Starting pitcher rankings for August 23, 2009

[BadCo]

Starting pitcher rankings for August 23, 2009

<table style="margin: 0pt; width: 100%;"> <thead><tr><th style="vertical-align: bottom;"><center> Rk </center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 30px;"><center> Team </center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom;"> Name </th><th style="vertical-align: bottom;"><center> T </center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 35px;"><center> W-L </center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom;"><center> ERA </center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom;"><center> WHIP </center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom;"><center> K/9 </center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom;"><center> OPSA </center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom;"><center> Opp </center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom;"><center> OPS </center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom;"><center> CT% </center></th></tr></thead><tbody> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Felix Hernandez </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 12-4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.66 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.18 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8.72 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .622 </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"> .772 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 78.2% </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 Beckett </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 14-4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.38 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.13 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8.26 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .651 </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"> .830 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 82.3% </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;"> Tim Lincecum </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 12-3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.37 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.04 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 10.45 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .558 </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"> .785 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 77.0% </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Ubaldo Jimenez </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 11-9 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.41 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.23 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.85 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .628 </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"> .698 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 79.1% </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;"> Ricky Nolasco </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9-8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.22 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.26 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8.98 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .750 </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"> .750 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 81.7% </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;"> CC Sabathia </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 14-7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.58 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.13 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.05 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .665 </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"> .793 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 79.5% </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;"> Chad Billingsley </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 12-6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.70 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.25 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8.33 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .658 </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"> .746 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 78.1% </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;"> Ryan Dempster </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6-7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.28 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.40 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.70 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .774 </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"> .764 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 80.9% </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Mark Buehrle </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 11-6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.78 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.19 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.54 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .738 </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"> .751 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 82.4% </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;"> Rick Porcello </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 10-7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.21 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.38 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.97 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .759 </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"> .711 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 81.5% </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 11 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Pedro Martinez </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.50 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.25 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9.00 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .755 </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"> .729 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 83.4% </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 Smoltz </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2-5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8.33 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.70 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.43 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .971 </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"> .699 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 78.6% </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;"> Jon Garland </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6-11 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.42 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.44 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.31 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .786 </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"> .736 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 82.7% </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;"> Fausto Carmona </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2-8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.31 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.78 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.01 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .819 </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"> .715 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 80.7% </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;"> Derek Lowe </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 12-8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.45 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.44 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.63 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .746 </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"> .750 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 77.5% </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;"> Brian Bannister </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7-9 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.44 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.36 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.72 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .716 </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"> .771 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 81.0% </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 17 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> David Price </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6-5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.03 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.58 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8.30 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .815 </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"> .780 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 76.7% </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;"> Carl Pavano </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 10-9 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.32 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.36 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.45 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .805 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @KC </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> .711 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 80.3% </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;"> Kevin Hart </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4-2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.00 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.58 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.20 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .862 </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"> .689 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 79.8% </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 20 </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;" align="center"> 3-3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.06 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.85 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8.54 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .855 </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"> .788 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 79.2% </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;"> Craig Stammen </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3-6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.13 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.29 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.09 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .779 </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"> .769 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 77.5% </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;"> Bud Norris </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.05 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.46 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8.78 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .754 </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"> .747 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 77.3% </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;"> Ricky Romero </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 10-5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.95 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.40 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.97 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .785 </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"> .804 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 81.9% </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 24 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Cesar Carrillo </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 11.88 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.04 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.24 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.185 </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"> .747 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 81.3% </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 25 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Scott Feldman </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 12-4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.06 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.27 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.92 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .708 </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"> .801 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 77.2% </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;"> Trevor Bell </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1-0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.91 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.97 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.06 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .952 </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"> .762 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 82.8% </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;"> Brett Tomko </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2-2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.21 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.25 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.21 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .756 </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"> .745 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 79.5% </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;"> Manny Parra </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8-9 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.33 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.82 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.60 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .858 </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"> .758 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 78.2% </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;"> Homer Bailey </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2-4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.53 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.64 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.40 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .851 </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"> .711 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 79.3% </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 30 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Jason Berken </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2-11 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.72 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.71 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.93 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .906 </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"> .759 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 81.0% </td></tr> </tbody></table>Rk.: The author's ranking of that pitcher for that day only. T: Pitcher throws left-handed or right-handed. W-L: Pitcher's win-loss record. ERA: Pitcher's earned run average. WHIP: Pitcher's average number of walks plus hits surrendered per inning. K/9: Pitcher's average number of strikeouts per nine innings. OPSA: Pitcher's on-base plus slugging percentage surrendered to opponents. OPS: Pitcher's opponent's composite team on-base plus slugging percentage. CT%: Pitcher's opponent's success rate putting the ball in play (versus striking out).

