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Field of Streams :: 6/22
by Tenacious D-Store
Published: June 22, 2008, 8:12 pm
Welcome to the first FPM edition of Tenacious D-Store's Field Of Streams. This column will be dedicated to the least likable owner of every fantasy league... The Streamer. For those who are unaware, streaming is the act of dropping pitchers who are not starting on a particular day for pitchers who are. This allows the owner to maximize starts, and assuming that a complete disaster is avoided, win all pitching stats. Streaming is typically used in H2H leagues but it can be useful to roto owners as well. One must be careful in using this strategy, especially if your league has a maximum limit for innings pitched. You also must prepare to become the most hated person in your league and be accused of cheating by your league crybaby. Streaming is perfectly legal and a strategy that requires a little more effort than simply setting a lineup for the entire week, and ignoring your team for seven days. Others who are either unwilling, unable, or perhaps just didn't get to the better daily pickups before you did will be bitter, but you my friend will be winning, and that's all that really matters. Let's get started.
NOTE: All starts are probable. I can not be held responsible for last minute managerial decisions, injuries, arrests, rain-outs, alien abductions, Sidney Ponson, etc.
June 23, 2008
Jeff Francis COL @ Brian Bannister KC
Jeff Francis's ERA has hovered above 5.00 for most of the season and he has proven to us all that he is nothing more than a low end fantasy rotation filler. Thus far he has a pretty good track record for inter-league starts. This season the trend has continued. He was unable to secure a win against the White Sox, walking away with a no decision, then limiting the Indians to only one earned run through six innings. Francis has shown past success against the Royals as well winning his only start against them with a 1.88 ERA. Give him a shot against Brian Bannister in a night game.
Ben Sheets MIL @ Jo-Jo Reyes ATL
Ben Sheets may be on a four game winning streak, but Braves starter Jo-Jo Reyes has actually posted a lower ERA in his last three starts. Reyes could very well be the most under rated rookie pitcher this season. He is posting great strike out numbers despite the odd ugly start. He is worthy of a spot start even against the incredible Ben Sheets. Reyes is more likely to get the run support for a win.
John Lackey ANA @ Jason Bergmann WAS
After failing to exceed the forth inning in back to back starts, Jason Bergmann finally posted a quality outing against the Twins allowing only one earned run through six innings. However, he still picked up the loss. Bergmann's strike out numbers have disappeared in his last three starts as well. With little offense behind him, Bergmann is far too big of a risk against John Lackey and the Angels. Leave him alone even in the deepest of leagues for this start.
June 24, 2008
Dave Bush MIL @ Charlie Morton ATL
Charlie Morton wasn't quite what I predicted he would be in his first MLB start, but he got the job done picking up the win without taking too much damage. Perhaps now that the nerves have settled we'll get at least a seventh inning out of him and a few more strikeouts. He needs to limit his pitches though, the 104 pitches he threw in only six innings was very uncharacteristic of the young future stud. Look for him to breeze to a 2-0 MLB record against the pathetic David Bush and the Brewers.
Mark Buehrle CHW @ Derek Lowe LA
Mark Buehrle is a pitcher who is so mediocre he becomes easy to ignore, in fact I don't think I have ever covered him in this column. Buehrle has actually been very effective on the mound during the past couple months. He has allowed two or fewer runs in five of his last seven starts and seen his ERA drop from 8.31 to 4.28 in his last dozen starts. Not to mention that he is eating innings like Bartolo Colon eats pies. The strike out numbers aren't there and probably never will be, and he seems to be another victim of poor run support this season, but give Buehrle a shot especially in leagues where innings pitched are a scoring stat.
Bronson Arroyo CIN @ Shaun Marcum TOR
Despite they fact that the Jays are in a slump and have always been dominated in inter-league play, there is no way you can trust Bronson Arroyo as a reliable spot starter. Arroyo has been atrocious and has gone winless since May 26th. Arroyo is giving up multi base hits like a pedophile gives out candy. 2006 was a fluke, he had never done anything to make him worthy of ownership before that, and I don't understand why it is so difficult for people to understand that he is still not worthy of ownership. Spare yourself the inflated ERA and WHIP at the expense of Arroyo, the Reds are a horrible ball club right now anyway.
