I'm back for a second day in a row (feels like it's been awhile since I've been able to say that, even though it was just last week), waiting for my main man David Hernández to take the mound in Baltimore. Looking ahead, I've got two options for you tomorrow, depending on how your nerves are. Hoping to get a little groove goin' here, and I'm happy with the prospects of tomorrow's picks...
J.A. Happ (L), PHI (50% Owned) @ Chris Young (R), SD
I heard PETCO Park referred to today as 'the graveyard', presumably because that's where Home Runs go to die. As I've previously documented, the priests have approximately one Major League caliber bat on their entire team, who just happens to be an absolute monster in Adrian Gonzalez.Aside from his contributions, though, San Diego has the 26th Ranked OPS (.704) in all of Major League Baseball, and the 28th Ranked OPS (.674) at Home, and not much better facing LHP (.676). Unfortunately Happ matches up with Young, which may hamper his ability to earn a Win, but expect a Quality Start by anyone's standards, along with upwards of a half-dozen strikeouts, and good all-around ratios. The -115 juice on Under 7.5 Total Runs is sexy as can be, despite Happ being a +115 underdog.
Jordan Zimmermann (R), WSH (38% Owned) vs Randy Johnson (L), SF
With -125 juice on Under 9 Total Runs in this game, and Zimm being a -120 favorite against The Big Unit, Vegas likes Jordan tomorrow, and so do I. He fanned 8 Gigantes last time they met, despite struggling with his ratios. This time around I expect the Ks, the ratios, and reasonable expectations of a Win as well. Zim has struggled as of late, which is why I list him under Happ, but he's continued striking batters out, and there's few teams that help pitchers start a new groove quite like San Francisco, who sport the MLB's worst team OPS (.681). If Happ is unavailable or you simply refuse to own Phillies pitchers, then Zimmermann is the direction you're going to want to look. If you've got the space and availability, I wouldn't even frown on starting both of them.
Until tomorrow...
Sneaky pick tomorrow is Josh Outman, who I hadn't realized is still only owned in 44% of Yahoo! Plus Leagues. When you think of the White Sox lineup and park you're (see: I'm) generally dissuaded with names like Dye, Thome, even Ramirez coming on. But, did you know that the White Sox currently have the MLB's 24th ranked team OPS (.724)? Also, they rank dead last in OPS at Home (.657) in the entire MLB, which is puzzling given how The Cell generally plays. I'm starting Outman in Chicago tomorrow, despite being like 30 innings ahead of pace for my limit. I think he's got a nice start ahead of him, with some nice K's to boot.
Looks like Lohse is finally ready to go, and being such a good pitcher at home means standard-leaguers should gamble on the 48% owned pitcher.
For guys that I'm pretty sure you can spot start in Plus leagues, I'd go with Clayton Richard against the A's and Anthony Swarzak against the Indians. Also think Sean West of the Marlins makes a solid play.
solid pick on Zimm.
i am kind of surprised he is only owned in 38% of leagues with his K potential.
Already had Zimmenhoffer, so I went and picked up Clayton Richard vs my A's.
Newsflash - Oakland have a .576 OPS vs LHP.
Also, Holliday has said he wants to be traded
out of the ghettoto a winning team.We'll be staying across the bay from that Holliday-less ghetto in September.
J.A. Happ has restored my faith in humanity...
7.0 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 4 K, Win.
How'd that Clayton Richard pick treat ya Aussie?
7.0 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 4 K, Win.
How'd that Clayton Richard pick treat ya Aussie?
Your mum etc