 

[BadCo]

Selected notes for Sunday: Funny enough, David Ortiz is the only member of the Red Sox who's had much success against CC Sabathia; Ortiz, who is 2-for-5 with a home run versus Sabathia this season, is the only Red Sox player with a career OPS over .718 against the Yankees' ace. Although Sabathia shut the Sox down for seven innings recently, allowing just two hits, it's highly unlikely he'll be able to perform that well at Fenway Park; still, there's a good chance the Yankees will get their money's worth. … Derek Lowe's awful start against the Mets was a long time coming. With an underwhelming 18-to-12 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his preceding six starts, yet with a 3.15 ERA in that span, it seemed like just a matter of time before a team went to town on Lowe. While it may be surprising that it was the Mets that took it to him, don't be fooled twice -- the Marlins have had some success against Lowe in the past, and considering that their offense is performing better than it has all year, they may be one of the last teams Lowe wants to face. … A soft stretch of the schedule has given Rick Porcello value again, as he has a 1.88 ERA in his past three starts if you throw out the start against the Red Sox in which he got himself tossed in the second inning. Porcello even struck out eight batters in his last start, so maybe the suspension did his arm some good. With another favorable matchup on Sunday against the A's, it looks like Porcello may have a second wind, after all. … You can make the case an emotional player like Pedro Martinez will be fired up to face his former team, the Mets, but you can also point to their Quadruple-A lineup at this point. The 40-year-old Gary Sheffield is currently the Mets' best hitter, so how can you resist trotting Martinez out there? And since poor offenses so often beat themselves, Martinez, who tends to pound the strike zone at this stage in his career, stands a good shot at pitching at least six innings, which would dramatically increase his chances at picking up a win. … While we're on the subject of ancient hurlers, John Smoltz will make his debut for the Cardinals, who seem determined to see for themselves whether Smoltz is done or not. The debate rages on; while his peripherals -- mainly his 33-to-9 strikeout-to-walk ratio -- don't look so bad, Smoltz has allowed a ton of extra-base hits, which are normally an indictment of a pitcher's own skill, or lack thereof. No matter what, the NL Central will be a tremendous reprieve from the AL East, and on that move alone, Smoltz could carve out some value. Indeed, a cake matchup against the Padres awaits, and since the Padres cannot plate many runs in Petco Park, Smoltz is an intriguing option.

 

[BadCo]

Now batting (Sunday)

Hitters' count:
• Grady Sizemore, OF, Indians: He hasn't been in this space nearly as much as he should be thanks to his bum elbow limiting his impact this season, but against Felix Hernandez, at least, he's been his old self. Sizemore is 2-for-4 with a double and a triple versus King Felix this season, improving to 7-for-14 overall in his career against the ace. Although he's yet to take Hernandez deep, four of his seven hits have been extra-base hits, so he's been hitting him hard as well as often.
• Jayson Werth, OF, Phillies: Werth has always been a monster against left-handed pitching, and has an insane .306/.434/.636 line against them this season, with 11 homers in 121 at-bats. Oliver Perez is going to have his hands full, especially considering that Werth is 5-for-16 (.313) with a double and a home run, and maybe the only reason that line isn't more impressive is because Perez has also walked Werth seven times.
• Chipper Jones, 3B, Braves: Sure, Chipper's always a great option (when he's not hurt, anyway), but he's so good against Ricky Nolasco that it would be a crime not to mention his track record -- 10-for-19 with four homers and three doubles. Maybe Nolasco should just give Chipper the Barry Bonds treatment: intentional walks in every plate appearance.
• Jorge Cantu, 1B/3B, Marlins: Only once in nine plate appearances against Derek Lowe has Cantu not reached base, and five times he's picked up an extra base or two, including a home run.
• Miguel Tejada, SS, Astros: Tejada has abused the hittable Jon Garland, smashing 11 hits in 26 at-bats, including two home runs. He's yet to take a walk, which is a good thing in this case -- it just makes the .423 batting average that much sweeter.
• Alex Rios, OF, White Sox: Rios is 3-for-5 versus Jason Berken, and all three of Rios' hits against Berken have been of the extra-base variety. It's not like that's too out of the ordinary for Berken, against whom righties have a .957 OPS.
• Chris Iannetta, C, Rockies: Despite a .200 average against right-handers this season, Iannetta has defied the odds and is 6-for-9 versus Tim Lincecum. With two doubles and a home run, not to mention a whopping six walks, it seems Iannetta has figured out one of baseball's toughest pitchers.
Pitchers' count:
• Ryan Howard, 1B, Phillies: Even when Oliver Perez is wild, he's something vicious on left-handers; they're hitting .205 against Perez this season, which, if it holds, will be the first time in the past four years that lefties have hit above the Mendoza Line against him. For Howard, the Mendoza Line would be an improvement, as he's 3-for-24 (.125) with 14 K's, although at least Howard has a home run to hang his hat on.
• Raul Ibanez, OF, Phillies: Of course, that means the lefty-batting Ibanez should sit, too, even though Ibanez is 2-for-4 with a home run against Perez this season. Still, for his career, Ibanez has been worse against southpaws, and now that regression is catching up to him (.218 average in August), he's no longer impervious to quality pitching.
• Cody Ross, OF, Marlins: Ross' slugging percentage drops 131 points against right-handers, and he's struggled to do much against Derek Lowe, going 0-for-6 for his career. It's tough to lift the ball against Lowe, anyway, as he's only allowed eight home runs in 153 2/3 innings this season.
• Adam Jones, OF, Orioles: Jones is also hitless in five at-bats against Mark Buehrle, striking out twice and earning a walk. He's only hitting .230 in August, anyway, so it looks like a good time to get him out of your lineup for the weekend.
• Jason Kubel, OF, Twins: Despite Kubel's propensity to mash on right-handers, Brian Bannister hasn't had a problem against him, holding him to four singles in 20 at-bats, sending him down on strikes four times, as well.
• Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox: Pedroia is one of the many Red Sox that haven't done well against CC Sabathia; he's 0-for-9 with three K's. J.D. Drew (2-for-10, five strikeouts), Mike Lowell (2-for-13) and Jason Varitek (1-for-13) have also had struggles of their own.
If you're hardcore

