Starting pitcher rankings for July 29, 2009

[BadCo]

<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;">Roy Halladay</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">11-3</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2.62</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.05</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7.85</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.614</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">.714</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">81.8%</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;">Johan Santana</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">L</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">11-8</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3.12</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.25</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">8.31</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.690</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">.780</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">77.4%</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;">Justin Verlander</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">11-5</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3.12</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.19</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">10.34</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.659</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">.766</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">76.4%</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;">Zack Greinke</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">10-6</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2.04</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.10</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">9.30</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.624</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">.746</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">5</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Josh Johnson</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">9-2</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2.80</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.10</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7.53</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.594</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">.747</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">82.1%</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;">Matt Cain</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">12-2</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2.27</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.21</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7.42</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.663</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">.717</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">7</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;" align="center">6-4</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4.22</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.29</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7.03</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.725</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">.774</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">78.0%</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;">Matt Garza</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7-7</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3.68</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.20</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">8.05</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.655</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">.833</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">82.6%</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;">J.A. Happ</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">L</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7-1</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2.97</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.18</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6.39</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.673</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">.741</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">77.4%</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;">Clayton Kershaw</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">L</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">8-5</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2.96</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.26</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">8.79</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.606</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">.743</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">81.4%</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;">Aaron Harang</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5-11</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4.25</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.43</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7.80</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.811</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">.673</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">78.5%</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;">Joba Chamberlain</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6-2</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3.86</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.46</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">8.06</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.780</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">.793</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">13</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Zach Duke</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">L</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">9-9</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3.42</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.23</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4.78</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.719</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">.689</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">14</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;" align="center">6-4</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3.10</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.16</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6.10</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.666</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">.735</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">15</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;" align="center">9-9</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2.95</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.08</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3.79</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.640</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">.768</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">81.2%</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;">Jason Hammel</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5-5</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4.28</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.45</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6.24</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.797</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">83.7%</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;">Brad Penny</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7-4</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4.71</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.46</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5.91</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.797</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">.696</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">81.6%</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;">Mat Latos</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">3.72</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.14</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">8.38</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.797</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">.706</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">80.2%</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;">Francisco Liriano</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">L</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4-10</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5.56</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.50</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">8.10</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.824</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">.753</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">20</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Kenshin Kawakami</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5-7</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4.04</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.36</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6.46</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.753</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">.723</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">21</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Chris Tillman</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</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;" align="center">--</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">--</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">.707</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">22</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">4-8</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6.42</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.80</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7.73</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.856</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">.751</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">77.8%</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;">Scott Feldman</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">9-3</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3.59</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.14</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4.32</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.657</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">.741</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">79.7%</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;">Mike Hampton</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">L</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6-7</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4.74</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.46</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6.06</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.789</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">.734</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">78.5%</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;">Brett Anderson</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">L</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5-8</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4.32</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.30</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">6.79</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.733</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">.786</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">26</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Bartolo Colon</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">4.19</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.44</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5.49</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.854</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">.765</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">27</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Aaron Laffey</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">L</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">4-2</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3.71</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.43</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5.06</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.679</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">.795</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">81.8%</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;">Garrett Mock</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">0-4</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7.06</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2.03</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">5.82</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.945</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">.763</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">76.9%</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;">Ryan Rowland-Smith</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">L</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">0-1</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">3.48</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.35</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">2.61</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.738</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">.770</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">83.3%</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;">Yusmeiro Petit</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">R</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">0-5</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7.68</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">1.73</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">7.48</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">.946</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">.796</td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center">79.5%</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: Even in his bad start, J.A. Happ was good. Despite allowing 10 hits and five runs versus the Cardinals, he still went six innings with a 6-to-0 strikeout-to-walk ratio. That made it his seventh consecutive start with at least six innings pitched, and with one of the majors' best offenses backing him, his ability to pitch deep into ball games makes it that much more likely to result in wins. Indeed, it would be surprising if a matchup with Yusmeiro Petit and the Diamondbacks didn't result in his eighth win. … Aaron Harang has pitched a lot better than his raw numbers would suggest; 7.80 strikeouts and 2.12 walks allowed per nine innings deserves a lot better than a 4.25 ERA and 1.43 WHIP, especially in the weak NL Central. His batting average on balls in play is a ridiculous .344, a number that should assuredly come down considering the Reds have one of the better defenses in the league. As a result, we like Harang's chances at evening out some of his bad luck when he faces a Padres offense with the lowest OPS in July (.607). … Randy Wells' ERA is rising, slowly but surely, as the league begins to figure him out, but he still has his uses -- namely, against mediocre offenses. The Astros sure fit the bill: Even with Lance Berkman, they rank 23rd in the majors in OPS against right-handers. With the Cubs' offense finally coming alive -- thanks, Aramis Ramirez! -- there's a good chance Wells can pick up his fifth win in six opportunities. … Dave Duncan must be an incredible pitching coach to coax this kind of season out of Joel Pineiro. He's walking less than a batter per nine innings and has an insane ground-ball rate of 63.1 percent. All the same, while such peripherals are a testament to Pineiro's skill, there will still be some regression, if for no other reason than those are historically great marks, to say nothing of his microscopic rate of home runs per fly ball. Things are also much different when you're facing an elite offense, which the Dodgers definitely are. While Pineiro was just fine against the Phillies in his most recent start, he has hardly faced any upper-echelon offenses and hasn't represented himself particularly well when he has. He's probably worth keeping active, because he deserves some benefit of the doubt at this point, but it's hard to go wrong with exercising caution against the elite offenses, no matter the pitcher. … It's great that Joba Chamberlain has allowed five hits combined in his past two starts, but the quality of opposition wasn't overwhelming -- the Tigers and A's -- and the six walks don't provide reassurance when he faces the Rays, normally one of the best offenses in the league. Luckily, they're struggling this month, but Joba is also going up against Matt Garza, which decreases the odds of a win, and you're always playing with fire when you walk as many batters as Chamberlain does. … Another weak opponent, another recommendation for Mat Latos. His opponents this time around, the Reds, are only hitting .201 in the past week, making him a super sleeper special once again. … Speaking of sleepers, Chris Tillman will make his major league debut versus the Royals, which is one of the easiest matchups you could ask for in your debut. He struck out better than nine batters per nine in Triple-A this season, and could make an immediate impact. … Sure, the Braves are a tough opponent these days, but Manny Parra did little to prove that he's ready to become a solid pitcher, walking three batters for the second consecutive start. He draws the Nationals next, a team that, buoyed by the recent exploits of Josh Willingham, is up to a .765 OPS this month, a mark that ranks 12th. It will be a good opportunity to see if Parra can ever be trusted against a decent offense; we're not particularly optimistic.
Now batting

