LestersLegends.com

Brought to you in honor of Strikeout for Troops.

Some reasonably available players to assist you in the Strikeouts category.  Realize that some of these will come with high ERAs & WHIPs because if a Pitcher has low numbers in those categories and a good K total, they’re already spoken for.
.
Rich Harden, Oakland A’s: Harden had 11 strikeouts his last time out to give him 60 on the year in 53 innings (10.2 K/9) of work. Aside from the nice strikeout ratio Harden is 4-2 with a 3.91 ERA and 1.23 WHIP. He’s owned in about 20 percent of fantasy leagues making him a nice target. Harden’s next start is against the Yankees on Thursday.
.
Javier Vazquez, Florida Marlins:  Vazquez has turned it on collecting 21 strikeouts over 19 innings (9.9 K/9) in his past three starts. He also has a 2.45 ERA over his past five starts. He is owned in less than 40 percent of fantasy leagues. Vazquez’s next start comes Wednesday against the Reds.
.
Mike Minor, Atlanta Braves:  Minor is 2-0 with a 3.63 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 17-1/3 innings (10.4 K/9) over his past three starts. Minor is owned in less than 15 percent of fantasy leagues. He makes a real nice start later today against the Cubs.
.
Gavin Floyd, Chicago White Sox:  Floyd is 2-0 in his past thee starts with a 3.72 ERA, a 0.93 WHIP, and 19 strikeouts in 19-1/3 innings (8.8 K/9). On the year he’s 11-10 with a 1.19 WHIP and 117 strikeouts. Floyd is owned in less than half of fantasy leagues. He has a favorable match-up against the Mariners on Sunday.
.
John Danks, Chicago White Sox:  Danks is 1-0 with a 3.72 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP, and 18 strikeouts in 19-1/3 innings (8.4 K/9) over his past three starts. On the year he has a 3.88 ERA and 104 strikeouts. Danks is owned in about 55 percent of fantasy leagues. His next start is on Saturday against the Mariners.
.
.

Also check out:

• Will the Move to Detroit Salvage Delmon Young’s Season?
• Fantasy Baseball Free Agent Pool – 2011 Run Scorers Vol. 9
• The Bruce Is Loose
• Fantasy Baseball Free Agent Pool – 2011 Speed Demons Vol. 9
• Is J.J. Hardy Back?

Brought to you in honor of Strikeout for Troops.

Some reasonably available players to assist you in the Strikeouts category.  Realize that some of these will come with high ERAs & WHIPs because if a Pitcher has low numbers in those categories and a good K total, they’re already spoken for.
.
Rich Harden, Oakland A’s:  Harden is 3-2 in seven starts with a 4.07 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP, and 45 strikeouts in 42 innings ( 9.64 K/9). Rich is owned in 12 percent of Yahoo! and 10.9 percent of ESPN leagues. His next start is on Sunday against Texas so you may want to hold off on throwing him into your lineup. Of course, if you’re in a weekly league where you are already out of the ERA and WHIP category for the week and need strikeouts, Harden can be used.
.
John Danks, Chicago White Sox:  Danks had 28 strikeouts in his past 25-1/3 innings (9.95 K/9) while going 1-1 with a 3.20 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. On the year he’s just 4-9 but has a 4.00 ERA, a 1.33 WHIP, and 93 strikeouts in 119-1/3 innings (7.01 K/9).  August has been rough, but Danks was untouchable in June and July. His next start is Sunday against Kansas City. John is owned in 53 percent of Yahoo! and 60.4 percent of ESPN leagues.
.
Luke Hochevar, Kansas City Royals:  Hochevar had 20 strikeouts in his past 21-1/3 innings (8.44 K/9) while going 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP. He’s won his past four decisions to improve to 8-8 with a 4.79 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. He hadn’t been a strikeout pitcher up to this stretch, but you can ride him while he’s hot. His next start is on Saturday against the White Sox. Luke is owned in less than ten percent of fantasy leagues.
.
Cory Luebke, San Diego Padres:  Luebke had 18 strikeouts in 20-1/3 innings (7.97 K/9) in his past three starts while going 1-2 with a 4.43 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. On the year’s he’s 4-6 with a 3.06 ERA, a 0.96 WHIP, and 91 strikeouts in 88-1/3 innings (9.27 K/9). Cory is owned in about 35 percent of fantasy leagues.
.
Jake Peavy, Chicago White Sox:  Peavy had 21 strikeouts in 27 innings (7 K/9) while going 1-2 with a 3.33 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. On the year he’s 5-5 with a 4.63 ERA, a 1.21 WHIP, and 63 strikeouts in 81-2/3 innings (6.94 K/9)
.
.

