THE STARTING LINE - 2009 Top Ten SP, v3
THE STARTING LINE - 2009 Top Ten Starting Pitchers, version 3
by Evan "the Censor" Dickens
Our updated rankings show an even greater jam-up in the top ten, as 2008 continues to be one of the most impressive years for starting pitching since the prime of Pedro, Clemens, and Big Unit. As an example--last year Brandon Webb and John Lackey tied for second in the majors with a 3.01 ERA. This year, the 3.01 of Cole Hamels is only good enough for tenth! If someone sneezes, everyone from #2 to #8 could be shuffled in a completely different order at this point. The starting pitcher renaissance continues and the Censor couldn't be happier.
Here's the latest SP 2009 rankings. Statistics are through games of 9/1/08.
1. Johan Santana - K/9 over last three starts is back above 10--however, WHIP is also an eyebrow-raising 1.32.
2. Jake Peavy - Slowly losing value as San Diego consistently fails him--19 IP, 22 K, 7 ER, zero wins in last three starts.
3. Brandon Webb - Can't overtake Peavy with his Sunday disaster, and in fact may be in real danger of losing the Cy Young to...
4. CC Sabathia - Just that close to leaping up to #2 with his no-hitter (yes, that's what it was). His second-half story is sensational.
5. Tim Lincecum (+1) - Frankly I wouldn't argue with him being the second pitcher taken. He has the major league strikeout lead despite pitching 25 fewer innings than Sabathia.
6. Roy Halladay (-1) - SportingNews.com ranks him as the #1 fantasy player in 2008. He's a first-rounder in AL-only leagues next year if Sabathia signs in the NL (which is the likely scenario).
7. Cliff Lee - Question answered: no one left with properly firing synapses doesn't realize Cliff Lee is the real deal. Keep betting against him and I'll keep collecting. He's a fifth-rounder next year barring a (unlikely) September swoon.
8. Rich Harden - A season ERA now below 2.00 and an 11.5 K/9 rate are so sick, but keep in mind Harden still may not hit 150 IP for the season.
9. Cole Hamels (+1) - Don't forget the quietest pitching stat--Hamels leads all starters in WHIP with a sick 1.03 and his offspeed pitches seem to keep getting better.
10. Dan Haren (-1) - Has a lot to prove in September on a shaky Diamondbacks team that should be better than it is.
The Next Ten
11. Scott Kazmir
12. Chad Billingsley
13. Ryan Dempster (+1)
14. Carlos Zambrano (-1)
15. Daisuke Matsuzaka (+2)
16. Ben Sheets
17. John Lackey (-2)
18. Ervin Santana (+1)
19. James Shields (-1)
20. Erik Bedard (NR)
Dropped out: Josh Beckett
(all comments, questions, and vulgar flames toevan@fantasybaseballsearch.com)
by Evan "the Censor" Dickens
Our updated rankings show an even greater jam-up in the top ten, as 2008 continues to be one of the most impressive years for starting pitching since the prime of Pedro, Clemens, and Big Unit. As an example--last year Brandon Webb and John Lackey tied for second in the majors with a 3.01 ERA. This year, the 3.01 of Cole Hamels is only good enough for tenth! If someone sneezes, everyone from #2 to #8 could be shuffled in a completely different order at this point. The starting pitcher renaissance continues and the Censor couldn't be happier.
Here's the latest SP 2009 rankings. Statistics are through games of 9/1/08.
1. Johan Santana - K/9 over last three starts is back above 10--however, WHIP is also an eyebrow-raising 1.32.
2. Jake Peavy - Slowly losing value as San Diego consistently fails him--19 IP, 22 K, 7 ER, zero wins in last three starts.
3. Brandon Webb - Can't overtake Peavy with his Sunday disaster, and in fact may be in real danger of losing the Cy Young to...
4. CC Sabathia - Just that close to leaping up to #2 with his no-hitter (yes, that's what it was). His second-half story is sensational.
5. Tim Lincecum (+1) - Frankly I wouldn't argue with him being the second pitcher taken. He has the major league strikeout lead despite pitching 25 fewer innings than Sabathia.
6. Roy Halladay (-1) - SportingNews.com ranks him as the #1 fantasy player in 2008. He's a first-rounder in AL-only leagues next year if Sabathia signs in the NL (which is the likely scenario).
7. Cliff Lee - Question answered: no one left with properly firing synapses doesn't realize Cliff Lee is the real deal. Keep betting against him and I'll keep collecting. He's a fifth-rounder next year barring a (unlikely) September swoon.
8. Rich Harden - A season ERA now below 2.00 and an 11.5 K/9 rate are so sick, but keep in mind Harden still may not hit 150 IP for the season.
9. Cole Hamels (+1) - Don't forget the quietest pitching stat--Hamels leads all starters in WHIP with a sick 1.03 and his offspeed pitches seem to keep getting better.
10. Dan Haren (-1) - Has a lot to prove in September on a shaky Diamondbacks team that should be better than it is.
The Next Ten
11. Scott Kazmir
12. Chad Billingsley
13. Ryan Dempster (+1)
14. Carlos Zambrano (-1)
15. Daisuke Matsuzaka (+2)
16. Ben Sheets
17. John Lackey (-2)
18. Ervin Santana (+1)
19. James Shields (-1)
20. Erik Bedard (NR)
Dropped out: Josh Beckett
(all comments, questions, and vulgar flames to
posted by Evan the Censor at
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
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