MLB Fantasy News 2011

[HacheMan]

The Intrigue on Ethier's Knee
It's time to get a little cutthroat with your injured players. This weekend offered a lesson in that regard: any injury, at this point in the season, can be a season-ending one. Jonathan Sanchez just has a twisted ankle, but he could be done for the season anyway, speculates his manager. Eric Surkamp will continue to take his place despite a temporary demotion and is absolutely deep-league relevant. Hamate surgery is no joke, but it also means that Michael Brantley is done for the season. Jaime Garcia is getting a breather as he heads into uncharted territory. He's already at a career-high in innings, but there's no word of a shutdown yet. Of course Nelson Cruz, who just pulled up lame in Sunday's game, seems like he's always a game away from going down. More news later. Is Shin-Soo Choo in the same bucket? He has left side soreness now. Again. Colby Rasmus just hit the DL officially and needs more than two weeks.. how many are you going to give him?

But one of the biggest names on the precipice right now is Andre Ethier's. He claims that he has been playing through a knee injury that might need offseason surgery. His general manager claims that he's just trying to excuse his poor second-half numbers. Even if Ned Colletti felt that way, it doesn't make much sense to go public with it. Now that he's burning bridges, Ethier might be tempted to shut it down at any time. That's a situation worth watching, even if the player backed off his comments later on.

Don't drop a stud too early, though. Jose Reyes will be back Monday, finally! Hanley Ramirez will be back Wednesday, as he's wrapping up his rehab already. Pablo Sandoval is still hurting from his shoulder injury, but he's fighting through it, and with the state of the third base position, he's worth holding on to. Adrian Beltre is going on a rehab assignment, but it will be short. Hopefully he'll be back mid-week. Marlins GM Mike Hill still remains hopeful that Josh Johnson will return this season. Yeah, but for how long?

* Hurricane Irene shut down a lot of games over the weekend, but there are some silver linings in this touch of grey. For one, there are a ton of double-headers coming up that might allow you to get more innings and at-bats out of your lineup spots in the coming week. Secondly, we get to spend more time on the pitchers that did pitch. Zach Britton held the Yankees scoreless in seven innings to headline the 'good' paragraph. He struck out five, but more importantly he only walked one and got his customary two ground balls for every fly ball. The better his control is, the more useful he'll be in regularly-sized leagues. Zack Greinke (with a K) gave up one run in seven-plus, with seven strikeouts and two walks. He's a fantasy ace. You never really thought Ian Kennedy would be this good, but you thought maybe his good control and just-enough-stuff would overcome his fly-ball tendencies in the weaker league… and you were right. Kennedy predictably held the Padres to one run in seven innings, with seven strikeouts, and suddenly he's leading his league in wins and his ERA is pristine. He's really good. You can applaud Jordan Zimmermann for his season, thank him for his services, and drop him in all re-draft leagues. In his final start of the ear, he gave up three earned in 4 1/3. Golf clap!

Jeff Karstens gave up five runs to the Cards, in 3 2/3 innings. He was due for some regression and his 7.46 ERA in August was exactly that. Do you want to start him in Chicago this Friday? Brandon Morrow has way more upside than Karstens, but the results have not been there recently. He struck out five in five innings, so at least he got the strikeouts that he always does. But he also allowed five runs in five innings to the Rays, which is not exciting. Nathan Eovaldi has a lot of vowels, and he gave up a lot of runs (five earned) in four innings Sunday against the Rockies. His arsenal suggests he might have a trouble against teams with great lefty batters, but he still has good long-term upside. Cory Luebke gave up three earned in 5 1/3 Sunday, all on solo home runs. He's still pretty good.

* With a month left, there are still a few players on the waiver wire that might help. We covered Stephen Strasburg, who was nearly perfect in rehab and is probably gone from your waiver wires already. But Dayan Viciedo is up with the White Sox, and playing right field. He hit a home run Sunday and might play often with Carlos Quentin on the DL with that shoulder sprain. He might even continue to get more time going forward, as Ozzie Guillen admitted that Adam Dunn's playing time will diminish. Matt Joyce had three hits and is mixed-league relevant against right-handers if someone dropped him. Like Seth Smith, he's a valuable bench piece. Kevin Kouzmanoff is finally in a hitter's park, and has four hits in his last two days, too.

* There's always time for a bullpen update! Sergio Romo is back in San Francisco and is most likely the interim closer. But Brian Wilson's recovery is going well and he might not be gone much longer. Rafael Betancourt was supposedly still the closer despite Huston Street's return, and the elder earned a save Sunday after blowing a save Saturday. Still seems like Street will get his job back, doesn't it? Mark Melancon blew his save against the Giants but earned the win because the Giants' offense is just not that good. M&M is just good enough for this year. Drew Storen blew a save against the Reds Sunday. Eh. Kyle Farnsworth had a tender elbow, so Joel Peralta got a save, but he's band in charge. Jon Rauch threw a bullpen, so he could be back sooner than we all think. Frank Francisco is still probably the better pitcher, but who knows what happens. Even with all the back and forth Ozzie Guillen has done with Sergio Santos and Chris Sale this year, he say Santos is his undisputed closer going into next year. Probably because Sale will be stretched out for the rotation.

National League Quick Hits: Did you see that Troy Tulowitzki hit two two-run home runs on Saturday … Yovani Gallardo struck out ten in seven and kept the Cubs without an unearned run, well done … Johnny Cueto was good but didn't get strikeouts; Sunday he struck out 11 NAtionals in seven innings … Cameron Maybin (wrist) has missed two straight but there's no talk of a DL stint yet … Bud Norris struck out ten (and gave up two) in seven, and you could call him the NL Brandon Morrow … Andres Torres (leg contusion) is back in the Giants lineup and even stole a base Sunday … Yonder Alonso hit a home run ... Jeff Keppinger won a game for the Giants with a single Saturday night … Nate Schierholtz (foot) couldn't avoid the DL after all … Astros manager Brad Mills confirmed that Brian Bogusevic is in a platoon, but he gets the right-handers, so he's the more interesting play … Tyler Colvin hit a home run off John Axford, but power alone is not enough … Chris Marrero is up with the big league team but he's not a prospect without question marks … Brad Penny gave up seven runs in five innings against a weak Minnesota lineup and is also not a play in any leagues.

American League Quick Hits: Justin Verlander won his twentieth … Alex Rodriguez (thumb) and Derek Jeter (knee) might not play Monday … Remember Michael Pineda because he only gave up two in six against the White Sox Saturday … Erik Bedard only went four against Oakland on Saturday because his knee was tender … Jemile Weeks stole three bases Saturday … Grady Sizemore (knee, hernia) might begin a rehab assignment shortly … Alex Gordon had three hits and continues to benefit from batted ball luck … Gavin Floyd struck out six, walked none and gave up two earned in 7 /13, but it was the Mariners … Jacob Turner is scheduled to start Thursday for Detroit and is immediately interesting in deeper leagues despite his young age … Chone Figgins (hip) will begin a rehab assignment this week, huzzah … Sounds like Salvador Perez will be in the lineup most days going forward … Justin Smoak will begin a rehab assignment on Monday … Hank Conger will go the AFL to work on defense, and in related news Mike Scioscia is tough on young catchers … Jason Vargas got beat up for nine runs at home against the White Sox, so he's a worse spot start tomorrow than he was today … Bruce Chen held the Indians to one run in seven-plus, but he's too inconsistent to depend on … Luke Hughes hit two home runs on Sunday but he's still not interesting in any league.

 

[HacheMan]

Trends: Capuano with a K
SURGING

Chris Capuano, SP, NYM

Stats: 1-1 with a 4.07 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 34/6 K/BB ratio in August (32.2 IP), including a two-hit, 13-K shutout against the Braves on Friday.

Bottom line: Last week's career-high strikeout binge certainly came out of nowhere (it was Capuano's first double-digit strikeout game since June 2007 and just the third of his career), which has a little something to do with a rather liberal strike zone that evening. With that said, the 33-year-old has still established himself as a pretty compelling spot-start option for the last month-plus of the season.

Capuano is a bit risky against the Marlins later this week given that he just threw 122 pitches on Friday and has a 4.87 ERA against the Fish this season, but I still wouldn't hesitate to throw him into the lineup if you're trying to make up ground in wins and K's. Just don't be surprised if his next time out is far closer to serviceable than masterful.

Brandon Allen, 1B/OF, OAK

Stats: .327 avg (18-for-55) with three homers and seven RBI in August prior to a Monday night matchup with Cleveland.

Bottom line: Still owned in just five percent of Yahoo leagues, Oakland's current first baseman now has a combined 27 homers between Triple-A and the majors this year, with three of those coming in his last six games. Allen has struck out a somewhat alarming 12 times in that same six-game stretch, but I wouldn't hesitate to add him if you're in need of a player with some late-season power upside.

(Note: He's not getting a full write-up here because he's been discussed a couple of times recently in this column, but I would prioritize adding Lucas Duda – who's hitting .329 with five homers and 19 RBI in August – ahead of Allen if both are available.)

Follow me on Twitter: @MattStroup

Jemile Weeks, 2B, OAK

Stats: .471 avg (8-for-17) with six runs scored and five steals in his last four games prior to a Monday night matchup with Cleveland.

Bottom line: The streaky Oakland leadoff hitter has endured some ugly stretches this month (including a 1-for-14, a 2-for-14 and a 2-for-19), but overall he's still hitting .282 with eight steals in August, and .295 with 19 steals on the year. If you can live without any power from a middle infield spot, Weeks (22 percent owned in Yahoo) is a viable starter in most formats.

Jordan Schafer, OF, HOU

Stats: .333 avg (7-for-21) with a homer, three RBI, five runs scored and three steals in his last six games prior to a Monday night matchup with Pittsburgh.

Bottom line: Being the Astros' leadoff hitter (and being Jordan Schafer, for that matter) isn't a guarantee for standout production, but with 18 steals in just 221 at-bats on the season, Schafer has the wheels to make an impact in deeper mixed leagues down the stretch.

Kyle Seager, 2B/3B, SEA

Stats: .500 avg (18-for-36) with two homers, three RBI and nine runs scored in his last nine games prior to a Monday night matchup with the Angels.

Bottom line: Seager doesn't have a great excess of power or speed (seven homers and 11 steals in 372 at-bats between Double-A and Triple-A this year), but his combo of a plus batting average (.333 in the minors) and second base eligibility makes him a worthwhile consideration in deeper mixed leagues right now.

James Loney, 1B, LAD

Stats: .516 avg (16-for-31) with three homers and eight RBI in his last seven games prior to a Monday night matchup against San Diego.

Bottom line: He remains useless against lefties (499 OPS in 96 at-bats on the season) and I don't really trust him to sustain this recent power binge, but Loney certainly could continue to provide a short-term boost while he's this locked in.

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

Bruce Chen, SP, KC

Stats: 5-0 with a 2.81 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 25/9 K/BB ratio in his last five starts (32.0 IP).

Bottom line: Chen is still just six starts removed from giving up 10 earned runs in four innings against Boston back on July 27, but spot-starter roulette is obviously an endeavor that comes with some risks. Nevertheless, I wouldn't hesitate to throw Chen into the lineup right now if you're attempting to make up ground.

 

[HacheMan]

Jim Thome tops list of hot Sept. hitters

Eric Karabell

The trading deadline has passed in most fantasy baseball leagues, so if you're going to get help for the stretch run, your players will need to step up, or you'll need to find some worthy free agents. While previous September performance can be a harbinger that certain players simply close better than others, that doesn't necessarily mean Troy Tulowitzki will hit 15 home runs and knock in 40 runs this time around. However, if you could still pick up a player for little cost who has had previous late-season success, wouldn't you at least consider the possibility?

Well, let's consider them right here, right now. Here are some readily available players that showed us something in the season's final month a year ago. Perhaps they can do it again!


David Murphy, OF, Texas Rangers: A year ago, this oft-overlooked but productive player batted .355 with three home runs and four stolen bases in September, and over the course of his career his top batting average (.308) and OPS (.857) has come in the final month. With Nelson Cruz limping off the field Sunday night, one would think Murphy's steady playing time will remain fluid.
Jim Thome, DH, Cleveland Indians: The owner of baseball's top OPS (1.399 ) last September with a minimum 50 plate appearances, Thome is hitting cleanup for a contending team. Yes, the Indians are contenders, but even if they fall out of the race, the team doesn't have better choices. I wouldn't expect Thome to help your batting average, but nearly half his hits in the final month last year (7 of 15) were home runs, and he clearly has opportunity.
Ryan Raburn, 2B/OF, Detroit Tigers: His career numbers tell the tale of either an underachiever the first halves of seasons, or a complete overachiever after the All-Star break. Still, Raburn batted .378 with five home runs last September; in his career, 26 of Raburn's 50 home runs and 89 of his 195 RBIs have come in August and beyond. The numbers don't lie, and Raburn has been buried deeper in the past than he appears to be currently.
Kelly Johnson, 2B, Toronto Blue Jays: He hit .337 with seven home runs last September/October, and his career batting average in the final month is .315 (all other months it's .251!). It's not too late for him to help you, and while his new team will face a lot of Red Sox/Yankees pitching, you have to ask yourself, is that really a bad thing?
Mark Ellis, 2B, Colorado Rockies: Now here's a second baseman recently moved from the AL to the NL. Ellis hit .413 last September, which was nice -- albeit unexpected -- since it followed up a .217 August and .221 July. Ellis is hitting .285 in 46 games with the Rockies, and .323 at Coors Field. The Rockies are scheduled to play 12 home games in September. Raul Ibanez, OF, Philadelphia Phillies: I've been asked quite a bit lately about John Mayberry Jr., the younger Phillies outfielder now hitting right-handed pitching, but I don't expect manager Charlie Manuel to bench Ibanez. Perhaps this is a straight platoon. Regardless, Ibanez closed well last season with a .340 batting average and power, belying his age, and his career September batting average is .295. Plus, the Phillies have 33 scheduled games the final 31 days; Ibanez and Mayberry will both play quite a bit.


Vernon Wells, OF, Los Angeles Angels: OK, so perhaps you simply don't like or trust this fellow. He is hitting .216, after all. Then again, he has four multi-hit performances in the past week, with six extra-base hits, and he hit eight home runs with 19 RBIs and a .298 batting average last September/October. Over the course of his career, his September numbers are on par with other months, but he has by far his most games, plate appearances and total bases at the end, because of health. Incidentally, Wells' similarly overrated outfield teammate Bobby Abreu has a .901 career OPS in September/October, his second best month. And he's still stealing bases. Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Pittsburgh Pirates: I'd feel better if he was actually in the big leagues right now, but Alvarez did hit .311 with five home runs and 26 RBIs last September. Yes, he has had a brutal season, but the talent remains, and the sub-.500 Pirates would look kind of foolish not using him, frankly. This is their future at third base, not Josh Harrison, Brandon Wood, Steve Pearce, Chase D'Arnaud or Richie Hebner (oh, how I miss Richie Hebner). In deeper leagues remember the Alvarez.

 

[HacheMan]

Cruz's Hammy Strikes Again
After pulling up lame during Sunday's game against the Angels, Nelson Cruz underwent an MRI on Monday which showed a Grade 1 strain of his left hamstring. He is expected to miss the next three weeks, which will take him out of commission during a crucial stretch for the Rangers and fantasy owners alike.

Cruz missed 51 games last season due to three stints on the DL with hamstring issues. He also served a stint on the DL earlier this season with a strained right quadriceps muscle. There's little doubt that he is one of the top fantasy outfielders when healthy, but continued durability concerns will likely do a number on his ADP next season.

David Murphy, who has homered in two out of his last three games, will likely get most of the playing time in right field while Cruz is sidelined. Of course, things could change if the Rangers step up their pursuit of Cardinals' outfielder Lance Berkman, who has reportedly cleared waivers. In the meantime, The Rangers will call up prospect outfielder Leonys Martin to replace Cruz on the active roster.

Martin, 23, signed a five-year, $15.5 million contract with the Rangers in May. The Cuban defector has struggled since a promotion to Triple-A Round Rock last month, batting .263/.318/.314 with a .630 OPS over 192 plate appearances, but has plus-speed and is highly regarded for his defense in center field. It's unlikely the Rangers will give Martin significant playing time in his first taste of the big leagues, but those in AL-only leagues should take the plunge.

While the Rangers hope to have Cruz at 100 percent for the final week of the regular season and beyond, here are some more news and notes from around a busy Monday in the baseball world.

* You know how it looked like the old Shin-Soo Choo was back with a vengeance this time last week? That was fun. Unfortunately we may not see him back in the Indians' lineup for a while.

Choo, who aggravated his left oblique muscle during Saturday's game, told reporters Monday that he likely won't swing a bat until the weekend. He may need even more time before he resumes full baseball activities, so it's possible he could be sidelined for up to two weeks. Not the best timing as the depleted Indians attempt to stay alive in the American League Central.

This injury is just the latest development in what has been a nightmare season for Choo. The 29-year-old outfielder slumped his way through April before being arrested in May for a DUI. He then missed two months after undergoing surgery in June to repair a fractured left thumb. As we have learned all too well this season, oblique injuries can be very tricky, so fantasy owners are advised to have a backup plan in place over the next two weeks.

* Cole Hamels was fantastic in his return from the disabled list Monday night, giving up one run over six innings as part of a no-decision against the Reds. The southpaw struck out seven while walking none and threw 50 out of 76 pitches for strikes.

Hamels averaged 90.12 mph on his fastball and topped out at 92.4 mph during Monday's outing, according to Brooks Baseball. While that is down from his season average of 91.9 mph, it's an improvement from when he averaged just 88.5 mph and topped out at 91.6 mph in his last start August 12 against the Nationals. Hamels may or may not rediscover that velocity in the weeks to come, but the important part is that he feels healthy leading up to the postseason.

NL Quick Hits: Jose Reyes (hamstring) went 1-for-4 with a run scored in his return from the disabled list Monday … Tim Lincecum gave up three home runs for the first time in his career in Monday's loss to the Cubs … Shane Victorino clubbed a go-ahead two-run homer Monday night in a win over the Reds … Clayton Kershaw allowed one-run and struck out five Monday in a complete-game win over the Padres … Cameron Maybin will return to San Diego on Tuesday to undergo an MRI on his right wrist … Wandy Rodriguez struck out a career-high 13 in Monday's win over the Pirates … Daniel Hudson struck out eight over seven shutout innings Monday in a win over the Rockies … R.A. Dickey tossed seven shutout innings while Dillon Gee allowed one run over six innings as the Mets swept a doubleheader from the Marlins on Monday… Homer Bailey gave up three runs over eight innings Monday in a tough-luck loss to the Phillies … Stephen Strasburg (elbow) will make his next minor league rehab start Thursday with Double-A Harrisburg … Randy Wells allowed just two hits Monday night in a complete-game shutout against the weak-hitting Giants … The Mets are expected to wait a few days before deciding whether Ike Davis will need microfracture surgery on his ankle … The Padres have no plans to shut down Tim Stauffer … The Pirates will skip the struggling Jeff Karstens in the starting rotation this week … Yonder Alonso made his first professional start at third base Monday night against the Phillies … Andrew Cashner (shoulder) struck out all three batters he faced Monday during his third minor league rehab appearance with Double-A Tennessee … Jamie Moyer (elbow) has begun rehabbing at the Phillies' spring training complex … Ronny Paulino was diagnosed with a broken right toe, but remains on the Mets' active roster … Rockies pitching prospect Drew Pomeranz (appendectomy) threw 30 pitches in a bullpen session Monday …


AL Quick Hits: Adrian Beltre (hamstring) went 1-for-4 with a run scored Monday in his first minor league rehab game with Triple-A Round Rock and is expected to return from the disabled list Thursday … Jose Bautista slugged his 38th home run in Monday's win over the Rays, tying Curtis Granderson for the major-league lead … An MRI on Alex Rodriguez's thumb came back negative, but he could miss the entire upcoming series against the Red Sox … Joe Mauer (neck) was out of the starting lineup for the fifth straight game Monday … Alex Gordon went 4-for-5 with a solo home run and two runs scored in Monday's win over the Tigers … Derek Jeter (knee) expects to return to the starting lineup Tuesday night… Justin Morneau was held out of Monday's lineup with a sore shoulder … Max Scherzer was blasted for seven runs over three innings Monday in a loss to the Royals … Mark Buehrle tossed 7 2/3 shutout innings Monday in win over the Twins … Nick Swisher connected for his sixth homer in the past seven games Monday … Michael Cuddyer (wrist) went 0-for-4 with a strikeout Monday in his return to the starting lineup … Dustin Ackley went 3-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored Monday in a win over the Angels … Johnny Damon blasted a pair of homers in Monday's loss to the Blue Jays … Jon Rauch (appendectomy) is scheduled to throw a simulated game Tuesday and could rejoin the Blue Jays' bullpen as soon as Thursday … In his return from the disabled list Monday, Freddy Garcia (finger) gave up one run over six innings in a win over the Orioles … Brandon McCarthy allowed two runs over eight innings and struck out a career-high 10 in a tough luck loss to the Indians on Monday night … Clay Buchholz (back) was cleared to begin throwing Tuesday … Brennan Boesch will eventually need surgery on his right thumb, but the Tigers are hopeful he will be able to play through the pain … Danny Duffy will likely make two or three more starts before being shut down for the season … J.D. Drew (shoulder) is scheduled to resume his minor league rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Pawtucket … Alexi Casilla (hamstring) hopes to return from the disabled list by the weekend … Pedro Feliciano and Damaso Marte are unlikely to return this season after suffering setbacks with their respective shoulder injuries …

 

[HacheMan]

Which pitchers shine in September?

By Tristan H. Cockcroft
ESPN.com


Some pitchers were born for the stretch run.

Whether it's the thrill of the pennant race, that beginning-of-fall, cooler-temperatures feel or simply an effort by the individual to cram in as many good stats as possible knowing the season is ending (contract-year motivation), some pitchers have historical splits that are noticeably better after Sept. 1 than in the five months that precede it. Today, let's identify these individuals.


First, a caveat: Past success doesn't necessarily portend future such success, because the player's circumstances often change. That can be anything from a new team to an injury to a weaker supporting cast. Or, in rare instances, a pitcher can be fantastic for six consecutive Septembers, then put forth a stinker of a September for no particular reason.


