Daily Joust: The Weekend Ahead
June 22nd, 2012 | by Ray Flowers |
The weekend is quickly approaching, so get ready to get your swerve on. For those of you looking to remain at least a little bit serious with your hobby (fantasy baseball not drinking) I’ll give some advice on how you might choose to fill out your lineup for Friday or Saturday while also suggesting you head over to DailyJoust.com to check out their unique brand of daily fantasy baseball games (including a way to win two tickets to the Major League All-Star Game).
HITTERS – FRIDAY
Jay Bruce vs. Nick Blackburn: Bruce has been ice cold for a while hitting .227 over his last 45 games. Still, he has 12 walks in 18 games in June and his SLG for the month is .500. Bruce has gone deep 12 times in 174 at-bats against righties this year and he gets to face Nick Blackburn who has been torched by lefty batters this year to the tune of a .393 BAA and .924 OPS against this season.
Andre Ethier vs. Dan Haren: The Angels’ righty has struggled a bit with health and performance which only adds to the aura for Ethier in this matchup. In 44 career at-bats Ethier has five doubles, two homers, seven RBI and a .386 batting average against Haren. James Loney also hammers Haren (.359 in 39 at-bats).
David Wright vs. Andy Pettitte: Wright is third in baseball with a .358 batting average. He’s hitting .343 in June. He’s hitting .343 against lefties this season. Facing Pettitte 24 previous times Wright has managed to produce two homers an a .458 batting average. Lock and load.
PITCHERS – FRIDAY
A.J. Burnett vs. Tigers: The last eight times that Burnett has taken the hill this year he has allowed two or fewer runs seven times (he allowed three runs in the other outing). He’s also picked up a win in each of his last six outings. He does face a Tigers club that is potent, but I’m going to focus on his recent success this season and the 5-2 career record he has against the Tigers over the 5.92 ERA and 1.52 WHIP he has against the Motown club over nine career starts.
Jason Hammel vs. Nationals: Hammel has killed it at home this year with a 2.53 ERA and 1.16 WHIP over five starts spanning 32 innings. He’s also had success in his career against the Nats going 4-0 with a 3.99 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over six starts.
Clayton Richard vs. Mariners: (1) He’s facing the Mariners. (2) Richard is Matt Cain when pitching at home. Think I’m nuts? Here are the numbers that prove it.
Matt Cain 2012: 12Wins, 2.88 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 179 K in 222.2 IP
Clayton Richard career at Petco: 13Wins , 2.72 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 180 K in 228.1 IP
HITTERS – SATURDAY
Russell Martin vs. Chris Young: Martin has eight hits in 25 at-bats against Young leading to a .320 batting average. Martin has also had a solid June with four homers and nine RBIs for the Yankees.
Alexei Ramirez vs. Randy Wolf: The lefty from Milwaukee has bombed on the road this year with a 6.75 ERA and 1.84 WHIP over six starts. Ramirez has finally started to pick things up of late as well as he’s hitting .359 the past two weeks, and for his career he has hit .300 in 617 at-bats against lefties.
Ben Zobrist vs. Kyle Kendrick: Over the past two weeks Zobrist is hitting a robust .400 (he’s also scored 10 runs in 10 games). Kendrick, on the other hand, has struggled like he’s looking to be demoted as he’s allowed at least five runs in each of this last three starts as his ERA has gone from 4.02 to .529.
PITCHERS – SATURDAY
Johnny Cueto vs. Twins: The Twins can’t hit, and that situation isn’t helped by the fact that Joe Mauer can’t get his wheel healthy enough to play. Cueto has never faced the Twins but he’s sporting a 2.68 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in six home starts this season, and over his last four outings overall he’s permitted only seven runs while not allowing a single long ball.
Ian Kennedy vs. Cubs: Though he owns a 5.91 ERA over three starts against the Cubs, how about we focus on the positive – he’s lasted 21.1 innings in those three starts during which time he has struck out 18 and walked only two leading to a 1.08 WHIP. Kennedy has also allowed two or fewer runs in three of his last four starts this year. The key will be keeping the ball in the yard as he’s allowed nine homers over his last eight outings.
Adam Wainwright vs. Royals: Wainwright is back on his game, well pretty much. Though he allowed seven runs on June 1st the other six times he has taken the hill since May 20th have resulted in eight earned runs allowed. In the process Adam W. has lowered his ERA from 5.77 to 4.46. He’s also had success in his career against the Royals with a 3.31 ERA and 1.01 WHIP over 32.2 innings.
