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.