Last week's buys got off to a strong start. Josh Tomlin tossed a magnificent complete game in Detroit, while Raisel Iglesias spun another gem against the Cubs, notching double-digit strikeouts for the third straight start. Unfortunately, Iglesias was also shelled by the Pirates last night, and Drew Hutchison tossed a rare clunker at home against the Orioles. The sell side was no better. Hector Santiago posted six shutout innings and allowed only one hit, though he did walk six batters. Gio Gonzalez and Francisco Liriano each notched victories and struck out 10.
Let's hope this week's edition is a bit more on-target.
Starting Pitcher Buys
Carlos Rodon (CHW)
Thanks mostly to a horrendous walk rate, Rodon has carried an ugly WHIP throughout his rookie year. Recently, though, he's limited the free passes and maintained his strikeout rate. In his past seven starts, Rodon has a 2.36 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with a 45:17 K/BB ratio. Just 22 years old and barely more than a year into his professional career, the fact that Rodon is already holding his own at the big league level is impressive. If he continues to avoid putting too many men on the bases, he'll be playable down the stretch.
Patrick Corbin (ARI)
Speaking of command, that's usually the last thing to come back after Tommy John surgery. Apparently, no one told Corbin. He's sitting on an excellent 61:13 K/BB in 62.1 innings since his return to go along with solid ratios (3.32 ERA and 1.22 WHIP). Corbin has turned in three straight quality starts against the Giants, Cardinals, and the Rockies in Denver. Though he draws another tough assignment this weekend with the Dodgers coming to town, Corbin can be started with confidence for the remainder of the season.
Jorge de la Rosa (COL)
The Rockies' de facto ace certainly didn't earn much attention in fantasy circles earlier this year, with a 5.03 ERA through the end of July. Since that point, however, he's shaved nearly a run off that lousy mark as he's notched quality starts in all but one of his seven outings. He's got a favorable matchup with a road tilt against the Padres tomorrow afternoon.
Starting Pitcher Sells
Johnny Cueto (KC)
The Royals are essentially locked in as the AL Central champions at this point, but Cueto hasn't done much to help the cause. Since coming over at the deadline, the former Reds ace has posted a disappointed 4.86 ERA in his eight starts. While his walk rate has actually improved, the strikeouts are down and his BAA has increased by over 100 points compared to his time in Cincy. That's certainly unexpected, given the quality of the defense behind him. Cueto has allowed a whopping 37 hits in just 20 innings over his last four appearances. Kansas City won't care as long as he delivers in the postseason, but fantasy owners may not want to trust him right now in theirs.
Jake Odorizzi (TB)
Odorizzi has fanned a batter per inning since the break, but he's allowing quite a few more baserunners, and his 4.87 ERA in the second half is more than double the 2.30 mark he posted in the first half. He allowed only three hits in his last start against the Yankees; unfortunately, all left the yard. He'll draw the Tigers on the road tonight, which remains a tough assignment despite their current occupation of last place in the Central.
Chris Tillman (BAL)
Despite awful overall numbers (5.15 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, sub-2.00 K/BB), Tillman is still owned in about a third of Yahoo leagues. I can only assume these owners have moved on football at this point, as the Orioles vet has been even worse in recent weeks. He's thrown stinkers in his last three outings, allowing 17 runs in just 13.2 innings of work. It won't get any easier for him this week as he'll take on the Royals on Saturday.
MLB & Fantasy Baseball Chat Room
[iflychat_embed id="c-12" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]