Fantasy notes for May 8
Click through for information on specific matchups and injuries for the day's games.
Starting pitcher rankings for May 8
| Name | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Justin Verlander | R | @SEA | 10 | 2-1 | 2.38 | 0.86 | 2-0 | 2.03 | 0.94 |
| 2 |  | Clayton Kershaw | L | SF | 10 | 2-0 | 2.63 | 0.93 | 2-2 | 2.45 | 1.23 |
| 3 |  | Dan Haren | R | @MIN | 8 | 1-2 | 3.43 | 1.19 | 3-0 | 2.05 | 0.95 |
| 4 |  | Anibal Sanchez | R | @HOU | 8 | 2-0 | 2.43 | 1.05 | 0-1 | 6.52 | 1.24 |
| 5 |  | Ian Kennedy | R | STL | 6 | 3-1 | 3.23 | 1.31 | 2-2 | 3.98 | 1.38 |
| 6 |  | Ryan Dempster | R | ATL | 5 | 0-1 | 0.95 | 0.81 | 1-1 | 3.26 | 1.45 |
| 7 |  | Ricky Romero | L | @OAK | 8 | 4-0 | 3.64 | 1.07 | 2-0 | 0.00 | 0.36 |
| 8 |  | Neftali Feliz | R | @BAL | 10 | 1-1 | 3.81 | 1.19 | 1-1 | 4.85 | 1.46 |
| 9 |  | James Shields | R | @NYY | 3 | 5-0 | 3.05 | 1.23 | 3-0 | 2.08 | 1.11 |
| 10 |  | Brandon McCarthy | R | TOR | 7 | 2-3 | 2.96 | 1.38 | 0-0 | 4.63 | 1.46 |
| 11 |  | Ryan Vogelsong | R | @LAD | 8 | 0-2 | 3.42 | 1.33 | 0-0 | 3.38 | 0.75 |
| 12 |  | Joe Blanton | R | NYM | 4 | 3-3 | 2.83 | 1.06 | 0-1 | 4.58 | 1.07 |
| 13 |  | Homer Bailey | R | @MIL | 4 | 1-2 | 3.77 | 1.42 | 1-2 | 7.98 | 1.84 |
| 14 |  | Daniel Bard | R | @KC | 9 | 2-3 | 4.38 | 1.54 | 2-2 | 6.57 | 1.50 |
| 15 |  | Jake Westbrook | R | @ARI | 4 | 3-2 | 2.12 | 1.12 | 2-1 | 1.50 | 0.79 |
| 16 |  | Edwin Jackson | R | @PIT | 6 | 1-1 | 3.69 | 1.11 | 2-3 | 6.51 | 1.59 |
| 17 |  | Justin Masterson | R | CHW | 6 | 1-2 | 5.20 | 1.51 | 0-3 | 9.00 | 1.56 |
| 18 |  | Ivan Nova | R | TB | 3 | 3-1 | 5.58 | 1.76 | 1-2 | 8.06 | 1.52 |
| 19 |  | Yovani Gallardo | R | CIN | 6 | 1-3 | 5.79 | 1.65 | 2-2 | 4.56 | 1.52 |
| 20 |  | Jake Arrieta | R | TEX | 3 | 2-2 | 3.52 | 0.99 | 1-0 | 6.14 | 1.43 |
| 21 |  | Randall Delgado | R | @CHC | 6 | 2-3 | 5.14 | 1.46 | 1-4 | 7.89 | 1.85 |
| 22 |  | A.J. Burnett | R | WAS | 4 | 1-2 | 8.04 | 1.72 | -- | -- | -- |
| 23 |  | John Danks | L | @CLE | 6 | 2-4 | 6.51 | 1.50 | 0-4 | 4.09 | 1.32 |
| 24 |  | Scott Diamond | L | LAA | 2 | -- | -- | -- | 0-0 | 3.00 | 1.67 |
| 25 |  | Danny Duffy | L | BOS | 1 | 2-2 | 3.57 | 1.37 | 0-2 | 8.31 | 1.92 |
| 26 |  | Aneury Rodriguez | R | MIA | 4 | -- | -- | -- | 0-0 | 9.53 | 1.41 |
| 27 |  | Jeff Suppan | R | COL | 1 | 1-0 | 0 | 1.2 | 0-1 | 5.87 | 2.09 |
| 28 |  | Alex White | R | @SD | 1 | -- | -- | -- | 0-2 | 6.19 | 1.5 |
| 29 |  | Kevin Millwood | R | DET | 2 | 0-3 | 5.34 | 1.57 | 3-1 | 2.57 | 1.05 |
| 30 |  | Miguel Batista | R | @PHI | 4 | 0-1 | 6.92 | 2.23 | 0-2 | 5.27 | 1.54 |
