MLB Fantasy News 2011

[HacheMan]

Hazy forecast

Upcoming week looks uncertain now thanks to potential trade deadline moves

By AJ Mass
ESPN.com


On tap: The word of the day is "uncertainty." With the trade deadline creeping ever so close, we've already begun to see a few moves, most notably Edwin Jackson getting shipped off to the St. Louis Cardinals via the Toronto blue Jays. The upshot of that three-way deal is the return of Philip Humber to the Chicago White Sox rotation and the "demotion" of Kyle McClellan to Tony La Russa's bullpen carousel of terror.

Rumors involving Ubaldo Jimenez, Hiroki Kuroda, Erik Bedard, Wandy Rodriguez and James Shields continue to be just that: rumors. Odds are more of these deals end up falling through than see fruition, but the ripple effect from even one of these arms changing clubhouses will surely play havoc with the projections for the coming week. Nothing is set in stone until the calendar page officially turns.


It's a big week for the Cleveland Indians. We may well find out if they're legitimate postseason contenders or a feel-good story that has reached its end. They go on the road for four games against the American League East-leading Boston Red Sox then continue their tour of the top with a three-game set at the Western leaders, the Texas Rangers. Barring a deal, it looks as if Josh Tomlin and David Huff will be the ones to get double-dips.


Reminder: For those of you in weekly-transactions leagues, there is plenty of time to get your Week 17 lineups in, as there are currently no day games scheduled for Aug. 1. Here are this week's other scheduled first pitches by day: Tuesday 7:05 p.m. ET, Wednesday 1:05 p.m. ET, Thursday 12:10 p.m. ET, Friday 2:20 p.m. ET, Saturday 1:05 p.m. ET, Sunday 1:10 p.m. ET.


Projected starting pitchers



<STYLE type=text/css>.mod-inline td img {margin: 0px;}</STYLE>
<TABLE style="MARGIN: 0px; WIDTH: 100%"><THEAD><TR><TH style="WIDTH: 30px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Team </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 14%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Mon
8/1 </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 14%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Tue
8/2 </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 14%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Wed
8/3 </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 14%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Thu
8/4 </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 14%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Fri
8/5 </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 14%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Sat
8/6 </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 14%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Sun
8/7 </CENTER></TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@KC
Simon
(RHP)
P: 2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@KC
Bergesen
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@KC
Guthrie
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TOR
Britton
(LHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TOR
Arrieta
(RHP)
P: 1 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TOR
Simon
(RHP)
P: 2 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
Lackey
(RHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
Beckett
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
Wakefield
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
Lester
(LHP)
P: 9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
Miller
(LHP)
P: 1 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
Lackey
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
Beckett
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
Peavy
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
Danks
(LHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
Floyd
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
Humber
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIN
Buehrle
(LHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIN
Peavy
(RHP)
P: 9 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIN
Danks
(LHP)
P: 8 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
Tomlin
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
Huff
(LHP)
P: 1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
Carrasco
(RHP)
P: 1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
Masterson
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TEX
Carmona
(RHP)
P: 2 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TEX
Tomlin
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TEX
Huff
(LHP)
P: 1 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TEX
Scherzer
(RHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TEX
Penny
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TEX
Porcello
(RHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@KC
Below
(LHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@KC
Verlander
(RHP)
P: 9 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@KC
Scherzer
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BAL
Duffy
(LHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BAL
Chen
(LHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BAL
Hochevar
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>DET
Francis
(LHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>DET
Paulino
(RHP)
P: 2 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>DET
Duffy
(LHP)
P: 4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIN
Santana
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIN
Pineiro
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIN
Chatwood
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SEA
Haren
(RHP)
P: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SEA
Weaver
(RHP)
P: 10 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SEA
Santana
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
Duensing
(LHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
Baker
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
Liriano
(LHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHW
Blackburn
(RHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHW
Pavano
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHW
Duensing
(LHP)
P: 8 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHW
Sabathia
(LHP)
P: 10 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHW
Hughes
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHW
Burnett
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHW
Colon
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
Garcia
(RHP)
P: 2 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
Sabathia
(LHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
Hughes
(RHP)
P: 4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SEA
Cahill
(RHP)
P: 9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SEA
Harden
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SEA
Gonzalez
(LHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
Moscoso
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
McCarthy
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
Cahill
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>OAK
Fister
(RHP)
P: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>OAK
Hernandez
(RHP)
P: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>OAK
Bedard
(LHP)
P: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
Pineda
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
Vargas
(LHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
Fister
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TOR
Price
(LHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TOR
Shields
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TOR
Davis
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>OAK
Niemann
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>OAK
Hellickson
(RHP)
P: 9 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>OAK
Price
(LHP)
P: 9 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@DET
Lewis
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@DET
Harrison
(LHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@DET
Ogando
(RHP)
P: 9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
Holland
(LHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
Wilson
(LHP)
P: 10 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
Lewis
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
Romero
(LHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
Villnueva
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
Cecil
(LHP)
P: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BAL
Morrow
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BAL
TBD

P: 1 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BAL
Romero
(LHP)
P: 5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
Kennedy
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
Hudson
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
Collmnter
(RHP)
P: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
Owings
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
Saunders
(LHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
Kennedy
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@WAS
Jurrjens
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@WAS
Lowe
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@WAS
Beachy
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
Hudson
(RHP)
P: 9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
Hanson
(RHP)
P: 9 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
Jurrjens
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
Zambrano
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
Wells
(RHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
Garza
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
Lopez
(RHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
Dempster
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
Zambrano
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
Wells
(RHP)
P: 4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@HOU
Arroyo
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@HOU
Bailey
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@HOU
Willis
(LHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHC
Leake
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHC
Cueto
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHC
Arroyo
(RHP)
P: 4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
Chacin
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
Cook
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
Hammel
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>WAS
Jimenez
(RHP)
P: 9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>WAS
Nicasio
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>WAS
Chacin
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>WAS
Cook
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
Vazquez
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
Hand
(LHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
Hensley
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
Sanchez
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
Nolasco
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
Vazquez
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
Hand
(LHP)
P: 6 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
Norris
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
W.Rdrguez
(LHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
Lyles
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIL
Happ
(LHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIL
Myers
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIL
Norris
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SD
Kershaw
(LHP)
P: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SD
Kuroda
(RHP)
P: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SD
Lilly
(LHP)
P: 9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@ARI
Billingsley
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@ARI
DeLaRosa
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@ARI
Kershaw
(LHP)
P: 10 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
Greinke
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
Marcum
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
Wolf
(LHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@HOU
Gallardo
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@HOU
Narveson
(LHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@HOU
Greinke
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>FLA
Pelfrey
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>FLA
Capuano
(LHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>FLA
Gee
(RHP)
P: 9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
Dickey
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
Niese
(LHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
Pelfrey
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
Hamels
(LHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
Kendrick
(RHP)
P: 2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
Halladay
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
Lee
(LHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
Worley
(RHP)
P: 10 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
Hamels
(LHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
Kendrick
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHC
Maholm
(LHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHC
Correia
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHC
Morton
(RHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHC
McDonald
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SD
Karstens
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SD
Maholm
(LHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SD
Correia
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIL
Carpenter
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIL
Garcia
(LHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIL
Jackson
(RHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@FLA
Lohse
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@FLA
Westbrook
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@FLA
Carpenter
(RHP)
P: 9 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@FLA
Garcia
(LHP)
P: 9 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
Luebke
(LHP)
P: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
Latos
(RHP)
P: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
Stauffer
(RHP)
P: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
Harang
(RHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
Moseley
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
Luebke
(LHP)
P: 9 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ARI
Cain
(RHP)
P: 9 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ARI
Lincecum
(RHP)
P: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ARI
Vogelsong
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
Bumgarner
(LHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
Zito
(LHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
Cain
(RHP)
P: 9 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
Lincecum
(RHP)
P: 10 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
Hernandez
(RHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
Lannan
(LHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
Wang
(RHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
Marquis
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
Zimmrmnn
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
Hernandez
(RHP)
P: 2 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
Lannan
(LHP)
P: 3 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>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.


AJ's pitching strategies



• The streak is dead! Long live the streak! Felix Hernandez finally put a stake in the heart of that 17-game long vampire of a skid that sucked nearly all of the 2011 hope from Seattle Mariners fans. Truth be told, it's not like all of the blame can be placed on the anemic lineup. The Mariners staff over the last two weeks has been fairly brutal itself, with a 5.88 ERA. So why are we optimistic this week? For one, they're home for three against Oakland, a team they've held to a .218 batting average this season. Then there's a trip to Anaheim, where there's a chance King Felix could be handed a second start for the week if either Bedard or Jason Vargas ends up being traded.


• Of course, that Mariners lineup has been fairly awful all season long, and a .226 batting average strikes fear in nobody's hearts. That's why we love the Los Angeles Angels rotation this week. The trio of Dan Haren, Jered Weaver and Ervin Santana could all throw no-hitters in the weekend series. The whole week's slate is at home, where the Angels pitchers have only a .234 batting average against. True, the Minnesota Twins, who come to town from Tuesday to Thursday, have double-digit hit totals 10 times this past month, but even with all that offense, they're still only 11th in the American League in runs scored (411) and 10th in batting average (.250).

• Tim Lincecum's recent illness caused the San Francisco Giants to juggle their rotation, and as such, he'll get two starts in Week 17. The first contest is against the Arizona Diamondbacks, who hit just .244 on the road as a team, while the second outing is a rematch with the Philadelphia Phillies (against whom he threw six shutout innings on Thursday), who also see a dip in batting average -- to .245 -- when away from their home in Citizens Bank Park. There's really not a lot bad to say about this staff, which is leading the National League in ERA at 3.07. Matt Cain (9-6, 2.91 ERA) is the other pitcher currently expected to get the call twice for the West Division leaders.


• Even if Kuroda waives his no-trade clause and leaves for greener pastures, the Los Angeles Dodgers are a solid staff this week. They get a trio of games in San Diego, where they've held the Padres to a .238 batting average and a 2.89 ERA so far this season. Then, it's off to Arizona, where the Dodgers have been equally impressive, holding Diamondbacks bats to a .193 batting average and 11 runs scored in three games at Chase Field. Clayton Kershaw, who has yet to give up an earned run to Arizona this season, gets to pitch in both series.


Also favorable: St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, Chicago White Sox
Unfavorable: Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros


Team advantages



<STYLE type=text/css>.mod-inline td img {margin: 0px;}</STYLE>
<TABLE style="MARGIN: 0px; WIDTH: 100%"><THEAD><TR><TH style="WIDTH: 30px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Team </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 12%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Games </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 11%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Overall
Rating </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 11%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Mon
8/1 </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 11%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Tue
8/2 </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 11%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Wed
8/3 </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 11%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Thu
8/4 </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 11%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Fri
8/5 </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 11%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Sat
8/6 </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 11%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Sun
8/7 </CENTER></TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
3 home
3 vs. L
2 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 7
L: 7
R: 7
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@KC
H: 7
L: 6
R: 7
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@KC
H: 7
L: 3
R: 9
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@KC
H: 8
L: 10
R: 6
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TOR
H: 4
L: 4
R: 2
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TOR
H: 6
L: 6
R: 6
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TOR
H: 6
L: 10
R: 3
S: 5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 total
7 home
2 vs. L
5 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 8
L: 9
R: 7
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
H: 6
L: 8
R: 4
S: 2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
H: 10
L: 10
R: 9
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
H: 10
L: 10
R: 8
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
H: 3
L: 5
R: 1
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
H: 7
L: 7
R: 7
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
H: 1
L: 1
R: 2
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
H: 4
L: 5
R: 4
S: 5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 total
4 home
2 vs. L
5 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 7
L: 6
R: 8
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
H: 1
L: 1
R: 2
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
H: 4
L: 5
R: 4
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
H: 7
L: 6
R: 8
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
H: 9
L: 10
R: 5
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIN
H: 8
L: 9
R: 6
S: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIN
H: 6
L: 6
R: 6
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIN
H: 3
L: 1
R: 6
S: 3 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 total
0 home
3 vs. L
4 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 6
L: 4
R: 6
S: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
H: 8
L: 9
R: 6
S: 9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
H: 3
L: 4
R: 2
S: 9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
H: 8
L: 6
R: 10
S: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
H: 2
L: 1
R: 3
S: 9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TEX
H: 7
L: 1
R: 10
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TEX
H: 1
L: 1
R: 1
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TEX
H: 3
L: 5
R: 1
S: 5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
3 home
3 vs. L
3 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 5
L: 4
R: 5
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TEX
H: 3
L: 5
R: 1
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TEX
H: 6
L: 5
R: 6
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TEX
H: 1
L: 2
R: 1
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@KC
H: 6
L: 2
R: 6
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@KC
H: 9
L: 10
R: 4
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@KC
H: 7
L: 6
R: 7
S: 7 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
6 home
1 vs. L
5 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 7
L: 9
R: 5
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BAL
H: 9
L: 8
R: 10
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BAL
H: 8
L: 10
R: 5
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BAL
H: 8
L: 9
R: 6
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>DET
H: 6
L: 8
R: 4
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>DET
H: 1
L: 1
R: 2
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>DET
H: 6
L: 9
R: 3
S: 5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
6 home
3 vs. L
3 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 3
L: 1
R: 5
S: 2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIN
H: 4
L: 1
R: 7
S: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIN
H: 5
L: 5
R: 5
S: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIN
H: 5
L: 1
R: 6
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SEA
H: 3
L: 1
R: 5
S: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SEA
H: 5
L: 3
R: 6
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SEA
H: 3
L: 3
R: 2
S: 2 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
3 home
2 vs. L
4 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 5
L: 6
R: 4
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
H: 6
L: 7
R: 3
S: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
H: 6
L: 7
R: 5
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
H: 7
L: 10
R: 4
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHW
H: 5
L: 4
R: 5
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHW
H: 2
L: 2
R: 3
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHW
H: 3
L: 6
R: 3
S: 6 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 total
0 home
2 vs. L
5 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 7
L: 8
R: 6
S: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHW
H: 3
L: 3
R: 3
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHW
H: 4
L: 6
R: 3
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHW
H: 5
L: 5
R: 5
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHW
H: 5
L: 7
R: 3
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
H: 10
L: 10
R: 9
S: 9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
H: 8
L: 9
R: 6
S: 9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
H: 3
L: 4
R: 2
S: 9 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
0 home
2 vs. L
4 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 1
L: 2
R: 2
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SEA
H: 2
L: 2
R: 2
S: 2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SEA
H: 1
L: 1
R: 1
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SEA
H: 2
L: 3
R: 2
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
H: 4
L: 3
R: 5
S: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
H: 3
L: 6
R: 1
S: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
H: 3
L: 1
R: 4
S: 10 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
3 home
1 vs. L
5 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 3
L: 4
R: 2
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>OAK
H: 3
L: 6
R: 1
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>OAK
H: 5
L: 4
R: 6
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>OAK
H: 4
L: 4
R: 4
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
H: 3
L: 4
R: 2
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
H: 1
L: 1
R: 1
S: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
H: 6
L: 7
R: 3
S: 8 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
6 home
2 vs. L
4 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 5
L: 6
R: 3
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TOR
H: 5
L: 10
R: 2
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TOR
H: 3
L: 4
R: 2
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TOR
H: 8
L: 4
R: 10
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>OAK
H: 4
L: 5
R: 3
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>OAK
H: 5
L: 7
R: 3
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>OAK
H: 3
L: 6
R: 1
S: 6 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
3 home
1 vs. L
5 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 8
L: 10
R: 6
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@DET
H: 6
L: 9
R: 3
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@DET
H: 7
L: 5
R: 9
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@DET
H: 6
L: 8
R: 3
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
H: 8
L: 10
R: 4
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
H: 6
L: 8
R: 4
S: 2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
H: 10
L: 10
R: 9
S: 4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
0 home
2 vs. L
4 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 8
L: 6
R: 7
S: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
H: 3
L: 1
R: 4
S: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
H: 5
L: 5
R: 5
S: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
H: 6
L: 5
R: 6
S: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BAL
H: 7
L: 7
R: 7
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BAL
H: 10
L: 10
R: 3
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BAL
H: 9
L: 8
R: 10
S: 5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
3 home
1 vs. L
5 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 2
L: 3
R: 1
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
H: 2
L: 2
R: 2
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
H: 1
L: 2
R: 1
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
H: 3
L: 5
R: 2
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
H: 4
L: 7
R: 2
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
H: 5
L: 9
R: 3
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
H: 1
L: 1
R: 1
S: 4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
0 home
2 vs. L
4 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 7
L: 8
R: 6
S: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@WAS
H: 8
L: 9
R: 7
S: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@WAS
H: 6
L: 4
R: 7
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@WAS
H: 8
L: 10
R: 6
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
H: 4
L: 4
R: 4
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
H: 5
L: 7
R: 4
S: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
H: 5
L: 7
R: 4
S: 5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 total
3 home
1 vs. L
6 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 9
L: 7
R: 8
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
H: 6
L: 1
R: 7
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
H: 6
L: 5
R: 7
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
H: 7
L: 10
R: 3
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
H: 5
L: 4
R: 6
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
H: 6
L: 6
R: 6
S: 2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
H: 5
L: 4
R: 5
S: 1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
H: 7
L: 10
R: 3
S: 2 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
0 home
1 vs. L
5 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 7
L: 5
R: 8
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@HOU
H: 6
L: 7
R: 6
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@HOU
H: 5
L: 1
R: 6
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@HOU
H: 6
L: 1
R: 10
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHC
H: 6
L: 8
R: 4
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHC
H: 5
L: 5
R: 5
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHC
H: 8
L: 9
R: 6
S: 6 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 total
7 home
2 vs. L
5 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 10
L: 10
R: 9
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
H: 5
L: 5
R: 5
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
H: 10
L: 10
R: 6
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
H: 3
L: 3
R: 2
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>WAS
H: 8
L: 9
R: 7
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>WAS
H: 5
L: 6
R: 4
S: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>WAS
H: 9
L: 10
R: 9
S: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>WAS
H: 7
L: 6
R: 8
S: 4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 total
4 home
2 vs. L
5 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 5
L: 4
R: 6
S: 1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
H: 5
L: 7
R: 4
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
H: 4
L: 1
R: 5
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
H: 2
L: 3
R: 2
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
H: 8
L: 8
R: 7
S: 1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
H: 6
L: 5
R: 7
S: 1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
H: 2
L: 2
R: 2
S: 1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
H: 1
L: 1
R: 3
S: 1 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
6 home
2 vs. L
4 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 6
L: 5
R: 6
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
H: 6
L: 10
R: 2
S: 2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
H: 6
L: 6
R: 7
S: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
H: 8
L: 2
R: 10
S: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIL
H: 5
L: 5
R: 4
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIL
H: 7
L: 2
R: 8
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIL
H: 3
L: 7
R: 1
S: 5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
0 home
2 vs. L
4 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 3
L: 2
R: 4
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SD
H: 1
L: 1
R: 2
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SD
H: 1
L: 1
R: 1
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SD
H: 1
L: 2
R: 1
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@ARI
H: 7
L: 9
R: 6
S: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@ARI
H: 8
L: 1
R: 10
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@ARI
H: 5
L: 5
R: 5
S: 4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
3 home
2 vs. L
4 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 5
L: 3
R: 6
S: 2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
H: 2
L: 2
R: 2
S: 1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
H: 1
L: 1
R: 3
S: 1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
H: 6
L: 6
R: 6
S: 2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@HOU
H: 7
L: 3
R: 8
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@HOU
H: 6
L: 6
R: 6
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@HOU
H: 6
L: 7
R: 6
S: 6 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
6 home
1 vs. L
5 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 1
L: 4
R: 1
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>FLA
H: 4
L: 6
R: 3
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>FLA
H: 5
L: 6
R: 4
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>FLA
H: 2
L: 4
R: 1
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
H: 1
L: 4
R: 1
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
H: 1
L: 3
R: 1
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
H: 3
L: 5
R: 1
S: 6 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 total
0 home
2 vs. L
5 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 5
L: 5
R: 5
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
H: 4
L: 7
R: 2
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
H: 9
L: 10
R: 6
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
H: 9
L: 10
R: 8
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
H: 2
L: 1
R: 3
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
H: 5
L: 3
R: 5
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
H: 2
L: 2
R: 2
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
H: 1
L: 2
R: 1
S: 7 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 total
7 home
1 vs. L
6 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 8
L: 6
R: 10
S: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHC
H: 5
L: 5
R: 5
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHC
H: 7
L: 9
R: 6
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHC
H: 3
L: 2
R: 5
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHC
H: 8
L: 6
R: 10
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SD
H: 7
L: 6
R: 8
S: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SD
H: 6
L: 7
R: 6
S: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SD
H: 2
L: 1
R: 3
S: 7 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 total
0 home
2 vs. L
5 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 5
L: 6
R: 5
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIL
H: 2
L: 6
R: 1
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIL
H: 4
L: 3
R: 5
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIL
H: 5
L: 4
R: 6
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@FLA
H: 6
L: 5
R: 6
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@FLA
H: 5
L: 5
R: 5
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@FLA
H: 5
L: 7
R: 3
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@FLA
H: 5
L: 6
R: 4
S: 6 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
3 home
3 vs. L
3 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 3
L: 3
R: 4
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
H: 1
L: 1
R: 1
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
H: 1
L: 3
R: 1
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
H: 3
L: 5
R: 3
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
H: 6
L: 9
R: 3
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
H: 6
L: 1
R: 7
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
H: 6
L: 5
R: 7
S: 6 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 total
7 home
2 vs. L
5 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 3
L: 3
R: 4
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ARI
H: 4
L: 4
R: 4
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ARI
H: 3
L: 1
R: 5
S: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ARI
H: 1
L: 3
R: 1
S: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
H: 3
L: 2
R: 3
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
H: 1
L: 1
R: 1
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
H: 4
L: 4
R: 4
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
H: 8
L: 10
R: 4
S: 4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 total
3 home
0 vs. L
7 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 7
L: 10
R: 4
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
H: 3
L: 6
R: 1
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
H: 5
L: 5
R: 5
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
H: 8
L: 10
R: 6
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
H: 3
L: 3
R: 3
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
H: 5
L: 10
R: 1
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
H: 4
L: 7
R: 2
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
H: 9
L: 10
R: 6
S: 4 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>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.


AJ's hitting strategies



• Whenever Coors Field is open, it's usually a good idea to consider the Colorado Rockies' bats. For the season, they're hitting .279 at home as compared to .231 on the road. Yes, they're getting Cole Hamels and Roy Halladay when the Philadelphia Phillies come to town, but Seth Smith and Ty Wigginton actually hit Doc well (10-for-29) and guys such as Ryan Spilborghs and Todd Helton have handled Hamels in the past (.333 combined). There are winning lineups to be found here. After that, a four-game set with the Washington Nationals and their 4.16 road ERA isn't going to steer us away.


• Speaking of those Nationals, they might be getting a bat from the Detroit Tigers for Jason Marquis, or from one of the many other rumored deals involving Drew Storen, perhaps Denard Span. A little added excitement in this clubhouse may well add something extra to a lineup that has hit better in July than any other month of the season so far, thanks in large part to the duo of Michael Morse (.342) and Ryan Zimmerman (.310). Plus, a trip to Colorado -- perhaps one without Jimenez around -- typically doesn't hurt any offense.


• After an abysmal June (.229 as a team), the Toronto Blue Jays have been on fire in July, hitting .277 and scoring 5.7 runs per game. Colby Rasmus is sure to be an offensive upgrade over Rajai Davis, especially with Jose Bautista protecting him in the lineup. Against the Baltimore Orioles, the Blue Jays are hitting .283 with 16 home runs in nine games so far in 2011, and they've hit seven more round-trippers in eight contests with the Tampa Bay Rays. This should be a positive road trip for a team that could well find itself in third place in the AL East by the time it is over.


• Dustin Pedroia is getting hits every game now. It's 25 straight through Thursday's action and a .404 average during the streak. Not only is that rubbing off on the rest of the lineup, as the team is hitting .302 for July, but at Fenway Park, it matters not who is on the mound for the visiting side. The Red Sox are batting .308 when the Green Monster bears witness, with 19 home runs in 15 games against the Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees so far in 2011. Even the meeting with CC Sabathia isn't worrisome when you consider he's allowed 12 earned runs to this offensive juggernaut over their past two encounters.


Also favorable: Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates
Unfavorable: Arizona Diamondbacks, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners


Weather report



Weatherproof games: Reds at Astros (3, Mon-Wed); Brewers at Astros (3, Fri-Sun); Cardinals at Brewers (3, Mon-Wed); Dodgers at Diamondbacks (3, Fri-Sun); Athletics at Mariners (3, Mon-Wed); Blue Jays at Rays (3, Tue-Thu); Athletics at Rays (3, Fri-Sun).