Hitters' count
• Jhonny Peralta, SS/3B, Indians: He's heating up, with a five-game hit streak, including three consecutive multi-hit games. Peralta enjoys batting against John Lackey too, with 10 hits in 23 career at-bats.
• Juan Rivera, OF, Angels: Fantasy owners are an impatient lot -- Rivera's ownership has dropped more than 10 percent in the past week as owners have grown increasingly frustrated with the hamstring injury that caused him to miss eight games -- but it's nice to see that when he did return, he is healthy enough to contribute: He went 2-for-4 with a home run Monday. He's been one of the hottest hitters in the majors over the past 2½ months, and his specialty is crushing lefties (six home runs with a .373 average in 67 at-bats); therefore, he must be considered a must-start against lefty Aaron Laffey.
• Brian Roberts, 2B, Orioles: It's a small sample size of eight at-bats, but since half of them have resulted in hits -- including three doubles -- then it's a lot easier to put stock in Roberts' success against Zack Greinke. Even the new-and-improved Greinke has been no match for Roberts, who has gone 2-for-3 with a double and a steal off Greinke this year.
• Nick Swisher, 1B/OF, Yankees: Like Roberts, he has faced Matt Garza in limited at-bats (five), but the results have been so overwhelming (three hits, all extra-base hits, including two home runs) that it's likely Swisher just has Garza's number.
• Jason Kubel, OF, Twins: Kubel hits .349 against right-handers; Bartolo Colon allows lefties to slug .602, with 10 home runs allowed in 118 at-bats. Sounds like a match made in heaven. Kubel's idea of heaven, anyway.
• Paul Konerko, 1B, White Sox: Although Konerko has only two hits against Francisco Liriano, both were homers, including one earlier this year. All but one of Liriano's 18 home runs have been blasted by right-handers, so you have to like Konerko's chances for an encore performance.
• Mark DeRosa, 2B/3B/OF, Cardinals: It's just so easy to keep putting him here when he keeps facing left-handers! His slugging percentage is now up to .649 against them, and, since manager Tony La Russa is making habit of hitting him second against lefties, it's that much harder to pitch around him with Albert Pujols in the on-deck circle.
Pitchers' count
• Kendry Morales, 1B, Angels: The switch-hitter has just one walk and five extra-base hits in 67 games against left-handed pitching, and is often benched against lefties as a result, the most recent benching coming Friday against the likes of Francisco Liriano. Aaron Laffey may not be Liriano, but so far batters are slugging only .333 off him, so he can hold his own.
• Russell Branyan, 1B, Mariners: A cold streak has been long overdue for Branyan, although to his credit, even though he's batting .153 in July, he's still launched five balls out of the park. He'll be hard-pressed to touch up Roy Halladay, however, with his microscopic rate of 0.63 home runs per nine innings, and in 11 lifetime at-bats against Doc, Branyan has three times as many strikeouts (three) as extra-base hits (one).
• Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners: It's rare to see Suzuki hit .235 against anyone, but that's what his lifetime average is in 34 at-bats versus Halladay. Seven of his eight hits have been singles, so his .265 slugging percentage doesn't offer much hope either.
• Michael Young, 3B/SS, Rangers: Young has more strikeouts (five) than hits (three) against Justin Verlander in 19 at-bats, never a good sign. And with this being Verlander's most productive season, it's therefore no surprise that this is also the year Young has fared the worst: He's hitless with two K's in five at-bats this season.
• Ian Kinsler, 2B, Rangers: Like his teammate, he's also failed to clear the Mendoza Line in his at-bats against Verlander; he's sporting a .143 mark in 14 at-bats, fanning four times.
• Nyjer Morgan, OF, Pirates: No matter how hot he's been in recent weeks, remember that he's hitting just .159 in 88 at-bats against southpaws, and even grinds to a halt on the base paths, having gotten caught stealing in four of nine attempts.
If you're hard-core
• Ryan Garko, 1B, Giants: The Giants made a modest improvement to their offense Monday, acquiring Garko, who should make them that much more potent against left-handers. After an off year last season, he's back to crushing southpaws, hitting .333 with four homers in 69 at-bats this year.
• Jeff Francoeur, OF, Mets: Might it be that all Francoeur really needed to unlock his massive potential was a change of scenery? Is his .327 average since joining the team a sign of the numerous batting titles that are in store for him? Well, he still has walked only once in 52 at-bats, striking out five times, so it's probably the same old Francoeur, or something close to it. However, he is 13-for-36 (.361) his past nine games, so call a spade a spade -- in this case, a hot streak -- and walk away satisfied.
• Adam Kennedy, 2B/3B, Athletics: Kennedy is 6-for-16 (.375) with a couple of doubles versus Brad Penny for his career. Just as importantly, he's also picked up two steals, and considering how bad Penny has been at keeping runners on -- just one caught stealing in 19 tries -- and Jason Varitek's 17.8 percent caught stealing rate on a whopping 86 attempts, chances are Kennedy can turn a hit or two into a stolen base for Oakland, where even manufacturing runs is now an option for a decrepit offense.
• Jonny Gomes, OF, Reds: Just when it looks like Gomes might cool off, he's come through with a homer; five of his past six hits have been long balls, making an otherwise mediocre .260 average that much more tolerable. He gets a matchup Wednesday against Mat Latos, a rookie who has already allowed three home runs in his first two starts. It's time to pick up Gomes and show some faith in his production until he cools off for good.
• Josh Willingham, OF, Nationals: A 4-for-4 game here, a 2-for-4 game there, and a home run a day later, and it's easy to forget Willingham ever had a 1-for-17 stretch. Normally a classic hot-and-cold player, he's been virtually hot all season, and is now up to seven home runs in 78 at-bats in July. Put him in the batters' box against a left-hander and watch out; he's hitting .319 with four homers and a .660 slugging percentage in 47 at-bats, and power hitters from the right side are precisely the kind of hitters Manny Parra struggles with.
• Pedro Feliz, 3B, Phillies: Feliz's eight-game hitting streak isn't as impressive as you would think since he has no power to speak of, with zero extra-base hits in that span, but a .393 average -- his average during the streak -- obviously has value nonetheless. There are few pitchers better than Yusmeiro Petit (.322 average against righties) to keep that streak alive, too.
Triage