Jon Garland ANA @ Shawn Hill WAS
Obviously, from a offensive point of view looking at an Angels and Nationals match up, the Angels starter is going to be more favorable. However, Jon Garland does very little to assist a fantasy team. He tires easily, strikes out very few batter and walks too many hitters. Although, I was had high hopes for Nationals starter Shawn Hill, he has proven to be a very similar pitcher on a far inferior team. You can do much better than either of them, but if you are desperate, take the one with Big Daddy Vladdy helping him out.
Andy Sonnanstine TB @ Scott Olsen FLA
Whoopty doo! Andy Sonnistine has won back to back starts and is now listed as hot by many fantasy sports web sites. Pardon me, Brandon Funboy, but allowing 13 hits and 6 runs in his last two starts spanning 10 innings (39 hits in his last 25 innings) hardly means that the boy is farting flames. It's not fire, it's smoke and mirrors. The Tampa Bay Rays are on a monstrous hitting streak. The Rays won those games, not Sonnanstine. I'm hardly a fan of Scott Olsen, but even though he took a humiliating loss to the Mariners in his last start, his seasonal stats really aren't that bad. Olsen is just getting very poor run support. The Rays are just too hot too risk it.
June 25, 2008
Anthony Reyes STL @ Armando Galarraga DET
Everyone knows by now that I have developed a new man crush for Armando Galarraga. How much more can I say about him from week to week. With three wins in his last three starts and a combined 0.96 ERA, he's not a spot start, he should be a permanent fixture in your rotation.
Jeff Suppan MIL @ Jorge Campillo ATL
A side from Jeff Suppan's embarrassing outing against Baltimore, he has done no wrong for the Brewers as of late but can't seem to win games despite not giving up a lot of runs. The Brewers were on a four game winning streak, but those wins have come against the Blue Jays during a time of swirling rumors that the Jays may not be putting forth their best effort in recent games intentionally. Expect Suppan's recent lack of run support to continue and feel confident in starting Jorge Campillo. He pitched five dominate innings with six K's against the Brewers for the win the last time they met. Suppan has a 1-4 lifetime record and 5.53 ERA against the Braves.
Randy Johnson ARI @ Tim Wakefield BOS
The Big Unit simply hasn't measured up in his last few starts. He was starting to look like the Randy Johnson we all remember after coming of the DL, but it didn't take long to fall apart. He is now mired in a three game losing streak with an ERA of nearly 8.00 in those starts. You should have hung them up when you were on top Randy, it's just sad to see you like this. Tim Wakefield on the other hand has that knuckler working it's magic lately. He has been amazing in his last four starts and is far more deserving of more than the single win he was awarded for it. His strike outs, and innings per outing are way up, his earned runs are way down, and his walks... well, cut him some slack. Sometimes that knuckleball floats a bit too much. However, even his walk totals are not grossly out of control. Tim Wakefield should not disappoint in this start.
Glen Perkins MIN @ Josh Banks SD
A complete game for Josh Banks now! Hey I can admit when I was wrong. I believe I touched on other bonehead moves the Jays have made with prospects in the past last week. Banks is certainly worthy of a better title then Blue Jays waiver trash. Glen Perkins on the other hand, has been every bit as dreadful as I said he would after that arrogant interview he gave after his first MLB win. I wonder how his foot tastes, especially since I think he stepped in a big load of... Anyway, keep using Banks until he gives you a reason not too. He has been completely dominate. Glen Perkins on the other hand, is a no talent assclown.
June 26, 2008
Kyle Lohse STL @ Eddie Bonine DET
I have already received some hate mail about my Eddie Bonine comments last week after he managed to pick up the win. Are you freaking kidding me! You call that a win? Nine hits, six earned runs, two measly strike outs and a 10.13 ERA. That's not a win, it's an embarrassment just as I predicted it would be. That win would not have existed if not for the one man wrecking crew Marcus Thames. Bonine is a joke, and so are any Tigers fans who were impressed by that outing. As for Kyle Lohse, how is he still available in an average of 45% of mixed leagues? Maybe he stunk it up in previous seasons, but right now he is 8-2, riding a five game winning streak. His only two loses came during a rough patch in early May. Loshe has been consistent enough to help in all pitching categories except K's, and he'll never help you much there.
Matt Garza TB @ Mark Hendrickson FLA
Sorry, no little rhymes about Mark Hendrickson this week. Or much else to say in regards to him at all really. He may have his moments, but more times than not he should just be completely avoided. Garza isn't quite the consistent strikeout, innings eating pitcher he convinced us all he was. The master of illusion that is Matt Garza isn't all that bad though. He'll still have his moments, and maybe he'll pull it all together and begin dominating again. He still has some promise and is young enough that he may still develop in to a stud in time. For now just let him ride the Rays hot streak to a win.