• Delwyn Young, 2B/OF, Pirates: Young has been on quite a roll, going 18-for-46 (.391) over his past 12 games. There's little power or speed to go along with that, but now that he qualifies at second base, those in deep leagues sure don't mind. Freddy who?
• Marlon Byrd, OF, Rangers: Byrd went yard twice on Thursday, and had five extra-base hits -- four doubles and a triple -- in the preceding six games, as well, so he's certainly swinging a hot bat. Righties slug .471 against David Price, so Byrd has a good chance to keep it up.
• Kosuke Fukudome, OF, Cubs: In 11 of his past 12 games Fukudome has reached base safely, piling up nine runs, four doubles and three home runs in that span. Normally the leadoff hitter, Fukudome has been moved down to fifth, putting him in position to trade some runs for RBIs now that he's found his power stroke. He has a double and a home run in eight at-bats versus Chad Billingsley, so he could easily stay hot.
Triage

Injury list: Out
• Francisco Liriano, SP, Twins (15-day DL, left arm fatigue): Who knows if Liriano's arm is actually tired; the Twins just may have tired of his poor performance and stashed him. For now, Brian Duensing will take his spot in the rotation.
• Willy Taveras, OF, Reds (15-day DL, quadriceps)
Injury list: Day-to-day
• Garret Anderson, OF, Braves (back)
• Jorge Cantu, 1B/3B, Marlins (neck): The Marlins expect Cantu back on Friday.
• Edwin Encarnacion, 3B, Blue Jays (knee)
• Nick Johnson, 1B, Marlins (hamstring): According to manager Fredi Gonzalez, Nick Johnson isn't likely to return Friday, and "maybe not even Saturday. And if we get to Sunday with him, why not go ahead and give him Sunday off because you have Monday off." It wouldn't be surprising if Johnson ended up on the disabled list soon.
• Justin Morneau, 1B, Twins (ear)
• Brandon Phillips, 2B, Reds (wrist)
• Martin Prado, 1B/2B/3B, Braves (illness)
• Freddy Sanchez, 2B, Giants (shoulder): Sanchez expects to return Friday.
• Jason Varitek, C, Red Sox (neck)
Weather concerns

• Only games in Toronto (Angels-Blue Jays), Houston (Diamondbacks-Astros) and Tampa Bay (Rangers-Rays) have the benefit of being played in weatherproof domes.
• Rain will heavily affect the weekend slate, too, beginning in Boston, which must deal with showers all weekend. It's worse in Flushing, New York, where thunderstorms are nearly a certainty on Saturday (70 percent chance); things look slightly better on Sunday.
• Storms will also strike the nation's capital, with delays or a rainout looking very possible on Saturday, although things improve substantially on Sunday. A few isolated storms (30 percent) could also head Pittsburgh's way, threatening games on both days.
• Cleveland may also have to deal with a few showers, and the 1 p.m. start time on Sunday doesn't help matters any.

 

[BadCo]

<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"><tbody><tr><td height="20"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="left">
</td> <td align="right"> Progressive Field | 1:05 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Felix Hernandez, RHP (12-4, 2.66)
Mariners (63-60) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Fausto Carmona, RHP (2-8, 6.31)
Indians (53-69) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Mariners: The team's top winner had to settle for his ninth no-decision of the season in his last start after holding the Tigers to one run over seven innings. He could have gone eight, or perhaps nine, if not for his right calf cramping up on him in the sixth inning. He has allowed two or fewer runs in 11 of his last 15 starts and has pitched at least six innings in 95 of his 129 career starts, including 57 of his last 70. Hernandez has a 1.92 ERA on the road this season and has a 6-0 record in his last nine road outings. Felix is 1-0 against the Indians this season and 3-1 in his career against them.Indians: Carmona had his first real setback in four starts since returning to the Indians rotation. He struggled to find his command early, and the best offense in the American League made him pay. Carmona gave up as many runs -- five -- in his first three innings against the Angels as he had in his previous three games combined. In all Carmona gave up three earned runs on ten hits with four strikeouts and two walks in just five innings. He will look to get back on track Sunday against the Mariners, whom he is 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA in three appearances, two of which have been starts.


