This began as the usual 1-2 paragraph preamble to the weekly Pitching Chart, explaining any particular variations from the norm expected during that coming week.
As you can see, this week's explanation expanded to the point that it's almost as long as the chart itself, which will be coming your way in a few hours.
The season’s final week is a time for experimentation. Twenty or so teams have been or will be eliminated from playoff contention, so those would be resting veterans who don’t have a secondary goal such as a 20th (or maybe 15th) win or 200 strikeouts. Some teams will shut down rookies who have shown what they need to show for the team to go into the off-season penciling them in or out of the 2010 rotation. Pitchers with any injury from a torn rotator cuff to a hangnail will be shut down in favor of 28-year-old number three starters from the Triple-A farm team.
Then there are the Yankees, who already have clinched the American League East title and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Their only goal for the four (or possibly three) pitchers who would start in the Division Series would be to line them up with the accustomed four days’ rest for their first postseason outing.
Other teams, such as the Red Sox and Angels would go into a similar mode as soon as they clinch their postseason position, which could be as early as Monday. And the losers in the playoff derby, such as the Rangers, would go into a play-it-safe mode as soon as they were eliminated. That would mean that the rookie starting a final-week game for Texas could be RHP Guillermo Moscoso instead of LHP Derek Holland.
Finally, there are a few teams in a legitimate race to get into the postseason or a more favorable playoff matchup. Fitting that description are the Tigers, Twins, Rockies and Braves. If the uncertainty extended until Sunday, they’d play that game as if it were the seventh game of the World Series. Just be glad the Cardinals aren’t in that position, or Tony LaRussa could drag the game out long enough to delay the National League playoffs by a week or so.
Your pitching goal for this week should be to protect yourself from losing pitching points and to determine other categories in which you could gamble to gain multiple pitching points if necessary. Here’s some information from an Email I sent to a fantasybaseballlscout.com subscriber:
It all depends on what you have, what you need.
If you need wins and could gain more than a point with enough wins, you'd need to stock up on pitchers who MIGHT start twice and hope that they do.
If you need saves and could gain a point or more with those, you'd need to use as many GOOD relief pitchers (preferably closers or secondary closers), you'd need to stock up on those.
If you need to protect ERA and wouldn't lose more than a point in wins, you'd need to use every GOOD reliever, or reliever who might not pitch at all as possible.
If you could gain more than a point in WHIP and wouldn't lose more in Wins than you'd gain in WHIP, you'd want GOOD relievers and want them to pitch significant innings -- unless you're trying to protect WHIP, in which case you'd want a few quality innings from GOOD relievers and maybe a pitcher or two who wouldn't pitch.
If you're in a 5x5 league and could pick up more than a point in Ks, you'd want to throw out as many strikeout pitchers as you could. Any of those who MIGHT make two starts would be musts.
General rule. GOOD relief pitchers could help you more than even good starters in three categories -- saves for sure, ERA almost certainly and WHIP if they are average or above-average control pitchers (figure < or = 3 walks per 9 innings).
General rule: Good (#1-3 in most rotations) starters could help you more in Wins and SO than relief pitchers would.
In some leagues, your choices might be dictated by rules that state minimum or maximum innings for the season. If you need to get over the minimum, you'd need starters pitching. If you need to stay under the maximum, you'd need relievers or inactive pitchers.
Absolute rule: You don't want bad pitchers (4-5 starters in most rotations, #3 starters on most bad teams, crappy relief pitchers with no chance for saves) starting for you even once. One guy giving up 4 ER in an inning could mean 2-3 hundredths lost in ERA and WHIP.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Durham wins Triple-A Championship; my man Hellickson is MVP
The Durham Bulls are the champions of minor league baseball for 2009.
Durham defeated the Memphis Redbirds tonight at Oklahoma City’s Bricktown Ballpark in the Triple-A National Championship. To most people, the means the Bulls are sort of like the champions of the tallest group of midgXXXX, little people.
The game’s most valuable player was a guy who hadn’t been in the game for more than two hours when it ended after 11 innings and 3:48. Durham right-hander Jeremy Hellickson allowed just two hits and a walk in five scoreless innings, left with a 4-0 lead and watched the Bull pen give up the lead.
The Bulls won it 5-4, when Oneli Perez entered the game as Memphis’ sixth pitcher and threw one pitch. The ball went to the backstop, and pinch runner Rashad Eldridge scored from third base on the wild pitch.
The Bulls, representing the International League as the Tampa Bay Rays’ top farm team, defeated the St. Louis Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate that won the Pacific Coast League championship.
Doubles by Ray Olmedo and Desmond Jennings broke a scoreless in the bottom of the third inning. Durham was designated as the home team as a reward for the International League’s victory in the Triple-A all-star game.
Sean Rodriguez led off the fourth with a home run into the left field seats. The Bulls added two more in the inning on Olmedo’s run-scoring double and losing pitcher P.J. Walters’ mental lapse.
With two out and Olmedo at second base, Walters ran to cover first base on a grounder to first baseman Mark Hamilton, but too late to put out the speedy Jennings. As Walters continued past first base, Olmedo broke for home and beat the pitcher’s throw.
Dutham left-hander Jason Cromer nearly undid the Bulls’ 4-0 lead while pitching to four batters and retiring none of them.
Jon Jay led off the Redbirds’ sixth with an opposite-field home run to left field. After Tyler Greene singled, Allen Craig sliced a two-run homer over the wall near the 325-foot mark at the right field foul pole to cut the lead to 4-3.
Memphis tied the game in the seventh on David Freese’s sacrifice fly sandwiched among three walks and a hit batsman.
It was good to see Hellickson win the MVP award, and to get a chance to talk with him. He has spent the last two or three years in some of my fantasy teams’ farm system. Here’s why I like him: In 4 ½ minor league seasons, Hellickson has a 37-13 record -- including 9-2 this year for Double-A Montgomery and Durham. And a whole lot of other excellent statistics that tell me he’ll be a star in the major leagues as soon as 2010.
Durham defeated the Memphis Redbirds tonight at Oklahoma City’s Bricktown Ballpark in the Triple-A National Championship. To most people, the means the Bulls are sort of like the champions of the tallest group of midgXXXX, little people.
The game’s most valuable player was a guy who hadn’t been in the game for more than two hours when it ended after 11 innings and 3:48. Durham right-hander Jeremy Hellickson allowed just two hits and a walk in five scoreless innings, left with a 4-0 lead and watched the Bull pen give up the lead.
The Bulls won it 5-4, when Oneli Perez entered the game as Memphis’ sixth pitcher and threw one pitch. The ball went to the backstop, and pinch runner Rashad Eldridge scored from third base on the wild pitch.
The Bulls, representing the International League as the Tampa Bay Rays’ top farm team, defeated the St. Louis Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate that won the Pacific Coast League championship.
Doubles by Ray Olmedo and Desmond Jennings broke a scoreless in the bottom of the third inning. Durham was designated as the home team as a reward for the International League’s victory in the Triple-A all-star game.
Sean Rodriguez led off the fourth with a home run into the left field seats. The Bulls added two more in the inning on Olmedo’s run-scoring double and losing pitcher P.J. Walters’ mental lapse.
With two out and Olmedo at second base, Walters ran to cover first base on a grounder to first baseman Mark Hamilton, but too late to put out the speedy Jennings. As Walters continued past first base, Olmedo broke for home and beat the pitcher’s throw.
Dutham left-hander Jason Cromer nearly undid the Bulls’ 4-0 lead while pitching to four batters and retiring none of them.
Jon Jay led off the Redbirds’ sixth with an opposite-field home run to left field. After Tyler Greene singled, Allen Craig sliced a two-run homer over the wall near the 325-foot mark at the right field foul pole to cut the lead to 4-3.
Memphis tied the game in the seventh on David Freese’s sacrifice fly sandwiched among three walks and a hit batsman.
It was good to see Hellickson win the MVP award, and to get a chance to talk with him. He has spent the last two or three years in some of my fantasy teams’ farm system. Here’s why I like him: In 4 ½ minor league seasons, Hellickson has a 37-13 record -- including 9-2 this year for Double-A Montgomery and Durham. And a whole lot of other excellent statistics that tell me he’ll be a star in the major leagues as soon as 2010.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Hot or Not: Fukudome slipping
The players listed here were the major league statistical leaders last week. Batting averages are based on 20 at-bats, and ERA and WHIP on seven innings pitched. In most cases, we eliminate batters with an average lower than .280 and pitchers with ERAs above 4.00 from the Hot list. Keep in mind players’ career performance and current-season totals even more than current trends in deciding on whether to keep those players in your lineup.
Hot
Pos. Name, Team H-AB Avg. HR-RBI SB
1B Mark Teixeira, Yankees 13-25 .520 2-9 0
2B/OF Skip Schumaker, Cardinals 11-22 .500 0-0 0
C Matt Wieters, Orioles 12-25 .480 2-10 0
3B/2B Adam Kennedy, Athletics 10-22 .455 1-7 0
OF/2B/SS Willie Bloomquist, Royals 10-22 .455 0-0 1
OF Carl Crawford, Rays 13-29 .448 1-5 3
1B Joey Votto, Reds 10-23 .435 1-3 0
2B/OF Ben Zobrist, Rays 12-28 .429 1-5 0
OF Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox 11-26 .423 2-6 2
SS Erick Aybar, Angels 10-24 .417 0-2 1
2B Robinson Cano, Yankees 10-24 .417 0-1 0
This is the second consecutive week on a Hot list for Teixeira and Ellsbury. Votto was on the Not list in batting average a week earlier..
Home runs – Twins 1B/OF Michael Cuddyer, Royals C Miguel Olivo and Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki 4; Red Sox OF Jason Bay, Blue Jays 3B Edwin Encarnacion, Dodgers OF Andre Ethier, Orioles OF Luke Scott and Reds OF Drew Stubbs 3.
RBI – Olivo 13; Cuddyer 11; Wieters 10; Bay, Teixeira, Royals 2B/SS Alberto Callaspo, Braves C Brian McCann and Athletics OF Ryan Sweeney 9.
Stolen bases – Athletics OF Rajai Davis 4; Crawford, Dodgers SS Rafael Furcal and Cubs SS/2B Ryan Theriot 3; Ellsbury, Stubbs, Mets 2B Luis Castillo, Padres OF Luis Durango, Cubs 2B/3B Mike Fontenot, Yankees OF Brett Gardner, Dodgers OF Matt Kemp, Pirates OF Lastings Milledge and Giants OF/2B Eugenio Velez 2.
Runs – Tulowitzki and Brewers 2B Felipe Lopez 8; Davis, Furcal, Kennedy, Olivo and Braves 2B/1B/3B Martin Prado 7.
Throws Pitcher, Team IP ERA W-L WHIP SO/BB
RHP Luke Hochevar, Royals 9.0 0.00 1-0 0.44 5:1
RHP Brett Tomko, Athletics 9.0 0.00 1-0 0.56 3:0
RHP Wade Davis, Rays 9.0 0.00 1-0 0.67 10:2
LHP Jorge DeLaRoas, Rockies 8.0 0.00 1-0 0.63 9:2
RHP Chris Carpenter, Cardinals 8.0 0.00 0-0 1.25 4:2
RHP Matt Garza, Rays 7.1 0.00 1-0 1.23 10:6
RHP Trevor Cahill, Athletics 7.0 0.00 1-0 0.43 7:2
LHP C.C. Sabathia, Yankees 7.0 0.00 1-0 0.86 8:2
RHP Javier Vazquez, Braves 7.0 0.00 1-0 0.86 6:3
RHP Homer Bailey, Reds 7.0 0.00 0.71 8:2
Wins – Cardinals RHP Ryan Franklin, Dodgers RHP Jon Garland, Red Sox RHP Diasuke Matsuzaka, Rays LHP David Price and Royals RHP Robinson Tejeda 2.
Saves – Twins RHP Joe Nathan 4-for-4; D-backs RHP Juan Gutierrez and Marlins RHP Leon Nunez; Brewers RHP Trevor Hoffman and Cubs RHP Carlos Marmol 2-for-2. This is the second consecutive week for Nathan and Nunez on the list.
WHIP – Cahill 0.43; Hochevar 0.44; Pirates LHP Zach Duke 0.55; Tomko 0.56; DeLaRosa 0.63
Strikeout/walk ratio (at least 10 Ks and a 2.5:1 ratio) –.Reds RHP Bronson Arroyo 12:2; Athletics LHP Brett Anderson and Phillies LHP Cole Hamels 10:1; Cardinals RHP Adam Wainwright 18:3; Padres RHP Kevin Correia 12:2; Davis and Cubs RHP Ryan Dempster 10:2; D-backs RHP Dan Haren and Phillies LHP Cliff Lee 11:3; Rockies RHP Jason Hammel 10:3. Wainwright has been a frequent visitor to the Hot list, including the last two weeks.
* * *
Not
Pos. Player, Team H-AB Avg. HR-RBI SB
3B/SS Jhonny Peralta, Indians 2-27 .074 0-1 0
OF Nick Markakis, Orioles 2-26 .077 0-1 0
OF Kosuke Fukudome, Cubs 2-23 .087 0-2 0
SS Cristian Guzman, Nationals 2-21 .095 0-0 0
OF/3B Bill Hall, Mariners 2-21 .095 1-1 0
3B Gordon Beckham, White Sox 3-26 .115 1-1 0
3B Mark Reynolds, D-backs 3-25 .120 1-3 1
SS/2B Ronny Cedeno, Pirates 3-23 .130 0-0 0
C Miguel Montero, D-backs 3-23 .130 0-1 0
OF Mike Cameron, Brewers 3-23 .130 0-3 0
Fukudome is on this list for the second consecutive week, an eventful week for Cubs outfielders.
The week’s hitless wonder was Indians SS/2B/3B John McDonald, 0-for-10.
Walk/strikeout ratio (six or more strikeouts) – Angels 1B Kendry Morales 1:12; Blue Jays OF Travis Snider 1:11; Reynolds 1:10; Marlins 2B Dan Uggla 2:10; Rockies 2B/3B Ian Stewart 3:11.
