Starting pitcher rankings for Thursday, Sept. 3

Starting pitcher rankings for Thursday, Sept. 3

<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;"> Tim Lincecum </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 13-4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.33 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.03 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 10.33 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .555 </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"> .789 </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"> 2 </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"> 14-9 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.60 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.28 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.36 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .691 </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"> 83.1% </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;"> Tommy Hanson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9-3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.15 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.25 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.41 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .704 </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"> 77.7% </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;"> Ryan Dempster </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"> 4.15 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.37 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.76 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .758 </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"> .748 </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;"> Ricky Nolasco </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"> 5.30 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.32 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9.06 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .764 </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"> 81.3% </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;"> Jon Garland </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8-11 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.29 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.43 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.46 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .787 </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"> .751 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 77.3% </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;"> Ricky Romero </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 11-6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.95 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.44 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.85 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .786 </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"> .839 </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"> 8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Pedro Martinez </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.50 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.25 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.88 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .791 </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"> .702 </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"> 9 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Manny Parra </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9-10 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.66 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.87 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.17 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .892 </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"> .744 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 81.3% </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;"> David Price </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7-6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.63 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.47 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.78 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .761 </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"> .803 </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"> 11 </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"> 3-3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.38 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.54 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.31 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .754 </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"> 77.2% </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;"> John Smoltz </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3-5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.71 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.49 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8.47 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .870 </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"> .773 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 77.8% </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 13 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Ian Snell </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5-9 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.29 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.58 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.45 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .841 </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"> .708 </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"> 14 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Nate Robertson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.84 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.76 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.56 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .753 </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"> .773 </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"> 15 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Billy Buckner </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2-5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8.63 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.77 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.30 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .996 </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"> .761 </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"> 16 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Carlos Torres </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"> 6.75 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.93 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.71 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .866 </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"> 17 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Brett Tomko </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3-2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.62 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.13 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.03 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .700 </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"> .713 </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"> 18 </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"> 4.90 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.54 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8.97 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .739 </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"> .767 </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"> 19 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Fausto Carmona </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3-9 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.20 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.75 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.53 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .821 </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"> 20 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Pat Misch </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.41 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.55 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.66 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .727 </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"> 76.8% </td></tr> </tbody></table>Rk.: The author's ranking of that pitcher for that day only. T: Pitcher throws left-handed or right-handed. W-L: Pitcher's win-loss record. ERA: Pitcher's earned run average. WHIP: Pitcher's average number of walks plus

Selected notes:
Tim Lincecum is 2-0 with a 0.82 ERA in his past three starts against the Phillies, and although he's yet to square off against Chase Utley & Co. at "The Bank" this season, I still like his chances for success. … David Wright is back for the Mets, but that isn't scaring us away from Jason Marquis, who has a 3.31 ERA at Coors Field for his career. … Color me impressed with Tommy Hanson, who already beat the Marlins once this season and is 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA in his past three starts. Ricky Nolasco should keep the Marlins close, but he does have a 6.06 ERA against the Braves the past three times they've met. … Ryan Dempster has pitched better since July ended, with a 3.69 ERA in August. Plus, the White Sox are hitting just .221 the past two weeks. … Jon Garland's ERA on the road this season is 3.39, far better than his 5.35 ERA at home. Even though this is technically a home game, as he dons the Dodgers uniform for the first time, we're looking at it as a road game and ranking him accordingly. … I still think Ricky Romero is doing it with mirrors, but with the injury to Sergio Mitre forcing Chad Gaudin to take the hill in what essentially amounts to a "pitch as long as you can, please" kind of outing, I think Romero will do enough to win at home, where he is 7-3. … Manny Parra seems to have the Cardinals figured out, even if he's been shaky against almost everybody else, with a 2.29 ERA against the Cards in 2009. John Smoltz certainly has looked good in his first St. Louis outings, but I'm worried the other shoe will drop Thursday -- a bad Han Solo feeling. … Another head-to-head matchup that could go either way is David Price versus Clay Buchholz. Price is 6-2 at home for his career, and Buchholz is a much better pitcher at home than on the road (1.29 WHIP at Fenway versus 1.79 everywhere else). Advantage to Price. … Ian Snell has been a surprise of late, with a 3-0 record and a 2.16 ERA in his past three starts, plus he goes against Brett Tomko, getting an extra day off due to being a bit sore in the ribs. … I want no part of the Fausto Carmona-Nate Robertson matchup, although if forced to choose, I'd go with Robertson at home, based on his recent string of decent outings -- 2.25 ERA in his past three, although he's 0-1 in those games. … Billy Buckner gets the call to replace Jon Garland, but you want nothing to do with his 7.85 ERA as a starter, nor would you be wise to start Pat Misch of the Mets and his career 6.17 ERA at Coors.

