Starting pitcher rankings for September 7, 2009

Starting pitcher rankings for September 7, 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;"> Ubaldo Jimenez </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 13-10 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.28 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.20 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.70 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .630 </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"> .700 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 79.8% </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Chris Carpenter </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 15-3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.28 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.00 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.79 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .589 </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"> .767 </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"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> CC Sabathia </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 16-7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.48 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.13 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.54 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .664 </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"> .795 </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"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Ted Lilly </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 10-8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.17 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.08 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.36 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .682 </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"> .715 </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"> 5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> J.A. Happ </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 10-4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.77 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.18 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.25 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .676 </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"> .727 </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"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Josh Beckett </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 14-5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.87 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.16 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8.54 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .686 </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"> .752 </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"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Max Scherzer </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"> 4.10 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.37 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9.43 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .750 </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"> .757 </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"> 8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> A.J. Burnett </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"> 4.29 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.41 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8.21 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .737 </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"> .795 </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"> 9 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Ervin Santana </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"> 5.68 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.54 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.99 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .853 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @KC </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> .711 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 80.5% </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 10 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Brad Penny </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"> 5.28 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.49 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.86 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .817 </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"> .701 </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"> 11 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Matt Garza </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7-9 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.01 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.26 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8.02 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .700 </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"> .842 </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"> 12 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Mark Buehrle </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 11-7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.86 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.23 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.45 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .759 </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"> 79.4% </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;"> Clayton Richard </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8-4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.61 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.52 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.77 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .770 </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"> .697 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 79.0% </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 14 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Brandon McCarthy </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6-2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.61 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.38 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.89 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .763 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @CLE </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> .768 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 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;"> Vicente Padilla </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9-6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.72 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.48 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.17 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .766 </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"> .745 </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"> 16 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Scott Richmond </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6-8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.53 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.37 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8.08 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .787 </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"> .766 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 81.5% </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 17 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Jeff Manship </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"> 3.75 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.50 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.75 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .723 </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"> .761 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 82.1% </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;"> Brian Moehler </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8-10 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.11 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.50 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.46 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .829 </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"> .780 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 78.9% </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 19 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Andy Sonnanstine </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6-8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.62 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.60 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.46 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .890 </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"> .842 </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"> 20 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Dave Bush </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3-6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.47 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.45 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.47 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .898 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> STL </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> .751 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 81.3% </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;"> Daniel McCutchen </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"> 4.50 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.17 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.50 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .628 </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"> 22 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Carlos Carrasco </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"> 18.00 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.00 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9.00 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.882 </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"> 76.6% </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;"> Justin Lehr </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.43 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.46 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.22 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .753 </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"> .789 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 76.9% </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;"> Kyle Davies </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"> 5.71 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.52 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.59 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .790 </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"> .796 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 81.7% </td></tr> </tbody></table>Rk.: The author's ranking of that pitcher for that day only. T: Pitcher throws left-handed or right-handed. W-L: Pitcher's win-loss record. ERA: Pitcher's earned run average. WHIP: Pitcher's average number of walks plus hits surrendered per inning. K/9: Pitcher's average number of strikeouts per nine innings. OPSA: Pitcher's on-base plus slugging percentage surrendered to opponents. OPS: Pitcher's opponent's composite team on-base plus slugging percentage. CT%: Pitcher's opponent's success rate putting the ball in play (versus striking out).

