Be sure to check Matt Garza's split stats before starting him away from Tropicana Field!
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And here comes the stretch run.
With pitchers trading places and deals yet to be made, our own fantasy baseball is in the same swing as reality. Fresh off the All-Star Break, the pickings for pitchers this weekend are slim, so let’s take a look at the results from last night and Friday. Due to a push in Aaron Cook’s scheduled start, we only had three pitchers making recommended starts:
16 IP 1 W 7.31 ERA 2.00 WHIP 14 Ks
Jeremy Guthrie saved face with a victory despite a rough outing against the Tigers, but sub par performances from the recommended starts all around. Now, onto the four pitchers to pass on:
17 1/3IP 1 W 9.35 ERA 2.02 WHIP 9 Ks
Thankfully, we have a more successful bunch right here. Aaron Laffey was fortunate to not have all the runs scored off him in Seattle as earned or that composite ERA would have climbed above 10. As predicted, Randy Wolf and Todd Wellemeyer had less than desirable starts going against one another in St. Louis.
Due to the fact that this column usually arrives Monday morning, I’m going to start bumping Sunday’s starts to the next week’s column. This might not be conducive to weekly owners, but plan accordingly; weekly owners may also consider Sunday starter’s value greater figuring they are likely two-start pitchers, anyhow. Consider Cook’s start against Pittsburgh today as a bonus. Now, onto a full slate of hurlers for the week of July 20:
Monday, July 21
Start: Sidney Ponson (vs. MIN)
Sit: Jorge Campillo (vs. FLA)
Tuesday, July 22
Start: Kyle Lohse (vs. MIL)
Sit: Kenny Rogers (@ KC)
Wednesday, July 23
Start: Brian Moehler (vs. PIT)
Sit: A.J. Burnett (@ BAL)
Thursday, July 24
Start: Matt Cain (vs. WAS)
Sit: Scott Olsen (@ CHC)
Friday, July 25
Start: Edwin Jackson (@ KC)
Sit: Jair Jurrjens (@ PHI)
Saturday, July 26
Start: Derek Lowe (vs. WAS)
Sit: Aaron Cook (@ CIN)
Sunday, July 27
Start: Joe Blanton (vs. ATL)
Sit: Jarrod Washburn (@ TOR)
Notes: Monday’s slate is fairly empty sans the obvious starts, but Sidney Ponson might have Minnesota’s number, so it’s worth the gamble if you’re desperate…A.J. Burnett has been much better away from Rogers Centre this year, but has also had two disastrous starts against the Orioles, making the recent trade bait a risky option…If you’re looking for wins, any Tigers pitcher is a risky play during the week against Kansas City; Detroit is 0-6 facing the Royals this year, and they draw no lefties in the series, whom they typically hit better against…Matt Garza is starting to look more like the pitcher the Rays thought they were getting in giving up Delmon Young, but how about this for a home/road split: Garza has a 2.10 ERA and 1.06 WHIP at home, but outside of Tropicana he sports a 5.91 ERA coupled with a 1.40 WHIP. I wouldn’t recommend him against a streaky offense in Kansas City…Despite a train wreck start against Texas followed by losing at home Saturday night against the Royals, Gavin Floyd looked good in his last start. His curveball continues to baffle hitters, and I expect his next win to come next weekend at Detroit, whom Floyd has pitched well against twice earlier this season.
Have a good week and keep enjoying the sun everyone.