Injury list: Out
• Aaron Rowand, OF, Giants (forearm; available to pinch hit): An MRI on Monday revealed a slight tear, and he cannot play the field for a couple of days. It's surprising that he'll avoid the disabled list, but he'll still be available to pinch hit.
• Gary Sheffield, OF, Mets (15-day DL, hamstring)
Injury list: Day-to-day
• Russell Branyan, 1B, Mariners (back)
• Ryan Church, OF, Braves (elbow)
• Joe Crede, 3B, Twins (shoulder)
• Derrek Lee, 1B, Cubs (back; probable)
• Jose Lopez, 2B, Mariners (back): Manager Don Wakamatsu said he gave both Lopez and Branyan a scheduled day off to rest their sore backs, but that they would likely return to the lineup by Tuesday.
• Colby Rasmus, OF, Cardinals (heel)
• Freddy Sanchez, 2B, Pirates (knee)
• Grady Sizemore, OF, Indians (illness)
Weather concerns

• The games played in Seattle, Tampa Bay, Milwaukee, Minnesota and Arizona all will be weatherproof, as usual.
• Boston and Baltimore are the two cities in the Northeast that have to worry about thunderstorms, with 40 and 50 percent chances of rain, respectively.
• There's a significant risk of thunderstorms in Miami (40 percent), which isn't exactly unusual. A chance of storms also exists in Cincinnati (30 percent), although the storm should be on its way out later into the night. And in Arlington, a 30 percent risk of thunderstorms rounds out the forecast for the day.

 

[MemphisMonroe]

Thank you last time you posted this i had a very good day.

 

[BadCo]

Top 80 Starters

Note: Christopher Harris' top 80 starters are ranked for their expected performance from this point on, not on the statistics that have already been accrued.
1. Tim Lincecum, SF (1)
2. Dan Haren, ARI (2)
3. Roy Halladay, TOR (4)
4. Josh Beckett, BOS (5)
5. Johan Santana, NYM (3)
6. Justin Verlander, DET (6)
7. Felix Hernandez, SEA (7)
8. CC Sabathia, NYY (8)
9. Zack Greinke, KC (9)
10. Josh Johnson, FLA (10)
11. Adam Wainwright, STL (11)
12. Jon Lester, BOS (13)
13. Yovani Gallardo, MIL (12)
14. Javier Vazquez, ATL (14)
15. Roy Oswalt, HOU (15)
16. Matt Cain, SF (16)
17. Chad Billingsley, LAD (17)
18. John Lackey, LAA (18)
19. Chris Carpenter, STL (19)
20. Cole Hamels, PHI (20)
21. A.J. Burnett, NYY (22)
22. Cliff Lee, CLE (24)
23. Ricky Nolasco, FLA (25)
24. Clayton Kershaw, LAD (23)
25. Matt Garza, TB (27)
26. Wandy Rodriguez, HOU (26)
27. Rich Harden, CHC (40)
28. James Shields, TB (21)
29. Mark Buehrle, CHW (41)
30. Derek Lowe, ATL (33)
31. Scott Baker, MIN (32)
32. John Danks, CHW (31)
33. Max Scherzer, ARI (36)
34. Joba Chamberlain, NYY (38)
35. Edwin Jackson, DET (34)
36. Carlos Zambrano, CHC (37)
37. Jair Jurrjens, ATL (46)
38. Tommy Hanson, ATL (48)
39. Jered Weaver, LAA (39)
40. Jarrod Washburn, SEA (55)
41. Ubaldo Jimenez, COL (47)
42. Francisco Liriano, MIN (30)
43. Hiroki Kuroda, LAD (45)
44. Gavin Floyd, CHW (53)
45. Ryan Dempster, CHC (56)
46. Ted Lilly, CHC (29)
47. Randy Wolf, LAD (51)
48. Erik Bedard, SEA (28)
49. Joe Blanton, PHI (52)
50. Scott Kazmir, TB (43)
51. Johnny Cueto, CIN (44)
52. Chris Volstad, FLA (50)
53. Kenshin Kawakami, ATL (57)
54. J.A. Happ, PHI (60)
55. Gil Meche, KC (62)
56. Andy Pettitte, NYY (64)
57. Aaron Harang, CIN (49)
58. David Price, TB (54)
59. Kevin Millwood, TEX (58)
60. Edinson Volquez, CIN (63)
61. Jorge De La Rosa, COL (NR)
62. Jason Marquis, COL (76)
63. Zach Duke, PIT (65)
64. Joel Pineiro, STL (79)
65. Ricky Romero, TOR (69)
66. John Smoltz, BOS (59)
67. Jordan Zimmermann, WAS (42)
68. Jose Contreras, CHW (72)
69. Brett Anderson, OAK (75)
70. Luke Hochevar, KC (NR)
71. Scott Feldman, TEX (NR)
72. Jeff Niemann, TB (80)
73. Bronson Arroyo, CIN (78)
74. Manny Parra, MIL (74)
75. Randy Wells, CHC (73)
76. Rick Porcello, DET (61)
77. Randy Johnson, SF (70)
78. John Lannan, WAS (NR)
79. Tommy Hunter, TEX (NR)
80. Chad Gaudin, SD (NR)