</td></tr> </tbody></table>
<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"> <tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#cacaca">

</td></tr> <tr><td height="20"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td align="left"></td> <td align="right"> Rogers Centre | 1:07 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Trevor Bell, RHP (1-0, 5.91)
Angels (74-47) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Ricky Romero, LHP (10-5, 3.95)
Blue Jays (56-65) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Angels: It was a struggle, but Bell, a 22-year-old right-hander with a fastball in the 91-93 mph range complemented by a hard slider and changeup, claimed his first Major League win in his second start when he lasted 5 1/3 innings against the Indians in Cleveland on Tuesday night. Bell yielded three runs, working through a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the third inning when he was on the ropes. Bell, a former first-round compensation pick who hadn't pitched beyond Class A before this season, has demonstrated poise along with quality stuff, raising hopes that he might be a valuable piece down the stretch. He also pitched capably in his debut against the Rays.Blue Jays: On Tuesday night in Toronto, Romero's struggles against the Red Sox persisted. In three outings against Boston, the young lefty has gone 0-2 with a 10.50 ERA. Romero is 10-3 with a 3.26 ERA against all other opponents. In his latest effort, Romero allowed six runs (five earned) on six hits with three walks and two strikeouts over 3 2/3 innings -- the shortest outing of his career. Over his last three starts, Romero has gone 0-1 with a 6.89 ERA. That follows a 12-start stretch over which he went 8-2 with a 3.29 ERA. Romero has never faced the Angels.


</td></tr> </tbody></table>
<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"> <tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#cacaca">

</td></tr> <tr><td height="20"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td align="left"></td> <td align="right"> Citi Field | 1:10 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Pedro Martinez, RHP (1-0, 4.50)
Phillies (70-50) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Oliver Perez, LHP (3-3, 6.06)
Mets (57-66) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Phillies: Martinez had been throwing well against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park until a severe storm rolled through and cut his night short. In three innings, Martinez allowed two hits, one run and one home run in three innings. He struck out three and retired the final eight batters he faced. The home run he allowed to Stephen Drew barely cleared the right-field wall -- a ball that would not have been a home run in most parks. Martinez gets to face the Mets, his former team Sunday at Citi Field.Mets: Perez labored through five innings against the Braves on Tuesday, allowing four runs (on two home runs) in five innings while aggravating an injury in his right knee when covering first base. Even as his ERA jumped back over 6.00 for the season, Perez notched his first win in seven starts and evened his record on the season. He was both a contributor to and the beneficiary of the Mets' eight-run fourth inning, as he singled to help his team turn a four-run deficit into a four-run lead. Perez is 2-3 with a 3.55 ERA in 13 career starts against the Phillies, but his one earlier this season versus Philadelphia lasted just 2 1/3 innings and included four runs, five hits, six walks and an eventual trip to the disabled list afterward. The Phillies hit a collective .243 off of Perez. Ryan Howard is 3-for-24 lifetime and Pedro Feliz is just 1-for-19, while Jimmy Rollins is 8-for-26 with two home runs. Lefties are hitting just .205 off Perez this season.

</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[BadCo]

<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"> <tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#cacaca">

</td></tr> <tr><td height="20"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td align="left"></td> <td align="right"> Turner Field | 1:30 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Ricky Nolasco, RHP (9-8, 5.22)
Marlins (65-58) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Derek Lowe, RHP (12-8, 4.45)
Braves (65-58) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Marlins: Four batters into his previous start, it looked like it was going to be a rough night. Nolasco gave up a two-out double to Lance Berkman at Houston, and Carlos Lee followed with a two-run homer. From that point, Nolasco settled and dominated. He retired 23 straight until one-out in the ninth inning, and he logged a complete game victory, striking out 10 on 115 pitches. Nolasco has a chance to reach double-digits in wins for the second straight year. He won 15 a year ago, and he also posted 11 wins a rookie in 2006. The 26-year-old on July 28 had a no-decision with Atlanta, giving up two runs in seven innings.Braves: In a startling departure from his consistency of the past month, Lowe allowed all eight of his runs against the Mets in one inning last Tuesday. It marked the first time Lowe had given up more than three runs in an outing since July 5, and the first time the Mets had scored at least eight runs in an inning all season. They were one of the few teams this season to hit Lowe as hard as the Marlins, who tagged him for six runs in five innings on May 6. But Lowe won that game, and hasn't lost to the Marlins in over two years.


</td></tr> </tbody></table>
<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"> <tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#cacaca">

</td></tr> <tr><td height="20"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td align="left"></td> <td align="right"> PNC Park | 1:35 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Homer Bailey, RHP (2-4, 7.53)
Reds (51-71) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Kevin Hart, RHP (4-2, 4.00)
Pirates (51-70) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Reds: Bailey was cruising through the Giants' order through five innings his last time out and had a 5-1 lead entering the sixth. But he fell apart in the sixth and gave up four runs to lose the lead and a shot at beating Giants starter Tim Lincecum. Bailey left with one out in the sixth, having surrendered five runs and seven hits while striking out four. He will look to get his first win since July 27 against the Pirates. Bailey has not faced the Pirates this season.Pirates: Hart shows flashes of above-average command at times, but he is still too frequently leaving pitches up. And it's costing him. Despite being staked to an early five-run lead in his last start, Hart immediately allowed the Brewers to chip away as he surrendered two homers in the final two innings of his six-inning start. Before that start, Hart had given up just seven homers in 77 2/3 career innings. He's been plagued, too, by running up a high pitch count early. In four appearances (one start) against Cincinnati, Hart has allowed three earned runs in 11 innings.