Also check out:

• Is Alejandro De Aza Worth Owning?
• Hiroki Kuroda: Proof That Wins Aren’t Everything
• Can Josh Willingham Finish Strong?
• Fantasy Baseball Free Agent Pool – 2011 Run Scorers Vol. 8
• Can Doug Fister Produce For Detroit?

Brought to you in honor of Strikeout for Troops.

Some reasonably available players to assist you in the Strikeouts category.  Realize that some of these will come with high ERAs & WHIPs because if a Pitcher has low numbers in those categories and a good K total, they’re already spoken for.
.
Freddy García, New York Yankees:  García had 17 strikeouts in 19-1/3 innings (7.9 K/9) over the past 15 days while going 2-1 with a 3.72 and a 1.45 WHIP. On the year he’s 9-7 with a 3.23 ERA, a 1.30 WHIP , and 74 strikeouts 111-1/3 (6.0 K/9) innings. Freddy is owned in 26 percent of Yahoo! and 32.4 percent of ESPN leagues.
.
Javier Vázquez, Florida Marlins:  Vázquez had 16 strikeouts in 11-1/3 inning (12.7 K/9) over the past 15 days while going 1-1 with a 6.35 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. On the year he’s 6-9 with a 5.35 ERA, a 1.49 WHIP, and 82 strikeouts in 107-2/3 innings (6.9 K/9). Javier is owned in 33 percent of Yahoo! and 10.3 percent of ESPN leagues.
.
R.A. Dickey, New York Mets:  Dickey had 16 strikeouts in 20 innings (7.2 K/9) while going 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. On the year he’s 5-8 with a 3.74 ERA, a 1.31 WHIP, and 94 strikeouts in 134-2/3 innings (6.3 K/9). R.A. is owned in 14 percent of Yahoo! and 4.1 percent of ESPN leagues.
.
James McDonald, Pittsburgh Pirates:  McDonald had 16 strikeouts in 11-2/3 innings (12.3 K/9) while going 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA, and a 1.29 WHIP. On the year he’s 7-4 with a 3.95 ERA, a 1.54 WHIP, and 94 strikeouts in 109-1/3 innings (7.7 K/9). James is owned in 9.0 percent of Yahoo! and 4.5 percent of ESPN leagues.
.
Derek Holland, Texas Rangers:  Holland had 23 strikeouts in 29-1/3 (7.1 K/9) inning in his past four starts while going 3-0 with a 2.15 ERA. All of the seven runs came in one game so he’s been very effective lately. On the year he’s 9-4 with a 4.43 ERA, a 1.42 WHIP, and 98 strikeouts in 130 innings (6.8 K/9). Derek is owned in 33 percent of Yahoo! and 25.3 percent of ESPN leagues.
.
Brett Myers, Houston Astros:  Myers had 15 strikeouts in 13 innings (10.4 K/9) over the past 15 days while going 0-1 with a 3.46 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. On the year he’s 3-10 with a 4.74 ERA, a 1.37 WHIP, and 99 strikeouts in 133 innings (6.7 K/9).
.
Rich Harden, Oakland A’s:  Harden is 2-1 with a 4.63 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP, and 23 strikeouts in 23-1/3 innings (8.9 K/9) on the year. He’s owned in 9.0 percent of Yahoo! and 4.1 percent of ESPN leagues.
.
.
High Strikeout Middle Relievers (Stats based on past 15 days)
Kenley Jansen, LAD:  5-1/3 IP, 11 Ks, 0.00 ERA< 0.38 WHIP
Greg Holland, TEX:   7 IP, 11 Ks, 1.29 ERA, 1.00 WHIP
Rex Bothers, COL: 5-2/3 IP, 9 Ks, 1.59 ERA, 0.35 WHIP
Jason Isringhausen, NYM:  6 IP, 9 Ks, 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 3 saves
Fautino de los Santos, OAK:  6 IP, 9 Ks, 0.00 ERA, 1.17 WHIP
Josh Spence, SD:  6-1/3 IP, 9 Ks, 0.00 ERA, 0.79 WHIP
Tyler Clippard, WAS:  6 IP, 9 Ks, 1.50 ERA, 0.67 WHIP
Joe Smith, CLE:  7-2/3 IP, 9 Ks, 2.35 ERA, 0.91 WHIP
Hector Noesi, NYY:  8-2/3 IP, 9 Ks, 2.08 ERA, 1.17 WHIP
.
.