 

[BadCo]

Originally Published: July 28, 2009
BP Daily: Is 120 the new 100?

Pitch counts have become a huge focus, but they're not all created equal


Comment Email Print Share <script type="text/javascript"> var stobj = SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title:"BP%20Daily:%20The%20value%20of%20pitch%20counts", url:"http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/insider/news/story?id=4361051", published: "2009-07-28" }); stobj.attachButton(document.getElementById("espnstlink")); </script>

<cite class="source"> By Christina Kahrl
Baseball Prospectus
Archive </cite>

<!-- end mod-article-title --> <!-- begin story body --> <!-- template inline --> When Baseball Prospectus was first getting started more than a decade ago, we created a statistic, pitcher abuse points, in an effort to learn what sort of workloads starting pitchers could handle. Controversial at the time because of the inference that it was a predictive tool, PAP was in fact a counting stat, sort of like a warning light on the dashboard of your car -- it gave you cause for concern but didn't tell you a complete breakdown was incipient. However, when PAP was first published, the baseball industry was relatively indifferent on the subject because pitcher workloads weren't as carefully monitored as they are now.

<cite>Getty Images</cite>Tim Lincecum's pitch counts often reach triple digits, but he's doing just fine hurling deep into games.


Fast-forward a decade. Almost industrywide, organizations monitor their pitchers from the highest level to the lowest and count their pitches in games, on throw days, as they warm up in the bullpen, even as they throw to the bases. If it involves a pitcher and a baseball in flight, it's being charted.
In Class A leagues, several teams use adaptive workloads with an eye toward keeping younger pitchers from being overworked. For example, instead of a normal starter-reliever split in assignments, you'll find groups of pitchers pitching in tandem, paired off to handle the first six or seven innings together and throwing 60 to 90 pitches while trading off the honor of starting or following in that ballgame. As often as possible, teams opt not to sacrifice any of their pitching prospects for the greater glory of a pennant race in Binghamton.
The extent to which there has been an overcorrection in terms of pitcher-usage patterns is perhaps best reflected in recent adaptations several teams have made. Nolan Ryan's announced determination to make the Texas Rangers' pitchers more durable hasn't led to 140-pitch starts or set relievers on a pace to appear in 90 games. More teams are realizing that the five-man rotation isn't so much an inflexible quintet as much as a five-day rotation in which you keep your four best rotation men working on their regular rest, and if the odd off day affords a team the opportunity to skip the fifth starter, he gets skipped -- or shipped to Triple-A to take a turn there until he's needed back on the big league club. This isn't revolutionary or even evolutionary as usage patterns go; this is where we were 25 years ago.<!-- INLINE MODULE -->
A STARTER'S MAGIC NUMBER: 100

<center>

</center> • Kurkjian: Countdown to 100 pitches
• Crasnick: HOFers on pitch counts
• Schoenfield: Game-changing pitchers
• BP Daily: Workload adaptations

<!-- END INLINE MODULE --> Similarly, the obsession with the nice round number of 100 has become less a line of death as much as a suggestion. As Rany Jazayerli noted in 2004, it's better to think of 120 pitches as the count at which people really should be concerned. How much have matters changed? In 1999, the pitcher who averaged the highest pitch count per start on the season was Randy Johnson, with 120 pitches per game; he topped 130 pitches in a game eight times. Today, the per-game leader is Justin Verlander, with 109, which would have ranked 14th in 2000; he has thrown more than 120 pitches all of four times this season.
Consider this list of the highest single-game pitch counts of the past five years:
Livan Hernandez is and was a physical freak; the heaviest workloads in the industry didn't break him, and he demonstrated the capacity to handle them. Roy Halladay is still with us. Tim Lincecum scared teams off in the draft because of his build, but his arm has not fallen off. On the other hand, Carlos Zambrano has had issues with his durability in recent years after establishing a brief reputation as a workhorse; however, he has managed to avoid a complete breakdown. Carl Pavano, on the other hand, subsequently became a watchword for fragility, because he broke down later in the 2005 season and missed most of the next three seasons.
Higher and higher

