Week Ahead: Free Feldman
He's out there in more than 90 percent of leagues, free for the taking. Scott Feldman has been an unsung contributor in the Astros rotation, and recently has been coming on especially strong.
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Feldman lacks the sexy velocity readings and strikeout rates of some other hurlers out there, but he has been very solid over the past couple seasons since signing with Houston as a free agent, and he's been absolutely locked in over the past month.
In his last six starts, Feldman holds 1.80 ERA. In 40 innings, he has allowed only 35 hits (three homers) and six walks.
That's good news, because in the coming week he's slated to get the Mariners and Twins, both at home. He's one of several recommended options this week that is likely to be available in your league. Read on to find more.
[NOTE: As reader Matt points out, the Astros have recently been using a six-man rotation. If they stick with that next week, Feldman would only pitch once, as Houston is scheduled for six games. If so, he'd still be a nice streamer at home against Seattle on Monday.]
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* Jimmy Nelson issued a whopping eight walks in his last start, but that looks like a fluke considering it matches his total from the previous five starts combined. In those five starts, Nelson had registered a 2.20 ERA with 30 strikeouts in 32 innings. He'll get the Pirates and Reds next week.
* Rick Porcello has to be viewed as a risky play based on his 5.47 ERA and 1.40 WHIP, but he looked excellent in his return from the disabled list this past week and is looking ahead to a pair of home match-ups, including one against the Phillies.
* Colby Lewis, available in more than 60 percent of Yahoo leagues, is 6-2 with a 3.57 ERA since the All-Star break. He goes twice away from home, but he has turned in seven straight quality starts on the road and he's facing a pair of unintimidating offenses in the Angels and Padres.
* You can't bet against Madison Bumgarner with the way he's been going lately, but I'd advise at least a smidgen of caution with road dates against the Dodgers and Rockies on tap.
* Rookie Jerad Eickhoff has performed well in his first couple big-league starts, putting up a 2.25 ERA with 11 strikeouts and two walks in 12 innings, but I'd be a little wary with two road starts coming up.
* Bartolo Colon has pitched well in August outside of a clunker at Coors Field. You've got to like his match-ups at home against Philadelphia and in Miami.
* Chris Bassitt will get the Angels and Mariners -- both bottom-four scoring offenses in the AL -- at home, where he owns a 1.83 ERA.
* Tyler Duffey has been excellent for the Twins since a rocky debut in Toronto, and he starts his week with a home tilt against the White Sox.
Going Twice...
American League
Strong Plays
David Price: CLE, BAL
Felix Hernandez: @HOU, @OAK
Chris Archer: @BAL, @NYY
Johnny Cueto: DET, CWS
Scott Feldman: SEA, MIN
Justin Verlander: @KC, CLE
Chris Sale: @MIN, @KC
Wei-Yin Chen: TB, @TOR
Decent Plays
Colby Lewis: @SD, @LAA
Chris Bassitt: LAA, SEA
Ivan Nova: @BOS, TB
Tyler Duffey: CWS, @HOU
Hector Santiago: @OAK, TEX
At Your Own Risk
Rick Porcello: NYY, PHI
Josh Tomlin: @TOR, @DET
National League
Strong Plays
John Lackey: WAS, PIT
Madison Bumgarner: @LAD, @COL
Tyson Ross: TEX, LAD
Zack Greinke: SF, @SD
Shelby Miller: MIA, @WAS
Decent Plays
Gio Gonzalez: @STL, ATL
Andrew Cashner: TEX, LAD
Bartolo Colon: PHI, @MIA
Jimmy Nelson: PIT, @CIN
Brett Anderson: SF, @SD
Kyle Hendricks: CIN, ARI
Joe Ross: @STL, ATL
At Your Own Risk
Jake Peavy: @LAD, @COL
Jeff Locke: @MIL, @STL
Jerad Eickhoff: @NYM, @BOS
Chad Bettis: ARI, SF
David Holmberg: @CHC, MIL
Mike Foltynewicz: MIA, @WAS
Patrick Corbin: @COL, @CHC
Chris Narveson: @ATL, NYM
Streamer City
The following pitchers are generally available in over 50 percent of fantasy leagues and have favorable match-ups this week:
American League
Wednesday, September 2: Kevin Gausman vs. TB
Gausman has notched three consecutive quality starts, with a 22-to-3 K/BB ratio in 20 innings during that span. Premium option here against the lowest-scoring offense in the AL.
Wednesday, September 2: Carlos Rodon vs. MIN
The electric rookie remains unowned in most leagues despite his dominant recent work. He's definitely worth playing in this tilt at Target Field.
Friday, September 4: Kris Medlen vs. CWS
Medlen has looked sharp in early action since returning to the Royals, posting a 3.10 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 20 innings.
National League
Tuesday, September 1: Jon Niese vs. PHI
Niese has been knocked around on the road in his last couple starts, but I like his chances of getting back on track at home against the Phillies.
Wednesday, September 2: Taylor Jungmann vs. PIT
The rookie possesses a shiny 2.66 ERA in 14 starts for the Brewers and is a good candidate for strikeouts against a K-prone Pittsburgh lineup.
Saturday, September 5: Brad Hand vs. NYM
Hand has allowed three runs over 14 innings in his last two starts, and has a 2.30 ERA at home this season.
Total Games
American League
6: BAL, BOS, CLE, CWS, DET, HOU, KC, LAA, MIN, NYY, OAK, SEA, TB, TEX, TOR
National League
6: ARI, CHC, CIN, MIA, MIL, NYM, PHI, PIT, STL
7: ATL, COL, LAD, SD, SF, WAS
The Infirmary
You can get a full listing of injured players at Rotoworld's Injury Page but here's the latest on a few prominent players who have been out of action:
Jorge Soler: Out until late September (ribs)
Carlos Carrasco: Out until early September (shoulder)
Anibal Sanchez: Out until mid-September (shoulder)
Daniel Norris: Out until late September (ribs)
Kendry Flores: Out until mid-September (shoulder)
CC Sabathia: Out until late September (knee)
Kendall Graveman: Out until late September (ribs)
Desmond Jennings: Out indefinitely (knee)
Denard Span: Out indefinitely (hip)
