MLB Fantasy News 2011

[HacheMan]

Josh Beckett sprains ankle

TORONTO -- Boston Red Sox starter Josh Beckett left Monday's 1-0 extra-inning loss against the Toronto Blue Jays in the bottom of the fourth inning with a sprained right ankle, the team announced.
Beckett, who had pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings with six strikeouts before the injury, appeared to have caught the foot on the area just in front of the pitching rubber when delivering a pitch to Blue Jays rookie Brett Lawrie.

Beckett will return to Boston on Tuesday to see a doctor about the ankle.
"It's always concerning," Beckett said. "That's my power leg."
Beckett said he slipped and fell while stepping off a mound in the bullpen before the game, but didn't think that had anything to do with the pain that forced him out.
"I felt it on the second to last pitch and then it felt a little bit different on the last pitch I threw," he said. "I didn't feel it till those last two pitches."
"It felt like it was locked up and then it popped in and out of the socket or something," Beckett added.
There was no immediate word as to severity of the sprain and, if there's any good news in the matter, it's that it did not involve his left knee -- a problem that derailed Beckett's scheduled appearance in the All-Star Game.
Manager Terry Francona and a Red Sox trainer visited the mound immediately after the pitch, and after a conversation the call was made to remove Beckett, who was replaced by Alfredo Aceves. Aceves gave up one hit in 3 2/3 innings before the Red Sox fell in the 11th on Lawrie's walk-off home run.
"It was getting stiff and it was getting sore so we got him out of there," Francona said. "We'll get him back to Boston so we can see what happened, what's going on in there. Right now, we just don't know."
Beckett was able to stand and walk after the game but said his ankle was still sore.
"It's bad timing, but who knows?" he said. "I could be back out there in six days. We'll see."
Only Monday morning, Francona had announced that left-hander Erik Bedard, who won for the first time in six tries for Boston on Saturday, would skip his next scheduled start in Tampa Friday to give his oft-ailing knee a breather.
Francona had also mentioned before the game he wanted to find Beckett some extra rest.
Beckett entered the game with a 2.53 ERA and a 12-5 record.

 

[HacheMan]

Zach Stewart nearly perfect versus Twins

Eric Karabell

• Chicago White Sox right-hander Zach Stewart flirted with a perfect game Monday, finally allowing a double in the eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins. He finished with a one-hit shutout. Still, Stewart really doesn't come recommended in fantasy yet; the rookie had allowed 13 earned runs in his previous two starts, in 10 2/3 innings. His ERA is 4.56. The ability, if not the consistency, is there.


<INLINE1>• Detroit Tigers right-hander Doug Fister, ESPN's most-added player but still available in more than 30 percent of standard leagues, struck out 13 and allowed one earned run in beating the Cleveland Indians Monday. Fister boasts a 2.64 ERA in seven starts for Detroit. He should be owned in all leagues.
• New York Yankees catcher Jesus Montero smacked the first two home runs of his career Monday, knocking in three and scoring three. Even in standard leagues, consider Montero down the stretch, for catcher and perhaps your utility option, because he's likely to play every day, and he can hit.


• Cincinnati Reds first baseman Yonder Alonso hit a pair of singles and knocked in a run Monday, raising his batting average to .389 in 54 at-bats. Alonso, who played his 10th game in the outfield Monday to qualify there in ESPN standard leagues, should play quite a bit and, like Montero, has power.


• Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Henderson Alvarez tossed six shutout innings against the Boston Red Sox Monday, allowing four hits and fanning four. Alvarez, a rookie with a 2.95 ERA and 1.04 WHIP after six starts, hadn't faced a top offense, but now he has. Use him against the Baltimore Orioles this weekend. Meanwhile, Josh Beckett left the game early sprained ankle. Don't expect him to pitch this weekend.


• Another available hurler to watch is Houston Astros right-hander Henry Sosa, who allowed two earned runs in six innings in losing to the Pittsburgh Pirates Monday. Sosa's ERA in his past three starts is a cool 2.00. His next outing is scheduled to be in Washington against the Nationals, making him a deep-league spot-start choice.

 

[HacheMan]

Oh My, Montero

I hope everyone had a most excellent Labor Day. Or, for the purposes of this particular column, we'll call it "Strasmas Eve."

Monday was filled with plenty of exciting individual performances, but we'll start with the power exploits of young Jesus Montero. The heralded rookie homered twice (complete with curtain calls) and drove in three runs in a wild 11-10 win victory over the Orioles. Perhaps most impressive, both were opposite-field shots. By the way, do you happen to know the last 21-year-old to homer twice in one of his first five games in the big leagues? Our pal Aaron Gleeman tells us that it was Manny Ramirez in 1993. You know, just in case the hype wasn't already out of control.

Montero has started each of the last three games as the designated hitter, but don't get too carried away yet, as he was simply getting the nod against a string of left-handed starters. Jorge Posada will likely DH on Tuesday against the right-hander Tommy Hunter.

I could envision a scenario where Montero would bump Posada off the postseason roster, especially if the Yankees go up against the lefty-heavy Rangers' staff, but this should remain a pretty strict platoon down the stretch. With playing time likely to be an issue, it's tough to rely on Montero outside of AL-only and deeper mixed formats. He's obviously keeper gold, though.

While we wait to see what Montero has in store for an encore, here are some more news and notes from around a busy Labor Day in the baseball world.

* Zach Stewart was nearly perfect against the light-hitting Twins on Monday night. The rookie right-hander retired the first 21 batters he faced until a leadoff double by Danny Valencia in the bottom of the eighth. It was the only hit he allowed on the night.

Stewart, who was acquired from the Blue Jays in July as part of the three-way Colby Rasmus deal, struck out a career-high nine in the 4-0 victory, as the White Sox took both games of the doubleheader. The 24-year-old right-hander now has a 4.56 ERA and 38/14 K/BB ratio over his first 53 1/3 innings in the big leagues.

Stewart has four pitches in his arsenal and has shown an ability to induce ground balls, so he has a chance to make it as a starting pitcher in the long run. However, it may be too early to trust him beyond AL-only leagues, even with a start against the depleted Indians this weekend.

* Is it possible that we finally have some good news to report on the Ike Davis ankle situation? It sure sounds like it. The 24-year-old first baseman worked out with his teammates before Monday's game against the Marlins and told reporters that he is confident he will be able to avoid surgery on his left ankle.

Davis, who hasn't played since a collision with David Wright on May 10, has been pain-free for the past two weeks and resumed baseball activities over the weekend. He'll stlll need to get through a checkup with doctors in New York later this week, but barring a setback, he expects to have a normal offseason before getting ready for spring training.

We have a long way to go here, but if everything goes off without a hitch, Davis has a chance to be a real sleeper in mixed leagues next season. Remember, he was batting .302/.383/.543 with seven home runs, 25 RBI and a .925 OPS over his first 149 plate appearances prior to the injury.

* Josh Beckett was cruising through a start Monday against the Blue Jays, striking out six over 3 2/3 scoreless innings, but was then forced to leave the game with a sprained right ankle. He is scheduled to return to Boston on Tuesday to have the ankle evaluated by foot specialist Dr. George Theodore, who has previously performed surgeries on Dustin Pedroia and Curt Schilling.

It's all guesswork until we learn the diagnosis, but with the Red Sox two and a half games behind the Yankees in the American League East and seven games up on the Rays in the Wild Card, they have little reason to rush him back to the mound. Keep that in mind if you're counting on him in fantasy leagues over the next two weeks.

NL Quick Hits: Cliff Lee tossed his sixth shutout of the season in Monday's win over the Braves … Troy Tulowitzki slugged a three-run homer in Monday's loss to the Diamondbacks, giving him 100 RBI for the first time in his career … Hanley Ramirez will have a CT scan before undergoing season-ending surgery on his left shoulder … Pablo Sandoval hit a pair of solo homers Monday in a win over the Padres … Mike Morse clubbed a pair of home runs in a win over the Dodgers on Monday … Javier Vazquez struck out seven over seven innings of one-run ball Monday night against the Mets and continues to be a must-start in fantasy leagues … Madison Bumgarner allowed two runs over 8 1/3 innings and struck out a career-high 13 in a win over the Padres on Monday … Mike Stanton (hamstring) was out of the lineup for the second straight game Monday … Brian Wilson (elbow) threw 15 pitches in a bullpen session Monday … Matt Garza allowed three runs (one earned) over 7 2/3 innings and struck out eight in a win over the Reds on Monday … Carlos Beltran missed Monday's game due to food poisoning … Josh Johnson (shoulder) threw off a mound Monday for the first time since July … Randy Wolf tossed eight innings of one-run ball in a win over the Cardinals on Monday … Cameron Maybin (wrist) went 1-for-4 with three strikeouts and a stolen base in his return to the lineup Monday … Chipper Jones sat out Monday's game due to illness … The Cardinals hope to retain Rafael Furcal before he reaches free agency … Jair Jurrjens (knee) is two weeks away from throwing off a mound ... Dexter Fowler homered twice Monday in a loss to the Diamondbacks … Tommy Hanson (shoulder) felt good after throwing from a distance of 120 feet Monday … Yadier Molina (calf) went 1-for-3 in his return to the lineup Monday … James McDonald tossed 7 1/3 innings of one-run ball and struck out six in Monday's win over the Astros … Mets assistant general manager John Ricco said Monday that Jon Niese (intercostal strain) isn't close to returning from the disabled list … Peter Moylan (back) tossed a perfect inning Monday in his first appearance since being activated from the disabled list … The Marlins purchased the contract of third baseman Matt Dominguez from Triple-A New Orleans … Jerry Hairston is considered day-to-day after leaving Monday's game with neck soreness … Cubs activated Andrew Cashner (shoulder) from the 60-day disabled list … The Rockies are expected to call up prospect catcher Wilin Rosario on Tuesday while left-hander Drew Pomeranz should join him later this week … The Phillies activated Joe Blanton (elbow) from the 60-day disabled list … Chris Snyder (back) will not return this season …

AL Quick Hits: Robinson Cano slugged his seventh career grand slam in a win over the Orioles on Monday … James Shields allowed one run and struck out six against the Rangers on Monday in his 11th complete game of the season … Billy Butler went 3-for-4 with two home runs, three RBI and four runs scored in Monday's win over the Athletics … Brett Lawrie hit a walkoff homer as the Blue Jays beat the Red Sox 1-0 in 11 innings on Monday … Doug Fister struck out a career-high 13 while allowing two runs -- one earned -- over eight innings Monday in a win over the Indians … Mark Trumbo homered and drove in three runs in Monday's win over the Mariners … Justin Morneau will be limited to DH duties if he returns from concussion symptoms in September … Grady Sizemore (knee, hernia) went 0-for-4 with an RBI groundout Monday in his return from the disabled list … Coco Crisp (foot) was out of the lineup for the second straight game Monday … Johnny Damon was held out of Monday's lineup after being in the right leg by a pitch Sunday … Yunel Escobar (wrist) was held out of the starting lineup for the second straight game Monday … Travis Hafner (foot) took batting practice for the third straight day Monday and may begin jogging this week … Eric Thames (head) went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in his return to the starting lineup Monday … In his return from the disabled list, Phil Humber (facial contusion) tossed seven shutout innings Monday in a win over the Twins … Freddy Garcia was knocked around seven runs over 2 2/3 innings Monday in a no-decision against the Orioles … Jose Lobaton is expected to see regular starts behind the plate with the Rays down the stretch … Brian Matusz struggled once again Monday, giving up five runs over 1 1/3 innings against the Yankees ... Maicer Izturis (thigh) went 0-for-3 with a hit-by-pitch and a run scored in his return to the starting lineup Monday … The Blue Jays activated Dustin McGowan from the 60-day disabled list … Hideki Okajima is considering retirement or returning to Japan next season … Jack Hannahan (calf) could miss 5-7 days … The Orioles are expected to activate Chris Davis (shoulder) from the disabled list Tuesday … The Red Sox recalled Ryan Lavarnway from Triple-A Pawtucket … The Twins plan to recall outfielder Joe Benson and first baseman Chris Parmelee from Double-A New Britain prior to Tuesday's game … Bobby Jenks (back) is likely done for the season … According to Jack Curry of YES Network, the Yankees could call up prospect right-hander Dellin Betances from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre …

 

[HacheMan]

Strasburg Electric

It’s difficult to call a five-inning start spectacular, but at the very least, Stephen Strasburg’s return was a sign of spectacular things to come. Making his first start just over a year after undergoing Tommy John surgery, Strasburg held the Dodgers to two hits and no walks with four strikeouts, throwing 56 pitches (and 40 strikes) over five innings.

It ended up fizzling into a no-decision after his bullpen allowed seven runs over the next four innings, but there’s little doubt that the 23-year-old has already rediscovered something resembling peak form. And he has a chance to break out an explosive line with a start against the punchless Astros this weekend.

* Speaking of notable pitching returns, Dustin McGowan made his first big league appearance since July 2008, and though he struggled somewhat (three runs on five hits and three walks over four relief innings against Boston), McGowan did record five strikeouts while hitting 96 mph on the gun.

* And while we’re on the topic of hard-throwing right-handers, Josh Beckett has been diagnosed with a sprained right ankle, and Gorden Edes of ESPN Boston reports that the Red Sox are hoping he’ll only miss 1-2 starts, beginning with Sunday’s scheduled turn in the rotation.

* Meanwhile, Beckett’s teammate, Clay Buchholz, is still hoping to return as a starter, and though the Red Sox haven’t ruled that out, it appears that Buchholz wouldn’t be ready to start until the postseason, meaning that any regular season innings he sees would likely be as a reliever.

* In other pitching news, Johan Santana looked impressive during a Tuesday bullpen session, with Josh Thole (who caught the bullpen) telling MLB.com: “He might not be the exact same person, but I’ll tell you: the ball is coming out of his hand just as good as ever.” Assuming he doesn’t have another setback, Santana will make a rehab start on Friday and could rejoin the Mets next week.

* And speaking of left-handers (I know, the transitions in this Dose so far have been nothing short of astounding), Rockies prospect Drew Pomeranz will make his big league debut against the Reds on Sunday. Acquired in the Ubaldo Jimenez trade, Pomeranz is just a couple weeks removed from an Aug. 20 emergency appendectomy, and while the Rockies will likely play it careful with him down the stretch, there’s significant upside here for next year. The 2010 first-round pick posted a 1.78 ERA with a 119/38 K/BB ratio in his first 20 professional starts this year.

* The good news on Rickie Weeks (ankle) is that he could return from the DL this weekend against the Phillies, but any enthusiasm on that front should be tempered by the fact that Weeks isn’t ready to play the field yet, meaning that he’ll initially be a pinch-hitter upon his return.

* Jason Kipnis (1-for-3 on Tuesday) rejoined the Indians after a three-week absence due to hamstring and oblique injuries, and warrants a look where available after hitting .279 with six homers in his first 18 major league games.

* Jose Tabata, who left Monday’s game early, has been diagnosed with a small fracture in his left hand. The Pirates reportedly plan to shut him down for the next 10 days before reevaluating the injury, so it’s very possible we’ve seen the 23-year-old’s last meaningful contributions this season.

* Jason Motte picked up his third save Tuesday, and though it was an ugly one (three hits and a run), he’s beginning to look like the preferred closing option in St. Louis after having received three of the last four save chances for the Cards, and allowing just one earned run since late June.

