Fantasy Sports Advice, Analysis and Projections | The Fantasy Fix
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  Roy Halladay Fantasy Baseball's Pitching Line of the Week: Roy Halladay (SP-PH) vs Florida: 9 IP, 0 ER, 0BB, 11K Doc Halladay didn't take lightly to Matt Cain trying to steal his thunder. Halladay pitched the 2nd perfect game of the season and the 20th in history. Roy bounced back with a vengeance after his worst start of the season against Boston (6ER, 1K) . You've just proven once again why you are the top dog in baseball! Matt Cain (SP- SF) vs Arizona: 9 IP 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 9 K The Giants rewarded perennial hard luck loser Matt Cain with a run in the 1st inning, and he handled the rest. Cain allowed a 2nd inning double to Mark Reynolds and held the Diamondbacks without a base runner the rest of the way. Since allowing 17 walks in a 4 start stretch between May 1st and May 17th, Cain has only issued one free pass in his last 17 innings of work. When he makes the opposition hit their way aboard he's been devastating: .197 BAA and 1.01 WHIP. Top 3 NL Double Dippers: Ubaldo Jimenez, Colorado(@ SF & Lincecum, @ Arizona) 8 more scoreless inning for the master (0.88 ERA), but strikeouts are down in recent outings. Tim Lincecum, SF (vs Colorado & Jimenez, @ Pittsburgh) Trying to straighten himself out after consecutive poor efforts. 9 2/3 innings, 11 ER and 10 BB. Tim Hudson, Atlanta (vs Philadelphia, @ LA) Reliving past glory with 8 of 10 quality starts and 2.24 ERA Top 3 AL Double Dippers: Matt Garza (@ Toronto, @ Texas) Reached the 8 inning plateau in 5 of 10 starts. 55 hits allowed in 69 2/3 innings. Justin Verlander (vs Oakland, @ KC) 1 run CG victory at Oakland on May 19th. Ervin Santana (@ KC, @ Sea) 3-0 last 3 starts. 22 IP, 5 ER and 22 K. Only If You're Streaming Hisanori Takahashi, NYM (@ SD, vs Florida) 12 scoreless innings over first two starts vs. Yankees and Phillies. Jeremy Bonderman,Detroit (vs Cleveland @ KC) 21 K, 13 hits 3 ER over last 20 innings. Luke Hochevar, KC (vs Anaheim, vs Detroit) Consecutive successful, deep performances. 2 W, 17 IP, 10 H 5 ER. Don't Touch 'Em Brian Matusz/ Balt, Chris Narveson/ Milw, Nate Robertson/Fla, Mitch Talbot/Clev Week 9 One Start Stars Owned in 50% or Less Jeremy Guthrie (vs Boston) 3 W in last 4 starts while allowing only 6 ER. Derek Holland (vs TB) 2.95 ERA through 3 GS in 2010. Who will come out triumphant - Jimenez or Lincecum? 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, Matt Cain, Ubaldo Jiminez, Tim Lincecum, Tim Hudson, Matt Garza, Justin Verlander, Ervin Santana, Hisanori Takahashi, Jeremy Bonderman, Luke Hochevar, Brain Matusz, Chris Narveson, Nate Robertson, Mitch Talbot, Jeremy Guthrie, Derek Holland, San Francisco Giants, Colorado Rockies, Atlanta Braves, Tampa Bay Rays, Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, Kansas City, Anaheim Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers Stuck in the Middle With You.. 05/15/2010
 Tyler Clippard About this time every year, I get the email or tweet from the nervous fantasy owner who is deficient in saves, or their ERA/WHIP are inflating (like this nurse’s breasts) out of control and need a solution. If you remember my piece on middle relievers this time last year, it went a little something like this.. The middle reliever might not have the big paycheck, the electrifying entrance song or his own fan section, but he does carry five category potential. You may be rewarded when he has the opportunity to pick up the scab win or he gets the save chance when the tabbed closer is given the night off. Additionally, he will maintain a humble ERA and WHIP while posting a first-class K:BB ratio. Lastly, the reliever you are looking to add could be the handcuff to your current closer for insurance purposes. Sound about right? Now, check out this year’s list of middle relievers who are providing 4-5 category numbers through six weeks. If you’re pitching staff needs some help, take these six guys into consideration if they are available in your league.  Tags: Fantasy Baseball Advice, Fantasy Sports Blog, The Fantasy Fix, Fonzy Scheme, Tyler Clippard, Washington National, Evan Meek, Pittsburgh Pirates, Jose Contreras, Philadelphia Philles, Clay Hensley, Florida Marlins, Matt Thornton, Chicago White Sox, Daniel Bard, Boston Red Sox Week 6's Double Dippers...and Dallas Braden 05/10/2010