Selected notes: Amazingly, Josh Beckett has allowed 14 (!) home runs in his past five starts, an average of nearly three per start. Considering he's faced some pretty good offenses -- the Tigers, the Blue Jays twice, the Yankees and the Rays -- he's lucky his ERA during that span is "only" 7.52. Fortunately, he's still struck out 33 batters in 31 1/3 innings, including nine apiece in his past two starts, so you can chalk up the homer barrage as just a blip. We expect Beckett to get his mojo back against the White Sox, who are dealing with injuries to two of their better hitters and are a much weaker offense without Jim Thome. … Monday will be A.J. Burnett's fourth start against the Rays, and despite the Rays ranking fourth in the majors in OPS, Burnett has been nearly flawless, with a 2.14 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 22 K's in 21 innings against Tampa Bay. Not a single Rays hitter is slugging better than .455 against Burnett (minimum eight at-bats), so despite Burnett's recent inconsistency, he should be good to go against this division rival. … You have to go back to Mark Buehrle's perfect game to find the last time he struck out more than four batters in a start (he fanned six). He's been all over the place since that accomplishment, and although he's coming off back-to-back quality starts -- the first time he's done that since, you guessed it, his perfect game -- his 3-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio and two home runs allowed in those 12 innings don't exactly inspire confidence, making him a risky play versus the Red Sox. … If you ask Cliff Lee, John Smoltz and now Jose Contreras -- not to mention Sabathia last year -- the National League really is that bad, and Brad Penny is going to do his best to take advantage of it, too. He hurled eight shutout innings on the road against the league's best offense, the Phillies, and couldn't ask for an easier matchup when he faces the Padres in the pitcher-friendly confines of Petco Park. Penny suffered from a tough schedule and awful defense when he was in Boston's rotation, so expect him to have a lot more success on the Giants, who are tied for the majors' third-best defensive efficiency (the Red Sox rank dead last). Penny is worth an immediate pickup and should make a great spot starter for the rest of the season. … Matt Garza may have a 4.58 ERA and 1.36 WHIP since the All-Star break, but it's nothing to worry about -- he's faced the three best offenses in baseball in four out of his nine starts, and if you throw in the Rangers (seventh in OPS), he's faced an elite offense in more than half of his outings. Unfortunately it won't get any easier, as he draws the Yankees again, but Garza has actually been somewhat of a Yankee killer, with a 2.84 ERA and 1.26 WHIP against them this season, limiting the team to a .252 average in 139 at-bats over his career. Extremely shallow leagues may want to pass considering he'll be on the road (4.89 ERA this season) and will have a tough time picking up the win with the Yankees' Burnett on the mound, but a quality start seems fairly likely for Garza.

Now batting

Hitters' count:
• Ryan Doumit, C, Pirates: Doumit has struggled most of the season, but has much more ability than he has shown to date. While it's not much, he is 8-for-20 (.400) in his past five games, so he may be righting himself; he's also 5-for-13 (.385) versus Ted Lilly in his career, so another strong game on Monday wouldn't be surprising.
• Hideki Matsui, OF, Yankees: Matsui is 5-for-15 against Andy Sonnanstine, and four of his hits have gone for extra bases, which often translate to RBIs in the loaded Yankees lineup. Two of those hits even left the park, giving Matsui a .867 slugging percentage versus Sonnanstine in just 15 at-bats.
• Ben Zobrist, 2B/SS/OF, Rays: His average is 54 points higher against left-handed pitching, adding more than 100 points of slugging along the way. CC Sabathia has been no exception, with Zobrist going 3-for-4 with a triple and a home run against him this season, bringing his career line to 4-for-8 against the southpaw.
• Victor Martinez, 1B/C, Red Sox: There is an extensive history between Martinez and Mark Buehrle from their years in the AL Central together, and Martinez, who holds a .339 lifetime average against Buehrle, normally came out ahead. That trend has also continued his season, as Martinez has gone 3-for-6 with a home run.
• Torii Hunter, OF, Angels: Hunter started off 14-for-33 (.424) in his first eight games back from the disabled list, but is now 8-for-35 (.228) in the nine games since. A favorable matchup versus Kyle Davies, however, could easily get him back on track, as Hunter has hit .357 with a home run in 14 at-bats against him, and right-handers overall are hitting .295 and slugging .482 off Davies this season.
Pitchers' count:
• Carlos Pena, 1B, Rays: Although Pena has taken CC Sabathia deep two times in 28 at-bats, he's been awful the majority of the time, striking out 13 times while compiling four hits, leaving him with a .143 average. It doesn't get any better in the second half of the doubleheader, either: Pena is 3-for-27 (.111) against A.J. Burnett, striking out 12 times.
• J.D. Drew, OF, Red Sox: Drew may be swinging the bat well, but he's only 1-for-10 versus Mark Buehrle, and has been significantly worse against left-handers this season, with his average dropping 29 points and his slugging percentage decreasing by 58 points.
• Ryan Braun, OF, Brewers: Still looking for his first productive at-bat versus Chris Carpenter. Braun is 0-for-6 with two K's and no walks against the ace.
• Russell Martin, C, and Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers: Both hitters have been totally owned by Max Scherzer, going a combined 0-for-19 with zero walks and five strikeouts. They're both 0-for-6 against Scherzer this season, although Martin, at least, reached base once (and subsequently stole second base) on a fielding error.
• Jorge Posada, C, Yankees: Posada is a combined 4-for-23 against Rays pitchers Andy Sonnanstine and Matt Garza, although, as a catcher, he won't play every inning in both games of the doubleheader anyway. Still, he's been limited to just singles, with more strikeouts (five) than hits, so there's not much upside here.

