Big Derf Sports is Back!

Welcome back to blog loyal readers.

As I explained via my twitter(@bigderfsports), my old laptop was having major problems and had fallen off from inconvenient to outright unusable for writing.  That forced me to put the blog into a hibernation of sorts for a while while I was saving up for a new laptop.  My pimp new HP dv6 Laptop came in last week and is a dream to use and type on, and I spent a week getting it generally set up and just plain playing with it before I decided that it was time to bring back the blog today.  I've spent far too long not getting my opinion out there.

While the NBA is in season now, I'm primarily going to focused on gearing up for the NFL off-season and the Fantasy Baseball season.  I've got a few large scale plans in mind for this baseball season, led by the return of last year's daily spot starting pitching column, as well as in depth looks at different fantasy strategies throughout the year.

I'll also be rolling out plenty of NFL off-season coverage, including rapid reactions to player movement and fantasy analysis at every step.  Last season I endeavored to touch on all 32 teams throughout the off-season and that proved too much, so this year I'm going to instead try to take a look player movement through a more case by case lens, including the obvious Peyton Manning column at some point.

Not that I'm going to be leaving the NBA alone, I'm just going to be covering it from a different angle.  I'm admittedly not an NBA expert, and have been following the NBA for much longer than I've actually been watching games, so unlike with the NFL, my on-court analysis is going to be basically non-existent.  Instead I'm going to take on the NBA from much more casual angle, likely saving my "analysis" for raving or complaining about my Knicks (yeah I'm still a homer).

Also, despite this being Big Derf Sports, you'll likely also see at least a handful of television columns on the horizon, as that is my other big love, and I doubt I'll be able to stay quiet about it for too long.

Thanks in advance for reading.

-Fred "Big Derf" Tobin

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Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Wednesday 8/10/11

Thursday 8/4/11 Starter Stats - James McDonald - 7.0 Innings Pitched - 3 Strikeouts - Loss - 5.14 ERA - 0.57 WHIP
Starter Spreadsheet With Stats Online Here

Just going to update with the previous starters stats here from now on the rest of the baseball season, as I'm way behind on fantasy football as it is.

McDonald would have turned in a fine start here if three of the four hits he gave up didn't go for home runs.  He didn't walk anyone, and three strikeouts wouldn't be a problem if it came with good ERA and a win.

Quick columns for the rest of the year, just like it is here...

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

Tuesday's Starter Stats - Rich Harden - 5.2 Innings Pitched - 7 Strikeouts - Loss - 6.35 ERA - 1.41 WHIP
Cumulative Starter Stats - 676.1 Innings Pitched - 502 Strikeouts - 6.68 K/9 - 46 Wins in 108 Starts - 3.43 ERA - 1.20 WHIP
Cumulative Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

There were a few player moves in the NFL today, but I'm not going to write an NFL moves article today, as none of them really warrant me writing the column up.

On the subject of this post, Harden marked one of the few bad starts I've had over the last month.  An ERA over 6 is never helping your fantasy team.  The seven strikeouts is nice, but it can't be considered a successful start by any means when you let the Seattle Mariners score four runs on you.

Going to pick it up here today hopefully.  It's a short day of selections because it is a travel day, but I have a good option coming up...

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Tuesday 8/2/11

Sunday's Starter Recommendation One - Freddy Garcia - 6.0 Innings Pitched - 6 Strikeouts - Win - 3.00 ERA - 1.17 WHIP
Sunday's Starter Recommendation Two - Brandon McCarthy - 6.0 Innings Pitched - 9 Strikeouts - Win - 4.50 ERA - 1.33 WHIP
ESPN Week 16 Final Starter Stats - 43.2 Innings Pitched - 49 Strikeouts - 10.10 K/9 - 5 Wins in 7 Starts - 3.09 ERA - 1.24 WHIP
Cumulative Starter Stats - 670.2 Innings Pitched - 495 Strikeouts - 6.64 K/9 - 46 Wins in 107 Starts - 3.41 ERA - 1.20 WHIP
Cumulative Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

Sunday capped off a nearly perfect week on Sunday night.  Both starters picked up wins and plenty of strike outs in the process.  The ERA and WHIP on the week were both very good, and five wins in seven starts is a great rate, especially when you are throwing for more than a strikeout per inning.

