This would seem to be an easy week to figure out pitching rotations, because there are regular-season games being played just Friday-Saturday, with a few games Thursday. But with at least three days off, teams will be readjusting their rotation to try to get their ace an additional start. However, some of those aces could be pitching in Tuesday’s All-Star game, which would push the start for their team possibly back to Saturday or Sunday. In addition, many teams haven’t indicated their pitching plans, so in some cases it’s a best guest as to which pitchers they might skip this week.
Figure it this way. If you have a fifth starter in your rotation, you shouldn’t be starting him anyway if you want to win your league title. We’ll try to indicate which starter would be No. 4 and likely to pitch for teams that are playing Thursday.
AL
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Bal
--- --- --- --- @CWS @CWS @CWS
--- --- --- --- Berken Guthrie Bergesen*
Bos
--- --- --- --- @Tor @Tor @Tor
--- --- --- --- Beckett** Lester Wakefield
CWS
--- --- --- --- Bal Bal Bal
--- --- --- --- Danks Floyd Buehrle-3*
Cle
--- --- --- Se Se Se Se
--- --- --- Lee Huff Ohka Laffey-4*
Det
--- --- --- --- @NYY @NYY @NYY
--- --- --- --- French Verlander-5* Jackson
KC
--- --- --- --- TB TB TB
--- --- --- --- Greinke Hochevar Bannister-6*
LAA
--- --- --- @Oak @Oak @Oak @Oak
--- --- --- Santana Saunders Weaver Lackey
Min
--- --- --- --- @Tex @Tex @Tex
--- --- --- --- Perkins Baker Liriano-7*
NYY
--- --- --- --- Det Det Det
--- --- --- --- Burnett Sabathia Chamberlain-8*
Oak
--- --- --- LAA LAA LAA LAA
--- --- --- Cahill Braden-9* Anderson Mazzaro
Se
--- --- --- @Cle @Cle @Cle @Cle
--- --- --- Olson-10* Hernandez Washburn Bedard
TB
--- --- --- --- @KC @KC @KC
--- --- --- --- Kazmir Garza Shields-11*
Tex
--- --- --- --- Min Min Min
--- --- --- --- Padilla Feldman Hunter-12*
Tor
--- --- --- --- Bos Bos Bos
--- --- --- --- Halladay Tallet Romero
*-The Orioles will skip LHP Rich Hill’s turn in the rotation.
**-The Red Sox could move RHP Josh Beckett and LHP Jon Lester, their two best starting pitchers, ahead in their rotation. The All-Star game could have an impact. Boston is likely to skip RHPs Brad Penny and John Smoltz for now.
3*-Expect the White Sox to bypass LHP Clayton Richard and RHP Jose Contreras this week.
4*-The Indians have indicated that they would skip RHP Carl Pavano.
5*-The Tigers are moving RHP Justin Verlander ahead of RHP Edwin Jackson, who is in the All-Star game.
6*-RHP Gil Meche is not slated to move ahead in the Royals’ rotation to pitch this week. He has said he’d exercise the no-trade clause in his contract to stay in Kansas City, but Meche’s 4-8 record isn’t exactly what small-market KC is paying him eight figures to do.
7*-The Twins are skipping RHP Nick Blackburn.
8*-The Yankees’ plan is to skip LHP Andy Pettitte.
9*-LHPs Dallas Braden and Brett Anderson will move ahead of RHP Vin Mazzaro in the Athletics’ rotation.
10*-The Mariners eliminated any controversy over their rotation by optioning RHP Brandon Morrow to Triple-A Tacoma.
11*-Rookie RHP Jeff Niemann and LHP David Price will watch from the bullpen because the Rays are going with their more experienced starters.
12*-The Rangers have moved RHP Kevin Millwood, their nominal ace back in the rotation, so he wouldn’t start this week.
NL
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Ari
--- --- --- --- @StL @StL @StL
--- --- --- --- Garland Haren* Davis
Atl
--- --- --- NYM NYM NYM NYM
--- --- --- Vazquez-2* Kawakami Lowe Jurrjens
ChC
--- --- --- @Was @Was @Was @Was
--- --- --- Harden Lilly Zambrano Wells-3*
Cin
--- --- --- Mil Mil Mil Mil
--- --- --- Bailey Arroyo Harang-4* Cueto
Col
--- --- --- @SD @SD @SD @SD
--- --- --- DeLaRosa Cook Jimenez Marquis
Fla
--- --- --- Phi Phi Phi Phi
--- --- --- Volstad Miller Nolasco Johnson-5*
Ho
--- --- --- @LAD @LAD @LAD @LAD
--- --- --- Rodriguez Oswalt Hampton Ortiz-6*
LAD
--- --- --- Ho Ho Ho Ho
--- --- --- Kuroda Wolf Billingsley Kershaw-7*
Mil
--- --- --- @Cin @Cin @Cin @Cin
--- --- --- Looper Suppan Gallardo Burns-8*
NYM
--- --- --- @Atl @Atl @Atl @Atl
--- --- --- Perez Hernandez Santana-9* Pelfrey
Phi
--- --- --- @Fla @Fla @Fla @Fla
--- --- --- Moyer Blanton Hamels Happ
Pit
--- --- --- --- SF SF SF
--- --- --- --- Maholm Morton Duke-10*
SrL
--- --- --- --- Ari Ari Ari
--- --- --- --- Pineiro Carpenter-11* Wainwright
SD
--- --- --- Col Col Col Col
--- --- --- Gaudin Geer Banks Correia
SF
--- --- --- --- @Pit @Pit @Pit
--- --- --- --- Lincecum-12* Cain Sanchez
Was
--- --- --- ChC ChC ChC ChC
--- --- --- Detwiler Lannan Olsen Zimmerman-13*
*-Diamondbacks RHP Dan Haren, who is in the All-Star game, probably wouldn’t start before Saturday. Arizona will skip RHP Max Scherzer’s turn this week.
**-RHP Javier Vazquez is likely to return to the Braves’ rotation Thursday. RHP Kris Medlen started today in place of Vazquez, who was suffering from an abdominal strain. Atlanta put its fifth starter, rookie RHP Tommy Hanson, on the high Class A Myrtle Beach roster.
3*-The Cubs’ current pitching has been determined because RHP Ryan Dempster (broken right big toe) went on the disabled list.
4*-The Reds are moving RHP Aaron Harang ahead of RHP Johnny Cueto, and skipping RHP Micah Owings for now.
5*-When the Marlins optioned LHP Sean West to Double-A Jacksonville, that left them with four starters.
6*-The odd man out of the Astros’ rotation is RHP Brian Moehler.
7*-The Dodgers are likely to skip over their fifth starter, RHP Jeff Weaver.
8*-Expect RHP Yovani Gallardo to move ahead of RHP Mike Burns in the Brewers’ rotation. RHP Seth McClung or newly recalled LHP Manny Parra could take Burns’ place Sunday.
9*-The Mets could skip LHP Oliver Perez instead of RHP Fernando Nieve, and could move LHP Johan Santana ahead in the rotation if he doesn’t pitch much in the All-Star game.
10*-The Pirates are skipping their fourth starter, RHP Ross Ohlendorf.
11*-With RHP Joel Pineiro pitching well, the Cardinals are likely to skip RHP Todd Wellemeyer. RHP Chris Carpenter’s start could move ahead or back a day, depending on whether he pitches in the All-Star game.
12*-The Giants have questions in their rotation. RHP Tim Lincecum could move back if he pitches in the All-Star game, and RHP Tim Cain might not be able to pitch in Ss. Louis Tuesday or make a start this week because a line drive hit him during Saturday’s start. San Francisco has LHP Barry Zito available to fill in.
13*-The Nationals would push RHP Craig Stammen’s next start back to next week.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
5-50 rule predicts no 20-game winners, 58 HR for leader
Today, not the All-Star break, marks the halfway point of the major league season.
