Fantasy Baseball Pitch-and-Ditch Options: August 10-12

It’s that time of year when fantasy owners are looking to get any edge that they can. If it is picking up a starting pitcher with a favorable match-up, only to dump him because he is untrustworthy going forward, so be it. 

That’s not to say that all of these will pan out, but at least these options at least appear to be useful (to be eligible to appear in this category, a pitcher must have been owned in less then 50-percent of CBS leagues).

Let’s take a look at a couple of potential options over the next few days:

Monday, August 10:
Tom Gorzelanny vs. Colorado Rockies

He was great in his first start for the Cubs, giving up one run on three hits and one walk, and striking out six over 7.1 innings.

The Pirates had written him off, more or less, banishing him to the bullpen and the minor leagues after posting a 6.68 ERA last season.

He was solid in Triple-A, however, posting a 2.48 ERA over 15 starts. Let’s not forget that this is the same pitcher who went 14-10 with a 3.89 ERA in 2007.

He’s not going to be a big strikeout option, but if you need to take a flyer on a pitcher, why not do it with one who has proven to be successful in the major leagues, and has a good offense supporting him?

Just to add to his allure, he’s actually a two-start pitcher this week, with the second outing coming against the Pirates.

Tuesday August 11:
David Hernandez vs. Oakland Athletics

Outside of his last two starts against the Tigers & Red Sox, he has been fairly solid since being recalled. He’s sporting a 3.96 ERA, though it has come with a WHIP of 1.55. His walk rate and BABIP isn’t unreasonable, it’s the fact that hitters are consistently putting the ball in play that is the problem.

He hasn’t shown any strikeout potential in the major leagues, with a 4.82 K/9, but he had a 10.4 career K/9 in the minor leagues (including a 12.4 in 57.1 innings at Triple-A this season). Sooner or later, that talent is going to come out. and he’s going to post a good strikeout game.

The A’s are in the bottom half of the league in runs scored, with 491. He is also squaring off with Trevor Cahill, who has been on an awful streak of late. It all adds up to make him a solid gamble in all formats.

Wednesday August 12:
Bud Norris vs. Florida Marlins

Rookie pitchers are inconsistent. We all know it. Norris has been great in his first two starts, however, and has tremendous strikeout potential (he had 112 in 120 innings at Triple-A). Considering that the Marlins are tied for the league lead in strikeouts, the match-up seems perfect.

I would be concerned with him giving up a few runs, having allowed just two earned runs over his first 13 innings as a starter, so keep that in mind. Still, the allure of the strikeout is enough to take the gamble on him.

What do you think of these three options? Would you use any of them? Are there any other pitch-and-ditch options you’re considering?

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