Fantasy Baseball: Is Edwin Jackson Worth the Risk?

Edwin Jackson is 4-6 with a 4.47 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 73 strikeouts in 86.2 innings. While those aren’t numbers that are going to push you over the top, they aren’t going to hurt you much, either. That is until you look at his WHIP.

Jackson has a WHIP of 1.52, which can be devastating to your team in that category. Even when he threw a no-hitter last year, he still had a 0.89 WHIP in the game thanks to eight walks.

Jackson averages 3.1 walks per nine innings, which is up from the 2.6 mark he set last year. It is, however, better than the 3.9 career mark he had entering this year.

After going 2-3 with a 5.86 ERA and a 1.70 WHIP in April, Jackson has settled down to go 2-3 with a 3.51 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in May and June. He averaged 4.3 BB/9 in April and has the mark down to 2.3 for May and June.

Just because Edwin has turned things around doesn’t mean you should blindly use him. His home/road splits are a telling sign. On the road he’s 2-4 with a 6.07 ERA and 1.63 WHIP. At U.S. Cellular he’s 2-2 with a 2.89 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. Sure, the WHIP is still high, but it is acceptable considering the low ERA he posts.

You should also sit him when he faces a top offense. He has a 9.00 ERA against the Yankees, Blue Jays and Rangers. Against all other teams he has a 3.44 ERA. If the matchup is right or he’s pitching at home, don’t be afraid to trot Edwin out there (assuming you can afford the bump to your WHIP).

When he’s on the road or facing superior competition, the alarms in your head should be going off.

Also check out:

• Stealing a Fantasy Baseball Championship: Five Under the Radar Players
• Fantasy Baseball Free Agent Pool – 2011 RBI Guys Vol. 5
• Can Brian Duensing Get on Track?
• Fantasy Baseball Free Agent Pool – 2011 Strikeout Kings Vol. 5
• Is Nick Swisher Safe to Use Again?