Joe DiMaggio lost his hitting streak at 56 games.

Orel Hershiser went 59 innings without allowing a run before he was beat.

Cal Ripken appeared in 2,632 games before finally taking a seat.

I’m thinking I’m somewhere around 2,500 days….

What am I talking about? I’m talking about the length of time that it’s been since I took a personal vacation of more than three days. That’s right, it’s been seven years since I’ve just checked out. That streak is going down this week.

I’ll be out of touch for the next week as I’ll be in Hawaii and then San Diego. Yes, there will be sun, surf and plenty of fruity drinks with umbrellas.

I’ll see what I can do to answer questions over the next week, but I can’t promise I’ll be able to get to any of them.

Good luck until then. I’ll be back June 24th full-time ready to give you all the help I can on your journey to a 2013 fantasy baseball championship.

By Ray Flowers

Trevor Ray (@tray0128 on twitter) and Shane Connolly (@SConnolly114 on twitter) discuss SS that can fill the void that has been left behind in another Troy Tulowitzki injury.

Brandon Crawford, Josh Rutledge, Mike Aviles, Xander Bogaerts, Jose Iglesias, Pete Kozma, Yunel Escobar.

LISTEN TO THE AUDIO.

Who wants a chance part of the $24,000 prize package on Friday from Fanduel.com? Better yet, who wants to also get a shot to win $200,000 with an all expense paid trip to Vegas as well? All you need is $10 bucks and some fantasy baseball knowledge. I thought that might get your attention.

$1 Million Daily Fantasy Baseball Championship on FanDuel

Each weekly winner will then be flown to Vegas, all expenses paid by FanDuel.com, and given a shot at the $200,000 grand prize. That’s right. Win two weekly matchups and you’ve got $200,000 coming your way. And don’t think that you have to enter hundreds of times to win. And don’t think that you have to enter hundreds of times to win. Jordy Nelson last year entered once, one time, and he ended up in the Finals in Vegas cause he won his weekly matchup. He then proceeded to win that year’s grand prize of $100,000. All from one $10 entry.

So what do you do? You go to FanDuel.com and sign up for today’s contest that also gives you a chance to win part of the $24,000 in prizes for Friday’s event.

You then put together your salary cap team (the rules are very simple and can be found at the top of the page if you follow the link). If you win, it’s Vegas here you come. If you don’t, there are still plenty of cash prizes that you can pocket in the tournament for your mere $10 entry fee (there are 250 cash prizes handed out).

Here are some of my best plays for Friday.

CATCHERS
1. A.J. Pierzynski
2. Miguel Montero

Pierzynski has eight hits in 20 at-bats (.400) vs. Mark Buehrle.

Montero is finally, f i n a l l y, hitting. He faces Eric Stults who has pitched well of late though he’s given up a .308-1-5 line to Montero in 13 at-bats.

FIRST BASE
1. Nick Swisher
2. Adam Lind

Swisher has handled Gio Gonzalez well hitting .400 with a homer and six RBIs in 15 at-bats.

Lind is hitting everyone right now. He’s batting like .900 the past week, or something like that, and is hitting .462 against the Rangers. He’s also 3-for-5 against Yu Darvish.

SECOND BASE
1. Alexi Amarista
2. Ryan Raburn

Amarista has five hits, including a homer and three RBIs, in nine at-bats versus Trevor Cahill.

Raburn has been really hit or miss this season. He might be a hit Friday versus Gio Gonzalez who he has six hits, two homers, in 11 at-bats.

THIRD BASE
1. Miguel Cabrera
2. Josh Donaldson

Starting Miggy is never wrong. It’s oh so right Friday as he takes on the weak Scott Diamond who he’s gotten 10 hits against in 19 at-bats (a .526 average and six RBIs).

Donaldson, aka little Miggy, has launched seven hits in 14 at-bats against the soft tossing Joe Saunders.

SHORTSTOP
1. Mike Aviles
2. Alcides Escobar

Aviles has hit .308 vs. Gio Gonzalez in 13 at-bats, and he’s also stolen four bases.

Escobar vs. the struggling Matt Moore is 3-for-3 with a rare homer.

Pass on J.J. Hardy vs Ryan Dempster (2-for-28).

OUTFIELD
1. Jeff Baker
2. Josh Willingham

Baker is killing everyone he faces this season, and he’s long had success against Mark Buehrle (6-for-14 with a homer and .429 average).