CONTESTS
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Tags: A.J. Burnett, Adam Wainwright, Alexei Ramirez, Andre Ethier, Ben Zobrist, Clayton Richard, David Wright, Ian Kennedy, Jason Hammel, Jay Bruce, Johnny Cueto, Matt Cain, Russell Martin
By Chase on Jun 22, 2012
Hey Ray I have to pick 2 of these 4 pitchers for next week in a H2H league that counts K/9, Cg, and BB with the regular other 5 categories. Choices are between Haren (@TOR), Hanson (ARI), D Hudson (@ATL, @MIL), and J Parker (@SEA). I figure I should go with the 2 start pitcher and then my gut tells me Haren. What do you think?
By Ray Flowers on Jun 22, 2012
Chase – Tough to go against going with a 2-start guy. Still, he’s allowed 6 and 7 runs in two of his last three starts. I’d go Parker and Hanson (need to see how Haren does tonight before suggesting him).
By Tyler on Jun 22, 2012
Hey Ray, Kyle Seager needs one more game until he is eligible for 2B in my league. Where do you see him falling among 2B ROS? Would you rather have him over my current 2B Kelly Johnson who has been cold as ice for the last 30 days? Thanks!
By Ray Flowers on Jun 22, 2012
Tyler – Seager could be a top-10 second sacker, but I dont see him being much diff than KJ. Johnson has been disappointing of late no doubt, so if you want to make a move it’s not awful at all, but I’d still take KJ on my team.
By Bob on Jun 22, 2012
In a 10 man – 4 keeper league (can keep as long as you want) which side would you rather have:
His side: Jay Bruce and Joey Votto
or
My side: HanRam and Justin Upton
By wesley on Jun 23, 2012
Hey ray, 12 team h2h
daniel hudson and floyd are on waivers, would u drop niese or e. Santana for any of these guys? And would u drop nolasco or downs for jurjens in a 12 team roto league? Thanks again ray, cant wait for your football rankings
By El burro on Jun 23, 2012
Hi ray-
6×6 (ops, holds) mixed redraft league.
Wanted your thoughts on this offer I received…I’m hesitant to accept it and was going to decline, but wanted your take first since I heard you talking about Lincey yesterday…
Trade my Bud Norris and Tom Whilemsen
for
His Tim Lincecum and Lance Berkman
Rest of my SP: Gio, Garza Capuano, Scherzer, Oswalt, Detwiler, Volquez, Bauer
Rest of my RP: Chapman, Kenley Jansen, Romo, O’flaherty
Thx for the help in advance…
By prettyflowers on Jun 23, 2012
Hi Ray — thanks for the great work as always. I was curious how you would rank Avila, Saltalmacchia & Rosario at catcher for the rest of the season, and possibly going forward for the next few years. Thanks again!
By Jeff on Jun 23, 2012
Hey Ray,
I’m in a 6×6 12 team H2H League and my offensive players are really struggling. I thought about maybe shaking up my lineup through free agency, but I’m a bit hesitant to jump ship on some players now only to watch them rebound once I drop them.
The hitting categories are Runs, Hits, Homers, RBI’s, SBs and On Base Percentage. I’m in the mid to bottom 3rd of the league(7th-9th) in every category except hits where I’m 4th.
My lineup that I’m running out there most days is as follows:
Catcher- Wieters
1b- Fielder
2b- M. Young/Infante
3b- M.Reynolds/R.Zimmerman
SS- Hanley Ramirez
OF- G. Stanton
OF- BJ Upton
OF- B. Harper
UTIL- C. Quentin/A. Pagan/Victorino
There are guys in free agency that are performing well or have the potential to. I thought maybe by shaking up my offense It wouldn’t be too late to turn things around. I just landed Infante in Free Agency, so I considered starting him over Mike Young. I also have been playing Reynolds over the disappointing Zimmerman.
Here’s who I could pickup in Free Agency.
C- W. Rosario
2B- C. Utley/G. Beckham
3B- W. Middlebrooks
OF- M. Saunders
M. Brantley
F. Gutierrez
J. Jay
JD Martinez
D. Viciedo
K. Nieuwenheis
K. Morales
There are plenty more. I thought this would be a good stopping point. I really like Middlebrooks(because I think Youk is gone), but if I pick him up, I would want to cut Zimmerman and/or Reynolds. Reynolds has about 60 at bats less than Zimmerman, while still doubling his homers and beating him in OBP .353 to .290. Middlebrooks has less at bats than either and is beating them in every category except runs.
