Previewing the 10th week

On tap: Next week features some notable division stories. The Red Sox and Yankees meet in Boston for a three-game series (Tuesday-Thursday) to vie for American League East supremacy; they are tied for the division lead heading into Friday's games. The Mets host the Phillies for three games at Citi Field (Tuesday-Thursday); New York is four games behind first-place Philadelphia in the National League East (heading into Friday's games). And in the American League Central, the Tigers and White Sox battle in a rare five-game series in Chicago (Monday-Thursday; a Monday doubleheader adds the extra game). It's the first time all season we'll see an eight-game week -- both Chicago and Detroit play eight games in Week 10 -- and remember, in a number of fantasy leagues, the quantity of games is a definite advantage.Then, for the weekend of June 12-14, we get the return of interleague play, which extends through Week 12 of the fantasy season. The only two teams that play entirely within their league during Week 10 are the Astros and Diamondbacks, and they will play over the weekend. As always, the most notable fantasy ramification of interleague play is the addition or subtraction of the designated hitter. Here's a quick one-liner on the playing-time impact for each team that will either gain or lose the DH:
Athletics: (Lose DH) Jack Cust and Jason Giambi must sneak in time at right field and first base, but considering Oakland's alternatives at those positions...
Braves: (Gain DH) Though Greg Norton DH'ed for them most in 2008, his poor performance this year might mean more Garret Anderson and Matt Diaz in the role.
Cardinals: (Gain DH) Theoretically, they finally have a way to get Rick Ankiel, Chris Duncan, Ryan Ludwick and Colby Rasmus into the same lineup. But since they'll face nothing but lefties, expect more Nick Stavinoha and less Ankiel and Duncan.
Dodgers: (Gain DH) If Mark Loretta isn't the DH, how about Jamie Hoffmann? (Where's Blake DeWitt when you need him?)
Mariners: (Lose DH) Might Ken Griffey Jr. play in the field for the first time since April 12? I'm betting he sits out a game or two.
Marlins: (Gain DH) They might DH Hanley Ramirez, slide Emilio Bonifacio to shortstop and plug Wes Helms in at third base. Ross Gload is another DH candidate.
Mets: (Gain DH) When they visited Boston May 22-24 Carlos Beltran was the DH, which most benefited Jeremy Reed (he played center field), but the Mets' DH this weekend might come down to who's least healthy. Might be the same arrangement.
Nationals: (Gain DH) Expect Adam Dunn to DH, leaving the outfield open for Elijah Dukes, Willie Harris, Austin Kearns and Josh Willingham. With the Nationals facing only right-handers, count on more Harris than Kearns.
Padres: (Gain DH) Kyle Blanks will be everyone's sleeper choice, but it's only a three-game series at an AL park before the team returns home. Will Venable is the prospect you should look at with the extra lineup spot.
Red Sox: (Lose DH) This one's easy. David Ortiz has a .570 OPS and hasn't played first base since June 24, 2007. That Boston bench will get quite warm.
Reds: (Gain DH) They could start both Jerry Hairston Jr. and Adam Rosales by adding the DH, but more likely will get all four outfielders -- Jay Bruce, Chris Dickerson, Laynce Nix and Willy Taveras -- into their lineup. They do face all righties.
Tigers: (Lose DH) Magglio Ordonez will simply slide back into right field, leaving left field to a mix of Josh Anderson, Ryan Raburn and Clete Thomas.
Twins: (Lose DH) Jason Kubel could bump Delmon Young from left field or Michael Cuddyer from right in a game or two, but the Cubs will throw one lefty (Ted Lilly) and possibly two (Sean Marshall), in which case Kubel sits those days.
White Sox: (Lose DH) Jim Thome has played four games in the field in his White Sox career, and none since June 13, 2007. He'll have to pinch hit.
Quick click by section, if you're seeking advice in a specific area:


The chart below lists each of the 30 MLB teams' number of games scheduled ("Gm"), home games ("Hm"), games versus right- and left-handed pitchers ("vs. RHP" and "vs. LHP") and games at either hitter- or pitcher-friendly ballparks.
* Note: Some teams' totals versus right- and left-handed pitchers exclude games against teams with unclear starters. They include: Marlins (Monday, SF); and Twins (Friday, @CHC).
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<table style="margin: 0pt; width: 100%;"> <thead><tr><th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 30px;"><center>Team</center></th> <th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 10px;"><center>Gm</center></th> <th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 10px;"><center>Hm</center></th> <th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 10px;"><center>vs. RHP</center></th> <th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 10px;"><center>vs. LHP</center></th> <th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 40%;">Hitters' Parks?</th> <th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 40%;">Pitchers' Parks?</th> </tr></thead> <tbody><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Camden Yards (SEA-3, ATL-3)</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Citizens Bank Park (@PHI-3)</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">8</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">U.S. Cellular Field (DET-5)</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">0</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">8</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">U.S. Cellular Field (@CHW-5)</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Kauffman Stadium (CIN-3)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">0</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2*</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4*</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Wrigley Field (@CHC-3)</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">McAfee Coliseum (@OAK-4)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Yankee Stadium (TB-1, NYM-3)</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">McAfee Coliseum (MIN-4)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">0</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">0</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Camden Yards (@BAL-3); Coors Field (@COL-3)</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Yankee Stadium (@NYY-1)</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Rangers Ballpark (TOR-4, LAD-3)</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Rangers Ballpark (@TEX-4)</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Petco Park (@SD-1)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Camden Yards (@BAL-3)</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Wrigley Field (MIN-3)</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">0</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Kauffman Stadium (@KC-3)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Coors Field (SEA-3)</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5*</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1*</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">LandShark Stadium (SF-1, STL-3)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">0</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Rangers Ballpark (@TEX-3)</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Dodger Stadium (SD-2)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Yankee Stadium (@NYY-3)</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Citizens Bank Park (BOS-3)</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">LandShark Stadium (@FLA-3)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Petco Park (ARI-1); Dodger Stadium (@LAD-2)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">LandShark Stadium (@FLA-1)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">0</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">
</td></tr> </tbody></table>

