Borderline Fantasy Starters, Week 20-21
August 19, 2010
Category: fantasy baseball strategy
This isn’t meant to replace Smokey’s two-start pitchers for fantasy that comes every weekend. This is meant to supplement that, like something A-Rod’s cousin would give you. This isn’t two start pitchers, this is barely owned guys that could give you one start. A pick up and a drop. They’re all owned in less than 50% of ESPN leagues. Pretty much everything I told you in the beginning of the year about trusting your big guns and not trusting the wayward sons-of-bees goes out the window this time of year. If you’re battling for pitching points or a playoff spot in H2H, you need to take some chances I wouldn’t necessarily take in April. Suddenly, James McDonald looks ownable and Ross Ohlendorf doesn’t look like Ross Ohlendorf, but looks like a guy who’s facing a team that he has an under 3 ERA against. So I’ve assembled one, two or three starters from Friday, the new Humpday, until next Wednesday, the old Humpday, that you could take a chance on depending on how bad your pitching shituation is. I’m not completely proud of all of these guys, but their mommas are (even Momma Ohlendorf). Anyway, here’s some borderline starters for this week in fantasy baseball:
Friday, August 20th
Homer Bailey – Looked solid in his last start, but it’s risky because I don’t always believe the 2nd time’s a charm. Against the Dodgers in LA looks like a start where Bailey can hold his own. Or at least not totally screw the pooch. Or pouch, if you’re a kangaroo.
Mike Pelfrey – I don’t fully trust him every time out, but he gets the Pirates.
Anibal Sanchez – He (she?) has a 3.18 ERA in his last three starts and gets the Astros.
Saturday, August 21st
James McDonald – 20 Ks in his last 17 2/3 IP, goes against the Mets.
Jon Niese – He really should be owned in more than 50% of leagues, but he’s not so here he is.
Sunday, August 22nd
Mike Minor – I’ve talked about him enough at this point. Search the site on the top left.
Daniel Hudson – Ten Ks the last time out, 9 Ks the time before that. This is vs. the Rockies, so it’s not without its risk, but if you need Ks, I’d go for it.
Monday, August 23rd
Ross Ohlendorf – None of the starts today are very appealing. I wouldn’t pick up The Dorf unless I were really up against a wall, but as mentioned in the intro he’s been decent vs. the Cards in his career.
Tuesday, August 24th
Clayton Richard – Hodgepadre.
Travis Wood – Gets the Giants in San Fran, which is a solid enough matchup. Could be risky because I think there will be some rough waters ahead for Wood… Too bad he’s not Balsa Wood.
Wednesday, August 25th
Homer Bailey – This recommendation could change depending on his Friday start.
Jake Westbrook – Shoot me now for recommending Westbrook.
Tags: Anibal Sanchez, Clayton Richard, Daniel Hudson, fantasy baseball, Homer Bailey, Jake Westbrook, James McDonald, Jon Niese, Mike Minor, Mike Pelfrey, Ross Ohlendorf, Travis Wood
August 19th, 2010 at 11:09 am
@Grey: Desperate times…
Jeanmar Gomez or Brian Duensing, rest of season, 5×5?
Thanks
Mike D.
[Reply]
@Mike D.: Duensing
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 11:17 am
Been waiting for these posts.
Thanks!
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 11:27 am
Drop Wood for Brett Anderson? Or wait for after tonights start…?
[Reply]
@struggler: No problem.
@I’m so Prado of you: Wait until after tonight’s game, but still make the move.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 11:31 am
I feel so dirty after reading this.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 11:31 am
I’m in first place but I’m out of moves and I have Furcal at SS with the trade deadline Sunday. I’m well positioned at SP (Lester, JJ, Hanson, Bucholz, Lilly, CJ Wilson, Volquez) and homeboy is currently requesting Hanson for Castro.
