Starting pitcher rankings for Aug. 26, 2009

BadCo · Aug 26, 2009

Starting pitcher rankings for Aug. 26, 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;"> Rich Harden </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8-7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.04 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.25 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 10.53 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .725 </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"> .758 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 78.3% </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Josh Johnson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 12-3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.99 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.09 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.71 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .610 </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"> .730 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 83.3% </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;"> Jonathan Sanchez </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6-10 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.30 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.40 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9.65 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .714 </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"> .744 </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"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Kenshin Kawakami </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6-9 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.97 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.35 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.17 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .771 </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"> .697 </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"> 5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Joel Pineiro </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 12-9 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.15 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.11 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.37 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .659 </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"> .736 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 82.6% </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;"> Randy Wolf </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8-6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.34 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.11 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.79 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .663 </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"> .787 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 77.0% </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;"> Andy Pettitte </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 10-6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.25 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.41 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.91 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .738 </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"> 76.8% </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Gio Gonzalez </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"> 5.78 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.76 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9.53 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .855 </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"> .719 </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"> 9 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Edwin Jackson </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"> 2.86 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.19 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.04 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .683 </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"> .805 </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"> 10 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Gavin Floyd </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 10-8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.98 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.25 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.69 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .670 </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"> .800 </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"> 11 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Cole Hamels </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"> 4.78 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.35 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.69 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .805 </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"> 79.4% </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;"> Roy Oswalt </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7-4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.83 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.19 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.74 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .715 </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"> .748 </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"> 13 </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"> 9-8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.67 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.46 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.25 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .738 </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"> .748 </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"> 14 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Braden Looper </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 11-6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.95 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.42 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.89 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .829 </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"> .687 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 80.0% </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;"> Derek Holland </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7-7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.72 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.39 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.17 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .795 </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"> .837 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 82.4% </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 Kazmir </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"> 6.17 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.58 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.94 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .809 </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"> 82.8% </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;"> Joe Saunders </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9-7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.33 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.50 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.74 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .827 </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"> .744 </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"> 18 </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"> 7-7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.74 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.45 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.67 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .770 </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"> .787 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 79.1% </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;"> Marc Rzepczynski </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2-3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.65 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.28 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8.03 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .666 </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"> .801 </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"> 20 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Luke Hochevar </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"> 5.60 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.36 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.59 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .812 </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"> .774 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 78.3% </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;"> Doug Davis </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7-11 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.77 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.46 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.84 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .746 </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"> .700 </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"> 22 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Tim Wakefield </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 11-3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.31 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.38 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.05 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .730 </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"> .756 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 81.1% </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 23 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> J.D. Martin </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"> 4.76 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.44 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.44 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .864 </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"> .741 </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;"> Luke French </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3-3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.83 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.63 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.92 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .810 </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"> .710 </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;"> Tim Stauffer </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1-6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.95 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.34 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8.12 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .763 </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"> .752 </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"> 26 </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"> 8-12 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.45 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.43 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.02 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .836 </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"> .772 </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"> 27 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> David Huff </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7-7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.80 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.70 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.44 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .918 </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"> 80.5% </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;"> Kip Wells </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0-3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.91 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.49 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.20 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .686 </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"> 77.6% </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;"> Nick Blackburn </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8-8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.27 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.42 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.92 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .788 </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"> 82.2% </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;"> Josh Fogg </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.25 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.00 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.95 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .598 </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"> 80.9% </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).

BadCo · Aug 26, 2009

Selected notes: Rich Harden is 3-1 with a 1.64 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, 55 strikeouts in 44 innings and a .136 batting average allowed in seven starts since the All-Star break, a hot streak that commenced with a win versus these same Nationals. Harden went six innings and allowed only an unearned run on three hits against them July 16. He's about as hot as any pitcher in the game and a definite must-start. … Josh Johnson has never lost to the Mets in eight career starts; he's 6-0 with a 2.05 ERA and 1.04 WHIP versus them overall. Although I admit I'm a tad concerned about his wearing down in the season's final weeks, it's hard to play against that trend or his 6-1 record, 2.09 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 12 home starts this season. Johnson might not have a lot of stellar outings remaining, but I'll bet this is one. … The Diamondbacks have had a whole host of problems hitting Jonathan Sanchez, batting .133 with a .627 OPS in his three games (two starts) against them this season. He's also 4-2 with a 2.90 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 60 strikeouts in 49 2/3 innings and a .161 batting average allowed in eight starts since (and including) his July 10 no-hitter, and it's a home game for the Giants. Expect continued greatness. … About the only pitchers who don't warrant must-start status when facing the Padres are so-so spot starters, poor-performing No. 5 starters or pitchers in the midst of dreadful funks. No matter how you feel about Kenshin Kawakami, he doesn't qualify as any of those three, especially not at home, where he has a 3.38 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 11 starts. … Joel Pineiro is 5-0 with a 3.04 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in seven starts since the All-Star break, and 5-4 with a 2.41 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 10 starts at home this season. Plus, he defeated the Astros behind 6 2/3 innings of two-run, eight-hit baseball April 10. Still not a believer? … Randy Wolf has been one of the primary reasons the Dodgers have so successfully navigated through their recent barrage of pitching injuries, winning each of his past three starts behind a 1.99 ERA. He has tossed quality starts in both of his turns versus the Rockies this season, and while each was played at Dodger Stadium, Coors Field shouldn't present him with a far greater challenge. Only avoid Wolf if you're facing a starts/innings crunch. … Derek Holland is a very curious case Wednesday, perhaps the biggest wild card among scheduled starters this day. Those who remember his previous start versus the Yankees, on May 27 at Texas, might fear something like the six runs (five earned) on 10 hits, two of them home runs, in five innings. But Holland is a different pitcher today, the owner of a 4-1 record, 1.85 ERA and 0.91 WHIP in his past five starts. That the Yankees sport baseball's best team OPS versus left-handers (.865) and have won seven of their past eight games versus lefty starters has me leaning toward a "no" with the rookie, but there are worse choices for Wednesday. … Tim Wakefield might be coming off a solid rehabilitation start for Triple-A Pawtucket, allowing one earned run on two hits in 5 2/3 innings this past Friday, but I'd advise keeping him reserved for evaluation purposes for now. He has missed six weeks of action, so he's bound to be a tad rusty, and will be facing a White Sox offense that has averaged 5.2 runs per game with an .801 team OPS and 81 home runs in its past 58 contests. … No matter how you feel about Nick Blackburn's matchups appeal in general, right now he's not the kind of pitcher you can trust. Typically great at home, the right-hander hasn't had a quality start at the Metrodome since July 5, compiling a miserable 9.17 ERA in his four home starts since then.