Rk.: The author's ranking of that pitcher for that day only. T: Pitcher throws left-handed or right-handed. Opp: The pitcher's opponent for the day. QR: "Quality Rating," or the starting pitcher's matchup rating -- separate from the author's ranking -- which accounts for past history (three years' worth as well as past 21 days), opponent and ballpark. OPS is the primary statistic used in the calculation. Ratings range from 1-10, with 10 representing the best possible matchup, statistically speaking, and 1 representing the worst. So, for example, a 10 is a must-start rating, while a 1 should be avoided (if possible); a 1-2 is poor, 3-4 is fair, 5-6 is average, 7-8 is very good and 9-10 is excellent. 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.
The rankings list is pretty top-heavy with the usual suspects, but there are a few excellent plays from hurlers who may just be available on your waiver wire:
Brandon McCarthy is still available in nearly one-fourth of ESPN.com fantasy leagues, but he really shouldn't be. He's posted three straight quality starts, including the past two at Baltimore and at Boston. McCarthy has a 2.18 ERA with zero homers allowed in these past three outings, and Tuesday he'll get to throw in pitcher-friendly O.co Coliseum. In 17 home starts since joining the Oakland Athletics, McCarthy has a 2.62 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. Considering how poor the Toronto Blue Jays' offense was during its four-game set in Anaheim last weekend (3.5 runs per game, .214 BA, .305 SLG), McCarthy is a must-start on Tuesday.
Joe Blanton is having an out-of-body experience this year with just one home run allowed in 35 innings. Considering only three teams have fewer home runs than the New York Mets (18 HRs in 28 games), don't expect the gopher balls to start piling up. Blanton has fanned 14 with zero walks over his past two outings, and has respectable numbers in nine career starts against the Mets (3.50 ERA, 1.19 WHIP). Facing Miguel Batista (6.92 ERA, 2.23 WHIP), Blanton is a great win candidate on Tuesday.
Jake Westbrook is owned in just 60 percent of ESPN.com fantasy leagues, thanks to four quality outings in five starts. He's allowed just one home run in 34 innings this season, and has fanned 15 batters in his past three outings. The Arizona Diamondbacks have been terrible in the past four games, with just 10 runs and a .192 BA. All of this points to a quality outing, but temper your expectations with Westbrook pitching at Chase Field.
Edwin Jackson (59 percent ESPN.com ownership) has been inconsistent this season, but you have to love his matchup against the lowest-scoring team in baseball, the Pittsburgh Pirates. Not only are the Bucs averaging just 2.8 runs per games, but they have never beaten Jackson in five tries on four different teams. Jackson is 4-0 with a 3.13 ERA in these five outings versus Pittsburgh. With a K-to-BB ratio of 3.6 (29 K's, 8 BBs) for the season, give Jackson a shot on Tuesday.
