If you can’t find a solid pitcher for your weekly fantasy baseball roster, go ahead and play the matchup game.
That means you’re likely to have plenty of games against the Atlanta Braves.
This week, if you’re looking for a two-start pitcher, go against the Braves again with Pittsburgh starter Juan Nicasio. Sure, he’s been a bit of a disappointment so far this season, but he’s shown the ability to work a decent amount of innings this season. In five of seven starts this season, he’s logged at least five innings and has yet to surrender more than four earned runs in a game this season.
He’s also managed at least five strikeouts in four of those starts. However, he’s walking too many batters, with three or more walks in three starts to go along with a season ERA of 4.34 and WHIP of 1.26.
This week, though, he’ll get a reprieve from the rigors of pitching against solid MLB rosters with a home date Tuesday against the Braves. Atlanta has the lowest output of runs in the Majors and is hitting .228 as a team.
The Braves are the worst offensive team in the Majors and with Nicasio showing the ability to strike out the opposition and limit earned runs, he should be a no-brainer this week.
With his prospects so high against the Braves, there’s no reason to back away from him during his second outing of the week against Colorado. The Rockies are always one of the best offensive teams in the MLB and this year has proven to be no different.
However, Colorado is worse on the road than at home. Colorado owns a top-five team batting average overall in the MLB, but it drops to 13th best on the road. The drop goes for runs scored, too.
There’s a good chance Nicasio is staring down two victories this week. Don’t pass him up on the waiver wire for a two-start week.
