Pitch and Ditch for Week 5

Posted by Ivar G. Anderson on 05/03/2012 | 0 Comments

Tags: Starting Pitchers, Starting Pitching, MLB, 2012, Week 5, Anthony Bass, Drew Smyly, Jamie Moyer, Jason Hammel, Tommy Milone, Juan Nicasio

Some of my early favorites for this weekly post are moving over the 50% ownership margin, and thus, unless they have issues, will no longer grace the mid-seek Starting Pitching posts.  Fare thee well, my friends.  Anyhoo, let's move on to this week's options for weekend streaming options.

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Friday, May 4, 2012

Anthony Bass SD vs MIA Josh Johnson

Kevin Correia PIT vs CIN Mike Leake

Dillon Gee NYM vs ARI Wade Miley

Tyson Ross OAK @ TB David Price

Drew Smyly DET vs CHW Jake Peavy

Bass at home in Petco is a tempting offer to us streaming guys.  On the road, not so high on him, but this matchup looks great.  If Correia was on the road, this would not be so palatable.  Not a great strikeout opportunity, but should provide decent enough peripherals otherwise, and, hey, maybe a win.  I am as high on Gee as I am on any Mets SP, but this matchup could be good, and unlike Correia, he should provide nearly a K/IP.  Ross is going up against a tough opponent, with the mad scientist Joe Maddon throwing all kinds of curveballs even though he doesn't take the mound.  Of these five matchups, this is my least favorite.  Still, I do like Oakland pitchers for the most part.  Smyly should not be available in more than 50% of leagues given his recent success.  If he is available in your league, pick him up, as he's my favorite option among the five SPs here this Friday.

Why read boxscores when you can find out everything that happened in Howard Bender's nightly Fantasy Baseball Roundup 

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Patrick Corbin ARI @ NYM Johan Santana

James McDonald PIT vs CIN Johnny Cueto

Jamie Moyer COL vs ATL Mike Minor

Corbin has the making of a fine pitcher while filling in for Collmenter who has moved to the bullpen based on his shaky early season results.  Bauer waits in the minors for his chance, but the early results for Corbin remind me of Smyly, and that's a good thing.  McDonald seems to be returning to form and if his team can start hitting better, he should be a good streaming option from this point forward.  Moyer has been a true surprise this season, and while I usually don't like pitchers starting at Colorado, he has not shown any propensity for inflated stats while pitching at home so far.  Ride the hot hand.

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Sunday, May 6, 2012

Jason Hammel BAL @ BOS Clay Buchholz

Tommy Milone OAK @ TB Matt Moore

Juan Nicasio COL vs ATL Brandon Beachy

Hector Noesi SEA vs MIN Nick Blackburn

Hammel is not long for this list, as his ownership is now approaching the magic 50% that it takes no longer be a Pitch and Ditch option.  Even so, if he is available in your league, grab him.  His exodus from Coors Field has been a godsend for him and his admirers.  Milone may not be a hard throwing rookie, but his easy tosses have been located in the right places so far, and have I even mentioned how much I tend to like Oakland SPs?  Nicasio is a middle of the pack SP, but he will give you decent numbers most starts.  Decent Ks and chance at a win is surely worth a shot.  Noesi going against the woeful Twins rounds out the options, and while his team is no offensive juggernaut, any team is better than the Minnesota Twins.

Good luck and godspeed in your fantasy endeavors.  If you have any starting pitching questions, I can be reached at ia@fantasyalarm.com.

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