How high should I be willing to go before I say forget it and just hope for Furcal? I would like to move Wilson but I suspect it may take Lilly if not Hanson.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 11:37 am
p.s. I’m negotiating with a guy that offered me Carlos Ruiz and Starlin Castro for Crawford and Lester based on their “30 day splits”
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 11:39 am
@Deeeeeez Nuts: HaHAHAHAHA. Dude’s got boulders!
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 11:40 am
In case you haven’t seen it:
http://stapledesign.com/2010/08/wu-tang-revealed/
[Reply]
@Back to Minors: I felt the same writing it.
@Deeeeeez Nuts: Non-keeper? Trade Hanson for Castro.
@royce!: Wow. How did I not hear about this?
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 11:53 am
Yeah, non-keeper. Wow, I’m floored by the recommendation – thanks.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 11:56 am
What’s your take on Hellickson? Do you think he really goes to the bullpen if he dominates in the next start? If he goes to the bullpen, would you hold onto him until after Niemann and Davis’s start?
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 11:58 am
This post is great Grey! Keep em comin. Very helpful in H2H.
[Reply]
@struggler: He’s going to the bullpen.
@kwak: Cool…
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
@Grey: I think that this trailer came out yesterday (although I found a very similar, if not identical trailer posted in 2007: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_0FnVYlBbA ). The project has been in the works for years, and for some reason there’s an imdb page for it, listing it as having been released in 2007. I’m no dedicated Wuologist, but I’m pretty sure I would have at least considered watching this if it came out in 2007.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
@royce!: All of which makes me think that I shouldn’t get my hopes up that this documentary is coming out any time soon. I mean, what ever happened to the Wu Tang theme park?
[Reply]
@royce!: I had a similar thought, this thing ain’t ever getting done.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Grey, Jonathan Johnson Gomes has got to be a sell at this point right? He’s been a Utility fixture for me all season, but I didn’t realize until today that he’s had 4 RBIs since the ASB! Drop him for Thome or Cain? HRs and SBs needed equally.
[Reply]
@Van Hammersly: Thome
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
@Grey,
Are you more comfortable throwing out Filty tonight @ Philly or Lincecum on Saturday against STL?
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
*Filthy Sanchez
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
@Grey: Slight hiccup for The Padre Method there in the 6th, but normal service hopefully resumed now.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
Oh – and Clemens indicted for perjury.
[Reply]
@Howie Met Your Mother: Linceceum
@Steve: Samuel Clemens?
[Reply]
@Steve: BTW, you get your league filled?
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
@Grey: Roger that.
@Grey: Not as yet. Must be fewer football newbies.
[Reply]
@Steve: Email turnip @ turnipofpower.com — he wants in one.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
@Grey: Yeah – saw that over at football. Will fire him one.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
@Grey: Must have been some false statements in his recently-released memoirs. That’s harsh to indict a guy 100 years after his death.
[Reply]
@Steve: Yeah, he’s an easy win. Don’t tell him I said that though.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Beltran and Capps for Nyjer too much/little?…Nyjer’s owner has zero closers and he seems to have a penchant for old names (Wells, Beltre, Ortiz, and Tejada on his team)
[Reply]
@Mark Geoffriau: I think he stated to Congress his real name was Mark Twain. His progeny is saying he had his fingers crossed. Don’t think we’ll ever know for sure.
[Reply]
@danimal35: Looks fine if you need steals.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
@Grey: Ah, Doc’s already slotted him in to one.
[Reply]
@Steve: That was fast.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
Is Thome playing everyday? Should I drop David Murphy for him?
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
Great write-up! Can’t honestly say enough about this site, Grey – keep it up!
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
@Grey: Cecil, Hudson, Delarosa, Mcdonald or Volquez for the rest of the year? Unfortunately I need to pick 2 outta these schmohawks.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
deadline-day deal just went down in our 6×6 roto keeper, curious who you thinks wins this:
Pujols/Rivera/ARam for Braun/Beckham/Hanson
also, for the rest of the year… would you take one of the young NL arms like McDonald, Hudson or Minor over any of the upsy-downsy (downsy!) guys in the AL East like Shields, Burnett and Beckett?