 Tommy Hanson Pitching Line of the Week: Dallas Braden 9IP, 0 H/R/ER/BB, 6K Yes, all those goose eggs = a perfect game. Dallas Braden of the Oakland Athletics is the 19th pitcher in Major League Baseball history to throw a perfect game. Unfortunately, he will not be starting twice this week. He was added to over 10,000 Y! teams today and is still only owned in 55% of Y! leagues. Quote of the Week: “Stick-it, A-Rod”. - Peggy Lindsey, Braden’s Grandmother, in response to the recent feud between Dallas and Alex Rodriguez. 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: Tommy Hanson/Atlanta (@Mil, vs. Ari) - Roughed up last outing, but there’s no place for “Big Red” on the bench Barry Zito/SF Giants (vs. SD, vs. Hou) - Looks like his old self again. Both starts at home, let it ride! Chad Billingsley/LA Dodgers (@ Ari, @SD) - Use with caution. Top 3 AL Double Dippers Matt Garza/Tampa Bay (@LAA, vs. Sea) - Has only given up 2+ ER in one of his six trips to the hill. Cliff Lee/Seattle (@Bal, @TB) - Tampa tagged Lee for 4 ER on 5/5, but don’t be scared. Colby Lewis/Texas (vs. Oak, @Tor) - 3 outings with 10 K’s. Warning: Streaming can be lethal. Wade LeBlanc/San Diego (@ SF, vs. LAD) - Quietly off to a good start. All 4 trips to the hill were QS. Scott Olsen/Washington (@NYM, @Col) - Allowed only 1 ER in his last three starts Brandon Morrow/Toronto (@Bos, vs. Tex) - 8+ K’s in each of his last four starts Don’t Touch ‘Em Javier Vazquez, Rick Porcello, Dontrelle Willis Tags: Fantasy Baseball Advice, Fantasy Baseball Blog, Fantasy Sports Blog, MLB, Two Start Pitchers, Double Dippers, Fonzy Scheme, Dallas Braden, Oakland Athletics, Wade LeBlanc, San Diego Padres, Scott Olsen, Washington Nationals, Brandon Morrow, Toronto Blue Jays, Colby Lewis, Texas Rangers, Cliff Lee, Seattle Mariners, Matt Garza, Tommy Hanson, Atlanta Braves, Barry Zito, San Francisco Giants Young Guns: Holy Jhoulys, Batman! 05/02/2010
 Jhoulys Chacin Ubaldo Jimenez is having an epic start to the 2010 season, but he can’t do it by himself. More often than not, Batman needed Robin, right? Well, Ubaldo is clearly the “Batman” of the Rockies pitching staff and Jorge De La Rosa was scripted to be “Robin”, until of course, he recently landed on the disabled list for the next 4-6 weeks. This is what the Rockies staff looks like: Ubaldo + JDL = 8-0 (ERA 0.79, 3.91) Rest of Staff = 2-6 (ERA 7.33, 5.52, 5.63) Enter Jhoulys Chacin. In 2009, Baseball America listed Chacin as the #45 overall prospect. In four starts this season at AAA Colorado Springs, Jhoulys is 3-0, with a 1.69 ERA and a 2:1 K/BB ratio. In three of his four starts with the Sky Sox, Jhoulys did not allow an earned run. Batman, I think we’ve found your new “Robin.” Jhoulys made his first start for the Rockies yesterday at San Francisco. Chacin fired seven innings of one-hit, shut-out baseball while striking out seven and walking only three Giants. His next trip to the hill will be Saturday 5/8 at the Dodgers. Pick him up immediately if you’re interested, he may not be available after his next start. Currently Owned in 3% of Y! and 0% of ESPN Leagues. Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Sports Blog, Fonzy Scheme, Colorado Rockies, Jhoulys Chacin, Ubaldo Jimenez, Jorge De La Rosa, Colorado Springs Sky Sox Kemp & Braun, 30/30 in Twenty-Ten? 04/30/2010
