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Start ‘Em
Jeremy Guthrie (@HOU, LAA)
Guthrie’s 1.29 WHIP is more indicative of his production than what his 2.82 ERA may convey, but one would be hard-pressed to call these feats a fluke, as the 34-year-old submitted a 3.16 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in over 90 innings with the Royals last season. The upcoming slate shouldn’t exert further damage to these figures, as the Astros rank in the bottom third in runs scored while the Angels, despite their ominous presence on paper, reside in the middle of the pack in most relevant offensive categories. His concession of long balls (a league-leading 11 homers) is troubling, and he won’t help your team’s strikeouts, but his assistance in the ERA and WHIP columns gives him the thumbs-up for your roster.
Wandy Rodriguez (CHC, @MIL)
Subtract a shellacking at the hands of the Brew Crew (seven runs in 3 2/3 innings on April 29) and Rodriguez’s ERA in seven other starts is an impressive 2.21 mark. Rodriguez has been especially solid at home, with the pitcher-friendly confines of PNC Park facilitating a 3-1 record with a 1.35 ERA and 0.68 WHIP. Though Rodriguez returns to the scene of the aforementioned beatdown in Milwaukee this weekend, a matchup with the woeful Cubs should alleviate any worry of disappointment.
Julio Teheran (MIN, @NYM)
After a stumble out of the gate (13 earned runs in his first 16 innings), Teheran has showcased the aptitude that led to his heighted preseason expectations, holding opponents to eight runs in his last four outings (2.84 ERA) with 14 strikeouts versus one walk in that span. The Mets and Twins would hardly be considered as daunting foes, and Atlanta’s offense makes Teheran a candidate for wins as long he has posts a quality start. Owned in just 12.6 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy baseball leagues, Teheran is a must-start this week.
Shelby Miller (@SD, @LAD)
Hisashi Iwakuma (@CLE, TEX)
CC Sabathia (@BAL, @TB)
Clayton Kershaw (@MIL, STL)
Max Scherzer (@CLE, MIN)
Johnny Cueto (@NYM, CHC)
Jon Lester (@CHW, CLE)
Cole Hamels (@MIA, @WAS)
Patrick Corbin (@COL, SD)
RA Dickey (TB, BAL)
Sit ‘Em
Matt Garza (@PIT, @CIN)
Personally I’m a fan of Garza, but going against two scorching teams in Pittsburgh and Cincinnati won’t make his return a welcomed one this week. And while his 1.18 WHIP last season was decent, his 3.91 ERA left much to be desired. In his defense, Garza pitched well in two rehab starts in Triple-A Iowa, with nine punch-outs versus six hits and no walks. Alas, more bad than good will be had from implementing Garza in your starting rotation.
Ryan Vogelsong (WAS, COL)
Vogelsong hasn’t been as bad as his figures (8.06 ERA, 1.84 WHIP) suggest, with the former All-Star’s 4.42 xFIP, .369 BABIP, and 55.0 left-on-base percentage implying hope is on the horizon. Moreover, Vogelsong is averaging a career-best 8.3 strikeouts per nine innings in 2013. While we anticipate Vogelsong to turn things around, it’s hard to forecast execution this week, as Washington and Colorado are two of the better lineups on the Senior Circuit. Vogelsong is becoming increasingly attainable in most formats, and his record from the past two campaigns makes him worth the roster stash. However, this week he belongs on your bench.
Jerome Williams (SEA, @KC)
Freddy Garcia (NYY, @TOR)
Felix Doubront (@CHW, CLE)
Dylan Axelrod (BOS, MIA)
Corey Kluber (DET, @BOS)
Jon Garland (ARI, @SF)
Dallas Keuchel (KC, OAK)
Kevin Correia (@ATL, @DET)
Mike Pelfrey (@ATL, @DET)
Jason Marquis (STL, @ARI)
Josh Lindblom (OAK, @SEA)
Ramon Ortiz (TB, BAL)
Use Caution
Jake Odorizzi (@TOR, NYY)
Wil Myers might have been the gem in the James Shields-Wade Davis deal, but Odorizzi is quite the nugget himself. Entering the season as a Top-100 prospect, Odorizzi was 4-0 with a 1.10 WHIP and 47 Ks in just under 45 Triple-A innings before the call-up. His stay will likely be short, as he’s only scheduled as a replacement for David Price, and the Blue Jays and Yankees won’t be a walk in the park by any stretch of the imagination. Nevertheless, the Rays rarely rush their fledgling stars to the majors, meaning if Odorizzi is up, they envision him to perform. In deeper leagues or AL-only formats, Odorizzi could provide some short-term relief to your ERA, WHIP and strikeout categories.
Bartolo Colon (@TEX, @HOU)
Colon hasn’t been great for the Athletics this year, giving up three or more runs in six of his eight starts, and his strikeout rate (5.1 K/9) and decreased velocity showcase his tank is nearing empty. Luckily for Colon, his command has never been better, evidenced in a meager two walks in 47 1/3 innings, and is keeping the opposition from recording frozen ropes at his disposal (18.1 line-drive percentage). If he can begin to reduce his bomb indulgence (seven homers in eight starts), Colon has a shot to be a reliable SP4 or SP5 in most mixed leagues.
Scott Kazmir (SEA, @BOS)
Like anybody with a soul, I’d love to see a Kazmir revival, and judging by his last four games (3.68 ERA, .247 batting average, .304 OBP) that rejuvenation is closer to fruition than believed. Don’t expect his elevated punch-out rate to endure, as Kazmir is more of a finesse arm than fireballer. Additionally, any dividends that a date with Seattle may provide will be negated by a formidable offense in Boston. Yet if Kazmir is not on your radar, make sure the 29-year-old is on the map, as a sound Cleveland defense will go ways in making him a dependable asset this summer.
Yovani Gallardo (LAD, PIT)
Phil Hughes (@BAL, @TB)
Shaun Marcum (CIN, ATL)
Wade Davis (@HOU, LAA)
Alex Sanabia (PHI, @CHW)
Miguel Gonzalez (NYY, @TOR)