BadCo · Aug 26, 2009

Now batting

Hitters' count:
• Chone Figgins, 3B, Angels: He's a lifetime .538 hitter (7-for-13) with one double and one triple versus Edwin Jackson; amazingly, his success against the right-hander has been entirely with the bat and not on the base paths. Figgins was caught stealing in his only career try versus Jackson (on June 6).
• Magglio Ordonez, OF, Tigers: Here's a rare time for Ordonez to stand out. He's 7-for-19 (.368 BA) with one double and one homer in his career against Joe Saunders.
• Miguel Cabrera, 1B, Tigers: A heads-up, especially to those of you in the daily Baseball Challenge. Cabrera is 3-for-8 with one double and four walks in his career versus Saunders. He's also scorching hot in August, batting .376 with six homers, 23 RBIs and a 1.107 OPS in 22 games.
• Adam LaRoche, 1B, Braves: He's a perfect 5-for-5 in his career versus Tim Stauffer, including two doubles. Not that it should come as any surprise, because two of those hits came Aug. 4, and since LaRoche's trade to Atlanta four days earlier, he's a .406 hitter with a 1.239 OPS in 20 games.
• Derek Jeter, SS, Yankees: One of the Yankees' two most successful hitters versus Derek Holland in their past meetings is Jeter; he's 4-for-4 with one double against the left-hander. He's also a .434 hitter with a 1.099 OPS versus lefties this year.
• Hideki Matsui, OF, Yankees: He's on a homer binge recently, with seven in his past nine games, which makes his two home runs in four career at-bats versus Holland seem all the more relevant to the matchup.
• Marlon Byrd, OF, Rangers: He's 5-for-10 in his career versus Andy Pettitte, one of those hits a triple and another a home run.
• Andrew McCutchen, OF, Pirates: He already is 2-for-3 with one double and one home run in his brief career versus Cole Hamels, and is killing left-handers to the tune of a .313 batting average and .947 OPS this season.
• Vernon Wells, OF, Blue Jays: He's a lifetime .364 hitter (12-for-33) with four doubles and three home runs versus Scott Kazmir.
• Aaron Hill, 2B, Blue Jays: He's a lifetime .333 hitter (10-for-30) with two doubles, one triple and one home run versus Kazmir.
• J.D. Drew, OF, Red Sox: He has a fair share of success versus Gavin Floyd, going 2-for-7 with one triple, one home run and three walks in his career.
• A.J. Pierzynski, C, White Sox: One of the key questions in evaluating Tim Wakefield's matchup is: How effective will his knuckleball be? Always pick the hitters with the track record against the knuckler; Pierzynski represents Chicago's best, with his .292 career batting average and .804 OPS against Wakefield.
• Dan Uggla, 2B, Marlins: He's 7-for-21 (.333 BA) with four doubles and eight RBIs in his career versus Mike Pelfrey.
• Jeff Francoeur, OF, Mets: If he's able to play Wednesday, the matchup suits him; he's 7-for-19 (.368 BA) in his career versus Josh Johnson.
• Joey Votto, 1B, Reds: He's a lifetime .333 hitter (5-for-15) with one double and two home runs versus Braden Looper.
• Nyjer Morgan, OF, Nationals: He's the only Nationals hitter with even a shred of success versus Rich Harden. Morgan is 4-for-7 in his career against the right-hander, also stealing a base in his only chance against him.
• Jason Kubel, OF, Twins: He's 4-for-7 in his career versus Jeremy Guthrie, and all four hits went for extra bases (one double, three home runs). Also, Kubel has dominated at home (.324 BA, .924 OPS in 2009) and versus righties (.329, .995).
• Mark DeRosa, 1B/2B/3B/OF, Cardinals: He's a lifetime .440 hitter (11-for-25) with four doubles and one home run versus Roy Oswalt.
• Carlos Lee, OF, Astros: He's 11-for-26 (.423 BA) with three doubles and two home runs in his career against Joel Pineiro.
• Lance Berkman, 1B, Astros: The Astros' two best sluggers have great track records against Pineiro. Shocking huh? Berkman is a lifetime .357 hitter (5-for-14) with two doubles and two home runs versus the right-hander.
• Bengie Molina, C, Giants: A whole host of Giants hitters have historically clobbered Doug Davis. Molina stands out most; he's 17-for-44 (.386 BA) with four home runs and 11 RBIs in his career versus the left-hander.
• Edgar Renteria, SS, Giants: If it's not Molina whose career numbers versus Davis most impress you, surely Renteria's will. He's 8-for-16 (.500 BA) with one double and two home runs against the left-hander.
• Freddy Sanchez, 2B, Giants: He's 17-for-37 (.459 BA) with five doubles and one home run in his career against Davis.
Pitchers' count:
• Bobby Abreu, OF, Angels: He and Edwin Jackson are familiar with each other from their days as AL East foes, and it has been all Jackson in past meetings. Abreu is a lifetime .179 hitter (5-for-28) versus the right-hander.
• Howie Kendrick, 2B, Angels: He's 1-for-13 (.077 BA) in his career versus Jackson, without an extra-base hit.
• Johnny Damon, OF, Yankees: One of the subtle signs of the aging process with Damon is that he can't hit lefties effectively, with a .799 OPS against that side this season after .710 in 2008. He's already hitless in four at-bats versus Derek Holland, and three of those were ugly strikeouts.
• Hank Blalock, 1B/3B, Rangers: He's 2-for-11 (.182 BA) in his career versus Andy Pettitte,although both of those hits were doubles.
• Ryan Howard, 1B, Phillies: Paul Maholm is vicious against left-handed batters, limiting them to a .203 batting average and .554 OPS in his career, and holding them to less than a .550 OPS both this and last season. For that reason, it's no shock that Howard is 2-for-14 with five strikeouts in his career against the southpaw.
• Jim Thome, DH, White Sox: If the aforementioned Pierzynski is the White Sox's best knuckleball hitter, Thome must be the worst, as he's a .154 hitter with a .609 OPS in his career versus Tim Wakefield. He also has been battling a heel injury, so he might not be especially sharp in this game.
• Hanley Ramirez, SS, Marlins: Wow, not too many pitchers have "Han-Ram's" number, but Mike Pelfrey sure does. Pelfrey has limited Ramirez to a 4-for-23 (.174 BA) career performance, albeit with one home run.
• Brandon Phillips, 2B, Reds: Amazingly, he can't even touch Braden Looper. Phillips has one measly hit in 16 career at-bats versus the right-hander.
• Cristian Guzman, SS, Nationals: Now we get into the portion of Daily Notes that demonstrates Rich Harden's career mastery of Nationals hitters. Exhibit A: Guzman is hitless in eight career at-bats versus the right-hander.
• Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, Nationals: He's Exhibit B, thanks to his 0-for-6 career performance versus Harden, including five strikeouts.
• Adam Dunn, 1B/OF, Nationals: And he's Exhibit C, as he's hitless in five career at-bats versus Harden, four of those strikeouts.
• Orlando Cabrera, SS, Twins: He's 1-for-10 (.100 BA) in his career versus Jeremy Guthrie, including two strikeouts.
• Yadier Molina, C, Cardinals: He's 3-for-16 (.188 BA) in his career versus Roy Oswalt, all three of those hits singles.
• Todd Helton, 1B, Rockies: Although generally a strong fantasy choice in his home games, Helton faces an unattractive matchup versus Randy Wolf. He's 5-for-25 (.200 BA) with six strikeouts in his career against the left-hander.
• Mark Reynolds, 1B/3B, Diamondbacks: It's bad enough he has been dealing with the flu lately, but now he has to tangle with Jonathan Sanchez, who has struck him out 10 times in 16 career at-bats. Reynolds has three hits against the lefty (.188 BA).

