Starting pitcher rankings for May 27

<CENTER>Starting pitcher rankings for May 27 </CENTER>

<TABLE style="MARGIN: 0px; WIDTH: 100%"><THEAD><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" colSpan=6><CENTER></CENTER></TH><TH style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" colSpan=3><CENTER>2010 Statistics </CENTER></TH><TH style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" colSpan=3><CENTER>Past 21 Days </CENTER></TH></TR></THEAD><THEAD><TR><TH style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Rk </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 30px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Team </CENTER></TH><TH style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">Name <CENTER></CENTER></TH><TH style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>T </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 35px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><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=middle>1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tim Hudson </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@FLA </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5-1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2.09 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.09 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3-0 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.24 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0.97 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Dan Haren </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@COL </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5-3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4.79 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.34 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2-2 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5.20 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.41 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Cole Hamels </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>L </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@NYM </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5-2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3.92 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.40 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3-0 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2.36 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.31 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">John Ely </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@CHC </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3-1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3.41 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.04 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3-0 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2.45 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0.94 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Barry Zito </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>L </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WAS </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6-2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2.80 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.13 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2-2 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4.56 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.48 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jeff Niemann </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CHW </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4-0 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2.54 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.09 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3-0 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2.30 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.17 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ricky Nolasco </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>ATL </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4-3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4.50 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.19 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2-2 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5.18 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.19 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Gio Gonzalez </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>L </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@BAL </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5-3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3.46 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.19 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2-2 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3.46 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.08 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Johnny Cueto </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>PIT </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4-1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3.60 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.18 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3-0 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.93 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0.86 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Pelfrey </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>PHI </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6-1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2.86 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.32 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2-0 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3.38 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.31 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Daisuke Matsuzaka </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>KC </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3-1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5.76 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.28 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3-0 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4.68 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.12 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Javier Vazquez </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@MIN </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3-4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6.69 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.57 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2-1 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.35 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0.75 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Gavin Floyd </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@TB </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2-4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6.31 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.66 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1-2 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6.12 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.64 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ted Lilly </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>L </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>LAD </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1-4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4.30 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.22 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0-3 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4.05 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.20 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brett Myers </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@MIL </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3-3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3.25 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.41 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2-1 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2.57 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.32 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Wade LeBlanc </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>L </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>STL </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2-2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3.32 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.42 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0-2 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5.66 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.55 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Craig Stammen </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@SF </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1-2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5.96 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.43 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0-1 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5.09 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.35 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brian Bannister </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@BOS </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3-3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4.73 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.39 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2-2 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6.45 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.61 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brad Bergesen </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>OAK </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3-3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6.10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.77 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2-1 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3.46 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.50 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Nick Blackburn </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYY </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5-1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4.50 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.43 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4-0 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2.67 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.19 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Dave Bush </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>HOU </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1-5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5.59 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.71 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0-3 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7.27 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2.19 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jason Hammel </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>ARI </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1-3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7.52 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.52 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1-1 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5.27 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0.95 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Charlie Morton </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@CIN </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1-8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8.71 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.72 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1-3 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5.32 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.32 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">P.J. Walters </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>R </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@SD </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0-0 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4.50 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.25 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0-0 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4.50 </TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f2; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1.25 </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:
At the top: Tim Hudson sits on top of the mountain for Thursday, as he's 8-2 with a 2.92 career ERA against the Florida Marlins. You don't always know which Cole Hamels you're going to get, and he's been generally miserable against the New York Mets (4.12 lifetime ERA). Still, he's on a three-game winning streak and Mike Pelfrey suffered his only defeat of the season in a lousy outing (6 ER in 4 IP) against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Barry Zito has certainly had a rebirth in 2010, but has never quite figured out the Washington Nationals, as evidenced by the 4.33 career ERA against them. Similarly, Jeff Niemann has struggled in the past against the Chicago White Sox, 1-2 with a 4.67 ERA. While that might keep both pitchers out of the top few spots, it certainly doesn't preclude them from being strong plays Thursday.
Rounding out the top 10: Gio Gonzalez pitched six shutout innings in his only previous encounter against the Baltimore Orioles, who have finally bailed on David Hernandez as a starter and will likely insert Brad Bergesen, coming off of two straight starts in which he allowed double-digit hit totals. Johnny Cueto is 7-2 lifetime against the Pittsburgh Pirates and has a 1.93 ERA in his two previous appearances against them in 2010.
Middle-of-the-road options: Roll the dice on Daisuke Matsuzaka, as he gets the Kansas City Royals, a team against which he's 2-0 lifetime with a 2.84 ERA. Additionally, Brian Bannister (0-4, 5.87 ERA versus the Boston Red Sox) is his opponent. Gavin Floyd is also undefeated in his career against the team he's facing on Thursday. Floyd is 2-0 with a 3.21 ERA against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Streamers on alert: Ted Lilly is 3-1 lifetime against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Brett Myers is 4-1 with a 1.77 ERA when going up against the Milwaukee Brewers. If you're playing the guessing game with this pair, today might be a good day to throw them against the wall in the hopes they stick.
Stay away: Dave Bush is 6-1 against the Houston Astros for his career, but he's been so miserably awful this season, I think you have to choose to ignore any past history in his case. Jason Hammel has a 4.87 ERA against the Arizona Diamondbacks for his career, and already lost to them in 2010, allowing five runs in only three innings pitched. With Brad Penny hurt, P.J. Walters gets the spot start after allowing two runs in four innings of relief against the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday.

