The week ahead..........

BadCo · Jul 26, 2009

Before the real shuffling begins

<cite class="source">http://search.espn.go.com/aj-mass/ </cite>
 

On tap: The MLB trade deadline is fast approaching; if there are to be any blockbuster deals involving Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Jarrod Washburn or anyone else, for that matter, they must be done by Friday, July 31. The buildup to the deadline could be much ado about nothing, or perhaps we'll see a uniform-swapping extravaganza of heretofore unseen proportions. We predict it'll be more of the former than the latter, so we'll project out the next week of games accordingly. Still, stay open to the possibility that the recommendations we make based on the rosters as they stand today might well turn out very differently thanks to any wheeling and dealing that does come to fruition.Quick click by section, if you're seeking advice in a specific area:
Team advantages | Weather report | Load up: Hitters
Sleeper hitters | Load up: Stolen bases | Load up: Pitchers
Projected starters | Two-start rankings | One-start bargains
Team advantages

The chart below lists each of the 30 MLB teams' number of games scheduled ("Gm"), home games ("Hm"), games versus right- and left-handed pitchers ("vs. RHP" and "vs. LHP") and games at either hitter- or pitcher-friendly ballparks.
* Note: Some teams' totals versus right- and left-handed pitchers exclude games against teams with unclear starters. They include: Cubs (Saturday, @FLA).
<style type="text/css">.mod-inline td img {margin: 0px;}</style>
<table style="margin: 0pt; width: 100%;"> <thead><tr><th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 30px;"><center> Team </center></th> <th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 10px;"><center> Gm </center></th> <th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 10px;"><center> Hm </center></th> <th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 10px;"><center> vs. RHP </center></th> <th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 10px;"><center> vs. LHP </center></th> <th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 40%;"> Hitters' Parks? </th> <th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 40%;"> Pitchers' Parks? </th> </tr></thead> <tbody><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Camden Yards (KC-4, BOS-3) </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Camden Yards (@BAL-3) </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> U.S. Cellular Field (NYY-4) </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Metrodome (@MIN-3) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Rangers Ballpark (@TEX-3) </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Camden Yards (@BAL-4) </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Metrodome (@MIN-3) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Metrodome (CHW-3, LAA-3) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> U.S. Cellular Field (@CHW-4) </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> McAfee Coliseum (TOR-3) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Rangers Ballpark (@TEX-4) </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Safeco Field (TOR-3) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;">

$tex.gif$

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Rangers Ballpark (DET-3, SEA-4) </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Safeco Field (@SEA-3); McAfee Coliseum (@OAK-3) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Citi Field (@NYM-3) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Land Shark Stadium (@FLA-3) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4* </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2* </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Wrigley Field (HOU-4) </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Land Shark Stadium (@FLA-3) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Great American Ball Park (SD-4, COL-3) </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Great American Ball Park (@CIN-3) </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Citi Field (@NYM-4) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Land Shark Stadium (ATL-3); Land Shark Stadium (CHC-3) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Wrigley Field (@CHC-4) </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Petco Park (@SD-3) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Citi Field (COL-4, ARI-3) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Great American Ball Park (@CIN-4) </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Petco Park (MIL-3) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;">

</td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 0 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> </td></tr> </tbody></table>

Weather report

A quick check of the weather map on the extended forecast front shows nothing but carton drawings of dark clouds with lightning bolts running from Maine to Florida, all the way from the Atlantic Ocean to the Rocky Mountains. If you're not indoors, or in California, you're looking at the potential for bad weather in the form of a passing thunderstorm at any time, all week long.
Weatherproof games: Nationals at Brewers (4, Mon-Thu); Phillies at Diamondbacks (3, Mon-Wed); Blue Jays at Mariners (3, Mon-Wed); Yankees at Rays (3, Mon-Wed); Royals at Rays (3, Fri-Sun); White Sox at Twins (3, Mon-Wed); Angels at Twins (3, Fri-Sun).

BadCo · Jul 26, 2009

Load up: Hitters

The teams listed below have the most favorable overall hitting matchups, accounting for recent performance, strength of opponents and ballpark factors.

Brewers (WAS-4, @SD-3): The Brewers get four games against the Nationals, but get to avoid John Lannan. Both Mike Cameron and J.J. Hardy hit two home runs against Washington last season, while Jason Kendall hit .313 in seven games. Then the Brew Crew gets three against the Padres and their 4.67 July ERA, which includes 12 games at Petco. The Pads might have a pitcher-friendly park, but you still need to have good pitchers for that to matter.

Giants (PIT-3, PHI-4): As a team, the Giants are hitting .274 at home, as compared to .243 on the road. With a full week of home cooking, that's bound to help kick-start this offense big-time. Plus, over the past two weeks, Randy Winn (.324), Juan Uribe (.310) and Pablo Sandoval (2 HR, 6 RBIs) have all been showing signs of life despite the team's overall offensive slump.

Angels (CLE-3, @MIN-3): 5.48, 6.39, 4.27. Those are the ERAs of the three Indians pitchers the Angels will face to start the week. Then they head to the Metrodome, where they've scored an average of 4.14 runs per game over the past two seasons. So we like the team to continue its hot-hitting ways. The Angels as a team are hitting .321 with 11 home runs over the past two weeks.

Tigers (@TEX-3, @CLE-3): In six games against the Rangers this season, the Tigers have hit .306 as a team, with eight home runs. Expect more of the same from guys such as Miguel Cabrera (.435) and Placido Polanco (.417) to start the week. Then, after a day off to catch their collective breath, the offense stars can continue to shine in Cleveland. Brandon Inge has three homers and even Clete Thomas is hitting 9-for-21 (.450) against the Tribe this year.
AJ's sleeper hitters

Robinson Cano, 2B, Yankees: Hitting .302 BA, 6 HR, 25 RBI on the road in '09; hitting .333 in his past seven games.
Brandon Inge, 3B, Tigers: .358 OBP, 12 HR, 30 RBI away from home in 2009; despite a bad set of knees, still has 3 HR in July.
Vernon Wells, OF, Blue Jays: .332 BA, 105 TB, 22 RBI away from home in 2009; hit .303 versus Oakland from 2006 to 2008.
Todd Helton, 1B, Rockies: .322 BA, 84 TB, 30 RBI away from home in 2009; has a .423 OBP over the past week.
Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers: .343 BA, 6 HR, 27 RBI away from home in 2009; has hit .316 since the All-Star break with 2 HR.
Adam Dunn, OF, Nationals: .313 BA, 13 HR, 32 RBI away from home in 2009; hitting .417 in his past seven games.
Yadier Molina, C, Cardinals: At Busch Stadium in 2009, .304 BA, 5 HR, 13 RBI; hitting .412 since the All-Star Break.
Nick Markakis, OF, Orioles: At Camden Yards in 2009, .328 BA, 90 TB, 27 RBI; bashed 3 HR in the past week.
Joey Votto, 1B, Reds: At the Great American Ballpark in 2009, .351 BA, 8 HR, 25 RBI; has a 1.008 OPS since July 17.
Load up: Stolen bases

Favorable matchups listed below are selected based upon opponents' catchers allowing a high rate of steals attempts and/or having low caught-stealing percentages.

