Fantasy Baseball: Chin Music

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Is there a doctor in the house?

How about a Doc Halladay?

The Toronto Blue Jays ace right-hander has been the talk of the Major League Baseball trade front and he's also been the talk of the fantasy town.

Yes, we all know how nasty he is from both perspectives -- 11-3 record, 2.62 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 123 Ks, 20 BB -- but all this trade talk has fantasy owners in a tizzy.

I know it doesn't matter in mixed leagues, but what about if you're in an AL only league and have Halladay leading your staff?

His numbers have just been too good to even think about trading him away, but now might be the time to roll the dice.

It might be the right thing to do if YOU think that he is going to be traded to the National League. We all know what happens if he does and you own him in an AL only league -- can you say bye-bye Doc? 

You risk the chance of losing him completely if he's dealt to the Philadelphia Phillies (that's where all the talk is centered around currently), so do you take less or even get a straight up offer for a hitter or some kind of package deal to assure yourself that you won't be stuck holding the Doc bag if he's packing for the National League?

It's a risky move, but one that could win or lose you a championship.

I may be crazy, but I think that he's going to stay in Toronto. Just a hunch because the asking price for him is crazy. But if he does get traded, I think the Phillies will pony up two top-of-the-line pitching prospects and at least one key positional player (that appears to be Toronto's asking price anyway) to get him.

At this point, flip a coin.

But if you think you can get equal value back for Halladay right now and don't want to have to worry if he's going to get traded, then do it so the worrying will vanish faster than you can say Doc.

If you're in an NL only league and you've got that No. 1 waiver claim, don't pick up anyone yet, unless you put in for Matt Holliday who was recently traded to the Cardinals from the A's this past week. But with the No. 1 slot, it assures you of whoever you want if a high profile player becomes available. No doubt save that top waiver spot for someone who gets dealt from the AL to the NL. If it's the Doc, you'll be partying like a rock star into the early morning and laughing at all your other owners.

The only line you'll have to use is, "Is there a doctor in the house?"

That'll be sure to tick everyone off.

FREE FALLING

Minnesota's Nick Blackburn is in a major tailspin and it's not looking pretty right now. In his last two stars, the right-hander has given up 19 hits and 13 earned runs in only 8 2/3 innings, including 3 homers while not striking anyone out. Maybe he has a dead arm right now? Either bench him or cut him loss. Don't start him until he shows he's coming out of his funk.

HUNGRY FOR A BIG MAC

Washinton's Mike MacDougal hasn't done anything wrong not to be owned. The default Nationals closer has got six saves and hasn't even blown one yet. While he's on the worst team in baseball and won't be picking up saves on a regular basis, he can be a nice complimentary piece to your bullpen if you're in desperate need of saves. He's only owned in 18 percent of Yahoo! leagues. He's worth a pickup.

Fantasy Baseball: Chin Music

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports

What are you going to do?

That's the question you ask yourself when you have two of your own fantasy pitchers going up against one another in a game.

Take yesterday for instance. In one of my leagues, I've got Toronto's Roy Halladay and Boston's Jon Lester.

So how should you approach this matchup? Well, the smart fantasy thinking is that both pitchers have exceptional outings, maybe one throws a shutout and the other pitches 8 scoreless and then gets lifted in the ninth.

But how many times does that really happen? Maybe once in every blue moon. 

But you can realistically hope for two solid performances where one pitcher gets the win. You know you can't get two wins, so one is better than getting shut out and a reliever you don't have comes in and picks up a vulture win in the 8th inning.

Well, luckily for Halladay and Lester owners, they both came through and were solid. Halladay stole the show, however. He notched his fourth complete game of the season, allowing one run on six hits with no walks and seven strikeouts. He got his 11th win of the season.

Fantasy alert: Do not trade Halladay. Well, if you're in an AL only league and are worried he'll be traded to the NL, well, maybe it's worth a gamble. Expect a top-of-the-line hitter in return for Halladay's services, however.

I was so desperate for offense in one of my leagues, that I traded Halladay straight up for Josh Hamilton. It may sound crazy since Hamilton has been subpar due to injury, but remember that you're trading for current stats, not what they guys have and haven't done earlier this season. Plus, I was loaded with pitching, including Tim Lincecum, John Lackey and Jared Weaver, so I had some wiggle room to try to help my Bad News Bears offense.

Boy, Hamilton better turn it on. His homer Friday night made me feel good, though. 

Meanwhile, Lester wasn't unbelievable but he was good enough not to hurt any fantasy categories. He took the loss, but went seven innings, allowing three runs on five hits with four walks and six strikeouts.

