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 Yovani Gallardo Fantasy Baseball’s Pitching Line of the Week: Yovani Gallardo (SP-MIL) 9 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 12 K, W According to reports out of Milwaukee, there has been another sighting of “El Chupacabra” at Miller Park. This legendary creature, who traditionally lives in the minds of Latin American’s, is said to attack an array of wild stock and leave them for dead after consuming their blood. I know that Yovani Gallardo serves his victims a steady diet of fastballs, sliders, curveballs and changeups, but I’m not sure how this (or something else he has done in the past) has earned him a nickname who’s literal translation is “The Goat Sucker.” Regardless, Yovani recorded his most impressive win to date in this 2010 MLB season this past week in Milwaukee against the Minnesota Twins, which prompted us to take a closer look into his young career. Originally drafted in the second round of the 2004 draft, Yovani started making noise when he led all minor league pitchers with 188 strikeouts in 155 innings in 2006 for Single-A Brevard County and Double-A Huntsville. In 2007, “El Chupa” was in and out of the starting rotation for the Brewers, filling in for the oft injured Chris Capuano and Ben Sheets. We saw flashes of brilliance in the 17 games Yovani started that season as he finished 9-5 with a 3.67 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 101 strikeouts in 110.1 innings pitched. Brewers management had high expectations for Gallardo heading into the 2008 season. However, Yovani spent the majority of the year on the disabled list with a torn meniscus in his left knee and a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee. Gallardo only saw action in six Major League games in 2008, finishing 0-0 with a 1.88 ERA. Following the injury plagued 2008 season, Gallardo once again gave the Brewers’ brass reason to believe he was going to be the next ace in Milwaukee. In 2009 Yovani pitched his first career complete game, threw three two-hitters and struck out eleven or more batters on three occasions. Gallardo finished the season with a modest 13-12 record but struck batters at an impressive rate of 9.89 per nine innings and boasted a .233 BAA. Thus far in 2010, “El Chupa” is 7-3 with a 2.36 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and a 10.05 K/9 rate in 16 starts. He has recorded ten or more strikeouts on five occasions while allowing more than two earned runs only four times in sixteen starts. In comparison to his career numbers, Yovani has increased his K/9 and LOB%, while decreasing his ERA, BB/9, WHIP and BAA in 2010. This is the breakout year the Brewers management expected in 2008. Yovani Gallardo is currently owned in 97% of Y! leagues. The “Double Dipper” is a starting pitcher who will get two starts in the same week. Each Sunday we will preview top three options in each league and highlight streaming options for players owned in less than 50% of Y! leagues. Top 3 NL Double Dippers: Ubaldo Jimenez/COL (@SD, vs. SF) - Frontrunner for NL CY right now. 13-1, 1.60 ERA Chris Carpenter/STL (vs. ARI, vs. MIL) - 5-0 in last eight. 7.80 K/9, 2.63 ERA Yovani Gallardo/MIL (vs. HOU, @STL) - 9 or more strikeouts in each of his last three starts. Top 3 AL Double Dippers Cliff Lee/SEA (@NYY, @DET) - Last Two: 2 W, 2 CG, 1 ER, 16:0 K:BB. Contract Year. Phil Hughes/NYY (vs. SEA, vs. TOR) - 5-0 in last five. Great match-ups, well-rested. Francisco Liriano/MIN (vs. DET, vs. TB) - 9.71 K/9, 3.11 ERA, 1.22 WHIP Warning: Streaming can be lethal. The following are owned in less than 50% of Y! leagues. Brandon Morrow/TOR (@CLE, vs. NYY) - Two or less ER allowed in last five. 9.86 K/9 R.A. Dickey/NYM (@ FLA, @ WAS) - 6-0 in seven starts, 2.33 ERA Jason Hammel/COL (@ SD, vs. SF) - 5-1 in last eight. Solid match-ups. Don’t Touch ‘Em Nick Blackburn, Paul Maholm, Manny Parra, Bud Norris Week 13 One Start Stars Owned in 50% or Less Jon Garland/SD 50% Y! - Thursday vs. HOU (Moeller) - 14 Consecutive Scoreless Innings & 3 Wins vs. Houston Trevor Cahill/OAK 35% Y! - Friday @ CLE (Talbot) - 6-0 in last eight. Plus ratios. .212 BAA Jonathon Niese/NYM 15% Y! - Friday @ WAS (Atilano) - 4-0/2.71 ERA in five June starts Is the Chupacabra real? Watch Video here, and here. Who will be the best 2-Start Pitcher owned in 50% or less in week 13? Leave a comment, or reply to us on Twitter Twitter.com/thefantasyfix Tags: Fantasy Baseball Advice, Fantasy Baseball Blog, Fantasy Sports Blog, MLB, Two Start Pitchers, Double Dippers, Fonzy Scheme, Yovani Gallardo, Milwaukee Brewers, Ubaldo Jimenez, Colorado Rockies, Chris Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals, Cliff Lee, Seattle Mariners, Phil Hughes, New York Yankees, Francisco Liriano, Minnesota Twins, Brandon Morrow, Toronto Blue Jays, R.A. Dickey, New York Mets, Jason Hammel, Jon Garland, San Diego Padres, Trevor Cahill, Oakland Athletics, Jonathon Niese, Nick Blackburn, Paul Maholm, Manny Para, Bud Norris  Edinson Volquez Edinson Volquez, or is it Edison Volquez, or Julio Reyes? Ah, Whatever. Number 36 on the Cincinnati Reds is ready to put Tommy John surgery, a 50 game suspension and not knowing his own name behind him. He is tentatively set to return to MLB action around the All-Star Break barring any further setbacks. Fantasy baseball owners in need of starting pitching should take immediate action. For the forgetful ones: In 2007, Edinson looked at his birth certificate for the first time and realized his name had an “n” in it. He asked the Texas Rangers to change his name from Edison, to Edinson. Shortly after, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds with Daniel Ray Herrera for Josh Hamilton. It has yet to be determined if the Rangers dealt Volquez because of his spelling ability or his value. I n 2008, Volquez’s debut season for the Reds, Edinson exploded onto scene with a 17-6 record in 32 starts. His numbers were filthy. He finished with a 3.21 ERA in 196 innings pitched, 206 strikeouts, a trip to the All-Star Game and three second place votes for National League Rookie of the Year. In 2009, Edinson Volquez was just 4-2 in nine starts before his season ended. He was placed on the 60 day DL which eventually led to the ever so famous “Tommy John” surgery. While rehabbing, Volquez received a 50 game suspension in April 2010 for using performance enhancing drugs. Luckily, he was able to serve this suspension, rehab and practice spelling concurrently. This month, Edinson took the hill for his first round of rehab assignments with the Lynchburg Hillcats, the Class A Advanced affiliate of the Reds in the Carolina League. Volquez allowed hits to the first two batters of the Potomac Nationals then proceeded to retire the next nine Nationals consecutively. Edinson finished his first appearance with three innings pitched, two hits allowed, three strikeouts and no walks. In Volquez’s second rehab outing for the Lynchburg Hillcats, he pitched five scoreless innings, struck out four batters, allowed only one hit and didn’t surrender a walk. Edinson made his third rehab start Tuesday, 6/22, for the AAA Louisville Bats of the International League. Volquez pitched five innings, allowing one run on three hits, walking none, striking out one and earning his second minor league win of 2010. If you are one of the lucky managers with an open DL spot, stash Volquez now in hopes that he returns to 2008 form. This move should allow you to add an additional player