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...

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...

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....

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.

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...

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...