Willingham crushes Rick Porcello. Blasts him off the bump. Willingham has seven hits, including two homers, in 13 at-bats. He’s also driven in seven runs while walking four times on his way to a 1.821 OPS.

STARTING PITCHERS
1. Bronson Arroyo
2. Kris Medlen
3. Gio Gonzalez
4. Kyle Lohse

Arroyo has held current Brewers batters to a .229 average and .706 OPS over 297 at-bats.

Medlen has had two starts in June and he hasn’t allowed a run yet. He hurls at home versus the Giants and he has a 2.31 ERA in six home starts this year.

Dominates. That’s what Gio Gonzalez does the Indians as he’s 5-0 with 0.72 ERA in his career, though yes, there are a ton of new fellas on the squad.

Lohse has handled the Reds in his career with a .228 batting average, .637 OPS and just one homer allowed in 123 at-bats.

@MLBDailyLineups – lists all the lineups in one spot so you can make sure you don’t have someone in your lineup that is sitting on the bench that day.

To see how others are evaluating players don’t forget to go to Fleaflicker.com where you can check out the owned percentages of all your favorite players.

By Ray Flowers

I know it’s smack dab in the middle of baseball season so it’s a bit of an odd time to do a fantasy football draft, but that didn’t stop us from engaging in one anyway Wednesday as the 2013 FSTA Experts NFL Draft took place. It was a 14 team, PPR league with one point for 25 yards passing and four points for passing scores which seemed to downgrade the importance of adding a QB early in the draft (if you follow my NFL work, you know I’d wait on a QB in pretty much every league anyway). Before breaking down my club let’s review what I did.

1 – It’s June. We don’t really know how so many of the situations with roles, injuries etc. are even going to play out.

2 – It’s June. Therefore I did something I rarely do… I embraced risk. I didn’t just accept it, I asked it out on a date, bought it a nice dinner, gave her a couple bottles of wine, and had a memorable night with her.

3 – There isn’t a rookie or an uncertain player on the entire roster (due to injury). Well, maybe Josh Freeman doesn’t qualify, BenJarvus Green-Ellis doesn’t qualify and maybe Pierce doesn’t either, but really, well, you will see.

I’ve never taken more risk in a fantasy draft in my life.

This team could win the championship.

This team could finish in last place.

Embrace it.

QB: RGIII (7), Josh Freeman (12)
RB: Trent Richardson (1), BenJarvus Green-Ellis (5), Zac Stacy (6), Bernard Pierce (9), Robert Turbin (14)
WR: Percy Harvin (2), Hakeem Nicks (4), Vincent Brown (8), Ryan Broyles (11), Robert Woods (13)
TE: Rob Gronkowski (3), Jordan Cameron (10)
K: Greg Zuerlin (15)
DEF: Arizona Cardinals (16)

* NOTE: We start 2 RBs, 3 WRs an a flex. For kickers… bonus points for yardage (3 pts for 30-39 yards, 4 for 40-49, 5 for 50-59, 6 for 60+).

For the results of the entire draft click on the link to RT Sports.

I know the team has risks all over the place, duh, but it’s got a boatload of talent as well.

I think I need a bumper sticker that says First Place or bust…
By Ray Flowers

For those of you that don’t know, I’m in Chicago for the next couple of days for the Fantasy Sports Trade Association Conference. It’s a coming together of the greatest minds in the industry, and me, to touch base, share business thoughts, discuss the direction of the fantasy sports industry, and to enjoy some fun together (I’m not naming names, but some of us may party a little harder than others). While at the event we will also hold the annual FSTA Experts League for Fantasy Football. It’s a 14 team PPR league, and yours truly is drafting 9th (hopefully I’ll have some better luck than I’ve had in the baseball league this season as injuries have beaten me down to 10th place). I’ll certainly try to post some thoughts from the event, but it might be hit or miss (I’m literally going to be in Chicago for less than 48 hours). In fact, this is going to be a mostly Oracle free period of about 10 days. For the first time in literally seven years I’m taking a real vacation. Yes, that is sad – no vacations in seven years. Hey, you have to work hard to get ahead. Here’s my upcoming schedule

Chicago (FSTA Event), Hawaii (beach time, maybe some booze too), San Diego (Wedding – not mine, don’t panic ladies).

I’ll try to come back with a savage tan. What am I saying, I won’t try, I will. I wonder if copious amounts of Vodka & Redbull in Chicago, and tons of Pina Colada’s and Lava Flows in Hawaii will help speed up the tan. I’m willing to try.