</td></tr> </tbody></table>
<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"> <tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#cacaca">

</td></tr> <tr><td height="20"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td align="left"></td> <td align="right"> Nationals Park | 1:35 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Manny Parra, LHP (8-9, 6.33)
Brewers (60-62) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Craig Stammen, RHP (3-6, 5.13)
Nationals (43-80) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Brewers: Parra beat the Nationals on July 29 at Miller Park despite allowing five runs on nine hits and five walks. "I don't care what their record is," Parra said a few days later. "That's not a last-place lineup. Those guys can hit." Parra is coming off a bad loss to the Pirates in which he surrendered two home runs, one on a 3-and-1 curveball to free-swinging outfielder Lastings Milledge. It was Parra's first loss in the big leagues since June 13. He had been 5-0 since returning from a demotion to Triple-A Nashville. Nationals: A 25-year-old rookie, Stammen has shown good control, walking only 19 in 94 2/3 innings, but he has struck out only 43 batters. He did not win in any of his past five starts, but lost only one of them. He allowed two runs on four hits in 5 1/3 innings against the Rockies his last time out.


</td></tr> </tbody></table>
<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#cacaca">

</td></tr> <tr><td height="20"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td align="left"></td> <td align="right"> Tropicana Field | 1:38 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Scott Feldman, RHP (12-4, 4.06)
Rangers (68-54) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> David Price, LHP (6-5, 5.03)
Rays (67-55) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Rangers: Feldman allowed five earned runs and nine hits over 5 2/3 innings pitched against the Twins on Tuesday. That ended a three-game winning streak for him and was the fifth time in 22 starts he allowed more than three runs. He is 13-10 over 62 career games -- 23 starts -- with a 5.09 ERA over 176 2/3 innings pitched on the road. Feldman is 2-1 over six career games -- two starts -- with a 2.50 ERA over 18 innings pitched against the Rays. He allowed one earned run over six innings in a win over the Rays this season.Rays: Price struggled with his pitch count against the Orioles on Tuesday, but the young southpaw showed the poise of a veteran while getting out of trouble and keeping his team in the game. The 23-year-old rookie scattered just two runs even though he needed 102 pitches to get through five innings. It was the eighth time in 15 starts he had failed to get to the sixth, as Price needed just nine pitches to get through the first, but 48 combined to get past the second and third inning. In his five frames, he gave up seven hits and three walks while striking out five. In his only career start against the Rangers, he was shelled for six runs in 1 1/3 innings on July 4.

</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[BadCo]

<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"><tbody><tr><td height="20"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="right"> Minute Maid Park | 2:05 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Jon Garland, RHP (6-11, 4.42)
Diamondbacks (54-70) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Bud Norris, RHP (3-1, 4.05)
Astros (61-62) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Diamondbacks: Battling stormy Philadelphia rains, Garland allowed five earned runs on 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings during his last outing. The weather was not the problem, he said. Rather, in a three-run third inning, he was hurt by defensive miscues, and later in the game, as his pitches flattened out, he surrendered two solo home runs. He had thrown eight quality starts in his past nine outings entering Tuesday. In three career starts against the Astros, Garland is 0-1 with a 4.26 ERA. Astros: Norris lost for the first time in his big league career last time out against the Marlins. After cruising through the first three innings, scattering two hits, Norris allowed five runs over the next three innings. He was unable to work out of the sixth after loading the bases and walking in a run, the third run of the inning. In his first and only meeting with Milwaukee, he tossed six innings, allowing two runs on three hits, and struck out a season-high seven.


</td></tr> </tbody></table>
<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"> <tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#cacaca">

</td></tr> <tr><td height="20"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td align="left"></td> <td align="right"> U.S. Cellular Field | 2:05 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Jason Berken, RHP (2-11, 6.72)
Orioles (50-73) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Mark Buehrle, LHP (11-6, 3.78)
White Sox (63-60) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Orioles: Berken fell for the 11th time in his last 12 starts since winning his Major League debut in late May, and on paper his start vs. Tampa Bay looks like one of his worst. He allowed a season-high 11 hits, five runs, and three home runs in 5 2/3 innings to the Rays. But in reality, Berken had good stuff and showed strong poise and command while working in and out of trouble. He allowed two solo home runs in the sixth inning which ended his outing, and has now given up 10 home runs in his last seven starts after allowing three in his first nine. His ERA is now over 9.00 on the road.White Sox: The left-hander looked in position to pick up his first victory since throwing the 18th perfect game in Major League history on July 23 against Tampa Bay, but Scott Linebrink's blown save in the eighth kept Buehrle winless during that stretch. Buehrle gave up four runs on nine hits in six innings against the Royals, walking two and not recording a strikeout. Since making history, Buehrle has a 0-3 record with a 5.85 ERA and has allowed 43 hits in 32 1/3 innings covering five starts. Buehrle's Major League-record streak of 45 straight batters retired began with the last out recorded of his last start against the Orioles. He has a 1-0 record against the Orioles this season and is 5-2 lifetime when facing Baltimore.