Weather report

As always with interleague play, teams make the best effort to get those games in due to the difficulty of rescheduling them; think how the Nationals waited forever this past Wednesday simply attempting to squeeze in Randy Johnson's shot at 300 career wins. But it's the early-week games that are of concern, and those worries come in the cities of Baltimore, Miami, New York and Washington. The chance of rain is 40 percent or greater in games hosted by the Mets, Nationals and Orioles, and in Florida the Marlins have a 60 percent chance of rain on Monday and 40 percent on Wednesday.
Weatherproof games: Cubs at Astros (3, Tue-Thu); Marlins at Blue Jays (3, Fri-Sun); Rockies at Brewers (3, Tue-Thu); White Sox at Brewers (3, Fri-Sun); Giants at Diamondbacks (3, Tue-Thu); Astros at Diamondbacks (3, Fri-Sun); Angels at Rays (3, Tue-Thu); Nationals at Rays (3, Fri-Sun)
Load up: Hitters

The teams listed below have the most favorable overall hitting matchups, accounting for recent performance, strength of opponents and ballpark factors.
Rays (@NYY-1, LAA-3, WAS-3): The Rays tend to play significantly better baseball at home, where they've won 73 of 108 games and averaged 5.1 runs per contest in 2008-09, than on the road, where they're 52-58 and have averaged 4.8 runs. Sure, they'll have to tangle with an Angels staff that is healthier today than a month ago, but there's still an Ervin Santana matchup in there on Thursday; opponents are batting .373 with a 1.025 OPS against him in his four starts. But the main reasons you'd pick Tampa Bay this week are the one game in New York and the three at home against Washington, ranked dead last in baseball with a 5.67 team ERA. (And, again, that Santana matchup.) Hey, five out of seven isn't bad.
Cardinals (COL-1, @FLA-3, @CLE-3): Both the Marlins and Indians staffs have fallen on some hard times. Cliff Lee is Cleveland's only elite starter; things are so bad within in their rotation that Carl Pavano's 5-1 record and 3.60 ERA in his past seven starts has generated a bit of fantasy excitement. But let's not forget that Pavano's full-season ERA remains 5.29, he's not slated to face St. Louis and besides, he's Carl Pavano. Florida, meanwhile, just got Anibal Sanchez back from the disabled list and promptly lost him to the same shoulder trouble following his return start. Plus, as a team, the Marlins have a 4.83 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in their past 22 games. St. Louis recently got Rick Ankiel and Ryan Ludwick back from the DL; it's a good week to expect an uptick in their offensive production.
Mets (PHI-3, @NYY-3): The Phillies might have lined ace Cole Hamels, red-hot J.A. Happ and crafty Jamie Moyer up for their key road series against their division rivals, but that's not necessarily an advantage. After all, the Mets have batted .311 with an .862 OPS against left-handers this season, noticeably better than their .270/.745 numbers versus righties. They'll also draw southpaw Andy Pettitte during the "Subway Series." Besides, any game at Yankee Stadium is a favorable one for hitters; the per-game averages there are now 11.5 runs, 19.9 hits and 3.7 home runs between the Yankees and their opponents.
Mariners (@BAL-3, @COL-3): Is it safe to begin calling Coors Field "Yankee Stadium West" yet? (Kidding, though the Coors per-game averages this year actually are no better: 11.7 runs, 19.8 hits and 2.0 home runs.) This will be the Mariners' first trip to Coors since 2001, but it's not like their hitters are unfamiliar with the venue; the eight members of their active roster who have played there have combined to bat .336 with a 1.007 OPS in 121 career games at Coors. Adrian Beltre and Ken Griffey Jr. are the two most familiar; each has batted at least .314 with a 1.147 OPS in his career there. Throw in three games at hitter-friendly Camden Yards against the Orioles, ranked 28th in team ERA (5.16), and you've got a pretty hitter-friendly schedule for a typically light offense.
Tristan's sleeper hitters

