Fantasy Forecaster: Week 13
By Tristan H. Cockcroft | ESPN.com
On tap: It's a remarkably light week on the baseball schedule, with only 89 games and eight teams set to play five games apiece. That puts this week on par with Weeks 2 (88 games played) and 3 (90 played), though keep in mind that rainouts were somewhat responsible for shortening those weeks; they originally had 93 and 95 games scheduled. Fantasy's Week 13, therefore, is the lightest scheduled week to date, and keep in mind it'd have been even shorter if not for two rescheduled contests: New York Mets at Colorado Rockies on Thursday, and Cleveland Indians at Chicago White Sox on Friday, which creates a doubleheader.
The primary reason for the lighter week is a larger volume of interleague play, 10 series to be exact, seven of them two-game series played on Tuesday and Wednesday. It's the teams that don't have interleague games that will be busiest: The Indians play eight times, thanks to that doubleheader; and the Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies each play seven times.
Such a disparity in scheduled games makes it another "volume"-based strategic week, as seven (or even eight) games compared to five represents a handy advantage. This is a week -- if you play in a weekly-transactions league -- to use Mark Reynolds over Josh Donaldson. It's also a week in which you should be especially happy to own any of the eight two-start pitchers ranked in my top 20; there are only 28 two-start pitchers total in Week 13.
Barring postponements between now and then, we'll reach the mathematical midpoint of the 2013 fantasy baseball/regular-season baseball season on the final day of Week 13. That arrives once 12 of the 15 games scheduled on Sunday are in the books, meaning that by the time our "Sunday Night Baseball" game (New York Yankees at Baltimore Orioles) begins, we'll be beyond the midway point. Consider this week, therefore, another good time to reassess your team's standing.
Quick click by section, if you're seeking advice in a specific area:
ESPN lineup deadlines | Interleague impact | Projected starting pitchers
Pitching scuttlebutt | Week 12 pitcher rankings | Pitching advantages
Hitting ratings | Hitting advantages
[h=3]ESPN leagues: Lineup deadlines[/h]
It's a light Monday, with only four games scheduled, none of them with an earlier scheduled time than 7:05 p.m. ET (Indians at Orioles). That gives us a fourth consecutive week with a late start time in weekly formats.
There are also earlier-than-usual games on Wednesday -- frequently a "getaway day" -- and Friday, which is typically a day with only night games. Wednesday's first game kicks off at 12:10 p.m. ET (Blue Jays at Rays), while Friday's action starts at 5:10 p.m. ET (Indians at White Sox doubleheader, Game 1). Thursday's first game begins at the traditional 1 p.m. ET "day game" start time (Rangers at Yankees). Take note, if you play in a league with daily transactions.
[h=3]Interleague impact[/h]
This week's interleague series:
• Colorado Rockies at Boston Red Sox (2 games, Tuesday-Wednesday)
• New York Mets at Chicago White Sox (2 games, Tuesday-Wednesday)
• St. Louis Cardinals at Houston Astros (2 games, Tuesday-Wednesday)
• Atlanta Braves at Kansas City Royals (2 games, Tuesday-Wednesday)
• Minnesota Twins at Miami Marlins (2 games, Tuesday-Wednesday)
• Cincinnati Reds at Oakland Athletics (2 games, Tuesday-Wednesday)
• Pittsburgh Pirates at Seattle Mariners (2 games, Tuesday-Wednesday)
• St. Louis Cardinals at Oakland Athletics (3 games, Friday-Sunday)
• Chicago Cubs at Seattle Mariners (3 games, Friday-Sunday)
• Cincinnati Reds at Texas Rangers (3 games, Friday-Sunday)
Oddly, just one of this week's 10 interleague series will be played in a National League park, meaning in only two of 23 interleague contests will an American League team be impacted by the loss of the designated hitter: That's the Twins, who have used six different designated hitters to date and not one for as many as 20 games (they've played 69). Losing the DH means that either Joe Mauer or Ryan Doumit needs to sit in either game, or both could play with Doumit in right field, meaning Oswaldo Arcia would sit (if he doesn't shift to center field with Clete Thomas on the bench). Mauer's owners should start him anyway, but in a five-game week, the prospect of one lost game apiece for Arcia or Doumit is enough to lower their value in an AL-only or deep-mixed league.
Matt Adams, who is available in more than 90 percent of ESPN leagues, gets a massive boost in fantasy appeal this week, as a potential Cardinals designated hitter for the four of the team's five interleague games in AL parks that are against right-handed starters. He is, after all, a .311/.346/.554 hitter against righties this season.
The Reds, meanwhile, are the other NL team to play five games in AL parks, but they lack a clear daily option to DH. Jack Hannahan and Devin Mesoraco got their previous two starts at DH during interleague games at AL venues, but the Reds might also use the spot to grant Donald Lutz or Xavier Paul additional at-bats. NL-only owners can keep in mind that there are potentially 20 extra plate appearances to go around for Reds hitters this week; that's five games times four per game.
Josh Satin is a deep NL-only sleeper, as the Mets might shift Lucas Duda to the DH role to free up first base for Satin. A .305/.420/.491 hitter for Triple-A Las Vegas to begin the season, Satin is a .375 hitter through his first six games for the big club, though he has made only three starts to date.
[h=3]Projected starting pitchers[/h]
<style type="text/css">.mod-inline td img {margin: 0px;}</style>
<thead>
</thead><tbody>
</tbody>
[h=3]Pitching scuttlebutt[/h]
• The Baltimore Orioles remain undecided about their June 23 starter, and could move Zach Britton up by a day to that game. Britton's and Freddy Garcia's rotation spots are far from guaranteed.
• The Boston Red Sox will start Allen Webster on June 22, lining up for a Friday start, but that assignment might hinge upon his performance.
• The Cleveland Indians will need a spot starter for one of their Friday doubleheader games, and Trevor Bauer could be a candidate.
• Alex Colome will start for the Tampa Bay Rays on June 22, but it's unclear if he'll take another turn thereafter. With an off day Thursday, the Rays could demote him and go with four starters, as projected above.
• Ian Kennedy will be eligible to return from his 10-game suspension in time to start the Arizona Diamondbacks' game Saturday.
• Marco Estrada (hamstring) is scheduled to make a rehabilitation assignment during the weekend of June 21-23, perhaps setting him up to rejoin the Milwaukee Brewers' rotation sometime midweek.
• The Pittsburgh Pirates' official website reported on June 20 that Jeanmar Gomez (forearm), who made a rehabilitation start a day earlier, is ready to rejoin the big league rotation. He might assume Brandon Cumpton's rotation spot on Wednesday.
• Though X-rays on Chad Gaudin's forearm were negative, it's unclear whether he'll be able to make his next start for the San Francisco Giants.
