Starting pitcher rankings for Sept. 2, 2009

BadCo · Sep 2, 2009

Starting pitcher rankings for Sept. 2, 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;"> Chris Carpenter </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 14-3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.20 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0.97 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.82 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .581 </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"> .773 </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"> 2 </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"> 15-7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.56 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.13 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.39 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .668 </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"> .752 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 82.2% </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;"> Ubaldo Jimenez </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 12-10 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.33 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.22 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.84 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .633 </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"> .730 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 83.1% </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;"> Javier Vazquez </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"> 3.02 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.05 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9.82 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .633 </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"> .748 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 77.7% </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;"> Matt Garza </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"> 3.95 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.26 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8.18 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .698 </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"> .803 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 79.4% </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;"> Ted Lilly </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9-8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.35 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.11 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.46 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .699 </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"> .728 </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"> 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"> 12-8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.83 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.29 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8.10 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .685 </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"> .751 </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"> 8 </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"> 10-3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.63 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.17 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.08 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .663 </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"> .702 </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"> 9 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Felix Hernandez </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 13-5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.77 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.18 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8.69 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .630 </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"> .805 </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"> 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"> 11-8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.27 </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"> .756 </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"> .773 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 78.3% </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 11 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> John Lannan </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"> 3.95 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.38 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.68 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .768 </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"> .703 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 78.4% </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;"> Scott Kazmir </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8-7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.92 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.54 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7.38 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .796 </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"> .713 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 80.5% </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 13 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

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</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Tommy Hunter </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6-3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2.95 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.17 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.40 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .677 </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"> .767 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 82.2% </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;"> Josh Beckett </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 14-5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.80 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.16 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8.37 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .681 </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"> .798 </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"> 15 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Trevor Cahill </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7-12 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.64 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.44 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.46 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .820 </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"> .713 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 80.5% </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;"> Max Scherzer </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8-8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.26 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.39 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9.69 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .761 </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"> .761 </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;"> Homer Bailey </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4-4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.04 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.51 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.66 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .777 </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"> .714 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 79.4% </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;"> Zach Duke </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 10-12 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.68 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.29 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.24 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .744 </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"> .697 </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"> 19 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Kevin Correia </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9-10 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.50 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.38 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.29 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .739 </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"> .756 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 78.3% </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;"> Mark Buehrle </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 11-7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.89 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.23 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.50 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .761 </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"> .768 </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"> 21 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Scott Richmond </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"> 4.32 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.33 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8.21 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .770 </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"> .774 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 76.5% </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;"> Brian Duensing </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> L </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2-1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.37 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.35 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.27 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .686 </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"> .748 </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"> 23 </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"> 7-3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3.40 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.42 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.60 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .686 </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"> .744 </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"> 24 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Rick VandenHurk </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"> 5.12 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.39 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9.38 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .901 </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"> .752 </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;"> Dave Bush </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3-5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.88 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.35 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.51 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .872 </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"> .744 </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"> 26 </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"> 7-8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.61 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.53 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.08 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .838 </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"> .789 </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"> 27 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Felipe Paulino </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> R </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2-6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.96 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.72 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8.07 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .925 </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"> .745 </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"> 28 </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"> 7-11 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4.60 </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"> .708 </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"> .708 </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"> 29 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Tim Redding </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"> 5.94 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.55 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.83 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .851 </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"> 76.8% </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"> 4-11 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6.33 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1.67 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5.04 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> .878 </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"> .839 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> 82.4% </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 · Sep 2, 2009

