Fantasy Baseball’s Second Half Stars

One of the more interesting statistics fantasy baseball owners need to evaluate on a regular basis is split stats. Whether determining fantasy baseball split stats in regard to lefty-righty matchups or home-road splits, figuring out baseball players’ tendencies can make or break a fantasy baseball season.

Much like there are “morning people” and there are “nighthawks”, it’s a known fact that some baseball players perform better in the first half and others put up better numbers in the second half. With the All Star break soon upon us, let’s take a look at some players you may want to target for the second half of 2011.

Wandy Rodriguez (HOU) –

A notorious 2010 split season lands Wandy on this list. After posting a 4.97 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 6.85 K/9 in the first half of last season, Rodriguez really turned it around after the All Star break in 2010 posting a 2.11 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and increasing his K/9 to an impressive 9.75. Although he has posted a very nice ERA so far in 2011, his 1.31 WHIP and 7.38 K/9 could see a boost in the second half. If he gets traded from a struggling Astros squad, things could get very interesting.

Bronson Arroyo (CIN) –

Last season, Arroyo’s ERA went from 4.04 pre-break to 3.68 post-break, but that was nothing compared to 2009 when he had a 5.38 ERA in the first half (with a 1.48 WHIP) and dropped all the way to a 2.24 ERA (to go with a nifty 1.04 WHIP) in the second half. With his current ERA at an unimpressive 4.86 to start the 2011 season, he may be in line for another second half improvement.

Derrek Lee (BAL) –

Lee has made a point of having markedly better second halves the past few seasons. Last year, his pre-break slash line was .233/.329/.366 compared to .298/.373/.516 post-break. In 2009 the split was even more pronounced with a first half of .280/.354/.511 followed by a second half of .336/.436/.656. With only 4 HR and 18 RBI in 2011, let’s hope he can continue that trend in 2011.

Matt Holliday (STL) –

In 2009, Holliday had a slash line in the first half of .276/.373/.419. After the All Star break that season he went .357/.420/.628. After some injury woes to start 2011, Holliday has been swinging the bat very well and the second half looks to be impressive for the Cardinals slugger. Once Albert Pujols returns to the line up, things will only get better.

Chad Billingsley (LAD) –

After making the NL All Star team in 2009, Billingsley didn’t repeat in 2010 with first half numbers of 4.14 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and opponents hitting .269 against him. In the second half, he turned it on posting a 3.00 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and an opponents’ BA of only .219. With mediocre numbers to start 2011, the hope is he will follow last year’s statistical path.

Hopefully, by grabbing a couple of “nighthawks” for your roster, you may just have a good enough second half to make your fantasy baseball playoffs. Good luck!