[h=3]Tristan's Week 12 pitcher rankings: Top 75[/h]1. Cliff Lee (PHI) -- Mon-@SD (Stults), Sat-@LAD (Ryu)
2. Yu Darvish (TEX) -- Tue-@NYY (Kuroda), Sun-CIN (Latos)
3. Gio Gonzalez (WSH) -- Tue-ARI (Cahill), Sun-@NYM (Wheeler)
4. Madison Bumgarner (SF) -- Mon-@LAD (Ryu), Sun-@COL (Nicasio)
5. Clayton Kershaw (LAD) -- Wed-SF (Lincecum)
6. Max Scherzer (DET) -- Fri-@TB (Archer)
7. Chris Sale (CWS) -- Tue-NYM (Wheeler), Sun-CLE (Masterson)
8. Matt Harvey (NYM) -- Sat-WSH (Detwiler)
9. Hyun-Jin Ryu (LAD) -- Mon-SF (Bumgarner), Sat-PHI (Lee)
10. Hisashi Iwakuma (SEA) -- Fri-CHC (Wood)
11. Adam Wainwright (STL) -- Sun-@OAK (Parker)
12. Felix Hernandez (SEA) -- Wed-PIT (Cumpton)
13. Jordan Zimmermann (WSH) -- Wed-ARI (Miley)
14. Stephen Strasburg (WSH) -- Thu-ARI (Corbin)
15. Mike Minor (ATL) -- Wed-@KC (Mendoza)
16. Ervin Santana (KC) -- Tue-ATL (Medlen), Sun-@MIN (Correia)
17. Jeff Samardzija (CHC) -- Sat-@SEA (Harang)
18. Shelby Miller (STL) -- Sat-@OAK (Straily)
19. Hiroki Kuroda (NYY) -- Tue-TEX (Darvish), Sun-@BAL (Tillman)
20. Jose Fernandez (MIA) -- Tue-MIN (Correia)
21. Johnny Cueto (CIN) -- Fri-@TEX (Perez)
22. Julio Teheran (ATL) -- Fri-ARI (Delgado)
23. Justin Verlander (DET) -- Sat-@TB (Hellickson)
24. Doug Fister (DET) -- Thu-LAA (Weaver)
25. Kris Medlen (ATL) -- Tue-@KC (Santana)
26. Cole Hamels (PHI) -- Wed-@SD (Richard)
27. CC Sabathia (NYY) -- Sat-@BAL (Britton)
28. Jarrod Parker (OAK) -- Sun-STL (Wainwright)
29. Mat Latos (CIN) -- Sun-@TEX (Darvish)
30. Lance Lynn (STL) -- Wed-@HOU (Harrell)
31. James Shields (KC) -- Sat-@MIN (Pelfrey)
32. Chris Tillman (BAL) -- Tue-CLE (Masterson), Sun-NYY (Kuroda)
33. Yovani Gallardo (MIL) -- Wed-CHC (Feldman)
34. Bartolo Colon (OAK) -- Fri-STL (Lyons)
35. Homer Bailey (CIN) -- Wed-@OAK (Griffin)
36. Eric Stults (SD) -- Mon-PHI (Lee), Sun-@MIA (Eovaldi)
37. C.J. Wilson (LAA) -- Tue-@DET (Porcello), Sun-@HOU (Lyles)
38. Tim Hudson (ATL) -- Sat-ARI (Kennedy)
39. Justin Masterson (CLE) -- Tue-@BAL (Tillman), Sun-@CWS (Sale)
40. Matt Cain (SF) -- Sat-@COL (De La Rosa)
41. Kyle Lohse (MIL) -- Tue-CHC (Jackson), Sun-@PIT (Morton)
42. Jeff Locke (PIT) -- Tue-@SEA (Saunders)
43. Zack Wheeler (NYM) -- Tue-@CWS (Sale), Sun-WSH (Gonzalez)
44. Francisco Liriano (PIT) -- Sat-MIL (TBD)
45. Ricky Nolasco (MIA) -- Fri-SD (Volquez)
46. Patrick Corbin (ARI) -- Thu-@WSH (Strasburg)
47. Rick Porcello (DET) -- Tue-LAA (Wilson), Sun-@TB (Moore)
48. Travis Wood (CHC) -- Fri-@SEA (Iwakuma)
49. Josh Johnson (TOR) -- Fri-@BOS (Webster)
50. Kyle Kendrick (PHI) -- Tue-@SD (Marquis), Sun-@LAD (Capuano)
51. Paul Maholm (ATL) -- Sun-ARI (Cahill)
52. Jacob Turner (MIA) -- Sat-SD (Cashner)
53. Andrew Cashner (SD) -- Sat-@MIA (Turner)
54. Ryan Dempster (BOS) -- Tue-COL (Nicasio), Sun-TOR (Buehrle)
55. Dillon Gee (NYM) -- Fri-WSH (Haren)
56. Esmil Rogers (TOR) -- Mon-@TB (Hellickson), Sat-@BOS (Doubront)
57. Jason Vargas (LAA) -- Fri-@HOU (Keuchel)
58. Jeremy Hellickson (TB) -- Mon-TOR (Rogers), Sat-DET (Verlander)
59. Zack Greinke (LAD) -- Thu-PHI (Pettibone)
60. Trevor Cahill (ARI) -- Tue-@WSH (Gonzalez), Sun-@ATL (Maholm)
61. Jorge De La Rosa (COL) -- Sat-SF (Cain)
62. Miguel Gonzalez (BAL) -- Thu-CLE (Kluber)
63. Corey Kluber (CLE) -- Thu-@BAL (Gonzalez)
64. A.J. Griffin (OAK) -- Wed-CIN (Bailey)
65. Mike Leake (CIN) -- Sat-@TEX (Tepesch)
66. Gerrit Cole (PIT) -- Fri-MIL (Figaro)
67. Mark Buehrle (TOR) -- Tue-@TB (Moore), Sun-@BOS (Dempster)
68. Jered Weaver (LAA) -- Thu-@DET (Fister)
69. Matt Moore (TB) -- Tue-TOR (Buehrle), Sun-DET (Porcello)
70. Matt Garza (CHC) -- Thu-@MIL (Peralta)
71. Jordan Lyles (HOU) -- Sun-LAA (Wilson)
72. Chris Capuano (LAD) -- Tue-SF (Gaudin), Sun-PHI (Kendrick)
73. Felix Doubront (BOS) -- Sat-TOR (Rogers)
74. Tommy Milone (OAK) -- Tue-CIN (Arroyo)
75. John Lackey (BOS) -- Wed-COL (Oswalt)
Two-start options for AL-/NL-only leagues:
Kevin Correia (MIN) -- Tue-@MIA (Fernandez), Sun-KC (Santana)
Edwin Jackson (CHC) -- Tue-@MIL (Lohse), Sun-@SEA (Bonderman)
No-thank-yous, among two-start pitchers:
Zach Britton (BAL) -- Mon-CLE (Jimenez), Sat-NYY (Sabathia)
Ubaldo Jimenez (CLE) -- Mon-@BAL (Britton), Sat-@CWS (Axelrod)
Juan Nicasio (COL) -- Tue-@BOS (Dempster), Sun-SF (Bumgarner)
[h=3]Pitching advantages[/h]• Just in case you are tantalized by Roy Oswalt's 11-strikeout 2013 debut, be forewarned: Ten of his K's, 14 of his 15 outs and eight of his nine hits came against his fastball, which averaged 92.5 mph, up from the 91.4 mph he averaged with it in 2012. Fastball command is obviously critical to Oswalt's success, and keep in mind that the opposing Boston Red Sox have the majors' best team OPS (.903), walk rate (13.5%) and wOBA (.391) against fastballs this season.
• Matt Moore's fantasy owners might want to root against him picking up that second turn this week, because if he pitches a second time, it'd be Sunday against the Detroit Tigers. He has a 10.61 ERA and 2.36 WHIP in four starts in the month of June, and the Tigers rank second in the majors in wOBA (.337), third in OPS (.775) and fourth in runs per game (4.93).
• The Philadelphia Phillies' west coast swing should be a boon to their pitchers, especially the three-game, week-opening series at San Diego's Petco Park, where Wednesday starter Cole Hamels has won four consecutive games, each of them a quality start, with a 0.60 ERA. Two-start pitcher Cliff Lee is an obvious play in all formats, but take a look at Kyle Kendrick, who is available in more than 60 percent of ESPN leagues. He's 5-for-7 in quality starts with a 3.77 ERA and 1.17 WHIP on the road this season, but one of the two poor outings was at Colorado's Coors Field.
• New York Mets rookie Zack Wheeler is a two-start pitcher this week, and his second assignment is particularly attractive: He faces the Washington Nationals, a .235/.290/.375-hitting team in the month of June, at Citi Field, one of the game's most pitching-friendly environments. But what of Wheeler's first start? He'll work Tuesday at Chicago's U.S. Cellular Field, granted a much more hitting-friendly venue, but also home to a Chicago White Sox team that has the majors' fourth-worst OPS in home games (.673, .232/.293/.380 rates).
• Don't be so quick to write off Houston Astros pitchers during their weekend series against the Los Angeles Angels. After all, would you believe that the Astros have won seven of their 10 meetings thus far this season, and six of their past seven? How about this: Bud Norris has won all three of his starts against the Angels, every one of them a quality start, with a 0.43 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. Jordan Lyles, too, has won both his starts against the Angels, albeit with a 4.22 ERA and 1.22 WHIP.
