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.Barry Zito finally turned in an ugly start on Monday, giving up three earned runs in 4.1 innings while walking three guys and allowing six hits. We've still posted great numbers in September, so we shouldn't let the bad spot start get to us. Hiroki Kuroda is on the mound for our purposes today, so be sure to send positive thoughts towards him.
Tomorrow we're looking at three or four very good options. Homer Bailey has been on point lately, posting a 1.83 ERA over the last month. He goes to Pittsburgh to take on a terrible Pirates offense. He's 2-0 in his two starts against the team in his career, so fear is clearly not a factor when it comes to the young Red.
Wade Davis comes off a fantastic start in Baltimore, a complete-game shutout of the Orioles on September 17th. He's facing the Mariners in Tampa Bay tomorrow, and he makes for an excellent pickup if you need strikeouts. Two of his three professional starts have been brilliant -- hopefully, that's what you'll get tomorrow as well.
Brian Duensing has done his part to bring the Twins back into contention, shutting out the Tigers in his last start after shutting out the A's in his start previous to that one. The one red flag in his case is that he's traveling to Chicago. Duensing has given up one run over a span of four home starts since August 28th, but his one road start yielded three runs in five innings at Toronto.
Finally, we come to Tim Hudson. He's allowed just one walk in each of his last three starts and has a 3.70 ERA in his four starts since returning to the team. He also suffers from a road start, as both of his great outings have come at home, but the road start will be in New York, so he gets the benefit of working in a pitcher's park.
As for which to pick up, I rank them:1. Davis
2. Hudson
3. Bailey
4. Duensing
Add however many you need. Good luck!
Stream Team Data
September: 129.1 IP, 12 Ws, 3.41 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 99 Ks, 35 BBs.
Post-ASB: 396.2 IP, 30 Ws, 3.95 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 302 Ks, 119 BBs.
Since 7/1: 459 IP, 34 Ws, 4.20 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 338 Ks, 135 BBs.
