All-Star break is over and the first two-start pitcher suggestion of the first half will look to keep a solid July going.
Miami Marlins starting pitcher David Phelps isn’t a household name. But he should get two starts this week and has solid match-ups in both outings.
Phelps will square off against Arizona Diamondbacks hurler Rubby De La Rosa on Monday and should see another start against the San Diego Padres to conclude the week.
De La Rosa has lost his last two starts, allowing 10 runs in 8 2/3 innings. Pay no attention to this advice given earlier this year.
The Diamondbacks are one of the better offensive units in Major League Baseball, but Phelps should stand a quality chance of at least recording a win against the struggling De La Rosa. And if Phelps can continue his solid July, he should be able to battle against the D-Backs.
During his previous outing against the Cincinnati Reds, he threw six innings and allowed one earned run, five hits and struck out four. He also made a relief appearance against the Chicago Cubs earlier this month, where he threw 3 1/3 innings, striking out two and allowing no earned runs.
In fact, during his past 10 1/3 innings, he’s allowed one earned run and notched seven strikeouts. The strikeouts numbers won’t blow away fantasy baseball owners, but he is showing an ability lately to stay away from runs.
However, that could go away quickly, as Phelps has allowed five and nine earned runs in single games this season.
To finish off the week, the match-up against the Padres should provide the advantage for Phelps. The Padres are one of the worst teams against right-handed pitchers in Major League Baseball.
The Padres are hitting .239 against righties, ranking 25th in MLB. The 273 runs scored against right-handed pitchers is ranked 17th in MLB, and the Padres own the third-most at-bats against right-handed pitchers. The Kansas City Royals, ranked 18th in runs scored against right-handed pitchers, have registered 433 less at-bats and scored two fewer runs.
That match-up should set up well for Phelps and can provide incentive for fantasy baseball owners to pick him up for a two-start week next week
