

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

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

Got no sleep last night and am horribly tired today.... so posting my Wednesday starter recommendation early before any Tuesday games start, so I can get some sleep.

Vance Worley (0.5%) - Philadelphia Phillies vs Washington Nationals - 7:05 PM

Worley looked good his first game out against the Mets, and is the best option on an otherwise poor starter day.  He showed strong strikeout potential throughout the minors and looks to be able to still strike guys out well in limited time as a major leaguer.  Everyone else available today is either been pitching poorly or has a poor match-up, so just ride Worley here for solid ERA WHIP and some strikeouts to go with a good shot at a win.

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Tuesday 5/3/11

Monday's Starter's Stats - Bartolo Colon - 7.0 Innings Pitched - 7 Strikeouts - No Decision - 3.86 ERA - 1.00 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 240 Innings Pitched - 195 Strikeouts - 7.31 K/9 - 15 Wins in 39 Starts - 3.56 ERA - 1.16 WHIP
Cumulative Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Here

On the first day of week five, Bartolo gave us seven very workable innings.  The 3.86 ERA isn't great, but it's coverable, and you have to be excited to pick up seven strikeouts and a solid seven innings of 1.00 WHIP.  Bartolo is going to eat a lot of innings for the Yankees this year with stats very similar to this, except with a good chance at plenty of wins.  As a note for the starters today, Kyle McClellan and Anibal Sanchez are both under the 50% owned line as i write this on Monday night, but will both likely elevate over the 50% line by Tuesday proper.  As such I'm not ranking either of them...Both should be owned but I'm not really excited about starting either of them  If you want the guy I am excited about, Tuesday's spot starter is coming up...

Monday, May 2, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Monday 5/2/11

Sunday's Spot Starter Recommendation One - Jon Garland - 6.0 Innings Pitched - 8 Strikeouts - Loss - 4.50 ERA - 1.17 WHIP
Satruday's Spot Starter Recommendation Two - Bud Norris - 7.2 Innings Pitched - 11 Strikeouts - Win - 0.00 ERA - 0.78 WHIP
Week Four's Starters' Stats - 56.1 Innings Pitched - 48 Strikeouts - 7.67 K/9 - 3 Wins in 9 Starts - 3.99 ERA - 1.17 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 233 Innings Pitched - 188 Strikeouts - 7.26 K/9 - 15 Wins in 38 Starts - 3.55 ERA - 1.16 WHIP
Spot Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

Great four starts this weekend to make the week four stats solid.  First Brandon Beachy and Tim Stauffer killed it on Saturday, and then we got 19 strikeouts and great ERA and WHIP from the Bud Norris and Jon Garland combo on Sunday.  That made the week four line solid.  Sub-4.00 ERA and 48 strikeouts is nothing to sneeze at.  As we head into week five, I'm looking to keep the mojo going.  Monday's starter recommendation coming up...

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickup For Sunday 5/1/11

Saturday's Spot Starter Recommendation One - Tim Stauffer - 6.2 Innings Pitched - 7 Strikeouts - No Decision - 2.70 - 0.75
Satruday's Spot Starter Recommendation Two - Brandon Beachy - 7.0 Innings Pitched - 5 Strikeouts - No Decision - 2.57 ERA - 0.57 WHIP
Week Four's Starters' Stats - 42.2 Innings Pitched - 29 Strikeouts - 6.12 K/9 - 2 Wins in 7 Starts - 4.64 ERA - 1.24 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 219.1 Innings Pitched - 169 Strikeouts - 6.93 K/9 - 14 Wins in 36 Starts - 3.65 ERA - 1.18 WHIP
Spot Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

It was a very solid Saturday.  First, in the afternoon, Beachy gave us seven solid innings with five strikeouts and was in line for a win when they left him in to start the eighth and he let two men on base, who both ended up scoring.  It still amounted to a very good spot start, and 0.57 WHIP is amazing.  He's down to 0.99 WHIP on the season and shouldn't be dropped now that you own him, he won't be around to pick up next time through.  Later, in a Saturday night game, Tim Stauffer was just as good.  He had two more strikeouts than Beachy, but didn't go quite as long and gave up an extra hit.  Neither guy picked up a win, but both pitched well enough to pick one up.  As always these are guys available in more than 50% of leagues, and there are two more coming up now to help those trying to catch up on the last day of the match-up...