Sunday, May 29, 2011

Young guns Sunday

A ton of young starters throw on Sunday looking to prove they belong, or continue to belong, in major league rotations. Here's a look at what to watch for:

1:05 PM EST - DET: Andy Oliver (0-0, NA) vs. Clay Buchholz, BOS
1:10 PM EST - PHI: Vance Worley (2-0, 2.14 ERA) vs. Jonathon Niese, NYM
1:35 PM EST - WSH: Yunesky Maya (0-0, NA) vs. Dustin Moseley, SD
2:05 PM EST - ARZ: Josh Collmenter (3-1, 1.19 ERA) vs. J.A. Happ, HOU
3:05 PM EST - KC: Danny Duffy (0-0, 3.86 ERA) vs. Alexi Ogando, TEX
4:05 PM EST - OAK: Guillermo Moscoso (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Zach Britton, BAL

***Oliver is a solid prospect hoping to earn Phil Coke's rotation spot. A lefty, Oliver was solid across the board in the minor leagues.

***Worley is getting his second shot at starting, this time for the injured Joe Blanton, who is on rest before needing a rehab stint. Worley is hoping to hold onto the job for the interim.

***Maya isn't really a prospect. At 29 years old he's simply holding a place for Tom Gorzelanny until the Nats deem their lefty ready to return from an elbow issue. Maya, a Cuban defector, did nice work in the minors.

***Collmenter has been a star at starter since sliding into the role from a bullpen spot. He isn't getting much love in fantasy circles despite just two earned runs in 16 1/3 innings as a starter. His minor league numbers are strong, however, and he's worth a flier at this point.

***Duffy possesses dominant stuff and didn't walk a lot of hitters in the minors, but that's been his issue at the MLB level. Chalk it up for nerves in each of his first two starts. He could put it together at any moment.

***Moscoso won his first start filling in for injured Tyler Ross. The 27-year-old has toiled in the minors a long time, but he's got the numbers to suggest he can hang around at the MLB level.

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