Thank god fantasy football is around the corner.
Thanks Ray.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 23, 2012
Bob – This is a huge deal with no loser.
HanRam becomes 3B only next year, dings his value a bit.
JUp has struggled this year, but he’s just 24.
Votto – superstar.
Bruce – I think really good, but not on the fantasy level of the other three guys. Not much speed, and that average is never likely to impress.
I want HanRam, Upton.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 23, 2012
Wesley – Jurrjens is as boring as it gets. I’ve been saying it for year. Read this, nothing has changed since I wrote it in 2010:
http://baseballguys.com/2010/03/16/what-to-make-of-jair-jurrjens/
Keep Niese and Santana. You could add Hudson over Santana if you have to make a move.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 23, 2012
El burro – Trade my Bud Norris and Tom Whilemsen for His Tim Lincecum and Lance Berkman
Berkman should be back relatively soon, but what can we reasonably expect? He can still hit if he can stay healthy. Lincecum, after slow start, showed last night why I’m still such a fan.
Norris has that big power arm, but minor injury and poor support dings his value. Wilhelmsen looks great, but lack of big league experience, and Brandon League still lingering cause me some concern.
I’d take Lince/Berk
By Ray Flowers on Jun 23, 2012
Prettyflowers – I’d rank the catchers like this: Salty, Avila, Rosario. Hard as heck to do multi year rankings with catchers though. So much changes with injury and how teams deploy the players.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 23, 2012
Jeff – Thanks for checking in.
Infante is NOT the April hitter we saw. He is what he is, a moderate player in a 12 tm lg. Young is best option amongst your 2B options.
I dont see any obvious moves here. I know the desire to mix it up is strong, but in this case, you might be wise to take your own advise and exercise some patience.
By Jeff on Jun 23, 2012
Thanks Ray.
Based on what you said about Infante, would it be smarter to take a chance on Utley? He seems to be healthier at this point, even stealing a base last night.
Also, I forgot to mention that Carlos Lee, Juan Pierre, Pedro Alvarez are also available.
Also, what is your thoughts on my Ryan Zimmerman for someone like Ian Kennedy or Lincecum?
P.S. I’d love to test my fantasy football expertise vs you and some of the other guys…Kay, Kyle, Jeff Mans, etc. Could I get an invite to one of your leagues?
By Ray Flowers on Jun 23, 2012
Jeff –
Utley is a HUGE wildcard. If you’re playing it safe go Infante. He does not have the ceiling of Utley, but he’s also got a way higher floor as well.
Zimmerman is disappointing, and has been for a while now. I’d look to add him, and the deals you mentioned aren’t awful, though I wonder if you could do something less harmful in adding Zimm. He really hasn’t been good for a long while.
The only way to get an invite to the show leagues is to listen to the show. We’ll announce on air when you can try to get into the league – usually it requires doing something, winning a contest, etc.
By Matt w on Jun 23, 2012
Ray, for Sunday’s games which 3 players would you start and why? I have to pick from A. Soriano, Jonny Peralta, Alex Avila, Howie Kendrick, and Tori Hunter. Thanks.
By david on Jun 23, 2012
hi, ray. 12 mixed. which 1B do you prefer rotw: carlos lee, brandon belt, justin smoak? thanks.
By Jeff on Jun 23, 2012
Thanks ray. I sure hope your right about Reynolds and Zimmerman being better than middle brooks because someone else just picked him up.
In my previous post I think you misunderstood my question. I was asking whether it would be a good idea for me to trade Zimmerman for one of those two pitchers…Kennedy or lincecum
By Ray Flowers on Jun 24, 2012
Matt W – Sorry I didn’t get to your Sunday question in time. Out late last night making it happen…
Hope things go well with the squad.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 24, 2012
David – Lee.
Smoak continues to run hot and cold.
Belt has finally seemed to have found his groove, but at this point his best is likely what Lee is a lock to do.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 24, 2012
Jeff – Zimmerman has issues with shoulder, and there is now some talk that he could end up on the DL. He is playing Sunday though.
At this point, if you can deal Zimmerman for either arm, I’d seriously consider it… it might just be a matter of time before Zimm ends up on the DL.