AJ's Week 17 pitcher rankings: Top 75


1. Tim Lincecum (SF) -- Tue-ARI (Hudson), Sun-PHI (Kendrick)
2. Clayton Kershaw (LAD) -- Mon-@SD (Luebke), Sun-@ARI (Kennedy)
3. Justin Verlander (DET) -- Sat-@KC (Paulino)
4. Cory Luebke (SD) -- Mon-LAD (Kershaw), Sun-@PIT (Correia)
5. C.J. Wilson (TEX) -- Sat-CLE (Tomlin)
6. Tim Hudson (ATL) -- Fri-@NYM (Dickey)
7. Tommy Hanson (ATL) -- Sat-@NYM (Niese)
8. Jered Weaver (LAA) -- Sat-SEA (Vargas)
9. Jaime Garcia (STL) -- Tue-@MIL (Marcum), Sun-@FLA (Hand)
10. Cliff Lee (PHI) -- Thu-@SF (Bumgarner)
11. CC Sabathia (NYY) -- Mon-@CHW (Peavy), Sat-@BOS (Lackey)
12. Vance Worley (PHI) -- Fri-@SF (Zito)
13. Jeremy Hellickson (TB) -- Sat-OAK (McCarthy)
14. Chris Carpenter (STL) -- Mon-@MIL (Greinke), Sat-@FLA (Vazquez)
15. Matt Cain (SF) -- Mon-ARI (Kennedy), Sat-PHI (Hamels)
16. Jon Lester (BOS) -- Thu-CLE (Masterson)
17. David Price (TB) -- Tue-TOR (Romero), Sun-OAK (Cahill)
18. Zack Greinke (MIL) -- Mon-STL (Carpenter), Sun-@HOU (Norris)
19. Jair Jurrjens (ATL) -- Mon-@WAS (Hernandez), Sun-@NYM (Pelfrey)
20. Doug Fister (SEA) -- Mon-OAK (Cahill), Sun-@LAA (Santana)
21. Dan Haren (LAA) -- Fri-SEA (Pineda)
22. Ian Kennedy (ARI) -- Mon-@SF (Cain), Sun-LAD (Kershaw)
23. Trevor Cahill (OAK) -- Mon-@SEA (Fister), Sun-@TB (Price)
24. Colby Lewis (TEX) -- Tue-@DET (Scherzer), Sun-CLE (Huff)
25. Jhoulys Chacin (COL) -- Mon-PHI (Hamels), Sat-WAS (Hernandez)
26. Josh Beckett (BOS) -- Tue-CLE (Huff), Sun-NYY (Hughes)
27. Juan Nicasio (COL) -- Fri-WAS (Zimmermann)
28. Jake Peavy (CHW) -- Mon-NYY (Sabathia), Sat-@MIN (Pavano)
29. Guillermo Moscoso (OAK) -- Fri-@TB (Niemann)
30. Mat Latos (SD) -- Tue-LAD (Kuroda)
31. Josh Collmenter (ARI) -- Wed-@SF (Vogelsong)
32. Cole Hamels (PHI) -- Mon-@COL (Chacin), Sat-@SF (Cain)
33. Brandon Morrow (TOR) -- Fri-@BAL (Britton)
34. Brian Duensing (MIN) -- Tue-@LAA (Santana), Sun-CHW (Danks)
35. John Danks (CHW) -- Tue-NYY (Hughes), Sun-@MIN (Duensing)
36. Ubaldo Jimenez (COL) -- Thu-WAS (Marquis)
37. Tim Stauffer (SD) -- Wed-LAD (Lilly)
38. Phil Hughes (NYY) -- Tue-@CHW (Danks), Sun-@BOS (Beckett)
39. Alexi Ogando (TEX) -- Thu-@DET (Porcello)
40. Daniel Hudson (ARI) -- Tue-@SF (Lincecum)
41. Hiroki Kuroda (LAD) -- Tue-@SD (Latos)
42. Felix Hernandez (SEA) -- Tue-OAK (Harden)
43. Ervin Santana (LAA) -- Tue-MIN (Duensing), Sun-SEA (Fister)
44. Javier Vazquez (FLA) -- Mon-@NYM (Pelfrey), Sat-STL (Carpenter)
45. R.A. Dickey (NYM) -- Fri-ATL (Hudson)
46. Roy Halladay (PHI) -- Wed-@COL (Hammel)
47. Carlos Zambrano (CHC) -- Mon-@PIT (Maholm), Sat-CIN (Cueto)
48. Michael Pineda (SEA) -- Fri-@LAA (Haren)
49. Jeff Niemann (TB) -- Fri-OAK (Moscoso)
50. Paul Maholm (PIT) -- Mon-CHC (Zambrano), Sat-SD (Moseley)
51. Dillon Gee (NYM) -- Wed-FLA (Hensley)
52. Gio Gonzalez (OAK) -- Wed-@SEA (Bedard)
53. Mike Pelfrey (NYM) -- Mon-FLA (Vazquez), Sun-ATL (Jurrjens)
54. Clay Hensley (FLA) -- Wed-@NYM (Gee)
55. Ted Lilly (LAD) -- Wed-@SD (Stauffer)
56. Madison Bumgarner (SF) -- Thu-PHI (Lee)
57. Kevin Correia (PIT) -- Tue-CHC (Wells), Sun-SD (Luebke)
58. Jonathon Niese (NYM) -- Sat-ATL (Hanson)
59. Jeff Karstens (PIT) -- Fri-SD (Harang)
60. Ricky Romero (TOR) -- Tue-@TB (Price), Sun-@BAL (Simon)
61. Matt Garza (CHC) -- Wed-@PIT (Morton)
62. Rich Harden (OAK) -- Tue-@SEA (Hernandez)
63. Francisco Liriano (MIN) -- Thu-@LAA (Chatwood)
64. Ryan Vogelsong (SF) -- Wed-ARI (Collmenter)
65. Chad Billingsley (LAD) -- Fri-@ARI (Owings)
66. Yovani Gallardo (MIL) -- Fri-@HOU (Happ)
67. Carlos Villanueva (TOR) -- Wed-@TB (Shields)
68. Shaun Marcum (MIL) -- Tue-STL (Garcia)
69. Chris Capuano (NYM) -- Tue-FLA (Hand)
70. Bud Norris (HOU) -- Mon-CIN (Arroyo), Sun-MIL (Greinke)
71. Bronson Arroyo (CIN) -- Mon-@HOU (Norris), Sun-@CHC (Wells)
72. Barry Zito (SF) -- Fri-PHI (Worley)
73. Mark Buehrle (CHW) -- Fri-@MIN (Blackburn)
74. Scott Baker (MIN) -- Wed-@LAA (Pineiro)
75. John Lackey (BOS) -- Mon-CLE (Tomlin), Sat-NYY (Sabathia)



Two-start options for AL-/NL-only leagues:



Danny Duffy (KC) -- Tue-BAL (Simon), Sun-DET (Scherzer)
Randy Wells (CHC) -- Tue-@PIT (Correia), Sun-CIN (Arroyo)
Max Scherzer (DET) -- Tue-TEX (Lewis), Sun-@KC (Duffy)
John Lannan (WAS) -- Tue-ATL (Lowe), Sun-@COL (Cook)
Josh Tomlin (CLE) -- Mon-@BOS (Lackey), Sat-@TEX (Wilson)



No-thank-yous, among two-starts:



Aaron Cook (COL) -- Tue-PHI (Kendrick), Sun-WAS (Lannan)
Livan Hernandez (WAS) -- Mon-ATL (Jurrjens), Sat-@COL (Chacin)
Alfredo Simon (BAL) -- Tue-@KC (Duffy), Sun-TOR (Romero)
Kyle Kendrick (PHI) -- Tue-@COL (Cook), Sun-@SF (Lincecum)
David Huff (CLE) -- Tue-@BOS (Beckett), Sun-@TEX (Lewis)



One-start sleepers:



Joel Pineiro (LAA) -- Wed-MIN (Baker)
Derek Lowe (ATL) -- Tue-@WAS (Lannan)
James McDonald (PIT) -- Thu-CHC (Lopez)
Johnny Cueto (CIN) -- Sat-@CHC (Zambrano)
Brandon McCarthy (OAK) -- Sat-@TB (Hellickson)
Jason Vargas (SEA) -- Sat-@LAA (Weaver)
Wandy Rodriguez (HOU) -- Tue-CIN (Bailey)
Carl Pavano (MIN) -- Sat-CHW (Peavy)
Jordan Zimmermann (WAS) -- Fri-@COL (Nicasio)
Justin Masterson (CLE) -- Thu-@BOS (Lester)
Micah Owings (ARI) -- Fri-LAD (Billingsley)

 

[HacheMan]

Beltran trade boosts Duda, hurts Belt

Fallout: Ocho is a Patriot
This week is different than any the NFL has ever seen, or likely will ever see again. It's not just that months of free agency are getting crammed into a tiny window. It's that all the trades teams have had bottled up all summer are going down too. Rookie signings have to be done. Undrafted free agents need to find a home. And, of course, training camps are opening simultaneously. That means we're finding out about injuries we only had hazy details on earlier.

We're three days into this beast and still feeling strong. The Rotoworld News Page isn't going to slow down (ever?) and the Draft Guide is up and running.

Let's quickly dive into the fantasy impact of Thursday's big stories:

1. PATRIOTS TRADE FOR CHAD OCHOCINCO
There's no doubt that Chad Ochocinco is a clown off the field. But on it, he still projects as a force at age 33. If he didn't, Bill Belichick wouldn't be taking a chance here. Ocho immediately becomes the No. 1 target for Tom Brady on all intermediate routes while Wes Welker pounds the underneath patterns. Deion Branch slides off the fantasy radar.

Meanwhile, the Bengals are going to roll just how we thought they would. Rookie A.J. Green and Jerome Simpson are locked in as the starters, with Jordan Shipley working the slot. If their quarterback wasn't the two-headed monster of Bruce Gradkowski and Andy Dalton, maybe we could get excited.

Editor's Note: For exclusive columns from the Rotoworld Staff, projections, rankings, target reports and much more, get the 2011 Draft Guide!

2. PANTHERS TRADE FOR GREG OLSEN
As if the tight end position needed to get any deeper. Olsen goes from one of the worst situations in the league for a pass-catching tight end to one of the best. Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski is a former tight end that is notorious for getting production out of the position. He worked with Antonio Gates in San Diego and we all saw how that has turned out.

Head coach Ron Rivera is also on the record saying he wants to develop his tight ends to be a big part of the passing game, which makes perfect sense when your quarterback is a rookie. Olsen will quickly kick Jeremy Shockey to the curb, become the No. 2 option for Cam Newton and be a viable TE1.

3. DOLPHINS TRADE FOR REGGIE BUSH
The Dolphins finally decided that they drafted Daniel Thomas for a reason and blowing a wad of cash on Ahmad Bradshaw wasn't worth it. So they turned to Bush as a versatile complement to the rookie. Bush is expecting around 15 touches per game in Miami, but make no mistake here: Thomas is the feature back and will push for 250 carries. Bush's name will still carry more weight than his game, even in PPR circles.

4. CARDINALS TRADE FOR KEVIN KOLB
The deal that had been talked about all lockout long finally went down just as expected. The biggest winner is Larry Fitzgerald, who is now a top-5 fantasy receiver with ease. Personally, I would rank him third behind Calvin Johnson and Andre Johnson.

As for Kolb, he'll find that putting up numbers outside of the Eagles' explosive offense is harder than it seems. While he was throwing to a multitude of weapons in Philly, he only has Fitzgerald now. Consider Kolb a QB2.

5. VINCE YOUNG RELEASED BY THE TITANS
We knew this was coming, but the real news here is that he is reportedly on the verge of a deal with the Eagles to be Michael Vick's backup. From a fantasy perspective, this makes Vick an even safer pick. Vick owners can handcuff Young with their final pick and then if Vick gets hurt, we still have a QB1 in Young. Yes, with VY's skills, legs and weapons, he'd be a QB1 anytime he starts in Philly.

QUICK SLANTS
Michael Crabtree is expected to be out at least a month due to a foot injury. He's basically undraftable. ... Steve Smith changed his tune Thursday, saying he wants to be a Panther for life. His upside is capped by rookie quarterback Cam Newton. ... Darren Sproles signed on with the Saints to replace Reggie Bush. He'll be the passing-down back, leaving Pierre Thomas without a role. ... Chris Ivory (foot) is still two weeks away from practicing. Mark Ingram is the early-down man here. ... The Packers paid Ryan Grant his bonus, meaning he's going to be on the team and will likely be the starter. James Starks is headed for a complementary role.

 

[HacheMan]

Pre-Trade Deadline Hot and Not
The Mets can hit without Carlos Beltran and the Astros can pitch with their current staff, at least for this one week. Plus, Jimmy Rollins and Nick Blackburn fall from Hot to Not in just a one-week span. This week saw guys living up to their considerable potential (Justin Upton, Desmond Jennings) and those continuing to fail to meet lofty expectations (Kyle Blanks, Travis Snider). Lastly, a huge congratulations to Ervin Santana on just an absolutely remarkable week. Catch up on the entire hot/not landscape right here.


NL Batters

The Hot: Daniel Murphy, Mets, 1B/3B

Murphy is more than replacing Ike Davis' bat in the Mets' lineup. Murphy has been a sensation in fantasy leagues thanks to his positions flexibility and robust .320 average. Murphy has taken over as the Mets' three hitter with Carlos Beltran donning Giant orange now, meaning his arrow is pointing straight up. This week Murphy went 14/28 for a nice even .500 average to go along with 7 RBI, 7 runs and 5 doubles. Murphy even swiped a base this week. Murphy is a definite mixed league asset as we head down the stretch.


The Hotter: David Wright, Mets, 3B

Wright's first week off the DL was glorious for the Mets and his fantasy owners. Wright was hitting a paltry .226 when he finally succumbed to the back injury that had been plaguing him for nearly a month (which explained the .226 average). Now, fully healthy, Wright has gone on a tear, going 15/33 this week to raise his average to .268. He also added 2 homers, 9 runs, and 12 RBI. Wright is a guy who will strikeout a lot, but he is still a huge part of the Mets' order, and as long as the Mets' outfielders can provide a modicum of protection, Wright should be the man you drafted in the early rounds.


The Hottest: Justin Upton, Diamondbacks, OF

Upton had a week to remember, going 13/22 while drawing another 4 walks for a huge .630 OBP, tops in the NL by almost 60 points this week. As if that wasn't enough, Upton rocketed 4 homers, plated 13 runs, scored 8 more, had 10 extra base hits, and swiped 2 bases in 2 tries. Not yet 24, Justin Upton is starting to live up to the immense potential he possesses. While big bro BJ is the subject of trade rumors this week, Upton is doing nothing but hitting.


The Not: Jimmy Rollins, Phillies, SS

How the mighty have fallen. Two weeks ago Rollins hit .393. This week? .071. That is a ridiculous 222-point difference. Rollins is in a prime position to succeed thanks to that Phillie lineup behind him, but he is so erratic. He is so tough to bench in mixed leagues thanks to his considerable tools, but that doesn't mean he isn't a feast or famine player. Just hope he can find some middle ground between .393 and .071 the next couple of months.


The Not-ter: Kyle Blanks, Padres, OF/1B

Blanks was on the verge of being handed a golden opportunity with Ryan Ludwick seemingly out the door in San Diego. However, since coming up at the start of this week, Blanks is hitting just .100. What's even worse? In 20 at bats, Blanks struck out 11 times! Blanks was hitting very well in AAA, but if he squanders this opportunity, I'm not sure he'll get another one with the Padres.


The Not-test: Ryan Theriot, Cardinals, SS

Theriot hasn't been able to hit at all this week. He managed just a measly single in 22 at bats. What's even worse is that Daniel Descalso is starting to garner time at short, Tyler Greene is coming back from AAA and is a natural shortstop, and David Freese is healing up and will reclaim his starting role. Theriot is a name to avoid for the foreseeable future, at least until he can get his bat back on track.


AL Batters

The Hot: Nelson Cruz, Rangers, OF

Cruz was an RBI machine this week, knocking in an AL best 12 RBI to go along with his .448 average and 7 extra base. Cruz is a premiere hitter when he can stay healthy, but he seems to get hurt every season. Since he's already been on the DL once this year, maybe that means he's in the clear from here on out. In any case, Cruz is a guy that needs to be in all lineups whenever he's on the field because he is that big middle of the order bat every team needs.


The Hotter: Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox, 2B

The diminutive second baseman led the AL in slugging percentage with a .867 mark. Pedroia posted an even .500 average in what amounted to a very balanced week, which included 2 homers, 3, steals, 4 RBI, and 9 runs. Pedroia is the best second baseman in the game, and he isn't going to slow down any time soon.


The Hottest: Desmond Jennings, Rays, OF

The Desmond Jennings Era has begun. The Rays' super prospect seems to be up for good, stealing time in center and left until BJ Upton is finally traded. Jennings has the tools to be a perennial All-Star, so if you haven't jumped on the hype train yet, its time to do so. The 24 year old hit .500 in his first 6 games of the year, including 5 multi-hit outings (the 6th game he went hitless), a homer, a triple, 7 RBI, 5 runs, and an AL best 4 steals. Jennings must be owned in all mixed leagues, but just realize his potential might be limited if Upton isn't traded.


The Not: Travis Snider, Blue Jays, OF

We have been waiting for Snider for years, and now after the Colby Rasmus steal, Snider may be out of time. Snider went just 4/24 this week while scoring just 2 runs and knocking in just 1. Oh, and he struck out 13 times in 24 at bats. With Rajai Davis, Eric Thames, Snider, Rasmus, and possibly Mark Teahan fighting for time in the outfield, Snider is a guy to avoid in fantasy leagues until he starts to make good on that considerable potential.


The Not-ter: Mark Reynolds, Orioles, 3B

Mark Reynolds just isn't a good hitter. Reynolds has great power, but he is not the .260 hitter and 24 base stealer we saw in 2009. He is much more the .217 hitter and 5 base stealer we are seeing this year. This week, Reynolds was even worse than .217, going 2/21 with no RBI and just 1 run. Honestly, the Orioles should just be playing Josh Bell at third. Reynolds should be nowhere near fantasy lineups.


The Not-test: Alex Rios, White Sox, OF

Rios has been so bad this year after a hitting .284 last season with 21 homers and 34 steals, that he has been benched in favor of Alejandro De Aza. Rios went 2/15 this week before Ozzie Guillen finally made the move. Rios is not worth keeping on your roster if he can't even beat out De Aza for a spot in the lineup. Rios is the Not-test for losing his job.


NL Pitchers

The Hot: Bud Norris, Astros, P

Norris had two very solid starts this week, but he failed in two regards. First, Norris fell victim to 4 unearned runs in the last two starts. Second, he lasted just 12.1 innings in the two starts, not exactly giving his team much length. Now to the good. Norris' first start was marred by the shoddy defense behind him. He ended up surrendering 4 runs, just 1 earned, and 8 hits in 6.1 innings pitched while allowing 2 long balls in his loss. His next time out against the Cardinals he was much better. He allowed just 2 runs, 1 earned, over 6 innings while allowing just 4 hits. Norris has had a solid season, but he is unlikely to win many games pitching for the Astros. He is a borderline mixed league asset.


The Hotter: Wandy Rodriguez, Astros, P

Rodriguez was brilliant in both of his starts, auditioning for contending teams. Rodriguez took the loss in his first start, allowing just a pair of solo homers in 7 innings of work. Rodriguez only allowed one other hit and one walk while striking out 7, but took the loss thanks to pitching for the Astros. His next start came against the Cardinals and he was just as good. So good, that he even won the game. Rodriguez allowed just 3 runs, 1 earned, in 7 innings. The Cardinals managed just 5 hits while Rodriguez fanned 6 hitters. If Rodriguez gets moved to a contender, he could be a great mixed league asset.


The Hottest: Cole Hamels, Phillies, P

Cole Hamels is really, really good. His first start came against the Padres, where he absolutely manhandled the weak hitting club. Hamels lasted 8 innings surrendering just 1run on 3 hits and striking out 10. In his second start of the weak against the Giants, Hamels took the loss on a rare night where the Phillies' bats didn't have it. He went 7.2 innings allowing just a pair of runs on 6 hits with 6 more strikeouts. Hamels is easily one of the top hurlers in the NL and could win the Cy Young this season. Hamels is a must start from here on out against anyone but the Mets. A whopping 29.5% of his earned runs allowed this season came in two starts against the Mets.


The Not: Derek Lowe, Braves, P

Lowe just could not give the Braves any distance this week. In both of his starts Lowe lasted just 5 innings, taking the loss in both. First, against Cincinnati, Lowe allowed 4 earned runs on 6 hits over his 5 innings. Lowe struck out just 1 while walking 2. His start against the Pirates wasn't any better. This time he allowed 3 earned on 8 hits and although he fanned 5, he still walked 3. That means he had a WHIP over 2.00 for that start. Lowe needs to be better if he's going to help fantasy teams or his Braves.


The Not-ter: Kevin Correia, Pirates, P

Correia was all too hittable this week. The Cardinals burned him, while the Braves couldn't. Correia lasted just 4.2 innings against St. Louis before being chased. Correia allowed 7 runs on 8 hits striking out just 2. The final numbers from Correia's second start didn't seem too bad on the surface. The righty lasted 6.1 innings and surrendered just 2 runs, and only 1 earned. Then, when you look closer, you see Correia allowed a whopping 9 hits. Correia got lucky he didn't get blown out against the Braves, and you shouldn't take that chance with him in mixed leagues.


The Not-test: Homer Bailey, Reds, P

Bailey was actually good against the Braves in his first start, allowing just 2 runs over 6 innings to earn the win. But against a Mets' lineup newly missing Carlos Beltran, Bailey got absolutely blown up for 9 earned runs on 12 hits over just 4 innings. Bailey's ERA rose from 3.67 to 4.68 in the outing. He had been good before the Mets' start, but he is still a questionable option in mixed leagues to say the least.


AL Pitchers

The Hot: Max Scherzer, Tigers, P

Scherzer was very solid in both of his starts this week. Against the Twins, Scherzer allowed just 1 earned run over 7 innings in which he allowed only 5 base runners. His next start wasn't as good, but it was still impressive. Scherzer was a tough luck loser against the White Sox, going 6 strong innings allowing just 2 earned. The bad were his 4 walks. He did still fan 8, but he needs to have better control down the stretch. Scherzer is a fine option in AL only leagues, but is not nearly good enough for mixed leagues.


The Hotter: Scott Baker, Twins, P

Baker came off the DL and was great in both starts. Baker's first outing of the week came against the Tigers. Baker hadn't made any rehab starts and was making his first start since the DL, so he wasn't going to last very long regardless. However, Baker made the most of his time, hurling 5 innings of shutout ball, allowing just 3 hits while walking only 1 and striking out 5. His next start against the Rangers, in Texas, was just as good. Baker scattered 8 hits over 7 innings, resulting in just 2 earned runs while he managed not to walk a single batter. Baker ended up the tough luck loser as the Twins managed just one run. Baker has had a great season, and with the Twins on a roll, Baker must be owned in mixed leagues.


The Hottest: Ervin Santana, Angels, P

Ervin Santana is on one heck of a roll. Since the beginning of June Santana has allowed more than 3 runs just once, a 4 run outing against the Royals. This week, Santana started with a gem against the Orioles. Santana allowed just 1 earned on 3 hits, walking just 1 and striking out only 1. What could Santana possibly have done for an encore? How about a no hitter? Santana actually surrendered an unearned run after walking just one batter. Santana also struck out a season high 10. Santana is red-hot and must be on all mixed league rosters.


The Not: Joel Pineiro, Angels, P

Trevor Cahill got some consideration for this spot thanks to his 10 run blowup against the Yankees. However, Cahill salvaged himself by hurling 7.1 innings of shutout ball against the Rays. Now, on to Pineiro. Joel wasn't awful in his first outing of the week, allowing 3 runs over 5.1 innings against the Orioles. What was awful was his 11 hits allowed in that outing. His next start against the Tigers was pretty bad. Pineiro lasted just 3.1 innings before being chased. He got pattered for 6 runs, 5 earned, on 7 hits. The most surprising? Pineiro did not strike out a single batter in his two starts. Oh, and it's worth mentioning he lasted just a third of an inning allowing 7 earned the start before. He should be nowhere near lineups for the time being.


The Not-ter: Nick Blackburn, Twins, P

As good as Blackburn was last week (1 earned in 13 innings), he was even worse this week. Blackburn lasted all of 2.2 innings as the Rangers trounced the Twins 20-6. Blackburn himself allowed 9 runs, 6 earned, on 11 hits. Blackburn should be ale to bounce back, but it is awful hard to use him again in mixed leagues.


The Not-test: James Shields, Rays, P

Last week it was Dan Haren, this week it's Shields playing the role of an All-Star blowing up. Shields just couldn't corral the A's, being torched for 10 earned over 4 innings. To put that in perspective, Shields had allowed just 9 earned in 4 starts this month before the blowup. There is no explanation for this start, and owners shouldn't hesitate to throw Shields right back out there.

And last but not least, Schultz says: "At the beginning of this season, like the last two before, expectations were as high as they could be for Dexter Fowler to emerge as a five category roto-superstar. While his power capabilities have been more rumor than fact, there has always been ample evidence that he could steal 60 bases if given the chance . . . and if he could get on base at least 60 times. The first half of 2011 has been as close to an unmitigated disaster as it could get for Fowler and his owners. In June things looked quite bleak: Fowler was relegated to the minors like an underperforming English Premier League team and Charles Blackmon seemed poised to make Fowler an afterthought. Perhaps Fowler's long, hard stare into the abyss is the best thing that could have happened. Since Blackmon's injury, Fowler's recall has gone swimmingly. With a batting average north of .350 and more steals in the last two weeks than in the first two months of the season, Fowler may yield great dividends to roto-owners that missed out on the Desmond Jennings sweepstakes.

Colby Rasmus, another young player who has constantly struggled to reach the expectations of roto-owners, finally received the reprieve that he had been reportedly been looking for since last season. The relationship between Rasmus and Cardinal's manager Tony LaRussa had grown toxic and despite flashes of brilliance, LaRussa and the Cardinals coaching staff seemed unable or unwilling to work with him in honing in skills. In all fairness to the Cardinals, it doesn't sound as if Rasmus was a Daniel LaRusso quality student. This week's trade to the Blue Jays will either be the catalyst towards reviving Rasmus' roto-value - for the last month, his sporadic success at the plate had threatened to turn him into a platoon player - or confirming his place on the underachieving and overrated All Stars. This one is going to take some time to develop, so patience is going to be required.

 

[HacheMan]

too excited over Ubaldo

Eric Karabell

Ubaldo Jimenez is owned in 100 percent of ESPN standard leagues, and while I'm not his biggest fan from a statistical standpoint, I can't really quarrel with his ownership. Jimenez was a likely regression candidate from 2010, and he's certainly been frustrating for fantasy owners, especially at Coors Field, where his numbers are atrocious. Well, he doesn't have to deal with that anymore, after the Colorado Rockies traded him to the Cleveland Indians (pending a physical), but fantasy owners should still view him in the proper frame of mind.

Good for the Indians and their fans for the intent of the deal, I suppose, though the price to acquire Jimenez is a steep one. Fantasy owners need not concern themselves with the prospects the Rockies picked up in the deal for at least another year and probably more, but the big story is a contending team's rotation that lacked star power is getting some. I just don't think Jimenez is quite the star people think.
A year ago, when he was fantasy's top pitcher in the first half of the season, Jimenez was a fantasy hero. He ended up 23rd overall on the Player Rater, fourth among starting pitchers, thanks to 19 wins, a 2.88 ERA, 1.15 and many, many strikeouts. Then again, he was 15-1 with a 2.20 at the All-Star break. In the second half of the season he was not nearly as a successful. I didn't really consider ranking the right-hander among my top 10 starting pitchers for 2011, but he made my top 20 … barely.
<OFFER>Entering Saturday, Jimenez was 83rd among starting pitchers on the Rater for this season, and let's just say Saturday didn't go so well as a seemingly disinterested Jimenez allowed four runs to the awful San Diego Padres in the first inning. Command was clearly a problem. Jimenez has won only 10 of his 36 starts since last year's All-Star break with a 4.17 ERA. A big part of the problem is the home numbers, where Jimenez has a 5.55 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and far lower strikeout rate this year. Overall his average fastball velocity is down nearly 3 mph. But let's face it, until Saturday night at Petco Park, he had been terrific on the road, with a sub-1 WHIP and 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings. (I'm not going to destroy him for the Padres outing.)
In other words, he's still a good pitcher, valuable in fantasy, just not top 20 or particularly close for me. For statistical purposes, the neutral Progressive Field should help, but Jimenez will also be facing tougher lineups laden with designated hitters rather than automatic out pitchers. No more San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers this season.
If I'm in an AL-only league and need pitching, I'd use my top waiver spot or spend a good portion of available FAAB dollars to acquire Jimenez. I doubt any better starting pitchers will be coming over from the NL or the minor leagues. Overall Jimenez actually sports a better xFIP than he ended up with last season (3.49 entering Saturday versus 2010's 3.60), so perhaps exiting Coors Field will have a bigger impact than we think.
But I also don't view Jimenez as a Cy Young contender moving forward. Assuming Jimenez stays with the Indians in 2012, I'd view him as a durable innings eater capable of winning 15 games (but I'll take the under), with an ERA in the high-3s, a WHIP around 1.25 and perhaps 200 strikeouts. For this year he could win half his 14 or so remaining starts, I suppose, with similar peripherals, but let's also remember the team he's joining doesn't score a ton of runs. My point is simple: Own Jimenez but view him for what he likely is. Since last year's All-Star break Jimenez has been inconsistent, generally good but rarely great, just like he was in 2008 and 2009. I can't view him as the 15-1 pitcher moving forward, but more like the current one with the somewhat inflated ERA.
Regarding the prospects the Rockies got, colleague Jason Grey sends in the following:
The Rockies are hoping they basically got two solid rotation pieces in exchange for one.


I profiled Alex White in more detail earlier this year before his big league debut. He has been rehabbing from a finger injury, and the Indians had been using him as a reliever in the minors recently only with the idea he could get back to the big leagues quicker that way than getting stretched back out as a starter.


White's slider has shown enough improvement this season to give him a projectable third offering to go with his fastball/splitter combo to project him as a potential solid mid-rotation starter as early as next season.


Reportedly, the fifth overall pick in the 2010 draft, Drew Pomeranz, is involved in the deal as well. Pomeranz is a big 6-foot-5 southpaw who can move quickly. He can dial it up to the mid-90s with a knockout curveball that can really neutralize left-handed hitters. He also projects as a mid-rotation starter, but his ceiling is potentially a little higher than that if he can repeat his delivery a little better and show more consistent overall command, especially given that he's made some progress with his changeup.


First baseman Matt McBride is just an extra piece that profiles as a 25th man on a big league roster at best.


As for other repercussions of this trade, the Rockies need another starting pitcher, but I don't think fantasy owners should be interested in Esmil Rogers, the likely replacement. The Indians will likely punt left-hander David Huff to make room in the rotation, though he's been far better than right-hander Carlos Carrasco of late. Justin Masterson is owned in 100 percent of leagues and should be, since he's currently fantasy's No. 18 starting pitcher, based on the Player Rater. Josh Tomlin is at 58.9 percent owned and while he doesn't accrue many strikeouts, his WHIP is precisely 1.00 over the past month. Carrasco comes next at 13.2 percent. The Indians needed pitching help to remain contenders, and Jimenez will provide it. Just keep expectations in check.

 

[HacheMan]

Hazy forecast

Upcoming week looks uncertain now thanks to potential trade deadline moves



By AJ Mass
ESPN.com


On tap: The word of the day is "uncertainty." With the trade deadline creeping ever so close, we've already begun to see a few moves, most notably Edwin Jackson getting shipped off to the St. Louis Cardinals via the Toronto blue Jays. The upshot of that three-way deal is the return of Philip Humber to the Chicago White Sox rotation and the "demotion" of Kyle McClellan to Tony La Russa's bullpen carousel of terror.

Rumors involving Ubaldo Jimenez, Hiroki Kuroda, Erik Bedard, Wandy Rodriguez and James Shields continue to be just that: rumors. Odds are more of these deals end up falling through than see fruition, but the ripple effect from even one of these arms changing clubhouses will surely play havoc with the projections for the coming week. Nothing is set in stone until the calendar page officially turns.


It's a big week for the Cleveland Indians. We may well find out if they're legitimate postseason contenders or a feel-good story that has reached its end. They go on the road for four games against the American League East-leading Boston Red Sox then continue their tour of the top with a three-game set at the Western leaders, the Texas Rangers. Barring a deal, it looks as if Josh Tomlin and David Huff will be the ones to get double-dips.


Reminder: For those of you in weekly-transactions leagues, there is plenty of time to get your Week 17 lineups in, as there are currently no day games scheduled for Aug. 1. Here are this week's other scheduled first pitches by day: Tuesday 7:05 p.m. ET, Wednesday 1:05 p.m. ET, Thursday 12:10 p.m. ET, Friday 2:20 p.m. ET, Saturday 1:05 p.m. ET, Sunday 1:10 p.m. ET.