You'll notice that neither Norris nor Lyles, both available in more than 85 percent of ESPN leagues, ranks among my "Streamer's Delight" picks below. The reason is that, history or not, an Angels matchup remains a challenging one, especially with the team sporting .289/.354/.436 triple-slash rates and a mere 14.1 percent strikeout rate in the month of June. But if you're digging deep, especially in an AL-only league, Norris and Lyles belong on your list of candidates.
• Here are this week's Streamer's Delight picks. Note that players need to be available in at least 75 percent of ESPN leagues as of our publishing time (Fridays):
Ricky Nolasco (SD, Friday): He has five quality starts in his past six games, and he managed a 73 Game Score on May 8 against these San Diego Padres.
Dillon Gee (WSH, Saturday): He has defeated the Washington Nationals twice this year, and has a 2.70 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in eight career games against them.
Andrew Cashner (@MIA, Saturday): Jacob Turner (SD, Saturday): He has a solid curve and slider, and the San Diego Padres have the majors' eighth-worst K rate against breaking stuff (32.5%).
Samuel Deduno (KC, Thursday): He's 2-for-2 in both wins and quality starts with a 0.73 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in his career against the Kansas City Royals.
Edinson Volquez (@MIA, Friday): Since Giancarlo Stanton's return, the Miami Marlins have .224/.269/.344 team rates. Yes, it's still a favorable matchup.
[h=3]Hitting ratings[/h]
The chart below lists each of the 30 teams' total number of scheduled games, home games and games versus right- and left-handed pitchers, and provides a matchup rating for the week's games in terms of overall offense, offense for left- and right-handed hitters and base stealing. Matchup ratings for each individual game are listed under the corresponding date.
<style type="text/css">.mod-inline td img {margin: 0px;}</style>
<thead>
</thead><tbody>
</tbody>
[h=3]Hitting advantages[/h]
• Here are this week's "volume plays," which are defined as the teams that play the most home games, or games against right- or left-handed starters:
Home games: Baltimore Orioles 7, Los Angeles Dodgers 7, Boston Red Sox 6, Chicago White Sox 6, Tampa Bay Rays 6
Versus RH: Minnesota Twins 6, Chicago Cubs 6
Versus LH: Cleveland Indians 4, New York Mets 4, Philadelphia Phillies 4, San Francisco Giants 4
• The reason Mark Reynolds, mentioned above, is such a favorable fantasy play is that he plays eight games, four of them against left-handed pitching. Though he's a mere .253/.344/.481 hitter against lefties so far this season, he has a lifetime OPS that is 71 points higher against them than righties (.854-.783).
Reynolds' Indians as a whole benefit from this packed, lefty-heavy schedule. This team has the majors' third-best OPS against southpaws (.763), and the team has three "lefty-killers" who might be widely available in your league: Yan Gomes (.571 slugging percentage against lefties), Ryan Raburn (.306/.393/.612 triple-slash rates) and Drew Stubbs (.274/.379/.425).
• That righty-heavy Twins schedule, DH implications (discussed above) notwithstanding, makes rookie Oswaldo Arcia a potential sleeper for Week 13. He's a .267/.351/.500 hitter against right-handed pitchers at the big league level this season after sporting .333/.431/.667 triple-slash rates against them for Triple-A Rochester. It's also a good rationale for keeping Joe Mauer locked in, and it might inspire Justin Morneau to improve his numbers as well.
Also keep this in mind: The Twins as a team have batted .288/.351/.473 in the month of June. It's not a bad idea to get Brian Dozier, Josh Willingham and Trevor Plouffe into your lineup as well.
• The ice-cold Arizona Diamondbacks have a heck of a week ahead: They face Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann and Stephen Strasburg in Washington to begin the week, then battle Julio Teheran, Tim Hudson and Paul Maholm in Atlanta. There's every reason to shy from such struggling Diamondbacks bats as Jason Kubel, Miguel Montero, Didi Gregorius or Martin Prado.
By Tristan H. Cockcroft | ESPN.com
On tap: It's a remarkably light week on the baseball schedule, with only 89 games and eight teams set to play five games apiece. That puts this week on par with Weeks 2 (88 games played) and 3 (90 played), though keep in mind that rainouts were somewhat responsible for shortening those weeks; they originally had 93 and 95 games scheduled. Fantasy's Week 13, therefore, is the lightest scheduled week to date, and keep in mind it'd have been even shorter if not for two rescheduled contests: New York Mets at Colorado Rockies on Thursday, and Cleveland Indians at Chicago White Sox on Friday, which creates a doubleheader.
The primary reason for the lighter week is a larger volume of interleague play, 10 series to be exact, seven of them two-game series played on Tuesday and Wednesday. It's the teams that don't have interleague games that will be busiest: The Indians play eight times, thanks to that doubleheader; and the Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies each play seven times.
Such a disparity in scheduled games makes it another "volume"-based strategic week, as seven (or even eight) games compared to five represents a handy advantage. This is a week -- if you play in a weekly-transactions league -- to use Mark Reynolds over Josh Donaldson. It's also a week in which you should be especially happy to own any of the eight two-start pitchers ranked in my top 20; there are only 28 two-start pitchers total in Week 13.
Barring postponements between now and then, we'll reach the mathematical midpoint of the 2013 fantasy baseball/regular-season baseball season on the final day of Week 13. That arrives once 12 of the 15 games scheduled on Sunday are in the books, meaning that by the time our "Sunday Night Baseball" game (New York Yankees at Baltimore Orioles) begins, we'll be beyond the midway point. Consider this week, therefore, another good time to reassess your team's standing.
Quick click by section, if you're seeking advice in a specific area:
ESPN lineup deadlines | Interleague impact | Projected starting pitchers
Pitching scuttlebutt | Week 12 pitcher rankings | Pitching advantages
Hitting ratings | Hitting advantages
[h=3]ESPN leagues: Lineup deadlines[/h]
It's a light Monday, with only four games scheduled, none of them with an earlier scheduled time than 7:05 p.m. ET (Indians at Orioles). That gives us a fourth consecutive week with a late start time in weekly formats.
There are also earlier-than-usual games on Wednesday -- frequently a "getaway day" -- and Friday, which is typically a day with only night games. Wednesday's first game kicks off at 12:10 p.m. ET (Blue Jays at Rays), while Friday's action starts at 5:10 p.m. ET (Indians at White Sox doubleheader, Game 1). Thursday's first game begins at the traditional 1 p.m. ET "day game" start time (Rangers at Yankees). Take note, if you play in a league with daily transactions.
[h=3]Interleague impact[/h]
This week's interleague series:
• Colorado Rockies at Boston Red Sox (2 games, Tuesday-Wednesday)
• New York Mets at Chicago White Sox (2 games, Tuesday-Wednesday)
• St. Louis Cardinals at Houston Astros (2 games, Tuesday-Wednesday)
• Atlanta Braves at Kansas City Royals (2 games, Tuesday-Wednesday)
• Minnesota Twins at Miami Marlins (2 games, Tuesday-Wednesday)
• Cincinnati Reds at Oakland Athletics (2 games, Tuesday-Wednesday)
• Pittsburgh Pirates at Seattle Mariners (2 games, Tuesday-Wednesday)
• St. Louis Cardinals at Oakland Athletics (3 games, Friday-Sunday)
• Chicago Cubs at Seattle Mariners (3 games, Friday-Sunday)
• Cincinnati Reds at Texas Rangers (3 games, Friday-Sunday)
Oddly, just one of this week's 10 interleague series will be played in a National League park, meaning in only two of 23 interleague contests will an American League team be impacted by the loss of the designated hitter: That's the Twins, who have used six different designated hitters to date and not one for as many as 20 games (they've played 69). Losing the DH means that either Joe Mauer or Ryan Doumit needs to sit in either game, or both could play with Doumit in right field, meaning Oswaldo Arcia would sit (if he doesn't shift to center field with Clete Thomas on the bench). Mauer's owners should start him anyway, but in a five-game week, the prospect of one lost game apiece for Arcia or Doumit is enough to lower their value in an AL-only or deep-mixed league.
