Starting pitcher rankings for August 19, 2009

BadCo · Aug 19, 2009

For starters

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Starting pitcher rankings for August 19, 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"> 13-6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.28 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.16 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 10.43 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .660 </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"> .716 </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"> 2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Cliff Lee </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 10-9 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.86 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.25 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.65 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .672 </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"> .755 </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"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Roy Halladay </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 13-5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.65 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.08 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.49 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .648 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> BOS </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> .789 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 79.5% </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;"> Adam Wainwright </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 14-7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.62 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.27 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.80 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .660 </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"> .762 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 80.9% </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;"> Clayton Kershaw </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8-7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.91 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.26 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9.40 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .596 </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"> .751 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 81.4% </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;"> Zack Greinke </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 11-7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.33 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.14 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9.41 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .638 </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"> .758 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 81.2% </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;"> Jair Jurrjens </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9-8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.99 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.26 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.53 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .685 </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"> .728 </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"> 8 </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"> 13-8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.55 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.26 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.46 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .677 </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"> .761 </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"> 9 </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"> 11-9 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.52 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.27 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9.68 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .680 </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"> .711 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 79.3% </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;"> Scott Baker </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 10-7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.54 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.14 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.29 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .707 </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"> .775 </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"> 11 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Jered Weaver </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 12-4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.12 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.24 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8.24 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .721 </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"> .771 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 77.9% </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;"> Randy Wells </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"> 3.01 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.20 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.62 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .660 </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"> .702 </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"> 13 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Dan Haren </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 12-7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.50 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0.89 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8.57 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .581 </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"> .781 </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"> 14 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Jeff Niemann </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 10-5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.86 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.32 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.79 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .716 </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"> .751 </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"> 15 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

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</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Kevin Millwood </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9-7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.31 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.30 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.59 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .724 </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"> .769 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 80.9% </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;"> Sean West </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4-4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.57 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.46 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.98 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .758 </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"> .737 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 82.8% </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"> 8-11 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.44 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.35 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.97 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .733 </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"> .693 </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"> 18 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Chris Tillman </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.88 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.42 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.25 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .889 </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"> .798 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 77.1% </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;"> Bobby Parnell </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"> 3.50 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.54 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.67 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .693 </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"> .745 </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"> 20 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Bronson Arroyo </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 11-11 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.74 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.39 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.98 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .794 </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"> .696 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 79.0% </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;"> Mat Latos </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4-2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.01 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.16 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.42 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .707 </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"> .745 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 78.1% </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;"> Clay Buchholz </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1-3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.45 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.79 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.57 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .842 </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"> .765 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 82.9% </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;"> Jose Contreras </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4-11 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.40 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.42 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.82 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .743 </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"> .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"> 24 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Chad Gaudin </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5-10 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.13 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.54 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9.03 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .738 </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"> .712 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 81.6% </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;"> Paul Maholm </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6-7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.93 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.45 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.66 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .774 </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"> .772 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 77.5% </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;"> Brett Anderson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7-8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.55 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.33 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.32 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .725 </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"> .832 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 82.3% </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;"> Jeremy Sowers </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"> 4.88 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.46 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.12 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .751 </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"> .809 </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"> 28 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Yorman Bazardo </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"> 5.06 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.31 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8.44 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .568 </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"> .750 </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"> 29 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Collin Balester </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"> 6.00 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.33 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.88 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .926 </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"> .785 </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"> 30 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Ian Snell </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2-9 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.84 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.67 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.84 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .883 </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"> 79.6% </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 hits surrendered per inning. K/9: Pitcher's average number of strikeouts per nine innings. OPSA: Pitcher's on-base plus slugging percentage surrendered to opponents. OPS: Pitcher's opponent's composite team on-base plus slugging percentage. CT%: Pitcher's opponent's success rate putting the ball in play (versus striking out).

Selected notes: Cliff Lee is already a perfect 3-0 with the Phillies including a 1.12 ERA and 0.92 WHIP, and he did it against some pretty decent teams (Giants, Rockies, Cubs). Arizona isn't quite as the stiff competition those squads are, and the left-hander is riding a personal six-start win streak. … Roy Halladay might have a 4.33 career ERA versus the Red Sox, but narrow the time span to just 2008 and 2009 and he's 4-2 with a 2.27 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in six starts against them, three of them complete games. He most recently dominated Boston behind a complete-game, one-run performance at home July 19, and he shouldn't be expected to be any less effective in the rematch. … Since July 1, Adam Wainwright has been practically untouchable, with a 6-2 record, 1.21 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in nine starts. That includes a victory versus the Dodgers on July 28 that spanned eight shutout innings, so while the road matchup against Clayton Kershaw does increase the difficulty of his matchup, Wainwright does remain a must-start. After all, he has nine wins in 11 road starts this season. … One day after Wainwright shut down the Dodgers, Clayton Kershaw shut out the Cardinals for eight innings on four hits on July 29. L.A. did lose that game in extra innings, but Kershaw confounded the St. Louis bats all day. There's a reason I listed this one as one of the more appealing pitchers' duels of the day. … A quick glance at Zack Greinke's 1-6 record, 6.70 ERA and 1.49 WHIP in nine career games (seven starts) at U.S. Cellular Field might indicate he should be benched for his Wednesday matchup. Not so. He tossed six shutout innings of three-hit baseball April 8 for his first career win there, and in four starts versus the White Sox this season, he is 2-1 with a 1.61 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 30 strikeouts in 28 innings in four starts. … Jair Jurrjens has quality starts in both of his matchups versus the Mets this season, including a 7 2/3-inning, two-run, seven-hit effort at Citi Field on May 12. For his career he's 3-1 with a 2.84 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in five starts versus New York. … Jason Marquis is 7-4 with a 3.27 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 12 road starts this season, and he defeated the Nationals behind eight shutout innings of seven-hit baseball back at Coors Field on July 6. He continues to rack up quality start after quality start, seven in his past eight appearances, so keep him in there. … Since the All-Star break, Scott Baker is 3-0 with a 2.29 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in six starts, including a victory at Rangers Ballpark on July 18, when he went eight innings and limited Texas to one run on six hits. If the matchup scares you at all, that should help alleviate your fears. … Though Randy Wells did lose at Petco Park on May 23, in his third start of the season, he did manage a quality start of seven innings, five hits, three runs and seven strikeouts. Fantasy owners would be happy with that level of effort again here, because it would almost assuredly mean a Cubs win this time. … Dan Haren has never defeated the Phillies in three career starts (4.76 ERA, 1.24 WHIP), and none of those games were pitched at hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park. Another concern: He has only two quality starts in six tries since the All-Star break, during which time he has a 4.15 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. Don't be so hasty to expect an elite performance. … Sleeper alert: Sean West just defeated the Astros in his most recent start, behind six innings of one-run, five-hit baseball Thursday. His command has been much better since his demotion to Double-A earlier in the season than it was in his previous stint in the big leagues; he has 22 strikeouts compared to eight walks in his past six starts between the majors and minors. … The Brewers seem to have Paul Maholm's number; he's 0-3 with a 5.51 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in eight starts against them between this and last season. Most recently Milwaukee pounded the lefty for seven runs on seven hits, two of them home runs, in 4 2/3 innings July 22. Sit him.