Projected starting pitchers



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<TABLE style="MARGIN: 0px; WIDTH: 100%"><THEAD><TR><TH style="WIDTH: 30px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Team </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 14%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Mon
8/1 </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 14%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Tue
8/2 </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 14%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Wed
8/3 </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 14%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Thu
8/4 </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 14%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Fri
8/5 </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 14%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Sat
8/6 </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 14%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Sun
8/7 </CENTER></TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@KC
Simon
(RHP)
P: 2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@KC
Bergesen
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@KC
Guthrie
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TOR
Britton
(LHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TOR
Arrieta
(RHP)
P: 1 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TOR
Simon
(RHP)
P: 2 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
Lackey
(RHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
Beckett
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
Wakefield
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
Lester
(LHP)
P: 9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
Miller
(LHP)
P: 1 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
Lackey
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
Beckett
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
Peavy
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
Danks
(LHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
Floyd
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
Humber
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIN
Buehrle
(LHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIN
Peavy
(RHP)
P: 9 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIN
Danks
(LHP)
P: 8 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
Tomlin
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
Huff
(LHP)
P: 1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
Carrasco
(RHP)
P: 1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
Masterson
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TEX
Carmona
(RHP)
P: 2 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TEX
Tomlin
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TEX
Huff
(LHP)
P: 1 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TEX
Scherzer
(RHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TEX
Penny
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TEX
Porcello
(RHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@KC
Below
(LHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@KC
Verlander
(RHP)
P: 9 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@KC
Scherzer
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BAL
Duffy
(LHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BAL
Chen
(LHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BAL
Hochevar
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>DET
Francis
(LHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>DET
Paulino
(RHP)
P: 2 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>DET
Duffy
(LHP)
P: 4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIN
Santana
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIN
Pineiro
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIN
Chatwood
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SEA
Haren
(RHP)
P: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SEA
Weaver
(RHP)
P: 10 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SEA
Santana
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
Duensing
(LHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
Baker
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
Liriano
(LHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHW
Blackburn
(RHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHW
Pavano
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHW
Duensing
(LHP)
P: 8 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHW
Sabathia
(LHP)
P: 10 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHW
Hughes
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHW
Burnett
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHW
Colon
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
Garcia
(RHP)
P: 2 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
Sabathia
(LHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
Hughes
(RHP)
P: 4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SEA
Cahill
(RHP)
P: 9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SEA
Harden
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SEA
Gonzalez
(LHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
Moscoso
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
McCarthy
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
Cahill
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>OAK
Fister
(RHP)
P: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>OAK
Hernandez
(RHP)
P: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>OAK
Bedard
(LHP)
P: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
Pineda
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
Vargas
(LHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
Fister
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TOR
Price
(LHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TOR
Shields
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TOR
Davis
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>OAK
Niemann
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>OAK
Hellickson
(RHP)
P: 9 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>OAK
Price
(LHP)
P: 9 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@DET
Lewis
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@DET
Harrison
(LHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@DET
Ogando
(RHP)
P: 9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
Holland
(LHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
Wilson
(LHP)
P: 10 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
Lewis
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
Romero
(LHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
Villnueva
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
Cecil
(LHP)
P: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BAL
Morrow
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BAL
TBD

P: 1 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BAL
Romero
(LHP)
P: 5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
Kennedy
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
Hudson
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
Collmnter
(RHP)
P: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
Owings
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
Saunders
(LHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
Kennedy
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@WAS
Jurrjens
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@WAS
Lowe
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@WAS
Beachy
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
Hudson
(RHP)
P: 9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
Hanson
(RHP)
P: 9 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
Jurrjens
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
Zambrano
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
Wells
(RHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
Garza
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
Lopez
(RHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
Dempster
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
Zambrano
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
Wells
(RHP)
P: 4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@HOU
Arroyo
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@HOU
Bailey
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@HOU
Willis
(LHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHC
Leake
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHC
Cueto
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHC
Arroyo
(RHP)
P: 4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
Chacin
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
Cook
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
Hammel
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>WAS
Jimenez
(RHP)
P: 9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>WAS
Nicasio
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>WAS
Chacin
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>WAS
Cook
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
Vazquez
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
Hand
(LHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
Hensley
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
Sanchez
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
Nolasco
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
Vazquez
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
Hand
(LHP)
P: 6 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
Norris
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
W.Rdrguez
(LHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
Lyles
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIL
Happ
(LHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIL
Myers
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIL
Norris
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SD
Kershaw
(LHP)
P: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SD
Kuroda
(RHP)
P: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SD
Lilly
(LHP)
P: 9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@ARI
Billingsley
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@ARI
DeLaRosa
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@ARI
Kershaw
(LHP)
P: 10 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
Greinke
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
Marcum
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
Wolf
(LHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@HOU
Gallardo
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@HOU
Narveson
(LHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@HOU
Greinke
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>FLA
Pelfrey
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>FLA
Capuano
(LHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>FLA
Gee
(RHP)
P: 9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
Dickey
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
Niese
(LHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
Pelfrey
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
Hamels
(LHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
Kendrick
(RHP)
P: 2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
Halladay
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
Lee
(LHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
Worley
(RHP)
P: 10 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
Hamels
(LHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
Kendrick
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHC
Maholm
(LHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHC
Correia
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHC
Morton
(RHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHC
McDonald
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SD
Karstens
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SD
Maholm
(LHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SD
Correia
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIL
Carpenter
(RHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIL
Garcia
(LHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIL
Jackson
(RHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@FLA
Lohse
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@FLA
Westbrook
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@FLA
Carpenter
(RHP)
P: 9 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@FLA
Garcia
(LHP)
P: 9 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
Luebke
(LHP)
P: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
Latos
(RHP)
P: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
Stauffer
(RHP)
P: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
Harang
(RHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
Moseley
(RHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
Luebke
(LHP)
P: 9 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ARI
Cain
(RHP)
P: 9 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ARI
Lincecum
(RHP)
P: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ARI
Vogelsong
(RHP)
P: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
Bumgarner
(LHP)
P: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
Zito
(LHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
Cain
(RHP)
P: 9 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
Lincecum
(RHP)
P: 10 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
Hernandez
(RHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
Lannan
(LHP)
P: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
Wang
(RHP)
P: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
Marquis
(RHP)
P: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
Zimmrmnn
(RHP)
P: 6 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
Hernandez
(RHP)
P: 2 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
Lannan
(LHP)
P: 3 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>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.


AJ's pitching strategies



• The streak is dead! Long live the streak! Felix Hernandez finally put a stake in the heart of that 17-game long vampire of a skid that sucked nearly all of the 2011 hope from Seattle Mariners fans. Truth be told, it's not like all of the blame can be placed on the anemic lineup. The Mariners staff over the last two weeks has been fairly brutal itself, with a 5.88 ERA. So why are we optimistic this week? For one, they're home for three against Oakland, a team they've held to a .218 batting average this season. Then there's a trip to Anaheim, where there's a chance King Felix could be handed a second start for the week if either Bedard or Jason Vargas ends up being traded.


• Of course, that Mariners lineup has been fairly awful all season long, and a .226 batting average strikes fear in nobody's hearts. That's why we love the Los Angeles Angels rotation this week. The trio of Dan Haren, Jered Weaver and Ervin Santana could all throw no-hitters in the weekend series. The whole week's slate is at home, where the Angels pitchers have only a .234 batting average against. True, the Minnesota Twins, who come to town from Tuesday to Thursday, have double-digit hit totals 10 times this past month, but even with all that offense, they're still only 11th in the American League in runs scored (411) and 10th in batting average (.250).

• Tim Lincecum's recent illness caused the San Francisco Giants to juggle their rotation, and as such, he'll get two starts in Week 17. The first contest is against the Arizona Diamondbacks, who hit just .244 on the road as a team, while the second outing is a rematch with the Philadelphia Phillies (against whom he threw six shutout innings on Thursday), who also see a dip in batting average -- to .245 -- when away from their home in Citizens Bank Park. There's really not a lot bad to say about this staff, which is leading the National League in ERA at 3.07. Matt Cain (9-6, 2.91 ERA) is the other pitcher currently expected to get the call twice for the West Division leaders.


• Even if Kuroda waives his no-trade clause and leaves for greener pastures, the Los Angeles Dodgers are a solid staff this week. They get a trio of games in San Diego, where they've held the Padres to a .238 batting average and a 2.89 ERA so far this season. Then, it's off to Arizona, where the Dodgers have been equally impressive, holding Diamondbacks bats to a .193 batting average and 11 runs scored in three games at Chase Field. Clayton Kershaw, who has yet to give up an earned run to Arizona this season, gets to pitch in both series.


Also favorable: St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, Chicago White Sox
Unfavorable: Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros


Team advantages



<STYLE type=text/css>.mod-inline td img {margin: 0px;}</STYLE>
<TABLE style="MARGIN: 0px; WIDTH: 100%"><THEAD><TR><TH style="WIDTH: 30px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Team </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 12%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Games </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 11%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Overall
Rating </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 11%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Mon
8/1 </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 11%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Tue
8/2 </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 11%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Wed
8/3 </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 11%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Thu
8/4 </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 11%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Fri
8/5 </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 11%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Sat
8/6 </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 11%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Sun
8/7 </CENTER></TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
3 home
3 vs. L
2 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 7
L: 7
R: 7
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@KC
H: 7
L: 6
R: 7
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@KC
H: 7
L: 3
R: 9
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@KC
H: 8
L: 10
R: 6
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TOR
H: 4
L: 4
R: 2
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TOR
H: 6
L: 6
R: 6
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TOR
H: 6
L: 10
R: 3
S: 5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 total
7 home
2 vs. L
5 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 8
L: 9
R: 7
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
H: 6
L: 8
R: 4
S: 2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
H: 10
L: 10
R: 9
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
H: 10
L: 10
R: 8
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
H: 3
L: 5
R: 1
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
H: 7
L: 7
R: 7
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
H: 1
L: 1
R: 2
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
H: 4
L: 5
R: 4
S: 5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 total
4 home
2 vs. L
5 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 7
L: 6
R: 8
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
H: 1
L: 1
R: 2
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
H: 4
L: 5
R: 4
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
H: 7
L: 6
R: 8
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
H: 9
L: 10
R: 5
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIN
H: 8
L: 9
R: 6
S: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIN
H: 6
L: 6
R: 6
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIN
H: 3
L: 1
R: 6
S: 3 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 total
0 home
3 vs. L
4 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 6
L: 4
R: 6
S: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
H: 8
L: 9
R: 6
S: 9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
H: 3
L: 4
R: 2
S: 9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
H: 8
L: 6
R: 10
S: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
H: 2
L: 1
R: 3
S: 9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TEX
H: 7
L: 1
R: 10
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TEX
H: 1
L: 1
R: 1
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TEX
H: 3
L: 5
R: 1
S: 5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
3 home
3 vs. L
3 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 5
L: 4
R: 5
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TEX
H: 3
L: 5
R: 1
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TEX
H: 6
L: 5
R: 6
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TEX
H: 1
L: 2
R: 1
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@KC
H: 6
L: 2
R: 6
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@KC
H: 9
L: 10
R: 4
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@KC
H: 7
L: 6
R: 7
S: 7 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
6 home
1 vs. L
5 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 7
L: 9
R: 5
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BAL
H: 9
L: 8
R: 10
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BAL
H: 8
L: 10
R: 5
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BAL
H: 8
L: 9
R: 6
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>DET
H: 6
L: 8
R: 4
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>DET
H: 1
L: 1
R: 2
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>DET
H: 6
L: 9
R: 3
S: 5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
6 home
3 vs. L
3 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 3
L: 1
R: 5
S: 2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIN
H: 4
L: 1
R: 7
S: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIN
H: 5
L: 5
R: 5
S: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIN
H: 5
L: 1
R: 6
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SEA
H: 3
L: 1
R: 5
S: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SEA
H: 5
L: 3
R: 6
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SEA
H: 3
L: 3
R: 2
S: 2 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
3 home
2 vs. L
4 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 5
L: 6
R: 4
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
H: 6
L: 7
R: 3
S: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
H: 6
L: 7
R: 5
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
H: 7
L: 10
R: 4
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHW
H: 5
L: 4
R: 5
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHW
H: 2
L: 2
R: 3
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHW
H: 3
L: 6
R: 3
S: 6 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 total
0 home
2 vs. L
5 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 7
L: 8
R: 6
S: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHW
H: 3
L: 3
R: 3
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHW
H: 4
L: 6
R: 3
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHW
H: 5
L: 5
R: 5
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHW
H: 5
L: 7
R: 3
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
H: 10
L: 10
R: 9
S: 9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
H: 8
L: 9
R: 6
S: 9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
H: 3
L: 4
R: 2
S: 9 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
0 home
2 vs. L
4 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 1
L: 2
R: 2
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SEA
H: 2
L: 2
R: 2
S: 2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SEA
H: 1
L: 1
R: 1
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SEA
H: 2
L: 3
R: 2
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
H: 4
L: 3
R: 5
S: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
H: 3
L: 6
R: 1
S: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
H: 3
L: 1
R: 4
S: 10 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
3 home
1 vs. L
5 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 3
L: 4
R: 2
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>OAK
H: 3
L: 6
R: 1
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>OAK
H: 5
L: 4
R: 6
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>OAK
H: 4
L: 4
R: 4
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
H: 3
L: 4
R: 2
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
H: 1
L: 1
R: 1
S: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
H: 6
L: 7
R: 3
S: 8 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
6 home
2 vs. L
4 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 5
L: 6
R: 3
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TOR
H: 5
L: 10
R: 2
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TOR
H: 3
L: 4
R: 2
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TOR
H: 8
L: 4
R: 10
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>OAK
H: 4
L: 5
R: 3
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>OAK
H: 5
L: 7
R: 3
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>OAK
H: 3
L: 6
R: 1
S: 6 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
3 home
1 vs. L
5 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 8
L: 10
R: 6
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@DET
H: 6
L: 9
R: 3
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@DET
H: 7
L: 5
R: 9
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@DET
H: 6
L: 8
R: 3
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
H: 8
L: 10
R: 4
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
H: 6
L: 8
R: 4
S: 2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
H: 10
L: 10
R: 9
S: 4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
0 home
2 vs. L
4 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 8
L: 6
R: 7
S: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
H: 3
L: 1
R: 4
S: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
H: 5
L: 5
R: 5
S: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
H: 6
L: 5
R: 6
S: 10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BAL
H: 7
L: 7
R: 7
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BAL
H: 10
L: 10
R: 3
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BAL
H: 9
L: 8
R: 10
S: 5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
3 home
1 vs. L
5 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 2
L: 3
R: 1
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
H: 2
L: 2
R: 2
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
H: 1
L: 2
R: 1
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
H: 3
L: 5
R: 2
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
H: 4
L: 7
R: 2
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
H: 5
L: 9
R: 3
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
H: 1
L: 1
R: 1
S: 4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
0 home
2 vs. L
4 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 7
L: 8
R: 6
S: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@WAS
H: 8
L: 9
R: 7
S: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@WAS
H: 6
L: 4
R: 7
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@WAS
H: 8
L: 10
R: 6
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
H: 4
L: 4
R: 4
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
H: 5
L: 7
R: 4
S: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
H: 5
L: 7
R: 4
S: 5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 total
3 home
1 vs. L
6 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 9
L: 7
R: 8
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
H: 6
L: 1
R: 7
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
H: 6
L: 5
R: 7
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
H: 7
L: 10
R: 3
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
H: 5
L: 4
R: 6
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
H: 6
L: 6
R: 6
S: 2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
H: 5
L: 4
R: 5
S: 1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
H: 7
L: 10
R: 3
S: 2 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
0 home
1 vs. L
5 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 7
L: 5
R: 8
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@HOU
H: 6
L: 7
R: 6
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@HOU
H: 5
L: 1
R: 6
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@HOU
H: 6
L: 1
R: 10
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHC
H: 6
L: 8
R: 4
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHC
H: 5
L: 5
R: 5
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHC
H: 8
L: 9
R: 6
S: 6 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 total
7 home
2 vs. L
5 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 10
L: 10
R: 9
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
H: 5
L: 5
R: 5
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
H: 10
L: 10
R: 6
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
H: 3
L: 3
R: 2
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>WAS
H: 8
L: 9
R: 7
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>WAS
H: 5
L: 6
R: 4
S: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>WAS
H: 9
L: 10
R: 9
S: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>WAS
H: 7
L: 6
R: 8
S: 4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 total
4 home
2 vs. L
5 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 5
L: 4
R: 6
S: 1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
H: 5
L: 7
R: 4
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
H: 4
L: 1
R: 5
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
H: 2
L: 3
R: 2
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
H: 8
L: 8
R: 7
S: 1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
H: 6
L: 5
R: 7
S: 1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
H: 2
L: 2
R: 2
S: 1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
H: 1
L: 1
R: 3
S: 1 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
6 home
2 vs. L
4 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 6
L: 5
R: 6
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
H: 6
L: 10
R: 2
S: 2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
H: 6
L: 6
R: 7
S: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
H: 8
L: 2
R: 10
S: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIL
H: 5
L: 5
R: 4
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIL
H: 7
L: 2
R: 8
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIL
H: 3
L: 7
R: 1
S: 5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
0 home
2 vs. L
4 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 3
L: 2
R: 4
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SD
H: 1
L: 1
R: 2
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SD
H: 1
L: 1
R: 1
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SD
H: 1
L: 2
R: 1
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@ARI
H: 7
L: 9
R: 6
S: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@ARI
H: 8
L: 1
R: 10
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@ARI
H: 5
L: 5
R: 5
S: 4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
3 home
2 vs. L
4 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 5
L: 3
R: 6
S: 2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
H: 2
L: 2
R: 2
S: 1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
H: 1
L: 1
R: 3
S: 1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
H: 6
L: 6
R: 6
S: 2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@HOU
H: 7
L: 3
R: 8
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@HOU
H: 6
L: 6
R: 6
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@HOU
H: 6
L: 7
R: 6
S: 6 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
6 home
1 vs. L
5 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 1
L: 4
R: 1
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>FLA
H: 4
L: 6
R: 3
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>FLA
H: 5
L: 6
R: 4
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>FLA
H: 2
L: 4
R: 1
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
H: 1
L: 4
R: 1
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
H: 1
L: 3
R: 1
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
H: 3
L: 5
R: 1
S: 6 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 total
0 home
2 vs. L
5 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 5
L: 5
R: 5
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
H: 4
L: 7
R: 2
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
H: 9
L: 10
R: 6
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
H: 9
L: 10
R: 8
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
H: 2
L: 1
R: 3
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
H: 5
L: 3
R: 5
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
H: 2
L: 2
R: 2
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
H: 1
L: 2
R: 1
S: 7 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 total
7 home
1 vs. L
6 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 8
L: 6
R: 10
S: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHC
H: 5
L: 5
R: 5
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHC
H: 7
L: 9
R: 6
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHC
H: 3
L: 2
R: 5
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHC
H: 8
L: 6
R: 10
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SD
H: 7
L: 6
R: 8
S: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SD
H: 6
L: 7
R: 6
S: 8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SD
H: 2
L: 1
R: 3
S: 7 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 total
0 home
2 vs. L
5 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 5
L: 6
R: 5
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIL
H: 2
L: 6
R: 1
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIL
H: 4
L: 3
R: 5
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIL
H: 5
L: 4
R: 6
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@FLA
H: 6
L: 5
R: 6
S: 7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@FLA
H: 5
L: 5
R: 5
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@FLA
H: 5
L: 7
R: 3
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@FLA
H: 5
L: 6
R: 4
S: 6 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 total
3 home
3 vs. L
3 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 3
L: 3
R: 4
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
H: 1
L: 1
R: 1
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
H: 1
L: 3
R: 1
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
H: 3
L: 5
R: 3
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
H: 6
L: 9
R: 3
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
H: 6
L: 1
R: 7
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
H: 6
L: 5
R: 7
S: 6 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 total
7 home
2 vs. L
5 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 3
L: 3
R: 4
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ARI
H: 4
L: 4
R: 4
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ARI
H: 3
L: 1
R: 5
S: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ARI
H: 1
L: 3
R: 1
S: 3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
H: 3
L: 2
R: 3
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
H: 1
L: 1
R: 1
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
H: 4
L: 4
R: 4
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
H: 8
L: 10
R: 4
S: 4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 total
3 home
0 vs. L
7 vs. R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 7
L: 10
R: 4
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
H: 3
L: 6
R: 1
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
H: 5
L: 5
R: 5
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
H: 8
L: 10
R: 6
S: 4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
H: 3
L: 3
R: 3
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
H: 5
L: 10
R: 1
S: 6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
H: 4
L: 7
R: 2
S: 5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
H: 9
L: 10
R: 6
S: 4 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>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.


AJ's hitting strategies



• Whenever Coors Field is open, it's usually a good idea to consider the Colorado Rockies' bats. For the season, they're hitting .279 at home as compared to .231 on the road. Yes, they're getting Cole Hamels and Roy Halladay when the Philadelphia Phillies come to town, but Seth Smith and Ty Wigginton actually hit Doc well (10-for-29) and guys such as Ryan Spilborghs and Todd Helton have handled Hamels in the past (.333 combined). There are winning lineups to be found here. After that, a four-game set with the Washington Nationals and their 4.16 road ERA isn't going to steer us away.


• Speaking of those Nationals, they might be getting a bat from the Detroit Tigers for Jason Marquis, or from one of the many other rumored deals involving Drew Storen, perhaps Denard Span. A little added excitement in this clubhouse may well add something extra to a lineup that has hit better in July than any other month of the season so far, thanks in large part to the duo of Michael Morse (.342) and Ryan Zimmerman (.310). Plus, a trip to Colorado -- perhaps one without Jimenez around -- typically doesn't hurt any offense.


• After an abysmal June (.229 as a team), the Toronto Blue Jays have been on fire in July, hitting .277 and scoring 5.7 runs per game. Colby Rasmus is sure to be an offensive upgrade over Rajai Davis, especially with Jose Bautista protecting him in the lineup. Against the Baltimore Orioles, the Blue Jays are hitting .283 with 16 home runs in nine games so far in 2011, and they've hit seven more round-trippers in eight contests with the Tampa Bay Rays. This should be a positive road trip for a team that could well find itself in third place in the AL East by the time it is over.


• Dustin Pedroia is getting hits every game now. It's 25 straight through Thursday's action and a .404 average during the streak. Not only is that rubbing off on the rest of the lineup, as the team is hitting .302 for July, but at Fenway Park, it matters not who is on the mound for the visiting side. The Red Sox are batting .308 when the Green Monster bears witness, with 19 home runs in 15 games against the Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees so far in 2011. Even the meeting with CC Sabathia isn't worrisome when you consider he's allowed 12 earned runs to this offensive juggernaut over their past two encounters.


Also favorable: Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates
Unfavorable: Arizona Diamondbacks, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners


Weather report



Weatherproof games: Reds at Astros (3, Mon-Wed); Brewers at Astros (3, Fri-Sun); Cardinals at Brewers (3, Mon-Wed); Dodgers at Diamondbacks (3, Fri-Sun); Athletics at Mariners (3, Mon-Wed); Blue Jays at Rays (3, Tue-Thu); Athletics at Rays (3, Fri-Sun).


AJ's Week 17 pitcher rankings: Top 75


1. Tim Lincecum (SF) -- Tue-ARI (Hudson), Sun-PHI (Kendrick)
2. Clayton Kershaw (LAD) -- Mon-@SD (Luebke), Sun-@ARI (Kennedy)
3. Justin Verlander (DET) -- Sat-@KC (Paulino)
4. Cory Luebke (SD) -- Mon-LAD (Kershaw), Sun-@PIT (Correia)
5. C.J. Wilson (TEX) -- Sat-CLE (Tomlin)
6. Tim Hudson (ATL) -- Fri-@NYM (Dickey)
7. Tommy Hanson (ATL) -- Sat-@NYM (Niese)
8. Jered Weaver (LAA) -- Sat-SEA (Vargas)
9. Jaime Garcia (STL) -- Tue-@MIL (Marcum), Sun-@FLA (Hand)
10. Cliff Lee (PHI) -- Thu-@SF (Bumgarner)
11. CC Sabathia (NYY) -- Mon-@CHW (Peavy), Sat-@BOS (Lackey)
12. Vance Worley (PHI) -- Fri-@SF (Zito)
13. Jeremy Hellickson (TB) -- Sat-OAK (McCarthy)
14. Chris Carpenter (STL) -- Mon-@MIL (Greinke), Sat-@FLA (Vazquez)
15. Matt Cain (SF) -- Mon-ARI (Kennedy), Sat-PHI (Hamels)
16. Jon Lester (BOS) -- Thu-CLE (Masterson)
17. David Price (TB) -- Tue-TOR (Romero), Sun-OAK (Cahill)
18. Zack Greinke (MIL) -- Mon-STL (Carpenter), Sun-@HOU (Norris)
19. Jair Jurrjens (ATL) -- Mon-@WAS (Hernandez), Sun-@NYM (Pelfrey)
20. Doug Fister (SEA) -- Mon-OAK (Cahill), Sun-@LAA (Santana)
21. Dan Haren (LAA) -- Fri-SEA (Pineda)
22. Ian Kennedy (ARI) -- Mon-@SF (Cain), Sun-LAD (Kershaw)
23. Trevor Cahill (OAK) -- Mon-@SEA (Fister), Sun-@TB (Price)
24. Colby Lewis (TEX) -- Tue-@DET (Scherzer), Sun-CLE (Huff)
25. Jhoulys Chacin (COL) -- Mon-PHI (Hamels), Sat-WAS (Hernandez)
26. Josh Beckett (BOS) -- Tue-CLE (Huff), Sun-NYY (Hughes)
27. Juan Nicasio (COL) -- Fri-WAS (Zimmermann)
28. Jake Peavy (CHW) -- Mon-NYY (Sabathia), Sat-@MIN (Pavano)
29. Guillermo Moscoso (OAK) -- Fri-@TB (Niemann)
30. Mat Latos (SD) -- Tue-LAD (Kuroda)
31. Josh Collmenter (ARI) -- Wed-@SF (Vogelsong)
32. Cole Hamels (PHI) -- Mon-@COL (Chacin), Sat-@SF (Cain)
33. Brandon Morrow (TOR) -- Fri-@BAL (Britton)
34. Brian Duensing (MIN) -- Tue-@LAA (Santana), Sun-CHW (Danks)
35. John Danks (CHW) -- Tue-NYY (Hughes), Sun-@MIN (Duensing)
36. Ubaldo Jimenez (COL) -- Thu-WAS (Marquis)
37. Tim Stauffer (SD) -- Wed-LAD (Lilly)
38. Phil Hughes (NYY) -- Tue-@CHW (Danks), Sun-@BOS (Beckett)
39. Alexi Ogando (TEX) -- Thu-@DET (Porcello)
40. Daniel Hudson (ARI) -- Tue-@SF (Lincecum)
41. Hiroki Kuroda (LAD) -- Tue-@SD (Latos)
42. Felix Hernandez (SEA) -- Tue-OAK (Harden)
43. Ervin Santana (LAA) -- Tue-MIN (Duensing), Sun-SEA (Fister)
44. Javier Vazquez (FLA) -- Mon-@NYM (Pelfrey), Sat-STL (Carpenter)
45. R.A. Dickey (NYM) -- Fri-ATL (Hudson)
46. Roy Halladay (PHI) -- Wed-@COL (Hammel)
47. Carlos Zambrano (CHC) -- Mon-@PIT (Maholm), Sat-CIN (Cueto)
48. Michael Pineda (SEA) -- Fri-@LAA (Haren)
49. Jeff Niemann (TB) -- Fri-OAK (Moscoso)
50. Paul Maholm (PIT) -- Mon-CHC (Zambrano), Sat-SD (Moseley)
51. Dillon Gee (NYM) -- Wed-FLA (Hensley)
52. Gio Gonzalez (OAK) -- Wed-@SEA (Bedard)
53. Mike Pelfrey (NYM) -- Mon-FLA (Vazquez), Sun-ATL (Jurrjens)
54. Clay Hensley (FLA) -- Wed-@NYM (Gee)
55. Ted Lilly (LAD) -- Wed-@SD (Stauffer)
56. Madison Bumgarner (SF) -- Thu-PHI (Lee)
57. Kevin Correia (PIT) -- Tue-CHC (Wells), Sun-SD (Luebke)
58. Jonathon Niese (NYM) -- Sat-ATL (Hanson)
59. Jeff Karstens (PIT) -- Fri-SD (Harang)
60. Ricky Romero (TOR) -- Tue-@TB (Price), Sun-@BAL (Simon)
61. Matt Garza (CHC) -- Wed-@PIT (Morton)
62. Rich Harden (OAK) -- Tue-@SEA (Hernandez)
63. Francisco Liriano (MIN) -- Thu-@LAA (Chatwood)
64. Ryan Vogelsong (SF) -- Wed-ARI (Collmenter)
65. Chad Billingsley (LAD) -- Fri-@ARI (Owings)
66. Yovani Gallardo (MIL) -- Fri-@HOU (Happ)
67. Carlos Villanueva (TOR) -- Wed-@TB (Shields)
68. Shaun Marcum (MIL) -- Tue-STL (Garcia)
69. Chris Capuano (NYM) -- Tue-FLA (Hand)
70. Bud Norris (HOU) -- Mon-CIN (Arroyo), Sun-MIL (Greinke)
71. Bronson Arroyo (CIN) -- Mon-@HOU (Norris), Sun-@CHC (Wells)
72. Barry Zito (SF) -- Fri-PHI (Worley)
73. Mark Buehrle (CHW) -- Fri-@MIN (Blackburn)
74. Scott Baker (MIN) -- Wed-@LAA (Pineiro)
75. John Lackey (BOS) -- Mon-CLE (Tomlin), Sat-NYY (Sabathia)



Two-start options for AL-/NL-only leagues:



Danny Duffy (KC) -- Tue-BAL (Simon), Sun-DET (Scherzer)
Randy Wells (CHC) -- Tue-@PIT (Correia), Sun-CIN (Arroyo)
Max Scherzer (DET) -- Tue-TEX (Lewis), Sun-@KC (Duffy)
John Lannan (WAS) -- Tue-ATL (Lowe), Sun-@COL (Cook)
Josh Tomlin (CLE) -- Mon-@BOS (Lackey), Sat-@TEX (Wilson)



No-thank-yous, among two-starts:



Aaron Cook (COL) -- Tue-PHI (Kendrick), Sun-WAS (Lannan)
Livan Hernandez (WAS) -- Mon-ATL (Jurrjens), Sat-@COL (Chacin)
Alfredo Simon (BAL) -- Tue-@KC (Duffy), Sun-TOR (Romero)
Kyle Kendrick (PHI) -- Tue-@COL (Cook), Sun-@SF (Lincecum)
David Huff (CLE) -- Tue-@BOS (Beckett), Sun-@TEX (Lewis)



One-start sleepers:



Joel Pineiro (LAA) -- Wed-MIN (Baker)
Derek Lowe (ATL) -- Tue-@WAS (Lannan)
James McDonald (PIT) -- Thu-CHC (Lopez)
Johnny Cueto (CIN) -- Sat-@CHC (Zambrano)
Brandon McCarthy (OAK) -- Sat-@TB (Hellickson)
Jason Vargas (SEA) -- Sat-@LAA (Weaver)
Wandy Rodriguez (HOU) -- Tue-CIN (Bailey)
Carl Pavano (MIN) -- Sat-CHW (Peavy)
Jordan Zimmermann (WAS) -- Fri-@COL (Nicasio)
Justin Masterson (CLE) -- Thu-@BOS (Lester)
Micah Owings (ARI) -- Fri-LAD (Billingsley)

 

[HacheMan]

Trends: Encarnacion Awakening
SURGING

Edwin Encarnacion, 3B, TOR

Stats: .313 avg (30-for-96) with four homers, 14 RBI and a 909 OPS in July.