If you're hardcore

• Yadier Molina, C, Cardinals: Molina hasn't hit a home run since June 17, but that could change Monday when he faces Dave Bush, as he's gone deep three times in 14 career at-bats versus Bush.
• Mark Teahen, 3B/OF, Royals: In 17 at-bats against Ervin Santana, Teahen is hitting .353 with two doubles, which isn't too shabby. Left-handed batters have found Santana extremely hittable (.353 AVG/.416 OBP/.575 SLG), so you would think Teahen would have little problem maintaining his career rates when they face off.
• Seth Smith, OF, Rockies: Until Dexter Fowler (knee) returns from a rehab assignment to muddy the landscape, ride the hot hand of Smith, who is 7-for-9 with four doubles and a home run in his past two games. He's now hitting .370 at Coors Field, with six home runs and a .661 slugging percentage in 127 at-bats.
• Brandon Allen, 1B, Diamondbacks: Despite hitting just .217, Allen is slugging .478 thanks to six of his 10 hits going for extra bases, including three long balls. He's hit a little better against right-handers, with a .250 average and all three of his homers. A good performance against Vicente Padilla, against whom lefties are hitting .311, isn't out of the question, and playing at home in Chase Field, a hitters' park, should also help. Those in deep leagues should keep a close eye on the hulking first baseman.
• Michael Brantley, OF, Indians: With Grady Sizemore now done for the season, Brantley should pick up starts on a regular basis and, after swiping 46 bags on 51 attempts at Triple-A this season, immediately deserves a look. Indeed, manager Eric Wedge has already given him the green light, and Brantley is 7-for-19 (.368) with two stolen base attempts (one caught stealing) already.
Triage

Injury list: Out
• Jose Guillen, OF, Royals (hamstring; out for the season)
• Josh Hamilton, OF, Rangers (back): Hamilton flew back to Texas to receive another epidural, and while he is expected to rejoin the team Tuesday, it's unknown whether he will be able to play.
• Chad Qualls, RP, Diamondbacks (60-day disabled list; knee)
• Grady Sizemore, OF, Indians (elbow/abdominal; out for the season)
• Alfonso Soriano, OF, Cubs (knee): Soriano will miss at least the next couple of weeks with a sore left knee, and since the Cubs have little to play for, there's a chance we've seen the last of the outfielder this season.
• Huston Street, RP, Rockies (biceps): Street is not expected to pitch before the weekend.
• Michael Young, 3B/SS, Rangers (hamstring)
Injury list: Day-to-day
• Gordon Beckham, 3B/SS, White Sox (side): Beckham said he tweaked his right side after taking a batting practice swing, but decided to give it a go in the game anyway, although he was removed in the first inning. Although Beckham will miss Sunday's contest, it doesn't sound serious.
• Alberto Callaspo, 2B, Royals (ankle)
• Jermaine Dye, OF, White Sox (back)
• Lyle Overbay, 1B, Blue Jays (finger)
• Freddy Sanchez, 2B, Giants (15-day DL, shoulder): Sanchez is expected to be activated Monday.
• B.J. Upton, OF, Rays (ankle): Upton might start one game of Monday's doubleheader against the Yankees.
• Chase Utley, 2B, Phillies (foot)

top 4 + beckett & santana in my 6 game chalk parlay...:toast:

On tap: It's make-or-break time for the Rays, currently six games back in the wild-card race and facing a week of road contests against the division-rival Yankees and Red Sox. Tampa Bay's week begins with a Labor Day doubleheader at Yankee Stadium facing the Yankees' top two starters, CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. It's not Week 23's only doubleheader: The Mets and Phillies also have a game to make up, and they'll do so by playing two Sunday.