BadCo · Aug 19, 2009

Now batting

Hitters' count:
• Scott Podsednik, OF, White Sox: He's 7-for-10 with three doubles and one triple versus Zack Greinke this season alone, and 16-for-30 (.533 BA) in his career against the right-hander, though one negative is that he has been caught stealing in both of his two attempts against Greinke so far this year.
• A.J. Pierzynski, C, White Sox: He's 16-for-37 (.432 BA) with two home runs in his career against Greinke, including a 7-for-11 (.636 BA) performance with one double and one homer against him this season.
• Jermaine Dye, OF, White Sox: Between this and last season he's 8-for-18 (.444 BA) with one home run versus Greinke, and in his career against the right-hander he's 16-for-41 (.390 BA) with three homers.
• Shin-Soo Choo, OF, Indians: He's 5-for-12 (.417 BA) with three doubles and one walk in his career versus Jered Weaver.
• Grady Sizemore, OF, Indians: Besides boasting a lifetime .313 batting average (5-for-16) and two home runs versus Weaver, Sizemore has stolen three bases in as many opportunities against the right-hander.
• Aubrey Huff, 1B/3B, Tigers: He's 2-for-2 with one walk in his career against Ian Snell, and naturally he's going to want to impress his new team in his second game on the active roster. Huff is typically a much better hitter versus righties (.849 career OPS) than lefties (.744), so the matchup suits him.
• Placido Polanco, 2B, Tigers: He's 5-for-10 with two doubles and one walk in his career versus Snell.
• Shane Victorino, OF, Phillies: He's 2-for-3 with one double and one home run in his career versus Dan Haren, and while that's a small sample size, the fact that he's a .342 hitter with an .893 OPS in his home games this season also bolsters his case.
• Mike Cameron, OF, Brewers: This guy must drool when he sees Paul Maholm's name on the opposing scorecard; he's a lifetime .423 hitter (11-for-26) with three home runs and two walks versus the left-hander.
• Lyle Overbay, 1B, Blue Jays: He's 5-for-7 with one double in his career versus Clay Buchholz, including a 3-for-3 performance against the right-hander at the Rogers Centre on July 17.
• Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, Red Sox: Few Red Sox hitters can handle Roy Halladay, but Ellsbury is a .286 hitter (6-for-21) with two homers in his career versus the right-hander. Perhaps more importantly, he's 3-for-3 in steals against Halladay.
• Nick Markakis, OF, Orioles: He's 4-for-9 (.444 BA) with one double, one home run and one walk in his career versus Jeff Niemann, and a .343 hitter (23-for-67) with four homers in 19 games at Tropicana Field since 2007.
• Orlando Cabrera, SS, Twins: He's a lifetime .322 hitter (28-for-87) versus Kevin Millwood, and narrowing that time span to just games played since 2007, he's 9-for-19 (.474 BA) with five walks against the right-hander.
• Michael Cuddyer, OF, Twins: He's a .444 hitter (8-for-18) with three doubles and one home run in his career versus Millwood, and he has two home runs and five RBIs in his past six games at Rangers Ballpark.
• Justin Morneau, 1B, Twins: Presuming his dizziness doesn't keep him out of the lineup, Morneau matches up nicely against Millwood, as he's 6-for-16 (.375 BA) with three homers in his career versus the right-hander. He's also a .333 hitter with eight homers, 25 RBIs and a 1.123 OPS in 24 career games at Rangers Ballpark.
• Derek Jeter, SS, Yankees: He's 3-for-7 with one home run this season versus Brett Anderson, and is batting .424 with a 1.088 OPS versus left-handers in 2009.
• Rafael Furcal, SS, Dodgers: He's 7-for-13 (.538 BA) with one triple in his career versus Adam Wainwright.
• Russell Martin, C/3B, Dodgers: He's a .636 hitter (7-for-11) with two doubles and one walk in his career versus Wainwright.
Pitchers' count:
• Paul Konerko, 1B, White Sox: He's 6-for-48 (.125 BA) with 14 strikeouts and only two extra-base hits (one double, one homer) in his career versus Zack Greinke. This season alone he's 1-for-11 with four K's against the right-hander.
• Alexei Ramirez, 2B/SS, White Sox: Greinke has limited him to a 3-for-17 (.176 BA) career performance including three strikeouts.
• Yuniesky Betancourt, SS, Royals: Not that fantasy owners are eager to slide Betancourt into their lineups, but they definitely shouldn't Wednesday; he's 1-for-14 (.071 BA) with three K's in his career versus Jose Contreras.
• Travis Hafner, DH, Indians: He's hitless in 11 career at-bats versus Jered Weaver, including two strikeouts, though he does have three walks.
• Pedro Feliz, 3B, Phillies: He's a must-sit, as Dan Haren has mastered him to the tune of a lifetime .120 batting average (3-for-25), one extra-base hit (a double) and five strikeouts. Heck, the Phillies should regard Feliz a must-sit!
• Prince Fielder, 1B, Brewers: Few fantasy owners can afford the luxury of sitting a slugger like Fielder, but Baseball Challenge players might want to know that he's 3-for-30 with zero extra-base hits and nine strikeouts in his career against Paul Maholm. It makes sense; Maholm has limited left-handed hitters to a .205 batting average and .558 OPS in his career.
• David Ortiz, DH, Red Sox: Time to get into Roy Halladay's specific mastery of Red Sox hitters; Ortiz is 9-for-41 (.220 BA) with two extra-base hits (both doubles) versus the right-hander since 2006.
• Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox: He's a lifetime .200 hitter (7-for-35) with two doubles and one homer in his career versus Halladay.
• Jason Varitek, C, Red Sox: He's a .213 hitter (16-for-75) with two homers but also 22 strikeouts in his career versus Halladay.
• Willy Taveras, OF, Reds: He's 2-for-15 (.133 BA) with one double in his career against Barry Zito, including only one stolen base.
• Randy Winn, OF, Giants: He's a lifetime .182 hitter (4-for-22) versus Bronson Arroyo, with two extra-base hits (both doubles) and three strikeouts.
• Orlando Hudson, 2B, Dodgers: He's hitless in eight career at-bats versus Adam Wainwright, including two strikeouts.
• Ryan Ludwick, OF, Cardinals: He's hitless in seven career at-bats versus Clayton Kershaw, including four strikeouts.
If you're hardcore

