Fantasy notes for June 6
Click through for information on specific matchups, injuries and weather for the day's games.
Starting pitcher rankings for June 6
| Name | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Madison Bumgarner | L | @SD | 9 | 6-4 | 3.04 | 1.09 | 1-2 | 3.41 | 1.03 |
| 2 |  | Zack Greinke | R | CHC | 7 | 6-2 | 3.46 | 1.32 | 3-1 | 3.68 | 1.59 |
| 3 |  | Colby Lewis | R | @OAK | 7 | 4-4 | 3.50 | 1.13 | 1-2 | 3.16 | 1.17 |
| 4 |  | Josh Beckett | R | BAL | 6 | 4-5 | 4.26 | 1.23 | 2-1 | 2.20 | 1.05 |
| 5 |  | Adam Wainwright | R | @HOU | 9 | 4-6 | 4.98 | 1.35 | 2-2 | 3.33 | 1.15 |
| 6 |  | Johnny Cueto | R | PIT | 6 | 5-3 | 2.54 | 1.25 | 1-3 | 5.56 | 1.85 |
| 7 |  | Chris Capuano | L | @PHI | 5 | 7-2 | 2.50 | 1.08 | 2-2 | 3.28 | 1.18 |
| 8 |  | Felipe Paulino | R | MIN | 5 | 3-1 | 1.70 | 1.22 | 2-0 | 1.07 | 1.22 |
| 9 |  | Brandon Morrow | R | @CHW | 6 | 6-3 | 3.28 | 1.06 | 2-1 | 3.94 | 1.13 |
| 10 |  | Josh Johnson | R | ATL | 9 | 3-3 | 4.83 | 1.53 | 3-0 | 3.24 | 1.28 |
| 11 |  | Edwin Jackson | R | NYM | 4 | 1-3 | 3.17 | 1.03 | 0-2 | 2.08 | 1.06 |
| 12 |  | Jerome Williams | R | SEA | 7 | 6-2 | 3.68 | 1.30 | 3-1 | 2.96 | 1.32 |
| 13 |  | Jose Quintana | L | TOR | 6 | 1-0 | 1.69 | 0.69 | 1-0 | 2.61 | 0.77 |
| 14 |  | Clayton Richard | L | SF | 7 | 2-6 | 4.44 | 1.28 | 1-1 | 3.00 | 1.04 |
| 15 |  | Bud Norris | R | STL | 3 | 5-2 | 4.52 | 1.43 | 2-1 | 5.75 | 1.77 |
| 16 |  | Brad Lincoln | R | @CIN | 3 | 3-0 | 1.04 | 0.92 | 0-0 | 0.00 | 0.71 |
| 17 |  | Jeremy Hefner | R | @WAS | 3 | 1-2 | 5.60 | 1.30 | 1-2 | 6.75 | 1.30 |
| 18 |  | Wade Miley | L | COL | 4 | 6-2 | 2.72 | 1.19 | 3-1 | 2.67 | 1.22 |
| 19 |  | Max Scherzer | R | CLE | 4 | 5-3 | 5.55 | 1.53 | 3-0 | 5.24 | 1.39 |
| 20 |  | Kyle Kendrick | R | LAD | 4 | 2-4 | 4.02 | 1.45 | 2-1 | 1.65 | 1.02 |
| 21 |  | Randall Delgado | R | @MIA | 6 | 3-5 | 4.58 | 1.47 | 1-2 | 6.75 | 1.84 |
| 22 |  | Alex Cobb | R | @NYY | 6 | 2-1 | 3.71 | 1.47 | 2-1 | 3.71 | 1.47 |
| 23 |  | Ivan Nova | R | TB | 3 | 6-2 | 5.60 | 1.58 | 2-1 | 5.95 | 1.37 |
| 24 |  | Hector Noesi | R | @LAA | 5 | 2-6 | 5.51 | 1.18 | 0-2 | 4.39 | 1.01 |
| 25 |  | Josh Outman | L | @ARI | 6 | 0-1 | 5.63 | 1.25 | 0-0 | 4.50 | 1.13 |
| 26 |  | Jeanmar Gomez | R | @DET | 2 | 3-4 | 4.42 | 1.26 | 1-2 | 5.82 | 1.53 |
| 27 |  | Wei-Yin Chen | L | @BOS | 1 | 4-2 | 3.75 | 1.33 | 1-2 | 5.87 | 1.43 |
| 28 |  | Bartolo Colon | R | TEX | 2 | 4-6 | 4.34 | 1.31 | 1-3 | 5.11 | 1.58 |
| 29 |  | Paul Maholm | L | @MIL | 2 | 4-4 | 4.82 | 1.32 | 0-2 | 5.96 | 1.68 |
| 30 |  | Nick Blackburn | R | @KC | 1 | 1-4 | 8.37 | 1.77 | 0-0 | 27.00 | 4.00 |
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 aces are coming out Wednesday, as there are nine pitchers owned in 100 percent of ESPN.com fantasy leagues throwing on hump day. Below are six lesser owned pitchers to consider adding to your staff:
Felipe Paulino (42 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) has been picked up by 30 percent of savvy ESPN fantasy leagues in the past week, and for good reason. In his past four starts, Paulino has carted an impressive 1.07 ERA with 27 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings. He didn't allow a run in three of those starts, including 6 2/3 shutout frames at Yankee Stadium on May 21 and blanking the Oakland Athletics for six innings his last time out. Paulino now gets to face the Minnesota Twins, who have been hitting better recently but still carry a .231 batting average and .358 slugging percentage on the road this season. Paulino is being opposed on the mound by Nick Blackburn, who brings an 8.37 ERA and 1.77 WHIP when he comes off the DL Wednesday (thigh). Pick up Paulino now.