Teams have been playing for 13 of the 26 weeks in the season. Some teams have played more than 81 (half of the 162 games). I haven’t looked at the standings, but I’d be surprised if a number of teams haven’t played exactly 81. I’m now watching the Rangers and Angels, who both are playing their 81st game as I write.
This is a good time to look at the major league leaders in common fantasy statistical categories, plus a few others that tell us exactly how effective players have been for half a season.
As you look at these, remember the 5-50 Rule.
The final statistical leaders are likely to have totals 5 per cent poorer than the halfway totals multiplied by 2. So if a current stat leader has 50, the leading total at the end of the season should be about (50X2)-5%, or 100-5=95. For averages and ratios, the final leader should be about 95 per cent as good as the halfway leader’s figure. The easiest way to see that among the current leaders is in ERA, where the season leader would be about 5 per cent worse than Zack Greinke’s 2.00, or 2.10.
The reason for the 5 per cent half of the 5-50 Rule is that in each half of the season someone is likely to have a similar performance over that period of time. It’s not likely that one person could keep up that pace over 162 games, but two individuals could have that type of performance over an 80-or-so-game haul.
It’s just as likely that the top second-half performer could have a better “other” half of the year than what the first-half statistical leader produces over the final 80-some games. That begets the 50 portion of the 5-50 Rule, that about 50 per cent of the statistical leaders at season’s end would be the first-half leaders, and 50 per cent wouldn’t.
Here are the categories, the leaders through Sunday, their totals and the projected top season totals.
BA-Mariners OF Ichiro Suzuki, .362, .344
HR-Cardinals 1B Albert Pujols, 31, 58
RBI-Pujols, 82, 155
SB-Rays OF Carl Crawford, 41, 77
R-Pujols, 66, 125
H-Suzuki, 117, 222
On-base Percentage-Pujols, .460, .437
Slugging Percentage-Pujols, .739. .702. It’s safe to believe that Pujols will lead the majors in one or more of these categories this season.
W-Royals RHP Zack Greinke, Blue Jays RHP Roy Halladay, Rockies RHP Jason Marquis, Twins RHP Kevin Slowey and Red Sox RHP Tim Wakefield, 10, 19. Marquis got a head start toward reaching 19 by winning his 11th tonight. Slowey faces an uphill climb because he’s on the disabled list. The thing to note here is that we’re saying there is not likely to be a 20-game winner this season.
ERA-Greinke, 2.00, 2.10
S-Angels LHP Brian Fuentes, 24, 45
WHIP-Diamondbacks RHP Dan Haren, 0.83, 0.87
SO-Giants RHP Tim Lincecum, 141, 267
Opponents’ Batting Average-Brewers RHP Yovani Gallardo, .193, .203
K/W Ratio-Haren, 7.93, 7.53
Teams have been playing for 13 of the 26 weeks in the season. Some teams have played more than 81 (half of the 162 games). I haven’t looked at the standings, but I’d be surprised if a number of teams haven’t played exactly 81. I’m now watching the Rangers and Angels, who both are playing their 81st game as I write.
This is a good time to look at the major league leaders in common fantasy statistical categories, plus a few others that tell us exactly how effective players have been for half a season.
As you look at these, remember the 5-50 Rule.
The final statistical leaders are likely to have totals 5 per cent poorer than the halfway totals multiplied by 2. So if a current stat leader has 50, the leading total at the end of the season should be about (50X2)-5%, or 100-5=95. For averages and ratios, the final leader should be about 95 per cent as good as the halfway leader’s figure. The easiest way to see that among the current leaders is in ERA, where the season leader would be about 5 per cent worse than Zack Greinke’s 2.00, or 2.10.
The reason for the 5 per cent half of the 5-50 Rule is that in each half of the season someone is likely to have a similar performance over that period of time. It’s not likely that one person could keep up that pace over 162 games, but two individuals could have that type of performance over an 80-or-so-game haul.
It’s just as likely that the top second-half performer could have a better “other” half of the year than what the first-half statistical leader produces over the final 80-some games. That begets the 50 portion of the 5-50 Rule, that about 50 per cent of the statistical leaders at season’s end would be the first-half leaders, and 50 per cent wouldn’t.
Here are the categories, the leaders through Sunday, their totals and the projected top season totals.
BA-Mariners OF Ichiro Suzuki, .362, .344
HR-Cardinals 1B Albert Pujols, 31, 58
RBI-Pujols, 82, 155
SB-Rays OF Carl Crawford, 41, 77
R-Pujols, 66, 125
H-Suzuki, 117, 222
On-base Percentage-Pujols, .460, .437
Slugging Percentage-Pujols, .739. .702. It’s safe to believe that Pujols will lead the majors in one or more of these categories this season.
W-Royals RHP Zack Greinke, Blue Jays RHP Roy Halladay, Rockies RHP Jason Marquis, Twins RHP Kevin Slowey and Red Sox RHP Tim Wakefield, 10, 19. Marquis got a head start toward reaching 19 by winning his 11th tonight. Slowey faces an uphill climb because he’s on the disabled list. The thing to note here is that we’re saying there is not likely to be a 20-game winner this season.
ERA-Greinke, 2.00, 2.10
S-Angels LHP Brian Fuentes, 24, 45
WHIP-Diamondbacks RHP Dan Haren, 0.83, 0.87
SO-Giants RHP Tim Lincecum, 141, 267
Opponents’ Batting Average-Brewers RHP Yovani Gallardo, .193, .203
K/W Ratio-Haren, 7.93, 7.53
Hot and Not -- Gutierrez surprises
The players listed here were the major league statistical leaders during the 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 Matt Diaz, Braves 13-21 .619 1-5 1
1B Justin Morneau, Twins 12-25 .480 4-8 0
OF Franklin Gutierrez, Mariners 12-26 .462 1-2 0
2B/SS Maicer Izturis, Angels 11-24 .458 0-2 1
1B Lance Berkman, Astros 10-22 .455 1-3 1
OF Marlon Byrd, Rangers 9-20 .450 3-9 0
1B Cecil Fielder, Brewers 11-25 .440 3-3 0
1B Joey Votto, Reds 11-25 .440 1-4 0
OF Ryan Church, Mets 13-30 .433 0-3 1
1B Albert Pujols, Cardinals 9-21 .429 3-8 1
SS Edgar Renteria, Giants 9-21 .429 0-6 1
3B/1B/OF Mark Teahen, Royals 9-21 .429 0-1 0
This is Gutierrez’s second consecutive week among the majors’ leaders in batting average.
Home runs – Morneau 4; Byrd, Fielder, Pujols, Indians OF Shin-soo Choo, Nationals OF Adam Dunn, Blue Jays OF Adam Lind, Yankees OF Hideki Matsui, Cardinals OF Colby Rasmus, Diamondbacks 3B Mark Reynolds and Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez 3. Reynolds’ strikeouts – and not his criticism of his teammates’ effort – had him on the previous week’s Not list. A-Rod was on the RBI Hot list that week.
RBI – Brewers 2B/3B Casey McGehee 10; Byrd, Choo and Marlins SS Hanley Ramirez 9; Matsui, Morneau, Pujols and Angels OF Bobby Abreu 8. A week earlier, Ramirez was on the home runs Hot list. Abreu’s hot bat has driven in eight runs each of the last two weeks.
Stolen bases – Rangers SS Elvis Andrus and Dodgers OF Juan Pierre 5; Red Sox OF Jacoby Ellsbury 4; Marlins 3B/2B Emilio Bonifacio, Athletics SS Orlando Cabrera, Rays OF Carl Crawford, Rangers OF Nelson Cruz, Red Sox SS Julio Lugo and 2B Dustin Pedroia, Pirates OF Andrew McCutchen and Diamondbacks OF Gerardo Parra 2. Cabrera and Crawford are following up a week on the batting average Hot list as major league leaders in steals.