* After Bobby Parnell struggled again on Tuesday, Terry Collins told ESPN New York that the right-hander could get a break from the closer’s role. Unfortunately for fantasy owners, Collins could turn to anyone from among Josh Stinson, Manny Acosta, Pedro Beato or Jason Isringhausen if he does use someone else to close. For any fantasy owners brave enough to try extracting saves from this mess of a bullpen, it should be noted that Stinson picked up his first major league save with a perfect 12<SUP>th</SUP> inning on Tuesday.

Follow me on Twitter: @MattStroup

Pitcher injury notes: Carlos Carrasco (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery next week, meaning he’s likely out until late 2012 or early 2013… Josh Tomlin (elbow) has been cleared to begin playing catch, but may return as a reliever if he’s able to make it back this year… Paul Maholm (shoulder) and Kevin Correia (oblique) are officially done for the season… Bronson Arroyo (knee) is expected to make his next scheduled start… Francisco Liriano (shoulder) is slated to throw a bullpen later this week, but it remains unclear if he’ll make it back in 2011.

Position player injury notes: Nelson Cruz (hamstring) is hoping to return when eligible on Tuesday… Mike Stanton (hamstring) appeared as a pinch-hitter, but indications are that he might not rejoin the starting lineup until this weekend… Hanley Ramirez (shoulder) will undergo surgery on Sept. 15 and could miss 4-6 months, potentially putting the beginning of his 2012 season in doubt… The Orioles activated Chris Davis (shoulder) from the 15-day DL… Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. told MLB.com that Jimmy Rollins (groin) is “getting closer,” but still isn’t quite ready to return… Aubrey Huff got a day off after leaving Monday’s game with back tightness, and Brett Pill homered in his major league debut while playing first in Huff’s place… Blake DeWitt (hamstring) is currently only available to pinch-hit… Coco Crisp (foot) was a late scratch Tuesday, but could be back Wednesday… Ryan Howard admitted that he’s still bothered by bursitis in his heel and Achilles, which could result in some days off later this month after the Phillies clinch… Justin Morneau (concussion) is expected to take BP Wednesday, but there remains no timetable for his return.

Position player injury notes, Part II: Shin-Soo Choo is hoping to return on Sept. 13… Scott Rolen (shoulder) is still optimistic about a return this season… Franklin Gutierrez hit the 60-day DL, putting an end to his disappointing 2011… Conor Jackson (knee) was scheduled to hit off a tee Tuesday and should be ready to return soon… Jed Lowrie (shoulder) entered Tuesday’s blowout win off the bench… Denard Span (head) went through a full workout and is still attempting to return this month… As expected, Brennan Boesch (thumb) underwent season-ending surgery and now faces 10-12 weeks of recovery… Ike Davis (ankle), Jonathan Herrera (finger) and Rajai Davis (hamstring) are officially done for the season… Yunel Escobar (wrist) returned to action … Travis Hafner (foot) might still need offseason surgery even if he is able to return this month… Johnny Damon (leg) was available as a pinch-hitter Tuesday… Colby Rasmus (wrist) hit off a tee Tuesday, but manager John Farrell reportedly wants him to get some minor league at-bats before he returns… Mike Cameron left Tuesday’s game in the 11<SUP>th</SUP> inning with a tight right hamstring.

Miscellaneous notes: Rockies prospect catcher Wilin Rosario (.249 average, 21 homers at Double-A) went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in his major league debut… Alexi Ogando (5.01 ERA since the All-Star break) will rejoin the rotation on Saturday after having his last turn skipped… The Dodgers recalled Jerry Sands, who returns with no guarantees of playing time in left field… Pedro Alvarez went 0-for-3 in his return from Triple-A… The Blue Jays recalled Kyle Drabek, who will be used as a reliever after struggling badly as a starter this year… The Mariners recalled Alex Liddi (28 homers, 101 RBI at Triple-A), but he may not get enough starts to be relevant… Brian Matusz (9.84 ERA in 10 starts this season) has not surprisingly been removed from the rotation… The Nationals called up Brad Peacock, but the right-hander will pitch as a reliever down the stretch… Nats 2B prospect Steve Lombardozzi (.309 average with eight homers and 30 steals in the minors) drew a walk in his major league debut as a pinch-hitter… Josh Johnson, who’s out for the year due to his shoulder injury, is hoping to prevent future shoulder trouble by improving his posture.

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

Notable pitching: Jon Lester picked up his 15<SUP>th</SUP> win with 11 strikeouts in seven scoreless innings against the Jays… Sergio Santos bounced back from a couple shaky outings to pick up his 29<SUP>th</SUP> save… Jake Peavy threw 6 1/3 scoreless innings with nine K’s against the Twins… C.J. Wilson threw his first career shutout en route to his 15<SUP>th</SUP> win… Kyle Lohse picked up win No. 13 with six shutout innings against Milwaukee… Jeff Niemann struggled against Texas for a second consecutive start… Vance Worley moved to 11-1 after allowing two runs in six innings against the Braves… Mike Leake held the Cubs to two runs over nine innings in what may have been his last start of the season.

Notable hitting: The currently scalding David Murphy went 4-for-4 with two doubles, a homer and four RBI… Jon Jay homered for a second straight game… Marco Scutaro went 4-for-5 with four RBI… Eric Hosmer homered for the fourth time in his last seven games… Starting over Jesus Montero Tuesday, Jorge Posada homered in just his second appearance since Aug. 30… Troy Tulowitzki hit No. 30 on the season… Matt Wieters homered for the sixth time in his last 13 games.

 

[HacheMan]

Changing of the Card

It's back to school time, which means that you're also probably in the playoffs in your head-to-head leagues… or in crunch time in your roto leagues.

A quick refresher (a cram session if you will) on what September means: September means that you cannot hold that injured star any longer if he's more than two weeks out. Holding him would mean getting nothing for half of the remaining season… at best. September means that you cannot hold the struggling Adam Dunn types any more. By this time they might be losing playing time to the next big thing, that prospect that might take his place. Even a good last month would only help you so much.

In the bullpen, September means that you also have to act quicker, and be more heartless. Is Leo Nunez about to lose his job… and a spot start with his pitching spot might mean the difference between making it to next week or not? Then don't hold on any longer. Been hoping Mike Adams would close all year? It's time to move on. And since so many of us are involved in the back-to-school goodness, we'll name the tiers using scholastically-themed one-liners. Comedy comes from pain, you see.

Tier 1: Elite (5) (AKA: The "College would be great if it weren't for all the classes" Tier.)
Jonathan Papelbon, Boston Red Sox
Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves
Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees
Joel Hanrahan, Pittsburgh Pirates

John Axford, Milwaukee Brewers

• Pretty much covers how I felt about college for the first couple of years. More than a few baseball players probably feel like baseball would be great if it wasn't for all the dominant closers.
• Jonathan Papelbon walked two betters on Monday! He hadn't done that all year and he hadn't walked a batter at all since July 10th. Dominance. But you know what? John Axford now has a sub-2.50 ERA for over 120 innings in the last two years. And it's been built on an excellent strikeout rate and an ever-improving walk rate. In fact, he's in shouting distance of the league average walk rate, which is amazing considering he regularly put up walk rates that were twice the league average in the minor leagues. Congratulations to the newest member of the elite tier.

Tier 2: Rock Steady (6) (AKA: The "Teachers deserve a lot of credit; If we paid them more, they wouldn't need it" Tier.)
J.J. Putz, Arizona Diamondbacks
Drew Storen, Washington Nationals
Heath Bell, San Diego Padres

Ryan Madson, Philadelphia Phillies
Andrew Bailey, Oakland Athletics
Jose Valverde, Detroit Tigers

• Imagine a standup comedian going to bat with these lines… might not go so well. The good news is that these closers all have at least one dominant pitch that they can use to slay the crowd.
• J.J. Putz still has a good case for the top tier -- he has half as many walks as Axford, for example. But he also seems to have twice as many DL stints as anyone in the elite tier, so that's the invisible hand holding him back. And even in his reduced state, Heath Bell has a long track record of elite-level success, so he deserves to grace the top of this tier. The Padres aren't handing him many late leads, but with all of their close games, that might change soon.
• This ranking is an apology to Ryan Madson. I believe his coach and general manager too much when they ridiculed his ability to close. I thought Brad Lidge might come back. I thought Antonio Bastardo looked lights-out dominant when he was given the shot. I knew Madson was a good closer, but I didn't give him enough credit. Now, with this ranking, I've fully apologized. He has elite control, a strong strikeout rate, and has good results all year.
• Sure Andrew Bailey gave up three runs to the Royals this week. He still has a three-to-one walk-to-strikeout ratio, and all the ground balls that Jose Valverde induces only slightly mitigates the fact that he doesn't have a two-to-one ratio on the back of his baseball card.

Tier 3: OK options (7) (AKA: The "My kids have everything they need for school… except the right attitude" Tier.)
Joakim Soria, Kansas City Royals
Joe Nathan, Minnesota Twins
Jordan Walden, Anaheim Angels
Brandon League, Seattle Mariners
Carlos Marmol, Chicago Cubs

Kyle Farnsworth, Tampa Bay Rays
Sergio Santos, Chicago White Sox

• Having the right attitude and nothing else… that wouldn't work either. These closers have the tools, but there's something awry nonetheless.
• Joakim Soria had his second Kimbrel of the year on Monday, striking out three Athletics with no hits, walks or runs. Ever since he recovered his velocity in the second month of the season, he's been a lot better. In light of his reduced swinging strike and ground-ball rates, though, it's worth asking if the 27-year-old is post-peak already. Joe Nathan has also recovered most of his pre-surgery velocity, but not quite the swinging strikes. He finally had a three-strikeout outing for the first time this year on Monday. Both guys could go either way next year, just because that's what relievers do, and the Mariano Rivera and Billy Wagner types -- closers that are elite into their old age -- are few and far between.
• Sergio Santos did not have a good week. He blew a save against the Tigers by allowing two home runs while getting two outs… and then he was removed from his next opportunity two days later. At least he managed a regular save Tuesday night. Some of this is Ozzie being Ozzie -- Guillen has long been using Chris Sale against lefty-heavy lineups, and Sale has been stealing saves for some time now -- but some of this is worrisome because Sale is so good in his own right. The fact that the team is thinking about making Chris Sale a starter next year means that they'll continue to give Santos some leash, though.
• Looks like Kyle Farnsworth's elbow is fine, and with his elite control (he has walked nine batters all year), he's good for this tier. The team even has an option on him for next year, so he could close again next year. He's been striking out more batters recently, so he's not quite Brandon League, but it is sort of remarkable that League and Farnsworth surround Carlos Marmol. You couldn't have a more different pitcher in the midst. He's volatile but his strikeout rate makes up for a lot of pain. Sean Marshall got a save this Sunday and made Marmol owners nervous, but there was Marmol, getting his 32nd save on Monday night.

Tier 4: Question marks (7) (AKA: The "School is where you always try your best… except when your friends are watching" Tier.)
Neftali Feliz, Texas Rangers
Francisco Cordero, Cincinnati Reds
Javy Guerra, Los Angeles Dodgers
Chris Perez, Cleveland Indians
Mark Melancon, Houston Astros
Kevin Gregg, Baltimore Orioles

• Wait, is school were we try our best? At least these closers are trying their best… I think. Sometimes it's hard to tell.
• Lately, the results have been better for Neftali Feliz (twelve straight scoreless outings) and that's why he zooms to the top of this craptacular tier. But all is still not right with him. He has still walked seven batters since the beginning of August. Even if he struck out 13 over the same time period, the control has just not been with Feliz all year. Still, would the Rangers make a switch as huge as making Mike Adams the closer right now? On their way to the playoffs? Doubtful.
• Last week we talked about Francisco Cordero's $12 million option and the likelihood that the Reds won't exercise it. As if on cue, Co-Co and his agent made a statement that he would like to stay with the team and is open to negotiating an extension. Ah-hah. Well, if he comes back cheaply, maybe, but Aroldis Chapman is looking like their future closer. As the team falls out of it, start listening for talk of 'getting the young guys in there.' That might mean an audition for the Cuban lefty.
• In his last ten outings, Chris Perez has seven strikeouts against three walks. That's way, way better than his seasonal ratios. He still needs to get better to keep the job all next year with those ratios, though.
• Kevin Gregg continues to be the worst safe closer in the league. he now has six more strikeouts than walks. Six. In his last two appearances, he walked five against no strikeouts… and somehow managed to only blow one of the two chances. Gregg has really lost his swinging strike rates, which were the only things going for him in the past, considering he's a fly-ball pitcher with poor control. If they're gone for good, he won't make it through next year as the closer. If they return, he might be a mediocre closer available on the cheap next year.

Tier 5: Rollercoaster rides (5) (AKA: The "I'm failing geometry because I refuse to believe that pie are squared" Tier.)

1st Chair: Jason Motte, 2nd Chair: Fernando Salas, St. Louis Cardinals
1st Chair: Rafael Betancourt, 2nd Chair: Huston Street, Colorado Rockies
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: Jon Rauch, Toronto Blue Jays
1st Chair: Sergio Romo, 2nd Chair: Santiago Casilla, San Francisco Giants

• Math puns have to be the bottom of the comedy barrel. These guys represent the bottom of the closer barrel, so it's fitting.
• Tony LaRussa might have made the switch official Tuesday night. He used (former closer?) Fernando Salas in the seventh inning, for two outs. He went with Jason Motte for the save, and Motte promptly allowed three hits and a run. Still, that's two saves in his last two appearances. Who knows why LaRussa prefers Motte to Salas -- they both have excellent peripherals, even if Motte's ground-ball rate is better -- but it looks like he does. Go get Motte if he's still out there and you need saves.
• It looks like the Colorado switch is official as well. Now Rafael Betancourt's manager says he would be insane to take the Venezuelan out of the closer role. Huston Street will earn more saves in the future, but perhaps not this year.
• Leo Nunez doesn't have a save since August 16th, but he also has four straight scoreless appearances and there's only been one team save since that day. He's probably still the closer there, at least until the offseason and a possible trade. The Marlins are more concerned with next year and trade value then anything.
• Bobby Parnell is a gas can with a pack of matches burning next to it. He's got all the firepower in the world, but hasn't yet figured out how to harness his triple-digit fastball completely. His five walks against three strikeouts since becoming the closer are evidence enough of that. That said, he's only blown two saves, (including Tuesday night's two-run explosion) and the Mets are looking to the future. He'll be safe but unattractive the rest of the way.
• Jon Rauch came back from appendicitis and got blown up by the Yankees on Sunday. Frank Francisco has been better most of the year, and lights out recently -- he's allowed only one earned run since July 7th. He's got the job for now.
• Sergio Romo still doesn't have a save, but that's mostly because the Giants haven't produced a save opportunity since August 26th, when Santiago Casilla got the call. Well, then Ramon Ramirez did get the save Tuesday night, but he's probably still behind the other two.. and Brian Wilson is throwing again, so it might not matter for long.

<CENTER>* * * * * * * * * *</CENTER>
Injured
Jonathan Broxton, Los Angeles Dodgers (elbow)
Brian Wilson, San Francisco Giants (elbow)

• Brian Wilson threw 15 pitches in a bullpen Monday, but if the Giants fall further out of it, it won't matter how many bats Wilson can break with his beard.

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

• No news is good news, for most. Fernando Salas might join his former teammate soon though.

