Welcome back to “Off The Deep End”, where I will give you fantasy baseball tips on who to pick up in deeper leagues. For people who play standard leagues, drop/add columns are easy for you to find, but for those of you that love deeper leagues, advice can be harder to come by. That is where I can help. All of these players are available in 85% or more of ESPN leagues.
This final installment will cover the pitchers. The middle infielders are here. The corner infielders are here. The outfielders and catchers are here.
Apr 17, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Dellin Betances (68) throws a pitch during the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. New York Yankees defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 10-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Relief Pitchers:
Darren O’Day, Orioles: For now, it looks like Zach Britton will see most of the save opportunities for the Orioles. I wouldn’t rule out O’Day seeing a few though. He is having another outstanding season (0.54 ERA, 12-4 K:BB ratio, 5 holds, 2 saves), so if Britton struggles, he is the guy to have. O’Day won’t light up the scoreboard with strikeouts, but he can still be a valuable guy to have around.
Zach Britton, Orioles: Britton struggled in the majors over the last three years as a starter, going 21-17 with a 4.45 ERA. Now he has been reincarnated as a reliever, and he has been brilliant. Britton has a 0.85 ERA in 17 appearances. He has also racked up three wins, seven holds, and his first major league save on Thursday night. Tommy Hunter has not been officially removed as the Orioles’ closer, but the writing is on the wall. Even if Hunter does get the role back temporarily, chances are he won’t pitch well enough to keep it.
Dellin Betances, Yankees: If you have read this column before, you have seen this name. Betances continues to dominate out of the bullpen. On Thursday, he recorded six of seven outs via strikeout. This gives him an impressive 39 strikeouts in 22.1 innings pitched. His ERA is a cool 1.61, so the boost in strikeouts won’t cost you anywhere else. He is worth owning in nearly every league, yet is available in 98% of leagues.
Wade Davis, Royals: Davis is another guy that had some issues as a starter, but is proving hard to hit out of the bullpen. Davis has recorded four holds and a win in his five May appearances without allowing a run. He also has 12 strikeouts in only six innings over that span. Assuming his sore neck doesn’t linger, he is worth adding in all holds leagues, and most regular leagues as well.
Sean Doolittle, Athletics: With Jim Johnson still persona non grata in the Oakland bullpen, Doolittle will see some save opportunities. Since his four run meltdown against the Astros on April 26th, Doolittle has righted the ship. He has not allowed a run, and has 14 strikeouts in 14.1 innings. He has also picked up a win and a save in his last two outings. He is worth adding if you need saves help in any league.
May 4, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Phil Hughes (45) walks off the field in the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Starting Pitchers:
Dallas Keuchel, Astros: I know. His next start is against the Angels. But take this into consideration: Keuchel has six quality starts in his last seven tries, including a seven hit shutout of the potent Rangers on Tuesday. He is worth taking a shot on in deep leagues, even if you decide not to throw him out there against the Angels. His next outing will likely be against the Mariners in Seattle. He is definitely worth starting there.
Phil Hughes, Twins: Yes, I am recommending a Twins pitcher. Which is roughly the equivalent of recommending veal parmesan to a vegetarian. It’s just not a good idea, and even borders on bad taste. That said, Hughes has turned in five quality starts in a row, winning four of them. A date with the Padres in San Diego is forthcoming, so he is a must-start in that game, and is quickly becoming a salvageable option in all leagues.
Bronson Arroyo, Diamondbacks: We all know that Arroyo can be streaky, and he is in the middle of one of the best stretches of his career right now. Arroyo has won three straight starts, allowing just one earned run in 23.1 innings over that span. His next start is tomorrow against the Dodgers, and if you don’t feel brave enough to start him there, I wouldn’t blame you. However, his next outing after that is against the Mess……er……..Mets. Start him and reap the rewards!
Juan Nicasio, Rockies: Nicasio has three sraight quality starts in May, allowing only three runs in 18 innings. He is not the type of pitcher that will rack up strikeouts, but he is pitching well, and has a date with the Padres today. Pick him up if you need a win. He has a great shot at one.
Jorge De La Rosa, Rockies: Jorge was brilliant again last night (no runs in seven innings) to win his fifth consecutive start. It also runs his streak of allowing two runs or fewer to six starts. I know, he still allows baserunners, and rarely strikes out more than five batters per game, but if you need wins or ERA help in deep leagues, he is your man. He plays on a team that scores a ton of runs.