In his last two starts (13 combined innings), Parra is 2-0, has allowed 2 runs on 8 hits and has struck out 14. Both starts came at home, where he’s been remarkably better this season. His ERA at home is 2.90, but it’s 6.95 on the road. He hasn’t lost since May 3, and is 3-0 with a 3.12 ERA and 31 Ks over the last month.
Fantasy Diagnosis: Pretty self-explanatory. He’ll help you when he pitches at home, and kill you when he pitches on the road. Thus, if you pick him up, don’t start him away from Milwaukee.
Josh Banks: SP, San Diego Padres Who? He’s so fresh, I couldn’t even find a picture of him in a Padres uniform. You’ve most likely never heard of Josh Banks, but he’s quickly become a name you should know. With three of the Padres starting pitchers on the DL, Banks got the call and answered it with stellar numbers. Up until Thursday night, he’d pitched in just three games, but hadn’t allowed a run and had struck out 10 in 17 innings. On Thursday against the Mets, he gave up 1 run in 6 innings, walking none and striking out 3.
Fantasy Diagnosis: No matter how young or inexperienced he is, 2-0 with a 0.39 ERA in 23 innings is nothing to sneeze at. My biggest concern is the Padres lack of ability to score runs. That said, his fantasy value is questionable. He most likely won’t get many wins and his K/BB ratio isn’t great, but he’ll help you in ERA and WHIP. Tread cautiously.
Jonathan Sanchez: SP, San Francisco Giants After the imploded Zito, hard-luck Cain and lights-out Lincecum, no Giants starting pitchers are worth anything in fantasy, right? Wrong. Let me introduce you to Jonathan Sanchez. Because of his 4-3 record, 4.08 ERA and general lack of run support, Sanchez is still a free agent in some leagues. The Giants organization has been high on this kid for several years, and this season Sanchez is showing us why. He’s tied for 10th in baseball with 71 Ks, and has given up just 2 runs in each of his last 4 starts.
Fantasy Diagnosis: If he can bring his walks down (36 in 68.1 innings), and subsequently lower his WHIP (1.43), Sanchez’s value will go up. If you need strikeouts and Sanchez is available, pick him up.
Ricky Nolasco: SP, Florida Marlins He hasn’t lost since May 3 and has given up just 9 combined runs over his last 5 starts. He’s 4-0 in that stretch, lowering his ERA from 5.35 to 4.48.
Fantasy Diagnosis: His K/BB ratio is only 1.72, but he’s pitching well and getting wins. More importantly, the Marlins have scored 6+ runs in four of his last five starts. Over the last month, he’s 4-0 with a 2.76 ERA. Nolasco is definitely worth picking up if you’ve got pitchers on the DL or struggle in the wins category.
Jose Contreras: SP, Chicago White Sox Contreras is a mystery. After going 10-17 with a 5.57 ERA last season, he’s 5-3 with a 2.89 ERA this season. He’s allowed only one run in six of his 11 starts. An interesting note is that since he first came to the majors, he’s never put together good back-to-back seasons. His good seasons (2003, 2005) are always followed by bad seasons (2004, 2006, 2007). It’s crazy, but apparently it’s time for Contreras to have another good season, as he’s on pace for his best one yet.
Fantasy Diagnosis: The only reason he’s still a free agent in many leagues is that fantasy owners don’t believe he can keep it up. The way he is pitching, give him a chance. However, if he begins to blow up, drop him faster than Tony Romo did Jessica Simpson. Like Simpson, he’ll be your sweetheart for a while, but deserves to be shown the door when he starts costing your team wins.
Keep An Eye On
Alexei Ramirez: 2B/OF, Chicago White Sox Ozzie Guillen refers to him as “the Missile”. He’s raised his average from .194 to .275 in two weeks. He’s hit .329 over the past month, and last week he hit .391 with 2 HRs and 5 RBIs.
Fantasy Diagnosis: He’s taken over Juan Uribe’s starting spot and doesn’t appear to be going anywhere. In shallow leagues, he doesn’t warrant your attention just yet, but keep an eye on him. In deep leagues, especially those with multiple IF positions, Ramirez deserves your consideration.
Sean Gallagher: SP, Chicago Cubs
He got called up in early May and entered the rotation shortly after. In his last 4 starts, he’s 3-1, twice giving up only 1 run. His 4.55 ERA is due to two bad outings, but he went 6 innings in his last start, giving up 3 runs and striking out 8.
Fantasy Diagnosis: He’s young (22) and inconsistent, but you know he’ll get run support. Watch his next few starts carefully, as they will help to better determine his fantasy value.
Marcus Robbins – About the Author:
Dr. Stat is the resident fantasy baseball writer at RootZoo.com, and reports regularly about fantasy baseball news at RootZoo’s FantasyZone.
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