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

• We've talked about Tony Plush/DJ N-N-Nice before, but Nyjer Morgan deserves to be owned in more leagues than he is. Sure, he's a platoon bat and a crazy dude, but you can deal with both headaches pretty easily. Ignore his antics if you don't think they are funny, and put him on your bench when he faces lefties. See how easy that was? Morgan has four steals in the past two weeks, and only about 10 fewer at-bats than your typical player. Only four players in baseball have more than four steals over the past two weeks. He's useful.
• Leonys Martin was called up on September first and has since come to the plate twice. And he got a hit. Maybe it's a stretch to put the Cuban defector here, but with Nelson Cruz hurt, and Craig Gentry so mediocre, there might be a sliver of an opportunity for him. At 23 and coming from Triple-A, he's fully-formed enough to make the most of his chances. The problem is that Endy Chavez has been playing well enough and Martin is also a lefty, so platooning may not be an option. David Murphy is also a lefty, so you're really hoping for nicks and scratches to him and Chavez if you decide to pick up Martin. And from Martin you can most likely expect a lot of speed and contact and not much power, patience, or strikeouts. Sort of like what we wanted out of Julio Borbon.

 

[HacheMan]

Stephen Strasburg impressive in return

Eric Karabell

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• Washington Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg tossed five shutout innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday in his first big league start of the season after recovering from Tommy John surgery last year. Expect two, or perhaps three, more outings this month, and you'll want Strasburg, ESPN's most-added pitcher, active for them.

• Detroit Tigers right-hander Rick Porcello, five months younger than Strasburg but already in his third season, delivered 6 1/3 strong innings Tuesday, allowing three hits and one run to earn his 13th win. Porcello isn't the safest September option, however; his ERA in August was 6.82. Be careful trusting Porcello.


• Meanwhile, Porcello easily beat Cleveland Indians right-hander Fausto Carmona, who allowed seven runs while retiring just four hitters Tuesday. Forget about Carmona's flashy 3.19 ERA since the All-Star break; that number has risen to 4.15. Carmona, with eight outings this season of six or more runs allowed, is just not worth the risk in fantasy.


• Texas Rangers outfielder David Murphy homered, doubled twice and knocked in four runs Tuesday, his second four-hit game in a week. Murphy, playing regularly with Nelson Cruz on the DL, has raised his batting average 20 points already in September. He's one of ESPN's most-added hitters, but he's still available in 75 percent of standard leagues.


• Boston Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia smacked his 15th home run of the season Tuesday and notched his fourth multi-RBI game in his past eight starts. Saltalamacchia remains available in 92.5 percent of ESPN leagues despite the home runs and his reasonable .250 batting average.


• Speaking of catchers, the Colorado Rockies unveiled Wilin Rosario on Tuesday. The 22-year-old went hitless in three at-bats, though he walked and scored a run in his big league debut. Rosario hit 40 home runs over the past two minor league seasons, and the lure of Coors Field is attractive. Keeper-league owners take note.

 

[HacheMan]

Brett Pill deserving of attention

Eric Karabell

• San Francisco Giants first baseman Brett Pill homered for the second consecutive game Wednesday, and should be in line for more playing time. Pill, who turns 27 Friday, hit .312 with 25 home runs for Triple-A Fresno; he's past prospect status, but Aubrey Huff and Brandon Belt aren't hitting much. Those in NL-only formats should add Pill, because his power is legit.

• Atlanta Braves outfielder Jason Heyward singled twice and walked twice Wednesday, hopefully a harbinger of good things in a disappointing season. Heyward, a top-100 player on draft day currently owned in 72 percent of leagues, is not among the top 100 outfielders on the Player Rater. He entered Wednesday hitting .207 since the All-Star break. Let's see how he performs the rest of the week before calling him safe again.


• Oakland Athletics right-hander Guillermo Moscoso kept the Royals hitless until there were two outs in the eighth inning Wednesday, ultimately tossing 8 2/3 shutout innings. He was removed one out from a shutout after throwing 129 pitches. Five of Moscoso's past six starts have been very good, with a rough outlier in Boston an exception. Moscoso is worth adding for his potential two starts next week.


• New York Mets right-hander R.A. Dickey threw seven shutout innings Wednesday, earning his eighth win. The last time the knuckleballer permitted more than three earned runs was nine starts ago. His season ERA (3.47) and WHIP (1.26) are fine. Why is this man owned in only 14.6 percent of leagues? He should be more popular.


• Cleveland Indians outfielder Shelley Duncan blasted two home runs off potential Cy Young winner Justin Verlander Wednesday. Three days earlier, Duncan hit two home runs and knocked in five against the Kansas City Royals. The right-handed hitting Duncan has always possessed power, but this recent display -- all off right-handed pitchers -- is impressive, and worth watching for deeper leagues.

 

[HacheMan]

No No-No Moscosco, 22 for JV

A tale of two starts should bring into focus the type of pitching analysis that makes the most sense in the long run. Pitcher number one pitched six innings, struck out eight and walked two. He gave up three hits, but two happened to be two-run home runs, so he gave up four runs on five baserunners. Look up the player's statistics and you can see he has an excellent swinging strike rate and doesn't give up walks, like ever. Pitcher number two pitched one out short of a complete game, but only struck out four. He allowed 23 balls into play, and only two fell for hits. That's how he gave up no runs and almost threw a no-hitter. Look up his statistics and you see he doesn't get swinging strikes, has mediocre control, and is an extreme fly ball pitcher.

Of course, once you knew that pitcher number one was Justin Verlander (who won his 22nd) and pitcher number two was Guillermo Moscoso (who won his eighth), you would have known that there was a stark difference in talent. But the exercise still teaches us that there are skills that we want to look beyond just the results. Yes, Moscoso almost threw a no-hitter. No, he's not a great pitcher.

Matt Cain continued his run of pitching well and losing, as he allowed two runs in seven innings and lost to the Padres. He's much better than 11-10, but you've probably noticed by now that we don't talk about wins very much here. Don't chase them or you'll end up with A.J. Burnett (who set a major league record with the eighth game of his career with three or more wild pitches on Wednesday) and nobody wants that. Brandon Beachy and Roy Oswalt both struck out seven, but Beachy did it in four outs fewer and only walked one batter. Oswalt got the win, but both should be owned in all leagues.

In the 'bad' paragraph, Brad Hand might seem out of place. He only allowed one run in six innings against the Mets. But he also walked four and didn't strike out a batter. Yuck. J.A. Happ gave up four runs in five innings against the Pirates on Wednesday, and it was the second time he's given up more than four walks in the three starts since he's returned from the DL. Since he doesn't get strikeouts or ground balls, this control problem makes him unstartable in any format. Brandon Morrow lives here but even when he gets lit up like he did by the Sox on Wednesday (eight runs and two home runs in 4 1/3 innings), he gets strikeouts (five Wednesday). The problem is he's also a fly ball pitcher with bad control many days. He's just always going to be volatile.

* There's always time to check in with the doctor. Jimmy Rollins does it every day. The most recent update says he can field ground balls but not run yet. Teammate Chase Utley will get familiar with the doctors over the next couple of weeks as he left the game with a possible mild concussion after being hit by a pitch in the helmet. Clay Buchholz played catch with no issues and wants to be back as a starter, not a reliever. Mike Stanton pinch-hit Wednesday and should be back in the lineup Friday. Denard Span and Justin Morneau took batting practice but his concussion issues will keep them out a while longer. Morneau is closer to a return. If Scott Baker and Francisco Liriano return this year, it will be in relief. They can be dropped. Carlos Quentin could return this weekend, so pick him up if someone dropped him. Rickie Weeks was scheduled to run the bases Wednesday, and would be a huge boon down the stretch for his real-life and fantasy teams. Tommy Hanson's shoulder felt good after a second long-toss session. He wants to rejoin the rotation mid-month.

* Nolan Reimold gets to head up the hitting paragraph after hitting a two-run homer, walking four times and stealing two bases against the Yankees. He's playing most days and could be an interesting late-round pick next year. Cameron Maybin doubled and tripled Wednesday to snap out of a little cold funk. He can do what he's doing now for a while, but will have some years with a worse batting average given his contact rates. Coco Crisp stole his 40th, which is at least somewhat surprising, given his health issues. Desmond Jennings walked them off Wednesday and has enough power to put up a Jacoby Ellsbury-like season in his best full year. (Ellsbury himself had four hits Wednesday, including his 25th home run.) Ian Kinsler hit two homers in that game, one off of Kyle Farnsworth. He's a great player with a mediocre batting average.

* Bullpen upheaval! Manny Acosta got the save for the Mets on Wednesday night and Terry Collins said he was going to do that before the game. That's bad news for the struggling Bobby Parnell, but Captain Fastball is still the guy with the triple-digit heater. He's not done yet. Jim Johnson got the save in Baltimore, and is a better pitcher than Kevin Gregg, but he only got the save because Gregg had pitched earlier in the extra-inning game. Brian Wilson threw another bullpen session Wednesday and aired it out. He could take the job back from the committee led by Sergio Romo soon.

National League Quick Hits: Andrew McCutchen hit two home runs Wednesday night against the Astros … Johnny Cueto gave up three earned in seven innings and the regression is officially on … Carlos Pena hit his 26th and in leagues that don't use batting average, he's been great … Ryan Ludwick was activated from the DL and will take over for Jose Tabata while he recovers from his fractured left hand … Brett Pill had two hits (one a solo homer) in his second straight start, and he might just wrest first base for himself for the rest of the year … Ryan Dempster gave up three runs in six innings to the Reds but only struck out two, which isn't a good sign … Mike Leake will only make one more start … Knuckle-ballers are always hard to predict, but R.A. Dickey has been good and continued his run with seven scoreless against the Marlins … Joe Saunders allowed three runs in six innings against the Rockies and that's about the best you can expect from him … Wilin Rosario had two hits in his second major leg game, but he's all power and no plate discipline and needs refinement … Emo Juan Uribe (hernia) will have season-ending surgery soon … Jeff Locke will make his debut on Saturday against the Marlins for the Pirates so that Charlie Morton can rest, but neither is very attractive in any fantasy league.

American League Quick Hits: Nelson Cruz did some sprits at 60-70% effort … Jesus Montero looks like he'll DH against lefties, which means he won't save many fantasy teams (this year) … Johnny Damon (leg) missed his third-straight game since being hit with a pitch Sunday … Trayvon Robinson hit a solo home run and has power and speed, but watch that batting average fall if he doesn't make more contact … Jerome Williams struck out five Mariners, walked one, and held the team to one run in eight innings, and he's changed his pitching mix since he last pitched in the majors, so we'll have to wait for more information … Opponent Charlie Furbush gave up three runs in 7 1/3 innings with three strikeouts at home against the Angels, and if that's about the best you can expect from him, he's not a great play in most leagues … Carl Pavano only gave up one earned run against the White Sox, but also ten hits, and that'll happen with his high-contact approach … Trevor Crowe is back from the DL but might only be a fourth outfielder on this revamped Indians team … Chris Davis got to the plate six times and struck out five times (and grounded out once); ouch … Casper Wells' elbow is still tender … J.D. Drew (finger) is not close to returning … Chris Parmelee hit his first major league home run in his second major league game, but it's unclear if he'll have the power to man first base in real life or fantasy.

 

[HacheMan]

Deserving Dexter
We're off and running in September. And if your leagues are anything like mine, the pickings are pretty slim on the waiver wire. While many have turned their attention to football, those who are left standing are more focused than ever on upgrading their respective rosters.

No long rant from me this week. After all, the less time you spend reading my well-intentioned ramblings, the more time you'll have to pick up some of the recommendations below. This arrangement works pretty well for everyone.

MIXED LEAGUES

Dexter Fowler OF, Rockies (Yahoo: 28 percent owned, ESPN: 36.5 percent)

Since returning from the minors in mid-July, Fowler is batting .305/.395/.547 with four homers, 17 doubles, 10 triples, 21 RBI, 43 runs scored, eight stolen bases and a .942 OPS over 237 plate appearances. That's elite level production right there. The strange thing is that he is somehow owned in less Yahoo! and ESPN leagues than Grady Sizemore. Sure, many of those owners likely gave up on their teams months ago, but how one of the most productive players of the second half is still so widely available is a real mystery. Scoop him up and don't look back.

Bud Norris SP, Astros (Yahoo: 40 percent owned, ESPN: 34.1 percent)

Norris isn't without his issues. He has a 5.26 ERA over his last seven starts and hasn't completed six innings in five of them. The good news is that he also has 38 strikeouts over 39 1/3 innings during the same timespan. Keep in mind, his next start will be on the road, where he has found more success (3.34 xFIP away, 3.89 xFIP home) this season. If you need strikeouts, he makes for a fine streaming option Friday against the Nationals.

James McDonald SP, Pirates (Yahoo: 13 percent owned, ESPN: 8.8 percent)

I mentioned McDonald in Waiver Wired five weeks ago and his ownership has improved only slightly. This, despite a very palatable 4.04 ERA and 38/18 K/BB ratio over his last eight starts, including 7 1/3 innings of one-run ball in Monday's win over the Astros. McDonald isn't a good bet to pitch deep into games (he has completed seven innings just twice this season), but he has given up three runs or less in 18 out of his last 20 starts. I like him against the Marlins on Sunday at PNC Park, where he has a 3.02 ERA this season.

Jason Kipnis 2B, Indians (Yahoo: 16 percent owned, ESPN: 16.7 percent)

Kipnis was dropped en masse in most mixed leagues after going on the disabled list with a hamstring injury last month, but he went 1-for-3 with a strikeout in his return Tuesday night. Indians manager Manny Acta plans to ease him back into regular duty, but don't forget that the rookie second baseman has six homers and four doubles over his first 71 major league at-bats. He can provide some punch at second base in deeper leagues or for your middle infielder (MI) spot.

Alex Rios OF, White Sox (Yahoo: 46 percent owned, ESPN: 38.3 percent)

Don't look now, but Rios is batting .295 with two homers, three doubles and eight RBI over his last 15 games. The 30-year-old center fielder has been a massive bust this season, both in real life and fantasy, but it wouldn't shock me in the least if he had a productive September. I don't recommend him with much enthusiasm (he has drawn one walk since July 25), but the talent is certainly there.

Aaron Harang SP, Padres (Yahoo: 40 percent owned, ESPN: 35.7 percent)

Harang made easy work of the light-hitting Giants on Wednesday, giving up just one run on four hits over seven innings. He has allowed two earned runs or less in each of his last four starts and now owns an impressive 3.74 ERA over 25 starts this season. The "Harangatang" probably deserves to be owned in most mixed leagues at this point regardless of opponent, but he is an ideal streaming option with another start against the Giants next week.

Cliff Pennington SS, Athletics (Yahoo: 12 percent owned, ESPN: 40.4 percent)

Pennington looked like a complete bust during the first half of the season, batting just .235 with six stolen bases, but he has flown under the radar as one of the most productive fantasy shortstops since the All-Star break. That may not sound like much, we're talking about a .324 batting average to go along with 17 extra-base hits (including four homers), 32 RBI, 26 runs scored and six stolen bases over 170 at-bats. He deserves to be taken seriously in mixed leagues.

Randy Wells SP, Cubs (Yahoo: 19 percent owned, ESPN: 17.6 percent)

It's been a tale of two seasons for Wells. The 28-year-old right-hander had an ugly 6.80 ERA over nine starts during an injury-plagued first half, but has a very respectable 3.48 ERA over 10 starts since the All-Star break. This includes six innings of one-run ball in Sunday's win over the Pirates. Wells has been a bit fortunate with his batting average on balls in play, but his recent results are more indicative of what was expected coming into the season. I wouldn't recommend him in all leagues, but if you need a streaming option in a H2H league, he is usable.