Here are the highest single-game pitch counts of the past five seasons.
<table> <thead> <tr><th>Pitcher Name</th> <th>Date</th> <th>Pitch Count</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr class="last"> <td>Livan Hernandez (WAS) </td> <td>6/3/05</td> <td>150</td> </tr> <tr class="last"> <td>Livan Hernandez (WAS)</td> <td>7/31/05</td> <td>145</td> </tr> <tr class="last"> <td>Livan Hernandez (WAS)</td> <td>6/15/06</td> <td>138</td> </tr> <tr class="last"> <td>Tim Lincecum (SF)</td> <td>9/13/08</td> <td>138</td> </tr> <tr class="last"> <td>Carlos Zambrano (CHC)</td> <td>5/5/08</td> <td>136</td> </tr> <tr class="last"> <td>Livan Hernandez (WAS)</td> <td>7/15/05</td> <td>136</td> </tr> <tr class="last"> <td>Aaron Harang (CIN)</td> <td>7/8/06</td> <td>135</td> </tr> <tr class="last"> <td>Carl Pavano (NYY)</td> <td>5/17/05 </td> <td>133</td> </tr> <tr class="last"> <td>Roy Halladay (TOR)</td> <td>6/2/09</td> <td>133</td> </tr> <tr class="last"> <td>Curt Schilling (BOS)</td> <td>4/25/06</td> <td>133</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

The unhelpful suggestion is that not all pitchers are created equal. Pitchers such as Mark Prior and Kerry Wood, who was heavily overworked in high school, might be the signature warnings of pushing any one pitcher too far since their breakdowns. Not pushing a pitcher too hard before he has matured physically is generally well understood. The Dodgers won't push Clayton Kershaw too far down the stretch, just as the Rays have been careful with David Price, because they want to bank on the futures they'll get from those pitchers toward the tail end of their initial six years of service time. Clubs are actively protecting their investments in their talent.
The general rule of thumb is for a pitcher to avoid getting worked too heavily before his age-24 season, but as Wood's experience reflects, teams have only so much control over younger pitchers. Because of service-time considerations (not to mention overspecialization in bullpen roles), clubs also are reluctant to follow the old Earl Weaver rule of breaking in future starting pitchers in middle relief, instead targeting the age range in which they'll get those first six seasons before free agency with any premium prospect.
Similarly, there's a better understanding that not all pitch counts are created equal. Throwing 100 pitches in three innings is a lot more taxing than 100 pitches in seven -- it's pretty obvious that such a tally in so short a time means the guy is struggling, allowing baserunners and dealing with the added stress of throwing from the stretch. That said, a predictive element might not be involved. Take the highest individual pitch counts in a single inning this season -- the 57 thrown by Francisco Liriano in the third on May 30, and the 56 thrown by Chris Young in the third on April 27 -- and you'll see that although both pitchers made early exits, they made quality starts their next time out. And now

 

[MikRetSam]

this is always good stuff, ty:toast:

 

[K NON]

ty badco keep them coming

 

[BadCo]

Hampton earned his sixth win of the year Friday against the Mets, allowing four runs in 5.2 innings. He struck out seven and walked four.
The pitching was marginal, but Hampton was able claim victory by smacking a two-run homer off Johan Santana in the fourth. He hadn't homered since May 8, 2005, but has been one of the best power-hitting pitchers in his career. His 16 career long balls rank second to Carlos Zambrano among active pitchers.




Randy Wells held the Reds to three earned runs on seven hits and a walk with five strikeouts over six innings Friday and came away with his sixth win.
Wells has been very average over his last three turns with a 5.50 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP in that span. Nevertheless, a 61/19 K/BB ratio points to continued success, so owners may want to give him a look July 29 at home against the Astros.

After going 0-3 despite a 2.55 ERA in his first seven starts Randy Wells has won six of his last seven outings with the offense backing him with at least four runs in each victory.
In Friday's 8-5 win over Cincinnati, the allowed three runs and seven hits in six innings.

 

[BadCo]

Laffey was sharp on Friday, hurling seven shutout innings to beat the Mariners 4-2.
Laffey dropped his ERA to 3.71 on the night after striking out seven and walking three. Laffey has a 3.32 ERA in his last three starts.

Laffey made the necessary adjustments against the M's after they knocked him around in his previous start on July 19. After allowing a leadoff single in the second, Laffey retired 17 of the next 18 batters he faced and cut off several attempted Mariners comebacks by inducing three double-plays in the first three innings. Laffey draws the Angels his next time out on July 29.


Lackey was magnificent on Sunday, shutting out the A's over nine innings in the Angels' 10-inning win.
Spin: Lackey had to be superb to match the effort of opposing starter Brett Anderson. He allowed three hits and a walk while striking out six.

 

[BadCo]

Zack Duke got off the schneid Friday after limiting the D-backs to three earned runs on 10 hits and a walk with four strikeouts.
Duke was able to slay a couple of dragons after his workman-like performance Friday. First, the southpaw halted a personal four-game losing streak that stretches back to June 24. Secondly, he picked up his first road win in nearly three months, as Duke last won away from PNC Park on April 25. The young lefty will take his handsome 3.38 ERA on the road when he next toes the rubber against the Giants on July 29.



Cain scattered three hits over seven innings Friday against the Rockies, becoming the majors' second 12-game winner. He allowed one run, striking out five and walking four.

