Fantasy MLB Spot Starting: 08.03.11

Welcome back to Spot Starting.  Slim pickings as usual for Thursday so we reach a bit deeper.

For games on Thursday August 4th  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:

Erik Bedard 48% / 47% (BOS) vs. CLE

Philip Humber 45% / 25% (CWS) vs. NYY

Zach Britton 14% / 19% (BAL) @ KC

James McDonald 12% / 5% (PIT) vs. ChC

Brett Cecil 10% / 4% (TOR) @ TB

Ivan Nova 5% / 3% (NYY) @ CWS

My Pick: Brett Cecil @ Rays

Alternate: Ivan Nova @ White Sox

Deep League Special: Cecil or Nova

I’m not loving either of these picks but if you really need to make up ground in your matchup this week you could do worse.  Cecil is coming off back to back excellent starts including a CG CHO on July 24th.  At first glance his numbers against the Rays do not impress, but aside from Longoria (9/17) he has held their starters in check for his career.  Cecil has also pitched very well on the Road this year.

Nova has pitched well in his 2 career starts against the pale hose and is coming off back to back wins.  If he can keep the ball in the yard, he should pick up a win.

Keep an eye towards Boston to see how Bedard does in his first start for the Sawx.  If he’s looking strong and striking guys out, you might want to pick him up before your league mates can check the box score tomorrow.  If he bombs, well at least it wasn’t in your lineup.

Results from Tuesday 08.02.11:

Homer Bailey @ Astros – W, 8 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 4 K, 3 BB…Bailey pitched his best game of the year, and probably best since his CG SHO last May 12th!  You’d like to see a few more Ks in such a dominant performance but that’s nit picking.

Season Results (my pick only):

56 GS, 26-11, 350.2 IP, 321 H, 120 ER, 266 K, 94 BB, 3.11 ERA, 1.18 WHIP

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