Now batting

Hitters' count:
• Curtis Granderson, OF, Tigers: With a .448 career batting average and a .793 slugging percentage against Fausto Carmona, expect plenty of offense from Granderson on Thursday.
• Jermaine Dye, OF, White Sox: He has hit .417 versus Ryan Dempster for his career and .333 overall against the Cubs this season.
• Jason Bay, OF, Red Sox: Bay is a Ray killer this season, with 10 RBIs against Tampa Bay, including a home run in Tuesday's Boston victory.
• Adrian Beltre, 3B, Mariners: Beltre is back from his bruise below the belt, and was hitting .390 in August before he got hurt and .356 since the All-Star break.
• Garrett Atkins, 3B, Rockies: Atkins hits the Mets well, generally speaking, with a .306 batting average against the current staff, but he hits a gaudy .571 against Pat Misch.
• David Wright, 3B, Mets: Some good news for the Mets, as Wright has recovered from his beaning and will bring his lifetime .370 batting average against Jason Marquis to their lineup Thursday.
• Mark Reynolds, 3B, Diamondbacks: Given the fact that the Diamondbacks probably have a pretty good scouting report on Jon Garland, we're going to wager that their best slugger manages to send one deep off his former teammate.
Pitchers' count:
• Travis Hafner, DH, Indians: He might not play, given his shoulder woes, but if he does, don't expect a lot against Nate Robertson, a pitcher against whom he's managed only 4-for-30.
• Ryan Howard, 1B, Phillies: Not that it isn't possible for Howard to go deep off Tim Lincecum, but with more strikeouts than hits and a .231 average against the Giants' best pitcher, we'll take the under.
• Evan Longoria, 3B, Rays: Longoria hasn't figured out Clay Buchholz yet, with a 60 percent strikeout rate against him and no hits. Plus, Longoria is a far weaker hitter at home (.255 BA) than on the road (.284).
• Prince Fielder, 1B, Brewers: He's 0-for-his-past-10 and a .125 hitter against a seemingly revitalized John Smoltz. Not exactly numbers to write home about.
• Brian Schneider, C, Mets: Jason Marquis hasn't retired Schneider every time he's gone up against the Rockies pitcher … just 20 out of 21 times.
• Marco Scutaro, 2B/SS/3B, Blue Jays: Scutaro might not have received a concussion from a baseball to the head last week, but he's clearly not right, going only 2-for-16 since then.
• Russell Martin, C, Dodgers: Martin is hitting only .176 against the D-backs this season and is a career 0-for-5 against emergency starter Billy Buckner.
If you're hardcore

• Andy Marte, 1B, Indians: He has hits in 11 of his past 12 games, and he's seen Nate Robertson before and done well, with a .800 slugging percentage against him.
• Brendan Ryan, SS, Cardinals: Ryan, despite being owned in only 2 percent of ESPN standard leagues, did hit .333 in August and has a .583 OBP against Manny Parra.
• Matt Diaz, OF, Braves: Diaz is hitting .550 since Aug. 22. Don't expect any letdown against Ricky Nolasco, against whom he's a .545 batter for his career.
• Wilkin Ramirez, OF, Tigers: One of the many September call-ups who might be able to provide some late-season pop on the cheap, Ramirez had 17 home runs and 33 stolen bases in Triple-A.
• John Bowker, OF, Giants: He's a .533 career hitter against the Phillies and tore up the Pacific Coast League with a league-high batting average of .342.
• Mike Carp, 1B, Mariners: With Russell Branyan hurt, Carp, who hit .375 in a brief stint with Seattle earlier this season, should get plenty of at-bats.
• Brett Hayes, C, Marlins: You can't get more hardcore than a third-string catcher called up on roster expansion day, now can you?
• Michael Brantley, OF, Indians: The Tribe has nothing much to play for, and Brantley had 46 steals at Triple-A this year. He will get some starts in 2009 and might do well enough to get major consideration for 2010.
Triage

