Fantasy 40/40 – 2010 Fantasy Baseball Rankings

Scoring in the Majors this year is down a bit from the last year.

MLB teams are averaging 4.45 Runs/Game in ‘10 – down from 4.61 in ‘09 and 4.64 in ‘08.  Five no-hitters already with reason to believe we should see at least one more before the end of this 162-game schedule.  What could it be a result of?  Tougher steroid testing?  No “greenies” or amphetamines?  Better pitching?  The influx of young talent?  Most likely a combination of some sort.

Either way, pitching is better this year and they have penetrated the fantasy TOP 100.  49 out of the TOP 100 are pitchers this season (37 finished in the TOP 100 in ‘09).  Food for thought.

TOP 10 Pitchers in Standard 5×5 roto scoring leagues.

1. Adam Wainwright STL - 14-6. 153.1 INN. 142 K. 2.23 ERA. 1.03 WHIP. The leader of the pack, Wainwright is the current top dog.  He pitched yesterday against the Mets, giving up 6 earned runs, the most he’s allowed in a single season all year.  He’s a fantasy stud and should continue to add wins within the weaker NL Cental.  Pitching behind a guy named Chris Carpenter does not hurt either.
2. Josh Johnson FLA – 10-3. 141.1 INN. 146 K. 1.71 ERA. 0.99 WHIP.  This guy is a beast and I’m a little upset I passed on him in two drafts.  I want to say it was the 4th round in one draft – 6th in another.  I said a little upset.  Either way, I passed, waiting ’til at least the 10th round to start drafting pitching like always.  IF I had taken him, I would have noticed the sub 2 ERA and sub 1 WHIP.  Not fair.
3. Roy Halladay PHI – 11-8. 162 INN. 140 K. 2.27 ERA. 1.04 WHIP. I actually thought he was going to win 25 games this year.  Seriously.  With that Phillies lineup.  But somewhere along the lines this year, they forgot how to hit and injuries have taken their toll on the defending NL Champions.  I said it was stupid then and I’ll say it was stupid now.  Can you imagine if Ruben Amaro didn’t give away Cliff Lee in the off-season?  Has to annoy you a little Phillies’ fans since they’ve been shopping Werth to trade for Oswalt… All you had to do was keep Cliff.  Roy and Cliff.  Like Simon and Garfunkel.  Or Bert and Ernie.  Or Ocho and T.O.  I can’t wait for football.
4. Cliff Lee TEX – 9-4. 139 INN. 114 K. 2.39 ERA. 0.89 WHIP. Speaking of Cliff Lee, the guy has been lights out after his first couple starts off the DL.  He’s coming off a no decision against Oakland where he went 9 INN, 1 unearned run, 13 K, 5 hits and 0 BB.  He’s been a huge addition for me in my mixed leagues and should be started and left alone in any league you are in.  Roy Halladay –  Cliff Lee – Cole Hamels.  I’m just sayin’.
5. Ubaldo Jimenez COL – 15-2. 134.2 INN. 120 K. 2.74 ERA. 0.89 WHIP. Mr. Jimenez has “slipped” since his ridiculoso start to the season, but is still a must start through thick and thin.  He’s given up 10 earned in his last two starts; he should snap out of it soon.  Should.
6. Jon Lester BOS – 11-5. 135.2 INN. 143 K. 2.91 ERA. 1.09 WHIP. The second southpaw to make our list and still climbing.  In his last seven starts, he has allowed less than 3 ER all but twice while winning four.  Also had 13 punchouts his last start where he took a no-hitter into the 5th.
7. Felix Hernandez SEA – 7-7. 160.2 INN. 145 K. 2.85 ERA. 1.13 WHIP. Started slow in April and May but has turned up the heat this summer.  King Felix is now the only ace in Seattle with the departure of Cliff Lee – its unfortunate that tandem didn’t get more time to perform.  Felix and Cliff.  Cliff and Felix.  That sounds better.  I’ll stop.
8. Carl Pavano MIN – 13-6. 148.2 INN. 83 K. 3.20 ERA. 1.02 WHIP. Yup.  Carl.  F’n.  Pavano.  That’s the great thing about baseball and fantasy sports.  A leftover draft pick in March has been a TOP 10 pitcher thus far.  I guess this is what the Yankees were hoping for back in the day when they signed him to a fat contract and got all of what, 3 starts in 4 years?
9. Mat Latos SD – 11-4. 112.2 INN. 106 K. 2.47 ERA. 0.99 WHIP. The highly touted prospect has lived up to expectations and looks to anchor the Padre staff for years to come.  I traded for him in one league before the year started.  Worked out well – I used him like a cheap date – hung out for a while, had some fun and then traded her in for a better option later in the night (Bell and Marmol during All-Star break).
10. Jered Weaver LAA – 9-7. 141 INN. 155 K. 3.19 ERA. 1.09 WHIP. He’s on pace to shatter his personal record for strikeouts in a season while posting a nice ERA and WHIP.  With Lackey’s preference for Boston and big bucks, Weaver has taken over the role of alpha male on that staff and has risen to the occasion this season.  If you drafted Weaver a little later in drafts, you have to be thoroughly pleased.