Lee set to make Mariners debut
</cite>
It's time to jump back on the cliff. We're talking, of course, about Cliff Lee, who is finally ready to take the mound for the Seattle Mariners on Friday after suffering a strained abdomen in spring training. Lee appears to have shaken off the injury, and is coming off six shutout innings in his Sunday rehab assignment for Triple-A Tacoma. Normally it's a good idea to err on the side of caution for a pitcher making a return from injury, and frankly, this is no exception. The current Texas Rangers roster is hitting .342 against Lee, who owns a 7.09 ERA against them for his career. However, with the recent spate of pitchers headed to the disabled list, we'd understand if you wanted to -- or needed to -- dive right in. Just be careful. As for the rest of our Friday rankings, here's the complete list:
<center> Starting pitcher rankings for April 30
</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> 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="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;"> Brad Penny </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"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0.94 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0.98 </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"> 0.94 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 0.98 </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;"> Randy Wells </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"> 8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.49 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.34 </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"> 2.49 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.34 </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;"> Ricky Nolasco </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"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.03 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.04 </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"> 3.03 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.04 </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;"> Tommy Hanson </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"> 9 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1-2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.14 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.38 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1-2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 2.14 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.38 </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;"> Andy Pettitte </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </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"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.29 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.07 </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"> 1.29 </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"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">
</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Barry Zito </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"> 5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.32 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0.84 </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"> 1.32 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 0.84 </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;"> Fausto Carmona </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </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"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.96 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.13 </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"> 2.96 </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"> 8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">
</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Brandon Morrow </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"> 1-2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.14 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.45 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1-2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 6.14 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.45 </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;"> Jeff Niemann </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"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.27 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.05 </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"> 3.27 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.05 </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;"> Chad Billingsley </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"> 1-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.40 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.65 </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"> 5.40 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.65 </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;"> John Danks </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </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"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.55 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0.86 </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"> 1.55 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 0.86 </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 12 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">
</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> John Lackey </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"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.09 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.65 </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"> 5.09 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.65 </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;"> Wandy Rodriguez </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </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"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1-2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.65 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.34 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1-2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 3.65 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.34 </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;"> Joel Pineiro </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"> 5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2-2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.42 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.29 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 2-2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 3.42 </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;"> Cliff Lee </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </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"> 5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> -- </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> -- </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> -- </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> -- </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> -- </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> -- </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;"> Colby Lewis </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"> 5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.80 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.35 </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"> 3.80 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.35 </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;"> Clayton Richard </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"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0-2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.75 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.50 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 0-2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 3.75 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.50 </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;"> Aaron Cook </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"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1-2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.01 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.46 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1-2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 5.01 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.46 </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;"> Nick Blackburn </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </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"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.85 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.73 </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"> 6.85 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.73 </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;"> Brian Bannister </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </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"> 1-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.13 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.42 </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"> 4.13 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.42 </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;"> Rodrigo Lopez </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </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"> 1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.88 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.67 </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"> 4.88 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.67 </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;"> Dave Bush </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"> 1-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.84 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.43 </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"> 4.84 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.43 </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;"> Rick Porcello </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"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1-2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.91 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.02 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1-2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 7.91 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 2.02 </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;"> Scott Olsen </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </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"> 6.14 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.57 </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"> 6.14 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.57 </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;"> Johnny Cueto </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"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.73 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.59 </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"> 5.73 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.59 </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;"> David Hernandez </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </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"> 0-3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.84 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.52 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 0-3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 4.84 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.52 </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;"> Jonathon Niese </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </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"> 1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.68 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.86 </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"> 3.68 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.86 </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;"> Kyle Kendrick </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"> 2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.71 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.77 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 0-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 7.71 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 1.77 </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;"> Vin Mazzaro </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"> 1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> -- </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> -- </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> -- </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> -- </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> -- </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> -- </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;"> Charlie Morton </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"> 1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0-4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 16.20 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.55 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 0-4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 16.20 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 2.55 </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.
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It's time to jump back on the cliff. We're talking, of course, about Cliff Lee, who is finally ready to take the mound for the Seattle Mariners on Friday after suffering a strained abdomen in spring training. Lee appears to have shaken off the injury, and is coming off six shutout innings in his Sunday rehab assignment for Triple-A Tacoma. Normally it's a good idea to err on the side of caution for a pitcher making a return from injury, and frankly, this is no exception. The current Texas Rangers roster is hitting .342 against Lee, who owns a 7.09 ERA against them for his career. However, with the recent spate of pitchers headed to the disabled list, we'd understand if you wanted to -- or needed to -- dive right in. Just be careful. As for the rest of our Friday rankings, here's the complete list:
<center> Starting pitcher rankings for April 30
</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> 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="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">