Fantasy World: These four pitchers have struggled

One of the toughest jobs for a fantasy owner is deciding how long to stick with a struggling pitcher. Staff writer Tim Hubbard looks at four usually reliable starters whose problems on the mound are making life miserable for their owners.

Cole Hamels

Philadelphia

Along with Roy Halladay, another of the Phillies’ Big Three who has been uncharacteristically pedestrian in 2013. The left-hander went 0-6 in May and has a 5.32 ERA at home. On the plus side, he did strike out 11 Marlins last week … of course, they are the Marlins. Hamels is just too good to continue this trend, isn’t he?

Ian Kennedy

Arizona

After going 21-4 with a 2.88 ERA and finishing second in the NL Cy Young Award voting in 2011, Kennedy has rarely resembled the ace the Diamondbacks were counting on. After giving up 10 earned runs and 13 hits against St. Louis two starts ago, the former USC standout found himself in the middle of a beanball war with the Dodgers last Tuesday. He’s carrying a 3-4 record and 5.49 ERA into his 10-game suspension.

Dan Haren

Washington

Haren’s loss of velocity was apparent last season with the Angels, when his ERA shot up to 4.33 from 3.17 in 2011. It has only gotten worse for the veteran right-hander in 2013, as he has given up 17 home runs in 72 2/3 innings en route to a 4-8 record and 5.70 ERA. With Ross Detwiler set to come off the disabled list, and Ross Ohlendorf pitching well in his spot start Wednesday, it’ll be interesting to see how long the Nationals stick with Haren.

Jeremy Hellickson

Tampa Bay

After dealing veteran workhorse James Shields to Kansas City in the off-season, the Rays were counting on strong years from Matt Moore and Hellickson. Half of that equation has worked, as Moore has been dominant. Hellickson, on the other hand, has given up more earned runs than any pitcher in baseball. The 2011 AL rookie of the year was pounded for 10 hits and eight runs in Thursday’s loss to the Royals, leaving him with a 5.67 ERA.