</td></tr> </tbody></table>
<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"> <tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#cacaca">

</td></tr> <tr><td height="20"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td align="left"></td> <td align="right"> Kauffman Stadium | 2:10 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Carl Pavano, RHP (10-9, 5.32)
Twins (60-63) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Brian Bannister, RHP (7-9, 4.44)
Royals (47-75) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Twins: Pavano was the latest Twins starter to deliver a short outing, as he lasted just four innings against the Rangers in his last start. The right-hander threw 99 pitches in his outing while allowing five runs on seven hits and walking three. The Twins hope that Pavano can get back to the form he had in his first start for the club against Detroit, when he pitched seven scoreless innings. He'll next face the Royals who he struggled against in a start at the Metrodome on Aug. 13. He allowed five runs on five hits over seven innings.Royals: For the third consecutive game, Bannister surrendered seven runs in a contest. Unlike his previous two outings, however, Bannister did not take the loss, as a Mike Jacobs pinch-hit home run in the eighth inning allowed Bannister a no-decision. Bannister was by no means good against the White Sox, but he certainly didn't pitch as poorly as he had in two outings before that, when he gave up 14 earned runs over 10 innings. He lasted seven innings, allowing seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits with six strikeouts and three walks. Bannister noted this his pitches were not sinking to his liking, which was something he wanted to work on as the season progressed. Lifetime against the Twins, he is 3-3 with a 4.03 ERA in nine starts.


</td></tr> </tbody></table>
<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#cacaca">

</td></tr> <tr><td height="20"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td align="left"></td> <td align="right"> Coors Field | 3:10 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Tim Lincecum, RHP (12-3, 2.37)
Giants (67-56) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Ubaldo Jimenez, RHP (11-9, 3.41)
Rockies (69-54) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Giants: Lincecum had an uncharacteristic outing in his last start at Cincinnati, allowing five runs in six innings. He struck out two, reflecting his diminished velocity. But the National League's reigning Cy Young Award winner and Major League strikeout leader seemed unconcerned, since he has bounced back from similar outings previously. Oddly, Lincecum has not faced Colorado this year. He's 3-2 with a 4.40 ERA against the Rockies lifetime, including 2-0, 4.18 at Coors Field, where he earned his first big league victory on May 11, 2007.Rockies: The young right-hander ran his August record to 4-0 with a brilliant start against Washington on Tuesday, allowing two runs on seven hits over eight innings and striking out five while walking just one. It marked the 21st time in a row in which he'd gone six or more innings, and after striking out Nationals cleanup hitter Adam Dunn three times, No. 4 hitters are 8-for-72 against him this season. He showed good control of his explosive fastball and recovered quickly from his lone hiccup in the second inning to cruise the rest of the way.

</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[BadCo]

 

[BadCo]

Hernandez, who struck out nine in seven innings Tuesday, experienced leg cramps for the second straight start, but it is not considered serious, the Seattle Times reports.
The cramps started in the fifth inning, but didn't cause any problems -- Hernandez allowed just one measly single in the final three frames. Hernandez was a little wild early, using 40 pitches in the first two innings in which he allowed four of his six baserunners. He said that was because he did not play catch on Monday's off day so it took him a little while to find his groove.


Fausto Carmona fell to 2-8 Tuesday after yielding 10 hits, three earned runs, two walks with four strikeouts against the Angels.
Just when it seemed like Carmona had broken free of his first-half shackles, the Angels showed he still has a long ways to go before reclaiming his once-ace status. If there's one piece of good news, it's that Tuesday marked the first time since May 4 that he's issued fewer than three walks. Until he shows improved command, the smart money says sit Carmona and his 6.31 ERA, even against the lowly Mariners next time out.

 

[BadCo]

Pitchers: Trevor Bell vs. Ricky Romero.

Update: Bell has given up 18 hits in 10 2/3 innings of his first two big league starts, but he kept the Angels in a 10-5 win over Tampa Bay on Aug. 12, and he notched his first win in Cleveland on Tuesday. Romero, a former Cal State Fullerton standout, has had some control problems this season, striking out 92 but walking 50 in 125 1/3 innings. Left-handers are batting .311 against the left-handed Romero, right-handers only .249.


Bell has pitched 5 1/3 innings in each of his first two starts, allowing a total of seven earned runs. He looks a little overmatched, as you'd expect for a 22-year-old. You can't expect him to pitch up to his full capabilities this early in his career




Romero (10-5) is having a fantastic rookie season for the Jays and had won three of his last four decisions coming into Tuesday’s game. Still, he’s been giving up a decent amount of runs lately as he’s allowed at least four runs five times in his last eight starts. Romero isn’t pitching well at the moment but he isn’t pitching poorly, either.

