RADIO
Sleeper Starting Pitchers For Week 19
Jimmy Nelson - SP, MIL
13% Owned in Yahoo!, 6% in Fleaflicker
Jimmy Nelson is one of the Milwaukee Brewers’ top prospects. He pitched very well vs. the Giants on Tuesday, holding them to 7 baserunners over 7 IP allowing just 3 ER while racking up a 5:1 K:BB ratio. Aside from his rough outing on July 12th against the Cardinals, Nelson has gone 19.2 innings and has only given up 5 earned runs in 3 starts (2.34 ERA).
His 1.23 WHIP is solid if not spectacular, but fortunately he has been consistent with his strikeout total, with at least 5 in every start and 27 in 30 IP overall. He also has a very nice groundball rate over 50%. The Brewers have not given him much run support in his starts thus far, but hopefully that changes in the near future. He has only had 1 start on the road and it was 5.2 shutout innings, but it will be interesting to see if he can provide the team with quality starts away from home. Nelson is a solid addition in deep-leagues for now, and if he can continue pitching well next start, he should be looked at in all formats.
Wei-Yin Chen - SP, BAL
46% Owned in Yahoo, 25% in Fleaflicker
Even though Chen struggled in his start Wednesday against the Blue Jays, he has still been dominant over his last 6 starts. The loss had snapped his incredible 5-consecutive start win streak. During the 5 games, Chen beat quality teams such as Seattle, Oakland, and Washington.
This proves that not only can the Orioles rely on him for the rest of the season, but also fantasy owners in all formats. Over his last 2 starts, Chen has struck out 14 batters in just 12.1 innings. He will look to get back on track against the Yankees on Tuesday and he's a good bet to throw at least a quality start vs. the Yanks, if not better.
Vance Worley - SP, PIT
20% Owned in Yahoo!, 10% in Fleaflicker
Vance Worley’s effective season continued in his last start against the Diamondbacks. As the Pirates continue to make that playoff push, Worley has given them every reason to keep him in the rotation. His 6 innings and 1 earned run outing on Saturday lowered his season ERA to 2.43.
He has allowed more than 2 runs in just 3 starts all season, which is a bit lucky but also incredibly impressive. Although Worley’s strikeout totals are low and this keeps him off limits in shallow leagues, his ability to throw quality starts is worth a look in all deep formats. If he continues to limit the free passes, the damage will be minimal, and he will have a good chance to keep racking up the wins, and his next start vs. the Padres at home on Friday is a great matchup.
Jordan Lyles - SP, COL
6% Owned in Yahoo!, 9% in Fleaflicker
Jordan Lyles returned on Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs and looked pretty good going 6 IP with 5 Ks and 1 BB, but unfortunately he gave up 4 Er as well. Lyles hadn't pitched since June 4th due to a broken hand, and although he pitches at the hitter-friendly Coors Field, he is someone that should be looked at in very deep leagues.
Before the injury, he was 5-1 with a 3.52 ERA. His K:BB hasn't been too impressive at 49:26 in 69 IP, but this is the one area he imprved a lot vs. the Cubs (admittedly a poor hitting team vs. RHP). He has found ways to keep a respectable ERA for someone that pitches in such a difficult ballpark, so for those in need of another pitcher for their deep rotations, Lyles may be worth the gamble.