If you're hardcore

• Gary Matthews Jr., OF, Angels: The Angels haven't been playing him much since Torii Hunter returned from the DL, giving him only three starts in their past nine games, but they might consider slotting Matthews in there versus Edwin Jackson, against whom he's 6-for-10 with two walks in his career.
• Marcus Thames, OF, Tigers: He's one of the primary reasons Joe Saunders is a shaky fantasy option versus Detroit. Thames is 4-for-12 (.333 BA) in his career against the left-hander, and two of those hits were home runs.
• Will Venable, OF, Padres: He was a perfect 3-for-3 versus Kenshin Kawakami in their Aug. 3 meeting and has been red hot in his past 23 games, batting .355 with six homers, 19 RBIs and a 1.088 OPS during that span.
• Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers: The concern here is that Derek Holland's strongest outings came with Taylor Teagarden catching, so Texas might not want to risk switching up catchers. If they do, though, they'll do so noticing "Pudge's" lifetime .372 batting average (16-for-43) and two home runs versus Andy Pettitte.
• Fernando Tatis, 1B/3B/OF, Mets: One of the few Mets with a strong track record versus Josh Johnson, Tatis is 5-for-9 (.556 BA) with one home run in his career against the right-hander.
• Juan Pierre, OF, Dodgers: Might Joe Torre consider giving Pierre a spot start Wednesday? He should, considering Pierre is a lifetime .459 hitter (17-for-37) with two doubles and two triples versus Josh Fogg.
Triage