Elvis Andrus, SS, Rangers: .310 BA, .820 OPS in 21 home games in 2009; .293 BA, .822 OPS versus left-handers in 2009
Russell Branyan, 1B/3B, Mariners: .312 BA, .955 OPS in 25 road games in 2009; .327 BA, 1.071 OPS versus right-handers in 2009
Marlon Byrd, OF, Rangers: .327 BA, .917 OPS in 143 career games at Rangers Ballpark; .329 BA, .960 OPS in 21 games there in 2009 alone
Shin-Soo Choo, OF, Indians: .348 BA, .978 OPS in 20 games versus Royals 2008-09; .326 BA, .909 OPS versus right-handers in 2009
Cristian Guzman, SS, Nationals: .299 BA, .783 OPS in 38 interleague games 2007-09; .309 BA, .786 OPS versus right-handers in 2009
Magglio Ordonez, OF, Tigers: .354 BA, .915 OPS in 33 career games at U.S. Cellular Field as visiting player; .310 BA, .824 OPS versus left-handers in 2009
A.J. Pierzynski, C, White Sox: .319 BA, .836 OPS versus right-handers in 2009; .297 BA, 16 RBIs, .890 OPS in 16 games versus Tigers 2008-09
Gary Sheffield, OF, Mets: .378 BA, 1.060 OPS versus left-handers in 2009; 6-for-22 (.273 BA), 2 HRs, 1.044 OPS in six games versus Yankees in 2008
Load up: Stolen bases

Favorable matchups listed below are selected based upon opponents' catchers allowing a high rate of steals attempts and/or having low caught-stealing percentages.
Rays (@NYY-1, LAA-3, WAS-3): The game's speediest team -- Tampa Bay leads the majors in both steals (90) and percentage of successful steals attempts (86.5) -- won't show any signs of slowing up drawing these matchups. The Nationals just learned they'll be without starting catcher Jesus Flores for at least three months and perhaps for the remainder of the season, the drop-off to Josh Bard and Wil Nieves hurting them most in this particular area. Carl Crawford (34 steals) and B.J. Upton (17) are obvious speed demons, but also look to Matt Joyce (7-for-8 in steals chances between the majors and minors) and Ben Zobrist (6-for-8 for the Rays) as sleeper contributors.
Tigers (@CHW-5, @PIT-3): Five games against the White Sox and A.J. Pierzynski is about as favorable a speedster's schedule as you can get, and sure enough, since 2007 the Tigers as a team have successfully stolen on 35 of 40 attempts in 39 games versus Chicago. Detroit's best base stealers this season are Josh Anderson (10) and Curtis Granderson (9), the matchups keeping Anderson AL-only worthy in spite of the loss of the designated hitter during Detroit's weekend trip to Pittsburgh. But here's another juicy nugget: Miguel Cabrera stole a bag against Pierzynski on April 15, as sure a sign as any that practically anyone on the roster might contribute in the category.
Mets (PHI-3, @NYY-3): When you're having a hard enough time keeping your stars healthy, sometimes you need to take a few more chances on the base paths in order to generate runs; that's kind of where the Mets are at these days. They've been reasonably successful in recent "Subway Series," and surely will aim to exploit weak-armed Yankees backstop Jorge Posada, as they did in 2007 when they amassed 15 steals in 19 tries in six games. David Wright is 4-for-4 in his past 12 games against his crosstown rivals; Luis Castillo can still contribute, with six steals in his past 25 contests; and even Gary Sheffield can exploit the matchups, going 3-for-3 in 10 games against the Yankees the past two years.
Dodgers (SD-2, @TEX-3): Though they have the shortest schedule of any team in Week 10, the Dodgers match up extremely nicely in one area, and that's on the base paths. San Diego's Nick Hundley probably has nightmares from all the players who run wild on him; he has gunned down only 18 of 93 career attempted base stealers (19.4 percent), and that's in only 95 games behind the plate. Los Angeles as a team has swiped 24 bags in 27 attempts in 26 games against San Diego between this and last season, and Orlando Hudson is already 3-for-3 in eight head-to-head matchups in 2009. Another useful tidbit: The Dodgers have attempted 34 steals in the first 27 games of Manny Ramirez's suspension; that's up from 25 in their first 29 contest when Ramirez was on the active roster.
Load up: Pitchers

The teams listed below have the most favorable overall pitching matchups, accounting for recent performance, strength of opponents and ballpark factors.
Giants (@FLA-1, @ARI-3, OAK-3): That Matt Cain was forced to throw only 82 pitches in the rain-shortened second game of this past Thursday's doubleheader will have him plenty fresh for his two scheduled starts, and quite the matchups they are for San Francisco. In a three-game series at Chase Field April 24-26, San Francisco totaled 28 strikeouts in 29 1/3 innings while limiting the Diamondbacks to nine runs. Oakland, meanwhile, ranks 27th in team OPS on the road (.665), and the loss of the designated hitter won't do them any favors offensively, especially if it means either Jack Cust or Jason Giambi sits at all.
Tigers (@CHW-5, @PIT-3): You might think Detroit's rotation rates as below-average, but the numbers would inform you you're wrong. Tigers starters as a whole rank sixth in the majors in ERA (3.99) and fifth in WHIP (1.30), and that includes Armando Galarraga's horrible 0-6 record and 7.61 ERA in his past seven starts. No matter; Jeremy Bonderman is due back from the disabled list to start the second game of Monday's doubleheader, and he can simply bump Galarraga or Dontrelle Willis, whose spurts of wildness seemed to return this past Thursday, to the bullpen come the weekend. An eight-game week against two teams that rank in the bottom 10 in the majors in OPS (White Sox 23rd, .714; and Pirates 21st, .732, and that was with Nate McLouth) is quite the favorable schedule.
Twins (@OAK-4, @CHC-3): Has this rotation finally turned the corner? In their past eight games the Twins have five wins, a 2.88 ERA and 1.19 WHIP, getting healthy contributions from Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn and Kevin Slowey. Those three are a combined 11-5 with a 3.83 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 20 starts since May 1, and rookie Anthony Swarzak has a 2.08 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in his first two starts since replacing the injured Glen Perkins. That leaves "ace" Francisco Liriano as the rotation's only weak link, but at least his matchup is a light one, Wednesday at Oakland against a team with a .595 OPS versus lefties.
Brewers (COL-3, CHW-3): Like a broken record I keep saying it, but keep using Brewers pitchers when they're scheduled for home games. As a staff Milwaukee ranks third in baseball with a 1.18 WHIP, and in their past two home stands the Brewers are 9-3 and have a team 3.39 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. Manny Parra and Jeff Suppan might strike you as slumping starters, but NL-only owners at the very least need account for their favorable track records at Miller Park. Parra has a 3.48 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 27 career games (20 starts) there, and 3.65/1.38 numbers in four starts in 2009, while Suppan is 17-9 with a 3.79 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 41 career starts at Miller Park.

