Value Picks: Outfielde... (08/03)
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August 3, 2012 Weekly PlannerWeek 19A number of rotations got jumbled this week, so the projections for some two-start guys got shuffled around, creating some repeats in both leagues, starting with the AL “auto-starts”…
AMERICAN LEAGUE Shields is on notice. He hasn’t been 2011 Shields, but he did just unleash an 11-strikeout shutout on Oakland’s face. Their offense is hardly great, but they have been raking of late; plus Shields had been horrible, so I’m not going to discount the feat. If you have him in an AL-only, I just don’t see how you could play matchups with him.
Start Since his home run massacre in Yankee Stadium in the fateful afternoon game against the Braves during which he allowed four bombs, Hughes has posted a 2.39 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 49 innings. While his 5.9 K/9 doesn’t jump out, the 2.9 K/BB is strong. The 1.1 HR/9 is a bit misleading since three of the six home runs came in one game against Boston (all solo shots). Diamond is another guy who isn’t lighting up the strikeout counter, but he simply continues to get it done as a prototypical pitch-to-contact, pinpoint control Twins pitcher. He has a 2.93 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in his 107 innings of work, thanks in large part to a 1.3 BB/9 which has allowed him to post a 3.9 K/BB despite a very meager 4.9 K/9. With the more talented (but maddeningly inconsistent) arms of this week’s two-start slate facing much more difficult matchups, Diamond becomes a pretty safe option to invest in, especially if strikeouts aren’t a prime need.
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Out of Left Field: Watching Baseball with a ...
Surprise Me!
I'm sorry, but after getting burned really bad by Lester a couple of weeks ago (17 runs in 1 week right after I traded for him!!) I need some reassuring. Can you write a few words on him? Thanks
I definitely have some concern as he used to be an auto-start, but the last two outings were better (yes, I consider 4 ER in 6 IP in the Bronx "better", espec. for a lefty) with a 13:2 K:BB in 14 IP. He hasn't been able to find any measure of consistency this year.
His hit rate is sky-high and watching some of his starts, it's not all BABIP bad luck, he's just been damn hittable at times. His velocity is fine, it's been command within the zone. All in all, I still trot him out there. If you want to play it safe in a daily and skip the Texas start, I wouldn't blame you.