I guess I'll take that any day of the week.

And we all know it's better than both pitchers getting lit up like a Christmas tree -- maybe surrendering five or six earned runs in four or five innings. If that happened, it's a long five days in between starts to correct that overblown ERA and WHIP.

SAVING HIS STARTING JOB?

New York's Joba Chamberlain, who hasn't been doing the job as a starter lately, perhaps saved his gig for the time being with a brilliant win versus the Tigers last night. Joba, who remember was as automatic as they come as an 8th-inning setup man last year, held Detroit to only three hits and one earned run in 6 2/3 innings. He walked three and struck out eight, while throwing 108 pitches (68 for strikes). Well, that's much better than his last two starts where he didn't go past 4 1/3 innings. Is he a starter or not? Stay tuned. 

NAILING DOWN THE NINTH

Show him some love. I'm talking about San Francisco closer Brian Wilson, who has 24 saves this season. I know he's not pretty at times, blowing saves from time to time and giving up a few runs here and there. But considering he'll never be mistaken for a Grade A cut of closer and he wasn't a must-get guy that was drafted high on draft day, he's done very well for the owner who plucked him as their guy midway through the draft. I guess his 41 saves wasn't a fluke last season?

Fantasy Baseball: Chin Music

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

It's just like a quick jab to the gut. It catches you off guard, you groan for a minute (or longer depending on the size of the fist) and then you've got to brush yourself off and get back on that horse.

So is the life in fantasy baseball. You see, that quick body blow that doesn't completely knock you out is just like a pitcher who completely implodes and makes you want to cut him on the spot.

You know you've been there. 

I've been there way too often, but 9 times out of 10 I don't hit that drop button and sometimes get rewarded for not acting so quickly. But then again, there are times where my slow trigger finger (most would say I don't have one) comes back to bite me as that pitcher I was going to send down the river comes back 5 days later -- or the next day for a reliever -- and has an even worse outing.

Those are the times where you wish someone would just knock you out cold.

ARROYO MUST GO ...NO, NOT YET

Cincinnati's Bronson Arroyo --with his pretty blonde flowing locks -- had given up five or more earned runs in his previous three starts -- and I should have cut him after killing me for three starts -- but I didn't and was rewarded with a long overdue complete-game, four-hit shutout on Friday at the Mets. But if he get blasted again, what should I do? Arroyo's real streaky, so I bet he'll be solid for a few more starts and then go back in the tank.

What will I do when he bombs again? Stay tuned.

HOWELL AT THE MOON

Tampa Bay's J.P. Howell has become a great bargain closer lately, but when you're night's ERA is 20.25 after yielding three earned runs on four hits in 1 1/3 innings, it tends to leave a bad taste in your mouth. Should I cut him on the spot? No way, everyone --at least in fantasy-- deserves a second chance.

WINNING AT WHAT COST?

Thank you Minnesota's Scott Baker for getting a win vs. the White Sox last night, but you left a hand print on my face after that major slap. A 7.11 game ERA isn't what I'm looking for heading into the All-Star break, but at least the WHIP (1.11) was workable.

Fantasy Baseball: Chin Music

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

It makes everyone's job a whole lot easier in the field when a pitcher can just rear back and strike someone out.

It's also not a bad stat to have in fantasy baseball, either. The reason is simple: A look inside the numbers of a strikeout actually tells a bigger story to the success of your fantasy team.

Of the top 10 strikeout artists in Major League Baseball -- Tim Lincecum, Justin Verlander, Javier Vazquez, Jon Lester, Zack Greinke, Dan Haren, Chad Billingsley, Felix Hernandez, Yovani Gallardo and Johan Santana, all of them except one -- Lester -- has an ERA in the 3 range. Lester, who has been outstanding for about a month now, checks in with a 4.16 ERA and it keeps dropping after every start.

Also, besides Vazquez's five wins, all these players mentioned have won at least least 7 games (Lester), along with a 10-win season so far for Greinke and 9 for Lincecum, Billingsley and Santana.

The WHIP category is pretty good, too, with Lester being the high man with a 1.33, and Santana at 1.23. But you'd  be happy with either mark on your team, right?

Who tops the WHIP list for the top 10 guys? Can you believe Arizona's Haren has a eye-popping 0.83 WHIP? Simply nasty, like a 90 mph slider that's completely unhittable.

A.J. OK IN NY

The experts were quick to jump out and say that A.J. Burnett didn't have the makeup to perform on the big stage in New York, but he's having non of that. Granted, Burnett hasn't looked good at times in the pinstripes --but everyone struggles at one point or another during the season -- but he's been solid with 7 wins, 99 Ks, 3.83 ERA and 1.36 WHIP. He's not an ace on any fantasy staff, but he's that notch below that can help you win championships.