But the goal here, as you prepare your teams for the stretch run or, in head-to-head leagues, the playoff matchups, is to increase your odds of success. Pitchers with favorable September histories often have greater such odds, so if any of these eight are available in your league, consider taking a look:

Garcia


Freddy Garcia, New York Yankees: Let's begin with a bold one, because Garcia's momentum was interrupted by a finger injury, so interested owners might not be so apt to take a chance on him today as they might have been back on, say, Aug. 2. Besides his disabled list stint, Garcia has done nothing to warrant skepticism even though his arsenal screams "matchups candidate." Well, to that, let's throw this out: He has a career 3.26 ERA in September, nearly a half-run lower than in any other month (next-best is 3.74 in June), and in his past four healthy Septembers, he had ERAs of 2.49 (6 starts), 4.20 (3), 3.66 (6) and 2.84 (4). The matchup with the Boston Red Sox to end the season is scary. The rest? Don't ignore a single one.


Projected September schedule: (Remember that the Yankees' six-man rotation puts Garcia's specific assignments in flux. This is projecting that the team will use five men beginning Thursday, with him included.) TOR (Sept. 4), @LAA (Sept. 9), @SEA (Sept. 14), TB (Sept. 20), BOS (Sept. 25).

Wolf


Randy Wolf, Milwaukee Brewers: Yes, I wrote the line in his profile, "Wolf was also wholly unpredictable [in 2010]; his 5.06 ERA and 1.66 WHIP in 14 starts against bottom-10 offenses belie his matchups potential." That turned out to be a poor call; he has a 7-2 record and 2.41 ERA in 15 starts against losing teams this season. Go figure, he is a reliable matchups play! Well, September's split is another of his you can exploit, as he has a 9-4 record, 2.35 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 16 starts after Sept. 1 the past three seasons, and it's not a matter of exploiting specific weak matchups within one division because he played for three different teams in those years (Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, Brewers). That's encouraging, because his September schedule looks awfully scary.


Projected September schedule: @STL (Sept. 5), PHI (Sept. 10), @CIN (Sept. 17), FLA (Sept. 23), PIT (Sept. 28).

Oswalt


Roy Oswalt, Philadelphia Phillies: If you're worried about his mediocre performance against the Florida Marlins this past Friday, his first "poor" outing since returning from the disabled list, perhaps Oswalt's September history will ease your mind. During his career, these are his September ERAs: 2.14 (4 starts), 3.55 (6), 2.00 (4), 3.23 (7), 2.93 (7), 1.85 (6), 3.04 (4), 1.42 (6), 8.10 (3), 1.31 (6). To be fair, back troubles contributed to that poor 2009 finish and ended that season early, the same injury that cost him a DL trip this year. But Oswalt hasn't reported any incident with his back since being activated, and he'll be needed, what with his Phillies set to play 30 games in the season's final 28 days.


Projected September schedule: @FLA (Sept. 2), ATL (Sept. 7), @HOU (Sept. 12), STL (Sept. 17), WAS (Sept. 22), @ATL (Sept. 27).

Lilly


Ted Lilly, Los Angeles Dodgers: He has turned his season around recently, with a 3.58 ERA and 1.01 WHIP in his past 10 starts, and before you fret about a lack of motivation because his team is out of the playoff race, keep in mind that in three of the past seasons he played for teams that were a minimum of nine games out of first place on the morning of Sept. 1. In those years -- 2006, 2009 and 2010 -- he had ERAs of 2.45, 2.08 and 3.76 in September. In September during the past five seasons, Lilly never had an ERA north of 3.48 or WHIP north of 1.15, yet in 12 of the other 24 individual months from 2006-10 he had an ERA higher than 4.00, and in 14 months he had a WHIP of 1.20 or higher.


Projected September schedule: @WAS (Sept. 5), @SF (Sept. 10), PIT (Sept. 15), SF (Sept. 21), @ARI (Sept. 26).

Bailey


Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds: His September splits are unmistakable; he has a 7-2 record, 2.86 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 9.16 strikeouts-per-nine innings ratio in 16 career starts in the month. In 13 of his 16 other months during his major league career, his ERA was 4 or higher, and not once in another month has he managed a sub-3 ERA. Bailey has made a history of beating up on weaker-hitting foes in the final month -- he has a 3-0 record and 2.13 ERA in four starts against the Pirates in September -- but after the Reds' upcoming nine-game road trip, the team's schedule will ease up. He might again be primed for a strong finish.


Projected September schedule: @STL (Sept. 3), @COL (Sept. 9), CHC (Sept. 14), HOU (Sept. 19), @PIT (Sept. 25).

Arroyo


Bronson Arroyo, Cincinnati Reds: With the exception of his final outing, which could change depending upon the team's plans and the weather, Arroyo's schedule is identical to Bailey's. So why wouldn't he be any less likely to finish on a high note? Arroyo's September history is phenomenal: He has a 24-11 record, 3.32 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in the month during his career, but an 87-92 record, 4.47 ERA and 1.35 WHIP the rest of the season. In the past two seasons he had WHIPs of 0.90 and 1.11 after Sept. 1, one of those a year when the Reds were contenders, one when they were not. Arroyo is also riding a three-quality-start streak, so get on this bandwagon if he's available.


Projected September schedule: @STL (Sept. 4), @COL (Sept. 10), CHC (Sept. 15), HOU (Sept. 20), @NYM (Sept. 26).

Porcello


Rick Porcello, Detroit Tigers: There hasn't been a lot to like in Porcello's young career, with the possible exception of his performance in September. As a rookie in 2009, he had a 3.00 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in seven starts, and as a sophomore last season, he had a 3.89 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in five turns. That gives him a career 3.40 ERA in the month; his 2.66 mark in May is his only one that's lower. Matchups have a lot to do with it; he has made 10 of those 12 starts within the division and has a 4.36 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 38 starts against division foes, compared to 4.82/1.45 ratios in 45 turns against everybody else.


Projected September schedule: @CLE (Sept. 6), @CHW (Sept. 12), @OAK (Sept. 17), BAL (Sept. 23), CLE (Sept. 28).

Nolasco


Ricky Nolasco, Florida Marlins: His is the smallest sample size of the eight profiled, but his numbers in 92 1/3 innings, 16 games and 14 starts in September are curious nevertheless. It's as if Nolasco throws more strikes and ramps up the K's in the final month; he has averaged 9.45 K's per nine innings and 5.39 K's per walk in September during his career, compared to 7.56 and 3.52 the rest of the year. A quick look at his September 2009 Pitch f/x numbers -- his most recent healthy September -- shows little more than a slight bump in overall velocity, averaging 87.7 mph on all offerings, up from 86.1 previously in that year. Don't claim matchups, either: In 2008 he made two of five September starts at Cincinnati and at Philadelphia, and in 2009 he made another at Cincinnati, all three of those outings quality starts. Maybe Nolasco truly does save his best for last?


Projected September schedule: PHI (Sept. 4), @PIT (Sept. 10), @PHI (Sept. 15), ATL (Sept. 20), WAS (Sept. 26).



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>1 </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>2 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3 </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>4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tim Lincecum, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Clayton Kershaw, LAD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Felix Hernandez, SEA </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">CC Sabathia, NYY </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">Jon Lester, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Dan Haren, LAA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jered Weaver, LAA </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>10 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">David Price, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Cain, SF </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">James Shields, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Johnny Cueto, CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Cole Hamels, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Yovani Gallardo, MIL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Josh Beckett, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ian Kennedy, ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ricky Romero, TOR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tim Hudson, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20 </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">Brandon Beachy, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ervin Santana, LAA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Daniel Hudson, ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Shaun Marcum, MIL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Garza, CHC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26 </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>23 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">John Danks, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>35 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Madison Bumgarner, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Wandy Rodriguez, HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>33 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">C.J. Wilson, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>33 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ted Lilly, LAD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>44 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Hiroki Kuroda, LAD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>35 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jeremy Hellickson, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>42 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>36 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Vogelsong, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>39 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Justin Masterson, CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>38 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jhoulys Chacin, COL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>36 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>39 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Gio Gonzalez, OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>47 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jeff Niemann, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>41 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Roy Oswalt, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>42 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brandon Morrow, TOR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Colby Lewis, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>38 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>44 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Dempster, CHC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>45 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Cory Luebke, SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>55 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Anibal Sanchez, FLA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>41 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>47 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Max Scherzer, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>48 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chad Billingsley, LAD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>49 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Gavin Floyd, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>52 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Stephen Strasburg, WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>51 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Bud Norris, HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>51 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>52 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Vance Worley, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>61 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>53 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tommy Hanson, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>45 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>54 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Michael Pineda, SEA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>64 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>55 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tim Stauffer, SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>59 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Javier Vazquez, FLA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>60 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>57 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ubaldo Jimenez, CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>48 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>58 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Randy Wolf, MIL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>66 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>59 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Leake, CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>57 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>60 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Bartolo Colon, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>54 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>61 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Homer Bailey, CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>74 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>62 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jair Jurrjens, ATL </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">Ricky Nolasco, FLA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>53 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>64 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ivan Nova, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>68 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>65 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Erik Bedard, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>70 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>66 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Rich Harden, OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>72 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>67 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brett Myers, HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>69 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>68 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Edwin Jackson, STL </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">Jaime Garcia, STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>49 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>70 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Doug Fister, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>78 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>71 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jake Peavy, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>63 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>72 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brett Cecil, TOR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>67 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>73 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Phil Hughes, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>74 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Alexi Ogando, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>76 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>75 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Derek Holland, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>71 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>76 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Freddy Garcia, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>81 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>77 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mark Buehrle, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>84 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>78 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Aaron Harang, SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>83 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>79 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brandon McCarthy, OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>89 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>80 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">James McDonald, PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>79 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>81 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">R.A. Dickey, NYM </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>90 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>82 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Minor, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>94 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>83 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Bronson Arroyo, CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>93 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>84 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Trevor Cahill, OAK </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">Derek Lowe, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>95 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>86 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Harrison, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>58 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>87 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Randy Wells, CHC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>88 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Wade Davis, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>92 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>89 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Josh Collmenter, ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>99 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>90 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chris Narveson, MIL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>91 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">John Lackey, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>96 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>92 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Rick Porcello, DET </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">Fausto Carmona, CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>100 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>94 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Luke Hochevar, KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>98 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>95 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chris Capuano, NYM </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>96 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ross Detwiler, WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>97 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Bruce Chen, 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">Joe Saunders, ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>99 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Guillermo Moscoso, OAK </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">Chien-Ming Wang, WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>




Three September stinkers



We've discussed the good; now let's examine the bad. These three pitchers have a history of collapsing once September arrives:


Tim Wakefield, Boston Red Sox: There's a sort of reputation in baseball that knuckleballers transcend space and time, but it's foolish of us to ignore that Wakefield is 45 years old with more than 3,000 innings on his arm. Forty-five! As such, it's understandable that he has historically fallen apart in September; he hasn't had an ERA beneath 5.87 in the month since his 40th birthday, a span of five seasons, and his combined September ERA in those months is 7.49.


Projected September schedule: (The Red Sox's current six-man rotation puts Wakefield's matchups in flux; he might not even be kept in the rotation much longer. This projects a five-man rotation.) TEX (Sept. 3), @TOR (Sept. 8), TOR (Sept. 14), BAL (Sept. 19), @NYY (Sept. 25).


Edwin Jackson, St. Louis Cardinals: He has actually been somewhat disappointing since landing in St. Louis, failing to capitalize upon the "Dave Duncan magic," and his September history is ominous. He has a 5.98 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in the month in 45 career appearances, and 6.29/1.64 ratios in 25 games (24 starts) combined in September 2007-10. It's that poor history that spawns legitimate questions about Jackson's durability within a given year.


Projected September schedule: CIN (Sept. 4), ATL (Sept. 10), @PHI (Sept. 16), NYM (Sept. 21), @HOU (Sept. 26).


Matt Garza, Chicago Cubs: You might remember him as a "beast under pressure," his having won Game 7 of the 2008 American League Championship Series against the Red Sox, but the truth is that Garza's late-regular-season performance is notably poor. In his five full big-league seasons he has never registered an ERA higher than 3.95 and his career number is 3.92, but in September he has never had a single-year ERA beneath 3.92 and his ERA overall in the month is 4.96. It doesn't help that Garza's Cubs are long out of the race, but if there's any saving grace, it's that his matchups stack up in obvious fashion.


Projected September schedule: CIN (Sept. 5), @NYM (Sept. 11), HOU (Sept. 16), MIL (Sept. 21), @SD (Sept. 27).


Three up



John Danks, Chicago White Sox: He's back in the top 30, right where he was to begin the season, and it's because his performance since returning from the disabled list in July places his future potential right along those lines. During that span he has five quality starts in seven tries, three wins, a 2.47 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. But it's Danks' increase in strikeouts that is most encouraging. He has 49 whiffs in 47 1/3 innings during that span, a 9.32 K's-per-nine ratio, a number he has exceeded once in any other seven-start stretch during his big league career: from June 18-Aug. 14 of this season -- meaning some crossover here -- when he had a 9.68 number. His 4.90 K's-per-walk ratio also ranks among his career best seven-start stretches; other than this season he has managed better only in July-August 2008. The White Sox have a favorable schedule looking forward playing in the American League Central, so get back on the Danks bandwagon.


Cory Luebke, San Diego Padres: Boy, were the Padres foolish to wait three months before inserting Luebke into their rotation; he has a 2.89 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 9.29 K's-per-nine ratio in 12 starts since June 26. He had pitched well enough for the spot during the spring but lost out to Dustin Moseley, who, to be fair, pitched effectively in the role early in the year. But Luebke has greater long-term appeal, and he cannot be termed a mere Petco product. Of those 12 starts, six have been on the road, and he has a 2.62 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in those games … meaning he has arguably been better away from Petco than at it!


Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals: The Stephen Strasburg bandwagon is barreling down the hill at incredible speed, and there's no question now that he'll make a noticeable impact in fantasy. I've maintained from the start and have been unwavering in my assessment that his potential is limited in leagues with starts caps; outside of that, he is a must-add in all formats. Strasburg's latest rehabilitation outing was a masterpiece, five perfect innings for Triple-A Syracuse with seven whiffs. He'll make his next appearance for Double-A Harrisburg on Thursday, throwing 75-80 pitches, and is on track for a Sept. 6 return to the Nationals, meaning the potential for these five assignments: LAD (Sept. 6), HOU (Sept. 11), FLA (Sept. 16), @PHI (Sept. 21), @FLA (Sept. 26). The Nationals will surely be cautious with Strasburg -- he might not throw more than 20-25 innings -- but his per-inning potential could rival anyone's outside the top 10.


Three down



A.J. Burnett, New York Yankees: If Ivan Nova is in the Yankees' rotation, someone else has to go, and that someone needs to be Burnett. In 10 starts since June 1, Burnett has a 1-5 record, no quality starts, a 7.79 ERA and a 1.79 WHIP -- the ERA the worst of any pitcher with 40-plus innings during that span. Incredibly, he remains owned in 44.2 percent of ESPN leagues despite having long since passed the point of needing to be cut. Burnett actually could've been a candidate for the September standouts list above; he had a 3.59 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 31 starts in the regular season's final month from 2006-10. But that number is misleading, as he had a 5.60 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in seven starts after Sept. 1 last season, and 4.64/1.49 numbers in 14 September starts as a Yankee. Stay far away.


Jaime Garcia, St. Louis Cardinals: A six-start slump during which he has a 0-3 record, one quality start, 6.68 ERA and 1.89 WHIP, resulted in Garcia's being skipped in the Cardinals' rotation this week. Haven't we heard this story before? Last season Garcia took a noticeable step backward after the All-Star break; he had a 2.17 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in his 17 first-half starts but 3.53/1.41 ratios in 11 starts thereafter. The Cardinals spaced out his appearances as they maintained his innings pace. This season Garcia doesn't have as much of an innings-cap concern, but his performance has declined even more steeply, his 3.22/1.25 ratios in 19 first-half turns sliding to 5.01/1.63 ratios in eight second-half starts. Could it be that Garcia's 163 1/3 innings of 2010, a 125 2/3-inning increase from his 2009 total, is coming back to haunt him? Perhaps, but the bottom line for his fantasy owners is that the Cardinals, who appear out of the race, are easing up on him.


Brandon Morrow, Toronto Blue Jays: His name has come up frequently during the podcast this season, and as I noted Monday, I'm taking a noticeable step backward from Morrow after some weekend realizations. This is the statistic that's most bothersome: In his career, opposing batters have .215/.313/.340 rates against Morrow when the bases are empty, but those numbers swell to .263/.352/.427 when there are runners on. What's the difference? Morrow is pitching from the stretch rather than the windup when runners are on, and maybe that has an adverse impact on his performance. We've heard the Dave Bush argument before: His WHIP was low and ERA unusually high, and during his prime years he had an OPS significantly higher with men on than with the bases empty. Morrow's OPS split between those is 147 points, and at this point, it's fair to wonder whether his 4-plus ERAs are a true representation of his skills.

 

[HacheMan]

Randy Wells completes strong August

Eric Karabell

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• Chicago Cubs right-hander Randy Wells became the latest to shut down the struggling San Francisco Giants, tossing a two-hit shutout Monday, fanning seven and winning his fourth consecutive decision. Wells finishes August with a 3.32 ERA and sub-1.00 WHIP, and he's not a bad spot start option this weekend in Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, continue to use most pitchers against the defending champs.

• Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez hit his first big league home run Monday, one of three hits, and raised his batting average to .295 after 16 games. Perez, likely to be the team's starter behind the plate next season, has four multi-hit games in the past week; those in multi-catcher leagues should take note.


• Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Johnny Damon smacked a pair of home runs Monday, giving him 13 on the season to go with 12 steals. While Damon remains available in 30.3 percent of ESPN leagues, he's a top-40 outfielder for the season on the ESPN Player Rater, and likely overlooked due to his age.


• Cleveland Indians left-hander David Huff outdueled Oakland Athletics right-hander Brandon McCarthy Monday, but moving forward McCarthy is the wiser bet statistically. McCarthy fanned 10 Indians in eight innings, losing 2-1, but his 1.21 WHIP for the season isn't a fluke. He has pitched capably on the road, and possesses upside. Huff is less reliable.


• Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels came off the disabled list Monday and tossed six innings of two-hit, one-run ball. Hamels and his sore shoulder were held to 76 pitches, and certainly didn't appear rusty. Activate Hamels in fantasy for this weekend in Florida against the Marlins.


• Also coming off the DL Monday was New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes; he singled and scored a run in four at-bats. Like Hamels, Reyes is accomplished enough -- and his team wouldn't risk further injury if he wasn't healthy -- for use right away. Note the Mets moved Ruben Tejada to second base, at Justin Turner's expense. Tejada had two hits, and is hitting .282. In deep leagues, he's middle-infield worthy.

 

[HacheMan]

Mourning Morneau

Some terrible news came out of Minnesota Tuesday night, as it was revealed that Justin Morneau is dealing with "mild concussion symptoms."

Morneau, of course, missed the final three months of last season while dealing with a concussion following a blow to the head when he slid into second base. This is the first we've heard this season of him having any recurrence of the issues, which he said originally surfaced on Monday.

The fact that the concussion symptoms are considered "mild" and that his headache has already started to abate is obviously good news. But, concussions for anyone are scary, and when we're talking about someone that missed half of last season with the issue, you can multiple the worry by a factor of 10.

Morneau is also dealing with a minor shoulder issue and admits that the surgery he had earlier this season to correct a herniated disk fragment in his neck hasn't corrected a feeling of numbness in one of his fingers. When you pile this onto the concussion problems resurfacing and also consider that he's batting a meager .227/.285/.333 this season with just four homers in 69 games, his career outlook has never been murkier.

* The Marlins were hoping to get Hanley Ramirez (shoulder) back in the lineup as early as Wednesday, but those plans have been halted after the shortstop left his rehab game Tuesday with renewed discomfort in his left shoulder.

Ramirez is headed back to Miami in order to be re-evaluated. If you recall, when Hanley originally suffered the injury, he and the Marlins downplayed the ailment and declared that he would be back in a few days. After the malady dragged on longer than expected, the team finally bit the bullet and placed him on the disabled list. Now, he's had a setback after just a couple rehab games.

This is the same shoulder that Ramirez had arthroscopic surgery on a few years back because it kept popping in and out of the socket. Hopefully he won't have to have the shoulder scoped again, or, worse, have a more invasive procedure. We should know the severity of the aggravation soon, but either way, it's unlikely we'll see him anytime soon.

* The date has been speculated on for a while, but now it's official.

Stephen Strasburg (Tommy John surgery) will be making his return to a major league mound on September 6, when he'll square off against the Dodgers.

The return will come almost exactly a year to the day that Strasburg underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. He's experienced no bumps in the road at all during his recovery and in fact has made it back sooner than expected, as most figured at the beginning of the year that the Nationals would play it safe and hold Strasburg back until next spring training.

The uber-talented youngster has been dominant so far during his rehab assignment, sitting comfortably in the mid-90s and touching the upper 90s while boasting a 25/3 K/BB ratio over 14 1/3 innings. Pitchers often have control issues initially upon returning from Tommy John surgery, so it wouldn't be a surprise if Strasburg deals with the same problems. His pitch count also figures to be curtailed.

That said, we probably don't need to tell you that you should have no qualms about activating him immediately.