Runs – Abreu 9; Fielder and Giants OF Randy Winn 8; Byrd, Pujols, Rasmus, Angels OF Vladimir Guerrero and Braves 2B/3B Martin Prado 7.
Throws Pitcher, Team IP ERA W-L WHIP SO/BB
RHP Tim Lincecum, Giants 16.0 0.00 2-0 0.44 17:2
RHP Jason Marquis, Rockies 9.0 0.00 1-0 0.22 3:0
LHP Ricky Romero, Blue Jays 8.0 0.00 1-0 1.00 7:4
LHP Jorge DeLaRosa, Rockies 8.0 0.00 1-0 1.00 6:4
RHP Mike Pelfrey, Mets 7.2 0.00 1-0 1.04 6:2
LHP John Danks, White Sox 7.1 0.00 1-0 0.68 5:0
RHP Ryan Sadowski, Giants 7.0 0.00 1-0 0.57 4:1
RHP Jair Jurrjens, Braves 7.0 0.00 1-0 0.71 6:4
LHP Jon Lester, Red Sox 13.2 0.66 1-0 1.17 17:3
RHP Adam Wainwright, Cardinals 9.0 1.00 0-0 1.00 13:3
Romero is on this list of the majors’ best in ERA for the second consecutive week.
Wins – Lincecum, Rangers RHP Scott Feldman, Diamondbacks RHP Dan Haren, Royals RHP Luke Hochevar, Brewers RHP Braden Looper, Marlins RHP Ricky Nolasco and Astros RHP Roy Oswalt 2.
Saves – Angels LHP Brian Fuentes, Twins RHP Joe Nathan, Yankees RHP Mariano Rivera and Royals RHP Joakim Soria 3-for-3. It was Rivera’s second consecutive 3-for-3 week.
WHIP – Marquis 0.22, Lincecum 0.44, Oswalt 0.47, Orioles RHP Brad Bergesen 0.50; Nolasco 0.56.
Strikeout/walk ratio (10 Ks, at least a 2.5:1 ratio) – Haren 15:1; Dodgers LHP Randy Wolf 12:1; Pirates RHP Ross Ohlendorf 11:1; Nolasco 20:2; Lincecum 17:2; Cubs LHP Ted Lilly 16:2; Brewers RHP Yovani Gallardo 12:2; Twins RHP Nick Blackburn 10:2; Lester 17:3; Dodgers RHP Chad Billingsley 16:3. Lincecum has been among the leaders in K/W ratio each of the last two weeks. Nolasco was on the ERA Hot list the previous week.
* * *
Not
Pos. Player, Team H-AB Avg. HR-RBI SB
3B Kevin Kouzmanoff, Padres 1-21 .048 1-1 0
C/1B Victor Martinez, Indians 1-20 .050 0-0 0
2B Ian Kinsler, Rangers 2-26 .077 1-1 0
OF Jason Bay, Red Sox 2-25 .080 0-1 0
SS Jack Wilson, Pirates 2-24 .083 0-4 0
OF Justin Upton, D-backs 2-23 .087 0-0 0
1B Carlos Pena, Rays 2-21 .095 0-0 0
2B Kazuo Matsui, Astros 2-21 .095 0-1 1
OF Alfonso Soriano, Cubs 2-20 .100 0-0 0
SS/2B Brendan Harris, Twins 3-27 .111 0-1 0
Wilson was on the batting average Hot list last week. This list shows that some really good players had a really bad week.
The week’s hitless wonders were Dodgers 2B Orlando Hudson 0-for-16; Cardinals SS Tyler Greene 0-for-12; Mariners 1B Mike Sweeney and Blue Jays OF David Dellucci 0-for-11, and Phillies C Carlos Ruiz, Astros C Humberto Quintero and Rockies OF Carlos Gonzalez 0-for-10.
Walk/strikeout ratio (10 or more strikeouts) – Harris 0:10; Pirates 1B Adam LaRoche 1:11; Giants OF Aaron Rowand and Mets 3B David Wright 1:10; Mariners 1B/3B Russell Branyan 2:14; Rays OF Pat Burrell 3:10; Bay 4:13. In a fashion typical of his career, Branyan made this list a week after his home runs had put him on the Hot list. LaRoche again followed up a Hot week with a Not week.
Caught stealing – White Sox OF Scott Podsednik 1-for-3; Marlins 3B/2B Emilio Bonifacio and Diamondbacks OF Gerardo Parra 2-for-4; Dodgers OF Juan Pierre 5-for-7. Podsednik has been 1-for-3 two weeks in a row.
The pitchers on the next list each made two starts, doubly damaging their real and fantasy teams.
Throws Pitcher, Team IP ERA W-L WHIP SO/BB
LHP Rich Hill, Orioles 8.2 13.50 0-0 2.54 5:7
LHP Joe Saunders, Angels 9.0 13.00 0-1 2.33 4:8
LHP Cliff Lee, Indians 9.0 10.00 0-2 2.67 6:5
RHP Rick Porcello, Tigers 8.1 9.72 0-2 2.40 3:4
RHP Bronson Arroyo, Reds 10.1 8.71 0-2 2.61 4:6
RHP Rich Harden, Cubs 9.0 8.00 1-1 2.11 10:2
LHP Clayton Richard, White Sox 9.2 7.45 1-1 1.34 9:1
RHP Mike Burns, Brewers 11.1 7.15 1-1 1.41 5:2
RHP Josh Banks, Padres 11.1 7.15 1-0 1.41 4:2
RHP Brad Thompson, Cardinals 11.0 6.55 0-2 1.73 6:3
We warned you about Arroyo in our “Pitchers to seek and to avoid” Article.
Losses – Arroyo, Lee, Porcello, Thompson, Orioles RHP Danys Baez, Pirates LHP Zach Duke, Mets RHP Fernando Nieve, Rockies RHP Joel Peralta, Red Sox RHP Takashi Saito and Mets LHP Johan Santana 2.
Blown saves – Braves RHP Peter Moylan 0-for-2.
Hot
Pos. Name, Team H-AB Avg. HR-RBI SB
OF Matt Diaz, Braves 13-21 .619 1-5 1
1B Justin Morneau, Twins 12-25 .480 4-8 0
OF Franklin Gutierrez, Mariners 12-26 .462 1-2 0
2B/SS Maicer Izturis, Angels 11-24 .458 0-2 1
1B Lance Berkman, Astros 10-22 .455 1-3 1
OF Marlon Byrd, Rangers 9-20 .450 3-9 0
1B Cecil Fielder, Brewers 11-25 .440 3-3 0
1B Joey Votto, Reds 11-25 .440 1-4 0
OF Ryan Church, Mets 13-30 .433 0-3 1
1B Albert Pujols, Cardinals 9-21 .429 3-8 1
SS Edgar Renteria, Giants 9-21 .429 0-6 1
3B/1B/OF Mark Teahen, Royals 9-21 .429 0-1 0
This is Gutierrez’s second consecutive week among the majors’ leaders in batting average.
Home runs – Morneau 4; Byrd, Fielder, Pujols, Indians OF Shin-soo Choo, Nationals OF Adam Dunn, Blue Jays OF Adam Lind, Yankees OF Hideki Matsui, Cardinals OF Colby Rasmus, Diamondbacks 3B Mark Reynolds and Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez 3. Reynolds’ strikeouts – and not his criticism of his teammates’ effort – had him on the previous week’s Not list. A-Rod was on the RBI Hot list that week.
RBI – Brewers 2B/3B Casey McGehee 10; Byrd, Choo and Marlins SS Hanley Ramirez 9; Matsui, Morneau, Pujols and Angels OF Bobby Abreu 8. A week earlier, Ramirez was on the home runs Hot list. Abreu’s hot bat has driven in eight runs each of the last two weeks.