until Edinson is activated from the disabled list. Don’t worry about his spelling abilities, this kid can flat out deal. Expect Edinson to get 12-15 starts, 3.75 ERA and strikeout seven to eight batters per nine innings. Number 36 is currently owned in 16% of Y! leagues. Will Edinson hop into his hot tub time machine and return to 2008 form? Please leave feedback with a comment, or hit us up on Twitter! Don't forget to be a fan of TheFantasyFix.com on Facebook! <----Click! Tags: Fantasy Baseball Advice, Fantasy Baseball Blog, Fantasy Sports Blog, MLB, Edinson Volquez, Cincinnati Reds, Josh Hamilton, Daniel Ray Herrera, Lynchburg Hillcats, Louisville Bats, Potomac Nationals, All-Star Week 12's Double Dippers & Colby Lewis 06/20/2010
 Colby Lewis Fantasy Baseball’s Pitching Line of the Week: Colby Lewis (SP-TEX) 9 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 9 K, W Colby Lewis pitched his first career complete game on Saturday 6/19 against the Houston Astros. He picked up his third consecutive win while allowing only one earned run on two hits, striking out nine and walking none. Straight dealing! Originally drafted by the Texas Rangers in the first round of MLB’s amateur draft in 1999, Colby saw action with the Rangers, Tigers and Athletics before heading to Japan. Colby seemed to reinvent himself while playing for the Hiroshima Carp of Japan’s Central League. Lewis led the league in strikeouts and finished second in wins and ERA in 2008. In 2009, he led the Central League in strikeouts for the second consecutive year. Instead of playing a third year in Japan, Colby Lewis was given another chance in MLB by the team that originally drafted him, the Texas Rangers. He has been a pleasant surprise for the Texas and fantasy baseball owners alike. His numbers are filthy. Colby is sporting a 3.01 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, .193 BAA, , .233 BABIP and striking out 8.6 batters per nine. Colby Lewis is currently owned in 69% of Y! leagues. The “Double Dipper” is a starting pitcher who will get two starts in the same week. Each Sunday we will preview top three options in each league and highlight streaming options for players owned in less than 50% of Y! leagues. Top 3 NL Double Dippers: Tim Lincecum/SF (@HOU, vs. BOS) - The Freak is Groovin’ Again, 2-0 & 17K in last two Clayton Kershaw/LAD (@ LAA, vs. NYY) - The New Ace in LA has a 10.27 K/9, Won three of last four Jaime Garcia/STL (@TOR, @KC) - Filthy 1.59 ERA & 84.4 LOB%. Top 3 AL Double Dippers: Jon Lester/BOS (@ATL, @FLA) - Hasn’t lost in last 11. 9.39 K/9. In the race for CY? Justin Verlander/DET (@ NYM, @ ATL) - Won last three, 17:& K/BB over that span. John Danks/CWS (vs. ATL, vs. CHC) - Won Last two, Sporting a .229 BAA Warning: Streaming can be lethal. The following are owned in less than 50% of Y! leagues. Anibal Sanchez/FLA (@BAL, vs. SD) - Won five of last seven. Two nice match-ups. Gio Gonzalez/OAK (vs. CIN, vs. PIT) - Two excellent match-ups, .239 BAA Jonathon Niese/NYM (vs. DET, vs. MIN) - Won last three, 15:3 K:BB over that span. Don’t Touch ‘Em Rodrigo Lopez, Bruce Chen, Zach Duke Week 10 One Start Stars Owned in 50% or Less Trevor Cahill/OAK 25% Y! - Saturday vs. PIT (Lincoln) - Hasn’t lost in last seven. Helpful ratios. Kris Medlen/ATL 16% Y! - Friday vs. DET (TBA) - Hasn’t lost in seven starts since being moved to the rotation. Kyle Kendrick/PHI 1% Y! - Wednesday vs. CLE (Westbrook) - Solid vs. NYY on 6/17. Deep mixed league use only. Who will win the pitching duel of the week: Lester vs. Lincecum? Who will be the best 2-Start Pitcher owned in 50% or less in week 12? Leave a comment, or reply to us on Twitter Twitter.com/thefantasyfix Tags: Fantasy Baseball Advice, Fantasy Baseball Blog, Fantasy Sports