Radhames Liz BAL @ Ted Lilly CHC
Radhames Liz has yet to live up to his projected potential, I'm not quite ready to put the bust label on him yet with his lack of much real major league experience. Liz has a tendency to post a quality start, then piss it all away in a clutch situation. He did it again in his last start against the Pirates. After sending 14 of the first 16 batters back to the dugout in tears, he pitched a pair of cream puffs too Xavier Nady and Freddy Sanchez which resulted in a pair of solo shots, and the O's bullpen needing to claw their way out of Liz's hole for the victory. Ted Lilly appears to be back on track after a three start train wreck. Too bad the same can't be said for the Cubs. Start Lilly anyway.
John Danks CHW @ Clayton Kershaw LAD
John Danks hasn't figured in to the decision in his last four starts, even though he has pitched very well. He just seems to run out of steam after the sixth inning. Danks has now lowered his ERA to a measly 2.80, while keeping up his great strike out numbers. Despite his inability to pick up the win lately, he is always a great spot start. As for Clayton Kershaw, he's just not ready for the task he has been given. I still think he'll be as great in the majors as he was in the minors, but we probably won't see that until next season. The Dodgers aren't contenders anyway, so they are doing the right thing by leaving him up to take his lumps and gain experience, but that doesn't help your fantasy squad much.
June 27, 2008
Daisuke Matsuzaka BOS @ Wandy Rodriguez HOU
Wandy Rodriguez is still absolutely beastly at home which always makes him a decent spot start there, especially since The Dice Man could experience a little bit of rust or even fatigue problems after spending some time on the DL to rest that shoulder. I like Wandy's chances of upsetting the Red Sox in this start.
Pedro Martinez NYM @ Dan Giese NYY
Dan Giese is one of three rookies who will be called up to start on Friday, and the only one who might be worth a shot as a spot starter. This may be Guise's first start but he was used a bit out of the bullpen this season to follow up Joba Chamberlain in his transition to the rotation. He pitched well out of the bullpen, and his AAA numbers this season are also impressive. He is a low WHIP and ERA strike out pitcher and there shouldn't be any nerves as he has already made a few appearances on the big hill. Give him a shot against the Mets and Pedro Martinez. Martinez has been a shell of his former self showing an inability to K batters and pitch deep in to games. With the Mets lack of offense as of late, this could be a great first start for the Yankee's youngster.
Daniel Cabrera BAL @ Garrett Mock WAS
Garret Mock was also used earlier this season and was crushed by the Giants giving Barry Zito of all people a win that was hardly earned. If the Giants can do it, so can the O's. Mock is simply not a good pitcher and pitches for the worst team in the National League. There is no place for Mock even in deeper NL only leagues. Daniel Cabrera is just far too frustrating to use even in this situation. He's just all over the place, and his usual strike out numbers just haven't been there this season. Leave them both alone.
Daryl Thompson CIN @ C.C. Sabathia CLE
Now, we all know by now that I'm no fan of Homer Bustly... um, Bailey, but where is the sense in demoting Daryl Thompson from AAA to AA and then throwing him in to a major league rotation at the drop of a hat? On a more positive note Thompson has pitched better since the demotion and really wasn't pitching too poorly beforehand either. Regardless, the 22 year old Thompson is not ready for this and the promotion just does not make sense. It's not like the Reds are contenders anyway. It would have been far more reasonable to continue to let Bailey struggle in the rotation while Thompson furthers his development in the minors. Thompson is gonna get spanked like White House Intern, and the Reds are about to crush the future of yet another promising pitching prospect.
Kevin Correia SF @ Dana Eveland OAK
Dana Eveland's early season fire appears to be just hot ash and ambers at the moment. Every now and then it flares up again, but for the most part it's just smoke. I'm going to stick with my pony. I had predicted a break out season from Eveland this year to the guffaws of many, but he has shown enough to silence those who called him a bust. He was never given a real chance until this season. He already has a recent win against the Giants, so I see no reason why he won't repeat that. Kevin Correia is hardly a threat to his victory.