Nationals (@MIL-4, @PIT-3): Nyjer Morgan headed back to Pittsburgh? You have to think he'll have two green lights each time he reaches base. And his presence on Washington has rubbed off a bit on Willie Harris and Josh Willingham, each a perfect 3-for-3 in steals over the past month.

Twins (CHW-3, LAA-3): A.J. Pierzynski throws out less than one in five baserunners attempting to steal, and Mike Napoli isn't much better. Speedy Alexi Casilla already has two steals since returning to the team on July 17, and Carlos Gomez and Denard Span should also be able to run wild this week.

Royals (@BAL-4, @TB-3): Let's try to put 2 and 2 together here. The past 12 games, the Royals are 1-11. During that time, they've attempted just one steal. They were 7-7 in their previous 14 games. During that time, they attempted 15 steals, 11 of which were successful. Attention, Trey Hillman! Unleash David DeJesus!

Padres (@CIN-4, MIL-3): It's true that the Padres haven't been a great source of steals of late. After all, as the saying goes, "you can't steal first," and a .216 batting average over the past month isn't exactly going to cut it. However, neither the Reds nor the Brewers are the greatest at preventing steals, and Everth Cabrera and Chase Headley are both more than due for a few swipes.
Load up: Pitchers

The teams listed below have the most favorable overall pitching matchups, accounting for recent performance, strength of opponents and ballpark factors.

Red Sox (OAK-4, @BAL-3): First they get the A's, who get F's in all hitting categories (they're last in the American League with a .250 batting average and next-to-last in home runs with 78). Then the Red Sox get the O's at home. Boston is already 6-1 this season against Baltimore, and even struggling John Smoltz allowed just one run to them earlier this year. It should be a good week for Beantown.

Rockies (@NYM-4, @CIN-3): Four games against a Mets lineup with names like Angel Berroa, Cory Sullivan and Alex Cora? At Citi Field no less? That in and of itself might be enough to recommend this staff. Throw in three games against the slumping Reds (.238 over the past two weeks) and this is a lock.

Brewers (WAS-4, @SD-3): Against these two teams, both of whom the Brewers are seeing for the first time in 2009, the staff had a 2.24 ERA. Sure, some of that was "Sabathia-influenced" but still, these Padres are the worst-hitting team in the league (.230), and who knows how many Nationals will be traded over the weekend as that team's fire sale continues.

Blue Jays (@SEA-3, @OAK-3): Not only do the Blue Jays get a week's worth of games in pitcher-friendly stadiums, with six contests evenly divided between Safeco Field and McAfee Coliseum, but Wednesday might well be Roy Halladay's last hurrah in a Toronto uniform. After he goes, all bets are off for this staff.

BadCo · Jul 26, 2009

Projected starting pitchers

<table style="margin: 0pt; width: 100%;"><thead><tr><th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 30px;"><center>Team </center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 14%;"><center> Mon 7/27 </center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 14%;"><center> Tue 7/28 </center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 14%;"><center> Wed 7/29 </center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 14%;"><center> Thu 7/30 </center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 14%;"><center> Fri 7/31 </center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 14%;"><center> Sat 8/1 </center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom; width: 14%;"><center> Sun 8/2 </center></th></tr></thead> <tbody><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> KC
Hill
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> KC
Berken
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> KC
Bergesen
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> KC
Guthrie
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> BOS
Hernandez
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> BOS
Hill
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> BOS
Berken
(RHP) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> OAK
Beckett
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> OAK
Buchholz
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> OAK
Penny
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> OAK
Lester
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @BAL
Smoltz
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @BAL
Beckett
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @BAL
Buchholz
(RHP) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @MIN
Danks
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @MIN
Buehrle
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @MIN
Contreras
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> NYY
Floyd
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> NYY
Richard
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> NYY
Danks
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> NYY
Buehrle
(LHP) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @LAA
Pavano
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @LAA
Huff
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @LAA
Laffey
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> DET
Lee
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> DET
Pavano
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> DET
Huff
(LHP) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @TEX
Galarraga
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @TEX
French
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @TEX
Verlander
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @CLE
Jackson
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @CLE
Porcello
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @CLE
Galarraga
(RHP) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @BAL
Meche
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @BAL
Bannister
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @BAL
Greinke
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @BAL
Hochevar
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @TB
Ponson
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @TB
Meche
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @TB
Bannister
(RHP) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> CLE
Saunders
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> CLE
Weaver
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> CLE
Lackey
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @MIN
Santana
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @MIN
Saunders
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @MIN
Weaver
(RHP) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> CHW
Perkins
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> CHW
Baker
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> CHW
Liriano
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> LAA
Blackburn
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> LAA
Swarzak
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> LAA
Perkins
(LHP) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @TB
Burnett
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @TB
Sabathia
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @TB
Chamberln
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @CHW
Pettitte
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @CHW
Mitre
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @CHW
Burnett
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @CHW
Sabathia
(LHP) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @BOS
Cahill
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @BOS
Mazzaro
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @BOS
Anderson
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @BOS
G. Gonzlz
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> TOR
Braden
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> TOR
Cahill
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> TOR
Mazzaro
(RHP) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> TOR
Hernandez
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> TOR
Washburn
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> TOR
Rwlnd-Sm
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @TEX
Bedard
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @TEX
Vargas
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @TEX
Hernandez
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @TEX
Washburn
(LHP) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> NYY
Shields
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> NYY
Kazmir
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> NYY
Garza
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> KC
Price
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> KC
Niemann
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> KC
Shields
(RHP) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

$tex.gif$

</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> DET
Hunter
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> DET
Padilla
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> DET
Feldman
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> SEA
Holland
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> SEA
Millwood
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> SEA
Hunter
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> SEA
Padilla
(RHP) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @SEA
Romero
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @SEA
Rzpczynsk
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @SEA
Halladay
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @OAK
Tallet
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @OAK
Cecil
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @OAK
Romero
(LHP) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> PHI
Garland
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> PHI
Haren
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> PHI
Petit
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @NYM
Davis
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @NYM
Scherzer
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @NYM
Garland
(RHP) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @FLA
Jurrjens
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @FLA
Kawakami
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @FLA
Vazquez
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> LAD
Hanson
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> LAD
Lowe
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> LAD
Jurrjens
(RHP) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> HOU
Harden
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> HOU
Zambrano
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> HOU
Wells
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> HOU
Lilly
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @FLA
Dempster
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @FLA
Harden
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @FLA
Zambrano
(RHP) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> SD
Bailey
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> SD
Arroyo
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> SD
Harang
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> SD
Cueto
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> COL
Owings
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> COL
Bailey
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> COL
Arroyo
(RHP) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @NYM
Jimenez
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @NYM
Marquis
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @NYM
Hammel
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @NYM
DeLaRosa
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @CIN
Cook
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @CIN
Jimenez
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @CIN
Marquis
(RHP) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> ATL
Nolasco
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> ATL
Johnson
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> ATL
VndnHurk
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> CHC
Volstad
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> CHC
TBD </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> CHC
Nolasco
(RHP) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @CHC
Rodriguez
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @CHC
Oswalt
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @CHC
Hampton
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @CHC
Ortiz
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @STL
Moehler
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @STL
Rodriguez
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @STL
Oswalt
(RHP) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @STL
Wolf
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @STL
Billingsley
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @STL
Kershaw
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @STL
Kuroda
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @ATL
Schmidt
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @ATL
Wolf
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @ATL
Billingsley
(RHP) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> WAS
Looper
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> WAS
Suppan
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> WAS
Parra
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> WAS
Gallardo
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @SD
Burns
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @SD
Looper
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @SD
Suppan
(RHP) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> COL
Perez
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> COL
Pelfrey
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> COL
Santana
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> COL
Niese
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> ARI
Hernandez
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> ARI
Perez
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> ARI
Pelfrey
(RHP) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @ARI
Moyer
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @ARI
Hamels
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @ARI
Happ
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @SF
Lopez
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @SF
Blanton
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @SF
Moyer
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @SF
Hamels
(LHP) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @SF
Maholm
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @SF
Morton
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @SF
Duke
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> WAS
Ohlendorf
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> WAS
Vasquez
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> WAS
Maholm
(LHP) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> LAD
Carpenter
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> LAD
Wainwrght
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> LAD
Pineiro
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> LAD
Lohse
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> HOU
Wellemeyr
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> HOU
Carpenter
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> HOU
Wainwrght
(RHP) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @CIN
Geer
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @CIN
Correia
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @CIN
Latos
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @CIN
Stauffer
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> MIL
Gaudin
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> MIL
Geer
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> MIL
Correia
(RHP) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> PIT
Lincecum
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> PIT
Zito
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> PIT
Cain
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> PHI
Sanchez
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> PHI
Sadowski
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> PHI
Lincecum
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> PHI
Zito
(LHP) </td></tr> <tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center">