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
Dude, awesome post. Any chance of a similar post for streaming hitters (based solely on trends)? Something along the lines of overlooked, yet drastic splits we can pounce on. e.g. – Ryan Doumit is 27-for-79 (.342) in day games… weird stuff like that.
Thanks again! Au Bon Japan!
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
pedroia is a late scratch – sore foot.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
Does anyone know if Car-Go is good to, er, go?
[Reply]
@second: Eh
@BMcP: Thanks!
@sucklingduck: I’d go on matchups unless I had waiver wire pick up limits. Hudson, Cecil…
@Goose: Hudson over them. I’d play matchups though. Trade’s fair, I’d take Pujols, depends on needs though.
@Adam: Au Bon Japan to you! Probably not on hitters, too much movement from day to day, I do consider the Buy/Sells along those lines though.
@bsa: Ouch
@Steve: Haven’t heard.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Drop Gardener for Caca Crisp?
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
Would you start dlR tonight, or do you forsee another shell session?
[Reply]
@paddytwotimes: Eh
@ViagraFalls: I’m starting him, never safe with him though.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
Well, f*** you Hamels – and the horse you rode in on.
[Reply]
@Steve: I was waiting for that comment.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 4:22 pm
@Grey: If I’d have known he was going to do that, I would have started Erv-San too (H2H).
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Derek Lee or Aramis Ramirez?
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
uggggghhhh, all NL guys! There never seems to be any openings or movement in AL pitching to help save my AL-Only team!
[Reply]
@Steve: Yeah, I would’ve benched him if I had known.
@Bob: Lee
@Quinn: Sorry about that.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
@Grey: Let’s see where we’re at in an hour and five innings’ time (emoticon)
[Reply]
@Steve: That’s what I’m hoping.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
@Grey: Thanks…he accepted the trade of Capps and Beltran for Nyjer…and then he dropped Kendrick to make room for them…seems dumb of him
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 5:10 pm
Damn. I can’t buy a friggin break this week. Floyd, Wuertz, Hamels, Verlander. We count walks, too…
Here’s to hoping Lilly pulls a rabbit out of his hat tonight.
[Reply]
@danimal35: Yeah, not sure.
@Wilsonian: I’m with you on just about all of them.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 5:20 pm
@Wilsonian: I see your Verlander and raise you a Chacin, a Kuo, a Capps and a Heilman.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 5:23 pm
@Steve: wow. I have Capps in that group, too. But Kuo and Chacin does make it worse. This is all on one team and my Pops is seriously guilty of some child abuse this week. I keep telling him I’m not his red-headed step child.
These guys are really f-ing up good starts from Hudson, JJ and Kershaw.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 5:31 pm
@Wilsonian: Have Capps, Thornton (forgot about him!), Kuo and Wuertz on one team. Heilman, Floyd and Wuertz on another.
Not good.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 5:34 pm
@Grey: Don’t bother checking back…
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 6:08 pm
@Steve: damn! At least it wasn’t one team. I’m still hoping Hellickson, Lincecum, Scherzer, Kershaw, and Verlander can salvage my week this weekend.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
@Wilsonian: I’m up 8-2 in my H2H league, but behind in ERA to a guy that started Chen and Figueroa yesterday (Chen!) and is starting Norris, Davies and Sonnastine today.
That’s H2H for you I suppose.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
@Steve: that’s why I hate it and love it at the same time. At least I’m losing to CC, Hughes, Cain, Mo, Street, Axford and Aardsma this week.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 6:40 pm
Padilla to the DL. Bulging disc in his neck, or somesuch.
Won’t wear my pink shirt til he’s healthy again.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 6:42 pm
Filthy Sanchez!!!! Sonofa…wait I started him! And he hath rewarded my faithfulness.
