Pitching Report: Week 11

     So back to our regularly scheduled program here, folks.  I’d like to thank Keith for taking over the Pitching Report in my absence and commend him on a few calls.  He had Jordan Zimmerman as his Start of the Week, and while he didn’t get a win in either start, the kid still had 13 K’d in 11 innings with a 2.45 ERA.  He was also half right on his Bust of the Week as Josh Beckett got tagged for 6 ER in Sunday’s loss to the Phillies.  Even Brian Bannister as his sleeper was solid.  A tough week though for some of the Green Lighters, but who’s to know Johan Santana is going to give up 9 runs in 3 innings or that Derek Lowe was going to get smoked for 7 runs in 2 1/3?  Like we’ve always said, pitching can be a real tough thing to call sometimes. 

     This week, there aren’t the usual number of 2 start pitchers this week, and there aren’t really too many no-brainers.  Something tells me, as I’m writing this, that there may not be too many locks hanging out in the Green Light district again this week.  Here’s a look at how I see it…

Green Light Pitchers

1. Justin Verlander — @ STL;  vs MIL **start of the week**
2. CC Sabathia — vs WAS;  @ FLA
3. Cole Hamels — vs TOR;  vs BAL
4. John Danks — @ CHC;  @ CIN
5. Carlos Zambrano — vs CHW;  vs CLE
6. Yovani Gallardo — @ CLE;  @ DET
7. John Lackey — @ SF;  vs LAD
8. Kevin Millwood — vs HOU;  @ SF
9. Barry Zito — vs LAA;  vs TEX  **sleeper of the week**
10. Glen Perkins — vs PIT;  vs HOU **injury sleeper**

Yellow Light Pitchers

1. Felix Hernandez — @ SD;  vs ARI
2. Adam Wainwright — vs DET;  @ KC
3. Clayton Kershaw — vs OAK;  @ LAA
4. Gil Meche — vs ARI;  vs STL
5. Aaron Harang — vs ATL;  vs CHW
6. Jorge De La Rosa — vs TB;  vs PIT
7. Wandy Rodriguez — @ TEX;  @ MIN
8. Ricky Romero — @ PHI;  @ WAS
9. Carl Pavano — vs MIL;  @ CHC
10. Mike Pelfrey — @ BAL;  vs TB
11. Dallas Braden – @ LAD;  @SD

Red Light Pitchers

1. Jair Jurrjens — @ CIN;  @ BOS  **bust of the week**
2. Dave Bush — @ CLE;  @ DET
3. Tim Wakefield — vs FLA;  vs ATL
4. Doug Davis — @ KC;  @ SEA
5. Jeff Niemann — @ COL;  @ NYM
6. Chris Volstad — @ BOS;  vs NYY
7. Jeremy Guthrie — vs NYM;  @ PHI
8. Kevin Correia — vs SEA;  vs OAK
9. Shairon Martis — @ NYY;  vs TOR
10. Charlie Morton — @ MIN;  @ COL

Side Notes:

OK, so I’m taking the safe route with Justin Verlander as my Start of the Week.  And why shouldn’t I?  He’s 5-0 in his last 7 starts with 61 Ks in 51 1/3 innings and has a 1.23 ERA in that span.  He’s faced both the Cardinals and the Brewers in interleague before and has had success against both posting a 3-0 record with an ERA just below 3.50.  This as good as a no-brainer as you’ll get this week, so why not take advantage of that?

Because isn’t the risk of taking Barry Zito as my sleeper this week enough?  That’s right.  I’m going with the local pick here, but with good reason.  We’ve seen quite a resurgence with Zito this season and he’s pitching like a new man.  He’s had his ups and downs this season, but overall, you have to admit that even a 4.09 ERA is light years better than where we thought he’d be.  He’s got a winning record against both AL West opponents, obviously dating back to his Oakland days, and I like him in front of the home crowd this week.  Take a shot if you can.

So tying into my sleeper pick was Glen Perkins from the Twins.  He’s supposed to be coming off the DL in time to be a 2 start pitcher this week and he’s got a fairly easy slate of games against the Pirates and the Astros this week if he does.  If you’ve stashed him away or are in need and he’s available, he could be a solid option, not just for this week, but for the season.

I’m sure you Jair Jurrjens owners don’t like seeing me put him in as the bust this week, but it’s just not looking good.  He’s 1-2 in his last 3 starts and has given up a total of 11 runs in 18 innings.  Now that might not be such a bad ERA, but in those last 3 starts, his WHIP was 1.56 and he’s walked 7 batters, which is a bit out of character for the young righty.  He may have good road numbers (3-1, 2.27), but he’s going to a hitter’s haven in Cincy and then has to go into Fenway and deal with the Sox?  I’m just not liking it for the kid this week.

Just a little note on Clayton Kershaw here.  I’ve now owned him the last 2 years and remain a big fan of the young lefty.  I love his potential and he’s already a solid strikeout pitcher.  But his inconsistency is killing me and the fact that he’s only gone atleast 6 innings twice in his last 7 starts is making me a little nervous.  But he’s just got so much to offer.  And that’s what’s holding him in the Yellow Light district this week.  He’s done well against the Angels before, and the A’s are no great shakes on the offensive front.  But since he’s been so erratcic and his last outing was just disgusting, I’m marking his next start as a possible tough one.  If he does well, then get him back in your lineup.  If not, well, then there you go…