</td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @MIL
Stammen
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @MIL
Balester
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @MIL
Mock
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @MIL
Martin
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top;" align="center"> @PIT
Lannan
(LHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @PIT
Stammen
(RHP) </td><td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 242);" align="center"> @PIT
Balester
(RHP) </td></tr></tbody></table>

BadCo · Jul 26, 2009

Rankings: AJ's two-starts

Recommended cut-off point for elite one-starts: No. 17 (Burnett)
Recommended cut-off point for "under-50" bargains: No. 24 (Arroyo)
Nine must-starts: Tim Lincecum, Felix Hernandez, Josh Beckett, Adam Wainwright, Wandy Rodriguez, Jair Jurrjens, Roy Oswalt, Mark Buehrle, Jason Marquis.
10. Chad Billingsley (LAD) -- Tue-@STL (Wainwright), Sun-@ATL (Jurrjens)
11. CC Sabathia (NYY) -- Tue-@TB (Kazmir), Sun-@CHW (Buehrle): 7-1, 2.63 ERA facing the Rays; 14-4 against the White Sox.
12. Jered Weaver (LAA) -- Tue-CLE (Huff), Sun-@MIN (Perkins)
13. Chris Carpenter (STL) -- Mon-LAD (Wolf), Sat-HOU (Rodriguez): 2-0, 2.05 ERA in his past three starts.
14. James Shields (TB) -- Mon-NYY (Burnett), Sun-KC (Bannister): 1-2, 1.77 ERA in his past three starts versus the Yankees; 5-0 lifetime versus the Royals.
15. Ubaldo Jimenez (COL) -- Mon-@NYM (Perez), Sat-@CIN (Bailey): 1-1, 2.57 ERA past three times facing the Mets; 1-0, 1.50 ERA lifetime versus the Reds.
16. Jarrod Washburn (SEA) -- Tue-TOR (Rzepczynski), Sun-@TEX (Padilla): 3-0, 0.87 ERA over his past three starts.
17. A.J. Burnett (NYY) -- Mon-@TB (Shields), Sat-@CHW (Danks): 2-0, 3.26 ERA in his past three starts.
18. Randy Wolf (LAD) -- Mon-@STL (Carpenter), Sat-@ATL (Lowe)
19. Carlos Zambrano (CHC) -- Tue-HOU (Oswalt), Sun-@FLA (Nolasco): 3-0, 3.57 ERA in his past three starts.
20. Ricky Nolasco (FLA) -- Tue-ATL (Jurrjens), Sun-CHC (Zambrano): 23 strikeouts in his past 18 1/3 IP.
21. John Danks (CHW) -- Mon-@MIN (Perkins), Sat-NYY (Burnett): 2-0, 3.50 ERA in his past three starts.
22. Cole Hamels (PHI) -- Tue-@ARI (Haren), Sun-@SF (Zito): In 12 2/3 IP versus the Diamondbacks, has a 2.13 ERA; 3-0 overall against the Giants.
23. Paul Maholm (PIT) -- Mon-@SF (Lincecum), Sun-WAS (Balester): 0-0, 2.25 ERA in his past three starts against San Francisco.
24. Bronson Arroyo (CIN) -- Tue-SD (Correia), Sun-COL (Marquis): 2-1, 2.11 ERA over his past three trips to the mound.
25. Kevin Correia (SD) -- Tue-@CIN (Arroyo), Sun-MIL (Suppan): Beat the Reds earlier in 2009, allowing only five hits in 7 IP.
26. Brian Bannister (KC) -- Tue-@BAL (Berken), Sun-@TB (Shields)
27. Ricky Romero (TOR) -- Mon-@SEA (Hernandez), Sun-@OAK (Mazzaro)
28. Braden Looper (MIL) -- Mon-WAS (Stammen), Sat-@SD (Geer)
29. Joe Saunders (LAA) -- Mon-CLE (Pavano), Sat-@MIN (Swarzak): career record against the Indians is 2-0, 2.03 ERA; against the Twins, he's 2-1, 3.54 ERA.
30. Barry Zito (SF) -- Tue-PIT (Morton), Sun-PHI (Hamels): Allowed only 2 ER versus Pittsburgh earlier in 2009; 2-1 in his career facing the Phillies.
31. Jamie Moyer (PHI) -- Mon-@ARI (Garland), Sat-@SF (Lincecum): career record at Chase Field is 2-0, 3.00 ERA.
32. Mike Pelfrey (NYM) -- Tue-COL (Marquis), Sun-ARI (Garland): 2-1, 3.24 ERA versus the Rockies lifetime.
33. Rich Harden (CHC) -- Mon-HOU (Rodriguez), Sat-@FLA (TBD): 1-1, 2.50 ERA in his past three starts.
34. Gil Meche (KC) -- Mon-@BAL (Hill), Sat-@TB (Niemann)
35. Vicente Padilla (TEX) -- Tue-DET (French), Sun-SEA (Washburn)
36. Jon Garland (ARI) -- Mon-PHI (Moyer), Sun-@NYM (Pelfrey): 1-1, 2.57 ERA over his past three appearances.
37. Clay Buchholz (BOS) -- Tue-OAK (Mazzaro), Sun-@BAL (Berken): 1-1, 3.72 ERA in his past three outings.
38. Armando Galarraga (DET) -- Mon-@TEX (Hunter), Sun-@CLE (Huff): 1-0, 1.29 ERA in 2009 against the Rangers.
39. Jeff Suppan (MIL) -- Tue-WAS (Balester), Sun-@SD (Correia): 0-1, 1.59 ERA past three outings against the Nationals.
40. Craig Stammen (WAS) -- Mon-@MIL (Looper), Sat-@PIT (Vasquez): 2-1, 2.42 ERA in his past three starts.

