Lots of options again, although Thursday is padded with two sets of opposing pitchers. None of these guys, owned in less than 50% of leagues, comes without risk. You need pitching at the end of the week, you take what you can get.
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Jake Arrieta CHC @ CWS Scott Carroll
Scott Carroll CWS vs CHC Jake Arrieta
Matt Harrison TEX vs COL Franklin Morales
Franklin Morales @ TEX Matt Harrison
Dallas Keuchel HOU @ DET Drew Smyly
Arrieta is just coming off the DL, and I really like pitchers in their first start back. Then again, Carroll was lighting it up in the minors when he was called up, so aside from the lack of Ks, he also strikes me as a good option, especially facing the cross town rivals. Harrison needs to get his ownership up so he is no longer an option for this article. Until then, he is a quality starter that you can grab and potentially hold for long term benefits. His opponent, Morales, had a bad last outing that still resulted in a win, and I expect him to get back to his strikeout ways when he faces the Rangers. Keuchel just keeps plugging along for the Astros. Facing the Tigers ain't no walk in the sunshine, but if he keeps his team in the game through six or seven innings, you will be happy with his production.
Friday, May 9, 2014
Jhoulys Chacin COL @ CIN Johnny Cueto
Wei-Yen Chen BAL vs HOU Collin McHugh
Brandon McCarthy ARI @ CHW Andre Rienzo
Chacin returns from the DL, and if you look at what I wrote about Arrieta just a few inches above, I love that situation. Second start, not so much love. Chen at home is not my favorite option here, but he does get to face Houston. McCarthy is the best option on the struggling Diamondbacks, and while that may be damning with faint praise, he has been striking guys out, posting a 23:6 K/BB ratio and a 3.07 ERA over his last 3 starts, all losses by the way. Don't pick him up if your league gives a major demerit for losses.
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Miguel Gonzalez BAL vs HOU Jarred Cosart
Kyle Kendrick PHI @ NYM Dillon Gee
Jordan Lyles COL @ CIN Alfredo Simon
Gonzalez in Camden Yards gives me pause, but to replay a theme, pitching against the Astros is a good thing. A 21:6 K/BB and 3.00 ERA over the past 3 games is not something I would discount. Kendrick is proving to be a decent option, despite his team's lackluster performance. He has a chance to give your team some Ks, while not giving you a win. Lyles is one of those rare pitchers that does well moving to the Rockies. I would grab him now, and ride him until he implodes, not that I think that will necessarily happen.
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Samuel Deduno MIN @ DET TBA
Roenis Elias SEA vs KC Jeremy Guthrie
J. A. Happ TOR vs LAA Jered Weaver
David Phelps NYY @ MIL Matt Garza
Deduno is my favorite Minnesota pitcher, now that Kyle Gibson as imploded. Pitching in Detroit is not a bad thing, almost equivalent to pitching at home. His relief work has been stellar, let's pray it carries over to starting. Elias is a guy I like, but don't really trust. Aside from a 4 earned run outing against Miami in mid April, though, he's been solid. And the strikeouts are nice, too. Happ is going to be the sixth starter for Toronto, ala Colorado two seasons ago, and while that is good for extra starting pitcher options, it strikes me as desperation on the part of the Blue Jays. He was very good in relief, and like Deduno, let's hope he can carry it over for five or six innings per appearance. Phelps is our third reliever that is moving to the rotation, and he is someone that can give you some Ks although facing the Brewers during their miracle season (a bit too strong maybe?) is not necessarily the best way to join the Yankee starters. He may be good but he also could be yet another failed rotation member for the Bronx Bombers.
Should you have questions regarding fantasy baseball, especially starting pitching, you can reach me at ia@fantasyalarm.com to continue the discussion.
Player News
Andrés Giménez was removed from Wednesday’s game against the Angels with right quad tightness.
It sounds like a precautionary measure. There should be an update on his status prior to Thursday’s series finale out in Los Angeles.
Kyren Paris hit a two-run homer in Wednesday’s win for the Angels over the Blue Jays.
That’s the first homer for Paris since April 9 when he went deep twice against Tampa Bay and caused everyone to lose all sense of rational thought. The 23-year-old did also single and walk to improve his on-base percentage to .311,, while the homer bumps his slugging mark to .378. There is long-term upside in Paris with flashes that suggest he can be a fantasy option. Fantasy managers should still absolutely looking elsewhere for options up the middle.
Jorge Soler hit a three-run double in the bottom of the ninth to give the Angels a 5-4 win over the Blue Jays on Wednesday.
Trent Grisham went 1-for-1 with a game-tying two-run home run in the eighth inning of a 4-3 win over the Padres on Wednesday.
While the Yankees won this game on a walk-off in the 10th inning, Grisham’s game-tying home run in the eighth was the biggest moment. He came on as a pinch-hitter for Jorbit Vibas against the usually stout Jason Adam and smashed a two-strike changeup into the right field seats. This clutch shot will only continue to push Grisham’s playing time in the right direction after he just started eight of the last 10 games, hit either first or second in each, and already has 10 homers in 31 games played this season.
Jeff Hoffman blew a save and picked up a loss Wednesday against the Angels.
Devin Williams struck out three batters with one walk and hit another in a scoreless 10th inning to earn the win against the Padres on Wednesday.
The Yankees entrusted Williams with the all important 10th inning and the inherited ghost runner on second base after their dramatic comeback. While he loaded the bases and had some tense moments, he left the inning unscathed and opened the door for them to win it right after. It should be noted that Luke Weaver came on for what were the most important outs of this game at the time, after Ian Hamilton walked two to begin the eighth inning and Weaver allowed both of those inherited runners to score. He was called upon as the fireman though and will likely get the next save opportunity. Still, this was a massive step in the right direction for Williams.