Left-handers are a theme for this week’s free agent profiles, with veterans Wandy Rodriguez and Randy Wolf topping the list. There’s a good mix of young and old, risky and conservative available for either permanent roster spots or spot-starting duties. Splits, especially the home/road variety, are a good jumping point for determining how each pitcher can help in your pursuit of a championship.

Rodriguez epitomizes the home/road split, pitching so dominantly at Minute Maid Park (0.98 ERA) that he warrants a long-term roster spot just for the right to start him at home. Meanwhile, a couple of rookies and reclamation projects make for intriguing options in deeper leagues.

The full list:

Wandy Rodriguez, Houston Astros
Status: Came off the DL (groin) on May 28, has made three starts
Key Stats: 1.99 ERA, 1.16 WHIP; 12.2 scoreless innings in last 2 starts
What to Watch For: Home/road splits: Has 0.98 ERA at home, 4.02 on the road
Other Notes: K rate (7.8 per 9 innings) is among strongest on waiver wire

Darrell Rasner, New York Yankees
Status: Pitching consistently, giving Yankees chance to win every start
Key Stats: Has allowed more than 2 earned runs just once in 6 starts
What to Watch For: Run support - Yanks have scored 3 total runs in last 3 starts
Other Notes: Control specialist limits damage by not walking batters; has 5 walks, 1.07 WHIP in 38.1 innings

Randy Wolf, San Diego Padres
Status: On a run of 5 straight quality starts
Key Stats: 66 strikeouts in 77.2 innings; solid .255 opponents BA
What to Watch For: Trade talks - stock rises if he’s sent to a contender
Other Notes: Has a 3-1 record and 2.68 ERA at spacious Petco Park, compared to 1-3, 5.31 on the road

Aaron Laffey, Cleveland Indians
Status: Spot in the rotation officially secure with Westbrook missing the remainder of the year
Key Stats: Has pitched 6+ innings in 7 of his 8 starts
What to Watch For: How soft K rate (24 in 51.1 IP) develops; if he can keep the ball in the park
Other Notes: Did not allow a home run in first 6 starts, has allowed 3 in his last 2

Justin Masterson, Boston Red Sox
Status: Is 3-0 with 2.59 ERA, 1.07 WHIP as spot starter
Key Stats: .169 opponents BA, but 12 walks in 24.1 innings
What to Watch For: Daisuke Matsuzaka’s return from the DL, which will likely send him to bullpen
Other Notes: Unique arm angle tough on righty hitters … Dice-K could returns as soon as June 14

Francisco Liriano, Minnesota Twins
Status: Making good progress with his control at Triple-A Rochester
Key Stats: 32 strikeouts to 9 walks over his last 40 innings
What to Watch For: When his development leads to a callup
Other Notes: Working to re-gain confidence, dominant form as he returns from Tommy John surgery

Jon Garland, Los Angeles Angels
Status: Putting rocky April (3-3, 5.95 ERA)
Key Stats: Season-high 8 strikeouts in last start at Oakland
What to Watch For: More strikeouts (30 in 83.2 IP), more decisions (3 in last 7 starts)
Other Notes: Was 2-0 with a 1.78 ERA in 5 May starts … has 6 quality starts (6+ IP, 3 ER or less) in last 7

Kyle Lohse, St. Louis Cardinals
Status: Has won 4 straight starts
Key Stats: 7-2 record, respectable 3.92 ERA and 1.26 WHIP
What to Watch For: How Cardinals offense backs him with Pujols likely headed to DL
Other Notes: Home/road split is worth mentioning — 3-1 with a 3.24 ERA at home; 4-1, 5.04 on the road

Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds
Status: Prospect struggling to make good on vast potential
Key Stats: 3 strikeouts, 7 BBs in 2 starts (10.0 innings)
What to Watch For: The make or break point: is he a future ace or a bust?
Other Notes: The Reds rushed him to the majors last year, and he pitched to a 5.76 ERA … his confidence may have been damaged beyond repair with the early call-up

Zach Duke, Pittsburgh Pirates
Status: Bringing back memories of dominant 2005 form
Key Stats: Is 2-0 with a 2.63 ERA in 2 June starts
What to Watch For: His hittability - opponents hit .300 or better in 2 previous seasons
Other Notes: Is 4-2 at home, 0-2 on the road … four of the five home runs he’s allowed have been solo shots

Dustin Hockensmith is editor of ImaginaryDiamond.com. He can be contacted at dhockensmith[at]fantasysports101.net.