Twelve "no thank yous": Carl Pavano, Trevor Cahill, Vin Mazzaro, David Huff, Glen Perkins, Josh Geer, Tommy Hunter, Rich Hill, Jason Berken, Oliver Perez, Homer Bailey, Collin Balester.
AJ's one-start bargains

The 50-to-90 group (owned in 50 to 90 percent of ESPN.com leagues)
Scott Baker (MIN) -- Tue-CHW (Buehrle): 2-0, 3.72 ERA in his past three starts.
Chris Volstad (FLA) -- Fri-CHC (Dempster): Threw a three-hitter over 7 IP earlier this year against the Cubs.
Tommy Hanson (ATL) -- Fri-LAD (Schmidt): Still unbeaten at 5-0 for his young career.
Ryan Dempster (CHC) -- Fri-@FLA (Volstad): 1-1, 2.70 ERA over his past three appearances.

The under-50 group (available in at least 50 percent of ESPN.com leagues)
Jorge De La Rosa (COL) -- Thu-@NYM (Niese): 3-0, 1.69 ERA over his past three starts.
Scott Feldman (TEX) -- Wed-DET (Verlander): 2-1, 2.89 ERA in his past three outings.
Jose Contreras (CHW) -- Wed-@MIN (Liriano): 18 strikeouts in 18 1/3 IP, and a 2-1 record in his past three starts.
Jonathan Sanchez (SF) -- Thu-PHI (Lopez): 23 strikeouts in his past 20 1/3 IP, and there's always the chance of another no-hitter, right?
Brad Bergesen (BAL) -- Wed-KC (Greinke): 3.38 ERA in his past three starts.
Marc

BadCo · Jul 26, 2009

Some teams reluctant to part with prospects
Saturday, July 25, 2009 | Print Entry
Whether it's the Philadelphia gang that Toronto requires for Roy Halladay, or Clay Buchholz that the Indians insist upon for Victor Martinez, or the gaggle of prospects the Pirates have indicated they need to move Zach Duke, the songs remain the same. The small-market teams say they think the big-market teams overvalue prospects, and with the exception of the Red Sox and perhaps another couple of teams, one general manager after another says "there isn't any money out there."
In the Matt Holliday case, manager Tony La Russa was able to convince Cardinals ownership that, in the words of Tom Petty, "it's the wrong thing to do/but I don't care"; tomorrow may never come.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman argues that he doesn't overvalue prospects, which is why he has Phil Hughes pitching like the American League's best eighth-inning reliever, Melky Cabrera in center, Nick Swisher (obtained for Jeffrey Marquez, another pitcher in the package the Twins would've required for Johan Santana) in right and CC Sabathia on the mound, all in lieu of Santana.
When the Yankees approached Toronto about Halladay, the price was Phil Hughes, Austin Jackson and Jesus Montero. Not happening.
Red Sox GM Theo Epstein would argue that Buchholz will be a front-of-the-rotation starter under control for six years (with the ages and injuries on that staff, he may slot in behind Josh Beckett and Jon Lester this season), hence Epstein won't trade Buchholz just as he won't trade Casey Kelly or Ryan Westmoreland. Ditto Dodgers GM Ned Colletti on why he won't put Clayton Kershaw in any Halladay deal, especially since Kershaw's 0.92 ERA is the best in the National League since June 16.
It's a thin line that the Phillies are apparently drawing, the Cardinals crossed, Brewers GM Doug Melvin does not want to cross and the Angels never touch. Even if the Mariners chose to move Jarrod Washburn (who has allowed two runs in his past four starts) or Erik Bedard, they are not going to get what they gave for Bedard, or what the Rangers bilked from the Braves for Mark Teixeira.
"Cincinnati wants to move a few contracts, like either Bronson Arroyo or Aaron Harang, but we're not interested in giving players or taking on their money," says one AL GM. "Harang hasn't been the same guy since last May."
"We've looked at Doug Davis, Jon Garland, Kevin Correia, Ian Snell and the long list of available starting pitchers and do not see anyone we would give A- or B-list prospects to get," says another GM.
The advantage that the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels and Dodgers have is that they can restock their organizations, either by spending in the international market or going over slot to sign draft choices. If you are the Royals, not only are your revenues light, but the commissioner's office has threatened to take away your 2012 All-Star Game if you go ahead with the agreements you have in place with two high picks.
If you are the Rays, because you have a terrible stadium that's hard for the fans to reach, you have hugely disappointing attendance and cannot trade Wade Davis and two other prospects for Victor Martinez and his $7 million salary next season. Not when your $63 million payroll will already jump for 2010, as Jason Bartlett is a four-year arbitration case and as B.J. Upton and Matt Garza will be super twos. "If we didn't talk on everyone and explore every possibility, we'd be fools," says Andrew Friedman, the Rays' executive VP of baseball operations. So they'd deal Scott Kazmir, who to most clubs looks like a shadow of what he was two years ago, and at the end of the season they will likely see what they can get for Carl Crawford. And they'll hold on to the prospects they consider keepers.
Those teams that have been trying to take relievers and make the next Larry Andersen-Jeff Bagwell deal are finding the offers slight. Be it Jon Rauch, Takashi Saito, Matt Capps, Rafael Betancourt, John Grabow, Ron Mahay, Danys Baez or George Sherrill, the market belongs to the buyers.