[Reply]
@Steve: Ha!
@danimal35: Nice!
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
@Grey: Which would-be closer would you drop to pick up Old MacDonald for his start on Saturday – Parnell or Heilman?
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 7:30 pm
@Grey: I have to include a closer in a deal…Which one would you lose?
Aardsma
Perez
Storen
Street
Jenks
Hanrahan
I’ve got one guy sitting every day so I need to trade one. The deal is Tim Hudson and a closer for Krispie Young.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
Sonavabenched by Dirty Sanchez….@PHI wow. can’t figure this guy out
[Reply]
@Steve: Parnell
@GopherDay: Any of them? Jenks, Hanrahanananan, Aardsma, in that order.
@Buddo Chezuski: He’s a tricky one.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
@Grey: Yeah, well you wouldn’t know it by my closers now but I actually drafted Mariano and Soriano. I got good value for them to say the least, but it kind of left me with the worst closing staff ever. But with a great offense and lethal pitching staff I can live with it.
[Reply]
@GopherDay: You’re a disciple of SAGNOF, it’s understandable.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 7:54 pm
Hah. Take that, Davies.
@Grey: H2H strategy question. We count Holds. The only relievers I have are Wagner, Heilman, Madson and Parnell (forget for a moment I’m losing him for McDonald.
Love me some SAGNOF as you know, but am I better to pretty much forget about Saves (taking what I can get from Wags of course) and using the spots currently occupied by Heilman and Parnell to grab some proper MRs (for Holds) or spot starters as circumstances dictate?
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 8:06 pm
@Grey et al: Should I trade my Haren for his Latos in a 12 team H2H dynasty league? Thanks!
[Reply]
@Steve: Well, technically you have two holds guys and two closers. Though Heilman’s obviously wonky. I’d lose Parnell for spot starters and rotate in MRs for Holds.
@Bill Lumbergh: Yup
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 8:28 pm
@Grey: To a fault, I am. I always shop my closers around, but in a league where I auto-drafted (couldn’t make the draft but I’m in first in that league) I drafted Fuentes. I couldn’t pay people in my league to take that guy!! Like I picked up some dud of waivers thats closing for a couple of weeks and people would want that guy more than Fuentes.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 8:30 pm
I was about to rant about the Indians putting Chris Perez in the 8th inning, but Yahoo messed up. They put in R Perez, not C Perez in. Hehe
[Reply]
@GopherDay: Hehe
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 8:33 pm
Lyon with a clean save tonight. I could use a couple saves in the near future, pick him up for Hellickson after I get him in for his start tomorrow?
[Reply]
@Wilsonian: I would.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
@Grey: OK – I think I know what I’m asking now (emoticon).
Heilman’s crap and hardly gets any saves. Not a great combination.
Will I get more mileage from that spot by dumping him and grabbing decent MRs (or whoever) instead?
I’m facing losing Saves each week, obviously, but losing K-Rod made that a likelihood anyway. On the flip side, I’d be in with a much better chance of winning Holds, which I’ve pretty much ignored up until now.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
If you could trade for one ‘affordable’ pitcher for the fantasy playoffs who would it be?
in other words, if you could get one guy relatively cheap for the stretch run…what list of five starting pitchers would you go after
what is affordable and relatively cheap?…I guess we all have our own version of that but in my head it is a current 2nd to 3rdish tier starter that maybe had some trouble early in the year but has the ability to put up some good games or perform like a #1 over the last few weeks
in my head guys like Nolasco or Wandy…but I have both of them and they have kinda already turned it around so I was looking for somebody else
would make an interesting “buy” article supplement as trade deadlines are rapidly approaching…just a thought
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
Just when Brantley was starting to play well, he goes down too. Fantastic.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
This should be one of my last trade questions because my trade deadline is in 12 hours.