Selected notes: Not as if you need any more compelling reasons to keep Chris Carpenter active, but the last time he faced the Brewers, on May 25, he shut them out for eight innings, allowing two hits while striking out 10. … Just as with Carpenter, you hardly need more support to justify keeping CC Sabathia active, but here it is anyway: He's 7-1 with a 2.55 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 12 career starts versus the Orioles, and 4-1 with a 3.07 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in the six of those that were pitched at Camden Yards. … Ubaldo Jimenez has 10 consecutive quality starts, five of them at Coors Field, and he's 6-2 with a 2.51 ERA and 1.06 WHIP during that span. There's no reason to sweat a Coors matchup, especially against a patchwork Mets lineup. … Counting the postseason, Matt Garza is 7-1 with a 2.66 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 12 career starts versus the Red Sox, and he has four quality starts, a 2-0 record and 1.88 ERA in four meetings this season. Care to debate his ability as a big-game pitcher? … Ted Lilly has won all three of his starts versus the Astros this season, compiling a 3.57 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in them, and he's now 6-1 with a 2.84 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in nine career starts against Houston. It's also a home game, and he's 6-1 with a 1.92 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in 10 starts at Wrigley Field this season. … Though J.A. Happ might appear a far superior road pitcher (1.88 ERA in 16 games, 11 starts) than at home (3.77 in 14 and seven), going back through his game logs at Citizens Bank Park reveals that the only two starts there all year in which he wasn't sharp were against the Red Sox (June 14) and Cardinals (July 24). Accounting for the difficulty of matchup, can't we forgive those two? After all, the Giants rank 29th in team OPS since the All-Star break (.697), so it's not like this is at all a challenging matchup. … Rick Porcello recently dominated the Indians in Cleveland behind the best start of his young career going by game score, managing a 72 thanks to eight innings of one-run, four-hit baseball on Aug. 1. Why wouldn't he be capable of something similar back at home? … John Lannan has been a much more effective pitcher at home (5-1, 2.62 ERA in 14 starts) than on the road (3-8, 5.57 ERA in 13 starts), but if there's any road venue at which you can make an exception and use him, it's Petco Park. For one thing, the Padres sport baseball's worst team OPS versus left-handers (.667). For another, they have a .654 OPS in home games, by far the worst in the majors and the only sub-.700 team OPS at home. … Though the matchup on paper looks good, Scott Kazmir's start at Seattle strikes me as more of a "trap" play than a favorable one. He was pounded at Safeco Field as recently as Aug. 9 (4 1/3 IP, 9 H, 7 ERs), and it's possible he'll have some jitters in his debut start for the Angels. Kazmir might be 3-1 with a 3.14 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in five career starts at Safeco, but that he's going head-to-head with Mariners ace Felix Hernandez has me leaning toward a definite "no." … Just to underscore the risk behind Josh Beckett in a road matchup at Tampa Bay, he has served up 12 home runs and allowed a .260 batting average and .982 OPS in his past four starts combined. He's also 4-2 with a 4.21 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 10 starts versus the Rays between this season, last season and the 2008 postseason, so it's not like this is an automatic, ace-caliber matchup. If you're facing an innings/starts crunch, it might be better to avoid taking the risk. … Sleeper alert: Trevor Cahill has three consecutive quality starts and the most recent one was the most impressive: seven shutout innings of two-hit baseball on the road to defeat the potent Angels offense. He already has a win against the Royals this year, going six innings and allowing two runs on seven hits on May 12, and Kansas City does have the sixth-worst team OPS since the All-Star break (.719). … I can't believe I'm actually recommending Homer Bailey, owner of a 6.41 ERA in 30 career big league starts, but he has won back-to-back starts, one of them against the Pirates on Aug. 23, seven innings of one-run, four-hit baseball. Pittsburgh's offense has a .697 OPS since the All-Star break, third-worst in the majors, so NL-only owners and mixed-league matchups seekers need to take a look. … Though Mark Buehrle was perfect on July 23, he has been far from it in seven starts since, with an 0-4 record, 5.77 ERA and 1.63 WHIP during that span. He has been pounded in both of his starts at the Metrodome this season, losing both with a 12.10 ERA and 1.76 WHIP, so temper your expectations.

