Fantasy daily notes for April 21 – ESPN

Starting pitcher projected Game Scores for April 21
					2014 Statistics			2015 Statistics
GS	Team	Name	T	Opp	W-L	ERA	WHIP	W-L	ERA	WHIP
64		Carlos Carrasco	R	@CWS	8-7	2.55	0.99	1-1	2.84	0.95
64		Mike Fiers	R	Cin	6-5	2.13	0.88	0-2	5.91	1.50
62		Francisco Liriano	L	ChC	7-10	3.38	1.30	0-1	2.08	0.77
58		Gio Gonzalez	L	StL	10-10	3.57	1.20	1-1	5.11	1.38
58		Collin McHugh	R	@Sea	11-9	2.73	1.02	2-0	1.54	1.11
56		Chris Archer	R	Bos	10-9	3.33	1.28	2-1	1.37	0.66
56		Lance Lynn	R	@Wsh	15-10	2.74	1.26	1-1	1.64	0.91
55		Dan Haren	R	@Phi	13-11	4.02	1.18	1-0	2.08	0.69
52		Jason Vargas	L	Min	11-10	3.71	1.27	1-1	6.00	1.89
52		Drew Pomeranz	L	@LAA	5-4	2.35	1.12	1-1	3.00	0.75
51		Jonathon Niese	L	Atl	9-11	3.40	1.27	—	—	—
51		Taijuan Walker	R	Hou	2-3	2.61	1.29	0-2	17.18	2.86
48		Kyle Lobstein	L	NYY	1-2	4.35	1.25	1-0	5.40	2.00
48		Travis Wood	L	@Pit	8-13	5.03	1.53	1-1	2.31	1.20
48		Chase Anderson	R	Tex	9-7	4.01	1.37	0-0	4.09	1.55
47		Brett Anderson	L	@SF	1-3	2.91	1.32	1-0	3.27	1.18
47		Wade Miley	L	@TB	8-12	4.34	1.40	0-1	10.57	1.83
47		Nathan Eovaldi	R	@Det	6-14	4.37	1.33	0-0	4.35	1.94
47		Mark Buehrle	L	Bal	13-10	3.39	1.36	2-0	3.75	1.50
47		Tim Lincecum	R	LAD	12-9	4.74	1.39	0-1	2.25	1.17
47		Brandon Morrow	R	@Col	1-3	5.67	1.65	0-0	1.29	1.07
47		Hector Santiago	L	Oak	6-9	3.75	1.36	1-1	2.92	1.05
46		Bud Norris	R	@Tor	15-8	3.65	1.22	0-1	12.38	1.88
45		Jerome Williams	R	Mia	6-7	4.77	1.40	0-1	4.09	1.55
45		Tyler Matzek	L	SD	6-11	4.05	1.39	1-0	1.80	1.30
44		Hector Noesi	R	Cle	8-12	4.75	1.37	0-1	3.86	2.14
43		Tommy Milone	L	@KC	6-4	4.19	1.40	2-0	2.08	1.08
41		Jason Marquis	R	@Mil	—	—	—	0-1	6.30	1.70
40		Trevor Cahill	R	@NYM	3-12	5.61	1.61	0-1	15.43	3.43
38		Nick Martinez	R	@Ari	5-12	4.55	1.46	2-0	0.00	1.00
GS: The pitcher’s projected “Game Score,” from Bill James’ original formula, which accounts for past history (three years’ worth as well as past 21 days), opponent and ballpark. A Game Score of 50 typically is typically regarded a quality start; anything over 70 is exceptional, anything under 30 poor. A “*” means that the pitcher lacks requisite career major league data to produce an accurate projected Game Score; these are the author’s projections. T: Pitcher throws left-handed or right-handed. Opp: The pitcher’s opponent for the day. W-L: Pitcher’s win-loss record. ERA: Pitcher’s earned run average. WHIP: Pitcher’s average number of walks plus hits surrendered per inning.

Elite

On Monday, we gave elite status to Jake Arrieta despite the track record of success normally associated with a true ace. On Tuesday, we’ll extend the same courtesy to Carlos Carrasco despite his track record being even shorter than Arrieta’s. It’s simply too hard to ignore that in 134 innings last season, Carrasco sported an impressive 9.4 K/9 and 2.0 BB/9, and that he opened the 2015 campaign with 10 whiffs and only one walk. That said, keep in mind Carrasco is making his first start since taking a Melky Cabrera line drive off the jaw. It won’t take long before we see how Carrasco reacts to the incident, as his opponent is none other than the Chicago White Sox, so Cabrera will be the second hitter Carrasco faces. Assuming he’s fine, Carrasco takes on a squad slow out of the gate offensively as the Pale Hose are in the lower third of the league in runs scored.

Solid

If Mike Fiers were Carrasco’s age, he’d likely be receiving similar buzz. But alas, he’ll be 30 years old in June and has yet to throw more than 127 2/3 innings in a season during his injury-marred career. He’s healthy now and coming off a 2014 campaign that featured a 9.5 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9 albeit in only 71 2/3 frames. He began 2015 where he left off and has a good chance to continue against a Cincinnati Reds squad with a dormant offense.

The Chicago Cubs are exhibiting surprising patience in the early going, so the occasionally wild Francisco Liriano is a bit of a risk, but he still deserves a solid ranking. The encounter is in PNC Park, one of the best pitcher’s venues in the league. Liriano has fanned more than a batter an inning since 2012 which is fantasy gold, be it traditional or DFS.

Chris Archer is showing the potential many been waiting for in his first three starts, two of which have been on the road and not in pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field. He’s whiffed 21 while issuing a mere four free passes in 19 2/3 innings. It won’t be easy as the revamped Boston Red Sox travel to St. Petersburg, but Archer should definitely be active in traditional fantasy as well as a tournament option in DFS.

Streamers

Taijuan Walker‘s 2015 hasn’t opened as planned as evidenced by a whopping 2.86 WHIP. Better days are coming, perhaps as soon as now. Walker toes the rubber against the Houston Astros and their league-worst strikeout rate. With Safeco Field at his back, Walker should be in your traditional lineup as well as being a tournament DFS option.

Southpaw Kyle Lobstein is taking the place of Justin Verlander. On the docket is a date with the left-handed leaning New York Yankees. Lobstein isn’t particularly dominant, so he’s a better spot-starter in traditional fantasy than an option in DFS.

A dual spot starter and DFS option is the Los Angles Angels’ Hector Santiago. The left-hander is taking on the Oakland Athletics in majestic Angels Stadium. The right-handed version of the visitor’s lineup is a bit less potent than their lefty counterparts which helps Santiago. As a fly ball pitcher, Santiago needs to keep the walks under control and thus far he’s doing just that.