Matt Adams, who is available in more than 90 percent of ESPN leagues, gets a massive boost in fantasy appeal this week, as a potential Cardinals designated hitter for the four of the team's five interleague games in AL parks that are against right-handed starters. He is, after all, a .311/.346/.554 hitter against righties this season.
The Reds, meanwhile, are the other NL team to play five games in AL parks, but they lack a clear daily option to DH. Jack Hannahan and Devin Mesoraco got their previous two starts at DH during interleague games at AL venues, but the Reds might also use the spot to grant Donald Lutz or Xavier Paul additional at-bats. NL-only owners can keep in mind that there are potentially 20 extra plate appearances to go around for Reds hitters this week; that's five games times four per game.
Josh Satin is a deep NL-only sleeper, as the Mets might shift Lucas Duda to the DH role to free up first base for Satin. A .305/.420/.491 hitter for Triple-A Las Vegas to begin the season, Satin is a .375 hitter through his first six games for the big club, though he has made only three starts to date.
[h=3]Projected starting pitchers[/h]
<style type="text/css">.mod-inline td img {margin: 0px;}</style>
| <center>Team</center> | <center>Mon 6/24</center> | <center>Tue 6/25</center> | <center>Wed 6/26</center> | <center>Thu 6/27</center> | <center>Fri 6/28</center> | <center>Sat 6/29</center> | <center>Sun 6/30</center> |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLE Britton (LHP) P: 4 | CLE Tillman (RHP) P: 7 | CLE Hammel (RHP) P: 3 | CLE Gonzalez (RHP) P: 7 | NYY Garcia (RHP) P: 1 | NYY Britton (LHP) P: 3 | NYY Tillman (RHP) P: 7 |
| COL Dempster (RHP) P: 4 | COL Lackey (RHP) P: 5 | TOR Lester (LHP) P: 2 | TOR Webster (RHP) P: 1 | TOR Doubront (LHP) P: 6 | TOR Dempster (RHP) P: 4 | |
| NYM Sale (LHP) P: 10 | NYM Danks (LHP) P: 4 | CLE-2 Santiago (LHP) P: 8 Quintana (LHP) P: 4 | CLE Axelrod (RHP) P: 3 | CLE Sale (LHP) P: 9 | ||
| @BAL Jimenez (RHP) P: 3 | @BAL Masterson (RHP) P: 5 | @BAL Kazmir (LHP) P: 1 | @BAL Kluber (RHP) P: 4 | @CWS-2 Carrasco (RHP) P: 4 TBD P: 1 | @CWS Jimenez (RHP) P: 5 | @CWS Masterson (RHP) P: 6 |
| LAA Porcello (RHP) P: 5 | LAA Alvarez (LHP) P: 5 | LAA Fister (RHP) P: 7 | @TB Scherzer (RHP) P: 9 | @TB Verlander (RHP) P: 7 | @TB Porcello (RHP) P: 6 | |
| STL Bedard (LHP) P: 5 | STL Harrell (RHP) P: 7 | LAA Keuchel (LHP) P: 3 | LAA Norris (RHP) P: 4 | LAA Lyles (RHP) P: 5 | ||
| ATL Santana (RHP) P: 9 | ATL Mendoza (RHP) P: 5 | @MIN Guthrie (RHP) P: 4 | @MIN Davis (RHP) P: 4 | @MIN Shields (RHP) P: 8 | @MIN Santana (RHP) P: 9 | |
| @DET Wilson (LHP) P: 4 | @DET Hanson (RHP) P: 1 | @DET Weaver (RHP) P: 5 | @HOU Vargas (LHP) P: 7 | @HOU Blanton (RHP) P: 4 | @HOU Wilson (LHP) P: 7 | |
| @MIA Correia (RHP) P: 5 | @MIA Diamond (LHP) P: 5 | KC Deduno (RHP) P: 7 | KC Walters (RHP) P: 4 | KC Pelfrey (RHP) P: 4 | KC Correia (RHP) P: 5 | |
| TEX Kuroda (RHP) P: 7 | TEX Hughes (RHP) P: 4 | TEX Pettitte (LHP) P: 5 | @BAL Phelps (RHP) P: 6 | @BAL Sabathia (LHP) P: 6 | @BAL Kuroda (RHP) P: 6 | |
| CIN Milone (LHP) P: 7 | CIN Griffin (RHP) P: 8 | STL Colon (RHP) P: 9 | STL Straily (RHP) P: 6 | STL Parker (RHP) P: 7 | ||
| PIT Saunders (LHP) P: 7 | PIT Hernandez (RHP) P: 10 | CHC Iwakuma (RHP) P: 10 | CHC Harang (RHP) P: 7 | CHC Bonderman (RHP) P: 6 | ||
| TOR Hellickson (RHP) P: 6 | TOR Moore (LHP) P: 4 | TOR Hernandez (RHP) P: 3 | DET Archer (RHP) P: 5 | DET Hellickson (RHP) P: 5 | DET Moore (LHP) P: 3 | |
| @NYY Darvish (RHP) P: 10 | @NYY Grimm (RHP) P: 1 | @NYY Holland (LHP) P: 4 | CIN Perez (LHP) P: 3 | CIN Tepesch (RHP) P: 5 | CIN Darvish (RHP) P: 10 | |
| @TB Rogers (RHP) P: 7 | @TB Buehrle (LHP) P: 5 | @TB Dickey (RHP) P: 5 | @BOS Wang (RHP) P: 1 | @BOS Johnson (RHP) P: 6 | @BOS Rogers (RHP) P: 6 | @BOS Buehrle (LHP) P: 4 |
| @WSH Cahill (RHP) P: 4 | @WSH Miley (LHP) P: 3 | @WSH Corbin (LHP) P: 7 | @ATL Delgado (RHP) P: 4 | @ATL Kennedy (RHP) P: 4 | @ATL Cahill (RHP) P: 4 | |
| @KC Medlen (RHP) P: 9 | @KC Minor (LHP) P: 7 | ARI Teheran (RHP) P: 7 | ARI Hudson (RHP) P: 9 | ARI Maholm (LHP) P: 7 | ||
| @MIL Jackson (RHP) P: 4 | @MIL Feldman (RHP) P: 5 | @MIL Garza (RHP) P: 3 | @SEA Wood (LHP) P: 10 | @SEA Samardzija (RHP) P: 8 | @SEA Jackson (RHP) P: 6 | |
| @OAK Arroyo (RHP) P: 6 | @OAK Bailey (RHP) P: 7 | @TEX Cueto (RHP) P: 8 | @TEX Leake (RHP) P: 5 | @TEX Latos (RHP) P: 7 | ||
| @BOS Nicasio (RHP) P: 5 | @BOS Oswalt (RHP) P: 1 | NYM Chatwood (RHP) P: 5 | SF Chacin (RHP) P: 5 | SF DeLaRosa (LHP) P: 6 | SF Nicasio (RHP) P: 6 | |
| SF Ryu (LHP) P: 8 | SF Capuano (LHP) P: 6 | SF Kershaw (LHP) P: 10 | PHI Greinke (RHP) P: 6 | PHI Fife (RHP) P: 5 | PHI Ryu (LHP) P: 8 | PHI Capuano (LHP) P: 6 |
| MIN Fernandez (RHP) P: 10 | MIN Koehler (RHP) P: 3 | SD Nolasco (RHP) P: 7 | SD Turner (RHP) P: 8 | SD Eovaldi (RHP) P: 5 | ||
| CHC Lohse (RHP) P: 9 | CHC Gallardo (RHP) P: 9 | CHC Peralta (RHP) P: 5 | @PIT Figaro (RHP) P: 6 | @PIT TBD P: 1 | @PIT Lohse (RHP) P: 8 | |
| @CWS Wheeler (RHP) P: 7 | @CWS Marcum (RHP) P: 5 | @COL Hefner (RHP) P: 4 | WSH Gee (RHP) P: 6 | WSH Harvey (RHP) P: 10 | WSH Wheeler (RHP) P: 8 | |
| @SD Lee (LHP) P: 9 | @SD Kendrick (RHP) P: 8 | @SD Hamels (LHP) P: 6 | @LAD Pettibone (RHP) P: 1 | @LAD Lannan (LHP) P: 6 | @LAD Lee (LHP) P: 10 | @LAD Kendrick (RHP) P: 8 |
| @SEA Locke (LHP) P: 8 | @SEA Cumpton (RHP) P: 5 | MIL Cole (RHP) P: 8 | MIL Liriano (LHP) P: 7 | MIL Morton (RHP) P: 6 | ||
| @HOU Westbrook (RHP) P: 7 | @HOU Lynn (RHP) P: 6 | @OAK Lyons (LHP) P: 3 | @OAK Miller (RHP) P: 10 | @OAK Wainwright (RHP) P: 8 | ||
| PHI Stults (LHP) P: 8 | PHI Marquis (RHP) P: 6 | PHI Richard (LHP) P: 4 | @MIA Volquez (RHP) P: 4 | @MIA Cashner (RHP) P: 8 | @MIA Stults (LHP) P: 9 | |
| @LAD Bumgarner (LHP) P: 9 | @LAD Gaudin (RHP) P: 7 | @LAD Lincecum (RHP) P: 6 | @COL Zito (LHP) P: 2 | @COL Cain (RHP) P: 5 | @COL Bumgarner (LHP) P: 6 | |
| ARI Gonzalez (LHP) P: 10 | ARI Zimmrmnn (RHP) P: 9 | ARI Strasburg (RHP) P: 8 | @NYM Haren (RHP) P: 2 | @NYM Detwiler (LHP) P: 6 | @NYM Gonzalez (LHP) P: 10 | |
| P: The starting pitcher's matchup rating, which accounts for past history (three years' worth as well as past 21 days), opponent and ballpark. Ratings range from 1-10, with 10 representing the best possible matchup, statistically speaking, and 1 representing the worst. |
<thead>
</thead><tbody>
</tbody>
[h=3]Pitching scuttlebutt[/h]
• The Baltimore Orioles remain undecided about their June 23 starter, and could move Zach Britton up by a day to that game. Britton's and Freddy Garcia's rotation spots are far from guaranteed.