• Robb Quinlan, 1B/3B/OF, Angels: The Angels typically find a way to slot him into their lineup versus a left-hander, and they should on this day, considering he's 6-for-12 with two doubles in his career versus Jeremy Sowers.
• Kenji Johjima, C, Mariners: Here's a bizarre one. Johjima is 4-for-8 with one double in his career versus Justin Verlander. Go figure.
• Ronnie Belliard, 1B/2B/3B, Nationals: He has been getting more playing time of late, and should Wednesday, too, considering he's a lifetime .385 hitter (5-for-13) with one double and one home run versus Jason Marquis.
• Nick Punto, 2B/SS, Twins: He's rarely a fantasy consideration, but should be in deeper leagues Wednesday, as he's a lifetime .412 hitter (7-for-17) with two doubles and three walks versus Kevin Millwood. Punto is also a .302 hitter with 10 walks in 16 career games at Rangers Ballpark.
• Melky Cabrera, OF, Yankees: He's 4-for-5 with one double, one home run and one walk versus Brett Anderson this season, and has scorched Oakland's pitching for a .421 batting average (8-for-19), two doubles, two home runs, five walks and a 1.384 OPS overall this season.
Triage

Injury list: Out
• Alex Cora, 2B/SS, Mets (thumbs): He'll soon have surgery on his right thumb, then have surgery on his left thumb five weeks later. He's out for the season.
• Mike Hampton, SP, Astros (shoulder): Will skip his scheduled Wednesday start; Yorman Bazardo is filling in.
• Nate McLouth, OF, Braves (hamstring, 15-day DL): Should be back after a minimum 15-day stay on the DL.
• Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C, Rangers (arm, 15-day DL)
• David Wright, 3B, Mets (post-concussion symptoms, 15-day DL): Only reported a slight headache Monday; could he be back in the minimum 15 days?
Injury list: Day-to-day
• Bobby Crosby, 1B/3B/SS, Athletics (calf)
• Trevor Crowe, OF, Indians (oblique)
• J.D. Drew, OF, Red Sox (groin)
• Nick Johnson, 1B, Marlins (hamstring)
• Hideki Matsui, OF, Yankees (knee)
• Justin Morneau, 1B, Twins (dizziness)
• Brandon Phillips, 2B, Reds (hand)
• Martin Prado, 1B/2B/3B, Braves (fatigue)
• Ryan Theriot, SS, Cubs (flu)
• Jim Thome, DH, White Sox (foot)
• Jack Wilson, SS, Mariners (hamstring): Expected back by Wednesday
Weather concerns

• Only three Wednesday games are weatherproof: Red Sox-Blue Jays, Orioles-Rays and Marlins-Astros.
• Rain might prove a problem for every other city hosting a baseball game except Oakland, Los Angeles, San Diego and Texas (Arlington), as there's at least a 30 percent chance of precipitation threatening each of the other eight contests.
• Cities in the Great Lakes region are most problematic; Cleveland faces the highest chance of rain during its scheduled game time (50 percent). Detroit has a 60 percent chance, but showers might not start until after midnight.
• Chicago is the only city hosting a day game (Royals-White Sox), and a 40 percent chance of rain there after 1 p.m. increases to 70 percent by night.
• The East Coast might deal with showers and thunderstorms for much of the evening, though it's possible games in New York (Braves-Mets), Philadelphia and Washington will go off without a hitch nevertheless. The chances of rain in those respective cities are 30, 30 and 40 percent.
• Pittsburgh will also tangle with a 50 percent chance of rain.
Tristan H. Cockcroft is a fantasy baseball analyst for ESPN.com and a two-time champion of the League of Alternative Baseball Reality (LABR) experts league. You can e-mail him here.