Unfortunately, I have to try and follow up that amazing week here in Week 17 as i start on Tuesday.  As always, the recommendation is available in more than 50% of ESPN leagues....

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Sunday 7/31/11

Saturday's Starter Recommendation One - Alex Cobb - 6.1 Innings Pitched - 9 Strikeouts - Loss - 4.27 ERA - 1.11 WHIP
Saturday's Starter Recommendation Two - Bartolo Colon - 5.0 Innings Pitched - 6 Strikeouts - Win - 3.60 ERA - 1.40 WHIP
ESPN Week 16 Starter Stats - 31.2 Innings Pitched - 34 Strikeouts - 9.66 K/9 - 3 Wins in 5 Starts - 2.84 ERA - 1.23 WHIP
Cumulative Starter Stats - 658.2 Innings Pitched - 480 Strikeouts - 6.56 K/9 - 44 Wins in 105 Starts - 3.40 ERA - 1.20 WHIP
Cumulative Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

Saturday wasn't a great day for the spot starters here, but it wasn't bad either.  The ERA and WHIP weren't great, but they were definitely survivable when they also picked up 15 strikeouts and a win.

It's pretty late here on Saturday night, so I'm just going to get right to the recommendations...

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Saturday 7/30/11

Friday's Starter Recommendation - Jeff Niemann - 6.2 Innings Pitched - 11 Strikeouts - Win - 0.00 ERA - 0.90 WHIP
ESPN Week 16 Starter Stats - 20.1 Innings Pitched - 19 Strikeouts - 8.41 K/9 - 2 Wins in 3 Starts - 2.21 ERA - 1.23 WHIP
Cumulative Starter Stats - 647.1 Innings Pitched - 465 Strikeouts - 6.46 K/9 - 43 Wins in 103 Starts - 3.39 ERA - 1.20 WHIP
Cumulative Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

I said yesterday that there was shutout potential on Friday night, and I was right.  I had hoped it would have been a complete game, but 6.2 innings of shutout ball is nothing to sneeze at, especially when you throw in the eleven strikeouts and the win.  It was an amazing all around start that cost you nothing but a free agent pick up to throw out there.  Niemann should be held onto if you picked him up, as he's on a streak of five great starts.

It's Saturday, and that means two recommendations as we reach the end of head-to-head match-ups for the week.  As always, all recommendations are available in more than 50% of ESPN leagues...

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Friday 7/29/11

Wednesday's Starter Recommendation - Phil Hughes - 6.0 Innings Pitched - 3 Strikeouts - Loss - 3.00 ERA - 1.67 WHIP
Cumulative Starter Stats - 640.2 Innings Pitched - 454 Strikeouts - 6.38 K/9 - 43 Wins in 102 Starts - 3.43 ERA - 1.20 WHIP
Cumulative Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

Not the greatest start out there Wednesday for Hughes, but definitely not the worst.  He pitched well wnough to pick up the win, just the Yankee offense (and his bullpen later) didn't back him up on the day.  The WHIP isn't pretty, but the ERA balances it out.

Friday brings us a handful of choices, including the always interesting situation where there are two playable fantasy pitchers in one game...

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Wednesday 7/27/11

Monday's Starter - Freddy Garcia - 7.2 Innings Pitched - 5 Strikeouts - Win - 3.52 ERA - 1.17 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 634.2 Innings Pitched - 451 Strikeouts - 6.40 K/9 - 43 Wins in 101 Starts - 3.43 ERA - 1.20 WHIP
Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

Garcia came out on Monday and turned in a very average performance on the way to a win.  The 3.52 ERA and 1.17 WHIP weren't great, but they aren't going to hurt you either and if it gets you a win for free, it's totally worth the start.

Wednesday has plenty of guys available to choose from below the fifty percent owned line, but they are all guys with bad stats or guys who you can't trust right now.  I'd like to pick Cory Luebke, but he's up above the 50% owned line still.  So it's going to be a risky pick here...

