Probable Starting Pitchers Hot & Cold | Aug. 12, 2009

A look at the hot and cold pitchers going today. The information you need to know whether it is for fantasy baseball or wagering contests.

Friday features many hot pitchers with a total of eight pitchers with an ERA under 3.00 in their last five starts with at least 27.2IP. We are going to feature the two pitchers with the best shot at a win today and tell you all the notables.

Probable Hot Starting Pitchers

Tim Lincecum (Giants)

Tim Lincecum—who has been the most frequently featured pitcher in this article—will have to beat a team (Dodgers) that he has not had his best starts against this year.

In his two starts, both of which came in the first two months of the season, he gave up three earned runs for a total line of 13 IP, 12 H, 6 ER, and 4BB. The bulk of the hitting came from Hudson, Pierre, Dewitt, and Ramirez who are a combined 16-for-34 for a .471 average.

Lincecum has a 1.75 ERA over his last five starts and a 0.75 ERA in his last three. But he has posted a 2.96 ERA in day starts (today's game begins at 12:45 PM local time) while his night ERA is more than a run lower.

I'm not too worried about that, as a 2.96 ERA is still stellar and should be plenty for him to avenge his earlier losses to the Dodgers here today.

His earlier starts this year were when he was not pitching as well, and he has been pretty much unstoppable for the better part of the season.

Lincecum will go up against Jeff Weaver, who has ERA's of 5.48 on the road and 5.31 during the day so the chances of him getting run support are likely here today.

Josh Beckett (Red Sox)

So the question here is this: Will Beckett retaliate for what Porcello did yesterday? Porcello has hit two players in his career and both of them have been Youkilis. Some may think it is coincidence, but I'm not buying it.

Check out the video by clicking probable pitchers for Youkilis charging the mound.

Anyway, Beckett has been stellar all season and has a 1.66 ERA in his last five starts.

Beckett will face the Tigers who he previously shut out in seven-and-two-thirds innings, striking out nine batters. He will go up against Gallaraga who has given up 15 ER in his last three starts and has a road ERA of 5.97.

If you check out our sports betting lines you will find the Red Sox around -240 which really is not worth it if you ask me.

You might want to take a look at the run line in this one.

Notables—Last Five Starts

• Ricky Nolasco (2-0, .99 WHIP, 2.43 ERA)
• Chris Carpenter (4-0, 1.18 WHIP, 1.80 ERA)
• Joe Niemann (3-1, .97 WHIP, 2.84 ERA)
• Tommy Hunter (3-1, 1.10 WHIP, 2.32 ERA)

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Most likely to sustain and win

Josh Beckett

Probable Cold Starting Pitchers

Vin Mazzaro (Athletics)

In a match up of two pitchers on the decline, Mazzaro will make his start against the Baltimore Orioles and Jason Berken, who has a 8.37 ERA in his last five starts.

Mazzaro is no prize as of late either which is why we have him up on the front as a pitcher most likely not to succeed. He has a 10.03 ERA and a 2.57 WHIP in his last five starts.

Mazzaro is beginning to make his second starts against teams. Although he threw a gem against the Orioles (seven-and-a-third innings, zero earned runs) earlier this season, I expect the Orioles to bounce back with more of an idea at the plate.

The only problem is that Berken has struggled big time and had his worst start against the Orioles, giving up nine ER.

I find it a little odd that the live sports odds have them as favorites. I think the over might be a better bet here.

Notables—Last Five Starts

• Homer Bailey (1-3, 1.72 WHIP, 8.78 ERA)
• Jason Berken (1-3, 1.77 WHIP, 8.37 ERA)
• Craig Stammen (1-2, 1.63 WHIP, 7.94ERA)

Most likely to rebound

Craig Stammen