RESPECT THE RIGHT ARM

Arizona's Dan Haren is quietly putting together an amazing season, and the word doesn't travel fast enough. Haren is second in all of baseball with 121 innings pitches, and he's won 8 games with 119 strikeouts and a 2.16 ERA. Haren doesn't have the big name like Johan or Tiny Tim, but there's no question he's an ace in my book.

A LOWE POINT

What is wrong with Atlanta's Derek Lowe? He's been getting pounded lately -- 22 earned runs in last 23 innings -- and his ERA is at a head-scratching 4.56. He's lost four of his last five decisions, and Lowe's last win came on June 9 vs. Pittsburgh. Listen, I'm not saying dump him like a bad habit, but use caution. Perhaps bench him until he shows he's out of this funk because if you continue to play him, your ERA and WHIP will just keep rising. And do you really want that to happen? 

Fantasy Baseball: Chin Music

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Closers rarely get respect in fantasy circles, but getting those last three outs in a game can be a very tough job.

Once day you're a hero and the next you're a goat.

That's the life of a closer in a nutshell.

But in fantasy, the save category is sometimes volatile due to closers falling on their face and getting put in a setup role. And then you have to hope you land the replacement closer via a waiver wire. If you can't, then you just might be sitting and watching as people continue to climb in that category while you're left wondering what to do.

LEAGUE OF HIS OWN

Can you believe what Angels' lefty closer Brian Fuentes is doing? Yes, he's leading all of baseball with 21 saves. Angels fan are say K-Rod who?

Fuentes may lead in saves, but his ERA (3.91) and WHIP (1.34) aren't exactly great. But those saves sure are saving teams in that category.

San Francisco closer Brian Wilson isn't a household name and was perhaps a mid-level closer during the draft, but he's right behind Fuentes with 20 saves, along with Mr. Nasty Francisco Rodriguez and San Diego's Heath Bell. 

Bell has been a nice surprise all season long with 1.44 ERA and 0.99 WHIP --that's top-of-the-line stats.

ONE-WAY STREET

How about a big hand for Huston Street (18 saves, 3.00 ERA, 1.09 WHIP) in Colorado. Mind you, Street was terrible las year with 18 saves and a 3.73 ERA, a far cry from his 37-save effort in 2006 with the A's, but he's doing a solid job again this year.

WHO IS THIS GUY?

Seattle's David Aardsma, do you know who he is yet? If not, you've been sleeping under a large boulder. He's got a grasp on that closers job with the Mariners, that's for sure. Fifteen saves and a 1.53 ERA and 1.19 WHIP, and he's still only owned in 76 percent of standard 5 x 5 Yahoo! leagues. Get him if you can. People still aren't respecting his talents.

Fantasy Baseball: Chin Music

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Everyone knows the fantasy season is like a roller coaster ride, featuring many ups and downs. One week a player is hot, the other he's as cold as an ex-wife. 

But when he's on, there's nothing better to watch. It's also pretty sweet to see how quickly you move up in the pitching standings, while others just keep on slipping.

In the last month, many pitchers have risen to the challenge and if you have them on your roster, enjoy these stats because we all know they won't last ... well, maybe a few of these guys will.

Nobody can hit Boston's Josh Beckett right now -- nobody. The Red Sox ace has 4 wins, 1.44 ERA and an 0.82 ERA in the last month and is ranked No. 1 overall in standard Yahoo 5x5 leagues. He's also nearly averaged a strikeout an inning (42 Ks in 43 2/3 innings).

While Beckett has been nasty, so has Mr. Injury Chris Carpenter (3 wins, 2.06 ERA, 0.69 ERA) and is ranked No. 4. While Carpenter hasn't been injury free in some time, he's sure paying off for whoever drafted him late -- we all know nobody took a shot really early with the injury concerns so don't try to fool me or anyone else.

KEEP ON WINNING

The wins just keep piling up for these arms in the last month with Matt Cain and Kevin Slowey locking down five wins in that span. Can you say impressive? While Cain and Slowey headline the five-win list, four isn't too shabby either, led by Marlins' Josh Johnson and Angels' Jered Weaver.

ERA KING

While he's been forgotten since he plays in Seattle, it's hard to ignore what Felix Hernandez has done in the last month with a mind-boggling 0.72 ERA. In his last four starts, the King has yielded only two earned runs in 29 2/3 innings, winning two games and getting two no-decisions. In is last start on June 16, Felix fired a complete-game two-hit shutout with four walks and six strikeouts in a win over the San Diego Padres.