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Monday 7/25/11

Sunday Starter One's Stats - Bartolo Colon - 7.0 Innings Pitched - 4 Strikeouts - Win - 2.57 ERA - 1.29 WHIP
Sunday Starter Two's Stats - Rick Porcello - 6.0 Innings Pitched - 4 Strikeouts - Win - 3.00 ERA - 1.17 WHIP
ESPN "Week 15" Final Starters' Stats - 44.1 Innings Pitched - 33 Strikeouts - 6.70 K/9 - 5 Wins in 7 Starts - 3.86 ERA - 1.22 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 627 Innings Pitched - 446 Strikeouts - 6.40 K/9 - 42 Wins in 100 Starts - 3.43 ERA - 1.20 WHIP
Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

Pair of starts on Sunday and a pair of solid wins.  They were essentially the same start, just Colon went an inning further into his game than Porcello.  Boh guys picked up a win and four strikeouts while letting up just two runs.  It was as advertised here on Sunday, as both guys were picked for their win chances and delivered.

Monday starts a new week here and hopefully a new streak will continue here.  I may seem like a homer here, but the schedule says what the schedule says...

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Sunday 7/24/11

Friday's Starter's Stats - Phil Hughes - 4.1 Innings Pitched - 3 Strikeouts - Loss - 14.55 ERA -3.00 WHIP
"Week 15" Starters' Stats - 31.1 Innings Pitched - 25 Strikeouts - 7.18 K/9 - 3 Wins in 5 Starts - 4.31 ERA - 1.21 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 614 Innings Pitched - 438 Strikeouts - 6.42 K/9 - 40 Wins in 98 Starts - 3.44 ERA - 1.20 WHIP
Cumulative Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

A second total dud in the row made me just duck and hide from picking starters on Saturday.  Trusting Javy and Phil on back to back days was a bad idea in retrospect.  Luckily it's still not that bad of a week in ERA and WHIP considering those last two horrible starts.

Sunday we have a pair of starters coming in who probably aren't going to make the ERA and WHIP much better, but will rack up some strikeouts and have the best shots at the wins you need on Sundays...

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Friday 7/22/11

Thursday's Starter's Stats - Javier Vazquez - 4.1 Innings Pitched - 6 Strikeouts - Loss - 10.39 ERA - 2.54 WHIP

"Week 15" Starters' Stats - 27 Innings Pitched - 22 Strikeouts - 7.33 K/9 - 3 Wins in 4 Starts - 2.67 ERA - 0.93 WHIP

Cumulative Starters' Stats - 609.2 Innings Pitched - 435 Strikeouts - 6.42 K/9 - 40 Wins in 98 Starts - 3.37 ERA - 1.18 WHIP

Cumulative Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

All good things must come to an end... and this isn't the first good thing to end because of Javy Vazquez.  It was a weak day, and I got sucked in.  I don't have any real excuses here.  Luckily there was such a string of good starts leading up to him that it didn't destroy my ERA and WHIP too badly.  

Also I'd like to note here that Cory Luebke is still my favorite available play, but he is just slightly above the 50% owned line that I use for this column, so I won't be selecting him as my play today.  If he's available in your league though, I'm rolling him out there.

Hopefully, if you just joined me yesterday,  I can make up for it for you with Friday's starter...

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Thursday 7/21/11

Monday's Starter's Stats - Josh Collmenter - 8.0 Innings Pitched - 7 Strikeouts - Win - 0.00 ERA - 0.38 WHIP
"Week 15" Starters' Stats - 22.2 Innings Pitched - 16 Strikeouts - 6.35 K/9 - 3 Wins in 3 Starts - 1.19 ERA - 0.62 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 605.1 Innings Pitched - 429 Strikeouts - 6.38 K/9 - 40 Wins in 97 Starts - 3.32 ERA - 1.17 WHIP
Cumulative Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

At a point where I didn't write a column the last two days because I just didn't want to ruin my streak.  15 Straight starts all two earned runs or less.  I can't keep this up. Heh.

Collmenter looked excellent against the Brewers on Monday, and honestly I would hang onto him here.  Sub-3.00 ERA and Sub-1.00 WHIP means he should be earned even though he doesn't rack up a bunch of strikeouts.  He's better at home than on the road, and will be there (and likely here in this column) his next time out.

A bunch of aces are starting and it's a travel day tomorrow, so there are only six pitchers available under the 50% owned line.  Luckily, there is a good option here....