Injury list: Out
• Aaron Cook, SP, Rockies (shoulder, 15-day DL): His injury apparently isn't a season-ender, but he'll miss a few starts. Josh Fogg will step in for him.
• Chris Dickerson, OF, Reds (ankle, 15-day DL)
• Edwin Encarnacion, 3B, Blue Jays (hamstring, 15-day DL)
• Ryan Hanigan, C, Reds (concussion, 15-day DL): With the Reds' top two catchers now on the DL, Corky Miller and Craig Tatum will share time behind the plate.
• Adam Jones, OF, Orioles (back): The Baltimore Sun reported Tuesday that Jones is likely out until at least Thursday.
Injury list: Day-to-day
• Alfredo Aceves, RP, Yankees (back): He continues to complain of back trouble, which perhaps explains his 8.47 ERA in his past eight appearances.
• Garret Anderson, OF, Braves (back): He was hoping to play Tuesday but might more realistically return Wednesday.
• Kyle Blanks, 1B/OF, Padres (heel)
• Sean Burnett, RP, Nationals (thumb)
• Ryan Church, OF, Braves (back)
• Carl Crawford, OF, Rays (back)
• Joe Crede, 3B, Twins (ankle)
• Rajai Davis, OF, Athletics (thumb): He's available to pinch run, and it's good news for him on the stolen-base front that the injury wasn't to his legs.
• Stephen Drew, SS, Diamondbacks (personal): He is away attending to a family emergency but should be back within the next couple of days.
• Elijah Dukes, OF, Nationals (thumb)
• Dexter Fowler, OF, Rockies (knee): After fouling a ball off his knee Monday, Fowler might need a few days' rest.
• Jeff Francoeur, OF, Mets (thumb): Although the Mets say he's day-to-day, he has a torn ligament in his thumb that might cost him a few more days.
• Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Rockies (hand): He is supposedly out a few more days but pinch hit Monday and was forced to bunt due to stitches in his hand.
• Nick Johnson, 1B, Marlins (hamstring)
• James Loney, 1B, Dodgers (flu-like symptoms)
• Martin Prado, 1B/2B/3B, Braves (headaches)
• Mark Reynolds, 1B/3B, Diamondbacks (flu-like symptoms)
• Freddy Sanchez, 2B, Giants (shoulder): Might be a candidate for the DL if he's unable to return in the next few days.
• Pablo Sandoval, 1B/3B, Giants (calf)
• Joe Saunders, SP, Angels (shoulder, 15-day DL): He'll be activated to start Wednesday after tossing a successful simulated game Friday.
• Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners (calf): Manager Don Wakamatsu is optimistic Suzuki will be able to return Wednesday.
Weather concerns

• Four Wednesday games are weatherproof: Rays-Blue Jays, Reds-Brewers, Orioles-Twins and Athletics-Mariners.
• Rain seems most problematic in Kansas City and Chicago, cities that see a 50 percent chance of precipitation. Indians-Royals is one of two day games, so the teams might be able to wait out the rain, although it doesn't appear likely to diminish at night (still 50 percent). Nationals-Cubs might be threatened by showers and thunderstorms, a continued problem throughout their series.
• There is a 20 percent chance of rain in Denver (Dodgers-Rockies), Miami (Mets-Marlins) and New York (Rangers-Yankees), although none of those forecasts looks especially problematic. Florida's is the roughest, but the Marlins have come to expect occasional brief, torrential downpours this time of year.

BadCo · Aug 26, 2009

Huff looks bad against Mariners: Indians SP David Huff had a rough outing on Friday, taking a loss to the Mariners. Huff went only 3 1/3 innings, allowing five earned runs on six hits. He failed to strike out a batter and walked four.

Huff has won each of his previous two starts coming into Friday’s start against the Mariners and had been looking better. He turned in one of his worst outings of the year on Friday

Hochevar looks good in no decision: Royals SP Luke Hochevar tossed seven strong innings on Friday in a no decision against the Twins. He allowed three earned runs on five hits, striking out three and walking none. His ERA dropped to 5.60 on the season with the performance.

Hochevar struggled mightily in his previous four outings, allowing a combined 21 runs in 22 innings. He was improved on Friday, going seven decent innings, but didn’t exactly make up for all the bad outings he’s had this season. He is a superior talent and good long-term

BadCo · Aug 26, 2009

Jackson goes six strong for win: Ryan Raburn homered in his first two at-bats, Edwin Jackson pitched six strong innings and the Tigers beat the Athletics 3-2 on Friday night. Jackson (10-5) allowed two runs on six hits, striking out five and walking one in winning his third straight decision. Jackson did not allow a home run for the first time in nine games.
A trip to pitcher-friendly McAfee Coliseum can usually serve as the remedy to any pitchers' troubles. In Jackson's case, a 4.50 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP over his four prior starts made the appearance in Oakland seem like an oasis in the middle of the desert. Consider him back on track
Jackson has allowed two runs or less in nine of his 14 road starts. The All-Star pitcher is 4-1 over his last 11 starts. His 2.80 road ERA is third in the AL. He has been a pleasant surprise with the Tigers this season

Joe Saunders, who has been on the disabled list since Aug. 8 with left shoulder stiffness, threw a bullpen session on Monday and is expected to start on Wednesday against the Tigers.
Saunders last pitched on Aug. 7 against the Rangers, allowing five runs on five hits in just 1 2/3 innings. He was placed on the DL after the game, saying he battled with soreness caused by a knot in his shoulder the entire season. The soreness clearly affected Saunders' pitching, as he has a 5.33 ERA after posting a 3.41 ERA last season with the Angels. But Angels skipper Mike Scioscia sounded that Saunders' injury had subsided. "I don't know if you'll feel 100 percent at this point in the season, but his arm speed and the way the ball was coming out of his hand was impressive," Scioscia said. "I'm sure it calmed some things down resting."