For the season, Hernandez is 7-3 with 2.77 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. He's fanned 90 and walked 29. If he wasn't in Seattle, would just about everyone appreciate him?

FROM HERO TO ZERO

How can you not be mad at Detroit's Armando Galarraga? Well, I'm still fuming. And to think I had him as a top-25 guy. If you listened to me and actually got someone to trade for him for a REAL top-25 guy, great job. I'm glad I could help you. Once he hit his skid --and he hasn't recovered, mind you -- I dropped him like a sack of potatoes. If you took a flyer on him, thinking he'd recover, think again and thank him for killing your pitching statistics. Through the month, Galarraga hasn't got a win and is boasting --rather, hiding from his 5.63 ERA and 1.72 WHIP. And to think he's still in the Tigers' rotation with an overall line of 3-7 record, 5.62 ERA and 1.64 WHIP. 

So what have I learned? Answer: I'll never have Galarraga on any one of my four fantasy teams ...ever. I sure was a zero with that pick.

Fantasy Baseball: Chin Music

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

I know you want to hit the panic button, Johan Santana owners.

Go ahead and do it because I'll be the owner that pounces on your sell theory and have an ace in my pocket for the rest of the season.

Granted, Santana's last performance on Sunday against the Yankees where he worked only 3 innings, allowing 9 hits, 9 earned runs, 2 walks and 3 strikeouts would make any owner want to barf, but this is Johan Santana people.

I know, I know ... but he allowed a career-high 9 runs. Big deal. There's plenty of pitchers who get roughed up from time to time, and even the elite don't always have their best stuff.

Santana still has the ability to be lights-out at any point.

He hasn't done it recently, however.

In his previous start, he allowed 5 earned runs to the Phillies and give up 3 runs both times against Pittsburgh and Washington on June 2 and May 27, respectively.

That's not ace material, I know.

So what, Santana's in a mini-funk. So trade him and they'll all laugh at you.

His stat line (3.29 ERA, 8-4 record, 1.22 WHIP, 94 Ks in 82 innings) so far isn't anything to cry about, either. 

I'll say it again, DO NOT SELL ON SANTANA.

Mind you, if you get a great deal do it, but don't do it because you're simply reacting to a bad start or a mediocre stretch of four so-so starts.

If you do, owners will pounce and take advantage of you. Plus, who really wants to be laughed at for the rest of the season?

MONTH OF MANY RETURNS

Here's a look at who's been red hot for the last month, with aces mixed in with some surprise arms that have been delivering the goods.

Tim Lincecum (3 wins, 1.19 ERA, 0.98 WHIP), Josh Beckett (4 wins, 1.91 ERA, 0.91 ERA), Justin Verlander (4 wins, 1.25 ERA, 0.97 WHIP), Matt Cain (6 wins, 1.73 ERA, 1.15 WHIP), Chris Carpenter (3 wins, 1.98 ERA, 0.73 WHIP) and Jered Weaver (4 wins, 1.67 ERA, 1.07 WHIP).

CAN YOU GET SOMEONE OUT, PLEASE

Boy, White Sox closer Bobby Jenks has been a real killer in the last month, posting a dismal 6.30 ERA and 1.50 WHIP while nailing down 6 saves. Those numbers just aren't getting it done!

Don't you expect more from a front-end closer? Maybe Jenks isn't that good and should only be considered a middle-tier guy?

Fantasy Baseball: Chin Music

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

OK, I get it. Closers are important, there I said it.

It's always hard for me to admit that closers should be valued more than I value a penny, but perhaps closers are more like a nickel or a dime?

There's not way they're like a quarter, however. That investment is strictly for front-line position players and starters.

But the closer class, as a whole this season, has been nothing short of exceptional.

Where else would you find the 5th ranked player in standard Yahoo! 5 x 5 leagues.

Who is this guy you ask?

If you guessed Jonathan Broxton from the Dodgers, you're right. He's been as good as gold with six wins, 13 saves and 47 strikeouts in 29 inning. He also sports a 1.24 ERA and 0.66 WHIP.

Yes, he's even better than players like Evan Longoria or Mark Teixeira, at least he's ranked higher.

Would I draft Broxton, who can really pump that fastball at 96-plus, over Longoria or Teixeira. No way. Even today with all their stats up for the taking? No way.

But it does go to show you that closers can be a valuable commodity.

Some owners "punt" saves every year and I think it's the wrong approach to take. You'll be last in that category all year in roto leagues and you just might be able to tie a few times during the season in head-to-head with zero saves versus your opponent on that given week. It's hard to win titles without being competitive in every fantasy category.