Projected starting pitchers

The chart below lists each of the 30 MLB teams' schedules and projected starting pitchers. Those pitchers scheduled to pitch twice this week are color-coded.
Note: The Cubs might get Rich Harden back in time to start on Friday, but if he's not ready, Randy Wells will likely pitch that day, with Sean Marshall going Saturday. The Giants will need a spot starter on Monday, and Billy Sadler is one rumored possibility.
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<table style="margin: 0pt; width: 100%;"> <thead><tr><th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 30px;"><center>Team</center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 14%;"><center>Mon 6/8</center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 14%;"><center>Tue 6/9</center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 14%;"><center>Wed 6/10</center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 14%;"><center>Thu 6/11</center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 14%;"><center>Fri 6/12</center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 14%;"><center>Sat 6/13</center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 14%;"><center>Sun 6/14</center></th></tr></thead> <tbody><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">SEA
Hernandez
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">SEA
Bergesen
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">SEA
Guthrie
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">ATL
Berken
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">ATL
Hill
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">ATL
Hernandez
(RHP)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">NYY
Beckett
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">NYY
Wakefield
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">NYY
Penny
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@PHI
Lester
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@PHI
Matsuzaka
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@PHI
Beckett
(RHP)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">DET-2
Richard
(LHP)
Contreras
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">DET
Buehrle
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">DET
Danks
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">DET
Colon
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@MIL
Floyd
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@MIL
Richard
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@MIL
Buehrle
(LHP)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">KC
Lee
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">KC
Ohka
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">KC
Pavano
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">STL
Sowers
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">STL
Huff
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">STL
Lee
(LHP)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@CHW-2
Galarraga
(RHP)
Bondrman
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@CHW
Willis
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@CHW
Verlander
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@CHW
Jackson
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@PIT
Porcello
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@PIT
Galarraga
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@PIT
Willis
(LHP)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@CLE
Bannister
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@CLE
Meche
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@CLE
Greinke
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">CIN
Hochevar
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">CIN
Davies
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">CIN
Bannister
(RHP)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@TB
Weaver
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@TB
Lackey
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@TB
Santana
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">SD
Escobar
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">SD
Saunders
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">SD
Weaver
(RHP)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@OAK
Swarzak
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@OAK
Baker
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@OAK
Liriano
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@OAK
Blackburn
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@CHC
Slowey
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@CHC
Swarzak
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@CHC
Baker
(RHP)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">TB
Pettitte
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@BOS
Burnett
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@BOS
Wang
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@BOS
Sabathia
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">NYM
Chamberln
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">NYM
Pettitte
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">NYM
Burnett
(RHP)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">MIN
Outman
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">MIN
Anderson
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">MIN
Braden
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">MIN
Cahill
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@SF
Mazzaro
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@SF
Outman
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@SF
Anderson
(LHP)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@BAL
Vargas
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@BAL
Hernandez
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@BAL
Washburn
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@COL
Bedard
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@COL
Olson
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@COL
Vargas
(LHP)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@NYY
Sonnnstne
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">LAA
Niemann
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">LAA
Shields
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">LAA
Price
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">WAS
Garza
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">WAS
Sonnnstne
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">WAS
Niemann
(RHP)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">TOR
Feldman
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">TOR
McCarthy
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">TOR
Millwood
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">TOR
Holland
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">LAD
Padilla
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">LAD
Feldman
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">LAD
McCarthy
(RHP)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@TEX
Janssen
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@TEX
Tallet
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@TEX
Romero
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@TEX
Richmond
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">FLA
Halladay
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">FLA
Janssen
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">FLA
Tallet
(LHP)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@SD
Garland
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">SF
Buckner
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">SF
Davis
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">SF
Scherzer
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">HOU
Haren
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">HOU
Garland
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">HOU
Buckner
(RHP)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">PIT
Kawakami
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">PIT
Lowe
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">PIT
Jurrjens
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">PIT
Vazquez
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@BAL
Hanson
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@BAL
Kawakami
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@BAL
Lowe
(RHP)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@HOU
Lilly
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@HOU
Zambrano
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@HOU
Dempster
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">MIN
TBD</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">MIN
Wells
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">MIN
Lilly
(LHP)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@WAS
Cueto
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@WAS
Harang
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@WAS
Owings
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@KC
Maloney
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@KC
Arroyo
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@KC
Cueto
(RHP)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@STL
Marquis
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@MIL
Hammel
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@MIL
DeLaRosa
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@MIL
Cook
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">SEA
Jimenez
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">SEA
Marquis
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">SEA
Hammel
(RHP)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">SF
West
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">STL
Johnson
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">STL
Volstad
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">STL
Miller
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@TOR
Nolasco
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@TOR
West
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@TOR
Johnson
(RHP)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">CHC
Moehler
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">CHC
Rodriguez
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">CHC
Hampton
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@ARI
Oswalt
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@ARI
Paulino
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@ARI
Moehler
(RHP)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">SD
Billingsley
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">SD
Kershaw
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@TEX
Kuroda
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@TEX
Wolf
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@TEX
Billingsley
(RHP)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">COL
Looper
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">COL
Bush
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">COL
Gallardo
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">CHW
Suppan
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">CHW
Parra
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">CHW
Looper
(RHP)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">PHI
Santana
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">PHI
Pelfrey
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">PHI
Redding
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@NYY
Maine
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@NYY
Hernandez
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@NYY
Santana
(LHP)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@NYM
Happ
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@NYM
Hamels
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@NYM
Moyer
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">BOS
Blanton
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">BOS
Bastardo
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">BOS
Happ
(LHP)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@ATL
Duke
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@ATL
Ohlendorf
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@ATL
Karstens
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@ATL
Maholm
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">DET
Snell
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">DET
Duke
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">DET
Ohlendorf
(RHP)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">COL
Thompson
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@FLA
Carpenter
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@FLA
Wainwrght
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@FLA
Wellemeyr
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@CLE
Pineiro
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@CLE
Thompson
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@CLE
Carpenter
(RHP)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">ARI
Geer
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@LAD
Young
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@LAD
Gaudin
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@LAA
Correia
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@LAA
Peavy
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@LAA
Geer
(RHP)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@FLA
TBD</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@ARI
Cain
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@ARI
Johnson
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@ARI
Zito
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">OAK
Sanchez
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">OAK
Lincecum
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">OAK
Cain
(RHP)</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">CIN
Zimmrmnn
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">CIN
Detwiler
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">CIN
Martis
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@TB
Lannan
(LHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center">@TB
Stammen
(RHP)</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@TB
Zimmrmnn
(RHP)</td></tr> </tbody></table>