BadCo · Aug 26, 2009

Pitchers: Joe Saunders vs. Edwin Jackson.

Update: Saunders rejoins the rotation after two weeks on the disabled list for rest and rehabilitation of shoulder stiffness, a condition he admitted he had tried to pitch through all season. He did not make a minor league rehab start. "I think his stamina will still be there," Manager Mike Scioscia said. "I don't think we need to push him. To see him go out there and throw 115 or 120 pitches would be counterproductive. It might be 85 or 90 pitches, depending on how he feels and how the game goes."

-- Bill Shaikin

BadCo · Aug 26, 2009

Kauffman Stadium | 2:10 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%"> David Huff, LHP (7-7, 6.80)
Indians (55-70) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Luke Hochevar, RHP (6-6, 5.60)
Royals (48-77) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Indians: Huff didn't have it on Friday night against the Mariners. He lasted just 3 1/3 innings, giving up five runs on six hits. Huff walked four batters, which really hurt him. The Indians will cap the left-hander's innings total this season at around 160, and he's at 136 2/3 entering Wednesday. In September, the Tribe will probably use this rotation spot to give the newly acquired Carlos Carrasco a look. Huff has never faced the Royals.Royals: Hochevar pitched seven innings and faced the minimum in six of them on Friday night against the Twins. He gave up three runs in the sixth but was hurt by a couple of fielding miscues. The start was a great improvement over Hochevar's previous four outings, in which he had given up 37 hits and 21 runs for an 8.59 ERA. Once again, he was getting ground-ball outs -- 12 of them -- and that's always a good sign for Hochevar. This will be his first start against the Indians this year; in his career, the righty is 1-2 with a 5.14 ERA in three games against Cleveland.

</td></tr> </tbody></table>
<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"> <tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#cacaca">

</td></tr> <tr><td height="20"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td align="left"></td> <td align="right">

Angel Stadium of Anaheim | 3:35 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%"> Edwin Jackson, RHP (10-5, 2.86)
Tigers (67-58) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Joe Saunders, LHP (9-7, 5.33)
Angels (74-50) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Tigers: Having surrendered seven runs on 18 hits in 10 innings over his previous two starts, Jackson bounced back against the A's on Friday, allowing two runs on six hits and striking out five to earn the win. The 25-year-old will look to keep rolling against the Angels. He's 1-1 with a 2.40 ERA in two starts against the Halos this year, including a one-run, complete-game performance on June 6.Angels: Saunders is optimistic that a two-week trip to the disabled list after a dismal outing on Aug. 7, lasting only 1 2/3 innings while giving up five runs against the Rangers, has restored the health of a left shoulder that had been tight with a knot. After a 17-7 breakthrough 2008 season with a 3.41 ERA in 31 starts, Saunders is 9-7 with a 5.33 ERA in 23 outings. He is hoping to recapture his All-Star form from last year with a healthy shoulder. Saunders clearly wasn't himself during a 13-start stretch after May when his ERA was 7.51. He has had several excellent efforts, including a shutout of the Royals, but has struggled to find consistency. Looking for his first career win against the Tigers -- he's 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in six starts -- Saunders is 4-3 with a 4.63 ERA at home this season.

</td></tr></tbody></table>

BadCo · Aug 26, 2009

TAKING A BREAK: Wedge said he will rest Travis Hafner and his surgically repaired shoulder Wednesday.

''This is the first time he's played four days in a row,'' Wedge said. ''He's not going to be back to where he was this year. He has to give that shoulder some down time this winter.''

Green17 · Aug 26, 2009

Great info BadCo. Appreciate it.

BadCo · Aug 26, 2009

BadCo · Aug 26, 2009

Gavin Floyd permitted four earned runs on seven hits and two walks with seven K's in 7 1/3 innings vs. the Orioles on Friday to fall to 10-8.
After a dreadful April and May, Floyd has emerged as one of the better pitchers in baseball, boasting a good strikeout rate to go along with a respectable ERA and WHIP. Despite this loss Friday, he remains a No. 3 Fantasy SP and a must-start in most leagues.
Floyd has been a nightmare to figure out, trading off a quality start for a rough outing two different times in August. On Friday, it was the pair of homers he permitted to Brian Roberts that did in him. Look for him to struggle when he matches up against an improving Red Sox offense Aug. 26 at Fenway Park.

Tim Wakefield will be back in Boston's rotation against the White Sox on Aug. 26, the team announced Saturday.
In the first half, Wakefield went 11-3 with a 4.31 ERA and made his first All-Star Team, but he has struggled with various injuries over the last month-plus. Wakefield has looked solid in his rehab starts, and the only questions remaining about his readiness concern his ability to field his position. He'll likely replace Brad Penny, who was shelled Friday night and is 0-4 with a 9.11 ERA in his past five starts, is currently in limbo, according to Sox manager Terry Francona.