Caught stealing – Indians OF Michael Brantley 0-for-3; Rays OF Carl Crawford 3-for-6; Athletics 1B Daric Barton 0-for-2; Royals OF/2B/SS Willie Bloomquist and Padres SS Everth Cabrera 1-for-3; Rockies OF Carlos Gonzalez 3-for-5.
The following pitchers made two starts last week, doubly damaging their real and fantasy teams.
Throws Pitcher, Team IP ERA W-L WHIP SO/BB
RHP Fausto Carmona, Indians 11.0 10.64 0-2 2.09 5:4
RHP Jason Berken, Orioles 9.1 10.61 1-1 2.14 5:3
RHP Joba Chamberlain, Yankees 7.0 10.29 0-1 1.86 4:3
RHP David Hernandez, Orioles 9.0 8.00 0-1 2.11 6:3
RHP Ricky Nolasco, Marlins 12.0 6.75 1-1 1.25 14:1
LHP Jeremy Sowers, Indians 8.0 6.75 0-1 2.25 3:3
RHP Ubaldo Jimenez, Rockies 9.2 6.52 1-1 1.66 14:5
RHP Scott Baker, Twins 10.0 6.30 0-1 1.60 10:3
RHP Justin Verlander, Tigers 14.1 6.28 0-1 1.47 15:2
RHP Garrett Mock, Nationals 13.0 6.23 0-2 1.54 7:4
Losses – Carmona, Mock, Pirates LHP Phil Dumatrait, Angels RHP Jered Weaver and Astros LHP Wesley Wright 2.
Hot
Pos. Name, Team H-AB Avg. HR-RBI SB
1B Mark Teixeira, Yankees 13-25 .520 2-9 0
2B/OF Skip Schumaker, Cardinals 11-22 .500 0-0 0
C Matt Wieters, Orioles 12-25 .480 2-10 0
3B/2B Adam Kennedy, Athletics 10-22 .455 1-7 0
OF/2B/SS Willie Bloomquist, Royals 10-22 .455 0-0 1
OF Carl Crawford, Rays 13-29 .448 1-5 3
1B Joey Votto, Reds 10-23 .435 1-3 0
2B/OF Ben Zobrist, Rays 12-28 .429 1-5 0
OF Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox 11-26 .423 2-6 2
SS Erick Aybar, Angels 10-24 .417 0-2 1
2B Robinson Cano, Yankees 10-24 .417 0-1 0
This is the second consecutive week on a Hot list for Teixeira and Ellsbury. Votto was on the Not list in batting average a week earlier..
Home runs – Twins 1B/OF Michael Cuddyer, Royals C Miguel Olivo and Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki 4; Red Sox OF Jason Bay, Blue Jays 3B Edwin Encarnacion, Dodgers OF Andre Ethier, Orioles OF Luke Scott and Reds OF Drew Stubbs 3.
RBI – Olivo 13; Cuddyer 11; Wieters 10; Bay, Teixeira, Royals 2B/SS Alberto Callaspo, Braves C Brian McCann and Athletics OF Ryan Sweeney 9.
Stolen bases – Athletics OF Rajai Davis 4; Crawford, Dodgers SS Rafael Furcal and Cubs SS/2B Ryan Theriot 3; Ellsbury, Stubbs, Mets 2B Luis Castillo, Padres OF Luis Durango, Cubs 2B/3B Mike Fontenot, Yankees OF Brett Gardner, Dodgers OF Matt Kemp, Pirates OF Lastings Milledge and Giants OF/2B Eugenio Velez 2.
Runs – Tulowitzki and Brewers 2B Felipe Lopez 8; Davis, Furcal, Kennedy, Olivo and Braves 2B/1B/3B Martin Prado 7.
Throws Pitcher, Team IP ERA W-L WHIP SO/BB
RHP Luke Hochevar, Royals 9.0 0.00 1-0 0.44 5:1
RHP Brett Tomko, Athletics 9.0 0.00 1-0 0.56 3:0
RHP Wade Davis, Rays 9.0 0.00 1-0 0.67 10:2
LHP Jorge DeLaRoas, Rockies 8.0 0.00 1-0 0.63 9:2
RHP Chris Carpenter, Cardinals 8.0 0.00 0-0 1.25 4:2
RHP Matt Garza, Rays 7.1 0.00 1-0 1.23 10:6
RHP Trevor Cahill, Athletics 7.0 0.00 1-0 0.43 7:2
LHP C.C. Sabathia, Yankees 7.0 0.00 1-0 0.86 8:2
RHP Javier Vazquez, Braves 7.0 0.00 1-0 0.86 6:3
RHP Homer Bailey, Reds 7.0 0.00 0.71 8:2
Wins – Cardinals RHP Ryan Franklin, Dodgers RHP Jon Garland, Red Sox RHP Diasuke Matsuzaka, Rays LHP David Price and Royals RHP Robinson Tejeda 2.
Saves – Twins RHP Joe Nathan 4-for-4; D-backs RHP Juan Gutierrez and Marlins RHP Leon Nunez; Brewers RHP Trevor Hoffman and Cubs RHP Carlos Marmol 2-for-2. This is the second consecutive week for Nathan and Nunez on the list.
WHIP – Cahill 0.43; Hochevar 0.44; Pirates LHP Zach Duke 0.55; Tomko 0.56; DeLaRosa 0.63
Strikeout/walk ratio (at least 10 Ks and a 2.5:1 ratio) –.Reds RHP Bronson Arroyo 12:2; Athletics LHP Brett Anderson and Phillies LHP Cole Hamels 10:1; Cardinals RHP Adam Wainwright 18:3; Padres RHP Kevin Correia 12:2; Davis and Cubs RHP Ryan Dempster 10:2; D-backs RHP Dan Haren and Phillies LHP Cliff Lee 11:3; Rockies RHP Jason Hammel 10:3. Wainwright has been a frequent visitor to the Hot list, including the last two weeks.
* * *
Not
Pos. Player, Team H-AB Avg. HR-RBI SB
3B/SS Jhonny Peralta, Indians 2-27 .074 0-1 0
OF Nick Markakis, Orioles 2-26 .077 0-1 0
OF Kosuke Fukudome, Cubs 2-23 .087 0-2 0
SS Cristian Guzman, Nationals 2-21 .095 0-0 0
OF/3B Bill Hall, Mariners 2-21 .095 1-1 0
3B Gordon Beckham, White Sox 3-26 .115 1-1 0
3B Mark Reynolds, D-backs 3-25 .120 1-3 1
SS/2B Ronny Cedeno, Pirates 3-23 .130 0-0 0
C Miguel Montero, D-backs 3-23 .130 0-1 0
OF Mike Cameron, Brewers 3-23 .130 0-3 0
Fukudome is on this list for the second consecutive week, an eventful week for Cubs outfielders.
The week’s hitless wonder was Indians SS/2B/3B John McDonald, 0-for-10.
Walk/strikeout ratio (six or more strikeouts) – Angels 1B Kendry Morales 1:12; Blue Jays OF Travis Snider 1:11; Reynolds 1:10; Marlins 2B Dan Uggla 2:10; Rockies 2B/3B Ian Stewart 3:11.
Caught stealing – Indians OF Michael Brantley 0-for-3; Rays OF Carl Crawford 3-for-6; Athletics 1B Daric Barton 0-for-2; Royals OF/2B/SS Willie Bloomquist and Padres SS Everth Cabrera 1-for-3; Rockies OF Carlos Gonzalez 3-for-5.
The following pitchers made two starts last week, doubly damaging their real and fantasy teams.
Throws Pitcher, Team IP ERA W-L WHIP SO/BB
RHP Fausto Carmona, Indians 11.0 10.64 0-2 2.09 5:4
RHP Jason Berken, Orioles 9.1 10.61 1-1 2.14 5:3
RHP Joba Chamberlain, Yankees 7.0 10.29 0-1 1.86 4:3
RHP David Hernandez, Orioles 9.0 8.00 0-1 2.11 6:3
RHP Ricky Nolasco, Marlins 12.0 6.75 1-1 1.25 14:1
LHP Jeremy Sowers, Indians 8.0 6.75 0-1 2.25 3:3
RHP Ubaldo Jimenez, Rockies 9.2 6.52 1-1 1.66 14:5
RHP Scott Baker, Twins 10.0 6.30 0-1 1.60 10:3
RHP Justin Verlander, Tigers 14.1 6.28 0-1 1.47 15:2
RHP Garrett Mock, Nationals 13.0 6.23 0-2 1.54 7:4
Losses – Carmona, Mock, Pirates LHP Phil Dumatrait, Angels RHP Jered Weaver and Astros LHP Wesley Wright 2.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Schedule notes, Sept. 21-27
This week's greatest advantage in games played goes to the six American League teams -- Red Sox, Tigers, Royals, Athletics, Rangers and Blue Jays -- scheduled for seven games. That's 40 per cent more than the Rays, who would play just five games. Their disadvantage means that it's not a good week for you to have Tampa Bay batters and relief pitchers in your lineup.
The National League also has six teams -- Cubs, Brewers, Phillies, Pirates, Padres and Giants -- scheduled for seven games, giving them a slight advantage over the 10 teams that would play six times.
Two teams in each league are scheduled to play seven games at home. Kansas City would host seven games (Red Sox four, Twins three) in a relatively good hitters' park. The others -- Toronto (Orioles three, Mariners four); Milwaukee (Cubs three, Phillies four), and Pittsburgh (Padres one, Reds and Dodgers three each) have home parks slightly favoring pitchers.
The best hitters' parks in use for six games this week are at Arizona (Giants and Padres), Colorado (Padres and Cardinals) and the south side of Chicago (Twins and Tigers). Parks at Washington (Dodgers and Phillies) and Cleveland (Tigers and Orioles) slightly favor hitters.
Other National League parks that would slightly favor pitchers for six games are at Florida (Phillies and Mets) and Houston (Cardinals and Reds). The Angels have a neutral park that would host the Yankees and Athletics for three games each.
Overall, those parks would indicate a slight advantage for hitters in the AL and for pitchers in the NL. However, because batters will be going against so many Triple-A and tired major league pitchers, I'd say hitters should have the edge this week in the majors.
Pitchers scheduled to start twice at home this week are RHPs Zack Greinke, Dirk Hayhurst, Josh Johnson, Yorman Bazardo, Bud Norris, Braden Looper, David Bush, Daniel McCutchen and Livan Hernandez, and LHPs John Danks, Lenny DiNardo, Joe Saunders, David Purcey, Doug Davis and Jorge De La Rosa. Because there also will be a number of Triple-A batters in lineups this week, the best major league pitchers should dominate more than usual. My highest recommendations are Greinke, Johnson, Danks, Saunders and De La Rosa. For a live longshot, try Looper. If you really need some good innings and have to gamble on a pitcher, try Hernandez. If he did well, you could gloat over your intelligence or prescience, but whatever you do, don't hold me responsible. Take all the credit if he comes through and blame somebody else if he bombs, which is a 2:1 or more proposition.
Overall, it should be a good week for pitchers. The only teams scheduled to play seven games at home are the Dodgers (against the Cardinals for three games, Cubs four), Mets (Giants one, Braves and Phillies three each) and Padres (Cubs three, Cardinals four). San Diego is one of the majors' most extreme pitchers' parks, and Dodger Stadium and Citi Field favor pitchers but to a lesser degree. There would be six games at Houston (Marlins and Diamondbacks) and Pittsburgh (Brewers and Reds) which also tend to be pitchers' parks. Note that it should be a bad week for Cubs batters in hostile pitchers' parks. Even in the American League, scheduled to play all six at games are the Athletics (Yankees and Tigers), Rays (Orioles and Rangers) and Blue Jays (Red Sox and Angels). Oakland has an extreme pitchers' park; Tampa Bay and Toronto are slightly less pitcher-friendly.
The best hitters' parks that would be in play for all six games would belong to the White Sox (Royals and Orioles in this week's most extreme hitting conditions), Indians (Angels and Mariners) and Nationals (Rockies and Brewers).
The best hitters' parks in use for all six games would be at Baltimore (Athletics and Angels) and Arizona (Mets and Dodgers).
Pitchers scheduled to start at home twice this week are RHPs Fausto Carmona, Vin Mazzaro, Tommy Hanson, Bud Norris, Charlie Haeger, Chad Billingsley, Livan Hernandez, Kevin Hart, Kevin Correia, Cesar Carrillo and Craig Stammen, and LHPs Mark Buehrle, David Price, Ricky Romero and Oliver Perez. My highest recommendations are Hanseon Romero, with other young live longsots in Hart, Carrillo and Price.
The National League also has six teams -- Cubs, Brewers, Phillies, Pirates, Padres and Giants -- scheduled for seven games, giving them a slight advantage over the 10 teams that would play six times.
Two teams in each league are scheduled to play seven games at home. Kansas City would host seven games (Red Sox four, Twins three) in a relatively good hitters' park. The others -- Toronto (Orioles three, Mariners four); Milwaukee (Cubs three, Phillies four), and Pittsburgh (Padres one, Reds and Dodgers three each) have home parks slightly favoring pitchers.
The best hitters' parks in use for six games this week are at Arizona (Giants and Padres), Colorado (Padres and Cardinals) and the south side of Chicago (Twins and Tigers). Parks at Washington (Dodgers and Phillies) and Cleveland (Tigers and Orioles) slightly favor hitters.
Other National League parks that would slightly favor pitchers for six games are at Florida (Phillies and Mets) and Houston (Cardinals and Reds). The Angels have a neutral park that would host the Yankees and Athletics for three games each.
Overall, those parks would indicate a slight advantage for hitters in the AL and for pitchers in the NL. However, because batters will be going against so many Triple-A and tired major league pitchers, I'd say hitters should have the edge this week in the majors.
Pitchers scheduled to start twice at home this week are RHPs Zack Greinke, Dirk Hayhurst, Josh Johnson, Yorman Bazardo, Bud Norris, Braden Looper, David Bush, Daniel McCutchen and Livan Hernandez, and LHPs John Danks, Lenny DiNardo, Joe Saunders, David Purcey, Doug Davis and Jorge De La Rosa. Because there also will be a number of Triple-A batters in lineups this week, the best major league pitchers should dominate more than usual. My highest recommendations are Greinke, Johnson, Danks, Saunders and De La Rosa. For a live longshot, try Looper. If you really need some good innings and have to gamble on a pitcher, try Hernandez. If he did well, you could gloat over your intelligence or prescience, but whatever you do, don't hold me responsible. Take all the credit if he comes through and blame somebody else if he bombs, which is a 2:1 or more proposition.