BadCo · Jul 26, 2009

<table class="tablehead" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"> <tbody><tr class="stathead"><td colspan="17">Sortable Pitching</td></tr> <tr class="colhead" align="right"><td style="width: 20px;" align="left">RK</td><td align="left">TEAM</td><td>GP</td><td>W</td><td>L</td><td>ERA</td><td>SV</td><td>CG</td><td>SHO</td><td>IP</td><td>QS</td><td>ER</td><td>R</td><td>BB</td><td>SO</td><td>BAA</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-19" align="right"><td align="left">1</td><td align="left">LA Dodgers</td><td>97</td><td>62</td><td>35</td><td class="sortcell">3.57</td><td>29</td><td>1</td><td>6</td><td>880.2</td><td>43</td><td>349</td><td>373</td><td>365</td><td>736</td><td>.233</td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-26" align="right"><td align="left">2</td><td align="left">San Francisco</td><td>97</td><td>52</td><td>45</td><td class="sortcell">3.60</td><td>26</td><td>8</td><td>13</td><td>861.0</td><td>52</td><td>344</td><td>364</td><td>347</td><td>768</td><td>.240</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-15" align="right"><td align="left">3</td><td align="left">Atlanta</td><td>98</td><td>50</td><td>48</td><td class="sortcell">3.73</td><td>23</td><td>1</td><td>7</td><td>877.2</td><td>57</td><td>364</td><td>407</td><td>341</td><td>722</td><td>.250</td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-12" align="right"><td align="left">4</td><td align="left">Seattle</td><td>97</td><td>51</td><td>46</td><td class="sortcell">3.75</td><td>32</td><td>3</td><td>6</td><td>867.2</td><td>47</td><td>362</td><td>406</td><td>335</td><td>647</td><td>.244</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-16" align="right"><td align="left">5</td><td align="left">Chicago Cubs</td><td>95</td><td>50</td><td>45</td><td class="sortcell">3.80</td><td>24</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>857.0</td><td>59</td><td>362</td><td>391</td><td>368</td><td>734</td><td>.244</td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-24" align="right"><td align="left">6</td><td align="left">St. Louis</td><td>100</td><td>53</td><td>47</td><td class="sortcell">3.83</td><td>25</td><td>6</td><td>6</td><td>879.2</td><td>50</td><td>374</td><td>415</td><td>288</td><td>627</td><td>.256</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-6" align="right"><td align="left">7</td><td align="left">Detroit</td><td>96</td><td>52</td><td>44</td><td class="sortcell">3.97</td><td>22</td><td>4</td><td>7</td><td>847.1</td><td>49</td><td>374</td><td>413</td><td>355</td><td>667</td><td>.258</td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-2" align="right"><td align="left">8</td><td align="left">Boston</td><td>96</td><td>57</td><td>39</td><td class="sortcell">4.01</td><td>28</td><td>7</td><td>6</td><td>852.1</td><td>49</td><td>380</td><td>406</td><td>297</td><td>733</td><td>.260</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-4" align="right"><td align="left">9</td><td align="left">Chicago Sox</td><td>98</td><td>50</td><td>48</td><td class="sortcell">4.15</td><td>25</td><td>3</td><td>7</td><td>863.1</td><td>51</td><td>398</td><td>448</td><td>319</td><td>691</td><td>.258</td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-18" align="right"><td align="left">10</td><td align="left">Houston</td><td>97</td><td>50</td><td>47</td><td class="sortcell">4.17</td><td>24</td><td>5</td><td>5</td><td>866.1</td><td>48</td><td>401</td><td>433</td><td>313</td><td>681</td><td>.267</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-30" align="right"><td align="left">11</td><td align="left">Tampa Bay</td><td>98</td><td>54</td><td>44</td><td class="sortcell">4.17</td><td>28</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>865.2</td><td>43</td><td>401</td><td>438</td><td>319</td><td>672</td><td>.257</td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-14" align="right"><td align="left">12</td><td align="left">Toronto</td><td>98</td><td>47</td><td>51</td><td class="sortcell">4.18</td><td>15</td><td>5</td><td>7</td><td>889.1</td><td>55</td><td>413</td><td>440</td><td>338</td><td>716</td><td>.258</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-28" align="right"><td align="left">13</td><td align="left">Florida</td><td>98</td><td>50</td><td>48</td><td class="sortcell">4.21</td><td>23</td><td>4</td><td>4</td><td>877.2</td><td>47</td><td>411</td><td>454</td><td>366</td><td>725</td><td>.255</td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-13" align="right"><td align="left">14</td><td align="left">Texas</td><td>95</td><td>53</td><td>42</td><td class="sortcell">4.22</td><td>28</td><td>5</td><td>6</td><td>849.0</td><td>44</td><td>398</td><td>420</td><td>318</td><td>539</td><td>.261</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-27" align="right"><td align="left">15</td><td align="left">Colorado</td><td>97</td><td>53</td><td>44</td><td class="sortcell">4.23</td><td>26</td><td>5</td><td>6</td><td>859.0</td><td>59</td><td>404</td><td>433</td><td>300</td><td>649</td><td>.265</td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-23" align="right"><td align="left">16</td><td align="left">Pittsburgh</td><td>97</td><td>43</td><td>54</td><td class="sortcell">4.30</td><td>21</td><td>4</td><td>6</td><td>851.2</td><td>53</td><td>407</td><td>425</td><td>343</td><td>535</td><td>.266</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-11" align="right"><td align="left">17</td><td align="left">Oakland</td><td>96</td><td>41</td><td>55</td><td class="sortcell">4.32</td><td>21</td><td>1</td><td>4</td><td>860.2</td><td>45</td><td>413</td><td>457</td><td>333</td><td>661</td><td>.263</td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-21" align="right"><td align="left">18</td><td align="left">NY Mets</td><td>96</td><td>45</td><td>51</td><td class="sortcell">4.33</td><td>25</td><td>1</td><td>6</td><td>849.2</td><td>51</td><td>409</td><td>449</td><td>378</td><td>601</td><td>.264</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-10" align="right"><td align="left">19</td><td align="left">NY Yankees</td><td>97</td><td>59</td><td>38</td><td class="sortcell">4.36</td><td>31</td><td>2</td><td>4</td><td>868.2</td><td>45</td><td>421</td><td>461</td><td>348</td><td>727</td><td>.252</td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-29" align="right"><td align="left">20</td><td align="left">Arizona</td><td>98</td><td>42</td><td>56</td><td class="sortcell">4.38</td><td>22</td><td>3</td><td>7</td><td>886.1</td><td>58</td><td>431</td><td>477</td><td>324</td><td>709</td><td>.266</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-17" align="right"><td align="left">21</td><td align="left">Cincinnati</td><td>96</td><td>44</td><td>52</td><td class="sortcell">4.41</td><td>23</td><td>4</td><td>9</td><td>861.2</td><td>45</td><td>422</td><td>460</td><td>360</td><td>646</td><td>.261</td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-22" align="right"><td align="left">22</td><td align="left">Philadelphia</td><td>95</td><td>55</td><td>40</td><td class="sortcell">4.47</td><td>25</td><td>2</td><td>5</td><td>865.0</td><td>48</td><td>430</td><td>447</td><td>318</td><td>678</td><td>.267</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-7" align="right"><td align="left">23</td><td align="left">Kansas City</td><td>96</td><td>38</td><td>58</td><td class="sortcell">4.49</td><td>18</td><td>8</td><td>6</td><td>844.0</td><td>50</td><td>421</td><td>472</td><td>333</td><td>680</td><td>.263</td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-8" align="right"><td align="left">24</td><td align="left">Milwaukee</td><td>97</td><td>49</td><td>48</td><td class="sortcell">4.54</td><td>28</td><td>1</td><td>7</td><td>854.2</td><td>46</td><td>431</td><td>457</td><td>361</td><td>668</td><td>.259</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-9" align="right"><td align="left">25</td><td align="left">Minnesota</td><td>98</td><td>48</td><td>50</td><td class="sortcell">4.57</td><td>26</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>874.0</td><td>49</td><td>444</td><td>467</td><td>279</td><td>612</td><td>.271</td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-3" align="right"><td align="left">26</td><td align="left">LA Angels</td><td>96</td><td>58</td><td>38</td><td class="sortcell">4.68</td><td>31</td><td>5</td><td>6</td><td>852.2</td><td>45</td><td>443</td><td>470</td><td>325</td><td>627</td><td>.274</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-25" align="right"><td align="left">27</td><td align="left">San Diego</td><td>98</td><td>38</td><td>60</td><td class="sortcell">4.75</td><td>25</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>877.2</td><td>47</td><td>463</td><td>501</td><td>355</td><td>716</td><td>.264</td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-1" align="right"><td align="left">28</td><td align="left">Baltimore</td><td>96</td><td>41</td><td>55</td><td class="sortcell">4.98</td><td>21</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>844.0</td><td>35</td><td>467</td><td>508</td><td>314</td><td>561</td><td>.279</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-20" align="right"><td align="left">29</td><td align="left">Washington</td><td>97</td><td>29</td><td>68</td><td class="sortcell">5.02</td><td>15</td><td>5</td><td>2</td><td>850.1</td><td>38</td><td>474</td><td>533</td><td>376</td><td>540</td><td>.279</td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-5" align="right"><td align="left">30</td><td align="left">Cleveland</td><td>98</td><td>40</td><td>58</td><td class="sortcell">5.23</td><td>17</td><td>4</td><td>4</td><td>865.2</td><td>43</td><td>503</td><td>531</td><td>366</td><td>602</td><td>.278</td></tr><tr class="colhead" align="right"><td colspan="2" align="left">LEAGUE AVERAGES</td><td>GP</td><td>W</td><td>L</td><td>ERA</td><td>SV</td><td>CG</td><td>SHO</td><td>IP</td><td>QS</td><td>ER</td><td>R</td><td>BB</td><td>SO</td><td>BAA</td></tr><tr class="oddrow"><td colspan="2">American League</td><td align="right">97</td><td align="right">49</td><td align="right">48</td><td align="right">4.36</td><td align="right">25</td><td align="right">4</td><td align="right">5</td><td align="right">860</td><td align="right">46</td><td align="right">417</td><td align="right">453</td><td align="right">327</td><td align="right">653</td><td align="right">.263</td></tr><tr class="evenrow"><td colspan="2">National League</td><td align="right">97</td><td align="right">48</td><td align="right">49</td><td align="right">4.21</td><td align="right">24</td><td align="right">3</td><td align="right">6</td><td align="right">866</td><td align="right">50</td><td align="right">405</td><td align="right">439</td><td align="right">344</td><td align="right">671</td><td align="right">.258</td></tr><tr class="oddrow"><td colspan="2">Major League Baseball</td><td align="right">97</td><td align="right">48</td><td align="right">48</td><td align="right">4.28</td><td align="right">24</td><td align="right">4</td><td align="right">5</td><td align="right">863</td><td align="right">48</td><td align="right">410</td><td align="right">445</td><td align="right">336</td><td align="right">662</td><td align="right">.260</td></tr> </tbody></table>
Glossary