• The Boston Red Sox will start Allen Webster on June 22, lining up for a Friday start, but that assignment might hinge upon his performance.
• The Cleveland Indians will need a spot starter for one of their Friday doubleheader games, and Trevor Bauer could be a candidate.
• Alex Colome will start for the Tampa Bay Rays on June 22, but it's unclear if he'll take another turn thereafter. With an off day Thursday, the Rays could demote him and go with four starters, as projected above.
• Ian Kennedy will be eligible to return from his 10-game suspension in time to start the Arizona Diamondbacks' game Saturday.
• Marco Estrada (hamstring) is scheduled to make a rehabilitation assignment during the weekend of June 21-23, perhaps setting him up to rejoin the Milwaukee Brewers' rotation sometime midweek.
• The Pittsburgh Pirates' official website reported on June 20 that Jeanmar Gomez (forearm), who made a rehabilitation start a day earlier, is ready to rejoin the big league rotation. He might assume Brandon Cumpton's rotation spot on Wednesday.
• Though X-rays on Chad Gaudin's forearm were negative, it's unclear whether he'll be able to make his next start for the San Francisco Giants.
[h=3]Tristan's Week 12 pitcher rankings: Top 75[/h]1. Cliff Lee (PHI) -- Mon-@SD (Stults), Sat-@LAD (Ryu)
2. Yu Darvish (TEX) -- Tue-@NYY (Kuroda), Sun-CIN (Latos)
3. Gio Gonzalez (WSH) -- Tue-ARI (Cahill), Sun-@NYM (Wheeler)
4. Madison Bumgarner (SF) -- Mon-@LAD (Ryu), Sun-@COL (Nicasio)
5. Clayton Kershaw (LAD) -- Wed-SF (Lincecum)
6. Max Scherzer (DET) -- Fri-@TB (Archer)
7. Chris Sale (CWS) -- Tue-NYM (Wheeler), Sun-CLE (Masterson)
8. Matt Harvey (NYM) -- Sat-WSH (Detwiler)
9. Hyun-Jin Ryu (LAD) -- Mon-SF (Bumgarner), Sat-PHI (Lee)
10. Hisashi Iwakuma (SEA) -- Fri-CHC (Wood)
11. Adam Wainwright (STL) -- Sun-@OAK (Parker)
12. Felix Hernandez (SEA) -- Wed-PIT (Cumpton)
13. Jordan Zimmermann (WSH) -- Wed-ARI (Miley)
14. Stephen Strasburg (WSH) -- Thu-ARI (Corbin)
15. Mike Minor (ATL) -- Wed-@KC (Mendoza)
16. Ervin Santana (KC) -- Tue-ATL (Medlen), Sun-@MIN (Correia)
17. Jeff Samardzija (CHC) -- Sat-@SEA (Harang)
18. Shelby Miller (STL) -- Sat-@OAK (Straily)
19. Hiroki Kuroda (NYY) -- Tue-TEX (Darvish), Sun-@BAL (Tillman)
20. Jose Fernandez (MIA) -- Tue-MIN (Correia)
21. Johnny Cueto (CIN) -- Fri-@TEX (Perez)
22. Julio Teheran (ATL) -- Fri-ARI (Delgado)
23. Justin Verlander (DET) -- Sat-@TB (Hellickson)
24. Doug Fister (DET) -- Thu-LAA (Weaver)
25. Kris Medlen (ATL) -- Tue-@KC (Santana)
26. Cole Hamels (PHI) -- Wed-@SD (Richard)
27. CC Sabathia (NYY) -- Sat-@BAL (Britton)
28. Jarrod Parker (OAK) -- Sun-STL (Wainwright)
29. Mat Latos (CIN) -- Sun-@TEX (Darvish)
30. Lance Lynn (STL) -- Wed-@HOU (Harrell)
31. James Shields (KC) -- Sat-@MIN (Pelfrey)
32. Chris Tillman (BAL) -- Tue-CLE (Masterson), Sun-NYY (Kuroda)
33. Yovani Gallardo (MIL) -- Wed-CHC (Feldman)
34. Bartolo Colon (OAK) -- Fri-STL (Lyons)
35. Homer Bailey (CIN) -- Wed-@OAK (Griffin)
36. Eric Stults (SD) -- Mon-PHI (Lee), Sun-@MIA (Eovaldi)
37. C.J. Wilson (LAA) -- Tue-@DET (Porcello), Sun-@HOU (Lyles)
38. Tim Hudson (ATL) -- Sat-ARI (Kennedy)
39. Justin Masterson (CLE) -- Tue-@BAL (Tillman), Sun-@CWS (Sale)
40. Matt Cain (SF) -- Sat-@COL (De La Rosa)
41. Kyle Lohse (MIL) -- Tue-CHC (Jackson), Sun-@PIT (Morton)
42. Jeff Locke (PIT) -- Tue-@SEA (Saunders)
43. Zack Wheeler (NYM) -- Tue-@CWS (Sale), Sun-WSH (Gonzalez)
44. Francisco Liriano (PIT) -- Sat-MIL (TBD)
45. Ricky Nolasco (MIA) -- Fri-SD (Volquez)
46. Patrick Corbin (ARI) -- Thu-@WSH (Strasburg)
47. Rick Porcello (DET) -- Tue-LAA (Wilson), Sun-@TB (Moore)
48. Travis Wood (CHC) -- Fri-@SEA (Iwakuma)
49. Josh Johnson (TOR) -- Fri-@BOS (Webster)
50. Kyle Kendrick (PHI) -- Tue-@SD (Marquis), Sun-@LAD (Capuano)
51. Paul Maholm (ATL) -- Sun-ARI (Cahill)
52. Jacob Turner (MIA) -- Sat-SD (Cashner)
53. Andrew Cashner (SD) -- Sat-@MIA (Turner)
54. Ryan Dempster (BOS) -- Tue-COL (Nicasio), Sun-TOR (Buehrle)
55. Dillon Gee (NYM) -- Fri-WSH (Haren)
56. Esmil Rogers (TOR) -- Mon-@TB (Hellickson), Sat-@BOS (Doubront)
57. Jason Vargas (LAA) -- Fri-@HOU (Keuchel)
58. Jeremy Hellickson (TB) -- Mon-TOR (Rogers), Sat-DET (Verlander)
59. Zack Greinke (LAD) -- Thu-PHI (Pettibone)
60. Trevor Cahill (ARI) -- Tue-@WSH (Gonzalez), Sun-@ATL (Maholm)
61. Jorge De La Rosa (COL) -- Sat-SF (Cain)
62. Miguel Gonzalez (BAL) -- Thu-CLE (Kluber)
63. Corey Kluber (CLE) -- Thu-@BAL (Gonzalez)
64. A.J. Griffin (OAK) -- Wed-CIN (Bailey)
65. Mike Leake (CIN) -- Sat-@TEX (Tepesch)
66. Gerrit Cole (PIT) -- Fri-MIL (Figaro)
67. Mark Buehrle (TOR) -- Tue-@TB (Moore), Sun-@BOS (Dempster)
68. Jered Weaver (LAA) -- Thu-@DET (Fister)
69. Matt Moore (TB) -- Tue-TOR (Buehrle), Sun-DET (Porcello)
70. Matt Garza (CHC) -- Thu-@MIL (Peralta)
71. Jordan Lyles (HOU) -- Sun-LAA (Wilson)
72. Chris Capuano (LAD) -- Tue-SF (Gaudin), Sun-PHI (Kendrick)