Overall, it should be a good week for pitchers. The only teams scheduled to play seven games at home are the Dodgers (against the Cardinals for three games, Cubs four), Mets (Giants one, Braves and Phillies three each) and Padres (Cubs three, Cardinals four). San Diego is one of the majors' most extreme pitchers' parks, and Dodger Stadium and Citi Field favor pitchers but to a lesser degree. There would be six games at Houston (Marlins and Diamondbacks) and Pittsburgh (Brewers and Reds) which also tend to be pitchers' parks. Note that it should be a bad week for Cubs batters in hostile pitchers' parks. Even in the American League, scheduled to play all six at games are the Athletics (Yankees and Tigers), Rays (Orioles and Rangers) and Blue Jays (Red Sox and Angels). Oakland has an extreme pitchers' park; Tampa Bay and Toronto are slightly less pitcher-friendly.
The best hitters' parks that would be in play for all six games would belong to the White Sox (Royals and Orioles in this week's most extreme hitting conditions), Indians (Angels and Mariners) and Nationals (Rockies and Brewers).
The best hitters' parks in use for all six games would be at Baltimore (Athletics and Angels) and Arizona (Mets and Dodgers).
Pitchers scheduled to start at home twice this week are RHPs Fausto Carmona, Vin Mazzaro, Tommy Hanson, Bud Norris, Charlie Haeger, Chad Billingsley, Livan Hernandez, Kevin Hart, Kevin Correia, Cesar Carrillo and Craig Stammen, and LHPs Mark Buehrle, David Price, Ricky Romero and Oliver Perez. My highest recommendations are Hanseon Romero, with other young live longsots in Hart, Carrillo and Price.
Pitching Chart, Sept. 21-27
This week’s new element that could disrupt rotations is that some teams will clinch postseason berths. At the very least, the Cardinals will, and others could. Reaching the playoffs means a team might rest some veterans – skipping a turn, giving them an extra day between starts or at the very least pulling them from games early – and trying out rookies. However, even St. Louis might keep going pedal to the metal because the Cards are in a tight race with the Phillies and Dodgers for the National League’s best record and home-field advantage.
The net impact is even more uncertainty in rotations than there has been since active rosters expanded Sept. 1.
AL
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Bal
@Tor @Tor @Tor/ --- @Cle @Cle @Cle
Tillman* Hendrickson** Guthrie/ --- Hernandez Berken Tillman2
Bos
@KC @KC @KC @KC/ @NYY @NYY @NYY
Wakefield Byrd Beckett Buchholz/ Lester Matsuzaka Wakefield-3*
CWS
Min Min Min/ --- Det Det Det
Carrasco-4* Danks Buehrle/ --- Peavy-5* Garcia Danks2
Cle
--- Det Det Det/ Bal Bal Bal
--- Laffey Masterson Carrasco/ Huff Sowers Carmona
Det
--- @Cle @Cle @Cle/ @CWS @CWS @CWS
--- Jackson Porcello Verlander/ Robertson Bonine-6* Jackson2
KC
Bos Bos Bos Bos/ Min Min Min
DiNardo Greinke-7* Hochevar Hughes-8*/ Tejeda DiNardo2 Greinke2
LAA
NYY NYY NYY/ --- Oak Oak Oak
Saunders Santana Kazmir/ --- Weaver Lackey Saunders2
Min
@CWS @CWS @CWS/ --- @KC @KC @KC
Blackburn Manship Duensing/ --- Pavano Baker Blackburn2
NYY
@LAA @LAA @LAA/ --- Bos Bos Bos
Pettitte Gaudin-9* Burnett/ --- Sabathia Chamberlain Pettitte2
Oak
Tex Tex Tex Tex/ @LAA @LAA @LAA
Ed.Gonzalez Cahill Mortensen Anderson/ G.Gonzalez Eveland-10* Ed.Gonzalez2
Se
--- @TB @TB/ @Tor @Tor @Tor @Tor
--- Rowland-Smith Morrow/ Hernandez Fister Snell Rowland-Smith2
TB
--- Se Se/ --- @Tex @Tex @Tex
--- Niemann Davis-11*/ --- Shields Garza Price
Tex
@Oak @Oak @Oak @Oak/ TB TB TB
Millwood-12* McCarthy Hunter Feldman/ Holland Millwood2 McCarthy2
Tor
Bal Bal Bal/ Se Se Se Se
Purcey Hayhurst-13* Richmond/ Romero Halladay Purcey2 Hayhurst2
*-The Orioles have said they would shut down rookie RHP Chris Tillman after Sunday’s start.
**-One of the down sides to shutting down young pitchers to save wear on their arm is that their team could then get stuck with an inferior pitcher such as LHP Mark Hendrickson in their rotation.
3*-Red Sox RHP Tim Wakefield would start twice this week if his balky back holds up. If he couldn’t go, RHP Paul Byrd and the remainder of the rotation could be moved ahead a day.
4*-The White Sox are moving RHP D.J. Carrasco from the bullpen to start Monday. RHP Gavin Floyd has a hip injury. He and LHP Mark Buehrle could be shut down if Chicago is eliminated from playoff contention. (Its magic number currently is 9.)
5*-RHP Jake Peavy won tonight for the White Sox in his first start since suffering a strained tendon in his right ankle while pitching for the Padres. He would start again Friday.
6*-The Tigers will keep RHP Eddie Bonine in their rotation, but taking the place of LHP Jarrod Washburn instead of LHP Nate Robertson. Washburn is out because of an injured left knee. Robertson, who missed a start because of pelvic inflammation, is expected to be ready to start again Friday.
7*-Royals RHP Zack Greinke will make his scheduled start Tuesday despite leaving Thursday’s game after a line drive struck his forearm.
8*-LHP Dusty Hughes made his first major league start tonight for Kansas City. He would start again Friday, unless RHP Kyle Davies could return from his oblique injury.
9*-RHP Chad Gaudin is more likely than RHP Sergio Mitre to pitch Tuesday as the Yankees’ fifth starter. Gaudin simply has pitched batter.
10*-The Athletics will start LHP Dana Eveland today in place of RHP Brett Tomko, who has a nerve problem in his arm. Eveland’s next scheduled start would be Saturday.
11*-Rookie RHP Wade Davis, who pitched his first major league shutout Thursday, will remain as the Rays’ fifth starter with RHP Andy Sonnanstine moving to Tampa Bay’s bullpen.
12*-RHP Kevin Millwood is scheduled to start Monday, even though he needs just 4 1/3 innings to trigger a $12-million contract for 2010 that would be difficult for the cash-strapped Rangers to pay. If they decide not to keep him or struggling LHP Derek Holland in the rotation, RHP Dustin Nippert would move in.
13*-Blue Jays LHP Brian Tallet left Wednesday’s start because of a bone bruise in his right ankle, caused when Yankees 2B Robinson Cano hit it with a line drive. Tallet isn’t likely to pitch again this season. Because Toronto has shut down most of its young pitchers, that would leave RHPs Dirk Hayhurst or Brian Wolfe out the bullpen to start Tuesday.
NL
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Ari
SF SF SF/ --- SD SD SD
Davis Buckner Mulvey/ --- Scherzer Haren Davis2
Atl
@NYM @NYM @NYM/ --- @Was @Was @Was
Lowe Jurrjens Hudson/ --- Vazquez Hanson* Lowe2
ChC
@Mil @Mil @Mil/ @SF @SF @SF @SF
Gorzelanny** Wells Lilly/ Dempster Zambrano Harden Wells2
Cin
--- @Pit @Pit @Pit/ @Ho @Ho @Ho
--- Lehr Maloney Bailey/ Arroyo Wells Lehr2
Col
--- SD SD SD/ StL StL StL
--- DeLaRosa Marquis Hammel/ Jimenez Rogers-3* DeLaRosa2-4*
Fla
--- Phi-2 Phi/ --- NYM NYM NYM
--- Johnson-Sanchez VandenHurk/ --- Nolasco West Johnson2
Ho
StL StL StL/ --- Cin Cin Cin
Bazardo-5* Norris Moehler/ --- Paulino Bazardo2 Norris2
LAD
--- @Was @Was @Was/ @Pit @Pit @Pit
--- Kuroda Billingsley-6* Padilla/ Garland Wolf Kuroda2
Mil
ChC ChC ChC/ Phi Phi Phi Phi
Looper Bush Narveson/ Suppan Gallardo Looper2 Bush2
NYM
Atl Atl Atl/ --- @Fla @Fla @Fla
Misch-7* Figueroa Pelfrey/ --- Redding Maine Misch2
Phi
--- @Fla-2 @Fla/ @Mil @Mil @Mil @Mil
--- Blanton-Moyer-8* Hamels/ Happ Martinez Lee Blanton
Pit
SD/ Cin Cin Cin/ LAD LAD LAD
McCutchen/ Duke Hart Morton/ Ohlendorf Maholm McCutchen2
StL
@Ho @Ho @Ho/ --- @Col @Col @Col
Lohse-9* Pineiro Smoltz/ --- Carpenter Wainwright Lohse2
SD
@Pit/ @Col @Col @Col/ @Ari @Ari @Ari
LeBlanc Mujica Stauffer Richard/ Correia LeBlanc2 Mujica2
SF
@Ari @Ari @Ari/ ChC ChC ChC ChC
Zito Cain Sanchez/ Penny Lincecum Zito2 Cain2
Was
--- LAD LAD LAD/ Atl Atl Atl
--- Hernandez Detwiler-10* Martin/ Lannan Mock Hernandez2
*-It’s still not clear whether the Braves would shut down rookie RHP Tommy Hanson, scheduled to start Saturday, if they’re eliminated from playoff contention.
**-The Cubs are skipping RHP Rich Harden for at least one start. That means LHP Tom Gorzelanny would start Monday. Gorzo would also go Saturday if Chicago decides not to start Harden then.
3*-Rookie RHP Esmil Rogers is scheduled to pitch Sunday. He would be in line to pitch again Saturday, unless RHPs Jose Contreras (strained right quadriceps) or Aaron Cook (shoulder injury) could return. They both pitched today in a simulated game.
4*-Just a reminder that one of my top recommendations of Pitchers to Seek back at the end of May was Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa. He was 0-6 at the time, but has gone 15-3 since. Jackpot!
5*-It’s possible that Astros RHP Roy Oswalt agreed to be shut down because he thought the season was over. That would be because Oswalt looked at Houston’s distinctly minor league rotation, including RHP Yorman Bazardo, and thought he was pitching at Triple-A Round Rock.
6*-The Dodgers skipped RHP Chad Billingsley for one start to work on some issues that had made him ineffective. He’s expected to start Tuesday. LHP Clayton Kershaw, who has a separated right shoulder, could return as early as this weekend.
7*-The Mets have dropped RHP Bobby Parnell as a starter and returned him to the bullpen. Look who has stayed in the rotation – LHP Pat Misch has been the most effective starter – and it’s easy to see why New York has sucked so much this season.
8*-LHP Jamie Moyer has had plenty of starts since being dropped from the Phillies’ rotation, and will have another chance Tuesday when they play a doubleheader against their closest pursuers, the Marlins.
9*-RHP Kyle Lohse, who has been out because of a forearm injury, is scheduled to return to the Cardinals’ rotation Monday.
10*-The Nationals’ rotation is even worse than the Mets’. After all, New York released RHP Livan Hernandez, and he’s close to the best starting pitcher Washington has. Wednesday’s starter, LHP Ross Detwiler, is 0-6.
The net impact is even more uncertainty in rotations than there has been since active rosters expanded Sept. 1.
AL
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Bal
@Tor @Tor @Tor/ --- @Cle @Cle @Cle
Tillman* Hendrickson** Guthrie/ --- Hernandez Berken Tillman2
Bos
@KC @KC @KC @KC/ @NYY @NYY @NYY
Wakefield Byrd Beckett Buchholz/ Lester Matsuzaka Wakefield-3*
CWS
Min Min Min/ --- Det Det Det
Carrasco-4* Danks Buehrle/ --- Peavy-5* Garcia Danks2
Cle
--- Det Det Det/ Bal Bal Bal
--- Laffey Masterson Carrasco/ Huff Sowers Carmona
Det
--- @Cle @Cle @Cle/ @CWS @CWS @CWS
--- Jackson Porcello Verlander/ Robertson Bonine-6* Jackson2
KC
Bos Bos Bos Bos/ Min Min Min
DiNardo Greinke-7* Hochevar Hughes-8*/ Tejeda DiNardo2 Greinke2
LAA
NYY NYY NYY/ --- Oak Oak Oak
Saunders Santana Kazmir/ --- Weaver Lackey Saunders2
Min
@CWS @CWS @CWS/ --- @KC @KC @KC
Blackburn Manship Duensing/ --- Pavano Baker Blackburn2
NYY
@LAA @LAA @LAA/ --- Bos Bos Bos
Pettitte Gaudin-9* Burnett/ --- Sabathia Chamberlain Pettitte2
Oak
Tex Tex Tex Tex/ @LAA @LAA @LAA
Ed.Gonzalez Cahill Mortensen Anderson/ G.Gonzalez Eveland-10* Ed.Gonzalez2
Se
--- @TB @TB/ @Tor @Tor @Tor @Tor
--- Rowland-Smith Morrow/ Hernandez Fister Snell Rowland-Smith2
TB
--- Se Se/ --- @Tex @Tex @Tex
--- Niemann Davis-11*/ --- Shields Garza Price
Tex
@Oak @Oak @Oak @Oak/ TB TB TB
Millwood-12* McCarthy Hunter Feldman/ Holland Millwood2 McCarthy2
Tor
Bal Bal Bal/ Se Se Se Se
Purcey Hayhurst-13* Richmond/ Romero Halladay Purcey2 Hayhurst2
*-The Orioles have said they would shut down rookie RHP Chris Tillman after Sunday’s start.