Nyjer Morgan OF, Brewers (Yahoo: 17 percent owned, ESPN: 17.3 percent)

Though it's largely gone unnoticed in mixed leagues, Morgan remains a valuable fantasy contributor. Since I last mentioned him in Waiver Wired on July 21, "Tony Plush" is batting .287/.356/.385 with one homer, nine doubles, one triple and 21 runs scored. This includes four stolen bases in his last 11 games. His platoon partner Carlos Gomez is back from the disabled list, but considering that Morgan is batting just .237 with a .591 OPS against left-handed pitching this season, that's not necessarily a bad thing. His antics on the field can be off-putting at times (see Wednesday night, for example) but he needs to be owned in more leagues.

Editor's Note: Want to play salary cap fantasy baseball and win real cash? Snapdraft is back.

Shopping at the five-and-dime:

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

Alex Presley OF, Pirates (Yahoo: 6 percent owned, ESPN: 7 percent)

While the Pirates have faded during the second half of the season, Presley has emerged as a potential regular moving forward. The 26-year-old outfielder is batting .314/.371/.474 with 13 extra-base hits (including two homers), seven stolen bases and an .845 OPS over his first 137 at-bats in the big leagues. Pirates manager Clint Hurdle recently rewarded Presley's strong play by moving him to the top of the batting order. The Pirates outfield could get a little crowded in the final week or two of the season, but with Jose Tabata currently sidelined due to a fracture in his left hand, his playing time should be relatively safe in the short-term. Give him a look in five-outfielder formats.

Kenley Jansen RP, Dodgers (Yahoo: 5 percent owned, ESPN: 3.3 percent)

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly recently told reporters that he would feel comfortable with either Javy Guerra or Jansen as his closer next season. Guerra has been excellent in the ninth-inning role, especially lately, but I wouldn't be surprised if Jansen got a couple chances down the stretch with an eye toward next season. The hard-throwing right-hander has struck out 73 batters over 43 2/3 innings this season, so even if he doesn't get the opportunity, he can still be plenty useful in fantasy leagues.

Dee Gordon SS, Dodgers (Yahoo: 6 percent owned, ESPN: 8.6 percent)

I have been skeptical about Gordon being an asset in mixed leagues this season, primarily because his plate discipline still leaves a lot to be desired. It's still a legitimate concern moving forward, but the rookie shortstop is batting .462 (12-for-26) with four doubles, two RBI, seven runs scored and four stolen bases since coming off the disabled list last week. Gordon is playing everyday at shortstop and batting leadoff right now, so he should get plenty of chances to pile up stolen bases and runs scored moving forward. Worth a look in deeper leagues or if you need someone to fill your MI (middle infielder) spot.

<!--RW-->AL ONLY

Trevor Plouffe 2B/SS/OF, Twins (Yahoo: 3 percent owned, ESPN: 4.2 percent)

His .242/.309/.412 batting line may not seem impressive, but he has actually been one of the better bats in the Twins' lineup since the start of August. The 2004 first-round pick now has 21 extra-base hits (including seven homers) over 211 at-bats this season, which is one short of Joe Mauer and Tsuyoshi Nishioka combined. Ouch. Plouffe isn't a great defender, but he should continue to get plenty of starts at shortstop and second base as the Twins attempt to see if he can be an asset for 2012.

Zach Stewart RP/SP, White Sox (Yahoo: 1 percent owned, ESPN: 0 percent)

Stewart took a perfect game into the eighth inning in his last start, but it doesn't look like many fantasy owners were impressed. Granted, it was against the Twins, so we may have to dock a couple points, but Stewart has actually pitched pretty well during his rookie season. Though the 24-year-old right-hander is the owner of a pretty mediocre 4.56 ERA over 36 2/3 innings, he has a 28/9 K/BB ratio and a ground ball rate of 53.6 percent. There's still some debate about whether he'll be a starter or reliever in the long run, but he deserves to be owned in AL-only leagues the rest of the way.

Jose Lobaton C, Rays (Yahoo: 0 percent owned, ESPN: 0 percent)

Rays manager Joe Maddon announced earlier this week that Lobaton would get increased looks down the stretch to see if he could be in the team's plans for 2012. The 26-year-old backstop had a solid season with the bat at Triple-A Durham, batting .293/.410/.489 with eight homers and an .889 OPS over 224 plate appearances. He aggravated his left knee during Tuesday's game, but is expected to be back in the lineup his weekend. He is worth a flier down the stretch.

NL ONLY

Juan Francisco 3B, Reds (Yahoo: 0 percent owned, ESPN: 0.3 percent)

Francisco would have been with the Reds even sooner if it wasn't for injuries to his left calf and right knee, but he was finally recalled from Triple-A Louisville when rosters expanded last week. The 24-year-old is batting .286 (6-for-21) with one home run, two doubles and six RBI since his return and has started three of the last four games at third base. Scott Rolen still intends to return this season after undergoing shoulder surgery in early August, but that's far from a guarantee. Francisco has routinely posted impressive power numbers in the minor leagues, so he's well worth owning this month.

Manny Acosta RP, Mets (Yahoo: 1 percent owned, ESPN: 0 percent)

Acosta locked down his fifth career save in Wednesday's win over the Marlins. The veteran right-hander got the call because Bobby Parnell and Jason Isringhausen were both unavailable, but it's worth mentioning that he has a 3.05 ERA and 80/28 K/BB ratio over 76 2/3 innings since being claimed off waivers by the Mets at the end of spring training last year. If Parnell continues to struggle, he could be a real darkhorse for saves down the stretch.

Edinson Volquez SP, Reds (Yahoo: 21 percent owned, ESPN: 20 percent)

Ignore the ownership numbers. I think they are a dead giveaway of owners who bailed on their teams early in the season. The main thing to focus on is that Volquez is expected to take Mike Leake's spot in the starting rotation once he is shut down for the season. Volquez, now two years removed from Tommy John surgery, has a 5.93 ERA over 16 starts with the Reds this season. However, he has impressed since his demotion in early July, posting a 2.47 ERA and 76/23 K/BB ratio over 11 starts. That doesn't automatically mean he'll be successful now that he's back in the big leagues, but he's obviously worth a look in NL-only formats.

 

[HacheMan]

Bits: Dee Gordon keeps on running

Eric Karabell

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Dee Gordon hit four singles and stole his 17th base in 37 games Thursday. Gordon, who has four games with three or more hits in the past week, last drew a walk in June, but he's getting hits and running wild. He's available in 86 percent of ESPN standard leagues.


The considerably older Vladimir Guerrero doubled twice and hit his 12th home run Thursday, raising his batting average to .282. It's been a disappointing season for the Baltimore Orioles designated hitter, but Guerrero does have five multi-hit games in his past nine starts, so perhaps his best month will be the current one.


New York Mets outfielder Jason Bay hit a grand slam in the first inning of the first game of Thursday's doubleheader, coincidentally his 12th home run of the season. Bay has three home runs and eight RBIs in the past week, matching the numbers he had in those categories all of August. Still, with a low batting average, the modest power isn't worth it.

<OFFER>

Young Atlanta Braves starting pitchers Mike Minor and Julio Teheran started and won in Thursday's doubleheader, but neither comes recommended this month. Minor, 23, allowed the Bay home run and little else in five innings, but he still allows too many hits. Teheran, only 20, has more upside for those in dynasty leagues, but he's raw.


Chicago White Sox third baseman Brent Morel swatted a pair of home runs Thursday, but it's far too late for fantasy owners who labeled him a preseason sleeper. Through 105 games this season, Morel hit three home runs! His .284 on-base percentage also fails to excite. Don't expect a 2012 breakout.


Boston Red Sox shortstop Marco Scutaro is enjoying his September; his three hits Thursday gave him 11 hits and nine RBIs in the past four games alone, raising his batting average 20 points to a solid .291. Scutaro hasn't been a popular fantasy choice this season, with little power and speed, but ride the hot streak while it lasts.

 

[HacheMan]

Utley Out All Weekend

Phillies second baseman Chase Utley suffered a mild concussion on Wednesday evening when he was struck on the top of his batting helmet by an Eric O’Flaherty pitch.

Utley is not being nagged by headaches, nor is he experiencing any concussion-related symptoms that could be considered severe, but the Phillies are going to take advantage of their comfortable lead in the National League East standings by giving their star second baseman all the time that he needs. And more. If he needs it. You get the point.

According to Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Utley is going to remain sidelined for the Phillies’ entire weekend series against the Brewers. If he passes an IMPACT concussion test on Saturday, the 32-year-old could return to action in time for Monday night’s series opener with the Astros. But he obviously needs to be benched in fantasy leagues for now.

This is Friday’s edition of the MLB Daily Dose...

Editor's Note: Want to play salary cap fantasy football and win real cash? Snapdraft is back.

* We can put a bow on Andre Ethier’s 2011 campaign. The Dodgers announced Thursday that the 29-year-old right fielder will pay a visit to Dr. James Andrews on Friday and could need surgery to fix the problems that have been ailing his right knee. Ethier has been shut down for the season, and could miss part of 2012 if he indeed needs a leg procedure.

A .291/.364/.479 career hitter, Ethier turned in a disappointing .292/.368/.421 batting line over 551 plate appearances this year. He had a strong first half, but injuries sapped his power after the All-Star break and he wound up slugging just one home run during the month of August. He had just three dingers in July. Ethier’s status heading into spring training next February will be very much up in the air.

Juan Rivera, Trent Oeltjen, Tony Gwynn Jr. and Jerry Sands will split time at the Dodgers’ corner outfield spots down the stretch.

* The Brewers activated Rickie Weeks from the 15-day disabled list Thursday, but they did not use him in last night’s 7-2 loss to the Phillies and probably won’t allow him to return to the starting lineup until the middle of next week. The All-Star second baseman has been out since late July with a badly sprained left ankle and has not yet faced live pitching. He’s also just starting to perform lateral and stop-and-start movements. Don’t be fooled by the Brewers’ curious roster move. Keep him sidelined until he’s actually ready to play.

National League Quick Hits: The Phillies activated shortstop Jimmy Rollins from the 15-day disabled list … Ike Davis got confirmation Thursday that he will not need surgery to repair his troublesome left ankle … The Nationals have ruled out Bryce Harper (hamstring) from postseason play at Double-A Harrisburg … Chipper Jones homered and doubled Thursday while batting second for the first time since 1996 … Brandon Belt will play winter ball in the Dominican Republic … Johan Santana (shoulder) could return to the Mets as a reliever as soon as next week … Jason Bay hit his fourth career grand slam Thursday in a loss to the Braves … The Giants released infielder Miguel Tejada and outfielder Aaron Rowand … Logan Forsythe underwent season-ending arthroscopic knee surgery on Thursday … Juan Rivera drove in four runs Thursday in a defeat of the Nationals … Jason Isringhausen will be out several days due to a herniated disc in his back … The Marlins released utilityman Alfredo Amezaga … The Nationals plan to use Ivan Rodriguez merely as an emergency third catcher down the stretch.

American League Quick Hits: The Yankees are expected to promote pitching prospect Dellin Betances this weekend but he might not actually make an appearance in a major league game … Colby Rasmus (wrist) has begun taking batting practice and is expected to return to the Blue Jays’ outfield next week … The White Sox plan to give right-hander Jake Peavy at least one more start before shutting him down for the season … Adam Lind (wrist) will be back in the Toronto starting lineup Friday … Travis Hafner (foot) is on track to return to the Indians in mid-September … Vladimir Guerrero homered and doubled twice Thursday in the Orioles extra-innings victory over the Yankees … Red Sox starter Andrew Miller allowed five runs on eight hits Thursday in a loss to the Blue Jays … Conor Jackson remains day-to-day with a bruised knee … Blue Jays catcher J.P. Arencibia is up to 22 home runs … Brent Lillibridge has been diagnosed with a broken right hand and is likely done for the season.

 

[HacheMan]

Go Get 'Em, Tiger
With the season winding down, plenty of debate is swirling around the American League MVP race, with a handful of legitimate candidates and no clear-cut favorite leading the pack.

The Cy Young race, meanwhile, is stirring much less dust. Justin Verlander leads the league in wins, innings, ERA, strikeouts and WHIP, which amounts to a pretty airtight case for honors as the AL's top hurler. With 22 victories under his belt already and three weeks left on the schedule, Verlander has a shot to become the first pitcher since 1990 to reach 25 wins.

In order to do so, he'll need to take advantage of the opportunity in front of him next week, when he'll draw a pair of starts as he looks to help the Tigers clinch a No. 2 seed for the postseason. Verlander's starts both come on the road, but that shouldn't be a problem as he's been almost equally good away from home and the lineups he'll be facing (White Sox and Athletics) both rank among the worst in the Junior Circuit.

Verlander joins an intriguing slate of two-start pitchers, along with streamer recommendations and more, below.

Going Twice...

American League

Strong Plays
Matt Harrison: CLE (Masterson), @SEA (Hernandez)
David Price: @BAL (Simon), @BOS (Lester)
Felix Hernandez: NYY (Hughes), TEX (Harrison)
Gio Gonzalez: LAA (Pineiro), DET (Porcello)
Justin Verlander: @CWS (Danks), @OAK (Moscoso)

Decent Plays
Jeff Niemann: @BAL (Britton), @BOS (Weiland)
Guillermo Moscoso: LAA (Jerome Williams), DET (Verlander)
Joel Pineiro: @OAK (Gonzalez), @BAL (Britton)
Bruce Chen: MIN (Diamond), CWS (Peavy)
Rick Porcello: @CWS (Peavy), @OAK (Gonzalez)
Jake Peavy: DET (Porcello), @KC (Chen)
Justin Masterson: @TEX (Harrison), @MIN (Swarzak)

At Your Own Risk
Tim Wakefield: TOR (Morrow), TB (Price)
Zach Britton: TB (Niemann), LAA (Pineiro)

National League

Strong Plays
Matt Cain: SD (Luebke), @COL (Cook)
Aaron Harang: @SF (Surkamp), ARI (Saunders)
Roy Oswalt: @HOU (Myers), STL (Westbrook)
Cole Hamels: @HOU (Happ), STL (Lohse)
R.A. Dickey: WAS, @ATL (Hudson)
Johnny Cueto: CHC (Dempster), MIL (Gallardo)
Brandon Beachy: FLA (Volstad), NYM (Gee)

Decent Plays
Chien-Ming Wang: @NYM (Gee), FLA (Hand)
Kyle Lohse: @PIT (Lincoln), @PHI (Hamels)
Eric Surkamp: SD (Harang), @COL (White)
Brad Lincoln: STL (Lohse), @LAD (Lilly)
Dillon Gee: WAS (Wang), @ATL (Beachy)
Brett Myers: PHI (Oswalt), @CHC (Dempster)
Chris Volstad: @ATL (Beachy), @WAS (Strasburg)
Rodrigo Lopez: @CIN (Leake), HOU (Sosa)
Ryan Dempster: @CIN (Cueto), MIL (Gallardo)
Joe Saunders: @LAD (Lilly), @SD (Harang)

At Your Own Risk
Brian Burres: STL (Carpenter), @LAD
Dana Eveland: ARI (Kennedy), PIT (Burres)
Brad Hand: @ATL (Minor), @WAS (Wang)
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, 9/14: Luke Hochevar vs. MIN
The Twins have been held to one or zero runs in 12 of their last 20 games.

Wednesday, 9/14: Wade Davis @ BAL
Davis has notched three quality starts in his last four turns and should be able to dispatch the O's in Baltimore.