NL Quick Hits: The Phillies have acquired John Bowker from the Pirates, though it's not clear at this point what they gave up. Bowker has done very little in his major league chances, but the Phils are hoping he can provide some pop off the bench … An MRI on Cameron Maybin's right wrist revealed no structural damage. He has some inflammation and figures to sit out a few more games, but it appears he'll avoid the disabled list … Even though he was rocked for 10 runs in just 1 2/3 innings in a start for Double-A Mobile Tuesday, the Diamondbacks could still call up first-round pick Trevor Bauer next month to serve out of the bullpen. He had been dominant prior to Tuesday's blowup … The Reds plan to activate Chris Heisey (oblique) from the disabled list Thursday. He's been out since early August … Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez plans to continue to rotate Jason Heyward and Jose Constanza in right field based on "match-ups and hunches." Heyward has yet to go on a hot streak in order to run away with the job, but the significantly less capable Constanza has predictably faded after a hot start … Dr. James Andrews told Tommy Hanson that he's dealing with normal wear and tear in his shoulder. He could resume throwing soon and return in a couple weeks … Jose Tabata sat out Tuesday's game with mild tenderness in his left wrist. He's considered day-to-day … Manny Parra underwent left elbow surgery Tuesday to remove a bone spur. He won't make it back this season but should be fine for spring training … Lance Berkman doesn't think the Cardinals plan to trade him. He's reportedly drawn interest from the Rangers and Angels … Nathan Eovaldi will make one more start before being shifted to the bullpen in order to keep his innings down … Derrek Lee took swings with a bat Monday for the first time since landing on the DL. The Pirates are hoping he can return by mid-September … The Dodgers are still hoping that Jonathan Broxton (elbow) can return this season. If he does come back, he won't be used in the ninth inning … Juan Uribe (hip) might need season-ending surgery, as he's still unable to run at 100 percent … Jimmy Rollins (groin) did some running and took swings Tuesday, but there's no timetable for his return.

AL Quick Hits: An X-ray on Jarrod Saltalamacchia's left forearm came back negative. Salty might need only a day or two of rest before returning … Grady Sizemore (knee, hernia) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Akron on Wednesday. He'll need at least 3-4 games, and perhaps more, before returning to the Indians lineup … Alex Rodriguez (thumb) doesn't expect to return to the Yankees lineup until Friday. An MRI Tuesday on A-Rod's thumb came back negative, but he needs a few days in order for a cortisone shot to calm down … Kevin Youkilis (back) is expected to return from the disabled list on Friday, the first day he's eligible. Youk went 1-for-3 with a single and a walk Tuesday in his first rehab game … Alexi Casilla suffered a setback with his hamstring injury during his first rehab game and is out indefinitely. He hurt the hamstring in his first game back earlier this month … J.D. Drew (shoulder) went 3-for-3 with three singles and a run scored Tuesday in his first rehab game. He'll return from the DL on Thursday and will likely be given a shot to reclaim his starting spot in right field … Chris Davis (shoulder) took 25 swings off a tee and also did some throwing Tuesday. He's hoping to return in mid-September … Michael Pineda will make just three more starts this season before being shut down. The Mariners had resisted such a plan earlier this season but have decided to play it safe with their prized right-hander … The struggling Matt LaPorta had seen his playing time decline, and now he's been optioned to Triple-A. The former top prospect will be 27 heading into next season and is running out of time to cash in on his potential … Clay Buchholz (back) played catch from 60 feet Tuesday. He hopes to return late in the year for the Red Sox, but it would be as a reliever … Jordan Walden has admitted that he's starting to wear down. He's pitched quite well of late, so we're not too concerned, but it's certainly worth noting.​

 

[HacheMan]

Two Closers Losing Their Grip?
It's Labor Day weekend, that magical time when we all shake our heads and wonder where the summer went before frantically trying to get one last warm-weather activity in before the kids go back to school and work gets more serious again. Just remember the words of the legendary Baba Ram Dass, you said that we should all do our best to "be here now."

Don't look forward too much. You'll just get depressed about winter and work and all that. Don't look backward too much, you'll just remember all those cookouts and vacations too fondly. Stay in the here and now, and you'll have a great weekend.


In honor of this last great weekend of the summer, let's name the tiers after some prototypical Labor Day weekend activities. See where your plans rank! And still enjoy your weekend anyway! Also, see if you can guess which one I'll be enjoying this weekend.


Tier 1: Elite (4) (AKA: The "Drive to a lake house with friends… for a sweet party weekend" Tier.)

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

Nothing better than heading to the edge of a large body of water with a good selection of food and (adult) sodas. Enjoy responsibly.

Jonathan Papelbon has not allowed a baserunner since August 12th. Jonathan Papelbon has not allowed a run since July 16th. Jonathan Papelbon has not walked a batter since July 10th. In conclusion, Jonathan Papelbon.

Here is a list of perfectly fine starters that have not managed to strike out 103 batters like Craig Kimbrel: Jeremy Hellickson, Edwin Jackson, Mark Buehrle, Jake Peavy. So it's important when you have a closer that can strike out this many people. It's almost like having an extra starter. Put it this way: I'll take Kimbrel and Hellickson (205 strikeouts) and you can pay way more for Mariano Rivera and Dan Haren (206 strikeouts). In the meantime, my offense should have gotten fat with all that extra money or those extra early picks.


Tier 2: Rock Steady (6) (AKA: The "Drive to a lake house with family… for a pretty sweet mellow weekend" Tier.)

John Axford, Milwaukee Brewers
J.J. Putz, Arizona Diamondbacks
Drew Storen, Washington Nationals

Heath Bell, San Diego Padres
Andrew Bailey, Oakland Athletics
Jose Valverde, Detroit Tigers

Look, I'm sorry. I'd rather go to the lakehouse with some friends right now in my life. But I know it won't be long until I'm the father looking forward to a family break at the same body of water (and maybe even yelling at the loud kids the next house over). But here, now, this is a second-tier thing. Still good!

J.J. Putz Has been fine since owing back. In 14 appearances, he has 11 strikeouts against his customary tiny walk total (two) and has only allowed two earn runs. He's a great pitcher when he's healthy.

Drew Storen moves past a few dudes in the middle of some iffy patches even if he blew a save on Sunday. Mostly, it's nice to see that he's struck out a batter per appearance since July 5th, and that he's had nine strikeouts in his last five outings. That sort of strikeout punch is the only thing keeping him from the upper-upper echelon. And yes, I know that Jose Valverde has not blown a save this year. He also has a 1.30 WHIP and a control problem. He has three walks against one strikeout in his last four outings, so it's not getting better right now either.

Heath Bell returns because Heath Bell was not traded. Maybe he was never going to be traded. Still not an elite year for him, but solid enough and he's not going anywhere for the time being.


Tier 3: OK options (7) (AKA: The "Barbecue at friends house… so you don't have to clean up" Tier.)

Joakim Soria, Kansas City Royals
Sergio Santos, Chicago White Sox
Jordan Walden, Anaheim Angels
Ryan Madson, Philadelphia Phillies
Brandon League, Seattle Mariners
Carlos Marmol, Chicago Cubs
Joe Nathan, Minnesota Twins

Not cleaning up is part of the allure of going to a party at someone else's house, isn't it? Admit it. It is.

Joakim Soria is just not having a great year. Now he hasn't blown a save since August tenth, but he's given up six runs in his last seven appearances and has been way more hittable this year. He's in danger of falling again. Sergio Santos and Jordan Walden are primed to ascend. If only Santos wasn't occasionally losing a save to Chris Sale, and Jordan Walden wasn't (less than) occasionally losing a save to the blown save monster. Their strikeout and walk rates are deserving of being in the top two tiers, though.

Ryan Madson moves up in the rankings because he put his six-run blown save squarely in the mirror. Since then, he hasn't given up a run or a walk and has looked like the Madson we've come to expect. He's been under-rated his whole career, so it's no surprise he's been under-rated this year.

If Brandon League's strikeout rate is not impressive, his walk rate is. Nine walks all year! That's Papelbonian. Carlos Marmol has nine walks since July 18th, which is actually one of his better stretches of control on the year.


Tier 4: Question marks (7) (AKA: The "A trip… downtown to see the labor day parade" Tier.)

Kyle Farnsworth, Tampa Bay Rays
Francisco Cordero, Cincinnati Reds
Kevin Gregg, Baltimore Orioles
Javy Guerra, Los Angeles Dodgers

Neftali Feliz, Texas Rangers

Chris Perez, Cleveland Indians
Mark Melancon, Houston Astros

Hey. At least at the parade they'll probably have churros and funnel cake and sausages and all sorts of yummy food. Beats yard work.

Okay, let's just make sure the professor's tender elbow is okay, and then we can move Kyle Farnsworth up. Not sure what sort of deal he made with what sort of devil, but his control has held up all year. He has trended towards better control lately in his career, but this is still his best walk rate by more than a batter per nine innings.

He's been much better than Francisco Cordero by peripherals. Co-Co has seen his strikeout rate plummet to the point where he has three strikeouts in his last ten innings. At least he's only walked one, but he wasn't known for his control in the past. If his ERA wasn't so low, and his manager such a veteran-lover, this role might have changed hands already. Here's a wrinkle: is he worth a $12 million option next year? Probably not. Especially when you have the cheaper Aroldis Chapman behind him. Any stumbles in that Reds pen and you may see an audition this month.

Neftali Feliz has a walk rate around three and a half per nine in the second half, and that's about a batter better than his first-half rate. He's finally striking out about a batter per inning, too (16 in 18 1/3 in the second half). He's been figuring it out, which is strange because it happened after his team traded for some intimidating setup men. Maybe that lit a fire under his buttocks. He's surprisingly safe.

Chris Perez is still the closer in Cleveland, so he moves up. But let's go over his credentials for the bottom tier, just for kicks. Among the top 35 relievers in saves this year, this is where he ranks in a few categories: Strikeout rate -- 33rd; Walk rate -- 28th; Ground-ball rate -- 34th. That's pretty stark, no? By anything other than saves and ERA he's probably the worst closer in baseball. Of course, saves and ERA are the categories we play with, but that's not the point. What's the likelihood that a closer with the second-worst strikeout rate and the seventh-worst walk rate continues to put up a good ERA and garner saves? It's not high.

Tier 5: Rollercoaster rides (5) (AKA: The "Yard work… but at least you're grilling and drinking" Tier.)

1st Chair: Fernando Salas, 2nd Chair: Jason Motte, St. Louis Cardinals

1st Chair: Leo Nunez, 2nd Chair: Edward Mujica, Florida Marlins
1st Chair: Bobby Parnell, 2nd Chair: Jason Isringhausen, New York Mets
1st Chair: Frank Francisco, 2nd Chair: Casey Janssen, Toronto Blue Jays
1st Chair: Rafael Betancourt, 2nd Chair: Huston Street, Colorado Rockies

1st Chair: Sergio Romo, 2nd Chair: Santiago Casilla, San Francisco Giants

Yeah, so this is where I find myself. Don't cry for me America, I'm already locked in. Digging trenches and moving trees and planting things, oh my. At least I'll have a beverage in hand and something on the grill!

The biggest closer news of the week came in an innocent-sounding post-game comment from Tony LaRussa. TLR admitted that he was going to give Jason Motte a few chances down the stretch because he'd earned them. Motte has been excellent this year since adding a cutter to his 96 MPH fastball. The former catcher has been long touted as the Closer of the Future in St. Louis, and LaRussa has actually been fairly upfront about his closer, even if he's been a little quick on the trigger at times. This could be happening, right now, even if Fernando Salas got the save Tuesday night. Make sure Motte is not on the wire, because he can be as sweet as apple juice.

Not to get all math-y on you, but there's been some advancement in the research concerning the batting average on balls in play. Matt Swartz found that high-strikeout pitchers have lower balls in play -- particularly relievers. So while it looks like Leo Nunez has had average luck with a .295 batting average on balls in play (the league BABIP is .294 this year), a pitcher with his amount of strikeouts, ground balls and fly balls could actually expect a .278 BABIP according to that recent research. In any case, it's strange that a guy with a strong strikeout rate and good control in a pitcher's park would allow so many home runs. But he does. So keep Edward Mujica close. Steve Cishek could be up too, but Mujica has more major league experience, and even if Cishek has the better strikeout rate right now, Mujica is the one that gets more whiffs per pitch from his stuff. Mujica should get another shot after blowing his first save chance.

Bobby Parnell looks like he's the Mets closer right now. He's having a little trouble getting up to his 102 MPH gas on the first batters he faces in an appearance, and that's led to having some ducks on the pond in most of his saves so far. Still, the team needs him to succeed so that they have a cheap closer next year. They'll let him struggle in the role.

Frank Francisco has only earned one save in his most recent turn at the the closer role in Toronto, and Jon Rauch is starting to heal up. But it's been since July 20th that Frankie Frank has given up a run or a home run, and he's been great since. He might actually keep the role, especially considering he has so much more strikeout punch than his competition.

Rafael Betancourt is staying in the first chair in Colorado despite Huston Street's return. Given their respective salaries (Street is paid twice as well as Betancourt) this is a surprise, but Betancourt has been been better for a while now. If you'd been waiting on picking up Betancourt, you might as well do it now. But Street's a mighty big name to have as a setup man. Don't get comfortable.

No-one is comfortable in San Francisco. But the injury news on Brian Wilson seems decent. Wait until you hear worse.

<CENTER>* * * * * * * * * *</CENTER>
Injured
Jonathan Broxton, Los Angeles Dodgers (elbow)
Jon Rauch, Toronto Blue Jays (appendicitis)
Brian Wilson, San Francisco Giants (elbow)

As of now, Brian Wilson won't be back on August 31st, the first day he's eligible. But it won't be long after that, most likely, considering he threw two straight days late last week and there hasn't been any bad news since. Jon Rauch is already throwing simulated games and fielding balls. He might be back as soon as Thursday. Who knows that that means though. Now Jonathan Broxton might be back this year. He should be throwing bullpens next week. If you have Javy Guerra and a space on your DL and Broxton is out there… the path is clear.

The Deposed:
Fernando Rodney, Los Angeles Angels
Ryan Franklin, St. Louis Cardinals
Brandon Lyon, Houston Astros
Matt Thornton, Chicago White Sox
Vicente Padilla, Los Angeles Dodgers
Francisco Rodriguez, Milwaukee Brewers
David Aardsma, Seattle Mariners
Jason Isringhausen, New York Mets

There. Now we have Jason Isringhausen here. Is Fernando Salas up next?

<CENTER>* * * * * * * * * *</CENTER>
The Steals Department

So far, Brian Bogusevic has only stolen three bases this year, and four on his major league career. He has some power, but he's slugging over his head right now. Most likely, he's about a .280 hitter with 15 full-season home run power at best. But you know what? He's hitting right now, and other than an unsightly swinging strike rate, there's not a ton wrong with his line. He stole 20 bags in Triple-A this year, and 23 last year. So he has speed. He's also "stolen" all the at-bats against right-handers from Jason Bourgeois, too. Even if he doesn't play every day, he's a great bench speed player for most leagues. He's definitely a little batting-average safer than his center-field counterpart (and last week's deep league recommendation) Jordan Schafer for example.

You know who's playing most days in Cleveland right now? Jason Donald. Yup, he's back in the majors and after Jason Kipnis went down and Orlando Cabrera was shipped out, he's suddenly the best option at second base. He's getting really lucky on balls in play, which is surprising given his modest .281 batting average. With his major league strikeout rate, and lack of power, he's more of a .260 true-talent hitter. And his seasonal high in stolen bases, achieved in 2008 in Double-A, is 11 stolen bases. Still, that's about a 15-stolen-base full-season pace, so it's not nothing. And in the deepest leagues right now, it's mostly nothing that's on the wire.

 

[HacheMan]

Mark Ellis among September targets

By Tristan H. Cockcroft
ESPN.com

Ah, September. Temperatures dip, leaves change, and baseball's pennant races reach their pinnacle.

It's a fine time of year, and some hitters would certainly agree. Whatever the reason, certain individuals enjoy their most productive weeks during the regular season's final month, their September splits significant enough that we need take note.


Examination of historical September standouts is a project we've undertaken all week; Tuesday's "60 Feet 6 Inches" identified starting pitchers with strong final-month numbers, and Thursday's "Relief Efforts" will do the same for relief pitchers. In addition, colleague Eric Karabell did an excellent roundup on Monday of historical September standouts who might still be available in deeper leagues.


Today, let's take a look at the overall September hitting standouts. These are more shallow-league targets, many of whom are already owned in your league, but a few who might not be. Inclusion on this list means the hitter's September track record -- generally speaking, 2006-2010 statistics -- is substantially greater than that during the previous five months.


As usual, the standard caveat: Past success during a given time period doesn't guarantee future success, because the player's circumstances often change. Picking from this group is merely playing with greater odds, but at this critical time of year, increasing your odds is what it's all about, right?



TOP 125 HITTERS

Note: Tristan H. Cockcroft's top 125 hitters 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">Albert Pujols, STL </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">Ryan Braun, MIL </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">Matt Kemp, LAD </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">Robinson Cano, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Miguel Cabrera, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Troy Tulowitzki, COL </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">Adrian Gonzalez, 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">Mark Teixeira, NYY </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">Jose Bautista, TOR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Joey Votto, CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Curtis Granderson, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jacoby Ellsbury, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Carlos Gonzalez, COL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Justin Upton, ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Dustin Pedroia, 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">Prince Fielder, MIL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Josh Hamilton, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Andrew McCutchen, PIT </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">Evan Longoria, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Howard, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Paul Konerko, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Hunter Pence, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Holliday, STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">David Wright, NYM </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Stanton, FLA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jay Bruce, CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Alex Rodriguez, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>35 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Zimmerman, WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>33 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Shane Victorino, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Michael Bourn, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chase Utley, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Dan Uggla, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>33 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ian Kinsler, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ben Zobrist, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>35 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">David Ortiz, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>36 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>36 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Carl Crawford, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>42 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brandon Phillips, CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>38 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Desmond Jennings, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>51 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>39 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Aramis Ramirez, CHC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>44 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Alex Gordon, KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>41 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Billy Butler, KC </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">J.J. Hardy, BAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>55 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jose Reyes, NYM </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">Michael Young, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>45 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Victor Martinez, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>39 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Asdrubal Cabrera, CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>47 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Corey Hart, MIL </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">Drew Stubbs, CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>49 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Carlos Santana, CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>45 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Adam Jones, BAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>38 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>51 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Starlin Castro, CHC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>48 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>52 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Derek Jeter, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>52 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>53 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Michael Morse, WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>59 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>54 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Nick Swisher, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>74 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>55 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brian McCann, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>49 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Alexei Ramirez, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>54 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>57 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Elvis Andrus, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>57 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>58 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jimmy Rollins, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>61 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>59 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kevin Youkilis, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>65 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>60 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Melky Cabrera, KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>62 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>61 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Adam Lind, TOR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>58 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>62 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Lance Berkman, STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>63 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>63 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Pablo Sandoval, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>60 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>64 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Napoli, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>75 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>65 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mark Reynolds, BAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>67 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>66 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jayson Werth, WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>68 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>67 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brett Gardner, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>66 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>68 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Nick Markakis, BAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>70 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>69 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">B.J. Upton, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>79 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>70 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Torii Hunter, LAA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>86 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>71 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ichiro Suzuki, SEA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>85 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>72 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Neil Walker, PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>81 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>73 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brett Lawrie, TOR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>88 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>74 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Angel Pagan, NYM </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>69 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>75 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Juan Pierre, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>83 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>76 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Alex Avila, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>84 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>77 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chris Young, ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>78 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>78 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mark Trumbo, LAA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>91 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>79 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Johnny Damon, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>87 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>80 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Eric Hosmer, KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>93 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>81 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Martin Prado, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>72 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>82 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Cameron Maybin, SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>76 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>83 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jhonny Peralta, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>82 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>84 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Freddie Freeman, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>80 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>85 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Howard Kendrick, LAA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>110 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>86 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Josh Willingham, OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>94 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>87 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Joe Mauer, MIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>71 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>88 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Peter Bourjos, LAA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>101 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>89 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Shin-Soo Choo, CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>53 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>90 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Coco Crisp, OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>90 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>91 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Seth Smith, COL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>98 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>92 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kyle Blanks, SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>106 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>93 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Adrian Beltre, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>108 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>94 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Russell Martin, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>119 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>95 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jose Tabata, PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>117 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>96 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jeff Francoeur, KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>92 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>97 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Joyce, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>89 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>98 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Michael Cuddyer, MIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>73 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>99 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Dustin Ackley, SEA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>96 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>100 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">J.D. Martinez, HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>113 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>101 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Yunel Escobar, TOR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>97 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>102 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Paul Goldschmidt, ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>103 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jemile Weeks, OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>104 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Carlos Quentin, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>64 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>105 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jesus Guzman, SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>95 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>106 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Delmon Young, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>104 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>107 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Miguel Montero, ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>114 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>108 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Austin Jackson, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>109 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Casey McGehee, MIL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>115 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>110 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Carlos Beltran, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>100 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>111 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Hanley Ramirez, FLA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>77 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>112 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Carp, SEA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>102 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>113 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chipper Jones, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>111 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>114 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jason Kubel, MIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>118 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>115 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Wieters, BAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>116 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Eric Thames, TOR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>116 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>117 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Bobby Abreu, LAA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>121 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>118 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Vernon Wells, LAA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>125 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>119 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Carlos Lee, HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>120 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brandon Allen, OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>121 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Carlos Ruiz, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>122 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Roberts, ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>103 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>123 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Trout, LAA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>124 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jose Altuve, HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>125 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Aaron Hill, ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>




Jay Bruce, Cincinnati Reds: Remember Bruce's torrid May? His Septembers, historically speaking, have rivaled that; he has had slugging percentages of .573, .652 and .750 and OPS of .924, 1.078 and 1.183 in the month during his first three big league seasons. Granted, in two of those, 2009 and 2010, he lost the beginning of September recovering from injuries, a fractured right wrist in 2009 and sore right side in 2010, but he quickly rebounded from them with .326/.426/.652 rates in his final 18 games of 2009 and .346/.433/.750 in 18 games in 2010, which is a significant plus. Bruce's numbers have already been trending upward recently; he has seven homers and 22 RBIs in his past 20 games. Expect it to continue.


Notable September matchups: @CHC (Sept. 5-7), @COL (Sept. 9-11), CHC (Sept. 12-15), @PIT (Sept. 23-25).


Carlos Ruiz, Philadelphia Phillies: Let's follow up the obvious with the less obvious. Ruiz is a lifetime .291/.394/.460 hitter in the month of September. He has managed a batting average of .300 or greater and OPS of .900 or greater after Sept. 1 in each of the past two seasons, and it's not like this is a one-month trend, either. In August, he also has .289/.371/.468 lifetime rates, and in 41 career postseason games, he's a .280/.412/.456 hitter. Ruiz is a player who historically has saved his best for last, and sure enough, he is a .310/.373/.430 hitter in 31 games since the All-Star break.


