I begin with this:
The scene above is from Wednesday’s Mariners v. Astros game, and I realize that the clip has made its rounds by now. Still, I’m compelled to bring it up because it is truly wonderful. From the leaning grab, to the triumphant hoist and subsequent chug, this man wins the week. It always seems like the most brilliant moments happen at crappy games in empty stadiums, and this is no exception. What a hero.
Oh yeah, two-starters… Week three’s look-ahead is below. As always, probable pitchers are subject to change. For a look at all fantasy baseball streamers, click that link.
MUST START
Cliff Lee (@CIN, STL); Matt Moore (@BAL, OAK); Kris Medlen (KC, @PIT); Jordan Zimmerman (@MIA, @NYM)
- Start these dudes.
FIRST TIER
Barry Zito (@MLW, SD); Ryan Dempster (TB, KC); Lance Lynn (@PIT, @PHI); Tommy Milone (HOU, @TB); Derek Holland (@CHC, SEA); James McDonald (STL, ATL); Jake Westbrook (@PIT, @PHI); Josh Johnson (CWS, NYY); Homer Bailey (PHI, MIA)
- Zito (53% owned in Y! leagues), Milone (48%), McDonald (32%) and Westbrook (8%) are widely available and all four should be started in weekly formats. Zito, in particular, hasn’t cooled off since last fall, and I fully endorse riding out his hot streak. I actually endorse riding out ALL hot streaks this early in the season, so hop on board with Westbrook too. The others in this group can be started comfortably.
SECOND TIER
Jeremy Hellickson (@BOS, OAK); Mark Buehrle (CWS, NYY); Chad Billingsley (SD, @BAL); Felix Doubront (@CLE, KC); Wily Peralta (SF, CHC); Erik Bedard (@OAK, CLE); Wade LeBlanc (WAS, @CIN); Joe Blanton (@MIN, DET); Juan Nicasio (NYM, ARZ); Eric Stults (@LAD, @SF); Jake Arrieta (TB, LAD); Dylan Axelrod (@TOR, MIN); Kyle Kendrick (@CIN, STL); Rick Porcello (@SEA, @LAA); Travis Wood (TEX, @MLW); Jeremy Guthrie (@ATL, @BOS); Ivan Nova (ARI, @TOR)
- Pitchers in this second tier are available, for the most part. In weekly points leagues, this group should dipped into frequently — if you’re looking for counting stats, you can do a lot worse than these guys. If you’re trying to avoid blowing up your ratios, however, use caution here. I don’t see a huge variance in terms of upside among the guys in this group, so default to matchups if you’re choosing between a few. Doubront, Peralta, Bedard, Stults, Arrieta and Porcello all have favorable schedules in the week ahead.
THIRD TIER
Ubaldo Jimenez (BOS, @HOU); Gavin Floyd (@TOR, MIN); Mike Pelfrey (LAA, @CWS); Dillon Gee (@COL, WAS); Jeff Francis (NYM, ARZ); Jeremy Hefner (@COL, WAS); Alex Sanabia (WAS, @CIN); Aaron Harang (DET, @TEX)
- If the above tiers are completely picked over, and your league is extremely deep, and you’re really friggin desperate, perhaps you could look here for help. There’s a bit of upside in tier three as Ubaldo gets a start against the Astros, and both Francis and Sanabia come off of strong outings. And it’s not crazy to be a little optimistic about Harang’s debut in the M’s rotation, either.
DON’T START
Jonathan Sanchez (STL, ATL); Brandon McCarthy (@NYY, @COL)
- Don’t start these dudes.