Friday, 9/16: Philip Humber @ KC
A favorable match-up for Humber, who owns a 9-8 record and 3.45 ERA on the season.

National League

Tuesday, 9/13: Mike Minor vs. LAD
The talented lefty has notched five or more strikeouts in each of his past six starts.

Wednesday, 9/14: Homer Bailey vs. CHC
In his past two starts at home, Bailey has allowed just four runs in 15 innings with a 16-to-1 K/BB ratio.

Thursday, 9/15: Kevin Millwood vs. SF
Millwood continues to get the job done in Colorado, with a 3.79 ERA through six starts.


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Total Games

American League

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

National League

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

Lefty/Righty Breakdown

American League

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

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

 

[HacheMan]

Kershaw starts with K
Clayton Kershaw’s continued domination highlights the latest Week That Was.

Clayton Kershaw: Clayton Kershaw just keeps on keeping on. Last night Kershaw won the duel with the Freak, upping his record to a gaudy 18-5. While I do not get a vote, I will tell you that if I did, I would vote for Kershaw for the Cy Young. The 23 year old southpaw has tallied a whopping 231 strikeouts to go along with a 2.36 ERA and WHIP of just 1.00. While those numbers are impressive, it is more impressive to just sit and watch him pitch. He will blaze a 94 MPH fastball and follow it up with a 71 MPH yakker. Simply put, it just looks unfair. And, to borrow a quote from the baseball classic Summer Catch, “best of all, he’s a lefty.” Bottom line: whatever you have to pay to get Kershaw for this pennant race or for next year, do it. He is that good.



Bartolo Colon: Bartolo Colon solidified his hold on his place in the Yankees’ post season rotation by tossing seven innings and allowing no earned runs. That the Yankees did not hit is not the portly one’s fault. With a 3.55 ERA and a K/BB better than 3.5/1,Colon has been a lifesaver for the Yankees. Can he do it again next year? I do not know. However, if you are in the race for your fantasy title this year, feel free to rideColon – 16K and just 2 BB over his last three starts show he is nowhere near out of gas.



Randall Delgado: Randall Delgado showed why the Braves continue to believe in him. Last night, he allowed just three hits and one run over 5 innings. Those looking for wins in a fantasy pennant race should look at the schedule. Delgado next faces off against either the Marlins or the Mets next week and neither of those teams reminds anyone of the Rangers, Red Sox or Yankees. Buy.



Brandon McCarthy: Brandon McCarthy continues to defy the odds. The former White Sox phenom went six innings, giving up just two earned runs. On the season,Brandon has a very impressive 3.39 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. Fantasy lesson – was this foreseeable? Answer: Yes. McCarthy was a highly touted prospect who could never stay healthy. So, there was always the chance he would finally get out of the trainer’s room and succeed on the rubber. More importantly, he took his stuff to a pitcher’s paradise inOakland and to a team without a budget to replace him if he struggled early. Look for those types of tells in the pitching pool when mining for diamonds in the rough next spring.



Jordan Pacheco: According to reports, Jordan Pacheco will see a lot of time at the hot corner inDenver this September. Why am I telling you this? Do I think Pacheco will set theRockies on fire? Umm, no. In truth, it is hard to see why he is being elevated after managing to hit just 278 at the minor league old age of 25 in one of the best hitting environments in the minor leagues. If you are desperate for counting numbers and have a hole to fill, I guess you can go a buck on Pacheco. However, there are better places to speculate.



Brent Morel: Brent Morel went yard Thursday with a key 3 run bomb in the Chisox victory over Schultz’s tribe. If you own Morel, sell him if you can. If you don’t, keep it that way. Despite playing in a great hitters’ park, Morel has managed a meager .258 average with only 5 dingers and just 30 RBI. At 24, there may still be time for Morel to develop. However, given that he has never hit more than 16 homers at any level, the odds of him becoming a slugging 3B seem long indeed.



Jason Bay: In a rare highlight,JasonBay jacked a grand slam Thursday against the Braves. We know that this season has been another bust for Bay. Bay has just 18 HR combined in his two years with the Mets after hitting 77 in the two seasons prior to moving toQueens. The question for fantasy owners is what to do about Bay next year. Well, if he has a big auction figure, cut him. However, if he is pretty cheap, then you have a decision. In my view, he will not hit inNew York. The park is wrong for him andNew York fans simply will not forgive two straight years of big money, low production. However, if you start hearing rumors about Bay moving on, you should perk up. He will be just 33 this month and has time to turn it around IF, yes IF, he finds a new home.



Chad Billingsley: Chad Billingsley’s nightmare second half continued this week as he was smacked around by the lowly Nats. Chad was so bad that Donnie Baseball had to come and take the ball in the third inning. His 5.17 ERA in the second half yields serious questions about whether there is an injury lurking. He simply has too much talent to be this bad when healthy. Remember that when investing at the draft table next year or when you have to decide whether to ink Billingsley’s name on your keeper list.



Dee Gordon: Dee Gordon continued to clamp down his hold on the starting SS job in LA for 2012, going 4-5 with an RBI and a swipe in the same game in whichChad was so bad. September has been very very good toDee. Indeed, as of Thursday,Dee was hitting over .500 with 5 SB. Is he a .500 hitter? Duh, no. Is he a great source of speed for both this pennant race and all of 2012? You bet. This guy stole 73 bases in one minor league season in 2009. Remember that.



Kevin Millwood: Kevin Millwood finally showed why he had such trouble getting a job this summer, by giving up four runs on 10 hits on Wednesday. That said, it is hard to be critical as Kevin has posted a very solid 3.79 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 27/4 K/BB ratio pitching forColorado. Will he be a fantasy stalwart next year? No. Can he help your team down the stretch? Yes, if he pitches on the road at places like SF and SD.

And last and but not least, Schultz says: “If you are in the hunt for a roto-title, this is the time of year when its smart to start populating your starting lineup with players who are still playing meaningful games. Who wants to depend on Andre Ethier only to see his season ended early? Who wants to lose a start or two from your staff's ace because he's being rested for the playoffs? Most years, there's a decent smattering of teams to choose from: a division title fight here, a swatch of wild card contenders there. Oddly, this year is not like most others. Four of the six divisions are locked up (although the Angels seem like they are reeling) and the wild cards teams are pretty much etched in stone. In a weird way though, the dominance of the Yankees, Red Sox and Phillies (not coincidentally the three teams with the highest payrolls) are forcing the Central and West division leaders to stay sharp. The wild card in the ALis going to be the consolation prize to the loser of the Boston/New Yorksprint to the finish. This is going to cause the Rangers and Tigers, who are in a virtual tie, to keep pressing to the end. Would you rather play a best of five series with the Red Sox or Yankees having home field advantage or take your chances hosting one of them for 3 out of 5? Same for the NL, the Braves have the wild card all but locked up and the Brewers and Diamondbacks definitely want to play host to Atlantainstead of spending some quality time in Philadelphia. The main thrust of all this is that for the homestretch of the season, you may get to ride the horses that got you this far. This doesn't happen to often, so enjoy it while you can.



On another note, Schultz not only manages this little area of The Week That Was, he manages a wonderful band called BuzzUniverse. For those of you in New York City, on Friday, September 16 at 8:00 p.m., come celebrate the release of the band's new CD, Living Breathing Magic, at The Canal Room, 285 West Broadway. As an added incentive, I will provide anyone who asks with free personalized roto-baseball advice (or at the very least, nod and listen politely while you talk about your team).”

Response: Schultz has been such a key part of TWTW and has taken the good-natured ribbing like a sport, so why not let him do a shameless plug? As for his analysis, well he is right up to a point. Yes, you have to make sure your players will play. However, with the Red Sox slide, the f/k/a Devil Rays have put themselves back in the playoff hunt. That means that Price, Upton,Jennings, Damon, Longoria and crew will continue to play regularly. Worth noting.

 

[HacheMan]

Strasburg Sudden Spot Starter?

It's almost the end of the roto season and most of you are frantically searching the wire for spot starters and streamers. There's no buying low, no selling high. There's only what have you done for me lately and what can you do for me tomorrow. So we'll focus on that bottom half of the wire, the guys that are most likely not owned in your leagues. Because it's crunch time and you can save the top half analysis for the offseason.

Stephen Strasburg might actually embody the difference in league sizes in one package. His name screams 'own me in all leagues,' but his game might actually be limited. Sunday, he was only allowed three innings and 57 pitches. Sure, he struck out four, but he won't be able to get many wins that way. He only threw 56 pitches in his first start, too. If the clean slates and strikeouts can help your roto team in your deeper league, continue along Strasburg Avenue. But if you are in a ten-team mixer, fighting for wins every week, you may want to downgrade him to a spot-starter.

Similarly, Ubaldo Jimenez held the White Sox to two runs in six innings, which would have been good news if not for the five walks, but it's probably more important how his opponent and waiver wire resident Zach Stewart did in his follow-up to his near-perfect game. Well… he did okay. Stewart gave up three runs in five innings, struck out four, walked two, and got less contact on the ground than in the air. He remains a very risky spot-start if that's what he's going to do against the iffy Indians lineup. Edinson Volquez still hasn't found the plate, it seems. He came back and gave up two runs to the Rockies in five innings on Sunday, but he walked four guys. He's the epitome of the unsafe spot-starter, but if you need strikeouts at least you know he'll get you some of those. Freddy Garcia was dealing despite poor strikeout and ground-ball rates, but now his scuffling again. He gave up five runs on ten baserunners (with three strikeouts) in five innings on Sunday. It was the Angels too, so he's not an every-starter any more this season and probably a very risky spot-starter too.

Jake Westbrook, who struck out four Braves, walked one, and gave up two runs in five-plus innings (while getting almost twice as many ground balls as fly balls) is a safe spot start right now, especially in his league and division. Maybe it's time to finally trust Vance Worley. He doesn't get great swinging strikes, or ground balls, but he does get plenty of called strikes, and has great control. That continued Sunday against the Brewers. Even though he gave up three runs in 6 2/3 innings, he struck out seven and walked one, and it was in a difficult matchup. If he's still on your wire, he shouldn't be. Even if swinging strikes are so much sexier. Doug Fister also gets the called strike more than the swinging strike, but it's working for him in the second half. He tossed seven scoreless with five strikeouts against the Twins. Is Javier Vazquez on your waiver wire? He shouldn't be. His velocity is back up to pre-2010 levels, and he struck out seven in six shutout innings against the Pirates.

* At the plate, some waiver wire dudes made some noise too. Chipper Jones has aged to the point where he's on many wires. He singled and homered Sunday and has some multi-hit games on his ledger over the past week. Alejandro De Aza had two hits and two stolen bases against the Indians. He's an interesting start against righties for the speed-needy while Carlos Quentin is out. Marco Scutaro had a solo job against the Rays and has been hot over the past week, in case you need help at shortstop. Eric Young Jr.made the most of his first start in a month by getting two hits and three stolen bases. If his playing time was more predictable, he'd be a great speed pickup for the final two weeks. Alex Rios hit a walkoff grand slam Saturday night, and has been hitting well in September, but he's still stinking it up for the season.

* There are still a few waiver moves to make in the bullpen. Jason Motte struck out the side Sunday to record his fifth save and is suddenly entreanched in the role in St. Louis. He might be a better own than Kyle Farnsworth right now. The goggled professor has a tender elbow right now, or at least he complained about it again after blowing the save Saturday night. Joel Peralta is the Ray to own in the short term if you are looking for saves. Bobby Parnell and Manny Acosta are battling it out in the Mets bullpen. Parnell got the last shot, but didn't give up an earned run. He also has the sexy velocity, so he's a step ahead in the battle. It could go either way, though.

* That said, the medical news on the stars is interesting for all daily lineup leagues. Like Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez, universally owned, sat out Sunday to rest their hip and back respectively. Both are day-to-day and not candidates for being shut down yet. Rickie Weeks returned on Sunday… no one dropped him in your league, right? Nelson Cruz might be back Tuesday. Kevin Youkilis will deal with his hip and hernia the rest of the way, but wants to rejoin the lineup on Tuesday. The Yankees have the same deal going with Alex Rodriguez. His thumb hurts a little and he won't play for the next three-to-four days. Too good to drop, both guys will still cost you some games as they get right. Tommy Hanson should get a start this season in order to determine if he can help in the playoffs, but he only had his first bullpen Sunday, so don't hope for much more than that. Jake Peavy didn't ever find his old star self this year, and he's not fully recovered from his shoulder surgery, so that has to be part of it. Now he's shut down for the season. Mike Stanton was pulled Friday and missed the weekend and is still dealing with that hamstring injury. Teammate Logan Morrison should be back Monday after missing time from a bruised knee.

And then there's the injury news for the waiver wires. Jason Kubel could be ready to return by Tuesday from his sore foot. He'll want to audition for other teams if the Twins don't re-up him this offseason. Ben Revere missed Sunday's game, but just from the flu-like symptoms that felled a couple Twins pitchers, too. Travis Hafner is back! For now. And there's Jim Thome in town now, too. Edwin Encarnacion missed the weekend after tweaking his shoulder during a swing Friday, and Yunel Escobar was hit on the elbow Saturday. Both are day-to-day, the most annoying phrase to fantasy players at the end of the season. Russell Martin's right thumb doesn't have a break, but he's not ready yet. Tsuyoshi Nishioka is fighting for next year's job, but he's also battling his oblique right now. He played Friday but not Saturday or Sunday.

National League Quick Hits: You can drop Johan Santana (shoulder) now, as his manager admitted that he is unlikely to pitch for the Mets before the end of the season … Chase Utley (concussion) has been cleared to resume baseball activities … It looks like Randall Delgado will stay in the Braves rotation (he struck out three, walked three and gave up one run in five innings to the Cardinals on Friday) and Julio Teheran will move to the pen for the time being … Trevor Bauer and Jarrod Parker might come up the bigs to help in the D-Backs' pen … Josh Collmenter gave up six runs in four innings agains the Padres and his success is built upon a funky delivery, so watch out … If you are looking for wins, the Giants starters are a little iffy these days; Ryan Vogelsong lost another decent start (eight innings, three runs against the Dodgers) and that's five straight L's now for him … Drew Pomeranz struck out two, walked two, and got good ground-ball action in his debut, a five-inning scoreless stint against the Reds, but it's unclear how many more innings he'll get from the Rox so he's a spot-starter for now … Brad Peacock will make his first major league start Wednesday against the Mets and might be an interesting spot start in the deepest of leagues, but others should wait for more (major league) info.

American League Quick Hits: Josh Beckett could return to the rotation by the weekend … Erik Bedard (knee, lat) has not yet resumed throwing and will miss another start … Adam Jones was scratched from Sunday's lineup, but there was no talk of it being a setback … Michael Cuddyer (wrist) hopes to return mid-week sometime … Danny Valencia was scratched Sunday due to right shoulder soreness, but there was no talk of an injury … Matt Moore, the best starting pitcher prospect in the minor leagues, will come up to the bigs Monday, but we still don't know if he's a reliever or a spot-starter (September 21st or 22nd?), that's yet to be determined … Felipe Paulino has always had the strikeouts, but teams have been murdering his fastball; Sunday, he struck out 11 Mariners, proving that most starters against the Mariners are decent spot starts … Likewise, though teammate Everett Teaford doesn't have the same strikeout rate, he also did well against the Mariners, with five strikeouts, one walk, and no runs in five innings Sunday … Josh Outman gave up four runs in less than five innings to the Rangers in Texas, but there's no way you started him, hopefully … Tommy Hunter gave up four runs in six-plus and just doesn't have the stuff to be a worthy fantasy starter … Ditto Scott Diamond, who did hold the Tigers to one earned run in six innings, but did so with four strikeouts against four walks … Dustin McGowan had his first big league start in three years, and gave up four runs in three innings and is a pitcher to avoid until he gets his control back.

