Two-Start Pitchers, Week 4: Should We Worry About David Price?

But since none of you actually care, here’s all you need to know about it: FIP “measures what a player’s ERA would look like over a given period of time if the pitcher were to have experienced league average results on balls in play and league average timing.” So, when you see a SP with a low ERA and a high FIP, regression is certainly coming down the track (cough Cole Hamels cough). Flip it, though, and you have a buy-low candidate (Wei-Yen Chen). And if someone in your league is stupid enough to sell their DFP stock, take advantage fast, because he carries a K/9 on par with the game’s top closers, isn’t walking many batters (2.49 BB/9), and has a FIP less than half his ERA.

So, no…the sky isn’t falling in Boston. And if it is, it’s because my Hawks are about to send the Celtics packing in Round 1. No alarms needed with Price. For some others, though, it’s time to take a long look in the mirror and channel your inner Jackie Moon:

Pitchers are listed in order by rank. And categorized by Jackie Moon gifs. You’re welcome. 

(Aces) – The greatest ever. Send it to certain friends and they’ll be lol’ing in the middle of their meetings. To others and they’ll be pissed. But then they won’t know how to respond. Jackie Moon just delivered the boom in a way simple text never could. I prefer to view this on the positive side of things. Always. And this gif is exactly what every SP in this top tier will do to their opposing lineups: mow ’em down.

(Good Starts) – Can’t go wrong with the Rick Barry. It’s not sexy, but solid. It works. It’s reliable. Just like the names below. Not as sexy as the names above, but as reliable as it gets. Good lookin’ out SBNation.

(Why Can’t I Sit You?) – These guys should bring a little sunshine to your life this week. Well, should is the key word. Please, oh, please Chris Archer, remember how to pitch.

(One Good/One Bad) – On one hand, that’s a bad a** punt. On the other, it’s a basketball. That’s a tech, FT for the other team, loss of possession, and that ball’s probably lost. Guys like Porcello and Ross (if he makes the start) are primed for an awesome first outing, but have a tough weekend ahead of them. On the flip, Nelson and Stripling could have a strong second start, but that first could be a doozy.

(Avoid) – Yes they will. Or, rather than your house…your team. While I actually like Rich Hill, and he fits the criteria of someone to target from the descriptions up top, I hate those matchups. Same could be said for Ubaldo, Eovaldi and Teher…haha, I almost wrote Julio Teheran in there. Ugh. As @JB wrote to me in an email, ‘He blows.’

All players listed are projected for two starts, and this list is subject to changes after the article is posted.

Good luck with Week 4, and leave those thoughts in the comments! Check back next weekend for Week 5, you jive turkeys!