X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Buy Low and Sell High: Starting Pitchers for Week 7

Knowing when to pull the trigger on a trade is tough. You might get agitated when you offer a trade and it gets rejected. On the opposite part of the spectrum you question yourself when an offer you’ve made gets accepted too quickly. Have you given up too much? In order to help you make trades that are in your favor I’ve analyzed the pitching spectrum and found some players who are under performing and should be bought now. I’ve also found a couple of pitchers whose value is way too high and should be traded as soon as possible. Buying low is not for the faint of heart but remember no matter how high a pitcher’s ERA or WHIP is, they will get a fresh start on your roster. It is important to sell high. There is nothing worse than watching a player who busted out of the gate eventually fade and drag your team down in the process. I wish you the best in all your trading endeavors. Remember, sell high and buy low.

 

Buy Low

David Price (Tampa Bay Rays)

rotoballer-fantasy-baseball-advice-david-priceDavid Price has been baseball’s version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. In one start he gives up just one run to the Reds in their hitter’s ball park and he follows that with a clunker, five inning in which he gave up six runs to the New York Yankees. Is an ERA over 4.5 and a 1.25 WHIP truly all that we can expect from Price this year? Fear not, Mr. Price’s season will turn around.

Why am I optimistic? If you look beyond the traditional stats you find that Price is throwing 73.3 % of his first pitches for strikes, the highest rate of his career. That has helped his swinging strike rate (how often a batter swings and misses) to increase to 10.4%, well over his 8.6 career average. Price has also shown impeccable control, walking just six batters while striking out 58 in 53.2 innings. He still throws a fastball in the low 90’s and pitches for a team that always competes for their division title so take advantage of his grumpy Fantasy Baseball Managers and trade for him while you can. You may be able to grab yourself a bargain.

 

Cole Hamels (Philadelphia Phillies)

Why is Cole Hamels, who has a career 3.41 ERA, having such a tough start to the season? If you consider that he is a notoriously slow starter with a 4.05 career ERA in April, and throw in the fact that he began the season on the DL, you can kind of understand why his ERA currently sits at 7.02. I believe that Cole Hamels will see better days. Need some proof? Last season, Hamels went 4-11 with a 4.05 ERA before the all star break and 4-3 with a 2.97 ERA the rest of the way. Hamels’ BABIP of .415, the highest in his career, shows that in some respect bad luck has contributed to his woes this season. Keep an eye on Hamels’ progress. His exasperated Fantasy Baseball Manager may just agree to a trade that will help your team make a late season run at a fantasy baseball title.

 

Homer Bailey (Cincinnati Reds)

Do you believe in Homer Bailey? By giving him a 6 year $105 million contract extension the Reds showed the world just how much they believe in him and how has Bailey paid them back? He has paid them back by pitching to an ERA that is well over five and a bloated WHIP of over 1.6. Bailey’s season is bound to improve. Over 51% of his pitches are thrown in the strike zone and his lively 94 MPH fastball makes batters who face him to swing and miss at a rate of 9.5. A wise man once told me that ground balls have a high frequency of turning into outs. If that is truly the case then his above average ground ball rate of 52.8% will help him put up better fantasy numbers. I still believe in Homer Bailey and since he is probably sitting on the sale rack in your fantasy league you can probably work out a deal that won’t cost you much.

 

Nathan Eovaldi (Miami Marlins)

Nate Eovaldi is having a phenomenal year for the Marlins thus far. At just 24 years of age he is averaging just under a strikeout per inning, he has an ERA of 2.86 and a WHIP of just 1.11. The best part of it all is that other than his Fantasy Baseball Owners Eovaldi is still flying under the radar. Not many realize just how good this kid is. If you look inside the numbers he has all the qualities that can make him one of the elite starters in the game for years to come. He gets ahead of batters by throwing 65.4% of his first pitches for strikes, top 5 in the MLB. His pitches are in the strike zone 62.4%  of the time, also top 5 in the MLB.   Hitters have a tough time putting the bat to the ball since they swing and miss at 9% the pitches that he throws for strikes. Add in his 56.3% ground ball rate and you’ve got a pitcher that you need to acquire before his asking price becomes too high. He has tremendous value, especially in keeper leagues.

 

Sell High

Aaron Harang (Atlanta Braves)

Aaron Harang has been one of the feel good stories of this young 2014 baseball season. He has put up some amazing stats that have allowed the Atlanta Braves and their decimated starting pitching staff to remain at the top of their division. So many have asked how has a pitcher who no one drafted and had a 5.40 ERA just one season ago become such a dominant force at the age of 36? If you look at Harang’s overall numbers the only significant change is that batters are swinging and missing at 9.8% of his pitches this season as opposed to only 7.8% last season. The only other thing Harang has going for him this season is that he’s got a better defense playing behind him. Other than that, velocity, groundball rates, they have all stayed the same which leads me to conclude that eventually Harang will stop pitching like Cy Young and pitch like…well, Aaron Harang. His fall from grace is coming soon, his 4/30 start in which he was bled for 9 runs in 4.2 innings is proof of that. Luckily he followed that start with a good start so maybe your fellow Fantasy Baseball Owners didn’t notice the “glitch in the Matrix”.