Rankings: Tristan's two-starts

Recommended cut-off point for elite one-starts: No. 16 (Baker)
Recommended cut-off point for "under-50" bargains: No. 25 (West)
Note: I'm assuming Jeremy Bonderman will get two starts this week though that has yet to be announced; if he does I'd rank him 27th, after Kenshin Kawakami. Jose Contreras has an outside shot at a two-start week if he bumps Clayton Richard from the rotation, but I wouldn't start him even if he did.
Six must-starts: Josh Beckett, Chad Billingsley, Matt Cain, Chris Carpenter, Cliff Lee, Johan Santana.
7. Jered Weaver (LAA) -- Tue-@TB (Shields), Sun-SD (Geer): 1-0, 3.75 ERA, 0.83 WHIP in two career starts at Tropicana Field
8. Johnny Cueto (CIN) -- Tue-@WAS (Zimmermann), Sun-@KC (Bannister): 4-1, 1.80 ERA, 0.93 WHIP in six road starts in 2009
9. Jeff Niemann (TB) -- Tue-LAA (Weaver), Sun-WAS (Zimmermann): 4-1, 2.72 ERA, 1.12 WHIP in six home starts in 2009
10. Josh Johnson (FLA) -- Tue-STL (Carpenter), Sun-@TOR (Tallet)
11. Mark Buehrle (CHW) -- Tue-DET (Willis), Sun-@MIL (Looper): 14-8, 2.86 ERA, 1.13 WHIP in 27 career games (26 starts) versus Tigers
12. Ted Lilly (CHC) -- Tue-@HOU (Moehler), Sun-MIN (Baker): 3-0, 4.01 ERA, 1.13 WHIP in five interleague starts 2007-08
13. Derek Lowe (ATL) -- Tue-PIT (Ohlendorf), Sun-@BAL (Hernandez)
14. A.J. Burnett (NYY) -- Tue-@BOS (Beckett), Sun-NYM (Santana)
15. Zach Duke (PIT) -- Mon-@ATL (Kawakami), Sat-DET (Galarraga): 1-1, 2.57 ERA, 1.29 WHIP in three career starts at Turner Field
16. Scott Baker (MIN) -- Tue-@OAK (Anderson), Sun-@CHC (Lilly): 2-0, 3.27 ERA, 1.18 WHIP in two career starts at McAfee Coliseum
17. Josh Outman (OAK) -- Mon-MIN (Swarzak), Sat-@SF (Lincecum): Has five consecutive quality starts, 1.91 ERA, 0.97 WHIP during that span
18. Scott Feldman (TEX) -- Mon-TOR (Janssen), Sat-LAD (Wolf): 4.05 ERA, 1.31 WHIP in 56 career games (16 starts) at Rangers Ballpark
19. Andy Pettitte (NYY) -- Mon-TB (Sonnanstine), Sat-NYM (Hernandez): Has five consecutive quality starts versus Mets; 5-2, 2.44 ERA, 1.13 WHIP in past 11 starts versus Mets
20. Jon Garland (ARI) -- Mon-@SD (Geer), Sat-HOU (Paulino): 2-0, 0.64 ERA, 0.93 WHIP in two career starts at Petco Park
21. Braden Looper (MIL) -- Tue-COL (Hammel), Sun-CHW (Buehrle): 3-1, 4.25 ERA, 1.25 WHIP in six home starts in 2009
22. Andy Sonnanstine (TB) -- Mon-@NYY (Pettitte), Sat-WAS (Stammen)
23. Brandon McCarthy (TEX) -- Tue-TOR (Tallet), Sun-LAD (Billingsley): 7-5, 4.11 ERA, 1.26 WHIP in 22 career games (21 starts) at Rangers Ballpark
24. Brian Bannister (KC) -- Tue-@CLE (Lee), Sun-CIN (Cueto): 3-0, 1.44 ERA, 0.92 WHIP in four career starts at Jacobs Field
25. Sean West (FLA) -- Mon-SF (TBD), Sat-@TOR (Janssen)
26. Jason Marquis (COL) -- Mon-@STL (Thompson), Sat-SEA (Olson)
27. Kenshin Kawakami (ATL) -- Mon-PIT (Duke), Sat-@BAL (Hill): 2-3, 3.19 ERA, 1.36 WHIP in his past six starts
28. J.A. Happ (PHI) -- Tue-@NYM (Santana), Sun-BOS (Beckett)
29. Clayton Richard (CHW) -- Mon-DET-2 (Galarraga), Sat-@MIL (Parra)
30. Billy Buckner (ARI) -- Tue-SF (Cain), Sun-HOU (Moehler)
31. Anthony Swarzak (MIN) -- Mon-@OAK (Outman), Sat-@CHC (Wells)
32. Jordan Zimmermann (WAS) -- Tue-CIN (Cueto), Sun-@TB (Niemann)
33. Josh Geer (SD) -- Mon-ARI (Garland), Sun-@LAA (Weaver)
34. Brett Anderson (OAK) -- Tue-MIN (Baker), Sun-@SF (Cain)
Ten "no thank yous": Armando Galarraga/Dontrelle Willis (I'm assuming only one will start twice with Bonderman likely to get two turns), Jason Hammel, David Hernandez, Casey Janssen, Brian Moehler, Ross Ohlendorf, Brian Tallet, Brad Thompson, Jason Vargas.
Tristan's one-start bargains

