Borderline Fantasy Starters, Week 21-22
August 26, 2010
Category: fantasy baseball strategy
Last week our borderline fantasy starters, I came away with an 3.95 ERA. Not too shabby considering two of those earned runs came from Ross Ohlendorf, who I warned you to only start in extreme circumstances, and Travis Wood got absolutely rocked for 7 earned runs. Without those two, the ERA was 2.90 in 62.1 IP. There were also 62 Ks with 6 Wins. To recap, these aren’t guys I’d drop anyone worthwhile to get, these starters are meant for streaming purposes and all of their ownership in ESPN is under 50%. These streamers are listed alphabetically. Anyway, here’s some borderline starters for this week in fantasy baseball:
Friday, August 27th
Barry Enright – Hey, ya’ll! It’s Uncle Barry Enright. Hey, Uncle Barry, good luck in your game vs. the Giants, and please stop touching me there.
Nelson Figueroa – I went to school with a Nelson Figueroa. He was a midget. Don’t think it’s the same guy. Not a great kickoff to the streaming post, but Figueroa has a 2.25 ERA with 15 Ks in his last 16 IP.
Saturday, August 28th
Nick Blackburn – He’s dazzlingly bad, but he gets the Mariners who are slightly worse. In most leagues, because of his lack of Ks, it’s thans, but no thans.
Joe Blanton – Is in Petco. Yes, that’s all you need to know.
Jon Garland – See 1/8th of an inch above.
Daniel Hudson – I’m guessing at some point his ownership will move up to normal levels, but, for now, here ya go.
Sunday, August 29th
R.A. Dickey – Was a bit surprised to see him owned in so few leagues. I don’t trust knuckleballers, but he gets the Astros in his next start.
Jason Hammel – Has a 3.36 ERA at home this year and gets a team (Dodgers) that he’s owned in his career. Hopefully he can settle that with Jamie and Frank McCourt.
Bud Norris – Goes to Metco. You’re not going to get Wins, but you will get Ks.
Clayton Richard – Hodgepadre.
Monday, August 30th
Jorge de la Rosa – Solid vs. the Giants and they’re in AT&T Park (is that still the name of it?).
Jake Westbrook – Last week I said something along the lines of, feel free to ignore this recommendation. And that’s me paraphrasing me!
Carlos Zambrano – If I come out of this day without recommending a real clunker, I’d be surprised. FWIW, Big Z gets the Pirates.
Tuesday, August 31st
Brian Duensing – Has like twenty quality starts in a row! (The preceding was a small exaggeration, but Duensing has been good outside of his last game in Arlington, which you can’t blame on him.)
Mike Minor – Back in the rotation to go against the Mets.
Wednesday, September 1st
Tom Gorzelanny – Goes against the Pirates, who are marginally better vs. lefties, but, in the end, they are still the Pirates. Argh.
Jason Vargas – Who says I don’t like AL pitchers? (As streaming options, I really don’t like them. Vargas is only listed because I hadn’t recommended many AL starters and felt bad. Don’t start Vargas in mixed leagues. I almost recommended TBA on the Angels over Vargas.)
Tags: Barry Enright, Brian Duensing, Bud Norris, Carlos Zambrano, Clayton Richard, Daniel Hudson, fantasy baseball, Jake Westbrook, Jason Hammel, Jason Vargas, Joe Blanton, Jon Garland, Mike Minor, Nelson Figueroa, Nick Blackburn, R.A. Dickey, Tom Gorzelanny
August 26th, 2010 at 11:08 am
@ Grey…is it gonna be hot next Monday?
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@danimal35: Five day forecast says yes.
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August 26th, 2010 at 11:13 am
Chacin or zimmermann?
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@KCC26: Chacin
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August 26th, 2010 at 11:22 am
@Grey: oh well…can’t start anybody against the giants during a heatwave
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August 26th, 2010 at 11:27 am
if you were short on SP depth and had Takahashi as your 5th closer…would you drop him for Chacin?
12 Team H2H
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August 26th, 2010 at 11:28 am
@danimal35: Fortunately for pitching against S.F., heat waves last about 10 minutes in S.F. Cold and foggy and about 50 degrees right now. Unfortunate for someone like me who is stuck living here.
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@danimal35: If you don’t need saves, sure.
@Bob: The coldest winter I ever…
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August 26th, 2010 at 11:35 am
I probably need to pick-up a 2nd baseman with Phillips missing time. Drop Duensing or Bumgarner?
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August 26th, 2010 at 11:39 am
Looks like the reward for fantasy owners for having Lester pushed back to face the Rays is a two start week next week starting with the Os!
Great news considering my H2H playoffs start next week.
