Starting pitcher rankings for April 21

April 20, 2010, 11:31 PM
Don't forget about Hughes, Marcum



A ton of aces will take the mound Wednesday, but make sure not to overlook a couple of budding aces flying under the radar. Phil Hughes is still available in more than 40 percent of ESPN leagues, while Shaun Marcum is floating on waiver wires in more than 70 percent of leagues. OK, "budding ace" may be a bit too strong to describe Marcum, but for a guy who was on average the 220th pick in leagues, his numbers (4.05 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 17 K's in 20 innings) are as comforting as any ace's. As for Hughes, well, he's facing the Oakland Athletics, so this may be your last chance to get him before he's hot. And you'll want to get him when you see what's expected out of him Wednesday:
For starters

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<center> Starting pitcher rankings for April 21

</center><table style="margin: 0pt; width: 100%;"> <thead><tr><th style="vertical-align: bottom; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" colspan="6"><center> </center>
</th><th style="vertical-align: bottom;" colspan="3"><center> 2009 Statistics </center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom;" colspan="3"><center> 2010 Statistics </center></th></tr></thead> <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> Opp </center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom;"><center> Rating </center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom;"><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> W-L </center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom;"><center> ERA </center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom;"><center> WHIP </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;"> Roy Halladay </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </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"> 9 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.13 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0.96 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 3-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.13 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 0.96 </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Josh Johnson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @HOU </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.50 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.63 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 4.50 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.63 </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;"> Yovani Gallardo </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </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"> 8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0-2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.50 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.44 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 0-2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 5.50 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.44 </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;"> Chris Carpenter </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </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"> 10 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.50 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.17 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 2-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 3.50 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.17 </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;"> Zack Greinke </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </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"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0-2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.57 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.47 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 0-2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 3.57 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.47 </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; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> TEX </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.86 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.39 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 3.86 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.39 </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;"> Francisco Liriano </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </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"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.08 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.15 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 2.08 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.15 </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Mark Buehrle </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> TB </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.00 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.14 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 2-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 3.00 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.14 </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;"> Felix Hernandez </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> BAL </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.10 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.13 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 3.10 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.13 </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;"> Hiroki Kuroda </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </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"> 10 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.20 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.07 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.20 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.07 </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 11 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Jered Weaver </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> DET </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.84 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0.89 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 2-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 2.84 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 0.89 </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;"> Phil Hughes </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </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"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.60 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.60 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 3.60 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.60 </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;"> Shaun Marcum </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </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"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.05 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.00 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 0-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 4.05 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.00 </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;"> Kevin Millwood </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </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"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0-2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.89 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.29 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 0-2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 2.89 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.29 </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;"> Tim Hudson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </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"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.84 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.11 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 2.84 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.11 </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;"> Edwin Jackson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </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"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.50 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.39 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 3.50 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.39 </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;"> Wade Davis </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </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"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.09 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.55 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 0-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 4.09 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.55 </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;"> Carlos Silva </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </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"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0.69 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0.62 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 0.69 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 0.62 </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;"> David Huff </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </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"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.80 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0.87 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.80 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 0.87 </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;"> Bud Norris </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </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"> 2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.52 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.22 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 3.52 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 2.22 </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;"> Ben Sheets </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </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"> 5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.65 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.71 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 2.65 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.71 </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;"> Jon Garland </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </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"> 5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0-2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.40 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.80 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 0-2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 5.40 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.80 </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;"> Zach Duke </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </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"> 2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.37 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.21 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 2-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 2.37 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.21 </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;"> Oliver Perez </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </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"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.75 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.25 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 0-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 3.75 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.25 </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 25 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Jeremy Bonderman </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </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"> 2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9.00 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.78 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 9.00 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.78 </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 26 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Todd Wellemeyer </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </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"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0-2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9.58 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.94 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 0-2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 9.58 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.94 </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 27 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> John Lannan </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </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"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.74 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.85 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 5.74 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.85 </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 28 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Jason Hammel </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @WAS </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 11.42 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.31 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 0-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 11.42 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 2.31 </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 29 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Aaron Harang </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </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"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0-2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.88 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.44 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 0-2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 7.88 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.44 </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 30 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Matt Harrison </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </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"> 1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.38 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.00 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 0-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.38 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.00 </td></tr> </tbody></table>Rk.: The author's ranking of that pitcher for that day only. T: Pitcher throws left-handed or right-handed. Opp: The pitcher's opponent for the day. Rating: The starting pitcher's matchup rating -- separate from the author's ranking -- which accounts for past history (three years' worth as well as past 21 days), opponent and ballpark. Ratings range from 1-10, with 10 representing the best possible matchup, statistically speaking, and 1 representing the worst. 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.