BadCo · Sep 2, 2009

Now batting

Hitters' count:
• Scott Rolen, 3B, Reds: He's 5-for-11 (.455 BA) in his career versus Zach Duke, much of those numbers accrued during his days with the Cardinals in 2006-07.
• Joey Votto, 1B, Reds: One of the better left-handed hitters at hitting lefty pitching in the game, Votto is 6-for-9 in his career versus left-hander Duke, including 4-for-7 this season alone.
• Denard Span, OF, Twins: In another instance of lefty-versus-lefty domination, Span is a lifetime .412 hitter (7-for-17) with two home runs and two walks versus Mark Buehrle, including 5-for-11 with one homer this season.
• Carlos Gomez, OF, Twins: He's a lifetime .400 hitter (8-for-20) with two doubles, one triple and two home runs versus Buehrle.
• Carlos Quentin, OF, White Sox: Limited action, yes, but it's tough to ignore that he has two home runs in three career at-bats versus Brian Duensing. Quentin also has three homers in nine career games at the Metrodome.
• Franklin Gutierrez, OF, Mariners: He's 4-for-9 with two home runs in his career against Scott Kazmir, including a 2-for-3, one-homer performance in their most recent meeting in Seattle on Aug. 9.
• Kendry Morales, 1B, Angels: He's a lifetime .409 hitter (9-for-22) with two doubles and one home run versus Felix Hernandez.
• Carl Crawford, OF, Rays: He's 4-for-7 with two doubles and one walk versus Josh Beckett this season alone, and has stolen successfully in both of his two chances against him. He's 10-for-30 (.333 BA) in his career versus Beckett.
• Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, Red Sox: One of the few Boston hitters with a strong track record versus Garza, Ellsbury is 9-for-26 (.346 BA) in his career against the right-hander, and is a perfect 2-for-2 against him in the stolen-base department.
• Brian McCann, C, Braves: He's 5-for-9 with two doubles and one home run in his career against Rick VandenHurk.
• Yadier Molina, C, Cardinals: He feasts off Brewers strike thrower Dave Bush, with a lifetime .333 batting average (4-for-12) and three home runs versus the righty.
• Felipe Lopez, 2B, Brewers: He's one of the few Brewers hitters with any track record of success versus National League Cy Young contender Chris Carpenter (Prince Fielder is really the only other), as he's 7-for-19 (.368 BA) with two home runs and four walks in his career versus the right-hander.
• Brad Hawpe, OF, Rockies: He's 7-for-14 (.500 BA) with one double and two home runs in his career versus Tim Redding.
• Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Rockies: He's 3-for-9 with four walks in his career versus Redding, two of the hits home runs.
• Stephen Drew, SS, Diamondbacks: He and Chad Billingsley have been division rivals for their entire careers, and their past meetings were all Drew; he's 12-for-30 (.400 BA) with two doubles and one triple in his career versus the right-hander.