P.S: He unfortunately gets the Rays against a second time next week, but what can you do.
@Grey:
I have a general decision making/strategy question for you.
I’m always stumped when I see a pitcher has done terrible against a team in a series of about 10 starts throughout his career. The current year, however, is a breakout year where he’s phenomenal. That being said, do you start him vs said team who he has done terrible against in his career, despite his breakout campaign? How about for hitters? Do you start a good player against that breakout pitcher instead of another player against a mediocre pitcher?
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@HoleyPujols..: Bumgarner
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@Eddy: Start pitchers or hitters that are currently performing well.
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August 26th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Start Liriano in Texas tonight?
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August 26th, 2010 at 12:41 pm
@Grey: ya my GF went to college there and I have been several times but the last time I went it was super hot and humid for 3 days
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@danimal35: Where? SAGNOF U?
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@Wah: Nope
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August 26th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
Just to be sure, are you factoring the whole 5-inning limit thing in your valuation of Zimmermann? I remember WAS said that they were going to limit his innings when he first came off the DL, but I was kind of hoping that they would have forgotten about that and just let him pitch up to a pitch count limit or something. Apparently they have not forgotten.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/25/AR2010082506145.html
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@royce!: Yeah, he’s a risky play, will probably give people 5 IP, 2 ER-type no decisions.
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August 26th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
sitting here watching torre “use” his bullpen .
belisario DID strike-out braun
and sherrill got fielder to ground-out to end the bases loaded threat ,
but , it’s the 5th inning for chrizz-sake !
so , am thinking it must be the medicinal pot ,
that all of you californians are doing ,
and wondering exactly how strong it must be .
keep hearing that the shizz is a lot stronger , these days ,
but , the panamanian red (of the ole timey days)
would have rendered him unable to lift his azz off the bench .
maybe he should change his prescription .
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August 26th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Didn’t see Morrow listed for Sat. against DET. To risky to acquire?
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August 26th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
@Lob Ball: Or too good to be borderline.
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August 26th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
So I am down to my last move in a league in which I am in first place. I assumed I would just wait to see if Nolasco can pitch, then pick up a new pitcher.
Then Brandon Phillips gets hit in the hand.
Then Nyger Morgan gets suspended 7 games for throwing a ball into the stands with extreme prejudice.
I guess I need to more economical with my moves next year.
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August 26th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
@Grey: I’m cool with that. Given the Nats offense, I don’t think him pitching 6 innings would increase his chances of a win that often. Though I do hope that they’ll not pull him before he pitches 5 innings, assuming he’s doing well. I think his value is really dependent on if he can post a K/9 as good as he did last year. He only K’d 6.35 per 9 in 4 AAA starts this year. If he keeps that up and only pitches 5 innings per start, I’m sure there are better options out there.
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August 26th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
@DonSlaughtOnslaught: Seems like you should have your answer by tomorrow– if Nolasco does okay at fielding drills, then he should get the start. Otherwise, I would assume he’s done.
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/08/26/1792538/nolasco-feels-good-after-throwing.html
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August 26th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
@DonSlaughtOnslaught:
if it’s a h2h league ,
you’re going to wish that you had saved 6 or 7 moves for the play-offs ,
even if you do get a 1st round bye .
good luck .
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August 26th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
So what’s up with Gallardo turning into Dan Haren now? It seems all he’s done over the past month is give up at least 4 ER per game with a ton of Ks.
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@big o: It’s legal now, dontcha know, O?
@Lob Ball: I assumed he was owned in more than 50% of leagues. He’s a go.
@DonSlaughtOnslaught: Yeah, Nolasco’s coming back.
@royce!: Yup, probably.
@Eddy: Just a phase.
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August 26th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
@Grey: Anything sinister in Ethier leaving the game?
Or did he just have to make room for the passing parade of relievers?
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@Steve: He got thrown out. Arguing balls and strikes. He was right, if it’s any consolation.
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August 26th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
@Grey: You know, that almost makes up for Braun AND Fielder leaving the bases loaded (emoticon).
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August 26th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
anywhere to check record for highest percentage of solo hrs/total hrs in a year? gotta think prince has a shot to breaking it…
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@Steve: Hehe
@herschel: Baseball-reference would be my guess. Yeah, he’s probably up there. Dunn had a few homers where he hit 3/4 of his homers as solo shots.
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August 26th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
@Grey: Sitting J-Zimm in a roto league and starting him in H2H (where, thanks to Erv-San, the stream is on).
Sound about right?
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August 26th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
Howdy Grey, thanks in advance for the assistance.
5X5 non-keeper roto.
