MLB Showdown Cards

MLB Showdown 2012: Starters 550-590 points

                The year of the pitcher is beginning to become more like the Obama term of the pitchers. There seem to be so many solid ERA, durable, quality starters in the world now. CC Sabathia has always been the representative of this group. He got hurt this year but effective in his time. Greinke is had another fantastic year. Yu Darvish came over and had a nice rookie year with 16 wins. AJ Burnett seemed to be the leader of the Pirates pitching staff as a veteran. Jered Weaver with his 2.81 ERA had a nice 20 win season. I can’t finish this without giving a nod to King Felix for having another fantastic year with absolutely no help from his teammates in Seattle.

                The 6 control pitchers always cost a good deal and end up in this range despite having average charts. The control is really what drives up the price. Cole Hammels is the least desirable from this crew because he has no way to prevent trouble with a 16-19 1B and 20 2B. His 1-7 none advancing out is not big enough to get out of trouble with small ballers. Yu Darvish is the best player for preventing manufactured runs. As a 6, 6 IP, 20 2B, 18-19 1B, 16-17 BB, 12- 15 FB, 3-8 SO makes it hard to create anything.  No reason to take Chris Sale for the same 570 points who only has a 1 K less as a difference. Gallardo is the same card as Sale for 560 points.

                The 5 controls usually have a few more people in this class but this year only have one. Jered Weaver is an interesting pick here. A 5, 6 IP, 17-20 1B, 10-16 FB, 7-9 GB, 3-6 SO is solid but requires a bullpen behind him at 570 points. He will throw well at the price and get some scoreless innings but won’t be able to go forever. Not having a walk, only 6 as a none advancing out and small GB makes double plays tough. I would likely not take Weaver because people will create runs and he won’t shut people down.

                The 4 controls offer 2 really interesting options. King Felix Hernandez is a 4, 8 IP, 580 point, 18-20 1B, 17 BB, 13-16 FB, 9-12 GB, 3-8 SO for 580 points. Playing him as a 2 behind Justin Verlander could really save players on bullpen. He doesn’t allow a double so people are going to need to create things. His 1-8 none advancing out works well for them. Matt Cain will be more dominant just for less time. His 4, 7 IP, 18-20 1B, 12-17 FB, 9-11 GB, 3-8 SO for 570 points is a nice player. He is a legitimate one if you don’t mind being out gunned by pitching heavy teams. He is a solid late round pick.

                Another control with only one player in this class and that is Johnny Cueto. His 3, 7 IP, 19-20 1B, 13-18 FB, 8-12 GB, 3-7 SO for 570 points is a very productive card. If you roll the dice with these 3, 1-18 outs they can pay off with some great games. Some people are afraid of 3’s because they cannot be stretched. If you carry enough relievers I think this may be the most potent player if you can provide 2 or 3 innings of good relief for him. The question is do you want to pay 570 points and need to carry a moderately deep bullpen.

                The question with these guys is are they are one a two or a three starter. Ones are going to be outmatched by the Kershaw and Verlander but maybe you can throw another half a bat at them. Of course you want your ones to go above .500 the question is how much more will these guys get. These kind of points for two starter should mean you have the better pitcher by a hair in most match ups and again you need to go a hair better than .500. In the pitching heavy rotation where these guys are a third starter you aren’t hitting much but you will have the best starter. How you sneak out a run is for another article. You will pitch better than your opponent.