• Chris Young, OF, Diamondbacks: Now back with the big club, Young gets a favorable matchup versus Billingsley. He's 8-for-23 (.348 BA) with one double, one triple and one home run against the right-hander, though he also has 10 K's.
Pitchers' count:
• Brandon Phillips, 2B, Reds: In addition to being a playing-time risk due to a wrist injury, Phillips is 2-for-17 (.118 BA) in his career versus Zach Duke.
• Lance Berkman, 1B, Astros: He has had a whole host of problems with Ted Lilly over the years, batting .120 (3-for-25) with seven strikeouts in his career versus the left-hander. One of those hits, though, was a home run.
• Carlos Lee, OF, Astros: He hasn't been all that much more successful than Berkman, batting .219 (7-for-32) with one homer in his career against Lilly.
• Hunter Pence, OF, Astros: Ditto the previous two, as Pence is 4-for-20 (.200 BA) with six strikeouts in his career versus Lilly.
• Adrian Beltre, 3B, Mariners: If he indeed returns from the DL on Tuesday as expected, he'll face a rough matchup on his second day active. He's 2-for-12 (.167 BA) in his career versus Scott Kazmir, including six strikeouts.
• Howie Kendrick, 2B, Angels: He's 2-for-18 (.111 BA) with four strikeouts in his career versus Felix Hernandez.
• Juan Rivera, OF, Angels: He hasn't been any more successful versus "King Felix" than Kendrick; he's 1-for-15 (.067 BA) with two strikeouts in his career.
• Pat Burrell, OF, Rays: It's almost impossible to build a case for him being active for fantasy teams in a game against Josh Beckett. Burrell is 9-for-44 (.205 BA) with 11 strikeouts in his career versus the right-hander, without an extra-base hit.
• Carlos Pena, 1B, Rays: He's another Rays hitter Beckett owns. Pena is 3-for-22 (.136 BA) with one home run but 13 strikeouts in his career against the righty.
• David Ortiz, DH, Red Sox: He's hitless with four strikeouts in eight at-bats versus Matt Garza this season, and 2-for-18 (.111 BA) with nine K's in his career against the right-hander. Both of those hits, though, were home runs.
• J.D. Drew, OF, Red Sox: He hasn't had a hit in 11 at-bats versus Garza this season, dropping his lifetime batting average versus the right-hander to .125 (2-for-16).
• Nick Markakis, OF, Orioles: He's only 2-for-12 (.167 BA) with two strikeouts and zero extra-base hits in his career against CC Sabathia.
• Melvin Mora, 3B, Orioles: Sabathia has given Mora even more trouble than he has Markakis; Mora is 3-for-29 (.103 BA) in his career versus the left-hander.
• Dan Uggla, 2B, Marlins: He's a strikeout-prone right-handed hitter facing a right-handed strikeout artist in Javier Vazquez, which isn't at all a good matchup. Sure enough, Uggla is 1-for-9 with four whiffs in his career versus Vazquez.
• Jeff Francoeur, OF, Mets: He's 1-for-13 (.077 BA) in his career versus Ubaldo Jimenez, though the one hit was a home run.
• Russell Martin, C/3B, Dodgers: He's hitless with two strikeouts in seven career at-bats versus Max Scherzer.
If you're hardcore