I’ve got Broxton, Axford, Hanrahan and Lyon. Lyon’s been good, but saves in general have been hard to come by. Drop any of the proceeding for any of the following? Uehara, Hoffman, League, Dotel, M. González, Simon.
Meanwhile, Berkman’s soon to come off the DL but Loney’s on the wire, as is Uribe, Branyan, Kila, Fowler, Maybin, Thames, Kearns.
Keep Berkman/pick up any of the preceeding and drop any of the following? K. Johnson, J Hairston, Granderson, Jay, Denorfia, Vladdy, Dunn.
Thanks!
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@Steve: Sounds right.
@Casey Blake’s Beard: No problem. Lose Hanrahan for Uehara… Fowler and Maybin give you steals, if you need them, then you should own them. Otherwise, I’d lose Berkman for Uribe while he’s hot.
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August 26th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
Grey: To make room for Nelson Cruz, I need to drop either Markakis, Fowler or Zobrist following the weekend slate. Any thoughts?
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@Pops: Markakis
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August 26th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Grey just curious where you’re from who is your team? Never knew.
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@fitz: Jersey, grew up a Yankee fan.
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August 26th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
Ian Desmond is hitting 5th tonight. More value there?
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@DonSlaughtOnslaught: Just switching Runs for RBIs, right?
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August 26th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
I see your point. I definitely need the latter more in the league I have him.
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August 26th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Who is this Stephen Drew guy?
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August 26th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
I rode the Napoli roller-coaster for a while but lost heart breakers the last few weeks so I dropped him Tuesday night for Molina who was streakin with the plan to stream from here on out.
So what happens…Molina gets benched and Na-you-poor-schmuck-oli plays and goes off. What do you call that (besides idiotic)…..it’s not a SONOVABENCH because I dropped him!!!!
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August 26th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
WTF just happened to Reyes?
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August 26th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Oh J-Zimm.
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August 26th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
@Steve: K’d a batter an inning I suppose…
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@Steve: Ugh, I step out for twenty minutes to buy pudding and Reyes hurts himself?
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August 26th, 2010 at 5:22 pm
@Grey: It seems so.
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@Steve: That might be the most expensive pudding ever.
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August 26th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
@Grey: @Steve:
Any Reyes updates?
And to cover for any possible days out, red-hot Johnny Peralta or Miguel Tejada?
No specific needs.
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August 26th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
Reyes and his balky oblique. Wonderful. Guess I’m going to need a replacement…
Anyone know what happened to Felipe Lopez? He was pulled in the 4th and people who Tweet are basically useless…
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@Socal Dawg: Still looking for one:
http://razzball.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=12244&st=0&sk=t&sd=a
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@Eddy: Peralta
@struggler: Bah!
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@struggler: Oh, and no idea with Lopez.
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August 26th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
NEW YORK — Mets shortstop Jose Reyes left Thursday’s game against the Marlins in the second inning after aggravating a previous strain of his right oblique.
After singling with one out in the second, Reyes gave way to pinch-runner Ruben Tejada, with the Mets leading, 2-0. Reyes was in no apparent pain, and remained in the dugout immediately after his removal.
Reyes is batting .287 with eight home runs and 28 stolen bases in 112 games. He missed the start of the season with a thyroid imbalance and six games around midseason with a right oblique strain, after sitting out the final four months of last season with a right hamstring tear.
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August 26th, 2010 at 5:31 pm
Bunch of mid-westerners complaining about Felipe’s defense. Prob. why he got pulled. May have to go with Jhonny. At least I wont have to own Figgins anymore.
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@Eddy: Blah!
@struggler: Yeah, you shouldn’t go with Lopez anyway.
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August 26th, 2010 at 5:57 pm
@Grey Looks like Reyes is ‘obliqued’ again!
Theriot, Peralta, Betancourt or Bartlett?
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August 26th, 2010 at 6:09 pm
The Stanton I rostered was the one that donged 4 in 3 days, not the one who is effing ZERO for his last THIRTY! I don’t care how many he hits from here on out, he is dead to me next year. Looks like he will be chearper than cheep…
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August 26th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
@Grey: What did you get?
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@Howard: Peralta or Bartlett for steals.
@simply fred: Yup
@Steve: Banana.
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August 26th, 2010 at 6:26 pm
@Steve I think Grey got some Reyes pudding!
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August 26th, 2010 at 6:31 pm
Go figure, Niese get’s roofed at Metco and Liriano is pitching a shutout in Arlington. The only thing predictable about this game is it’s unpredictability!
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August 26th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
Not quite sue what I was expecting, but hoped for somethig better out of Arrieta and J-Zimm.
Blech.
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August 26th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
@Steve: Not to mention Storen.
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August 26th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
@Steve: After the way my week of streaming has been going I don’t know what I was expecting out of EJax, but I like it so far.