 

[BadCo]

Pedro cut short by rain delay: Jamie Moyer pitched six scoreless innings in relief Pedro Martinez, who took his spot in the starting rotation, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-1 Tuesday night. A 66-minute rain delay ruined Martinez's home debut with the Phillies. The three-time Cy Young Award winner allowed one run in three innings in his second start since returning to the majors. Martinez struck out three and retired the last eight batters he faced, but left after the long delay. Pitching in a steady rain, Moyer (11-9) gave up two singles and struck out five in his first relief appearance in five years. He also chipped in with two hits. The 46-year-old left-hander was upset last week when he was demoted to the bullpen to make room for Martinez.

Martinez looked good while he was in the game on Tuesday and won his debut with the Phillies. So far, so good. He's getting used in mixed Fantasy leagues and so far he's been worth every penny so continue to do so. His next start comes Sunday at the Mets, his former team. Moyer got the win, which is a nice piece of irony.




Perez expected to start on Sunday: Mets manager Jerry Manuel said he thinks LHP Oliver Perez (right knee tenderness) will be able to make his next scheduled start Sunday against Philadelphia.

Injury Report
Knee - Probable for Aug. 23 start vs. Philadelphia

Perez has been much-improved for the Mets of late and even picked up a win in his previous outing against Atlanta. He has plenty of potential and has looked like the high-end pitcher

 

[BadCo]

Nolasco K's 10 in complete game: Florida starter Ricky Nolasco improved to 9-8 on the season with a great effort Tuesday night in a win over the Astros. Nolasco threw a complete game and allowed just three hits. He gave up two runs, which came on a two-run homer from Carlos N. Lee, but did not walk a batter and struck out 10. His ERA is 5.22 on the year.

Nolasco is having quite an odd season for Florida. He'll throw a complete game shutout one start with double-digit strikeouts and then give up 10 runs and strike out only one the next game. That is precisely what he did in his last start but turned that right around with Tuesday's masterful performance. He clearly has the upside of a must-start Fantasy ace but you'll have to deal with the occasional poor outing as well. His next start comes Sunday at Atlanta




Lowe gives up 8-run 4th inning: Atlanta SP Derek Lowe was just awful on Tuesday against the New York Mets. Well, for one inning at least. The Braves gave him a 4-0 lead but he lost it in the 4th inning as he gave up eight runs. He allowed the eight runs on 11 hits total over 3 2/3 innings. He did not walk or strike out a batter. His ERA is 4.45 as his record falls to 12-8.

With 12 wins, Lowe is very much a high-end mixed-league Fantasy starter. The fourth inning was just an aberration after he had won five straight decisions coming into the game. Lowe's next start is scheduled for Sunday against the Marlins and we have a feeling he'll fare better in that start.

 

[BadCo]

Parra snaps lengthy win streak: Brewers SP Manny Parra wasn't awful on Tuesday night against the Pirates but he was just bad enough to drop his 9th decision of the year. Parra (8-9) lost to the Bucs as he allowed four runs -- three earned -- on six hits over six innings. He walked three and had three strikeouts. His ERA is at 6.33 on the year.


Parra came into Tuesday's game having won five straight decisions in his last seven starts. A closer inspection at those numbers shows, however, that Parra hasn't exactly been lights out during most of those wins. He has allowed at least three earned runs in six straight outings and has been getting tons of run support. He's a solid strikeout pitcher but despite the current streak of wins, he's just a low-end mixed-league Fantasy starter. His next outing comes Sunday at Washington.




Stammen doesn't factor vs. Rockies: Nationals starter Craig Stammen gave up two earned runs on four hits over 5 1/3 innings on Tuesday against the Rockies and settled for a no decision with Ubaldo Jimenez on the hill for Colorado. Jimenez was too good and Stammen left before his bullpen coughed up the winning runs. Stammen walked two and struck out three. His ERA is 5.13.

Stammen has pitched better of late for the Nationals but is nothing but an NL-only Fantasy pitcher at this time. He hasn’t won since July 22 and doesn’t figure to get many opportunities to win pitching down the stretch with the lowly Nationals. His next outing comes Sunday against the Brewers.

 

[BadCo]

Bailey shaky in no decision: On the rare occasion that Giants starter Tim Lincecum did not pitch well on Tuesday night, Reds starter Homer Bailey could not capitalize. Bailey gave up five runs – as did Lincecum – on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings and settled for a no decision. He walked three and struck out four. His ERA is at 7.53 on the season.

Bailey has really struggled this season. Unlike Lincecum, who hadn’t allowed five runs in a start since May, Bailey has done that three times in his last four starts. He has loads of upside but can only be realistically starting in NL-only Fantasy leagues at the moment. His next start comes Sunday at Pittsburgh



Kevin Hart earned his first Pirates win on Monday, despite allowing four earned runs on nine hits and two walks over six innings against the Brewers.
Hart nearly escaped with his fourth quality start in five outings before serving up a two-run homer to Mike Cameron. It was the fourth victory of the year for Hart, who heads into a favorable home outing against the light-hitting Reds sporting a 4.00 ERA.