Injury list: Out
• Chad Qualls, P, Diamondbacks (60-day DL, kneecap)
• Laynce Nix, OF, Reds (15-day DL, bulging disk)
• Kyle Blanks, 1B, Padres (15-day DL, foot)
• Joe Crede, 3B, Twins (15-day DL, back)
Injury list: Day-to-day
• Cristian Guzman, SS, Nationals (foot): Bunions are keeping Guzman out of the lineup, which I suppose will resolve itself quicker than if the culprit were Funyuns.
• Hanley Ramirez, SS, Marlins (hamstring): It's become a recurring theme in 2009. Every so often, Han-Ram pulls himself from a game with some minor ailment and misses a few games as a result.
• Ken Griffey, OF, Mariners (knee): He might be ready to return to action Thursday after an MRI revealed only minor inflammation in his knee, but make sure before activating him.
• Adam Jones, OF, Orioles (ankle): X-rays were negative on Jones' severely sprained ankle, but he might end up being sidelined for a good portion of September as a result of his latest injury.
• Michael Young, 3B, Rangers (hamstring): An MRI looms, but early reports out of Texas have Young possibly missing a week or two as a result of the injury suffered running hard to first base.
Weather concerns

• Thursday's two weatherproof games: Red Sox at Rays and Yankees at Blue Jays.
• Other than the rain that falls seemingly every day of the year -- at least for a few minutes -- in Florida, there is nothing but sunny skies and warm temperatures in the forecast throughout the limited slate of games. In other words, weather is a non-factor Thursday.

<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"><tbody><tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Fausto Carmona, RHP (3-9, 6.20)
Indians (58-74) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Nate Robertson, LHP (1-1, 6.84)
Tigers (71-61) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td> </td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Indians: The right-hander had pitched well since coming back from the Minors, but couldn't put it together in his last start, when he gave up six runs on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings against the Orioles in a 13-4 loss. He looked good at times but couldn't pitch with consistent control, and often found himself behind in the counts and looking to find the plate. Manager Eric Wedge said he's a work in progress right now, and is hoping Carmona can get it all together. Tigers: Though Robertson took the loss to Tampa Bay in his first start of the season last Saturday at Comerica Park, the Tigers are hoping it's a stepping stone on his path back to his old form after surgery in June to remove four tissue masses from his left elbow. His slider regained some of the movement that elbow tightness cost him over the past year, and his fastball touched into the 90s, topping out at 91. He isn't guaranteed another start, but could get one if Armando Galarraga's elbow inflammation doesn't subside.


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<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"> Busch Stadium | 2:15 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%"> Manny Parra, LHP (9-10, 6.66)
Brewers (64-68) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> John Smoltz, RHP (3-5, 6.71)
Cardinals (79-55) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td> </td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Brewers: Staked to leads of 5-0, 6-2 and 8-4, Parra let the Pirates hang around on Friday by allowing six runs on 10 hits and four walks. The Brewers hung on to win, and Parra improved to 6-2 over his last eight starts despite a 6.49 ERA in that span. "We have a good offense," Parra said in a tense exchange with reporters after the game. "That's what it means. A real good offense. That's pitching with the offense we've got." In a more reflective moment, he added, "For my own personal satisfaction, I would like to pitch better. But at the end of the day, everyone in this clubhouse is happy when we win, so that's all that matters." Parra's best outing of the year was against the Cardinals on July 9, when he worked seven shutout innings in his return from a three-week demotion to Triple-A Nashville.Cardinals: Getting back to the National League has been very much to Smoltz's liking. In two starts, he's allowed a single run, racked up 15 strikeouts and issued just one walk. There remains some question as to how his surgically repaired shoulder will hold up on an every-fifth-day schedule, but in this case he even gets to benefit from an extra day of rest. Beyond that, acquiring Smoltz looks like a masterstroke for the Cardinals thus far. He'll try to go to 3-0 as a Cardinal in the finale of a midweek series with the rival Brewers.


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<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"> Wrigley Field | 2:20 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%"> Carlos Torres, RHP (0-0, 6.75)
White Sox (65-69) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Ryan Dempster, RHP (8-7, 4.15)
Cubs (67-64) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td> </td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
White Sox: The 26-year-old makes his third career start and arguably his most important one when facing the Crosstown rivals from the North Side of town. Torres had a triumphant year at Triple-A Charlotte but has allowed seven runs on nine hits over 9 1/3 innings this season in starts against Cleveland and Tampa Bay. Torres has also walked nine and struck out eight. Torres is trying to take hold of the No. 5 starter spot for the near future, when needed, until Jake Peavy gets health.Cubs: Dempster has won successive starts for the first time this season. He held the Dodgers to one run on Aug. 23 and gave up four runs in six innings in his last start Saturday against the Mets, but got plenty of offensive support. Dempster has a 4.30 ERA in seven starts since he came off the disabled list July 28, and in his past four outings, he has struck out 30 batters in 27 innings. He will get the call against the White Sox in the makeup of a game that was rained out June 16. Dempster started against the Sox the next day and lost, giving up three runs in six innings.