Team advantages

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

Load up: Hitters

The teams listed below have the most favorable overall hitting matchups, accounting for recent performance, strength of opponents and ballpark factors.
Yankees (TB-4, BAL-3): Sure the new Yankee Stadium is hitter-friendly, but right now, only for the Yankees. They have averaged 5.7 runs per game with a .287 batting average and .872 OPS at home since the All-Star break, but their opponents' numbers in those categories during that time are 3.3, .226 and .647. What's more, while those Rays games present a bit of a challenge, the Yankees have manhandled the Orioles all year. They've won 10 in a row versus Baltimore, totaling 70 runs and 21 home runs and batting .285 with a .908 OPS in those games.
Phillies (@HOU-1, @WAS-3, NYM-4): Eight games is a significant advantage for any team, especially in a week when two teams play only five times and 17 play six, and especially in a week when that team plays the patchwork rotations of the Nationals and Mets. Philadelphia has already taken 10 of 12 from Washington this season, totaling 83 runs (6.9 per game) with a .305 batting average and .917 OPS, and the best pitcher the Mets will throw in their series is Mike Pelfrey, who has a 5.28 ERA and 1.96 WHIP in three career starts at Citizens Bank Park.
Tigers (@KC-3, TOR-3): These two pitching staffs have been reeling, and with the exception of the Zack Greinke matchup Thursday, not one of the other five opposing starters should pose much trouble. The Royals sport baseball's worst team ERA since the All-Star break (5.71), while the Blue Jays have a 6.07 ERA and 1.70 WHIP in their past 19 games. Even the vaunted Roy Halladay is in a funk: He is 2-4 with a 4.71 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in his past six starts. But if a matchup against him does strike fear in you, worry not: The Tigers don't face Halladay in their series.
Rockies (CIN-4, @SD-3): Though the Rockies hit a bit of a blip on their playoff radar screen during their late-August stretch of games against division rivals, losing six of 10 against the Dodgers and Giants, they still boast a potent offensive attack and are entering into a softer portion of their schedule. Two things stand out about these matchups: One, the Rockies are slated to face six right-handed starters out of seven, and they boast the game's fifth-best team OPS against that side (.788). Two, though the Petco Park games diminish the Rockies' offensive appeal, keep in mind this team has totaled 32 runs in six games there already this year (5.3 average), which isn't bad.
Tristan's sleeper hitters

Adrian Beltre, 3B, Mariners: .309 BA, 18 RBIs, .904 OPS in 22 games at Rangers Ballpark 2007-'09
Michael Brantley, OF, Indians: .300 BA, .758 OPS versus right-handers in his minor league career; already 4-for-10 in three big league games
Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B/SS, Indians: .299 BA, .766 OPS in 50 home games in 2009, .321 BA, .842 OPS versus right-handers in 2009
Stephen Drew, SS, Diamondbacks: .295 BA, .846 OPS in 56 home games in 2009; .288 BA, .847 OPS versus right-handers in 2009
Jose Lopez, 2B, Mariners: .393 BA (11-for-28), 2 HRs, 1.112 OPS in seven games at Rangers Ballpark in 2009
Gerardo Parra, OF, Diamondbacks: .310 BA, .830 OPS in 39 home games in 2009; .308 BA, .813 OPS versus right-handers in 2009
Scott Rolen, 3B, Reds: .331 BA, 8 HRs, 1.066 OPS in 32 career games at Coors Field; .278 BA, .884 OPS in 63 career games at Wrigley Field
Miguel Tejada, SS, Astros: .327 BA, .818 OPS in 63 home games in 2009; .468 BA (22-for-47) in 11 games versus Pirates in 2009