BadCo · Jul 26, 2009

<table class="tablehead" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tbody><tr class="stathead"><td colspan="16">Sortable Batting</td></tr> <tr class="colhead" align="right"><td style="width: 20px;" align="left">RK</td><td align="left">TEAM</td><td>GP</td><td>AB</td><td>R</td><td>H</td><td>2B</td><td>3B</td><td>HR</td><td>TB</td><td>RBI</td><td>BA</td><td>OBP</td><td>SLG</td><td>OPS</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-10" align="right"><td align="left">1</td><td align="left">NY Yankees</td><td>97</td><td>3350</td><td class="sortcell">536</td><td>920</td><td>192</td><td>14</td><td>144</td><td>1572</td><td>510</td><td>.275</td><td>.358</td><td>.469</td><td>.827</td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-3" align="right"><td align="left">2</td><td align="left">LA Angels</td><td>96</td><td>3316</td><td class="sortcell">532</td><td>952</td><td>174</td><td>23</td><td>100</td><td>1472</td><td>508</td><td>.287</td><td>.352</td><td>.444</td><td>.795</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-22" align="right"><td align="left">3</td><td align="left">Philadelphia</td><td>95</td><td>3302</td><td class="sortcell">518</td><td>866</td><td>190</td><td>16</td><td>134</td><td>1490</td><td>497</td><td>.262</td><td>.343</td><td>.451</td><td>.795</td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-30" align="right"><td align="left">4</td><td align="left">Tampa Bay</td><td>98</td><td>3354</td><td class="sortcell">515</td><td>900</td><td>202</td><td>18</td><td>120</td><td>1498</td><td>490</td><td>.268</td><td>.350</td><td>.447</td><td>.797</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-5" align="right"><td align="left">5</td><td align="left">Cleveland</td><td>98</td><td>3356</td><td class="sortcell">493</td><td>870</td><td>184</td><td>14</td><td>108</td><td>1406</td><td>462</td><td>.259</td><td>.344</td><td>.419</td><td>.762</td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-27" align="right"><td align="left">6</td><td align="left">Colorado</td><td>97</td><td>3223</td><td class="sortcell">492</td><td>832</td><td>193</td><td>27</td><td>113</td><td>1418</td><td>467</td><td>.258</td><td>.340</td><td>.440</td><td>.780</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-2" align="right"><td align="left">7</td><td align="left">Boston</td><td>96</td><td>3258</td><td class="sortcell">488</td><td>852</td><td>207</td><td>16</td><td>113</td><td>1430</td><td>463</td><td>.262</td><td>.346</td><td>.439</td><td>.785</td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-19" align="right"><td align="left">8</td><td align="left">LA Dodgers</td><td>97</td><td>3354</td><td class="sortcell">485</td><td>920</td><td>171</td><td>23</td><td>83</td><td>1386</td><td>458</td><td>.274</td><td>.352</td><td>.413</td><td>.765</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-9" align="right"><td align="left">9</td><td align="left">Minnesota</td><td>98</td><td>3366</td><td class="sortcell">474</td><td>901</td><td>153</td><td>22</td><td>108</td><td>1422</td><td>442</td><td>.268</td><td>.341</td><td>.422</td><td>.764</td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-14" align="right"><td align="left">10</td><td align="left">Toronto</td><td>98</td><td>3478</td><td class="sortcell">473</td><td>933</td><td>222</td><td>7</td><td>113</td><td>1508</td><td>455</td><td>.268</td><td>.334</td><td>.434</td><td>.767</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-13" align="right"><td align="left">11</td><td align="left">Texas</td><td>95</td><td>3252</td><td class="sortcell">457</td><td>824</td><td>176</td><td>16</td><td>142</td><td>1458</td><td>434</td><td>.253</td><td>.315</td><td>.448</td><td>.763</td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-8" align="right"><td align="left">12</td><td align="left">Milwaukee</td><td>97</td><td>3251</td><td class="sortcell">450</td><td>837</td><td>161</td><td>25</td><td>108</td><td>1372</td><td>439</td><td>.257</td><td>.339</td><td>.422</td><td>.761</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-4" align="right"><td align="left">13</td><td align="left">Chicago Sox</td><td>98</td><td>3280</td><td class="sortcell">447</td><td>862</td><td>153</td><td>12</td><td>115</td><td>1384</td><td>432</td><td>.263</td><td>.334</td><td>.422</td><td>.755</td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-6" align="right"><td align="left">14</td><td align="left">Detroit</td><td>96</td><td>3201</td><td class="sortcell">447</td><td>824</td><td>141</td><td>21</td><td>111</td><td>1340</td><td>430</td><td>.257</td><td>.328</td><td>.419</td><td>.746</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-24" align="right"><td align="left">15</td><td align="left">St. Louis</td><td>100</td><td>3327</td><td class="sortcell">442</td><td>856</td><td>182</td><td>17</td><td>103</td><td>1381</td><td>420</td><td>.257</td><td>.327</td><td>.415</td><td>.742</td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-1" align="right"><td align="left">16</td><td align="left">Baltimore</td><td>96</td><td>3313</td><td class="sortcell">441</td><td>887</td><td>181</td><td>11</td><td>95</td><td>1375</td><td>417</td><td>.268</td><td>.330</td><td>.415</td><td>.745</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-28" align="right"><td align="left">17</td><td align="left">Florida</td><td>98</td><td>3372</td><td class="sortcell">440</td><td>864</td><td>162</td><td>15</td><td>92</td><td>1332</td><td>407</td><td>.256</td><td>.325</td><td>.395</td><td>.720</td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-29" align="right"><td align="left">18</td><td align="left">Arizona</td><td>98</td><td>3362</td><td class="sortcell">437</td><td>839</td><td>194</td><td>28</td><td>99</td><td>1386</td><td>413</td><td>.250</td><td>.324</td><td>.412</td><td>.736</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-15" align="right"><td align="left">19</td><td align="left">Atlanta</td><td>98</td><td>3342</td><td class="sortcell">430</td><td>885</td><td>194</td><td>15</td><td>83</td><td>1358</td><td>412</td><td>.265</td><td>.336</td><td>.406</td><td>.743</td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-11" align="right"><td align="left">20</td><td