Cain didn't have his best command and needed 116 pitches to get through seven innings, but he held the Rockies hitless through 4.2 innings before Ian Stewart reached on a two-out single in the fifth.

 

[BadCo]

Halladay, who's 1-2 in his last six starts, allowed one earned run and four hits while striking out 10 in nine innings of a 4-2, 10-inning loss to Tampa Bay on Friday.



Rowland-Smith turned in a fine effort in his second start of the year until the Tribe got to the young southpaw for three runs in the seventh. The lopsided score can be attributed to the mini-meltdown staged by the M's 'pen in the two innings following Rowland-Smith's departure. The youngster's solid outing was an encouraging sign for the Mariners, who still haven't quite figured out what direction to go with their starting rotation. Rowland-Smith, who steadily improved in his Minor League outings after suffering elbow pain early in the year

 

[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"> Wrigley Field | 2:20 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%"> Mike Hampton, LHP (6-7, 4.74)
Astros (51-49) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Randy Wells, RHP (6-4, 3.10)
Cubs (52-46) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

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Scouting Report:
Astros: In his last start against the New York Mets, Hampton wasn't able to work out beyond the sixth inning, allowing four runs on eight hits over 5 2/3 innings, but he did provide the Astros with a boost at the plate, hitting his first home run since May 8, 2005, and the 16th of his career. He's faced the Cubs once this season already, taking the loss on May 6 after allowing five runs (three earned) on seven hits over 5 1/3 innings. In 24 career appearances, including 20 starts, he is 9-5 with a 3.07 ERA against the Cubs.Cubs: Wells seems to like facing National League Central teams. In his last start, against the Reds, Wells picked up his ninth quality start and a victory. So far, he's 2-1 with a 2.39 ERA against NL Central teams and 6-0 when he gets four runs of support or more. Against the Reds, Wells' only mistake was serving up Aaron Harang's first career homer. Wells was kicking himself after the game for the slider he hung. He's still a rookie.


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</td></tr> <tr><td height="20"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td align="left"></td> <td align="right"> Angel Stadium of Anaheim | 3:35 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%"> Aaron Laffey, LHP (4-2, 3.71)
Indians (42-59) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> John Lackey, RHP (6-4, 4.22)
Angels (59-40) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

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Scouting Report:
Indians: Laffey is coming off one of his career-best outings, as he found a groove against the Mariners and stayed in it. He allowed just three hits and no runs in seven innings. He threw 26 pitches in the first inning before settling down and retiring 17 of the final 18 batters he faced. He struck out a season-high seven. He is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA in two career starts against the Angels.Angels: Coming off a three-hit shutout of the Athletics in Oakland, Lackey was almost as good in yielding four hits across 7 2/3 innings of a victory over the Twins at home on Friday night. Joe Mauer's two homers were Lackey's only missteps as he kept pounding fastballs and curveballs in good locations, walking two and striking out three men. Lackey has struck out 52 hitters in his past 58 1/3 innings across eight starts, going 5-2. He's 5-5 in 12 career starts against the Indians with a 3.49 ERA.


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</td></tr> <tr><td height="20"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td align="left"></td> <td align="right"> AT&T Park | 3:45 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%"> Zach Duke, LHP (9-9, 3.42)
Pirates (43-57) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Matt Cain, RHP (12-2, 2.27)
Giants (54-46) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

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Scouting Report:
Pirates: Duke wasn't at his sharpest in his last start, one in which he allowed 10 hits in six innings. However, as he's shown a knack for doing all season, he limited the damage -- this time to three runs. The consistency shown by Duke early in the season has taken a bit of a hit, but there's no reason to expect anything less than a six-inning start from the lefty each time out. He is just 1-5 on the road since the end of April and has a 2-2 record and 4.06 ERA in six career starts against the Giants. Giants: Cain made his best run at the Cy Young Award in his last start with an impressive win over the Rockies. Cain threw 117 pitches in seven innings and yielded an earned run on three hits with five strikeouts. The victory vaulted the Giants into a tie with the Rockies at the time for the National League's Wild Card lead. Cain ended July with a 3-0 record and a 1.23 ERA. Cain's best month, career-wise has been in August where he's 9-6 with a 2.85 ERA. His next opponent is the Pirates and against them on July 19, Cain went seven and gave up an earned run on five hits with eight strikeouts for his 11th win.


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</td></tr> <tr><td height="20"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td align="left"></td> <td align="right"> Safeco Field | 4:40 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Roy Halladay, RHP (11-3, 2.62)
Blue Jays (49-52) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38"> </td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Ryan Rowland-Smith, LHP (0-1, 3.48)
Mariners (52-48) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Blue Jays: Halladay pitched nine innings for the fourth time this season, allowing only two runs, but came away with a no-decision in a 10-inning, 4-2 loss to the Rays on Friday at Rogers Centre. One of the two runs was unearned due to a third-inning passed ball by catcher Rod Barajas. Halladay allowed four hits and issued three walks. He struck out 10, marking the second time this year he has fanned 10 or more batters. Halladay has not faced Seattle this year, but is 5-4 with a 2.67 ERA in 11 career starts (13 appearances) against the Mariners.Mariners: Rowland-Smith made his first start after a long rehab stint with Triple-A Tacoma, against the Indians, and he didn't disappoint. Things got away from him a little bit in the seventh inning when he gave up two home runs, and he ended up allowing four runs over seven innings in the M's 9-0 loss. But he retired 14 batters in a row at one point, and said his curveball felt particularly sharp. The left-hander has made three career appearances against Toronto, and is 0-0 with a 5.63 ERA.
</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[BadCo]

Astros-Cubs Preview
By MATT BECKER,

The Houston Astros have managed to stay in the thick of the NL Central race despite an injury to slugger Lance Berkman. They now might have to press on without their staff ace.

