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 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 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 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 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...

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Saturday 7/2/11

Thursday's Starter Stats - Carlos Zambrano - 1.0 Innings Pitched - 1 Strikeout - No Decision- 9.00 ERA - 4.00 WHIP

Friday's Starter Stats - Jason Vargas - 9.0 Innings Pitched - 7 Strikeouts - Win - 0.00 ERA - 0.67 WHIP

Cumulative Starters' Stats - 518 Innings Pitched - 364 Strikeouts - 6.32 K/9 - 33 Wins in 85 Starts - 3.65 ERA - 1.24 WHIP

Starter Stats Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

Sorry this post is so late, but better late then never.  Should still have an hour to get your moves in here on Saturday.

Thursday night didn't go well, with Carlos Zambrano lasting an inning before being removed with a back injury and placed on the disabled list.  As always, can't predict injuries here... So just forced to take the bad inning of stats and move on.

Luckily Friday night went amazing to make up for Thursday.  Jason Vargas went the distance for his third complete game shut out of the year.  I alluded to the possibility in yesterday's column, and I turned out to be right.  Doesn't get any better really.  Nine innings of shut out ball off the waiver wire is as good as it gets, especially with a solid seven strikeouts.

Onto Saturday's starters.  It's the weekend, so that means a pair of starter recommendations for you all...

Fantasy Baseball Spot Starter Pickups For Friday 7/1/11

Tuesday's Starter Stats - Freddy Garcia - 6.0 Innings Pitched - 1 Strikeout - Win - 3.00 ERA - 1.33 WHIP
Thursday's Starter Stats - Carlos Zambrano - Stats Not Available As Of Posting. Will Update.
Cumulative Starters' Stats - 508 Innings Pitched - 356 Strikeouts - 6.31 K/9 - 32 Wins in 83 Starts - 3.70 ERA - 1.24 WHIP
Starter Stats Spreadsheet Viewable Online Here

Apologies for the lack of a recommendation on Wednesday and the shorted recommendation for Thursday.  I was still recovering from my overnight work and was exhausted but couldn't sleep.  I seem to have straightened myself out now, so hopefully I'll be able to work uninterrupted moving forwards.

Freddy Garcia delivered six innings of average ERA and WHIP ball on the way to picking up a win.  Nothing to write home about, but still a quality outing from a spot started pitcher.  Yankee starters are always good for wins, so keep an eye on Phil Hughes when he comes back to the rotation.  If he returns to form he'll be ownable in basically all leagues.

Onto Friday's pickups.  We've reached July and you would think that the good pitchers would all be owned by now and yet there are still quality options available to us every day that are owned in less than 50% of leagues...

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....