HE'S NOT WASHED UP YET

Boy, the Padres sure know how to get rid of talent. But Trevor Hoffman is probably glad to be out of San Diego after the way he was treated anyway. And Hoffman, every time he notches a save, is probably laughing at the San Diego organization for not keeping him. Hoffman has laughed 15 times already this season since that's how many saves he has with the Brewers. Yes, he's still getting it done -- as a closer mind you -- with that marshmallow fastball and devastating changeup.

LIGHTS OUT

Francisco Rodriguez of the Mets is so money he might not even know it. Yes, he does know it and so do the New York Mets fans, who have watched K-Rod nail down 15 saves with a 0.70 ERA. K-Rod has only given up two earned runs all season and that was in the same game on April 24 against the Nationals, and he still got the win. He hasn't blown a save yet, either, but now I jinxed him ... sorry Mets fans and K-Rod owners.

HAPPY SO FAR

This goes out to the guys you didn't expect to close this year, but have been more than just serviceable in the 9th-inning role: Houston's LaTroy Hawkins (7 saves), Chicago Cubs' Kevin Gregg (10 saves), Seattle's David Aardsma (9 saves) and Toronto's Scott Downs (7 saves). 

Fantasy Baseball: Chin Music

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

I've been saying it all along and maybe no one really heard me: Boston's Jon Lester will turn it around.

Lester, who came into the season as the ace of Boston's staff and probably a No. 2 starter on your fantasy team, has been a pretty big bust this year, but if yesterday's spectacular start against the Blue Jays is any indication, then Lester is on his way back to becoming the same pitcher that won 16 games and had a 3.21 ERA last season.

The southpaw was absolutely dealing versus the Jays. He worked six strong innings -- probably his best six innings of the season -- allowing only three hits, one earned run, three walks and 12 -- yes, 12!!! -- strikeouts. 

His stuff is no joke. When he locates his fastball and has his curveball and changeup working, he's one of the best left-handers in the game.

Although Lester is only 4-5 and still has an awful 5.65 ERA, now is the time to BUY on the lefty. He's not going to come cheap, however. 

While Lester hasn't been lights out this year -- he had given up at least 5 runs in 4 of his last 6 starts -- he's shown signs of being an ace. In his last start vs. the Jays on May 21, Lester went 6 1/3 innings, allowing 8 hits, 1 run, 2 walks and 4 strikeouts for the win. On May 4, he whiffed 10 Yankees for the win and struck out 9 and threw 7 scoreless innings on April 19 vs. the Orioles.

So his stuff has always been there -- you don't average more than a strikeout an inning if you're stuff isn't good. Lester's problems have stemmed from giving up hits with runners in scoring position and he's also been killed by the big inning.

Trust me, if you can land Lester fairly cheap, do it immediately. But expect to have to pay for Lester's services because we all know what he's capable of doing every five days. 

I think yesterday's start will get the lefty going and your fantasy team starting to climb up in the pitching categories.

BURN BABY BURN

Minnesota's Nick Blackburn is usually the third pitcher you think of when you mention the Twins (Scott Baker, Kevin Slowey), but you better know who he is now after the soft-tossing righty improved to 5-2 after beating the Rays yesterday. Blackburn went six innings, allowing two earned runs, one walk and one strikeout to lower his ERA to 3.50. Blackburn isn't going to help you with strikeouts (34 Ks in 69 1/3 innings), but you can't by unhappy with everything else. He's only owned in 10 percent of standard 5 x 5 Yahoo! leagues, so don't be afraid to go out and grab him.

BUEHRLE MAN

Chicago White Sox's Mark Buehrle is throwing like he did when he won 19 games in 2002. Well, that might be stretching it, but more like the same guy that had consecutive 16-win seasons (2004, 05). The lefty currently has six wins, a 2.71 ERA and 1.15 ERA. Based on where you drafted him, I'll go out on a limb and say he's been a steal so far. Did anyone outside of Chicago expect this from him? I doubt it.

Fantasy Baseball: Chin Music

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

You can crunch the numbers all you want, but for starting pitchers a real simple way to tell if a pitcher has the goods is to look at the win total. I know, sometimes pitchers get robbed of wins by shaky bullpens or are just plain unlucky and can't get the proper run support, but for the most part wins should let a fantasy owner know if a pitcher is getting the job done or that pitcher's offense is stepping up and putting runs on the board even when that pitcher might have an off night.

It's no surprise that a list of guys that headline the wins category are carrying fantasy teams right now, and a couple of surprises that weren't targeted on draft day that are still producing with wins.

