The Strasburg watch has gone into DEFCON 3. Every expert who calls themselves one, knows the date he is coming up and who he will face and how he will throw exactly 85 pitches with 75 of them being fastballs. Enough already, all this speculation is annoying. He is owned in almost 85% of those leagues(with the exception of leagues where you can’t use minor leaguers). When he comes up if you don’t own him then you’re the fat kid with the short stick. Do I think he will be good? Yeah, I have seen him traded twice in the last week in my vast array of leagues. One for Shawn Marcum, Adam Jones and a pick, and the other was for Cliff Lee and a draft pick. I’m no judge but he has great value right now. As I basically only own him in one league. So with the Stras watch 2010 behind us, now let’s move onto week 9 two start fellas for fantasy baseball. It offers a busy week of usual suspects at the top of their fantasy games right now. Personally, I am looking forward to a couple of great pitching matchups this week; Timmy vs. Ubaldo on Monday, Tillman vs. Bucholz on Thursday. So, here’s the list of guys I think will not only be available in most leagues but go twice to boot.
Hisanori Takahashi – (@ SD vs. Corriea) (Fla vs. Nolasco)
As I have said previously, if I have any loyal listeners, Takahashi gets by with more deception than stuff. Will get figured out eventually. Any start at Petco is a good start. Mets are in the midst of their best pitching stretch of the year. Great K-rate should continue.
Jason Vargas – (Min vs. Blackburn) (Ana vs. Pineiro)
Been pretty steady considering the Mariners don’t score runs. Has pitched well enough to win last 3 starts. Not much in the K department. 2 home cooked starts are a plus. Will get battered by the Twins and then settle down for a win later in the week.
Brandon Morrow – (TB vs. Garza) (NYY vs. Vasquez)
Awesome K-rate makes him so appealing. Pitches twice as good at home where his ERA is in the 4’s, and gets 2 starts there albeit against teams that are good at abusing pitchers. Only pitcher in baseball in the top five in BB’s and K’s, there is no award for that.
Kevin Correia – ( NYM vs. Takahashi) (@Phi vs. Blanton)
Gets a home start. That is all you need. Has been marginal to crappy last 5 starts. Still will get you 5 K’s per outing, if he can keep it on the ground vs. Phils could have himself a sub 3 ERA for the week with 2 wins.
Trevor Cahill – (@ Det vs. Verlander) (Min vs. Liriano)
Has had a few more starts than last time I wrote about him and, well, lookie here… He is hitting his stride. Opponents hitting .221 against him. Great time to get in on him when others may be sleeping.
Mitch Talbot – ( @NYY vs. Pettitte) ( @CHW vs. Peavy)
Has a rabbit’s foot, 3 buffalo nickels and a signed picture of Abe Vigoda in his pocket for luck. Has 40% of Cleveland’s wins. How you ask? Only Scott Baio knows.
Luke Hochevar – (Ana vs. Santana) (Det vs. Verlander)
Can’t be a week if I don’t talk about a KC pitcher. Umm words are elusive right now. Coming off 2 great starts plus they have a waterfall in their stadium, a waterfall!
Jeremy Bonderman – (Cle vs. Westbrook) ( @KC vs. Bannister)
Starting to look like a ten million dollar pitcher. Has allowed only 4 ER in May. Gets about 6 K’s per outing and his team scores runs for him. Best 2 start matchup guy for the week and the low end pick up o’ the week.
Brett Myers – (Was vs. Stammen) (CHC vs. Gorzellany)
Still doin’ work. Walks entirely too many for my liking. Gets two decent matchups for a team going nowhere but the trade pool. Sneaky guy for 12K’s and a win this week.
John Ely – ( Ari vs. Haren) (Atl vs. Hudson)
How could I not write about a Grey fav. K/BB rate is phenomenal. Gets 2 starters that are scuffling as of late. Any 2 start guy who has his numbers is a no brainer, stay on the bus and enjoy the ride.