Notable September matchups: @CIN (Sept. 1), @HOU (Sept. 12-14), WAS (Sept. 20-22), @NYM (Sept. 23-25).


Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies: Sticking with the Phillies, Howard is an obvious fantasy star, but his owners might not realize how massive his impact once the calendar reaches September. He's a lifetime .307/.422/.662 hitter in the month, those numbers 19, 40 and 96 points greater than his in any of the other five, and he has hit 59 of his 280 career homers, or 21.1 percent. Howard has been an absolute beast down the stretch for a Phillies team that is an annual contender, which should help ease the sting of his so-so .228/.315/.481 numbers this August.


Magglio Ordonez, Detroit Tigers: This has been a miserable season for the 37-year-old Ordonez, and at this point fantasy owners can barely find reason for hope. Here's one: From 2006-2009, he managed at least 25 games played, a .340 batting average, .402 on-base percentage and .553 slugging percentage after Sept. 1 each season. That's not to say that he's going to suddenly manage .340/.402/.553 numbers or better from this point forward, because he's getting older and in the midst of the worst season of his 15-year career. But look at 2009 as your reference point: He was a somewhat forgettable .275/.348/.390 hitter on the morning of Sept. 1, but from that point on he batted .439/.486/.571 in 28 games. There might yet be a little value left in his bat.


Notable September matchups: KC (Sept. 1), @CHW (Sept. 12-14), @KC (Sept. 20-21), BAL (Sept. 22-25).


Mark Ellis, Colorado Rockies: His September splits are astounding; he's a .308/.367/.456 lifetime hitter in the month, good for an .823 OPS, but a .257/.323/.385 hitter, for a .709 OPS, in the other five months. Of his seven career months of 100 plate appearances or more during which he batted at least .300, four were in September, and of the six months in which his OPS was greater than .900, three were in September. Ellis is also lined up for a strong finish merely because he's a Rockie, and they play 13 of their 25 September games at Coors Field. He's a .284/.319/.403 hitter already for the Rockies and a .323/.337/.484 hitter at Coors.


Notable September matchups: The 13 Coors games, ARI (Sept. 5-7), CIN (Sept. 9-11), SF (Sept. 15-18), SD (Sept. 19-21); @HOU (Sept. 22-25).


Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees: Injuries might have put his fantasy value in question heading into the season's concluding weeks, but A-Rod does have a phenomenal final-month history, at least with the Yankees. In seven Septembers since donning the pinstripes, he has .320/.415/.601 numbers in 183 games, not once finishing with less than a .275 batting average, 22 RBIs or an .855 OPS in the month. In four of those months, his OPS was north of 1.000. A-Rod is going to get some time off as the Yankees ease him back from knee surgery, but in the games he plays he's as good a bet as any to win you a matchup on his own.


Notable September matchups: BAL (Sept. 5-7), @BAL (Sept. 8), @TOR (Sept. 16-18).


Aaron Hill, Arizona Diamondbacks: He had a miserable September in 2010, managing .165/.222/.352 rates in 26 games, but even with that his lifetime rates in the month are a stunning .285/.350/.451. Say what you want about Hill's miserable 2010-2011 performance; he's getting a fresh start with a contending team that calls a hitter-friendly ballpark, Chase Field, its home. How is this not a chance you'd take? Hill is a .262/.311/.476 lifetime hitter in 22 career games in the National League West's five ballparks, and a .298/.348/.529 hitter in 28 games against the Diamondbacks' four division foes. Small sample sizes, yes, but considering the minimal cost, Hill is well worth the proverbial dice roll.


Notable September matchups: @COL (Sept. 5-7), SD (Sept. 8-11), PIT (Sept. 19-21).


Jorge Posada, New York Yankees: Is this the "last hurrah" for Posada? If so, perhaps he'll lean upon his favorable September history in an effort to go out on a high note. Or, if he intends to play in 2012, he can make one last push for a contract with a strong finish. Posada did struggle in September 2010, managing .182/.299/.333 rates, but he was money in the four Septembers that preceded it, managing .308/.408/.567 rates in 92 games combined after Sept. 1 from 2006-2010.


Three September stinkers



Adam Dunn, Chicago White Sox: To you Dunn owners in 41.3 percent of ESPN leagues, you gluttons for punishment, there's not much room for optimism even in the season's closing weeks. Dunn stinks in September, period. He has .222/.351/.420 lifetime rates in the month, has never hit more than six home runs, driven in more than 19 runs or batted higher than .274 in any single September, and has batted sub-.230 in five of 10 career Septembers. The White Sox have started him only 16 times in 26 August games, and he has "rewarded" them with .158/.238/.211 numbers. This won't end well.


Scariest September matchups: @DET (Sept. 2-4), DET (Sept. 12-14).


Mark Reynolds, Baltimore Orioles: He'll qualify as one of the year's notable comeback stories -- his OPS is .813 and he's on pace for 18 fewer strikeouts this year than last -- but Reynolds' September history, outside of his rookie season in 2007, is disconcerting. He has managed OPS of .681, .610 and .291 the past three Septembers, his strikeout rate 41.8, 43.4 and 48.4 percent during those months. The Orioles also face a lot of contending teams down the stretch, so it's not like he'll have many cakewalk matchups the rest of the year.


Scariest September matchups: @TB (Sept. 2-4), TB (Sept. 12-14), LAA (Sept. 16-18), @DET (Sept. 22-25).


Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins: The reason I'm so anti-Morneau is that he ranks among the game's least productive players during the season's second half; his OPS after the All-Star break (.786) is 113 points lower than before it (.899). It doesn't get better in September, as he's a .251/.323/.413 hitter in the month during his career, and he hasn't had an OPS higher than .696 after Sept. 1 since 2006. Morneau has also dealt with numerous health issues late in seasons, and while he might make it through this year healthy, his history raises some doubts.


Scariest September matchups: @LAA (Sept. 2-4), @DET (Sept. 9-11), SEA (Sept. 20-22).


Three up



Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks: As with midseason 2010 call-up Mike Stanton, Goldschmidt's power is legitimate, and he can play at the big league level, period. I'm officially on the bandwagon. Goldschmidt might have 29 strikeouts in his first 78 at-bats, a ghastly 37.2 percent rate that paces him ahead of Reynolds (35.1) but behind major league leader Dunn (42.5), but he also has five home runs and 14 RBIs in his first 25 big league games, numbers that project to 30 and 84 in 150 contests. Perhaps most impressively, his isolated power has been no less than .244 at any level at which he has appeared as a professional: .303 in rookie ball in 2009, .291 in Class A+ in 2010, .320 in Double-A to begin this year and now .244 for the Diamondbacks. Batting average might always be a problem for Goldschmidt, his .269 mark a fair expectation (if not slightly high), but there's little doubt that he has 30-plus-homer potential.


Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals: He is one of 2011's most notable breakout stories, his .305 batting average and 23-homer, 86-RBI paces looking much like the player we all expected during his sophomore year of 2008. It took Gordon three additional years to truly "get it," and don't even start with that whole, "it was his age-27 season" thing. Correlation does not imply causation; age-inspired breakouts happen within a range, not a specific year, and there are countless such examples who flopped at 27 despite all indications that they'd break out. Gordon simply benefited from the fabulous opportunity of scoring the No. 3 lineup spot, and eventually a share of the leadoff role, at season's start, a decision that earns manager Ned Yost kudos for being so bold; as well as a newfound aggressive approach to the plate. To the latter point, he has a 26.0 percent chase rate on pitches outside the strike zone but has missed on only 37.5 percent of those swings, a noticeable improvement upon the 20.7 and 39.9 percent he averaged in 2009-2010 combined. One way to look at that: Gordon is more willing to swing at non-strikes, but it's not as bothersome because he's making more contact when he does. Gordon has honed his pitch selection and ranks in the upper third among qualified hitters in isolated power (.201) and in the 46th percentile in well-hit average (.227), both of which are vast improvements upon his previous numbers. Buy this breakout, and enjoy it through the fantasy postseason.


Nick Swisher, New York Yankees: Few players in baseball are as scorching hot as Swisher. He's the No. 2 name on the Player Rater, one behind Gordon, in the past seven days, and is a .393 hitter (11-for-28) with six home runs, 10 RBIs and six walks in his past eight games overall. In fact, Swisher, who struggled miserably during the season's first two months, has hit a scorching .308/.420/.562 with 18 homers and 57 RBIs in 78 games since June 1, ranking him among the most productive hitters in the game. That hot streak has given him 20-plus homers for the seventh consecutive season, and an .800-plus OPS for the fifth time in the past six years. As a member of the Yankees, Swisher's counting numbers get extra padding, and here's what's most notable regarding that: He has had an on-base percentage of .359 or greater in five of the past six seasons. That means runs, runs, runs, certainly a healthy number of them for a No. 6 hitter!


Three down



Carlos Beltran, San Francisco Giants: The Beltran in San Francisco experiment hasn't gone so well thus far, his tremendous numbers in New York transforming into poor stats on the West Coast. A strained right wrist cost him 13 Giants games while on the disabled list, and while he has batted .310 (9-for-29) with one home run in eight games since his activation, he has had times where he didn't look quite his usual self, in particular his 0-for-8, three-strikeout performance combined the past two games. Small sample sizes these are, but Beltran hasn't been hitting with the same authority with the Giants as the Mets, in particular his isolated power a mere .122, compared to .224 when with the Mets. He's still a fantasy option in deeper leagues, but there are better choices out there in shallow mixed leagues.


Michael Cuddyer, Minnesota Twins: Kudos to Cuddyer for gritting it out through injuries, but his numbers are suffering for it. He's a .208/.235/.333 hitter in his past 14 games, but has also missed 11 Twins games during that time period due to neck and wrist injuries. If not for his second-base eligibility, Cuddyer might fall beneath the cut in mixed leagues; he's the kind of player who has 25-homer, .270-hitting ability at his peak, but at less than 100 percent he's a mere average fantasy first baseman or outfielder. Temper your expectations for Cuddyer the remainder of the year, as he might play hurt right until season's end.


Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins: He has taken a lot of criticism for his diminished power and frequent injuries this season, but it's the former that is most bothersome to his fantasy owners. Mauer has a mere one home run in 262 at-bats, the worst per-at-bat ratio of his entire career, and both his .290 batting average and .065 isolated power would represent career worsts. Especially disconcerting: What were .329 and .378 well-hit averages by Mauer in 2009 and 2010 have slipped to .248 this season, meaning this isn't a mere power drought. He's probably still playing at less than 100 percent and might need the winter's rest for it to return.


New position eligibility



The following players have become eligible at new positions -- it's 10 games to qualify at a new spot -- in ESPN standard leagues during the past week: Robert Andino (3B), Brandon Belt (OF), Jason Donald (2B), Matt Downs (1B), Mark Trumbo (OF), Josh Wilson (2B), Danny Worth (2B).

 

[HacheMan]

Doug Fister stingy yet again

Eric Karabell

• Detroit Tigers right-hander Doug Fister brought a perfect game into the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday, ultimately allowing a run on four hits in 7 2/3 innings. Fister, owned in 39.5 percent of ESPN standard leagues, sports a 0.83 ERA in his past three outings, with 18 strikeouts and one walk.
• Florida Marlins right-hander Javier Vazquez threw seven shutout innings Tuesday at Citi Field, allowing three singles, one walk and fanning six. Vazquez boasts seven consecutive quality starts, and in his six August starts he struck out 40 against seven walks in 40 innings. He's back and owned in only 36.9 percent of leagues.


• Atlanta Braves right-hander Jair Jurrjens was 12-3 with a league-leading 1.87 ERA on July 6. After getting pummeled by the Washington Nationals for six runs Tuesday, the fourth time in seven starts he's permitted five or more runs, Jurrjens is no longer reliable for fantasy. Perhaps more knee issues are holding Jurrjens back.


• Michael Cuddyer handled first base duties for the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday while Justin Morneau was again out dealing with mild concussion symptoms. Morneau, who had raised his batting average 12 points in the past week, is expected to miss at least the next few games. Morneau is owned in 58.3 percent of leagues, but fantasy owners should move on for this season.


• Speaking of first base, Cleveland Indians catcher Carlos Santana was there Tuesday, hitting his 21st home run, as incumbent Matt LaPorta was surprisingly demoted to Triple-A Columbus. LaPorta, 26, was a popular sleeper pick in March, but his 11 home runs and .238 batting average didn't cut it.


• Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Raul Ibanez homered among his three hits Tuesday, returning as a starter after nine days away due to a groin injury. Ibanez has a low .242 batting average but is on pace for 21 home runs and 83 RBIs, and he did hit .340 with a .962 OPS last September. Perhaps he'll close well again.

 

[HacheMan]

Fish Shortstop Finished?

Is this the end of the year for Hanley Ramirez? The Marlins' shortstop felt more discomfort in a setback while on rehab with Single-A Jupiter. He had an MRI Wednesday and the rumors already have him undergoing season-ending surgery to correct his strained shoulder. We'll wait for a final prognosis until the results come in some time Thursday, but it's not good.

Surgery would put a bow on an epically poor season for a first-round pick. A little bit of bad luck, combined with a little bit of injury and some actual poor play resulted in his worst power numbers by far. With the position being so tough, his .243 10/20 season probably provided some non-negative value to his fantasy teams, but relative to his draft position… yeah. If it's minor surgery, call him a value pick in the third round next year. If it's major, let him drop a little further.

A few other players saw their seasons end on Wednesday. Michael Brantley finally had that season-ending wrist surgery, for one. J.D. Drew injured his middle finger while on rehab and will miss a few more games, but probably not the season. Carlos Quentin is actually taking light swings and his season might not be over either. Manny Acta thinks that Travis Hafner is NOT done for the year, but dude is still in a walking boot and has a history as a slow healer. You can drop him. Justin Morneau is having concussion symptoms again, oh my. He could be shut down any moment, it seems.

* Let's look at some more upbeat news, shall we? How about the callups that we can expect? It looks like Jesus Montero will be up on Thursday, and that is exciting news. Not only is Russell Martin's thumb (and knee) banged up, but Jorge Posada is already losing at-bats at designated hitter. That leaves something like three or four games a week for the youngster to make his mark. Not quite a full slate, but enough to be interesting in deeper leagues. He should be able to do something like a young Posada, maybe with a better batting average, right away. The Yankees also announced that thier young arms Manny Banuelos and Dellin Betances are not coming up when rosters expand, but let's focus on the positive.

Devin Mesorasco in Cincinatti makes that two exciting young catchers coming up the bigs. With the Reds out of it, he may actually get some play as they look to next year, but there are two good catchers there already. Most September callups will have playing time issues. Even Anthony Rizzo and all of his promise will have to contend with Jesus Guzman at first base (especially if Guzman continues to hit -- and he had three hits Wednesday). Mike Trout is not a September call-up, but after hitting two home runs Tuesday night, he started again in left field for the Angels. He could see a mixed-league worthy September if he gets enough playing time. Brandon Guyer will come up to the Rays and is a great prospect, but he may only take at-bats away from Matt Joyce against left-handed starters.

* Madison Bumgarner gets the lede in the 'good pitching paragraph.' He fanned 11 cubbies in eight innings and looked dominating. It's unclear if he has fantasy-ace potential with his stuff, but he'll always be a solid fantasy pitcher on that team in that division for sure. Derek Lowe held the Nationals to one run in six innings and even struck out six. He can be started in mixed leagues against mediocre offenses. More impressive was the fact that he finally hit his first major league home run. Chris Capuano held the Marlins to two runs in five innings and looks like he's a good start against mediocre offenses, too. Josh Collmenter held the Rockies to two runs in six innings but only struck out three. Sure, he walked none, but how long can he continue as a fly-ball, no-strikeout, no-walk pitcher? Especially in Arizona. Ubaldo Jimenez gave up three runs in six innings and that counts as good. The six strikeouts were a good sign, so don't count him out next year. It wasn't a complete game for James Shields, but he went eight innings and held the Rangers scoreless, so it was about right for his year.

It seemed like Jake Peavy would make a good spot-start against the struggling Twins, but he gave up six runs in the first inning and allowed home runs to Jason Kubel (sure) and Luke Hughes (what?). Then he settled down for another four scoreless. He's still a play in mixed leagues, even if he's not the Peavy of old. Phil Hughes got beat up by the Red Sox on Wednesday (six runs in 5 2/3 innings). Maybe, even with his 2010 velocity back, he's not the greatest option in mixed leagues. Dontrelle Willis gave up three runs in 6 2/3 innings for a quality start, but now he has 10 walks in his last 13 2/3 innings. For a man with such an extensive history of control problems, that's not a good sign. Randy Wolf gave up six runs in five innings, and home runs to Rafael Furcal, Albert Pujols and Jake Westbrook did him in. He's a fly ball pitcher in a tough home park.

* Bullpen news! Joe Nathan struggled through a save Wednesday. He allowed two runs to the White Sox and isn't quite himself. But he'll finish the year as a closer. Jose Valverde is now 40-for-40 in save chances. Control problem shmontrol problem. Mike Gonzalez went to the Ranger, where he will continue to be a non-factor for saves. But as a lefty that's tough on lefties, he may still be an option holds. Chad Qualls didn't go anywhere despite the rumors.

* The Giants saw some upheaval worthy of their own paragraph. They designated Aaron Rowand and Miguel Tejada for assignment, effectively admitting their mistakes. That means that shortstop will be Orlando Cabrera and Mike Fontenot for now, and possibly in a straight platoon which would favor the short lefty cajun. They also called up non-prospect Brett Pill, who might play some second and is hot so far this year. Cody Ross gets some at-bats in center field and platooning with Brandon Belt (the Baby Giraffe) in left field, especially now since his X-rays came back negative and his hand is okay. Pat Burrell was activated, but should come off the bench most of the time given his glove and foot. The only real pickup for deeper leagues here is Belt, who has great upside and could capitalize upon it at any time.

National League Quick Hits: Ryan Braun had two hits, and one was a triple, but we'll all remember his would-be face-plant inside-the-park home run more … Ike Davis says his ankle feels fine while running, so he'll be tested with more strenuous activity shortly … Drew Stubbs managed two hits against the dominant Cliff Lee, but you can't expect much more than a .260 batting average with his strikeout rate … Rafael Furcal had two hits (one a home run) but hasn't shown the revitalization we need to make him mixed-league relevant … Wilson Ramos (food poisoning) could return by Thursday ... How about Jake Westbrook, who gave up two earned in five innings but added a grand slam to help his own effort … Ted Lilly held the Padres two two runs in 5 2/3 innings, which is only meh given the situation … J.A. Happ had seven scoreless, but it was against the Pirates so take it with a grain of salt (not to mention that James McDonald, who also struck out six, but only allowed one earned in six innings, could have easily won the game as well)… Mike Leake may be shut down after one or two more starts … Johan Santana might resume rehab but is still unlikely to return this year … Scott Rolen (shoulder) is taking ground balls and might be back in a couple weeks.

American League Quick Hits: Adrian Beltre returns Thursday … Eric Hosmer had his first multi-homer game and should have many in his future (provided he stops hitting so many dang ground balls) … Kelly Johnson had a home run and is hitting pretty well in his new home … Mike Carp hit an RBI double to win the the Felix Hernandez vs Dan Haren duel but is still probably a true talent .250 hitter … Brandon Allen had two hits in the 16-inning loss to the Indians, and even if his batting average won't hold, he'll be useful … Tsuyoshi Nishioka was held out of Wednesday's game with 'general soreness' … Carlos Guillen, in perpetual rehab, had four hits at Triple-A, and Ryan Raburn is rooting against him, maybe in his heart of hearts … A.J. Pierzynski is back Friday, but Ozzie Guillen says he'll continue to find the young Tyler Flowers playing time … Brent Lillibridge hit another home run off a lefty, which is the only time he should be in any fantasy lineups … Conor Jackson is also best used against left-handers, but now he's on the crowded Boston Red Sox after a late waiver deal … Jack Hannahan had three hits and two were solo home runs, but he still only managed 50 at-bats for the whole month of August.

 

[HacheMan]

Trying Trout?

It's September 1, which means we should see a flood of prospects being called up from the minors over the next few days. Unfortunately most of the significant ones aren't assured of regular playing time. Assuming Russell Martin's thumb is OK, Jesus Montero may only serve as the designated hitter against left-handed pitching down the stretch. Worth a look in AL-only leagues, but hardly a no-brainer in mixed formats.

We have similar situations elsewhere. The Reds already have two quality catchers in Ryan Hanigan and Ramon Hernandez, so Devin Mesoraco may only get a handful of at-bats per week. Anthony Rizzo may have to share playing time with the hot-hitting Jesus Guzman in San Diego. And while I think Brandon Guyer could be a sleeper in AL-only leagues next season if the Rays trade B.J. Upton this winter, the best-case scenario is that he may share playing time with Matt Joyce in right field this month.

I don't doubt that we could see a couple call-ups emerge as mixed league options in the next week or so, but I'm willing to wait and see with most of them.

Let's move on to the good stuff.

MIXED LEAGUES


Brandon McCarthy SP, Athletics (Yahoo: 20 percent owned, ESPN: 11.8 percent)

McCarthy allowed just two runs over eight innings and struck out a career-high 10 Monday night against the Indians, but was saddled with the tough-luck loss. This is actually a blessing in disguise for fantasy owners, as McCarthy continues to fly under the radar despite a 3.64 ERA and 93/22 K/BB ratio over 133 2/3 innings. He'll get the Mariners at home on Saturday, which qualifies as a favorable matchup in H2H leagues.

David Murphy OF, Rangers (Yahoo: 16 percent owned, ESPN: 3.7 percent)

The Rangers briefly expressed interest in Lance Berkman after Nelson Cruz went down with another hamstring injury, but now that the waiver deadline has come and gone, Murphy has a clear path to playing time in right field. The 29-year-old outfielder has conveniently hit safely in each of his last five games, including two homers and eight RBI. You may recall that Murphy was a useful fill-in for Cruz and Josh Hamilton down the stretch last season, so let's see if lightning can strike twice.

