Fantasy MLB Spot Starting 08.10.11

Welcome back to Spot Starting.

For games on Thursday August 11th  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% / 43% (NYY) vs. LAA

Jeff Niemann 44% / 73% (TB) vs. KC

Mark Buehrle 37% / 32% (CWS) @ BAL

Cory Luebke 33% / 34% (SD) @ NYM

Brett Myers 32% /26 % (HOU) @ ARI

Joe Saunders 14% / 13% (ARI) vs. HOU

My Pick: Jeff Niemann vs. Royals

Alternate: Mark Buehrle @ Orioles

Deep League Special: none

Niemann has been racking up the Ks over his last 4 starts (33 in 29.1 IP), while not giving up a lot of base runners.  He’s also won 5 straight decision, not having lost since before he went on the DL with a back strain.  He allowed 4 ER his last start, but he’s given up 2 or fewer in 7 of his last 9.  He’s also pitching right in line with his xFIP and tERA.  His 9/9 is above his career average but he showed in the minors that he could K 8-9/9.

Buehrle hasn’t given up more than 3 ER since April 22nd – that’s a span of 17 starts.  In those 17 starts, he’s only failed to go 6 innings, once – 5.1 on June 21st.  That’s consistency.  Of course, you’re only going to get a few K’s.

Season Results (my pick only):

59 GS, 26-12, 362.1 IP, 340 H, 135 ER, 272 K, 99 BB, 3.35 ERA, 1.21 WHIP

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