Most Reliable Fantasy Baseball Starters

Reliability is a quality that doesn’t immediately come to mind when thinking about
pitchers. Few pitchers make it through their career untouched by arm trouble or
injury. So, when a dependable pitcher is available he is extremely valuable. A list of
the most reliable fantasy reliable baseball starters:

1. Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants – With the first overall pick in the draft
you may be tempeted to draft “The Freak.” You could do a lot worse. His
numbers are in the class of Koufax. The only question is, “What can he
possibly do to top himself?”

2. Roy Halladay, Philadelphia Phillies – Despite being surrounded by trade

rumors he had a career best nine complete games and four shutouts. Now
with a winning club, reaching 20 wins for the third time is possible as long as
he remains healthy. His strikeout to walk ratio was six to one in 2009.

3. Zach Greinke, Kansas City Royals – His 16 wins was the lowest total ever for a
Cy Young winner who was predominantly a starter. Improved in every
statistical area on his 2008 performance. In the middle of his prime at 27.

4. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners – Was the runner-up in the Cy Young

balloting in his fourth full season. At 24 he has steadily improved by lowering
his ERA and BAA for three consecutive seasons. Pairs with Cliff Lee to give
the Mariners a potent one-two punch.

5. Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers – Bounced back from a disappointing 2008 by

leading the majors in wins, strikeouts and innings pitched. The 2006 Rookie
of the Year has averaged 16 wins per year. His 2009 ERA of 3.45 was the
lowest of his four-year career.

6. C.C. Sabathia, New York Yankees – Is not the flamethrower that his burly
physique would suggest, and his 197 strikeouts in 2009 were the second
most of his career. Despite being among the most reliable fantasy baseball
starters he has never won 20 games.

7. Dan Haren, Arizona Diamondbacks – Has quietly established himself as one of

the top pitchers in the majors. He set personal bests with a WHIP of 1.00 and
K/BB of 6/1. He has averaged 15 wins and 34 starts over the last five years.

8. Johan Santana, New York Mets – Is looking to bounce back after his first
appearance on the disabled list. His .670 won-loss percentage is the best
among active southpaws. Former strikeout and ERA champ with two Cy
Youngs to his credit.

9. Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals – At 28 he is out to continue a trend of

excellence he started in 2008 when he went in 11-3 with a 3.20 ERA. Finished
 atop the wins list in the NL while also finishing in the Top 10 in innings,
strikeouts and ERA.

10.Jon Lester, Boston Red Sox – At 26, he ranks with Sabathia and Cliff Lee as
the top lefthanders in the AL, but is more overpowering than both. His won-
loss percentage of .724 since 2006 is the best in the majors since that time.
Lester upped his whiff total to 225 in 2009.

11.Cliff Lee, Seattle Mariners – The poster boy for crafty southpaws. His six
complete games were second in the majors in 2009. Wins games at .634 clip
which puts him in the top five among active hurlers.

12.Josh Beckett, Boston Red Sox – He’s averaged 16 wins over the last five
seasons. Had a career-high of 199 K’s at age 29. Fantasy owners should
brace themselves for a three or four game stretch where Beckett pitches like
a number five starter.

13.Ubaldo Jimenez, Colorado Rockies – One of the top young arms in the NL he
has allowed an average of 11 homeruns per season while pitching in Denver.
Entering his prime at 26, he had an ERA of 3.47 while finishing fourth in wins
(15) and sixth in strikeouts (198).

14.Yovani Gallardo, Milwaukee Brewers – Tim Lincecum was the only pitcher with
a better BAA than the Brew Crew’s 24 year-old (.219). Gallardo also placed
fifth in whiffs. The Brewers more potent lineup should help his won-loss
record.

15.Javier Vazquez, New York Yankees – Joins the Bronx Bombers for a second
time after a banner season with the Braves where he placed fifth in the Cy
Young voting. Finished in the Top 10 in baseball in every major pitching
category. At 34, he should still have some gas left in the tank.

The big question mark among most reliable fantasy starters is Chris
Carpenter. At 35, can he repeat 17 win/2.24/1.01/.224? Incredibly, he allowed
only seven homers all year. But he missed the two previous years with injury.