**-One of the down sides to shutting down young pitchers to save wear on their arm is that their team could then get stuck with an inferior pitcher such as LHP Mark Hendrickson in their rotation.
3*-Red Sox RHP Tim Wakefield would start twice this week if his balky back holds up. If he couldn’t go, RHP Paul Byrd and the remainder of the rotation could be moved ahead a day.
4*-The White Sox are moving RHP D.J. Carrasco from the bullpen to start Monday. RHP Gavin Floyd has a hip injury. He and LHP Mark Buehrle could be shut down if Chicago is eliminated from playoff contention. (Its magic number currently is 9.)
5*-RHP Jake Peavy won tonight for the White Sox in his first start since suffering a strained tendon in his right ankle while pitching for the Padres. He would start again Friday.
6*-The Tigers will keep RHP Eddie Bonine in their rotation, but taking the place of LHP Jarrod Washburn instead of LHP Nate Robertson. Washburn is out because of an injured left knee. Robertson, who missed a start because of pelvic inflammation, is expected to be ready to start again Friday.
7*-Royals RHP Zack Greinke will make his scheduled start Tuesday despite leaving Thursday’s game after a line drive struck his forearm.
8*-LHP Dusty Hughes made his first major league start tonight for Kansas City. He would start again Friday, unless RHP Kyle Davies could return from his oblique injury.
9*-RHP Chad Gaudin is more likely than RHP Sergio Mitre to pitch Tuesday as the Yankees’ fifth starter. Gaudin simply has pitched batter.
10*-The Athletics will start LHP Dana Eveland today in place of RHP Brett Tomko, who has a nerve problem in his arm. Eveland’s next scheduled start would be Saturday.
11*-Rookie RHP Wade Davis, who pitched his first major league shutout Thursday, will remain as the Rays’ fifth starter with RHP Andy Sonnanstine moving to Tampa Bay’s bullpen.
12*-RHP Kevin Millwood is scheduled to start Monday, even though he needs just 4 1/3 innings to trigger a $12-million contract for 2010 that would be difficult for the cash-strapped Rangers to pay. If they decide not to keep him or struggling LHP Derek Holland in the rotation, RHP Dustin Nippert would move in.
13*-Blue Jays LHP Brian Tallet left Wednesday’s start because of a bone bruise in his right ankle, caused when Yankees 2B Robinson Cano hit it with a line drive. Tallet isn’t likely to pitch again this season. Because Toronto has shut down most of its young pitchers, that would leave RHPs Dirk Hayhurst or Brian Wolfe out the bullpen to start Tuesday.
NL
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Ari
SF SF SF/ --- SD SD SD
Davis Buckner Mulvey/ --- Scherzer Haren Davis2
Atl
@NYM @NYM @NYM/ --- @Was @Was @Was
Lowe Jurrjens Hudson/ --- Vazquez Hanson* Lowe2
ChC
@Mil @Mil @Mil/ @SF @SF @SF @SF
Gorzelanny** Wells Lilly/ Dempster Zambrano Harden Wells2
Cin
--- @Pit @Pit @Pit/ @Ho @Ho @Ho
--- Lehr Maloney Bailey/ Arroyo Wells Lehr2
Col
--- SD SD SD/ StL StL StL
--- DeLaRosa Marquis Hammel/ Jimenez Rogers-3* DeLaRosa2-4*
Fla
--- Phi-2 Phi/ --- NYM NYM NYM
--- Johnson-Sanchez VandenHurk/ --- Nolasco West Johnson2
Ho
StL StL StL/ --- Cin Cin Cin
Bazardo-5* Norris Moehler/ --- Paulino Bazardo2 Norris2
LAD
--- @Was @Was @Was/ @Pit @Pit @Pit
--- Kuroda Billingsley-6* Padilla/ Garland Wolf Kuroda2
Mil
ChC ChC ChC/ Phi Phi Phi Phi
Looper Bush Narveson/ Suppan Gallardo Looper2 Bush2
NYM
Atl Atl Atl/ --- @Fla @Fla @Fla
Misch-7* Figueroa Pelfrey/ --- Redding Maine Misch2
Phi
--- @Fla-2 @Fla/ @Mil @Mil @Mil @Mil
--- Blanton-Moyer-8* Hamels/ Happ Martinez Lee Blanton
Pit
SD/ Cin Cin Cin/ LAD LAD LAD
McCutchen/ Duke Hart Morton/ Ohlendorf Maholm McCutchen2
StL
@Ho @Ho @Ho/ --- @Col @Col @Col
Lohse-9* Pineiro Smoltz/ --- Carpenter Wainwright Lohse2
SD
@Pit/ @Col @Col @Col/ @Ari @Ari @Ari
LeBlanc Mujica Stauffer Richard/ Correia LeBlanc2 Mujica2
SF
@Ari @Ari @Ari/ ChC ChC ChC ChC
Zito Cain Sanchez/ Penny Lincecum Zito2 Cain2
Was
--- LAD LAD LAD/ Atl Atl Atl
--- Hernandez Detwiler-10* Martin/ Lannan Mock Hernandez2
*-It’s still not clear whether the Braves would shut down rookie RHP Tommy Hanson, scheduled to start Saturday, if they’re eliminated from playoff contention.
**-The Cubs are skipping RHP Rich Harden for at least one start. That means LHP Tom Gorzelanny would start Monday. Gorzo would also go Saturday if Chicago decides not to start Harden then.
3*-Rookie RHP Esmil Rogers is scheduled to pitch Sunday. He would be in line to pitch again Saturday, unless RHPs Jose Contreras (strained right quadriceps) or Aaron Cook (shoulder injury) could return. They both pitched today in a simulated game.
4*-Just a reminder that one of my top recommendations of Pitchers to Seek back at the end of May was Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa. He was 0-6 at the time, but has gone 15-3 since. Jackpot!
5*-It’s possible that Astros RHP Roy Oswalt agreed to be shut down because he thought the season was over. That would be because Oswalt looked at Houston’s distinctly minor league rotation, including RHP Yorman Bazardo, and thought he was pitching at Triple-A Round Rock.
6*-The Dodgers skipped RHP Chad Billingsley for one start to work on some issues that had made him ineffective. He’s expected to start Tuesday. LHP Clayton Kershaw, who has a separated right shoulder, could return as early as this weekend.
7*-The Mets have dropped RHP Bobby Parnell as a starter and returned him to the bullpen. Look who has stayed in the rotation – LHP Pat Misch has been the most effective starter – and it’s easy to see why New York has sucked so much this season.
8*-LHP Jamie Moyer has had plenty of starts since being dropped from the Phillies’ rotation, and will have another chance Tuesday when they play a doubleheader against their closest pursuers, the Marlins.
9*-RHP Kyle Lohse, who has been out because of a forearm injury, is scheduled to return to the Cardinals’ rotation Monday.
10*-The Nationals’ rotation is even worse than the Mets’. After all, New York released RHP Livan Hernandez, and he’s close to the best starting pitcher Washington has. Wednesday’s starter, LHP Ross Detwiler, is 0-6.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Pitching Chart, Sept. 14-20
AL
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Bal
TB TB TB TB/ Bos Bos Bos
Hernandez Berken Tillman Matusz/ Guthrie Hernandez2 Berken2
Bos
--- LAA LAA LAA/ @Bal @Bal @Bal
--- Matsuzaka Byrd Beckett/ Lester Buchholz Wakefield*
CWS
--- @Se @Se @Se/ KC KC KC
--- Garcia Floyd Danks/ Buehrle Torres** Garcia2
Cle
@Min @Min @Min/ @Oak @Oak @Oak @Oak
Sowers Carmona Laffey/ Masterson Huff Carrasco-3* Sowers2
Det
Tor/ KC KC KC/ @Min @Min @Min
Verlander/ Washburn-4* Bonine-5* Jackson/ Porcello Verlander2 Washburn2
KC
--- @Det @Det @Det/ @CWS @CWS @CWS
--- Tejeda DiNardo Greinke/ Hochevar Davies Tejeda2
LAA
@NYY/ @Bos @Bos @Bos/ @Tex @Tex @Tex
Weaver/ Lackey Saunders Santana/ Kazmir Weaver2 Lackey2
Min
Cle Cle Cle/ --- Det Det Det
Pavano Baker Blackburn/ --- Manship Duensing Pavano2
NYY
LAA/ Tor Tor/ --- @Se @Se @Se
Chamberlain/ Gaudin-6* Pettitte/ --- Burnett Sabathia Chamberlain2
Oak
@Tex @Tex @Tex/ Cle Cle Cle Cle
Tomko Ed.Gonzalez Mortensen-7*/ Anderson Cahill G.Gonzalez Tomko2
Se
--- CWS CWS CWS/ NYY NYY NYY
--- Snell Rowland-Smith Morrow-8*/ Hernandez Fister Snell2
TB
@Bal @Bal @Bal @Bal/ Tor Tor Tor
Price Niemann Sonnanstine-9* Davis/ Garza Shields Price2
Tex
Oak Oak Oak/ --- LAA LAA LAA
Feldman McCarthy Nippert-10*/ --- Millwood Hunter Holland-11*
Tor
@Det/ @NYY @NYY/ --- @TB @TB @TB
Purcey-12*/ Halladay Tallet / --- Richmond Romero Halladay2
*-The Red Sox are hoping the loose fragments in RHP Tim Wakefield’s back will remain in one place long enough to allow him to pitch in a six-man rotation until Boston clinches a wild-card playoff berth.
**-Unless RHP Jake Peavy can come off the disabled list this weekend, rookie RHP Carlos Torres is the best option as the fifth starter for the White Sox as they try to remain in playoff contention.
3*-The Indians seem likely to keep a fraudulent prospect, RHP Carlos Carrasco, in a six-man rotation. The alternative might be to arrest the Phillies for stealing LHP Cliff Lee.
4*-LHP Jarrod Washburn could start twice this week if a painful left knee doesn’t prevent him from pitching.
5*-The Tigers are moving RHP Eddie Bonine into their rotation because LHP Nate Robertson is suffering from pelvic inflammation and RHP Armando Galarraga has an inflamed elbow.
6*-RHP Chad Gaudin pitched well enough in his most recent start to remain as the Yankees’ fifth starter.
7*-Rookie RHP Clayton Mortensen will stay in the Athletics’ rotation until RHP Vin Mazzaro recovers from a shoulder injury.
8*-RHP Brandon Morrow won for the first time in Friday’s start, and is now part of the Mariners’ five-man rotation.
9*-Sunday’s doubleheader meant that the Rays will need a sixth starter. RHP Andy Sonnanstine was manager Joe Maddon’s choice.
10*-The Rangers also played a makeup doubleheader Sunday. RHP Dustin Nippert was selected to be the sixth starter charged with trying to right a sinking ship.
11*-Rookie LHP Derek Holland is still in Texas’ rotation even though his pitches appear to have flattened out, making them much easier to hit.
12*-The Blue Jays have shut down rookie LHP Brett Cecil. They moved LHP David Purcey into the rotation as Cecil’s replacement. It’s likely that Toronto would move RHP Roy Halladay ahead of Purcey to start Sunday.
NL
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Ari
@SD @SD @SD/ --- Col Col Col
Buckner Haren Davis/ --- Mulvey* Scherzer Buckner2**
Atl
--- NYM NYM NYM/ Phi Phi Phi
--- Hanson Lowe Jurrjens/ Hudson Vazquez Hanson2-3*
ChC
Mil Mil Mil Mil/ @StL @StL @StL
Dempster Zambrano Harden Wells/ Lilly Dempster2 Zambrano2
Cin
Ho Ho Ho/ Fla Fla Fla Fla
Arroyo Wells Lehr/ Cueto Bailey Arroyo2 Wells2
Col
@SF @SF @SF/ --- @Ari @Ari @Ari
Hammel Jimenez DeLaRosa/ --- Rogers-4* Marquis Hammel2
Fla
@StL @StL @StL/ @Cin @Cin @Cin @Cin
Nolasco West Johnson/ Sanchez Volstad Nolasco2 West2
Ho
@Cin @Cin @Cin/ --- @Mil @Mil @Mil
Rodriguez Oswalt Norris/ --- Moehler Rodriguez2-5* Paulino
LAD
Pit Pit Pit/ --- SF SF SF
Garland Wolf-6* Kuroda/ --- Padilla-7* Billingsley Garland2
Mil
@ChC @ChC @ChC @ChC/ Ho Ho Ho
Suppan Gallardo Looper Bush/ Narveson-8* Suppan2 Gallardo2
NYM
--- @Atl @Atl @Atl/ Was Was Was
--- Misch Parnell Figueroa/ Pelfrey Maine Redding-9*
Phi
--- Was Was Was/ @Atl @Atl @Atl
--- Lee Blanton Hamels/ Moyer Martinez Lee2
Pit
@LAD @LAD @LAD/ --- SD SD SD
McCutchen Duke Hart/ --- Morton Ohlendorf Maholm
StL
Fla Fla Fla/ --- ChC ChC ChC
Wellemeyer-10* Wainwright Pineiro/ --- Lohse-11* Carpenter Smoltz
SD
Ari Ari Ari/ --- @Pit @Pit @Pit
Correia LeBlanc Mujica-12*/ --- Stauffer Richard Correia2
SF
Col Col Col/ --- @LAD @LAD @LAD
Lincecum-13* Zito Cain/ --- Sanchez Penny Lincecum2
Was
--- @Phi @Phi @Phi/ @NYM @NYM @NYM
--- Mock Hernandez Martin/ Detwiler-14* Lannan Mock2
*-The Diamondbacks are giving RHP Kevin Mulvey, acquired on waivers from the Minnesota organization, a trial in their rotation. If he were really good, Mulvey would be pitching for the Twins now.
**-Arizona could move ace RHP Dan Haren ahead of RHP Bill Buckner to start Sunday’s game.
3*-The Braves have indicated they would keep rookie RHP Tommy Hanson in their rotation until they are eliminated from playoff contention.
4*-RHP Jose Contreras’ strained right quadriceps left an opening in the contending Rockies’ rotation. They have chosen to fill it by promoting RHP Esmil Rogers.