BadCo · Aug 19, 2009

Grienke currently ranks dead last in run support among the 43 American League pitchers that have thrown at least 100 innings this season, the Kansas City Star reports.
The lack of run support has a lot to do with his relatively modest 11-7 record despite Cy Young numbers across the board elsewhere. Greinke would likely have 15 victories at this point on a better club, but theoretically playing for a better team doesn't usually factor in to ensure that the Cy ends up in right hands at the end of the season.

Zack Greinke held the Tigers scoreless over seven innings Friday, allowing three hits and issuing four walks with seven strikeouts before taking home a tough-luck no-decision against the Tigers.
Greinke could have very easily earned win No. 12 were it not for Jarrod Washburn hurling eight scoreless innings in opposition. Still, it's the latest in a long line of gems for the Royals ace, who lowered his ERA to 2.33 and raised his strikeout total to 174, nine behind his career high of 183. Start Greinke as you normally would next time out when he faces Jose Contreras and the White Sox.

Jose Contreas took a no-decision after giving up seven runs (six earned) on eight hits, no walks and four strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings Friday against the A's pushing his post-Break numbers to a 7.62 ERA, .313 BAA and a 22:17 K:BB. He has only allowed one home run in those six starts, but he has also hit four batters and allowed 10 stolen bases.

Contreras pitched brilliantly through 3 1/3 innings and then seemed to lose it all at once, giving up seven runs (six earned) over his next inning of work. The veteran righty was a victim of careless defensive play, but that only led to one unearned run. Contreras hasn't won a game since July 8, and has allowed 13 earned runs in his last 12 innings. With Freddy Garcia pitching well and building up arm strength in his Minors, Contreras needs to get things sorted out quickly if he wants to stick in the rotation.

BadCo · Aug 19, 2009

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"><tbody><tr><td class="secHdr" nowrap="nowrap">Wednesday, August 19</td> <td align="center"> <select onchange="document.location.href=this.options[this.selectedIndex].value;"> <option value="" selected="selected">Jump to matchup...</option> <option value="#KC@CWS">KC@CWS</option> <option value="#LAA@CLE">LAA@CLE</option> <option value="#ARI@PHI">ARI@PHI</option> <option value="#COL@WSH">COL@WSH</option> <option value="#MIL@PIT">MIL@PIT</option> <option value="#SEA@DET">SEA@DET</option> <option value="#BOS@TOR">BOS@TOR</option> <option value="#BAL@TB">BAL@TB</option> <option value="#ATL@NYM">ATL@NYM</option> <option value="#SF@CIN">SF@CIN</option> <option value="#FLA@HOU">FLA@HOU</option> <option value="#MIN@TEX">MIN@TEX</option> <option value="#CHC@SD">CHC@SD</option> <option value="#NYY@OAK">NYY@OAK</option> <option value="#STL@LAD">STL@LAD</option> </select> </td> <td> Go to: <select name="m"> <option value="4">Apr</option> <option value="5">May</option> <option value="6">Jun</option> <option value="7">Jul</option> <option value="8" selected="selected">Aug</option> <option value="9">Sep</option> <option value="10">Oct</option> </select><select name="d"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19" selected="selected">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select> <input value="Go »" class="btnGreen" onclick="r(document.pp)" onmouseover="this.className='btnGreenOn'" onmouseout="this.className='btnGreen'" type="button"> </td> </tr></tbody></table>
<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"> <tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#cacaca">

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U.S. Cellular Field | 2:05 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Zack Greinke, RHP (11-7, 2.33)
Royals (47-72) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Jose Contreras, RHP (4-11, 5.40)
White Sox (61-59) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Royals: In his last start, Greinke pitched well enough to win, posting seven shutout innings against the Tigers on Friday night, but Jarrod Washburn was just as tough. Greinke took a no-decision as the Tigers won in the ninth on a walk-off homer. Greinke gave up just three hits, and while he walked four batters, his most all season, the right-hander wasn't all that concerned with his control. For the most part, he felt that he was on target. He notched seven strikeouts and now has 174 in 166 1/3 innings this season. This will be Greinke's fifth start against the White Sox this season; he's 2-1 with one no-decision and a 1.61 ERA against them.White Sox: In his last start, at Oakland on Friday night, Contreras allowed two hits in his first 3 1/3 innings before the walls caved in on him. He gave up seven runs on six hits over his final nine hitters and is now winless over his past six starts. Contreras' statistics look dreadful, but White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said the veteran right-hander will make his regular start.