align="left">Oakland</td><td>96</td><td>3280</td><td class="sortcell">420</td><td>817</td><td>164</td><td>9</td><td>78</td><td>1233</td><td>402</td><td>.249</td><td>.319</td><td>.376</td><td>.695</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-20" align="right"><td align="left">21</td><td align="left">Washington</td><td>97</td><td>3303</td><td class="sortcell">417</td><td>866</td><td>170</td><td>19</td><td>87</td><td>1335</td><td>403</td><td>.262</td><td>.343</td><td>.404</td><td>.747</td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-23" align="right"><td align="left">22</td><td align="left">Pittsburgh</td><td>97</td><td>3280</td><td class="sortcell">411</td><td>854</td><td>186</td><td>23</td><td>74</td><td>1308</td><td>398</td><td>.260</td><td>.325</td><td>.399</td><td>.724</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-18" align="right"><td align="left">23</td><td align="left">Houston</td><td>97</td><td>3278</td><td class="sortcell">410</td><td>878</td><td>165</td><td>23</td><td>81</td><td>1332</td><td>390</td><td>.268</td><td>.330</td><td>.406</td><td>.736</td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-16" align="right"><td align="left">24</td><td align="left">Chicago Cubs</td><td>95</td><td>3252</td><td class="sortcell">406</td><td>815</td><td>163</td><td>14</td><td>106</td><td>1324</td><td>387</td><td>.251</td><td>.325</td><td>.407</td><td>.732</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-21" align="right"><td align="left">25</td><td align="left">NY Mets</td><td>96</td><td>3225</td><td class="sortcell">405</td><td>859</td><td>175</td><td>20</td><td>57</td><td>1245</td><td>381</td><td>.266</td><td>.340</td><td>.386</td><td>.726</td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-17" align="right"><td align="left">26</td><td align="left">Cincinnati</td><td>96</td><td>3239</td><td class="sortcell">390</td><td>802</td><td>159</td><td>17</td><td>90</td><td>1265</td><td>366</td><td>.248</td><td>.317</td><td>.391</td><td>.708</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-26" align="right"><td align="left">27</td><td align="left">San Francisco</td><td>97</td><td>3283</td><td class="sortcell">389</td><td>845</td><td>176</td><td>22</td><td>64</td><td>1257</td><td>364</td><td>.257</td><td>.306</td><td>.383</td><td>.689</td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-7" align="right"><td align="left">28</td><td align="left">Kansas City</td><td>96</td><td>3238</td><td class="sortcell">377</td><td>816</td><td>164</td><td>33</td><td>79</td><td>1283</td><td>361</td><td>.252</td><td>.312</td><td>.396</td><td>.709</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-12" align="right"><td align="left">29</td><td align="left">Seattle</td><td>97</td><td>3293</td><td class="sortcell">377</td><td>851</td><td>168</td><td>11</td><td>93</td><td>1320</td><td>362</td><td>.258</td><td>.315</td><td>.401</td><td>.716</td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-25" align="right"><td align="left">30</td><td align="left">San Diego</td><td>98</td><td>3276</td><td class="sortcell">357</td><td>754</td><td>152</td><td>16</td><td>85</td><td>1193</td><td>342</td><td>.230</td><td>.308</td><td>.364</td><td>.672</td></tr><tr class="colhead" align="right"><td colspan="2" align="left">LEAGUE AVERAGES</td><td>GP</td><td>AB</td><td>R</td><td>H</td><td>2B</td><td>3B</td><td>HR</td><td>TB</td><td>RBI</td><td>BA</td><td>OBP</td><td>SLG</td><td>OPS</td></tr><tr class="oddrow"><td colspan="2">American League</td><td align="right">97</td><td align="right">3310</td><td align="right">463</td><td align="right">872</td><td align="right">177</td><td align="right">16</td><td align="right">109</td><td align="right">1407</td><td align="right">441</td><td align="right">.263</td><td align="right">.334</td><td align="right">.425</td><td align="right">.759</td></tr><tr class="evenrow"><td colspan="2">National League</td><td align="right">97</td><td align="right">3292</td><td align="right">430</td><td align="right">848</td><td align="right">175</td><td align="right">20</td><td align="right">91</td><td align="right">1336</td><td align="right">409</td><td align="right">.258</td><td align="right">.330</td><td align="right">.406</td><td align="right">.736</td></tr><tr class="oddrow"><td colspan="2">Major League Baseball</td><td align="right">97</td><td align="right">3300</td><td align="right">445</td><td align="right">859</td><td align="right">176</td><td align="right">18</td><td align="right">99</td><td align="right">1369</td><td align="right">424</td><td align="right">.260</td><td align="right">.332</td><td align="right">.415</td><td align="right">.747</td></tr></tbody></table>

BadCo · Jul 26, 2009

Fantasy Analysis

Jeremy Bonderman (P)
Jul 26 2009, 09:45 pm ET
Bio | Jeremy Bonderman News Archive

Jeremy Bonderman (right shoulder) threw a mound session Saturday and is slated to throw a simulated game either Aug. 1 or 2.

"I think Bonderman is probably -- in some way, shape or form -- sooner than later," manager Jim Leyland said of Bonderman's return. After undergoing surgery last summer, Bonderman's return could be sped up considering the Tigers have plans to use him as a reliever.

Joel Zumaya (P)
Jul 26 2009, 09:44 pm ET
Bio | Joel Zumaya News Archive

Joel Zumaya (sore right shoulder) threw Sunday for the first time since aggravating his shoulder July 17.

It looks as though Zumaya will return to the hill sooner than the Tigers initially thought. "Joel Zumaya, we think, is going to be able to pitch for us this season," manager Jim Leyland said Sunday. After taking cortisone shots to the front and back of his shoulder earlier this week, head athletic trainer Kevin Rand says his DL stay should be minimal. Sit tight to see when he returns, although his propensity to get hurt should lower your expectations when he returns.

Ben Francisco (LF)
Jul 26 2009, 09:30 pm ET
Bio | Ben Francisco News Archive

Ben Francisco laced his ninth long ball and went 3-for-5 with two runs Sunday.

The three-hit effort was Francisco’s third in July and fourth this season. While he’s exhibited a decent power/speed combo -- he’s swiped 13 bases to complement his nine jacks -- his paltry .243 average keeps him on the waiver wire in most mixed leagues.