 

Mark Buehrle (Toronto Blue Jays)

For the past several seasons Mark Buehrle has been a perennial .500 pitcher but if the season ended today he would be one of the favorites to win the AL Cy Young. What has happened to turn this mediocre pitcher into a machine that has six wins, an ERA that is hovering around the 1.9 mark and a 1.17 WHIP? No one knows and quite frankly it doesn’t make sense. His groundball rate is 5 points less than his career average of 45%, his swinging strike rate has dropped off slightly and he has even lost a mile or so off of his fastball. He is relying on his two seam fastball and curveball more this season but can that explain why he has been so dominant? Will his success continue? Buehrle has always been a dependable starter who flat out knows how to pitch but he is in way over his head right now. News Flash: Buehrle will not be the AL Cy Young award winner this season. Sorry, but it is not going to happen and if you can find a trading partner who places that kind of value on him, trade him and trade him fast.

 




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

KaVontae Turpin

Arrested on Two Charges
Cole Ragans

to Begin Throwing on Monday
Theo Johnson

Prioritizing his Health this Offseason
Andrés Giménez

Andres Gimenez Hits 10-Day Injured List
Jermaine Burton

Continues to Show Growth
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
Austin Cindric

Remains an Overrated Road Racer
Brad Keselowski

Likely to Brush Past Chicago Street Course to Focus on Daytona
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek One of the Best Underdog Options After Strong Runs at Mexico City and Last Year
Cole Custer

Strong Mexico City Run and Xfinity Series Chicago Win Make Him a Solid DFS Option
Erik Jones

Likely Not Good Enough on Road Courses for DFS Consideration Despite Poor Qualifying Result
Noah Gragson

May Be Better Than Other Cheap DFS Options
Riley Herbst

Despite Decent Mexico City Run, Don't Expect Riley Herbst to Contend at Chicago
Cody Ware

Is a Road Course Veteran, but It's Rarely Helped Him in NASCAR
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Is The Heavy Favorite to Win at Chicago Street Course
Christopher Bell

Should Be Strong Despite Practice Struggles at Chicago Street Course
Cam Ward

"Not Expecting" to be handed Starting Job
Chase Claypool

Eager to Get Back on the Field
Wyatt Langford

Activated, Playing on Saturday
Jay Huff

on the Move to Indiana
Cam Whitmore

Wizards Acquire Cam Whitmore from the Rockets
LaJohntay Wester

Stands out on Special Teams
Clarke Schmidt

Likely to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Nolan Arenado

Scratched from Saturday's Lineup
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Starting on Saturday
Corbin Carroll

Activated from 10-Day Injured List
Cincinnati Bengals

Shemar Stewart, Bengals Continue Contract Talks, No Progress Made
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade may not Happen Until "August, September"
Ha-Seong Kim

Removed Early During Season Debut
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
WAS

Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Sitting Out With Foot Issue
Isaiah Neyor

Impresses at Minicamp
Houston Rockets

Jock Landale Waived by Rockets
Bo Bichette

Back in Blue Jays Lineup
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Considering Returning to Europe
Miles Sanders

Works With Starters During Mandatory Minicamp
Jabari Walker

Signs Two-Way Deal With Sixers
Chimere Dike

Titans Could Move Chimere Dike Inside
Keandre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith not Guaranteed Roster Spot
Anthony Bradford

Working Hard to Win Back Starting Job
Byron Young

Still Improving?
Cody Simon

Jonathan Gannon has Been Impressed With Cody Simon
SirVocea Dennis

has Impressive Offseason
Trevor Penning

Could Still Have a Role in New Orleans
Jonathan Kuminga

Warriors Decline Recent Offer for Jonathan Kuminga
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner, Magic Agree to One-Year Deal
Clarke Schmidt

Placed on Injured List
José Soriano

Jose Soriano Throws Gem Against Braves
Robbie Ray

Earns Ninth Win in Complete Game
T.J. Watt

Likely to Reset the Edge-Rush Market
George Springer

Blasts Two Homers, Drives in Four
James Wood

Goes Yard in Five-Hit Night
Bradley Beal

Suns Discussing Potential Buyout
Los Angeles Lakers

Jaxson Hayes Staying with the Lakers
NBA

Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
Max Muncy

Out at Least Six Weeks
Clarke Schmidt

Leaves Start with Forearm Tightness
Colson Montgomery

Promoted to the Major Leagues
Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
Max Muncy

Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
Boston Celtics

Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Sandro Mamukelashvili

Heading to Toronto
Jared McCain

Not on 76ers Summer League Roster
Dylan Harper

Unavailable for California Classic
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
Cleveland Cavaliers

Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
Los Angeles Lakers

Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF