MLB Showdown Cards

MLB Showdown 2011: Aces 500+ Pointers

            The last few year have been “the years of the pitcher”. Every year I hope the pendulium stops and turns around and goes back the other way. That was not the case this year. We had a starter win the MVP for the first time in over 20 years with Justin Verlander pulling the trick. He along with Francisco Liriano and Ervin Santana threw no-hit games. 16 pitchers had ERAs beginning with a 2. In 2000, 3 players achieved that feat (granted Pedro Martinez had a 1.74, Yes he deserves his cards). Young players like Clayton Kershaw and Jered Weaver figured out how to be Aces. That is the theme of this years class and this post, Aces. There are 120 starting pitchers in the 2011 class and that is too many for focus on all the good players without breaking it apart. The rules for this one is players 500 points or more.

            For 6 controls Roy Halladay is the man to beat. 630 points for a 6 who can pitch 7 innings. As you would expect solid chart 3-8 SO, 9-13 GB, 14-16 FB. 17-19 1B, 20 2B. That is right the first 6, 1-16 out who does not have 2 doubles that I am aware of. He can counter power with his big control. He likely is best used in that role. He will get beat a little on his chart but all 6s do it is the nature of the beast. No walk makes him susceptible to having Small Ballers create runs. He is a first round player. CJ Wilson, Ian Kennedy and CC Sabathia are classic horses. They all pitch 7 inning 1-15 out. All have a 7 none advancing out. Lincecum is interesting 6, 1-16 out with 19-20 2B, 18 1B, 17 BB. I don't like him at the price but someone will. All of these guys are 10-15 round picks with the depth.

            Justin Verlander leads the 5s. He is the closest thing to a Pedro Martinez as we have seen. 1-17 out, 1-9 none advancing. 18-19 1B, 20 2B for 7 innings. 670 points is a bit of a price tag but he is the best all around pitcher in the league. He can stop small balling with his strike out. He will keep power off their charts with a 5. He will stop pinging and money balling by not allowing hits on his own chart. Worthy of the first pick but people will be scared of him. Clayton Kershaw would be a solid first round pick any other year as a 580 point 1-16 our with no double and 1-9 none advancing out. He is a 3-5 round pick now. Tim Hudson punishes teams who do not steal when they get on. He is 1-16 out with a 7-13 GB. This year more people are going to take the double play out of the game by stealing but it is still useful. He is a 4-8 round player.

            Cole Hammels is another person who just absolutely punishes slow teams. He is a 4 1-17 out with a 7-15 grounder. He gives up a double and has no walk and a small strike out but man he can erase people. In a slower year he would be the clear cut number 1 pick at 580 points. He is still a solid option. Put a solid defense behind him and watch people go away. He is going to give up some tally marks against speedsters who get on to lead off the inning. I do not like Ricky Romero for the price at 510 points and Becket is alright for 500 points. He only pitches 6 innings so he is going to want some help to get that 4 1-17 chart deeper into games. They will both go in the 10-15 range.

            Cliff Lee is a 2-4 round caliber player. People who have used power 3s and had success will swear by them.  He will give up the advantage as a 3 but no one is hitting for power anyway. He has a 19-20 1B which is a nice bottom of the card. His 1-10 none advancing out is a nice top of the card. He will have the most trouble with Money Ballers and Pingers. His small GB is not going to cause insane GIDP opportunities.  I like Felix Hernandez more than Matt Cain out of pure preference. They have their pros and cons. Cain has a walk at 18 while Hernandez is a 18-20 1B. Hernandez K is 1 larger and GB is 1 larger. Both guys are 10-15 round players.

            The trick is to pick players who fit what you do well and what counters the league you are in. This is the fastest year we have seen. More strike outs on the chart is going to be a little more favorable. For players who are facing slower teams bigger ground balls will be ways to take runners off the bases. The point of spending 500 or more points on a pitcher is to throw up some 0's. The goal is to only give up runs to other superstars. Even then you expect them to minimize damage.