2012 Fantasy Baseball Week 16: Two-Start Pitchers, Start ‘Em or Sit’ Em?
Francisco Liriano (credits below)
Start
Francisco Liriano-Minnesota Twins- (57% espn)- The way he has been pitching lately there isn’t a reason you shouldn’t start him. Of course that is the kind of maddening inconsistency that Liriano has shown throughout his career. This week Liriano is slated to face off against the White Sox and the Indians barring a trade of course. I’m not going to bring up career number with Liriano because it is always frustrating trying to justify his selection what I will let you know is since May 30th Liriano has pitched 6 or more inning in 8 of his 10 starts compiled 8 quality starts and struck out 77 batters including 25 in his last two starts. Against the White Sox earlier this season Liriano threw a solid 8 innings fanning 7 while compiling a .0875 WHIP in a victory. But because of his troubles early in the season his stats this season against the Indians are from a relief appearance. In that game Liriano struck out three while compiling a 1.5 WHIP throwing 2 shutout innings.
Joe Kelly- St. Louis Cardnials- (6% espn)- Joe kelly has only had 7 big league starts but has been impressive. In 5 of his 7 starts Kelly has gone 6 innings giving up 2 earned runs or fewer in four of those five starts and earning a quality start in all five. This week he is scheduled to pitch against the soft hitting Dodgers and Cubs. Again not a lot of numbers to back the kid up considering he’s only had 7 starts in the show call this a gut feeling.
Honorable mention- Erik Bedard
Sit
Zack Greinke- Milwaukee Brewers- 100%- Its safe to say that Im not the only one worried about Greinke. The pitching depraved Brewers skipped Greinke’s last start because his July ERA is 9. Knowig Greinke’s past issues with anexiety one has to wonder if all the trade talk is affecting his performance on the hill. I’d stay away from Greinke and since he’s on my team he’ll be riding pine this week.
Jeff Samardzija- Chicago Cubs- 31%- I’ve never been a fan of Samardzija just typing his name is a pain in the butt, I could only imagine what owning him would be like. This week he is scheduled to pitch against the red hot Bucs, and the powerful Cardinals. Jeff Samardzija gives up 75% of his home runs to lefties and considering Neil Walker, Garrett Jones, and Pedro Alverez have been hitting the cover off the ball from the left side an Andrew McCutchen will hit anything and everything I’d be worried if I was rooting to the South Siders.
Francisco Liriano-Minnesota Twins- (57% espn)- The way he has been pitching lately there isn’t a reason you shouldn’t start him. Of course that is the kind of maddening inconsistency that Liriano has shown throughout his career. This week Liriano is slated to face off against the White Sox and the Indians barring a trade of course. I’m not going to bring up career number with Liriano because it is always frustrating trying to justify his selection what I will let you know is since May 30th Liriano has pitched 6 or more inning in 8 of his 10 starts compiled 8 quality starts and struck out 77 batters including 25 in his last two starts. Against the White Sox earlier this season Liriano threw a solid 8 innings fanning 7 while compiling a .0875 WHIP in a victory. But because of his troubles early in the season his stats this season against the Indians are from a relief appearance. In that game Liriano struck out three while compiling a 1.5 WHIP throwing 2 shutout innings.
Joe Kelly- St. Louis Cardnials- (6% espn)- Joe kelly has only had 7 big league starts but has been impressive. In 5 of his 7 starts Kelly has gone 6 innings giving up 2 earned runs or fewer in four of those five starts and earning a quality start in all five. This week he is scheduled to pitch against the soft hitting Dodgers and Cubs. Again not a lot of numbers to back the kid up considering he’s only had 7 starts in the show call this a gut feeling.
Honorable mention- Erik Bedard
Sit
Zack Greinke- Milwaukee Brewers- 100%- Its safe to say that Im not the only one worried about Greinke. The pitching depraved Brewers skipped Greinke’s last start because his July ERA is 9. Knowig Greinke’s past issues with anexiety one has to wonder if all the trade talk is affecting his performance on the hill. I’d stay away from Greinke and since he’s on my team he’ll be riding pine this week.
Jeff Samardzija- Chicago Cubs- 31%- I’ve never been a fan of Samardzija just typing his name is a pain in the butt, I could only imagine what owning him would be like. This week he is scheduled to pitch against the red hot Bucs, and the powerful Cardinals. Jeff Samardzija gives up 75% of his home runs to lefties and considering Neil Walker, Garrett Jones, and Pedro Alverez have been hitting the cover off the ball from the left side an Andrew McCutchen will hit anything and everything I’d be worried if I was rooting to the South Siders.
Written by JJ Omar exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com.
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(June 24, 2012 – Source: Hannah Foslien/Getty Images North America)
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