Stolen bases – Rangers SS Elvis Andrus and Dodgers OF Juan Pierre 5; Red Sox OF Jacoby Ellsbury 4; Marlins 3B/2B Emilio Bonifacio, Athletics SS Orlando Cabrera, Rays OF Carl Crawford, Rangers OF Nelson Cruz, Red Sox SS Julio Lugo and 2B Dustin Pedroia, Pirates OF Andrew McCutchen and Diamondbacks OF Gerardo Parra 2. Cabrera and Crawford are following up a week on the batting average Hot list as major league leaders in steals.
Runs – Abreu 9; Fielder and Giants OF Randy Winn 8; Byrd, Pujols, Rasmus, Angels OF Vladimir Guerrero and Braves 2B/3B Martin Prado 7.
Throws Pitcher, Team IP ERA W-L WHIP SO/BB
RHP Tim Lincecum, Giants 16.0 0.00 2-0 0.44 17:2
RHP Jason Marquis, Rockies 9.0 0.00 1-0 0.22 3:0
LHP Ricky Romero, Blue Jays 8.0 0.00 1-0 1.00 7:4
LHP Jorge DeLaRosa, Rockies 8.0 0.00 1-0 1.00 6:4
RHP Mike Pelfrey, Mets 7.2 0.00 1-0 1.04 6:2
LHP John Danks, White Sox 7.1 0.00 1-0 0.68 5:0
RHP Ryan Sadowski, Giants 7.0 0.00 1-0 0.57 4:1
RHP Jair Jurrjens, Braves 7.0 0.00 1-0 0.71 6:4
LHP Jon Lester, Red Sox 13.2 0.66 1-0 1.17 17:3
RHP Adam Wainwright, Cardinals 9.0 1.00 0-0 1.00 13:3
Romero is on this list of the majors’ best in ERA for the second consecutive week.
Wins – Lincecum, Rangers RHP Scott Feldman, Diamondbacks RHP Dan Haren, Royals RHP Luke Hochevar, Brewers RHP Braden Looper, Marlins RHP Ricky Nolasco and Astros RHP Roy Oswalt 2.
Saves – Angels LHP Brian Fuentes, Twins RHP Joe Nathan, Yankees RHP Mariano Rivera and Royals RHP Joakim Soria 3-for-3. It was Rivera’s second consecutive 3-for-3 week.
WHIP – Marquis 0.22, Lincecum 0.44, Oswalt 0.47, Orioles RHP Brad Bergesen 0.50; Nolasco 0.56.
Strikeout/walk ratio (10 Ks, at least a 2.5:1 ratio) – Haren 15:1; Dodgers LHP Randy Wolf 12:1; Pirates RHP Ross Ohlendorf 11:1; Nolasco 20:2; Lincecum 17:2; Cubs LHP Ted Lilly 16:2; Brewers RHP Yovani Gallardo 12:2; Twins RHP Nick Blackburn 10:2; Lester 17:3; Dodgers RHP Chad Billingsley 16:3. Lincecum has been among the leaders in K/W ratio each of the last two weeks. Nolasco was on the ERA Hot list the previous week.
* * *
Not
Pos. Player, Team H-AB Avg. HR-RBI SB
3B Kevin Kouzmanoff, Padres 1-21 .048 1-1 0
C/1B Victor Martinez, Indians 1-20 .050 0-0 0
2B Ian Kinsler, Rangers 2-26 .077 1-1 0
OF Jason Bay, Red Sox 2-25 .080 0-1 0
SS Jack Wilson, Pirates 2-24 .083 0-4 0
OF Justin Upton, D-backs 2-23 .087 0-0 0
1B Carlos Pena, Rays 2-21 .095 0-0 0
2B Kazuo Matsui, Astros 2-21 .095 0-1 1
OF Alfonso Soriano, Cubs 2-20 .100 0-0 0
SS/2B Brendan Harris, Twins 3-27 .111 0-1 0
Wilson was on the batting average Hot list last week. This list shows that some really good players had a really bad week.
The week’s hitless wonders were Dodgers 2B Orlando Hudson 0-for-16; Cardinals SS Tyler Greene 0-for-12; Mariners 1B Mike Sweeney and Blue Jays OF David Dellucci 0-for-11, and Phillies C Carlos Ruiz, Astros C Humberto Quintero and Rockies OF Carlos Gonzalez 0-for-10.
Walk/strikeout ratio (10 or more strikeouts) – Harris 0:10; Pirates 1B Adam LaRoche 1:11; Giants OF Aaron Rowand and Mets 3B David Wright 1:10; Mariners 1B/3B Russell Branyan 2:14; Rays OF Pat Burrell 3:10; Bay 4:13. In a fashion typical of his career, Branyan made this list a week after his home runs had put him on the Hot list. LaRoche again followed up a Hot week with a Not week.
Caught stealing – White Sox OF Scott Podsednik 1-for-3; Marlins 3B/2B Emilio Bonifacio and Diamondbacks OF Gerardo Parra 2-for-4; Dodgers OF Juan Pierre 5-for-7. Podsednik has been 1-for-3 two weeks in a row.
The pitchers on the next list each made two starts, doubly damaging their real and fantasy teams.
Throws Pitcher, Team IP ERA W-L WHIP SO/BB
LHP Rich Hill, Orioles 8.2 13.50 0-0 2.54 5:7
LHP Joe Saunders, Angels 9.0 13.00 0-1 2.33 4:8
LHP Cliff Lee, Indians 9.0 10.00 0-2 2.67 6:5
RHP Rick Porcello, Tigers 8.1 9.72 0-2 2.40 3:4
RHP Bronson Arroyo, Reds 10.1 8.71 0-2 2.61 4:6
RHP Rich Harden, Cubs 9.0 8.00 1-1 2.11 10:2
LHP Clayton Richard, White Sox 9.2 7.45 1-1 1.34 9:1
RHP Mike Burns, Brewers 11.1 7.15 1-1 1.41 5:2
RHP Josh Banks, Padres 11.1 7.15 1-0 1.41 4:2
RHP Brad Thompson, Cardinals 11.0 6.55 0-2 1.73 6:3
We warned you about Arroyo in our “Pitchers to seek and to avoid” Article.
Losses – Arroyo, Lee, Porcello, Thompson, Orioles RHP Danys Baez, Pirates LHP Zach Duke, Mets RHP Fernando Nieve, Rockies RHP Joel Peralta, Red Sox RHP Takashi Saito and Mets LHP Johan Santana 2.
Blown saves – Braves RHP Peter Moylan 0-for-2.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Role reversal: Consider NL batters, AL pitchers
There could be significant advantages in games, or at least innings, played this week in the National League. Or the advantage for the Nationals and particularly the Astros over most teams would be slight.
Houston and Washington are scheduled for seven games, plus the completion of a suspended game. Most NL teams would be playing seven games, but the Dodgers, Brewers, Mets and Pirates are scheduled for just six. Thus, those teams' hitters and relief pitchers would have a 14 per cent disadvantage over 10 teams in their league. The suspended game already is in extra innings, so it could drag on. Or it could mean just an extra at-bat for one National.
Every NL team is playing this week's schedule entirely at home or entirely on the road. Even the completion of the Nationals' home game from May 4 is taking place in Houston Thursday.
In the American League, just three teams have games split between the road and their home park. The Orioles and White Sox would play three times each home and road. The Yankees are scheduled to begin the week at home Monday against the Blue Jays, then to go on the road for six games.
Six AL teams -- the Red Sox, Royals, Yankees, Mariners, Rangers and Blue Jays -- would play seven games. The eight others are scheduled for seven games.
The Red Sox (Athletics three games, Royals four) and Mariners (Orioles three, Rangers four) are scheduled to play seven games at home. Boston has one of the majors' best hitters' parks; Seattle is one of the best for pitchers.