Jason Motte RP, Cardinals (Yahoo: 15 percent owned, ESPN: 5 percent)

Tony La Russa throwing fantasy owners for a loop? Impossible. Motte notched his first save of the season Sunday against the Pirates, after which La Russa hinted that more opportunities could be on the way. Of course, Fernando Salas worked the ninth inning on Tuesday, but it's worth noting that Motte is currently in the best stretch of his young career. The hard-throwing right-hander hasn't allowed an earned run over his last 31 appearances dating back to the end of June. This includes a ridiculous 19/2 K/BB over 23 2/3 innings. Grab him now in hopes that the audition continues.

Dayan Viciedo 3B, White Sox (Yahoo: 11 percent owned, ESPN: 9.8 percent)

After weeks of clamoring, the White Sox finally promoted Viciedo from Triple-A Charlotte over the weekend. "The Tank" is off to a fine start, batting .538 (7-for-13) with one home run, one double, four RBI, four runs scored and one stolen base over his first four games. Carlos Quentin's status remains in doubt and Adam Dunn will play a lesser role down the stretch, so Viciedo should continue to get plenty of at-bats, whether at first base, DH or in the outfield. The eligibility at third base is just a bonus.

Mike Trout OF, Angels (Yahoo: 11 percent owned, ESPN: 4.1 percent)

I never thought I would include Trout under mixed league recommendations this season, but it's difficult to ignore what he is doing right now. The 20-year-old is batting .400 (10-for-25) with four homers, one double, seven RBI and nine runs scored since returning from the minor leagues earlier this month. This includes a two-homer game against the Mariners on Monday. And in Safeco Field, no less. In a word, impressive. Granted, it's unfair to put high expectations on Trout right out of the gate, but can he really be worse than what we've seen from Vernon Wells this season? With the Angels fighting to stay alive in the American League West, the rookie outfielder is worth the gamble.

Doug Fister SP, Tigers (Yahoo: 33 percent owned, ESPN: 46.1 percent)

Some wondered if Fister would regress after leaving Safeco Field behind. It hasn't happened yet. He is 3-1 with a nifty 2.97 ERA and 23/2 K/BB ratio over 36 1/3 innings since being acquired by the Tigers before the trade deadline. This includes three consecutive outings of seven innings or more while allowing one run or less. He'll get the Indians on Monday and depending upon how Jim Leyland decides to play it, he could get a second start against the Twins next Sunday. Buy.

Austin Jackson OF, Tigers (Yahoo: 29 percent owned, ESPN: 37.6 percent)

Going 4-for-4 against the Royals on Wednesday night obviously helped, but Jackson finished an otherwise disappointing month of August with 19 runs scored and 13 RBI, both season-highs. While the 24-year-old center fielder is still batting just .249 with a .316 on-base percentage this season, Tigers manager Jim Leyland has not wavered from putting him at the top of his lineup. Jackson has stolen just four bases in five attempts since the All-Star break, but don't discount his impact with counting stats. He's a fine pickup if you need help in certain categories.

Rafael Betancourt RP, Rockies (Yahoo: 30 percent owned, ESPN: 47.1 percent)

Rockies manager Jim Tracy surprised many last Friday when he said that Betancourt would remain the closer, despite Huston Street returning from the disabled list. That figured to change after Betancourt blew a save on Saturday, but Tracy went right back to him on Sunday. Street obviously has the edge in closing experience, but Betancourt has been flat-out better for a while now, posting a 0.45 ERA and 31/1 K/BB ratio over his last 20 innings dating back to early-July. Things could change at any moment, but Betancourt should be owned until it does.

James Loney 1B, Dodgers (Yahoo: 31 percent owned, ESPN: 44 percent)
Is it just me, or is Loney playing like someone who realizes they will probably be looking for a new home this winter? The normally light-hitting first baseman has really turned things around recently, batting .397 (29-for-73) with five homers, six doubles, 14 RBI and a 10/10 K/BB ratio over his last 24 games. By the way, Loney had just 11 extra-base hits over his previous 62 games combined. This late surge may be too late to keep him from being non-tendered this winter, but he can still help fantasy owners.

J.D. Martinez OF, Astros (Yahoo: 12 percent owned, ESPN: 20.3 percent)

Carlos Gonzalez led the majors with 30 RBI in August, but would you believe that Martinez finished the month with 28 RBI? It's true. The rookie outfielder continues to surprise in his first taste of the big leagues, batting .293/.328/.509 with five homers, 10 doubles and 29 RBI over 30 games. The 24-year-old has only drawn seven walks and never displayed much patience in the minors, so he doesn't figure to help in OBP formats, but he is clearly taking advantage of batting third in Brad Mills' lineup. Martinez is a bit of an unknown quantity, to be sure, but the RBI opportunities should continue to be there.

Freddy Garcia SP, Yankees (Yahoo: 28 percent owned, ESPN: 23.1 percent)

There are exceptions to every rule, which is the primary reason why I am including Garcia here. Chasing wins is generally a bad idea, but if you need a last-minute option to stay alive in a H2H format, Garcia makes for a decent enough play against the Blue Jays on Sunday. While the veteran right-hander hasn't pitched nearly as well as his 3.09 ERA would indicate this season, he has allowed three earned runs or less in five consecutive starts and in 10 out of his last 11. He has a 4.51 xFIP at home this season compared to a 3.91 xFIP away, so cross your fingers and hope the Yanks' bats give him some support.

Carlos Ruiz C, Phillies (Yahoo: 24 percent owned, ESPN: 10.4 percent)

After going 3-for-4 in a win over the Reds on Wednesday night, Ruiz finished the month of August with a .329 batting average. This was after batting .324 during July. Granted, the 32-year-old backstop has disappointed in the power department this season, but his .370 on-base percentage is fourth among fantasy catchers. He has also shown himself to be a steady second-half performer in recent seasons. I wouldn't be surprised if the Phillies give "Chooch" the occasional day off as they prepare for the postseason, but he should be able to help in deeper mixed leagues.

Shopping at the five-and-dime:

(Players owned in less than 10 percent of Y! and ESPN.com leagues)

Jose Altuve 2B, Astros (Yahoo: 5 percent owned, ESPN: 7.2 percent)

I was a little worried that Altuve was being pushed too soon when he was called up from Double-A Corpus Christi in July, but he has done nothing but hit so far. The 21-year-old second baseman is batting .305 with two homers, nine doubles and four stolen bases over his first 154 at-bats in the big leagues. Oh, and when I say nothing but hit, I really mean it. He has drawn just three walks. We're not talking about a finished product here, but if you are looking for MI (middle infield) option who is playing regularly and has the ability to maintain a palatable batting average, Altuve should do fine.

Paul Goldschmidt 1B, Diamondbacks (Yahoo: 7 percent owned, ESPN: 8 percent)

Goldschmidt was called up from the minors at the start of August due to his power potential and the young first baseman has met expectations thus far, collecting five homers, four doubles and 14 RBI over his first 26 games. Granted, he has struck out 29 times in 82 at-bats, so to expect anything more than his current .256 batting average may be a bit of a stretch, but that's not why you're buying him, anyway. His power is very real and should be an asset in most mixed formats down the stretch.
<!--RW-->AL ONLY


Leonys Martin OF, Rangers (Yahoo: 0 percent owned, ESPN: 0.4 percent)

I mentioned earlier that David Murphy should see most of the playing time in right field while Nelson Cruz is on the disabled list, but I also expect Ron Washington to sprinkle in some playing time for Martin now that he's up from the minor leagues. The Cuban defector underwhelmed upon a promotion to Triple-A Round Rock, but stole 19 bases over his first 73 professional games. If you need speed in AL-only leagues, Martin should get an opportunity to spin his wheels this month.

Brent Lillibridge 1B/2B/OF, White Sox (Yahoo: 2 percent owned, ESPN: 1.2 percent)

Lillibridge disappeared following a hot start, but batted .265/.327/.633 with six homers, 14 RBI and a .960 OPS during the month of August. He has started at first base in three out of the last six games and should continue to see semi-regular playing time with Carlos Quentin sidelined and Adam Dunn is riding the pine. Throw in his handy multi-position eligibility, the 27-year-old utility man makes for a no-brainer pickup in AL-only formats right now.

NL ONLY


Dee Gordon SS, Dodgers (Yahoo: 3 percent owned, ESPN: 1.7 percent)

Gordon was placed on the disabled list three weeks ago with a bruised right shoulder, but is slated to rejoin the Dodgers on Thursday. While Justin Sellers has played well during his absence, he's done nothing to change the fact that Gordon is the future at the shortstop position. The 23-year-old remains a work in progress at the plate, but has plus-speed and will get regular playing time down the stretch.

Eric Surkamp SP, Giants (Yahoo: 0 percent owned, ESPN: 1.4 percent)

The Giants optioned Surkamp to the minors after he tossed six innings of one-run ball against the Astros in his major league debut Saturday, but the young left-hander is expected to return for favorable matchup against the Padres next Tuesday. The 24-year-old isn't a hard-thrower, but has good command and his changeup and curveball are considered plus-pitches. He makes for a fine streaming option in the short-term and with Jonathan Sanchez making little progress from his ankle injury, there's a chance he could stick in the starting rotation the rest of the way.

 

[HacheMan]

Who closes for Rockies in September?

Both Betancourt, Street have historically solid numbers in final month


By Tristan H. Cockcroft
ESPN.com


Such is the debate a mile above sea level, as the Colorado Rockies are the latest team to put fantasy plans in flux, the squad facing the question of whether $22.5 million man Huston Street or red-hot Rafael Betancourt deserves the ninth-inning gig, now that Street has returned from a triceps injury.


Street's candidacy has obvious reasons: Besides his "closer contract," he has 178 lifetime saves, 10th-most among active players and the most of anyone aged 28 or younger, and at the time of his final appearance before landing on the disabled list, which was Aug. 8, he had the eighth-most saves in the majors (29).


Betancourt's candidacy, while less obvious, makes complete sense: Since that Aug. 8 pre-DL appearance by Street, Betancourt is 4-for-5 in save chances with a 1.13 ERA and .080 batting average allowed in eight appearances. In fact, since the All-Star break, Betancourt has an 0.47 ERA and .095 BAA in 21 outings. In addition, while Street ranked among the major league leaders in saves before getting hurt, his performance had declined substantially in the later weeks; he had a 7.20 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 10 appearances from July 15-Aug. 8 and had actually served up eight home runs in 34 innings from May 5-Aug. 8.

Rockies manager Jim Tracy recently made his short-term plans clear: "I'm not going to pull the plug on Betancourt right now," he told The Denver Post on Saturday.


That's in stark contrast to Tracy's spring 2010 comments when, knowing that Street was headed to the DL to begin last season, he said, "[Betancourt] has been signed up here to be a setup man. He is unbelievable with that."


It proves that performance can earn the more productive reliever saves, a la Ryan Madson in Philadelphia, and if we knew that Betancourt was guaranteed saves through season's end, his value wouldn't be far off of Madson's. This is a reliever who has a 3.17 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 11.47 strikeouts-per-nine innings ratio in 164 games during his Rockies career, the primary difference between the two being that Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park has leaned much more toward neutral in park factors this and last season than Colorado's Coors Field.


Here's why the Betancourt-Street debate is so compelling: Sticking with this week's theme of historical September standouts, both relievers have outstanding final-month track records, so the eventual victor stands to have a healthy amount of fantasy value in the coming weeks.


Betancourt has a 2.21 ERA and 10.50 K's-per-nine ratio in his career in September, and in five of the past six seasons has managed double-digit innings of a sub-2.00 ERA. As a Rockies player, he has a 1.71 ERA, 0.53 WHIP and 11.62 K's-per-nine ratio in 29 September appearances, significant in that you might expect such stellar numbers impossible from a pitcher who calls Coors his home.


Street, meanwhile, has eight wins, 26 saves, a 2.63 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 64 career regular-season appearances from Sept. 1 forward, and during his Rockies career he's 3-0 with a 2.45 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 10.64 K's-per-nine ratio in the month.


So who's the right Rockies pitcher to invest in?

Betancourt has done nothing to warrant a demotion to his former setup role, but the Rockies do pay Street to close and probably believe their bullpen is deeper with Betancourt in the eighth and Street in the ninth. This has all the makings of a "closer tuneup in the middle frames" strategy, and Street has yet to fire on all cylinders, having afforded opponents a .364 BAA, one walk in three innings and a mere 17.4 percent miss rate on all swings; his pre-DL numbers in those categories were .267, 1.41 walks per nine and 27.4 percent.


In other words, this is as obvious a handcuff situation as they come, as Rockies saves are every bit as valuable as most any team's, and the two candidates are proved to be reliable when healthy. The team's remaining schedule is also especially favorable for their pitchers; they have a three-game series at San Diego's Petco Park this weekend, then finish the season with games against the San Francisco Giants (four at Coors, Sept. 15-18; three at AT&T Park, Sept. 26-28), San Diego Padres (three at Coors, Sept. 19-21) and Houston Astros (four at Minute Maid Park, Sept. 22-25).



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">Jonathan Papelbon, BOS </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">Jose Valverde, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">John Axford, MIL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Drew Storen, WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">J.J. Putz, ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Madson, PHI </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">Neftali Feliz, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Heath Bell, SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Carlos Marmol, CHC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13 </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>11 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chris Perez, CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Francisco Cordero, CIN </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">Joel Hanrahan, PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Sergio Santos, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brian Wilson, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Joe Nathan, MIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Joakim Soria, KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kyle Farnsworth, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21 </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>22 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Rafael Betancourt, COL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Fernando Salas, STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Javy Guerra, LAD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Huston Street, COL </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">Mark Melancon, HOU </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">Brandon League, SEA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jonny Venters, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Bobby Parnell, NYM </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Frank Francisco, TOR </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">Leo Nunez, FLA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">David Hernandez, ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>33 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Adams, TEX </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">Tyler Clippard, WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>35 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>35 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chris Sale, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>36 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>36 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Aroldis Chapman, CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37 </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>38 </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>39 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Casey Janssen, TOR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">David Robertson, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>39 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>41 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Antonio Bastardo, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>42 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>42 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Sean Marshall, CHC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jason Motte, STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>53 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>44 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Vinnie Pestano, CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>45 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>45 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Francisco Rodriguez, MIL </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">Greg Holland, KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>49 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>47 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Sergio Romo, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>48 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>48 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Santiago Casilla, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>49 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Koji Uehara, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>44 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Rex Brothers, COL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>51 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kerry Wood, CHC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>47 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>52 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jason Isringhausen, NYM </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>41 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>53 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jeremy Affeldt, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>51 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>54 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Joaquin Benoit, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>55 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>55 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Thornton, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>57 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Steve Cishek, FLA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>57 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Alfredo Aceves, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>74 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>58 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Octavio Dotel, STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>52 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>59 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Grant Balfour, OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>60 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Rafael Soriano, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>54 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>61 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kenley Jansen, LAD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>62 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>62 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Phil Coke, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>63 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>63 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Arodys Vizcaino, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>66 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>64 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Gonzalez, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>70 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>65 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jim Johnson, BAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>66 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Aaron Crow, KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>59 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>67 </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>68 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jose Veras, PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>61 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>69 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Capps, MIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>67 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>70 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Joel Peralta, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>71 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Wilton Lopez, HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>65 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>72 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Henry Rodriguez, WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>73 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ernesto Frieri, SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>74 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kyle McClellan, STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>75 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jon Rauch, TOR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>72 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>




Taking a guess at the Rockies' saves strategy, Betancourt might be the lights-out closer during the weekend Petco series, while Street might recapture the gig in time for the 14-game cakewalk schedule to conclude the season. As for in between? If it's still Betancourt, that's probably best for the Rockies and fantasy owners, as he's the one with the stronger ratios and therefore the more trustworthy choice during the Rockies' more challenging games against the Arizona Diamondbacks (three at Coors, Sept. 5-7), Cincinnati Reds (three at Coors, Sept. 9-11) and Milwaukee Brewers (two at Miller Park, Sept. 13-14).


Rockies relievers aren't the only pitchers who have favorable September track records. Here are three other closers whose regular-season histories after Sept. 1 make them excellent bets to finish on a high note:


Carlos Marmol, Chicago Cubs: Marmol's lifetime September saves total -- he has 23 of his 92 career saves, or 25.0 percent, in the month -- is somewhat skewed by his having initially captured the role on a full-time basis in September 2009, but it's his 2010 September numbers that are most notable. Last year, after Sept. 1, he did not allow a single run, had a 0.77 WHIP, was a perfect 14-for-14 in save chances and limited opponents to a .041 batting average in 16 appearances. What's interesting about his monthly splits is that he's comparably productive in April (lifetime 2.26 ERA, 1.08 WHIP) as September (2.48 and 1.12), bringing the "he prefers cooler weather" argument into play. Marmol's performance is already trending upward -- he's 12-for-13 in save chances with a 3.00 ERA and 12.00 K's-per-nine ratio in his past 16 appearances -- and his Cubs face some light competition in the Pittsburgh Pirates (Sept. 2-4), Houston Astros (Sept. 16-18) and Padres (Sept. 26-28, that series at Petco) in the final month.


Ryan Madson, Philadelphia Phillies: There have been precisely two points during Madson's career when he has been "the guy" for the Phillies in the ninth inning: this season and the final month of 2009. It was during that September of 2009 that Madson was 6-for-7 in save chances with a 3.38 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 8.80 K's-per-nine ratio in 17 appearances, a productive enough month that made it puzzling why both his general manager, Ruben Amaro Jr., and pitching coach, Rich Dubee, questioned his ability to close earlier this year. Put Madson's 2008-10 post-Sept. 1 regular-season numbers together and you get a 1.69 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 9.70 K's-per-nine ratio in 43 appearances, numbers actually more impressive than his full-season 2011 stats in his first year as full-time Phillies closer. Doesn't it now make sense why the Phillies didn't acquire a more "proven" option?


Two September stinkers



Joel Hanrahan, Pittsburgh Pirates: Walks have been especially problematic for him in September in the past, as his WHIP (1.71) and walks-per-nine ratio (6.66) are higher in that month than in any of the other five. In 2010 alone, after he had already emerged as the Pirates' closer, Hanrahan had four saves and a 2.77 ERA … but also a ghastly 1.62 WHIP and eight walks in 13 innings. Hanrahan, one of fantasy's most dominant closers this season, has already shown some signs of slowing down of late, having absorbed two losses, converted two of three save chances, and managed a 8.44 ERA and 2.25 WHIP in his past seven appearances. With the Pirates now long since out of the playoff race, there might not be nearly as many save chances for him looking forward, either. He can no longer be regarded a top-shelf option.


Heath Bell, San Diego Padres: He has a weakness! In no other month of the year does Bell have a higher ERA than in September, a bloated 4.42, and he has managed that number in 93 2/3 innings, the most he has thrown in any specific month. He's also 20-for-25 in save chances after Sept. 1. Bell did succeed last September, converting all 10 of his save opportunities with a 2.51 ERA and 1.19 WHIP, but it was one of only two Septembers with the Padres in which he has been successful; the other was in 2007. What's the common bond? His Padres were winning, competitive teams in both 2007 and 2010, and in 2008-09, when they were not, his ERA was 5.34 and WHIP 1.40 after Sept. 1. Bell's Padres aren't competitive this year, either, and he was a somewhat ordinary 5-for-7 in save chances with a 3.72 ERA in the month of August. It's understandable if you have some doubts about his potential the remainder of the year.

 

[HacheMan]

Alexi Ogando gets tagged again

Eric Karabell

• Texas Rangers right-hander Alexi Ogando struggled again Wednesday, allowing five hits and three runs in only 2 2/3 innings, upping his ERA to a season-high 3.68. Ogando, a relief pitcher last season, finished August with a 7.13 ERA. Look for the Rangers to greatly reduce his September innings. Fantasy owners should simply thank him and move on.


<OFFER>• Toronto Blue Jays rookie right-hander Henderson Alvarez earned his first major league win Wednesday, tossing eight scoreless innings in Baltimore. Alvarez, 21 and in his fifth start, didn't issue a walk and fanned five. The Venezuelan sports a 3.52 ERA and warrants spot-starter consideration against poor offenses, like the Orioles'.

• Blue Jays teammate Edwin Encarnacion homered and doubled twice among his four hits Wednesday, scoring three runs and raising his batting average to .279. Encarnacion has been dropped in leagues of late, but with three home runs in the past week, that's not wise. Keep him owned.


• Little-owned Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Rod Barajas homered Wednesday, his fifth in the past 10 games. Barajas also has 13 RBIs in that span, and he ranks third on the ESPN Player Rater among catchers for the past 15 days. Still, he's available in 98 percent of ESPN standard leagues.


• Houston Astros left-hander J.A. Happ, the NL leader in losses and owner of a 6.03 ERA entering play, tossed seven shutout innings Wednesday against the Pirates. Happ has had a miserable season, but perhaps a recent minor league stint will help; he's allowed one earned run in 13 innings since. Next up: those Pirates again.


• Kansas City Royals rookie first baseman Eric Hosmer homered twice off Rick Porcello on Wednesday, giving him 14 in 103 games. Hosmer's power is legit, and he could hit 25 home runs next season, perhaps hit .300 as well. While first base is deep, Hosmer, owned in only 72.7 percent of standard leagues, could be special in 2012. He's pretty good now.

 

[HacheMan]

Sour On September Callups

I run an MLB fantasy chat every Tuesday evening here at Rotoworld, and I’ve been asked recently in those chats to predict which September callups could have a fantasy impact down the stretch. My answers have varied from “none of ‘em” to “only Matt Moore,” the Rays’ stud left-hander and the top pitching prospect in the sport.

With the Tampa Bay front office giving no indication that Moore is headed to the majors this month, we’re left picking from the scrap heap.

The Reds promoted top catching prospect Devin Mesoraco on Thursday, but they don’t intend to give him many starts down the stretch. Chris Johnson and Brett Wallace are back on board with the Astros, but neither proved worthy of fantasy consideration earlier this year and that’s not likely to change over the final four weeks of the regular season schedule.

Jesus Montero is likely to draw frequent starts at designated hitter for the Yankees, but he went 0-for-4 and left six men on base Thursday night in his major league debut. Pair that with the underwhelming .814 OPS that he registered in 109 games this season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and we’re having a difficult time getting excited about his 2011 fantasy value.

Unless Moore gets the nod, this group of September callups can be ignored.

Welcome to Friday’s edition of the MLB Daily Dose...

