A look at starting pitching options that are widely available in fantasy leagues, and can be used for a spot start.
STREAMING BY THE NUMBERS: SP FOR 5/25
Brett Anderson, LHP, LAD (vs ATL)
Hello, Mr. Anderson. So, he’s not Neo, or else he’d have figured out how to stop getting hurt all the dang time. But, when he is healthy, he’s a good pitcher. He routinely posts excellent ground ball rates, and his 66.7% rate this year is the best rate of his career. Sure, his WHIP looks bad right now at 1.37, but it’s fueled by a high batting average against that is out of whack from a high BABIP allowed (.346 this year, .310 career). Once that settles down, his ERA should look more like his FIP and xFIP numbers. If he only struck out more guys, he’d be super valuable in fantasy. In other words, it shouldn’t be long before he’s owned in more leagues. So ride the stream train while you can, because I’m not sure how much longer he’ll be available.
Shaun Marcum, RHP, CLE (vs TEX)
I could easily copy and paste a lot of the things from Neo Brett Anderson and put them here. Ok actually just this one thing: he’s a good pitcher, when healthy. He had iffy results out of the ‘pen, but in his first start back he looked pretty dang good, with 6.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R (both solo HR), 6 K, and 0 BB. His career K/9 and BB/9 rates are similar to what he’s posting now as well. I would have definitely suggested him against the Rangers offense, especially at Cleveland, until I watched those Rangers put up a 10 spot in the 3rd inning of the Saturday contest against the Yankees. That game, though, was against a now very bad CC Sabathia, and even then, I felt like he was getting BABIP’d to death for some of that damage. If you don’t mind a little risk, I’d say give Shaun a go in Cleveland.
David Phelps, RHP, MIA (@PIT)
Hmmm…. David Phelps, eh? ERA’s good, FIP’s good, so what’s going on with… Aha! No home runs yet this year, which leads to an xFIP over 4.00. He’s been solid, but not spectacular so far this year, but I kind of think that can continue in this game. The Pirates still aren’t hitting all that much outside of Andrew McCutchen, and pitching in spacious PNC Park should help keep those pesky home runs away. Might as well see if his run can continue.
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