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August 26th, 2010 at 6:58 pm
@Steve: it might take awhile to get these sheets clean after Storen’s bed shitting…
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August 26th, 2010 at 6:58 pm
@BSA: Note to self – shut up about your team until after they are done performing. Roberts!
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@Howard: Ha
@Howard: Yeah, frustrating.
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August 26th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
@BSA: I’m against EJax in the H2H league where I started J-Zimm and Arrieta so I’m unable to share your excitement.
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August 26th, 2010 at 7:01 pm
@Steve: OUCH. Sometimes I miss H2H. Let me know next year if you have a H2H opening and I’ll jump in to get some diversity in my fantasy baseball.
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August 26th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
Inconceivable! Pedroia’s conversation with Jordan didn’t heal his foot!
Pedrioa likely out for the year: http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2010/08/pedroia_probabl.html
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August 26th, 2010 at 7:10 pm
@Grey: As you’ve possibly figured out, things ain’t going so well in the ol’ H2H. It’s quantity not quality that matters in pitching this week. Thus:
Bergesen @ LAA
Tomlin v KC
Bullington @ Cle
Volstad @ Atl
Olsen v StL
None is the correct answer of course, but if you’re picing one?
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August 26th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
@royce!: Too much toe jam, I heard Michael wouldn’t touch it. Though I did hear that Michael was trying to get his Hanes on Pedroia, but was told no thanks.
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August 26th, 2010 at 7:17 pm
@Steve: I’m gonna butt in and pick Tomlin. But I think you should start Bullington too so they can fight for the title King of Mediocrity.
What about Figueroa, is he already owned? Apparently he’s still good (http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/nelson-figueroa-is-still-good/ ). I had no idea he ever was good.
@BSA: I’m sure Pedroia was flattered.
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August 26th, 2010 at 7:18 pm
@royce!: I have Nel-Fig already!
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August 26th, 2010 at 7:21 pm
@Steve: Wow, man. Quantity over quality indeed.
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@royce!: Yeah, surprising.
@Steve: Volstad…
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August 26th, 2010 at 7:24 pm
@royce!: Week didn’t start that way, but a combo of my Erv-San, Hudson and Madson and his Morrow and Big Z forced a “realignment of strategic priorities”
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August 26th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Well, that should do it for EJax. Two of three last outs, strike three looking.
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August 26th, 2010 at 8:00 pm
Oh Drew Storen…WHY?????
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@GopherDay: He hates us.
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August 26th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
@Grey: It’s reciprocated.
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August 26th, 2010 at 8:38 pm
@Grey: I know…But I love him!! Chris Perez at least makes me happy…
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@GopherDay: Is it the mullet?
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August 26th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
Here’s my pitching staff in my 16 Leaguer where I’m fighting to maintain 2nd place:
Cain, Lester, Bills, Haren, ErvSan, Latos, Pelfrey, Axford, Capps, Storen, Hanrahan
Here are the available guys: League, Minor, Zimmerman, Hunter, Figuerora, Sanabia, Blanton
Unfortunately, Chacin was just picked up, or he would be the obvious choice here. But is it time to get rid of Storen and Hanrahan? These guys are just sucking and blowing my stats every week. It seems fitting that I should pick up Minor and League, because these two guys belong in the Minor Leagues, but would you make any changes there? We do have the usual pitching stats w/ Ks/9 as well.
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August 26th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
@Grey: Whenever Perez gets a save, I just kind of look at it and drool. Not because of the four strikeouts, but that is one sexy mullet!
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@Wilsonian: Lose Hanrahan for Blanton.
@GopherDay: Hehe
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August 26th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
Move over Mexico, Daniel Hudson for Miss Universe! I’m not even sure that’s funny, and I’m positive it’s not clever, but I don’t care because seeing him in a sash declaring him sexy is good enough for me.
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August 26th, 2010 at 9:52 pm
@tall chicks: Wait, I got it! It IS clever. Arizona is Mexico’s biggest rival! Ok, it’s almost clever.
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August 26th, 2010 at 9:55 pm
@GopherDay:
Ummm…
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@tall chicks: Ha
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August 26th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
@Steve:
buoyed by my recent acquisition of madson (dropping simon) ,
am turning the tables on the permeating attitude of collective negativity :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C570byQCLpI
let’s turn this site around , people !
together , we can !!
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August 26th, 2010 at 10:58 pm
and if this doesn’t work ,
was wondering if you could send over
a couple of fresh shrunken heads .
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August 27th, 2010 at 12:36 am
@big o: I’ve dropped Madson so you should be good to go with him.
The shrunken heads are a fair way in the past now…
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