Also check out:

• Can You Trust Jhoulys Chacin?
• Is Cameron Maybin Getting It?
• Week 17 Two-Start Pitchers
• Can Mat Latos Dominate Again This Year?
• Fantasy Baseball Free Agent Pool – 2011 Run Scorers Vol. 7

Brought to you in honor of Strikeout for Troops.

Some reasonably available players to assist you in the Strikeouts category.  Realize that some of these will come with high ERAs & WHIPs because if a Pitcher has low numbers in those categories and a good K total, they’re already spoken for.
.
Felipe Paulino, Kansas City Royals:  Paulino is 1-2 with a 4.71 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in his past three starts, but he has racked up 24 strikeouts in 21 innings (10.3 K/9). On the year he’s 1-6 with a 4.31 ERA, a 1.45 WHIP, and 59 strikeouts in 62-2/3 innings (8.5 K/9). Felipe is available in virtually all fantasy leagues.
.
Jake Peavy, Chicago White Sox: He’s less than reasonable available, but at 55 percent Yahoo! ownership (69.7 percent for ESPN leagues) he could be floating in your waiver pool. Peavy is 2-1 in his past four appearances with a 5.06 ERA, a 1.31 WHIP, and 20 strikeouts in 21-1/3 innings (8.4 K/9). On the year he’s 4-2 with a 4.83 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP, and 40 strikeouts in 50-1/3 innings (7.2 K/9).
.
Ervin Santana, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim:  Santana is1-1 in is past three starts with a 2.18 ERA, a 0.92 WHIP, and 19 strikeouts in 20-2/3 innings (8.3 K/9). On the year he’s 4-8 with a 3.89 ERA, a 1.25 WHIP, and 100 strikeouts in 118 innings (7.6 K/9).
.
R.A. Dickey, New York Mets:  Dickey is dealing with a tight glute that could cause him to miss his next start. He’s been effective in his past three starts going 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA, a 1.05 WHIP, and 18 strikeouts in 20 innings (8.1 K/9). On the year he’s 4-7 with a 3.68 ERA, a 1.34 WHIP, and 74 srikeouts in 107-2/3 innings (6.2 K/9). R.A. is owned in 15 percent of Yahoo! and five percent of ESPN leagues.
.
Chris Capuano, New  York Mets:  Capuano is 3-0 in his past three starts with a 3.71 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP, and 18 strikeouts in 17 innings (9.5 K/9). On the year he’s 8-7 with a 4.19 ERA, a 1.36 WHIP, and 82 strikeouts in 96-2/3 innings (7.6 K/9). Chris is owned in 13 percent of Yahoo! and seven percent of ESPN leagues.
.
.
High Strikeout Middle Relievers (Stats based on past 15 days)
Louis Coleman, KC:  7 IP, 12 Ks, 0.00 ERA, 0.86 WHIP
Koji Uehara, BAL:  6 IP, 11 Ks, 0.00 ERA, 0.67 WHIP
Marco Estrada, MIL:  10-2/3 IP, 11 Ks, 3.38 ERA, 1.22 WHIP
Aroldis Chapman, CIN:  5 IP, 10 Ks, 1.80 ERA, 0.40 WHIP
Rex Brothers, COL:  5-2/3 IP, 10 Ks, 0.00 ERA, 1.59 WHIP
Blake Hawksworth, LAD:  6 IP, 10 Ks, 3.00 ERA, 0.67 WHIP
Steve Cishek, FLA:  6-2/3 IP, 10 Ks, 2.70 ERA, 0.75 WHIP
Chris Resop, PIT:  7-1/3 IP, 10 Ks, 1.23 ERA, 0.82 WHIP
Chris Sale, CHW:  9 IP, 10 Ks, 1.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP
Vinnie Pestano, CLE:  5-1/3 IP, 9 Ks, 3.38 ERA, 1.13 WHIP
David Hernandez, ARI:  6-1/3 IP, 9 Ks, 7.11 ERA, 1.11 WHIP (closing for Arizona)
.
.

Also check out:

• Fantasy Baseball Free Agent Pool – 2011 Run Scorers Vol. 6
• Has Ricky Nolasco Turned the Corner?
• Should You Trust Colby Lewis?
• Can Ryan Dempster Stay on Track?
• Michael Cuddyer:  The Glue Guy

Brought to you in honor of Strikeout for Troops.