* If the Cardinals are going to overcome their 7.5-game deficit in the National League Central or their 8.5-game deficit in the National League Wild Card, it’s going to take a number of heroic individual efforts. Albert Pujols did his part Thursday, going 4-for-4 with two home runs, three runs scored and five RBI as the Redbirds finished off a sweep of the first-place Brewers at a frustrated Miller Park. Pujols’ first big fly sailed over 460 feet to left field and his second homer was a grand slam to right. El Hombre raised his OPS a whole 21 points, from .896 to .917, in the 8-4 afternoon victory. He’s cruising toward the 40-homer plateau and could reach 100 RBI by the end of the regular season if enough things bounce right.

* The Marlins finally gave acknowledgement to a looming and unfortunate news item Thursday, announcing that ace right-hander Josh Johnson will not be returning to the major leagues this season. Johnson hasn’t pitched in a big league game since the middle of May due to ongoing issues with his throwing shoulder and will now focus on getting himself back to 100 percent in time for the start of spring training next February. He posted a 1.64 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 56/20 K/BB ratio in 60-plus innings this season before the injury bug bit him hard and refused to let go.

National League Quick Hits: Braves starter Jair Jurrjens will visit a knee specialist this weekend in Vail, Colorado and is in danger of missing multiple starts ... Hanley Ramirez has been diagnosed with left shoulder "instability” and could be facing season-ending surgery … Brewers right-hander Yovani Gallardo gave up eight runs and a career-high four homers Thursday in a loss to the Cardinals … Freddie Freeman is day-to-day with quad soreness … Nationals prospect Bryce Harper ran Thursday for the first time since straining his hamstring in mid-August … Adam Wainwright (elbow) is aiming to throw a bullpen session within the next two weeks … Nationals outfielder Laynce Nix is day-to-day with a right groin strain … Prince Fielder slugged his 30th home run of the season Thursday … Mets infielder Ruben Tejada is day-to-day due to a left hand contusion … Miguel Batista limited the Marlins to two runs in six innings Thursday in his first start since last July … Emilio Bonifacio went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two steals Thursday in a loss to the Mets … Braves catcher Brian McCann hit his 23rd home run of the year in Thursday’s defeat of the Nationals … Josh Thole is considered day-to-day with a wrist contusion … The Braves activated infielder Jack Wilson from the disabled list … Casey Blake will undergo season-ending neck surgery next week.

American League Quick Hits: Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira is day-to-day with a bruised right knee … Blue Jays youngster Brett Lawrie went 3-for-5 and hit a go-ahead two-run homer in Thursday’s defeat of the Orioles … J.D. Drew expects to miss “more than a couple of days” after injuring his middle finger this week at Triple-A Pawtucket … The Rangers activated third baseman Adrian Beltre from the 15-day disabled list … Jeff Francoeur went 3-for-5 with a homer and three RBI Thursday in a defeat of the Tigers … Tommy Hunter was sent to the hospital following Thursday's game due to an illness but is expected to be fine … Twins pitching prospect Kyle Gibson will undergo Tommy John surgery on September 7 ... Brian Matusz will be skipped in his next turn through the Orioles’ rotation … The Indians placed outfielder Shin-Soo Choo on the 15-day disabled list with a strained oblique … Vladimir Guerrero homered, doubled twice and drove in four runs Thursday against the Blue Jays … Angels shortstop Maicer Iztruris suffered a right thigh contusion in Thursday’s game against the Mariners … Jason Kipnis (hamstring) is aiming to return to the Indians’ starting lineup next week … The Tigers activated second baseman Carlos Guillen from the 15-day disabled list.

 

[HacheMan]

National Awakening

The last time Stephen Strasburg threw a pitch in a major-league game was August 21, 2010. Working against the eventual champions in Philadelphia, the sensational 21-year-old rookie was dominating as usual, having allowed only two hits with no walks while striking out six through 4 1/3 innings.

After delivering a 1-1 changeup to Dominic Brown, Strasburg grimaced and clutched his right arm. He was removed from the game, and about a week later the Nationals announced that he’d need Tommy John surgery. Strasburg finished up his rookie campaign with a 2.91 ERA and 92-to-17 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 68 innings.

After a year of rehab, the wunderkind is set to make his return in the upcoming week and he falls into our two-start crop. Normally it’d be difficult to recommend a pitcher who hasn’t appeared in a major-league game in over 12 months, but I feel comfortable labeling Strasburg a Strong Play in his home match-ups against the Dodgers and Astros. He posted a ridiculous 25-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 14 1/3 innings during a minor-league rehab stint, so it seems safe to say all systems are go.

If you’re lucky enough to have Strasburg on your roster, start him with confidence this week and enjoy the ride for the rest of the year.

Going Twice...

American League

Strong Plays

James Shields: TEX (Ogando), BOS (Beckett)
Felix Hernandez: @LAA (Santana), KC (Duffy)
CC Sabathia: BAL (Guthrie), @LAA (Haren)
Dan Haren: SEA (Hernandez), NYY (Sabathia)
Doug Fister: @CLE (Jimenez), MIN (Swarzak)
Josh Beckett: @TOR (Alvarez), @TB (Shields)
Ubaldo Jimenez: DET (Fister), @CWS (Stewart) Decent Plays
Luis Perez: BOS (Lester), BAL (Guthrie)
Henderson Alvarez: BOS (Beckett), BAL (Simon)
Rich Harden: KC, @TEX (Ogando)
Jake Peavy: @MIN (Diamond), CLE (Carmona)
Zach Stewart: @MIN (Swarzak), CLE (Jimenez)
Fausto Carmona: DET (Porcello), @CWS (Peavy) At Your Own Risk
Alexi Ogando: @TB (Shields), OAK (Harden)
Anthony Swarzak: CWS (Stewart), @DET (Scherzer)
Scott Diamond: CWS (Peavy), @DET (Fister)
Danny Duffy: @OAK (Gonzalez), @SEA (Furbush)
Jeremy Guthrie: @NYY (Sabathia), @TOR (Perez)

National League

Strong Plays

Stephen Strasburg: LAD (Billingsley), HOU (Sosa)
Madison Bumgarner: @SD (Stauffer), LAD (Billingsley)
Cliff Lee: ATL (Lowe), @MIL (Wolf)
Yovani Gallardo: @STL (Westbrook), PHI (Oswalt)
Ted Lilly: @WAS (Lannan), @SF (Vogelsong)
Javier Vazquez: NYM (Capuano), @PIT (McDonald)
Matt Garza: CIN (Willis), @NYM
Tim Hudson: @PHI (Oswalt), @STL (Westbrook)
Josh Collmenter: @COL (Rogers), SD (LeBlanc) Decent Plays
John Lannan: LAD (Lilly), HOU (Rodriguez)
Jake Westbrook: MIL (Wolf), ATL (Hudson)
Wade LeBlanc: SF (Surkamp), @ARI (Collmenter)
Tim Stauffer: SF (Bumgarner), @ARI (Miley)
James McDonald: HOU (Sosa), FLA (Vazquez)
Roy Oswalt: ATL (Hudson), @MIL (Gallardo)
Chris Capuano: @FLA (Vazquez), CHC (Wells)
Randy Wolf: @STL (Westbrook), PHI (Lee)
Chad Billingsley: @WAS (Strasburg), @SF (Bumgarner)
Henry Sosa: @PIT (McDonald), @WAS (Strasburg)
Dontrelle Willis: @CHC (Garza), @COL (Cook)
Derek Lowe: @PHI (Lee), @STL (Jackson)
Wade Miley: @COL (Cook), SD (Stauffer) At Your Own Risk
Miguel Batista: @FLA, CHC (Garza)
Aaron Cook: ARI (Miley), CIN (Willis)

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, 9/7: Bruce Chen @ OAK
The veteran lefty has turned in four straight quality starts, with outings against the Yankees and Blue Jays mixed in.

Friday, 9/9: Blake Beavan vs. KC
With a minuscule K-rate, Beavan’s modest rookie success seems like smoke-and-mirrors, but that may be good enough against the Royals.

National League
Wednesday, 9/7: R.A. Dickey @ FLA
The knuckleballer has ratted off seven consecutive quality starts and has completed at least six innings every time he’s toed the rubber since the All-Star break.

Wednesday, 9/7: Aaron Harang vs. SF
The last time Harang faced the Giants at Petco, in mid-July, he hurled seven shutout frames.

Thursday, 9/8: Mike Minor @ NYM
Minor is scheduled to pitch half of a split doubleheader, so he may see a softer lineup.
<!--RW-->
Total Games

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

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

Lefty/Righty Breakdown

American League
BAL: 4 vs. RHP, 3 vs. LHP
BOS: 5 vs. RHP, 2 vs. LHP
CWS: 6 vs. RHP, 2 vs. LHP
CLE: 6 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP
DET: 5 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP
KC: 5 vs. RHP, 2 vs. LHP
LAA: 4 vs. RHP, 2 vs. LHP
MIN: 7 vs. RHP, 0 vs. LHP
NYY: 5 vs. RHP, 2 vs. LHP
OAK: 3 vs. RHP, 3 vs. LHP
SEA: 5 vs. RHP, 2 vs. LHP
TB: 4 vs. RHP, 2 vs. LHP
TEX: 5 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP
TOR: 3 vs. RHP, 4 vs. LHP

National League
ARI: 5 vs. RHP, 2 vs. LHP
ATL: 6 vs. RHP, 2 vs. LHP
CHC: 4 vs. RHP, 2 vs. LHP
CIN: 6 vs. RHP, 0 vs. LHP
COL: 3 vs. RHP, 3 vs. LHP
FLA: 5 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP
HOU: 5 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP
LAD: 4 vs. RHP, 3 vs. LHP
MIL: 5 vs. RHP, 2 vs. LHP
NYM: 7 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP
PHI: 5 vs. RHP, 2 vs. LHP
PIT: 5 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP
SD: 4 vs. RHP, 3 vs. LHP
SF: 4 vs. RHP, 2 vs. LHP
STL: 5 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP
WAS: 4 vs. RHP, 3 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:

Shin-Soo Choo: Out until mid-September
Nate Schierholtz: Out until mid-September
Nelson Cruz: Out until late September
Colby Rasmus: Out indefinitely

 

[HacheMan]

Strasburg finally returns to majors


On tap: It's make-or-break time in fantasy leagues, as Labor Day arrives Monday, and counting that day, there are 24 days remaining in the regular season (plus any potential one-game playoffs). This week, Week 22 of the fantasy season, concludes Round 1 of the playoffs in ESPN standard leagues; this is the week our championship combatants will be decided.

Unfortunately, while the stakes are increasing in fantasy, they are noticeably lower in the real game at this stage of September compared to Septembers past. Only two playoff races, entering the games of Sept. 2, had margins of less than 5 1/2 games: the American League East, in which the Boston Red Sox had a half-game lead -- and zero in the loss column -- over the New York Yankees; and the AL West, in which the Texas Rangers had a 3 1/2-game lead over the Los Angeles Angels. But in the case of the AL East, both the Red Sox and Yankees held at least an 8 1/2-game advantage in the wild-card race and were therefore near-locks to make the playoffs. The truth is that only nine teams, on the morning of Sept. 2, were within five games of a playoff spot, and 14 were within eight games. Remember that only eight teams advance to the postseason.


What that means is we might see playoff teams shifting their focus to October (shuffling their rotations and giving their stars additional rest) and rebuilding teams preparing for 2012 (auditioning youngsters and benching on-the-way-out veterans) sooner than in seasons past, and that could have a noticeable effect on our planning even as early as this week.


A key example of the former: The Red Sox have been using Andrew Miller as a way of stretching their rotation six deep to provide their veterans rest and perhaps align for the division series, while the Detroit Tigers have rookie Jacob Turner around to keep their starters fresh. The Yankees, as well, have enough starting-pitching depth that they can run six deep as desired.


A key example of the latter: The Washington Nationals will welcome Stephen Strasburg, who is recovering from September 2010 Tommy John surgery, and rookie Tom Milone into their rotation this week, as they aim to evaluate both pitchers for next year's team. Strasburg has been untouchable in six minor league rehabilitation starts in the past month; he has a 3.54 ERA but also a 0.84 WHIP and 29 strikeouts compared to three walks in 20 1/3 innings (that's 12.84 K's-per-nine and 9.67 K's-per-walk ratios). His arrival has been anticipated for weeks, and he'll make his first major league start this year, and likely one of four or five before season's end, on Tuesday versus the Los Angeles Dodgers. That sets him up for a two-start week, his second turn Sunday versus the Houston Astros.


Reminder: Labor Day brings with it a slew of day games, three during the 1 p.m. ET hour. In fantasy leagues with weekly deadlines -- as well as Monday's deadline in daily formats -- the first game begins at 1:05 p.m. Here are this week's other scheduled first pitches by day: Tuesday 7:05 p.m. ET, Wednesday 12:05 p.m. ET, Thursday 1:05 p.m. ET, Friday 7:05 p.m. ET, Saturday 1:07 p.m. ET, Sunday 1:05 p.m. ET.


Quick click by section, if you're seeking advice in a specific area:
Projected starting pitchers | Pitching strategies
Team advantages | Hitting strategies
Weather report | Week 22 pitcher rankings


Projected starting pitchers




The chart below lists each of the 30 MLB teams' schedules and projected starting pitchers, and provides a matchup rating for each day's starter. Pitchers scheduled to start twice this week are in gray/beige boxes.


<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
9/5</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 14%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Tue
9/6</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 14%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Wed
9/7</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 14%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Thu
9/8</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 14%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Fri
9/9</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 14%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Sat
9/10</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 14%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Sun
9/11</CENTER></TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYY
Reyes
(LHP)
P: 1</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYY
Hunter
(RHP)
P: 2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYY
Britton
(LHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
Simon
(RHP)
P: 1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TOR
Guthrie
(RHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TOR
Reyes
(LHP)
P: 1</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TOR
Hunter
(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>@TOR
Beckett
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TOR
Lester
(LHP)
P: 8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TOR
Wakefield
(RHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TOR
Bedard
(LHP)
P: 8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
Lackey
(RHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
Beckett
(RHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
Lester
(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>@MIN-2
Stewart
(RHP)
P: 4
Humber
(RHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIN
Peavy
(RHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIN
Danks
(LHP)
P: 9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
Floyd
(RHP)
P: 8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
Buehrle
(LHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
Stewart
(RHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
Humber
(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>DET
Jimenez
(RHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>DET
Carmona
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>DET
Masterson
(RHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHW
Huff
(LHP)
P: 1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHW
Gomez
(RHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHW
Jimenez
(RHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHW
Carmona
(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>@CLE
Fister
(RHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CLE
Porcello
(RHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CLE
Verlander
(RHP)
P: 9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIN
Penny
(RHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIN
Scherzer
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIN
Fister
(RHP)
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>@OAK
Paulino
(RHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@OAK
Duffy
(LHP)
P: 1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@OAK
Chen
(LHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SEA
Hochevar
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SEA
Francis
(LHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SEA
Paulino
(RHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SEA
Duffy
(LHP)
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>SEA
Haren
(RHP)
P: 9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SEA
Santana
(RHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SEA
Williams
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
Weaver
(RHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
Pineiro
(RHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
Haren
(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>CHW-2
Swarzak
(RHP)
P: 4
TBD

P: 1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHW
Diamond
(LHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHW
Pavano
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@DET
Duensing
(LHP)
P: 2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@DET
Slowey
(RHP)
P: 1</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@DET
Swarzak
(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>BAL
Sabathia
(LHP)
P: 8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BAL
Hughes
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BAL
Burnett
(RHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BAL
Nova
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
Colon
(RHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
Garcia
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
Sabathia
(LHP)
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>KC
Harden
(RHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>KC
Gonzalez
(LHP)
P: 8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>KC
Moscoso
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TEX
McCarthy
(RHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TEX
Cahill
(RHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TEX
Harden
(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>@LAA
Vasquez
(LHP)
P: 2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
Hernandez
(RHP)
P: 10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
Furbush
(LHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>KC
Vargas
(LHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>KC
Beavan
(RHP)
P: 2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>KC
Pineda
(RHP)
P: 9</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>KC
Vasquez
(LHP)
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>TEX
Shields
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TEX
Niemann
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TEX
Price
(LHP)
P: 9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BOS
Davis
(RHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BOS
Hellickson
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BOS
Shields
(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>@TB
Ogando
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
Wilson
(LHP)
P: 9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
Holland
(LHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>OAK
Lewis
(RHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>OAK
Harrison
(LHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>OAK
Ogando
(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>BOS
Alvarez
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BOS
Perez
(LHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BOS
Morrow
(RHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BOS
Romero
(LHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BAL
Cecil
(LHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BAL
Alvarez
(RHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BAL
Perez
(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>@COL
Miley
(LHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
Collmnter
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
Saunders
(LHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SD
Kennedy
(RHP)
P: 9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SD
Hudson
(RHP)
P: 9</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SD
Miley
(LHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SD
Collmnter
(RHP)
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>@PHI
Lowe
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PHI
Hudson
(RHP)
P: 8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PHI
Beachy
(RHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM-2
Minor
(LHP)
P: 4
Teheran
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@STL
TBD

P: 1</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@STL
Lowe
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@STL
Hudson
(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>CIN
Garza
(RHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
Lopez
(RHP)
P: 1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
Dempster
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
Coleman
(RHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
Wells
(RHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
Garza
(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>@CHC
Willis
(LHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHC
Leake
(RHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHC
Cueto
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
Bailey
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
Arroyo
(RHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
Willis
(LHP)
P: 2</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ARI
Rogers
(RHP)
P: 2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ARI
TBD

P: 1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ARI
Millwood
(RHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
Chacin
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
White
(RHP)
P: 2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
Cook
(RHP)
P: 1</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: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYM
Volstad
(RHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYM
Hensley
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
Sanchez
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
Nolasco
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
Vazquez
(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
Sosa
(RHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
Myers
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
Happ
(LHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@WAS
Norris
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@WAS
W.Rdrguez
(LHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@WAS
Sosa
(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>@WAS
Kuroda
(RHP)
P: 8</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@WAS
Lilly
(LHP)
P: 8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@WAS
Eveland
(LHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@WAS
Billingsley
(RHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
Kershaw
(LHP)
P: 10</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
Kuroda
(RHP)
P: 9</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
Lilly
(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>@STL
Wolf
(LHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@STL
Gallardo
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@STL
Greinke
(RHP)
P: 8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
Narveson
(LHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
Marcum
(RHP)
P: 9</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
Wolf
(LHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
Gallardo
(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>@FLA
Capuano
(LHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@FLA
Batista
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@FLA
Dickey
(RHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL-2
Gee
(RHP)
P: 6
TBD

P: 1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHC
Pelfrey
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHC
Capuano
(LHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHC
Batista
(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>ATL
Lee
(LHP)
P: 10</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
Worley
(RHP)
P: 8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
Oswalt
(RHP)
P: 8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIL
Hamels
(LHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIL
Halladay
(RHP)
P: 9</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIL
Lee
(LHP)
P: 8</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIL
Worley
(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>HOU
McDonald
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>HOU
Lincoln
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>HOU
Karstens
(RHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>FLA
Ohlendorf
(RHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>FLA
Morton
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>FLA
McDonald
(RHP)
P: 6</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIL
Westbrook
(RHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIL
Lohse
(RHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIL
Dickson
(RHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
Carpenter
(RHP)
P: 10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
Garcia
(LHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
Jackson
(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>SF
Stauffer
(RHP)
P: 8</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SF
LeBlanc
(LHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SF
Harang
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@ARI
Luebke
(LHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@ARI
Latos
(RHP)
P: 9</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@ARI
Stauffer
(RHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@ARI
LeBlanc
(LHP)
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>@SD
Bumgarner
(LHP)
P: 8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SD
Surkamp
(LHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SD
Cain
(RHP)
P: 10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
Lincecum
(RHP)
P: 10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
Vogelsong
(RHP)
P: 8</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
Bumgarner
(LHP)
P: 8</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
Lannan
(LHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
Strasburg
(RHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
Wang
(RHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
Detwiler
(LHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>HOU
Milone
(LHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>HOU
TBD

P: 1</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>HOU
Strasburg
(RHP)
P: 7</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 to 10, with 10 representing the best possible matchup, statistically speaking, and 1 representing the worst.





Tristan's pitching strategies




• Strasburg, Strasburg, Strasburg. He's the story of Week 22, and it's not a matter of overstating; he absolutely possesses the potential to win fantasy championships on his own. Well, at least on a per-inning basis, he does. Strasburg is one of the few pitchers for whom I'd make the "first start off the DL" exception. His stunning rehabilitation performances boost my confidence in him. The matchups, too, are stacked in his favor, the Dodgers ranking 19th (4.32) and the Astros 27th (3.78) in runs per game since the All-Star break. So that means it's all about his workload, and here are his pitch counts and innings totals in his six rehab starts: 31 pitches and 1 2/3 innings Aug. 7 (Class A Hagerstown), 33 and three Aug. 12 (Class A Potomac), 49 and 1 2/3 on Aug. 17 (Hagerstown), 60 and three Aug. 22 (Hagerstown), 64 and five Aug. 27 (Triple-A Syracuse), and 70 and six Sept. 1 (Double-A Harrisburg). Nationals manager Davey Johnson said he plans to limit Strasburg to a maximum of four innings and/or 60 pitches Tuesday, meaning he might not throw more than a total of nine frames and 135 pitches in the week. He's 43rd in my rankings below, but depending on the format, he could be a top-20 option (no innings cap, NL-only, for example), or he might be a complete nonfactor (leagues with a strict starts cap).


As for Nationals rookie Tom Milone, the left-hander is coming off an outstanding August for Syracuse, going 4-0 with three quality starts, a 1.72 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP in five starts. He's less likely to face the kind of innings/pitches cap that Strasburg will, and while the Astros, whom he'll face Friday, have an OPS 31 points higher versus left-handers (.718) than right-handers (.687), that .718 OPS still ranks the team below the major league average. It's a home game for Milone's major league debut, a smart decision, so take a look in NL-only leagues. In addition, don't overlook the red-hot Ross Detwiler; he has three consecutive quality starts, two of those against the Cincinnati Reds' loaded offense.


