Starting pitcher rankings for July 12, 2009

Starting pitcher rankings for July 12, 2009

<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;">Justin Verlander</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">9-4</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3.59</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.20</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">11.00</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.672</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">CLE</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">.768</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">77.6%</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;">Josh Beckett</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">10-3</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3.62</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.21</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">8.28</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.657</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">KC</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">80.2%</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;">James Shields</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6-6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3.38</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.26</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6.46</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.747</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">.682</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">81.5%</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;">Josh Johnson</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7-2</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2.82</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.11</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7.57</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.595</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">.725</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">77.2%</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;">Adam Wainwright</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">9-5</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3.09</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.30</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">8.09</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.669</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@CHC</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">.721</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">78.0%</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;">Yovani Gallardo</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">8-6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2.95</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.19</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">9.85</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.652</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">LAD</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">81.0%</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;">Clayton Kershaw</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">L</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6-5</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3.27</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.28</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">9.13</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.622</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@MIL</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">.757</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">76.7%</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;">Mark Buehrle</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">L</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">9-2</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3.14</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.13</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5.10</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.698</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">.760</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">80.5%</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;">J.A. Happ</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">L</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5-0</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3.04</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.20</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6.41</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.696</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">.721</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">79.6%</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;">Carlos Zambrano</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4-4</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3.47</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.31</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7.03</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.693</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">.740</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">81.7%</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;">CC Sabathia</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">L</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">8-5</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3.70</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.12</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6.58</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.631</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@LAA</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">.778</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">81.8%</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;">Mike Pelfrey</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6-4</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4.52</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.52</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4.61</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.741</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">CIN</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">.711</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">80.5%</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;">Aaron Harang</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5-8</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3.89</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.39</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7.70</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.791</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@NYM</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">.735</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">83.4%</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;">Erik Bedard</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">2.58</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.13</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">9.43</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.620</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">.776</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">76.7%</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;">Jordan Zimmermann</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3-3</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4.52</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.37</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">8.81</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.751</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@HOU</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">.733</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">16</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Scott Baker</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6-7</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5.31</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.22</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7.39</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.760</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">.754</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">80.8%</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;">Barry Zito</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">L</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5-8</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4.43</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.37</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6.99</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.727</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">.685</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">78.7%</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;">Kevin Correia</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5-7</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4.58</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.28</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7.23</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.719</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">.703</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">78.5%</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">19</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Marc Rzepczynski</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">L</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">0-0</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.50</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.00</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">10.50</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.400</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@BAL</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">.749</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">20</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Randy Wells</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4-3</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2.48</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.09</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6.39</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.618</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">.740</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">81.7%</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">21</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Jason Hammel</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5-4</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4.07</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.40</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6.15</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.773</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">.728</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">82.5%</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">22</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Doug Davis</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">L</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4-8</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3.13</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.40</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6.75</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.716</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">.733</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">77.4%</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">23</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Kyle Lohse</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4-4</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3.99</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.22</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6.23</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.716</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@CHC</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">.721</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">78.0%</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">24</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Brett Anderson</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">L</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5-7</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4.86</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.39</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6.59</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.779</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">.810</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">77.6%</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">25</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">John Lackey</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3-4</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5.18</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.47</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7.50</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.805</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">.827</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">26</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Dustin Nippert</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">0-0</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7.36</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2.18</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4.91</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.092</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@SEA</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">.718</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">27</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Brian Moehler</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5-5</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5.52</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.49</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6.01</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.870</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">WAS</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">.743</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">77.4%</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">28</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Jeremy Guthrie</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6-8</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5.35</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.43</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5.52</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.840</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">.775</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">83.4%</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">29</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Virgil Vasquez</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">4.50</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.44</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5.50</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.869</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">@PHI</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">.793</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">79.8%</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">30</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Tomo Ohka</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">0-2</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5.65</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.47</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3.14</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.866</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">.746</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">79.9%</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">31</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">
</td><td>Kris Medlen</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2-3</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5.72</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.52</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">9.21</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.733</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">.776</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">77.4%</td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">
</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">
</td><td>
</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;" align="center">
</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">
</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">
</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">
</td></tr></tbody></table>



Justin Verlander has been lights out against the Indians this season, winning both his starts against them while striking out 22 batters in 16 innings. …



In that much-anticipated matchup of young starters, both Clayton Kershaw and Yovani Gallardo warrant your attention, despite the fact only one of them can actually get the win. Kershaw is 3-0 with a 0.61 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 33 strikeouts in 29 2/3 innings in his past five starts, Gallardo 3-4 albeit with a 2.62 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 55 K's in 44 2/3 innings in his past seven starts (and he's the one working at home, besides). Those are hot streaks you cannot possibly bench.


… J.A. Happ is in the midst of a streak of four consecutive quality starts, during which not only does he have a 2.17 ERA and 1.17 WHIP, but has also averaged a very healthy 7 1/3 innings per turn. He'll be going up against a Pittsburgh team with a .693 OPS against left-handers, fifth-worst in the majors, so don't be afraid at all of the assignment coming at home.


… Mike Pelfrey tends to be a heck of a lot safer matchups play in home starts than on the road, with a 3.43 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 27 starts at home between this and last season. He'll also be battling a Reds offense ranked 29th in the majors against right-handers in terms of OPS (.702).


… Expect Erik Bedard to have his pitch count bumped up a bit in his second start since returning from the disabled list, perhaps throwing as many as in the low-90s, maybe 95. He already limited the Rangers to one run while striking out seven in a previous meeting this season, so while he might not record that many outs on a slightly limited pitch count, the results should still be start-worthy of consideration



… Jordan Zimmermann has a 2.41 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 31 strikeouts in 33 2/3 innings in his past six starts, and he'll be going up against an Astros team that ranks 25th in the game in OPS against right-handers (.711). That's a big-time sleeper play.


… Rookie Marc Rzepczynski is coming off an astoundingly good major league debut this past Tuesday, going six innings and striking out seven while allowing only one run, and he had stellar minor league numbers before his promotion, too. If you're looking for a reason to warrant spot starting him, here it is: He'll be battling an Orioles offense that ranks 27th in the majors in OPS against lefties (.692).


… What stands in Randy Wells' road to success on Sunday is that his opponent is Adam Wainwright, which is truly a brutal matchup, especially if the win is your priority. Wells does have four consecutive wins in as many starts and a 2.36 ERA during that span, he's worth a look Still, it's not an elite matchup for him. …



Kyle Lohse did throw six shutout innings of two-hit baseball in his most recent start for Triple-A Memphis, and he has a 3.21 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in his three career starts at Wrigley Field. Still, he might need a little time to get back into his groove, , the smarter move is to probably wait another turn on him.



… John Lackey hasn't been especially sharp of late, with a 2-3 record, 5.22 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in his past six starts, and he's 4-7 with a 4.81 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 15 career starts against the Yankees. Oh, and he'll be going up against CC Sabathia, which doesn't at all favor him on the matchups front.