Fantasy MLB Spot Starting: 05.06.11

Welcome to Spot Starting.  As the bigger names continue to pitch gems let’s keep digging for those waiver wire pick ups of names that have fallen off your radar.  Some of the go to names we’ve had the past couple weeks are now above 50% so we have to keep digging deeper, some like Scott Baker continue to be there for us.

For games on Friday May 6th these selected pitchers might be had in your league (less than 50% owned in Yahoo! or ESPN) with percent owned Yahoo/ESPN, (team), and opponent:

Matt Harrison 39% / 29% (TEX) vs. NYY

Tim Stauffer 37% / 5% (SD) vs. ARI

Scott Baker 31% / 17% (MIN) @ BOS

Daisuke Matsuzaka 21% / 17% (BOS) vs. MIN

Jonathon Niese 9% / 1% (NYM) vs. LAD

Phil Humber 6% / 4% (CWS) @ SEA

My Pick: Tim Stauffer vs. D Backs

Alternate: Scott Baker vs. Red Sox

Deep League Special: Phil Humber

I’ve picked Baker in his past 3 starts and he has not disappointed giving us a line of 1-0 20.1 IP, 16 H, 3 ER, 17 K, 3 BB 1.33 ERA, 0.93 WHIP.  He’s the clear choice then, right?  Not so fast. 

Stauffer is on a mini tear lately and has great lifetime numbers against the D Backs, albeit only 1 start, but adding in the relief appearances he has 20 IP against them with 17Ks and a 1.80 ERA.  His peripherals are right in line if not even more encouraging (.311 BABIP, 2.66 FIP, 3.10 xFIP).  He is an extreme GB pitcher right now and it’s helping him pitch quality games.  The D Backs rely on home runs to win games and it’s not likely they’ll get them off Stauffer.

Humber is making a case to stick in the White Sox rotation even if they have to go to a 6 man.  His BABIP isn’t sustainable at .212 and his xFIP says his ERA should be about a run higher, but against a weak Seattle offense he could be a decent find in a deep AL only league.

Harrison has been brutal his last 3 starts getting him dropped like a rock from fantasy teams.  We don’t want any part of him against the Yankees.

Results from posted tomorrow

Season Results (my pick only):

94.1 IP, 6-4, 89H, 40ER, 76K, 31 BB, 3.82 ERA, 1.27 WHIP

Original post on Spot Starting