• Beware that Red Sox series if you're an owner of any of the Toronto Blue Jays' starters. Ricky Romero might rank as one of fantasy's most reliable starters, plus is riding a seven consecutive quality starts streak, but if there's any matchup he has been unable to handle historically, it's the Red Sox. He is 2-6 with an 8.08 ERA and 2.18 WHIP in 11 career starts against them, and has allowed more runs to them than he has thrown innings in their two meetings this season. Rookie Henderson Alvarez is coming off a career-best outing, but his appeal this week is tempered by that tough-as-nails Monday Red Sox matchup. Brandon Morrow, meanwhile, has allowed 11 earned runs in 10 innings in his past two starts, and is 1-2 with a 13.80 ERA and 2.67 WHIP in four starts against the Red Sox during his Blue Jays career. There isn't a Blue Jays pitcher who can be termed completely safe this week.


• Sleeper-seekers -- and there are always more of these in the critical September weeks -- need to get creative during the season's final month, especially one like this during which rotations have been constantly changing. That's why I'll point you toward the Kansas City Royals and their surprisingly strong set of matchups, reminding that the Royals, believe it or not, have the majors' fifth-best team batting average (.283) and ninth-best team OPS (.757) since the All-Star break, meaning run support is no longer necessarily the problem for their starters that it had been for years. Granted, the opposing Oakland Athletics, who host the Royals for three games to begin the week, are no longer pushovers offensively, but look at what two of the Royals' starters have done since Aug. 1: Bruce Chen is 5-1 with a 3.19 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in six starts, and Luke Hochevar has a 4.35 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in six starts.


Two-start pitchers Danny Duffy (check back to make sure the Royals don't shut him down due to his impending innings cap) and Felipe Paulino slide into the more questionable class of fantasy starters, but those weekend Safeco Field outings make them worth consideration in AL-only formats. Duffy, incidentally, threw a quality start to win his only career outing at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum (June 14).


• How about a sleeper for NL-only owners to consider? Take a look at San Francisco Giants rookie Eric Surkamp, who returns to the rotation Tuesday after tossing six quality innings to win his big league debut against the Astros on Aug. 27. Surkamp finished his minor league season 11-4 with a 1.94 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 10.31 K's-per-nine ratio between Class A San Jose and Double-A Richmond, and it's a Petco Park start, about as juicy a sleeper matchup as a rookie could ask for.


Also favorable: Chicago White Sox, Florida Marlins, Dodgers, Giants
Also unfavorable: Baltimore Orioles, Reds, Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays


For more insight into Week 22 pitching matchups, see my rankings for the top 75 starting pitchers, as well as every two-start pitcher, at column's end.



Team advantages




The chart below lists each of the 30 teams' total number of scheduled games, home games and games versus right- and left-handed pitchers, and provides a matchup rating for the week's games in terms of overall offense, offense for left- and right-handed hitters and base stealing. Matchup ratings for each individual game are listed under the corresponding date.


<STYLE type=text/css>.mod-inline td img {margin: 0px;}</STYLE>
<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
9/5</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 11%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Tue
9/6</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 11%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Wed
9/7</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 11%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Thu
9/8</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 11%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Fri
9/9</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 11%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Sat
9/10</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 11%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Sun
9/11</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>7 total
1 home
3 vs. L
4 vs. R</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 7
L: 1
R: 9
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYY
H: 3
L: 1
R: 4
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYY
H: 5
L: 6
R: 3
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYY
H: 8
L: 5
R: 10
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
H: 6
L: 4
R: 8
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TOR
H: 8
L: 1
R: 10
S: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TOR
H: 4
L: 2
R: 7
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TOR
H: 6
L: 3
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
0 home
2 vs. L
5 vs. R</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 5
L: 6
R: 7
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TOR
H: 4
L: 2
R: 7
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TOR
H: 6
L: 3
R: 8
S: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TOR
H: 6
L: 4
R: 10
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TOR
H: 4
L: 10
R: 1
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
H: 6
L: 7
R: 5
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
H: 3
L: 10
R: 1
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
H: 4
L: 4
R: 5
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>8 total
4 home
2 vs. L
5 vs. R</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 10
L: 10
R: 10
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIN-2
H: 7
L: 6
R: 8
S: 2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIN
H: 5
L: 6
R: 5
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIN
H: 7
L: 7
R: 7
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
H: 10
L: 10
R: 9
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
H: 8
L: 7
R: 9
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
H: 4
L: 3
R: 5
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
H: 7
L: 9
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>7 total
3 home
1 vs. L
6 vs. R</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 5
L: 7
R: 3
S: 8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>DET
H: 3
L: 5
R: 1
S: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>DET
H: 7
L: 10
R: 3
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>DET
H: 1
L: 1
R: 2
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHW
H: 4
L: 4
R: 2
S: 8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHW
H: 6
L: 6
R: 6
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHW
H: 9
L: 9
R: 9
S: 8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHW
H: 5
L: 6
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>6 total
3 home
1 vs. L
5 vs. R</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 6
L: 4
R: 7
S: 2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CLE
H: 3
L: 2
R: 4
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CLE
H: 6
L: 8
R: 3
S: 6</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></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIN
H: 9
L: 1
R: 10
S: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIN
H: 10
L: 9
R: 10
S: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIN
H: 8
L: 6
R: 9
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>7 total
0 home
3 vs. L
4 vs. R</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 6
L: 7
R: 5
S: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@OAK
H: 7
L: 7
R: 6
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@OAK
H: 3
L: 7
R: 1
S: 6</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>@SEA
H: 6
L: 2
R: 7
S: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SEA
H: 9
L: 10
R: 5
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SEA
H: 2
L: 4
R: 1
S: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SEA
H: 9
L: 10
R: 7
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>6 total
6 home
3 vs. L
3 vs. R</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 5
L: 5
R: 5
S: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SEA
H: 10
L: 10
R: 8
S: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SEA
H: 1
L: 1
R: 1
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SEA
H: 8
L: 8
R: 8
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
H: 8
L: 10
R: 4
S: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
H: 6
L: 6
R: 6
S: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
H: 3
L: 1
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
1 vs. L
6 vs. R</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 6
L: 7
R: 6
S: 9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHW-2
H: 8
L: 9
R: 8
S: 8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHW
H: 5
L: 7
R: 2
S: 8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHW
H: 3
L: 2
R: 3
S: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@DET
H: 9
L: 8
R: 10
S: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@DET
H: 6
L: 6
R: 6
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@DET
H: 3
L: 5
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>7 total
3 home
2 vs. L
5 vs. R</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 7
L: 7
R: 7
S: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BAL
H: 10
L: 9
R: 10
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BAL
H: 7
L: 9
R: 5
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BAL
H: 5
L: 4
R: 6
S: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BAL
H: 10
L: 9
R: 10
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
H: 2
L: 2
R: 2
S: 8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
H: 5
L: 6
R: 5
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
H: 3
L: 3
R: 2
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
3 home
3 vs. L
3 vs. R</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 6
L: 9
R: 5
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>KC
H: 8
L: 10
R: 6
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>KC
H: 10
L: 9
R: 10
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>KC
H: 5
L: 4
R: 6
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TEX
H: 5
L: 8
R: 1
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TEX
H: 7
L: 9
R: 7
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TEX
H: 4
L: 10
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
4 home
2 vs. L
5 vs. R</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 9
L: 9
R: 8
S: 10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
H: 3
L: 3
R: 2
S: 8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
H: 5
L: 7
R: 4
S: 9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAA
H: 7
L: 6
R: 8
S: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>KC
H: 8
L: 9
R: 7
S: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>KC
H: 8
L: 4
R: 9
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>KC
H: 8
L: 10
R: 6
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>KC
H: 10
L: 9
R: 10
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
3 vs. L
3 vs. R</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 2
L: 3
R: 2
S: 8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TEX
H: 4
L: 10
R: 1
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TEX
H: 2
L: 1
R: 3
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TEX
H: 8
L: 2
R: 9
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></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: 4
L: 4
R: 4
S: 9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BOS
H: 1
L: 2
R: 1
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
3 home
1 vs. L
5 vs. R</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 3
L: 5
R: 3
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
H: 4
L: 4
R: 5
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
H: 4
L: 4
R: 4
S: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TB
H: 1
L: 1
R: 2
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>OAK
H: 6
L: 9
R: 3
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>OAK
H: 6
L: 8
R: 3
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>OAK
H: 8
L: 8
R: 7
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
3 vs. L
4 vs. R</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 7
L: 7
R: 7
S: 10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BOS
H: 4
L: 5
R: 4
S: 9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BOS
H: 2
L: 3
R: 1
S: 9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BOS
H: 8
L: 7
R: 10
S: 10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BOS
H: 2
L: 1
R: 4
S: 8</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>BAL
H: 10
L: 9
R: 10
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>BAL
H: 7
L: 9
R: 5
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
4 vs. R</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 8
L: 9
R: 8
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
H: 10
L: 10
R: 10
S: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
H: 7
L: 7
R: 7
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
H: 9
L: 10
R: 7
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SD
H: 3
L: 1
R: 5
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SD
H: 2
L: 3
R: 1
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SD
H: 7
L: 7
R: 7
S: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SD
H: 9
L: 10
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>8 total
0 home
2 vs. L
5 vs. R</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 4
L: 2
R: 6
S: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PHI
H: 1
L: 1
R: 2
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PHI
H: 3
L: 1
R: 6
S: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PHI
H: 3
L: 3
R: 4
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM-2
H: 5
L: 2
R: 8
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@STL
H: 1
L: 1
R: 1
S: 1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@STL
H: 4
L: 5
R: 4
S: 2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@STL
H: 6
L: 5
R: 6
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: 6
L: 3
R: 7
S: 2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
H: 9
L: 1
R: 10
S: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
H: 8
L: 6
R: 10
S: 2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
H: 5
L: 5
R: 5
S: 2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
H: 6
L: 6
R: 6
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
H: 5
L: 1
R: 8
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
H: 6
L: 10
R: 2
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
0 home
0 vs. L
6 vs. R</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 8
L: 10
R: 7
S: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHC
H: 4
L: 4
R: 5
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHC
H: 10
L: 10
R: 10
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHC
H: 7
L: 9
R: 5
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
H: 6
L: 9
R: 4
S: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
H: 10
L: 9
R: 10
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
H: 10
L: 10
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>6 total
6 home
3 vs. L
3 vs. R</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 7
L: 4
R: 7
S: 1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ARI
H: 8
L: 8
R: 8
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ARI
H: 4
L: 5
R: 4
S: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ARI
H: 8
L: 2
R: 10
S: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
H: 6
L: 7
R: 5
S: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
H: 7
L: 10
R: 4
S: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CIN
H: 9
L: 1
R: 10
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>6 total
3 home
1 vs. L
5 vs. R</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 6
L: 7
R: 5
S: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYM
H: 6
L: 1
R: 9
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYM
H: 6
L: 10
R: 3
S: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYM
H: 4
L: 5
R: 4
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
H: 9
L: 10
R: 7
S: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
H: 7
L: 10
R: 2
S: 8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
H: 5
L: 6
R: 5
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
0 home
1 vs. L
4 vs. R</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 5
L: 6
R: 5
S: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
H: 5
L: 6
R: 5
S: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
H: 6
L: 6
R: 5
S: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
H: 8
L: 10
R: 5
S: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@WAS
H: 6
L: 6
R: 6
S: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@WAS
H: 6
L: 6
R: 6
S: 2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@WAS
H: 4
L: 5
R: 4
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: 5
L: 5
R: 4
S: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@WAS
H: 7
L: 5
R: 8
S: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@WAS
H: 4
L: 5
R: 4
S: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@WAS
H: 8
L: 10
R: 3
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@WAS
H: 7
L: 6
R: 7
S: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
H: 1
L: 2
R: 1
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
H: 3
L: 6
R: 1
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
H: 4
L: 1
R: 5
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: 3
L: 3
R: 6
S: 2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@STL
H: 7
L: 6
R: 7
S: 2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@STL
H: 7
L: 6
R: 7
S: 1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@STL
H: 7
L: 6
R: 8
S: 1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
H: 3
L: 5
R: 3
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
H: 1
L: 2
R: 1
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
H: 1
L: 1
R: 1
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
H: 3
L: 1
R: 6
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>8 total
5 home
1 vs. L
7 vs. R</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 8
L: 8
R: 8
S: 10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@FLA
H: 4
L: 7
R: 1
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@FLA
H: 8
L: 10
R: 6
S: 8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@FLA
H: 5
L: 1
R: 9
S: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL-2
H: 7
L: 4
R: 7
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHC
H: 8
L: 10
R: 6
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHC
H: 3
L: 3
R: 4
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHC
H: 4
L: 3
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
2 vs. L
5 vs. R</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 2
L: 2
R: 4
S: 8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
H: 5
L: 5
R: 6
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
H: 2
L: 5
R: 1
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
H: 4
L: 5
R: 3
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIL
H: 6
L: 3
R: 6
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIL
H: 1
L: 1
R: 3
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIL
H: 5
L: 1
R: 6
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIL
H: 4
L: 4
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>6 total
6 home
1 vs. L
5 vs. R</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 4
L: 5
R: 3
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>HOU
H: 4
L: 5
R: 4
S: 5</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: 3
R: 6
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>FLA
H: 5
L: 6
R: 5
S: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>FLA
H: 7
L: 8
R: 5
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>FLA
H: 4
L: 7
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
6 home
1 vs. L
4 vs. R</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 1
L: 1
R: 1
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIL
H: 5
L: 1
R: 5
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIL
H: 3
L: 4
R: 3
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIL
H: 1
L: 4
R: 1
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
H: 6
L: 6
R: 6
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
H: 5
L: 4
R: 5
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ATL
H: 1
L: 4
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
3 home
3 vs. L
4 vs. R</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 3
L: 2
R: 4
S: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SF
H: 3
L: 1
R: 4
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SF
H: 5
L: 6
R: 5
S: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SF
H: 1
L: 1
R: 1
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@ARI
H: 4
L: 3
R: 5
S: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@ARI
H: 4
L: 4
R: 3
S: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@ARI
H: 7
L: 8
R: 7
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@ARI
H: 3
L: 4
R: 3
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>6 total
3 home
3 vs. L
3 vs. R</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 3
L: 5
R: 1
S: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SD
H: 5
L: 5
R: 5
S: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SD
H: 7
L: 10
R: 5
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SD
H: 7
L: 8
R: 6
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
H: 1
L: 1
R: 1
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
H: 3
L: 4
R: 2
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
H: 3
L: 5
R: 2
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
3 vs. L
4 vs. R</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 4
L: 6
R: 4
S: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
H: 3
L: 4
R: 2
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
H: 3
L: 5
R: 2
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
H: 8
L: 9
R: 8
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAD
H: 4
L: 6
R: 2
S: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>HOU
H: 5
L: 7
R: 4
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: 4
L: 5
R: 4
S: 5</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 for only 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 to 10, with 10 representing the best possible matchup, statistically speaking, and 1 representing the worst.





Tristan's hitting strategies




• The eight-game advantage belongs to the White Sox, Atlanta Braves and New York Mets, but it's the Sox whose set of matchups stands out most significantly on the hitting side. The opposing Minnesota Twins, who begin the week hosting the White Sox for four games, are trying to piece together a rotation through season's end, throwing Anthony Swarzak, Scott Diamond and a spot starter in three of the contests. And the opposing Cleveland Indians, who desperately need victories in their four-game series at Chicago, will throw back-end starters David Huff and Jeanmar Gomez in two of their four. Target Field might have a reputation as a pitching-friendly venue -- earned primarily in 2010 rather than 2011 -- but look at some of the Sox hitters' career numbers there: Alex Rios (.302/.328/.434 BA/OBP/SLG rates in 14 games), Paul Konerko (.368/.429/.632 in 14), Alexei Ramirez (.339/.383/.607 in 14), Juan Pierre (.397/.462/.414, 8 steals in 14) and … get this … Brent Lillibridge (two homers in five at-bats this season).


• Those Arizona Diamondbacks bats have finally awoken again, as a team managing .293/.370/.468 offensive rates and 46 runs during a nine-game winning streak (5.11 runs per game). Those good feelings should carry right into a three-game series at Colorado's Coors Field, then back home to Chase Field for a four-game series against the San Diego Padres. Diamondbacks hitters as a whole have outstanding track records at Coors: Miguel Montero is a .333/.375/.591 hitter in 20 career games there, Aaron Hill .333/.364/.571 in six games and Chris Young .290/.371/.523 in 41 games. In addition, as a team, the Diamondbacks have .284/.356/.481 rates in their five home games against Padres pitching. Hill, incidentally, is a .346/.346/.692 hitter in six career games against the Padres.


• The Cincinnati Reds are the other team that gets the benefit of a Coors Field series, heading there for a three-game weekend series. But it's that week-opening series at Chicago's Wrigley Field that is of greater note, because Reds hitters have historically excelled there. Here are some of their lifetime numbers at Wrigley: Ryan Hanigan is a .357/.355/.500 hitter in 11 games, Joey Votto has nine homers and 22 RBIs in 34 games, Paul Janish is a .316/.447/.474 hitter in 14 games, Drew Stubbs has six homers, 13 RBIs and four stolen bases in 14 games, and Jay Bruce is a .256/.348/.449 hitter in 22 games.


Also favorable: Orioles, Mets, Yankees, Blue Jays
Unfavorable: Philadelphia Phillies, Cardinals, Giants, Rays, Rangers



Weather report




Weatherproof games: Red Sox at Blue Jays (4, Mon-Thu); Orioles at Blue Jays (3, Fri-Sun); Phillies at Brewers (4, Thu-Sun); Padres at Diamondbacks (4, Thu-Sun); Royals at Mariners (4, Thu-Sun); Rangers at Rays (3, Mon-Wed); Red Sox at Rays (3, Fri-Sun).



Tristan's Week 22 pitcher rankings: Top 75




Rankings take into account several factors: the pitcher's raw talent, historical and recent performance; number of starts; strength of opponent(s); and ballpark factors. Be aware that different leagues might emphasize different pitching statistics that could change these rankings slightly. These are based on a fairly standard rotisserie scoring system, like ESPN's.


1. Cliff Lee (PHI) -- Mon-ATL (Lowe), Sat-@MIL (Wolf)
2. Jon Lester (BOS) -- Tue-@TOR (Perez), Sun-@TB (Shields)
3. CC Sabathia (NYY) -- Mon-BAL (Reyes), Sun-@LAA (Haren)
4. Clayton Kershaw (LAD) -- Fri-@SF (Lincecum)
5. Madison Bumgarner (SF) -- Mon-@SD (Stauffer), Sun-LAD (Lilly)
6. Felix Hernandez (SEA) -- Tue-@LAA (Santana)
7. Tim Hudson (ATL) -- Tue-@PHI (Worley), Sun-@STL (Jackson)
8. Tim Lincecum (SF) -- Fri-LAD (Kershaw)
9. Ted Lilly (LAD) -- Tue-@WAS (Strasburg), Sun-@SF (Bumgarner)
10. Dan Haren (LAA) -- Mon-SEA (Vasquez), Sun-NYY (Sabathia)
11. James Shields (TB) -- Mon-TEX (Ogando), Sun-BOS (Lester)
12. Yovani Gallardo (MIL) -- Tue-@STL (Lohse), Sun-PHI (Worley)
13. Roy Halladay (PHI) -- Fri-@MIL (Marcum)
14. Josh Beckett (BOS) -- Mon-@TOR (Alvarez), Sat-@TB (Hellickson)
15. David Price (TB) -- Wed-TEX (Holland)
16. Matt Cain (SF) -- Wed-@SD (Harang)
17. Matt Garza (CHC) -- Mon-CIN (Willis), Sun-@NYM (Batista)
18. Vance Worley (PHI) -- Tue-ATL (Hudson), Sun-@MIL (Gallardo)
19. Hiroki Kuroda (LAD) -- Mon-@WAS (Lannan), Sat-@SF (Vogelsong)
20. Javier Vazquez (FLA) -- Mon-NYM (Capuano), Sun-@PIT (McDonald)
21. Justin Verlander (DET) -- Wed-@CLE (Masterson)
22. Doug Fister (DET) -- Mon-@CLE (Jimenez), Sun-MIN (Swarzak)
23. Shaun Marcum (MIL) -- Fri-PHI (Halladay)
24. John Danks (CHW) -- Wed-@MIN (Pavano)
25. Daniel Hudson (ARI) -- Fri-SD (Latos)
26. Ian Kennedy (ARI) -- Thu-SD (Luebke)
27. Chris Carpenter (STL) -- Fri-ATL (TBD)
28. Zack Greinke (MIL) -- Wed-@STL (Dickson)
29. Gio Gonzalez (OAK) -- Tue-KC (Duffy)
30. Josh Collmenter (ARI) -- Tue-@COL (TBD), Sun-SD (LeBlanc)
31. C.J. Wilson (TEX) -- Tue-@TB (Niemann)
32. Brandon Beachy (ATL) -- Wed-@PHI (Oswalt)
33. Jered Weaver (LAA) -- Fri-NYY (Colon)
34. Cole Hamels (PHI) -- Thu-@MIL (Narveson)
35. Derek Lowe (ATL) -- Mon-@PHI (Lee), Sat-@STL (Garcia)
36. Michael Pineda (SEA) -- Sat-KC (Paulino)
37. Gavin Floyd (CHW) -- Thu-CLE (Huff)
38. Ubaldo Jimenez (CLE) -- Mon-DET (Fister), Sat-@CHW (Stewart)
39. Mat Latos (SD) -- Fri-@ARI (Hudson)
40. James McDonald (PIT) -- Mon-HOU (Sosa), Sun-FLA (Vazquez)
41. Ervin Santana (LAA) -- Tue-SEA (Hernandez)
42. Randy Wolf (MIL) -- Mon-@STL (Westbrook), Sat-PHI (Lee)
43. Stephen Strasburg (WAS) -- Tue-LAD (Lilly), Sun-HOU (Sosa)
44. Wandy Rodriguez (HOU) -- Sat-@WAS (TBD)
45. Chris Capuano (NYM) -- Mon-@FLA (Vazquez), Sat-CHC (Wells)
46. Cory Luebke (SD) -- Thu-@ARI (Kennedy)
47. Ryan Vogelsong (SF) -- Sat-LAD (Kuroda)
48. Jeremy Hellickson (TB) -- Sat-BOS (Beckett)
49. Roy Oswalt (PHI) -- Wed-ATL (Beachy)
50. Alexi Ogando (TEX) -- Mon-@TB (Shields), Sun-OAK (Harden)
51. Justin Masterson (CLE) -- Wed-DET (Verlander)
52. Tim Stauffer (SD) -- Mon-SF (Bumgarner), Sat-@ARI (Miley)
53. Colby Lewis (TEX) -- Fri-OAK (McCarthy)
54. Johnny Cueto (CIN) -- Wed-@CHC (Dempster)
55. Ricky Romero (TOR) -- Thu-BOS (Bedard)
56. Chad Billingsley (LAD) -- Thu-@WAS (Detwiler)
57. Randy Wells (CHC) -- Sat-@NYM (Capuano)
58. Erik Bedard (BOS) -- Thu-@TOR (Romero)
59. R.A. Dickey (NYM) -- Wed-@FLA (Hensley)
60. Bud Norris (HOU) -- Fri-@WAS (Milone)
61. Jeff Niemann (TB) -- Tue-TEX (Wilson)
62. Anibal Sanchez (FLA) -- Fri-@PIT (Ohlendorf)
63. Max Scherzer (DET) -- Sat-MIN (Slowey)
64. Edwin Jackson (STL) -- Sun-ATL (Hudson)
65. Fausto Carmona (CLE) -- Tue-DET (Porcello), Sun-@CHW (Humber)
66. Bruce Chen (KC) -- Wed-@OAK (Moscoso)
67. Homer Bailey (CIN) -- Fri-@COL (Chacin)
68. Mark Buehrle (CHW) -- Fri-CLE (Gomez)
69. Ivan Nova (NYY) -- Thu-@BAL (Simon)
70. Rich Harden (OAK) -- Mon-KC (Paulino), Sun-@TEX (Ogando)
71. Brett Myers (HOU) -- Tue-@PIT (Lincoln)
72. Aaron Harang (SD) -- Wed-SF (Cain)
73. Ricky Nolasco (FLA) -- Sat-@PIT (Morton)
74. Freddy Garcia (NYY) -- Sat-@LAA (Pineiro)
75. Henry Sosa (HOU) -- Mon-@PIT (McDonald), Sun-@WAS (Strasburg)



