Double Dipper: Rookie of the Year?

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Welcome back to Double Dipper! Our top pick from last week was Anibal Sanchez, who delivered seven Ks in 5.2 innings while only surrendering two runs, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for the win. He gets the Astros next. Our second option, Alexi Ogando, blew our first pick out of the water, allowing just two hits and two walks through six scoreless innings against the Mariners, picking up a win. Unfortunately, he was switched in the rotation with Derek Holland, whom we deemed a solid fill-in Dipper if needed. While Holland wasn’t as dominant (three ER in six IP), he did also secure a win while striking out five and only walking one. He faces the Orioles tomorrow.

We directed deep leaguers to Aaron Harang and Kyle Lohse. The Padre pitcher was excellent against the Giants, giving up just one run in six innings while delivering six Ks and a win. He’s back in Petco against the Dodgers next. Lohse was our only pick that didn’t grab a quality start, allowing four runs in seven innings, but a 5:1 K:BB ratio and only six hits allowed in the start suggests he was a bit unlucky.

Ready for next week’s Double Dippers?

Must-Starts

Felix Hernandez, SEA (vs TOR, @ KC)
Dan Haren, LAA (vs CLE, @ CWS)
Justin Verlander, DET (vs TEX, @ OAK)
David Price, TB (@ BOS, vs MIN)
Chris Carpenter, STL (@ ARI, @ LAD)
Mat Latos, SD (vs CIN, @ HOU)
Shaun Marcum, MIL (@ PIT, @ WAS)
Chad Billingsley, LAD (@ SF, vs STL)
Tommy Hanson, ATL (vs FLA, vs NYM)

Other Double Dippers

Mixed League Pick
Michael Pineda (SEA)
The electric rookie had a tough task ahead of him in his first start of 2011, heading to Arlington to take on the red-hot Texas Rangers. While the explosive offense predictably handed Pineda a loss, he held his own against the mashers, allowing only five hits and a walk through six innings while striking out four guys. To be honest, that’s likely the toughest matchup Pineda will have all season, though I’m sure he won’t post quality outings every time out.

It gets much easier next week, as Pineda gets two starts against easier offenses. One comes against a solid Blue Jays team, but Pineda has the benefit of facing them in Seattle. With Jesse Litsch on the mound for the Blue Jays, there’s a chance the Seattle offense can string together some hits and give Pineda a win in a low-scoring game. His next task of the week will be to beat Vin Mazzaro and the Royals in Kansas City — certainly not a lot to ask. The 32-percent ownership rating suggests fantasy owners are buying in to Pineda’s potential as a possible Rookie of the Year, and if you want a streaming relationship that could turn into something more, I suggest you do the same.

Second Option
Kyle McClellan (STL)
The converted reliever breezed through spring before posting an excellent debut performance, striking out seven batters while walking just one in six innings of work against the Pirates. The sputtering Cardinals offense may limit McClellan’s win potential, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be used against the Dodgers and Diamondbacks this week.

Deep League Pick
Jeff Francis (KC)
After escaping Colorado, Francis had some nice sleeper potential heading into the season, and he’s quickly delivered on that potential in just two starts. Facing the Angels and White Sox, two good offenses, at home, Francis has allowed three runs combined in his first two starts of the season. He also sports a nice 8:2 K:BB ratio heading into next week.

He’ll get to make his first start at Target Field, a new stadium that’s quickly become a pitcher’s paradise. After that, he’ll be back home in Kansas City to face the Mariners. Normally the chances of a win would be high when facing Seattle, but Francis is slated to battle Felix Hernandez. Couple that matchup with a road game against a solid Twins team, and Francis isn’t a good bet for any wins this week, but he should definitely keep the ratios low and help your squad in three other categories.

Second Option
Esmil Rogers (COL)
With a 6.13 ERA and 1.67 WHIP in eight starts and 20 relief appearances last season, you can forgive fantasy owners who wrote Rogers off before the season even began. However, the strikeout potential made me a believer, at least for one start against the Pirates last week. He was nearly untouchable in that start, going 7.1 innings and striking out seven batters while allowing four hits, a walk and only one run. I like his chances of the latter at New York in his first start, and I’ll take my chances against the Cubs in Colorado.

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