73. Felix Doubront (BOS) -- Sat-TOR (Rogers)
74. Tommy Milone (OAK) -- Tue-CIN (Arroyo)
75. John Lackey (BOS) -- Wed-COL (Oswalt)
Two-start options for AL-/NL-only leagues:
Kevin Correia (MIN) -- Tue-@MIA (Fernandez), Sun-KC (Santana)
Edwin Jackson (CHC) -- Tue-@MIL (Lohse), Sun-@SEA (Bonderman)
No-thank-yous, among two-start pitchers:
Zach Britton (BAL) -- Mon-CLE (Jimenez), Sat-NYY (Sabathia)
Ubaldo Jimenez (CLE) -- Mon-@BAL (Britton), Sat-@CWS (Axelrod)
Juan Nicasio (COL) -- Tue-@BOS (Dempster), Sun-SF (Bumgarner)
[h=3]Pitching advantages[/h]• Just in case you are tantalized by Roy Oswalt's 11-strikeout 2013 debut, be forewarned: Ten of his K's, 14 of his 15 outs and eight of his nine hits came against his fastball, which averaged 92.5 mph, up from the 91.4 mph he averaged with it in 2012. Fastball command is obviously critical to Oswalt's success, and keep in mind that the opposing Boston Red Sox have the majors' best team OPS (.903), walk rate (13.5%) and wOBA (.391) against fastballs this season.
• Matt Moore's fantasy owners might want to root against him picking up that second turn this week, because if he pitches a second time, it'd be Sunday against the Detroit Tigers. He has a 10.61 ERA and 2.36 WHIP in four starts in the month of June, and the Tigers rank second in the majors in wOBA (.337), third in OPS (.775) and fourth in runs per game (4.93).
• The Philadelphia Phillies' west coast swing should be a boon to their pitchers, especially the three-game, week-opening series at San Diego's Petco Park, where Wednesday starter Cole Hamels has won four consecutive games, each of them a quality start, with a 0.60 ERA. Two-start pitcher Cliff Lee is an obvious play in all formats, but take a look at Kyle Kendrick, who is available in more than 60 percent of ESPN leagues. He's 5-for-7 in quality starts with a 3.77 ERA and 1.17 WHIP on the road this season, but one of the two poor outings was at Colorado's Coors Field.
• New York Mets rookie Zack Wheeler is a two-start pitcher this week, and his second assignment is particularly attractive: He faces the Washington Nationals, a .235/.290/.375-hitting team in the month of June, at Citi Field, one of the game's most pitching-friendly environments. But what of Wheeler's first start? He'll work Tuesday at Chicago's U.S. Cellular Field, granted a much more hitting-friendly venue, but also home to a Chicago White Sox team that has the majors' fourth-worst OPS in home games (.673, .232/.293/.380 rates).
• Don't be so quick to write off Houston Astros pitchers during their weekend series against the Los Angeles Angels. After all, would you believe that the Astros have won seven of their 10 meetings thus far this season, and six of their past seven? How about this: Bud Norris has won all three of his starts against the Angels, every one of them a quality start, with a 0.43 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. Jordan Lyles, too, has won both his starts against the Angels, albeit with a 4.22 ERA and 1.22 WHIP.
You'll notice that neither Norris nor Lyles, both available in more than 85 percent of ESPN leagues, ranks among my "Streamer's Delight" picks below. The reason is that, history or not, an Angels matchup remains a challenging one, especially with the team sporting .289/.354/.436 triple-slash rates and a mere 14.1 percent strikeout rate in the month of June. But if you're digging deep, especially in an AL-only league, Norris and Lyles belong on your list of candidates.
• Here are this week's Streamer's Delight picks. Note that players need to be available in at least 75 percent of ESPN leagues as of our publishing time (Fridays):
Ricky Nolasco (SD, Friday): He has five quality starts in his past six games, and he managed a 73 Game Score on May 8 against these San Diego Padres.
Dillon Gee (WSH, Saturday): He has defeated the Washington Nationals twice this year, and has a 2.70 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in eight career games against them.
Andrew Cashner (@MIA, Saturday): Jacob Turner (SD, Saturday): He has a solid curve and slider, and the San Diego Padres have the majors' eighth-worst K rate against breaking stuff (32.5%).
Samuel Deduno (KC, Thursday): He's 2-for-2 in both wins and quality starts with a 0.73 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in his career against the Kansas City Royals.
Edinson Volquez (@MIA, Friday): Since Giancarlo Stanton's return, the Miami Marlins have .224/.269/.344 team rates. Yes, it's still a favorable matchup.
[h=3]Hitting ratings[/h]
The chart below lists each of the 30 teams' total number of scheduled games, home games and games versus right- and left-handed pitchers, and provides a matchup rating for the week's games in terms of overall offense, offense for left- and right-handed hitters and base stealing. Matchup ratings for each individual game are listed under the corresponding date.