Bottom line: I mentioned Encarnacion a couple weeks ago, but he gets featured again because he has hit seven of his nine homers on the season in his last 30 games and remains owned in just 21 percent of Yahoo leagues. Don't forget: Encarnacion crushed eight homers in his final 16 games last year and has built a reputation as someone who finishes seasons in a strong fashion from a power standpoint. Get him in your lineup now and it could pay off quite nicely going forward.

Jason Bourgeois, OF, HOU

Stats: .375 avg (9-for-24) with a homer, four RBI and five steals in his last six games prior to a Monday night matchup with Cincinnati.

Bottom line: We all know that Houston's post-deadline lineup looks positively wretched, but Bourgeois – who has been hitting third of late – is a definite must-own in mixed leagues when healthy. Currently owned in just 15 percent of Yahoo leagues, he's now hitting .354 after ripping his first homer and stealing his 21st and 22nd bases of the season on Sunday.

Jesus Guzman, 1B, SD

Stats: .345 avg (19-for-55) with three homers, seven doubles, 18 RBI and a 1.036 OPS in July.

Bottom line: I wouldn't suggest getting insanely excited about a 27-year-old journeyman playing for the Padres, but Guzman's production in July certainly got my attention, and comes after he hit .332 with a 951 OPS at Triple-A this year. Hitting in the PCL is obviously easier than hitting in San Diego, but with an everyday spot in the middle of the Padres order right now, Guzman suddenly warrants consideration in deeper mixed leagues.

Mike Carp, 1B/OF, SEA

Stats: .349 avg (15-for-43) with two homers and nine RBI in July.

Bottom line: As is the case with Guzman, the lineup Carp is a part of obviously limits his fantasy upside, but the 25-year-old is swinging well enough at the moment to deserve a look in deeper formats.

Follow me on Twitter: @MattStroup

Lucas Duda, 1B/OF, NYM

Stats: .300 avg (21-for-70) with two homers, 10 RBI and a 911 OPS in July.

Bottom line: And the roll call of borderline 1B/OF types continues! Duda is far from dynamic, but he posted a strong .383 OBP with 10 walks against only seven strikeouts last month, and with a spot in right field for the foreseeable future, I don't have an argument against taking a flier in deeper mixed leagues.

Brett Cecil, SP, TOR

Stats: 3-1 with a 2.19 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 27/9 K/BB ratio in July (37.0 IP).

Bottom line: Cecil's fastball is far from electric, but he posted outstanding numbers last month (including two straight shutdown performances against the Rangers) on the strength of his offspeed stuff (most notably his changeup). Owned in only nine percent of Yahoo leagues, the lefty makes for an intriguing spot start against the Rays later this week.

Editor's Note: For exclusive columns, rankings, projections and more, check out Rotoworld's MLB Season Pass.

STRUGGLING

Danny Espinosa, 2B, WAS

Stats: 4-for-47 with no homers, no RBI and no steals in his last 12 games prior to a Monday night matchup against the Braves.

Bottom line: After hitting .200 in July, Espinosa has now posted a batting average of .212 or worse in three out of four full months this season (the lone exception being the .274 he hit in June). The power (17 homers) and speed (12 steals) make him a definite asset, but it has come and will likely continue to come at a significant cost in the batting average department.

In closing, this week's trend proverb is a nod to Led Zeppelin (and actually kind of makes sense for the first time in seemingly a long time):

 

[HacheMan]

Trade Deadline Daily Dose
Whoah, this one will be a doozy. It's time to recap the trades that went down over the weekend, with recommendations on each. Hopefully you were following along at HardballTalk, but if you missed something, the Daily Dose is here to help.

* Rockies' RHP Ubaldo Jimenez to the Indians for LHP Drew Pomeranz, RHP Alex White, RHP Joe Gardner and 1B Matt McBride. The Indians get an ace, but they give up two very good pitching prospects in the lefty Pomeranz and the ground-ball White. Pomeranz will likely head to Double-A, but White has played some for the Indians this year and could step into the major league rotation in Colorado. He's reasonably exciting, but it's the lefty that has the ace-like potential. Much has been made of Jimenez being inconsistent, but other than a two mile per hour drop in fastball velocity, most of his numbers have been the same over his career. He's in the harder league, now, but has the nicer home park. He's a decent buy low and worth as much FAAB as you can throw at him in an AL-only league. Esmil Rogers steps into the rotation in Colorado now, but he's got wonky control and may not have the swinging strikes to make his ground balls work. NL-only for now.

* Astros' OF Hunter Pence to the Phillies for RHP Jarred Cosart, 1B Jonathan Singleton, RHP Josh Zeid and a PTBNL. Pence leaves a nice home park to go to a nice home park, so he won't have much better luck in Philly. He also moves from the top of the lineup to the middle, meaning that any possible boost in runs and RBI will be mitigated. There's very little change in his value, and with the way his batted-ball luck has looked so far this season, he could even regress going forward. Domonic Brown was sent down to make room, and Raul Ibanez celebrated the fact that he kept his job by hitting two home runs in a ten-inning Philly win Sunday. Cosart has the stuff to be a top-end pitcher, but his production has tailed off a little recently. Singleton is a better long-term prospect than Brett Wallace, but he's in High-A ball and is a ways away. There's not much fantasy value in this trade, except to know that Cosart is now closer to the big leagues because of the state of his major league pitching staff.

* Astros' OF Michael Bourn to the Braves for OF Jordan Schafer, LHP Brett Oberholtzer, RHP Paul Clemens and RHP Juan Abreu. Bourn is no big power guy, so the move should only help him in runs and RBI. He's about as ownable as ever. Jason Bourgeois is an immediate pickup in all leagues, even if he's just a speedster. He did hit his first home run Sunday, and added two stolen bases, but speed is his game. The last speed-only guy in Houston turned out to be pretty good. Schafer could be relevant in deeper leagues, but he just doesn't have the profile of a high batting average guy, so his utility is muted. The rest of the arms are not top-shelf talent and should just be wait-and-sees at best.

* Orioles' RHP Koji Uehara to the Rangers for 1B Chris Davis and RHP Tommy Hunter. Padres' RHP Mike Adams to the Rangers for RHP Joe Wieland and LHP Robbie Erlin. The Rangers upgraded their bullpen with a pair of relievers that have both been better than incumbent closer Neftali Feliz. This will be a bullpen to watch, but Uehara's experience closing might nudge him in front of the also-excellent Adams. Manager Ron Washington has recently questioned the competitive fire of Feliz, so it sounds like he's ready to make the change. Pick up Uehara now. Adams was already owned anyway. Don't drop Feliz just yet, though, because his manager said after the trade that the newcomers will pitch the seventh and eighth. Sigh. Chris Davis might actually get a longer shot in Baltimore with Derrek Lee moving to Pittsburgh, so AL-only owners should pick him up if they are looking for power. He'll never have a good batting average, but he's not toast yet. Otherwise the most interesting player in these two deals is lefty Erlin. He has great control, and now that he's going to call PetCo home, his fly-ball ways won't hurt as much. He's an excellent pickup in deeper dynasty leagues.

* SS Rafael Furcal to the Cardinals for OF Alex Castellanos. Furcal could use a little shot in the legs to get him going, and now he's guaranteed as much time as he wants. One worry is that he's mostly useful when he's stealing bags, but his athleticism has waned with his age. Also, the Cards steal fewer bags than anyone in baseball. Furcal might be a pickup for those desperate for help on the middle infield, but then again he was probably already owned in those leagues. Dee Gordon is back in Los Angeles and though his batting average might be risky, his speed is safe. He'll be a pickup in deeper leagues for speed-starved owners.

* A couple smaller deals deserve mention. Brad Ziegler went to the Diamondbacks for Brandon Allen and Jordan Noberto, but since he won't figure into the closer's role, it's Allen that's interesting. He joins Vernon Christopher Carter in Oakland to give them two high-powered low-contact sluggers. If one turns out okay, they might finally have a young power hitter in Oakland again. Behind Allen, Paul Goldschmidt finally gets the call. Scouts are suspicious of him, but the numbers are delicious. He's worth a flier pickup in deeper leagues. Erik Bedard went to the Red Sox as the very last deal of the day. He's still a strong enough pitcher that he's useful in most leagues, but you might want to keep him on the bench until he proves his knee is healthy. Trayvon Robinson, who ended up in Seattle as part of the trade, is a toolsy option who can provide some speed without a great batting average while in the Northwest.

Ryan Ludwick ended up on the Pirates in another last minute trade. The park factors for home runs by righties in San Diego (-5%) and Pittsburgh (-17%) suggest that Ludwick is not any more ownable now than he was before. But Kyle Blanks will get more time now and has prodigious power. He's an NL-only pickup. Orlando Cabrera joined the Giants, but he's barely ownable in any league. He might even share time with Mike Fontenot. Pass. Behind him, Jason Kipnis hit the first home run of his career. He'll get most of the starts, with the newly recalled Jason Donald helping out. Jason Marquis is in Arizona! Meh. The added home runs will detract from any possible wins. Mike Aviles was traded to the Red Sox. He won't get any additional playing time. Jerry Hairston, Jr. ended up in Milwaukee, and he could actually get enough time at second and short to be useful in deeper leagues. Doug Fister and Charlie Furbush traded places, meaning that Furbush could be a spot start in the future and Fister is that much less likely to be useful. But for now, it's Blake Beavan moving to the rotation. He's maybe less exciting than Furbush.

* Our performance-based coverage will take a necessary hit today, but let's look at the pitching. Justin Verlander only gave up one hit, but we knew he was amazing. Strangely enough, there will be anger for both Erick Aybar (bunting in the middle of a no-hitter) and Carlos Guillen (admiring his home run) from both sides. Ah, unwritten rules. Brandon McCarthy struck out nine and walked none and gave up three runs in six innings to continue his run of usefulness as a spot-starter at home. Vance Worley struck out seven and walked none, but his four runs in six innings against the Pirates means that he's risky going forward. Juan Nicasio struck out ten in seven innings as he held the Padres to one earned. In the deepest leagues he's worth rostering for the strikeouts. Johnny Cueto threw a shutout against the Giants, but it was the Giants. He struck out six and walked one, but he's also getting lucky on batted balls. If someone wants to pay for him as if he's a fantasy ace, sell. Derek Holland threw a shutout in Toronto on Saturday, which might be his best work in unfriendly confines so far this year. he's a high-upside pick in anything deeper than ten teamers.

The bad starts deserve some attention too. Carl Pavano gave up seven in four to the Athletics and if he can't stop Oakland, who can he stop? Rubby De La Rosa gave up three earned in four innings, with four walks. He also struck out six. Both of these things encapsulate his value: he has strikeout stuff and some control problems. He's also a great long-term keeper because of it. Nick Blackburn gave up seven runs in 4 1/3 innings Saturday, and it was against the Athletics. Yuck.

* The trainer was still busy this weekend. Derek Jeter was hit by Jake Arrieta, but only came out two innings later. He should be fine. Denard Span will be activated before Tuesday's game, since he wasn't traded to the Nationals. Who knows when Ben Revere gets at-bats now. Paul Konerko was hit in knee, but an X-ray came back negative and he will be day-to-day. Shin-Soo Choo could begin rehab August seventh, which is good news. Lance Berkman's shoulder allowed him to return to the lineup, where he hit a home run. Amazing year for him. Chipper Jones has been doing okay since returning from a knee injury, but now he's dealing with a quad injury. He'll be day-to-day the rest of the year probably. Carlos Gonzalez said Saturday that he wants to be ready to go on August sixth, the first day he's eligible. Casey Blake came back from his neck injury, and the Dodgers placed Juan Uribe on the DL in a corresponding move. Placido Polanco is back from the disabled list, too.

On the pitching side, Clay Buchholz continues to worry his team. Theo Epstein said that there is a high level of concern but the team thinks they know what is wrong. Cryptic. Johan Santana is recovering from the same surgery as Chien-Ming Wang, but his 30-day rehab schedule is due to end at the end of August, and feedback so far has been positive. He's not the worst stash.

National League Quick Hits: Jason Heyward collected two hits and might be heating up … Ramon Hernandez might be an August trade still, as the Giants need a catcher upgrade … Carlos Marmol got back on track with save number 20, so it looks like Sean Marshall is droppable again … Jason Isringhausen and Drew Storen were the big bullpen winner Sunday, as they stayed with their teams and retained their roles … Hiroki Kuroda is another pitcher that must be happy that he didn't move … Ryan Dempster struck out six and walked only one, so it's no surprise that he only gave up three runs in six innings against the Cardinals; He's a decent pickup if he's on your waiver wire … Dan Uggla hit a three-run home run Saturday and is on a good stretch back … Brandon Belt started twice over Aubrey Huff over the weekend, which is intriguing but not definitive … Mike Leake only allowed one run in 6 1/3 innings, but it as against the Giants … Chris Johnson and Brett Wallace were optioned to the minor leagues and are not really good options in even deeper dynasty leagues … Jordan Zimmermann held the Mets scoreless in six innings while striking out six and walking one, but he's so close to his innings limit that he's risky in non-keeper leagues … His opponent, Jon Niese, struck out six and didn't walk a batter while giving up two runs in 5 1/3 innings, and is usable in most leagues but not a must-start in any … Barry Zito was roughed up by the Reds (five runs in five innings) and is not really a good start in any league right now … Josh Collmenter or Micah Owings will head to the bullpen, says their general manager … James McDonald gave up five runs in five innings against the Phillies and is a fly-ball dude with poor control, so his upside is limited.

American League Quick Hits: Jeremy Hellickson held the Mariners to one run in seven innings, but he only struck out two … Coco Crisp wasn't traded and stole three bases Sunday … Brandon Morrow struck out 11 Rangers in seven innings while allowing two runs and is a strikeout-first option in most leagues … Dustin Ackley hit a two-run home run Saturday and is a mixed leaguer for sure … Nick Swisher had three hits and a home run Saturday, which is about par for his course the last month-plus … Joe Girardi said that removing Phil Hughes from the rotation is not really an option … It looks like Mike Trout will be sent down soon, or so says his manager … Bartolo Colon only gave up two runs in five innings against the Orioles Saturday, but he threw 105 pitches and wasn't at his best … Rich Harden was almost traded to the Red Sox, but staying in Oakland retains what little fantasy value he has … Jason Vargas was supposed to be a good spot start at home, but he gave up four runs in 5 1/3 innings against the Rays at home, so despite his six strikeouts and one walk, he's a wonky start most days … Jake Arrieta walked six, and struck out four, so his two earned runs in five innings against the Yankees was much less impressive than it should be … Sean Rodriguez had three hits (one a homer) and is a good spot-start against lefties … Danny Duffy struck out six in five innings against the Indians, but it was his three walks that was a step in the right direction … Kevin Slowey didn't move, which doesn't make much sense … Andrew Miller struck out eight White Sox and walked just one while allowing three runs in 5 2/3 innings, but he's too risky to own in most leagues … Jacob Turner was returned to the minor leagues after a decent start Saturday … Felipe Paulino struck out four, walked two and pitched six shutout innings against the Indians, and he's always had the strikeout ability, so he's still in interesting in deeper leagues … Matt LaPorta hit a walkoff home run to beat the Royals Saturday.

 

[HacheMan]

Bye Bye Buchholz?
- The Red Sox are a veritable lock for the postseason, but they may have to go the rest of the way without one of their most important starters. CSNNE.com reported early Monday that Clay Buchholz was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his lower back and is unlikely to pitch again this season.

Buchholz went to see back specialist Dr. Thomas Watkins in Los Angeles on Monday for a second opinion and the Red Sox are expected to provide an official update on his status Tuesday. The young right-hander was originally placed on the disabled list on June 17 with what was termed a lower back strain.

Mets' third baseman David Wright recently returned from the disabled list after missing two months with a stress fracture in his lower back. There's no way to say for sure how long Buchholz will be sidelined, but the timeline isn't exactly working in his favor.

Red Sox manager Theo Epstein did his best to secure some last-minute insurance for Buchholz before the deadline, so after a deal for Rich Harden was nixed, he picked up Erik Bedard from the Mariners. Bedard was shaky in his return from a knee injury last Friday, giving up five runs over just 1 1/3 innings, but the veteran left-hander has a 3.45 ERA and 87/30 K/BB ratio over 16 starts this season.

Leaving Safeco Field for Fenway Park won't exactly help Bedard from a fantasy perspective, but he's at least a pretty good bet to receive more run support than he was getting in Seattle. Bedard has a reputation for being prickly with the media, which will be something to monitor now that he'll be under intense scrutiny in Boston, but his constant inability to stay healthy should be of greater concern.

- Terrible news for one of the few bright spots for the Dodgers this season. Rubby De La Rosa was placed on the the disabled list Monday with what was termed right elbow inflammation, but the Dodgers later announced that the young right-hander was diagnosed with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament. This almost certainly means that De La Rosa is done for the season and if he needs Tommy John surgery, he would likely be sidelined for all or most of the 2012 season, as well.

De La Rosa labored through his most recent start against the Diamondbacks on Sunday, giving up four runs on five hits (including two homers) and four walks over four innings. The 22-year-old right-hander has a 3.71 ERA and 60/31 K/BB ratio over 60 2/3 innings this season. He has averaged 96 mph on his fastball, which is tops among major-league starters.

- The Yankees didn't make any additions at the trade deadline, but we could see a new name in their lineup very soon. John Nalbone of the Trenton Times was told by sources close to the organization that top prospect Jesus Montero is expected to be promoted to the major league roster "in the very near future." Yankees general manager Brian Cashman was vague when asked about the possibility on Monday, saying that "anybody could get promoted in the very near future," but the situation is obviously worth monitoring in fantasy leagues.

Montero, 21, has regressed in his second season at Triple-A, seeing an increase in his strikeout rate while posting an underwhelming .769 OPS over 85 games, but he is coming off his most productive month of the season, slugging four homers to go along with an .860 OPS. The Yankees would likely have him get his feet wet at designated hitter, but he could he could provide value due to his eligibility behind the plate.

- Tick, tick, tick. Enjoy Jordan Zimmermann will you still can. The young right-hander will be limited to just four more starts this season as the Nationals plan to cap him at 160 innings in his first full year back from Tommy John surgery. We have known about this possibility for a while now, so hopefully you were able to sell-high and get something of value in single-season leagues.

Ironically enough, Zimmermann's planned exit coincides with the pending return of Stephen Strasburg, who is tentatively scheduled to make his first minor league rehab start in the next 7-10 days. If all goes well, he could take Zimmermann's place in the starting rotation by the end of August. Strasburg is obviously worth stashing if you have the room on your disabled list, but remember that command is one of the last things to return following Tommy John surgery. As great as he was last season, it would be unfair to expect him to be a lifesaver in September.

NL Quick Hits: Carlos Gonzalez (wrist) felt good after taking batting practice Monday and hopes to return from the disabled list this weekend … Clayton Kershaw allowed two runs and struck out four in a complete game victory over the Padres on Monday night … Josh Johnson (shoulder) will attempt to resume his throwing program Tuesday … Roy Oswalt allowed two runs over six innings Monday in his second minor league rehab start with Triple-A Lehigh Valley and is expected to rejoin the Phillies this weekend … Aramis Ramirez is day-to-day after being held out of Monday's lineup with quad tightness … Heath Bell said Monday that he would accept arbitration from the Padres if the two sides are unable to work out a contract extension … Dan Uggla slammed a pair of homers in Monday's loss to the Nationals … Jonathan Sanchez was activated from the disabled list and is expected to start Friday against the Phillies … Bud Norris left Monday's start due to a blister on his right index finger, but expects to make his next start … Mike Stanton hit a go-ahead grand slam as the Marlins defeated the Mets in 10 innings on Monday night … Johan Santana (shoulder) will not make his next minor league rehab start until Thursday … Rafael Furcal went 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored Monday in his first start with the Cardinals … The Mets plan to decide by the end of the week whether Ike Davis (ankle) will need surgery … In his Pirates' debut Monday, Derrek Lee slugged a pair of homers in a loss to the Cubs … Pirates manager Clint Hurdle indicated Monday that Jose Tabata (quad) could resume a minor league rehab assignment soon … Paul Goldschmidt went 1-for-4 with a single and a strikeout in his major league debut Monday … Freddy Sanchez will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery Tuesday … The Diamondbacks will skip Josh Collmenter in the starting rotation this week … Nick Hundley (hamstring) is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment Tuesday with Double-A San Antonio… Barry Zito was placed on the disabled list with a right foot strain … The Nationals released Matt Stairs ... The Pirates designated Lyle Overbay for assignment … The Phillies released Danys Baez …

AL Quick Hits: Alex Rodriguez (knee) is scheduled to begin baseball activities Thursday … Asdrubal Cabrera hit a pair of homers and drove in four runs in Monday's win over the Red Sox … Paul Konerko (calf, knee) is not expected to return to the White Sox lineup Tuesday … Shin-Soo Choo (thumb) will likely take batting practice this week … Ubaldo Jimenez will make his Indians' debut Friday against the Rangers … Derek Jeter (finger) expects to return to the Yankees' lineup Tuesday … Nelson Cruz (quad) and Elvis Andrus (knee) are expected to return to the Rangers' lineup Tuesday night … Dustin Ackley went 2-for-4 with a triple and three RBI in Monday's win over the A's and now has a .929 OPS … The Mariners will skip rookie right-hander Michael Pineda in the starting rotation this week ... Carlos Carrasco has appealed a six-game suspension levied for throwing at Billy Butler's head on Friday night … Indians rookie second baseman Jason Kipnis was 3-for-5 with a home run and three runs scored in a win over the Red Sox on Monday … Marco Scutaro left Monday's game against the Indians with dizziness … Jarrod Saltalamacchia homered and doubled in Monday's loss to the Indians … Cliff Pennington was diagnosed with Bell's palsy after leaving Monday's game and is currently listed as day-to-day … Ivan Nova will start Thursday against the White Sox as the Yankees use a six-man rotation this week … David DeJesus (thumb) swung off a tele Monday and could return to the lineup as soon as Wednesday … Jed Lowrie (shoulder) was hitless in two at-bats Monday in his first minor league rehab game with Triple-A Pawtucket … The newly-acquired Charlie Furbush will take Erik Bedard's spot in the Mariners' starting rotation Wednesday against the Athletics … Chone Figgins is day-to-day with a right hip flexor … The Angels sent top prospect Mike Trout back to Double-A Arkansas … Red Sox prospect outfielder Ryan Westmoreland (brain surgery) will begin facing live pitching soon …

 

[HacheMan]

Underrated winners at trade deadline

Some pitchers gain by staying put, others find themselves in more favorable situations


Tristan H. Cockcroft
ESPN.com


The July 31 trade deadline -- at least the deadline for deals that don't require waivers -- has come and gone, and with it, only a handful of starting pitchers were actually traded. But while it's the prominent name, Ubaldo Jimenez, who has generated the most headlines, it's actually a pitcher who wasn't dealt who might have benefited most from July 31's developments.

He's a veteran pitcher who wasn't even rumored on the block, a pitcher who garnered zero respect in the preseason and still seems to get zero respect in more than 50 percent of ESPN leagues (owned in a mere 41.1 percent), a true "nobody" who has quietly emerged as a top-50 starting pitcher.


He's New York Yankees right-hander Freddy Garcia.


Whatever the reason, the Yankees' decision not to trade for Jimenez, or Wandy Rodriguez, or even Hiroki Kuroda, results in a vote of confidence for Garcia, who like fellow rotation-mate Bartolo Colon, was brought in on a minor league deal in January as a "lottery ticket" type move following the team's missing out on a major free agent. Barring an August waiver deal -- which, outside of a Rodriguez acquisition, appears unlikely -- Colon and Garcia are now mainstays in the Yankees' rotation.


In Colon's case, fantasy owners appear to appreciate his value more. He's owned in 48.0 percent of ESPN leagues and is ranked 46th among starting pitchers on the Player Rater. But here are the cold, hard facts: Garcia has more wins (10) and quality starts (14) and a lower ERA (3.22) than Colon, and he actually ranks 17th, 30th and 32nd in the majors in those three categories.

Two things stand out as significant improvements by Garcia: more pitches down in the zone -- 41.0 percent of his total pitches thrown, up from 37.0 in 2010. Granted, that improvement represents just four pitches per 100 thrown, but that's still effectively four fewer pitches for hitters to drive per start. The other is the effectiveness of his secondary pitches. Garcia's fastball has never been stellar -- he has averaged 87.0 mph with it this season -- but his slider (thrown 22.0 percent of the time), splitter (17.4), curveball (11.6) and changeup (11.3) have combined to limit opponents to .230/.266/.363 rates, down from .267/.297/.439 a year ago. His splitter, in particular, has generated misses on 41.6 percent of swings, and limited foes to .198/.243/.317 rates in 107 plate appearances that ended with one.


Here's the best part about Garcia's 2011: His bad outings have been completely predictable, his four worst in terms of game score coming against the Boston Red Sox (2) and Toronto Blue Jays (2). Those two offenses rank in the top six in baseball in runs per game, home runs and OPS; the Red Sox actually pace the majors in runs per game (5.53) and OPS (.814).


The Yankees do face the Red Sox nine more times and the Blue Jays six, and if Garcia starts every fifth game the remainder of the year, he'll indeed face one of those teams in four of his final 11 starts. (His current schedule, in that arrangement: @BOS 8/5, LAA 8/11, @KC 8/16, @MIN 8/21, @BAL 8/27, @BOS 9/1, BAL 9/6, @SEA 9/12, @TOR 9/18, BOS 9/23, @TB 9/28.) If he's so obvious a matchups play, though, does that not mean seven more useful matchups to exploit?


It's pitchers like these, the "nobodies," which require the most careful day-to-day management. They also, however, can be the most helpful back-of-your-staff resources. Don't underestimate Garcia, because there's a lot to be said for the matchups candidate who pitches for one of the game's best teams.


