The match ups and data you see below were pulled Friday morning. The data is for the 2015 season. Please be aware the match ups are subject to change. If you have any questions about the rankings hit me up Twitter @MattCommins
These are rankings for the entire week so I give the edge to a lot of fantasy pitchers who pitch twice. Also, the rankings are based on traditional 5×5 categories. I also provide write-ups for a few pitchers. My hope is after you read them you have a better understanding of why I ranked them.
Carlos Rodon has had four straight quality starts (1.61 ERA and 1.00 WHIP), but I’m still not believing this is a hot streak or he’s turned a corner. During this span his walk rate is 10.2 percent and before those four starts 12.9 percent. Also, the strike percentage is also the same. The biggest difference is the BABIP. During the four starts .219 and before .366. I believe Rodon has the raw stuff to be a top 25 starting pitcher, but I don’t trust pitchers with such a high walk rate.
In 26 road starts since 2014 Jake Odorizzi has a 4.97 ERA, 1.414 WHIP and 12.7 percent HR/FB rate. For comparison, his home HR/FB rate during that same time frame is 4.7 percent. Odorizzi doesn’t have overpowering stuff, which is why he’s been a much better pitcher at home.
Hector Santiago has two great matchups this week. Both the A’s and Rangers do not make a lot of hard hit contact against lefties. For most of Santiago’s career (as a starter) walks have been a problem for him. However, since June his walk rate is only 6.9 percent. Also, the strikeout rate is 21.5 percent. I would have ranked him higher, but the Angels have the worst offense in August and I have doubts if they are going to score enough runs for him to earn wins.
In Colin McHugh’s last five starts he has a 1.89 ERA, 1.110 WHIP and a 25 percent strikeout rate. Since the All-Star Break the Mariners have the scored the seventh most runs in the majors so this matchup is not the cake walk as it seems on paper. However, the reason why I like McHugh has been the introduction of a cutter. The cutter is allows him to miss more bats and most importantly, allows the fastball to play up.
