Fantasy Baseball: Pitchers Who Are Getting Hot
We are now a full two months into the regular season and we are starting to see who will be the big bats, the strong arms, and the run-scoring machines of the 2011 season.
This season seems to be the year of the pitcher part two, as some would say. Home runs are down compared to previous years. The average home runs per season rounds out to somewhere near the 5,000 mark, but after about 65 games played we only have a tad over a thousand.
With that we'll take a look at the pitchers in the league that many may not be so knowledgeable of. But most importantly we will discuss the arms that will help you ride out that long fantasy baseball season and get you the wins you need for fantasy championship glory.
Felix Hernandez: Seattle Mariners
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At the top of the rotation we have Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez. Now, much to the dismay of the Seattle faithful, Hernandez did not have a great first couple months of the season. He has been inconsistent at best, but when he has been on, he has been good.
King Felix is coming off a solid eight-inning performance, where he shut down the Tigers without the help of some big swinging offense.
Hernandez is a sure-fire starter anytime he is due on the mound, but look for him to put together a string of wins in the next couple months. Hernandez is third in the majors in strikeouts with 103, trailing only Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay.
Hernandez is sporting a 3.30 ERA, but he has won four out of his last five. Expect King Felix to throw a couple memorable gems for the Mariners in the coming weeks.
Felix Hernandez' next start is expected against the Philadelphia Phillies at home on Saturday, June 18th.
Edinson Volquez: Cincinnati Reds
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For those of you who do not know or own Edinson Volquez, you better learn his name and pick him up in the coming weeks. After getting sent down to the minors for a couple weeks, Volquez is back in the rotation and ready to contribute.
He is ready for summer. Just ask his hair or lack their off. Volquez shaved his head and then went out and pitched a seven inning, one earned run gem over the Chicago Cubs. Now, I know the lot of you are saying it was against the Cubs. What I say to that is he has not looked as confident and thrown with as much swagger as I have seen him throw this year (yes, I have seen him in three starts).
The most important thing for a pitcher whose confidence is shaken, is to get it back. With a game like he did against Chicago his confidence is definitely back and he is ready to contribute.
Volquez's next start will be tonight under the bright lights of ESPN on the road in San Francisco.
A.J. Burnett: New York Yankees
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Now A.J. is not the most polished Yankee, nor is he the most seasoned Yankee pitcher. The savvy veteran knows how to get it done down the stretch. His numbers may not scream, "pick me, pick me" but he is second on the team in wins with six (one behind C.C Sabathia).
He had won starts two in a row before he got shelled against the Boston Red Sox, but then again who has done well or got the decision over the BoSox as of late? Burnett is a solid player who knows the grind of a Major League season and can be a major contributor in wins as the summer heat burns holes through opposing batters and pitchers.
With 60 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.26 on the year (C.C. Sabathia with 1.24), Burnett does not look like such a bad option through the stretch of summer.
A.J. Burnett's next start will be Monday June 13th, against the fading Indians.
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Ricky Nolasco: Florida Marlins
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Ricky Nolasco is the Florida Marlins ace, but he is a pitcher not many people are familiar with. The 28-year-old righty has been dealing the last few weeks. His first loss of the season came last week when he was shelled for eight runs by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Nolasco, only getting decisions in five games (4-1) has not gotten any help from the middle relievers or his hitters.
Nolasco's ERA is 3.86 with 70 strikeouts on the year, but if it wasn't for a lack of hitting with the Marlins ranked 20th in the league in hitting. Nolasco is going to need some help, which if you are a fantasy owner you cannot bet on. However, I do believe in the mantra that fantasy sports risks need to be taken, and even though the Marlins are not a great team, you have to expect him to get some more help than he has gotten.
If possible I would pick Nolasco up and make sure to start him every game because he is able to get hitters out, it just boils down to how many innings he leaves open for the relievers to blow it.
Noalsco's next game will be Monday June 13th against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Jair Jurrjens: Atlanta Braves
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Jair Jurrjens. Who? The 8-2 Braves starter, that is who. The 25-year-old right hander from the Netherlands is dominating right now for the Atlanta Braves. The amount of youth that is in that organization and playing at a high level is uncanny and should have the Braves faithful excited.
Jurrjens currently holds a 1.82 ERA and is boosting the Atlanta Braves' confidence to new heights. If you have not already, you need to pick this guy up and start him every chance you can. He reminds me of Ubaldo Jimenez from the Colorado Rockies of last year (unfortunately for the Rockies, not this year).
The Dutch pitcher currently has 46 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.00.
Jurrjens' next start will be Tuesday June 14th against the New York Mets.
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