BadCo · Aug 26, 2009

Derek Holland turned in a fine outing to even his record at 7-7 on the year, holding the Twins to one run on seven hits with three strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings Thursday.
The 22-year-old hurler has really come into his own in recent weeks and has gone 3-1 -- including three straight victories -- with a 2.13 ERA and an 18/7 K/BB ratio in four August starts. Holland can still be a touch erratic when it comes to strikeouts -- he fanned a single batter in three straight mid-July starts but has also whiffed eight and 10 batters respectively in the past month -- but he hasn't allowed more than four earned runs in nearly a month and gets plenty of support from a formidable Rangers offense. Owners looking to play it cautiously, however, might want to sit him down for his next start, as he'll be put to the test Aug. 26 at Yankees Stadium.

Pettitte struggles, but earns win: Yankees SP Andy Pettitte, who entered with a 1.38 ERA over his last four starts, struggled at Boston on Friday, allowing seven runs -- five earned -- on seven hits in five innings. He still walked away with a victory, however, since the Yankees did even more damage against Brad Penny. Pettitte finished with two walks and four strikeouts.

Pettitte has pitched well lately, better than he has on the whole this year, but he showed Friday why you shouldn't get too comfortable with him in Fantasy. At age 37, he doesn't have overpowering stuff anymore. He's still a good source of wins since he pitches for the Yankees, but he's just a low-end option in mixed leagues. His next start is scheduled for Wednesday against the Rangers

BadCo · Aug 26, 2009

Jeremy Guthrie improved to 8-12 after he limited the White Sox to an earned run on six hits and two walks with a pair of punchouts in seven innings on Friday.
Guthrie earned his first victory in six outings with just his second quality start during that time. Volatility has been a hallmark of Guthrie's campaign considering he's given up five or more earned runs nine times.

Nick Blackburn took a no-decision after he spread out three earned runs on seven hits and a pair of free passes with six strikeouts in seven innings vs. the Royals on Friday.
Blackburn needs more than just one quality start to prove he maintains relevance in mixed leagues. His 4.27 ERA remains quite unsavory, and he's also shown an uncomfortable propensity to serve up homers lately; he has permitted five long balls in his last two starts. It's best to sit him when he faces a homer-happy Orioles lineup Aug. 26 in Minnesota.

BadCo · Aug 26, 2009

Kazmir wins fourth in last five: Rays SP Scott Kazmir won for the fourth time in five starts Friday against the Rangers, allowing three runs on five hits in 7 1/3 innings. He issued two walks and recorded four strikeouts. "That's as good as he's been all year in my mind," Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said. "It was really fun to watch. I was really impressed." Kazmir (8-7) didn't allow a run until Taylor Teagarden opened the eighth with a homer. He has a 4.94 ERA over his last five starts.

Kazmir allowed seven runs in 4 1/3 innings at Seattle in his only loss during that five-start stretch, which inflates his ERA. Kazmir got off to a terrible start this year, which explains his 6.17 ERA. He has started to pitch better since returning from the DL in late June. He's not striking out hitters at his usual rate and still has trouble pitching deep into games, but he's worth using as a No. 3 or 4 Fantasy SP. His next start is scheduled for Wednesday at Toronto.

Rzepczynski goes six-plus for victory: Toronto SP Marc Rzepczynski tossed a solid 6 1/3 innings on Friday en route to a win over the Angels. He allowed only one earned run on three hits, striking out six and walking one. His ERA dropped to 3.65 on the season with the performance.

Rzepczynski is going to be pulled out of the rotation in early September so he may only have one more start left this season. He has been a decent option in AL-only formats since getting called up and projects well looking ahead to next season. His next start, and potentially his last, is scheduled for Wednesday against the Rays.

BadCo · Aug 26, 2009

Nats sign Hernandez to start Wed. : The Washington Nationals signed SP Livan Hernandez on Tuesday night and will start him Wednesday against the Cubs.

Hernandez was released by the Mets just days ago. The 34-year-old Hernandez was 7-8 with a 5.47 ERA, but had been especially poor over his last three starts, allowing 18 earned runs in 14 1/3 innings. We'll see if he can do better for Washington but we doubt it. He's barely worth owning in Fantasy unless he shows us something we haven't seen in a while.

Rich Harden struck out eight allowed just one hit and three walks over seven shutout innings in a win over the Padres on Wednesday.
Harden has been very hard to hit recently, and has emerged as a second-half star after generally struggling before the All-Star break. Harden is 3-1 with a 1.64 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 44 innings over his last seven starts. Yes, his season stats -- an 8-7 record, a 4.04 ERA -- aren't especially spectacular, but few pitches in the Bigs have been better since the break. He'll take his next turn on Aug. 25, at home against the Nats.

BadCo · Aug 26, 2009

Mike Pelfrey held the Phillies to two earned runs over six innings with five strikeouts to notch his ninth win.
Pelfrey has pitched better than his 4.67 ERA indicates, hitting his marks more and more in recent weeks with a 26/11 K/BB ratio over his last five starts and 30 1/3 innings. Saturday's outing also made him the first pitcher to record three wins against the Phillies this season. While the injury-depleted Mets offense continues to scuffle, the 25-year-old righty seems set on finishing the season strongly.

Johnson has shortest 2009 outing: Marlins SP Josh Johnson was defeated for the first time in seven starts on Thursday in a 4-1 loss to Houston. He allowed four earned runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings of work. He struck out only two and walked one, allowing two homers. He left with the bases loaded but wasn't charged with any more earned runs as Cristhian Martinez induced a double play to end the fifth inning.

