September 2010
Pitch or Ditch for Tuesday, September 21
Pitch
or Ditch is a strategy for (ideally) daily mixed leagues in which you
pick up
starters on a day-to-day basis based on how well they are pitching and
their
upcoming matchups, then cut them in favor of new guys the next day. The
concept
is that the shallower the league, the more quality starting pitching is
available on the free agent wire, so rather than drafting expensive
starters,
it’s better to build a strong offense and bullpen and let the free agent
wire
populate your starting staff during the season. As a bonus, a handful of
“PoD”
guys emerge each year as worth keeping all year long, like Jair Jurrjens
last
year or Cliff Lee in ’08.
__________________________________________________________________________________
CORY’S PICKS
Chen @
Galarraga
Shields @ Hughes -
both are too HR prone to trust here
French @
Rzepczynski
Bergesen @
Buchholz
Carmona @ Pavano -
hang
with ‘em!
Buehrle @
Cahill
Lewis @ Big
Erv
Minor @
Halladay
Happ @ Lannan – Happ too
hot prior to last start to ditch yet
Westbrook @
Maholm
Pelfrey @ Mendez – Pelfrey
finishing strong
Cain @
Zambrano – Big Z pitching…
good
Volquez @ Bush – Volquez a
big risk but high reward
De La
Rosa
@ Saunders
Richard @
Billingsley
***Zach says “I’d pitch Richard. Don’t get discouraged by one dreadful start @ Coors. Clayton had allowed 2 ER or less in each of his previous six outings. Agree on rest.”
The Final POD Category Chart
Hey guys,
So here it is. One final update to the Pitch or Ditch category chart before we put a stamp on the 2010 season.
Most of you are probably very close to reaching your innings limit so feel free to take an even stricter approach when deciding whether or not to pitch a borderline guy. But as you’ll notice, we too have raised the bar, adding a couple more DTMs and demoting a few pitchers from grads to PoD.
A reminder as to how the chart works:
We’ve
divided all the starting
pitchers in the Majors into four groups:
Aces, Pitch or Ditch graduates, Pitch or Ditch guys and DTMs (players
you shouldn’t even think about starting right now). Keep in mind that
these
classifications are geared towards 12-team mixed leagues.
Good luck to all as you make your final push towards a title!
-Zach
Pitch or Ditch for Friday, September 17
Pitch
or Ditch is a strategy for (ideally) daily mixed leagues in which you
pick up
starters on a day-to-day basis based on how well they are pitching and
their
upcoming matchups, then cut them in favor of new guys the next day. The
concept
is that the shallower the league, the more quality starting pitching is
available on the free agent wire, so rather than drafting expensive
starters,
it’s better to build a strong offense and bullpen and let the free agent
wire
populate your starting staff during the season. As a bonus, a handful of
“PoD”
guys emerge each year as worth keeping all year long, like Jair Jurrjens
last
year or Cliff Lee in ’08.
__________________________________________________________________________________
ZACH’S PICKS
Burnett @
Millwood – Promising matchup for Burnett but there are much better ways to use your remaining innings.
Haren @ Davis – Haren 1.00 ERA over last four starts.
Cecil @
Lackey – Cecil a bit risky coming off blowup vs. TB but I’ll take the gamble.
Carrasco @
Davies – Carrasco dominant so far and great matchup.
Scherzer @ Jackson
Anderson @
Blackburn – Blackburn a viable option but I’m worried that the wheels are about to fall off.
Wilson @ King
Felix
Kennedy @
Burres
Marquis @
Oswalt
Hanson @
Niese – Niese a little inconsistent lately so be careful here.
Dempster @
Sanabia
Cueto @
Wandy
Latos @
Lohse
Jimenez @
Kuroda
Wolf @
Bumgarner – Wolf solid of late and I like the matchup.
Pitch or Ditch for Thursday, September 16
Pitch
or Ditch is a strategy for (ideally) daily mixed leagues in which you
pick up
starters on a day-to-day basis based on how well they are pitching and
their
upcoming matchups, then cut them in favor of new guys the next day. The
concept
is that the shallower the league, the more quality starting pitching is
available on the free agent wire, so rather than drafting expensive
starters,
it’s better to build a strong offense and bullpen and let the free agent
wire
populate your starting staff during the season. As a bonus, a handful of
“PoD”
guys emerge each year as worth keeping all year long, like Jair Jurrjens
last
year or Cliff Lee in ’08.