On to more pressing matters…

Tony Cingrani may be sent back to the minors as the Reds appear to be hopeful that Johnny Cueto (lat) will be able to return to the rotation for his next turn (Sunday). Cingrani by the way looked really sharp needing just 92 pitches to go seven innings while walking one batter and allowing two runs to the Cubs to improve to 3-0. He was as impressive as Matt Garza was pitiful (nine earned runs in five innings). Nice job rook.

Bryce Harper did not have surgery on his knee. That said, he may or may not be back on the field in June. Harper’s knee injury required a cortisone shot and the ever growing in popularity platelet-rich plasma injection. Harper will wear a brace for the rest of the week before the Nationals decide on the next step.

Kenley Jansen is now the Dodgers’ closer as it should have been from day one. For the second straight season it appears that Jansen will start the year as the setup man and then end up leading his team in saves.

Derek Jeter is visiting a doctor Thursday and he hopes his ankle gets the thumbs up so he can return to full activity. Seems like we’re looking at about six weeks of rehab work for Jeter once he gets thus thumbs up, so late July for a return? So much for Jeter missing the first week of the season this year as reports initially suggested.

Matt Kemp still isn’t running after suffering a setback with his hamstring. He’s not going to be able to return this week. It’s uncertain if he will be back next week either.

I watched Tim Lincecum throw Tuesday, and it was yuck all over again. He threw 4.2 innings and only allowed two runs that were earned (four overall), but man was it terrible. He couldn’t locate his pitches, walked the impossible to walk Starling Marte, and just couldn’t get it done. He has the stuff to get batters out. There is no doubt, none. His secondary stuff is really good (as I keep telling you). The problem continues to be his inability to consistently locate hit pitches. He’s not gone Rick Ankiel on us, but man, brutal. The biggest hit against Lincecum in this outing by the way? How about the bases loaded two run single by — Gerrit Cole. Brutal like I said. As for Cole, he throws hard (he was sitting at 95 and touching 97-98 at times), and he threw strikes (52 of 72 pitches were strikes and he didn’t walk a batter over 6.1 innings). Just like in the minors though, he didn’t generate any strikeouts as he punched out just two batters. Cole left the game without allowing a run, but the Pirates bullpen ended up saddling him with two runs on his record. All and all a great first game, but where are those strikeouts?

Jacob Turner went seven solid innings against the Brewers allowing four run (three earned) while striking out six. Through three starts this year he has a 1.80 ERA and 1.05 and maybe, just maybe, he’ll have some mixed league value in the second half.

Mike Zunino was called up by the Mariners. My thoughts.

By Ray Flowers

Matt Moore vs. Ubaldo Jimenez

You read that title and you say to yourself, that’s it, Ray’s finally snapped. His blood pressure must have gone through the roof, he started drinking, and he lost his mind. That’s what you’re thinking right? Hear me out. Let’s compare the duo of arms I listed.

M.Moore: 1.35 WHIP, 8.35 K/9, 4.57 BB/9, .227 BAA
Jimenez: 1.36 WHIP, 9.05 K/9, 4.31 BB/9, .239 BAA

There’s the facts folks. Ask yourself. If I listed those numbers, without the names, could you have told me which line belonged to which pitcher? Of course you couldn’t have. Moore has been so bad of late – 14 earned runs over his last seven innings – that his numbers actually line up right next to Mr. Inconsistency. Moore has an 8-2 record and 3.78 ERA, vastly superior numbers to the 2-4 record and 5.03 ERA of Ubaldo, but doesn’t this comparison make you very, very nervous? It should. Since 2000 by the way, there have only been 10 seasons in which a pitcher walked 4.50 batters per nine innings with an ERA of 3.75 or lower. Check out some of the names on the list: Robert Person, Rick Ankiel, Carlos Zambrano, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Chan Ho Park. Good luck with that Mr. Moore.

Some other quick hitting notes…

Jeff Baker is hitting .333 with nine homers in just 78 at-bats for the Rangers. He hit four homers in 169 at-bats last season, three in 201 at-bats in 2011, four in 206 at-bats in 2010 and four in 203 at-bats in 2009. He’s also a career .269 hitter. Right now he’s got a 1.140 OPS which is the best in baseball for any batter with 75 plate appearances. An amazing AL-only find who is out of his mind right now.

