MLB Showdown Cards

MLB Showdown 2014: Starters +600 points

                If I am paying over 600 points for a starter I want him to do one thing: Win no matter what. I can pay a guy 400 points to have excuses. I can find a guy for 350 points who can’t be stretched. I can even pay 500 points to be caught in a bad match up. Over 600 points… I need W’s.

                Chris Sale is not someone I like as a 650 pointer unless you can get an 8+ arm at catcher. So much of his success is dependent on keeping all those guys on first base. As a 6 control, 16-20 1B, 11-15 FB, 9-10 GB, 3-8 SO, 1-2 PU for 7 IP. The strike out is big enough that he isn’t completely dependent on a rocket launcher behind the plate. Speed teams are a hair thinner this year than most but Mike Trout/McCutchen can still be a nightmare against Sale. Power players with Adam Jones/Nelson Cruz types can get shut down.

                You know who asks so little of you for 10 more points? Clayton Kershaw. As a 5 control, 20 2B, 18-19 1B, 14-17 FB, 10-13 GB, 3-9 SO for 660 points for 7 IP. This is like that 2000 Pedro Martinez card. He can strand guys by himself with the non-advancing outs. He has enough GBs to take people off base. This guy is not part of some team wide strategy. The strategy with this guy is score a few runs consistently.

                Adam Wainwright is a hair awkward. His 5 control, 19-20 1B, 17-18 BB, 12-16 FB, 7-11 GB, 3-6 SO with 7 IP for 610 points. He does make people earn everything which can be successful enough. His pair of walks is awesome for a guy at this price total. Not enough GBs to really punish people there. Not enough non-advancing outs to be able to punt at catcher. He is good but I am not excited.

                Felix Hernandez is exciting with his 4 control, 19-20 1B, 18 BB, 15-17 FB, 9-14 GB, 3-8 SO with 7 IP for 660 points. That GB is a backbreaker. Paired with a 1-8 non-advancing out and no double on his chart he is only really vulnerable to the super powerful teams. He can get people out every way possible. I don’t like him as much as Kershaw but he is a solid choice if you miss out.

                Johnny Cueto is someone who is going to scare people off. With his 3 control, 20 1B, 19 BB, 14-18 FB, 10-13 GB, 3-9 SO with 8 IP for 620 points. He can go long into games. He punishes NL players by dominating the pitcher and weak bottom of the orders. He is going to get burned by other +500 point hitters. That happens. He punishes sub 200 point players. In larger leagues he will do just fine.