AMERICAN LEAGUE RECOMMENDED TWO-START PITCHERS
Dan Haren (DET, LAA) – Let’s start with the American League leader in ERA (2.42). Haren’s 12-3 record puts him in excellent position to win his first Cy Young Award. Despite facing two tough opponents, including a matchup with Tigers ace Justin Verlander, Haren is a must-start.
Erik Bedard (@BOS, @T.B.) – No pitcher in baseball has been hotter than Bedard. The Orioles left-hander is 6-0 in his last seven starts while sporting a sizzling 1.89 ERA. This is not time to get off his bandwagon.
Josh Beckett (BAL, @SEA) – With 13 wins and a 3.27 ERA, Beckett has given fantasy owners reason to smile. Beckett’s won twice in his last four starts and has only allowed nine runs during that stretch.
Fausto Carmona (TEX, @MIN) – If Bedard is the hottest pitcher going then Carmona’s not far behind. The Indian’s right-hander has won his last five starts, giving up only six runs in the process.
FORGET THEM
Jose Contreras (@NYY, @DET) – There is a reason why Chicago hasn’t been able to draw interest for Contreras as the trade deadline nears. Contreras sports a plus-seven ERA over the last 10 outings and remains a high risk fantasy option.
Carlos Silva (K.C., CLE) – Although Silva has won two of his last three starts, fantasy owners should keep him on the bench. In his last start, Silva allowed six runs and eight hits over 5 1/3 innings against Toronto.
Brandon McCarthy (@CLE, @TOR) – Don’t let McCarthy’s improved play encourage you to take a chance on him. His 4.76 ERA is still too high to start him at this stage of the season.
NATIONAL LEAGUE RECOMMENDED TWO-START PITCHERS
Cole Hamels (@CHC, @MIL) – Hamels has been a pitching star for the Philadelphia Phillies this year and his future continues to skyrocket. The Phillies’ lefty has only won two of his last six games, but has surrendered only 12 runs in that time.
Brandon Webb (@S.D., @LAD) – Webb has been struggling in July but remains a viable option as his 3.23 ERA still ranks with the better pitchers in the NL. Also, don’t worry about the line drive he took off his right forearm in his last start against Florida. Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin said Webb will be ready to go against San Diego.
Aaron Cook (@FLA, @ATL) – You know I’m always hesitant to suggest starting a Colorado pitcher, but Cook will make two starts on the road, where he has a 3.00 ERA over his last 11 outings.
Chuck James (@S.D., LAD) – James has been a victim of bad run support throughout the season. He’s allowed more than three earned runs only four times in 21 starts this year, yet only sports an 8-8 record.
FORGET THEM
Kyle Lohse (@WAS, @PIT) – Lohse’s 6.42 ERA is too risky to take a chance on despite the fact that he’s facing two of the tamer offenses in the NL.
Jason Marquis (PHI, NYM) – As most of us anticipated, Marquis’ strong start to the season was a mirage. Marquis' ERA has jumped from 3.31 to 4.20 in his last four starts and there appears to be no end in sight to his slide.
Adam Eaton (@CHC, @MIL) – Eaton allowed eight hits and four runs in 6 1/3 innings last Thursday against the lowly Washington Nationals. That should say it all.
QUICK HITS
It seems Hunter Pence’s chances of winning the NL’s Rookie of the Year went down in flames after hurting his wrist while sliding into second base on July 22 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Houston Astros’ centerfielder, who has 12 home runs and 45 RBIs with a .330 average, is still expected to miss four to six weeks.
San Francisco Giants rookie phenom Tim Lincecum has been on fire since manager Bruce Bochy threatened to take him out of the rotation after a loss at Milwaukee on June 19. Since that time, Lincecum has only been charged with six earned runs in five starts through July, which spans 33 1/3 innings.
In keeping with the rookie theme, Milwaukee starter Yovani Gallardo may be the best one of them all heading down the stretch. Gallardo is an impressive 3-1 with a sparkling 2.18 ERA. Those fantasy owners who waited patiently for Gallardo’s debut have been rewarded.