</td></tr> </tbody></table>
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Progressive Field | 7:05 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Jered Weaver, RHP (12-4, 4.12)
Angels (72-45) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Jeremy Sowers, LHP (4-8, 4.88)
Indians (51-67) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Angels: Weaver endured his worst start of the season in his last start. The right-hander lasted just 3 1/3 innings, giving up eight earned runs on nine hits. Weaver issued four walks and gave up a solo home run to Baltimore's Felix Pie in the loss.Indians: Sowers lasted 5 1/3 innings against the Rangers on Thursday, giving up four runs on eight hits with a walk and no strikeouts. It was an inefficient outing, as he threw 101 pitches in that span. Sowers had been much more effective in the three starts that preceded this one and followed his latest callup from Triple-A Columbus. This time around, Sowers got into some trouble with two outs. He is 1-1 with a 4.21 ERA in four career starts against the Angels.

</td></tr> </tbody></table>
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Citizens Bank Park | 7:05 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Dan Haren, RHP (12-7, 2.50)
Diamondbacks (54-66) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Cliff Lee, LHP (10-9, 2.86)
Phillies (67-49) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Diamondbacks: Haren pitched well in his last outing, against the Dodgers, allowing just one run on six hits over eight innings and outdueling Clayton Kershaw. It was a good bounce-back game for Haren, who had struggled some in his previous four outings. Over that span, he allowed 16 earned runs in 23 innings -- not necessarily awful, but not up to the standards he set in the season's first half. One of the keys for Haren his last time out was his ability to get left-handers out, something that he had struggled with in his previous four games.Phillies: In eight strong innings Thursday against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, Lee allowed six hits, one run and three walks and struck out eight. He is 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA in three starts with the Phillies. He has allowed 16 hits, three runs and six walks in 24 innings. He has struck out 24. Opponents have hit just .193 against him. To put that into comparison, CC Sabathia went 3-0 with a 1.88 ERA in his first three starts last season after the Indians traded him to the Brewers. He allowed 17 hits, six runs, five earned runs, one home run and six walks in 24 innings. He hit two batters and struck out 24. Opponents hit .205 against him.

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Nationals Park | 7:05 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Jason Marquis, RHP (13-8, 3.55)
Rockies (66-53) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Collin Balester, RHP (1-2, 6.00)
Nationals (43-76) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Rockies: Marquis' 13th win of the season against the Pirates Thursday marked a return to form for the All-Star pitcher and took him off a three-start schneid. He didn't have his best sinker working, but he was able to hold the Bucs to one run on three hits over seven innings. He worked ahead of hitters for much of the outing and benefited from excellent defensive play behind him. Marquis exploited the holes in the Pirates' swings, striking out six on the day, including three against cleanup hitter Garrett Jones. Nationals: In his last start, against the Reds on Thursday, Balester pitched five innings and gave up five of the seven runs the Nationals surrendered. Four of the runs came on a pair of two-run homers by Jonny Gomes. The other was on a solo homer by Ryan Hanigan. One reason Balester has given up so many homers -- he has allowed nine in 24 innings -- is that his four-seam fastball has been too straight. Ironically, Balester said Thursday's start was the best his arm felt all season, but the box score tells a different story.
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BadCo · Aug 19, 2009

BadCo · Aug 19, 2009

<table width="650"><tbody><tr><td>
</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>MLB Baseball / Game </td></tr><tr><td>
</td><td>Chicago White Sox 8/19/2009 2:05 PM - (EST)
+118</td></tr><tr><td>
</td><td>Z Greinke -R - Must Pitch J Contreras -R - Must Pitch</td></tr></tbody></table>

BadCo · Aug 19, 2009

PNC Park | 7:05 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Yovani Gallardo, RHP (11-9, 3.52)
Brewers (58-61) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Paul Maholm, LHP (6-7, 4.93)
Pirates (48-70) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Brewers: Gallardo got a bunch of run support -- eight first-inning runs -- in his last start, against the Astros, to earn his 11th win of the season. The Brewers' ace allowed two runs on three hits in six innings, throwing 105 pitches. In his last start against the Pirates, on April 29, Gallardo became just the third pitcher in Major League history to win, 1-0, while recording at least 10 strikeouts and hitting a home run. He tossed eight scoreless innings, holding Pittsburgh to two hits while striking out 11.Pirates: Maholm struggled in his last start against the Rockies on Thursday as he surrenderd seven runs -- six earned -- on 11 hits, which includes two home runs, in 6 1/3 innings. Even though he was sharper than his past four starts, Maholm either left pitches out over the plate or couldn't finish off hitters. In a broader view, Maholm is 0-3 with a 7.42 ERA in his last five outings. Career-wise, Maholm is 2-5 with a 4.91 ERA against his next opponent, the Milwaukee Brewers.

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Comerica Park | 7:05 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Ian Snell, RHP (2-9, 5.84)
Mariners (61-58) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Justin Verlander, RHP (13-6, 3.28)
Tigers (63-55) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Mariners: Snell's second start at Safeco Field lasted much longer than the first one, but he remains winless in his new uniform. Two first-pitch home runs produced three of the first five runs he surrendered in a loss to the Yankees, but overall, his control was significantly better than his first Safeco outing, when he walked six in 1 1/3 innings. Snell needs to change speeds more often and stay away from the middle of the plate. Snell has faced nine of the current Tigers, having good success against Adam Everett (2-for-12) and not so much against Placido Polanco (5-for-10) and Magglio Ordonez (3-for-6).Tigers: The way Verlander is pitching in big games, it's becoming tougher to keep him out of discussions about potential American League Cy Young candidates heading into the home stretch. While he continues to lead the AL in strikeouts by a wide margin, Verlander is on the outside of the league leaders in wins, his latest victory coming from eight scoreless innings on Thursday at Boston. He threw 123 pitches in that game, but the Tigers hope the extra day of rest thanks to Monday's off-day makes up for the workload.