Jerome Williams (10 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) has been consistently excellent this season, throwing eight straight quality starts. He's 6-2 with a 2.54 ERA and 1.15 WHIP during this streak, holding the Texas Rangers to two runs in seven innings his last time out. His Wednesday opponent, the Seattle Mariners, doesn't quite measure up to the Rangers, ranking among the worst five teams in the majors in batting average (.236), on-base percentage (.297) and slugging (.380). Williams should be a great start in medium-to-large fantasy leagues on Wednesday, as mound opponent Felix Hernandez was bumped from his start because of a bad back.
Clayton Richard (1 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) is a pitcher you simply never use on the road (0-4, 6.57 ERA, 1.57 WHIP). But when he's taking the hill at pitcher-friendly Petco Park, you always have to consider playing him. In five home starts, Richard sports a 2.12 ERA and 0.97 WHIP, with 25 K's and seven walks. Of the nine home runs he has allowed this season, one has come in San Diego. He's also catching the San Francisco Giants' offense in a funk, as it has failed to surpass four runs in nine straight games and has failed to hit a home run in the Giants past seven contests. Give Richard a chance Wednesday in larger formats.
Bud Norris (67 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) has not yet reached must-start status, but whenever he faces the St. Louis Cardinals, he's a no-brainer fantasy play. In 11 career starts versus the Redbirds, Norris is 7-2 with a 2.17 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, .213 opponents' AVG and 7.1 strikeouts per nine innings. Also take note of his absurd home/road splits this season, as Norris is a perfect 3-0 with a 1.60 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 9.6 K's/9 at Minute Maid Park but carts a dreadful 7.80 ERA and 1.83 WHIP on the road. Considering how poorly the Cards have hit on their current 2-5 road trip (.318 SLG), expect another great performance from Norris.
Jeremy Hefner (1 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) tallied his first career win his last time out, holding the Philadelphia Phillies to three runs in six quality innings. Hefner issued zero walks for the third straight start, as he has tallied 12 K's and a walk in his 17 2/3 innings. Considering how well the New York Mets have fared versus right-handed starters (24-10) this season, Hefner has a great chance to outlast opposing righty Edwin Jackson, who has a total of three runs of support in his past three outings and whose Washington Nationals are 2-8 when he starts this season. Start Hefner in deeper formats Wednesday.
Kyle Kendrick (4 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) continues to thrive in the Philadelphia Phillies' rotation, allowing two earned runs or less in each of his past six starts and posting a 1.88 ERA and 1.09 WHIP over this span. This run makes him worth a roster spot in deeper leagues as long as he remains in the rotation, but it's probably best to sit him on Wednesday based on what the Los Angeles Dodgers have done to him in the past. In seven career games (six starts, one relief appearance) versus L.A., Kendrick has an 8.01 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and .960 opponents' OPS, recording a measly nine strikeouts in those 30 1/3 innings.
Hitter matchup ratings for June 6
| Overall | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 5 | 1 | 8 | 1 | | 9 | 2 | 9 | 5 | |
| | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | | 7 | 8 | 6 | 5 | |
| | 5 | 5 | 3 | 7 | | 6 | 7 | 5 | 6 | |
| | 8 | 10 | 6 | 4 | | 4 | 1 | 6 | 7 | |
| | 4 | 5 | 1 | 6 | | 5 | 8 | 1 | 4 | |
| | 5 | 3 | 6 | 7 | | 7 | 2 | 7 | 4 | |
| | 9 | 10 | 6 | 7 | | 6 | 7 | 4 | 3 | |
| | 7 | 8 | 4 | 5 | | 7 | 7 | 5 | 6 | |
| | 7 | 6 | 7 | 1 | | 3 | 1 | 4 | 5 | |
| | 9 | 9 | 7 | 6 | | 5 | 1 | 6 | 5 | |
| | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | | 6 | 4 | 7 | 7 | |
| | 10 | 10 | 10 | 7 | | 8 | 6 | 8 | 4 | |
| | 7 | 9 | 3 | 10 | | 7 | 10 | 1 | 5 | |
| | 8 | 9 | 5 | 5 | | 1 | 7 | 1 | 6 | |
| | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | | 9 | 10 | 1 | 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.