Justin Masterson (58 percent ESPN.com ownership) is starting to hit his stride with two straight quality starts, but has walked 18 batters with just 14 punch-outs over his past four outings. That being said, I like his matchup at home against the Chicago White Sox. Although he has not been great in two matchups with the Sox this season (4.76 ERA, 1.77 WHIP), Masterson posted a 2.09 ERA and 1.19 WHIP against them in 69 innings from 2008 to 2011. Masterson also has a 3.09 ERA and .240 opponents' BA in 268 career innings at Progressive Field. Start him in deeper leagues.
Hitter matchup ratings for May 8
| Overall | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 7 | 7 | 6 | 1 | | 7 | 7 | 5 | 4 | |
| | 6 | 8 | 3 | 6 | | 3 | 3 | 2 | 7 | |
| | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | | 7 | 6 | 7 | 5 | |
| | 10 | 3 | 10 | 6 | | 7 | 5 | 7 | 3 | |
| | 6 | 10 | 1 | 6 | | 4 | 9 | 1 | 6 | |
| | 5 | 8 | 1 | 5 | | 7 | 10 | 2 | 6 | |
| | 5 | 6 | 3 | 6 | | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | |
| | 6 | 5 | 4 | 7 | | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | |
| | 10 | 10 | 10 | 6 | | 10 | 10 | 10 | 5 | |
| | 8 | 9 | 7 | 6 | | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | |
| | 4 | 3 | 4 | 7 | | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | |
| | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | | 8 | 6 | 9 | 5 | |
| | 10 | 10 | 7 | 6 | | 7 | 10 | 1 | 5 | |
| | 3 | 5 | 1 | 5 | | 3 | 4 | 1 | 7 | |
| | 8 | 10 | 4 | 6 | | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | |
Hitter ratings account for the opposing starting pitcher's past history (three years' worth as well as past 21 days) as well as ballpark factors. "LHB" and "RHB" ratings account only for left- and right-handed batters, respectively. OPS is the primary statistic used in the calculation. Ratings range from 1-10, with 10 representing the best possible matchup, statistically speaking, and 1 representing the worst. So, for example, a 10 is a must-start rating, while a 1 should be avoided (if possible); a 1-2 is poor, 3-4 is fair, 5-6 is average, 7-8 is very good and 9-10 is excellent.
• Curtis Granderson has managed just three hits in 46 at-bats (.065) in his career against James Shields.
• Catcher Buster Posey is 2-for-18 (.111) with five strikeouts in his career against Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw.
• Catcher Brian McCann is hitless in 12 at-bats, including four strikeouts, in his career against Chicago Cubs starter Ryan Dempster.
• Josh Willingham is hitting .357 (5-for-14) career off Dan Haren with two home runs.
• Alexei Ramirez has only four hits in 29 career at-bats (.138) against Indians starter Justin Masterson.
• Ian Kennedy had a 12.00 ERA in two starts last year against the Cardinals.
• Aaron Hill is 6-for-12 (.500) in his career against Jake Westbrook.
• Astros 1B Carlos Lee is 1-for-14 (.071) lifetime against Marlins starter Anibal Sanchez.
• Delmon Young is 6-for-15 (.400) with two doubles and four RBIs against Mariners starter Kevin Millwood.
• Chone Figgins is 5-for-28 (.179) with 12 strikeouts in his career against Tigers starter Justin Verlander.
Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers: Day-to-day, hamstring. Kemp was scratched from Sunday's lineup with a tight left hamstring.
Desmond Jennings, OF, Rays: Day-to-day, knee. He left Sunday's game with a sore left knee.
Andrew McCutchen, OF, Pirates: Day-to-day, flu. Despite playing on Saturday, McCutchen did not play on Sunday because of his illness. Nate McLouth replaced him in center field.
Adrian Beltre, 3B, Rangers: Day-to-day, leg soreness. He has not started a game since April 30, but he's expected to play on Monday, May 7.
Jayson Werth, OF, National: 15-day DL, broken left wrist. He's expected to miss six weeks of action after injuring himself on Sunday. This will allow 19-year-old Bryce Harper to remain in the majors to play left field on a daily basis.