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Rogers Centre | 7:07 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Clay Buchholz, RHP (1-3, 4.45)
Red Sox (67-51) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Roy Halladay, RHP (13-5, 2.65)
Blue Jays (55-62) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Red Sox: Buchholz was a tough-luck loser for the second time in as many starts last Thursday, allowing one earned run over a season-high seven innings against the Tigers at Fenway Park. The 24-year-old right-hander has opposed a pair of aces in New York's CC Sabathia and Detroit's Justin Verlander in his past two outings, failing to crack the win column despite posting a 2.08 ERA in 13 innings of work. He fared well against Toronto in his first start of the season back on July 17 at Rogers Centre, limiting the Blue Jays to one run on four hits over 5 2/3 frames.Blue Jays: Halladay fashioned a typically dominating performance on Friday night, holding the Rays to one earned run over eight innings for his second successive win. It marked the Major League-leading 21st time in 23 starts this season that Doc has logged at least seven frames. The two exceptions bookended a stint on the disabled list earlier this season. Over his past two starts, Halladay has gone 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA. In his previous eight trips up the hill, Doc had gone just 1-4 with a 3.16 ERA. In his lone start against Boston this year, Halladay turned in a complete-game victory on July 19.

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Tropicana Field | 7:08 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Chris Tillman, RHP (1-0, 4.88)
Orioles (48-71) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Jeff Niemann, RHP (10-5, 3.86)
Rays (64-54) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Orioles: Tillman rode the wave of a 16-run offensive eruption to his first big league win in his last outing, and he's shown an ability to throw a plus changeup and curve in his brief time with the Orioles. The 21-year-old was a strikeout artist in the Minor Leagues but has yet to fan more than five batters as an Oriole. Tillman last just 4 2/3 innings in his big league debut but has since gone at least six innings in each of his past three starts, a streak he'll attempt to continue on the road against Tampa Bay.Rays: Niemann is coming off another four-run outing as he was tagged for four runs in 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision against the Angels last Wednesday. After giving up just one run in eight innings to the Royals at the start of August, the 26-year-old rookie has now given up four runs in back-to-back outings, sporting a 6.17 ERA in those two starts. His last time on the mound, he gave up seven hits and three walks while striking out four and throwing 101 pitches (61 for strikes). This will be Niemann's fifth game (fourth start) in his career against the Orioles -- the team he's faced the most. In that span, he's 3-1 with a 5.30 ERA.
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BadCo · Aug 19, 2009

Citi Field | 7:10 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Jair Jurrjens, RHP (9-8, 2.99)
Braves (62-57) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Bobby Parnell, RHP (3-4, 3.50)
Mets (56-63) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Braves: Jurrjens' lone mistake against the Phillies on Friday night resulted in a Chase Utley two-run homer that accounted for the only runs he surrendered over seven innings. The 22-year-old right-hander proved to be more impressive than he'd been while allowing the Dodgers four earned runs in both of his previous two starts. Jurrjens tossed six scoreless innings against the Mets on July 17, and during his only previous start at Citi Field -- on May 12 -- he allowed two runs over 7 2/3 innings. He is 3-1 with a 2.84 ERA in five career starts against the Mets.Mets: Parnell was fabulous in his second Major League start on Friday, limiting the Giants to three hits in six innings. He struck out a career-high seven while walking none in the Mets' 3-0 win. Parnell has made six relief appearances against the Braves this season, allowing two unearned runs on five hits in four innings. Two of those hits, including a double, belong to Martin Prado. The Braves as the whole are 5-for-15 off Parnell this season.

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Great American Ball Park | 7:10 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Barry Zito, LHP (8-11, 4.44)
Giants (65-54) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Bronson Arroyo, RHP (11-11, 4.74)
Reds (50-68) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Giants: Zito earned the distinction of winning the only game that the Giants captured during a three-game series against the Reds Aug. 7-9 in San Francisco -- even though co-aces Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain started the other two games. Zito lasted one batter into the seventh inning and yielded just three hits in a 4-2 triumph. That extended Zito's winning streak to three decisions, but he's coming off a 3-0 loss on Friday in New York in which he lasted two batters into the sixth inning.Reds: Arroyo pitched a nearly flawless game against the Nationals last Monday. He pitched his third complete game of the season and only gave up two hits in a 7-0 win. Arroyo has now pitched consecutive quality starts and has thrown six quality in his last seven outings. Arroyo will look to continue his success against the Giants who beat him, 4-2, August 8 in San Francisco.

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Minute Maid Park | 8:05 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Sean West, LHP (4-4, 4.57)
Marlins (64-55) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Yorman Bazardo, RHP (0-0, 5.06)
Astros (57-62) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Marlins: Without his best stuff, West was able to rely on his changeup to help keep the Astros in check over six innings at Land Shark Stadium on Aug. 13. Now, West will experience his second straight start against the Astros. This time, in Houston. The 23-year-old left-hander was efficient in six innings, limiting the Astros to one run on five hits. He didn't walk a batter, and he struck out three. This will be his 13th start. The rookie has yet to face the same team twice. When he was down at Double-A Jacksonville recently, he worked on improving his changeup and slider. His changeup was an "out pitch" against the Astros in Miami.Astros: This will be Bazardo's first start with the Astros and third of his career after spending most of the season at Triple-A Round Rock. He allowed five runs (three earned) in his Astros debut on Aug. 8 and has thrown 4 1/3 scoreless innings in two outings since. He was 9-6 with a 3.20 ERA in 23 games (20 starts) at Round Rock this year before being called up. Bazardo appeared in one game with the Marlins in 2005 before getting into 14 games with Detroit in 2007 and '08.