Overall, it looks like a better week for pitchers than for hitters in the AL, but in the NL, the hitters would seem to have an advantage.
In addition to Seattle, Minnesota (Yankees and White Sox three games each) has one of the majors' best pitchers' parks, which would be in play for all six Twins games this week. Tampa Bay (Blue Jays and Athletics) also is scheduled for six home games in a park that slightly favors pitchers. The only AL park scheduled for six games in a positive hitting environment is at Detroit (Royals and Indians).
In contrast, the NL would have three of the majors' best hitting parks in use for seven games. Those are at Arizona (Padres three, Marlins four); Wrigley Field (Braves three, Cardinals four), and Colorado (Nationals three, Braves four). Thus, it might not be a bad week for Atlanta batters, even on the road. Also, hitters generally have the upper hand in Philadelphia (Reds four, Pirates three) and San Francisco (Marlins three, Padres four). So it might not be a bad week to consider Florida and San Diego batters.
The only National League parks favoring pitchers slightly all week would be at Houston (Pirates three, Nationals four-plus); Milwaukee (Cardinals and Dodgers three each), and Citi Field (Dodgers and Reds three each). In other words, leave your Dodgers batters on the bench.
With so many teams playing their entire schedule at home, there would be plenty of pitchers with two home starts this week. They would be RHPs John Smoltz, Josh Beckett, Justin Verlander, Jered Weaver, Scott Baker, James Shields, Jon Garland, Randy Wells, Ryan Dempster, Jason Marquis, Jason Hammel, Brian Moehler, Yovani Gallardo, Mike Pelfrey and Matt Cain, and LHPs Jarrod Washburn, Erik Bedard, Doug Davis, Mike Hampton, Cole Hamels, J.A. Happ and Barry Zito. Our highest recommendations are Beckett, who has made our Hot list two weeks in a row; Shields; Gallardo, and Cain, with Baker and Washburn as live longshots.
Houston and Washington are scheduled for seven games, plus the completion of a suspended game. Most NL teams would be playing seven games, but the Dodgers, Brewers, Mets and Pirates are scheduled for just six. Thus, those teams' hitters and relief pitchers would have a 14 per cent disadvantage over 10 teams in their league. The suspended game already is in extra innings, so it could drag on. Or it could mean just an extra at-bat for one National.
Every NL team is playing this week's schedule entirely at home or entirely on the road. Even the completion of the Nationals' home game from May 4 is taking place in Houston Thursday.
In the American League, just three teams have games split between the road and their home park. The Orioles and White Sox would play three times each home and road. The Yankees are scheduled to begin the week at home Monday against the Blue Jays, then to go on the road for six games.
Six AL teams -- the Red Sox, Royals, Yankees, Mariners, Rangers and Blue Jays -- would play seven games. The eight others are scheduled for seven games.
The Red Sox (Athletics three games, Royals four) and Mariners (Orioles three, Rangers four) are scheduled to play seven games at home. Boston has one of the majors' best hitters' parks; Seattle is one of the best for pitchers.
Overall, it looks like a better week for pitchers than for hitters in the AL, but in the NL, the hitters would seem to have an advantage.
In addition to Seattle, Minnesota (Yankees and White Sox three games each) has one of the majors' best pitchers' parks, which would be in play for all six Twins games this week. Tampa Bay (Blue Jays and Athletics) also is scheduled for six home games in a park that slightly favors pitchers. The only AL park scheduled for six games in a positive hitting environment is at Detroit (Royals and Indians).
In contrast, the NL would have three of the majors' best hitting parks in use for seven games. Those are at Arizona (Padres three, Marlins four); Wrigley Field (Braves three, Cardinals four), and Colorado (Nationals three, Braves four). Thus, it might not be a bad week for Atlanta batters, even on the road. Also, hitters generally have the upper hand in Philadelphia (Reds four, Pirates three) and San Francisco (Marlins three, Padres four). So it might not be a bad week to consider Florida and San Diego batters.
The only National League parks favoring pitchers slightly all week would be at Houston (Pirates three, Nationals four-plus); Milwaukee (Cardinals and Dodgers three each), and Citi Field (Dodgers and Reds three each). In other words, leave your Dodgers batters on the bench.
With so many teams playing their entire schedule at home, there would be plenty of pitchers with two home starts this week. They would be RHPs John Smoltz, Josh Beckett, Justin Verlander, Jered Weaver, Scott Baker, James Shields, Jon Garland, Randy Wells, Ryan Dempster, Jason Marquis, Jason Hammel, Brian Moehler, Yovani Gallardo, Mike Pelfrey and Matt Cain, and LHPs Jarrod Washburn, Erik Bedard, Doug Davis, Mike Hampton, Cole Hamels, J.A. Happ and Barry Zito. Our highest recommendations are Beckett, who has made our Hot list two weeks in a row; Shields; Gallardo, and Cain, with Baker and Washburn as live longshots.
A long pitching chart, July 5-11
AL
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Bal
@Se @Se @Se/ --- Tor Tor Tor
Bergesen Guthrie Hernandez/ --- Berken Hill Bergesen2
Bos
Oak Oak Oak/ KC KC KC KC
Smoltz Beckett Wakefield/ Penny Lester Smoltz2 Beckett2
CWS
--- Cle Cle Cle/ @Min @Min @Min
--- Buehrle Contreras Richard*/ Danks Floyd Buehrle2
Cle
--- @CWS @CWS @CWS/ @Det @Det @Det
--- Sowers Laffey** Huff/ Pavano Lee Sowers2
Det
KC KC KC/ --- Cle Cle Cle
Galarraga Verlander French-3*/ --- Jackson Porcello Verlander-4*
KC
@Det @Det @Det/ @Bos @Bos @Bos @Bos
Meche Chen Greinke/ Hochevar Bannister Meche2 Chen2
LAA
Tex Tex Tex/ --- NYY NYY NYY
Weaver Lackey Santana-5*/ --- O’Sullivan Saunders Weaver2
Min
--- NYY NYY NYY/ CWS CWS CWS
--- Baker Perkins Swarzak-6*/ Liriano Blackburn Baker2
NYY
Tor/ @Min @Min @Min/ @LAA @LAA @LAA
Pettitte/ Sabathia Burnett Mitre-7*/ Chamberlain Pettitte2 Sabathia2
Oak
@Bos @Bos @Bos/ --- @TB @TB @TB
Anderson Braden Cahill/ --- Mazzaro Gonzalez Anderson2
Se
Bal Bal Bal/ Tex Tex Tex Tex
Washburn Bedard-8* Vargas/ Hernandez Morrow Washburn2 Bedard2
TB
--- Tor Tor Tor/ Oak Oak Oak
--- Shields Kazmir Price/ Garza Niemann-9* Shields
Tex
@LAA @LAA @LAA/ @Se @Se @Se @Se
Millwood Padilla-10* Hunter/ Holland Feldman Millwood2 Padilla2
Tor
@NYY/ @TB @TB @TB/ @Bal @Bal @Bal
Romero/ Mills-11* Halladay Tallet/ Cecil-12* Romero2 Halladay2
*-The White Sox are moving LHP Clayton Richard ahead in their rotation to pitch on three days’ rest Thursday against the Indians. That would allow them to go with three more experienced pitchers, LHPs John Danks and Mark Buehrle and RHP Gavin Floyd, in a more important series against the Twins.
**-The Indians had hoped to bring LHP Aaron Laffey (oblique muscle injury) back from the disabled list to start Wednesday. However, he gave up seven runs in four innings in an injury-rehab start Friday for Triple-A Columbus. If Cleveland decides to give Laffey another rehab appearance, RHP Tomo Ohka could remain in the rotation for now.
