Rocket Grounded, But for How Long?

September 5, 2007 @ 16:00:00

By Rob McCarthy
Edited by Ryan Dodson

In the world of sports, age tends to play a sick game of tag with athletes on a daily basis. The most recent case of this cherished childhood game coming into play is the recent news that New York Yankees starting pitcher Roger Clemens is being hampered with foot blisters and some minor elbow inflammation that an MRI revealed on Sep. 3. It was clearly evident that something was wrong after he gave up five earned runs on eight hits in a four-inning loss against the Seattle Mariners. In addition, he received a cortisone shot on Sep. 5 in Houston.

On the year, Clemens is 6-6 with 64 strikeouts, a lackluster 4.45 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP in 93 innings. Plus, opponents are hitting .271 off of Clemens this season, which is 42 points higher than his career mark of .229. The only real benefit that he has provided the Yankees this year was his two-hit, one-earned-run win on Aug. 29 against the Boston Red Sox.

From here on out, Clemens is to be considered nothing more than an average starter at best. His 64:28 K-to-BB ratio this year is nothing to be proud of and proves that the aging process has a firm grasp on his bionic arm. Not to mention, his total of 46 earned runs this year is the most he has given up since his total of 71 during the 2004 season with the Houston Astros, but that was in 214 1/3 innings. In addition, to add a little more fuel to the scorching fire, Clemens gave up 29 earned runs in 2006 with the Astros in 113 1/3 innings and 44 earned runs in 2005 with Houston in 211 1/3 innings. His demeanor on the mound is still competitive, but the fear that usually accompanies his glare is a little less imposing. 

Word out of New York is that "The Rocket" will miss at least one start, which opens the once welded shut door that has held New York Yankees starting pitcher Mike Mussina in solitary confinement underneath the hallowed halls of Yankee Stadium. 

Mussina's last start was the implosion on Aug. 27 against the Detroit Tigers where he gave up six earned runs on nine hits in three innings for his tenth loss. Since then, Mussina's only appearance was a relief stint during Clemens' Sep. 3 early exit against Seattle. Once again, Mussina was atrocious; he gave up two earned runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings.

If you are in need of a spot starter, and like the usually torrid letdown of gambling on starts, Mussina is available in 80 percent of leagues polled.

Another guy you might want to consider picking up to replace Clemens' next start is St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Braden Looper. On the season, Looper is 12-10 with 78 strikeouts, a 4.45 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP in 153 2/3 innings. 

Looper's value coincides with weather that tends to be cool and comfortable. Over his career, he is 9-7 with 84 strikeouts; a 2.55 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP in 141 1/3 April innings, which includes five starts. But, most importantly, Looper is 6-7 with 58 strikeouts, a 3.88 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP in 95 September innings, which includes one start.

Although Looper's experience starting games is limited to 26 starts in 598 games, he has proved to be slightly better than average in his first full season of being in the rotation. When you take into consideration that Looper has gone 4-1 with 25 strikeouts, a 2.11 ERA and a 0.81 WHIP in 38 1/3 innings over his last six starts, the possibility of having a better fantasy pitcher down the stretch than Clemens is a real possibility. If you're willing to pluck an egg from the Cardinals' nest, Looper is available in 88 percent of leagues polled.

Chances are that Clemens will come back and pitch just fine. But, this year has proven that the baseball god is nothing more than a mere mortal. He is 47-32 with 674 strikeouts, a 3.34 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP in 677 innings in September over his career. So, he has pitched well in the last month of the season in plenty of crucial games with playoff implications on the line. The truth is you can never drop a Hall of Fame player like Clemens. So, wait it out and see what his next start brings you, because even in fantasy, veteran experience is a must in the quest for your league's crowning moment. 

KFFLians are saying....

Comment

 

---

What do you think? We want to hear from you!

Name: E-mail: Please, enter the number that you see

Comment Guidelines

Rob McCarthy
Rob has been with KFFL since 2007.

Talk Sports 24/7!
KFFL Sports Forums: Over 24,000 strong and growing!

One Day FREE Fantasy Contest - $350 in cash prizes (05/24)
Fantasy Closer Hot Seat: Addison Reed, J.J. Putz, Ernesto Frieri, more (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: Brian Roberts seeing the light at the end of the rehab tunnel (05/24)
Fantasy baseball closer depth charts - AL (05/24)
Fantasy baseball closer depth charts - NL (05/24)
Fantasy baseball players in the news (05/24)
Fantasy football players in the news (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: Dee Gordon's problems at bat (05/23)
Fantasy Baseball Player Prospecting: Will Smith, Yordano Ventura, Wil Myers, more (05/23)
Fantasy Baseball Roundtable: How trade talks develop (05/23)