Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
Who are the top pitchers in fantasy baseball right now? It's easy you say? Tim Lincecum, CC Sabathia and Johan Santana, no question. Well, they were the top preseason picks, and yes, Santana is ranked the third best starter so far, but the defending NL Cy Young Award winner and CC in pinstripes haven't been elite aces ... yet.
If you drafted these guys who currently lead the fantasy starting pitching circles -- Josh Johnson (FLA), Kyle Lohse (STL), Zack Duke (PIT), Zack Greinke (KC) and Kevin Millwood (TEX) -- then kudos to you, perhaps you should be writing this.
They've all be great stories thus far. The million dollar question is who will be there for the long haul? Johnson's power stuff should make him a very solid starter all year, barring injury like everyone else, but Lohse and Duke, I'm not drinking that silly juice. Greinke was one of my preseason sleepers and he's currently making me look like a genius. So here's a fist-pound for you Zack-attack!
There's something about Millwood that's made me add him in two of my leagues. Call me crazy, but I think Nolan Ryan is going to be a positive influence on Millwood, the veteran of the staff. On the other hand, he could resort to his old form, and everyone can call me a fool. I'll take that chance.
Other guys that have me jacked up are: Aaron Harang (CIN) -- last year's injuries made him look bad because he's a very consistent fantasy producer and a guy I'd love to have in at least one of my leagues (make me an offer) -- Armando Galarraga (DET) -- DO NOT TRADE HIM UNLESS SOMEONE IS GOING TO GIVE YOU A TOP 25 PLAYER -- yes, I'm extremely high on him, maybe a little too much of the man-crush -- Chris Volstad (FLA) and bounce-back lefty Eric Bedard (SEA).
On the closer front, Joakim Soria (KC) has to be currently considered one of the best stoppers in fantasy, and the Dodgers' Jonathan Broxton has been lights-out.
SIMPLY SCUFFLING
Lincecum, Brandon Webb (ARZ) -- that arm injury is scaring me more every day I don't hear an update -- Roy Oswalt (HOU), Cole Hamels (PHI) and Francisco Liriano (MIN), although he pitched well last night. I warned you to stay away from guys with arms injuries, and Hamels is on that list. Oswalt and Liriano will wake up, bank on it.
Bobby Jenks (CHI) and Huston Street (COL) have hurt ERAs and WHIP, along with George Sherrill (BAL) -- the saves (3) are nice, but a 2.08 WHIP and 6.23 ERA? No thanks.
Don't for one second trust first-year closer Brandon Morrow in Seattle. Have you seen his stats (7.36 ERA, 1.91 WHIP, 2 saves)?
PICK HIM UP
He's got two saves in place of Morrow already and a glossy 0.00 ERA. If Morrow falls on his face -- he's doing a good job of that -- Double-A is your man!
He's only owned in 14 percent of Yahoo! leagues and he's 2-0 (FYI, he had 15 wins last season). His music might bite, but so does his deuce. Get him fast if he's available in your league.
He had a great start vs. the Pirates on Wednesday (6 IP, 4 H, O R, BB, 8 K, win), and he's only owned in 2 percent of leagues. It's not a typo, 2 percent. He'll have his ups and downs, but he can still get people out and help your team. He's an absolute steal in NL only leagues (yes, I've got him).
(Photo above by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
(Coming Monday: Garner's Greatest Top 25)
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