 

[HacheMan]

Trends: Smoak Resurgence

SURGING

Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, ARI

Stats: .250 avg (7-for-28) with two homers, six RBI and seven runs scored in his last eight games prior to a Monday night matchup with the Dodgers.

Bottom line: It has undoubtedly been a mixed bag of productivity from Goldschmidt, who has seven homers and 20 RBI in just 113 at-bats, but has also struck out 39 times while hitting .248. There shouldn’t be much mystery here right now: If you need power and can afford to take a hit in batting average, add Goldschmidt.

Shelley Duncan, 1B/OF, CLE

Stats: .345 avg (10-for-29) with five homers and 10 RBI in his last eight games.

Bottom line: Shin-Soo Choo is hoping to return from an oblique injury soon, but Duncan has hit well enough lately to presumably maintain a spot in the lineup somewhere. There’s certainlyl a chance that the best portion of this hot streak has already passed, but I wouldn’t argue with giving Duncan a few games in your lineup to see if he can continue mashing a little bit longer.

Jon Jay, OF, STL

Stats: .438 avg (14-for-32) with two homers, three RBI and 10 runs scored through his first nine games of September.

Bottom line: Jay isn’t especially explosive statistically, but he can provide a little bit of help in counting stats while also giving your squad a measurable boost in batting average. He’s not that exciting of an option, and I wouldn’t necessarily recommend him if you’re trying to make up a lot of ground, but he could be a useful consideration if you’re trying to maintain a late-season lead.

Follow me on Twitter: @MattStroup

Guillermo Moscoso, SP, OAK

Stats: 4-2 with a 2.72 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 27/8 K/BB ratio in his last six starts (39.2 IP).

Bottom line: Moscoso seriously dabbled with the notion of throwing a no-hitter against the Royals last week, continuing a run of standout pitching that has seen just one ugly start in his last six: eight runs (seven earned) in four innings against the Red Sox in Boston on Aug. 27. Aside from that hiccup, the 27-year-old has been decidedly on point lately, and is well worth deploying in fantasy leagues when he pitches at home (where he’s been significantly better than on the road) against the Angels on Tuesday, a team he shut out for six innings in his season debut back in May.

Henderson Alvarez, SP, TOR

Stats: 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 13/2 K/BB ratio in his last three starts (21.0 IP).

Bottom line: Watching Alvarez’s violent arm action makes me fear for his long-term pitching health, but the results for the 21-year-old have been impressive thus far: a 3.09 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 29/7 K/BB ratio in his first seven big league starts (43.2 IP), including consecutive starts against Boston in which he held the Red Sox to three earned runs in 13 IP (2.08 ERA). Alvarez’s next start will likely come against the Yankees, but the hard-throwing sinkerballer would be in line for some more favorable matchups later this month, assuming that the Jays don’t opt to shut him down.

Dee Gordon, SS, LAD

Stats: .386 avg (17-for-44) with six steals and seven runs scored through his first 10 games of September.

Bottom line: Gordon actually enters this week in the midst of a brief slump (1-for-13 in his last three games as of Monday), but is worth a look if you’re in need of steals and in a league that doesn’t employ on-base percentage. Gordon has hit a respectable .277 with 18 steals, but has walked just three times in 155 at-bats.

Editor’s note: If you want to play Daily Salary Cap Fantasy Baseball for real money, check out SnapDraft here.

Justin Smoak, 1B, SEA

Stats: .400 avg (6-for-15) with two homers and five RBI in his last four games prior to a Monday night matchup with the Yankees.

Bottom line: This recent surge marks the conclusion of a wretched drought for Smoak, who had no homers and seven RBI in his last 48 games before breaking out last week. It should go without saying that he’s very far from a trustworthy option at this point, but we’re also at a juncture of the season when some owners need to be willing to throw up a desperation heave or two.

 

[HacheMan]

Rosters in flux as season winds down

By Tristan H. Cockcroft
ESPN.com


On tap: The league championships in ESPN standard leagues are here, Week 23 representing the first of two weeks that decide the title. That's right, we have only two more "weeks" in the fantasy season; weeks being in quotation marks because the Week 24 finale extends 10 days.

Unfortunately, fantasy owners seeking said titles won't have an easy time navigating the final 17 days. With major league races looking mostly anticlimactic -- only the American League East and AL West division races, out of the eight playoff races, have a margin slimmer than 6 1/2 games entering play on Sept. 9 -- teams are constantly shuffling rotations and shutting down young starters.


For example, Jordan Zimmermann has already been shut down for the season, Mike Leake will make his final start of 2011 on Monday, and Michael Pineda won't start this week (he has one more turn scheduled on Sept. 21). That's significant, as Pineda and Zimmerman were top-40 starters on our Player Rater, while Leake ranks 54th, driven by a 3.60 second-half ERA. Meanwhile, among veteran starters, Jake Peavy has been shut down for the season, Josh Beckett (ankle) and Erik Bedard (knee) might not even pitch this week, and the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees are still toying with six-man rotations.


Now consider the hitting side: Brennan Boesch (thumb) and Andre Ethier (knee) have been ruled out for the season. Chase Utley (concussion) won't play until at least the Philadelphia Phillies' next homestand, which begins on Wednesday. Rickie Weeks (ankle), who was due to be activated from the disabled list on Sept. 9, won't return to the Milwaukee Brewers' starting lineup for a few more days.


As such, the best word to describe your strategy during these critical weeks should be "fluid"; things are going to change on a day-to-day basis, so don't take anything for granted, especially if your lineups lock for the week on Monday.


Reminder: In fantasy leagues with weekly deadlines -- as well as Monday's deadline in daily formats -- the first game of Week 23 begins at 7:05 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 1:10 p.m. ET, Friday 2:20 p.m. ET, Saturday 1:05 p.m. ET, Sunday 1:07 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 23 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
9/12</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 14%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Tue
9/13</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 14%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Wed
9/14</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 14%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Thu
9/15</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 14%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Fri
9/16</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 14%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Sat
9/17</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 14%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Sun
9/18</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>TB
Britton
(LHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TB
Simon
(RHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TB
Guthrie
(RHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAA
VandnHrk
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAA
Hunter
(RHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAA
Britton
(LHP)
P: 7</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle> </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TOR
Wakefield
(RHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TOR
Miller
(LHP)
P: 1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TB
Lackey
(RHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TB
TBD

P: 1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TB
Lester
(LHP)
P: 10</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TB
Wakefield
(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>DET
Danks
(LHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>DET
Floyd
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>DET
Buehrle
(LHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@KC
Humber
(RHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@KC
Stewart
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@KC
Danks
(LHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@KC
Floyd
(RHP)
P: 7</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle> </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TEX
Masterson
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TEX
Huff
(LHP)
P: 1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TEX
Gomez
(RHP)
P: 2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIN
Carmona
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIN
Jimenez
(RHP)
P: 9</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIN
Masterson
(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>@CHW
Porcello
(RHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHW
Verlander
(RHP)
P: 9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHW
Penny
(RHP)
P: 1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@OAK
Scherzer
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@OAK
Fister
(RHP)
P: 9</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@OAK
Porcello
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@OAK
Verlander
(RHP)
P: 10</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle> </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIN
Chen
(LHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIN
Hochevar
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHW
Francis
(LHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHW
Paulino
(RHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHW
Teaford
(LHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHW
Chen
(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>@OAK
Pineiro
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@OAK
Williams
(RHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@OAK
Weaver
(RHP)
P: 9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BAL
Haren
(RHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BAL
Santana
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BAL
Pineiro
(RHP)
P: 5</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@KC
Pavano
(RHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@KC
Hendriks
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
Slowey
(RHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
Swarzak
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
Diamond
(LHP)
P: 6</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SEA
Hughes
(RHP)
P: 8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SEA
Burnett
(RHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SEA
Nova
(RHP)
P: 9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TOR
Colon
(RHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TOR
Sabathia
(LHP)
P: 8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@TOR
Garcia
(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>LAA
Gonzalez
(LHP)
P: 8</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAA
Moscoso
(RHP)
P: 10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>LAA
Harden
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>DET
McCarthy
(RHP)
P: 8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>DET
Cahill
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>DET
Gonzalez
(LHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>DET
Moscoso
(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>NYY
Hernandez
(RHP)
P: 10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
Furbush
(LHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
Vargas
(LHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TEX
Beavan
(RHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TEX
Vasquez
(LHP)
P: 1</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>TEX
Hernandez
(RHP)
P: 10</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BAL
Niemann
(RHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BAL
Price
(LHP)
P: 9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BAL
Davis
(RHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
Hellickson
(RHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
Shields
(RHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
Niemann
(RHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
Price
(LHP)
P: 7</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle> </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
Harrison
(LHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
Holland
(LHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CLE
Lewis
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SEA
Wilson
(LHP)
P: 10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SEA
Ogando
(RHP)
P: 9</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SEA
Harrison
(LHP)
P: 6</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
Morrow
(RHP)
P: 1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@BOS
Romero
(LHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
Cecil
(LHP)
P: 2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
Alvarez
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYY
McGowan
(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>@LAD
Saunders
(LHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAD
Kennedy
(RHP)
P: 9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAD
Hudson
(RHP)
P: 8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SD
Miley
(LHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SD
Collmnter
(RHP)
P: 10</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SD
Saunders
(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>FLA
Beachy
(RHP)
P: 10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>FLA
Minor
(LHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>FLA
Delgado
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYM
Lowe
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYM
Hudson
(RHP)
P: 9</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>NYM
Beachy
(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>@CIN
Lopez
(RHP)
P: 1</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CIN
Dempster
(RHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CIN
Coleman
(RHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CIN
Wells
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>HOU
Garza
(RHP)
P: 8</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>HOU
Lopez
(RHP)
P: 1</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>HOU
Dempster
(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>CHC
Willis
(LHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHC
Leake
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHC
Cueto
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>CHC
Bailey
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIL
Arroyo
(RHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIL
Volquez
(RHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>MIL
Willis
(LHP)
P: 4</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle> </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIL
Rogers
(RHP)
P: 1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@MIL
Millwood
(RHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SF
Chacin
(RHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SF
White
(RHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SF
Pomeranz
(LHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SF
Rogers
(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>@ATL
Volstad
(RHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@ATL
Hand
(LHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@ATL
Nolasco
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PHI-2
Sanchez
(RHP)
P: 6
Sanabia
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@WAS
Vazquez
(RHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@WAS
Volstad
(RHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@WAS
Hand
(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>PHI
Myers
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
Happ
(LHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PHI
Norris
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHC
W.Rdrguez
(LHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHC
Sosa
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CHC
Myers
(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>ARI
Lilly
(LHP)
P: 8</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ARI
Billingsley
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ARI
Kershaw
(LHP)
P: 10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PIT
Eveland
(LHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PIT
Kuroda
(RHP)
P: 8</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PIT
Lilly
(LHP)
P: 9</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>PIT
Billingsley
(RHP)
P: 7</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>COL
Greinke
(RHP)
P: 8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>COL
Narveson
(LHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CIN
Marcum
(RHP)
P: 9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CIN
Wolf
(LHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@CIN
Gallardo
(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>WAS
Dickey
(RHP)
P: 8</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>WAS
Gee
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>WAS
Pelfrey
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>WAS
Capuano
(LHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@ATL
Batista
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@ATL
Dickey
(RHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@ATL
Gee
(RHP)
P: 4</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@HOU
Oswalt
(RHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@HOU
Hamels
(LHP)
P: 8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@HOU
Halladay
(RHP)
P: 9</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>FLA-2
Lee
(LHP)
P: 10
Kendrick
(RHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
Worley
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
Oswalt
(RHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
Hamels
(LHP)
P: 8</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
Lincoln
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
Karstens
(RHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
Morton
(RHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAD
Ohlendorf
(RHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAD
Locke
(LHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAD
McDonald
(RHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAD
Lincoln
(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
Lohse
(RHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
Carpenter
(RHP)
P: 9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
Jackson
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PHI
Garcia
(LHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PHI
Westbrook
(RHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PHI
Lohse
(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>@SF
Harang
(RHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
Luebke
(LHP)
P: 8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
Latos
(RHP)
P: 10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ARI
Stauffer
(RHP)
P: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ARI
LeBlanc
(LHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ARI
Harang
(RHP)
P: 5</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SD
Surkamp
(LHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SD
Cain
(RHP)
P: 10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SD
Lincecum
(RHP)
P: 10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
Vogelsong
(RHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
Bumgarner
(LHP)
P: 6</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
Surkamp
(LHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
Cain
(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>@NYM
Detwiler
(LHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
Wang
(RHP)
P: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
Peacock
(RHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
Milone
(LHP)
P: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>FLA
Lannan
(LHP)
P: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>FLA
Strasburg
(RHP)
P: 8</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>FLA
Detwiler
(LHP)
P: 4</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>P: The starting pitcher's matchup rating, which accounts for past history (three years' worth as well as past 21 days), opponent and ballpark. Ratings range from 1-10, with 10 representing the best possible matchup, statistically speaking, and 1 representing the worst.





Tristan's pitching strategies




• After a nine-day absence, Matt Harrison is scheduled to return to the mound as the Texas Rangers' two-start pitcher, his matchups favorable in a Tuesday home game versus the Cleveland Indians followed by a Sunday road assignment at Seattle's Safeco Field. Harrison has won both of his career starts at Safeco -- both quality starts during which he had a 1.98 ERA -- and he tossed a quality start against the Indians in their most recent meeting in 2010. But Harrison, despite his additional rest, might not be the Rangers starter most under the spotlight; that might be Colby Lewis, who has been rocked by the Boston Red Sox in two of his past three outings. Forgive Lewis those matchups, though, remembering that he tossed a quality start against these Indians on Aug. 7 (7 1/3 IP, 5 H, 3 ER). He's worth activating. Derek Holland, meanwhile, also warrants a look against the Indians. He struggled against them on Aug. 5 (1 2/3 IP, 5 H, 4 ER), but tossed a five-hit shutout against them on June 4. Keep this in mind: The Indians have baseball's sixth-worst -- and the AL's third-worst -- team OPS since the All-Star break (.690).


• The Los Angeles Dodgers have a dream set of pitching matchups, seven home games, three against the Arizona Diamondbacks and four against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Yes, those Diamondbacks continue their charge to the National League West title, and have been a better road team than in year past, but let's not sweep their history of offensive struggles at Dodger Stadium under the carpet. This team has totaled 25 runs (4.17 per game) with .222/.316/.376 team rates in six games at Dodger Stadium this season, and 58 runs (3.87 per game) with .222/.301/.358 team rates in 15 games there since the beginning of 2010. Chad Billingsley, Tuesday's starter, has a 3.81 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 10.22 strikeouts-per-nine innings ratio in nine starts versus the Diamondbacks since the beginning of 2010, while Clayton Kershaw, Wednesday's starter, is 5-2 with a 2.35 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in nine career starts versus the Diamondbacks. And what of their other two-start pitcher -- Billingsley is one -- Ted Lilly? The lefty, who once appeared destined for a disappointing season, has roared back with a 2.49 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in his past seven starts and is well worth starting in all formats.