 Carlos Gonzalez Power and Speed, two of the five essential “tools” or skills that baseball players are said to possess, are lethal when combined. Players like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Bobby Bonds, Dale Murphy, Barry Bonds*, Daryl Strawberry, Alex Rodriguez, Alfonso Soriano and Hanley Ramirez all have used their unique combination of power and speed to join one of the most elite fraternities in Major League Baseball. The 30/30 Club. A player who hits 30 homers and steals 30 bases is said to have joined the 30/30 club. The 30/30 club has been achieved 54 times in the modern era of baseball. Barry & Bobby Bonds combined, have accounted for ten of them. The more elite and rare club is the 40/40, which has been achieved by Jose Canseco, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez and Alfonso Soriano. The 50/50 has never been reached, but Alex Rodriguez is said to have come closest in 1998 when he went 42/46 as a member of the Seattle Mariners. Ian Kinsler was the only player in MLB to achieve 30/30 in the 2009 season with 31 jacks and 30 stolen bags. Unfortunately, Ian started off the 2010 season on the disabled list, likely keeping him from back to back seasons in the 30/30 club. The following have the best chance to join the elite 30/30 club in the 2010 season: Ryan Braun (OF-MIL) This kid is legit. Through 21 games, Braun has put 5 balls in the seats and swiped 6 bags. Projected over the course of an entire season, Braun could potentially reach the 40/40 plateau. Last year, Braun didn’t steal his sixth base until mid-June, so he’s a month ahead of schedule in that category. My Guess: 38/35. Matt Kemp (OF-LAD) Like Ryan Braun, Kemp is one of the brightest young talents in the big leagues. In 2009, Kemp came ultra close to joining the 30/30 fraternity, finishing the season with 26 HR & 34 SB. While he finished just shy in the HR category in 2009, he sure is off to a quick start this year, as Matt currently has 7 HR in just 21 games. This pace, projected over the course of a full season would put him in the 45+ HR range. In 2008 & 2009, Kemp stole 35 & 34 bases respectively. Expect Kemp to join the elite 30/30 club in 2010. My Guess: 42/34. Nelson Cruz (OF-TEX) In 2009, Nelly went 33/20 in just 128 games. Nelly got off to a fast start in 2010 with 7/5. Cruz recently hit the disabled list with an aggravated hamstring, putting his potential bid for a 30/30 or even a 40/40 season in jeopardy. I hope this kid gets healthy soon, he’s one of the most exciting players in the game. My Guess: 35/26 Next In Line: Carlos Gonzalez (OF-COL) CarGo, as he’s well known throughout the media, fits the same mold as Braun & Kemp. Although CarGo doesn’t have a full MLB season under his belt yet, he did manage to hit 13 HR and steal 16 bags in 86 appearances in 2009 for the Rockies. While I don’t think he will be able to achieve 30/30 this season, I believe he’s one year away. The fact that three former Rockies are 30/30 members (Walker, Burks & Bichette) lead me to believe that playing home games at Coors Field will enhance his chances. My Guess: 28/32. Is it any coincidence that Braun and Kemp were probably drafted in the first round of your fantasy baseball draft? I think not. There is no evidence to support that the first two will slow down and the latter two won’t continue to get better. Get them on your team any chance you get. They will lead you to the “Fantasy Promise Land!” Do you have any other potential 30/30 candidates? Please leave feedback by using the comment link at the top of this article, or hit us up on Twitter! Twitter.com/thefantasyfix Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Sports Blog, Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers, Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers, Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies, Nelson Cruz, Texas Rangers, Willie Mays, Bobby Bonds, Barry Bonds, Dale Murphy, Daryl Strawberry, Alex Rodriguez, Alfonso Soriano, Hanley Ramirez, Jose Conseco, Dante Bichette, Larry Walker, Ellis Burks, 30/30 Club, 40/40 Club, Fonzy Scheme I don't think we're in the NL anymore... 04/26/2010
 Javier Vazquez Here are a few starters having a rough transition to the American League. I’m sure those SP in contract years are watching… Back for a second round in the big city are ya? Javier Vazquez (SP-NYY) Javy didn’t have the greatest of tenures during his first stay in the Bronx in 2004. He finished just 14-10 with a horrific 4.91 ERA and 150 strikeouts. Vazquez isn’t exactly thriving in the pinstripes this trip either. Just two weeks into the season and four trips to the hill, over 4,000 owners in Yahoo! leagues have dropped Javier today due to his 1-3 start and 9.00 ERA. Verdict: Hold in all formats. Find a nice spot