Sometimes I day dream that after nine innings of waving my “K” sign in the air and chanting “K” in the King’s Court, that Felix and I would hit the closest watering hole to crush some cervezas and throw back tequila shots until the sun comes up. Then we’d try and figure out where the donkey came from and how we ended up in Tijuana with Ron Washington and Yovani Gallardo. Once we had that all settled, I’d check my fantasy team and count all the points Felix scored for my team.
Last week I promised more pitching, and if I’m anything, I’m a man of my word. I’m not sure which word, but I’m sure I’ll manage. You want pitchers, I give you pitchers.
The best pitcher in points leagues right now is Clayton Kershaw. Just kidding! He’s still a top pitcher, but after six starts he is starting (pun intended) to leave his spoiled owners wanting more. Despite leading all pitchers with 51 strikeouts, his 102 total points has him ranked 20th and his 17 points per start (PPS) ranks 34th. He is still the pitcher I want to have from this point on, but if I can’t have him, Felix Hernandez will do just fine.
With 167 points and 27.83 PPS, King Felix is the top pitcher in points leagues. Perhaps he’s still mad about losing the Cy Young Award to Corey Kluber and is on a mission to say “screw you” to the voters. Speaking of Kluber, his pitiful 9.17 PPS has him sandwiched between Tom Koehler and Dillon Gee. Doesn’t Koehler make toilets? I love that the inventor of the toiler is a man name Thomas Crapper. And speaking of toilets, for those of you that don’t use a Squatty Potty, do yourself a favor and invest. Best thing I’ve added to my routine since I switched to flushable wipes. Which by the way are not very flushable if you have septic!
Next we have Matt Harvey. I really wish I didn’t doubt him as much as I did coming into drafts and owned him somewhere. In five starts (one less than Felix), he has 127 points (25.4 PPS) and looks as if he is going to remain near the top of the list of starting pitchers.
Dallas who? Keuchel? Seriously? That sounds like something that’s served in a kosher home on Passover. Dallas has six quality starts in six attempts for a total of 147 points (24.5 PPS). Well done Dallas. I wonder if he’s met Debbie?
Preseason I had to choose between keeping Ryan Braun or Zack Greinke. I chose Greinke. According to the Grail Knight, I chose wisely. Like Keuchel, he too is six for six in quality starts, which has been good enough for 146 points (24.33 PPS). Man I love it when a plan comes together.
Here are a few other top performing starters with PPS totals of 20 or greater.
Sonny Gray (23 PPS)
Bartolo Colon (22.5 PPS)
Danny Salazar (22.25 PPS)
Shelby Miller (21.83 PPS)
Michael Pineda (21.33 PPS)
Max Scherzer (20.5 PPS)
Michael Wacha (20.2 PPS)
Here are a few pitchers that aren’t quite putting up the points that I expect to turn around. Based on projections they have a good chance of getting a visit from the opposite regression fairy. Would you call that the “gression” fairy?
Cole Hamels (11.67 PPS)
Julio Teheran (13.33 PPS)
Phil Hughes (9.5 PPS)
Stephen Strasburg (9.33 PPS)
Corey Kluber (9.17 PPS)
Chris Sale (10.8 PPS)
Jered Weaver (3.67 PPS)
Taijaun Walker (1.8 PPS)
Jose Quintana (9 PPS)
Now that I look at that list it seems kinda obvious. In my primary league I was able to trade Gio Gonzalez and Alex Guerrero for Hamels. Pretty psyched about that. My logjam in the outfield is worse than that faced by the Dodgers. As soon as Hamels is traded, his value should take a nice jump and so should my lineup!
I just landed from Disney a few hours ago. I am exhausted and do not have much to say. Updated rankings come soon…