The 50-to-90 group (owned in 50 to 90 percent of ESPN.com leagues)
Jeremy Guthrie (BAL) -- Thu-SEA (Washburn): 3.48 ERA, 1.16 WHIP in five career starts versus Mariners
Joe Saunders (LAA) -- Sat-SD (Peavy): 3-1, 2.76 ERA, 1.10 WHIP in five career interleague starts
The under-50 group (available in at least 50 percent of ESPN.com leagues)
Nick Blackburn (MIN) -- Thu-@OAK (Cahill): 3-2, 3.89 ERA, 1.30 WHIP in six road starts in 2009
Dave Bush (MIL) -- Wed-COL (De La Rosa): 2-1, 2.50 ERA, 0.83 WHIP in three career starts versus Rockies
Trevor Cahill (OAK) -- Thu-MIN (Blackburn): 2-4, 3.75 ERA, 1.19 WHIP in six home starts in 2009
Tommy Hanson (ATL) -- Fri-@BAL (Berken): 1.50 ERA, 0.86 WHIP in 11 starts for Triple-A Gwinnett
Rich Hill (BAL) -- Sat-ATL (Kawakami): 3-0, 0.94 ERA, 0.84 WHIP in four career starts versus Braves
Ubaldo Jimenez (COL) -- Fri-SEA (Bedard): 12-9, 3.58 ERA, 1.28 WHIP in 30 career home games (29 starts)
Rick Porcello (DET) -- Fri-@PIT (Snell): 3-2, 3.72 ERA, 1.14 WHIP in five road starts in 2009
Jonathan Sanchez (SF) -- Fri-OAK (Mazzaro): 2.02 ERA, 0.98 WHIP in 13 1/3 career innings versus Athletics
Randy Wells (CHC) -- Sat-MIN (Swarzak): Has four consecutive quality starts; 1.69 overall ERA

Bonderman could surprise in return


Monday will be Jeremy Bonderman's first start in more than a year; he last took the mound June 1, 2008, against the Mariners. He will pitch in the second half of a doubleheader for the Tigers. Bonderman underwent surgery to correct a circulation problem in his shoulder, and manager Jim Leyland said Bonderman's performance would determine whether he returns to the rotation on a permanent basis.Over in the senior circuit, Jake Peavy will take the mound after having his start pushed back a day. He is dealing with an upper respiratory infection, and may not be 100 percent. He headlines a weak day in pitching as a number of teams' fourth and fifth starters take the mound.
For starters

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Starting pitcher rankings for