Mr. I-Know-You're-Good-But-Never-Get-The-Proper-Respect ... ya, that's Toronto's Roy Halladay, has baffled hitters and teams all year and is at the top of the list with 8 wins.

Mr. Surprise, but one of my sleeper picks, Zack Greinke is right behind with 7. Imagine if your team had both these guys, I'd bet you'd be pretty good in the pitching department.

On the six-win list is Chad Billingsley, Johan Santana, Derek Lowe, Joe Saunders, Kevin Slowey, Jason Marquis, Bronson Arroyo and Mark Buehrle. I'd say the final three guys on the list are early-season surprises, although Arroyo's ERA is 5.79 and it's a slight problem.

This list will change, no doubt, over the course of the year, but bank on Halladay, Greinke, Santana and Billingsley staying in the top 10 all season long. They are winners.

HE'S KILLING YOU

Fausto Carmona (CLE): So much for Carmona being a sleeper pick because he's still sleeping on the mound (2 wins, 5.74 ERA).

Ricky Nolasco (FLA): You know it's bad when the Marlins ship you to the minors and you're suppose to be the ace of the staff, or No. 2 guy. Nolasco has a 9.07 ERA, yikes, and only 2 wins. How'd he get 2 wins? It's a miracle.

THANK YOU, SIR

Zach Duke (PIT): He may not be able to shatter glass with his fastball, but he knows how to get guys out, especially this year (5 wins, 2.77 ERA).

Rick Porcello (DET): This rookie just doesn't have an idea of how to pitch, he knows how to execute (5 wins, 3.55 ERA). Imagine what he'll be like in 2-3 years? Scary. Detroit fans should be worshiping his right arm right now.

Matt Cain (SF): Another one of my preseason sleeper picks, Cain has found a way to put his talents to use, finally. He's got five wins, 2.40 ERA and 1.32 WHIP.

Fantasy Baseball: Chin Music

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

So you're offense is loaded, but you once again elected to scrap pitching? Well, it happens more than you think in fantasy baseball. Everyone falls in love with the home runs and RBIs -- even stolen bases, for that matter -- but pitching is usually an afterthought, especially closers. But in order to win a title, you've got to have a balanced team, that means offense and PITCHING.

While it's always nice to draft an ace to anchor your staff, many don't want to pay the steep price to land a Santana or Lincecum. But remember, there are arms out there that have been outstanding thus far, and many of which have become major surprises.

So here's a breakdown of the surprises so far, and I'll even sprinkle in sell-fast candidates.

NICE FREE AGENT PICKUP

Wandy Rodriguez (HOU) -- Wandy has four wins and a great 1.90 ERA. And he's still only owned in 81 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Edwin Jackson (DET) -- Jackson (58 percent owned), a former Ray, has always had a plus-fastball, but he now seems to have put it all together on the hill. Don't be fooled, however, he's not going to keep this up all season (3 wins, 2.42 ERA, 1.04 WHIP).

Matt Palmer (LAA) -- Who is this guy? He doesn't overpower anyone, but he's been solid so far for the Angels. As soon as there's more film on this guy, I'm going to bet hitters will have a better idea on how to attack him. But right now, only owned in 18 percent of leagues, Palmer is as good as anyone, well maybe not Greinke, but 4 wins and 0.98 WHIP scream "Pick me up immediately."

Brian Bannister (KC) -- Bannister has no doubt solidified his spot in Kansas City's rotation. He's not a household name, but people should start catching on that he's been a decent source of wins (3), ERA (1.80) and WHIP (1.17). Bet he's available in your league (available in 64 percent of leagues).

SELL, SELL, SELL

Randy Johnson (SF) -- The Big Unit has been a Big Bust so far. A 6.86 ERA, 1.55 WHIP. Perhaps retirement is on Randy's mind? Just saying!

Jamie Moyer (PHI) -- Another over-the-hill member, Moyer's changeup is being confused with his fastball and that's never a good sign. Hitters must love teeing off on Moyer this year (8.15 ERA, 1.84 WHIP).

Armando Galarraga (DET) -- When things were going good, I said don't trade him unless you're getting a top-25 player, so I'm hoping owners in your league were in love with him and decided to give you a B.J. Upton-type of player. He lasted only two-thirds on an inning in his Sunday start, and he's given up at least 5 earned runs in his last three starts before yesterday. Can you say ice cold?

YOU'RE BETTER THAN THAT

Tim Lincecum (SF) -- Come on now, Timmy Boy. As my No. 1-ranked starting pitching to begin the season, Timmy isn't making me look that good. Granted, he hasn't been bad, but I'm expecting more than a 3.75 ERA and 1.31 WHIP.