Johnson allowed two home runs in a game for only the third time in 25 starts this season. He has been an unquestioned Fantasy ace all season and simply had a bad outing on Thursday. This start doesn't make him any less of a must-start in all formats. His next outing is scheduled for Wednesday against the Mets.

BadCo · Aug 26, 2009

Hamels again takes step back Friday: Phillies SP Cole Hamels, who allowed two runs on three hits in six innings in his last start at Atlanta, went right back to struggling Friday at the Mets. He allowed four runs on 10 hits in five innings, recording six strikeouts without issuing a walk.

Hamels now has a 6.75 ERA over his last four starts, lasting less than six innings in three of them. He has an 0-3 record during that stretch. The left-hander still has a respectable strikeout rate and is too valuable to sit in most Fantasy formats, but he's looking less and less like a true ace. He has a chance of rebounding with a favorable matchup in his next start, which is scheduled for Wednesday at Pittsburgh.

Paul Maholm was sharp Wednesday, limiting the Brewers to one earned run on eight hits and two walks over 7 2/3 innings of five-strikeout ball for his seventh win.
Wednesday's win must come as a huge relief for Maholm, who snapped a personal three-game losing skid and six-start winless streak by fighting through all that Milwaukee hit his way. And much of that would be literally. It would include Mike Cameron's line drive off Maholm's pitching arm in the fourth. The Bucs lefty would stay in the game. Since returning from the All-Star break, Maholm has allowed four or more runs in each of his last five starts, making him a considerable risk next time out vs. Phillies ace Cole Hamels.

BadCo · Aug 26, 2009

Tim Stauffer took the loss Thursday night to the Cardinals after allowing four earned runs on four hits and two walks with six strikeouts over five innings of work.
Stauffer has mowed down 21 hitters over his past 20 frames but before you jump on the 27-year-old's bandwagon, it's important to consider that he hasn't worked past five innings in any of his last four starts and is the owner of a 5.40 ERA during that stretch. High pitch counts have been the right-hander's Achilles' heel, as he's tossed at least 92 pitches in each of his five-inning outings. He'll have to be more economical if he wants to last deeper into games and improve his chances at picking up a win. He'll take his next turn on Aug. 26 on the road against the Braves.

Kawakami's steady pitching pays off: Braves SP Kenshin Kawakami, who entered the game with a streak of three straight quality starts that had earned him an 0-1 record, pitched a fourth straight Thursday at the Mets. He earned the win this time, allowing one run on seven hits in seven innings with two walks and five strikeouts. He lowered his ERA to 3.97, putting it below 4.00 for the first time all year.

Kawakami had a 7.06 ERA in April, but he has a 3.36 ERA ever since and has probably gone a bit underappreciated in Fantasy. If the Braves could have found a way to get him more than six victories by now, he wouldn't be on waivers in your league. With the Braves playing better now, Kawakami is a useful back-end option in any Fantasy league. His next start is scheduled for Wednesday against the Padres.

BadCo · Aug 26, 2009

Turner Field | 7:00 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

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</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Tim Stauffer, RHP (1-6, 3.95)
Padres (53-74) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Kenshin Kawakami, RHP (6-9, 3.97)
Braves (66-59) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

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Scouting Report:
Padres: In his last start on Aug. 20, Stauffer failed to work past five innings for the fourth consecutive start. He again found himself in too many deep counts and made one terrible mistake when he allowed a second-inning grand slam to the Cardinals No. 8 hitter, Brendan Ryan. All told, he allowed four runs on four hits with two walks and six strikeouts. Stauffer struggled with command of his breaking ball and was hurt when he fell behind in the count on numerous occasions. Stauffer has pitched 83 innings this season between the Minor Leagues and the Major Leagues after missing all of last season while recovering from shoulder surgery.Braves: Matched up against Johan Santana, Kawakami outpitched the Mets ace last Thursday in New York, allowing just one run in seven innings and striking out five. With merely one turn in the rotation remaining before Tim Hudson is due to be activated from the disabled list, Kawakami again stated his case to remain the Braves' fifth starter down the stretch. He has now submitted four straight quality starts, and will look for a fifth against the Padres -- a team he lost to by allowing three runs in six innings on Aug. 3 in San Diego.

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

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</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Cole Hamels, LHP (7-8, 4.78)
Phillies (72-51) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Paul Maholm, LHP (7-7, 4.74)
Pirates (52-71) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

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Scouting Report:
Phillies: This season has been a struggle for Hamels. He is is 7-8 with the fifth-highest ERA (4.72) in the National League. He allowed 10 hits and four runs just five innings Friday in a 4-2 loss to the Mets at Citi Field. "I've always been a step ahead, and right now I'm neck-and-neck," Hamels said. "I might have a good game or a good inning, but you really have to put it together, pitch by pitch, inning by inning, to make it a good game. And then you have to back it up with another good game and another good game. Like what our other four starters are doing. For some odd reason, I'm the one that's bringing them down. I don't like that fact at all."Pirates: Despite being hit by line drives to his left tricep and left shin, Maholm tossed 7 2/3 innings his last time out and allowed just one run on seven hits. Though he had some nice bruises to show from the knocks, he is not expected to be affected by either injury in his next start. Maholm snapped a six-start winless streak with the victory and also found good feel with his sinker again. His bread-and-butter pitch helped him induce 15 groundball outs. Maholm is 3-1 with a 3.71 ERA in five career starts against the Phillies.