3*-LHP Lucas French made his first major league start Friday, lasting into the fifth inning. That apparently was good enough to earn the 23-year-old control pitcher another start for the Tigers Wednesday.
4*-Detroit seems likely to move RHP Justin Verlander ahead of struggling RHP Armando Galarraga to start Sunday’s game. That would keep Verlander on his usual every-five-days schedule.
5*-Angels RHP Ervin Santana (strained elbow ligament) returned from the disabled list to give up six runs in five innings Friday. His next start is scheduled for Wednesday.
6*-Twins RHP Kevin Slowey (strained wrist) took his 10 wins to the disabled list. Starting in his place Wednesday would be RHP Anthony Swarzak, who pitched well for Minnesota in an earlier stint before being returned to Triple-A Rochester.
7*-Yankees RHP Chien-Ming Wang left Saturday’s start in the sixth inning, and is expected to return to the disabled list. A likely candidate to take Wang’s next scheduled start Thursday would be RHP Sergio Mitre, currently with Triple-A Scranton.
8*-LHP Erik Bedard (shoulder) threw 54 pitches in a simulated game Friday, and will come off the DL to start Tuesday’s game for the Mariners. He would replace LHP Garrett Olson in the rotation.
9*-With an off day Monday, the Rays put RHP Jeff Niemann into the bullpen for their weekend series at Texas. He’s expected to return to their rotation to start Saturday’s game.
10*-The Rangers pushed RHP Vicente Padilla (sore shoulder) back to Tuesday from this weekend’s scheduled start. If he couldn’t pitch Tuesday, a possibility would be to activate RHP Dustin Nippert, who has pitched well on his rehab assignment.
11*-The Blue Jays are recalling LHP Brad Mills from Triple-A Las Vegas to start Tuesday’s game. He’s just 2-8 with the 51s, but pitched eight shutout innings in his most recent game. Don’t be surprised if RHP Roy Halladay jumps ahead of Mills to get in another start Sunday before the All-Star game, even though that would be on three days’ rest.
12*-LHP Brett Cecil has replaced RHP Scott Richmond in Toronto’s rotation for starts today and Friday. Richmond (biceps tendinitis) is the ninth Jays pitcher to go on the disabled list this season.
NL
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Ari
SD SD SD/ Fla Fla Fla Fla
Garland Davis Scherzer/ Petit* Haren Garland2 Davis2
Atl
@ChC @ChC @ChC/ @Col @Col @Col @Col
Jurrjens Vazquez Kawakami/ Hanson Lowe Jurrjens2 Vazquez2
ChC
Atl Atl Atl/ --- StL StL StL-StL
Wells Dempster Zambrano/ --- Harden Lilly Wells2-Dempster2**
Cin
@Phi @Phi @Phi @Phi/ @NYM @NYM @NYM
Cueto Harang Bailey Owings/ Arroyo Cueto2 Harang2
Col
Was Was Was/ Atl Atl Atl Atl
Marquis Hammel DeLaRosa/ Cook Jimenez Marquis2 Hammel2
Fla
@SF @SF @SF/ @Ari @Ari @Ari @Ari
West Johnson Volstad/ Miller Nolasco West2 Johnson2
Ho
Pit Pit Pit/ @Was-Was Was Was Was
Hampton Moehler Rodriguez/ Hawkins-3*-Ortiz Oswalt Hampton2 Moehler2
LAD
--- @NYM @NYM @NYM/ @Mil @Mil @Mil
--- Kershaw Kuroda Wolf/ Billingsley Milton-4* Kershaw2
Mil
--- StL StL StL/ LAD LAD LAD
--- Gallardo Suppan Looper/ Burns McClung-5* Gallardo2
NYM
--- LAD LAD LAD/ Cin Cin Cin
--- Pelfrey Perez-6* Hernandez/ Nieve Santana Pelfrey2
Phi
Cin Cin Cin Cin/ Pit Pit Pit
Hamels Happ Lopez-7* Moyer/ Blanton Hamels2 Happ2
Pit
@Ho @Ho @Ho/ --- @Phi @Phi @Phi
Vasquez Maholm Morton/ --- Duke Ohlendorf Maholm2-8*
StL
--- @Mil @Mil @Mil/ @ChC @ChC @ChC-@ChC
--- Wainwright Wellemeyer Pineiro/ Thompson Carpenter Wainwright2-Lohse-9*
SD
@Ari @Ari @Ari/ @SF @SF @SF @SF
Silva Correia Gaudin/ Geer Banks Silva2 Correia2
SF
Fla Fla Fla/ SD SD SD SD
Cain Zito Sadowski/ Lincecum Johnson Cain2 Zito2
Was
@Col @Col @Col/ Ho-@Ho @Ho @Ho @Ho
Stammen-10* Zimmermann Detwiler/ MacDougal*-Lannan Olsen Stammen2 Zimmermann2
Detwiler Lannan Olsen
*-Diamondbacks RHP Yusmeiro Petit returned from the disabled list to start Saturday, and would be on schedule to pitch again Thursday.
**-Thursday’s off day gives the Cubs a chance to keep their regular rotation despite Sunday’s doubleheader against the Cardinals. RHP Randy Wells would have an extra day of rest, and RHP Ryan Dempster would be on his usual every-fifth-day schedule.
3*-In Houston, the Astros and Nationals will begin Thursday what amounts to a five-game series by completing a game suspended by rain May 5 in Washington. The Nationals will remain the home team, batting in the bottom of the 11th inning with the score tied 10-10, one out and a runner on first base. Houston RHP LaTroy Hawkins was pitching when the game was stopped, so he’d be the likely candidate to begin Thursday on the mound. That’s unless he works for an extended period in Wednesday’s game. Another possibility would be RHP Felipe Paulino.
4*-Off days have allowed the Dodgers to skip LHP Eric Milton’s turn in their rotation, but a fifth starter would be needed again Saturday. Milton is the most likely starter for that game, but RHP Claudio Vargas, just off the disabled list, also could be a candidate.
5*-When the Brewers again need a fifth starter Saturday, RHP Seth McClung is most likely to receive the call and the ball.
6*-Nearing the point of desperation, the Mets will bring ineffective LHP Oliver Perez off the disabled list to start Tuesday. That would send ineffective RHP Tim Redding to their ineffective bullpen.
7*-The Phillies dusted off RHP Rodrigo Lopez Friday for his first major league appearance in two years. He started and won that game, earning another shot in Wednesday’s game.
8*-It seems likely that the Pirates would bring LHP Paul Maholm back on his usual four days’ rest to start Sunday’s game, moving him ahead of less experienced RHP Virgil Vasquez.
9*-The Cardinals are planning to have RHP Kyle Lohse, who’s scheduled for an injury-rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Memphis, come off the disabled list as their sixth starter for Sunday’s doubleheader.
10*-The Nationals have returned RHP Craig Stammen to their rotation.
11*-Washington wouldn’t even need a pitcher to complete the suspended game Thursday if it scores a run in the bottom of the 11th. If that happens, the winning pitcher would be RHP Joel Hanrahan, now with the Pirates. The Nationals also will need a pinch runner. OF Elijah Dukes, the runner on first base, is now with Triple-A Syracuse. If the game goes into the 12th inning, Washington could use RHP Mike MacDougal to try to hold down the Astros.