Houston, which moved within 2 1/2 games of NL Central-leading St. Louis with Tuesday's victory, is already without Berkman, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with a strained left calf muscle.

Just as Houston's offense has needed to step up with Berkman going down, the Astros are going to need a strong outing from scheduled starter Mike Hampton (6-7, 4.74 ERA) after the bullpen has worked 12 1-3 innings in the first two games of this series.
Hampton hasn't been up to the task lately, though.
He has allowed 14 runs in 15 innings in his last three starts after going 3-1 with a 1.97 ERA in his previous five. In Friday's 5-4 win over the New York Mets, the left-hander gave up four runs, eight hits and four walks with seven strikeouts in 5 2-3 innings. Hampton was able to help himself, though, with a two-run homer off Mets ace Johan Santana.
Against the Cubs on May 6, Hampton allowed five runs - three earned - and seven hits in 5 1-3 innings of a 6-3 loss. He is 4-0 with a 4.46 ERA in his last six starts at Wrigley, but hasn't pitched there since 2004
Houston's bullpen could be further depleted Wednesday without Wesley Wright, who was rushed to the hospital following Tuesday's win because he was experiencing discomfort in the area around his appendix.
Chicago had a five-game winning streak end Tuesday, as it dropped a half-game behind the Cardinals.
Despite the loss, Aramis Ramirez continued his power surge.
Ramirez hit a three-run homer and is 13 for 26 with three home runs and 10 RBIs in his last six games after batting .190 (8 for 42) with one home run and two RBIs in his first 11 games since coming off the DL with a dislocated left shoulder
Scheduled starter Randy Wells (6-4, 3.10) has been benefiting from Ramirez and the offense, which is averaging 6.5 runs in the last six games.
After going 0-3 despite a 2.55 ERA in his first seven starts, Wells has won six of his last seven outings with the offense backing him with at least four runs in each victory. In Friday's 8-5 win over Cincinnati, the right-hander allowed three runs and seven hits in six innings.
A bullpen meltdown kept Wells from earning the win in the Cubs' 5-4 victory over Houston on May 16. He allowed four hits in six shutout innings before the Cubs yielded four runs in the top of the ninth.

 

[BadCo]

Rallying from behind to win has been a characteristic of the Los Angeles Angels all season.
Meltdowns from All-Star closer Brian Fuentes is a trait the team would like to see stop.
Following another wild finish, the Angels look to win for the 14th time in 17 games when they wrap up a three-game series against the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday.
In Tuesday's 7-6 victory over the Indians (42-59), Los Angeles (59-40) entered the eighth inning trailing 4-3 before Juan Rivera's RBI single tied it and Gary Matthews Jr. delivered a three-run double to give the Angels their major league-leading 33rd comeback win.
"We're comfortable playing from behind," Matthews said. "We're able to

While it was the latest of many remarkable rallies for Los Angeles, which is 13-3 since July 10, Fuentes nearly gave it away in the ninth.
Fuentes, the major league leader with 30 saves, gave up two runs, two hits and two walks without getting an out. Jason Bulger entered with the bases loaded and got three outs to earn his first major league save.
Fuentes' performance came one day after giving up two homers and four runs while blowing a save in Monday's 8-6 loss.
"(Fuentes) is getting a little bit tired," manager Mike Scioscia said. "The ball's not coming out like it normally does.



John Lackey (6-4, 4.22 ERA) looks to continue his dominance and win his fourth straight start.
After being tagged for six runs and nine hits in 4 2-3 innings of an 8-5 loss to Texas on July 7, Lackey has yielded four runs and 13 hits in 23 2-3 innings in winning his last three starts. On Friday, the right-hander allowed two runs - both on solo homers to Joe Mauer - and four hits in 7 2-3 innings of a 6-3 victory over Minnesota.
"This is as good as John's thrown his whole career," Scioscia told the Angels' official Web site. "The last couple times out, he's been as good as ever."
That is lofty praise from Scioscia, considering Lackey became the first rookie since Bud Adams for the 1909 Pirates to win Game 7 of the World Series in 2002, and went 19-9 with a league-best 3.01 ERA in 2007, finishing third in AL Cy Young Award voting.
This will be Lackey's first start of the season against the Indians after posting a 7.36 ERA in winning both outings against them a year ago. He was backed by 14 runs of support in those games.
Cleveland saw its season-high five-game winning streak come to an end Tuesday.
While the winning streak was snapped, Jhonny Peralta had another strong performance, homering and driving in two runs. He is batting .522 (12 for 23) with three home runs and 12 RBIs in his last five games.
Peralta has been a tough out at Angel Stadium, batting .500 (14 for 28) with five home runs and 10 RBIs in seven games there since the start of last season. He is 10 for 23 (.435) with a double versus Lackey.
Aaron Laffey (4-2, 3.71) looks to build on one of the best starts of his career for Cleveland.
In Friday's 9-0 win over Seattle, he allowed three hits and struck out a personal-best seven in seven innings. The left-hander retired 17 of the final 18 batters.
Laffey wasn't as sharp in his last outing against the Angels on July 23, 2008, permitting eight runs and 12 hits in four innings of a 14-11 loss.