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Yankee Stadium | 7:05 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

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</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Derek Holland, LHP (7-7, 4.72)
Rangers (70-54) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Andy Pettitte, LHP (10-6, 4.25)
Yankees (78-47) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

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Scouting Report:
Rangers: Holland allowed one earned run over 5 1/3 innings against the Twins on Thursday, throwing 83 pitches, 57 of which were strikes. It was his career-high third consecutive win. Holland is now 4-2 with a 2.95 ERA over his past seven starts since the All-Star break, lowering his ERA from 5.97 to 4.72. The lone run Holland allowed came on a home run; he has now allowed a home run in 11 of his 14 starts. Twenty-two of the 44 runs Holland has allowed came via home runs. In two career games -- one start -- against the Yankees, Holland has a 9.95 ERA over 6 1/3 innings and an 0-1 record. At Yankee Stadium, he has a 13.50 ERA over 1 1/3 innings in one relief appearance.Yankees: Though his final line didn't come off as impressive, Pettitte pitched into the sixth inning against the Red Sox on Friday and turned in a better outing than the numbers indicated. He was nevertheless hit by the Red Sox for seven runs (five earned) on seven hits, walking two and striking out four. Pettitte last faced the Rangers on June 3 in New York, allowing four runs on seven hits over five innings as he took a 4-2 loss. The lefty has reached double digits in wins in 14 of his 15 Major League seasons and with 188 career wins with New York is one shy of tying Lefty Gomez (189) for third in club history.

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

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</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Scott Kazmir, LHP (8-7, 6.17)
Rays (69-56) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Marc Rzepczynski, LHP (2-3, 3.65)
Blue Jays (57-67) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

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Scouting Report:
Rays: Kazmir had one of his best starts of the season in his last outing, on Friday night against the Rangers. He allowed only a solo home run before exiting the game with one out and two aboard in the eighth. Both runners eventually scored and were charged to Kazmir, making his performance look less impressive than it was. The Rays left-hander has been inconsistent for most of the season, but he managed to keep his pitch count low on Friday night while keeping his fastball in the 93-mph range. Kazmir is 4-4 with a 4.04 ERA in 13 career starts against the Blue Jays; he is 3-3 with a 4.89 ERA in six career starts at Rogers Centre.Blue Jays: Rzepczynski earned his first win since July 18 with his best performance of the season in a 5-4 victory over the Angels on Friday at Rogers Centre. The rookie pitched a season-high 6 1/3 innings, limiting the Angels to one run on three hits. He issued just one walk -- the fewest free passes he's allowed this year -- and struck out six. Rzepczynski only has nine Major League starts under his belt, but two have come against the Rays. He is 1-0 with an ERA of 3.33 in those two starts, which both lasted six innings.

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BadCo · Aug 26, 2009

Fenway Park | 7:10 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

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</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Gavin Floyd, RHP (10-8, 3.98)
White Sox (63-63) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Tim Wakefield, RHP (11-3, 4.31)
Red Sox (72-53) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

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Scouting Report:
White Sox: Floyd sparkled early but ran out of the gas during a difficult eighth inning and wound up taking a loss against the Orioles on Friday night. Floyd cruised through seven innings, allowing just a solo home run to Brian Roberts, but his offense couldn't pick him up. That cost the right-hander during the eighth, when he surrendered another homer to Roberts, this one a two-run shot. Floyd lasted 7 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts and two walks. Lifetime against the Red Sox, Floyd is 2-0 with a 5.74 ERA in three games (two starts).Red Sox: Wakefield makes his return following a month-long stay on the disabled list with lower back and left calf ailments. One of Boston's most dependable starters throughout the first half of the season, the 2009 All-Star's absence took its toll on a Red Sox rotation that has struggled to receive quality starting pitching from anyone not named Josh Beckett or Jon Lester. The 43-year-old knuckleballer is 7-11 with a 5.11 ERA in 28 career appearances (19 starts) against the White Sox.

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Land Shark Stadium | 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%"> Mike Pelfrey, RHP (9-8, 4.67)
Mets (57-69) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Josh Johnson, RHP (12-3, 2.99)
Marlins (66-59) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

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Scouting Report:
Mets: In his last outing, Pelfrey put forth his second straight solid start, limiting the Phillies to two runs on six hits over six innings. The right-hander escaped a bases-loaded, one-out jam in his final inning, inducing popups from pinch-hitter Ben Francisco and Jimmy Rollins. Next, Pelfrey will face his career nemesis in the Marlins, against whom he is 1-5 with a 5.36 ERA in nine career starts. Pelfrey did, however, have one of his best starts of the season against Florida earlier this year, holding the NL East foe to one run on five hits in 7 2/3 innings in a no-decision on May 29 at Citi Field. Pelfrey is 0-1 with a 5.94 ERA in three career starts at Land Shark Stadium. Cody Ross is 5-for-14 against Pelfrey with two extra-base hits, while four of Dan Uggla's seven hits off the righty have been doubles. Hanley Ramirez is the only current Marlins batter with a home run against Pelfrey.Marlins: A rarity happened in Johnson's last start. The All-Star was unable to turn in a quality start. Twenty of his 25 starts have been quality caliber -- at least six innings and three or less earned runs. At Houston, however, the 25-year-old gave up four runs in 4 1/3 innings. It was his third-shortest outing of the season. Johnson will look to bounce back against a team he has enjoyed great success against. Johnson is 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in three starts against the Mets this year, and he's 6-0 (2.05) in his career.

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