Travis Hafner (U)
Jul 26 2009, 09:28 pm ET
Bio | Travis Hafner News Archive

Travis Hafner clubbed his 11th tater and went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs in Sunday’s win over the Mariners.

Hafner, who jacked one out for the second time in three games, has enjoyed a quality resurgence since returning from the DL at the beginning of June, batting .311 with seven dingers and 20 RBIs in 32 contests. On the year, he’s hitting .295 with a .940 OPS, giving him legitimate value in deeper mixed leagues.

Jhonny Peralta (SS)
Jul 26 2009, 09:28 pm ET
Bio | Jhonny Peralta News Archive

Jhonny Peralta cracked his seventh homer and went 2-for-4 with four RBIs Sunday.

Peralta, who dialed in his third consecutive multi-hit performance, popped one out for the first time in 14 games. While his power continues to be sparse, he’s hitting .308 in 10 games since the All-Star break.

Shin-Soo Choo (RF)
Jul 26 2009, 09:27 pm ET
Bio | Shin-Soo Choo News Archive

Shin-Soo Choo went 2-for-5 with a double, two runs, an RBI and a walk Sunday.

A productive day for Choo, who notched just his second multi-hit effort in the last 14 games. He’s batting just .250 in July to drop his average to .283, the lowest it’s been mid-May. And that’s factoring in a four-hit, seven RBI explosion on July 3. Considering this is his first full season in the bigs, a bit of a lull was to be expected at some point. Owners can count on him bouncing back with a strong final leg, as he proved he was a top-notch finisher last year by batting .343 with a 1.038 OPS after the break.

Grady Sizemore (CF)
Jul 26 2009, 09:26 pm ET
Bio | Grady Sizemore News Archive

Grady Sizemore drilled his 14th homer and went 2-for-5 with two RBIs, two runs and a walk Sunday.

Sizemore, who has been battling inflammation in his left elbow, snapped out of a 1-for-23 funk and launched his first jack since July 7. It’s been a disappointing and injury-riddled campaign for the stud center fielder, whose .230 average is nearly 50 points off his career mark of .274. He’s also swiped only nine bases in 16 attempts after averaging 35 thefts over the last two years.

Cliff Lee (P)
Jul 26 2009, 09:25 pm ET
Bio | Cliff Lee News Archive

Cliff Lee was in good form Sunday, tossing seven innings and yielding just two earned runs on six hits with four Ks to move to 7-9.

Another fine effort from Lee, who has been in a zone recently, going 3-0 with two complete games over his last three starts. He’s surrendered a total of four earned runs and fanned 14 in that stretch, spanning 25 innings. While he’s had some ups and downs, Lee’s overall campaign has been a formidable encore to his 22-3 season of a year ago, as he ranks seventh in the AL with a 3.14 ERA and sports an excellent 107/33 K/BB ratio. Owners can expect more of the same when the lanky lefty takes the mound again on Aug. 1 vs. a Tigers club he’s posted a 2.86 ERA against in three starts this season.

LaTroy Hawkins (P)
Jul 26 2009, 09:22 pm ET
Bio | LaTroy Hawkins News Archive

Astros relief pitcher LaTroy Hawkins didn't travel with the team to Chicago on Sunday and will undergo an MRI on his ailing back on Monday in Houston.

Hawkins has been pitching through back pain the past few weeks, and Astros general manager Ed Wade said the procedure would be performed to double-check Hawkins' upper back. "He's been pitching with an upper back strain and shingles," Wade said. "We just want to see if the discomfort is a strain or a side effect of the shingles. He has been pitching with this for awhile." The right-hander is 1-4 with a 2.36 ERA and 10 saves in 40 games this year. He's expected to join the team in time for Monday night's game at Wrigley Field.

Derrek Lee (1B)
Jul 26 2009, 09:13 pm ET
Bio | Derrek Lee News Archive

Derrek Lee (neck) missed Sunday's game against the Reds.

Lee has been aggravated by a bulging disk in his neck. Whenever he hits the ground hard on a slide, his neck tightens up and spasms, and he can't move. "It's just one of those unfortunate things where certain things cause it," Lee said. "It's an injury where I can't move. I have to try to avoid those things as much as possible." Despite the nagging ailment, Lee expects to be back in the Cubs' lineup on Monday, when they open a four-game series against the Astros.

Hanley Ramirez (SS)
Jul 26 2009, 08:25 pm ET
Bio | Hanley Ramirez News Archive

Hanley Ramirez went 2-for-4 with a double, three RBIs and a run in Sunday’s win over the Dodgers.

Just another day at the office for Hanley, who’s hit safely in 14 of 16 games this month, translating to a .360 clip. He’s hit at least .359 in each of the last three months to raise his average to a season-high .348. While his run production has tailed off a bit -- he’s plated nine runs in July after knocking in 33 last month -- he could still notch his first 100-RBI season with a strong second half.

Andre Ethier (RF)
Jul 26 2009, 08:25 pm ET
Bio | Andre Ethier News Archive

Andre Ethier went 2-for-4 with two runs, an RBI and a walk Sunday.

Ethier’s been scorching hot during a seven-game hitting streak, going 15-for-26 with five doubles, two homers and eight runs. With 20 jacks, the fourth-year outfielder is one long ball away from establishing a new career-high.

James Loney (1B)
Jul 26 2009, 08:23 pm ET
Bio | James Loney News Archive

James Loney went 3-for-5 with a double, three RBIs and a run Sunday.

Loney, who has hit safely in five of the last six games, has knocked in eight runs in that stretch to give him 62 on the season. The young first baseman is batting .285 with 48 runs and a solid .356 on-base percentage in his second full campaign.

Jason Schmidt (P)
Jul 26 2009, 08:21 pm ET
Bio | Jason Schmidt News Archive

Jason Schmidt got roughed up by the Marlins Sunday, allowing five hits and five runs (four earned) with a walk and a strikeout in three innings to drop to 1-1.

Schmidt, making his second start since June 16, 2007, had pretty good command in this one, throwing first-pitch strikes to nine of the 15 batters he faced. But he didn’t have enough velocity on his fastball to consistently get outs, which led to a three-run third that chased him from the game. The veteran righty earned the start because he fared well last time out (5 IP, 5 H, 3 ER) in a win. Where the club decides to go with him in the long run remains to be seen, but for now he remains in the rotation and will take his next turn July 31 vs. the Braves in Atlanta.

Kevin Millwood (P)
Jul 26 2009, 08:08 pm ET
Bio | Kevin Millwood News Archive

The Rangers aren't sure if Kevin Millwood will have to miss his next start after coming out of Sunday's game against the Royals with a strained left gluteus muscle.

Millwood said he felt the muscle tighten up while striking out John Buck for the second out in the second inning. He faced one more batter and retired Alex Gordon on a grounder to first to end the inning. Millwood is unsure about the extent of the injury, but is hopeful that he will not have to miss a start. "I'm sure we'll probably know more tomorrow," Millwood said in the Rangers clubhouse after the game. "It's starting to feel better. Hopefully it's just something that tightened up and will go away quickly." Millwood's next start is scheduled for July 31 against the Mariners. "We'll take it day-by-day and see how it goes," manager Ron Washington said. "We haven't gotten to that part yet."

The week ahead..........

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