__________________________________________________________________________________
CORY’S PICKS
Big Erv @
Carmona – not trusting Erv
much but it’s the Indians!
Pavano @
Buehrle
R. Lopez @ Volquez -
not trusting Volquez but a decent gamble
Morton @
Pelfrey – Pelf doing better lately, and it’s the
Pirates!
Stauffer @
Westbrook
Lilly @ J.
Sanchez
***Siano says “I’m
a little concerned about Stauffer since it’s not cushy Petco but Cards are
looking lifeless so not a terrible gamble if chasing a
win. Agree
on rest.”
***Zach says “I’d sit Stauffer. One solid outing vs. the Giants isn’t enough to gain my trust, and the Cards rank 3rd in the NL in runs scored. Agree on rest.”
Pitch or Ditch for Tuesday, September 14
Pitch
or Ditch is a strategy for (ideally) daily mixed leagues in which you
pick up
starters on a day-to-day basis based on how well they are pitching and
their
upcoming matchups, then cut them in favor of new guys the next day. The
concept
is that the shallower the league, the more quality starting pitching is
available on the free agent wire, so rather than drafting expensive
starters,
it’s better to build a strong offense and bullpen and let the free agent
wire
populate your starting staff during the season. As a bonus, a handful of
“PoD”
guys emerge each year as worth keeping all year long, like Jair Jurrjens
last
year or Cliff Lee in ’08.
__________________________________________________________________________________
CORY’S PICKS
Kazmir @ Tomlin – can
Kazmir do it twice? I’ll watch and wait
S. Hill @ Arrieta -
Arrieta as many walks as K’s this year
Nova @
Garza
Bonderman @
Holland
Liriano @
Danks
Gonzalez @
Greinke
Matsuzaka @ French -
Dice-K likes Seattle but I don’t trust him
D.
Hudson @
Wood
Hamels @
Mendez
Duke @ Dickey
- Dickey sub-2.00 ERA at home
Livan @
Jurrjens – Jurrjens erratic but I trust him at home vs.
WSH
Capuano @ Norris -
Norris too erratic to trust vs. good offense
Wells @
Wainwright
Garland @
Hammel
Kershaw
@
Zito
ZACH’S PICKS
Kazmir @
Tomlin – Kazmir pitching a little better of late but I still don’t trust him.
S. Hill @
Arrieta
Nova @
Garza – Nova risky play here…pitch only if you’re chasing wins.
Bonderman @ Holland
Liriano @
Danks
Gonzalez @
Greinke – Gio red hot…7-2 2.23 ERA 1.07 WHIP since All-Star break.
Matsuzaka @
French – Dice-K struggling but gotta like this matchup.
D. Hudson @ Wood
Hamels @
Mendez
Duke @
Dickey
Livan @
Jurrjens – Livan: 5 or more ER in three of his last four starts.
Capuano @
Norris
Wells @
Wainwright
Garland @
Hammel – Not the time or place to gamble on Garland.
Kershaw @
Zito – I like Zito at home vs. inconsistent L.A. lineup.
Pitch or Ditch for Saturday-Monday, September 11-13
Pitch
or Ditch is a strategy for (ideally) daily mixed leagues in which you
pick up
starters on a day-to-day basis based on how well they are pitching and
their
upcoming matchups, then cut them in favor of new guys the next day. The
concept
is that the shallower the league, the more quality starting pitching is
available on the free agent wire, so rather than drafting expensive
starters,
it’s better to build a strong offense and bullpen and let the free agent
wire
populate your starting staff during the season. As a bonus, a handful of
“PoD”
guys emerge each year as worth keeping all year long, like Jair Jurrjens
last
year or Cliff Lee in ’08.
__________________________________________________________________________________
CORY’S PICKS
SATURDAY
Davis @ Romero
Guthrie @
Scherzer
Davies @ Jackson
Blackburn @
Carrasco
Burnett @ Hunter – too risky for
either
Lackey @
Anderson
King Felix @ Big
Erv – overall Big Erv has been solid
this year if a little erratic
An.
Sanchez @
Marquis
Kendrick @
Pelfrey
Bumgarner @
Stauffer
Westbrook @
Hanson
Ely @ Wandy
Dempster @ Wolf – Dempster very
risky, only if chasing K’s and wins
Morton @
Harang
R. Lopez @ Jimenez
ZACH’S PICKS
SUNDAY
Tillman @
Verlander
Slowey @
Talbot – Not a Slowey fan but this is a decent matchup for him if you need wins
Niemann @
Marcum – Niemann absolutely awful of late
O’Sullivan @ F.