Jon Lester (BOS) -- Yes, I'm also calling out southpaw, Lester. There is now way he should have a 6.51 ERA and give up two HRs to Ichiro in his last start. He's also got a 1.62 WHIP. The numbers say he's going to turn it around, however. In 47 innings pitches, he's got 54 Ks, so his stuff is great, he's just not making good pitches with runners on and batters are making him pay. If you can get him now, do it, he'll turn it around soon.

Fantasy Baseball: Chin Music

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Some treat closers like gold, others treat them like second-class pitchers.

But, for some reason, closers are really holding their own as far as worth this season, compared to the starters who have seemingly been lit up like Christmas trees on a consistent basis, well, besides Johan Santana.

If anyone knows why six of the 10 top-ranked pitchers in standard Yahoo! leagues are closers, please let me know so I can trade my top starters for closers. It just doesn't make sense to me, but I'll go out on a limb and say it won't last very long.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Jonathan Broxton, Texas' Frank Francisco, San Diego's Heath Bell and St Louis' Ryan Franklin has been just filthy. Of that group, only Broxton has an ERA -- 0.64 -- so shame on you Broxton. Will this mastery of the ninth inning last? No way. 

Closers are typically viewed as "dime a dozen" pitchers, expect for the elite like Jonathan Papelbon, Mariano Rivera and Francisco Rodriguez, and even some fantasy owners punt saves to focus on other categories and positions during the draft. 

Don't forget about B.J. Ryan's replacement Scott Downs (0.59 ERA, 3 saves). And kudos to A's reliever Andrew Bailey (1.45 ERA, 3 wins, 22 Ks, 0.70 WHIP), a complete unknown who is only owned in 38 percent of leagues.

But you've got to appreciate the production they're giving your team right now. Perhaps, you should think about unloading them in a trade while their stock is sky high. Look for those owners who desperately need saves to stay in the saves race, and try to get one of their higher-profile pitchers or position players. If you're going to sell, sell REAL high!

As far as starters, Chad Billingsley is cruising with 5 wins and a 2.21 ERA. Billingsley is quickly becoming a legit fantasy ace, and a must-have pitcher. 

Also there are some early-season surprises in the form of: Yovani Gallardo (3 wins, 3.02 ERA, 0.96 WHIP) and Johnny Cueto (1.65 ERA, 1.04 WHIP) -- remember he couldn't find the strike zone as a rookie last year for the Reds.

When talking about ace stuff, look no further than Tampa Bay's Matt Garza. Everyone knows who he is now. He's got a blistering fastball and a "you-can't-hit-me mentality."

Garza is 3-0 with 3.51 ERA and 1.00 WHIP.

Fantasy Baseball: Chin Music

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

So who are some of the best kept secrets so far this season? Well, in standard 5x5 leagues, there's plenty of candidates in the pitching categories of wins, saves, strikeouts, ERA and WHIP. We all know in the fantasy world, some of these guys are flukes like Zack Duke -- or is he? -- and some might turn out to be very serviceable pitchers to help you challenge for a fantasy title.

But you'll never know if you don't take a chance and try to land some of these guys if they're still available in your league.

I'll break down each category with some early-season surprises. And who doesn't like surprises?

WINS

We all know about Roy Halladay, but what about Joel Pineiro? What team is he on now, you ask? The St. Louis Cardinals righty is at the top of the list with 4 wins, but he only has six strikeouts and a so-so 1.37 WHIP. Call him a lucky dog right now.

Zack Greinke isn't a superstar yet, but the former first-rounder is still a surprise with a league-high five wins with 44 Ks, 0.50 ERA and 0.89 WHIP. Yes, he's helping in every category. Hold on to him, he has the makings of a Cy Young candidate. Remember, Cliff Lee also put it all together last year, why not Greinke this season?

As far a relievers, a vulture in wins is Toronto's Jason Frasor with 3 in only 9.1 innings. Not a bad guy to have in a deep AL only league. The wins are a nice bonus.

SAVES

A couple first-year closers are headlining the list with San Diego's Heath Bell (8 saves, 0.00 ERA) and Texas' Frank Francisco (6 saves, 0.00 ERA). The best part of that production is these two guys weren't even hot commodities on draft day, so if you landed them in the mid to late rounds, you're smiling still. A free agent pickup named Ryan Franklin (7 saves, 0.00 ERA) of St. Louis is also paying off like a great night at the slots or tables in Vegas. Can you say money? You're so money and you don't even know it.

