Week Ahead: Nate the Great
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When Nate Karns allowed four runs over five innings in Anaheim on Wednesday, it marked the first time since April 22nd that an opposing team has been able to score more than twice against him. The month of May was very kind to the righty, who went 2-1 with a 1.88 ERA and held opponents to a .198 average.
This is exactly what the Rays were hoping to see in Karns' first shot as a full-time MLB starter. He had shown great promise in the minors but had only five big-league starts under his belt coming into this season. He is pounding the strike zone, missing bats, and limiting hits like crazy.
There are indicators that he might be due for a bit of regression, but I don't think this is the week it happens. He's slated to face the Angels and White Sox -- ranked 13th and 15th in the AL in OPS -- both at home. He's also available in 75 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Karns is one of a handful of Strong Plays on the AL side in a week that is much heavier on two-start pitchers in the NL. Read on, and we'll highlight some noteworthy options in both leagues.
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* Nick Martinez is a name we're not using to seeing in the Strong Plays category but there's no ignoring the run he has been on. The Texas right-hander has delivered quality starts in eight of his 11 turns, and his ERA stands at 2.89 even after getting touched up by the White Sox for seven runs on Wednesday. He has even been uncharacteristically proficient with the strikeouts lately, notching five or more in each of his last four starts. I'd be fairly confident going with him against the A's and Twins.
* Coming off a spectacular complete-game victory over the Orioles in which he struck out 11, Lance McCullers is lined up for starts against the White Sox and Mariners. He looks to be due for a monster week and he's available in quite a few leagues.
* On the NL side, as you'll see below there's no shortage of options. One that really stands out is A.J. Burnett. He's struggled a bit on the road in his last couple turns, ending a string of eight consecutive quality starts, but seems very likely to get back on track with a pair of home starts against the two worst offenses in the league.
* Take a look at Mike Foltynewicz. He is owned in 12 percent of Yahoo! leagues but has largely been effective since joining the Braves rotation, and he's looking ahead to a couple appealing match-ups.
Going Twice...
American League
Strong Plays
Nick Martinez: @OAK, MIN
Nate Karns: LAA, CWS
Sonny Gray: TEX, @LAA
Chris Sale: HOU, @TB
Corey Kluber: SEA, @DET
Lance McCullers: @CWS, SEA
Decent Plays
Marco Estrada: MIA, @BOS
Taijuan Walker: @CLE, @HOU
Phil Hughes: KC, @TEX
C.J. Wilson: @TB, OAK
Miguel Gonzalez: BOS, NYY
At Your Own Risk
Jason Vargas: @MIN, @STL
Rick Porcello: @BAL, TOR
National League
Strong Plays
Max Scherzer: @NYY, @MIL
John Lackey: @COL, KC
James Shields: @ATL, LAD
A.J. Burnett: MIL, PHI
Cole Hamels: @CIN, @PIT
Noah Syndergaard: SF, ATL
Dan Haren: @TOR, COL
Mike Bolsinger: ARI, @SD
Jon Lester: @DET, CIN
Shelby Miller: SD, @NYM
Decent Plays
Jimmy Nelson: @PIT, WAS
Brad Hand: @TOR, COL
Chad Bettis: STL, @MIA
Anthony DeSclafani: PHI, @CHC
Mike Foltynewicz: SD, @NYM
Rubby De La Rosa: @LAD, @SF
At Your Own Risk
Chris Heston: @NYM, ARI
Ian Kennedy: @ATL, LAD
Mike Leake: PHI, @CHC
Streamer City
The following pitchers are generally available in over 50 percent of fantasy leagues and have favorable match-ups this week:
American League
Tuesday, June 9: Carlos Rodon vs. HOU
Rodon has excelled in his last three starts, allowing just three earned runs over 18 1/3 innings with 18 strikeouts. He shut down the Astros in Houston last week.
Thursday, June 11: Jesse Chavez vs. TEX
Chavez is available in just over 50 percent of Yahoo! leagues despite his 2.11 ERA and current hot streak. Grab him for this start if you can.
Thursday, June 11: Shaun Marcum vs. SEA
Marcum has averaged more than a strikeout per inning and has been quite effective outside of one clunker against the Rangers. The Mariners are averaging just 3.7 runs per game
National League
Wednesday, June 10: Williams Perez vs. SD
In three starts since joining the Atlanta rotation, Perez has allowed only two runs over 19 innings. His groundball-heavy ways should play well against the Padres at home.
Thursday, June 11: David Phelps vs. COL
Phelps has been quite steady for the Marlins. The Rockies have a 694 OPS on the road compared to 804 at home.
Total Games
American League
5: DET, NYY
6: BAL, BOS, CLE, CWS, HOU, KC, LAA, MIN, OAK, SEA, TB, TOR, TEX
National League
6: ARI, CHC, LAD, PIT, PHI, SF, STL
7: ATL, CIN, COL, MIA, MIL, NYM, SD, 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:
Archie Bradley: Out until mid-June (shoulder)
Tuffy Gosewisch: Out for the season (knee)
Jorge Soler: Out until mid-June (ankle)
Marlon Byrd: Out indefinitely (wrist)
Jordan Lyles: Out for the season (toe)
Carl Crawford: Out indefinitely (ribs)
Scott Van Slyke: Out until mid-June (back)
Ricky Nolasco: Out until late June (ankle)
Tim Beckham: Out until mid-June (hamstring)
Josh Hamilton: Out until mid-July (hamstring)
Adrian Beltre: Out until mid-June (thumb)
Stephen Strasburg: Out until late June (neck)