5*-The Astros could move their ace, LHP Wandy Rodriguez, ahead of struggling RHP Felipe Paulino in their rotation.
6*-LHP Randy Wolf may have recovered sufficiently from a hyperextended elbow to start Tuesday’s game. It’s only against the Pirates, so that’s no big deal.
7*-RHP Vicente Padilla has pitched well for LA, but he could be out of the rotation once LHP Clayton Kershaw returns from a back injury.
8*-Because of LHP Manny Parra’s neck spasms, the Brewers had LHP Chris Narveson make his first major league start since 2006 on Sunday. That would put him in line to start again Friday if Parra couldn’t go then.
9*-RHP Tim Redding pitched well enough Sunday in a loss to the Phillies for the Mets to keep him as part of a six-man rotation.
10*-Cardinals RHP John Smoltz couldn’t start Monday because of a shoulder injury. He’s scheduled for a side session this week. If his shoulder allows, Smoltz would start Sunday, with RHP Todd Wellemeyer returning to the bullpen.
11*-An MRI exam on RHP Kyle Lohse’s forearm showed he should be physically sound enough to start for St. Louis Friday.
12*-Padres RHP Edward Mujica pitched well enough as a starter in four scoreless innings Friday to earn another start.
13*-RHP Tim Lincecum missed Tuesday’s start because of a sore back, but returned to pitch Monday.
14*-The Nationals promoted RHP Marco Estrada to fill in as their fifth starter Saturday. Next, they’ll try LHP Ross Detwiler again in that role, on Friday.
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Bal
TB TB TB TB/ Bos Bos Bos
Hernandez Berken Tillman Matusz/ Guthrie Hernandez2 Berken2
Bos
--- LAA LAA LAA/ @Bal @Bal @Bal
--- Matsuzaka Byrd Beckett/ Lester Buchholz Wakefield*
CWS
--- @Se @Se @Se/ KC KC KC
--- Garcia Floyd Danks/ Buehrle Torres** Garcia2
Cle
@Min @Min @Min/ @Oak @Oak @Oak @Oak
Sowers Carmona Laffey/ Masterson Huff Carrasco-3* Sowers2
Det
Tor/ KC KC KC/ @Min @Min @Min
Verlander/ Washburn-4* Bonine-5* Jackson/ Porcello Verlander2 Washburn2
KC
--- @Det @Det @Det/ @CWS @CWS @CWS
--- Tejeda DiNardo Greinke/ Hochevar Davies Tejeda2
LAA
@NYY/ @Bos @Bos @Bos/ @Tex @Tex @Tex
Weaver/ Lackey Saunders Santana/ Kazmir Weaver2 Lackey2
Min
Cle Cle Cle/ --- Det Det Det
Pavano Baker Blackburn/ --- Manship Duensing Pavano2
NYY
LAA/ Tor Tor/ --- @Se @Se @Se
Chamberlain/ Gaudin-6* Pettitte/ --- Burnett Sabathia Chamberlain2
Oak
@Tex @Tex @Tex/ Cle Cle Cle Cle
Tomko Ed.Gonzalez Mortensen-7*/ Anderson Cahill G.Gonzalez Tomko2
Se
--- CWS CWS CWS/ NYY NYY NYY
--- Snell Rowland-Smith Morrow-8*/ Hernandez Fister Snell2
TB
@Bal @Bal @Bal @Bal/ Tor Tor Tor
Price Niemann Sonnanstine-9* Davis/ Garza Shields Price2
Tex
Oak Oak Oak/ --- LAA LAA LAA
Feldman McCarthy Nippert-10*/ --- Millwood Hunter Holland-11*
Tor
@Det/ @NYY @NYY/ --- @TB @TB @TB
Purcey-12*/ Halladay Tallet / --- Richmond Romero Halladay2
*-The Red Sox are hoping the loose fragments in RHP Tim Wakefield’s back will remain in one place long enough to allow him to pitch in a six-man rotation until Boston clinches a wild-card playoff berth.
**-Unless RHP Jake Peavy can come off the disabled list this weekend, rookie RHP Carlos Torres is the best option as the fifth starter for the White Sox as they try to remain in playoff contention.
3*-The Indians seem likely to keep a fraudulent prospect, RHP Carlos Carrasco, in a six-man rotation. The alternative might be to arrest the Phillies for stealing LHP Cliff Lee.
4*-LHP Jarrod Washburn could start twice this week if a painful left knee doesn’t prevent him from pitching.
5*-The Tigers are moving RHP Eddie Bonine into their rotation because LHP Nate Robertson is suffering from pelvic inflammation and RHP Armando Galarraga has an inflamed elbow.
6*-RHP Chad Gaudin pitched well enough in his most recent start to remain as the Yankees’ fifth starter.
7*-Rookie RHP Clayton Mortensen will stay in the Athletics’ rotation until RHP Vin Mazzaro recovers from a shoulder injury.
8*-RHP Brandon Morrow won for the first time in Friday’s start, and is now part of the Mariners’ five-man rotation.
9*-Sunday’s doubleheader meant that the Rays will need a sixth starter. RHP Andy Sonnanstine was manager Joe Maddon’s choice.
10*-The Rangers also played a makeup doubleheader Sunday. RHP Dustin Nippert was selected to be the sixth starter charged with trying to right a sinking ship.
11*-Rookie LHP Derek Holland is still in Texas’ rotation even though his pitches appear to have flattened out, making them much easier to hit.
12*-The Blue Jays have shut down rookie LHP Brett Cecil. They moved LHP David Purcey into the rotation as Cecil’s replacement. It’s likely that Toronto would move RHP Roy Halladay ahead of Purcey to start Sunday.
NL
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Ari
@SD @SD @SD/ --- Col Col Col
Buckner Haren Davis/ --- Mulvey* Scherzer Buckner2**
Atl
--- NYM NYM NYM/ Phi Phi Phi
--- Hanson Lowe Jurrjens/ Hudson Vazquez Hanson2-3*
ChC
Mil Mil Mil Mil/ @StL @StL @StL
Dempster Zambrano Harden Wells/ Lilly Dempster2 Zambrano2
Cin
Ho Ho Ho/ Fla Fla Fla Fla
Arroyo Wells Lehr/ Cueto Bailey Arroyo2 Wells2
Col
@SF @SF @SF/ --- @Ari @Ari @Ari
Hammel Jimenez DeLaRosa/ --- Rogers-4* Marquis Hammel2
Fla
@StL @StL @StL/ @Cin @Cin @Cin @Cin
Nolasco West Johnson/ Sanchez Volstad Nolasco2 West2
Ho
@Cin @Cin @Cin/ --- @Mil @Mil @Mil
Rodriguez Oswalt Norris/ --- Moehler Rodriguez2-5* Paulino
LAD
Pit Pit Pit/ --- SF SF SF
Garland Wolf-6* Kuroda/ --- Padilla-7* Billingsley Garland2
Mil
@ChC @ChC @ChC @ChC/ Ho Ho Ho
Suppan Gallardo Looper Bush/ Narveson-8* Suppan2 Gallardo2
NYM
--- @Atl @Atl @Atl/ Was Was Was
--- Misch Parnell Figueroa/ Pelfrey Maine Redding-9*
Phi
--- Was Was Was/ @Atl @Atl @Atl
--- Lee Blanton Hamels/ Moyer Martinez Lee2
Pit
@LAD @LAD @LAD/ --- SD SD SD
McCutchen Duke Hart/ --- Morton Ohlendorf Maholm
StL
Fla Fla Fla/ --- ChC ChC ChC
Wellemeyer-10* Wainwright Pineiro/ --- Lohse-11* Carpenter Smoltz
SD
Ari Ari Ari/ --- @Pit @Pit @Pit
Correia LeBlanc Mujica-12*/ --- Stauffer Richard Correia2
SF
Col Col Col/ --- @LAD @LAD @LAD
Lincecum-13* Zito Cain/ --- Sanchez Penny Lincecum2
Was
--- @Phi @Phi @Phi/ @NYM @NYM @NYM
--- Mock Hernandez Martin/ Detwiler-14* Lannan Mock2
*-The Diamondbacks are giving RHP Kevin Mulvey, acquired on waivers from the Minnesota organization, a trial in their rotation. If he were really good, Mulvey would be pitching for the Twins now.
**-Arizona could move ace RHP Dan Haren ahead of RHP Bill Buckner to start Sunday’s game.
3*-The Braves have indicated they would keep rookie RHP Tommy Hanson in their rotation until they are eliminated from playoff contention.
4*-RHP Jose Contreras’ strained right quadriceps left an opening in the contending Rockies’ rotation. They have chosen to fill it by promoting RHP Esmil Rogers.
5*-The Astros could move their ace, LHP Wandy Rodriguez, ahead of struggling RHP Felipe Paulino in their rotation.
6*-LHP Randy Wolf may have recovered sufficiently from a hyperextended elbow to start Tuesday’s game. It’s only against the Pirates, so that’s no big deal.
7*-RHP Vicente Padilla has pitched well for LA, but he could be out of the rotation once LHP Clayton Kershaw returns from a back injury.
8*-Because of LHP Manny Parra’s neck spasms, the Brewers had LHP Chris Narveson make his first major league start since 2006 on Sunday. That would put him in line to start again Friday if Parra couldn’t go then.
9*-RHP Tim Redding pitched well enough Sunday in a loss to the Phillies for the Mets to keep him as part of a six-man rotation.
10*-Cardinals RHP John Smoltz couldn’t start Monday because of a shoulder injury. He’s scheduled for a side session this week. If his shoulder allows, Smoltz would start Sunday, with RHP Todd Wellemeyer returning to the bullpen.
11*-An MRI exam on RHP Kyle Lohse’s forearm showed he should be physically sound enough to start for St. Louis Friday.
12*-Padres RHP Edward Mujica pitched well enough as a starter in four scoreless innings Friday to earn another start.
13*-RHP Tim Lincecum missed Tuesday’s start because of a sore back, but returned to pitch Monday.
14*-The Nationals promoted RHP Marco Estrada to fill in as their fifth starter Saturday. Next, they’ll try LHP Ross Detwiler again in that role, on Friday.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Hot and Not
The players listed here were the major league statistical leaders last week. Batting averages are based on 20 at-bats, and ERA and WHIP on seven innings pitched. In most cases, we eliminate batters with an average lower than .280 and pitchers with ERAs above 4.00 from the Hot list. Keep in mind players’ career performance and current-season totals even more than current trends in deciding on whether to keep those players in your lineup.
Hot
Pos. Name, Team H-AB Avg. HR-RBI SB
3B Alex Rodriguez, Yankees 10-20 .500 1-6 0
OF Jeff Francoeur, Mets 11-23 .478 0-1 0
OF Vernon Wells, Blue Jays 10-21 .476 1-4 2
OF Nate McLouth, Braves 11-25 .440 2-4 0
OF Rajai Davis, Athletics 11-25 .440 0-2 5
OF Marlon Byrd, Rangers 11-26 .423 2-8 0
1B Billy Butler, Royals 13-31 .419 2-12 1
1B Derrek Lee, Cubs 10-24 .417 3-4 0
2B/3B Juan Uribe, Giants 9-22 .409 3-7 0
2B Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox 9-22 .409 3-6 0
SS Hanley Ramirez, Marlins 9-22 .409 2-7 1
Seeing Pedroia and Ramirez here together reminds me of when they formed the double-play combination at Double-A Portland in 2005.
Home runs – Phillies OF Raul Ibanez 4; Lee, Pedroia, Uribe, Astros 1B/OF Lance Berkman, Rangers OF Julio Borbon, Dodgers 1B James Loney and Cardinals 1B Albert Pujols 3.
RBI – Butler 12; Dodgers C Russell Martin 9; Byrd, Loney, Orioles 2B Brian Roberts and Marlins OF Cody Ross 8. And this list reminds me that on one fantasy team I have three of the four players who drove in eight runs – but two of them weren’t in my lineup last week.
Stolen bases – Davis 5; Astros 2b Kazuo Matsui and Cardinals SS Brendan Ryan 4; Blue Jays SS/2B/3B Marco Scutaro 3; Borbon, Roberts, Wells, Royals OF Josh Anderson, Rangers SS Elvis Andrus, Indians OF Michael Brantley, Athletics 2B Mark Ellis, Red Sox OF Jacoby Ellsbury, Yankees SS Derek Jeter and Rockies 2B Eric Young 2.
Runs – Lee 10; Nationals 2B/OF Willie Harris 8; Twins OF Denard Span and Yankees OF/1B Nick Swisher 7; Angels OF Bobby Abreu 6; Berkman, Borbon, Ibanez, Loney, Matsui, Pujols, Royals SS Yuniesky Betancourt and OF David DeJesus, Braves SS Yunel Escobar, Rangers OF David Murphy, Yankees 1B Mark Teixeira and Padres OF Will Venable 6.
Throws Pitcher, Team IP ERA W-L WHIP SO/BB
RHP John Lackey, Angels 9.0 0.00 1-0 0.67 7:1
LHP Jon Lester, Red Sox 8.0 0.00 1-0 0.63 7:3
RHP Jair Jurrjens, Braves 8.0 0.00 1-0 1.00 7:2
LHP Paul Maholm, Pirates 8.0 0.00 1-0 1.00 2:2
RHP Tommy Hanson, Braves 8.0 0.00 0-0 0.63 7:0
RHP Adam Wainwright, Cardinals 7.0 0.00 1-0 0.86 6:1
RHP Scott Feldman, Rangers 7.0 0.00 1-0 1.00 5:2
RHP Clay Buchholz, Red Sox 14.0 0.64 1-0 0.86 10:4
RHP Felix Hernandez, Mariners 14.0 0.64 1-0 0.86 8:5
RHP Kyle Davies, Royals 11.0 0.82 2-0 1.64 4:12
When I hear people saying Wainwright is not a strong candidate for the National League Cy Young Award, I think of all the weeks when he has been on this list. Then I think he’s a really good candidate..
Wins – Davies, Rockies RHP Rafael Betancourt, Cubs LHP Ted Lilly, Phillies RHP Pedro Martinez, Dodgers RHP Vicente Padilla, Giants RHP Brad Penny and Braves RHP Javier Vazquez 2. Look at that Martinez-Padilla-Penny axis and remember that all of them had been released or out of baseball during this season.