Garcia – Favorable spot for Freddy but let’s take the conservative route
Moseley @
Lee – Lee no sure thing vs. Yanks but how can you bench him?
Vargas @
Haren – Vargas slumping lately and much better at home (2.58 ERA) than on the road (5.27 ERA)
Beckett @
Braden – Still don’t trust Beckett but this is a great matchup
Oswalt @
Niese – Niese = high-risk medium-reward…ditch
Burres @
Cueto
Volstad @
Zimmermann – Zim not a bad gamble if you’re willing to roll the dice
Padilla @
Figueroa – Figueroa a decent option in deeper formats vs. erratic Dodgers lineup
Coleman @
Gallardo
Kennedy @
Chacin – Kennedy on a roll but I’m passing on the HR prone pitcher at Coors
Lincecum @ Latos
Lohse @ T.
Hudson
MONDAY
Gonzalez @
Bannister
Rzepczynski @
Matusz – Matusz pitching well but he’s a risky play here
Sabathia @
Price – Cy Young showdown!
Lester @
Fister - Fister great at home but I’d be careful here
Maya @
Lowe – Lowe extremely inconsistent this year and offers little upside
Enright @
Arroyo - Enright coming off his worst start of the year
McDonald @ TBD - McDonald an OK option in deeper formats
Blanton @
Miller – Blanton locked in right now but too erratic to trust
Narveson @
Myers – Narveson worth using here
Silva @ J.
Garcia – I’m willing to give Garcia another chance
Luebke @ Francis
Pitch or Ditch for Thursday, September 9
Pitch
or Ditch is a strategy for (ideally) daily mixed leagues in which you
pick up
starters on a day-to-day basis based on how well they are pitching and
their
upcoming matchups, then cut them in favor of new guys the next day. The
concept
is that the shallower the league, the more quality starting pitching is
available on the free agent wire, so rather than drafting expensive
starters,
it’s better to build a strong offense and bullpen and let the free agent
wire
populate your starting staff during the season. As a bonus, a handful of
“PoD”
guys emerge each year as worth keeping all year long, like Jair Jurrjens
last
year or Cliff Lee in ’08.
__________________________________________________________________________________
CORY’S PICKS
Floyd @ Porcello -
Porcello OK if risking ratios to chase wins
Lewis @ S. Hill -
Lewis should bounce back but play it safe here
Wood @ Hammel – see
Porcello… high-risk, high reward on both, Hammel in
particular
Wainwright @
Jurrjens – hang with
‘em
Lilly @ Norris – can’t
risk Bud right now
Cain @
Garland – Garland fine at
home
***Siano says “Agree
on all. CS says it so smoothly I can’t make it any better.”
Pitch or Ditch for Saturday-Monday, September 4-6
Pitch
or Ditch is a strategy for (ideally) daily mixed leagues in which you
pick up
starters on a day-to-day basis based on how well they are pitching and
their
upcoming matchups, then cut them in favor of new guys the next day. The
concept
is that the shallower the league, the more quality starting pitching is
available on the free agent wire, so rather than drafting expensive
starters,
it’s better to build a strong offense and bullpen and let the free agent
wire
populate your starting staff during the season. As a bonus, a handful of
“PoD”
guys emerge each year as worth keeping all year long, like Jair Jurrjens
last
year or Cliff Lee in ’08.