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<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"> Coors Field | 3:10 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%"> Pat Misch, LHP (0-1, 3.41)
Mets (59-74) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Jason Marquis, RHP (14-9, 3.60)
Rockies (74-59) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td> </td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Mets: Misch will make his second big league start since last season with the Giants. He had produced a 0-1 record and 2.89 ERA in 19 appearances (22 innings) in relief with the Mets this season before allowing one earned run in seven innings against the Cubs on Friday. He came with in eight outs of gaining his first big league victory -- in what was his 12th big league start. His has an 0-8 record, and his teams have lost each of his 12 starts. He and John Cummings of the 1993-94 Mariners are the only two big league pitchers who have begun their careers with 12 starts in which their respective teams have lost 12 times. Misch was a starter for most of this season in Triple-A with the Mets' Buffalo affiliate in the International League and the Giants' Fresno team in the Pacific Coast League. His Triple-A work this season includes 18 appearances, five of them starts, that produced a 4-2 record and 3.10 ERA in 52 1/3 innings. He has allowed three home runs in 81 1/3 (big leagues and Triple-A). Rockies: Marquis will again be looking to match his career high for wins when he faces the Mets at Coors Field. Marquis pitched decently on the road at San Francisco in his last start, but was done in by a lack of run support and a couple of soft hits that fell in during the Giants' biggest inning. Marquis is 6-4 with a 3.59 ERA at Coors Field.
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Fausto Carmona was rocked by the Orioles for six earned runs on nine hits and three walks with four K's in 4 2/3 frames as he fell to 3-9 on Friday.
Carmona took his third loss in four starts as he saw his ERA rise to an disconcerting 6.20. His command was an issue again as the erratic starter walked three batters after issuing three free passes in two prior starts. Carmona is not a good choice to activate for Sept. 3 vs. the Tigers at Comerica Park.


Nate Robertson will get at least one more turn in the Tigers rotation, as Detroit manager Jim Leyland finalized the decision to send him out for another start Sept. 3 against Cleveland.
It'll be Robertson's chance to follow up his encouraging return Aug. 29, when he tossed four innings against the Rays with just one earned run allowed. More important than the statistics was the quality of pitches, from a fastball that hit the 90-mph mark at least a handful of times, and topped out at 91, to a slider that had some of the old bite that made Robertson a stingy pitcher against left-handed hitters in previous years. He still could end up in the bullpen again, depending on what the Tigers decide to do once Armando Galarraga returns from Triple-A Toledo. Galarraga is scheduled to start for the Mud Hens on Sept. 4 as he attempts to bounce back from elbow inflammation.

Manny Parra did just enough to come away with a win Friday after giving up six runs on 10 hits and four walks with two strikeouts over six frames.
After seeing a four-game winning streak snapped Aug. 18, Parra has gotten hammered in his last two outings, allowing 14 runs, 11 of them earned, on 18 hits in just 9 1/3 innings. Friday's start marked the fourth time that the oft-erratic chucker has surrendered double-digit hits and the sixth time that he's handed out four or more free passes. The scuffling southpaw will take his gaudy 6.66 ERA on the road when he makes his next start Sept. 3 against the Cardinals.


John Smoltz turned in his second solid performance with the Cardinals on Friday, limiting the Nationals to one run on four hits and one walk with six strikeouts over six innings of work in a no-decision effort.
In his first start with the Cards, Smoltz made a mechanical adjustment, getting his heel closer to the pitching rubber. The Cardinals also claim he has stopped tipping his pitches, which they believe led to Smoltz's dismal 8.33 ERA with the Red Sox. Since returning to the NL, the veteran hurler has compiled a 0.82 ERA and a fantastic 15/1 K/BB ratio in two starts. If he's still available, owners in all formats need to grab Smoltz for his next start on Sept. 3 against the Brewers.

Misch turns in surprising outing: Mets starter Patrick Misch threw seven solid innings as a starter Friday afternoon at the Cubs. He allowed just one earned run off five hits and two walks while striking out two batters. He did not factor in the final decision, however.

Misch certainly earned himself another start after this outstanding outing. The Chicago native only got the start as a result of the injuries, but he is going to get a chance to make some more chances down the stretch. The Mets aren't going to offer him a lot of run support in their current state, but he is looking at pitching in a favorable pitcher's ball park. However, his next start would likely come at the Rockies and that's not a good matchup for him


Marquis goes six innings in loss: Colorado SP Jason Marquis tossed six innings in a 5-3 loss to the Giants. He allowed five earned runs on nine hits, striking out two and walking one. His ERA went up to 3.60 on the season with the performance.

Marquis had put together three good starts in a row before laying an egg on Saturday against the Giants.

One thing Marquis has done well this year is bounce back from less-than-stellar outings. He has given up more than three runs in back-to-back starts only once the entire season.