Fantasy notes for June 19
Click through for information on specific matchups and injuries for the day's games.
Starting pitcher rankings for June 19
| Name | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Justin Verlander | R | STL | 9 | 6-4 | 2.66 | 0.97 | 1-2 | 4.10 | 1.44 |
| 2 |  | C.J. Wilson | L | SF | 10 | 7-4 | 2.30 | 1.10 | 1-0 | 0.86 | 1.10 |
| 3 |  | Jake Peavy | R | CHC | 8 | 6-2 | 2.91 | 0.97 | 0-1 | 2.33 | 1.14 |
| 4 |  | Lance Lynn | R | @DET | 9 | 10-2 | 2.42 | 1.09 | 3-1 | 2.16 | 1.08 |
| 5 |  | David Price | L | @WAS | 9 | 8-4 | 3.01 | 1.29 | 2-1 | 4.15 | 1.44 |
| 6 |  | Johan Santana | L | BAL | 8 | 4-3 | 3.23 | 1.13 | 2-1 | 4.74 | 1.21 |
| 7 |  | Brandon McCarthy | R | LAD | 9 | 5-3 | 2.79 | 1.28 | 2-0 | 2.08 | 1.00 |
| 8 |  | Cole Hamels | L | COL | 7 | 9-3 | 3.34 | 1.09 | 2-2 | 6.08 | 1.28 |
| 9 |  | Clay Buchholz | R | MIA | 7 | 7-2 | 5.38 | 1.53 | 3-0 | 1.13 | 0.83 |
| 10 |  | Hiroki Kuroda | R | ATL | 7 | 6-6 | 3.43 | 1.29 | 2-0 | 1.80 | 1.05 |
| 11 |  | Aaron Harang | R | @OAK | 4 | 5-3 | 3.59 | 1.36 | 2-1 | 1.88 | 1.38 |
| 12 |  | Wandy Rodriguez | L | KC | 5 | 6-4 | 3.35 | 1.27 | 2-0 | 7.17 | 1.83 |
| 13 |  | Daniel Hudson | R | SEA | 9 | 3-1 | 5.67 | 1.39 | 2-0 | 5.94 | 1.14 |
| 14 |  | Scott Diamond | L | @PIT | 5 | 5-2 | 2.13 | 1.18 | 2-1 | 2.49 | 1.22 |
| 15 |  | Scott Feldman | R | @SD | 5 | 0-6 | 6.50 | 1.53 | 0-4 | 8.64 | 1.68 |
| 16 |  | Tim Hudson | R | @NYY | 7 | 4-3 | 3.90 | 1.17 | 1-1 | 3.48 | 1.02 |
| 17 |  | Barry Zito | L | @LAA | 5 | 5-4 | 3.61 | 1.32 | 2-2 | 3.76 | 1.25 |
| 18 |  | Travis Wood | L | @CHW | 5 | 0-3 | 4.58 | 1.25 | 0-2 | 4.94 | 1.44 |
| 19 |  | Edinson Volquez | R | TEX | 3 | 3-6 | 3.70 | 1.39 | 1-1 | 4.58 | 1.53 |
| 20 |  | Mark Buehrle | L | @BOS | 2 | 5-7 | 3.41 | 1.13 | 0-3 | 4.00 | 1.17 |
| 21 |  | Mike Leake | R | @CLE | 4 | 2-5 | 5.05 | 1.43 | 1-0 | 3.93 | 1.25 |
| 22 |  | Chien-Ming Wang | R | TB | 3 | 2-2 | 4.67 | 1.90 | 1-2 | 5.02 | 2.09 |
| 23 |  | Tyler Thornburg | R | TOR | 3 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 24 |  | Luke Hochevar | R | @HOU | 4 | 3-7 | 6.27 | 1.49 | 0-2 | 6.50 | 1.39 |
| 25 |  | Kevin Correia | R | MIN | 5 | 2-6 | 4.43 | 1.32 | 1-1 | 4.86 | 1.62 |
| 26 |  | Josh Tomlin | R | CIN | 4 | 3-4 | 5.56 | 1.43 | 2-2 | 6.95 | 1.73 |
| 27 |  | Erasmo Ramirez | L | @ARI | 5 | 0-1 | 4.50 | 1.38 | 0-1 | 9.00 | 1.80 |
| 28 |  | Tommy Hunter | R | @NYM | 3 | 3-3 | 5.58 | 1.38 | 1-1 | 7.31 | 1.50 |
| 29 |  | Jesse Chavez | R | @MIL | 1 | 0-0 | 5.40 | 0.80 | -- | -- | -- |
| 30 |  | Josh Outman | L | @PHI | 3 | 0-2 | 8.44 | 1.63 | 0-1 | 7.30 | 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.
Rankings notes:
Tuesday's schedule is loaded with quality arms, as 12 of the 30 pitchers taking the hill have an ERA below 3.50 this season. Unfortunately, not many of them are readily available on your waiver wire. But I was able to find four lesser-owned pitchers who should help your fantasy staff Tuesday:
Brandon McCarthy (70 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) was dropped by 11 percent of ESPN owners because of his shoulder problems, and if that happened in your league, you should scoop him up and start him Tuesday at home against the Los Angeles Dodgers. McCarthy has been tremendous pitching at O.co Coliseum, especially this season (1.85 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, a respectable 6.7 K/9 rate). McCarthy also hasn't lost a game since April 21, going 5-0. While he might not keep the win streak alive against a Dodgers team that has the best record in baseball, the Dodgers have just one home run in their past six games and are sporting an atrocious .305 slugging percentage. McCarthy is a must-start Tuesday.