• Brendan Harris, 2B/3B/SS, Twins: He's 4-for-12 (.333 BA) with two doubles and one home run this season alone versus Mark Buehrle.
• Mike Redmond, C, Twins: The Twins do occasionally give him the start behind the plate and shuffle Joe Mauer to the designated hitter role, and besides, between catching and DHing, Mauer has played all but two innings for the Twins in their past 36 games, meaning a rest could come at any point. Wednesday might be a good day for it; Redmond is a lifetime .457 hitter (16-for-35) versus Buehrle.
• Akinori Iwamura, 2B, Rays: If he was dropped earlier in the year due to his "season-ending" injury, scoop him up for this matchup. Iwamura is a lifetime .310 hitter (9-for-29) with two doubles and one home run versus Josh Beckett.
• Ross Gload, 1B, Marlins: With Nick Johnson on the DL, Gload has been getting most of the starts versus right-handers at first base for the Marlins, and he almost assuredly will versus Javier Vazquez. He's 12-for-29 (.414 BA) with two doubles and one triple in his career against the right-hander.
• Jeremy Hermida, OF, Marlins: In addition to being 4-for-9 with one double and one home run in his career against Vazquez, Hermida has batted .312 with an .855 OPS since the beginning of August.
Triage

Injury list: Out
• Kyle Blanks, 1B/OF, Padres (foot, 15-day DL): He has a partial tear of the plantar fascia in his right foot, likely ending his season.
• Russell Branyan, 1B/3B, Mariners (back, 15-day DL)
• Joe Crede, 3B, Twins (back, 15-day DL)
• Guillermo Mota, RP, Dodgers (toe, 15-day DL)
• Laynce Nix, OF, Reds (neck, 15-day DL)
• Chad Qualls, RP, Diamondbacks (kneecap, 15-day DL): He's out for the season and will likely have surgery with a timetable of three to four months for recovery.
Injury list: Day-to-day
• Adrian Beltre, 3B, Mariners (testicle, 15-day DL): He was expected to be activated by Tuesday.
• Ryan Church, OF, Braves (back)
• Mark DeRosa, 1B/2B/3B/OF, Cardinals (wrist)
• Troy Glaus, 3B, Cardinals (shoulder, 15-day DL): He was likely to be activated on Tuesday but might serve only as a pinch hitter in September.
• Cristian Guzman, SS, Nationals (foot): He missed Monday's game and was expected to sit out on Tuesday, too.
• Travis Hafner, DH, Indians (shoulder)
• Bengie Molina, C, Giants (quadriceps)
• Brandon Phillips, 2B, Reds (wrist): He has been playing with a hairline fracture in his wrist, and while he's continuing to play with the problem, it's not unthinkable he'll sit on occasion in September or shut it down entirely.
• Oscar Salazar, 1B, Padres (knee)
• Gary Sheffield, OF, Mets (back): He's currently unable to start, leaving him a glorified pinch hitter for much of the next several days.
• Alfonso Soriano, OF, Cubs (knee): He had a cortisone shot in his left knee on Sunday, and those generally require a few days' rest. It's not unthinkable he could play Wednesday, but don't count on it.
• Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners (calf): He has been sidelined since Aug. 23, but the Mariners continue to describe his status as day-to-day.
Weather concerns

• There are three weatherproof games on Wednesday: White Sox-Twins, Angels-Mariners and Red Sox-Rays.
• Rain is scarcely an issue outside of those three games, as only two cities have much of any chance of precipitation. One of those is Miami, as Braves-Marlins must deal with a 30 percent chance of rain, not surprising considering typical early-September weather in Florida. It's probably not enough to wash the contest out entirely, though, nor is the 20 percent chance in Texas.

BadCo · Sep 2, 2009

Great American Ball Park | 12:35 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%"> Zach Duke, LHP (10-12, 3.68)
Pirates (53-78) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Homer Bailey, RHP (4-4, 6.04)
Reds (59-73) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Pirates: Duke had his worst outing of the season in his last start, though the numbers look like he was hit much worse than he actually was. Yes, the left-hander gave up a season-high seven runs on 11 hits, but he was largely hurt by a number of ground balls that snuck through the infield. That's not to say he didn't also make mistakes, as he was taken deep twice. Without his sinking fastball to rely on, he was simply up in the zone all too often. Duke is 3-3 with a 3.32 ERA in seven career starts against the Reds.Reds: Over his past two starts, Bailey has allowed one run in 15 innings. The 23-year-old right-hander is coming off of the best big league start of his young career, a 4-2 win over the Dodgers on Friday in which he pitched a career-high eight scoreless innings with seven hits -- all singles -- one walk and a career-high seven strikeouts. Bailey's fastball velocity was high throughout the game; his 115th and final pitch was a 97 mph fastball.

</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">

Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 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%"> Mark Buehrle, LHP (11-7, 3.89)
White Sox (64-69) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Brian Duensing, LHP (2-1, 4.37)
Twins (67-65) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
White Sox: Buehrle pitched well enough to give the White Sox a chance to win on Friday against the Yankees, which is really the main point stressed by manager Ozzie Guillen at this point in the season. Buehrle gave up two runs on eight hits over six innings, striking out one and walking two, in battling CC Sabathia pretty much pitch for pitch. Buehrle still has yet to win since throwing a perfect game against the Rays on July 23, having posted an 0-4 record with a 5.77 ERA in seven starts. When Buehrle last pitched at the Metrodome, he retired the first 17 batters faced to set the Major League record of 45 straight retired. Buehrle has a 2-2 record against the Twins this season and has a career-high 23 wins against the Twins, including 10 at the Metrodome.Twins: Duensing made just his third career start Friday against Texas, and it was an impressive one. The rookie left-hander went seven innings while striking out eight batters -- both of which were career highs. He surrendered just one run on three Rangers hits through seven as he picked up his second career win. Duensing's first career start came against the White Sox, in which he allowed two runs in five innings and didn't factor in the decision.