Two-start options for AL-/NL-only leagues:
Henderson Alvarez (TOR) -- Mon-BOS (Beckett), Sat-BAL (Reyes)
Miguel Batista (NYM) -- Tue-@FLA (Volstad), Sun-CHC (Garza)
Danny Duffy (KC) -- Tue-@OAK (Gonzalez), Sun-@SEA (Vasquez)
Philip Humber (CHW) -- Mon-@MIN, Gm. 2 (TBD), Sun-CLE (Carmona)
Felipe Paulino (KC) -- Mon-@OAK (Harden), Sat-@SEA (Pineda)



No-thank-yous, among two-starts:
Tommy Hunter (BAL) -- Tue-@NYY (Hughes), Sun-@TOR (Perez)
Wade LeBlanc (SD) -- Tue-SF (Surkamp), Sun-@ARI (Collmenter)
Wade Miley (ARI) -- Mon-@COL (Rogers), Sat-SD (Stauffer)
Luis Perez (TOR) -- Tue-BOS (Lester), Sun-BAL (Hunter)
Jo-Jo Reyes (BAL) -- Mon-@NYY (Sabathia), Sat-@TOR (Alvarez)
Zach Stewart (CHW) -- Mon-@MIN, Gm. 1 (Swarzak), Sat-CLE (Jimenez)
Anthony Swarzak (MIN) -- Mon-CHW, Gm. 1 (Stewart), Sun-@DET (Fister)
Anthony Vasquez (SEA) -- Mon-@LAA (Haren), Sun-KC (Duffy)
Dontrelle Willis (CIN) -- Mon-@CHC (Garza), Sun-@COL (Cook)



One-start sleepers:
Ross Detwiler (WAS) -- Thu-LAD (Billingsley)
Dana Eveland (LAD) -- Wed-@WAS (Wang)
Jeff Francis (KC) -- Fri-@SEA (Beavan)
J.A. Happ (HOU) -- Wed-@PIT (Karstens)
Luke Hochevar (KC) -- Thu-@SEA (Vargas)
Mike Leake (CIN) -- Tue-@CHC (Lopez)
Tom Milone (WAS) -- Fri-HOU (Norris)
Mike Minor (ATL) -- Thu-@NYM, Gm. 1 (Gee)
Eric Surkamp (SF) -- Tue-@SD (LeBlanc)
Jerome Williams (LAA) -- Wed-SEA (Furbush)

 

[HacheMan]

Return and start of a new era

The imminent return of Stephen Strasburg highlights this week’s column.

Stephen Strasburg: Stephen Strasburg is back! Well, just about. In what should be his final rehab tune-up, the Nat’s “Savior” (my nickname for him) gave up just one hit over six shutout innings. You do not need to be an “expert” or author to know that those in keeper leagues should snag the Savior. However, the real issue is whether those contenders with FAAB money left should blow that budget on Strasburg. Answer: YES! Even if he gets just 5 starts in September, Strasburg could easily register over 30 k’s with solid ratios. Spend now. Remember, you cannot take it with you into the off-season.

Justin Smoak: In far less headline making news, Justin Smoak came off the DL and will return to the Mariners lineup. However, this youngster is not going to provide much help down the stretch. Even in the 2011 “improved” form, Smoak is hitting just .220 and plays for an offense that is barely on life support. Ok, let me put it another way – Smoak has over 700 big league at bats and his average is just 10 pct above the Mendoza line. Maybe in two years, Smoak will be a fantasy starter. He is not today. Move on.

Randall Delgado: According to reports, the Braves will give the ball to Randall Delgado Sunday against the foundering Dodgers. A few points are worth making here. First, Delgado represents a good chance to register an all important win against LA this week. Second, Delgado should help in the K category as well. He has over 6k/9 inn in the majors so far to go with a very impressive 135K in 139 minor league innings. Third, Delgado will be in the Braves rotation for years to come. That means he is a keeper. Those in keeper leagues, you get that, right?

Andrew Carpenter: In a move that will fly below most fantasy radars, the Padres claimed Andrew Carpenter off waivers from the Phillies. Look at these minor league numbers: 1.79 ERA and 65/11 K/BB ratio over 60 1/3 innings. Now, add in the fact that San Diego is a place where pitchers go to flourish and you have a potential very cheap keeper if you get him for a buck this week. Do it.

Roger Bernadina: The Nats have once again called up Roger Bernadina. Despite all the promise resulting from his vaunted off season conditioning, Roger has hit a meager .247 so far this year. However, there are some reasons to look closely here. In his last full season in the minors, he was well over .300 (2008). He is only 27, so he is not over the hill. Plus, he did have double digit steals and homers in less than full time play last year in the bigs. If you have to take a late season risk to attempt to make up serious September ground, there are worse places to do so.

Bryan LaHair: In what is a nice story, but little else, the Cubbies called up Bryan LaHair from AAA. The good news is that Lahair posted sick numbers at AAA, including 38 dingers. The bad news is that he hit those jacks in the hitter friendly PCL at the advanced age of 29. The odds of LaHair being a late bloomer who has found “it” are small. Enough said. Feel free to root for LaHair against all odds, just don’t bet those odds with your fantasy pennant race or long term keeper plan.

Lance Berkman: Lance Berkman is stone cold. Over the last 14 AB, he has 0 hits and 6 K. Yes, he has been a huge fantasy producer this year. However, if you have the opportunity to sell high (i.e., you are in a league that allows Sept trading), sell. The Puma looked tired last year, is hardly a spring chicken and will likely struggle to be anything like he was in the first half. You have been warned.

Jesus Montero: The Jesus Montero era began this week, well sort of. The only real positive from game one was that Joe Girardi left Montero in to hit against a righty. From a fantasy perspective, the only reason Montero should be on your radar screen this year is if he is catcher eligible. Otherwise, a part time DH on the short side of a platoon should not be on even an AL only team. Side note here – for those of you in NY, you know all about Yankee radio announcer John Sterling’s home run calls: “A Bomb from ARod”; “Tex Message” from Teixeira; “Robbie Cano, don’t ya know”, etc. The question hotly debated on NY radio this week was what will the Montero call be? I have two suggestions: “Jesus goes to Venus” (a reference to the Elton John song) and “Jesus, I like him very much” (a reference to the Indians’ greatest baseball triumph in the movie “Major League”).

Jordan Lyles: Sticking with young rookies, the Astros recalled Jordan Lyles. If you are in a fantasy pennant race, forget this move. Lyles will be in the pen. However, if he is available and you are in a keeper league, snag Lyles. At just 20, Jordan posted an almost 3/1 K/BB. While some of the other numbers weren’t pretty, there is a lot of reason for long term optimism for this precocious hurler. Buy for the future.

Brett Wallace: Sticking with the Astros, they recalled often traded Brett Wallace. Those in both pennant races and keeper leagues should pay attention. He just turned 25, has consistently hit over .300 in the minors and posted a respectable (though not special) .268 in the bigs this year. Wallace is a classic post hype player who can pay big dividends. He is worth the small investment.

And last and least (yeah, let's call it a typo), this from the baron of the bottom of the page -- Schultz says: “The football pre-season has come to an end and with it hundreds of predictions and prognostications stemming from what we've allegedly learned from a handful of practice games. Despite the confidence in the logic, the conclusions never come from a reliable basis of fact. Calm down everybody, Schultz (yes, the return of the third person) knows that you didn't keep reading for some Malcolm Gladwell derived tripe about the scientific method. (Although if you did? Wow! Really? How did you end up here? I'm fascinated).

Everybody knows that the stars of any sport's pre-season will soon be relegated back to the depths of obscurity. Has there been a Jake Fox sighting recently? And what about this year's NL standout, Mike Morse? He's just vanished . . . Wait a minute! No, he hasn't. Proving that pundits don't get paid for the accuracy of their predictions, Morse has defied the conventional wisdom and turned in a phenomenal breakout season for the Nationals.

When planning for any draft/auction (as some of you might be doing this weekend), keep in mind that the base level of roto-information has leveled dramatically in the Internet age. Everyone pretty much has the same information at their disposal. The roto-owners that usually do well are the ones that flout the norm and go against the grain. They end up with the Mike Morses of the world while everyone else runs. Are they the smart ones? A wise guitarist once said, "there's a fine line between stupid and clever."

Response: Come on Schultzie, you cannot close with a line involving stupid and clever, it is too easy. Which I guess should have been your other point. When things seem too easy, they usually are. If someone falls so far in your draft, quickly get on the web and see if there is some news you missed. That type of in draft diligence could be key!

 

[HacheMan]

Twin (SP) Killing for Twins

The Twins had two seasons end over the weekend. Nick Blackburn had his rehab shut down and is done for the season. He's a testament to the fact that ground balls, and ground balls alone, is not enough to hang your hat on. Now 720 innings into his career, his 4.50 ERA is the best single stat to look at anyway. The Twins also got bad news on Francisco Liriano, who has a left shoulder strain. Even if it's not considered serious, it's the second time he's had the issue this season. He had the swinging strikes and ground balls this year, but control eluded him. If he gets traded to the National League, he's immediately more interesting next year. The Twins had a snakebit year, and Justin Morneau is one red flag from the doctors away from being done for the season too. He took batting practice Friday, but the fact that he's still dealing with concussion symptoms is really bad news.

Hanley Ramirez will undergo surgery on his shoulder, so it's not all Twins who found their seasons ended. The four-to-six months of recovery time means that we have to be cautious with him next year too. Mike Stanton went down with a hamstring injury, but he's only day-to-day. Cameron Maybin did not start his eighth straight game Sunday but he did pinch run and is close to returning. Nate McLouth was officially transferred to the 60-day DL and not only is his season over, but most likely his tenure with the Braves. Jake Peavy is a candidate for being shut down, admits his manager. He's dealing with fatigue and the team is almost out of it. Brennan Boesch will have season-ending surgery, which ends a solid sophomore campaign. Franklin Gutierrez is done for the year with a severe oblique strain, which ends a lost year.

Let's end on a positive note. Mark Teixeira was hit in the knee Thursday but returned Sunday and should be fine. Johan Santana is going to make a rehab start Friday and then join the Mets. Who knows how long he can go into games, and if they'll give him a start on September 14 or 15 or if they'll wait until the following week's homestead. Clay Buchholz felt really good after throwing on flat ground and hopes to return as a reliever later this month. Does that mean his fantasy season is over? Grady Sizemore should return sometime this week, so it's worth looking if he's available in your deeper leagues, even if the speed is gone. Jason Kipnis might return later this week, too. Nelson Cruz thinks he can beet the three-week timetable, if someone dropped him in your roto league.
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* Jeremy Guthrie has a 4.95 second-half ERA and gave up seven runs (three earned) in five innings against the Rays Friday, so that means we're starting with the bad pitching paragraph. Guthrie is always a borderline play, even in deeper leagues, but he should have been a start in this game. Sit him against the Blue Jays in Toronto next time out. Brett Cecil had a worse day, as he gave up four earned in six against the Yankees. Average whiffs, average control and below-average ground-ball rate makes the former closer an iffy play in any league right now. John Lackey gave up six runs in five innings to the Rangers and really just has very little going for him at this point. He's barely ownable in any league.

Ian Kennedy set the bar for the NL with his 18th victory Saturday, beating Tim Lincecum in the process. Other than control, none of his numbers are elite, and he's benefitted from some good luck this year. Most years, he'll have an ERA in the mid-to-high threes given his peripherals. Brandon McCarthy shut out the Mariners with ten strikeouts to put an exclamation mark on his year so far. His new ground-ball rate, combined with excellent control, is making his marginal stuff play up -- and surely his home park helps a little. Edwin Jackson has been pretty good in the National League this time around. After allowing two runs in seven to the Reds (with eight strikeouts), he has a 3.44 ERA in the lesser league. Given his mediocre whiff and ground-ball rates, the fact that Matt Harrison held the Red Sox to two runs in seven innings with five strikeouts has to be counted as a surprise. Still, he'll be worth starting in Seattle this week. Jeremy Hellickson has had some results that didn't work with his peripherals. But we also know that he has more upside than he's showing right now, particularly in the control department. He didn't walk a batter and held the Orioles to one run in a complete game victory. Sure, he only struck out one, but there's more coming. Mat Latos gave up two runs in seven innings and struck out eight. He's an interesting sleeper for next year and in dynasty leagues, he might be a good offseason acquisition. Max Scherzer blanked the White Sox and deserves better than his 4.33 ERA.

* September is a strange month. All the promising young players are up since the minor league seasons are over, but their playing time is often sparse. To whit: James Darnell is back with the Padres and will get time with Chase Headley on the DL (until mid-month) and Logan Forsythe hurting (angry knee says the Padres manager). But it's unclear how much time fellow callup Anthony Rizzo will get with Jesus Guzman playing so well. Nathan Eovaldi is a promising young pitcher, but now he's in the bullpen after his final start on Saturday (one run in six innings against the Braves). Devin Mesoraco is with the Reds, and actually will make his first major league start on Monday. He might not get a ton of at-bats. Ryan Lavarnway is a big young kid with a bat, but he'll only be a third catcher and backup DH for the Red Sox the rest of the way.

* Brian Wilson leads the bullpen paragraph because he can break things with his beard. He threw Sunday, but it was 'lightly' and a bullpen is coming 'soon.' Removing Rafael Betancourt from the closer's role right now would be asinine says his manager. Whoa! Francisco Cordero wants to remain with the Reds after this season, but the dude is 37 and clearly declining. Why pay him $12 million when Aroldis Chapman is cheaper and better? Sergio Santos blew his fifth save of the season on Saturday by allowing a two-run home run to lefty-killer Ryan Raburn and then a walkoff blast to Miguel Cabrera (who hit another Sunday). Sean Marshall got the save on Sunday after Carlos Marmol blew the game by giving up a two-out grand slam to Derrek Lee on Saturday. No mention of a changing of the guard, though.

* How about some play at the plate? Jose Bautista was the first to 40 home runs this year, raise your hand if you were sure he'd be good again this year. Lucas Duda only hit his eighth, but this second half has been a break-out half for him. There's nothing really unsustainable about it either. Adam Jones doubled and homered on Sunday, and that gives him 23 dongers and 11 stolen this season. It's his best year of his career, and it might represent his peak. Carl Crawford had a great weekend, including a grand slam on Saturday and four hits over the weekend. Platoon Brewer catcher George Kottaras hit for the cycle. That's right, the cycle. He's still a tricky play because Jonathan Lucroy is the primary backstop.

National League Quick Hits: Wandy Rodriguez gave up three runs in six innings, but struck out eight Brewers and is pretty much an every-starter in every league … Now the Giants are confident that Jonathan Sanchez will return this season, after he threw 10 pitches at 65% on Saturday … Anibal Sanchez didn't give up an earned run against the Phillies Sunday, ending an unlucky streak that made people wonder if he was tiring … Ryan Vogelsong gave up two runs in seven-plus with six strikeouts and one walk to continue his storybook resurgence … Paul Goldschmidt hit a home run Saturday but all those strikeouts are not a good sign … The Braves' Randall Delgado has mid-rotation upside, and held the Dodgers to three runs in five innings with four strikeouts on Sunday … Bronson Arroyo held the Cardinals to two runs in eight innings, but the five strikeouts and ten hits means he's really just back to being mediocre … Charlie Morton gets ground balls, but he also gave up three earned runs in 4 1/3 to the Cubs and has a putrid 96-to-68 strikeout-to-walk ratio … Randy Wells only gave up one run in six innings to the Pirates but he's still a risky play in most leagues given his career history … Jose Constanza had two hits Sunday, but it was only his third start in the Braves' last nine games.

American League Quick Hits: Ben Zobrist missed his second straight day Sunday but should be back Monday … Carlos Quentin says his shoulder feels better but he's not ready quite yet … Colby Rasmus (wrist) will begin swinging in the next couple of days … Trevor Cahill held the Mariners to one run with four strikeouts in five innings and it was only the first time he won over the past seven starts, which is weird because he's done some things better this year than last year … Coco Crisp could return to the lineup Monday … The Yankees will continue on with a six-man rotation says Joe Girardi … Jed Lowrie was removed from Saturday's game with soreness in that left shoulder but called the move precautionary … Kevin Slowey gave up two earned in seven against the Angels with a mere four strikeouts; His zero walks represent his best feature … Tsuyoshi Nishioka is playing for his job next year, and got on base four times Saturday in that effort … Casper Wells was hit by a pitch and is day-to-day … Chris Davis will play some rehab games Sunday and Monday … Michael Taylor was supposed to play Sunday, but it looks like he'll get at-bats against lefties when he finally does get into the lineup … Joel Pineiro gave up one run in seven innings against the Twins, but that says something about the Twins offense for sure … Conor Jackson left the Red Sox game on Sunday holding his arm, then got his knee checked out, and is supposedly fine … Blake Beaven gave up four earned in five innings against the Athletics, which means he's pretty much un-ownable … Chone Figgins is back in the major leagues!

 

[HacheMan]

Trends: Viciedo Manifesto

SURGING

Dayan Viciedo, 3B, CWS

Stats: .400 avg (10-for-25) with a homer and four RBI in his first seven games of the year prior to Monday’s matchup with the Twins.

Bottom line: Viciedo hit .296 with 20 homers at Triple-A this year and has hit .326 with six homers in his first 129 big league at-bats between 2010 and 2011. Still owned in just 12 percent of Yahoo leagues, the 22-year-old prospect has the look of an immediate impact acquisition in mixed leagues.

Alex Presley, OF, PIT

Stats: .556 avg (10-for-18) with a homer, two triples, two steals and five runs scored in his last four games prior to Monday’s matchup against the Pirates.

Bottom line: The 26-year-old has rediscovered his swing after spending more than a month on the DL with a thumb injury, and is now hitting .325 with two homers, 19 runs and seven steals in 126 at-bats this year after hitting .333 with eight homers and 22 steals at Triple-A. He’s not an explosive option, but should be an asset in batting average while providing a modest boost in runs and steals.

Follow me on Twitter: @MattStroup

Randy Wells, SP, CHC

Stats: 3-0 with a 0.83 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 15/5 K/BB in his last three starts (21.2 IP).

Bottom line: Wells’ season ERA (4.86) and WHIP (1.39) are nothing to get excited about, but he’s trending in a positive direction at the moment and has an intriguing matchup against the Mets in New York later this week.

David Murphy, OF, TEX

Stats: .459 avg (17-for-37) with three homers, 12 RBI and two steals in his last nine games prior to Monday’s matchup with Tampa Bay.

Bottom line: Murphy hasn’t had an especially productive season, but he has hit .317 (38-for-120) since the beginning of July and is worth owning in mixed leagues while Nelson Cruz is on the DL.

Cliff Pennington, SS, OAK

Stats: .385 avg (10-for-26) with a homer, eight RBI and three steals in his last six games prior to a Monday night matchup with Kansas City.

Bottom line: After posting 29 steals last year, Pennington swiped just six during the first four months of this season before picking up the pace with four steals in his last nine games. Owned in 22 percent of Yahoo leagues, he’s lined up to be a useful middle infield option down the stretch.

Jordan Schafer, OF, HOU

Stats: .311 avg (14-for-45) with a homer, five RBI, seven runs and three steals in his first 12 games for the Astros (prior to Monday’s matchup against Pittsburgh).

Bottom line: Perhaps I partially noticed this trend because Schafer’s 14-for-45 exactly mimics my batting line from my senior year of high school, but beyond that fleeting moment of nostalgia, there’s some deeper mixed league value to be extracted from Houston’s leadoff hitter, who’s owned in just three percent of Yahoo leagues.

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

Luke Hochevar, SP, KC

Stats: 2-0 with a 3.43 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 20/4 K/BB ratio in his last three starts (21.0 IP).

Bottom line: I haven’t trusted Hochevar ever since he weaseled his way into my lineup only to decimate my ERA and WHIP back in 2009, but I’ve decided to give him a long overdue chance at redemption with a start against the Mariners in Seattle later this week.