Fantasy MLB Spot Starting 08.04.11

Welcome back to Spot Starting.  Yankees-Red Sox showdown in Boston this weekend and the Phillies seek revenge in San Francisco in an NLCS rematch – that’s some good baseball.  Spot Starting will return next Tuesday as I slide over and fill in for on the Box Score Breakdown while he is out of town.

For games on Friday August 5th  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:

Bartolo Colon 46% /  46% (NYY) @ BOS

Derek Holland 46% / 41% (TEX) vs. CLE

Jeff Niemann 35% / 54% (TB) vs. OAK

Aaron Harang 35% / 19% SD) @ PIT

Josh Collmenter 34%/ 26% (ARI) vs. LAD

Mark Buehrle 28% / 22% (CWS) @ MIN

Mike Leake 20% / 10% (CIN) @ ChC

Juan Nicasio 5% / 3% (COL) vs. WAS

My Pick: Derek Holland vs. Indians

Alternate: Jeff Niemann vs. A’s

Deep League Special: Juan Nicasio vs. Nationals

Holland is the hottest pitcher in baseball as he has 3 CG SHO in his last 5 starts.  Of course, in one of the other starts he got hammered for 7 ER in 5.1 IP and before those 5 games he gave up 3 or more ER for 5 straight.  In his last start in Cleveland back on June 4th he also tossed a CG SHO.  Will he continue to dominate or will he get shelled – really either could happen but it’s worth the gamble for the upside.  His inconsistency is why he is still available in so many leagues.

Niemann has pitched very well of late (2 or fewer ER in his last 5 straight, 29K in 29 IP) and has excellent numbers against the A’s.

Nicasio has given up 0 or 1 ER in 4 of his last 5 starts and is coming off a 10K 7 IP ND at San Diego.

Results from Wednesday 08.03.11:

Jason Marquis @ Giants – L, 4 IP, 10 H, 7 ER, 1 K, 1 BB…Probably my worst pick all year.  All the numbers suggested he would continue to pitch well in SF, he sure didn’t.

Season Results (my pick only):

57 GS, 26-12, 354.2 IP, 331 H, 128 ER, 267 K, 95 BB, 3.25 ERA, 1.20 WHIP

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