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

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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%"> Felipe Paulino, RHP (2-6, 6.96)
Astros (63-69) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Ted Lilly, LHP (9-8, 3.35)
Cubs (66-64) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Astros: The right-hander will make his first start since July 3, when he gave up nine hits and nine runs (eight earned) in two innings in a 13-0 loss to the Giants. He's been relegated to bullpen duty since, mostly in mop-up roles. With a fastball near 100-mph, Paulino's time to prove himself might be running out, if the recent comments made by general manager Ed Wade were any indication. Wade said Paulino needs to take advantage of every chance he gets to pitch, and this start could loom large for his career with the Astros. Cubs: Lilly has notched three consecutive solid starts since his return from the disabled list on Aug. 17. He is 0-1 but has posted a 1.86 ERA in that stretch. In his last start, Lilly gave up two runs on six hits in 7 1/3 innings against the Mets for his 17th quality start in 22 outings this season. He has a quality start in all 10 of his outings at Wrigley Field and a 1.92 ERA there. Lilly will next take on the Astros, against whom he has a 3.57 ERA in three appearances this season, all in Houston.

</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">

Oakland Coliseum | 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%"> Brian Bannister, RHP (7-11, 4.60)
Royals (51-81) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Trevor Cahill, RHP (7-12, 4.64)
Athletics (58-74) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Royals: Still without a victory since Aug. 2, Bannister lost last Friday night at Seattle as he gave up six runs (five earned) in 6 2/3 innings. In his past five starts, he's 0-4 with one no-decision. And in those games, he's surrendered 29 earned runs for an 8.80 ERA. That's taken his season mark up more than one run, from 3.59 to 4.60. Bannister faced Oakland once in that span and was banged for seven runs in four innings. But earlier in the season, he held the A's to two runs in 5 2/3 innings, though he lost, 2-1.Athletics: Cahill had perhaps his finest outing of the season his last time out, allowing two hits over seven shutout innings to beat the Angels in Anaheim. Cahill walked the first two batters he faced, but he didn't issue a free pass thereafter and deftly employed his sinking two-seam fastball and a changeup with good movement to produce a steady stream of groundouts. Cahill, a 21-year-old rookie, has allowed 25 home runs this year but none over his past four starts.

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

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PETCO Park | 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%"> John Lannan, LHP (8-9, 3.95)
Nationals (46-87) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">

</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Kevin Correia, RHP (9-10, 4.50)
Padres (58-76) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>

</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Nationals: The lefty returned to form against the Cardinals on Friday, giving up two runs in eight innings. But one of the runs was a big one, a solo homer by pinch-hitter Khalil Greene in the eighth that tied the game at 2. The Cardinals won the game in the bottom of the ninth and Lannan took a no-decision. He had given up 23 earned runs in his last 25 innings but dominated the Cardinals to the tune of 17 ground-ball outs. He kept the ball down and was cruising towards his third complete game of the season when he fell behind Greene, 3-1, and served up a fastball that barely reached the seats in left. Despite not getting the win, it looks like the dominating Lannan that the Nationals saw for much of the season has returned.Padres: It wasn't Correia's best outing, but thanks in large part to a five-run cushion going into the bottom of the second against the Marlins on Friday, he picked up his team-leading and career-high ninth win of the season. The 29-year-old finished giving up four runs on 11 hits and one walk in 6 2/3 innings. Correia was one out away from getting out of the seventh inning and likely finishing with his club-leading 17th quality start, but he gave up an RBI double to Wes Helms and left with his pitch count at 97. Over his past seven starts, Correia is 3-2 with a 3.58 ERA. He is 1-1 with a 3.09 ERA in nine career games (two starts) against the Nationals.