<table style="margin: 0pt; width: 100%;"> <thead><tr><th style="vertical-align: bottom;"><center>Rk</center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 30px;"><center>Team</center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom;">Name</th><th style="vertical-align: bottom;"><center>T</center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 35px;"><center>W-L</center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom;"><center>ERA</center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom;"><center>WHIP</center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom;"><center>K/9</center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom;"><center>OPSA</center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom;"><center>Opp</center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom;"><center>OPS</center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom;"><center>CT%</center></th></tr></thead><tbody> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Jake Peavy</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5-6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4.10</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.18</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">10.13</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.660</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">ARI</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">.714</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">76.3%</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Randy Johnson</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">L</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5-4</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5.12</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.36</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">8.69</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.791</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@FLA</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">.707</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">75.6%</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Zach Duke</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">L</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6-4</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2.62</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.13</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4.78</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.652</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@ATL</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">.713</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">81.1%</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Jon Garland</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4-5</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5.34</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.64</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3.90</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.843</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@SD</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">.706</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">78.9%</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Kenshin Kawakami</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3-6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4.63</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.46</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7.10</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.819</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">PIT</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">.728</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">79.4%</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Josh Outman</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">L</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3-0</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3.02</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.19</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7.04</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.646</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">MIN</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">.776</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">80.1%</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Andy Pettitte</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">L</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5-2</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4.33</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.54</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5.24</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.784</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">TB</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">.811</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">77.8%</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">8</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Sean West</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">L</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">0-1</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3.31</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.22</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4.96</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.614</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">SF</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">.686</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">79.2%</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">9</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Jeremy Bonderman</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">--</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">--</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">--</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">--</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">--</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@CHW</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">.708</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">80.4%</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">10</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Armando Galarraga</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3-6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5.31</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.51</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6.05</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.849</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@CHW</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">.708</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">80.4%</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">11</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Jason Marquis</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7-4</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4.10</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.37</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4.22</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.698</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@STL</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">.747</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">81.9%</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">12</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Brad Thompson</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">0-1</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4.12</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.22</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2.75</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.774</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">COL</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">.760</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">77.8%</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">13</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Scott Feldman</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5-0</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3.79</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.19</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5.10</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.656</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">TOR</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">.786</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">83.0%</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">14</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Clayton Richard</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">L</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2-1</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3.97</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.48</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6.75</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.801</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">DET</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">.748</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">81.0%</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">15</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Anthony Swarzak</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1-2</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4.76</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.47</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4.76</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.779</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@OAK</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">.685</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">82.2%</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">16</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Jose Contreras</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">0-5</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">8.19</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.89</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5.16</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.924</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">DET</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">.748</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">81.0%</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">17</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Casey Janssen</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1-2</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5.82</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.76</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2.12</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.967</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@TEX</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">.805</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">76.4%</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">18</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Andy Sonnanstine</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4-5</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7.07</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.68</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5.14</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.910</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@NYY</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">.840</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">82.6%</td></tr> </tbody></table>Rk.: The author's ranking of that pitcher for that day only. T: Pitcher throws left-handed or right-handed. W-L: Pitcher's win-loss record. ERA: Pitcher's earned run average. WHIP: Pitcher's average number of walks plus

Selected notes: Back in April, Zach Duke had his worst start of the season versus the Braves, getting knocked around for 12 hits and six runs in six innings. Since then, Duke has pitched at least seven innings in seven of his eight starts, and it would be tough to bench him against the 25th-ranked offense in the majors. … As should be expected, Bonderman was a bit rusty during his rehab outings, and his velocity hasn't fully returned yet. He only struck out 17 minor league batters in 27 innings. He did toss eight shutout innings in his final rehab start though, striking out five and walking one, and the White Sox are the worst team in the league against right-handed pitching. It's hard to imagine the inefficient Bonderman pitching much more than five innings or so, but it's a weak day of pitching, and he couldn't be facing an easier lineup, so those in head-to-head leagues may want to give him serious consideration. … The Padres have never been able to hit well in Petco Park, with the worst home OPS in the league, and Jon Garland shut them out for seven innings earlier in the season. It's rarely pretty with Garland, but he seems to either get knocked around or pitch well. The Pads average 3.60 runs per game at home, so it's doubtful he'll get knocked around. … No team has taken fewer walks than the Giants, which is good news for Sean West, who has good stuff (10.5 K/9 in Double-A this year) but problems harnessing it (4.6 BB/9). The Giants have no one in their lineup who strikes fear in any pitcher's heart, so the rookie is a usable spot starter for the day. … Josh Outman has a decent strikeout rate (7.1 K/9) and has pitched well recently, so he's not a bad option. He has five consecutive quality starts, facing a couple of good offenses in the process, and gets a home start against a team that hits much worse against southpaws than righties.
Now batting