__________________________________________________________________________________
CORY’S PICKS
SATURDAY
Rzepczynski @ Vazquez
- not risking Vazquez in his rotation return
Weaver @
Cahill
Lewis @
Pavano
Shields @ Guthrie -
both present plenty of risk and reward… gamble accordingly
Floyd @
Lackey – Siano-style
gut-check on Lackey… strong finisher
Porcello @
Chen
Talbot @
Pauley
Mejia @
Coleman
Wood @
Wainwright – conservatism dictates “ditch” on Wood
Hammel @ Garland -
Johnny Sinkers worth using at home
Bush @
Halladay
Lannan @
Maholm
Jurrjens @
Johnson – Jair coming off terrible start and struggles on the
road
Norris @ R. Lopez – Norris
risky in Arizona but big upside here
Cain @
Lilly
SUNDAY
Cecil @ Hughes -
high-risk,
high-reward on both
Buehrle @
Beckett
Davis @ Matusz
- Matusz is on a roll, go with it
Galarraga @ Davies – Galarraga
hot and Royals not
Wilson @
Blackburn
Big
Erv
@ Mazzaro – don’t trust Erv but it’s the A’s
Masterson @ King
Felix
Minor @
Sanabia
Wolf @
Kendrick
Marquis @
Morton
Bailey @
Carpenter
Niese @ Zambrano -
don’t trust Zambrano AT ALL
De La Rosa @
Richard
Happ @ Saunders – Happ
risky but has been red hot with Astros
J. Sanchez @
Kuroda
MONDAY
Jackson @
Scherzer -
awesome
Arrieta @ Burnett -
don’t trust A.J. just yet
Hunter @
Romero – don’t trust Hunter vs. homer-happy Jays
O’Sullivan @
Liriano
Vargas @
Anderson
Niemann @
Lester
Carrasco @
Haren – Carrasco sharp his first time, let’s see it
again
Pelfrey @ Zimmermann
- both risky but Zimmermann has upside
An. Sanchez @
Oswalt
Hanson
@
Karstens – hope you didn’t give up on Hanson!
Westbrook @
Gallardo – Gallardo should be
OK, hang with ‘em
Wandy @
Dempster
Harang @
Jimenez
Bumgarner @
Kennedy
Volstad @
TBD
Monasterios @ LeBlanc
- LeBlanc too homer-prone right now, even at home
***Siano says:
SAT:
Pitch Shields (red hot), ditch Norris (don’t trust enough here). Agree on
rest.
SUN:
Wade Davis looks like he has his feet back under him. I’d trot him out there.
Agree on all, even Big Z.
MON:
I’m sticking with AJ coming off season high 8 Ks. Agree on
rest.
***Zach says “Pitch Shields (on a roll), ditch Norris (don’t trust him), pitch Big Z (I like picking on the Mets lineup). Agree on the rest of Cory’s picks.”
Updated POD Category Chart (9/2)
Hey guys,
Hot off the press, here’s our updated Pitch or Ditch category chart:
Notice that we’re becoming stricter graders as the season winds down. As Cory likes to say, now is the time to be conservative since many of you are rapidly approaching innings limits.
Just a reminder as to how the chart works:
We’ve
divided all the starting
pitchers in the Majors into four groups:
Aces, Pitch or Ditch graduates, Pitch or Ditch guys and DTM’s (players
you shouldn’t even think about starting right now). Keep in mind that these
classifications are geared towards 12-team mixed leagues. In all likelihood, we’ll be making one more update to the chart before the 2010 campaign comes to a close.
Agree? Disagree? Let’s hear from you!
-Zach
Pitch or Ditch for Friday, September 3
Pitch
or Ditch is a strategy for (ideally) daily mixed leagues in which you
pick up
starters on a day-to-day basis based on how well they are pitching and
their
upcoming matchups, then cut them in favor of new guys the next day. The
concept
is that the shallower the league, the more quality starting pitching is
available on the free agent wire, so rather than drafting expensive
starters,
it’s better to build a strong offense and bullpen and let the free agent
wire
populate your starting staff during the season. As a bonus, a handful of
“PoD”
guys emerge each year as worth keeping all year long, like Jair Jurrjens
last
year or Cliff Lee in ’08.
__________________________________________________________________________________
PoD chart August 10.pdf UPDATED CHART COMING SOON!
CORY’S PICKS
Morrow @ Nova – go with
Morrow in his final start
Garza @
Millwood
Danks @
Buchholz – did you know
Buchholz leads the MAJORS in ERA?!
Bonderman @
Greinke
Holland @
Blackburn
Kazmir @ G.
Gonzalez
Carmona @
Pauley
Dickey @ Wells
-
Wells erratic but good matchup.
Capuano @
Hamels
Livan @ Duke -
Livan’s ERA at a season high… finally going pumpkin?
Kawakami @
Miller
Arroyo @ J.
Garcia
Myers @ D.
Hudson
Cook @
Luebke
Zito @
Billingsley
***Siano says:
Ditch
on Morrow. Yanks have given him some decent beatings in NY.
Yes
I did know Clay led MLB in ERA.
Pitch Carmona. Mariners literally can’t hit.
Agree
on rest.
mlbtstufantasy411
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