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Sunday 7/17/11

Saturday's Recommended Starter Stats - Cory Luebke - Results Not In Yet

Cumulative Starters' Stats - 582.2 Innings Pitched - 413 Strikeouts - 6.38 K/9 - 37 Wins in 94 Starts - 3.40 ERA - 1.19 WHIP

Cumulative Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

First, sorry for labeling yesterday's post as Friday, just brainfarted.  

Luebke is just starting to pitch as i write this, so it's right on to the Sunday starter...

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Saturday 7/16/11

/8/11 Starter's Stats - R.A. Dickey - 7.0 Innings Pitched - 4 Strikeouts - No Decision - 2.57 ERA - 1.00 WHIP
Week 14 Final Stats - 35 Innings Pitched - 27 Strikeouts - 6.94 K/9 - 2 Wins in 5 Starts - 1.80 ERA - 0.86 WHIP
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 582.2 Innings Pitched - 413 Strikeouts - 6.38 K/9 - 37 Wins in 94 Starts - 3.40 ERA - 1.19 WHIP
Cumulative Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

Took some time off for the All-Star break, but I'm gonna call it start limiting myself.  ESPN Standard Roto leagues cap at 200 starts, and I'm still on pace to blow past that number.  Might announce and take another week off of start recommendations come Football ramp up.

Last start was last Friday, and Dickey continued a long hot streak of starters.  Up to twelve starts in a row of two earned runs or less.

This Saturdayday we have a pitcher likely making his second and last appearance in this column, as he'll be over the 50% owned line by his next go around in the rotation...

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Friday 7/8/11

Thursday's Starter Stats - Cory Luebke - 6.0 Innings Pitched - 8 Strikeouts - Loss - 3.00 ERA - 1.00 WHIP

Week 14 Starter Stats - 28 IP - 23 Strikeouts - 7.39 K/9 - 2 Wins in 4 Starts - 1.61 ERA - 0.82 WHIP

Cumulative Starter Stats - 575.2 IP - 409 Strikeouts - 6.39 K/9 - 37 Wins in 93 Starts - 3.41 ERA - 1.20 WHIP

Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

Riding a nine game hot streak here into Friday, with the worst of any of the starts having come today.

Luebke was solid on Thursday and gave us six innings with just two earned runs and a flat 1.00 WHIP.  Not as good as the last few days, but still a very fine start when you add in the eight strikeouts.  Luebke is still striking out more than a batter per inning and gets to pitch in the friendly confines of Petco when he is home.  He's definitely worth a pickup if you need pitching help in your league.

Andrew Miller was the alternate option for Thursday, and he wasn't very good.  Three runs over five innings without any strikeouts isn't what you want out of a starter, but he did give you a win and that's why he was the alternate choice for the day.  Getting the win makes the start salvageable.

Friday is a good spot starter day, featuring many former recommendations.  We're going to go with a pitcher we've spot started for each of his last two rotation turns...

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

Wednesday's Starter Stats - Jason Vargas - 8.0 Innings Pitched - 6 Strikeouts - Loss - 2.25 ERA - 0.75 WHIP

Week 14 Starter Stats - 22 IP - 15 Strikeouts - 6.14 K/9 - 2 Wins in 3 Starts - 1.23 ERA - 0.77 WHIP

Cumulative Starter Stats - 569.2 IP - 401 Strikeouts - 6.34 K/9 - 37 Wins in 92 Starts - 3.41 ERA - 1.20 WHIP

Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

I picked the wrong starter yesterday.  Recommended Vargas with Guillermo Moscoso as an alternate, but had the two backwards in this particular pitchers' duel.  Moscoso pitched seven scoreless innings of just two hit ball on his way to a win.  Vargas wasn't no slouch himself, but he got hit up by Scott Sizemore on a solo shot and an RBI single, and that was his downfall on the day.  Still, short of picking up the win Vargas did deliver spendidly with an 8 inning complete game of low ERA and WHIP ball.  Can't complain about that.

A bunch of starters are under the line on Thursday, but most of them aren't very good.  Luckily there are a few gems available....

