I didn’t love anyone for tonight’s games so this week’s Trolling will focus on Tuesday through Friday. As with Sunday’s picks, I will mention some Hail Mary picks throughout that you can consider if you’re desperately trying to make a move. I’m not counting these in my actual tally because while they are calculated picks that have enough upside to deliver, they are only being mentioned for the most dire of situations.
I will show you the weekly results with and without them just for fun, but note that the official numbers at year’s end will not include the longshot picks from Sunday and the rest of the season.
TUESDAY
Standard:
Mike Minor (ATL v. FLO) – He has gotten some dirty wins and his 3.58 ERA the last month (28 IP) isn’t off-the-charts great, but I love the strikeout potential with 30 in those 28 IP & 8.2 K/9 for the year.
Mike Leake (CIN v. CHC) – He just threw a complete game giving up two runs on three hits against these Cubs and he has a 2.74 ERA and 3.5 K/BB in 23 innings (3 starts) against them this year.
Cory Luebke (SD @ SF) – Up and down lately as the rookie seems to be hitting a bit of a wall (no more than 6 IP in last 6 starts). Alas he remains a strong strikeout asset. Despite three straight losses, he is still a worthy option, especially against the Giants.
Guillermo Moscoso (OAK v. LAA) – Home: 6-2, 2.26 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 2.5 K/BB; road: 2-6, 4.82, 1.43 and 1.2. Let’s play the numbers here.
Hail Mary:
Dillon Gee (NYM v. WAS) – He has been too inconsistent lately as he too may be suffering from the proverbial rookie wall, but he has three straight outings with six strikeouts and he is markedly better at home with a 3.18 ERA against 5.59 on the road.
WEDNESDAY
Standard:
Edwin Jackson (STL @ PIT) – I don’t understand how someone can be as good as he has been this season yet still have ownership rates below 50% at multiple outlets.
Wade Davis (TB @ BAL) – On the heels of a complete game effort with two earned runs against the Red Sox, Davis earns a look against an inferior opponent by comparison.
Derek Holland (TEX v. CLE) – The human rollercoaster. Someone this inconsistent might be best suited for a Hail Mary, but I believe in his immense talent. He laid an egg last time out against the Indians, but I think he gets them back.
Hail Mary:
Randall Delgado (ATL v. FLO) – Ultra-talented rookie against a lame Marlins team could end well. He has been limited innings-wise in his first couple of starts since the recall, but he has also looked strong.
Bud Norris (HOU v. PHI) – Normally a standard pick, but against Roy Halladay his chances at a win are severely limited while the Phillies offense has become more imposing as the season has developed.
Rich Harden (OAK v. LAA) – He has crazy strikeout potential, but I think everyone has had him on their team at one point or another and knows just how maddening it can be. Tread cautiously.
THURSDAY
Anibal Sanchez is still only on 72% of teams at ESPN. I won’t count him as a pick because he isn’t widely available, but check your league just in case. He should be back at 100% the way he has been throwing the last month.
Standard:
Brandon McCarthy (OAK v. DET) – Hate to go against my Tigers not only because they are my favorite team, but also because they have been rolling lately. However, McCarthy has also been rolling and he could stop the locomotive known as the Tigers, especially at home.
Hail Mary:
Homer Bailey (CIN v. CHC) – Strong skills, but gopheritis continues to bite Bailey year after year. A career-best 3.2 K/BB is worth buying into and it’s been even better the last month with a 5.8 K/BB powered by his 8.2 K/9 in 38 innings.
FRIDAY
Standard:
Javier Vazquez (FLO @ WAS) – I have been rolling him out weekly and it continues this week, though his ownership rate has finally crept above 60%. Still too low.
Tim Stauffer (SD v. ARI) – Another hometown hero with a 2.76 in PETCO against a 4.95 mark on the road. The skills are significantly better, too, with 6.5 K/9 and 3.4 K/BB marks at home against 5.7 and 1.7 on the road. I thought he could be an any venue kind of guy, but it hasn’t played out that way in 2011.
Hail Mary:
Felipe Paulino (KC v. CHW) – A microcosm of his inconsistency can be seen in his last two starts: shuts down the Mariners in Seattle and gets crushed by the A’s in Oakland. Strikeout potential is significant.
Baseball By Paul 