Selected notes: The Texas Rangers have been transitioning from a team predicated on tremendous hitting to one with more balance, and the result means their offense is no longer one to fear. While they did finish in the top 10 in OPS last season, much of that is predicated on their home park; on the road, they finished 21st in OPS, one point behind the Athletics. It's a small sample size, but Josh Beckett has thoroughly owned most of the Rangers' hitters (.197 average in 76 at-bats), so don't be shocked if he turns in a similar performance to his latest outing (eight strikeouts in seven innings pitched with zero earned runs).
• Now Mark Buehrle's dominance of the Tampa Bay Rays, on the other hand, is even more convincing: In 201 teamwide at-bats, he's limited them to a .249 average and a .603 OPS. Remember who Buehrle had that perfect game against? The Rays. The lack of strikeouts are the only thing that prevents him from being ranked higher.
• Five percent of ESPN leaguers dropped Hughes at the perfect time -- for you to be able to pick him up and spot start him against the Athletics. Could you set it up any more perfectly? A high-strikeout pitcher on the "road" in a significant pitchers' park against a poor offense, and backed by the best offense in baseball to boot. Toss in his long-term upside and he's looking a lot like a must-grab for Wednesday.
• It's a bit perplexing that a pitcher that has performed as solidly as Marcum -- both this season and in the past -- is owned in fewer than two-thirds of ESPN leagues, but those are the breaks. It just presents another opportunity for savvy owners to pick up some extra value, because Marcum has been really good -- 17 strikeouts and three walks kind of good -- in his three starts. Unfortunately, he happens to catch the Kansas City Royals when they're actually hitting the ball well -- their .801 OPS ranks fifth this season -- but that's a chance I'm perfectly willing to take when you consider Marcum is proving himself to be much better than the average pitcher. He's yet to pick up a win, but the bright side is that he's gone at least six innings in each of his starts, making a win an eventual inevitability if he continues to pitch well.
• The last time Kevin Millwood threatened to strike out a batter per inning for a whole month was way back in September 2006. The shocking thing is that, despite the gaudy strikeout rate, Millwood has still been quite hittable, with the opposition hitting .295 against him, along with the four gopher balls he's served up. That makes it tough to gauge how well he will do against the Seattle Mariners, a team that has hit him around (.321 average in 243 at-bats). In a head-to-head league, it may be worth it to take the gamble, since a bad start would only hurt you for that week, but in a roto league that potential damage lasts the whole year, and hence caution should be exercised.
• Most of the time Tim Hudson is a solid, dependable pitcher, but against the very best offenses he can become a liability. The Philadelphia Phillies can definitely bring the pain, and have to Hudson specifically, hitting .290 against him in 210 at-bats. Last year, Hudson limited the Phillies to three runs in seven innings, but even then he didn't pitch all that well, allowing two home runs. And since Hudson doesn't get many strikeouts, the potential reward here is not worth the risk.

Hitters' count:
Lyle Overbay, 1B, Toronto Blue Jays: If it sounds like a joke to play a dude hitting .080 against maybe the best pitcher in the AL, bear with me. Overbay just seems to have Zack Greinke figured out judging by his career 7-for-15 (.467) line, one that features him going deep twice. Overbay even touched up Greinke last year, going 2-for-5 with a double, a home run and a walk.
Will Venable, OF, San Diego Padres: Venable has been ice cold recently but a matchup against Todd Wellemeyer (.520 slugging percentage allowed to left-handers the past three seasons) is tempting. The outfielder did bop 12 home runs in 222 at-bats versus right-handers last season, so he makes a reasonable spot start if you're looking for power.
Rafael Furcal, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers: As you can see from Aaron Harang's bloated 7.88 ERA, now's a pretty good time to face him, and it's not like Furcal, who is 5-for-12 (.417) with a double off him, needed more incentive. Stealing a base may be difficult -- Ramon Hernandez threw out 18 of 51 (35.3 percent) would-be base stealers last season -- but Furcal should set the table at the top of the order nicely.
Shane Victorino, OF, Philadelphia Phillies: In the past seven days, Victorino is 7-for-21 (.333) with two home runs and a double, and he should keep that power up against Tim Hudson. Victorino is slugging .640 off Hudson thanks to two home runs and a triple in 25 at-bats. Overall, he's 8-for-25 (.320) against Hudson, including three stolen bases in four attempts.
Carlos Lee and Hunter Pence, OF, Houston Astros: We're talking about a measly sample size here, but Lee and Pence are both 1-for-2 with a home run against Josh Johnson. Of course, in their other at-bat they both struck out, so there's that. At this point, though, we're sure their starving owners will take anything they can get.
Kelly Johnson, 2B, Arizona Diamondbacks: With seven extra-base hits and eight walks in his first 47 plate appearances, Johnson has been scorching hot, and not even Chris Carpenter is enough to cool him down. That's because Johnson is 4-for-7 (.571) with a home run and a double off of Carpenter to go along with a pair of walks.
Colby Rasmus, OF, St. Louis Cardinals: Rasmus has been a beast against right-handers, with five of his eight hits going for extra bases (three home runs) and an impressive nine walks versus seven strikeouts. Somehow, he has been dropped in nearly 20 percent of leagues, but we already knew he couldn't hit left-handers (0-for-9 this season). He's worth keeping active versus Edwin Jackson, against whom he's 2-for-3 with a triple.
Casey Kotchman, 1B, Seattle Mariners: How in the world has Kevin Millwood allowed three home runs to Kotchman in just 15 at-bats? And don't look now, but Kotchman is red-hot, going 7-for-17 with two home runs and a couple of doubles in the past week.
Ty Wigginton, 1B/3B, Baltimore Orioles: Oh, why the heck not? All five of Wigginton's home runs and all 11 of his RBIs have come in the past seven days, and considering his success against King Felix -- 3-for-5 with a double and a dinger -- why not try to get in on the hot streak while you still can?
Pitchers' count:
Jose Guillen, OF, Royals: It's nice that the one hit Guillen has against Shaun Marcum is a home run, but going 1-for-11 doesn't cut it. Considering Guillen normally isn't all that great an option against solid right-handed pitching (no matter how hot he is) and the fact he's due for regression soon, think about your alternatives.
Marlon Byrd, OF, Chicago Cubs: Unless you're in an OBP league, Byrd probably won't be of much help to you, as he's had trouble making contact versus Oliver Perez, with just one hit in nine at-bats. He has four walks (zero steals) but has also struck out four times.
Michael Young, 3B, Texas Rangers: A pair of singles in 16 at-bats is the best Young has been able to accomplish versus Josh Beckett. Young's secondary skills (zero walks or extra-base hits) go kaput against Beckett, and for good measure Beckett has struck him out three times, too.
Grady Sizemore, OF, Cleveland Indians: Sizemore is 1-for-18 (.056) against left-handers to begin the season and hit only .216 off them last season, so his lifetime numbers against Francisco Liriano -- 3-for-14 with four K's and no extra-base hits -- raise concern. The only bright side is that he has worked four walks which has helped result in two stolen bases.
Carlos Pena, 1B, Rays: Although Pena has hit a respectable .275 versus Mark Buehrle, the power hasn't been there, with only two extra-base hits (one home run) in 40 at-bats. Worse, he's struck out 11 times, especially notable considering Buehrle isn't known as a strikeout artist.
Johnny Damon, OF, Detroit Tigers: Damon's got a little five-game hit streak going on, which is a start. He still sports a robust .404 on-base percentage, but the power is nowhere to be found, and remember, before joining the Yankees he topped a .477 slugging percentage just once. The power sure won't be there versus Jered Weaver, who has limited Damon to three singles in 19 at-bats, fanning him six times.

Baseball Challenge Pick of the Day

Hideki Matsui, DH, Los Angeles Angels: Quality designated hitters can be tough to come by, so it's nice when you can pencil one in for a strong game just by virtue of the matchup. Matsui has absolutely hammered Jeremy Bonderman in 24 at-bats, hitting .500 with three home runs and a double.
Triage

Injury list: Out
• Carlos Beltran, OF, Mets (15-day DL, knee)
• Mike Cameron, OF, Red Sox (15-day DL, abdominal)
• Coco Crisp, OF, Athletics (15-day DL, finger)
• Joey Devine, RP, Athletics (15-day DL, elbow)
• Chris Getz, 2B, Royals (15-day DL, oblique)
• Mike Gonzalez, RP, Orioles (15-day DL, shoulder)
• J.A. Happ, SP, Phillies (forearm): The Phillies are skipping Happ's turn in the rotation due to elbow and forearm soreness. He's not expected to land on the disabled list, however. Roy Halladay will take his turn in the rotation.
• Aaron Hill, 2B, Blue Jays (15-day DL, hamstring)
• Conor Jackson, OF, Diamondbacks (15-day DL, hamstring)
• Ian Kinsler, 2B, Rangers (15-day DL, ankle)
• Brad Lidge, RP, Phillies (15-day DL, knee/elbow)
• Miguel Montero, C, Diamondbacks (15-day DL, knee)
• Felix Pie, OF, Orioles (15-day DL, back): An MRI suggests that Pie could miss up to three months with an injury to the latissimus dorsi muscle in his back.
• Brian Roberts, 2B, Orioles (15-day DL, abdominal)
• Jimmy Rollins, SS, Phillies (15-day DL, calf)
• Aaron Rowand, OF, Giants (15-day DL, head)
• Freddy Sanchez, 2B, Giants (15-day DL, shoulder/knee)
• Kelly Shoppach, C, Rays (15-day DL, knee): Shoppach had knee surgery Monday and is expected out for the next 4-6 weeks.
• Huston Street, RP, Rockies (15-day DL, shoulder)
• Michael Wuertz, RP, Athletics (15-day DL, shoulder)
Injury list: Day-to-day
• Daric Barton, 1B, Athletics (elbow): Barton's MRI was negative and Barton is considered day-to-day with an elbow contusion.
• Mark DeRosa, 3B/OF, Giants (hamstring)
• Mark Ellis, 2B, Athletics (hamstring)
• Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, Red Sox (ribs)
• Edwin Encarnacion, 3B, Blue Jays (arm)
• Brian Fuentes, RP, Angels (15-day DL, back): Fuentes is on a rehab assignment and is expected to return from the disabled list as soon as he's eligible on Wednesday.
• Adam LaRoche, 1B, Diamondbacks (quadriceps)
• Andy LaRoche, 3B, Pirates (back)
• Pat Neshek, RP, Twins (finger; doubtful)
• Nick Punto, 2B, Twins (groin)
• Manny Ramirez, OF, Dodgers (calf; probable)
• Scott Rolen, 3B, Reds (back)
• Miguel Tejada, SS/3B, Orioles (leg)
Weather concerns

The contests between the Royals-Blue Jays, Marlins-Astros, Cardinals-Diamondbacks and Orioles-Mariners are the four weatherproof games for Wednesday.
Showers will continue on the West Coast, with San Diego and Anaheim (60 percent chance for thunderstorms) taking the brunt of it. Oakland is also expected to be wet for much of the day, although the skies are expected to clear by game time. However, our nation's capital joins the fray, too, with a coin flip's chance at showers from 7 to 9 p.m.

Wellemeyer gets rocked in L.A.: Giants SP Todd Wellemeyer gave up seven runs, six hits and three walks in four innings on Friday against the Dodgers. The right-hander, who threw 52 pitches over the first two innings, buzzed a fastball past Matt Kemp's head in the second before walking him. That loaded the bases for Andre Ethier, who homered to center on the next pitch to give the Dodgers a 7-0 lead. He struck out four but labored, throwing 82 pitches in two innings.
(Updated 04/17/2010).

Wellemeyer earned his second loss of the season on Friday and regressed from his first start, in which he only allowed four runs over 6 1/3 innings pitched. Wellemeyer has only one double-digit games, in a season, once in his career and that was with the pitching guru Dave Duncan. He is only valuable in the deepest on NL-only leagues.




Garland avoids third straight loss: San Diego's late rally on Friday against the Diamondbacks got SP Jon Garland off the hook for what would have been his third straight loss to open the season. Garland issued three of his five walks during a three-run Diamondbacks rally in the third, and they all factored in the scoring. Garland allowed three runs and four hits in five innings, with two strikeouts. He trailed 3-0 before Arizona rallied for a 6-3 win.
(Updated 04/17/2010).

We miss the days of Garland being an 18-game winner with the White Sox. The move to the NL hasn't really panned out for Garland since he landed in Arizona last season. He will still chew up innings and throw the occasional gem, but Garland remains more of an NL-only Fantasy option until further notice. His next scheduled start is for Wednesday against the Giants. e went 1-0 with a 2.35 ERA in two starts against San Francisco last season.

<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%"> Todd Wellemeyer, RHP (0-2, 9.58)
Giants (8-6) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Jon Garland, RHP (0-2, 3.60)
Padres (8-6) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td> </td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Giants: Wellemeyer will attempt to improve upon his previous start, when he opened San Francisco's two-city trip by lasting only four innings and allowing seven runs at Los Angeles. Wellemeyer surrendered three homers in the first two innings, including a pair by Andre Ethier -- one a grand slam -- and a two-run clout by Matt Kemp. In three lifetime appearances against San Diego, Wellemeyer is 2-0 with a 4.73 ERA.Padres: Garland, a free-agent acquisition in January, is winless after three starts for the Padres, though he pitched better in his last start on Friday against his former team, the Diamondbacks. Garland originally allowed three runs over five innings, though a scoring change the following day was kind to him. A third-inning hit (Conor Jackson) was changed to an error on third baseman Chase Headley, meaning Garland didn't allowed any earned runs in the game. Instead of having a 5.40 ERA, it is 3.60. He only got four ground-ball outs, which is far below where the sinkerballer would like to be.
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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"> Nationals Park | 7:05 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td> </td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Jason Hammel, RHP (0-1, 11.42)
Rockies (7-7) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> John Lannan, LHP (1-1, 5.74)
Nationals (7-7) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td> </td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Rockies: Hammel had no fastball command and no secondary pitches in his last start. The result was a seven-run, eight-hit effort in 1 2/3 innings against the Braves. As a result, a decent offensive performance went to waste and the Rockies lost, 9-5. But he can rebound. Last year, Hammel gave up five runs and seven hits in 1 1/3 innings against the Mets, then beat the Phillies in his next start.Nationals: On Friday, Lannan had his best start of the season, pitching seven innings and giving up two runs on seven hits, but didn't figure in the decision in a 5-3 victory over the Brewers. Lannan gave up a solo homer to Casey McGehee in the second and an RBI single to Corey Hart in the fifth, but nothing else.
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thanks for this ...........always helpful

<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"><tbody><tr><td height="20"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="right"> PNC Park | 7:05 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td> </td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Yovani Gallardo, RHP (0-2, 5.50)
Brewers (6-7) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Zach Duke, LHP (2-0, 2.37)
Pirates (7-6) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td> </td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Brewers: Gallardo may be the Brewers' staff ace, but he's still searching for consistency, not to mention his first 2010 victory. The right-hander thought he took a positive step forward in his last outing, on Friday, when he allowed two runs on six hits and four walks in six innings against Washington. For Gallardo to succeed, the Brewers need the strikeout artist who 204 hitters in 184 2/3 innings last year, not the guy who's given up a home run in each of his three outings and walked eight hitters in 15 innings. Gallardo, however, believes he's on the verge of becoming his old self. To do that, he'll have to avoid big innings, keep the ball inside PNC Park and attack the Pirates hitters.Pirates: Zach Duke should be sitting on three wins right now if not for a poor night from the Pirates' bullpen after his last start. Duke threw 90 pitches in his last outing before being pulled after allowing a leadoff walk in the eighth. That runner eventually scored, as did another two, which took Duke out of line for the win. Regardless of his record, though, the Pirates have to like what they're seeing from the lefty so far. His sinker has been devastating, and Duke has had a nice changeup to go along with it. He's been pretty efficient and, to this point, the only reliable starter the Pirates have. In 13 career starts against the Brewers, Duke is 3-5 with a 5.38 ERA.
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<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"><tbody><tr><td height="20"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="right"> Citi Field | 7:10 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td> </td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Carlos Silva, RHP (1-0, 0.69)
Cubs (5-9) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Oliver Perez, LHP (0-1, 3.75)
Mets (6-8) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td> </td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Cubs: Silva is coming off his second straight stellar start to kick off the season, having allowed five hits while striking out five and walking none in seven solid innings during a 7-2 win over the Astros in his first Cubs start at Wrigley Field. Silva last pitched against the Mets on June 18, 2007, when he gave up 10 hits and four runs in six innings in a losing effort as a member of the Twins.Mets: Uncharacteristically throwing his offspeed pitches for strikes, Perez flashed a sharp slider and some stellar control on Friday in St. Louis. That not only helped him negate his dip in fastball velocity, but also allowed him to submit one of his finest efforts of the past two seasons. Whether Perez can sustain his low-velocity success remains to be seen. But if he can continue to feature the type of control he had against the Cardinals, Perez should, at the very least, be serviceable. His next test will come against the Dodgers, who walked seven times but could not beat him last July at Citi Field.
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<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"><tbody><tr><td height="20"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="right"> Great American Ball Park | 7:10 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td> </td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Hiroki Kuroda, RHP (1-0, 1.20)
Dodgers (6-7) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Aaron Harang, RHP (0-2, 7.88)
Reds (6-8) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td> </td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Dodgers: It's only two starts into the season, but Kuroda, originally the fourth starter in the rotation, has emerged as the early ace. He's throwing strikes (14 strikeouts, one walk), going deep into games (eight innings in one start, seven in the other) and the club has won both of his starts. Kuroda also showed in his last start the ability to adjust, shifting from an ineffective four-seamer to a slider that Diamondbacks hitters waved at. Clearly, Kuroda is healthier than at just about any time last year. And when he's healthy and pitching with confidence, he's probably as well-equipped to be an ace as anyone in the Dodgers rotation.Reds: During a 10-2 Reds loss to the Marlins on Thursday, Harang was pummeled for eight earned runs and 10 hits over four-plus innings with two walks and four strikeouts. He faced four batters in the fifth inning and did not record an out. Harang has been staying with mostly fastballs and sliders and in between starts worked on trying to make more use of his offspeed pitches, namely the changeup and curveball.
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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"> Turner Field | 7:10 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td> </td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Roy Halladay, RHP (3-0, 1.13)
Phillies (8-5) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Tim Hudson, RHP (1-0, 2.84)
Braves (8-5) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td> </td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Phillies: Halladay said in Spring Training that he didn't mind being compared to Cliff Lee this season. So far the comparisons are more than a little interesting. Lee went 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA in his first three starts for the Phillies last season. Halladay has the identical record and ERA in his first three starts for the Phillies. Things figured to get a little tougher for Halladay on Wednesday, facing a Braves lineup that seems to be more potent than the lineups Halladay has faced in Washington and Houston.Braves: Hudson felt he battled a tight strike zone while issuing five walks (highest total since 2006) and allowing two earned runs in 5 2/3 innings against the Padres on Thursday. This marked the first time since Aug. 25, 2007 that he completed a start that didn't include a strikeout. As shaky as he was against the Padres, Hudson proved every bit as dominant six days earlier when he limited the Giants to two earned runs and three hits in seven innings. The veteran right-hander went 4-2 with a 2.68 ERA in his first six career starts against the Phillies. But in his past nine starts against the reigning National League champs, he is 0-4 with a 4.55 ERA
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<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"><tbody><tr><td height="20"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="right"> Fenway Park | 7:10 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td> </td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Matt Harrison, LHP (0-1, 1.38)
Rangers (5-8) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Josh Beckett, RHP (1-0, 3.86)
Red Sox (5-9) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td> </td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Rangers: Harrison has made two starts and the Rangers have lost both despite his sparkling ERA. He took a 2-0 lead into the eighth inning in his last start against the Indians on Thursday in Cleveland before giving up a three-run home run to Shin-Soo Choo. Errors by third baseman Michael Young and Elvis Andrus set up the game-losing blast. Opponents are hitting .212 off Harrison and he has walked just two in 13 innings while striking out seven. His only start against the Red Sox came on Sept. 6, 2008, when he gave up four runs in six innings and was the winning pitcher in a 15-8 victory.Red Sox: A solid performance in his last outing went for naught as the Red Sox offense could muster just three hits while Josh Beckett was in the game. Beckett went seven innings Friday against the Rays at Fenway Park, giving up one run (unearned) on four hits and a walk with eight strikeouts. He left with the score tied, 1-1. Beckett has made three starts but has just one decision to show for it, a win April 10 in Kansas City. In five career starts against the Rangers, Beckett is 2-2 with a 3.86 ERA.
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<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"><tbody><tr><td height="20"> <table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="right"> Minute Maid Park | 8:05 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td> </td></tr> <tr><td> <table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Josh Johnson, RHP (1-1, 4.50)
Marlins (8-6) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Bud Norris, RHP (1-1, 3.52)
Astros (4-9) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td> </td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Marlins: Johnson had his best outing of the season while getting his first victory against the Reds on Thursday. That night, he struck out 10 batters while walking only one and finished scattering just one run on five hits in his six innings. The 26-year-old recorded five of his first six outs via the strikeout, but he did not go deeper in the game because he accumulated 45 pitches through just the first two frames. After that, though, Johnson said he started getting his rhythm. And it showed, as he retired nine of the last 11 batters he faced. For his career against the Astros, Johnson has struggled, going 0-3 with a 7.36 ERA in three games (two starts). Astros: Norris is coming off his first win of the season, when he struck out nine Cardinals in a 5-1 win on Thursday in St. Louis. He lasted only five innings after allowing four hits and three walks and throwing 106 pitches. In two starts this year, he's given up 10 hits, three earned runs and struck out 12 batters in 7 2/3 innings. Norris faced the Marlins twice last year in consecutive starts on Aug. 12 in Miami and Aug. 18 in Houston. He's 1-1 with a 7.59 ERA in 10 2/3 innings in his career against the Marlins. Norris has allowed 19 hits, nine earned runs and struck out 10 in that span.
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<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"><tbody><tr><td height="20"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="right"> Target Field | 8:10 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td> </td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> David Huff, LHP (1-1, 1.80)
Indians (6-7) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Francisco Liriano, LHP (1-0, 2.08)
Twins (10-4) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td> </td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Indians: Huff was masterful in a complete-game victory over the Rangers on Thursday. He turned in a 104-pitch effort, throwing 71 pitches for strikes. He never needed more than 16 pitches to complete an inning, and he threw exactly 12 pitches in five innings. He allowed a two-run homer to Michael Young in the fourth inning, but that was the only real damage against him. He walked one and struck out four. Huff has only 25 starts at the Major League level, and he's won 12 of them. He's an intense competitor who knows how to win. And if he keeps pounding the strike zone like he did against Texas, he's going to keep piling up the wins.Twins: Liriano had an impressive start in shutting out the Red Sox on April 15 at Target Field. The left-hander reminded the Twins how dominant he can be when he has his slider working. Liriano gave up no runs and just four hits while striking out eight and walking just two over seven innings of work. Liriano wasn't as impressive in his debut in a no-decision in an extra-inning victory over the White Sox on April 9, but still earned a quality start. Liriano logged six innings giving up three runs on four hits. He also walked five and struck out three. Liriano will look to extend his scoreless inning streak past seven when he next faces the Indians.
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<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"><tbody><tr><td height="20"> <table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="right"> U.S. Cellular Field | 8:10 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%"> Wade Davis, RHP (0-1, 4.09)
Rays (10-4) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Mark Buehrle, LHP (2-1, 3.00)
White Sox (5-9) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td> </td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Rays: Davis will be making his third start of the season after a solid outing against the Red Sox on Friday night. The right-hander received a no-decision on the heels of a performance that saw him allow one run on two hits in five innings of work in the game that eventually was suspended. Davis became the third rookie in Rays history to allow two hits or less in an outing of five innings or more against the Red Sox. Davis showed quality stuff, but the Red Sox were able to push up his pitch count -- 104 pitches -- to force an early exodus. Davis has great command of his pitches and isn't afraid to throw a breaking ball in any situation. Davis will be making his first career start against the White Sox.White Sox: Buehrle gave the White Sox a chance to win in his third start of the season, but the offense didn't come through to prevent a 6-2 Cleveland victory on Friday night at Progressive Field. Buehrle had a stretch of 17 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings thrown against the Indians, dating back to 2009, come to an end during a three-run fourth inning, and allowed three earned runs on six hits over six innings. Buehrle fanned three but lamented his four walks, including two to lead off innings, both of whom came around to score. Buehrle made history the last time he faced the Rays, throwing the 18th perfect game in big league history on July 23, 2009, at U.S. Cellular. It was the second of Buehrle's two career no-hitters. He will be pitching on regular rest with the White Sox decision to give Freddy Garcia a couple of extra days and bypass his next start.
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<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"><tbody><tr><td height="20"> <table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="right"> Chase Field | 9:40 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td> </td></tr> <tr><td> <table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Chris Carpenter, RHP (2-0, 3.50)
Cardinals (9-5) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Edwin Jackson, RHP (1-1, 3.50)
D-backs (6-8) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td> </td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Cardinals: St. Louis jiggered its rotation over the previous weekend in order to get Carpenter on this game. That's in part because it's before the off-day, and perhaps in part because Phoenix can be an unforgiving place to pitch. Carpenter has fared well there, though, going 3-0 in five games with a 3.13 ERA in the homer-happy yard. He's coming off a reassuring game for fans in which he struck out 10 and didn't allow a home run. That's quite a turnaround from a five-inning, seven-run, three-homer showing five days earlier. </td></tr></tbody></table>

<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"><tbody><tr><td height="20"> <table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="left">
</td> <td align="right"> Angel Stadium of Anaheim | 10:05 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td> </td></tr> <tr><td> <table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Jeremy Bonderman, RHP (1-1, 9.00)
Tigers (7-7) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Jered Weaver, RHP (2-0, 2.84)
Angels (8-7) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td> </td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Tigers: Bonderman's last start read almost like two separate outings -- one batter reaching base safely the first time through the Mariners batting order, then only one out the next time through. He finished with 10 runs, eight earned, allowed on nine hits over four innings with four walks and four strikeouts, having used 93 pitches in the process as he tried to recapture the form that allowed him to work so easily through the lineup early. His splitter-slider combination has helped produce a strikeout per inning, but he'd trade some of those for quick outs and less damage. He's 3-3 with a 4.67 ERA in 10 career starts against the Angels, including 7 1/3 quality innings with seven strikeouts during a start in 2008.Angels: Weaver enhanced his credentials as the staff ace with another strong effort in Toronto on Friday night, moving to 24-14 in his career following an Angels loss by holding the Blue Jays to two solo homers across seven innings. Weaver was in command from the start, yielding five hits and walking none while striking out eight hitters. Fastball command is always the key for the cross-firing right-hander, who mixes in a quality slider and changeup. Weaver is 2-2 with a 7.36 in five career starts against the Tigers and is 28-12 with a 3.26 ERA in 55 outings at Angel Stadium.

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<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"><tbody><tr><td height="20"> <table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="right"> Oakland Coliseum | 10:05 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td> </td></tr> <tr><td> <table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Phil Hughes, RHP (1-0, 3.60)
Yankees (10-3) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Ben Sheets, RHP (1-0, 2.65)
Athletics (9-6) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td> </td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Yankees: Hughes had a solid season debut, even if five walks and a high pitch count limited him to just five-plus innings on the hill. He gave up two runs in that time in earning the win against the Angels. This will mark Hughes' first career start against the Athletics; he does have three relief appearances against them that add up to 4 1/3 scoreless innings -- one of which was at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. No Athletics hitter has more than two career at-bats against Hughes.Athletics: In his first two starts this season, Sheets allowed a combined 14 hits and six runs -- five of them earned. He walked seven and struck out only four, but in his most recent outing against the Orioles, Sheets proved he's making progress toward returning to his former All-Star self. He tossed six scoreless innings against Baltimore, which tagged him for just five hits while walking three times and fanning four times. Sheets mastered the Yankees in his lone career start against them, but that came five years ago when he tossed seven shutout innings while surrendering just two hits.
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Hammel has forgettable performance: Rockies SP Jason Hammel was shellacked in Friday's contest against the Braves. Hammel couldn't make it out of the second inning, giving up seven earned runs on eight hits while walking three batters and only striking out one. He retired only five batters before getting yanked. "He was very ineffective," Colorado manager Jim Tracy said. "He had no secondary pitch he could get over the plate." Hammel also showed his displeasure with his performance. "I've never felt so ineffective with my fastball," he said. "It was there, and then it wasn't."
(Updated 04/16/2010).

Hammel (0-1) has been hit hard in his first two outings, posting an 11.42 ERA while recording only five strikeouts and allowing six walks. Until he can turn things around, he remains a low-end Fantasy option in NL-only formats. His next scheduled start comes on Wednesday at Washington, where he is 1-0 with a 3.55 ERA.



Lannan goes seven strong : Nationals SP John Lannan pitched seven innings against the Brewers on Friday and only allowed two runs off of seven hits. He also struck out five while throwing 102 pitches. After Casey McGehee led off the second inning with a solo home run, Lannan did not allow another run until Corey C. Hart singled home Rickie Weeks in the fifth. That was all the scoring the Brewers could muster off Lannan and he left the game tied 2-2.
(Updated 04/16/2010).

Lannan has now produced two strong outings in a row after he was roughed up on opening day. His next start is scheduled for Wednesday against Colorado. In 2008, he had a 8.18 ERA in two starts against the Rockies. He has grown a lot since he last faced them

Gallardo's strong start spoiled: Brewers SP Yovani Gallardo only allowed two runs over six innings on Friday against the Nationals. He was in line for the win until LaTroy Hawkins blew the save by allowing three runs in the eighth inning. Gallardo gave up six hits but the only two that produced runs were Nyjer Morgan's RBI triple in the third and Josh Willingham's solo home run in the sixth. He also struck out five in his third start of the year.
(Updated 04/16/2010).

Friday was Gallardo's best outing so far, and he still couldn't get the win. The only thing that was worrisome about his start was the walks. He matched his base on balls total from his first two starts against Washington. He is a solid start for Fantasy Week 3 (April 19-25) as he is scheduled to face off against the Pirates on Thursday. He went 1-1 with a 3.12 ERA in four starts against Pittsburgh last year.




Bullpen fails Duke on Friday: Pirates SP Zach Duke pitched well enough to win his third game of the season on Friday, but his bullpen let him down, leaving him with a no-decision against the Reds. He left with a man on and a 3-0 lead in the eighth inning, only to see that lead disappear. Duke allowed one run on six hits over seven innings, walking three and whiffing a pair. He's 2-0 with a 2.37 ERA this season.
(Updated 04/17/2010).

Duke has been a pleasant surprise this season after failing to post an ERA lower than 4.00 in any of his previous four campaigns. He can be considered a viable Fantasy SP in deeper mixed formats while we wait for the real Zach Duke to make his arrival. His next start comes Wednesday at home against Milwaukee. He's 3-5 with a 5.38 ERA in his career against the Brewers.

About time.... lol...missed this thread thanks!!