Starting pitcher rankings for Sunday, August 30

[BadCo]

Hammel improving for Rockies: Colorado SP Jason Hammel pitched an excellent game on Tuesday but the Rockies didn't beat the Dodgers until the bottom of the 10th inning. Hammel settled for the no decision as he allowed two earned runs on eight hits over seven solid innings. He walked two and had four strikeouts. His ERA is 4.43 on the year.

Hammel, who gets two starts this scoring period and ends the week on Sunday at San Francisco, is definitely gaining steam as a low-end mixed-league Fantasy starter. He's won three of his last four decisions and pitched well enough to win a fourth on Tuesday.




Cain impresses again in no-decision: Giants SP Matt Cain allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits in seven innings Tuesday against the Diamondbacks. He issued four walks and recorded four strikeouts in the no-decision and now has pitched at least seven innings in eight straight starts.

Cain is 0-2 over his last six starts, which is the kind of bad luck he's had throughout his career but that seemingly ended in the first half this year. With a 2.39 ERA and 1.15 WHIP, he's clearly a must-start in Fantasy. You just have to hope the Giants will give him better run support in the future. His next start and second of Fantasy Week 21 (Aug. 24-30) is scheduled for Sunday against the Rockies

 

[BadCo]

Rodriguez dominant, but takes loss: Astros SP Wandy Rodriguez, now 11 days removed from his 10-run disaster at Milwaukee, had his second straight dominant start Tuesday at St. Louis. He allowed one run on three hits with one walk and six strikeouts in seven innings. He suffered the loss, though, as opposing pitcher Adam Wainwright threw eight shutout innings.

Disregarding that 10-run aberration, Rodriguez hasn't allowed more than one earned run since June 26, a span of nine starts. That's domination, and if not for that pounding at Milwaukee, Rodriguez might be something of a dark horse Cy Young candidate. Regardless, he's a must-start in Fantasy, offering a high strikeout rate along with his consistency. His next start and second of Fantasy Week 21 (Aug. 24-30) is scheduled for Sunday at Arizona.


Haren looks fine in no-decision: Diamondbacks SP Dan Haren, who entered the game with a 5.75 ERA over his last six starts, looked back on track Tuesday at San Francisco. He allowed two runs on six hits with one walk and six strikeouts in seven innings. He didn't factor in the decision, however.

Haren has a history of struggling in the second half, and this year is looking like no exception. Of course, "struggling" by his standards still makes him a must-start Fantasy option. His next start and second of Fantasy Week 21 (Aug. 24-30) is scheduled for Sunday against the Astros.