Hitters' count:


• Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers: Kemp is a .429 hitter in his career against Ted Lilly, including a pair of home runs in his past three at-bats against him.
• Scott Rolen, 3B, Cincinnati Reds: Rolen has certainly slowed down of late, with a 2-for-17 run, but he's still at .300 for the month and is 3-for-8 against Charlie Morton for his career. Take the chance.
• Hunter Pence, OF, Astros: Dave Bush brings out the best in Pence, as he's 7-for-14 against the Brewers starter lifetime, including a home run.
• Kelly Johnson, 2B, Diamondbacks: Johnson has hits in four of his past five starts and seems to like to pick up what Jason Hammel is putting down. He's batting .750 against the Rockies righty.
• Matt Holliday, OF, St. Louis Cardinals: The month of May has been good to Holliday, as he's hit .307, up 23 points from April. Last year, Holliday had 10 RBIs against the Padres in just 39 at-bats.
• Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, San Diego Padres: Gonzalez is batting .385 against the current Cardinals staff, so regardless of how long P.J. Walters lasts in his sport start, the first baseman should be able to get his licks in.


Pitchers' count:


• Alex Rios, OF, White Sox: Rios is hitting only .207 against the Rays since 2007, and has never managed a hit in limited action against Jeff Niemann.
• Jason Kubel, OF, Minnesota Twins: The Twins continue to trot Kubel out there, but that doesn't mean you need to be as stubborn. Kubel is a mere 4-for-23 (.174) against Javier Vazquez for his career.
• Josh Willingham, OF, Nationals: You'd need a willing suspension of disbelief to start Willingham against Barry Zito. He's a lifetime 0-for-7 hitter against the Giants pitcher, with four strikeouts.
• Jason Bartlett, SS, Rays: Bartlett is in a 4-for-19 funk and his May average (.215) is on the dark side of the moon. Gavin Floyd is not the answer, as Bartlett's 1-for-7 against him.
• Marlon Byrd, OF, Chicago Cubs: His average has dipped 26 points during the past week, and he hit only .222 against the Dodgers last season. This is what they call "a lull."
• Cody Ross, OF, Marlins: Ross is hitting only .180 against possible pitchers from the Braves, and is only 1-for-10 when facing Tim Hudson.

Thnkx rolltide

Really 'preciate info RT, helps with my daily inclusion of info to determine plays. Actually, this info rates pretty high. Hope ya keep it up. Enjoy the weather today. Summer has hit here in PA. :drink:

I'm on the John Ely bandwagon, this guy has been very good. His off speed stuff moves like 12 inches through the strike zone and he doesn't walk anybody.

I think Nick Blackburn is a tad underrated today. He's hot, the Twins won his last start vs NYY in NY, and he pitched very well vs NYY last year in a game I went to at the stadium. They lost one of those there blown save walk off deals.

good info ... thanks!

u got that right union fitter...feeling like middle of july in the burgh. heading to philly for usa vs turkey and looks like another 5 degrees above the burgh. gotta pack my ceiling fan