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Rangers Ballpark in Arlington | 8:05 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Scott Baker, RHP (10-7, 4.54)
Twins (57-62) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Kevin Millwood, RHP (9-7, 3.31)
Rangers (67-51) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Twins: Baker pitched a gem his last time out, allowing just two hits and hitting one batter in a shutout on Friday against the Indians. It was his first complete game of the season. Baker's best pitch was his fastball, but he used a good mix to keep Cleveland's hitters off balance. It was the kind of start Baker needed following a six-run, nine-hit outing against Detroit his previous time out. Baker is 1-0 this season against the Rangers, having allowed just one run -- a solo homer -- in eight innings to earn the win.Rangers: Millwood is 2-3 with a 4.68 ERA in his last nine starts. He allowed one run in 5 2/3 innings and received a no-decision in his last start against the Red Sox on Friday. He 7-1 with a 2.46 ERA in 12 starts at home. Left-handers are hitting .217 off him but right-handers are hitting .281. He is 0-6 with a 6.00 ERA in ten starts against the Twins in his career. That's the seventh highest ERA ever by a pitcher with at least 10 starts against a single team in his career. He is also the only pitcher to have made at least 10 starts against the Twins and not get at least one victory.
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BadCo · Aug 19, 2009

Jason Marquis improved to 13-8 Thursday after holding the Pirates to one earned run on three hits and three walks He struck out six batters for only the second time all year, but the ERA and WHIP that Marquis has posted this year have placed him among the best draft day/free agency values in fantasy..
Marquis continues to exceed expectations this season as he moves into a three-way tie for the NL lead in wins.

Balester allowed three home runs, and five runs in total, over five innings of work Thursday.
One of his other two hits allowed was a double, and Balester walked two while striking out two. Jordan Zimmermann's injury pretty much assures that the Nationals will continue to live with Balester's growing pains, but his 6.00 ERA, 13:6 K:BB ratio and nine home runs allowed in 24 innings over five starts should scare away all fantasy owners.

BadCo · Aug 19, 2009

Haren allowed just one run over eight solid innings Friday to beat the Dodgers
Haren now has a 2.50 ERA and an incredible 0.89 WHIP on the season. If not for Tim Lincecum, he'd be the frontrunner for the Cy Young in the National League.

Lee won for the third time in three starts with the Phillies on Thursday, striking out eight and holding the Cubs to one run on six hits over eight innings.
Lee's former teammate C.C. Sabathia put up a tremendous 1.65 ERA in 17 starts after being traded into the National League last year, and Lee so far is doing his best to one-up that. He's pitched to a 1.12 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in his first three outings for Philadelphia

The reigning AL Cy Young winner also got victories in his last three starts with the Cleveland Indians before being traded to the World Series champions on July 29.

BadCo · Aug 19, 2009

PROBABLE PITCHERS: Milwaukee RHP Yovani Gallardo (11-9, 3.52) vs. Pittsburgh LHP Paul Maholm (6-7, 4.93). Gallardo is 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA (three earned runs in 15 innings) in two starts against the Pirates this season but hasn't faced them since May. Maholm is 0-3 in his last six starts and is 0-0 with a 7.27 ERA (14 earned runs in 17 1/3 innings) in three outings against the Brewers this season.

Gallardo allowed just two runs in seven innings Sunday against the Astros, but was tagged with his ninth loss of the season.
Gallardo again struggled with walks, issuing four free passes, and gave up a home run for the third straight game. Still, it was exponentially better than his last time out.
Gallardo gave up nine earned runs back on Aug. 4, but five of his last six starts have been quality starts. He has more than a strikeout per inning and is still pitching well more often than not

Maholm was knocked around by the Rockies in Thursday's loss, allowing seven runs (six earned) on 11 hits over 6.1 innings.
Maholm was hurt by the long ball again Thursday, surrendering blasts to Troy Tulowitzki and Clint Barmes. He's now allowed seven homers over his past five starts after having given up only five homers in his first 19 outings.
Maholm has allowed at least four runs in each of his last five starts, having lost his last three decisions. It's going to be hard for any pitcher to win playing for the Pirates, but Maholm isn't making it easier

BadCo · Aug 19, 2009

Zito was charged with his 11th loss of the season Friday against the Mets after allowing three runs in five-plus innings.
Zito struck out five and walked two. He was adequate, but received zero run support from his offensive mates and lost for the first time in his last five starts.
Zito has been pretty decent with the Giants for the most part this season although he has certainly had a bad outing here and there. He pitched well enough to at least get a no decision but failed to get run support, a problem he has had all year

Bronson Arroyo took his 11th win after shutting out the Nationals on two hits and a walk with three strikeouts in a complete-game victory Thursday.
This was Arroyo's second complete-game shutout and fourth scoreless effort of the season, so he clearly has it in him to dominate at times. With four straight quality outings under his belt, Arroyo is on his way to another strong second half. He'll look to make it five straight quality starts Aug. 19 at home against a mediocre Giants lineup.

BadCo · Aug 19, 2009

Jurrjens allowed just two runs in seven innings Friday against the Phillies. He struck out six and walked one.
Jurrjens scattered five hits across the seven frames, lowering his ERA back below 3.00 in the process. He put the Braves in position to win, but the offense could only muster two runs.

Jurrjens is 0-1 over his last four starts, but he lowered his ERA to 2.99 with this performance. As a 23-year-old second-year player, he might slow down as his innings accumulate in the second half.