I jokingly wrote a few days back that Chris Davis would have to go 0-for-68 to drop his batting average down to .270 which would match his career average. Well, seems like he’s trying to get there. Davis has gone 16 at-bats without a hit to drop his average down to a still insane .333. Over his last 10 games he has one homer and two RBIs, hasn’t walked a single time, and has struck out 17 times. That’s scary bad folks. Seems like the regression monsters is in a hurry to get things back to normal.

Logan Forsythe will take over the majority of time at second base now that Jedd Gyorko has been placed on the DL. Don’t go overboard with Forsythe though. He’ll likely have to share some time with Alexi Amarista, and once Gyorko is healthy he’s back in there on a daily basis. Forsythe is a nice little ballplayer though who hit .280 with 22 runs scored over his final 25 games last season for the Padres.

Yovani Gallardo didn’t give up a single run in eight innings Monday night to pick up his second win in three starts. He’s by no means out of the woods yet, but it was a nice outing for the righty who has 42 Ks over his last 45.2 innings.

Jonathan Lucroy was hitting .208 at the start of action on May 21st. Over the last 16 games he’s been sharp as the proverbial tack hitting .385 with three homers and 15 RBIs (that 1.036 OPS is nice too). As a result of that nice run he’s back to being a solid option behind the dish, and his current slash line (.268/.319/.426) just about matches his career line exactly (.277/.325/.414).

Tyler Skaggs made two starts, then was demoted. Tis the life of a young pitcher, and why I continually warn folks not to rely too heavily on any young arm. If Trevor Cahill allows 10 runs in two starts, as Skaggs did in his last two outings, he works on his mechanics and keeps making starts. Skaggs does it and he gets a ticket to the minors. For those of you in NL-only leagues it looks like Josh Collmenter will take the next turn in the rotation for the D’backs on June 18th.

FOR MORE ON GERRIT COLE, TONY CINGRANI & WIL MYERS SEE- Rounding the Bases: Cole, Cingrani & Myers.

By Ray Flowers

Another week, another seven days of frustration. Injuries continue to pound my teams, and a lack of movement in the trade market is starting to get to me now (experts are very hard to deal with. I must have send out 25 trade offers the past week – only one was accepted though there might be an AL LABR deal in the works for next week).

FOR MORE ON COLE, CINGRANI & MYERS SEE- Rounding the Bases: Cole, Cingrani & Myers.

FOR MY THOUGHTS ON PUIG LISTEN HERE.

TOUT WARS (15 team mixed): Yes, my team has woefully underperformed, but I keep fighting the good fight. This weeks moves… I dropped Eric Young who continues to get playing time but just isn’t performing. I tried to get Mr. Blanks but was greatly outspent (my bid was $7). So, I ended up with two start Jacob Turner ($2) to bolster my staff. I also added Eric Stults to help out the staff for $5 as I released Joe Smith. Stults has posted a 3.53 ERA and 1.15 WHIP on the year, and if you haven’t noticed he’s been on a hell of a run the last three weeks – 2.54 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 21 Ks versus two walks over 28.1 innings.
Notable bids: Kyle Blanks ($21), Gerrit Cole ($9), Hector Santiago ($5), Travis Hafner ($3).

LABR (12 team, AL-only): Didn’t make a single move this week. I keep trying to trade Jacoby Ellsbury for an elite arm, or Nate McLouth for an established one, but I’m having a hard time finding a taker. I’m in third place overall after a second place finish last year, so I’m hungry, but finding that right fit, with the experts, is always tough (hopefully Michael Pineda, who is on my reserve list, will come through). I lead the league with 91 steals, and according to Larry Schechter I’m on pace to set an all-time record for steals (no one else is within 39 steals). Gotta make a move.
Notable bids: Dallas Keuchel ($3), Pedro Ciriaco ($3), Ryan Flaherty ($3), Jose Alvarez ($3)

FSTA (13 team mixed): Fricken Hanley Ramirez just can’t get over the hump, and it’s killing me. I went $221 for Yasiel Puig, an aggressive bid for me, but I was more than doubled there. I was outbid on Kyle Blanks ($37). I ended up with Daniel Descalso ($11) who qualifies at second, short and third base. He’s hitting .413 with 14 RBIs and 12 runs scored the past 19 games. Jared Burton was cast adrift. I also added Dylan Axelrod ($7) at the cost of Edinson Volquez. Dylan has two starts against the Blue Jays and Astros.
Notable bids: Yasiel Puig ($521), Anthony Rendon ($103), Kyle Blanks ($85), Kyle Lohse ($21), Chad Gaudin ($17).