Jemile Weeks, 2B, Athletics: Day-to-day, groin. Weeks was scratched from Sunday's lineup with a tight groin.
Huston Street, RP, Padres: 15-day DL, right lat strain. Andrew Cashner will assume closer duties until Street returns.
Brian Dozier, SS, Twins: Named starting shortstop. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire has named Triple-A call-up Dozier his starting shortstop, moving Jamey Carroll into a utility infielder role.
Ruben Tejada, SS, Mets: Day-to-day, quadriceps. He could land on the DL because of his injury.
Jerry Hairston Jr., 3B, Dodgers: Day-to-day, hamstring. He injured himself running the bases on Sunday.
Dayan Viciedo, OF, White Sox: Day-to-day, elbow. Viciedo is not starting the first half of Monday's doubleheader because of an elbow injury.
Scott Downs, RP, Angels: Day-to-day, knee. Downs left Sunday's game with a twisted knee.
Ian Stewart, 3B, Cubs: Day-to-day, flu. Stewart did not play Sunday due to his illness.
Heath Bell, RP, Marlins: Temporarily removed from closer role. Ozzie Guillen said that he's leaning toward using Steve Cishek in the ninth-inning role, but Edward Mujica earned his second save of the season on Sunday.
Adam LaRoche, 1B, Nationals: Day-to-day, sore right oblique. He could return to the lineup on Tuesday.
Jeff Baker, 1B, Cubs: Day-to-day, flu. He received IV fluids at a hospital on Saturday and did not play on Sunday.
Eric Young Jr., OF, Rockies: Day-to-day, bereavement list. Tyler Colvin will get increased playing time until Young Jr. returns to the field.
Matt Garza, SP, Cubs: Day-to-day, flu. Garza had his start skipped on Sunday due to a virus, but expects to start Friday against Milwaukee.
Josh Beckett, SP, Red Sox: shoulder. Beckett had his start skipped on Saturday due to soreness in his shoulder, but expects to start Thursday against Cleveland.
Kevin Youkilis, 3B, Red Sox: 15-day DL, back. Nick Punto and Will Middlebrooks will split time at third while Youkilis is out.
Nolan Reimold, OF, Orioles: 15-day DL, herniated disk in neck. The move was made retroactive to May 1. Endy Chavez will likely be the regular left fielder until Reimold returns.
Coco Crisp, OF, Athletics: 15-day DL, inner ear infection. The move was made retroactive to May 3. Michael Taylor was promoted from Triple-A to replace Crisp on the roster. Taylor and Seth Smith will compete for time in left field.
Justin Morneau, 1B, Twins: 15-day DL, tendinitis in left wrist. The move was made retroactive to May 1. Chris Parmelee will play the majority of first base in his absence.
Alex Gonzalez, SS, Brewers: 15-day DL, right knee injury. He injured himself sliding into second base on Saturday. Cesar Izturis will replace him as the team's starting shortstop.
Yuniesky Betancourt, 2B, Royals: 15-day DL, high ankle sprain. Chris Getz will likely start at second base during Betancourt's absence.
Carlos Gomez, OF, Brewers: 15-day DL, strained left hamstring. He injured himself Friday, leaving Nyjer Morgan to play every day in center.
Jim Thome, 1B, Phillies: 15-day DL, lower back strain. The move was made retroactive to April 29. Ty Wigginton will likely be the team's regular starting first baseman with Thome and Ryan Howard both injured.
Cory Luebke, SP, Padres: Out indefinitely, strained left elbow. He may need to undergo season-ending surgery. Jeff Suppan replaced him in the rotation, and Tim Stauffer (triceps) is ready to rejoin the team hopefully later this week.
Freddy Sanchez, 2B, Giants: Out until June, shoulder. Sanchez was on track to return to the field this week, but felt discomfort in his surgically-repaired shoulder last week.