Blog, MLB, Two Start Pitchers, Double Dippers, Fonzy Scheme, Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants, Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers, Jaime Garcia, St. Louis Cardinals, Jon Lester, Boston Red Sox, Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers, John Danks, Chicago White Sox, Anibal Sanchez, Florida Marlins, Gio Gonzalez, Oakland Athletics, Jonathon Niese, New York Mets, Trevor Cahill, Kris Medlen, Atlanta Braves, Kyle Kendrick, Philadelphia Phillies, Colby Lewis, Texas Rangers Week 11's Double Dippers & Stephen Strasburg 06/15/2010
 Justin Masterson Fantasy Baseball’s Pitching Line of the Week: Stephen Strasburg (SP-WAS) 7 IP, 4H, 2R, 0 BB, 14 K, W The long awaited Major League debut of Stephen Strasburg is officially over. The dust has settled, but some fans have yet to pick their chins off of the ground from the amazement that was a dominating fourteen strikeout performance. Strasburg schooled the Pirates with remote like control of his blazing fastball, changeup and a curveball that had the Bucs' knees bucklin'. What may have been more impressive was the velocity on his pitches as he progressed into the later innings, it never changed. The only runs Stephen surrendered came on a two-run home run by Delwyn Young in the top of the fourth inning for Pittsburgh that also scored Neil Walker. Strasburg was awarded the National League Player of the Week award in his first full week in the Major Leagues. He started 2 games, went 2-0, pitched 12.1 innings while posting a 2.19 ERA and striking out 22 batters. Good luck trying to acquire this guy in most fantasy baseball formats. He is currently owned in 92% of Y! Leagues. I wonder what the idiots in the other 8% of Y! leagues are waiting for? The “Double Dipper” is a starting pitcher who will get two starts in the same week. Each Sunday we will preview top three options in each league and highlight streaming options for players owned in less than 50% of Y! leagues. Top 3 NL Double Dippers: Roy Halladay/PHI (@NYY, vs. MIN) - He starts regardless of match-ups. Josh Johnson/FLA (vs. TEX, vs. TB) - 1 ER allowed in last 5 starts. Insanity. Adam Wainwright/STL (@SEA, @OAK) - 8.71 K/9, Ludicrous Ratios. Top 3 AL Double Dippers: David Price/TB (@ATL, @FLA) - 1 ER in last 2 Starts. LOB% 81.3 Clay Bucholz/BOS (vs. ARI, vs. LAD) - 2 Starts @Home. 3 ER in last 3. Breakout. CJ Wilson/TEX (@FLA, @HOU) - 2-0 in last 2. .226 BAA. Warning: Streaming can be lethal. The following are owned in less than 50% of Y! leagues. Carl Pavano/MIN (@NYM, vs. SEA) - Decent ERA & WHIP. 3.69 K:BB Justin Masterson/CLE (vs. NYM, @PIT) - 2-0 in last 3 including 2 hitting the BoSox. Freddy Garcia/CWS (vs. HOU, vs. TOR) - 3-0 in last 3. 15:4 K:BB in that span. Don’t Touch ‘Em Brad Lincoln, Ian Snell, Kyle Davies, John Lannan Week 10 One Start Stars Owned in 50% or Less Clayton RIchard/SD 48% Y! - Saturday vs. BAL (Millwood) - 4-1 w/2.29 ERA over last 9 Fausto Carmona/CLE 26% Y! - Friday @PIT (Maholm) - Tossed a CG, 3 H, 1 ER Gem last turn. Who will be the best 2-Start Pitcher owned in 50% or less in week 11? Will Stephen Strasburg continue to live up to the hype? Leave a comment, or reply to us on Twitter Twitter.com/thefantasyfix Tags: Fantasy Baseball Advice, Fantasy Baseball Blog, Fantasy Sports Blog, MLB, Two Start Pitchers, Double Dippers, Fonzy Scheme, Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals, Roy Halladay, Philadelphia Phillies, Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals, Clay Bucholz, Boston Red Sox, CJ Wilson, Texas Rangers, David Price, Tampa Bay Rays, Josh Johnson, Florida Marlins, Carl Pavano, Minnesota Twins, Freddy Garcia, Chicago White Sox, Justin Masterson, Cleveland Indians, Clayton Richard, San Diego