May 4, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Tommy Hanson (48) pitches during the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Friday, Major League Baseball moves on from its regional rivalry slate of interleague games as we ger ready for solid weekend of games. The Red Sox-Yankees is probably the marquee series, but the Reds-Pirates and Nats-Braves are also great divisional series which should make for fascinating viewing this weekend.
If you’re diving into the waiver wire looking for some starting pitching help to start your weekend, here are four options that I think are in for solid outings.
Possible Pickups
May 26, 2013; Flushing, NY,USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Julio Teheran (49) pitches during the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Julio Teheran-Atlanta Braves: (40.6%) Teheran has allowed three runs or less in each of his last six starts including back-to-back solid outings allowing just one run in each start. Teheran comes in 3-1 with a 3.67 ERA ut this month in four starts his ERA is 2.25. He is in a tough matchup as the Braves host Washington, but at home I think he can still have a solid outing.
Tommy Hanson-Los Angeles Angels: (17.1%) Hanson will return from a three-week absence due to a personal matter as he and the Angels face the Astros. Before he left the team, Hanson had strung together three much-improved starts allowing a total of four runs in 17 innings. He faces Houston once already this season and was knocked around a bit allowing five runs in five innings and taking his only loss of the season. He’s a risky play since he has been away for so long, but I think he’ll have a solid game against Houston in his return.
Bartolo Colon-Oakland Athletics: (11.8%) Colon is coming off seven shutout innings against Houston his last time out although he did allow nine hits. He also struck out a season-high nine and is coming into this outing with a string of three straight quality starts. He and the red-hot A’s host the Chicago White Sox this weekend and open facing Dylan Axelrod who comes in 3-3 with a 4.21 ERA. If the A’s lineup keeps hitting, Colon could easily be in line for a win with another solid outing.
Corey Kluber-Cleveland Indians: (0.9%) Kluber is coming off of three solid outings against the Phillies, Tigers, and Red Sox. In those three starts he has 23 total strikeouts in 19 innings while allowing a total of seven runs. He best start of the year was his last one which was in Fenway as he stuck out 10 in 6 2/3 on his way to a no-decision. He’ll look to build on those starts and continue his growth as the Tribe hosts Tampa. He’ll face off with Matt Moore which is sure to be a challenge, but I think he’ll still have a solid outing even if a win doesn’t come his way.
Past Performance
Here’s how my picks have done the past week. I’m amazed at the 11-4 record, but five of those wins come off the board today, so my picks for 5/30 better step it up: