Start ‘Em

Josh Tomlin, Cleveland Indians (45.4%)– Tomlin has had some surprising success this year and has dominated lefties so far in his short career. In 228 at-bats facing Tomlin, lefties are hitting .216 against him. Fortunately for Tomlin, both of his opponent’s lineups (Angels and A’s) are predominantly left-handed or switch-hitters. If Tomlin runs into any trouble he has the backdrop of the Coliseum and Angel stadium to help him out. Oakland’s notorious for being a pitcher-friendly park, and Angel Stadium is the most homer-friendly park in baseball so far this year, surrendering only one home run for every three that would be hit elsewhere.

Jair Jurrjens, Atlanta Braves (97%)– This advice may come as a bit of a shocker while facing the Brewers and the Phillies. Jurrjens first start comes at home where he has shined historically.  For his career at Turner Field he has a 21-13 record and sports a safe 3.30 ERA. Jurrjens has dominated the Phillies lineup. In 9 starts against the Phillies, Jurrjens has a 2.56 ERA and has held Phillies hitters to a .190 average.

Sit ‘Em

Bartolo Colon, New York Yankees (14.8%) – Colon’s recent string of success may have some desperate fantasy owners fooled. He’s worth holding on to, but wait for more consistency before you start him every time. The Tigers players have hit him well over his career. Currently they are hitting a combined .311 against Colon through 103 at-bats, while racking 4 home runs along the way. Texas hitters have nearly identical numbers against Colon with Adrian Beltre and Michael Young doing most of the damage (combined .322 average in 87 at-bats). If you’re a desperate owner clamoring for pitching, then it might be a good acquisition to get Colon, but wait a while before you start him. There’s no sense in getting into a bigger hole than the one you’re already in.

Kyle McClellan, St. Louis Cardinals (55.1%)– Transitioning from reliever to starter can be a very difficult and long process with mixed-success. McClellan’s numbers point to just that, mixed-success. While you may be tempted to start him, you should heed the warning signs that he’s posted. While his ERA has been a superb 3.23, his 1.43 WHIP is pointing to something else.  He might be a beneficiary of luck. While batters are getting on base against him, they are not scoring. This could eventually catch-up with him. McClellan’s .256 BABIP against lefties further suggests his luck on the mound this season. Also, right-handed hitters are hitting .329 off of him. He’ll see plenty of righties this week against the Marlins and Brewers.

SLUGGERS

Start ‘Em

Michael Brantley, Cleveland Indians (6.5%)– Michael Brantley is a player I like a lot. With all the injuries to Grady Sizemore the past few seasons, Brantley was forced to the show a bit prematurely. At 23, Brantley seems to have picked up hitting in the big leagues. Although he’s not much of a power threat, he still possesses value. The upstart Indians take on the Angels and Athletics. In his brief career, Brantley has had success against both clubs. Against the Halos, Brantley has a career average of .341 with a RBI and four stolen bases in nine games. Against the A’s, Brantley is hitting .286 with two RBI. With the way Sizemore hits, it’ll be interesting to see if at some point the Indians move him out of the leadoff spot and move Brantley there making him a much bigger threat on the bases.

Adam LaRoche, Washington Nationals (62.8%)– The Nationals first baseman has had a tough start this season. Being a veteran of the NL East, LaRoche almost has a season worth of starts combined played against the Phillies and Marlins. In his career against the Phils, the elder LaRoche has a career average of .304 with 11 home runs and 31 RBI. LaRoche has similar numbers against the fish. Against the Marlins, LaRoche is hitting .301 with eight home runs and 40 RBI. With the news that Ryan Zimmerman is probably going to need surgery to repair a sports hernia LaRoche is going to have to step up for the Nationals.

Sit ‘Em

Dexter Fowler, Colorado Rockies (60.7%)– In most leagues Fowler is a trendy pick up which is a bit puzzling. So far this season Fowler is having typical year for his standards (.261 AVG, 19 R, 0 HR, 9 RBI, 2 SB). This week, Fowler faces two NL West opponents. His first stop is against the Diamondbacks in Arizona. In his career, Fowler has struggled putting the ball in play at Chase Field. He enters the series hitting .189 with one home run four RBI and a stolen base. In the weekend series against the Giants, Fowler is up against one of the toughest pitching staffs in baseball. At AT&T Park Fowler is hitting a dismal .209 with zero home runs or RBI and only one stolen base. I know Fowler is still young (25) and has potential but I’d steer clear this week.

Brett Gardner, New York Yankees (74%)– With Gardner hitting two home runs this week people may not like this pick. The fact of the matter is Gardner’s true value comes on the base paths. Last season he started hot and that has inflated his value this season. For a guy who is on your team to steal bases, it is a bit hard to do so when his OBP this season is .254. Gardner is a player I’d have riding the pine until I see some consistent production from him. 

* Ownership percentages taken from ESPN.com
(April 14, 2011 – Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images North America)

Written by James Bryce & JJ Omar exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com

Follow The Fantasy Fix on Twitter @thefantasyfix

or for Free Fantasy Sports Advice use our Quick Fix to get help with your team! 

Play against THE FANTASY FIX in Fantazzle’s Game of Guru’s next week!