Would you trade Derrek Lee and Axford for Konerko? I’m leaning towards no because Konerko may not give me much more than Derrek Lee while saves are quite tight in my league.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 9:10 pm
@Tom Emanski: What happened?
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
Ass-Cab or Desmond, rest of the way?
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
@Wilsonian:
@Grey:
this is the 4th year in a row that i’ve drafted and kept lyon ,
and believe me , i’ve been waiting for this opportunity for some time now …
(not that i wished lindstrom any ill will) <=== ok , that's a lie .
anywho , i would be remiss if i didn't point out that he's made 8 appearances
in the last 11 days !!
[Reply]
@Steve: Sure, go with an MR.
@danimal35: I’m not sure what you’re asking. Sounds vague to me.
@Frank Kim: I wouldn’t.
@Black Beard: Asdrubal
@big o: Surprising you’ve held him for this long, but it paid off tonight.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 10:09 pm
@whoever said they had the worst closers ever try…. Dotel, Qualls, Rauch
I get the bad save medal.
Anyway trade deadline move I give Jamie Garcia and Duensing for Cole Hamels and Bard
16 Team Keeper and I don’t have any more keeper slots unless I buy out a contract
Thoughts other than pitch limit for Garcia?
[Reply]
@Lance: Looks good for you if you’re willing to lose Garcia in a keeper.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
Not ideal but owning Lincecum as a keeper is about to make me swear off pitcher keepers
I have thought about buying out Hill and keeping Prado…. thoughts?
[Reply]
@Lance: Neither are terrific keepers. I’d lean towards Hill, but not as a keeper.
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 10:39 pm
I drafted Ted Lilly the very first year I played fantasy in 2003. Picked him up off waivers in keeper this year.
Much more enjoyable this time round…
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 10:44 pm
@Grey:
it doesn’t seem so long ago that we were discussing how lyon was the ‘stros win leader , with 6 .
but , i suppose you’re right …
tempus fugit .
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 10:48 pm
@Grey: Thanks. Sorry for the convolutions (word of the day?). Dumped Heilman, picked up Crain. Can always get him back again (The Hoff has stayed on the wire since I dropped him) if I’m SAGNOF-ing.
@big o: Never count a Lyon out…
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
It sucks when you expect Kemp to go 0-4 every night and he doesn’t fail to disappointment.
[Reply]
@Steve: Nice
@big o: Ha
@Steve: Gotcha
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 10:56 pm
@Steve:
the year he spent in detroit was like purgatory .
let that be a lesson to us , all .
though i hardly recommend it .
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 11:21 pm
@big o: He’s not the only Lyon who’s spent a lilttle time in Detroit.
I didn’t find it so bad. Was only a couple days and I wasn’t quite hanging on the street, though…
[Reply]
August 19th, 2010 at 11:28 pm
Please rank the top 2 of these 3rd baseman: Beckham, C. Johnson, Infante, Aramis Ramirez, and Alvarez..
Do you think Aramis is finally healthy again?
[Reply]
August 20th, 2010 at 12:09 am
where can i go to sort through MLB batting splits to see who has the highest Sept. batting averages and slugging, etc. etc.?
[Reply]
August 20th, 2010 at 6:05 am
@Grey: Thanks again!
[Reply]
August 20th, 2010 at 6:06 am
@Gambler: That’s tough. If I had to pick I’d go w/ Aramis and Alvarez.
[Reply]
August 20th, 2010 at 11:54 am
In one league, I know you think Raburn’s a buy and Figgins is a sell, but would you really drop Figgins for Raburn in a league where you need everything.
In another league, long story short, I’ve got Mourneau on the DL. So I’ve been going with Robot at 1B and Cuddyer at 3B. Is it worth trading for Aramis, sacrificing Hanrahan, and possibly costing myself two points with my main competitor for saves in that league, to try to make up a few more in HR’s where the points are bunched. And who gets benched if I make that move. Appreciate your help.
[Reply]