 

[BadCo]

irates catcher Ryan Doumit will not play today, his first day off since coming off the disabled list July 10. "It's a good time (for it)," manager John Russell said. "Ryan's been going awfully hard."
Doumit hit .250 with three homers and 11 RBI in 14 games since being activated from the DL.
• Jack Wilson got a regular day off Tuesday night, giving Luis Cruz a rare start at shortstop.






Pirates-Giants Preview
By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO,
STATS Writer
The San Francisco Giants are in position to grab sole possession of the NL wild-card lead, and a big part of their surprising success can be attributed to Matt Cain.
Cain looks to become the majors' first 13-game winner Wednesday when the Giants attempt to sweep a three-game series from the last-place Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Giants (54-46), winners of seven of nine at AT&T Park, are tied with Colorado for the wild-card lead after beating the Pirates 3-2 on Tuesday, one night after a 4-2 victory in the series opener. Those wins came after a 3-8 stretch relinquished the top spot in the wild-card race to the Rockies, who face the New York Mets on Wednesday.
Being a factor in the playoff chase is a major change for San Francisco, which has not had a winning record since 2004 and failed to reach the postseason since 2003.
Cain (12-2, 2.27 ERA) has been a big part of that turnaround, and his next victory would also match his career-high win total set in 2006, when he went 13-12 with a 4.15 ERA in his first full season in the majors. He followed that up by going 15-30 with a 3.71 ERA in the next two seasons.
The right-hander, who is 6-1 with a 2.26 ERA in 10 home starts, was outstanding again Friday, yielding one run and three hits in seven innings of a 3-1 win at Colorado for his third straight victory.
"We've got a lot of baseball left," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said of Cain's chances of being a contender for the NL Cy Young Award. "But I can't say enough about what he's done this year. He's really emerged as a terrific pitcher. He's not trying to power his way through guys, has great poise out there. We'll see. We'll talk about that in September."
Cain, who was named to his first All-Star game earlier this month, is 1-2 with a 4.65 ERA in five starts against Pittsburgh.
The Pirates are looking to snap a four-game slide, during which they've been outscored 23-4 while hitting .205 with a .252 on-base percentage.
Garrett Jones has struggled against San Francisco, going 1 for 9 with an RBI in the two games. The right fielder entered the series hitting .345 with 10 homers and 15 RBIs in the previous 21 games following his recall from Triple-A Indianapolis on June 30.
The Pirates will turn to Zach Duke (9-9, 3.42), the team leader in wins. The left-hander, who had won just eight games combined the last two years, can match a career high in victories established in 2006.
Duke got closer to matching his career high in wins Friday, allowing three runs and 10 hits in 6 1-3 innings of Friday's 10-3 victory at Arizona that ended a four-start losing streak in which the Pirates gave him just seven runs of support.
"It was nice to know that you don't have to feel like you have to be perfect," Duke told the Pirates' official Web site. "When you have a little cushion to work with, it's always a little more comfortable that way."
Duke is 2-2 with a 4.06 ERA in six starts against the Giants. He lost his last game against them opposite Cain, giving up four runs and seven hits in seven innings.

 

[BadCo]

 

[BadCo]

951 Houston Astros/Chicago Cubs Over 9 -125 (M Hampton - L must Start R Wells - R must Start)

 

[BadCo]

SAN FRANCISCO — "This is a sad day for me," Jack Wilson said a few minutes ago, as he packed his gear and got ready to leave the Pirates' clubhouse for the final time.
Wilson and right-hander Ian Snell today were traded to the Seattle Mariners for first baseman/catcher Jeff Clement, shortstop Ronny Cedeno, and right-handers Aaron Pribanic, Brett Lorin and Nathan Adcock.
Cedeno will join the Pirates on Friday and get the bulk of the playing time the rest of the season at short, according to manager John Russell. Clement will go to Triple-A Indianapolis, but almost certainly will be called up before the end of this season. Pribanic and Lorin will report to Class A West Virginia. Adcock was assigned to Class A Lynchburg.
More moves may come before the 4 p.m. Friday non-waiver trading deadline.
"We don't know when it's going to finally be over, when we actually have the guys in here who are going to turn it around," pitcher Paul Maholm said. "Hopefully, it's soon. Until we start winning, this is going to continue to happen."
• Wilson said he "definitely would consider" signing with the Pirates if he becomes a free agent this winter.
• Catcher Ryan Doumit declined to comment on the trade. "I've got nothing to say," Doumit said, without even looking up at reporters at his locker. Second baseman Freddy Sanchez, Wilson's best friend since high school, was too emotional to be interviewed.
• Lineups for this afternoon's game:
PIRATES — 1.Andrew McCutchen cf, 2. Andy LaRoche 3b, 3. Delwyn Young 2b, 4. Garrett Jones lf, 5. Steve Pearce 1b, 6. Brandon Moss rf, 7. Ramon Vazquez ss, 8. Jason Jaramillo c, 9. Zach Duke (9-9, 3.42) lhp
GIANTS — 1. Andres Torres cf, 2. Randy Winn rf, 3. Pablo Sandoval 3b, 4. Bengie Molina c, 5. Ryan Garko 1b, 6. Edgar Renteria ss, 7. Eugenio Velez lf, 8. Juan Uribe 2b, 9. Matt Cain (12-2, 2.27) rhp

 

[BadCo]

954 San Francisco Giants -161 <small>vs</small> Pittsburgh Pirates (Z Duke - L must Start M Cain - R must Start)

 

[Randy55]

Thanks for the info Badco. Question...Where can you find those starting pitcher rankings everyday??