Starting Pitchers: June 7th

Some low ownership starting pitchers coming to a rotation spot near you…

Dana Eveland | Pirates | 1% owned

Yeah, it is odd to talk about Eveland on a fantasy site considering that all of his pitching independent stats stink dating back to his 2.7 WAR season in 2008. The only reason I’m mentioning him is because he’s got a date with the lefty heavily and certifiably awful Indians later this week, so you’ve got a prime opportunity to steal a cheap win, or at least a few strikeouts and a possible ERA/WHIP boost come next weekend.

Tommy Hunter | Rangers | 3%

Hunter returned from a strained oblique just in time to replace the injured Derek Holland, and all he did was allow one run over nine innings of work against the Rays in his first start of the year on Saturday. He’s not going to set the world on fire with such a low strikeout rate ((R) ZiPS calls for a 5.03 FIP and 4.55 K/9 the rest of the way), but his next few starts come at home against the Mariners, at the Marlins, then at home against the Pirates and Astros. If you’re lagging behind some of the pitching categories, Hunter could give you a decent boost in an AL-only or deep mixed league.

Vin Mazzaro | Athletics | 0%

Brett Anderson’s injury isn’t quite the worst case scenario, but it’s pretty bad. His absence opens up a spot for Mazzaro, who’s been pretty dreadful in limited action so far. (R) ZiPS calls for a 5.45 ERA (4.72 FIP) with 5.45 K/9 that’s considerably worse than his 7.7 K/9 mark in over 125 IP at the Triple-A level. Mazzaro’s fastball-slider heavy approach is best suited for the bullpen, but like Eveland he gives you a chance at a cheap stats boost when he starts against the Giants in San Francisco next weekend.

Jonathon Niese | Mets | 3%

Oliver Perez is finally off the Mets’ active roster, though not in the way many had hoped. He’s currently on the DL with a case of suckitis knee tendinitis so suspicious that the league is investigating. His roster spot went to Niese, who returned from his second hamstring issue in as many seasons to hold the Marlins to one run over seven innings on Saturday.

(R) ZiPS calls for a 4.60 ERA (4.02 FIP) with 6.61 K/9 the rest of the way, but I love him as a matchup starter in the back of a fantasy staff. His home park certainly suppresses offense and he has no discernible platoon split, so a righty heavy lineup won’t kill him. Niese’s next two starts come at the Orioles and at the Indians, so he’s got that going for him. I’m a fan, especially in NL-only or deep mixed leagues.

Adam Ottavino | Cardinals | 0%

Erik Manning called it, Brad Penny’s injury is going to require a lot more time off than just the 15 day DL stint, opening up a spot for Ottavino. His minor league track record suggests lots of walks (4.2 BB/9) but a decent amount of strikeouts (7.9 K/9) and groundballs (46.7% GB). Sticking with the theme of this post, Ottavino has a pair of favorable matchups coming up: at the hacktastic Diamondbacks and home against the A’s. In an NL-only or a deep mixed league, he could be a decent play the next two times out.

Ownership rates based on Yahoo! leagues.