The Week Ahead: Week Ahead: Pineda Paradox

It’s been a rough go thus far for Yankees starter Michael Pineda, who has stumbled to a 2-6 record and 6.41 ERA. Opponents have jumped all over an uncharacteristically flat fastball to put up a .320/.365/.564 line against the right-hander for ugly results that bely his strong velocity and impressive strikeout rate.

A quality outing against the Tigers on Thursday night served to quell talk of his potential removal from the rotation, but the 27-year-old remains on shaky ground.

As a two-start pitcher in The Week Ahead, Pineda’s fantasy owners are in a tough spot. On the one hand, both of his turns will come at home, against the fourth-place Tigers and last-place Angels. On the other hand, he has a 7.48 ERA at Yankee Stadium this year. The Angels offense has been heating up recently, and hitting has never been Detroit’s problem.

Pineda possesses a world of talent, so hopefully he can keep getting things straightened out (or, more accurately, getting his fastball unstraightened out), but for the time being I just can’t bring myself to trust him. I would bench him unless you’re truly bereft of decent alternatives.

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* Felix Hernandez landed on the disabled list last week with a calf strain. Replacing him in the Seattle rotation was James Paxton, who got absolutely demolished in his season debut for the M’s on Wednesday, coughing up eight runs (three earned) on 10 hits over 3 1/3 innings. Worse yet, the clunker came in San Diego against the Padres. As discouraging as that was, Paxton is set to start twice at home next week, and I expect big improvement. He has a solid big-league track record that includes a 7-4 record and 2.67 ERA at Safeco.

* What to make of Matt Shoemaker? The right-hander pitched miserably for the first six weeks, putting up a 2-5 record and 8.49 ERA over his first seven starts, but has flipped a switch in his last three turns, piling up 31 strikeouts with zero walks and a 1.59 ERA in 23 innings. It’s hard to remember such a stark and abrupt turnaround. The streaky right-hander is headed to New York to face a scuffling lineup and then he hosts the Indians, who have hit significantly worse on the road. In a light week for reliable two-start options, I’m labeling him a Strong Play.

* After a bit of a rough start to his big-league career, Tigers rookie Michael Fulmer has caught fire, winning each of his last three starts while allowing only one run on nine hits and four walks over 22 innings. It bears noting that he has faced a much softer slate of competition during this span, but this will carry over to his two starts next week. Fulmer is scheduled to take on two lineups that have been far less intimidating than we’ve come to expect: the Yankees are tied for fewest runs in the AL, while the Blue Jays a middling offense that strikes out a lot. Fulmer is available in 60 percent of Yahoo leagues; give him a shot.

* Joe Ross has been simply outstanding for the Nationals this year, registering a 2.37 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 10 starts. He’s looking ahead to some highly favorable match-ups, first in Chicago against the slumping White Sox and then at home against the Phillies. Grab him if he’s out there.

* May was a very good month for Mike Leake. They righty recovered from a rocky April to win four of his six starts, posting a 2.31 ERA along the way. He’ll look to get his June off to a similarly strong start when he travels to face the Reds and Pirates. Leake owns a 3.22 ERA on the road.

* Jon Niese has allowed two or fewer runs in each of his past four starts and goes twice at home. He’s a solid mid-tier option on the NL side, although the second tilt against the Cardinals is a little worrisome.

* Tyler Chatwood has been Colorado’s best starter and it’s not even close. As is typical for a Rockies pitcher, he has struggled some at home, but on the road he’s been almost untouchable (4-0, 0.53 ERA, 484 opponent OPS). He opens the week in Los Angeles against a Dodgers team with a 680 OPS, then gets the punchless Padres to Coors Field.

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Going Twice…

American League

Strong Plays

Cole Hamels: HOU, @SEA

Colby Lewis: HOU, @SEA

Masahiro Tanaka: LAA, DET

Danny Salazar: @SEA, @LAA

Carlos Carrasco: @SEA, @LAA

Matt Shoemaker: @NYY, CLE

Michael Fulmer: TOR, @NYY

Decent Plays

J.A. Happ: @DET, BAL

Aaron Sanchez: @DET, BAL

Chris Archer: @ARI, HOU

Wade Miley: CLE, TEX

James Paxton: CLE, TEX

Danny Duffy: @BAL, @CWS

At Your Own Risk

Michael Pineda: LAA, DET

Pat Dean: MIA, BOS

Hector Santiago: @NYY, CLE

Dallas Keuchel: @TEX, @TB

Mike Fiers: @TEX, @TB

Mat Latos: WAS, KC

Ubaldo Jimenez: KC, @TOR

National League

Strong Plays

Joe Ross: @CWS, PHI

Mike Leake: @CIN, @PIT

Steven Matz: @PIT, @MIL

Jacob deGrom: @PIT, @MIL

Jon Lester: @PHI, @ATL

Decent Plays

Juan Nicasio: NYM, STL

Jon Niese: NYM, STL

Adam Conley: @MIN, @ARI

Mike Bolsinger: COL, @SF

Tyler Chatwood: @LAD, SD

Eddie Butler: @LAD, SD

Williams Perez: @SD, CHC

Robbie Ray: TB, MIA

At Your Own Risk

Christian Friedrich: ATL, @COL

Adam Morgan: CHC, @WAS

Zach Davies: OAK, NYM

Streamer City

The following pitchers are generally available in over 50 percent of fantasy leagues and have favorable match-ups this week:

American League

Thursday, June 9th: Nick Tropeano @ NYY

The Yankees rank last in the AL in runs and Tropeano has been largely effective whether at home or away.

Thursday, June 9th: Martin Perez vs. HOU

Perez has been very steady for the Rangers this year, and might even miss some bats at home against a K-rone Houston lineup.

Friday, June 10th: Matt Andriese vs. HOU

The righty has excelled thus far for the Rays with a 2.36 ERA and 0.93 WHIP through five turns.

National League

Wednesday, June 8th: Archie Bradley vs. TB

With his premium stuff, Bradley offers big strikeout upside, and he has thus far been sharp in his latest big-league stint.

Thursday, June 9th: Tom Koehler @ MIN

The Twins have averaged just 3.6 runs per game with a 688 OPS in their home yard.

Friday, June 10th: Junior Guerra vs. NYM

Guerra will look to keep his impressive rookie campaign rolling at home against the Mets.

Total Games

American League

5: BOS, OAK

6: CWS, DET, KC, MIN, TB

7: BAL, CLE, HOU, LAA, NYY, SEA, TEX, TOR

National League

5: SF

6: ARI, ATL, CHC, CIN, LAD, MIA, MIL, PHI, SD, STL

7: COL, NYM, PIT, WAS

The Infirmary

You can get a full listing of injured players at Rotoworld’s Injury Page but here’s the latest on a few prominent players who have been out of action:

Shelby Miller: Out until mid-June (finger)

Rubby De La Rosa: Out indefinitely (elbow)

Gordon Beckham: Out until late June (hamstring)

Alex Wood: Out until late June (triceps)

Cliff Pennington: Out until mid-June (hamstring)

Miguel Sano: Out until mid-June (hamstring)

David Wright: Out until August (neck)

Dustin Ackley: Out for the season (shoulder)

Cesar Vargas: Out indefinitely (elbow)

Felix Hernandez: Out until mid-June (calf)

Hunter Pence: Out until July (hamstring)

Brad Boxberger: Out indefinitely (oblique)