Excellers is now a word because you added it to your dictionaries. 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, except in CC’s case unless you have a medical scale. Anyway, here’s some 2nd half fantasy baseball pitchers for 2011:
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. In 2009, Chubb rock’d a 2.74 ERA, the 9th best in the majors. Though last year his ERA went up a smidge in the 2nd half to 3.29. Though, Part II: The Return of Though, that was better than his 3.52 career ERA. Though, Part III: Though Lives, all those innings on his arm could catch up to him. Though, Part IV: Though Part Three Confused Me, the innings have shown no sign of catching up to him, why would they suddenly? Though, Part V: Why Do They Keep Making Thoughs?
Roy Oswalt – Except for 2009, he’s had great 2nd halfs… Yet, I worry about his injury this year. And that yet needs a crane to get out of bed.
Wandy Rodriguez – Since 2008, his post-All-Star break ERA is 3.80. 2nd half ERA is 2.86. Though he wasn’t good at all going into the All-Star break. Damn, those thoughs (stutterer!).
Clay Buchholz – Had a 2.20 ERA in the 2nd half last year. Though (again!) with his injury, I’d proceed cautiously. You, not him.
Bronson Arroyo – I’d prefer to listen to him cover Sarah McLachlan at the latest incarnation of Lilith Fair than own him in the 1st half of a season, but every year Guitar Arroyo is better in the 2nd half. Over the last three years, his ERA is almost 2 runs lower (5.08 to 3.09).
Scott Baker – Man (or two lady readers), is everyone that is usually good in the 2nd half coming off of injury currently injured? It’s kinda rhetorical, so, ya know, no need to answer. I wouldn’t rush out and trade for Baker, but he is only supposed to miss one more start.
Carlos Zambrano – I hate when I do these posts and it doesn’t work out the way I envision it. Big Z was great last year (1.58 ERA), but he’s all over the place from minute-to-minute, let alone year-to-year. He wasn’t good in his last start and, if he showed at Wrigley wearing a Gatorade cooler as a barrel dress and Michael Barrett’s head on the end of a tiki torch, it would surprise no one.