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

BadCo · Sep 2, 2009

Zack Duke dropped to 10-12 after being pulverized by the Brewers for seven runs on 11 hits and a walk over three innings Friday.
Friday's shellacking represented a sharp departure from the normally consistent Duke, who entered his latest tilt having pitched at least seven innings in 16 of his 25 starts this season. For such a lousy outing, the 26-year-old left-hander was surprisingly effective at pounding the zone, as 42 of his 69 pitches went for strikes. The problem was that Duke's normally good stuff was far too hittable and the Brewers have the kind of offense that can make an opposing hurler pay for their mistakes. Duke will look to get back on track when he next toes the rubber on Sept. 2 against the Reds.

Bailey's resurgence explained here: From The Sports Xchange: When right-hander Homer Bailey was the team's No. 1 draft pick in 2004, the club said his fastball was 98 mph. But when he first reached the majors in 2007 and when he was up in 2008, going 0-6, his fastball never exceeded 94 mph. Now, in 2009, Bailey is hitting 98 mph regularly, including late in games. How did that happen? "Last offseason, when I first started to get on the mound, my agent told me, 'Go see Skip Johnson. He is the pitching coach at the University of Texas,'" said Bailey. "I thought, 'I ain't got nothing to lose, because things aren't looking so good.' So I went for one bullpen and he was telling me try this and try this. The whole time I'm kind of like, 'All right, Homer, keep doing it. It feels funny and it feels different.' So he told me to come back in a couple of days and throw another bullpen. And he gave me some drills to do at home before I went back, and I kept doing them. I went back for the next bullpen and the ball just jumped out of my hand and I just stared at it.

BadCo · Sep 2, 2009

Mark Buehrle allowed a pair of earned runs on eight hits and two walks with one strikeout in six innings of a no-decision vs. the Yankees on Friday.
Buehrle halted a skid in which he had given up nine earned runs on 20 hits over two appearances from Aug. 17-23. For as good a start as he made Friday, Buehrle still hasn't recorded a win in seven starts since his July 23 no-hitter, posting a 5.77 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP during that time frame. He'll look to break his winless streak on Sept. 2 vs. the Twins in Minnesota.

Duensing dominant against the Twins: Twins LHP Brian Duensing, making his second straight start, won again Friday against the Rangers. But instead of going five innings, he went seven, allowing one run on three hits with eight strikeouts and one walk.

Duensing looked like a legitimate major-league starter in this one and clearly deserves a roster spot in all AL-only leagues. He doesn't have the pedigree of a high-end starter, so you can ignore him in mixed leagues for now. His next start is scheduled for Wednesday against the White Sox.

BadCo · Sep 2, 2009

Paulino to start Wednesday vs. Cubs: Astros manager Cecil Cooper said right-hander Felipe Paulino will start Wednesday against the Cubs.

Paulino is 1-6 with a 6.17 ERA in 11 starts for Houston this season. Once a promising prospect, Paulino hasn't found success in the majors and is nothing more than a high-risk NL-only Fantasy SP when he is in the rotation

Lilly pitches well in no decision: Cubs starter Ted Lilly lasted 7 1/3 innings in Friday's game against the Mets, giving up two earned runs. He allowed six hits and walked two batters while striking out two. He did not factor in the final decision.

Lilly was in a surprising pitcher's duel with Patrick Misch of all people and he actually left the game trailing on the scoreboard. His offense didn't provide him with any run support during his outing, but they did fight back to take the lead after he left. Lilly remains a solid mixed-league Fantasy starter for the Cubs while healthy. His next start is slated for Sept. 2 against Houston. Consider him a good play in any format.