• Of course, Diamondbacks pitchers also stack up nicely during that series at Dodger Stadium; count on it being a lower-scoring three-game set. Joe Saunders, the team's two-start pitcher, has three consecutive quality starts at Dodger Stadium (2.95 ERA), plus tossed a brilliant, six-hit, one-run complete game on July 26 at Petco Park, where he'll pitch on Sunday. Ian Kennedy, Tuesday's starter, has won all three of his starts versus the Dodgers this season, combining for a 2.70 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. Daniel Hudson, Wednesday's starter, will be making his first career appearance at the venue, but he has won both of his career starts against the Dodgers with a 1.53 ERA and 0.51 WHIP. But it's Josh Collmenter who is the team's most attractive sleeper; he tossed 5 1/3 shutout innings to beat the San Diego Padres on Aug. 26, and will be making this start at spacious Petco.


Also favorable: Kansas City Royals, Atlanta Braves, New York Mets
Unfavorable: Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays, Brewers

For more insight into Week 23 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
9/12</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 11%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Tue
9/13</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 11%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Wed
9/14</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 11%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Thu
9/15</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 11%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Fri
9/16</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 11%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Sat
9/17</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 11%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Sun
9/18</CENTER></TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 total
3 home
2 vs. L
5 vs. R</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 5
L: 6
R: 6
S: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
H: 8
L: 6
R: 9
S: 1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
H: 2
L: 3
R: 1
S: 1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>STL
H: 6
L: 6
R: 7
S: 2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAD
H: 8
L: 8
R: 8
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@LAD
H: 3
L: 3
R: 4
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: 5
L: 6
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>6 total
0 home
1 vs. L
5 vs. R</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 4
L: 4
R: 3
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PIT
H: 4
L: 4
R: 4
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>@PIT
H: 8
L: 10
R: 3
S: 8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PHI
H: 4
L: 1
R: 6
S: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PHI
H: 4
L: 4
R: 4
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@PHI
H: 3
L: 2
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
3 home
3 vs. L
3 vs. R</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 1
L: 1
R: 3
S: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
H: 7
L: 7
R: 6
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
H: 1
L: 1
R: 1
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@SF
H: 1
L: 2
R: 1
S: 7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ARI
H: 6
L: 6
R: 7
S: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ARI
H: 1
L: 3
R: 1
S: 3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>ARI
H: 7
L: 1
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
3 home
2 vs. L
5 vs. R</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>H: 9
L: 10
R: 8
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SD
H: 7
L: 7
R: 7
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SD
H: 4
L: 1
R: 5
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>SD
H: 1
L: 4
R: 1
S: 6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
H: 6
L: 8
R: 4
S: 4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
H: 10
L: 10
R: 10
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
H: 7
L: 8
R: 7
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@COL
H: 10
L: 10
R: 10
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>@NYM
H: 3
L: 4
R: 3
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
H: 6
L: 4
R: 8
S: 5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=middle>@NYM
H: 6
L: 7
R: 5
S: 6</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>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: 6
L: 6
R: 7
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 only for left-handed hitters. R: Hitters' matchup rating accounting for only right-handed hitters. S: Base stealing matchup rating, which accounts for the opponent's catchers' ability to gun down opposing base stealers. Ratings range from 1-10, with 10 representing the best possible matchup, statistically speaking, and 1 representing the worst.





Tristan's hitting strategies




• These are desperate times for the Tampa Bay Rays, who entered play on Sept. 9 trailing the rival Red Sox by 6 1/2 games in the wild-card hunt, but the good news for their playoff prospects is that 14 of their final 20 games come against the Yankees and Red Sox, the two teams they trail in their division. The Rays' outlook could entirely have changed by the first pitch of this week depending upon their performance during their Sept. 9-11 series versus the Red Sox at Tropicana Field, but so long as they take at least two of those games there's reason to think they'll enter this week plenty motivated. Three games at hitter-friendly Baltimore's Camden Yards suits them; Ben Zobrist is a .336/.421/.593 hitter in 29 career games there, Evan Longoria has .299/.385/.567 numbers in 31 games, B.J. Upton has .280/.351/.500 numbers in 42 and Johnny Damon has .315/.371/.523 numbers in 111 games. As for the four-game series at Boston, that the Red Sox are dealing with numerous injuries in their rotation improves the Rays' chances.


Damon in particular is the standout: He's a lifetime .369/.414/.431 hitter against scheduled Thursday starter John Lackey, .296/.345/.519 against Saturday starter Jon Lester and .309/.377/.574 against Sunday starter Tim Wakefield.


• Eight games provides a substantial advantage for both the Florida Marlins and Phillies, who both play that many only because they have a Wednesday doubleheader at Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park. Remember, this is a week where three teams play only five games apiece: The Minnesota Twins, Blue Jays and Brewers. Let's focus first on the Marlins. There are challenges in their week; they have to tangle with opposing starters like Brandon Beachy (Monday), Cliff Lee (Thursday) and Stephen Strasburg (Friday), but they also get lighter foes in Kyle Kendrick (Thursday) and Chien-Ming Wang (Sunday). This is exploiting quantity pure and simple; it's a smart week to slot in red-hot Marlins like Emilio Bonifacio (.419/.500/.581 in seven September games) and Jose Lopez (.375/.375/.875 in 7). Mike Stanton is expected to be healthy in time for this week, and Mike Cameron might even serve a handy daily option, being that the Marlins are scheduled to face three left-handed starters.


• The Phillies are the other eight-game team, and their lineup has been outstanding since the Hunter Pence trade. Consider that since Aug. 1, no National League team (and only four AL teams) has scored more runs than the Phillies (176), and only two NL squads (plus four AL) have a higher team OPS (.762). Phillies hitters have historically excelled during September; in addition to Carlos Ruiz and Ryan Howard, who were profiled in the Aug. 31 "Hit Parade," Jimmy Rollins (.282/.333/.487 after Sept. 1 from 2006-10) has also historically fared well in the season's final weeks. Rollins might receive limited at-bats initially now that he's back from the disabled list, but in NL-only and deep mixed leagues, his eight-game schedule makes him worth consideration. Pence will also be making a return trip to Houston's Minute Maid Park, where he has .298/.349/.501 lifetime rates.


Also favorable: Chicago White Sox, San Francisco Giants
Unfavorable: Los Angeles Angels, Oakland Athletics, Diamondbacks, Padres



Weather report




Weatherproof games: Phillies at Astros (3, Mon-Wed); Yankees at Blue Jays (3, Fri-Sun); Rockies at Brewers (2, Tue-Wed); Yankees at Mariners (3, Mon-Wed); Rangers at Mariners (3, Fri-Sun).



Tristan's Week 23 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 upon a fairly standard Rotisserie scoring system, like ESPN's.


1. Justin Verlander (DET) -- Tue-@CHW (Floyd), Sun-@OAK (Moscoso)
2. Cole Hamels (PHI) -- Tue-@HOU (Happ), Sun-STL (Lohse)
3. Felix Hernandez (SEA) -- Mon-NYY (Hughes), Sun-TEX (Harrison)
4. David Price (TB) -- Tue-@BAL (Simon), Sun-@BOS (Wakefield)
5. Cliff Lee (PHI) -- Thu-FLA, Gm. 1 (Sanchez)
6. Roy Halladay (PHI) -- Wed-@HOU (Norris)
7. Clayton Kershaw (LAD) -- Wed-ARI (Hudson)
8. Jon Lester (BOS) -- Sat-TB (Niemann)
9. Matt Cain (SF) -- Tue-SD (Luebke), Sun-@COL (Rogers)
10. Brandon Beachy (ATL) -- Mon-FLA (Volstad), Sun-NYM (Gee)
11. Tim Lincecum (SF) -- Wed-SD (Latos)
12. Ian Kennedy (ARI) -- Tue-@LAD (Billingsley)
13. CC Sabathia (NYY) -- Sat-@TOR (Alvarez)
14. John Danks (CHW) -- Mon-DET (Porcello), Sat-@KC (Teaford)
15. Mat Latos (SD) -- Wed-@SF (Lincecum)
16. Daniel Hudson (ARI) -- Wed-@LAD (Kershaw)
17. Zack Greinke (MIL) -- Tue-COL (Rogers)
18. Dan Haren (LAA) -- Fri-@BAL (VandenHurk)
19. C.J. Wilson (TEX) -- Fri-@SEA (Beavan)
20. Shaun Marcum (MIL) -- Fri-@CIN (Arroyo)
21. Jered Weaver (LAA) -- Wed-@OAK (Harden)
22. Roy Oswalt (PHI) -- Mon-@HOU (Myers), Sat-STL (Westbrook)
23. Ted Lilly (LAD) -- Mon-ARI (Saunders), Sat-PIT (McDonald)
24. Gio Gonzalez (OAK) -- Mon-LAA (Pineiro), Sat-DET (Porcello)
25. Chris Carpenter (STL) -- Tue-@PIT (Karstens)
26. James Shields (TB) -- Fri-@BOS (TBD)
27. Gavin Floyd (CHW) -- Tue-DET (Verlander), Sun-@KC (Chen)
28. R.A. Dickey (NYM) -- Mon-WAS (Detwiler), Sat-@ATL (Hudson)
29. Johnny Cueto (CIN) -- Wed-CHC (Coleman)
30. Madison Bumgarner (SF) -- Fri-@COL (White)
31. Stephen Strasburg (WAS) -- Sat-FLA (Volstad)
32. Matt Garza (CHC) -- Fri-HOU (Rodriguez)
33. Tim Hudson (ATL) -- Sat-NYM (Dickey)
34. Doug Fister (DET) -- Fri-@OAK (Cahill)
35. Yovani Gallardo (MIL) -- Sun-@CIN (Willis)
36. Wandy Rodriguez (HOU) -- Fri-@CHC (Garza)
37. Justin Masterson (CLE) -- Tue-@TEX (Harrison), Sun-@MIN (Diamond)
38. Javier Vazquez (FLA) -- Fri-@WAS (Lannan)
39. Ervin Santana (LAA) -- Sat-@BAL (Hunter)
40. Ubaldo Jimenez (CLE) -- Sat-@MIN (Swarzak)
41. Aaron Harang (SD) -- Mon-@SF (Surkamp), Sun-ARI (Saunders)
42. Cory Luebke (SD) -- Tue-@SF (Cain)
43. Brandon McCarthy (OAK) -- Thu-DET (Scherzer)
44. Josh Collmenter (ARI) -- Sat-@SD (LeBlanc)
45. Matt Harrison (TEX) -- Tue-CLE (Masterson), Sun-@SEA (Hernandez)
46. Ivan Nova (NYY) -- Wed-@SEA (Vargas)
47. Brett Myers (HOU) -- Mon-PHI (Oswalt), Sun-@CHC (Dempster)
48. Jeremy Hellickson (TB) -- Thu-@BOS (Lackey)
49. Guillermo Moscoso (OAK) -- Tue-LAA (Williams), Sun-DET (Verlander)
50. Anibal Sanchez (FLA) -- Thu-@PHI, Gm. 1 (Lee)
51. Hiroki Kuroda (LAD) -- Fri-PIT (Locke)
52. Chad Billingsley (LAD) -- Tue-ARI (Kennedy), Sun-PIT (Lincoln)
53. Jhoulys Chacin (COL) -- Thu-SF (Vogelsong)
54. Ryan Vogelsong (SF) -- Thu-@COL (Chacin)
55. James McDonald (PIT) -- Sat-@LAD (Lilly)
56. Vance Worley (PHI) -- Fri-STL (Garcia)
57. Homer Bailey (CIN) -- Thu-CHC (Wells)
58. Phil Hughes (NYY) -- Mon-@SEA (Hernandez)
59. Edwin Jackson (STL) -- Wed-@PIT (Morton)
60. Max Scherzer (DET) -- Thu-@OAK (McCarthy)
61. Ryan Dempster (CHC) -- Tue-@CIN (Leake), Sun-HOU (Myers)
62. Alexi Ogando (TEX) -- Sat-@SEA (Vasquez)
63. Ricky Romero (TOR) -- Wed-@BOS (Miller)
64. Randy Wolf (MIL) -- Sat-@CIN (Volquez)
65. Randy Wells (CHC) -- Thu-@CIN (Bailey)
66. Derek Holland (TEX) -- Wed-CLE (Huff)
67. Jaime Garcia (STL) -- Fri-@PHI (Worley)
68. Colby Lewis (TEX) -- Thu-CLE (Gomez)
69. Ricky Nolasco (FLA) -- Wed-@ATL (Delgado)
70. Bruce Chen (KC) -- Tue-MIN (Pavano), Sun-CHW (Floyd)
71. Mike Leake (CIN) -- Tue-CHC (Dempster)
72. Zach Britton (BAL) -- Mon-TB (Niemann), Sun-LAA (Pineiro)
73. Mike Minor (ATL) -- Tue-FLA (Hand)
74. Tim Stauffer (SD) -- Fri-ARI (Miley)
75. Joe Saunders (ARI) -- Mon-@LAD (Lilly), Sun-@SD (Harang)


Two-start options for AL-/NL-only leagues:
Dillon Gee (NYM) -- Tue-WAS (Wang), Sun-@ATL (Beachy)
Brad Hand (FLA) -- Tue-@ATL (Minor), Sun-@WAS (Detwiler)
Jeff Niemann (TB) -- Mon-@BAL (Britton), Sat-@BOS (Lester)
Joel Pineiro (LAA) -- Mon-@OAK (Gonzalez), Sun-@BAL (Britton)
Rick Porcello (DET) -- Mon-@CHW (Danks), Sat-@OAK (Gonzalez)
Tim Wakefield (BOS) -- Tue-TOR (Morrow), Sun-TB (Price)


No-thank-yous, among two-starts:
Ross Detwiler (WAS) -- Mon-@NYM (Dickey), Sun-FLA (Hand)
Brad Lincoln (PIT) -- Mon-STL (Lohse), Sun-@LAD (Billingsley)
Kyle Lohse (STL) -- Mon-@PIT (Lincoln), Sun-@PHI (Hamels)
Rodrigo Lopez (CHC) -- Mon-@CIN (Willis), Sat-HOU (Sosa)
Esmil Rogers (COL) -- Tue-@MIL (Greinke), Sun-SF (Cain)
Eric Surkamp (SF) -- Mon-SD (Harang), Sat-@COL (Pomeranz)
Chris Volstad (FLA) -- Mon-@ATL (Beachy), Sat-@WAS (Strasburg)
Dontrelle Willis (CIN) -- Mon-CHC (Lopez), Sun-MIL (Gallardo)


One-start sleepers:
Mark Buehrle (CHW) -- Wed-DET (Penny)
Chris Capuano (NYM) -- Thu-WAS (Milone)
Luke Hochevar (KC) -- Wed-MIN (Hendriks)
Philip Humber (CHW) -- Thu-@KC (Francis)
Wade Miley (ARI) -- Fri-@SD (Stauffer)
Drew Pomeranz (COL) -- Sat-SF (Surkamp)
Kevin Slowey (MIN) -- Fri-CLE (Carmona)
Jerome Williams (LAA) -- Tue-@OAK (Moscoso)

 

[HacheMan]

Bits: Pomeranz wins in big league debut

Eric Karabell

Colorado Rockies rookie left-hander Drew Pomeranz debuted with five shutout innings against the Cincinnati Reds at Coors Field on Sunday, allowing two singles and earning the win. Pomeranz, who dominated in the minors for the Rockies and Cleveland Indians (he was in the Ubaldo Jimenez trade), remains risky for fantasy this month, but is a future star.
Rockies teammate Eric Young Jr. singled twice, scored twice and stole three bases Sunday. Young isn't much of a hitter (.586 OPS) or fielder, but he can certainly run. Young has stolen his 21 bases in 142 at-bats, an elite pace. Hope he continues to play, add him if you need steals, but understand his limitations.
Chicago White Sox right-hander Zach Stewart permitted seven hits, two walks and three runs over five innings Sunday, losing for the fourth time in six decisions. Stewart was coming off a one-hit shutout at Minnesota, which made him popular in fantasy. In truth, Stewart has struggled this season (4.63 ERA), and should be avoided until 2012.
<OFFER>Florida Marlins right-hander Javier Vazquez continues to thrive, tossing six shutout innings to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday. Vazquez has allowed one run in his past three outings combined (0.45 ERA), and the last time he allowed more than three earned runs in a game was 10 starts ago. A near top-10 pitcher the past 30 days, he's a must fantasy add for the final weeks.
San Diego Padres catcher Nick Hundley homered, singled and doubled Sunday, knocking in two runs and scoring twice. Hundley, hitting .388 since the All-Star break with power, is a top-five fantasy catcher over the past 30 days, but remains available in more than 92 percent of ESPN standard leagues.
And finally, congrats to Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Adam Loewen for his seventh-inning home run Sunday, the first for the converted pitcher. Loewen isn't fantasy-relevant yet, even in AL-only leagues, but it's a good story along the lines of Rick Ankiel, who did matter eventually. Fellow good story Dustin McGowan, making his first start since 2008, didn't fare as well, allowing five walks and four runs in three innings.

