Nick Blackburn is under the radar right now and it’s time to pick this righty up before it’s too late.
Analysis: Nick Blackburn is in a great five game stretch. He hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs or seven hits while pitching at least 6 1/3 innings in all five starts. He’s owned in less than ten percent of fantasy leagues nationwide yet he has been one of the five most valuable starting pitchers in the fantasy world since May 4th. Blackburn’s LOB% of 77.5 is slightly above his career average but his xFIP checks out at 3.84 while his ERA sits at 3.20. He is by no means a strikeout pitcher (career 4.3K/9) but he doesn’ walk many batters (2BB/9) either. His fastball is still his bread and butter but his command of his cutter has been the difference this year. I’m not saying Blackburn will keep the pace he is on now for the duration of the season but in deep leagues his ERA and WHIP should be more than solid especially pitching at Target Field.
Projection: Nick Blackburn will finish the 2011 season with twelve wins and an ERA under four for the first time in his career. In deep leagues he’s a bargain right now.