Daniel Marcus takes us through this week’s options. Be sure to review our Two-Start Pitcher Rankings chart.
Players I Like
Jesse Hahn – OAK (@ MIN 5/4, @ SEA 5/9)
Hahn has been impressive so far this season despite a poor strand rate. The only complaint any Hahn owners can have about his performance have been his low strikeout rate. Minnesota’s offense has done little to intimidate anyone this year, and Seattle’s has yet to really get it going outside of Nelson Cruz. There’s a good chance for Hahn to get two wins this week with a low WHIP and ERA, with strikeout potential against the Twins lineup.
Tyson Ross – SD (@SF 5/4, @ARI 5/9)
To call this a make or break week for Ross would be an overstatement, but it does give him a chance to turn around a disappointing season. A .348 BABIP and 16.7 HR/FB ratio suggests Ross has run into luck. To be successful, Ross has to improve his control, which is at a staggering 5.96 walks per nine innings this year. The only team to score less runs than the Giants this season is the Phillies. Although the Diamondbacks have had a good season offensively, I’ll take the risk with Ross.
Phil Hughes – MIN (@OAK 5/4, @ CLE 5/9)
Hughes has been a bit disappointing this season, but he has continued to showcase pinpoint control. The problem has been 1.71 home runs per nine innings, which has been aided by a 14 HR/FB ratio. Oakland’s offense has cooled off a bit since it’s hot start, and Cleveland’s has yet to get on track. Don’t expect Hughes to provide huge numbers for your team, but he should stabilize your rotation.
Players I Don’t Like
Carlos Martinez – STL (5/4 CHC, 5/9 @PIT)
Martinez has great numbers through two weeks. The problem is that his strand rate is 100% and he has a BABIP of .203. These numbers suggest he has been extremely lucky, and with the Cubs and Pirates on the schedule this week, I don’t trust him. The Cubs have scored 5.44 runs on the road this season. Though Pittsburgh’s offense has struggled with inconsistency this year, they always play better at home. With regression coming, this week could be the one Martinez blows up, and I don’t want him starting on my teams
Chase Whitley – NYY (5/4@TOR, 5/9 BAL)
Just in case you were considering picking up Whitely, don’t do it. His first start against the Rays was solid, but he’s got two coming against top-tier offenses. One start isn’t enough to identify any statistical trends, but I’m staying far away this week, and any week for that matter.
Jeremy Guthrie – KC (CLE 5/5, @ DET 5/10)
Any time a guy has the same amount of strikeouts and walks per nine innings, you probably want to stay away. Though Guthrie was a viable option last year in two-start weeks, he hasn’t shown that same ability this year. Facing one of the best lineups in baseball won’t help. Stay away this week, and any week for that matter, until Guthrie shows more strikeout potential and has better matchups.
Daniel Marcus is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Daniel, check out his archive.