STRIKEOUTS

As far as starters, Javier Vazquez 42), Justin Verlander (34) and Yovani Gallardo (34) are all fanning guys at a steady clip, while closers Atlanta's Mike Gonzalez (16), Dodgers' Jonathan Broxton (16) and Toronto's Scott Downs (14) are also getting the Ks. Fantasy advice: Pick up Downs now, B.J. Ryan looks like he's toast (at least his shoulder is) and Downs is only owned in 60 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

ERA

The Kansas City Connection of Zack Greinke and Brian Bannister (he won't be sent down to Triple-A right now will he? He's owned in 9 percent of leagues) are sporting  great ERAs at 0.50 and 0.69, respectively, while you can't go wrong with a 0.00 ERA with Bell, Franklin and Francisco. 

WHIP

We all know how deadly Johan Santana is. He's the same old ace this season with a 0.95 ERA. So think about this: Gallardo and Greinke has been so great they have better WHIPs than Johan. Gallardo is at 0.87 and Greinke at 0.89. Yes, impressive. Tim Wakefield has been Boston's most dependable starter and he's got a 0.97 WHIP, as does one of my favorite early-season starters -- Kevin Millwood. Many of the same closers I've already mentioned also have team-friendly WHIPs -- Frasor (0.43), Downs (0.47), Broxton (0.50), Francisco (0.56), Franklin (0.58) and Bell (0.69).

PICK THEM UP

This week I'll endorse Boston's Tim Wakefield (2 wins, 17 Ks, 1.86 ERA, 0.97 WHIP). Wake is hot right now, so ride that knuckler before it starts floating up there like a beach ball. He's still available in 60 percent of leagues ... now you know there's no love for knuckleballers. 

There's love here for a youngster named Phil Hughes. Remember he was that rookie can't-miss prospect that fizzled under the Yankee spotlight last year. Well, he got the callup and dazzled against Detroit -- six scoreless innings for the win and six strikeouts. He's young and he'll have some rocky starts, but he's only owned in 36 percent of leagues and that means to me he's worth of a quick add.

Fantasy Baseball: Chin Music

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

It's a statistic in fantasy baseball -- in real baseball, too -- that is often overlooked -- the strikeout.

The typical 5x5 league stats for pitching are wins, saves, ERA, WHIP and Ks, but you don't really ever see people chasing strikeouts while drafting. It's a stat that is important, however, and tells you a thing or two about the type of pitcher you have on your roster.

The ability to strike someone out typically shows you've got a power arm guy on your team. Obviously it helps your team in that category and it usually justifies -- not all the time -- that you have a premier ace. Those ace-type arms are a hot commodity, too. Everyone in your league should want to acquire an ace or two or three, and it's there that you can trade away pitching for hitting if need be. 

Although it's still early in the season, take a look at some of the top strikeout guys and you'll see most of them are big-name guys. 

Johan Santana, Roy Halladay, Jake Peavy, Rich Harden, Zack Greinke, Tim Lincecum ... they were probably can't-miss guys (well, Greinke was a sleeper) before the season and they're guys that can carry your staff. Well, you always have to pray Harden doesn't get an arm injury. Just imagine if he could stay healthy ... his stuff is filthy. 

The amazing chase for Ks continues with lesser-known or appreciated pitchers which include: Javier Vazquez, Erik Bedard and Clayton Kershaw. 

I think anyone would want those guys on you team right now, too.

It's hard not to fall in love with the power arms. You know what you're going to get from them, -- high strikeout totals and typically all-around solid stats in all important categories (wins, ERA, WHIP) ... unfortunately they can't help you in saves.

Every time a batter grabs some pine, it's helping your team out in several ways.

I'm going to endorse Kyle Davies (Kansas City) this week. Who is this guy? Who cares if he's going to produce stats like this (3 starts, 1 wins, 21 Ks, 2.89 ERA, 1.12 WHIP). He may not come with the big label name, but he's producing like an ace, and the kicker -- he's only owned in 33 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Also, through Wednesday, Seattle lefty Jarrod Washburn deserves to be owned, too. Take a flyer on these guys, I know he's available since he's only owned in 38 percent of leagues. Washburn was 3-0 with 17 Ks, 1.71 ERA and 0.80 WHIP. Those stats cry out, "Buy Me, Please!." He's that average pitcher that doesn't get any respect because he doesn't have the high strikeouts totals. But even those guys that get by on painting corners to get people out need some love. 

We know chicks dig the long ball. But word on the street is they also dig strikeouts!

Fantasy Baseball: Chin Music

By Chad Garner

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

David Aardsma (SEA) 

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!

Bronson Arroyo (CIN) 

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.

Mike Hampton (HOU)

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)