Load up: Pitchers

The teams listed below have the most favorable overall pitching matchups, accounting for recent performance, strength of opponents and ballpark factors.
Phillies (@HOU-1, @WAS-3, NYM-4): The Phillies have a rotation that's about as rock-solid as it can get at this stage of the season. Since Cliff Lee's debut for them on July 31, they have held their opponents to three runs or fewer in 20 of 31 games, and have 20 quality starts, a 3.09 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP during that span. A good example of this staff's depth: When Pedro Martinez can outduel defending Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum, you know things are going well. Neither the Mets nor the Nationals have been lighting up scoreboards since the All-Star break: New York ranks 24th in team OPS (.721) and Washington 17th (.748) during that span.
Rockies (CIN-4, @SD-3): Counting on retreads like Jose Contreras and Josh Fogg in their fifth-starter role puts the Rockies at more of a disadvantage with Aaron Cook on the DL. Despite that, this is about as safe a set of matchups as a staff could get. Since the All-Star break, the Reds rank dead last in baseball in team batting average (.237) and OPS (.685), and in addition to the Padres' sporting a comparably anemic offense (MLB-worst .657 OPS at home), San Diego also plays in a ballpark with Park Factors ranked 30th in runs scored and 29th in home runs.
Angels (@KC-1, SEA-3, CHW-3): I think I've already said this once or 100 times this season, but the Angels finally seem to be turning a corner as a pitching staff … and this time I really mean it, because the Scott Kazmir acquisition has patched the final hole in their rotation. OK, I say that a tad tongue-in-cheek, because the fact that we've been waiting all year for the Angels' staff to jell underscores their risk/reward status, but this is a stage in L.A.'s schedule when the pitching matchups are mostly positive. Seattle's offense ranks 28th in OPS since the All-Star break (.699), while Chicago's ranks 23rd (.736) during that same time span.
Rangers (@CLE-3, SEA-3): They keep hanging in that wild-card race, and you can expect them to for at least another week, accounting for these two very winnable series. Texas set up its rotation brilliantly for these games, with Scott Feldman and Tommy Hunter, a combined 12-2 with a 2.71 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 18 road games (17 starts) this season, set to pitch in the series at Cleveland. Then it's back home, where Derek Holland, who tossed 8 2/3 brilliant innings to beat the Mariners on July 30, gets a rematch against them during the weekend.

Three must-starts: Chris Carpenter, Felix Hernandez, CC Sabathia.
4. Ubaldo Jimenez (COL) -- Mon-CIN (Lehr), Sat-@SD (Richard): 2-0, 1.80 ERA, 0.95 WHIP in three career starts versus Reds
5. J.A. Happ (PHI) -- Mon-@HOU (Moehler), Sat-NYM (Pelfrey): 1-0, 2.50 ERA, 1.28 WHIP in four games (two starts) versus Mets in 2009
6. Ted Lilly (CHC) -- Mon-@PIT (McCutchen), Sun-CIN (Bailey)
7. Ervin Santana (LAA) -- Mon-@KC (Davies), Sat-CHW (Danks): Has five consecutive quality starts; 3-1, 2.45 ERA, 1.21 WHIP in those games
8. Javier Vazquez (ATL) -- Tue-@HOU (Paulino), Sun-@STL (Smoltz): 7-2, 3.30 ERA, 1.05 WHIP in 13 road starts in 2009
9. Jason Marquis (COL) -- Tue-CIN (Bailey), Sun-@SD (Correia): 2-1, 2.22 ERA, 1.16 WHIP in four career starts at Petco Park
10. Scott Kazmir (LAA) -- Tue-SEA (Hernandez), Sun-CHW (Buehrle)
11. Chad Billingsley (LAD) -- Mon-@ARI (Scherzer), Sun-@SF (Penny)
12. Rick Porcello (DET) -- Tue-@KC (Bannister), Sun-TOR (Romero): 1-1, 4.50 ERA, 0.92 WHIP in two career starts at Kauffman Stadium
13. Pedro Martinez (PHI) -- Tue-@WAS (Lannan), Sun-NYM, Game 1 (Redding): Win, 6 IP, 7 H, 4 ERs versus Mets on Aug. 23
14. A.J. Burnett (NYY) -- Mon-TB, Game 1 (Garza), Sat-BAL (Matusz): 2-0, 2.14 ERA, 0.76 WHIP in three starts versus Rays in 2009
15. Josh Beckett (BOS) -- Mon-@CHW (Buehrle), Sun-TB (Garza): 3-0, 3.71 ERA, 1.31 WHIP in four career starts at U.S. Cellular Field
16. Matt Garza (TB) -- Mon-@NYY, Game 1 (Burnett), Sun-@BOS (Beckett): 3-1, 3.60 ERA, 1.30 WHIP in five career starts at Fenway Park
17. John Smoltz (STL) -- Tue-@MIL (Parra), Sun-ATL (Vazquez)
18. Brad Penny (SF) -- Mon-SD (Richard), Sun-LAD (Billingsley): 3-2, 3.88 ERA, 1.26 WHIP in 10 career starts at AT&T Park
19. Homer Bailey (CIN) -- Tue-@COL (Marquis), Sun-@CHC (Lilly): Has won three consecutive starts; 1.69 ERA, 1.22 WHIP in those games
20. Max Scherzer (ARI) -- Mon-LAD (Billingsley), Sun-MIL (Bush): 1-1, 2.49 ERA, 1.02 WHIP in five career games (three starts) versus Dodgers
21. Mark Buehrle (CHW) -- Mon-BOS (Beckett), Sun-@LAA (Kazmir)
22. Kyle Davies (KC) -- Mon-LAA (Santana), Sat-@CLE (Masterson)
23. Tim Redding (NYM) -- Tue-FLA (VandenHurk), Sun-@PHI, Game 1 (Martinez): 2.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP in three career starts at Citizens Bank Park
24. John Lannan (WAS) -- Tue-PHI (Martinez), Sun-@FLA (VandenHurk)
25. Rick VandenHurk (FLA) -- Tue-@NYM (Redding), Sun-WAS (Lannan)
Twelve "no thank yous": Rangers TBD, Brian Bannister, Dave Bush, Kevin Correia, Brian Duensing, Justin Lehr, Jeff Manship, Brian Moehler, Felipe Paulino, Clayton Richard, Scott Richmond, Ricky Romero.

