Mixed-league roto owners, are you looking for a waiver-wire pitcher before Tuesday's full slate of games?
Here's my free-agent choice (citing most 12-team leagues) for one day of fantasy stardom:
A.J. Griffin, Athletics (vs. Astros)
1. For the season, Griffin has a 2-0 record with a 1.93 ERA and 1.07 WHIP.
2. Last year, Griffin surrendered three runs or less for his first nine MLB starts — from July 4 to Sept. 12.
3. Of his 17 career starts in the majors, Griffin has never allowed more than three walks in a game.
4. In the minors, Griffin (19-11, 3.15 ERA, 1.02 WHIP from 2010-12) actually had a solid K/9 rate of 8.7, suggesting his strikeout averages in the majors will improve, over time.
The Next Five For Tuesday
1. Jake Westbrook (Cardinals) @ Pirates — On the plus side, Westbrook hasn't allowed an earned run in two starts. On the negative side, he's already walked 10 batters to date.
2. Jeremy Guthrie (Royals) @ Braves — The Kansas City righty has been stellar in his first two starts, posting two wins and 11 strikeouts (against only two walks).
3. Barry Zito (Giants) @ Brewers — Dating back to last year, the Giants haven't lost in Zito's previous 13 starts. For 2013, the enigmatic southpaw has yet to allow a run.
4. Roberto Hernandez (Rays) @ Orioles — Playing a hunch that Hernandez will respond with a good outing, as he attempts to hold off Rays dynamos like Chris Archer and Jake Odorizzi from getting promoted to the majors.
5. Wily Peralta (Brewers) vs. Giants — The Milwaukee fireballer is always a viable threat for eight, nine or 10 strikeouts per outing.
A Look Back
Last week's selection: Mariners pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma
Final tally: 6.2 innings, three hits, one run allowed, six strikeouts, one walk and one victory
Jay Clemons can be reached, day or night, on Twitter at @FOX_JayClemons.