Saves – Blue Jays RHP Jason Frasor and Royals RHP Joakim Soria 4-for-4; Rockies LHP Franklin Morales 3-for-3; Dodgers RHP Jonathan Broxton, Twins RHP Joe Nathan, Marlins RHP Leo Nunez, Red Sox RHP Jonathan Papelbon and Astros RHP Jose Valverde 2-for-2..
WHIP – Dodgers RHP Hiroki Kuroda 0.38; Rockies RHP Jason Hammel 0.55; Royals RHP Zack Greinke and Angels LHP Joe Saunders 0.57; Hanson and Lester 0.63.
Strikeout/walk ratio (at least 10 Ks and a 2.5:1 ratio) –.Brewers RHP David Bush 14:0; Rays RHP Matt Garza 15:1; Vazquez 17:4; Martinez 11:3; Astros RHP Felipe Paulino 13:4; Lilly 14:5; Buchholz 10:4.
* * *
Not
Pos. Player, Team H-AB Avg. HR-RBI SB
OF Jermaine Dye, White Sox 1-20 .050 0-0 0
OF Andrew McCutchen, Pirates 3-25 .120 0-2 0
OF Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies 3-24 .125 01- 2
OF Kosuke Fukudome, Cubs 3-24 .125 0-2 0
3B Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals 3-22 .136 1-1 0
1B Justin Morneau, Twins 3-22 .136 1-3 0
OF Jonny Gomes, Reds 3-22 .136 2-5 0
2B/3B/1B Martin Prado, Braves 3-20 .150 0-0 0
OF Garret Anderson, Braves 3-20 .150 0-3 0
OF Justin Upton, D-backs 3-20 .150 1-3 0
The week’s hitless wonders were Rays OF Fernando Perez 0-for-12 and Angels C Mike Napoli 0-for-11.
Walk/strikeout ratio (six or more strikeouts) – Red Sox OF Jason Bay 3:10; Reds 1B Joey Votto 5:10.
Caught stealing – Astros OF Hunter Pence and Giants OF/2B Eugenio Velez 0-for-2; Athletics OF Rajai Davis 5-for-7.
The following pitchers made two starts last week, doubly damaging their real and fantasy teams.
Throws Pitcher, Team IP ERA W-L WHIP SO/BB
RHP Scott Richmond, Blue Jays 10.1 10.45 0-1 1.94 5:7
LHP Clayton Richard, Padres 9.0 9.00 0-1 1.67 11:4
RHP Jeff Manship, Twins 8.1 7.56 0-1 1.80 7:5
RHP Carlos Carrasco, Indians 11.0 7.36 0-1 1.82 7:4
RHP Chad Billingsley, Dodgers 10.0 6.30 0-1 1.90 10:3
LHP Ricky Romero, Blue Jays 12.2 4.96 1-1 1.82 8:6
LHP Jamie Moyer, Phillies 13.0 4.85 0-0 0.85 4:1
RHP A.J. Burnett, Yankees 13.0 4.85 1-1 1.23 12:5
RHP Rick Porcello, Tigers 12.0 4.50 1-0 1.17 6:3
RHP Ervin Santana, Angels 12.2 4.26 0-1 1.58 9:4
Losses – Rays RHP Lance Cormier, Astros RHP Felipe Paulino, Mets RHP Tim Redding and D-backs LHP Daniel Schlereth 2.
Blown saves – Padres RHP Heath Bell 2-for-4.
Hot
Pos. Name, Team H-AB Avg. HR-RBI SB
3B Alex Rodriguez, Yankees 10-20 .500 1-6 0
OF Jeff Francoeur, Mets 11-23 .478 0-1 0
OF Vernon Wells, Blue Jays 10-21 .476 1-4 2
OF Nate McLouth, Braves 11-25 .440 2-4 0
OF Rajai Davis, Athletics 11-25 .440 0-2 5
OF Marlon Byrd, Rangers 11-26 .423 2-8 0
1B Billy Butler, Royals 13-31 .419 2-12 1
1B Derrek Lee, Cubs 10-24 .417 3-4 0
2B/3B Juan Uribe, Giants 9-22 .409 3-7 0
2B Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox 9-22 .409 3-6 0
SS Hanley Ramirez, Marlins 9-22 .409 2-7 1
Seeing Pedroia and Ramirez here together reminds me of when they formed the double-play combination at Double-A Portland in 2005.
Home runs – Phillies OF Raul Ibanez 4; Lee, Pedroia, Uribe, Astros 1B/OF Lance Berkman, Rangers OF Julio Borbon, Dodgers 1B James Loney and Cardinals 1B Albert Pujols 3.
RBI – Butler 12; Dodgers C Russell Martin 9; Byrd, Loney, Orioles 2B Brian Roberts and Marlins OF Cody Ross 8. And this list reminds me that on one fantasy team I have three of the four players who drove in eight runs – but two of them weren’t in my lineup last week.
Stolen bases – Davis 5; Astros 2b Kazuo Matsui and Cardinals SS Brendan Ryan 4; Blue Jays SS/2B/3B Marco Scutaro 3; Borbon, Roberts, Wells, Royals OF Josh Anderson, Rangers SS Elvis Andrus, Indians OF Michael Brantley, Athletics 2B Mark Ellis, Red Sox OF Jacoby Ellsbury, Yankees SS Derek Jeter and Rockies 2B Eric Young 2.
Runs – Lee 10; Nationals 2B/OF Willie Harris 8; Twins OF Denard Span and Yankees OF/1B Nick Swisher 7; Angels OF Bobby Abreu 6; Berkman, Borbon, Ibanez, Loney, Matsui, Pujols, Royals SS Yuniesky Betancourt and OF David DeJesus, Braves SS Yunel Escobar, Rangers OF David Murphy, Yankees 1B Mark Teixeira and Padres OF Will Venable 6.
Throws Pitcher, Team IP ERA W-L WHIP SO/BB
RHP John Lackey, Angels 9.0 0.00 1-0 0.67 7:1
LHP Jon Lester, Red Sox 8.0 0.00 1-0 0.63 7:3
RHP Jair Jurrjens, Braves 8.0 0.00 1-0 1.00 7:2
LHP Paul Maholm, Pirates 8.0 0.00 1-0 1.00 2:2
RHP Tommy Hanson, Braves 8.0 0.00 0-0 0.63 7:0
RHP Adam Wainwright, Cardinals 7.0 0.00 1-0 0.86 6:1
RHP Scott Feldman, Rangers 7.0 0.00 1-0 1.00 5:2
RHP Clay Buchholz, Red Sox 14.0 0.64 1-0 0.86 10:4
RHP Felix Hernandez, Mariners 14.0 0.64 1-0 0.86 8:5
RHP Kyle Davies, Royals 11.0 0.82 2-0 1.64 4:12
When I hear people saying Wainwright is not a strong candidate for the National League Cy Young Award, I think of all the weeks when he has been on this list. Then I think he’s a really good candidate..
Wins – Davies, Rockies RHP Rafael Betancourt, Cubs LHP Ted Lilly, Phillies RHP Pedro Martinez, Dodgers RHP Vicente Padilla, Giants RHP Brad Penny and Braves RHP Javier Vazquez 2. Look at that Martinez-Padilla-Penny axis and remember that all of them had been released or out of baseball during this season.
Saves – Blue Jays RHP Jason Frasor and Royals RHP Joakim Soria 4-for-4; Rockies LHP Franklin Morales 3-for-3; Dodgers RHP Jonathan Broxton, Twins RHP Joe Nathan, Marlins RHP Leo Nunez, Red Sox RHP Jonathan Papelbon and Astros RHP Jose Valverde 2-for-2..
WHIP – Dodgers RHP Hiroki Kuroda 0.38; Rockies RHP Jason Hammel 0.55; Royals RHP Zack Greinke and Angels LHP Joe Saunders 0.57; Hanson and Lester 0.63.
Strikeout/walk ratio (at least 10 Ks and a 2.5:1 ratio) –.Brewers RHP David Bush 14:0; Rays RHP Matt Garza 15:1; Vazquez 17:4; Martinez 11:3; Astros RHP Felipe Paulino 13:4; Lilly 14:5; Buchholz 10:4.
* * *
Not
Pos. Player, Team H-AB Avg. HR-RBI SB
OF Jermaine Dye, White Sox 1-20 .050 0-0 0
OF Andrew McCutchen, Pirates 3-25 .120 0-2 0
OF Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies 3-24 .125 01- 2
OF Kosuke Fukudome, Cubs 3-24 .125 0-2 0
3B Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals 3-22 .136 1-1 0
1B Justin Morneau, Twins 3-22 .136 1-3 0
OF Jonny Gomes, Reds 3-22 .136 2-5 0
2B/3B/1B Martin Prado, Braves 3-20 .150 0-0 0
OF Garret Anderson, Braves 3-20 .150 0-3 0
OF Justin Upton, D-backs 3-20 .150 1-3 0
The week’s hitless wonders were Rays OF Fernando Perez 0-for-12 and Angels C Mike Napoli 0-for-11.
Walk/strikeout ratio (six or more strikeouts) – Red Sox OF Jason Bay 3:10; Reds 1B Joey Votto 5:10.
Caught stealing – Astros OF Hunter Pence and Giants OF/2B Eugenio Velez 0-for-2; Athletics OF Rajai Davis 5-for-7.
The following pitchers made two starts last week, doubly damaging their real and fantasy teams.
Throws Pitcher, Team IP ERA W-L WHIP SO/BB
RHP Scott Richmond, Blue Jays 10.1 10.45 0-1 1.94 5:7
LHP Clayton Richard, Padres 9.0 9.00 0-1 1.67 11:4
RHP Jeff Manship, Twins 8.1 7.56 0-1 1.80 7:5
RHP Carlos Carrasco, Indians 11.0 7.36 0-1 1.82 7:4
RHP Chad Billingsley, Dodgers 10.0 6.30 0-1 1.90 10:3
LHP Ricky Romero, Blue Jays 12.2 4.96 1-1 1.82 8:6
LHP Jamie Moyer, Phillies 13.0 4.85 0-0 0.85 4:1
RHP A.J. Burnett, Yankees 13.0 4.85 1-1 1.23 12:5
RHP Rick Porcello, Tigers 12.0 4.50 1-0 1.17 6:3
RHP Ervin Santana, Angels 12.2 4.26 0-1 1.58 9:4
Losses – Rays RHP Lance Cormier, Astros RHP Felipe Paulino, Mets RHP Tim Redding and D-backs LHP Daniel Schlereth 2.
Blown saves – Padres RHP Heath Bell 2-for-4.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Hot and Not: Coghlan for Rookie of the Year
The players listed here were the major league statistical leaders last week. Batting averages are based on 20 at-bats, and ERA and WHIP on seven innings pitched. In most cases, we eliminate batters with an average lower than .280 and pitchers with ERAs above 4.00 from the Hot list. Keep in mind players’ career performance and current-season totals even more than current trends in deciding on whether to keep those players in your lineup.
Hot
Pos. Name, Team H-AB Avg. HR-RBI SB
OF Seth Smith, Rockies 13-24 .542 4-10 0
OF Matt Holliday, Cardinals 11-23 .478 3-6 0
OF Ryan Ludwick, Cardinals 10-21 .476 2-8 0
3B Evan Longoria, Rays 14-30 .467 3-11 0
1B/3B Jorge Cantu, Marlins 14-30 .467 1-8 0
2B Placido Polanco, Tigers 11-24 .458 2-5 1
OF/2B Chris Coghlan, Marlins 15-33 .455 0-2 0
2B Brandon Phillips, Reds 11-25 .440 2-6 2
3B Melvin Mora, Orioles 9-21 .429 2-6 0
C/1B Victor Martinez, Red Sox 9-21 .429 1-5 0
OF Lastings Milledge, Pirates 9-21 .429 0-3 0
C Ryan Doumit, Pirates 9-21 .429 0-2 0
This is the second consecutive week on this list for Coghlan. Let me be the first to say it: He should be the National League Rookie of the Year. In the American League, Elvis Andrus should win the award.
Home runs – Smith, Cubs 1B Derrek Lee and Reds OF Drew Stubbs 4; Holliday, Longoria, Rangers OF Nelson Cruz, Rockies OF Carlos Gonzalez, Tigers 3B/OF Carlos Guillen, blue Jays OF Adam Lind, Yankees C Jorge Posada and OF/1B Nick Swisher, Cardinals 1B Albert Pujols, Rockies 3B/2B Ian Stewart and D-backs OF Chris B. Young 3.
RBI – Lind and Longoria 11; Cruz, Smith and Brewers 3B/2B Casey McGehee 10.
Stolen bases – Astros OF Michael Bourn and White Sox 2B Chris Getz 4; Yankees OF Melky Cabrera, White Sox OF Scott Podsednik and D-backs OF Justin Upton 3.
Runs – Longoria and Smith 10; Lind and Pujols 9; Coghlan, Blue Jays 2B Aaron Hill and Rays 1B Carlos Pena 8.
Throws Pitcher, Team IP ERA W-L WHIP SO/BB
RHP Roy Halladay, Blue Jays 9.0 0.00 1-0 0.44 9:3
LHP Ted Lilly, Cubs 8.0 0.00 1-0 0.50 5:0
RHP Brad Penny, Giants 8.0 0.00 1-0 0.75 2:1
RHP Felix Hernandez, Mariners 8.0 0.00 1-0 0.88 6:3
RHP Ross Ohlendorf, Pirates 8.0 0.00 0-0 0.63 11:1
RHP Zack Greinke, Royals 8.0 0.00 0-0 1.25 8:2
RHP Kevin Correia, Padres 7.2 0.00 1-0 0.65 5:2
RHP Carlos Torres, White Sox 7.0 0.00 1-0 0.71 6:0
LHP Wandy Rodriguez, Astros 7.0 0.00 1-0 7:0
RHP Robinson Tejeda, Royals 7.0 0.00 0-0 0.57 7:2
LHP Brian Duensing, Twins 7.0 0.00 0-0 1.00 7:2
RHP Bobby Parnell, Mets 7.0 0.00 0-0 1.14 7:3
RHP Ryan Dempster, Cubs 7.0 0.00 0-1 1.43 7:1
Halladay and Parnell were on the previous week's Not list.