1. The Twins dropped a 3-1 decision to the Indians yesterday and have now lost three of their last four games, scoring just nine total runs in those four contests.
2. Toronto beat the Yankees, 14-8, Sunday and salvaged a split with New York over the weekend. The 14 runs put up by the Jays are tied for their second-highest output of the season.
3. The Blue Jays have beaten Minnesota seven straight times at Rogers Centre by a combined score of 53-17. Including taking three-of-four from the Twins at the Metrodome earlier this season, Toronto has won 12 of the last 13 games between these two squads overall.
4. Minnesota's starting staff has a combined ERA of just 2.86 in the last 14 games -- best of any team in the majors since games of August 22.
5. After coming out of the bullpen in his first five MLB appearances, Jeff Manship is making his second career start today. Manship threw five innings of 1-run ball in taking a no-decision vs. the White Sox last Tuesday. His opponent, Scott Richmond is 0-4 with a 6.55 ERA in his last six starts and is 1-0 in his only career start vs. the Twins.
6. With a 3-for-5 day vs. the Yanks yesterday, Joe Inglett is now batting .410 (16-for-39) during his current 11-game hitting streak (longest active streak in the AL).

Notes Applicable For Series Dates: 9/7/2009 thru 9/10/2009

1. The Cubs have won 23 of the last 29 meetings between these teams, and have outscored the Pirates 46-21 while winning six of the eight matchups between the clubs this season.
2. With their win over St. Louis on Sunday, the Pirates snapped their nine-game losing streak and avoided clinching their 17th straight losing season.
3. Chicago has lost nine of its last 12 road games, scoring two runs or less in five of its last seven away from home. The Cubs have scored the third-fewest runs on the road in the majors this season (257).
4. Ted Lilly is 0-4 in his last five road starts (all Cubs losses) and seven of his eight losses overall this season have come away from home. Lilly is 3-1 in his last six starts against Pittsburgh.
5. Daniel McCutchen will be making his second major league start for the Pirates. In his debut last Monday, McCutchen gave up three runs over six innings in a 4-3 loss to the Reds.
6. Chicago's starting pitchers have posted a 0.70 ERA so far this month -- tops in the majors.

