Quantcast
Channel: Fan Huddle - Fantasy » Toronto Blue Jays
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 6

Fantasy Baseball: Pitcher Pickups-7/29/11

0
0

Starting Pitchers

Brett Cecil, Toronto Blue Jays- Cecil pitched a complete game in his most recent start on Sunday against the Texas Rangers, allowing four hits while striking out seven and walking two.  Since returning from the minors in late June, he has a 3.47 ERA in five starts (36.1 innings) with two complete games in that span.  Overall this season, Cecil is 3-4 with a 4.71 ERA in nine starts (57.1 innings) for the Blue Jays and appears to have figured something out after spending over two months in the minors.  He will face the Rangers again in his next start on Friday night at home, and it is worth noting his two worst starts over his last five have come at home (7.44 ERA in 13.1 innings).  That said, owners in AL-only leagues should consider adding Cecil, and he is currently available in 93 percent of Yahoo! leagues.  His solid 2010 campaign (15-10, 4.22 ERA in 28 starts) should be noted, as should the fact he finished last season allowing three runs or less in 12 of his final 15 starts.

David Huff, Cleveland Indians- Huff put together another solid outing on Wednesday, allowing two runs (one earned) against the Los Angeles Angels over 5.2 innings.  He took the loss as the Indians were no-hit by Ervin Santana, and the team also committed three errors while he was in the game.  Huff had spent the entire season at Triple-A prior to being recalled to pitch in a double header against the Minnesota Twins on July 18, and has posted a 0.71 ERA in two starts (12.2 innings) for the Indians and he may stick around since he has pitched well.  He is a two-start pitcher for next week, but both outings will be a challenge against the Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers.  Owners in AL-only leagues may want to wait until after next week to add him, but if Huff pitches well in one or both of those starts he is deserving of immediate consideration in that format.  He is available in 98 percent of Yahoo! leagues right now.

Doug Fister, Seattle Mariners- Fister pitched well in his most recent start on Tuesday night, as he allowed three runs on seven hits over seven innings against the New York Yankees.  But he took his 12th loss of the season, and is now 3-12 with a 3.33 ERA in 21 starts (146 innings) this season.  He has become one of the poster boys for the Mariners lack of offense, as he has not won since May 30 despite a 3.42 ERA in 10 starts since then.  Fister does not strike out a lot of batters (5.5 K/9 this season), which makes his margin for error very small, but control is a strong suit (1.98 BB/9) and is in line with his career rate (1.9 BB/9).  He does get a favorable matchup in his next start, scheduled for next Monday against the Oakland A’s, so he could end his losing streak if he gets a little run support.  For now, Fister is worth consideration in AL-only leagues despite lack of run support and thus potential for accumulating wins.  He is available in 89 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Relief Pitchers

Javy Guerra, Los Angeles Dodgers- Kenley Jansen picked up a save for the Dodgers on Tuesday night, but was likely only because Guerra had pitched the previous three days.   Guerra has clearly become the Dodgers’ closer at this point, despite not being named to the role officially,as he has six saves and one win over his last seven appearances and is 8-for-8 in save opportunities this season.  In 24 appearances (23.1 innings) this season Guerra has two wins and a 1.95 ERA, though his strikeout total (18) is not at the level of elite closers.  Fantasy owners will want to at least keep an eye on Guerra and the Dodgers’ closer situation going forward, and an opportunity seems to be there despite the team’s struggles.  Guerra is available in nearly two-thirds of Yahoo! leagues right now, and seems to have the most upside of anyone in the Dodgers’ bullpen. 

Jon Rauch, Toronto Blue Jays- Rauch allowed a home run in a non-save situation on Thursday night against the Baltimore Orioles, but with Frank Francisco’s struggles has become the Blue Jays’ closer for the time being.  Overall this season, Rauch is 8-for-12 in save opportunities this season and a 3.95 ERA while also earning four wins.  Despite his imposing size he is not a strikeout pitcher, as evidenced by his 30 strikeouts in 43.1 innings of work this season, but he also does not walk many batters (12 walks this season).  At this point any pitcher that is getting save opportunities has value in fantasy leagues, and owners in deeper leagues should consider adding Rauch immediately if they need some help in that category.  He is currently available in 73 percent of Yahoo! leagues.


Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 6

Latest Images

Trending Articles





Latest Images