Fantasy Baseball: Five Hottest Pitchers in AL Central

May 8, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher

(17) checks the runner on first during the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Detroit won 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

It’s hard to believe, but we are already in the second week of May, which means fantasy baseball owners have seen most starting pitchers already make six starts. As for relievers, most of them have appeared in at least 10 games.

More from Motor City Bengals

• Detroit Tigers: Eric Haase deserves a starting role next season
• Detroit Tigers: Peyton Graham could be sleeper pick of the 2022 draft class
• Detroit Tigers set new franchise record for ineptitude
• Detroit Tigers: Ryan Kreidler increasing his value for the long term
• Report: Detroit Tigers sending multiple top prospects to Arizona Fall League

That means sample sizes are growing large enough to finally start drawing conclusions and making sensible predictions for the remainder of 2015.

As expected, the American League Central has been one of the most competitive divisions in baseball. The Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox are off to slow starts, but the Minnesota Twins have been surprisingly competitive.

So it’s probably not a coincidence that the Indians and White Sox don’t have a pitcher that made this list whereas the Twins do. As one would anticipate, the Tigers and Royals have multiple candidates for the list.

Here are the five hottest pitchers in the AL Central:

May 2, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher

(14) delivers a pitch against the Kansas City Royals in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

SP David Price, Detroit Tigers

Much like the Detroit Tigers lineup, Price has been a little bit of feast or famine this season. If not for two or three subpar starts, he would be close to the top of the league in many pitching categories.

As it is, Price is 3-1 with a 3.30 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 33 strikeouts in 46 1/3 innings pitched. The lefty, however, has three games where he pitched at least eight innings and gave up one or no runs. Price threw a complete game, one-hitter versus the Indians last week.

The bad news is Price has a mild hamstring strain and could miss his next start according to Fox Sports.

Apr 28, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher

(37) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

SP Mike Pelfry, Minnesota Twins

Pelfry and the 17-13 Minnesota Twins are two of the biggest surprises in baseball this season. The 31-year-old has regained some of his old form as he is 3-0 with a 2.62 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 34 1/3 innings this year.

After his first outing, Pelfry hasn’t allowed more than two runs in any start. He has also won three of his last four starts.

Pelfry isn’t going to get many strikeouts, he has just 16 punch outs versus 13 walks, but he is still worth a look in deeper fantasy leagues with his current production.

May 3, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher

(38) delivers a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during the ninth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

RP Joakim Soria, Detroit Tigers

The Tigers bullpen sure has its fair share of problems, however, Soria has been dynamite filling in for injured closer Joe Nathan.

Soria is 11-for-11 in save opportunities and has also picked up two victories. Since April 12, Soria has allowed just one run. In his last 12 1/3 innings, the right-hander has yielded just four hits and two walks while striking out nine batters.

He is 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA, 0.57 WHIP and 11 strikeouts in 14 innings this season. At this point, it is hard to find a better waiver wire pickup through the first month and a half.

May 5, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Wade Davis (17) delivers a pitch against the Cleveland Indians during ninth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

RP Wade Davis

Davis is another dominant relief pitcher who took advantage of an injury to his team’s closer.

With Royals closer Greg Holland out, Davis received six save chances and didn’t give up a run, converting all six opportunities. Actually, Davis hasn’t yielded a run yet this season as he is 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA, 0.54 WHIP and 13 strikeouts in 13 innings.

He also has allowed just five hits and two walks. In addition to the six saves and two victories, Davis has two holds.

Unfortunately, Holland returned this week and reclaimed his closer role, but despite no longer receiving save opportunities, fantasy owners would be crazy to part ways with Davis. At the moment, there isn’t a better relief pitcher in the league.

Next: Tigers starting pitching woes