 

[HacheMan]

Questions About Quentin

The White Sox activated Carlos Quentin from the disabled list Monday after he missed the past three weeks with a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder. While White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen didn't put him in the starting lineup right away against the Tigers, Quentin pinch-hit in the seventh inning and finished the night 0-for-2 as the designated hitter.

It will be interesting to see how Guillen fills out his lineup card over the final two and a half weeks of the season, as it could have some significant fantasy fallout across all formats. As of now, Dayan Viciedo and Alejandro De Aza seem pretty safe, but that leaves Quentin essentially sharing at-bats with the likes of Adam Dunn, Alex Rios and Juan Pierre.

Most fantasy owners have already given up on Dunn as a reliable option, but Rios is batting .294 (10-for-34) with two home runs and seven RBI to begin the month while Pierre, an impending free agent, has four multi-hit games in his last five. Guillen is sure to keep fantasy owners on their toes down the stretch, so those who own any of the players listed above would do well to secure some insurance.

Editors note: If you want to play Daily Salary Cap Fantasy Baseball for real money, check out SnapDraft here.

* We aren't done with September call-ups. While the Diamondbacks are still expected to call up prospect pitchers Trevor Bauer and Jarrod Parker before the month is through, the Rays made headlines Monday by calling up left-hander Matt Moore from Triple-A Durham.

Moore, widely considered the top pitching prospect in baseball, posted a 1.92 ERA and 210/46 K/BB ratio over 155 innings this season between Double-A and Triple-A. The 22-year-old southpaw will pitch out of the bullpen initially (a la David Price from 2008), so his fantasy value will be limited down the stretch, but he could make a major impact if he opens the 2012 season in the starting rotation. Either way, he's already keeper gold.

* Good news for the first-place Phillies, as Chase Utley passed a second ImPACT test on Monday and is expected to be available when the team returns home Thursday for a doubleheader against the Marlins.

Utley hasn't played since suffering a mild concussion last Wednesday when he was hit on the top of his batting helmet by Braves' left-hander Eric O'Flaherty. The 32-year-old second baseman was just cleared to do some light baseball activities after passing his first ImPACT test on Saturday. The Phillies have a 12-game lead over the second-place Braves in the National League East, so they can afford to err on the side of caution here.

NL Quick Hits: Albert Pujols slugged his 35th homer in Monday's loss to the Pirates … Carlos Gonzalez (back) expects to return to the starting lineup Tuesday … Brandon Phillips clubbed two home runs in Monday's loss to the Cubs … Starlin Castro went 3-for-4 with a home run, two doubles and three RBI in a win over the Reds on Monday … Jimmy Rollins (groin) singled in his return to the starting lineup Monday against the Astros … R.A. Dickey delivered his 10th straight quality start Monday against the Nationals, but was handed a no-decision … Hiroki Kuroda admitted after Sunday's start that he is again dealing with neck discomfort … Jair Jurrjens (knee) acknowledged Monday that he could potentially miss the playoffs for the second straight season … Joe Saunders yielded two runs over seven innings in Monday's win over the Dodgers … Logan Morrison (knee) is expected to be sidelined until at least the weekend … Brett Myers tossed eight innings of one-run ball in Monday's win over the Phillies … Omar Infante went 3-for-5 with a triple and a sacrifice fly in Monday's extra-inning win over the Braves … Juan Francisco went 2-for-4 with a long home run and two RBI in Monday's loss to the Cubs ... Jonathan Broxton (elbow) will not return this season … Alex Gonzalez (back) went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI in his return to the lineup Monday … Josh Harrison is expected to get the majority of the starts over Pedro Alvarez at third base down the stretch … Eduardo Sanchez (shoulder) could be activated from the disabled list this week … The Marlins released Mike Cameron … The Cubs are considering moving Jeff Samardzija to the starting rotation next season …

AL Quick Hits: Ben Zobrist went 3-for-5 with two doubles and three RBI in Monday's win over the Orioles, as the Rays moved to within three games of the Wild Card-leading Red Sox … Robinson Cano now has 109 RBI, tying his career-high from last season … Felix Hernandez yielded six runs over six innings Monday in a loss to the Yankees … Shin-Soo Choo (oblique) is unlikely to return from the disabled list Tuesday … Andrew Bailey was held out of Monday's game as a precaution after being hit in the face by a line drive during batting practice … Coco Crisp underwent an MRI on his right foot/ankle Monday … John Danks was hammered for eight runs (seven earned) over five innings in Monday's loss to the Tigers … Josh Willingham went 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBI in Monday's win over the Angels … Adam Jones was held out of Monday's lineup due to a sore right thumb … Jon Rauch will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury which may require surgery … Francisco Cervelli is out indefinitely with a concussion … Red Sox GM Theo Epstein said Monday that J.D. Drew is currently sidelined with a fractured middle finger … Brent Morel homered twice in Monday's loss to the Tigers … The Red Sox are expected to promote Joey Gathright from Triple-A Pawtucket … Former All-Star outfielder Manny Ramirez was arrested Monday on a charge stemming from a domestic dispute with his wife …

 

[HacheMan]

Juan Francisco, Devin Mesoraco flash skills

Eric Karabell

• Several young Cincinnati Reds enjoyed their Monday night, as third baseman Juan Francisco and catcher Devin Mesoraco each homered. Francisco, a minor league slugger with questionable plate discipline, hit a Rodrigo Lopez pitch off a tree out of Great American Ballpark. His power is legit, and he's a 2012 sleeper. Mesoraco is a better prospect, though. His home run Monday was his first in the majors, and he also doubled.


<OFFER>• Detroit Tigers veteran Jhonny Peralta smacked his 19th home run Monday, continuing to cement his status as a top-10 fantasy shortstop this season, and perhaps next. Peralta also has 80 RBIs; he's reached these power numbers before, but he's never hit .300 before; Peralta is hitting .306. With shortstop being a weak fantasy position, Peralta isn't a bad keeper.

• Speaking of Peraltas, Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Joel Peralta struck out the side Monday to earn his third save of the season, and there should be more coming with Kyle Farnsworth nursing a sore pitching elbow. Peralta hasn't been quite as effective as Farnsworth, but with a 0.95 WHIP, he's certainly been solid. And now he should get saves for a streaking team.


• Houston Astros first baseman/outfielder Carlos Lee slugged his 16th home run Monday, and raised his RBI total to 83. Lee looked nearly done after hitting .246 a year ago, but he's currently batting .278 and hitting well in September, with three home runs. Lee, 35, isn't a great keeper, but he'll make for a decent late-round pick in 2012.


• New York Mets right-hander R.A. Dickey didn't win Monday, but he pitched well, allowing two earned runs and fanning seven in seven innings. Dickey, owned in 20.3 percent of ESPN standard leagues, hasn't given up more than three earned runs in an outing since July 20. He doesn't win much, but he contributes in a positive manner in ERA and WHIP.

 

[HacheMan]

Mariano's Milestone

I hereby submit a motion before the committee to rename Sept. 13, 2011 as “Aging Baseball Players’ Pretty Important Milestone Day.”

The most notable and impressive of said milestones: Mariano Rivera’s 41<SUP>st</SUP> save of the season was No. 600 of his career, moving the indefatigable 41-year-old (2.05 ERA, 0.93 WHIP in 2011) to within one save of Trevor Hoffman’s all-time mark of 601.

Also registering a significant (if slightly obscure) statistical landmark: 37-year-old Johnny Damon, whose 15<SUP>th</SUP> steal of the year made him the ninth player in MLB history to record 200-plus homers and 400-plus steals.

Meanwhile, not wanting to miss out on the excitement, 45-year-old Tim Wakefield finally picked up win No. 200 with his first victory since July 24.

And though he doesn't really fit in this section given that he's only 28 years old, it should be noted that Justin Verlander became the first player since 2002 to win 23 games in a season.

In other news from Tuesday:

* The Rangers activated Nelson Cruz, who’s only 31, but has hamstrings aged 62 and 74, respectively. And unfortunately, Cruz returns with a caveat: He’ll be limited to pinch-hitting for now. Once he is ready to return to the lineup, it appears that he’ll initially do so as a DH.

* More hamstring news: Mike Stanton estimated that his injury is at around 70 percent, telling MLB.com that “I feel like [a return is] pretty close.” Either way, the Marlins may opt to play it cautious for a few more days. Meanwhile, Logan Morrison could return as soon as Thursday after being diagnosed with a bruised right patella and chronic patella tendinitis.

* It initially appeared to be a good news Tuesday for the Rockies, as Carlos Gonzalez (back) and Troy Tulowitzki (hip) returned to action. However, Tulowitzki left in the sixth inning after his hip flared up once again. No word as of Wednesday morning how serious the setback was, but fantasy owners have to hope it doesn't ruin the remainder of Tulo's September.

* Some closing news out of Baltimore: Jim Johnson picked up the final out of Tuesday’s game to record his fifth save, which is notable because we haven’t heard word of an injury to Kevin Gregg, who blew his seventh save of the year in his last outing on Saturday. Buck Showalter may have just been giving Gregg a brief break from closing, but Johnson is worth a speculative look if saves remain at a premium in your league.

* Matt Holliday left Tuesday’s game due to a right hand injury in the ninth inning. The specific nature of the injury remained unclear as of Wednesday morning, but MLB.com reports that Holliday thinks he has “a ligament or tendon problem.” Obviously that doesn’t sound good, but we’ll be watching for updates throughout Wednesday.

Follow me on Twitter: @MattStroup

Pitcher injury notes: Josh Beckett (ankle) is expected to rejoin the rotation on Friday against the Rays … Andrew Bailey was available Tuesday after being struck by a batting practice line drive on Monday … Kyle Farnsworth (elbow) remains day-to-day, with Joel Peralta temporarily filling in as closer … Clay Buchholz (back) could throw a bullpen later this week, but it remains uncertain if he’ll return this season … Jonathan Sanchez (ankle) is headed to the Giants’ spring training complex in hopes of potentially returning during the final week … Francisco Liriano (shoulder) and Scott Baker (elbow) will both throw bullpens Wednesday as they attempt to return as relievers this season … Jason Isringhausen (back) told ESPNNewYork that he’s not close to returning … Josh Tomlin (elbow) was scheduled to work out with the Indians Tuesday, but isn’t yet ready to be activated … The Cardinals activated Eduardo Sanchez (shoulder) from the 60-day DL.

Position player injury notes: Per beat writer Adam Rubin, Jose Reyes still feels some tightness in his hamstring and is concerned about running all-out on it, which helps explain his total of one steal in his last 17 games … Kevin Youkilis returned and went 0-for-3 after missing four games due to a sports hernia that will require offseason surgery … David Ortiz was removed from the lineup before his first at-bat due to a sore back, which for the moment sounds like a day-to-day situation … X-rays on Adam Jones’ thumb came back negative, and he made an appearance as a pinch-runner Tuesday … Justin Morneau is still dealing with concussion symptoms, making it increasingly unlikely that he’ll return this year … Jimmy Rollins started a second straight game Tuesday, but could be in line for a day off as soon as Wednesday with Charlie Manuel telling MLB.com, "I'll probably play him a couple of days and then rest him, play him a couple more then rest him, and then let him go.”

Position player injury notes (part 2): Scott Rolen (shoulder) is not expected to return this season, which means continued playing time for Juan Francisco (.250 avg with three homers and 10 RBI in September) … Shin-Soo Choo (oblique) is on course to return Thursday … Denard Span (concussion) and Alexi Casilla (hamstring) are both still hoping to return this season … The Red Sox transferred J.D. Drew to the 60-day DL … Jason Bay (sore shoulder) was out of Tuesday’s lineup … Will Venable (shoulder) returned Tuesday, going 0-for-3 … Russell Martin (thumb) returned to action … An MRI on Coco Crisp’s foot/ankle came back negative, and he could be back this weekend … Colby Rasmus (wrist) is expected to return Friday … Todd Helton (back) was in the starting lineup Tuesday … Michael Cuddyer (wrist) and Jason Kubel (foot) returned, going 0-for-4 and 0-for-3, respectively.

Miscellaneous notes: The Cardinals officially signed Chris Carpenter to a two-year, $21 million extension … Bruce Bochy said that Pablo Sandoval has regained much of the weight he lost last winter (visual evidence here) … The Rangers are considering moving Alexi Ogando to the bullpen for the rest of the season … Chris Davis is expected to remain the Orioles’ starting third baseman for the remainder of the year … Chris Tillman won’t rejoin the Orioles this year after posting a 5.52 ERA in the majors and a 5.19 ERA at Triple-A … Jered Weaver is slated to pitch on three days’ rest Sunday to set up a potential start on the final day of the regular season … According to a police report, Manny Ramirez slapped his wife during the Monday altercation that landed him in jail … The Marlins released Mike Cameron … Francisco Cordero told CBSSports.com that he’s unhappy pitching as a set-up man.

Editor’s note: If you want to play Daily Salary Cap Fantasy Baseball for real money, check out SnapDraft here.

Notable pitching: A.J. Burnett struck out a season-high 11 against Seattle … Jordan Walden picked up his 30<SUP>th</SUP> save … Drew Storen picked up his 36<SUP>th</SUP> save, but first since Aug. 22 … Mike Leake threw eight strong innings against the Cubs in his final start of the season, finishing 2011 with a 12-9 record, 3.86 ERA and 1.17 WHIP.

Notable hitting: Dan Uggla hit his career-high 34<SUP>th</SUP> homer … Howie Kendrick hit his 17<SUP>th</SUP> and 18<SUP>th</SUP> homers of the year … Hitting sixth for the first time since 2008, the slumping Brian McCann belted a three-run homer … Ryan Braun hit a walk-off homer in the 11<SUP>th</SUP> to beat the Rockies … David Murphy went 4-for-4 with two homers and four runs scored … Dustin Pedroia went 4-for-5 with two doubles, two home runs, four runs and five RBI.