The Fantasy Man’s In-Season Fantasy Baseball Preview, Part IX

In last week’s treatise, I, The Fantasy Man, laid out a litany of phenomenal hitters who – due to inconsistency or injury – have contributed little or nothing to fantasy squads so far this year.  Among pitchers too, discussed anon, the list reads like a who’s who of aces and fireballers.

Headlining them is Ben Sheets, anchor of the Milwaukee Brewers rotation.  Recent rumblings around the Midwest have likened him to the Chicago Cubs’ Kerry Wood.  Far from apt, those comparisons are as inaccurate as they are inane.  For all the hype surrounding Wood, his career numbers don’t come close to justifying the constant attention.  One year – many would say one 20 strikeout performance – launched this paradoxical mystique.  The last eight years have been spent eroding it. 

Though more talented, the same could be said about his teammate, fellow hurler Mark Prior.  Ultimately, both will go down in the annals of Chicago Cubs baseball as emblematic of their time: no glory or spoils to show for these faux riches.  Need proof?  The 2003 National League Championship Series collapse says it all.  

Ben Sheets is another matter entirely.  His career record, history of clutch performances – his three hit, complete game shutout of Cuba for the 2000 gold medal and, four years hence, striking out 18 Braves batters shine brightest – and renowned strikeout-to-walk ratio (264 against just 32 in 2004, 28-to-1 so far this season) have cemented his legacy as a master craftsman.  In steep contrast to those fellow pitchers 90 miles south, this season perhaps – but undoubtedly in the immediate years to come – Sheets’ brilliance will carry Milwaukee to baseball’s Promised Land.  

Elsewhere in the National League Central, Houston welcomes back Roger Clemens as Andy Pettitte regains his form and St. Louis’ Chris Carpenter – his 13 strikeout performance last week serving to silence all critics – hopes to keep the Cardinals afloat until Albert Pujols returns.  In Pittsburgh, Zach Duke – and maybe even the once regaled Oliver Pérez – again may be valuable fantasy commodities. 

The NL East’s pitching woes fall squarely on the shoulders of John Patterson.  The Washington Nationals ace, who finally returns to the mound this week, will have a big say in the ultimate success of his team’s season.  The same could be said of Dontrelle Willis and the Florida Marlins.  If his June record – 2-0, 3.13 ERA and a complete game – is any indication, youth will prevail once again in Miami.  A bit of advice: act quickly and do everything in your power to get on the D-Train.

And then you have the bastion of mediocrity that is the National League West.  While Brandon Webb and Jason Schmidt rightfully dominate the headlines, the fate of the division lies in the hands of Noah Lowry, Derek Lowe, and much more consistent outings from the Padres’ Jake Peavy.

The Junior Circuit features its own fair share of drama.  While no one ever expects much of Texas Rangers pitching, the Oakland Athletics – and, to a lesser extent, Seattle Mariners – rely almost exclusively on their arms for success.  In Oaktown, Danny Haren has been the one true constant threat all season, Barry Zito has righted himself as of late, all while usual fantasy stud Rich Harden struggles through a nightmare campaign. 

In Seattle, King Félix (Hernández) has finally started to pitch like royalty.  And down the coast, reigning Cy Young winner Bartolo Colón will take the mound this week for the first time in two months.  In the Central, whosever dynamic duo – Johan Santana and Francisco Liriano, C.C. Sabathia and Jake Westbrook, or Jeremy Bonderman and Kenny Rogers – pitches the best will have the only shot of challenging the defending champs.

Finally, in the East, all eyes are focused on staffs’ number twos Josh Beckett, Randy Johnson, and A.J. Burnett.  They, much more than their ace counterparts, will determine the division’s lone playoff entry.

FANTASY TIP OF THE WEEK:  Take stock of your team, standing, and potential as dueling trade deadlines – your league’s and Major League Baseball’s – get set to shape the rest of the fantasy baseball season.

Next Week:  All-Time Fantasy Team

Disagree with the TFM?  Believe his advice not so sage?  Think you could easily dominate him in a round-robin fantasy tournament?  Email him – fantasy_man@atomicsportsmedia.com – to talk smack or set the record straight.