Looking to cycle spot-starters each day? Check out the Stream Team, where we tab pitchers that are likely to help you in your quest for fantasy gold.A solid string of successes was abruptly halted by Nick Blackburn last night. Failing to make it out of the second inning, Blackburn allowed six runs (four earned) and put eight runners on base. This knocked the Team's post-All Star Break ERA up 20 points, although our numbers are still very good on the whole. Today, we'll be looking for a great start from Tommy Hunter.
Limited options on Thursday might make our choice a difficult one. I initially liked Carl Pavano at home, but the Royals (his opponent) are the hottest offense in baseball right now, with a .951 OPS and 47 runs in their last six games, while the Twins are in a funk, losing eight of their last ten. Gil Meche should make his first start off the DL for Kansas City in that game, and while I think Meche is a solid pickup for the rest of the season, I generally like to avoid people in their first start back in the majors.
I'll direct you to the Milwaukee win machine, Manny Parra. Despite subpar performances in his last three games, he's won all three of them, and four of his last five starts. He does pitch better at home, where he'll be facing the Padres. San Diego has the worst OPS in the leagues against lefties by a hefty margin, posting a .223/.293/.358 line this season for a .651 OPS. Even though they've been a solid offense lately, the success they've had has come at the expense of righties. Parra should be able to limit San Diego to three runs or less in six innings of work; if the Milwaukee bats do their part, that should gives us another win.Stream Team Data
August: 70 IP, 7 Ws, 3.47 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 58 Ks, 19 BBs.
Post-ASB: 157 IP, 11 Ws, 3.44 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 131 Ks, 47 BBs.
Since 7/1: 219.3 IP, 15 Ws, 4.10 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 167 Ks, 63 BBs.