Wins – Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa, Red Sox LHP Jon Lester, Yankees LHP Andy Pettitte, Angels LHP Joe Saunders and Padres RHP Tim Stauffer 2.
Saves – Reds RHP Francisco Cordero 5-for-5; Padres RHP Heath Bell 4-for-4; Mariners RHP David Aardsma, Dodgers RHP Jonathan Broxton, Rangers RHP Frank Francisco, Cubs RHP Carlos Marmol and Rockies LHP Franklin Morales 3-for-3.
WHIP – Halladay 0.44; Lilly 0.50; Tejeda and Rays RHP Wade Davis 0.57; Ohlendorf, Mariners LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith and Tigers RHP Justin Verlander 0.63.
Strikeout/walk ratio (10 Ks, at least a 2.5:1 ratio) – White Sox RHP Gavin Floyd 15:0; Ohlendorf and Giants RHP Tim Lincecum 11:1; Twins RHP Nick Blackburn 10:1; Dodgers LHP Randy Wolf 12:2; Phillies LHP Cole Hamels 15:3; Reds RHP Johnny Cueto 14:3; Lester 17:4; Astros RHP Roy Oswalt 11:3; Giants LHP Jonathan Sanchez 17:6..
* * *
Not
Pos. Player, Team H-AB Avg. HR-RBI SB
1B Justin Morneau, Twins 1-21 .048 0-1 0
2B/OF Delwyn Young, Pirates 2-27 .074 0-0 0
OF Alex Rios, White Sox 2-23 .087 0-0 0
2B Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox 2-23 .087 0-0 0
DH David Ortiz, Red Sox 2-22 .091 0-1 0
3B Adrian Beltre, Mariners 2-22 .091 0-2 0
OF Carl Crawford, Rays 2-22 .091 1-1 0
OF Shane Victorino, Phillies 2-21 .095 0-0 1
1B/3B Andy Marte, Indians 2-21 .095 2-2 0
OF Matt LaPorta, Indians 2-20 .100 0-0 0
1B Joey Votto, Reds 2-20 .100 1-2 0
This is Morneau's second consecutive week on this list. Clearly, he still is not right after missing time because of an inner ear infection. That has put a damper on his season, and is taking the Twins' season down with it. LaPorta was on the Hot list the previous week.
Walk/strikeout ratio (10 or more strikeouts) – Reds C Corky Miller 0-for-12; Mariners OF Michael Saunders 0-for-10.
Caught stealing – Angels 3B Chone Figgins and 1B Kendry Morales, Rangers 2B Ian Kinsler and Rays OF Fernando Perez 0-for-2; Twins OF Denard Span and Reds OF Drew Stubbs 1-for-3.
The following pitchers made two starts last week, doubly damaging their real and fantasy teams.
Throws Pitcher, Team IP ERA W-L WHIP SO/BB
LHP Derek Holland, Rangers 6.1 22.74 0-2 3.00 7:6
RHP Luke Hochevar, Royals 9.0 13.00 0-2 2.33 7:6
LHP Lucas French, Mariners 8.2 12.46 0-2 2.31 3:3
LHP Brett Cecil, Blue Jays 9.1 9.64 1-1 2.04 7:3
RHP Yusmeiro Petit, D-backs 8.0 9.00 0-1 1.75 8:4
LHP Brian Tallet, Blue Jays 10.0 8.10 1-1 2.10 9:7
RHP James Shields, Rays 13.1 6.75 1-0 1.50 11:2
LHP Paul Maholm, Pirates 11.0 6.55 0-1 1.73 11:4
RHP Livan Hernandez, Nationals 13.0 6.23 0-2 1.54 11:5
RHP Joel Pineiro, Cardinals 13.0 5.54 1-0 1.31 3:2
Losses – Franch, Hernandez, Holland and Hochevar 2.
Blown saves -- Braves RHP Kris Medlen 0-for-2; Marlins RHP Leo Nunez 1-for-3.
Hot
Pos. Name, Team H-AB Avg. HR-RBI SB
OF Seth Smith, Rockies 13-24 .542 4-10 0
OF Matt Holliday, Cardinals 11-23 .478 3-6 0
OF Ryan Ludwick, Cardinals 10-21 .476 2-8 0
3B Evan Longoria, Rays 14-30 .467 3-11 0
1B/3B Jorge Cantu, Marlins 14-30 .467 1-8 0
2B Placido Polanco, Tigers 11-24 .458 2-5 1
OF/2B Chris Coghlan, Marlins 15-33 .455 0-2 0
2B Brandon Phillips, Reds 11-25 .440 2-6 2
3B Melvin Mora, Orioles 9-21 .429 2-6 0
C/1B Victor Martinez, Red Sox 9-21 .429 1-5 0
OF Lastings Milledge, Pirates 9-21 .429 0-3 0
C Ryan Doumit, Pirates 9-21 .429 0-2 0
This is the second consecutive week on this list for Coghlan. Let me be the first to say it: He should be the National League Rookie of the Year. In the American League, Elvis Andrus should win the award.
Home runs – Smith, Cubs 1B Derrek Lee and Reds OF Drew Stubbs 4; Holliday, Longoria, Rangers OF Nelson Cruz, Rockies OF Carlos Gonzalez, Tigers 3B/OF Carlos Guillen, blue Jays OF Adam Lind, Yankees C Jorge Posada and OF/1B Nick Swisher, Cardinals 1B Albert Pujols, Rockies 3B/2B Ian Stewart and D-backs OF Chris B. Young 3.
RBI – Lind and Longoria 11; Cruz, Smith and Brewers 3B/2B Casey McGehee 10.
Stolen bases – Astros OF Michael Bourn and White Sox 2B Chris Getz 4; Yankees OF Melky Cabrera, White Sox OF Scott Podsednik and D-backs OF Justin Upton 3.
Runs – Longoria and Smith 10; Lind and Pujols 9; Coghlan, Blue Jays 2B Aaron Hill and Rays 1B Carlos Pena 8.
Throws Pitcher, Team IP ERA W-L WHIP SO/BB
RHP Roy Halladay, Blue Jays 9.0 0.00 1-0 0.44 9:3
LHP Ted Lilly, Cubs 8.0 0.00 1-0 0.50 5:0
RHP Brad Penny, Giants 8.0 0.00 1-0 0.75 2:1
RHP Felix Hernandez, Mariners 8.0 0.00 1-0 0.88 6:3
RHP Ross Ohlendorf, Pirates 8.0 0.00 0-0 0.63 11:1
RHP Zack Greinke, Royals 8.0 0.00 0-0 1.25 8:2
RHP Kevin Correia, Padres 7.2 0.00 1-0 0.65 5:2
RHP Carlos Torres, White Sox 7.0 0.00 1-0 0.71 6:0
LHP Wandy Rodriguez, Astros 7.0 0.00 1-0 7:0
RHP Robinson Tejeda, Royals 7.0 0.00 0-0 0.57 7:2
LHP Brian Duensing, Twins 7.0 0.00 0-0 1.00 7:2
RHP Bobby Parnell, Mets 7.0 0.00 0-0 1.14 7:3
RHP Ryan Dempster, Cubs 7.0 0.00 0-1 1.43 7:1
Halladay and Parnell were on the previous week's Not list.
Wins – Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa, Red Sox LHP Jon Lester, Yankees LHP Andy Pettitte, Angels LHP Joe Saunders and Padres RHP Tim Stauffer 2.
Saves – Reds RHP Francisco Cordero 5-for-5; Padres RHP Heath Bell 4-for-4; Mariners RHP David Aardsma, Dodgers RHP Jonathan Broxton, Rangers RHP Frank Francisco, Cubs RHP Carlos Marmol and Rockies LHP Franklin Morales 3-for-3.
WHIP – Halladay 0.44; Lilly 0.50; Tejeda and Rays RHP Wade Davis 0.57; Ohlendorf, Mariners LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith and Tigers RHP Justin Verlander 0.63.
Strikeout/walk ratio (10 Ks, at least a 2.5:1 ratio) – White Sox RHP Gavin Floyd 15:0; Ohlendorf and Giants RHP Tim Lincecum 11:1; Twins RHP Nick Blackburn 10:1; Dodgers LHP Randy Wolf 12:2; Phillies LHP Cole Hamels 15:3; Reds RHP Johnny Cueto 14:3; Lester 17:4; Astros RHP Roy Oswalt 11:3; Giants LHP Jonathan Sanchez 17:6..
* * *
Not
Pos. Player, Team H-AB Avg. HR-RBI SB
1B Justin Morneau, Twins 1-21 .048 0-1 0
2B/OF Delwyn Young, Pirates 2-27 .074 0-0 0
OF Alex Rios, White Sox 2-23 .087 0-0 0
2B Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox 2-23 .087 0-0 0
DH David Ortiz, Red Sox 2-22 .091 0-1 0
3B Adrian Beltre, Mariners 2-22 .091 0-2 0
OF Carl Crawford, Rays 2-22 .091 1-1 0
OF Shane Victorino, Phillies 2-21 .095 0-0 1
1B/3B Andy Marte, Indians 2-21 .095 2-2 0
OF Matt LaPorta, Indians 2-20 .100 0-0 0
1B Joey Votto, Reds 2-20 .100 1-2 0
This is Morneau's second consecutive week on this list. Clearly, he still is not right after missing time because of an inner ear infection. That has put a damper on his season, and is taking the Twins' season down with it. LaPorta was on the Hot list the previous week.
Walk/strikeout ratio (10 or more strikeouts) – Reds C Corky Miller 0-for-12; Mariners OF Michael Saunders 0-for-10.
Caught stealing – Angels 3B Chone Figgins and 1B Kendry Morales, Rangers 2B Ian Kinsler and Rays OF Fernando Perez 0-for-2; Twins OF Denard Span and Reds OF Drew Stubbs 1-for-3.
The following pitchers made two starts last week, doubly damaging their real and fantasy teams.
Throws Pitcher, Team IP ERA W-L WHIP SO/BB
LHP Derek Holland, Rangers 6.1 22.74 0-2 3.00 7:6
RHP Luke Hochevar, Royals 9.0 13.00 0-2 2.33 7:6
LHP Lucas French, Mariners 8.2 12.46 0-2 2.31 3:3
LHP Brett Cecil, Blue Jays 9.1 9.64 1-1 2.04 7:3
RHP Yusmeiro Petit, D-backs 8.0 9.00 0-1 1.75 8:4
LHP Brian Tallet, Blue Jays 10.0 8.10 1-1 2.10 9:7
RHP James Shields, Rays 13.1 6.75 1-0 1.50 11:2
LHP Paul Maholm, Pirates 11.0 6.55 0-1 1.73 11:4
RHP Livan Hernandez, Nationals 13.0 6.23 0-2 1.54 11:5
RHP Joel Pineiro, Cardinals 13.0 5.54 1-0 1.31 3:2
Losses – Franch, Hernandez, Holland and Hochevar 2.
Blown saves -- Braves RHP Kris Medlen 0-for-2; Marlins RHP Leo Nunez 1-for-3.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Pitching Chart, Sept. 7-13
Again this week, and for the remainder of the season, each team’s rotation will be in flux. In addition to pitchers moving on to the active roster from the minors or other teams, major league teams will be shutting down some young pitchers whose innings the team wants to limit. I’m not saying they should; it’s just fashionable to do that these days.
AL
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Bal
--- @Bos @Bos/ --- @NYY @NYY @NYY
--- Hernandez Berken/ --- Tillman Matusz Guthrie
Bos
@ChC/ Bal Bal/ --- TB TB TB
Beckett/ Buchholz Byrd/ --- Wakefield Lester Beckett2
CWS
Bos/ Oak Oak/ --- @LAA @LAA @LAA
Buehrle/ Torres* Garcia/ --- Floyd Danks Buehrle
Cle
Tex Tex Tex/ --- KC KC KC
Carrasco** Laffey Carmona/ --- Sowers Masterson Huff
Det
--- @KC @KC @KC/ Tor Tor Tor
--- Porcello Verlander Washburn-3*/ Robertson-4* Jackson Porcello2
KC
LAA/ Det Det Det/ @Cle @Cle @Cle
Davies/ Chen Tejeda Greinke/ Hochevar Davies2 Chen2
LAA
@KC/ Se Se Se/ CWS CWS CWS
Santana/ Kazmir Weaver Lackey/ Saunders Santana2 Kazmir2
Min
@Tor @Tor @Tor @Tor/ Oak Oak Oak
Manship Duensing Pavano Baker/ Blackburn Masship2 Duensing2
NYY
TB-2 TB TB/ --- Bal Bal Bal
Sabathia-Burnett Gaudin Chamberlain/ --- Pettitte Sabathia2-5* Burnett2
Oak
--- @CWS @CWS/ --- @Min @Min @Min
--- Tomko Cahill/ --- Mortensen-6* Anderson G.Gonzalez
Se
--- @LAA @LAA @LAA/ @Tex @Tex @Tex
--- Hernandez Snell Rowland-Smith/ French Fister Hernandez2
TB
@NYY-2 @NYY @NYY/ --- @Bos @Bos @Bos
Garza-Sonnanstine Price Niemann/ --- Shields Davis-7* Garza
Tex
@Cle @Cle @Cle/ --- Se Se Se
Hunter-8* McCarthy Feldman/ --- Millwood-9* Holland Hunter2
Tor
Min Min Min Min/ @Det @Det @Det
Richmond Romero Halladay Cecil-10*/ Tallet Richmond2 Romero2
*-RHP Carlos Torres has taken over as the fifth starter for the White Sox. He defeated the Cubs Thursday in this season’s final interleague game.
**-Because they are limiting LHP David Huff to 170 innings this season, the Indians have added RHP Carlos Carrasco to make a six-man rotation. Cleveland has had problems with its fifth starters this year; don’t expect Carrasco to be even that good as a sixth starter.
3*-LHP Jarrod Washburn has been having knee trouble. If he couldn’t start Wednesday, expect the Tigers to restore RHP Armando Galarraga to their rotation.