Garcia isn't the only "nobody" whose stock rose on July 31. In descending order of ownership in ESPN leagues, here are six others:


Aaron Harang, San Diego Padres (21.7 percent): Like Garcia, Harang's stock improved with news that he wasn't traded, and while there's always a chance he might sneak through in an August waiver deal, the fact that he has an affordable $4 million salary in 2011 plus a $5 million mutual option for 2012 might make him a prime candidate to be claimed (thereby blocking a deal) if he's floated on the wire. I don't think Harang is going anywhere, in which case he can continue to thrive at Petco Park, where he has a 3.45 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and eight quality starts in 11 games. While the San Diego Padres play 28 of their final 52 games on the road, five of those are at San Francisco's AT&T Park, four at New York's Citi Field and three apiece at Pittsburgh's PNC Park and Los Angeles' Dodger Stadium. Harang also is lined up to miss the three-game series at Cincinnati's Great American Ball Park from Aug. 12-14, so that's one more "bad" matchup he'll avoid.

Doug Fister, Detroit Tigers (4.2 percent): Many have called his the "sneaky" pickup of the trade deadline, and I agree with that assessment. It's as simple as this: The Seattle Mariners have averaged 3.31 runs per game this season, and the Detroit Tigers have averaged 4.48; that's nearly a run and a quarter more. Unsurprisingly, Fister ranks dead last among qualified starters in run support (3.02 per nine), and he has only three wins to show for his 12 quality starts. Losing Safeco Field, where he has a 3.42 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in his career, might hurt, but probably not as much as you'd think. Fister, whose 5.19 lifetime K's-per-nine ratio cements his matchup status, should remain as useful, if not more so, in Detroit as in Seattle. But I'll throw out the one oddity, just so nobody gets too carried away with the move: Fister has never won a game in an American League Central ballpark, and he's winless at any venue in his career against the Tigers' four AL Central foes.


Juan Nicasio, Colorado Rockies (3.0 percent): While it's Esmil Rogers who will immediately slide into Jimenez's old rotation spot, it's actually Nicasio who probably benefits most, because now that he's the Rockies' No. 4 starter, his role becomes a bit firmer for the remainder of the year. He's typically a strikeout pitcher; he averaged 8.92 K's per nine during his minor league career, and among pitchers with 1,000 or more pitches thrown this season, he ranks 53rd out of 154 (65th percentile) in miss rate (21.9 percent), and among pitchers with 70-plus innings, he ranks 56th out of 143 (60th percentile) in K's per nine (7.26). In case you haven't guessed, strikeouts is an obviously successful strategy at Coors; the five best single-season K's-per-nine rates in franchise history also resulted in the 21st-, 14th-, first- (that one was Jimenez's 2010), third- and second-best single-season WARs (wins above replacement) in franchise history. Nicasio does have that disconcerting road ERA (7.04), but if you're choosy, you might yet get a lot more out of him.


Charlie Furbush, Seattle Mariners (0.1 percent): There's a reason his ownership is this low, and it's because he lacks the stuff to be a true front-of-the-rotation starter, be it now or several years from now. But what's to like about Furbush is the venue: He takes his deceptive delivery to Safeco Field, where his fly-ball tendencies (0.80 ground out/air out ratio in the minors, 0.91 in the majors, this season) shouldn't hurt him so much. It also helps that his command is sharp; he has averaged 3.98 K's per walk during his minor league career. The Mariners will stretch Furbush out in middle relief, then install him in their rotation for an extended late-season audition. Considering they play 28 of their final 54 games at Safeco, six more at Los Angeles' Angel Stadium, five at Cleveland's Progressive Field and three apiece at Minnesota's Target Field and Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, there could be a decent number of useful Furbush matchups for AL-only and deep-mixed owners.


Brad Peacock and Tom Milone, Washington Nationals (0.0 percent): The immediate sub for Jason Marquis in the Nationals' rotation is Tom Gorzelanny, but with the team having already turned the page to 2012, there's a chance that either Peacock or Milone, or both, might get an audition in the coming weeks. The Washington Post recently reported that Jordan Zimmermann has only four more starts; there will be a slew of openings for the team down the stretch. Peacock has a 2.35 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 11.27 K's-per-nine ratio between Double- and Triple-A this season, while Milone has 3.62/1.03/9.23 rates plus a 12.00 K's-per-walk ratio for Triple-A Syracuse. NL-only owners should keep both names in mind, either stashing them now if you have the bench space, or grabbing them immediately when promoted.



TOP 100 STARTING PITCHERS

Note: Tristan H. Cockcroft's top 100 starting pitchers are ranked for their expected performance from this point forward, not for statistics that have already been accrued.
<TABLE><THEAD><TR><TH style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Rnk </CENTER></TH><TH style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">Player, Team <CENTER></CENTER></TH><TH style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Prev
Rnk </CENTER></TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Justin Verlander, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Roy Halladay, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">CC Sabathia, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Cliff Lee, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Felix Hernandez, SEA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Cole Hamels, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jered Weaver, LAA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Clayton Kershaw, LAD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tim Lincecum, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">David Price, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Zack Greinke, MIL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Dan Haren, LAA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tommy Hanson, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Cain, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Josh Beckett, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">James Shields, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jon Lester, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Anibal Sanchez, FLA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tim Hudson, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ubaldo Jimenez, CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Daniel Hudson, ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chris Carpenter, STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Yovani Gallardo, MIL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Johnny Cueto, CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Shaun Marcum, MIL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ricky Romero, TOR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ian Kennedy, ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mat Latos, SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brandon Morrow, TOR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">C.J. Wilson, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jaime Garcia, STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Gio Gonzalez, OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>33 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>33 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Garza, CHC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>36 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jhoulys Chacin, COL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>38 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>35 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Madison Bumgarner, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>36 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jair Jurrjens, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Scott Baker, MIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>39 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>38 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brandon Beachy, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>41 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>39 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ervin Santana, LAA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>49 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chad Billingsley, LAD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>42 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>41 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Justin Masterson, CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>42 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Michael Pineda, SEA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>35 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Max Scherzer, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>47 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>44 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tim Stauffer, SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>45 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ricky Nolasco, FLA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Hiroki Kuroda, LAD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>45 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>47 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Wandy Rodriguez, HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>48 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Vogelsong, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>51 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>49 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Edwin Jackson, STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>55 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Colby Lewis, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>48 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>51 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jeremy Hellickson, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>59 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>52 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Trevor Cahill, OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>44 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>53 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">John Danks, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>67 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>54 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Gavin Floyd, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>55 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Bud Norris, HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>54 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Philip Humber, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>53 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>57 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Dempster, CHC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>52 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>58 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Bartolo Colon, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>58 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>59 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Doug Fister, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>60 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>60 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jordan Zimmermann, WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>61 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Alexi Ogando, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>63 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>62 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jonathan Sanchez, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>66 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>63 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ted Lilly, LAD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>57 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>64 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brett Myers, HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>78 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>65 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Leake, CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>72 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>66 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Cory Luebke, SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>62 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>67 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Roy Oswalt, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>68 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Harrison, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>73 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>69 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Aaron Harang, SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>71 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>70 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jake Peavy, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>65 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>71 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Carlos Carrasco, CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>64 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>72 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Derek Holland, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>83 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>73 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Francisco Liriano, MIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>70 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>74 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Phil Hughes, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>74 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>75 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Erik Bedard, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>69 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>76 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">A.J. Burnett, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>79 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>77 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Randy Wolf, MIL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>81 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>78 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Josh Tomlin, CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>68 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>79 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jason Vargas, SEA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>61 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>80 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Freddy Garcia, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>91 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>81 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kyle Lohse, STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>75 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>82 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jonathon Niese, NYM </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>80 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>83 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Dillon Gee, NYM </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>84 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>84 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Derek Lowe, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>82 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>85 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brandon McCarthy, OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>86 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>86 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Javier Vazquez, FLA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>87 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>87 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">R.A. Dickey, NYM </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>88 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>88 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jeff Karstens, PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>90 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>89 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Vance Worley, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>93 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>90 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jeremy Guthrie, BAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>92 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>91 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Carlos Zambrano, CHC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>95 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>92 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brett Cecil, TOR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>93 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">James McDonald, PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>94 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jeff Niemann, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>96 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>95 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kevin Correia, PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>98 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>96 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Josh Collmenter, ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>85 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>97 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Felipe Paulino, KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>98 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mark Buehrle, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>100 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>99 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Juan Nicasio, COL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>100 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Carl Pavano, MIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>76 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>




The Wandy problem



That Wandy Rodriguez -- and to a lesser degree, Brett Myers -- wasn't moved at the deadline was a major negative for his fantasy value, being that the Houston Astros did trade their top two offensive assets in terms of WAR, Michael Bourn and Hunter Pence. Using that category alone, the Astros' team leader, Carlos Lee (2.2), has the lowest number of any individual team's leader, and this Astros team that averaged 3.89 runs per game before the All-Star break has averaged 3.24 since. This might be a team challenged to average more than three runs per contest, and remember, the Mariners rank dead last in the category with 3.31.


Rodriguez ranks 79th out of 110 qualified starters (26th percentile) in terms of run support (5.24 per nine), while Myers ranks 75th (5.33) and Bud Norris 85th (5.00). If every one of them loses a run of support per game or more, wins are going to be a problem no matter how effectively each pitches. Look at Fister's record in Seattle; that's not out of the realm of possibility for this trio.


It's no wonder Rodriguez's owners are rooting for him to sneak through on a waiver deal; but it's that possibility alone that should keep you from selling low.


Stephen Strasburg in September?



Wednesday marks the 11-month anniversary of Stephen Strasburg's Tommy John surgery, and he has progressed enough in his recovery that he might make his first minor league rehabilitation start next week, and maybe even make some major league starts for the Nationals by season's end. According to the Washington Post, Strasburg has thrown batting practice as well as simulated games for a few weeks now, and has hit 95 mph with his fastball, practically every report on his health positive. Considering the impact he made as a rookie in 2010, expect the hype to build in the coming weeks, with the expectation that he might make a noticeable impact down the stretch.


A few concerns: Even the slightest setback could lead to the Nationals' shutting down Strasburg's season, and even if he progresses as well as he has, he'll likely have his workload closely managed and anything he contributes will be with an eye on setting him up for 2012. This is fantastic news for Strasburg's keeper-league owners, who can carry him over with greater confidence. For those speculating in redraft leagues, however, let Jordan Zimmermann's return from his own Tommy John surgery a year ago set the bar in terms of Strasburg's usefulness. Zimmermann made seven starts late in 2010, never threw more than 86 pitches or six innings, and averaged 79.4 and 4.43 per outing in those two categories.


Three up



Johnny Cueto, Cincinnati Reds: And with that shutout he threw this past Sunday, Cueto officially has enough innings to qualify his major league leading 1.72 ERA (and fifth-ranked 0.98 WHIP) … well, at least until his Reds play their scheduled Tuesday game and drop him beneath the qualification requirement again. But Cueto's inclusion in "Three up" isn't all about qualification; after all, he's on pace for 162 2/3 innings, or above the full-season cutoff, not to mention Friday's start could permanently put him ahead of the minimum. It's more about the consistently dominant performances he has provided start after start, the only things standing in his way of a 16-quality-start streak being his having fallen one frame short in both his July 26 (two starts ago) and May 19 (14 starts ago) outings. What's remarkable about Cueto's breakthrough is that he has done it despite a 5.50 K's-per-nine ratio that actually ranks 83rd out of 109 qualified starters; but it is a 54.4 percent ground-ball rate that has helped make up for some of that. Both his fastball and slider are far sharper this year than ever before; his fastball has averaged a career-high 93.0 mph and limited foes to a .619 OPS (ranking seventh in baseball) in 395 plate appearances that ended with one, and his slider has limited opponents to a .348 OPS (ranking second) in 279 PAs. While some regression is possible, Cueto clearly has what it takes to remain a top-25 starter.


Derek Holland, Texas Rangers: What we saw of Holland in July scrapes the surface of his massive long-term potential; he threw three shutouts in the month. Three. To put that into historical perspective, since 2000, only four pitchers have had as many as three shutouts in a single month: Mark Mulder (July 2001), Brandon Webb (August 2007), Roy Halladay (September 2009) and Cliff Lee (June 2011). The first three generated a slew of Cy Young votes in those seasons and Lee could as well this year. No, I am not saying that Holland is now a factor in the Cy Young race. But when a pitcher throws back-to-back shutouts against the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners, perhaps we merely perk up our ears yet don't act. When he then throws another, three starts later, on the road against the majors' fifth-ranked offense (Blue Jays, 4.72 runs per game), we must pounce. Perhaps Holland is finally approaching "trustworthy" status?


Ervin Santana, Los Angeles Angels: This isn't all about his no-hitter Wednesday, because if no-hitters alone drove the rankings, I'd have been all over Francisco Liriano in early May (and I so was not). Rather, this is about Santana's string of six consecutive quality starts, during which time his ratios have been stellar: 1.77 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, 5.14 K's-per-walk. Sure, the competition during that time has been light (WAS, LAD, SEA, @OAK, @BAL, @CLE), but outside of 10 more games against the Rangers, seven against the Blue Jays and six against the Yankees, the Angels' remaining schedule -- 30 other contests -- is entirely populated by cupcakes. Thirty of the Angels' final 53 games will be played at home, where Santana's career ERA is more than a run lower (3.79) than on the road (4.83), and the team is in the thick of a pennant race. Santana boasts a lower career September ERA (3.65) than in any other month, so the chances look good that he'll be able to extend this hot streak right into October.


Three down



Zach Britton, Baltimore Orioles: I'll let the numbers do the talking here. In Britton's two most recent major league starts, he has faced 20 batters total and retired exactly three of them. That's right, he has totaled one inning in those outings, and allowed 17 runs (13 earned), 13 hits and three walks. In between, he made three starts for Double-A Bowie, and allowed 11 runs (seven earned) on 14 hits in 11 2/3 innings, never once throwing more than 4 2/3 innings in a single outing. The Orioles have clearly altered their plans with Britton in order to keep him under an innings cap, and the left-hander couldn't be much more disappointing than he has been the past four weeks. At this point, it's fair to wonder how much more he has to offer outside of keeper leagues, even to AL-only owners.


Jair Jurrjens, Atlanta Braves: It has been mentioned many times in this space that Jurrjens was a regression candidate, albeit a slight one, and sure enough, what was a sparkling 1.87 ERA on July 6 has risen to 2.63 since, due to a recent slump during which time he had only one quality start in his past four tries. Let's not all make a mad dash off the Jurrjens bandwagon, however. After all, a No. 36 ranking remains generous, his Braves should continue to support him with the injection of Bourn atop their lineup and he's an absolute beast at home, where he's 7-1 with a 2.39 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 10 starts. You merely need to be more careful with Jurrjens if your roster affords you the luxury of avoiding his most treacherous matchups -- that July 22 one at Cincinnati (6 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, though 9 K's) was a good example -- and adjust your expectations to something more along the lines of a low-3s ERA moving forward. That's much more realistic.


Jason Vargas, Seattle Mariners: Let's not all come down too hard on Vargas for his recent funk, because he's in the midst of the most treacherous portion of his 2011 schedule, but the fact remains that he hasn't been reliable in four starts since the All-Star break. During that time, he has an 8.84 ERA and 2.29 WHIP, and opposing hitters have batted .386 and hit five home runs against him. Matchups against the Rangers, Blue Jays, Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays have contributed, but even accounting for that, these are downright scary numbers (all from those four outings): 14.4 percent miss rate on his swings, .273 well-hit average, 21.5 percent line drive rate. Opponents are crushing everything Vargas has been throwing, and we can't help but approach him with more caution moving forward.

 

[HacheMan]

Thoughts on Gio Gonzalez, Josh Reddick

Jason Grey

Is the Gio Gonzalez we're seeing this season what we should expect moving forward, or can we still project a little more growth?

I was recently asked a question similar to that, and my initial response was, despite some improvement in the ERA category, Gonzalez is pretty much the same pitcher he was last year. Don't get me wrong, that's definitely a solid pitcher; he finished 34th among starting pitchers on our 2010 Player Rater. But after struggling in a couple of recent starts, he's ranked No. 31 among starters on the 2011 Player Rater.
His 2011 stats suggest not a whole lot has changed since his breakout 2010 campaign. His strikeout rate has ticked up a bit to just under a batter per inning, which is very good, but his walk rate is still the same at more than four batters per nine -- that can get him into trouble at times -- and he's still allowing the same number of baserunners. That said, he also has kept the gains he made last year in keeping the ball in the yard. That, plus the 25-year-old southpaw reaching a new maturity level and not allowing things to snowball on him when he gets into a jam as often as he has in the past, has helped keep that ERA down.

"I started slowing the game down, getting a new level in the mental part of the game, and watching guys like Dallas Braden, picking up stuff I could use," Gonzalez told me during the All-Star break festivities.
From my point of view, it also has been about slowing down his mechanics. There have been some minor tweaks here and there, but the bottom line is he has been repeating his delivery more consistently. He has slowed things down and isn't as violent as he was in the past. He also had a tendency to move a little too much side to side and not drive toward the plate consistently and finish off his pitches. He has improved in that area, too. In fact, it's actually surprising to me that his walk totals aren't better this season, because compared to what it was, his delivery should allow him to find the strike zone a bit more often.
At the very least, I think he's locating his fastball a little better this season. He still throws the same three-pitch mix, sticking primarily with the fastball and an out-pitch curve, although my subjective observation in watching a few of his starts is that his curve has been more of a chase pitch in 2011 than one he can bury in the bottom of the strike zone. Perhaps that's one reason the needle hasn't moved much regarding the walk rate. I don't know if that's a conscious decision or just the way it has worked out, but it's a good pitch either way.
Gonzalez is in the midst of a second straight solid season, and if this is what he gives us going forward, especially in the strikeout category, we'll gladly take it. However, I still get the sense there's a touch more growth in him, that he can find a little more consistency and make some small gains in his control, which could pay further dividends.

Other notes


• Way back on April 12, I wrote about Cameron Maybin, noting that young players with tools and athleticism sometimes need more time than expected to turn those tools into baseball skills. And as I mentioned then, Maybin's career growth might have been stunted because he was asked to do too much too quickly by the Detroit Tigers and Florida Marlins after being the 10th overall pick in the 2005 draft. Well, we're starting to see those baseball skills now. He ranks seventh overall over the past 30 days on our Player Rater, and is a top-30 outfielder for the season, thanks in no small part to his 26 steals. Simply put, he's utilizing his speed whenever he can and running with abandon.

Since returning from the disabled list on June 13, Maybin has hit .306 with a homer, eight doubles and four triples in 40 games. But here's the kicker: He's a perfect 18-for-18 on the basepaths since returning, giving him a 26-for-28 mark on the season. Despite battling a hip flexor issue late last month, he still hasn't slowed down, with four thefts in his past six contests since missing a game because of the issue.
I mentioned early in the season Maybin was staying back on the ball better and utilizing his good bat speed to make harder contact, and we're seeing the results of that now. This hot play might seem hard to buy into because it feels as if he has been around for so long, but Maybin is still just 24, and he's still in growth mode. He could stand to cut the strikeouts down a bit and hit for a little more power. But he has room to develop further and can provide solid fantasy contributions while doing so, thanks to his wheels. It appears he finally has found a home with his third team, and third opportunity at a starting job. As Alex Gordon (taken eight picks before Maybin in the same draft) has helped demonstrate this year, sometimes we must be careful about giving up on a highly regarded prospect too soon.
• Josh Reddick basically forced his way into the Red Sox lineup with his performance, and he has been doing the same with fantasy lineups; his ownership in ESPN standard leagues has jumped to 42 percent.
Reddick has always had an ability to make contact and display plus power, but the Red Sox have been hammering him to exercise a little more patience in the box since they drafted him in 2006. In the past, Reddick had reportedly shown some resistance to those efforts, and I remember him telling me a couple of years ago it was a tough adjustment, that he was trying to do what the Red Sox asked "just to keep them happy." However, the efforts appear to have taken hold this year, and have resulted in a sharp improvement in his walk rate. (It was close to tripling at Triple-A, and there are early signs those gains are carrying over to the big leagues.)
It's not just been about the patience, but his swing mechanics. Reddick doesn't get out on his front foot and open up too early as much as he used to; he has been letting the ball get to him and not dragging and dropping his hands. When he was out in front, he would get off-balance and hit roll-over ground balls or popups, especially since he was prone to chase pitches he could just get the bat on instead of ones he could drive.
His batting average is artificially high right now and is going to come down a bit, but he can compensate for that with his power production. With regular playing time in the future and his better sense of pitch selection, Reddick is worth a speculative add in mixed leagues in hopes he continue his progression and maintain his hot streak for the final two months of the season.

 

[HacheMan]

Bye Bye Buchholz?
- The Red Sox are a veritable lock for the postseason, but they may have to go the rest of the way without one of their most important starters. CSNNE.com reported early Monday that Clay Buchholz was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his lower back and is unlikely to pitch again this season.

Buchholz went to see back specialist Dr. Thomas Watkins in Los Angeles on Monday for a second opinion and the Red Sox are expected to provide an official update on his status Tuesday. The young right-hander was originally placed on the disabled list on June 17 with what was termed a lower back strain.

Mets' third baseman David Wright recently returned from the disabled list after missing two months with a stress fracture in his lower back. There's no way to say for sure how long Buchholz will be sidelined, but the timeline isn't exactly working in his favor.

Red Sox manager Theo Epstein did his best to secure some last-minute insurance for Buchholz before the deadline, so after a deal for Rich Harden was nixed, he picked up Erik Bedard from the Mariners. Bedard was shaky in his return from a knee injury last Friday, giving up five runs over just 1 1/3 innings, but the veteran left-hander has a 3.45 ERA and 87/30 K/BB ratio over 16 starts this season.

Leaving Safeco Field for Fenway Park won't exactly help Bedard from a fantasy perspective, but he's at least a pretty good bet to receive more run support than he was getting in Seattle. Bedard has a reputation for being prickly with the media, which will be something to monitor now that he'll be under intense scrutiny in Boston, but his constant inability to stay healthy should be of greater concern.

- Terrible news for one of the few bright spots for the Dodgers this season. Rubby De La Rosa was placed on the the disabled list Monday with what was termed right elbow inflammation, but the Dodgers later announced that the young right-hander was diagnosed with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament. This almost certainly means that De La Rosa is done for the season and if he needs Tommy John surgery, he would likely be sidelined for all or most of the 2012 season, as well.

De La Rosa labored through his most recent start against the Diamondbacks on Sunday, giving up four runs on five hits (including two homers) and four walks over four innings. The 22-year-old right-hander has a 3.71 ERA and 60/31 K/BB ratio over 60 2/3 innings this season. He has averaged 96 mph on his fastball, which is tops among major-league starters.

- The Yankees didn't make any additions at the trade deadline, but we could see a new name in their lineup very soon. John Nalbone of the Trenton Times was told by sources close to the organization that top prospect Jesus Montero is expected to be promoted to the major league roster "in the very near future." Yankees general manager Brian Cashman was vague when asked about the possibility on Monday, saying that "anybody could get promoted in the very near future," but the situation is obviously worth monitoring in fantasy leagues.

Montero, 21, has regressed in his second season at Triple-A, seeing an increase in his strikeout rate while posting an underwhelming .769 OPS over 85 games, but he is coming off his most productive month of the season, slugging four homers to go along with an .860 OPS. The Yankees would likely have him get his feet wet at designated hitter, but he could he could provide value due to his eligibility behind the plate.

- Tick, tick, tick. Enjoy Jordan Zimmermann will you still can. The young right-hander will be limited to just four more starts this season as the Nationals plan to cap him at 160 innings in his first full year back from Tommy John surgery. We have known about this possibility for a while now, so hopefully you were able to sell-high and get something of value in single-season leagues.

Ironically enough, Zimmermann's planned exit coincides with the pending return of Stephen Strasburg, who is tentatively scheduled to make his first minor league rehab start in the next 7-10 days. If all goes well, he could take Zimmermann's place in the starting rotation by the end of August. Strasburg is obviously worth stashing if you have the room on your disabled list, but remember that command is one of the last things to return following Tommy John surgery. As great as he was last season, it would be unfair to expect him to be a lifesaver in September.

NL Quick Hits: Carlos Gonzalez (wrist) felt good after taking batting practice Monday and hopes to return from the disabled list this weekend … Clayton Kershaw allowed two runs and struck out four in a complete game victory over the Padres on Monday night … Josh Johnson (shoulder) will attempt to resume his throwing program Tuesday … Roy Oswalt allowed two runs over six innings Monday in his second minor league rehab start with Triple-A Lehigh Valley and is expected to rejoin the Phillies this weekend … Aramis Ramirez is day-to-day after being held out of Monday's lineup with quad tightness … Heath Bell said Monday that he would accept arbitration from the Padres if the two sides are unable to work out a contract extension … Dan Uggla slammed a pair of homers in Monday's loss to the Nationals … Jonathan Sanchez was activated from the disabled list and is expected to start Friday against the Phillies … Bud Norris left Monday's start due to a blister on his right index finger, but expects to make his next start … Mike Stanton hit a go-ahead grand slam as the Marlins defeated the Mets in 10 innings on Monday night … Johan Santana (shoulder) will not make his next minor league rehab start until Thursday … Rafael Furcal went 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored Monday in his first start with the Cardinals … The Mets plan to decide by the end of the week whether Ike Davis (ankle) will need surgery … In his Pirates' debut Monday, Derrek Lee slugged a pair of homers in a loss to the Cubs … Pirates manager Clint Hurdle indicated Monday that Jose Tabata (quad) could resume a minor league rehab assignment soon … Paul Goldschmidt went 1-for-4 with a single and a strikeout in his major league debut Monday … Freddy Sanchez will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery Tuesday … The Diamondbacks will skip Josh Collmenter in the starting rotation this week … Nick Hundley (hamstring) is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment Tuesday with Double-A San Antonio… Barry Zito was placed on the disabled list with a right foot strain … The Nationals released Matt Stairs ... The Pirates designated Lyle Overbay for assignment … The Phillies released Danys Baez …

AL Quick Hits: Alex Rodriguez (knee) is scheduled to begin baseball activities Thursday … Asdrubal Cabrera hit a pair of homers and drove in four runs in Monday's win over the Red Sox … Paul Konerko (calf, knee) is not expected to return to the White Sox lineup Tuesday … Shin-Soo Choo (thumb) will likely take batting practice this week … Ubaldo Jimenez will make his Indians' debut Friday against the Rangers … Derek Jeter (finger) expects to return to the Yankees' lineup Tuesday … Nelson Cruz (quad) and Elvis Andrus (knee) are expected to return to the Rangers' lineup Tuesday night … Dustin Ackley went 2-for-4 with a triple and three RBI in Monday's win over the A's and now has a .929 OPS … The Mariners will skip rookie right-hander Michael Pineda in the starting rotation this week ... Carlos Carrasco has appealed a six-game suspension levied for throwing at Billy Butler's head on Friday night … Indians rookie second baseman Jason Kipnis was 3-for-5 with a home run and three runs scored in a win over the Red Sox on Monday … Marco Scutaro left Monday's game against the Indians with dizziness … Jarrod Saltalamacchia homered and doubled in Monday's loss to the Indians … Cliff Pennington was diagnosed with Bell's palsy after leaving Monday's game and is currently listed as day-to-day … Ivan Nova will start Thursday against the White Sox as the Yankees use a six-man rotation this week … David DeJesus (thumb) swung off a tele Monday and could return to the lineup as soon as Wednesday … Jed Lowrie (shoulder) was hitless in two at-bats Monday in his first minor league rehab game with Triple-A Pawtucket … The newly-acquired Charlie Furbush will take Erik Bedard's spot in the Mariners' starting rotation Wednesday against the Athletics … Chone Figgins is day-to-day with a right hip flexor … The Angels sent top prospect Mike Trout back to Double-A Arkansas … Red Sox prospect outfielder Ryan Westmoreland (brain surgery) will begin facing live pitching soon …

 

[HacheMan]

Dose: Rubby's Elbow Fails

In the midst of one of the better stretches of a disappointing season for the Dodgers (seven wins in their last 10 games), the team ran into another frustrating pitching-related setback on Tuesday, as word surfaced that Rubby De La Rosa will undergo Tommy John surgery.

Despite some control issues, the hard-throwing 22-year-old – who made the jump to the majors straight from Double-A – had posted a 3.71 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 60/31 K/BB in 60 2/3 innings this season, including a 2.57 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in his last six starts. However, chances are that he'll now miss the majority of the 2012 season, and potentially all of it.

In De La Rosa's absence, Tony Jackson of ESPN Los Angeles reports that "there is some chance" the team could promote prospect Nathan Eovaldi to start on Tuesday against the Phillies. The 21-year-old has posted a 2.62 ERA and 99/46 K/BB ratio in 103 innings at Double-A and would warrant a close look in NL-Only and keeper formats.

Per beat writer Joe Haggerty, Terry Francona said that Clay Buchholz (back) has not been ruled out for the remainder of the season. However, the diagnosis of a stress fracture has been confirmed, and indications are that the right-hander's best shot of returning would be during the postseason, if at all. In other words, it should be safe to drop him in standard fantasy leagues if you haven't done so already.

Hanley Ramirez left Tuesday's game in the sixth inning with what appeared to have potentially been a separated left shoulder, but he was listed as day-to-day with only a sprain following the game. Ramirez may end up being sidelined until the weekend (or potentially a little bit longer), but it appears for the moment that he managed to avoid a significant injury.