Hitters' count
• A.J. Pierzynski, C, White Sox: So far this season, Pierzynski has been a great option against right-handers, hitting .328 with four home runs in 128 at-bats. Those splits present a favorable matchup against Armando Galarraga, who has allowed left-handed batters to slug better than .500 against him in his career.
• Brandon Inge, C/3B, Tigers: Inge hits better than 50 points higher and his slugging percentage is nearly 100 points higher lifetime against lefties, and his split against southpaws this season has been especially stark: a .350 average and five home runs in 40 at-bats versus a .259 average against right-handers. It's also worth noting that all five home runs Clayton Richard has allowed have come against righties.
• Jeff Francoeur, OF, Braves: Zach Duke is one of the few pitchers Francoeur hits well, going 8-for-17 (.471) with two doubles and a homer lifetime.
• Hideki Matsui, OF, Yankees: Four of Matsui's five hits against Andy Sonnanstine have gone for extra bases, with two doubles and two home runs. Overall he's 5-for-13 (.385) against the right-hander.
• Carlos Pena, 1B, Rays: Pena often struggles against southpaws -- he hit .190 against them last year and is hitting only 13 points higher against them this season -- but he's hit .333 with four long balls off Andy Pettitte in 33 at-bats. Six of his 11 hits have gone for extra bases.
• Hank Blalock, 3B, Rangers: Facing a right-hander, Blalock is a must start. His slugging percentage is 269 points higher against right-handed pitching, with 21 of his 34 hits going for extra bases. He's also 2-for-5 with a home run against Casey Janssen in his career.
• Paul Konerko, 1B, White Sox: Konerko has crushed Bonderman in the past, with four home runs and two doubles in 31 at-bats. He is hitting .290 against Bonderman overall, but all those extra-base hits give him a .742 slugging percentage.
Pitchers' count
• Nick Swisher, OF, Yankees: Despite Sonnanstine's ugly numbers, Swisher hasn't hit him this season (1-for-5 with two strikeouts) or ever (3-for-17 lifetime, five strikeouts).
• Curtis Granderson, OF, Tigers: Granderson rarely does much against left-handers -- he's a career .224 hitter against them -- and while he has improved in recent seasons, they have been incremental gains. Only two of his home runs and steals have come against southpaws this season. One can easily better that by platooning a lesser outfielder, and there's also the chance he may not play in both games of the doubleheader anyway. If manager Jim Leyland was going to pick a game to sit him in, it would assuredly be against Richard, who has held lefties to a .297 OBP in his short career.
• Chris Young, OF, Diamondbacks: When Young has managed to get a hit off of Peavy, the ball tends to go a long way -- three of his four hits have gone for extra bases -- but considering he's just 4-for-21 (.190) with eight strikeouts, that's a poor bet to take.
• Felipe Lopez, 2B, Diamondbacks: Lopez' success has been even more minimal versus Peavy, going 3-for-19 (.158) with nine strikeouts.
• Jason Kubel, OF, Twins: Left-handers are hitting only .128 versus Outman, and it's doubtful Kubel is going to be the one to boost those numbers. He's 7-for-41 (.171) against southpaws this season.
If you're hardcore

• Colby Rasmus, OF, Cardinals: Nearly half of Rasmus' 40 hits on the season have been of the extra-base variety (17), so he has shown some impressive power. He's kicked off June with a five-game hit streak, amassing four extra-base hits -- including a home run -- in the process, and his numbers against right-handers are pretty solid as well, with a .292 average and five home runs in 120 at-bats. Tony LaRussa jerks him around in the starting lineup, but that's not as much of a concern with Monday an off day for so many teams.
• Ian Stewart, 2B/3B, Rockies: Stewart had been sporting a sharp reverse platoon split most of the season. He is destroying left-handers in limited at-bats, but hitting below the Mendoza Line against right-handers despite being a left-handed batter himself, but his recent outburst has evened things out a bit. He's blown up for four consecutive multi-hit games, hitting four home runs and three doubles in the process, and only one of those extra-base hits came off a lefty. And considering he's hitting only .120 at Coors Field, he still has some more room for growth.
• Josh Fields, 3B, White Sox: Because there's a doubleheader, there's a good chance Fields will start a game. And, if manager Ozzie Guillen is looking at the splits, it would be smart to start Fields against Bonderman, against whom Fields is 4-for-9 with two home runs.
• Aaron Rowand, OF, Giants: Rowand's hitting streak is up to 16 games, and though he has only two home runs in that span, he has compiled nine doubles and three steals. On Monday, a favorable matchup against rookie West awaits.
Triage

Injury list: Out
• Kyle Lohse, SP, Cardinals (15-day DL, forearm): After reinjuring his forearm last Wednesday, Lohse could be sidelined for a while. Brad Thompson takes his turn in the rotation.
Injury list: Day-to-day
• Miguel Cabrera, 1B, Tigers (hamstring; available to pinch-hit)
• Dexter Fowler, OF, Rockies (calf)
• Frank Francisco, RP, Rangers (shoulder)
• Jason Giambi, 1B, Athletics (calf)
• Chipper Jones, 3B, Braves (dizziness)
• Casey Kotchman, 1B, Braves (calf/shin): Kotchman's strained calf and shin contusion have been slow to heal, and he is a candidate for the disabled list.
• Evan Longoria, 3B, Rays (hamstring; available to pinch-hit): Expected to return Saturday, the Rays sat him again to play it safe. He should have returned by the time you read this.
• Jake Peavy, SP, Padres (illness): Peavy had his start pushed back a day to give him more time to cover from an upper respiratory infection.
• Yorvit Torrealba, C, Rockies (personal)
Weather concerns

• None of the home teams play in domes on Monday, so therefore there are no weatherproof games. Instead, Chicago will have to worry about the forecast throughout the day. Thunderstorms are expected to be a problem for most of the day, and could affect both games of the doubleheader. St. Louis is one of two games that is scheduled to start in the afternoon, at 2:15 p.m., which could be a problem since there is a 40 percent chance of storms from 3 to 5 p.m.
• New York has a 50 percent chance of showers throughout the night, while Miami also has a 50 percent chance of storms disrupting play.

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