My handicapping database closely tracks how individual pitchers perform on a month-to-month basis as it provides valuable information to a sports investor. While some starting pitchers start the season in good form, many others begin to demonstrate elite command and control after the All-Star game. In order to obtain the most relevant information, I only used pitchers with a minimum of ten starts over the last three seasons. Please find below a detailed list of the best and worst pitchers in June:
Pitchers Worthy of a June Investment
- Gavin Floyd: 13-5
- Felix Hernandez: 11-3
- Scott Kazmir: 8-4
- Kyle Kendrick: 7-3
- John Lackey: 12-4
- Cliff Lee: 12-5
- Jon Lester: 11-4
- Ted Lilly: 12-6
- Tim Lincecum: 12-5
- Ricky Nolasco: 11-5
- C.C. Sabathia: 11-4
- Tim Wakefield: 10-5
- Jered Weaver: 10-5
Pitchers Who Should be Avoided in June
- Joe Blanton: 5-11
- Jon Garland: 5-11
- Tim Hudson: 4-8
Notes: Boston right-hander John Lackey was placed on the disabled list on May 12 with a right elbow strain, but he could be recalled as early as June 5 depending on his rehab start and bullpen sessions. Los Angeles southpaw Scott Kazmir is battling nagging back problems and should be avoided at all costs based upon his most recent rehab start in Triple-A wherein he threw only 24 pitches for strikes (50 total pitches). Finally, Philadelphia pitcher Kyle Kendrick has been delegated to the bullpen due to the Phillies’ incredible starting rotation, although Kendrick is always capable of making spot-starts when necessary.
Investing on those pitchers who excel in certain months has proven to be a profitable handicapping angle, and I will continue to provide a list of those money-making pitchers as we progress through the baseball season.