 

[BadCo]

Feldman blows lead against Twins: By letting a 5-0 lead get away Tuesday against the Twins, Rangers SP Scott Feldman missed a chance to become one of the fastest Ranger to 13 wins in club history. He ended up taking the no-decision, allowing five runs on nine hits with one walk and four strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. He entered the game on
Feldman's ERA jumped to 4.06 with this start, but he's still pitching far better than anyone expected from him coming into the season. He's to the point where he deserves a starting spot in most leagues even though his upside is limited.




Price impressive against Orioles: Tampa Bay SP David Price kept coming up with the big pitch when he needed it most during Tuesday's win over the Orioles. Price was a bit shaky at times but always got the big out. Price gave up just two runs in the game on seven hits over five innings. He walked three and struck out five. He improves his record to 6-5 on the season and has a 5.03 ERA.

Price continues to have his ups and downs in his rookie season for the Rays. He won two straight over the Royals and Red Sox only to lose his next start at the Angels and give up five runs. He rebounded from that on Tuesday with a solid performance. He's definitely worth owning in most mixed Fantasy leagues but can be starting in deeper formats. His next start comes Sunday against Texas.

 

[BadCo]

Pavano gives up five earned again: Twins SP Carl Pavano gave up five earned runs in four innings at Texas on Tuesday. He allowed seven hits and three walks, recording four strikeouts in the no-decision. He also gave up five runs last time out, though he pitched seven innings then.

Pavano is looking just as inconsistent with the Twins as he was with the Indians. He eats innings, if nothing else, which gives him some low-end appeal in mixed leagues. His next start is scheduled for Sunday at Kansas City.



Brian Bannister allowed six earned runs on 10 hits over seven innings in a no-decision vs. the White Sox on Monday, walking three and fanning six.
Bannister has given up at least six earned runs in each of his last three starts, ballooning his ERA to 4.44. The Royals righty did enjoy a solid month of July in which he posted a 3.45 ERA, but in light of his recent struggles, Bannister is best left for AL-only leagues at this time. He’ll look to rebound Aug. 23 vs. Carl Pavano and the Twins.

 

[BadCo]

<table class="tableBody" bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"><tbody><tr class="tableBody" bgcolor="#f2f2e8"><td valign="top"><nobr>Andy LaRoche
, Pit 3B</nobr>
<nobr>News Archive
</nobr><nobr>Pittsburgh Pirates</nobr>
</td><td valign="top">LaRoche is not in Sunday's starting lineup for the Pirates.
Spin:
It's likely the team is simply giving him a day off. Ramon Vazquez starts in his place.

Sun, Aug 23



</td><td valign="top">

</td></tr><tr class="tableBody" bgcolor="#f8f8f2"><td valign="top"><nobr>Brian Bixler
, Pit SS</nobr>
<nobr>News Archive
</nobr><nobr>Pittsburgh Pirates</nobr>
</td><td valign="top">Bixler will start at shortstop Sunday in place of Ronny Cedeno (finger).
Spin:
Bixler, a shortstop, worked out at second base and in center field for most of August at the Triple-A level. He took his eighth career walk Saturday (against 54 strikeouts) in his first big league action since May.

Sun, Aug 23



</td><td valign="top">

</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[BadCo]

<table class="tableBody" bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"><tbody><tr class="tableBody" bgcolor="#f8f8f2"><td valign="top"><nobr>Scott Rolen
, Cin 3B</nobr>
<nobr>News Archive
</nobr><nobr>Cincinnati Reds</nobr>
</td><td valign="top">Rolen (concussion) will be activated and in the lineup against the Pirates Sunday, the Reds' official site reports. "He's back, he passed the test with the neurologist with flying colors," manager Dusty Baker said.
Spin:
It looks safe to re-deploy Rolen if he is someone you'd normally use.



</td><td valign="top">

</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[BadCo]

<table class="tableBody" bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"><tbody><tr class="tableBody" bgcolor="#f2f2e8"><td valign="top"><nobr>Jermaine Dye
, CWS OF</nobr>
<nobr>News Archive
</nobr><nobr>Chicago White Sox</nobr>
</td><td valign="top">Dye will not start Sunday, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Spin:
Just a routine day off in front of a very long road trip. Alex Rios started in right. Dye strung together a .538/.667/.538 line between August 14 and August 17, but he has gone 1-for-15 since.

Sun, Aug 23



</td><td valign="top">

</td></tr></tbody></table>





<table class="tableBody" bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"><tbody><tr class="tableBody" bgcolor="#f8f8f2"><td valign="top"><nobr>Ivan Rodriguez
, Tex C</nobr>
<nobr>News Archive
</nobr><nobr>Texas Rangers</nobr>
</td><td valign="top">Rodriguez is expected to get the start behind the plate on Sunday.
Spin:
Rodriguez collected three hits in his lone start since joining the Rangers earlier this week.

Sun, Aug 23



</td><td valign="top">

</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[BadCo]

Seattle Mariners/Cleveland Indians
Total Points UNDER 8 -105 for Game
F Hernandez -R must Start F Carmona -R must Start



Florida Marlins/Atlanta Braves
Total Points OVER 8½ -120 for Game
R Nolasco -R must Start D Lowe -R must Start

 

[K NON]

bol today