4*-Detroit manager Jim Leyland said LHP Nate Robertson has earned a regular rotation role with his pitching in two starts since returning from elbow surgery.
5*-Don’t be surprised if the Yankees skip inconsistent RHP Sergio Mitre, who gave up 11 runs today, and move LHP C.C. Sabathia and RHP A.J. Burnett ahead one day, but still on four or five days’ rest. On the other hand, New York’s lead in the American League East could be secure enough that they would want their starters to pitch less frequently.
6*-The Athletics have added to their rotation RHP Clayton Mortensen, acquired from the Cardinals in the Matt Holliday trade. Mortensen was not living up to his billing in the St. Louis organization.
7*-RHP Wade Davis made an auspicious start in his major league debut today. He could replace RHP Andy Sonnanstine in the Rays’ rotation.
8*-The Rangers are moving RHP Tommy “Big-Game” Hunter ahead of fragile RHP Brandon McCarthy to start Monday’s game.
9*-RHP Kevin Millwood and LHP Derek Holland have pitched poorly recently. Texas could decide to replace one of them with RHP Dustin Nippert, who lost his starting job when McCarthy most recently came off the disabled list.
10*-The Blue Jays already have shut down LHP Marc Rzepczynski for the season; they’re expected to do the same with LHP Brett Cecil after Thursday’s start.
NL
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Ari
LAD LAD LAD/ --- Mil Mil Mil
Scherzer Buckner Haren/ --- Davis Petit Scherzer2
Atl
--- @Ho @Ho @Ho/ @StL @StL @StL
--- Vazquez Hanson* Lowe / Jurrjens Hudson Vazquez2
ChC
@Pit @Pit @Pit/ --- Cin Cin Cin
Lilly Dempster Zambrano/ --- Harden Wells Lilly2
Cin
@Col @Col @Col @Col/ @ChC @ChC @ChC
Bailey Maloney** Arroyo Wells/ Cueto Bailey2 Lehr
Col
Cin Cin Cin Cin/ @SD @SD @SD
Jimenez Marquis Hammel Contreras/ DeLaRosa Jimenez2 Marquis2
Fla
--- @NYM @NYM @NYM/ Was Was Was
--- VandenHurk Nolasco West/ Johnson Sanchez VandenHurk2-3*
Ho
Phi/ Atl Atl Atl/ Pit Pit Pit
Moehler/ Paulino Rodriguez Oswalt/ Norris Moehler2 Paulino2
LAD
@Ari @Ari @Ari/ --- @SF @SF @SF
Padilla Billingsley Garland/ --- Kershaw Wolf Kuroda-4*
Mil
StL StL StL/ --- @Ari @Ari @Ari
Bush Parra Suppan/ --- Gallardo Looper Bush2
NYM
--- Fla Fla Fla/ @Phi @Phi @Phi-2
--- Redding Misch Parnell/ Figueroa Pelfrey Redding2-Misch2
Phi
@Ho/ @Was @Was @Was/ NYM NYM NYM-2
Happ/ Martinez Lee Blanton/ Hamels Happ2 Martinez2-Moyer-5*
Pit
ChC ChC ChC/ --- @Ho @Ho @Ho
McCutchen-6* Duke Hart/ --- Morton-7* Ohlendorf Maholm
StL
@Mil @Mil @Mil/ --- Atl Atl Atl
Carpenter Smoltz Wainwright/ --- Boggs-8* Pineiro Carpenter2
SD
@SF @SF @SF/ --- Col Col Col
Richard Correia LeBlanc/ --- Mujica-9* Stauffer Richard2
SF
SD SD SD/ --- LAD LAD LAD
Penny-10* Lincecum Zito/ --- Cain Sanchez Penny2
Was
--- Phi Phi Phi/ @Fla @Fla @Fla
--- Lannan Mock Hernandez/ Martin Balester-11* Lannan2
*-With a day off Monday, the Braves could move RHP Derek Lowe ahead of RHP Tommy Hanson to start Wednesday.
**-RHP Justin Lehr is nursing a groin injury, so the Reds are bringing LHP Matt Maloney back from Triple-A Louisville to start Tuesday. Lehr said he thought he would miss only one turn, which would put him back in the rotation Sunday.
3*-Even with two former starters, RHP Chris Volstad and LHP Andrew Miller back up from Triple-A New Orleans, Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said he would keep the current rotation intact. A poor start by RHP Rick Vanden Hurk Tuesday could put one of the other pitchers back into a starting role Sunday.
4*-Dodgers RHP Hiroki Kuroda returned from the disabled list to start (and lose) tonight. His next start would be scheduled for Saturday.
5*-Sunday’s doubleheader means the Phillies would have to add a sixth starter. The most likely candidate is LHP Jamey Moyer, who went to the bullpen when they activated RHP Pedro Martinez.
6*-The Pirates promoted RHP Daniel McCutchen from Triple-A Indianapolis to add a sixth starter to their rotation.
7*-RHP Charlie Morton moved back three days in the rotation, until Friday, because of a groin injury.
8*-Cardinals RHP Mitchell Boggs had his most successful major league start Saturday, but still Monday’s off day means St. Louis could move RHPs Joel Pineiro, Chris Carpenter and John Smoltz ahead of Boggs.
9*-RHP Mat Latos would be in line to start Friday’s game, but the Padres have shut the rookie down for this season. A possible replacement could be RHP Edward Mujica from the bullpen, or San Diego could use a pitcher such as RHP Cesar Carrillo from Triple-A Portland’s depleted rotation.
10*-RHP Brad Penny, signed after the Red Sox rotation, made a successful debut with the Giants and is in line to start again Monday.
11*-Nationals RHP Craig Stammen has undergone season-ending surgery. Likely to replace him in Washington’s rotation is RHP Collin Balester. Another possibility would be RHP Shairon Martis.
AL
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Bal
--- @Bos @Bos/ --- @NYY @NYY @NYY
--- Hernandez Berken/ --- Tillman Matusz Guthrie
Bos
@ChC/ Bal Bal/ --- TB TB TB
Beckett/ Buchholz Byrd/ --- Wakefield Lester Beckett2
CWS
Bos/ Oak Oak/ --- @LAA @LAA @LAA
Buehrle/ Torres* Garcia/ --- Floyd Danks Buehrle
Cle
Tex Tex Tex/ --- KC KC KC
Carrasco** Laffey Carmona/ --- Sowers Masterson Huff
Det
--- @KC @KC @KC/ Tor Tor Tor
--- Porcello Verlander Washburn-3*/ Robertson-4* Jackson Porcello2
KC
LAA/ Det Det Det/ @Cle @Cle @Cle
Davies/ Chen Tejeda Greinke/ Hochevar Davies2 Chen2
LAA
@KC/ Se Se Se/ CWS CWS CWS
Santana/ Kazmir Weaver Lackey/ Saunders Santana2 Kazmir2
Min
@Tor @Tor @Tor @Tor/ Oak Oak Oak
Manship Duensing Pavano Baker/ Blackburn Masship2 Duensing2
NYY
TB-2 TB TB/ --- Bal Bal Bal
Sabathia-Burnett Gaudin Chamberlain/ --- Pettitte Sabathia2-5* Burnett2
Oak
--- @CWS @CWS/ --- @Min @Min @Min
--- Tomko Cahill/ --- Mortensen-6* Anderson G.Gonzalez
Se
--- @LAA @LAA @LAA/ @Tex @Tex @Tex
--- Hernandez Snell Rowland-Smith/ French Fister Hernandez2
TB
@NYY-2 @NYY @NYY/ --- @Bos @Bos @Bos
Garza-Sonnanstine Price Niemann/ --- Shields Davis-7* Garza
Tex
@Cle @Cle @Cle/ --- Se Se Se
Hunter-8* McCarthy Feldman/ --- Millwood-9* Holland Hunter2
Tor
Min Min Min Min/ @Det @Det @Det
Richmond Romero Halladay Cecil-10*/ Tallet Richmond2 Romero2
*-RHP Carlos Torres has taken over as the fifth starter for the White Sox. He defeated the Cubs Thursday in this season’s final interleague game.
**-Because they are limiting LHP David Huff to 170 innings this season, the Indians have added RHP Carlos Carrasco to make a six-man rotation. Cleveland has had problems with its fifth starters this year; don’t expect Carrasco to be even that good as a sixth starter.
3*-LHP Jarrod Washburn has been having knee trouble. If he couldn’t start Wednesday, expect the Tigers to restore RHP Armando Galarraga to their rotation.
4*-Detroit manager Jim Leyland said LHP Nate Robertson has earned a regular rotation role with his pitching in two starts since returning from elbow surgery.
5*-Don’t be surprised if the Yankees skip inconsistent RHP Sergio Mitre, who gave up 11 runs today, and move LHP C.C. Sabathia and RHP A.J. Burnett ahead one day, but still on four or five days’ rest. On the other hand, New York’s lead in the American League East could be secure enough that they would want their starters to pitch less frequently.
6*-The Athletics have added to their rotation RHP Clayton Mortensen, acquired from the Cardinals in the Matt Holliday trade. Mortensen was not living up to his billing in the St. Louis organization.
7*-RHP Wade Davis made an auspicious start in his major league debut today. He could replace RHP Andy Sonnanstine in the Rays’ rotation.
8*-The Rangers are moving RHP Tommy “Big-Game” Hunter ahead of fragile RHP Brandon McCarthy to start Monday’s game.
9*-RHP Kevin Millwood and LHP Derek Holland have pitched poorly recently. Texas could decide to replace one of them with RHP Dustin Nippert, who lost his starting job when McCarthy most recently came off the disabled list.
10*-The Blue Jays already have shut down LHP Marc Rzepczynski for the season; they’re expected to do the same with LHP Brett Cecil after Thursday’s start.
NL
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Ari
LAD LAD LAD/ --- Mil Mil Mil
Scherzer Buckner Haren/ --- Davis Petit Scherzer2
Atl
--- @Ho @Ho @Ho/ @StL @StL @StL
--- Vazquez Hanson* Lowe / Jurrjens Hudson Vazquez2
ChC
@Pit @Pit @Pit/ --- Cin Cin Cin
Lilly Dempster Zambrano/ --- Harden Wells Lilly2
Cin
@Col @Col @Col @Col/ @ChC @ChC @ChC
Bailey Maloney** Arroyo Wells/ Cueto Bailey2 Lehr
Col
Cin Cin Cin Cin/ @SD @SD @SD
Jimenez Marquis Hammel Contreras/ DeLaRosa Jimenez2 Marquis2
Fla
--- @NYM @NYM @NYM/ Was Was Was
--- VandenHurk Nolasco West/ Johnson Sanchez VandenHurk2-3*
Ho
Phi/ Atl Atl Atl/ Pit Pit Pit
Moehler/ Paulino Rodriguez Oswalt/ Norris Moehler2 Paulino2
LAD
@Ari @Ari @Ari/ --- @SF @SF @SF
Padilla Billingsley Garland/ --- Kershaw Wolf Kuroda-4*
Mil
StL StL StL/ --- @Ari @Ari @Ari
Bush Parra Suppan/ --- Gallardo Looper Bush2
NYM
--- Fla Fla Fla/ @Phi @Phi @Phi-2
--- Redding Misch Parnell/ Figueroa Pelfrey Redding2-Misch2
Phi
@Ho/ @Was @Was @Was/ NYM NYM NYM-2
Happ/ Martinez Lee Blanton/ Hamels Happ2 Martinez2-Moyer-5*
Pit
ChC ChC ChC/ --- @Ho @Ho @Ho
McCutchen-6* Duke Hart/ --- Morton-7* Ohlendorf Maholm
StL
@Mil @Mil @Mil/ --- Atl Atl Atl
Carpenter Smoltz Wainwright/ --- Boggs-8* Pineiro Carpenter2
SD
@SF @SF @SF/ --- Col Col Col
Richard Correia LeBlanc/ --- Mujica-9* Stauffer Richard2
SF
SD SD SD/ --- LAD LAD LAD
Penny-10* Lincecum Zito/ --- Cain Sanchez Penny2
Was
--- Phi Phi Phi/ @Fla @Fla @Fla
--- Lannan Mock Hernandez/ Martin Balester-11* Lannan2
*-With a day off Monday, the Braves could move RHP Derek Lowe ahead of RHP Tommy Hanson to start Wednesday.
**-RHP Justin Lehr is nursing a groin injury, so the Reds are bringing LHP Matt Maloney back from Triple-A Louisville to start Tuesday. Lehr said he thought he would miss only one turn, which would put him back in the rotation Sunday.
3*-Even with two former starters, RHP Chris Volstad and LHP Andrew Miller back up from Triple-A New Orleans, Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said he would keep the current rotation intact. A poor start by RHP Rick Vanden Hurk Tuesday could put one of the other pitchers back into a starting role Sunday.
4*-Dodgers RHP Hiroki Kuroda returned from the disabled list to start (and lose) tonight. His next start would be scheduled for Saturday.
5*-Sunday’s doubleheader means the Phillies would have to add a sixth starter. The most likely candidate is LHP Jamey Moyer, who went to the bullpen when they activated RHP Pedro Martinez.
6*-The Pirates promoted RHP Daniel McCutchen from Triple-A Indianapolis to add a sixth starter to their rotation.
7*-RHP Charlie Morton moved back three days in the rotation, until Friday, because of a groin injury.
8*-Cardinals RHP Mitchell Boggs had his most successful major league start Saturday, but still Monday’s off day means St. Louis could move RHPs Joel Pineiro, Chris Carpenter and John Smoltz ahead of Boggs.
9*-RHP Mat Latos would be in line to start Friday’s game, but the Padres have shut the rookie down for this season. A possible replacement could be RHP Edward Mujica from the bullpen, or San Diego could use a pitcher such as RHP Cesar Carrillo from Triple-A Portland’s depleted rotation.
10*-RHP Brad Penny, signed after the Red Sox rotation, made a successful debut with the Giants and is in line to start again Monday.
11*-Nationals RHP Craig Stammen has undergone season-ending surgery. Likely to replace him in Washington’s rotation is RHP Collin Balester. Another possibility would be RHP Shairon Martis.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)