by Will Overton
Here’s a look at some potential pitching stream options that could be available to you for tomorrow’s games along with my thoughts on which ones to use and which ones to avoid.
Ivan Nova: This will be Nova’s first experience starting a game in the legendary Yankees/Red Sox rivalry, and it add pressure to it the Yankees are neck and neck with the Rays for the division title and the Twins and Rays for the best record in the American League. That’s a lot of pressure for a 23 year old making his 7th career start. But I think he is going to answer the call here and will be a sneaky option who should be available in just about every type of league. Out of his six starts he’s really only had one bad start and with the Yankees offense backing him he could be in a line for a win. This one might be more hunch than anything, but I am taking a chance and rolling with Nova in this one.
Verdict – Pitch
Travis Wood: He’s consistently pitched well all year and he still remains available in almost 80% of leagues on ESPN. I particularly like him in this start as he has proven to be better when he’s away from home. And there aren’t many better places for a pitcher to go than San Diego and Petco Park. This will be Wood’s first time facing the Padres and he could present some problems to a San Diego offense that isn’t exactly elite. I expect another solid performance from the rookie here.
Verdict – Pitch
Doug Fister: I’m avoiding Fister in this one for many of the same reasons I avoided Vargas in his matchup against the Rays today. He is not nearly as good on the road (4.96 ERA) and he’s going up against a Rays lineup that just lit up CC Sabathia and is on a mission to win the AL East. I know the Rays offense can be inconsistent at times, but I don’t think Fister’s upside in terms of K’s or his upside in terms of getting a win pitching for the Mariners, warrants taking the risk of pitching him and having him get rocked.
Verdict – Ditch
Scott Kazmir: He’s got a well known name and he’s pitching better as of late, but I still don’t trust him, except for in the most favorable of matchups. And I don’t think the White Sox are a good one for him. He’s historically never pitched real well against the Sox and while the White Sox have been struggling they still have the guys in that lineup to exploit his weakness for the long ball. Maybe I have been burned by Kaz one to many times, but I can’t put much faith in him here.
Verdict – Ditch
Who are you rolling with as we head down the fantasy stretch run? Any of these guys? Or do you have someone else up your sleeve your throwing tomorrow.