<style type="text/css">.mod-inline td img {margin: 0px;}</style>
| <center>Team</center> | <center>Games</center> | <center>Overall Rating</center> | <center>Mon 6/24</center> | <center>Tue 6/25</center> | <center>Wed 6/26</center> | <center>Thu 6/27</center> | <center>Fri 6/28</center> | <center>Sat 6/29</center> | <center>Sun 6/30</center> |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| 7 total 7 home 2 vs. L 5 vs. R | H: 8 L: 5 R: 8 S: 5 | CLE H: 7 L: 6 R: 8 S: 4 | CLE H: 5 L: 7 R: 2 S: 3 | CLE H: 10 L: 3 R: 10 S: 3 | CLE H: 6 L: 6 R: 7 S: 4 | NYY H: 4 L: 3 R: 6 S: 3 | NYY H: 4 L: 1 R: 6 S: 4 | NYY H: 4 L: 4 R: 5 S: 4 |
|
| 6 total 6 home 1 vs. L 5 vs. R | H: 7 L: 7 R: 7 S: 6 | COL H: 6 L: 4 R: 8 S: 4 | COL H: 10 L: 10 R: 9 S: 4 | TOR H: 10 L: 10 R: 3 S: 5 | TOR H: 4 L: 2 R: 9 S: 6 | TOR H: 2 L: 3 R: 3 S: 5 | TOR H: 6 L: 5 R: 6 S: 4 | |
|
| 6 total 6 home 0 vs. L 5 vs. R | H: 7 L: 8 R: 6 S: 5 | NYM H: 3 L: 1 R: 7 S: 8 | NYM H: 7 L: 10 R: 3 S: 4 | CLE-2 H: 8 L: 7 R: 8 S: 3 | CLE H: 7 L: 5 R: 8 S: 4 | CLE H: 5 L: 7 R: 2 S: 3 | ||
|
| 8 total 0 home 4 vs. L 4 vs. R | H: 9 L: 9 R: 10 S: 5 | @BAL H: 7 L: 6 R: 8 S: 1 | @BAL H: 4 L: 4 R: 7 S: 1 | @BAL H: 9 L: 8 R: 8 S: 1 | @BAL H: 5 L: 3 R: 7 S: 1 | @CWS-2 H: 4 L: 4 R: 5 S: 6 | @CWS H: 9 L: 8 R: 8 S: 5 | @CWS H: 3 L: 2 R: 4 S: 5 |
|
| 6 total 3 home 2 vs. L 4 vs. R | H: 7 L: 7 R: 6 S: 8 | LAA H: 5 L: 4 R: 6 S: 7 | LAA H: 10 L: 10 R: 6 S: 9 | LAA H: 5 L: 5 R: 6 S: 7 | @TB H: 5 L: 9 R: 1 S: 7 | @TB H: 5 L: 5 R: 4 S: 6 | @TB H: 7 L: 3 R: 8 S: 6 | |
|
| 5 total 5 home 2 vs. L 3 vs. R | H: 6 L: 7 R: 4 S: 5 | STL H: 5 L: 8 R: 3 S: 1 | STL H: 6 L: 9 R: 3 S: 1 | LAA H: 6 L: 5 R: 6 S: 7 | LAA H: 8 L: 8 R: 7 S: 7 | LAA H: 5 L: 4 R: 6 S: 7 | ||
|
| 6 total 2 home 1 vs. L 5 vs. R | H: 6 L: 4 R: 7 S: 7 | ATL H: 2 L: 3 R: 3 S: 6 | ATL H: 4 L: 4 R: 5 S: 6 | @MIN H: 4 L: 3 R: 6 S: 6 | @MIN H: 7 L: 4 R: 10 S: 6 | @MIN H: 7 L: 5 R: 8 S: 6 | @MIN H: 6 L: 7 R: 5 S: 5 | |
|
| 6 total 0 home 2 vs. L 4 vs. R | H: 5 L: 7 R: 5 S: 9 | @DET H: 5 L: 7 R: 3 S: 9 | @DET H: 5 L: 8 R: 4 S: 8 | @DET H: 3 L: 2 R: 6 S: 7 | @HOU H: 6 L: 7 R: 6 S: 8 | @HOU H: 5 L: 7 R: 4 S: 7 | @HOU H: 5 L: 4 R: 6 S: 7 | |
|
| 6 total 4 home 0 vs. L 6 vs. R | H: 5 L: 5 R: 5 S: 4 | @MIA H: 1 L: 2 R: 1 S: 2 | @MIA H: 8 L: 8 R: 6 S: 3 | KC H: 7 L: 6 R: 6 S: 3 | KC H: 6 L: 6 R: 6 S: 3 | KC H: 3 L: 4 R: 4 S: 4 | KC H: 2 L: 3 R: 3 S: 5 | |
|
| 6 total 3 home 2 vs. L 4 vs. R | H: 8 L: 8 R: 8 S: 4 | TEX H: 2 L: 4 R: 1 S: 7 | TEX H: 10 L: 10 R: 10 S: 6 | TEX H: 7 L: 6 R: 7 S: 6 | @BAL H: 10 L: 10 R: 8 S: 2 | @BAL H: 7 L: 6 R: 8 S: 1 | @BAL H: 4 L: 4 R: 7 S: 1 | |
|
| 5 total 5 home 1 vs. L 4 vs. R | H: 2 L: 5 R: 1 S: 1 | CIN H: 4 L: 7 R: 2 S: 2 | CIN H: 3 L: 6 R: 1 S: 3 | STL H: 7 L: 10 R: 6 S: 1 | STL H: 1 L: 2 R: 1 S: 1 | STL H: 2 L: 3 R: 3 S: 1 | ||
|
| 5 total 5 home 2 vs. L 3 vs. R | H: 2 L: 4 R: 2 S: 6 | PIT H: 1 L: 2 R: 2 S: 5 | PIT H: 5 L: 9 R: 1 S: 6 | CHC H: 2 L: 1 R: 4 S: 5 | CHC H: 4 L: 7 R: 2 S: 6 | CHC H: 6 L: 4 R: 7 S: 6 | ||
|
| 6 total 6 home 1 vs. L 5 vs. R | H: 3 L: 4 R: 3 S: 8 | TOR H: 1 L: 2 R: 2 S: 5 | TOR H: 5 L: 4 R: 5 S: 4 | TOR H: 5 L: 6 R: 4 S: 5 | DET H: 1 L: 3 R: 1 S: 8 | DET H: 4 L: 2 R: 6 S: 9 | DET H: 4 L: 6 R: 2 S: 9 | |
|
| 6 total 3 home 1 vs. L 5 vs. R | H: 5 L: 4 R: 6 S: 3 | @NYY H: 3 L: 3 R: 5 S: 4 | @NYY H: 7 L: 7 R: 6 S: 4 | @NYY H: 6 L: 1 R: 8 S: 3 | CIN H: 2 L: 2 R: 5 S: 1 | CIN H: 6 L: 5 R: 6 S: 2 | CIN H: 3 L: 5 R: 3 S: 3 | |
|
| 7 total 0 home 3 vs. L 4 vs. R | H: 10 L: 10 R: 9 S: 10 | @TB H: 5 L: 5 R: 4 S: 6 | @TB H: 7 L: 3 R: 8 S: 6 | @TB H: 8 L: 8 R: 7 S: 7 | @BOS H: 9 L: 10 R: 8 S: 8 | @BOS H: 10 L: 10 R: 6 S: 6 | @BOS H: 6 L: 6 R: 6 S: 8 | @BOS H: 7 L: 4 R: 10 S: 8 |
|
| 6 total 0 home 2 vs. L 4 vs. R | H: 1 L: 2 R: 3 S: 7 | @WSH H: 1 L: 1 R: 2 S: 6 | @WSH H: 2 L: 2 R: 3 S: 5 | @WSH H: 3 L: 7 R: 1 S: 6 | @ATL H: 4 L: 4 R: 4 S: 7 | @ATL H: 2 L: 3 R: 3 S: 6 | @ATL H: 4 L: 1 R: 5 S: 6 | |
|
| 5 total 3 home 0 vs. L 5 vs. R | H: 6 L: 6 R: 5 S: 2 | @KC H: 2 L: 3 R: 3 S: 5 | @KC H: 7 L: 7 R: 5 S: 3 | ARI H: 8 L: 8 R: 6 S: 1 | ARI H: 7 L: 8 R: 5 S: 1 | ARI H: 7 L: 6 R: 7 S: 2 | ||
|
| 6 total 0 home 0 vs. L 6 vs. R | H: 5 L: 6 R: 4 S: 5 | @MIL H: 3 L: 1 R: 6 S: 5 | @MIL H: 3 L: 4 R: 3 S: 6 | @MIL H: 7 L: 8 R: 5 S: 5 | @SEA H: 2 L: 4 R: 1 S: 3 | @SEA H: 5 L: 6 R: 4 S: 3 | @SEA H: 6 L: 7 R: 4 S: 3 | |
|
| 5 total 0 home 2 vs. L 3 vs. R | H: 4 L: 4 R: 4 S: 6 | @OAK H: 4 L: 4 R: 5 S: 5 | @OAK H: 3 L: 2 R: 5 S: 4 | @TEX H: 9 L: 4 R: 10 S: 5 | @TEX H: 7 L: 9 R: 3 S: 7 | @TEX H: 2 L: 4 R: 1 S: 7 | ||
|
| 6 total 4 home 2 vs. L 4 vs. R | H: 7 L: 6 R: 8 S: 7 | @BOS H: 7 L: 4 R: 10 S: 8 | @BOS H: 6 L: 2 R: 10 S: 9 | NYM H: 7 L: 7 R: 6 S: 4 | SF H: 9 L: 7 R: 9 S: 5 | SF H: 5 L: 6 R: 5 S: 6 | SF H: 4 L: 5 R: 4 S: 6 | |
|
| 7 total 7 home 3 vs. L 4 vs. R | H: 6 L: 6 R: 6 S: 7 | SF H: 2 L: 3 R: 3 S: 6 | SF H: 3 L: 5 R: 2 S: 5 | SF H: 5 L: 5 R: 5 S: 6 | PHI H: 10 L: 10 R: 8 S: 6 | PHI H: 6 L: 4 R: 6 S: 5 | PHI H: 2 L: 3 R: 3 S: 5 | PHI H: 3 L: 3 R: 4 S: 5 |