on the pine for him until he turns it around, or is determined to be a lost cause. This park isn’t as friendly as Petco! Jake Peavy (SP-CWS) Not such a great start to your first full season in Chicago, is it Jake? In four starts, Jake is 0-1 with a 7.66 ERA and a 1:1 K:BB ratio. Maybe both Peavy and Vazquez are taking the switch to the AL a little tougher than we thought. You think he regrets not exercising his “no-trade” clause a second time? Verdict: See Javier Vazquez above. Everything IS bigger in Texas. Including your ERA. Rich Harden (SP-TEX) Like the two previous pitchers, Harden has had a tough time adjusting to the AL in his first four starts in Texas. Three of Harden’s four outings have been for 4.1 innings or less. Rich is has been walking almost as many batters as striking out and his ERA is hovering around 5. There are two Texas pitchers I’d rather have on my roster, and one isn’t even there yet. Colby Lewis & Derek Holland (who as of this article is @OKC) Verdict: Don’t let the door hit ya’ where the good lord split ya’! An AL SP to Keep an Eye on: Joe Saunders (SP-LAA) There are only 3 SP in all of MLB has more wins than Saunders over the past two seasons. Any guesses? Doc (37), CC (36) and Cliff Lee (36). That’s right, Joe’s win totals over the past two equal that of Tiny Tim’s (33) and are more than Haren, Verlander and Wainwright (30 each), more than Greinke (29), King Felix (28) and Javy Vazquez (27). All of the previous, EXCEPT Saunders finished in the CY Young voting in 2009. Saunders was not considered a CY finalist due to his high ratio numbers. He’s not going to give you stellar 5-category numbers, but he will get you some much needed W’s without destroying your ERA & WHIP. Expect Saunders to get back on track and look like he did in the previous years. Joe is currently owned in only 22% of Yahoo! leagues. Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Sports Blog, Roto, Javier Vazquez, New York Yankees, Rich Harden, Texas Rangers, Jake Peavy, Chicago White Sox, Joe Saunders, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Fonzy Scheme The "Generation K" Curse. 04/22/2010
 Generation K Flashback to the early 90's. I was twelve. Mets Fan: “Generation K is going to rival and overcome the Braves pitching staff” Me: “Who?!?” Mets Fan: “You know, Bill Pulsipher, Paul Wilson & Jason Isringhausen?” Me: “Generation Who? Better than Maddux, Glavine, Avery & Smoltz?” Mets Fan: “Guaranteed” Me: “Ha! You’re sniffing way too many markers” Flash forward to this week. Same Mets Fan via Text: “You better grab Ike Davis” Me: “Remember when you told me about Generation K?” Same Mets Fan via Text: “Ha, yea, forgot about that!” Me: “I didn’t! Are you back on the markers?” It’s not that I don’t believe in Ike, or the Mets fan. Davis is a top rated prospect and his numbers at Buffalo have been phenomenal. I mean, close to 5,000 Yahoo! league owners have added him since I started writing this article alone. However, I’m not ready to use my #2 waiver priority and a transaction (we get 40/season) to acquire him. Once he clears waivers, proves that he can hit pitches other than a fastball, and is found not to be cursed like “Generation K” was, I will consider him. Note: This is based on my team’s needs. I will be keeping Tim Lincecum and Justin Upton again in 2011, so I’m not necessarily looking in the market for a potential keeper. Additionally, I have 1b locked up with MCab and Justin Morneau. Davis would probably have to ride the pine. Other potential prospects to get called up before the ASB: Justin Smoak- 2% owned- He’s straight raking right now in OKC. Chris Davis is striking his way out of the Rangers lineup. Carlos Santana- 4% Owned - Batting .364 with 4 HR, 14 RBI and a 1.178 OPS in 13 games. He’s the future. Stephen Strasburg- 68% owned. Cruising through the minors. Get him now, while you can. Ardolis Chapman- 30% owned. Holding his own in Louisville. Give it a whirl. Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Sports Blog, New York Mets, Ike Davis, Generation K, Bill Pulsipher, Paul Wilson, Jason Isringhausen, Fonzy Scheme |  CategoriesAll
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