Nats beat writer Mark Zuckerman reports that Stephen Strasburg (elbow) threw a 51-pitch simulated game Tuesday, and remains on course to begin a minor league rehab assignment next week. Assuming he doesn't have any setbacks, Strasburg could still return later this month or in early September.

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Pitcher injury notes: Johan Santana is scheduled to be examined by doctors on Thursday after feeling discomfort in his surgically-repaired shoulder, the latest reminder that he's not guaranteed to return this season … Josh Johnson (shoulder) is scheduled to resume his throwing program Wednesday as he attempts to make it back at some point before the season ends … Alex White (finger) will make four rehab starts at Double-A and could join the Colorado rotation in late August or early September … Justin Duchscherer, who was released by the Orioles Tuesday, will undergo hip surgery Thursday in hopes of returning in 2012 … Orioles beat writer Brittany Ghiroli reports that Jake Arrieta is likely done for the season due to a bone spur in his elbow … Dustin Moseley is headed for season-ending surgery on his left (non-pitching) shoulder.

Position player injury notes: Troy Tulowitzki is hoping to play Wednesday after leaving Tuesday's game with a right pinky injury … Adrian Beltre (hamstring) took BP on Tuesday as he targets a return in mid-August … Carlos Gonzalez (wrist) is on course to be activated as early as Saturday … Denard Span (concussion) went 0-for-3 with a walk and a steal in his first big league game since June 6 … Paul Konerko (knee, calf) is hoping to return Wednesday … Elvis Andrus (knee) and Nelson Cruz (quad) both returned to action, with Cruz picking up his 24th homer … Aramis Ramirez (quad) homered and drove in four in his return to the lineup … Charles Blackmon (foot) is believed to be done for the season … Marco Scutaro (head) didn't start Wednesday, but did enter the game defensively … Cliff Pennington (Bell's palsy) is expected to be held out until Thursday … Scott Rolen (shoulder) won't be ready to return when eligible on Friday … The Mariners placed Chone Figgins on the DL with a right hip flexor strain.

Miscellaneous notes: Jered Weaver received a six-game suspension, but should start Friday since he's planning to appeal … SI's Jon Heyman reports that the Yankees are expected to promote Jesus Montero in a couple of weeks … The Mariners have pushed back Michael Pineda's next start to Tuesday as they attempt to limit his innings … The Braves promoted pitching prospect Randall Delgado to Triple-A … Tommy Hunter is expected to start for the Orioles on Friday or Saturday … Carlos Carrasco is planning to drop the appeal of his six-game suspension after his start on Wednesday.

Editor's Note: For exclusive columns, rankings, projections and more, check out Rotoworld's MLB Season Pass.

Notable pitching: On the same day that Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News wrote that Phil Hughes could be moved to the bullpen, the right-hander threw six scoreless innings in a rain-shortened complete game win over the White Sox … Ervin Santana followed up his no-hitter with a complete-game win over the Twins … Hiroki Kuroda threw seven scoreless innings against the Padres to pick up his first win since July 1 … Homer Bailey held the anemic Astros to one run over eight innings … Kyle Kendrick shut out the Rockies for eight innings with seven strikeouts in Colorado … Kevin Correia gave up four homers and eight runs in two innings against the Cubs … Derek Lowe gave up seven earned runs in four innings after finishing July with a 5.86 ERA … Jason Isringhausen blew his first save since taking over as closer, though part of the damage was the result of a Justin Turner throwing error … Ricky Romero held the Rays to one hit (a Desmond Jennings solo homer) in eight innings … David Huff allowed just one unearned run over five innings against the Red Sox, but was demoted to Triple-A to make room for Ubaldo Jimenez.

Notable hitting: Jason Kipnis went deep for a third consecutive game … Mark Reynolds homered and drove in five to give him 24 homers and 60 RBI on the season … Brennan Boesch picked up his 16th homer and fifth steal … Alfonso Soriano homered twice, giving him four homers in his last four games … Omar Infante hit his second and third homers of the season … Rick Ankiel hit a grand slam, his third homer in the last two days against the Braves … Chris Davis homered for the first time since joining the Orioles … Paul Goldschmidt hit his first career homer, a two-run shot off Tim Lincecum.

 

[HacheMan]

Texas Three Step?
Now that the dust has cleared, it's time to look at the post-deadline closer landscape. Well… would you look at that. It's pretty much the same as the pre-deadline landscape. Huh.

That isn't to say that there wasn't much activity at this deadline. No, plenty of players passed hands, and the balance in baseball certainly was changed. In order to follow up on last week's top five deals of all time from the buyers' perspective, we'll name this week's tiers after the top five buyers' deals from this trade deadline.

But the bullpens? Only one bullpen really changed. We'll make sure you're covered on all of them anyway.


Tier 1: Elite (3) (AKA: The "Michael Bourn for Jordan Schafer, Brett Oberholtzer, Paul Clemens and Juan Abreu." Tier.)


Jonathan Papelbon, Boston Red Sox
Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves
Joel Hanrahan, Pittsburgh Pirates
Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees

Highway robbery. The Braves got exactly what they needed for the next season and a half -- a good defensive center fielder that can impact the game offensively by getting on base and scampering -- and they didn't give up any of their top five prospects. Maybe one of these pitchers turns in to a decent mid-rotation starter. Maybe.
Jonathan Papelbon moves to the top of the list. You know why? He's given up four baserunners in the last ten innings. Four. That's one walk! Against thirteen strikeouts. Of course, he just had his first 'Kimbrel' of the year -- three strikeouts and no hits, walks or runs -- while Kimbrel has four of those. But Papelbon's 61/8 K/BB ratio is slightly more impressive than Kimbrel's 84/21 because of the excellent control. Both are great.


Tier 2: Rock Steady (6) (AKA: The "Rafael Furcal for Alex Castellanos" Tier.)


John Axford, Milwaukee Brewers
Andrew Bailey, Oakland Athletics
Heath Bell, San Diego Padres
Joakim Soria, Kansas City Royals
Brian Wilson, San Francisco Giants
Jordan Walden, Anaheim Angels

Maybe this trade doesn't seem like a big deal, but there's little risk for the Cardinals, and yet they received a player that has the potential their worst position both defensively and offensively. Furcal pushes Ryan Theriot to second, where his glove plays much better, and if he finds some rejuvenation in his current healthy moment, he could really help that team.
John Axford hasn't blown a save since April 18th! He's the closer in Milwaukee and Francisco Rodriguez won't do anything but save a game or two when Axford needs a blow. Joakim Soria did blow his first save since regaining his job, but he still has a 10/2 K/BB ratio over his last ten innings. Compare that to Brian Wilson, who has a 7/5 K/BB ratio over his last ten outings. And also blew two games in that stretch.
Moving past the wonkier closers in this tier are Andrew Bailey and Heath Bell. Both guys survived the trade deadline on their original teams and otherwise own lines that are virtually unassailable. Bailey has four strikeouts to ever walk and has improved his strikeout rate this year as well. He's safe, pitches in a nice home park, and plays for a team that will have their share of close games even if they aren't the best team in their division. Bell's peripherals are not quite as nice. He only has two-plus strikeouts per walk and his strikeout rate has dropped this year. Still, over his last ten outings he has only given up ten baserunners and has seven strikeouts. He's not quite the dominant guy he was in the past, but he deserves his ranking now that the trade deadline has passed.


Tier 3: OK options (6) (AKA: The "Ubaldo Jimenez for Drew Pomeranz, Alex White, Joe Gardner and Matt McBride" Tier.)


J.J. Putz, Arizona Diamondbacks
Huston Street, Colorado Rockies
Drew Storen, Washington Nationals
Sergio Santos, Chicago White Sox
Jose Valverde, Detroit Tigers
Brandon League, Seattle Mariners

Comment:
Most likely, this trade was a decent buy for the Indians. Most of Ubaldo's peripherals are right in line with what he's done in the past, and he'll enjoy moving out of Coors Field. But his velocity has also taken a two MPH dive in the past year, and whispers of injury surround him. This is a fairly risky trade with gobs of upside, which is an okay way to describe the closers in this tier.
Huston Street needs to drop in the rankings some, even if he survived the trade deadline intact. He has given up three home runs in his last five games, and has now allowed a career-high in homers. His strikeout to walk ratio is still great, and he's only official blown three saves this year. But there are a few losses on his ledger, and the home runs are worrisome. He's on pace for a record amount of home runs for a closer! He should be fine, or he'll get injured again. At least you got more saves and more innings out of him than he gave last year!
Drew Storen is also in the midst of a poor stretch. He's surrendered three home runs in his past four games. Maybe the rumors that he was headed to the Twins were messing with his head. We do know that he doesn't have an elite strikeout rate, but his control has held steady, and these could just be a little burst of bad luck. Still, last year he gave up three home runs in 55 1/3 innings. So far this year he's given up seven home runs in two fewer innings. He's not an elite closer.

We gave Jose Valverde some homework, and he obliged. He only has one walk in his last five outings, and he needs to keep that focus. The splitter gets him plenty of groundballs, and his strikeout rate is decent, but the control is key.


Tier 4: Question marks (7) (AKA: The "Hunter Pence for Jarred Cosart, Jonathan Singleton, Josh Zeid and a PTBNL" Tier.)


Joe Nathan, Minnesota Twins
Carlos Marmol, Chicago Cubs
Fernando Salas, St. Louis Cardinals
Leo Nunez, Florida Marlins

Kevin Gregg, Baltimore Orioles
Chris Perez, Cleveland Indians
Francisco Cordero, Cincinnati Reds

Comment:
Yes, Hunter Pence is an upgrade. Over Raul Ibanez. Who is still in Philly. Pence is only a slight upgrade over Domonic Brown most days, and it cost his team all of their best non-Brown prospects to get him. Flags fly forever, but it will take a long time for the Philly farm system to recover from this trade.
Joe Nathan is a nice week away from moving up in tiers. He's showing he's healthy and in his last three appearances, the strikeout rate seems to be returning as well. Maybe Carlos Marmol can move up with him. He's closing again and has had two straight clean slate appearances - with no walks. He's always going to have the high WHIP, but steadying the ship means he can be valuable for strikeout rate and saves.
Heck, Fernando Salas could even move up. Now that he survived the trade deadline with his role intact, and his manager has shown the confidence to put him out there after a blown save or two, there's not that much to dislike about Salas. He has more than four strikeouts to every walk, he hasn't given up a ton of home runs, and he's only blown three saves on the year. Also, the other options in the pen suddenly don't look as attractive. With Eduardo Sanchez gone, Mitchell Boggs is probably the handcuff. He got the last non-Salas save at least. Jason Motte is still there.
Kevin Gregg is still a poor closer, but he's even safer this week then he was last week. Koji Uehara is now in Texas, and there goes Gregg's biggest competitor for the closer's role. Jim Johnson is interesting, but his manager just said that he might get some starts before the end of the season. Alfredo Simon has done the job before, but he's got some legal issues and just started a game himself. Guess Gregg will keep his job despite his mediocrity. He's just so bad of a pitcher that he needs to move down anyway.
Chris Perez continues to pitch poorly in Cleveland. He's now allowed five runs in his last 5 1/3 innings, with four strikeouts against four walks. He hasn't blown a save in the last week, but that might have only been because the team didn't give him a chance to. Still, with his ERA where it is, and the fact that he's somehow only blown two saves during all of this, he might be safe. Vinny Pestano is the handcuff, even if he just lost the game Tuesday night.
Hey Francisco Cordero found the ability to strike people out again. He has six strikeouts in his last four innings. That's a tiny sample, but it's a heck of an improvement from his early July work. Aroldis Chapman lurks.

Read more about the most volatile closer situations on the next page.

<!--RW-->
Tier 5: Rollercoaster rides (7) (AKA: The "Carlos Beltran for Zack Wheeler" Tier.)


1st Chair: Ryan Madson, 2nd Chair: Antonio Bastardo, Philadelphia Phillies
1st Chair: Kyle Farnsworth, 2nd Chair: Jake McGee, Tampa Bay Rays
1st Chair: Javy Guerra, 2nd Chair: Blake Hawksworth, Los Angeles Dodgers
1st Chair: Mark Melancon, 2nd Chair: Wilton Lopez, Houston Astros
1st Chair: Jason Isringhausen, 2nd Chair: Bobby Parnell, New York Mets
1st Chair: Neftali Feliz, 2nd Chair: Koji Uehara, Texas Rangers
1st Chair: Jon Rauch, 2nd Chair: Frank Francisco, Toronto Blue Jays

Comment:
Carlos Beltran will help the San Francisco Giants offense. For two months. Zach Wheeler will, in all likelihood, help the Mets rotation for at least six years. That's a tough trade.
Ryan Madson is now saving games regularly and Antonio Bastardo has not had one since July 24th, so it looks like the transition has been made. Madson can move up when he's proven that he'll keep the job after blowing a save with Brad Lidge on the roster and healthy. Lidge has been okay since he's returned, with three strikeouts and two walks in 2 2/3 innings.
A lot was made when the Rays lost Rafael Soriano last year, but Kyle Farnsworth has filled in admirably. Is his run of luck coming to an end? He's only blown four saves and walked eight batters all year, but three of those blown saves and six of those walks have come in the past ten outings. That's sort of stark. Still, his strikeout rate has recovered recently (12 strikeouts in his last ten innings). And he's given up two earned runs in those three blown saves. This is not a huge blowup, but it's enough to keep him down here.
Maybe Javy Guerra and Mark Melancon keep their jobs all year! They are both mediocre relievers, but they are also both young, cheap, and in bullpens that don't have a clear alternative. You can trade away other closers if Guerra and Melancon represent a surplus, since they might just keep their jobs all year. Just don't consider keeping them over the offseason. Who knows what will happen next year.
Jason Isringhausen has been a nice story this year, and he's been gritting his way through all of his save chances since being made the closer in New York. He might just keep the job while pitching meh all year like the last two guys. The team might want to go young and has Bobby Parnell in throwing triple digits in the pen. And Izzy just blew a game in spectacular fashion by allowing three hits and a grand slam to Mike Stanton in extra innings, and then repeated that effort with a blown save Tuesday night. This pen could easily see some change. Soon.
Texas is one of the pens most likely to see roles change hands, though. Not only is Neftali Feliz struggling (he blew a save last week and has five strikeouts against four walks in his last ten outings), but his manager even questioned his competitive fire. Now his team has two relievers that have been better this year than him, too. Consider their strikeout-to-walk ratios: Feliz (27/20), Adams (49/9), and Uehara (64/8). Uehara might be a fly-ball dude, but he did just fine in another hitter's park in Baltimore. Mike Adams is a career setup man, but Koji Uehara has experience closing. Uehara is a must-own if you're looking for saves, and if you've been holding Adams for saves you might as well hold him a little bit longer to see what happens in Texas.
Jon Rauch has three straight saves! Before that, he blew two straight saves. He has eight strikeouts and one walk in his last ten appearances. Frank Francisco has 11 strikeouts and one walk in his last ten. This might keep going all season. I'm happy to discuss these situations on twitter any time.

<CENTER>* * * * * * * * * *</CENTER>


Injured

Jonathan Broxton, Los Angeles Dodgers (elbow)

Comment:
Jonathan Broxton news! The big boy is about a week away from beginning a throwing program. He says the discomfort is about 95% gone. There's still no timetable.

The Deposed:
Fernando Rodney, Los Angeles
Ryan Franklin, St. Louis
Brandon Lyon, Houston
Matt Thornton, Chicago A.L.
Vicente Padilla, Los Angeles Dodgers
Francisco Rodriguez, Milwaukee
David Aardsma, Seattle

Is Neftali Feliz on the way down to the deposed list?

<CENTER>* * * * * * * * * *</CENTER>

The Steals Department

Dee Gordon is back in the major leagues, but we've written him up in this space before and you know about him, flaws and all. A newcomer to the mixed league paragraph is Jason Bourgeois, who we once recommended to shallow leaguers. With Michael Bourn and Hunter Pence out of town, Bourgeois should get all the starts he can handle. Of course, he didn't start Tuesday night, but no matter. He doesn't strike out at all, which helps him put the ball in play and use his best asset, his feet, to get on base. He's less interesting in OBP leagues, or perhaps points leagues, but in traditional root leagues, he'll be useful. Pencil him in for a .280+ batting average with at least double-digit steals going forward.

Will Venable is suffering through back spasms but he's a toolsy outfielder with speed. Over the last month, he's hit .250 with six steals and two home runs, and that's sustainable given his history. The best way to use Venable is to put him on your bench and play him against righties, as the lefty has a sizable platoon split. If you can only uses him against righties on the road, you're really put him in a position to succeed. PetCo suppresses home runs by lefties by 41%. Wow.

 

[HacheMan]

August Overall Top 250 Ranking
The August player rankings are presented this week. Players are ranked based on how much I believe they'll be worth in 5x5 leagues over the rest of the year.

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Team</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1 </TD><TD>Albert Pujols </TD><TD>Cardinals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>2 </TD><TD>Ryan Braun </TD><TD>Brewers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3 </TD><TD>Matt Kemp </TD><TD>Dodgers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>4 </TD><TD>Jose Bautista </TD><TD>Blue Jays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5 </TD><TD>Roy Halladay </TD><TD>Phillies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>6 </TD><TD>Adrian Gonzalez </TD><TD>Red Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7 </TD><TD>Jacoby Ellsbury </TD><TD>Red Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>8 </TD><TD>Miguel Cabrera </TD><TD>Tigers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9 </TD><TD>Troy Tulowitzki </TD><TD>Rockies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>10 </TD><TD>Joey Votto </TD><TD>Reds </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11 </TD><TD>Robinson Cano </TD><TD>Yankees </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>12 </TD><TD>Jose Reyes </TD><TD>Mets </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13 </TD><TD>Justin Verlander </TD><TD>Tigers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>14 </TD><TD>Hanley Ramirez </TD><TD>Marlins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15 </TD><TD>Prince Fielder </TD><TD>Brewers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>16 </TD><TD>Cliff Lee </TD><TD>Phillies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17 </TD><TD>Chase Utley </TD><TD>Phillies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>18 </TD><TD>David Wright </TD><TD>Mets </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19 </TD><TD>Tim Lincecum </TD><TD>Giants </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>20 </TD><TD>Dustin Pedroia </TD><TD>Red Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21 </TD><TD>Mark Teixeira </TD><TD>Yankees </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>22 </TD><TD>Justin Upton </TD><TD>Diamondbacks </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23 </TD><TD>Cole Hamels </TD><TD>Phillies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>24 </TD><TD>CC Sabathia </TD><TD>Yankees </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25 </TD><TD>Matt Holliday </TD><TD>Cardinals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>26 </TD><TD>Curtis Granderson </TD><TD>Yankees </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27 </TD><TD>Jered Weaver </TD><TD>Angels </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>28 </TD><TD>Evan Longoria </TD><TD>Rays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>29 </TD><TD>Andrew McCutchen </TD><TD>Pirates </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>30 </TD><TD>Felix Hernandez </TD><TD>Mariners </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>31 </TD><TD>Ian Kinsler </TD><TD>Rangers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>32 </TD><TD>Ryan Howard </TD><TD>Phillies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>33 </TD><TD>Clayton Kershaw </TD><TD>Dodgers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>34 </TD><TD>Victor Martinez </TD><TD>Tigers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>35 </TD><TD>Carlos Gonzalez </TD><TD>Rockies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>36 </TD><TD>Jon Lester </TD><TD>Red Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>37 </TD><TD>Nelson Cruz </TD><TD>Rangers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>38 </TD><TD>Joe Mauer </TD><TD>Twins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>39 </TD><TD>Paul Konerko </TD><TD>White Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>40 </TD><TD>Josh Hamilton </TD><TD>Rangers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>41 </TD><TD>Matt Cain </TD><TD>Giants </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>42 </TD><TD>Tommy Hanson </TD><TD>Braves </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>43 </TD><TD>Mariano Rivera </TD><TD>Yankees </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>44 </TD><TD>Elvis Andrus </TD><TD>Rangers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>45 </TD><TD>Zack Greinke </TD><TD>Brewers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>46 </TD><TD>Josh Beckett </TD><TD>Red Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>47 </TD><TD>Kevin Youkilis </TD><TD>Red Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>48 </TD><TD>David Price </TD><TD>Rays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>49 </TD><TD>Jimmy Rollins </TD><TD>Phillies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>50 </TD><TD>Michael Bourn </TD><TD>Braves </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>51 </TD><TD>Heath Bell </TD><TD>Padres </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>52 </TD><TD>Michael Young </TD><TD>Rangers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>53 </TD><TD>Dan Haren </TD><TD>Angels </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>54 </TD><TD>Brian Wilson </TD><TD>Giants </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>55 </TD><TD>Adrian Beltre </TD><TD>Rangers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>56 </TD><TD>Brian McCann </TD><TD>Braves </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>57 </TD><TD>Carl Crawford </TD><TD>Red Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>58 </TD><TD>Pablo Sandoval </TD><TD>Giants </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>59 </TD><TD>Jonathan Papelbon </TD><TD>Red Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>60 </TD><TD>Yovani Gallardo </TD><TD>Brewers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>61 </TD><TD>Dan Uggla </TD><TD>Braves </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>62 </TD><TD>Asdrubal Cabrera </TD><TD>Indians </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>63 </TD><TD>Aramis Ramirez </TD><TD>Cubs </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>64 </TD><TD>Chris Carpenter </TD><TD>Cardinals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>65 </TD><TD>Mike Stanton </TD><TD>Marlins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>66 </TD><TD>Ben Zobrist </TD><TD>Rays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>67 </TD><TD>Craig Kimbrel </TD><TD>Braves </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>68 </TD><TD>Ryan Zimmerman </TD><TD>Nationals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>69 </TD><TD>Tim Hudson </TD><TD>Braves </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>70 </TD><TD>Brandon Phillips </TD><TD>Reds </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>71 </TD><TD>Carlos Marmol </TD><TD>Cubs </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>72 </TD><TD>Hunter Pence </TD><TD>Phillies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>73 </TD><TD>James Shields </TD><TD>Rays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>74 </TD><TD>Andrew Bailey </TD><TD>Athletics </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>75 </TD><TD>Drew Stubbs </TD><TD>Reds </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>76 </TD><TD>Billy Butler </TD><TD>Royals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>77 </TD><TD>C.J. Wilson </TD><TD>Rangers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>78 </TD><TD>Carlos Santana </TD><TD>Indians </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>79 </TD><TD>Michael Cuddyer </TD><TD>Twins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>80 </TD><TD>Shane Victorino </TD><TD>Phillies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>81 </TD><TD>Jose Valverde </TD><TD>Tigers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>82 </TD><TD>Madison Bumgarner </TD><TD>Giants </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>83 </TD><TD>David Ortiz </TD><TD>Red Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>84 </TD><TD>Brett Gardner </TD><TD>Yankees </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>85 </TD><TD>Shaun Marcum </TD><TD>Brewers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>86 </TD><TD>Adam Lind </TD><TD>Blue Jays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>87 </TD><TD>Neftali Feliz </TD><TD>Rangers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>88 </TD><TD>B.J. Upton </TD><TD>Rays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>89 </TD><TD>Gio Gonzalez </TD><TD>Athletics </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>90 </TD><TD>Alex Rodriguez </TD><TD>Yankees </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>91 </TD><TD>Jhonny Peralta </TD><TD>Tigers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>92 </TD><TD>Chris Young </TD><TD>Diamondbacks </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>93 </TD><TD>John Axford </TD><TD>Brewers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>94 </TD><TD>Edwin Jackson </TD><TD>Cardinals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>95 </TD><TD>Carlos Beltran </TD><TD>Giants </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>96 </TD><TD>Adam Jones </TD><TD>Orioles </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>97 </TD><TD>Ubaldo Jimenez </TD><TD>Indians </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>98 </TD><TD>Mark Reynolds </TD><TD>Orioles </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>99 </TD><TD>Desmond Jennings </TD><TD>Rays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>100 </TD><TD>Mat Latos </TD><TD>Padres </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>101 </TD><TD>Miguel Montero </TD><TD>Diamondbacks </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>102 </TD><TD>Yunel Escobar </TD><TD>Blue Jays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>103 </TD><TD>Ian Kennedy </TD><TD>Diamondbacks </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>104 </TD><TD>Jay Bruce </TD><TD>Reds </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>105 </TD><TD>Starlin Castro </TD><TD>Cubs </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>106 </TD><TD>Chris Perez </TD><TD>Indians </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>107 </TD><TD>Ricky Nolasco </TD><TD>Marlins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>108 </TD><TD>Joel Hanrahan </TD><TD>Pirates </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>109 </TD><TD>Alexei Ramirez </TD><TD>White Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>110 </TD><TD>Alex Gordon </TD><TD>Royals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>111 </TD><TD>Jaime Garcia </TD><TD>Cardinals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>112 </TD><TD>Howie Kendrick </TD><TD>Angels </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>113 </TD><TD>Ricky Romero </TD><TD>Blue Jays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>114 </TD><TD>Corey Hart </TD><TD>Brewers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>115 </TD><TD>Francisco Cordero </TD><TD>Reds </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>116 </TD><TD>Mike Napoli </TD><TD>Rangers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>117 </TD><TD>Kelly Johnson </TD><TD>Diamondbacks </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>118 </TD><TD>Daniel Hudson </TD><TD>Diamondbacks </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>119 </TD><TD>Andre Ethier </TD><TD>Dodgers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>120 </TD><TD>Joakim Soria </TD><TD>Royals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>121 </TD><TD>Johnny Cueto </TD><TD>Reds </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>122 </TD><TD>J.J. Hardy </TD><TD>Orioles </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>123 </TD><TD>Nick Markakis </TD><TD>Orioles </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>124 </TD><TD>Neil Walker </TD><TD>Pirates </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>125 </TD><TD>John Danks </TD><TD>White Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>126 </TD><TD>Derek Jeter </TD><TD>Yankees </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>127 </TD><TD>Drew Storen </TD><TD>Nationals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>128 </TD><TD>Dustin Ackley </TD><TD>Mariners </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>129 </TD><TD>Chad Billingsley </TD><TD>Dodgers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>130 </TD><TD>Huston Street </TD><TD>Rockies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>131 </TD><TD>Lance Berkman </TD><TD>Cardinals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>132 </TD><TD>Erick Aybar </TD><TD>Angels </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>133 </TD><TD>Anibal Sanchez </TD><TD>Marlins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>134 </TD><TD>Chipper Jones </TD><TD>Braves </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>135 </TD><TD>Geovany Soto </TD><TD>Cubs </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>136 </TD><TD>Coco Crisp </TD><TD>Athletics </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>137 </TD><TD>Matt Garza </TD><TD>Cubs </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>138 </TD><TD>J.J. Putz </TD><TD>Diamondbacks </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>139 </TD><TD>Gaby Sanchez </TD><TD>Marlins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>140 </TD><TD>Max Scherzer </TD><TD>Tigers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>141 </TD><TD>Alex Avila </TD><TD>Tigers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>142 </TD><TD>Nick Swisher </TD><TD>Yankees </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>143 </TD><TD>Leo Nunez </TD><TD>Marlins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>144 </TD><TD>Chase Headley </TD><TD>Padres </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>145 </TD><TD>Mike Morse </TD><TD>Nationals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>146 </TD><TD>Rickie Weeks </TD><TD>Brewers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>147 </TD><TD>Sergio Santos </TD><TD>White Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>148 </TD><TD>Jair Jurrjens </TD><TD>Braves </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>149 </TD><TD>Colby Rasmus </TD><TD>Blue Jays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>150 </TD><TD>Brandon League </TD><TD>Mariners </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>151 </TD><TD>Freddie Freeman </TD><TD>Braves </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>152 </TD><TD>Scott Baker </TD><TD>Twins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>153 </TD><TD>Carlos Quentin </TD><TD>White Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>154 </TD><TD>Jordan Walden </TD><TD>Angels </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>155 </TD><TD>Danny Espinosa </TD><TD>Nationals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>156 </TD><TD>Colby Lewis </TD><TD>Rangers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>157 </TD><TD>Bobby Abreu </TD><TD>Angels </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>158 </TD><TD>Martin Prado </TD><TD>Braves </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>159 </TD><TD>Jayson Werth </TD><TD>Nationals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>160 </TD><TD>Fernando Salas </TD><TD>Cardinals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>161 </TD><TD>Hiroki Kuroda </TD><TD>Dodgers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>162 </TD><TD>Jason Heyward </TD><TD>Braves </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>163 </TD><TD>Todd Helton </TD><TD>Rockies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>164 </TD><TD>Joe Nathan </TD><TD>Twins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>165 </TD><TD>Jeremy Hellickson </TD><TD>Rays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>166 </TD><TD>Melky Cabrera </TD><TD>Royals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>167 </TD><TD>Placido Polanco </TD><TD>Phillies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>168 </TD><TD>Carlos Pena </TD><TD>Cubs </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>169 </TD><TD>Jhoulys Chacin </TD><TD>Rockies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>170 </TD><TD>Ryan Madson </TD><TD>Phillies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>171 </TD><TD>Ichiro Suzuki </TD><TD>Mariners </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>172 </TD><TD>Vance Worley </TD><TD>Phillies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>173 </TD><TD>Vernon Wells </TD><TD>Angels </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>174 </TD><TD>Kyle Farnsworth </TD><TD>Rays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>175 </TD><TD>Matt Wieters </TD><TD>Orioles </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>176 </TD><TD>R.A. Dickey </TD><TD>Mets </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>177 </TD><TD>Matt Joyce </TD><TD>Rays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>178 </TD><TD>Torii Hunter </TD><TD>Angels </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>179 </TD><TD>Javy Guerra </TD><TD>Dodgers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>180 </TD><TD>Ryan Dempster </TD><TD>Cubs </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>181 </TD><TD>Emilio Bonifacio </TD><TD>Marlins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>182 </TD><TD>Logan Morrison </TD><TD>Marlins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>183 </TD><TD>Tim Stauffer </TD><TD>Padres </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>184 </TD><TD>Jarrod Saltalamacchia </TD><TD>Red Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>185 </TD><TD>Edwin Encarnacion </TD><TD>Blue Jays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>186 </TD><TD>Kevin Gregg </TD><TD>Orioles </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>187 </TD><TD>Angel Pagan </TD><TD>Mets </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>188 </TD><TD>Gavin Floyd </TD><TD>White Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>189 </TD><TD>Eric Hosmer </TD><TD>Royals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>190 </TD><TD>Jemile Weeks </TD><TD>Athletics </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>191 </TD><TD>Jason Isringhausen </TD><TD>Mets </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>192 </TD><TD>Brennan Boesch </TD><TD>Tigers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>193 </TD><TD>Wandy Rodriguez </TD><TD>Astros </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>194 </TD><TD>Russell Martin </TD><TD>Yankees </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>195 </TD><TD>Cameron Maybin </TD><TD>Padres </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>196 </TD><TD>Jon Rauch </TD><TD>Blue Jays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>197 </TD><TD>A.J. Burnett </TD><TD>Yankees </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>198 </TD><TD>Rafael Furcal </TD><TD>Cardinals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>199 </TD><TD>Alfonso Soriano </TD><TD>Cubs </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>200 </TD><TD>Derrek Lee </TD><TD>Pirates </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>201 </TD><TD>Justin Masterson </TD><TD>Indians </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>202 </TD><TD>Mark Melancon </TD><TD>Astros </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>203 </TD><TD>Ervin Santana </TD><TD>Angels </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>204 </TD><TD>Daniel Murphy </TD><TD>Mets </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>205 </TD><TD>Rajai Davis </TD><TD>Blue Jays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>206 </TD><TD>David Freese </TD><TD>Cardinals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>207 </TD><TD>Chris Iannetta </TD><TD>Rockies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>208 </TD><TD>Brandon Beachy </TD><TD>Braves </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>209 </TD><TD>Austin Jackson </TD><TD>Tigers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>210 </TD><TD>Erik Bedard </TD><TD>Red Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>211 </TD><TD>J.P. Arencibia </TD><TD>Blue Jays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>212 </TD><TD>Derek Holland </TD><TD>Rangers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>213 </TD><TD>Vladimir Guerrero </TD><TD>Orioles </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>214 </TD><TD>Raul Ibanez </TD><TD>Phillies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>215 </TD><TD>Jorge Posada </TD><TD>Yankees </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>216 </TD><TD>Jed Lowrie </TD><TD>Red Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>217 </TD><TD>Alexi Ogando </TD><TD>Rangers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>218 </TD><TD>Jonny Venters </TD><TD>Braves </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>219 </TD><TD>Johnny Damon </TD><TD>Rays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>220 </TD><TD>Pedro Alvarez </TD><TD>Pirates </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>221 </TD><TD>Yadier Molina </TD><TD>Cardinals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>222 </TD><TD>Jeff Niemann </TD><TD>Rays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>223 </TD><TD>Michael Pineda </TD><TD>Mariners </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>224 </TD><TD>Michael Brantley </TD><TD>Indians </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>225 </TD><TD>Cory Luebke </TD><TD>Padres </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>226 </TD><TD>Danny Valencia </TD><TD>Twins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>227 </TD><TD>Francisco Rodriguez </TD><TD>Brewers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>228 </TD><TD>Miguel Olivo </TD><TD>Mariners </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>229 </TD><TD>Jeff Francoeur </TD><TD>Royals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>230 </TD><TD>Tyler Clippard </TD><TD>Nationals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>231 </TD><TD>Jon Niese </TD><TD>Mets </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>232 </TD><TD>Kurt Suzuki </TD><TD>Athletics </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>233 </TD><TD>Adam Dunn </TD><TD>White Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>234 </TD><TD>Trevor Cahill </TD><TD>Athletics </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>235 </TD><TD>Denard Span </TD><TD>Twins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>236 </TD><TD>Aubrey Huff </TD><TD>Giants </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>237 </TD><TD>Ryan Vogelsong </TD><TD>Giants </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>238 </TD><TD>A.J. Pierzynski </TD><TD>White Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>239 </TD><TD>Jason Kubel </TD><TD>Twins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>240 </TD><TD>Ryan Roberts </TD><TD>Diamondbacks </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>241 </TD><TD>Daniel Bard </TD><TD>Red Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>242 </TD><TD>Brandon Morrow </TD><TD>Blue Jays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>243 </TD><TD>Justin Morneau </TD><TD>Twins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>244 </TD><TD>Juan Pierre </TD><TD>White Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>245 </TD><TD>Bartolo Colon </TD><TD>Yankees </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>246 </TD><TD>Mark Trumbo </TD><TD>Angels </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>247 </TD><TD>Francisco Liriano </TD><TD>Twins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>248 </TD><TD>Josh Willingham </TD><TD>Athletics </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>249 </TD><TD>Paul Goldschmidt </TD><TD>Diamondbacks </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>250 </TD><TD>Jake Peavy </TD><TD>White Sox </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[HacheMan]