To see how others are evaluating players don’t forget to go to Fleaflicker.com where you can check out the owned percentages of all your favorite players.

SIRIUSXM EXPERTS (12 team mixed): Ubaldo Jimenez ($1) is in, Edinson Volquez is out. Why do I want to punch myself in the face? J.J. Putz, the still injured one, disappears for David Robertson an elite setup arm who could dominate as a closer if anything happened to 430 year old Mariano Rivera. The big move of the week was my $4 add of… Eric Hosmer (Will Venable went bye-bye). Hosmer is hitting .367 in June, but he has only one bomb on the year. Still, he’s got the talent to go on a nice, extended run. I hope.
Notable bids: Yasiel Puig ($52), Luke Gregerson ($5), Scott Van Slyke ($4), Mike Leake ($3), Bartolo Colon ($3).

SIRIUSXM LISTENER LG (11 team mixed): This is the only league with an open waiver-wire. With too many injured players, and no end in sight, I dropped Brandon Morrow for Yan Gomes since my catcher duo isn’t exactly strong (Wellington Castillo is my second). Trying to work the waiver-wire to boost the offense.

K-BAD (12 team mixed): Big news… a trade. I need help on the hill and I had Domonic Brown, you know that pretty solid slugger of the Phillies, to offer up. After sifting through a few blah deals, I settled on one that I think is a big boost (note: dealing in experts leagues is awfully tough. Most think Brown can’t keep this up, and most continue to have faith in pitchers that they drafted early in the year even if they’ve been struggling in a big way to this point of the season). I was able to add Matt Cain in the deal. Looking at his pitching line, and I keep pointing this out when folks ask, the only real difference this season has been his HR/9 mark, and one would think that number should continue to shrink. I made two other moves. I dropped Kevin Gausman for Stults ($17), and I let go Dan Haren – who was replaced by Cain – so I could add Will Middlebrooks. Kevin Youkilis and Hanley Ramirez continue to be in and out of the lineup, so I needed to bolster my CI spot.
Notable bids: Gerrit Cole ($224), Rick Porcello ($75), Tyler Colvin ($50), Kyle Blanks ($44), Carlos Quentin ($37), Mike Leake ($22).

FANBALL (13 team mixed): Second place last year, 12 out of 13 this year. Ugh. Big winner this week was Yunel Escobar ($3) as I lost Asdrubal Cabrera to the DL. Eric Stults ($2) makes another appearance at the cost of J.J. Putz.
Notable bids: Nolan Arenado ($6), Rick Porcello ($4), Kyle Blanks ($3), Erasmo Ramirez ($1)

By Ray Flowers

Justin Fensterman and Trevor Ray talk about some key guys to be keeping your eye on at the SS position. They will also touch on some of the players involved in the Biogenesis MLB PED scandal.

Yunel Escobar, Jose Iglesias, Brian Dozier, Didi Gregorius, Jhonny Peralta, Scooter Gennett, Ryan Braun

LISTEN TO THE AUDIO.

Who wants a chance part of the $24,000 prize package on Friday from Fanduel.com? Better yet, who wants to also get a shot to win $200,000 with an all expense paid trip to Vegas as well? All you need is $10 bucks and some fantasy baseball knowledge. I thought that might get your attention.

$1 Million Daily Fantasy Baseball Championship on FanDuel

Each weekly winner will then be flown to Vegas, all expenses paid by FanDuel.com, and given a shot at the $200,000 grand prize. That’s right. Win two weekly matchups and you’ve got $200,000 coming your way. And don’t think that you have to enter hundreds of times to win. And don’t think that you have to enter hundreds of times to win. Jordy Nelson last year entered once, one time, and he ended up in the Finals in Vegas cause he won his weekly matchup. He then proceeded to win that year’s grand prize of $100,000. All from one $10 entry.

So what do you do? You go to FanDuel.com and sign up for today’s contest that also gives you a chance to win part of the $24,000 in prizes for Friday’s event.

You then put together your salary cap team (the rules are very simple and can be found at the top of the page if you follow the link). If you win, it’s Vegas here you come. If you don’t, there are still plenty of cash prizes that you can pocket in the tournament for your mere $10 entry fee (there are 250 cash prizes handed out).