• Adam Wainwright is 10-1 with a 1.54 ERA in his career against the Astros. He allowed one run over seven innings in his only start against the Astros this season. Wainwright has allowed two runs or fewer in 11 of 12 career starts against Houston.
• In three starts at home this season, Felipe Paulino has yet to allow a run and has 20 strikeouts over 19 innings.
• Josh Beckett had a 7.03 ERA in four starts against the Orioles last season, allowing seven home runs. He has not faced the Orioles this season.
• Entering Tuesday, John Mayberry has a career .292 average and .569 slugging percentage against left-handed pitching, with 14 home runs in 209 at-bats.
• Colby Lewis was 4-0 with a 3.05 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 37 strikeouts in six starts (41 1/3 innings) against the Athletics last season.
• Corey Hart is 15-for-46 (.326) with eight extra-base hits, including three home runs, in his career against Paul Maholm.
• Entering Tuesday, Ian Desmond is hitting .287 with five homers at home. He's hitting .235 with three homers on the road.
• A.J. Burnett is 3-0 with a 1.57 ERA in his past five starts. He's allowed no more than two runs in each of those starts, and opponents are hitting .213 against him.
Felix Hernandez, SP, Mariners: Will not pitch Wednesday, sore back. Hector Noesi will start Wednesday, and it is unclear when Hernandez will pitch again. Manager Eric Wedge says Hernandez will not need a stint on the DL.
Yoenis Cespedes, OF, A's: Day-to-day, knee injury. He left Monday's game early with knee troubles, but he could be ready to return on Tuesday.
Joe Mauer, C, Twins: Day-to-day, sprained thumb. He left Sunday's game early with a mild sprain of his right thumb that occurred when he swung the bat. He hopes to return to the field on Tuesday.
Santiago Casilla, RP, Giants: Day-to-day, bruised knee. The team's closer is likely to miss another few games. Jeremy Affeldt earned the save for the Giants on Monday night.
Adam Jones, OF, Orioles: Day-to-day, sore wrists. Jones left Sunday's game early with sore wrists. His right wrist has bothered him for weeks, and he was hit by a pitch on his left wrist on Wednesday. An MRI came back negative, and Jones says he'll be back in the lineup Tuesday.
Edwin Encarnacion, 3B, Blue Jays: Day-to-day, bruised right hand. He left Sunday's game after being hit by a pitch on his right hand.
Jason Bay, OF, Mets: Should be activated Tuesday, rib. Bay is expected to come off the DL and start in left field on Tuesday.
Will Venable, OF, Padres: Day-to-day, right oblique strain. He left Sunday's game in the third inning and is likely to miss a minimum of two-to-three days. Chris Denorfia replaced him in right field and will likely remain the team's everyday RF.
Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox: Could return Tuesday from a thumb injury
Brian McCann, C, Braves: Day-to-day, swollen left knee. He left Saturday's game after a wild pitch hit him in the left knee. McCann sat out Sunday's game, but he expects to return to action on Tuesday.
Javy Guerra, RP, Dodgers: 15-day DL, right knee inflammation.
Carlos Santana, C, Indians: Could return Tuesday, concussion.
Huston Street, RP, Padres: Could return Tuesday, lat. The San Diego closer expects to be activated for Tuesday's series opener against the Giants. This will move Dale Thayer back to a setup role.
Carlos Lee, 1B, Astros: 15-day DL, strained left hamstring. The move was made retroactive to June 2. In a corresponding move, Brett Wallace was recalled from Triple-A to be the team's regular first baseman.
Aramis Ramirez, 3B, Brewers: Day-to-day, strained left quadriceps. He left Saturday's game after suffering this injury and has not played since. It's uncertain when he'll return to action.
Tony Gwynn Jr., OF, Dodgers: Day-to-day, tight hamstring. He did not play Monday, and it is unclear when he will return.
Jemile Weeks, 2B, Athletics: Day-to-day, strained left hip. He did not start on Sunday but should return to the lineup on Tuesday.
Henry Rodriguez, RP, Nationals: Day-to-day, finger. He slammed his right index finger in a car door and hasn't pitched since May 28.
Joaquin Benoit, RP, Tigers: Day-to-day, forearm. He left Saturday's game with tightness in his right forearm, but he's expected to be available on Tuesday.
Albert Pujols, 1B Angels: Could play third base this week. Pujols will reportedly play third base when his team visits Colorado on Friday and could stay there for all six games in National League stadiums. Kendrys Morales will move from DH to first base, where he played exclusively before his injury in 2010. Mark Trumbo is likely to remain in right field.
Carl Pavano, SP, Twins: 15-day DL, strained shoulder. Nick Blackburn will take Pavano's rotation spot on Wednesday.
Johnny Damon, OF, Indians: Out until Wednesday, paternity leave list. Matt LaPorta took his place on the roster.
