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.I had a little trouble choosing between Jeff Niemann and Mat Latos for last night's spot start. Luckily, I took Niemann, who brought us another win (our 12th in August) by pitching 7.1 innings and allowing one run and one walk while striking out five.
On the flip side, Latos was rocked for five earned runs in 3.2 innings. In his last two starts, Latos' ERA has jumped from 2.43 to 4.82. With the imposed inning limit on his arm, I would discard Latos in redraft leagues, unless you play in an NL-only or very deep mixed league.
There isn't a whole lot to like about tomorrow's spot-start candidates. Kyle Lohse travels to San Diego to take on Clayton Richard -- the Padres rocked Lohse in his last start (5.1 IP, 5 ERs) while Richard walked six Cardinals in only 3.2 innings. Gio Gonzalez looked to be breaking out, but then he posted his own six-walk outing against the White Sox. Yusmeiro Petit faces a slumping offense, but he couldn't maintain success for more than two starts before unraveling in his last two games.
I'm making Luke Hochevar the pick for tomorrow. He faces a pretty hot Minnesota offense, led by MVP-candidate Joe Mauer, which isn't good news for a guy with 21 runs allowed in his last four starts. He does come with a few positives, though. He pitches much better at home, with a 4.12 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 48/17 K/BB ratio at home this year. In his last game against Minnesota, which was also at home, Hochevar limited the Twins to two hits in seven innings, allowing no runs in the process.
Hopefully, you play in a league where you can stream Randy Wolf or Andy Pettitte instead of Hochevar, but if not, I apologize in advance if the Twins make mincemeat of the up-and-down Royals pitcher.
Stream Team Data
August: 119.2 IP, 12 Ws, 3.84 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 101 Ks, 35 BBs.
Post-ASB: 206.2 IP, 16 Ws, 3.66 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 174 Ks, 63 BBs.
Since 7/1: 269 IP, 20 Ws, 4.15 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 210 Ks, 79 BBs.