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Bal
@Se @Se @Se/ --- Tor Tor Tor
Bergesen Guthrie Hernandez/ --- Berken Hill Bergesen2
Bos
Oak Oak Oak/ KC KC KC KC
Smoltz Beckett Wakefield/ Penny Lester Smoltz2 Beckett2
CWS
--- Cle Cle Cle/ @Min @Min @Min
--- Buehrle Contreras Richard*/ Danks Floyd Buehrle2
Cle
--- @CWS @CWS @CWS/ @Det @Det @Det
--- Sowers Laffey** Huff/ Pavano Lee Sowers2
Det
KC KC KC/ --- Cle Cle Cle
Galarraga Verlander French-3*/ --- Jackson Porcello Verlander-4*
KC
@Det @Det @Det/ @Bos @Bos @Bos @Bos
Meche Chen Greinke/ Hochevar Bannister Meche2 Chen2
LAA
Tex Tex Tex/ --- NYY NYY NYY
Weaver Lackey Santana-5*/ --- O’Sullivan Saunders Weaver2
Min
--- NYY NYY NYY/ CWS CWS CWS
--- Baker Perkins Swarzak-6*/ Liriano Blackburn Baker2
NYY
Tor/ @Min @Min @Min/ @LAA @LAA @LAA
Pettitte/ Sabathia Burnett Mitre-7*/ Chamberlain Pettitte2 Sabathia2
Oak
@Bos @Bos @Bos/ --- @TB @TB @TB
Anderson Braden Cahill/ --- Mazzaro Gonzalez Anderson2
Se
Bal Bal Bal/ Tex Tex Tex Tex
Washburn Bedard-8* Vargas/ Hernandez Morrow Washburn2 Bedard2
TB
--- Tor Tor Tor/ Oak Oak Oak
--- Shields Kazmir Price/ Garza Niemann-9* Shields
Tex
@LAA @LAA @LAA/ @Se @Se @Se @Se
Millwood Padilla-10* Hunter/ Holland Feldman Millwood2 Padilla2
Tor
@NYY/ @TB @TB @TB/ @Bal @Bal @Bal
Romero/ Mills-11* Halladay Tallet/ Cecil-12* Romero2 Halladay2
*-The White Sox are moving LHP Clayton Richard ahead in their rotation to pitch on three days’ rest Thursday against the Indians. That would allow them to go with three more experienced pitchers, LHPs John Danks and Mark Buehrle and RHP Gavin Floyd, in a more important series against the Twins.
**-The Indians had hoped to bring LHP Aaron Laffey (oblique muscle injury) back from the disabled list to start Wednesday. However, he gave up seven runs in four innings in an injury-rehab start Friday for Triple-A Columbus. If Cleveland decides to give Laffey another rehab appearance, RHP Tomo Ohka could remain in the rotation for now.
3*-LHP Lucas French made his first major league start Friday, lasting into the fifth inning. That apparently was good enough to earn the 23-year-old control pitcher another start for the Tigers Wednesday.
4*-Detroit seems likely to move RHP Justin Verlander ahead of struggling RHP Armando Galarraga to start Sunday’s game. That would keep Verlander on his usual every-five-days schedule.
5*-Angels RHP Ervin Santana (strained elbow ligament) returned from the disabled list to give up six runs in five innings Friday. His next start is scheduled for Wednesday.
6*-Twins RHP Kevin Slowey (strained wrist) took his 10 wins to the disabled list. Starting in his place Wednesday would be RHP Anthony Swarzak, who pitched well for Minnesota in an earlier stint before being returned to Triple-A Rochester.
7*-Yankees RHP Chien-Ming Wang left Saturday’s start in the sixth inning, and is expected to return to the disabled list. A likely candidate to take Wang’s next scheduled start Thursday would be RHP Sergio Mitre, currently with Triple-A Scranton.
8*-LHP Erik Bedard (shoulder) threw 54 pitches in a simulated game Friday, and will come off the DL to start Tuesday’s game for the Mariners. He would replace LHP Garrett Olson in the rotation.
9*-With an off day Monday, the Rays put RHP Jeff Niemann into the bullpen for their weekend series at Texas. He’s expected to return to their rotation to start Saturday’s game.
10*-The Rangers pushed RHP Vicente Padilla (sore shoulder) back to Tuesday from this weekend’s scheduled start. If he couldn’t pitch Tuesday, a possibility would be to activate RHP Dustin Nippert, who has pitched well on his rehab assignment.
11*-The Blue Jays are recalling LHP Brad Mills from Triple-A Las Vegas to start Tuesday’s game. He’s just 2-8 with the 51s, but pitched eight shutout innings in his most recent game. Don’t be surprised if RHP Roy Halladay jumps ahead of Mills to get in another start Sunday before the All-Star game, even though that would be on three days’ rest.
12*-LHP Brett Cecil has replaced RHP Scott Richmond in Toronto’s rotation for starts today and Friday. Richmond (biceps tendinitis) is the ninth Jays pitcher to go on the disabled list this season.
NL
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Ari
SD SD SD/ Fla Fla Fla Fla
Garland Davis Scherzer/ Petit* Haren Garland2 Davis2
Atl
@ChC @ChC @ChC/ @Col @Col @Col @Col
Jurrjens Vazquez Kawakami/ Hanson Lowe Jurrjens2 Vazquez2
ChC
Atl Atl Atl/ --- StL StL StL-StL
Wells Dempster Zambrano/ --- Harden Lilly Wells2-Dempster2**
Cin
@Phi @Phi @Phi @Phi/ @NYM @NYM @NYM
Cueto Harang Bailey Owings/ Arroyo Cueto2 Harang2
Col
Was Was Was/ Atl Atl Atl Atl
Marquis Hammel DeLaRosa/ Cook Jimenez Marquis2 Hammel2
Fla
@SF @SF @SF/ @Ari @Ari @Ari @Ari
West Johnson Volstad/ Miller Nolasco West2 Johnson2
Ho
Pit Pit Pit/ @Was-Was Was Was Was
Hampton Moehler Rodriguez/ Hawkins-3*-Ortiz Oswalt Hampton2 Moehler2
LAD
--- @NYM @NYM @NYM/ @Mil @Mil @Mil
--- Kershaw Kuroda Wolf/ Billingsley Milton-4* Kershaw2
Mil
--- StL StL StL/ LAD LAD LAD
--- Gallardo Suppan Looper/ Burns McClung-5* Gallardo2
NYM
--- LAD LAD LAD/ Cin Cin Cin
--- Pelfrey Perez-6* Hernandez/ Nieve Santana Pelfrey2
Phi
Cin Cin Cin Cin/ Pit Pit Pit
Hamels Happ Lopez-7* Moyer/ Blanton Hamels2 Happ2
Pit
@Ho @Ho @Ho/ --- @Phi @Phi @Phi
Vasquez Maholm Morton/ --- Duke Ohlendorf Maholm2-8*
StL
--- @Mil @Mil @Mil/ @ChC @ChC @ChC-@ChC
--- Wainwright Wellemeyer Pineiro/ Thompson Carpenter Wainwright2-Lohse-9*
SD
@Ari @Ari @Ari/ @SF @SF @SF @SF
Silva Correia Gaudin/ Geer Banks Silva2 Correia2
SF
Fla Fla Fla/ SD SD SD SD
Cain Zito Sadowski/ Lincecum Johnson Cain2 Zito2
Was
@Col @Col @Col/ Ho-@Ho @Ho @Ho @Ho
Stammen-10* Zimmermann Detwiler/ MacDougal*-Lannan Olsen Stammen2 Zimmermann2
Detwiler Lannan Olsen
*-Diamondbacks RHP Yusmeiro Petit returned from the disabled list to start Saturday, and would be on schedule to pitch again Thursday.
**-Thursday’s off day gives the Cubs a chance to keep their regular rotation despite Sunday’s doubleheader against the Cardinals. RHP Randy Wells would have an extra day of rest, and RHP Ryan Dempster would be on his usual every-fifth-day schedule.
3*-In Houston, the Astros and Nationals will begin Thursday what amounts to a five-game series by completing a game suspended by rain May 5 in Washington. The Nationals will remain the home team, batting in the bottom of the 11th inning with the score tied 10-10, one out and a runner on first base. Houston RHP LaTroy Hawkins was pitching when the game was stopped, so he’d be the likely candidate to begin Thursday on the mound. That’s unless he works for an extended period in Wednesday’s game. Another possibility would be RHP Felipe Paulino.