Notes Applicable For Series Dates: 9/7/2009 thru 9/9/2009

St. Louis Cardinals at Milwaukee Brewers

1. St. Louis dropped a 6-5 decision to the Pirates on Sunday, but still took two of three from the Bucs over the weekend and now boast a series record of 11-0-1 since July 27 (28-9 overall record since that date).
2. Milwaukee beat San Francisco, 2-1, in 12 innings yesterday to salvage one game from its series with the Giants over the weekend. The Brewers tallied just two runs in each of their three games vs. San Francisco, losing twice.
3. The Brewers have won six of eight vs. the Cardinals and the season series between these two squads is now tied at six games apiece.
4. Prince Fielder provided the game-winning dramatics with his 12th-inning home run on Sunday -- the win was Milwaukee's fourth in walk-off fashion this season.
5. Chris Carpenter is trying to become the NL's second 16+ game winner today (Adam Wainright-17). Carpenter has a 2.28 ERA this season (best in NL) and is 3-3 in eight career starts vs. the Brewers.
6. Dave Bush is 0-6 with a 10.50 ERA in his last eight starts, including allowing eight runs to the Cardinals in just 3.1 IP five days ago. Bush has started seven career games vs. St. Louis, posting a 2-5 record with a 7.38 ERA vs. the Cards.

Notes Applicable For Series Dates: 9/7/2009 thru 9/9/2009

Cincinnati Reds at Colorado Rockies

1. The Reds beat the Braves, 4-2, yesterday and won their seventh straight game for the first time since posting an 8-game win streak from May 31-June 8 in 2006. Cincinnati is now 12-2 since games of August 23 -- best in MLB.
2. Brandon Phillips went 0-for-5 on Sunday, but is still hitting .440 (11-fo-25) during Cincy's 7-game win streak. Yorvit Torrealba is batting .375 during his current 15-game hit streak for the Rockies (longest active streak in MLB).
3. Colorado finished up a sweep of the Reds with a 13-5 win on Sunday and is 57-28 (.675) since games of June 4 -- best in baseball (NYY is 56-28).
4. The Rockies have now completed nine 3+ game sweeps in 2009 -- tied with three others (NYY, LAA, Phi) for most in baseball.
5. Ubaldo Jiminez is 7-1 with a 2.44 ERA in 10 starts since the 2009 All-Star break (6-9, 3.81 ERA pre ASG). Jiminez has three career starts vs. Cincinnati and is 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA in those outings.
6. Homer Bailey has won three straight starts for the first time in his career, posting a 1.69 ERA in the process. In two career starts vs. the Rockies (both at Great American Ball Park), Bailey is 0-2 with a 8.10 ERA.
7. Colorado hasn't lost a home series to the Reds since 2003 and overall, has beaten Cincinnati 10 of the last 11 times the two teams have met (including five straight wins).

Notes Applicable For Series Dates: 9/7/2009 thru 9/10/2009

Los Angeles Dodgers at Arizona Diamondbacks

1. After winning six of their first eight games against the Diamondbacks this season, the Dodgers have now dropped four of the last seven meetings between the teams.
2. The Dodgers have won four of their last five road games and have alternated wins and losses in each of their last eight games overall (WLWLWLWL).
3. Arizona has been outscored 26-12 during its current four-game losing streak. However, the Diamondbacks have won 16 of their last 23 home games.
4. Vicente Padilla will be facing the Diamondbacks for the second time in less than a week and is 1-0 with a 1.46 ERA in two starts against them this season. Padilla is 3-0 with a 1.61 ERA in four starts against NL West foes this season.
5. Max Scherzer has won three straight decisions at home and is 1-1 with a 2.89 ERA in three career starts against the Dodgers.
6. Andre Ethier is hitting .424 (14-for-33) with four doubles, three homers and eight RBI over his last eight road games. Ethier has 40 RBI in his career against Arizona which is the most in his career against any opponent.

San Diego Padres at San Francisco Giants

1. The Giants have lost seven of their 12 matchups with the Padres this season, however, they have won nine of their last 10 home games against them.
2. The Giants have won six of their last seven home games, including three in a row. The Padres have won five of their last six games overall.
3. Brad Penny is 3-8 with a 5.66 ERA in 16 career starts against San Diego, including a 0-4 record in his last six starts against them. Penny will be looking for his first win against the Padres since September 11, 2005.
4. Pablo Sandoval is hitting just .091 (2-for-22) in his last seven games. However, he is hitting .467 with one double, two homers and seven RBI in his last four games against the Padres.
5. Clayton Richard is 5-1 in his last eight starts and will be looking to win his second straight decision. Richard will be facing the Giants for the first time in his career.
6. San Francisco's starting pitchers have the lowest ERA in the majors this season (3.45), while San Diego's starters have the fifth-highest ERA (5.05).

Notes Applicable For Series Dates: 9/7/2009 thru 9/9/2009