Hot Pickups

Jake Peavy, SP, White Sox

In 22 career starts with the White Sox, Jake Peavy is now 11-6 with 123 K’s in 142 innings with a 3.93 ERA.  Of course, before all the ankle injuries, Peavy was a legitimate ace, perhaps the elite pitcher in the game, peaking in 2007 with the Padres- 19-6, 240 K’s, and a 2.54 ERA.  On Wednesday, Peavy went the distance for the White Sox allowing just 3 hits, no walks, and fanning 8.  At just 30 years old, with a great track record, Peavy should be picked up in all fantasy leagues. 

Ryan Ludwick, OF, Padres

Among the hottest hitters in baseball is Ryan Ludwick.  He is riding a 7 game hit streak with four home runs, 13 RBI, and yet at the end of the day, his average sits at .227.  Now I do think he is better than that, but Ludwick is just a career .264 hitter and playing in the cavernous Petco Park will not help his cause.  I only see this as a hot streak, not the makings of a repeat of his 2008 campaign when he blasted 37 home runs with 113 RBI. 

Matt Guerrier / Kenley Jansen

The Dodgers closer situation got a bit murkier when Vincente Padilla now is dealing with forearm stiffness and Matt Guerrier picked up the last save.  I am still high on Kenley Jansen and think he’s the future closer, so he may be worth a pickup, but if you are looking for short-term, Guerrier has pitched well and could be well worth a flyer.