Parnell tossed six scoreless innings against the Giants on Friday to earn his third win of the season. He struck out seven, walked none, and allowed just three hits.
Parnell threw 86 pitches in six innings, finishing neatly around his predetermined pitch count of 85. It was a far better performance than his first start, a 2.1-inning debacle against the Padres last week. All three of San Francisco's hits were singles.

BadCo · Aug 19, 2009

</noscript>
BASEBALL

Jered Weaver tries to rebound from a poor start against Jeremy Sowers.

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August 19, 2009

 AT CLEVELAND

Where: Progressive Field.

Pitchers: Jered Weaver vs. Jeremy Sowers.

Update: This is an important start for Weaver, who will look to rebound from his worst game of the season, when he gave up eight runs and nine hits in 3 1/3 innings of Friday night's 16-6 loss to Baltimore, Weaver's first loss since June 20. Sowers is 2-1 with a 2.84 earned-run average over his last three starts and 1-1 with a 4.21 ERA in four career starts against the Angels.

Weaver fell to 12-4 on Friday night after giving up eight runs on nine hits over 3.1 innings against the Orioles.
The post-All Star break consistency issues continue for Weaver, who now has a 7.44 ERA over his last six starts. During that span, he's managed to put together just one quality start.
The only other time he gave up eight runs in a game was against Kansas City on May 7, 2008. Weaver had won five straight decisions in nine starts since June 20 and was 9-1 since May 17. But the right-hander struggled mightily against a Baltimore team that had totaled 10 runs in its last four games and had scored in double figures only twice since July 7

Sowers drops eighth loss of 2009: Indians starter Jeremy Sowers allowed four runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings Thursday afternoon against the Rangers. He failed to strike out a batter and walked one in his eighth loss of the season.

Sowers had not lost since July 7 at the White Sox, and had pitched six or more innings four of his previous five starts. He is a young pitcher with some decent upside, but is best served for AL

llostboyzz · Aug 19, 2009

good stuff man! where you get all this info at?

BadCo · Aug 19, 2009

Snell was pounded for eight runs over six innings in the Mariners' 11-1 loss to the Yankees on Thursday.
Snell gave up nine hits, walked three and struck out four in the defeat. He was left in the game in part because Seattle had used 11 relievers for 13.2 innings over the previous three days entering Thursday, including four relievers over the final seven innings Wednesday.

Snell looked good in his debut for the Mariners, allowing two runs in six innings in a win at Texas on Aug. 2, but he has been a disaster ever since. Some of the problems that plagued him with the Pirates continue to plague him in the AL

Justin Verlander struck out eight and won his eighth game of the season Thursday, allowing just four hits and one walk in eight scoreless innings against the Red Sox.
Verlander struggled some in his previous two starts, but hurled an absolute gem Thursday. The big right-hander was in control from the get-go, pounding the strike zone and racking up the Ks that have made him one of the AL’s most valuable pitchers this season.

BadCo · Aug 19, 2009

llostboyzz said:
good stuff man! where you get all this info at?

Fantasy land

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/fantasy/wsfb/news/index.jsp?action=search&name=Justin+Verlander

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/530362

http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28855

llostboyzz · Aug 19, 2009

Thanks! All this info is good stuff. Nice hit on CHW today!

BadCo · Aug 19, 2009

Buchholz reported some abrasions on his right hand stemming from his slide into home plate when he entered last Friday's game as a pinch-runner, the Boston Globe reports.
Buchholz threw on Saturday without problem and the abrasions will not affect him when he takes the mound on Wednesday.
Buchholz a tough-luck loser again: Clay Buchholz (1-3) allowed five hits in seven innings Thursday against Detroit, walking three and striking out three. He allowed two runs, though just one was earned, in his third losing effort of the season.

Buchholz has run into a lot of tough luck lately, seeing good outings be outdone by better outings from CC Sabathia of the Yankees and now Verlander. But he is pitching well and is in a rotation for a team that figures to contend down the stretch, making him someone worth your patience

Roy Halladay was up to his usual tricks in a win over the Orioles on Sunday, tossing eight innings and allowing nine hits and three runs (two earned) with a walk and four Ks to improve to 12-5.
Five days after getting tagged for three homers in a complete-game loss to the Yankees, Halladay was much sharper in this one, keeping the ball in the yard for the first time in three starts and going at least eight innings for the 10th time in 22 outings this year. With a 2.73 ERA and filthy 138/21 K/BB ratio, Doc continues to be one of the game’s top hurlers. Needless to say, owners should throw the perennial Cy Young candidate with confidence when he toes the rubber again on Aug. 14 vs. a Rays team he’s compiled a 2.45 ERA against in 22 innings this season.

BadCo · Aug 19, 2009

Tillman picks up first MLB win: Rookie Baltimore SP Chris Tillman (1-0) earned his first major league win, allowing seven hits and three earned runs in 6 2/3 innings on Friday in a 16-6 win over the Angels. He struck out three and walked two, lowering his ERA on the season to 4.88.

Tillman put together three straight no decisions to start his career and has looked better and better with each start. He should continue to improve with more starts and is worth taking a look at

Niemann doesn't factor in Wed. : Tampa Bay SP Jeff Niemann pitched into the 6th inning and allowed four runs to the Anaheim Angels on Wednesday night. The Rays lost the game but Niemann did not factor into the decision. Niemann struck out four and walked three as he allowed seven base hits over 5 1/3 innings. Niemann's ERA is at 3.86 on the season.

Niemann (10-5) has been Tampa's most consistent starter for some time now and has won five of his last six decisions. He's not lights out by any means, having allowed at least four runs in three of his last four appearances