Fantasy Baseball: Bargain Arms
Editor's note: Derrick Webb is a sports writer for the Media Network of Central Ohio. His column on fantasy baseball will appear on this website at 4 p.m. each Wednesday.
So, to recap, we now have the "Shot heard 'round the World" and the "Punch heard 'round the World."
Did you honestly think we were going to go two weeks without addressing Texas' Rougned Odor's punch to the jawline of Toronto's Jose Bautista? That was a better fight than Mayweather /Pacquiao.
In any instance, Odor landed one that mattered. This is why we love baseball today. What does all of that have to do with this week's fantasy baseball column? Absolutely nothing. I just wanted to talk about hockey, er, baseball.
One of the reasons Bautista took one to the chin was his epic bat flip in last year's ALCS after hitting a go-ahead home run against Texas. The long ball came off Rangers' reliever Sam Dyson who said afterward: "Jose needs to calm that down, just kind of respect the game a little more."
In this week's Fantasy Baseball column, I offer up some advice on bargain arms; ones that won't give up three-run shots in important games. If you see these pitchers on waiver wires, free agent lists, in trade proposals or at your local supermarket, claim them.
Mat Latos, SP, Chicago White Sox (POINTS): To say Latos is a 'bargain arm' kind of depicts how far down the drain he's fallen. However, I believe the 28-year old still has a lot of gas left in the tank. This April, Latos posted a 1.84 ERA, only to get shelled throughout May. In his last four starts, he's surrendered 17 earned runs. You are probably saying: "But I thought you said he's a good pickup, Derrick?" Well, he could be. Without question, Latos is a gamble but one you may win. The tatted-up right-hander is 6-1 and has a good offense behind him. Who's to say he won't get back to April form?
Rich Hill, SP, Oakland Athletics (POINTS): This advice may be old but I'd like to reiterate it anyway. The 11-year veteran may be in the middle of his best season yet. Hill is 7-3 in 2016 with a 2.18 ERA — 2.11 lower than his career mark of 4.29. The Michigan University product has struck out 65 batters compared to 21 free passes. He'll start this Sunday against the Tigers, looking to go 8-3. Start him.
Tanner Roark, SP, Washington Nationals (POINTS): Currently, Roark is owned in less than 2/3 of ESPN's daily points leagues. Why is beyond me. Sure, he has a bad start here and there but who doesn't? Roark can be counted on to strike hitters out — he's fanned 19 over his last three starts — and throws for a top-tier National League team. His name isn't as sexy as teammates Max Scherzer or Stephen Strasburg but trust me, he's a solid third starter option.
C.C. Sabathia, SP, New York Yankees (ROTO): Since Sabathia's Cleveland days, I've had tons of respect for the hefty lefty. While his age progression has been well-documented, I don't think he's a bad pickup in any rotisserie style league. After coming off a DL stint (groin), Sabathia tossed a six-inning, three-hit gem against Oakland in his first start back. Over his past two starts, he's 2-0 with one earned run in 13 innings of work.
Seung Huan Oh, RP, St. Louis Cardinals (ROTO): Look it up if you can spell it; I had trouble doing so. If you need a solid relief option, Oh is used accordingly in a deep Cardinals' pen. He's given up just three runs all season long while striking out 32 and walking seven in 23 2/3 innings. While he may be a long shot option for some owners, those struggling could use his effectiveness.
Brad Brach, RP, Baltimore Orioles (ROTO): Brach is another relief option who's been sensational over the first two months of the season. He's appeared in 19 games, thrown 23 1/3 innings, and has given up just three runs. He also hasn't been a stranger to picking up wins from the bullpen as he's 4-0. Here's my favorite part, when Brach has toed the rubber, the Orioles are 17-2. Buck Showalter realizes this. Brach will continue to pitch.
That's where I'll sign off this week. Next Wednesday, I'll give you six hitters to stay away from. Let's hope Jose Bautista refrains from bat-flipping until then, you know, for his own sake.
dwebb@chillicothegazette.com
Twitter: @dw1509