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Wednesday 7/6/11

Monday's Starter Stats - Vance Worley - 7.0 Innings Pitched - 6 Strikeouts - Win - 0.00 ERA - 0.57 WHIP
Tuesday's Starter Stats - Jeff Karstens - 7.0 Innings Pitched - 3 Strikeouts - Win - 1.29 ERA - 1.00 WHIP
Cumulative Starter Stats - 561.2 IP - 395 Strikeouts - 6.33 K/9 - 37 Wins in 91 Starts - 3.43 ERA - 1.21 WHIP
Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

Late small post today because I fell asleep at my computer last night and never wrote this up.  Want to get it out as quick as possible so people do have a chance to see it and update their rosters before games start at 1:10.

Both Worley and Karstens have been great to start this Week 14.  14 Innings in the book already with just a solo home run keeping them from being scoreless.  Two wins in two starts also never hurt anyone.

Wednesday starter coming up....

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

Monday's Starter Stats - Vance Worley - Results Not In As Of Posting.

Cumulative Starter Stats - 547.2 Innings Pitched - 386 Strikeouts - 6.34 K/9 - 35 Wins in 89 Starts - 3.50 ERA - 1.22 WHIP

Cumulative Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Here

Posting this early between getting out of work and heading out for the night here Monday night.  Will update with Worley's results later tonight most likely, but for now I'm just going to get right into Tuesday's starters to maximize my 4th of July BBQ time....

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

Sunday's Starter One - Freddy Garcia - 7.0 Innings Pitched - 1 Strikeouts - No Decision - 1.29 ERA - 0.86 WHIP
Sunday's Starter Two - Ervin Santana - 7.2 Innings Pitched - 8 Strikeouts - Win - 1.17 ERA - 0.91 WHIP
Week 13 Starter Stats - 50 Innings Pitched - 32 Strikeouts - 5.76 K/9 - 4 Wins in 8 Starts - 2.34 ERA - 1.14 WHIP
Cumulative Starter Stats - 547.2 Innings Pitched - 386 Strikeouts - 6.34 K/9 - 35 Wins in 89 Starts - 3.50 ERA - 1.22 WHIP
Cumulative Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Here

Closed out a great week here Sunday night. It started off ugly, but the spot starter choices over the weekend got the ERA and WHIP down to fantastic levels.  Could use more strikeouts, but an otherwise solid spot starting week.

Freddy Garcia turned in another great start here Sunday.  His strikeout totals will never be high, but as long as he turns in these one run outings, he'll do great things for your fantasy team.  He would have picked up a win here Sunday too, but a rare blown save by Mariano lost the game for them.

It's a full slate of games here on a holiday Monday, but only half the starters are available under the 50% owned line, and the two most owned options under the line have been scratched from their Monday starts.  Still, I found a pair of strong options from the thirteen available starters....

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Sunday 7/3/11

Saturday's Starter One - Bartolo Colon - 6.0 Innings Pitched - 6 Strikeouts - Win - 0.00 ERA - 0.83 WHIP
Saturday's Starter Two - Doug Fister - 9.0 Innings Pitched - 7 Strikeouts - Loss - 1.00 ERA - 0.78 WHIP
Week 13 Starter Stats - 35.1 Innings Pitched - 23 Strikeouts - 5.86 K/9 - 3 Wins in 6 Starts - 2.80 ERA - 1.25 WHIP
Cumulative Starter Stats - 533 Innings Pitched - 377 Strikeouts - 6.37 K/9 - 34 Wins in 87 Starts - 3.56 ERA - 1.23 WHIP
Cumulative Starter Spreadsheet Viewable Here

Another solid day to help clean up a week that started off poorly.  Fifteen innings of one run ball will help out any ERA or WHIP.

Colon came out in his first start off the DL and turned in a strong six innings against a decent Mets lineup before being taken out after 80 pitches.  He's picked right back up where he left off before he went on  the DL and should be allowed to go deeper into his next start.  Pick him up if he's available in whatever league you are in.

Fister was robbed by his offense of a win, as the complete game of one run ball should have gotten the job done.  That's the drawback with a Mariners pitcher, can't rely on any sort of run support.  Even when Fister is great like Saturday night, he still will lose more than he wins.

Onto Sunday's starters.  Two recommendations coming right up...