|
| 5 total 5 home 2 vs. L 3 vs. R | H: 6 L: 6 R: 5 S: 6 | MIN H: 7 L: 7 R: 6 S: 5 | MIN H: 7 L: 8 R: 6 S: 5 | SD H: 8 L: 10 R: 5 S: 7 | SD H: 4 L: 6 R: 4 S: 7 | SD H: 2 L: 1 R: 4 S: 6 | ||
|
| 6 total 3 home 1 vs. L 5 vs. R | H: 5 L: 5 R: 5 S: 7 | CHC H: 6 L: 5 R: 8 S: 6 | CHC H: 5 L: 4 R: 6 S: 6 | CHC H: 7 L: 9 R: 3 S: 5 | @PIT H: 2 L: 5 R: 1 S: 6 | @PIT H: 3 L: 1 R: 6 S: 6 | @PIT H: 5 L: 5 R: 4 S: 6 | |
|
| 6 total 3 home 4 vs. L 2 vs. R | H: 7 L: 6 R: 7 S: 6 | @CWS H: 3 L: 2 R: 4 S: 5 | @CWS H: 9 L: 10 R: 6 S: 5 | @COL H: 8 L: 7 R: 7 S: 4 | WSH H: 10 L: 7 R: 10 S: 6 | WSH H: 6 L: 2 R: 7 S: 5 | WSH H: 1 L: 2 R: 3 S: 6 | |
|
| 7 total 0 home 4 vs. L 3 vs. R | H: 6 L: 6 R: 6 S: 5 | @SD H: 1 L: 1 R: 3 S: 6 | @SD H: 5 L: 7 R: 3 S: 7 | @SD H: 7 L: 1 R: 8 S: 6 | @LAD H: 5 L: 8 R: 2 S: 2 | @LAD H: 6 L: 5 R: 6 S: 2 | @LAD H: 3 L: 8 R: 1 S: 1 | @LAD H: 5 L: 1 R: 6 S: 2 |
|
| 5 total 3 home 1 vs. L 3 vs. R | H: 3 L: 1 R: 5 S: 5 | @SEA H: 5 L: 1 R: 7 S: 2 | @SEA H: 2 L: 2 R: 3 S: 4 | MIL H: 4 L: 3 R: 5 S: 6 | MIL H: 6 L: 6 R: 6 S: 7 | MIL H: 3 L: 1 R: 6 S: 5 | ||
|
| 5 total 0 home 1 vs. L 4 vs. R | H: 1 L: 3 R: 2 S: 6 | @HOU H: 5 L: 8 R: 5 S: 7 | @HOU H: 3 L: 2 R: 6 S: 8 | @OAK H: 1 L: 3 R: 1 S: 5 | @OAK H: 3 L: 5 R: 2 S: 7 | @OAK H: 3 L: 3 R: 3 S: 6 | ||
|
| 6 total 3 home 2 vs. L 4 vs. R | H: 3 L: 3 R: 5 S: 5 | PHI H: 1 L: 2 R: 2 S: 5 | PHI H: 2 L: 2 R: 4 S: 5 | PHI H: 5 L: 4 R: 5 S: 6 | @MIA H: 4 L: 5 R: 4 S: 3 | @MIA H: 3 L: 1 R: 7 S: 4 | @MIA H: 6 L: 7 R: 5 S: 3 | |
|
| 6 total 0 home 4 vs. L 2 vs. R | H: 5 L: 4 R: 6 S: 3 | @LAD H: 3 L: 8 R: 1 S: 1 | @LAD H: 5 L: 1 R: 6 S: 2 | @LAD H: 1 L: 1 R: 2 S: 2 | @COL H: 6 L: 5 R: 8 S: 3 | @COL H: 6 L: 3 R: 7 S: 4 | @COL H: 6 L: 5 R: 8 S: 4 | |
|
| 6 total 3 home 2 vs. L 4 vs. R | H: 5 L: 3 R: 6 S: 3 | ARI H: 7 L: 6 R: 7 S: 2 | ARI H: 8 L: 3 R: 9 S: 1 | ARI H: 4 L: 1 R: 6 S: 1 | @NYM H: 5 L: 9 R: 2 S: 4 | @NYM H: 1 L: 2 R: 2 S: 3 | @NYM H: 2 L: 1 R: 6 S: 8 | |
| Some of the data used to generate this chart is derived from Baseball Musings' Day-by-day database. H: Hitters' matchup rating, which accounts for the opposing starting pitcher's past history (three years' worth as well as past 21 days) as well as ballpark factors. L: Hitters' matchup rating accounting only for left-handed hitters. R: Hitters' matchup rating accounting for only right-handed hitters. S: Base stealing matchup rating, which accounts for the opponent's catchers' ability to gun down opposing base stealers. Ratings range from 1-10, with 10 representing the best possible matchup, statistically speaking, and 1 representing the worst. |
<thead>
</thead><tbody>
</tbody>
[h=3]Hitting advantages[/h]
• Here are this week's "volume plays," which are defined as the teams that play the most home games, or games against right- or left-handed starters:
Home games: Baltimore Orioles 7, Los Angeles Dodgers 7, Boston Red Sox 6, Chicago White Sox 6, Tampa Bay Rays 6
Versus RH: Minnesota Twins 6, Chicago Cubs 6
Versus LH: Cleveland Indians 4, New York Mets 4, Philadelphia Phillies 4, San Francisco Giants 4
• The reason Mark Reynolds, mentioned above, is such a favorable fantasy play is that he plays eight games, four of them against left-handed pitching. Though he's a mere .253/.344/.481 hitter against lefties so far this season, he has a lifetime OPS that is 71 points higher against them than righties (.854-.783).
Reynolds' Indians as a whole benefit from this packed, lefty-heavy schedule. This team has the majors' third-best OPS against southpaws (.763), and the team has three "lefty-killers" who might be widely available in your league: Yan Gomes (.571 slugging percentage against lefties), Ryan Raburn (.306/.393/.612 triple-slash rates) and Drew Stubbs (.274/.379/.425).
• That righty-heavy Twins schedule, DH implications (discussed above) notwithstanding, makes rookie Oswaldo Arcia a potential sleeper for Week 13. He's a .267/.351/.500 hitter against right-handed pitchers at the big league level this season after sporting .333/.431/.667 triple-slash rates against them for Triple-A Rochester. It's also a good rationale for keeping Joe Mauer locked in, and it might inspire Justin Morneau to improve his numbers as well.
Also keep this in mind: The Twins as a team have batted .288/.351/.473 in the month of June. It's not a bad idea to get Brian Dozier, Josh Willingham and Trevor Plouffe into your lineup as well.
• The ice-cold Arizona Diamondbacks have a heck of a week ahead: They face Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann and Stephen Strasburg in Washington to begin the week, then battle Julio Teheran, Tim Hudson and Paul Maholm in Atlanta. There's every reason to shy from such struggling Diamondbacks bats as Jason Kubel, Miguel Montero, Didi Gregorius or Martin Prado.