I’ll be happy to give you a leg up on the competition as well. In the video below I’ll list some of the best and worst plays for Friday (those of you who aren’t going to play in the tournament should still click on the video. One, you get to see how good looking I am. Two, you get to hear me talk instead of reading my lame writing. Three, you don’t have to be playing in a daily fantasy baseball league to derive value from the advice I’m giving – you still need to know who to have in your lineup, don’t you?).

By Ray Flowers

STRASBURG FAILS TO LAUNCH

Stephen Strasburg is on the DL with a lat issue. He said he was fine. The team said he was fine. We all knew he wasn’t fine and that he would end up on the DL, right? Facts are facts, and there are a bunch of them in an article I wrote earlier this week titled The Strasburg Dilemma. Adding to what I wrote there I think it’s about time we admit the following.

(1) Strasburg cannot be trusted to make 30 starts. He’s never done that, or thrown 160 innings, in any season of his life.

(2) It’s unabashedly foolish to draft Strasburg in the top-25 overall as many did this season, and it’s similarly crazy to make him your SP1 in the fantasy game. I don’t care how talented he is, you cannot trust him to take the ball every five days. Even when he does the Nationals micromanage him so much that it diminishes his fantasy outlook substantially.

Can we move on now?

COLON OUT OF CONTROL

Bartolo Colon has been one of the biggest surprises in baseball this year. Colon is 7-2 with a 3.14 ERA and 1.09 WHIP for the Athletics. Some facts. (1) The last time Colon threw 165 innings was 2005. Were you even playing fantasy baseball then? (2) The last time Colon had an ERA under 3.40 was 2002. (3) The last time he had a WHIP under 1.20 was 2005. (4) Colon has a 5.35 K/9 mark. That’s a batter an a half below his career rate and would be the second worst mark of his career (he had a 4.95 mark in 2006 when he tossed only 56.1 innings). (5) He’s walked six batters in 12 starts. Six. Since the 1950 season there have only been two seasons with a pitcher posting a BB/9 mark under 0.70 (Carlos Silva 0.43 in 2005 and Bret Saberhagen 0.66 in 1994). Colon’s current mark is also fifty percent of the lowest mark he’s ever posted. Good luck with that continuing.

How are people evaluating pitchers over at Fleaflicker.com?

HAMELS REBOUNDING?

Cole Hamels allowed one run, walked one and struck out 11 in a victory over the Marlins Wednesday. He’s 2-9 with a 4.56 ERA, and that has people freaking out. I don’t think you should be. Here’s why. (1) Hamels has a 8.56 K/9 mark. That’s one hundredth over his career mark. (2) His control has returned. Hamels has walked two batters over his last three starts and four in five outings. That run of success has dropped his walk rate back down below three at 2.89. That mark would still be a seven year high, but it’s finally under control. (3) His 1.18 GB/FB ratio is two hundredths better than his career mark. Right on par. (4) His HR/F ratio is 13.1. That would be a career worst but it’s an acceptable number given his career rate of 11.6 percent. (5) His BABIP is .294, right in line with his career .282 mark. The results haven’t been there according to his ERA and record, but you had better be buying on him quick before his owner realizes the old Hamels is back (ditto Matt Cain who you should all be buying).

READER COMMENT

Dresselrebel – Shelby Miller actually has been thoroughly studly all season. All of his numbers and ratios support this. 10 starts. All were quality. Sub 2.00 ERA. Sub 1.00 WHIP. A K per IP. Should be universally owned and started. That is all.

Of course Miller should be owned and started in all leagues. I never said otherwise. Still, let’s be clear here. Saying Miller should be starting in every league every time he takes the hill is totally different than saying he will be able to keep up this pace and should be looked at as an SP1 in fantasy baseball.

Rookie pitchers since 1950 who have thrown at least 160 innings…

No rookie has had a season with an ERA below 2.05 (Stan Bahnsen in 1968). Miller is at 1.82.

Only one rookie has had a WHIP below 1.00 (Dick Hughes 0.95 in 1967). Miller is at 0.98.

Only eight rookies have bettered Miller’s 9.35 K/9 mark.

NO rookie has bettered his 4.24 K/BB ratio.

NO rookie has ever bettered his 84.1 left on base percentage.

So are you ready to say that Miller is a lock to have one of the three greatest rookie pitching seasons in over 60 years? I think it’s foolish to make that claim after 11 starts.

By Ray Flowers