The Kids Are Allright
Hanley Ramirez owners, you can breathe again. It looks like there's no structural damage in his shoulder and the day-to-day prognosis will hold. This wasn't going to be his best power year anyway, but if you found a way to deal with his reduced production this year, then you can still look forward to better days ahead. At least he's still hitting some home runs and at least he should still steal 30 this year. At shortstop, that's not the worst year ever.

There was other good health news around baseball, too. Albert Pujols was hit by a pitch and his manager was upset about it, but he was back in the lineup Wednesday. Hopefully he'll be fine, because going hitless in five plate appearances with two strikeouts is not his normal day. Troy Tulowitzki injured his finger somehow on a throw, but he was back in the lineup, too. He managed a hit, even. Shin-Soo Choo is ready for batting practice on Thursday! Justin Morneau had batting practice Wednesday. Chipper Jones wants to be back Friday. Roy Oswalt will be back Sunday. Stephen Strasburg will likely begin his rehab stint Sunday. These are (mostly) top-notch names, all getting healthy in time for the stretch run. Smile!

Now it's time to frown. Paul Konerko hasn't rejoined the lineup since being hit Sunday, but he hasn't been ruled out of Thursday's game just yet. He might return soon. Scott Rolen will miss up to six weeks after his arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder. He'll be useful for two weeks at the most. Kyle Gibson, the Twins top pitching prospect, is headed to Minnesota to have his pitching elbow looked at. Uh-oh.

* Time to recap the relevant pitching performances. First, the good. After a terrible July, Ryan Vogelsong turned things around in his first start in August by holding the Diamondbacks to one run on seven strikeouts in six innings. Being at home means he was a must-start, but as long as his newfound control holds he's useful in most leagues. Charlie Furbush only gave up one run in five innings against the Athletics at home. That's a must-start situation for him, but his strikeout upside (three Wednesday) limits him to selective starting even in AL-only leagues. Doug Fister, his trade partner, is maybe a step above, but not mixed-league material. He held the Rangers to two earned in seven but didn't strike out a single batter. Holding Boston to two earned runs in seven innings (with five strikeouts against three walks) is a great game for Carlos Carrasco. He has upside, but he's also risky until he shows some consistent ability to take advantage of his swinging strikes. Dontrelle Willis held the Astros to two runs in six innings, and you could say, yeah it's the Astros. Except that he keeps getting ground balls. And he only walked one Astro. If he can keep the control up, he might be useful as a spot starter in mixed leagues.

The bad! Edwin Jackson, in his first start for his new team, gave up eight runs on four home runs in seven innings against the Brewers. Since the Cardinals had played 11 the night before, Tony LaRussa left his (possibly rental) starter out to absorb the pain. Jackson is a borderline mixed league pitcher, even with the slight boost his new park and league can give him. Jason Marquis gave up seven runs in four-plus innings, and he's not really a rosterable pitcher in any format right now. Gio Gonzalez was rocked for six runs in 6 1/3 against the Mariners in Seattle, which is surprising given his opponent, but not so surprising given Gio's inconsistency. Matt Harrison has been riding the luck train for a little bit. He gave up four runs in six innings against the Tigers, with three strikeouts against three walks. He's still a good start against the Mariners next, but don't get too comfortable with him. He's just too average everywhere. Joel Pineiro allowed seven runs in 4 1/3 against the Twins and doesn't have the groundball magic anymore either.

* Bull about bullpens: Brad Lidge got a save! Ryan Madson was unavailable because he was with his pregnant wife. Lidge faced the easier portion of the lineup than Antonio Bastardo, but it's interesting that Lidge was chosen for the feat. It's not like the Phillies haven't given up Madson before. Jason Isringhausen got the day off Wednesay to get a breather according to his manager. He's three saves short of 300 and that might be all he gets, as he's been terrible lately. Bobby Parnell is close to taking that job.

* Casey McGehee headlined the work at the plate Wednesday. Three home runs and five RBI against the Cardinals! He made up the difference in a 10-5 game, and since the Brewers did not pick up an improvement at the position, he's a viable bench piece even in mixed leagues, maybe. Derek Jeter had five hits, but look at his batting line now and that's the most you could hope for from a shortstop of his age. Rafael Furcal had two hits (one a home run) with the Cardinals and is probably the best shortstop on your waiver wire mixed league if you're looking for help there. Jacoby Ellsbury hit a walk-off home run against the Indians and you can't be telling the truth if you thought he would hit 18 home runs this year. Jason Kipnis homered for the fourth straight game. He has power, and if you need power on the middle infield, take a shot. Dustin Ackley is safer, and Danny Espinosa has more speed, but Kipnis is starting to show he belongs in that group.

National League Quick Hits: Matt Stairs retired, so he gets the first spot in the dot-dots as an adieu … Rickie Weeks (ankle) is already off his crutches and is walking without a boot, which is good news … Matt Garza has been better than his ERA and he held the Pirates scoreless in seven innings with seven strikeouts to remind us … Josh Johnson (shoulder) played catch for five minutes … Jason Heyward was out of the lineup against a righty, which just doesn't make any sense at all … Ryan Doumit is back, for now … Jordan Lyles gets whiffs, has control, and gets enough groundballs that his first major league victory (three runs in seven innings with three strikeouts against the Reds) should be one of many … Ted Lilly struck out seven and walked one and is still a good play at home … Charlie Morton has been walking a tight rope, but he struck out seven against the Cubs, and that season high holds some promise … Andres Torres returned to the leadoff spot Wednesday (with a hit) and is working with longtime friend Carlos Beltran on his approach at the plate … J.D. Martinez had three hits (one a home run) and could be a decent hitter in deep leagues since he's batting third and should play often and didn't have a ton of obvious flaws in the minor leagues … Todd Frazier hit a home run and is worth a look in deep leagues while he's filling in for Scott Rolen … On the other hand, Yonder Alonso started taking ground balls at third base … Chien-Ming Wang gave up six runs in five innings and is not a play in any league right now.

American League Quick Hits: Alex Rodriguez will be interviewed by the commissioners office for his role in an illegal underground poker game but a suspension doesn't seem imminent … Adrian Beltre (hamstring) ran sprints and took grounders, and the next step is running the bases and a rehab assignment … Desmond Jennings had two hits (one a triple) and is on fire … Michael Brantley (wrist) will miss a couple games to recover from soreness … Michael Cuddyer hit two home runs to continue his surprising season … Howie Kendrick was out of the lineup for the fourth time in 12 games Wednesday night and is not happy about it … Mike Moustakas will also sit out two games to work on his swing … Jed Lowrie (shoulder) had a hit in his second rehab game, but played at DH … A.J. Burnett and Gavin Floyd paired up to allow 17 runs in 6 2/3 innings, and both were borderline mixed leaguers anyway (though Floyd is a step closer to relevancy) … Jeremy Guthrie was about to get through six innings with three runs before he gave up a three-run homer to Billy Butler … Justin Smoak (thumb) may not return for three-to-four days afger being hit by a ground ball … Ryan Raburn had three hits (one a home run) and is a decent spot start middle infielder against left-handers … David DeJesus (thumb) should return to the lineup on Friday … Cliff Pennington (Bell's palsy) is likely to return Friday too … Jake Arrieta may need surgery on his elbow, but not Tommy John.

 

[HacheMan]

Is Lawrie's Lumber Ready?
Brett Lawrie is finally a big leaguer. The new third baseman for the Blue Jays was called up Thursday afternoon, with Travis Snider (and his bag full of strikeouts) headed back the other direction. Lawrie will be the everyday third baseman, most likely, as the team tries to appraise what they have for the future. Jose Bautista moves back to the outfield, meaning Eric Thames and Rajai Davis will share right field for the forseeable future and the hot Edwin Encarnacion is safe at DH.

How will Lawrie do? Who knows. But he was more highly ranked as a prospect coming into the season than Jason Kipnis and had flawless minor league statistics. He probably doesn't have the power that he showed in Triple-A in the Blue Jays organization -- his .666 slugging percentage there was inflated by the homer-happy home park -- but he does have above-average power. He doesn't have Desmond Jennings' speed, but he stole 30 bases in a full year at Double-A last year. He doesn't walk at an elite rate, but he was above average for his minor league career. And lastly, he doesn't avoid the strikeout like a champ, but it doesn't look like it will be a problem in the major leagues either.

At his peak, Lawrie should be a .280/.350/.450+ type of player with 20/20 upside. At 21 and getting his first taste of the big leagues, it's a lot to ask of him to hit like that right away. But that's tasty ability, and players looking for upside at second or third base should pick him up for their bench right away.

* The doctor had good news for many stars yesterday, but the tea leaves are harder to read today. Johan Santana had to check back in with team doctors and the worst was feared. The diagnoses was that he has simple shoulder fatigue and will resume his throwing program in a week. Still, having a surgery in common with Chien-Ming Wang and Chad Pennington is not good. Starting him any any fantasy league this year will come with risk, even if he does come back.

Shin-Soo Choo took a successful round of batting practice and should be back in 15 days according to his manager. That's unmitigated good news. Hanley Ramirez did not return immediately from his sprained shoulder, but that wasn't so much of a surprise. Paul Konerko, however, did finally return, at DH. Looks like he's feeling better after getting hit by a pitch earlier this week. Carlos Gonzalez seemed ready to go, but then some bad weather delayed his rehab. Might be Sunday for his return now. Ike Davis is headed to New York to find out more about his left ankle. It's go-or-no time for him. Justin Morneau will begin his rehab assignment Friday. Stephen Strasburg threw a successful bullpen and will be headed to his rehab assignment this Sunday! They will take it slow though.

* Pitching news! Joel Pineiro is headed to the bullpen after losing his control and ground-ball ability. Scott Baker said that his surgically-repaired elbow is not 100%. Uh-oh. Justin Masterson can handle a team with a bunch of good left-handed hitters. Or so six innings with nine strikeouts and three runs against Boston would suggest. Maybe Dan Haren can handle a second half. He held the Twins to one run in eight innings with six strikeouts in August! Madison Bumgarner might have lost, but he struck out nine in eight innings and only gave up eight baserunners. That was a good day.

Alexi Ogando held the Tigers to two runs in 6 1/3, and struck out seven. It's no surprise that he walked none, as he has excellent control. Perhaps the predicted regression, based on his ground-ball rates and repertoire, isn't coming. Ivan Nova only gave up one run in 7 2/3 innings -- with ten strikeouts. Who's going to the pen there? Erik Bedard gave up three runs in five innings (with five strikeouts), and in front of that Boston team, that should be good enough most days. Philip Humber gave up four runs in 6 1/3 innings which is really not that surprising. Bench him against any tough matchups if you can.

* The bulls in the pen deserve some attention. Ryan Madson is on paternity leave but might be back for the weekend, so Brad Lidge might not have much time in the sun. Koji Uehara pitched in the seventh inning for the Rangers, Mike Adams took the eighth, and Neftali Feliz struck out two, walked none, and nailed down the save. Color this analyst surprised. Uehara could still take this job, but Adams is slightly ahead if Feliz falters again. Carlos Marmol got a save against the Pirates. Yay! Fernando Salas got another save. Are we really worried about him any more?

National League Quick Hits: That was a triple shy of a cycle for Troy Tulowitzki, by the way … Derrek Lee is day-to-day with a sore hand … David Freese was hit in the head in Thursday's game and has a mild concussion … Righty Hunter Pence hit a homer off a lefty, which is his best addition to the lefty-laden Philly lineup … Yadier Molina got a five game suspension for his flying spittle and won't appeal, so Gerald Laird come on down … Ryan Doumit is back, and starting, so he could be short-term replacement in fantasy leagues … Jose Tabata (quad) should run the bases Thursday … James McDonald gave up four runs in seven innings with three strikeouts, which isn't great. obviously … Mark DeRosa is up to back up first base and Brandon Belt is back down to the major leagues (sigh) … Kyle Lohse only lasted three innings (ten baserunners), but he's really not that good anyway … Esmil Rogers struck out six ad walked two, so giving up one run in 5 2/3 innings was a believable result against the Nationals.

American League Quick Hits: Carlos Santana had three hits (one a home run) there really isn't a reason not to like him … It looks like Trayvon Robinson will be called up shortly to Seattle, but it's hard to tell if his power will translate and how much contact he will make, so be cautious … Francisco Liriano gave up seven runs in five innings, so the five strikeouts and two walks weren't that exciting … Adam Dunn hit his eleventh home run … Carlos Carrasco began serving his six-game suspension … Carlos Villanueva has reduced arm speed and velocity (perhaps due to a three-year high in innings pitched) and was sent for an MRI … Robinson Chirinos followed up his first major league home run (and four RBI night) Wednesday with a game-winning walk-off hit in the 12th inning on Thursday … Chris Tillman looks like the Saturday starter for the Orioles … Jack Cust was released … On Thursday, Ryan Kalish will play in his first game since injuring his shoulder in April.

 

[HacheMan]

Bullpens still in flux after deadline

Some closers safe by not being dealt, but others may be moved this month


As active as this year's trade deadline was, there sure wasn't a lot of action involving closers, was there?

The story at this year's July 31 deadline wasn't about which closers got traded into setup roles for other teams; it was about which closers weren't traded. Owners of Heath Bell, Brandon League and Leo Nunez were sweating the chances of lost saves right up until the 4 p.m. cutoff, and hopefully none made any brash moves in fear, selling them on the cheap.


It was actually the setup men, most notably Mike Adams, David Pauley, Koji Uehara and Brad Ziegler, who changed uniforms. But those moves still had an impact on the saves race, and here are a few players most positively affected by the trade-deadline action:

Ryan Madson, Philadelphia Phillies: His was a matter of a deal that didn't happen; specifically one for Bell, in whom the Phillies were rumored to be interested. Although an August waiver move is possible, that the Phillies funneled all their prospects into Hunter Pence while returning Madson to the closer's role on July 22 tells you all you need to know: They're confident in him as their go-to ninth-inning guy. In 32 appearances since his first save of 2011, Madson is 19-for-20 in save chances with a 1.99 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 9.38 K's-per-nine ratio, and if you project the saves in Madson's active days on the roster to a full, 162-game schedule, they'd amount to 42. With a guarantee of the full-time job through season's end -- something that looks a lot more likely today than a week ago -- Madson is a potential top-10 fantasy closer.


Jordan Walden, Los Angeles Angels: Bell's staying in San Diego is a plus for Walden as well, as L.A. was another rumored landing spot for the veteran, one where he should have stepped ahead of the rookie in the pecking order. Walden has endured his share of struggles -- he's tied for the major league lead with seven blown saves -- but he has also been fairly effective in recent weeks, converting 17 of 21 chances with a 2.63 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 9.38 K's-per-nine ratio in his past 25 appearances. His owners can now breathe more easily, enjoying his second-tier fantasy numbers, as the Angels will be hard-pressed to find a closer candidate more productive than that on the August waiver market.


Kevin Gregg, Baltimore Orioles: The Uehara trade cements Gregg's closer status, because the fear for Gregg owners through four months was that the Orioles might, on any day, wake up and realize that Uehara was the better pitcher. The numbers supported it: Uehara had better stats in just about every category (ERA, WHIP, K's per nine, walks per nine, FIP, xFIP, total vowels in name…), and as a result Gregg's leash was short. Now, it's lengthened, because the only other viable closers in this bullpen are Mike Gonzalez, who has much worse numbers than Gregg, and Jim Johnson, who the Orioles are considering converting into a starter.


Frank Francisco, Toronto Blue Jays: Though Francisco has pitched poorly all season, his inclusion on the list is more of a numbers game than an endorsement of his talent. The trades of Octavio Dotel and Jason Frasor thin the Blue Jays' alternatives to one Jon Rauch, and Francisco does, after all, possess "closer stuff." He's beginning to improve, with a 1.08 ERA, 0.60 WHIP and 8.64 K's-per-nine ratio in his past eight appearances, and the man ahead of him on the depth chart, Jon Rauch, isn't much less unpredictable and could be an August waiver trade candidate. We might not yet have seen Francisco's final save of 2011.


Fautino De Los Santos, Oakland Athletics: He's the sleeper of the bunch, a onetime starter-prospect whose mid-to-high 90s fastball and slider have translated brilliantly into a short-relief role so far at the big-league level. In his first 12 career appearances he has a 2.35 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 12.91 K's-per-nine ratio, numbers that should be attractive to AL-only owners, and the Ziegler trade is expected to thrust him into more of a primary setup role. Remember, this was a similar path Andrew Bailey took to the closership a few short seasons ago; the Athletics are renowned for unearthing relief-pitching gems.



TOP 75 RELIEF PITCHERS

Note: Tristan H. Cockcroft's top 75 relief pitchers are ranked for their expected performance from this point forward, not for statistics that have already been accrued.
<TABLE><THEAD><TR><TH style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Rnk </CENTER></TH><TH style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">Player, Team <CENTER></CENTER></TH><TH style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Prev
Rnk </CENTER></TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Craig Kimbrel, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mariano Rivera, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brian Wilson, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Joel Hanrahan, PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Drew Storen, WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Neftali Feliz, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jonathan Papelbon, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Joakim Soria, KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Heath Bell, SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">John Axford, MIL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Madson, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Andrew Bailey, OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Joe Nathan, MIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jose Valverde, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Huston Street, COL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">J.J. Putz, ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chris Perez, CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jordan Walden, LAA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Sergio Santos, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Fernando Salas, STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kyle Farnsworth, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Leo Nunez, FLA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Carlos Marmol, CHC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Francisco Cordero, CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Javy Guerra, LAD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brandon League, SEA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kevin Gregg, BAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>33 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jason Isringhausen, NYM </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>35 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mark Melancon, HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Aroldis Chapman, CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jon Rauch, TOR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jonny Venters, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>33 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tyler Clippard, WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">David Hernandez, ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>35 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Adams, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>36 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Antonio Bastardo, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Sergio Romo, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>39 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>38 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Sean Marshall, CHC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>39 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Daniel Bard, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>38 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Frank Francisco, TOR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>41 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Francisco Rodriguez, MIL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>47 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>42 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Edward Mujica, FLA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>42 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">David Robertson, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>41 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>44 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Koji Uehara, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>36 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>45 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Vinnie Pestano, CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Scott Downs, LAA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>44 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>47 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Capps, MIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>51 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>48 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Aaron Crow, KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>45 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>49 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Wilton Lopez, HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>48 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Bobby Parnell, NYM </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>49 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>51 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Louis Coleman, KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>59 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>52 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chris Sale, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>54 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>53 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Octavio Dotel, STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>66 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>54 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brad Lidge, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>65 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>55 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">David Pauley, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>53 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chad Qualls, SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>57 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Joaquin Benoit, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>52 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>58 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brian Fuentes, OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>58 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>59 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Glen Perkins, MIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>63 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>60 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Joel Peralta, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>60 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>61 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Luke Gregerson, SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>68 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>62 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Grant Balfour, OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>62 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>63 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Rex Brothers, COL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>64 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Thornton, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>55 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>65 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Nick Masset, CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>64 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>66 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jose Veras, PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>67 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>67 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Rafael Betancourt, COL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>68 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Fautino De Los Santos, OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>69 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Guerrier, LAD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>74 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>70 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kerry Wood, CHC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>69 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>71 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kenley Jansen, LAD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>72 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Belisle, COL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>57 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>73 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Al Alburquerque, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>70 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>74 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tony Sipp, CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>73 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>75 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kyle McClellan, STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>




Possible waiver moves?



Just because the July 31 deadline for trades that don't require waivers has passed, that doesn't mean that all the trading in 2011 has concluded. There's a chance a few incumbent closers could be snuck through waivers and moved; the difference is that the chance of it happening has decreased greatly.


Consider the chance that each of these potential trade candidates gets moved is less than 10 percent, whereas a week ago it might have been 25 percent. But that's still not zero. They're ranked, in this columnist's opinion, in order of likelihood that they'll be moved this month. (All contract information per Cot's Baseball Contracts.)


1. Heath Bell, San Diego Padres ($7.5 million; free agent at season's end): In the end, the Padres decided that the two compensatory draft picks they get if Bell departs as a free agent are worth more than any prospects they could acquire in trade, and the Texas Rangers decided that for the higher price, they'd rather have the reliever they wanted, Adams, who is under contract for 2012. But here's the catch: Bell now says that he'd accept arbitration -- which the Padres have to offer him to collect those picks -- if offered it. Might that change the Padres' stance? Bell's salary might provide a slim hope that he could sneak through waivers unclaimed, but the prospects of that, again, are incredibly slim. Little has changed other than the diminished chances of a potential deal (and the fact that the Rangers now have their desired setup men); he'd might still close in Los Angeles, St. Louis or Philadelphia, but almost assuredly wouldn't in New York or Pittsburgh.


Padres fallback: I'm still going with Chad Qualls, though his $2.55 million deal (plus $6 million club option including $1.05 million buyout) might make him a candidate for a waiver deal as well. But how about a new sleeper, Ernesto Frieri? His 7.20 ERA in six appearances since the All-Star break isn't exciting, but the Padres certainly regard him as a more important part of their future than Qualls. Frieri has averaged 10.80 K's per nine this season, and if the Padres want to truly evaluate for 2012, it's possible he'd get a look in the role if Bell somehow moves.


2. Jon Rauch, Toronto Blue Jays ($3.75 million; $3.75 million 2012 club option, $250,000 buyout): My gut instinct is that if any incumbent closer is traded, it's going to be Rauch, not Bell, because even though the former's contract is cheaper, he's also the less talented closer by far. Claiming teams might not want to be on the hook for $3.75 million (plus buyout) for a closer who has been erratic at times this season and has never posted a sub-3 ERA in a full big-league year. Also unlike Bell, Rauch has practically zero chance at closing on any other team in the majors, so keep your fingers crossed it doesn't happen. If it does, well, that's the reason Francisco was profiled as a "reliever who benefited," above.


Blue Jays fallback: Francisco.


3. Kyle Farnsworth, Tampa Bay Rays ($3.25 million; $3.3 million 2012 club option, $650,000 buyout): His has a completely affordable contract, and if he's snuck through waivers, he'd inevitably be claimed. But that doesn't mean he won't be dealt; it means he can't be dealt to anyone but the claiming team. Look at the American League standings: In ascending order, the Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians and Blue Jays could be four interested parties. The problem is that the White Sox -- or Blue Jays if Rauch is also dealt -- present the only possible place where Farnsworth could continue to close.


Tampa Bay Rays fallback: Joel Peralta is the obvious choice, but keep an eye on Jake McGee, the rookie who was part of Farnsworth's competition for the role during the spring. Even if Farnsworth isn't dealt, the Rays could give McGee a look in September with an eye on using him in the ninth in 2012. Since his recall, McGee has a 1.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 12.00 K's-per-nine ratio in eight appearances.


4. Joe Nathan, Minnesota Twins ($11.25 million; $12.5 million club option, $2 million buyout): It's the contract, period. The Twins still fancy themselves contenders, but aren't far from slipping into noncontender status, and if they do then it'd make sense for them to float Nathan's bloated salary through waivers. He's probably the most likely of these five to clear … but also the one most important to his team. If you're a Nathan owner, don your Twins cap, Michael Cuddyer jersey and bright red foam finger, and root, root, root for the home team. He has been awfully good since returning from the DL -- 5-for-6 in save chances with a 1.35 ERA and 0.53 WHIP in 14 appearances -- but not so good that his track record would guarantee him the save job with another interested team.