4*-Off days have allowed the Dodgers to skip LHP Eric Milton’s turn in their rotation, but a fifth starter would be needed again Saturday. Milton is the most likely starter for that game, but RHP Claudio Vargas, just off the disabled list, also could be a candidate.
5*-When the Brewers again need a fifth starter Saturday, RHP Seth McClung is most likely to receive the call and the ball.
6*-Nearing the point of desperation, the Mets will bring ineffective LHP Oliver Perez off the disabled list to start Tuesday. That would send ineffective RHP Tim Redding to their ineffective bullpen.
7*-The Phillies dusted off RHP Rodrigo Lopez Friday for his first major league appearance in two years. He started and won that game, earning another shot in Wednesday’s game.
8*-It seems likely that the Pirates would bring LHP Paul Maholm back on his usual four days’ rest to start Sunday’s game, moving him ahead of less experienced RHP Virgil Vasquez.
9*-The Cardinals are planning to have RHP Kyle Lohse, who’s scheduled for an injury-rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Memphis, come off the disabled list as their sixth starter for Sunday’s doubleheader.
10*-The Nationals have returned RHP Craig Stammen to their rotation.
11*-Washington wouldn’t even need a pitcher to complete the suspended game Thursday if it scores a run in the bottom of the 11th. If that happens, the winning pitcher would be RHP Joel Hanrahan, now with the Pirates. The Nationals also will need a pinch runner. OF Elijah Dukes, the runner on first base, is now with Triple-A Syracuse. If the game goes into the 12th inning, Washington could use RHP Mike MacDougal to try to hold down the Astros.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
One-hitter, first-person account
My morning Email included a player blog provided by minor league RHP Ryan Tatusko for a comprehensive Rangers fan blog, the Newberg Report.
Tatusko wrote that he had a blog entry already prepared, but he changed to another topic because of Wednesday night’s events.
He was the starting pitcher for Bakersfield in the high Class A California League. He also finished the game – on a one-hitter, with the only hit against him in the ninth inning.
Tatusko’s blog post provided an inning-by-inning record of what he and some of his teammates were thinking during the game. It’s good reading. You can read his insights here – if you need to sign up, it’s free – and contact the pitcher/author here.
Tatusko wrote that he had a blog entry already prepared, but he changed to another topic because of Wednesday night’s events.
He was the starting pitcher for Bakersfield in the high Class A California League. He also finished the game – on a one-hitter, with the only hit against him in the ninth inning.
Tatusko’s blog post provided an inning-by-inning record of what he and some of his teammates were thinking during the game. It’s good reading. You can read his insights here – if you need to sign up, it’s free – and contact the pitcher/author here.
Texas League all-stars not offensive
Spent last night at the Texas League all-star game. It seemed more like the Eastern League all-star game because pitching dominated in the North’s 2-1 victory.
A number of factors contributed to the low score.
1. It was a still, 96-degree night, with a negligible breeze of 1 mph. Until this season, the prevailing west wind was capable of carrying almost any fly ball over the right field fence.
2. There are more outstanding pitching prospects than top batters in the league this season. The three best, in my estimation, were impressive. RHP Mat Latos of San Antonio (Padres) gave up a leadoff double to the game’s MVP, Northwest Arkansas (Royals) 3B Corey Smith. Then Latos retired the next six batters – three on strikeouts, including DH Mark Trumbo of Arkansas (Angels) with two out and Smith at third. RHP Jhoulys Chacin of Tulsa (Rockies) gave up only a two-out single in his scoreless inning, and LHP Pohlin Trinidad of Corpus Christi (Astros) needed just nine pitches in his inning even though a runner reached base on an error.
3. Home plate umpire Brian Sinclair had a generous strike zone, which contributed to no walks in the game.
There were no walks, but for much of the game it appeared that the only run would score on a bases-loaded hit by pitch, with RHP Jason Fernandez of Midland (Athletics) plunking Trumbo in the second inning. Fernandez did a good job escaping a big inning by starting a double play, fielding a grounder to his left and throwing back to his right toward home plate, and striking out Tulsa SS Daniel Mayora.
Each team scored an eighth-inning run. Arkansas’ Nate Sutton stole second and scored on a two-out single by Northwest Arkansas” Kurt Mertins to give the North a 2-0 lead. The South finally scored on Midland C Josh Donaldson’s single, a hit-and-run groundout and teammate Josh Horton’s double.
Smith played the whole game on a roster depleted by injuries and players promoted. He went 2-for-3, scored a run, was hit by a pitch and showed surprising agility in the field for a guy in the 240-pound range. But don’t look for the 27-year-old in a major league stadium, at least not for long.
Providing a more lasting impression was San Antonio left fielder Luis Durango. On his grounder, Arkansas LHP Trevor Reckling committed an error by lobbing a throw toward Tulsa 1B Jeff Kindel. The ball came at him through a sliver of sunlight caused by the odd configuration of buildings at Frisco’s Dr. Pepper Ballpark. Kindel flinched, and the ball sailed past him. It didn’t take long for Springfield (Cardinals) RF Tyler Henley to get to the ball, but his strong throw to third base was too late to get the speedy Durango.
There were plenty of scouts at the game. Don’t be surprised if you see some of these names coming up in major league trades near the deadline, or at least in the scuttlebutt preceding that deadline.
A number of factors contributed to the low score.
1. It was a still, 96-degree night, with a negligible breeze of 1 mph. Until this season, the prevailing west wind was capable of carrying almost any fly ball over the right field fence.
2. There are more outstanding pitching prospects than top batters in the league this season. The three best, in my estimation, were impressive. RHP Mat Latos of San Antonio (Padres) gave up a leadoff double to the game’s MVP, Northwest Arkansas (Royals) 3B Corey Smith. Then Latos retired the next six batters – three on strikeouts, including DH Mark Trumbo of Arkansas (Angels) with two out and Smith at third. RHP Jhoulys Chacin of Tulsa (Rockies) gave up only a two-out single in his scoreless inning, and LHP Pohlin Trinidad of Corpus Christi (Astros) needed just nine pitches in his inning even though a runner reached base on an error.
3. Home plate umpire Brian Sinclair had a generous strike zone, which contributed to no walks in the game.
There were no walks, but for much of the game it appeared that the only run would score on a bases-loaded hit by pitch, with RHP Jason Fernandez of Midland (Athletics) plunking Trumbo in the second inning. Fernandez did a good job escaping a big inning by starting a double play, fielding a grounder to his left and throwing back to his right toward home plate, and striking out Tulsa SS Daniel Mayora.
Each team scored an eighth-inning run. Arkansas’ Nate Sutton stole second and scored on a two-out single by Northwest Arkansas” Kurt Mertins to give the North a 2-0 lead. The South finally scored on Midland C Josh Donaldson’s single, a hit-and-run groundout and teammate Josh Horton’s double.
Smith played the whole game on a roster depleted by injuries and players promoted. He went 2-for-3, scored a run, was hit by a pitch and showed surprising agility in the field for a guy in the 240-pound range. But don’t look for the 27-year-old in a major league stadium, at least not for long.
Providing a more lasting impression was San Antonio left fielder Luis Durango. On his grounder, Arkansas LHP Trevor Reckling committed an error by lobbing a throw toward Tulsa 1B Jeff Kindel. The ball came at him through a sliver of sunlight caused by the odd configuration of buildings at Frisco’s Dr. Pepper Ballpark. Kindel flinched, and the ball sailed past him. It didn’t take long for Springfield (Cardinals) RF Tyler Henley to get to the ball, but his strong throw to third base was too late to get the speedy Durango.
There were plenty of scouts at the game. Don’t be surprised if you see some of these names coming up in major league trades near the deadline, or at least in the scuttlebutt preceding that deadline.
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