The Short Picks - Week 8
May 20th, 2007 by winabango
It is time once again for some waiver wire picks that might be available in your league. With only a few teams with seven games this week I am going to bring out some hot players that should do just fine this week. Here they are:
Position Players:
- Ryan Garko, 1B CLE - This 26 year-old first baseman has hit safely in 9 straight games, and 5 of them were multiple hit games. His homerun per flyball percentage is a bit high at 17.4%, but a 21.2% Line drive rate is solid. When someone is this hot, you need to ride it for as long as you can.
- Damian Easley, 2B NYM - This guy has been around for a long time, and is doing a solid job filling in for the injured Valentin. Over the last week he has hit .304 with 2 homeruns in 23 at bats. Multiple position eligibility adds to his value, and can be used on the “short” days. He still has the 2B job for the next month or so.
- Reggie Willits, OF LAA - The rookie has hit safely in 9 of his last 10 games. He has plenty of speed, and has 10 stolen bases so far this year. As long as he keeps his .448 OBP he will continue to hit leadoff.
2 start Pitchers
- Joe Blanton OAK (@CWS, @BAL) this guy could be the breakout pitcher of the American League this year. He is a great candidate for 2 starts this week even though both games are on the road. So far this year Blanton posted a 3-0 mark on the road with 3.98 ERA and 3.71 K/BB ratio.
- Noah Lowry SF (HOU, COL) Lowry has been very serviceable so far this year. He is not striking out as many batters as he did two years ago, but is getting more groundouts this year then any other. That is huge in a pitcher friendly home park. The two offenses that he is facing this week have a good middle of the lineup, but a poor back end. So even if he gets into trouble, he should be able to work out of it.
- Zach Duke PIT (STL, @CIN) This is a very risky pick. He has pitched OK so far this year, and his ERA is not a clear indication of how he has actually pitched. Why pick him up? The Pirates are really beginning to play well, and his first start is against the toothless Cardinals. Buyer beware on this pick.
I will post tomorrow how last weeks picks did.
weeks on the mend… freel l castillo or easily?
Cubs manager Lou Pinella is considering making Marmol the closer and moving Ryan Dempster to the starting rotation, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Spin: Marmol threw a scoreless ninth inning in Sunday’s game in a non-save situation. Apparently this plan has been postponed a few days after Dempster pitched well on Friday. Pinella has said he has big changes for his pitching staff, but has been coy about details. This news may make picking up Marmol worth a shot in deep leagues, as it looks like he’ll play a big role in the bullpen even if not moved to closer.
I don’t know how it will pan out. Its a long shot but its worth it if you are desperate for saves and got an available spot.
clemens a 2 start pitcher for next week? how is that possible? is slowey or garza worth picking up?
whats your take??
furcal + lincecome for hanley + b myers?
If you believe other reports out of Chicago, then you would think that Guzman is being groomed as the closer. Watch the situation carefully.
It looks like Slowey is going to get the first chance in Min. I think that he is worth a pick up in deep leagues, and especially AL-Only.
I would want Lince and Furcal over Hanley and Myers. It seems like the Phillies are using Myers too much. That may mean that Gordon will get some save chances upon returning. Lince will be dominate in years to come, and Furcal is a fantastic second half player.
Kelly