Padres  Armando Galarraga Fantasy Baseball’s Pitching Line of the Week: Armando Galarraga (SP-DET) 9 IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 3K Armando made headlines across the world in week nine when his bid for a perfect game came up one out *cough* short. Galarraga faced the minimum twenty-six batters before Jason Donald reached base on a questionable call at first base by umpire Jim Joyce. (See it here) Despite the near perfect game, Galarraga is still chasing his 2008 campaign in which he went 13-7 and finished in the top 5 in the American League Rookie of the Year balloting. His numbers are modest at best. Galarraga owns a career ERA of 4.50 and has seen his K/9 decline in each of the last three seasons. Maybe this near perfect game is a sign that Armando has turned a corner. Not in the new Corvette GM awarded him, in his baseball career. Galarraga gets two starts this week, and I will monitor closely before I decide whether to buy or not. Armando is currently owned in only 8% of Y! fantasy baseball leagues. The “Double Dipper” is a starting pitcher who will get two starts in the same week. Each Sunday we will preview top three options in each league and highlight streaming options for players owned in less than 50% of Y! leagues. Top 3 NL Double Dippers: Mike Pelfrey/NYM (vs. SD, @BAL) - .232 BAA, 4-0 in last 6 trips to the hill. Yovani Gallardo/Milwaukee (vs. CHC, vs. TEX) - 9+ K/9. Hasn’t lost in last 10 starts. Matt Cain/San Francisco (@CIN, @OAK) - Allowed only 1 ER in last 17 IP while striking out 14. Bonus Double Dipper: Stephen Strasburg/Washington (vs. PIT, @CLE) - The wait is finally over. The most hyped draft pick in MLB history will debut Tuesday, June 8th against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Strasburg finished his brief minor league career with a 1.30 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and a 10.6 K/9 ratio. He’s still only owned in 86% of Y! leagues, so if he’s available on your wire, grab him. If you currently have him on your roster you may want to consider selling now. Top 3 AL Double Dippers Cliff Lee/Seattle (@TEX, @SD) - 12.5 K:BB = Ridiculi, 0.95 WHIP Felix Hernandez/Seattle (@TEX, @SD) - Last 2: 1-0, 16 IP, 16K - Nobody Benches the King, Nobody. Phil Hughes/NYY (@BAL, vs. HOU) - 9 K/9, 2.54 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 2 Sexy Match-ups. Warning: Streaming can be lethal. The following are owned in less than 50% of Y! leagues. Clayton Richard/San Diego (@NYM, vs. SEA) - 4 QS in last 5. Kris Medlen/Atlanta (@ARI, @MIN) - Last 4: 2-0, 16:6 K:BB, Modest Ratios Jason Hammel/Colorado (vs. HOU, vs. TOR) - Last 2: 1-0, 12 IP, 13:2 K:BB Don’t Touch ‘Em Brad Bergeson, Sam LeCure, Wandy Rodriguez, Wade LeBlanc Week 10 One Start Stars Owned in 50% or Less John Ely/LAD 42% Y! - Saturday vs. LAA (Kazmir) - Has surrendered 2 ER or less in last 6 starts Jason Vargas/SEA 26% Y! - Friday @SD (Correia) - Solid Ratios & .215 BAA Who will be the best 2-Start Pitcher owned in 50% or less in week 10? Will Stephen Strasburg live up to the hype? Leave a comment, or reply to us on Twitter Twitter.com/thefantasyfix Tags: Fantasy Baseball Advice, Fantasy Baseball Blog, Fantasy Sports Blog, MLB, Two Start Pitchers, Double Dippers, Fonzy Scheme, Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals, Armando Galarraga, Detroit Tigers, Kris Medlen, Atlanta Braves, Clayton Richard, San Diego Padres, Chris Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals, Felix Hernandez, Cliff Lee, Seattle Mariners, Phil Hughes, New York Yankees, Yovani Gallardo, Milwaukee Brewers, Matt Cain, San Francisco Giants, John Ely, Los Angeles Dodgers, Jason Vargas, Jim Joyce |  CategoriesAll
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