Fantasy daily notes for May 20 – ESPN

Starting pitcher projected Game Scores for May 20
					2015 Statistics			Past 21 Days
GS	Team	Name	T	Opp	W-L	ERA	WHIP	W-L	ERA	WHIP
64		Tyson Ross	R	ChC	2-3	3.94	1.53	1-2	3.91	1.39
55		Dallas Keuchel	L	Oak	5-0	1.87	0.95	3-0	3.14	1.08
55		Jordan Zimmermann	R	NYY	3-2	3.66	1.33	2-0	2.42	1.27
53		Jake Odorizzi	R	@Atl	3-3	2.36	0.96	1-2	3.12	1.19
52		Carlos Martinez	R	@NYM	3-2	4.73	1.50	1-2	8.10	2.10
52		Brett Anderson	L	@SF	2-1	3.50	1.33	1-0	2.14	1.19
52		Shane Greene	R	Mil	4-2	4.21	1.21	1-1	5.85	1.45
52		Bartolo Colon	R	StL	6-2	3.86	1.03	2-2	4.97	1.18
52		Chase Anderson	R	@Mia	0-1	2.81	1.10	0-1	2.66	1.10
51		Drew Hutchison	R	LAA	3-0	6.17	1.51	1-0	6.98	1.91
51		Adam Warren	R	@Wsh	2-2	4.50	1.39	1-1	3.91	1.26
50		David Phelps	R	Ari	2-0	2.68	1.27	1-0	2.22	1.32
50		Jesse Hahn	R	@Hou	1-3	4.42	1.27	0-2	6.23	1.52
49		Kyle Lohse	R	@Det	3-4	5.85	1.20	2-1	3.96	1.04
49*		Carlos Rodon	L	Cle	1-0	4.96	1.96	1-0	4.50	1.86
49		Shaun Marcum	R	@CWS	0-0	1.80	1.20	—	—	—
49		Joe Kelly	R	Tex	1-2	5.58	1.34	0-2	6.75	1.59
48		Jeff Locke	L	Min	2-2	5.40	1.45	0-2	7.29	1.71
48		Jered Weaver	R	@Tor	2-4	4.44	1.18	2-2	3.81	0.95
48		Roenis Elias	L	@Bal	0-1	3.24	1.40	0-1	3.26	1.34
47		Tim Lincecum	R	LAD	3-2	2.43	1.30	2-1	2.78	1.37
46		Williams Perez	R	TB	0-0	15.43	3.00	0-0	15.43	3.00
46		Phil Klein	R	@Bos	0-0	7.71	1.50	—	—	—
46		Wei-Yin Chen	L	Sea	1-2	2.53	1.08	1-1	2.25	1.10
42		Jeremy Guthrie	R	Cin	3-2	5.44	1.48	2-1	5.40	1.50
42		Jason Marquis	R	@KC	3-3	6.63	1.63	2-2	6.26	1.57
42		Mike Pelfrey	R	@Pit	3-1	3.23	1.38	2-1	3.68	1.45
41		Severino Gonzalez	R	@Col	1-1	10.57	2.35	1-1	10.57	2.35
40		Tsuyoshi Wada	L	@SD	—	—	—	—	—	—
39		Eddie Butler	R	Phi	2-4	4.24	1.82	0-3	6.00	2.08
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

We cannot tell a lie. There are no elite pitchers on the docket.

Solid

If Tyson Ross weren’t walking 5.1 hitters per nine innings, he’d be in consideration for a cameo in the elite. The free passes have the ancillary effect of shortening that game for Ross, as he’s only pitched into the seventh once all season. On the other hand, Ross is fanning a stellar 10.6 batters per nine. In a classic case of something has to give, the Chicago Cubs visit Petco Park. It’s well documented that the visitors are the league leaders in strikeouts. However, it’s not so well known that the Cubs are the second-most patient team in the league. Which will prevail? For his career, Ross has been much more effective at home, so let’s use that as a tiebreaker and expect a big game out of Ross with a bunch of whiffs.

Jordan Zimmermann edges out Dallas Keuchel for the next spot. Neither is particularly dominant and each is more about control and run prevention. This is great for seasonal leagues but not as attractive for DFS. That said, on a slate devoid of strikeout artists, going deep into a low-scoring game is the next best thing. Zimmermann gets the edge over Keuchel since he’s working in a National League park. The New York Yankees will visit Nationals Park thus will be without their designated hitter while the Oakland Athletics will tussle with the Houston Astros in Minute Maid Park.

Jake Odorizzi will wrap up the solid tier, as the Tampa Bay Rays are in Turner Field to take on the Atlanta Braves. Don’t expect much in the way of whiffs, as the Braves are the second-hardest squad to punch out, but runs should be limited, giving the Ray’s sticks a chance to get to Atlanta rookie Williams Perez.

Streamers

There are several middling hurlers who are worthy of a spot-start in seasonal formats but aren’t optimal DFS candidates. Everyone with a Game Score of 50 or above is safe along with Tim Lincecum, Wei-Yin Chen, Tsuyoshi Wada.

For a DFS option, Carlos Martinez has struggled with his control but with a 9.7 strikeout per nine innings mark, he’s capable of a big game, as he can limit walks. He faces the New York Mets in Citi Field, one of the better pitchers’ parks in the game.

There will be some who look at Carlos Rodon as a tournament option, but be careful. On paper, the exciting southpaw has the platoon edge on a lot of the Cleveland Indians’ best hitters, but keep in mind the left-handed contingent of the Tribe sport the third-lowest strikeout rate against left-handers while carrying an above-average weighted on base average. Looks like a fade from here.

Wei-Yin Chen has consecutive seven-inning starts with seven strikeouts in each. The Seattle Mariners whiff at a rate below league average versus southpaws, but on a slate lacking options, he’s worth a shot.