Some reasonably available players to assist you in the Strikeouts category.  Realize that some of these will come with high ERAs & WHIPs because if a Pitcher has low numbers in those categories and a good K total, they’re already spoken for.
.
Scott Baker, Minnesota Twins:  Baker is 3-0 in his past three starts with 22 strikeouts in 24 innings (8.2 K/9), a 1.50 ERA, and a 0.79 WHIP. On the year he’s 5-4 with a 3.24 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP, and 88 strikeouts in 91-2/3 innings (8.6 K/9). Scott is owned in a little over half of fantasy leagues, a number that will quickly change if he keeps pitching the way he has been. His next start is Friday against Milwaukee.
.
Ryan Dempster, Chicago Cubs:  After resembling a dumpster early on, Dempster has come around. He’s 1-1 in his past three starts with a 1.96 ERA, a 1..25 WHIP, and 21 strikeouts in 18-1/3 innings (10.3 K/9). He’s still just 5-6 with a 5.46 ERA, a 1.48 WHIP, and 88 strikeouts in 92-1/3 innings (8.6 K/9) on the year, but he’s headed in the right direction. Ryan is owned in 68 percent of Yahoo! and 43.8 percent of ESPN leagues. His next start is Friday against Kansas City.
.
Tim Stauffer, San Diego Padres:  Stauffer is 1-1 in his past three starts with a 0.41 ERA, a 0.86 WHIP, and 18 strikeouts in 22 innings (7.4 K/9). He won’t get put up a gaudy strikeout total, but he has had at least five strikeouts in eight of his past eleven starts. On the year he’s 2-5 with a3.13 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP, and 73 strikeouts in 92 innings (7.1 K/9). Tim is owned in 41 percent of Yahoo! and 14.6 percent of ESPN leagues. His next start is Friday against Atlanta.
.
Edinson Volquez, Cincinnati Reds:  Volquez is 1-1 in his past three starts with a 3.50 ERA, a 1.44 WHIP, and 18 strikeouts in 18 innings (9 K/9). On the year he’s 4-3 with a 5.61 ERA, a 1.61 WHIP, and 71 strikeouts in 69 innings (9.3 K/9). Edinson is owned in 39 percent of Yahoo! and 32.9 percent of ESPN leagues. His next start is Friday against Baltimore.
.
Chris Narveson, Milwaukee Brewers:  Narveson is 2-1 in his past three starts with a 3.60 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP, and 17 strikeouts in 20 innings (7.7 K/9). On the year he’s 4-5 with a 4.55 ERA, a 1.38 WHIP, and 76 strikeouts in 85 innings (8.0 K/9). Chris is owned in 14 percent of Yahoo! and 9.6 percent of ESPN leagues. His next start is Sunday against Minnesota.
.
John Danks, Chicago White Sox:  After losing his first eight decisions, Danks is 3-0 in his past three starts with a 1.23 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP, and 17 strikeouts in 22 innings (7.0 K/9). On the year he’s 3-8 with a 4.29 ERA, a 1.38 WHIP, and 63 strikeouts in 92-1/3 innings (6.1 K/9). John is owned in a little over half of all fantasy leagues. His next start is Saturday against Washington.
.
Carlos Carrasco, Cleveland Indians:  Carrasco is 3-0 in his past three starts with a 0.42 ERA, a 0.78 WHIP, and 17 strikeouts in 21-2/3 innings (7.1 K/9). On the year he’s 7-3 with a 3.87 ERA, a 1.25 WHIP, and 49 strikeouts in 79 innings (5.6 K/9). Carlos is owned in about a quarter of fantasy leagues. His next start comes Friday against San Francisco.
.
.
High Strikeout Middle Relievers (Stats based on past 15 days)
Fernando Rodriguez, HOU: 8-2/3 IP, 14 Ks, 5.19 ERA, 1.38 WHIP
Ramon Ramirez, SF: 6-1/3 IP, 11 Ks, 1.42 ERA, 0.95 WHIP
Tyler Clippard, WAS: 7 IP, 11 Ks, 1.29 ERA, 0.86 WHIP
Cory Luebke, SD: 9-2/3 IP, 11 Ks, 1.86 ERA, 0.72 WHIP
Bobby Parnell, NYM: 6 IP, 9 Ks, 1.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP
David Robertson, NYY: 6 IP, 9 Ks, 1.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP
Jeremy Affeldt, SF: 6-1/3 IP, 9 Ks, 1.42 ERA, 0.95 WHIP
Joel Peralta, TB: 7 IP, 9 Ks, 1.29 ERA, 1.00 WHIP
Hisanori Takahashi, LAA: 8-2/3 IP, 9 Ks, 1.04 ERA, 0.46 WHIP
.
.

Also check out:

• Is Nick Swisher Safe to Use Again?
• The Cutter: Why Dominance Is Shifting from Plate to Mound
• The Need For Speed
• Is A.J. Burnett Due for a Crash?
• Can Nick Markakis Turn His Season Around?