Mitchell Boggs STL @ Gil Meche KC
Mitchell Boggs has been a disaster in each of his three major league starts this season, including the game he picked up a win in, he has also only pitched a combined eleven innings in those three starts. Hey at least he picked up his first strike out in the last start. Even the Royals are capable of having a hay day against this bum. Gil Meche has been rather shaky himself this season but is coming of an incredible start where he fanned ten D-Backs in seven innings. Give Meche a shot in this favorable match up and hope this is the beginning of a streak and not just a fluke start.
June 28, 2008
Johnny Cueto CIN @ Paul Byrd CLE
Paul Byrd hardly ever walks a batter, and doesn't strike out many either. How does he accomplish this feat? By getting hit, and hit hard. Byrd has only issued ten free passes to first in 78 innings pitched, yet still has a season 5.21 ERA. You would be hard pressed to find a worse fantasy pitcher anywhere in the MLB. Johnny Cueto has been a roller coaster for his owners. Nothing has been consistent in his game to game stats. Assume that the Reds will get the best of Paul Byrd and hope that Cueto will put up one of his great strike out performances. There's some risk involved, but it seems minimal given the match up.
Scott Kazmir TB @ Ian Snell PIT
Do I really have to warn anyone against starting Ian Snell? He's now lost in five of his past six starts, barely managing a win against the lowly Washington Nationals. His ERA is too high, he doesn't pitch enough innings, he walks too many batters and he plays for too poor a ball club to warrant starting him in anything higher than NL-only fantasy leagues.
Manny Parra MIL @ Livan Hernandez MIN
Maybe it wasn't always pretty but Manny Parra is on a five game winning streak. He'll make it six, I take back what I said about Paul Byrd, I had forgotten about Livan Hernandez.
June 29, 2008
Joba Chamberlain NYY @ Oliver Perez NYM
Well we finally got some strike outs out of Joba Chamberlain, but how impressed can we be when it came against the Padres. He still didn't give us many innings and he still failed to secure a win. I was ready to recommend Oli Perez over him this week after his brilliant start against the Rangers, but in true Oli fashion he was destroyed by the Angels in his next start, forcing me to throw up my hands and resort back to Joba. The only thing that is consistent about Perez is his inconsistency. He has had some amazing starts this season, but he still has an ERA over 5.00 and a WHIP of 1.56. That is just flat out disgusting. The Yankees are slowly crawling up the ladder in the AL East again. Joba has a lot to work on, especially his endurance, but he is getting better with every start, and he's your man in this match up.
Jamie Moyer STL @ Eric Hurley TEX
Jamie Moyer is never going to be a pitcher worth consideration in most mixed leagues. He hasn't been overly horrible in his last few starts, but there just isn't much there to help you in the pitching categories, even if he does win. Eric Hurley on the other hand is very probable to become a superstar. In two starts thus far, he has been left with two no decisions. The Rangers are slowly easing him in to the rotation and trying not to over work him too soon, regardless of how great he looks on the mound. With the big offense the Rangers are showing right now, those wins will come. Hurley is someone to keep an eye on, and a spot start option you really can't go wrong with.
Andy Sonnanstine TB @ Tom Gorzelanny PIT
What do Andy Sonnanstine and Tom Gorzelanny have in common? Well they both freaking suck and will never be on any of my teams. Keep them off of yours too.
Jonathan O. Sanchez SF @ Joe Blanton OAK
Jonny O lost his first start since May 16th putting an end to his four game winning streak. There is no one in the MLB now or in the past who has ever brought a hotter fastball. Ignore his current ERA and WHIP, it is irrelevant and the result of a poor defense behind him. The kid is a beast and I wish he was on a team that people actually cared about. Too bad his career will be a very short one with the way he hurls that fastball. Make the best of him before that arm falls off. As for what I think about Joe Blanton... well to be honest I'm trying not to right now. Toss him in the Gorzanstine pile.
Highlight Of The Week
Emilio Bonifacio 2B Arizona Diamondbacks (AAA-Tucson)
The Diamondback's have been crystal clear this season about the fact that they will not be resigning 2nd baseman Orlando Hudson, meaning that the O-Dog is likely to become a free agent. There is still the possibility that he will be traded. The D-Backs don't need him as they have something better in laying in waits, and his name is Emilio Bonifacio. Emilio Bonifacio is batting .366 thus far in June and .308 on the season for the AAA Side Winders, his fielding abilities are comparable to Hudson's, and Bonifacio has the ability to steal 40+ bases in a season. Line him up in those keeper and Dynasty leagues and be aware of any trade talks involving Hudson. Emilio Bonifacio is the real deal.
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