Fantasy Dr X: Strike Zone

Fantasy Baseball Week Eight Start/Sit

From the return of one veteran to the downfall of another, one thing is for certain:  Week 8 will have its share of surprises. 

Let's all hope that these surprises go in our favor, as summer is only a few days away (for me at least), and the last thing anyone wants is to begin on a negative note.

Here, we will analyze five players to start and five players to let ride the bench. We will be separating them into five categories: Starting Pitcher, Hitter, Reliever, Youngster and a Bonus player.

Starting Pitcher to Start:

Carlos Zambrano owners, rejoice!  If you haven’t heard yet, the Chicago Cubs plan to place Zambrano back into the starting rotation, and may I say that you should be thinking the same.  Zambrano had no place in the bullpen, and now that he’s back in his natural environment, we should see a resurgence of the one-time “ace” of the Cubs.  He should still be available in most fantasy leagues, as many owners simply dropped him after learning of his relief stint.  Well folks, it’s time to see him back in the lineup.  Give him the start in Week 8 if you are looking for a replacement in your rotation.

Hitter to Start:

As if the Rays weren’t solid enough already, they go out and call-up a former All-Star hero to help bolster their lineup.  Hank Blalock, the former Texas Rangers third baseman, is now officially with the Rays as he restarts his journey again in the MLB.  In his first game back, Blalock recorded two hits and an RBI playing as the designated hitter.  This, of course, is one of the benefits of currently owning Blalock.  Not only is he a viable utility player, he is also eligible at both first and third base in fantasy.  With this versatility comes ownability (Yes, I think I just made up my own word.), as he will be able to provide production from all corners (literally) of the field.  Monitor his progress as Week 7 continues, then give him the start in Week 8 if he thrives.

Reliever to Start:

With Trevor Hoffman struggling mightily for the Milwaukee Brewers, rumblings of a promotion for someone in the bullpen have been spreading around the fantasy new wire.  So far, all indications point to Carlos Villanueva to be the next-in-line for the job.  Villanueva, who is 0-0 with a 3.05 ERA with 27 Ks for the Crew, has the best credentials to win the closers job; however, the decision has not been made final just yet.  Monitor this situation as the week progresses, as you may be able to land a jackpot with this reliever.  All the Brewers need at this point is a reliable closer, and if Villanueva is the guy to do the job, then you will have a boatload of fantasy points headed your way.

Youngster to Start:

One week, I had Leo Nunez as a sit option.  Now, he finds himself on the polar opposite end of the spectrum (at least in my book).  What was once a difficult start for the young Marlins closer has now turned into a time of prosper.  In the last six weeks, he has a 1.56 ERA, 0.81 WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched) and 9.9 Ks per nine innings.  With the Marlins also having some success of their own, it is without a doubt that Nunez deserves a start in Week 8 and beyond.

Bonus Start:

As always, we have a special “Bonus Start” for all you fantasy owners out there who just can’t get enough of the other four guys we have mentioned above.  This week, we are looking at Chicago Cubs outfielder Tyler Colvin.  Colvin, who is batting .268 with four HRs, nine RBI and 13 Rs, has gotten two consecutive starts for the Cubs, and the potential for more along the way is growing.  The outfield in Wrigley is currently a crowded one; however, it will begin to clear up in due time.  If the recent roster moves are any indication, this clearing could be sooner rather than later.  Monitor his playing time over the next week, and if the starts continue, place him in your fantasy lineup.

Starting Pitcher to Sit:

What was once a hopeful comeback from a major injury is now turning into a visit to bad habits of old.  After an amazing 40-point showing in CBS Sports Leagues by Rangers starter Rich Harden in Week 5, he appears to have rediscovered the player that many fantasy owners always feared.  Since that incredible performance three weeks ago, Harden has struggled mightily to find his command.  In his latest start, he went 2 2/3 innings, giving up seven earned runs while walking six batters.  That is never a great thing to see on your fantasy scoreboard.  In four of his eight appearances this season, he has failed to make it to the fifth inning (The last time I checked, a pitcher has to make it through the fifth to receive a victory.  In other words, no fifth equals no wins.  That is a pleasant thought.).  Sit down Harden for Week 8 and wait for him to learn to control his pitches again.  The potential to be a solid starter for Texas is still there.  It’s just those “little things” that have come back to bite him.

Hitter to Sit:

I must say, I feel for all you fantasy owners out there who drafted Grady Sizemore this season.  The Cleveland Indians outfielder was once called one of the better athletes in professional sports.  He was one of the most popular names in fantasy, and even after a mediocre 2009 campaign, fantasy owners still had no problems drafting him as one of the first outfielders to slot into their lineups.  Right now, though, that slot may need a new name to fill it.  As if the fact that his .211 BA, 13 RBI, 15 Rs and four SBs wasn’t enough to have him on your bench, now more news out of Cleveland will have you racing for your roster adjustments.  Apparently Sizemore will be undergoing an MRI on his left knee when he returns home on Wednesday (May 19).  Whether or not he sits for the Tribe beyond that point depends on those results.  In the mean time, sit Sizemore until he decides to wake up and rediscover the young star that he once was.

Reliever to Sit:

No, I do not plan to jump on Mariano Rivera or Jonathan Papelbon like so many fans have been doing.  Sure, their recent performances for the AL East powerhouses have been disappointing; however, no reliever has sunk lower than Milwaukee Brewers closer Trevor Hoffman.  Being the all-time career saves leader (596), Hoffman has appeared to have lost his amazing fastball-changeup combination that proved effective for so many seasons.  His ERA has now soared to a dreadful 11.08, and his record a dismal 1-3.  It has even gotten to the point where the Brew Crew are talking about demoting the veteran.  To put it simply, sit him in Week 8.  Hoffman’s future as a closer is currently unknown, and because of this, it would be pointless to have him wasting a roster spot on your squad.

Youngster to Sit:

What ever happened to that up-and-coming right fielder for the Atlanta Braves?  No, I’m not talking about Jason Heyward.  I’m referring to the former stud Jeff Francoeur.  Francouer, who started the season off white-hot for the New York Mets, has sunk to the point of no return for the Metropolitans, hitting a lowly .212 with four HRs, 19 RBI, 19 Rs and three SBs.  If you’re looking at some of those numbers, though, and asking yourself, “What do you mean when you say ‘lowly’?”, I have an answer for you.  Since Week 4, Francoeur has done little-to-nothing in the batters’ box, recording six, two, and zero fantasy points in Weeks 5-7 respectively (on CBS Sports.com).  Now, he is beginning to share time with Chris C. Carter in the Mets’ outfield.  Looks like “Frenchy” should be on your bench for the time being.

Bonus Sit:

It’s time for our weekly “Bonus Sit”!  This week, Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Alcides Escobar finds himself at the bottom of our list.  So far this season, Escobar is hitting .224 with two HRs, 13 RBI, 14 Rs and a SB.  Being someone who has felt Escobar’s impact (or lack thereof) first-hand, I can tell you this:  Find a replacement for now (if you can).  The youngster has simply not found his swing at the plate, and until he does, there is no reason why he should be taking up space in your lineup.

By Lawrence Barreca, analyst at Fantasy Baseball Maniaxs