The other day I went over some 2nd half hitters. Today, it’s time for everyone’s favorite 2nd half fantasy baseball pitchers. Or maybe these won’t be your favorite pitchers. These are decisions you have to make on your own. I can walk you to the fantasy baseball water, I cannot drink it for you. Similarly to hitters, players get in grooves or slumps. So if a pitcher has been terrible for the last month, but showed flashes in the 2nd half of last year, he’s worth considering, but he’s not suddenly going to be great, i.e., recent history should be weighed. Anyway, here’s some 2nd half fantasy baseball pitchers for 2010:
CC Sabathia – 1.56 ERA in 2008’s 2nd half to lead the league for pitchers over 60 innings. He was ranked 7th for 2nd half ERA in 2007 with a 2.76. Last year, Chubb rock’d a 2.74 ERA, the 9th best in the majors. Though his K-rate is down. Though, Part II: The Return of Though, he does have a 3.61 career ERA. Though, Part III: Though Lives, he is usually better in the 2nd half. Though, Part IV: Though Part Three Confused Me. Though, Part V: Why Do They Keep Making Thoughs?
Jorge de la Rosa – In 2008, dlR’s 1st half was 7.26 ERA vs. a 2nd half 3.08 ERA. Last year, he had a 3.46 ERA in the P.S. to the All-Star break.
Ubaldo Jimenez – Hasn’t been great recently… Neverthehoo! For the last three years, he’s been better in the 2nd half. And that’s me combing over Ubaldo!
Roy Oswalt – Didn’t have a good post-All-Star break last year, but in his last three years prior, he shaves nearly a full run off his ERA in the 2nd half and that’s including last year’s bleh one.
Scott Kazmir – Second best ERA in the 2nd half in 2007. I know what you’re thinking. I had the 2nd best list of fantasy baseball pitchers for the 2nd half until I put Kazmir on the list. Fair enough. He skipped 2008 with injuries. Then he was better in the 2nd half last year too.
Scott Baker – Sticking with the Scott theme, Baker had a 2nd half 3.28 ERA vs. 5.42 in the 1st half. In the last three years, a 2nd half ERA of 3.38 vs. 4.80 in the 1st half.
Bronson Arroyo – I’ve been covering his 1st and 2nd half splits too much now. People are going to start to think I really like him. He still doesn’t strikeout anyone. His 2nd half ERA over the last three years is more than 2 runs lower. Okay, that’s enough!
Ricky Nolasco – In the 2nd half of ’08, he struckout ninety-eight hitters and only issued 12 walks… 105 Ks to 23 walks in 2009… That RN is just what the doctor ordered.