Twins fallback: Matt Capps, but even his own $7.15 million deal could put him at risk for a waiver deal. It'd be tough for the Twins to trade both, so expect one of these two to be closing games up north until season's end, with Nathan the clear-cut close so long as he continues to wear the uniform.


5. Leo Nunez, Florida Marlins ($3.65 million; arbitration eligible in 2012): He's the lowest on the list for a simple reason, that being that the National League is a bit more closely packed in the standings than the AL, meaning a lot more candidates to claim him off waivers and block any potential deal. Nunez would almost assuredly be claimed; the Florida Marlins probably aren't going to give him away for free if, say, the Cincinnati Reds claim him. Still, Nunez could be of use to another team in a setup role. Not that that helps his fantasy owners.


Marlins fallback: Edward Mujica, who has a 1.74 ERA, 0.39 WHIP and 9.58 K's-per-nine ratio in nine appearances since the All-Star break, and interestingly enough has been used as more of a traditional setup man during that time, as opposed to the multiple-inning dynamo he was earlier in the year.


No chance they're traded: Andrew Bailey, whose contract ($465,000, under control for several more years) is far too affordable for him to sneak through. … Jason Isringhausen, whom the New York Mets insist they intend to keep as a mentor for 2012 closer candidate Bobby Parnell. … Brandon League, who, like Bailey, has a far too cost-effective deal ($2.25 million, arbitration eligible in 2012) for the Seattle Mariners to sneak him through waivers.


Aroldis Chapman's 'no-hitter'



Although it's not technically a "no-hitter," Aroldis Chapman's performance in his past eight outings warrants discussion. During that time he has pitched 9 2/3 hitless innings, affording one walk while striking out 15 hitters. To give you a sense of the rarity of this feat: Since 2000, he's only the sixth reliever to have managed a streak of at least eight appearances, nine innings pitched and 15 K's; Mike Adams (2009), Alan Embree (2002), Eric Gagne (2003), Edwar Ramirez (2008) and C.J. Wilson (2007) are the others. It's the walks that are most impressive for Chapman, however, being that before that streak, he had afforded hitters 89 free passes in 143 2/3 professional innings. We've known for a while that Chapman has unhittable stuff; it was his command that was questionable in the past.


The relevance, of course, is that the Reds will need to make a decision at some point about Chapman's future. Is he their future closer or do they fancy him a starter? How about this possibility: If the Reds fall out of the playoff race, might they consider auditioning Chapman as a closer late in the year to help make that decision? Francisco Cordero might have turned his season around since the All-Star break, thanks to six shutout innings and two saves in five outings, but even then Cordero is being outpitched by one of the game's most productive setup men. Chapman could be a sneaky breakout candidate down the stretch.

 

[HacheMan]

Minors: Drew Pomeranz profile, Top 11

Jason Grey

Shortly after trading Ubaldo Jimenez, Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd told the team website reporter both of the two former first-round picks they received from the Cleveland Indians in return could be a part of the big league rotation by the end of the season. While Alex White already has seen major league time with the Indians, it would be a quick ascent for Drew Pomeranz, who technically isn't even with the Rockies yet.

According to major league rules, Pomeranz, a 2010 draft pick, can't officially be dealt to a new team until he has been a pro for at least a year. His one-year anniversary date is Aug. 15, and he'll join the Rockies' organization then and resume his quick move up the ladder. In his pro-debut season, the fifth overall selection has fanned 112 batters and walked 38 with a sub-2.00 ERA in 18 starts, most of them coming at high-A.

The 22-year-old is a big 6-foot-5 southpaw with a durable, workhorse-type frame. I've seen him in short stints on three separate occasions this season, and it appears he works with two-seam fastballs in the low 90s but can dial up his four-seamer to the 93-95 mph range, carrying that velocity deep into games with some arm-side run. His money offering, however, is a high-70s 12-to-6 curveball that he sells very well; it'll someday be a major league out pitch. He didn't need to use his circle-change much in college, but the pitch has developed this year to become at least an average offering -- he's getting some fade on it -- and make him more of a true three-pitch guy. Pomeranz worked on it a lot early in the season, and as he told me a few weeks ago, "I think I've got a pretty good feel for it right now."
The biggest issue for Pomeranz right now is having more consistent command, especially finding a consistent release point to help him locate his fastball. At times he'll open his front side too early -- which causes the heater to sail -- fight his delivery and lack rhythm, leaving him trying to figure out his arm action. While the Indians worked with him to make that action not as long and stiff, Pomeranz has told me that his arm action has gotten just a little too short for his liking at times.
While he still has some kinks to work out with his delivery, Pomeranz has the raw stuff to be a No. 2 starter in the big leagues if he can sharpen his command. If he can't, he'll likely settle in a touch below that. Either way, he has the arm and repertoire you like to take a chance on, and looms as an NL sleeper for 2012.

Top 11 for '11


The now-standard caveats: There's a certain throwing-darts-at-the-wall nature to determining a list such as this because there's no telling when a player will actually arrive on the scene. Who will get the summons obviously depends on a variety of factors, such as team needs, injuries and performance.
Thus, for the purpose of this list, I try to balance a prospect's upside with who is likely to get an opportunity in the near future. I look for potential paths to big league playing time, factor in service-time concerns and rank only players who: 1) are still rookie-eligible (thus no Lorenzo Cain or Dayan Viciedo) and 2) are not already in the major leagues. To highlight some different names, I'm also not including players such as Julio Teheran who already have been in the big leagues this year but have been sent back down, nor players such as Desmond Jennings or Paul Goldschmidt, who recently have gotten the call.
Also, please note that this list is for 2011 fantasy value only, not for the long haul, so you won't see names such as Bryce Harper on it. Not yet, anyway. It spotlights players who could help fantasy teams this season, with no regard for 2012 and beyond. Season the list to your particular taste and your fantasy team's needs.
Two players from last week's top 11 (Goldschmidt and Jacob Turner) got the call to the majors. However, be aware any player that is likely to have significant impact in mixed leagues for the final two months likely has been summoned already, with just a few exceptions (such as the No. 1 player below). So at this point, most of the players on the list below will be considerations more in AL- or NL-only leagues if they get the call. The potential for regular playing time could make them appealing in those setups.
1. Brett Lawrie, 3B, Blue Jays: Lawrie could be up as early as this weekend, or the Jays could wait another week or two. Regardless, he'll likely arrive at some point in August and has a chance to have some impact even in mixed leagues over the final weeks of the season. (Note: He initially will be eligible only at second base in ESPN standard leagues when he arrives.)
2. Brett Jackson, OF, Cubs: Jackson is likely to get a late-season audition in center field for the Cubs in preparation for taking over there next season. He has been heating up with the bat at Triple-A after a slow start there, and has posted a high on-base percentage with decent speed and pop this season.
3. Leonys Martin, OF, Rangers: The 23-year-old Cuban defector has hit his way up the ladder in his first pro season and could work his way into the Rangers' center field picture down the stretch. He has hit .316 with a .392 on-base percentage in 52 games across three levels in 2011. Although he has 13 steals, he also has been thrown out 10 times. Batting average, speed and defense are what he brings to the table.
4. Brad Peacock, SP, Nationals: Peacock has fanned 148 batters and walked just 35 in 119 minor league innings, and the Nationals have said he's going to get some chances in their rotation before the end of the season. I profiled Peacock earlier this year.

5. Trayvon Robinson, OF, Mariners: Robinson is not a finished product despite his nice tools; the switch-hitter has fanned in about a third of his at-bats this season and has had trouble keeping his swings from both sides consistent. However, he also has hit 26 homers at Triple-A (albeit in a great hitting environment) and will likely get a look down the stretch in a crowded Mariners left field picture.
6. Devin Mesoraco, C, Reds: Ramon Hernandez continues to be the subject of waiver-wire trade rumors, with Mesoraco ready and waiting in the wings to step in for him. I profiled Mesoraco in June.
7. Jesus Montero, C, Yankees: Don't look now, but Montero's bat has shown signs of life this month; he's even hitting for power again. He could get a look before the end of the season now that his offense has picked up again.
8. Johnny Giavotella, 2B, Royals: This 5-foot-8 second baseman has hit .339 and controlled the strike zone well in the Pacific Coast League and would already be an upgrade to Chris Getz at second base. Will the Royals let this second-round pick in the 2008 draft get his feet wet in the big leagues in anticipation of a potential starting job next season?
9. Matt Moore, SP, Rays: The Rays are very patient when it comes to promoting their pitching prospects, and are already running a six-man big league rotation as it is, so I don't expect Moore -- the best pitching prospect in baseball -- to have much impact down the stretch. Maybe they give him a few bullpen innings or a start or two, but he's more of a consideration for 2012. I mention him because for those of you in keeper leagues, a potential promotion, even a cup-of-coffee call-up, could provide a chance for you to stash him next season. Moore has 160 strikeouts in 120 1/3 innings this season, and hasn't missed a beat in three starts since being promoted to Triple-A.
10. Drew Pomeranz, SP, Indians (soon-to-be Rockies): Profiled above.
11. Tom Milone, SP, Nationals: This crafty lefty is currently on the disabled list at Triple-A because of a biceps issue, but it's not expected to be serious enough to end his season, and the Nationals will be giving some prospects chances to show what they can do in the final weeks. Milone has 120 strikeouts to just 10 walks in 117 Triple-A innings this season.
Honorable mention: Red Sox catcher Ryan Lavarnway has been on fire in the upper minors this season. However, it appears the Red Sox aren't inclined to alter their catching tandem, which has actually produced well lately. Lavarnway is likely to get a September call-up to be the team's third catcher and a bat off the bench.

 

[HacheMan]

Trading Places

Just a week after swapping teams, Doug Fister and Charlie Furbush both find themselves among slated for two starts in the upcoming week.

Fister excelled in his first start for the Tigers, allowing only two earned runs over seven innings in a victory (although he didn't record a single strikeout). Furbush also notched a victory in debuting for his new team, hurling five innings of one-run ball for the Mariners.

In the next week, Fister is certainly the more appealing option. While both his starts coming on the road, he faces a pair of beatable lineups in Cleveland and Baltimore. Furbush, meanwhile, has the unenviable task of taking on the Rangers in Texas and the Red Sox at home.

In the long run, though, the trade figures to benefit Furbush more than Fister, at least from a fantasy perspective. While the Tigers are almost certain to provide more run support than the Mariners, Safeco has proven to be a haven for marginal strike-throwers like Furbush.

Going Twice...



American League

Strong Plays
Brett Cecil: OAK (Harden), LAA (Pineiro)
Matt Harrison: SEA (Furbush), @OAK (Harden)
David Price: KC (Chen), @NYY (Hughes)
Scott Baker: BOS (Wakefield), @CLE (Masterson)
Doug Fister: @CLE (Masterson), @BAL (Bergesen)
Justin Masterson: DET (Fister), MIN (Baker)

Decent Plays
Rich Harden: @TOR (Cecil), TEX (Harrison)
Phil Hughes: LAA (Pineiro), TB (Price)
Bruce Chen: @TB (Price), @CWS (Humber)
Philip Humber: @BAL (Bergesen), KC (Chen)
Gavin Floyd: @BAL (Guthrie), KC (Duffy)
Tim Wakefield: @MIN (Baker), @SEA (Furbush)
Jeremy Guthrie: CWS (Floyd), DET (Scherzer)

At Your Own Risk
Charlie Furbush: @TEX (Harrison), BOS (Wakefield)
Joel Pineiro: @NYY (Hughes), @TOR (Cecil)
Brad Bergesen: CWS (Humber), DET (Fister)

National League

Strong Plays
Ryan Vogelsong: PIT (Morton), @FLA (Hensley)
Tim Stauffer: @NYM (Capuano), @CIN (Bailey)
Roy Halladay: @LAD (Kuroda), WAS (Wang)
Shaun Marcum: @STL (Jackson), PIT (Morton)
Hiroki Kuroda: PHI (Halladay), HOU (Lyles)
Matt Garza: WAS (Wang), @ATL (Lowe)
Daniel Hudson: HOU (Rodriguez), NYM (Capuano)

Decent Plays
Edwin Jackson: MIL (Marcum), COL (Rogers)
Charlie Morton: @SF (Vogelsong), @MIL (Marcum)
Chris Capuano: SD (Stauffer), @ARI (Hudson)
Jordan Lyles: @ARI (Marquis), @LAD (Kuroda)
Wandy Rodriguez: @ARI (Hudson), @LAD (Lilly)
Clay Hensley: ATL (Lowe), SF (Vogelsong)
Dontrelle Willis: COL (Rogers), SD (LeBlanc)
Homer Bailey: COL (Hammel), SD (Stauffer)
Derek Lowe: @FLA (Hensley), CHC (Garza)
Jason Marquis: HOU (Lyles), NYM

At Your Own Risk
Chieng-Ming Wang: @CHC (Garza), @PHI (Halladay)
Esmil Rogers: @CIN (Willis), @STL (Jackson)
Jason Hammel: @CIN (Bailey), @STL (Garcia)


Streamer City



The following pitchers are generally available in over 50 percent of fantasy leagues and have favorable match-ups this week:

American League

Wednesday, 8/10: Derek Holland vs. SEA
Holland has hurled a shutout in three of his past five starts. Bring on the Mariners.

Thursday, 8/11: Brad Mills vs. OAK
Mills continues his big-league audition with a favorable home match-up against the A's.

National League

Tuesday, 8/9: James McDonald @ SF
Prior to his past couple forgettable outings, McDonald was on quite the roll. See if he can get it going again in San Fran.

Wednesday, 8/10: R.A. Dickey vs. SD
The knuckleballer has been quite consistent for the Mets this year, and figures to fare well against the light-hitting Padres.

Friday, 8/12: Javier Vazquez vs. SF
Don't look now, but Vazquez seems to be coming around, with six quality starts in his past seven turns.

<!--RW-->


Total Games



American League

6: BOS, CLE, DET, LAA, MIN, NYY, OAK, SEA, TEX, TOR
7: BAL, CWS, KC, TB

National League

6: ATL, FLA, LAD, MIL, PHI, PIT, SF, STL, WAS
7: ARI, CHC, CIN, COL, HOU, NYM, SD


Lefty/Righty Breakdown



American League

BAL: 6 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP
BOS: 4 vs. RHP, 2 vs. LHP
CWS: 4 vs. RHP, 3 vs. LHP
CLE: 5 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP
DET: 4 vs. RHP, 2 vs. LHP
KC: 5 vs. RHP, 2 vs. LHP
LAA: 5 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP
MIN: 4 vs. RHP, 2 vs. LHP
NYY: 5 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP
OAK: 2 vs. RHP, 4 vs. LHP
SEA: 4 vs. RHP, 2 vs. LHP
TB: 4 vs. RHP, 3 vs. LHP
TEX: 4 vs. RHP, 2 vs. LHP
TOR: 5 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP

National League

ARI: 4 vs. RHP, 3 vs. LHP
ATL: 6 vs. RHP, 0 vs. LHP
CHC: 5 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP
CIN: 6 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP
COL: 5 vs. RHP, 2 vs. LHP
FLA: 6 vs. RHP, 0 vs. LHP
HOU: 4 vs. RHP, 3 vs. LHP
LAD: 4 vs. RHP, 2 vs. LHP
MIL: 5 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP
NYM: 5 vs. RHP, 2 vs. LHP
PHI: 4 vs. RHP, 2 vs. LHP
PIT: 3 vs. RHP, 3 vs. LHP
SD: 4 vs. RHP, 3 vs. LHP
SF: 5 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP
STL: 5 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP
WAS: 5 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP

The Infirmary



You can get a full listing of injured players at Rotoworld's Injury Page, but here's the latest on a few prominent players who have been out of action:

Nate McLouth: Out until mid_august
Omar Infante: Out indefinitely
Jordan Schafer: Out until mid-August
Rubby De La Rosa: Out for the season
Alexi Casilla: Out until mid-August
Rickie Weeks: Out until late August
Dustin Moseley: Out for the season
Chone Figgins: Out indefinitely
Barry Zito: Out indefinitely
Carlos Villanueva: Out until late August

 

[HacheMan]

Hot and Not in the Dog Days
The landscape for the playoffs has been set after the trade deadline passed on July 31st. Unsurprisingly, none of the guys on the move grace the Hot column, as they will surely need some time to adjust (have you seen Carlos Beltran's early struggles?). Second basemen really dominated the Hot/Not scene this week, with 2 hot and 3 not across both leagues. Meanwhile, familiar faces populate the NL Not category, and injuries help to explain why the AL Nots are, well, Nots. Read on to see if your players are Hot or Not.


NL Batters

The Hot: Ryan Roberts, Diamondbacks, 3B

Ryan Roberts has quietly posted a very solid season in the desert. He's posted a .259 average, .351 OBP with 15 homers and 14 steals. This week, Roberts was an on-base machine. In addition to going 9/18, he also drew 8 walks. That's an incredible .654 OBP for the week. If that wasn't enough, he clocked 2 homers, knocked in 5 runs, and scored 7 of his own. Roberts is a great play in NL only leagues and should be utilized as such. If he keeps this up, he will force himself onto mixed league assets.

The Hotter: Dan Uggla, Braves, 2B

Uggla has put on a show since July, raising his average from .176 to a still pitiful .215. His 25 game hit streak was long overdue, and owners were especially grateful this week. Dan Uggla showed his massive power, hitting 5 homers in 6 games with 11 RBI and 6 runs scored. He hit .375 this week, and if only he learned how to take a walk, he would be so much more valuable. He is still only really an option in NL only leagues.


The Hottest: Matt Holliday, Cardinals, OF

Matt Holliday has been one of the best players in baseball all season. This week was no exception. Holliday hit .348, plus he drew 8 walks. But wait, there's more! Holliday homered 3 times, knocked in 7 runs, and scored 10 himself. And, he stole his first base of the season. Holliday is a must start in all leagues for the foreseeable future.


The Not: Orlando Hudson, Padres, 2B

Hudson is just not a reliable fantasy option at this point in his career. Hudson is hitting just .235 this season, but this week was much, much worse. Hudson managed just 3 hits in 21 trips, one of which a homerun. He mustered just two runs and two RBI. Hudson is nothing but a low level option in NL only leagues.


The Not-ter: Danny Espinosa, Nationals, 2B

It was Ian Desmond who was subject of trade rumors last week, but it was Danny Espinosa who couldn't muster a hit this season. Espinosa hit .103 (3/29) this week, with one run and zero RBI. Espinosa also struck out in 9 of his 30 plate appearances. Hitting .223, Espinosa is in Hudson territory. At least he has his whole career in front of him.


The Not-test: Carlos Lee, Astros, OF/1B

No Hunter Pence, no Michael Bourn, no Brett Wallace, no Chris Johnson, no Jeff Keppinger, and even no Jason Castro. The Astros rely on Carlos Lee as providing some sort of production in the middle of a batting order that features just two players who were in the Opening Day lineup (Humberto Quintero). Lee rewarded the Astros with an 0/20 week. The not-quite-bright side is that Lee walked for just the 31st and 32nd times this week. Lee is not a mixed league option, especially considering who he has as protection.


AL Batters

The Hot: Robinson Cano, Yankees, 2B

Mike Napoli earned some consideration here (.435 avg, 4 hr, 8 rbi, 6 r), but ultimately it was Robinson Cano who earns the honors. Cano hit .464 this week, smacked 6 extra base hits (2 homers), scored 9 runs, and got an AL high 12 RBI. There isn't much to say about Cano. The facts remain the same: Cano is baseball's best second baseman and he is a must start in all leagues at all times.


The Hotter: Hideki Matsui, A's, DH

Hideki Matsui has reached base in 18 straight, raising his average from .224 to .265. This week Matsui impressed by posting a ridiculous .571 average. Unfortunately, he posted just 2 RBI and 4 runs. Matsui is still not usable in most mixed leagues thanks to his relative lack of power, complete lack of speed, and erratic production at the dish. If Matsui can keep up this hot streak, then we can talk about using him more freely.


The Hottest: Alex Gordon, Royals, OF

It was about time Alex Gordon got his career on track. The converted left fielder has been fantastic all season, hitting a very solid .311 with 14 homers and 9 steals. This week Gordon hit .520, hit 2 homers, and scored 10 times. He also knocked in 4 out of the leadoff spot. Gordon should be in all lineups after coming on strong this year.


The Not: David Ortiz, Red Sox, DH

Boy, were there a lot of choices in the AL this week. Jonny Damon, Evan Longoria, J.J. Hardy, Bobby Abreu, Adam Lind, and Carl Crawford all garnered some consideration. Big Papi went just 3/25 and only managed two runs and two RBI. Chalk it up to a bad week for Ortiz, as the All-Star DH will bounce right back. He needs to be in all lineups.


The Not-ter: Ian Kinsler, Rangers, 2B

Kinsler is having a tough, tough season. Kinsler's previous career low batting average was .253. He hasn't had a .250 average since May 16th (he hasn't eclipsed last year's .286 since April 5th). This week was as bad as it gets for Kinsler. The second baseman hit .095 this week with 1 RBI and ZERO RUNS SCORED. We can only hope he finds his old self next season.


The Not-test: Eric Thames, Blue Jays, OF

Thames has been great this year for fantasy owners and the Jays. Until this week. Thames went 0/19 and has struck out 8 times in his last 12 at bats and 6 times in his last 8. Thames is still a valuable player in AL only leagues, but a week like this one shows why a contending mixed league team can't rely on a guy like Thames.


NL Pitchers

The Hot: Tim Stauffer, Padres, P

Stauffer strung together two very solid starts this week. Stauffer got to face the Rockies at spacious Petco rather than Coors Field, and he made the most of it. Stauffer went seven strong, surrendering just 3 runs and showing pinpoint control, walking just 1. For his follow-up performance, Stauffer hurled 6.1 innings of shutout ball, allowing just 7 guys to reach base. Stauffer has a sub-3.00 ERA and should be in all lineups.


The Hotter: Johnny Cueto, Reds, P

Cueto has quietly had one of the best seasons of any pitcher in baseball. To qualify for the ERA lead a pitcher must have thrown 111 innings, but Cueto has only thrown 109.1 innings this season. For arguments sake, we'll pretend he qualifies. His 1.72 ERA would be the best in baseball, better than Jered Weaver (1.88), better than Justin Verlander (2.24) and better than Roy Halladay (2.55). Now, one might argue that his last start is why he is so high on the list. However, even before he stifled the Giants for 9 innings of three-hit ball. Well then, what if I told you that prior to that last start his ERA was still 1.88, the same mark as Jered Weaver has. Cueto is flying under the radar in Cincinnati thanks to his early season injury, but if he is in any way available, buy now.


The Hottest: Cliff Lee, Phillies, P

News Flash: Phillies pitching is really good. How can a pitcher of Cliff Lee's capacity possibly rebound from a disaster start against the Padres in which he went just 4 innings of 5 run ball? You throw 7.2 innings of 4 run ball against the Pirates. Now, is that a masterful performance? No, even with his 11 strikeouts. Well then, how do you like a 7-hit shutout of the Giants? Lee is an elite pitcher, even if he is the 3rd starter on his team.


The Not: Derek Lowe, Braves, P

Lowe didn't have it for a second week in a row. When you're a fantasy owner and you see that your pitcher has a team like the Nationals on tap, you are banking on a W. Lowe got absolutely embarrassed. He lasted just 4 innings and served up 10 hits, resulting in 8 runs (7 earned). Since June 8th, Lowe's ERA has risen 113 points. You should not have Lowe in your lineups. Get him out before the Braves punt him from the rotation themselves.


The Not-ter: Kevin Correia, Pirates, P

As bad as Lowe has been the last two weeks, Correia has been worse. Since July 3rd, Correia's ERA has risen 97 points. This week was pretty much as bad as it gets for the Pirates' hurler. Correia lasted just two innings, getting thumped for 8 runs on 10 hits, including 4 homers. Since July, Correia has been good every other game and brutal the other day. For those gamblers out there, he's due for a good one on against the Padres on Sunday. I am not a gambler.


The Not-test: Rodrigo Lopez, Cubs, P

Lopez was really bad on July 30th against the Cardinals. In just 4.1 innings, Lopez served up 8 hits, allowing 6 runs and walking one more than he struck out (3:2). The silver lining is that the Cardinals are a good hitting team. But what was Lopez's excuse against the Pirates? On August 4th Lopez again got smacked, allowing 6 more runs on 7 hits over 4 innings, walking 2 without striking out anyone. Lopez shouldn't even be in the Cubs' rotation, let alone yours.


AL Pitchers

The Hot: Justin Verlander, Tigers, P

Verlander went 8 innings of 1 hit ball, striking out 9 against the Angels. There's nothing more to say about Verlander. He is a top 3 pitcher in the AL at a minimum.


The Hotter: Ivan Nova, Yankees, P

Ivan Nova was so good this week that he forced the Yankees to go with a 6-man rotation. In his first start of the week against the Orioles, Nova twirled 7 innings of 2 run ball, allowing just 6 hits while fanning 6. He was even better against the White Sox. Nova hurled 7.2 innings of one run ball, allowing just 6 hits again, but striking out a whopping 10 batters. Nova is a must start in AL only leagues, but is still risky in mixed leagues.


The Hottest: Dan Haren, Angels, P

Dan Haren is red hot. In his last three starts, he has thrown 24.2 innings of 3 run ball. This week, he started with complete game against Detroit allowing just one run. He followed it up with 8 more innings of one run ball against Minnesota. Haren is a phenomenal pitcher and must be started in all leagues.


The Not: Trevor Cahill, A's, P

Cahill narrowly avoided this spot last week. No such luck this week. Cahill got smashed by the Seattle Mariners. That puts in perspective how bad Cahill's start was. He lasted just 4 innings and was tattooed for 12 hits and 7 runs. Cahill's been somewhat erratic all year, but he still has a respectable 3.91 ERA on the season. He's still worth your while in deeper mixed leagues.


The Not-ter: Carlos Villanueva, Blue Jays, P

Turns out injury is to blame for this disaster week. Villanueva is now on the DL with a right (pitching) forearm strain. This week's start against the Rays rose his ERA by 64 points. The converted reliever lasted only 2.2 innings, giving up 8 runs on 9 hits. A third of those hits were homers. Villanueva is going to be sidelined for a few weeks at the minimum, so make your roster moves accordingly.


The Not-test: Zach Britton, Orioles, P

Britton's poor week has to do with injury as well, as the rookie right-hander heads to the DL with a shoulder strain. Britton did not have a good time facing the Yankees this week. He lasted only a third of an inning, allowing 9 runs (6 earned) on 7 hits. Britton's next start was better, but it really would have been impossible for it to be worse. He lasted a full 5.1 innings against he Royals and got knocked around for 12 hits and 6 runs (4 earned). Britton's injury should keep him out a few weeks at the minimum, but he shouldn't be in fantasy lineups for the rest of this year anyway.


And, no Week That Was would be complete without what Schultz says: "Anyone who manages to get a job as a general manager of a Major League Baseball has a pretty good handle on what they are doing. If they don't, they are either assigned the guardianship of the Chicago Cubs' roster or grew up named Omar Minaya. While some like Brian Cashman and Theo Epstein are quite good at lavishing the money of others on Japanese imports and poker enthusiasts, others have to build their roster through shrewd trades and old-fashioned foresight. Unlike roto-ball, most GMs are quite adept at valuing their own talent and stories like the Jose Bautista fleecing aren't as common as the headlines would have you think. (For as horrible as that trade looks now, if it was a roto-trade, it would have passed the most vigilant trading review system). Red Sox fans may have enjoyed their time with Victor Martinez but they are not happy watching Justin Masterson blossom in Cleveland. Without question, the Mariners would like to have the two no-names they gave the Tribe for Eduardo Perez and Ben Broussard back. (For those who don't know: Asdrubal Cabrera and Shin-Soo Choo).

It's always a good idea to pay attention to the minor leaguers that get traded in exchange for big ticket items. The Rangers rode their trade of Mark Teixeira to the Braves into the 2010 World Series with Elvis Andrus and Neftali Feliz playing key roles and Matt Harrison contributing this year. The most prospectful prospect traded this summer was Indians pitcher Drew Pomeranz, who went to Colorado with fellow first round draft pick Alex White in the Ubaldo Jiminez trade (not quite the most awe-inspiring first start there Ubaldo - although Pure Rage should have served you better). Factoring in the Colorado air, those two should be on your radar in 2013. Jarred Cosart and his "curveball of death" should give Astros fans something to cheer about in a couple years and, should you remember that he was a key piece to the Hunter Pence deal, may give you a steal to cheer about right about that time. The Mariners aren't wasting time cashing in on their trade of Eric Bedard: outfielder Trayvon Robinson, who had been ravaging AAA pitching, is already manning left field and notched his first major league hit Friday night.

Roto-baseball serves those with long memories. Remember that the Brandon Allens and Robbie Erlins of today were once the Jeff Bagwells and Jon Smoltz of another decade."

Final thoughts: Great work by both Bobby and Schultz!