Starting Pitching Pickups-Spot Starters for July 3

If you’re looking for some help in starting pitching categories, Tuesday is a great day to make a move. There’s five good options ready to take the ball for their teams who are owned in less than half of ESPN leagues. Most of these pitchers are tentatively scheduled to start Sunday before the break as well so you may get a two-start star depending on how things go this week. So check out who I like and make your additions to help your WHIP, ERA, wins, and strikeouts.

The Pickups

Jonathon Niese – NYM: (38.4% owned) After taking three of four in LA, the Mets return home behind Niese as they host their division rival Phillies. Niese is coming off a great June in which he allowed just seven earned runs in five starts while striking out 34 and walking just five. He’ll look to continue his momentum and pick up his seventh win of the season as he matches up with Vance Worley and the visiting Phils.

Jair Jurrjens – Atl: (16.6%) In his first two starts back from the minors, Jurrjens has been much better than before he was sent down. He had a 2.03 ERA in those two starts in June while going 13.1 innings. He’ll get the Cubs at home on Tuesday who will counter with Chris Volstad who comes into this start with a ghastly 0-6 record with a 7.46 ERA. If you just need a win, Jurrjens is the best pickup.

Lucas Harrell – Hou: (1.5% owned) Harrell is coming off a complete game shutout of the Padres and will face the Pirates in Pittsburgh at 7:05 on Tuesday. He’ll match up with A.J. Burnett in what should be a good pitching duel so a win will be tough to come by. He can still help you though as he’s coming off back-to-back quality starts. He as struck out 16 in his last 16 innings, but there are some warning signs that he may be headed for regression since he has also surrendered seven walks over that time period. He’s worth a look if you need a starter,

Joe Kelly – Stl: (0.6%) In his four starts, Kelly has allowed three earned runs or fewer while pitching 21.1 innings and going 1-0. He faces the Rockies at Busch Stadium Tuesday matched up with Jeff Francis who comes into the game with a 5.74 ERA even though he’s coming off his best start of the year. Kelly has a good shot at a win if he can keep the Rockies off-balance and stay away from the long ball as he has so far (just two home runs allowed). Colorado has struggled to score in their last few games and hopefully the Cardinals bats continue to produce for the rookie.

Andrew Cashner – SD: (5.5%) Cashner was great his last time out striking out nine and allowing just two hits and two runs in 6.1 innings at Houston. He’ll face a stiffer test Tuesday as the Padres visit Arizona, but has shown throughout his 29 games that he’s ready for big league hitting. He enters this start with a 3.63 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. The only concern for Cashner may be fatigue coming off 101 pitches in just his second start of the season. He has intriguing upside long term and is a fine pickup for this one.

The Payoff

Travis Wood made us look good on Sunday and helped keep our results looking solid. Here’s how it’s gone the last week: