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.
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">
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.