McCarthy's mound opponent, Aaron Harang (11 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership), has also been piling up the wins lately, going 4-1 with a 2.28 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in his past seven starts, helping his team win six of those games. Harang has never had the pleasure of facing the Oakland Athletics in his career, but he couldn't ask for a weaker-hitting team to face in interleague play. The A's rank last in the American League in BA (.226), and SLG (.364), and these marks are even worse at their home stadium (.217 average, .357 slugging). And given the way LA's bullpen has performed this month (2.57 ERA, .195 opponents' BA), that just increases Harang's chances of winning what should be a quality start Tuesday.
Scott Diamond (37 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) has a 2.13 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in eight starts this season, but the lefty is still available in nearly two-thirds of ESPN.com leagues. Sure, his strikeout rate is low (5.2 K's/9), but he has almost as many wins (five) as walks (six). On Tuesday, he'll face the Pittsburgh Pirates, who have a subpar slash line against southpaws this season at .236/.302/.376. Diamond also has the benefit of opposing Kevin Correia, who is 1-5 with a 5.40 ERA and 1.46 WHIP since the beginning of May (eight starts). Start Diamond with confidence Tuesday.
I try not to make it a habit to recommend starting a pitcher with a 6.50 season ERA in the midst of a six-game personal losing streak, but I expect Scott Feldman (0.2 ESPN.com fantasy ownership) to beat the San Diego Padres on the road Tuesday. The Padres are just anemic in their home park (.214 BA, .301 OBP, .331 SLG) thanks to a meager 14 homers in 1,103 at-bats. Feldman has outstanding peripherals in his past two starts, with 13 K's and just one walk in these 10 1/3 innings. Give Feldman a chance in deeper leagues for this matchup only.
Hitter matchup ratings for June 19
| Overall | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 6 | 4 | 8 | 6 | | 10 | 10 | 10 | 6 | |
| | 4 | 5 | 2 | 5 | | 7 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
| | 2 | 5 | 1 | 6 | | 8 | 10 | 4 | 4 | |
| | 7 | 6 | 7 | 5 | | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 | |
| | 3 | 3 | 1 | 7 | | 8 | 8 | 6 | 5 | |
| | 7 | 1 | 8 | 8 | | 9 | 1 | 10 | 3 | |
| | 7 | 6 | 6 | 3 | | 7 | 10 | 4 | 8 | |
| | 8 | 9 | 5 | 5 | | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | |
| | 3 | 2 | 3 | 7 | | 7 | 3 | 10 | 5 | |
| | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 | |
| | 9 | 9 | 7 | 6 | | 4 | 3 | 4 | 1 | |
| | 6 | 2 | 6 | 6 | | 9 | 10 | 2 | 1 | |
| | 6 | 3 | 6 | 4 | | 6 | 4 | 7 | 7 | |
| | 2 | 4 | 1 | 6 | | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |
| | 5 | 7 | 2 | 6 | | 3 | 1 | 3 | 5 | |
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.
• Entering Monday, Eric Hosmer is hitting .197 with 12 strikeouts in 71 at-bats against left-handed pitchers this season.
• Dan Uggla has struggled over his career vs Yankees starter Hiroki Kuroda. He is 4 for 20 (.200) lifetime with 7 strikeouts and no RBI.
• Entering Monday, Torii Hunter is hitting .345 this season against left-handed pitchers.
• Edinson Volquez has 47 strikeouts and a 3.17 ERA in 48 1/3 innings at home this season.
• In 7 home starts this year Johan Santana is 3-1 with a 1.30 ERA (including 1 no-hitter) while holding opponents to a .172 batting average.
• After only allowing 3 home runs in his first 7 starts of the year, Cole Hamels has surrendered 8 homers in his last 6 starts.
• In away games, Carlos Beltran is hitting 28 for 116 (.241), which is significantly lower than home games, where he is 42 for 113 (.372).
• Yadier Molina is 5 for 8 (.625) in his career against Justin Verlander with 4 RBI; 3 of his 5 hits have been for extra bases.
• Pirates starter Kevin Correia is 4-10 in 20 career games (105 2/3 innings pitched) at PNC Park with an era of 5.96.
• Kevin Youkilis is 3 for 17 (.176) with no extra-base hits in his career against Mark Buehrle.
• Clay Buchholz is 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA in 3 starts this month. Buchholz pitched at least 7 innings in all 3 starts and combined for 22 strikeouts.
Shaun Marcum, SP, Brewers: will not pitch Tuesday, tightness in right elbow. Tyler Thornburg will make his major league debut in place of Marcum on Tuesday.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Rockies: Day-to-day, strained right knee. He was scratched from Sunday's lineup, but his MRI came back negative, so he could return to the field Tuesday.
Joe Mauer, C, Twins: Day-to-day, bruised quadriceps muscle. Mauer was injured after a home-plate collision but was able to stay in the game for seven innings before being replaced. It's unclear if Mauer will miss any time, but if he does, backup Drew Butera will replace him behind the dish.
Matt Holliday, OF, Cardinals: Day-to-day, hip flexor injury. He left Sunday's game early and might not be available to play Tuesday.
Josh Hamilton, OF, Rangers: Day-to-day, intestinal virus. He has not played since Thursday but hopes to return to the field soon.
Nick Swisher, OF, Yankees: Day-to-day, deep left thigh bruise. He did not play Sunday and likely will miss 2-3 more games. Andruw Jones started in his place in right field Sunday and likely will play there again Monday.
Brandon Beachy, SP, Braves: 15-day DL, sore right elbow. He will undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of his injury. Jair Jurrjens will replace Beachy in Atlanta's rotation Friday.
Josh Beckett, SP, Red Sox: 15-day DL, right shoulder inflammation. This move was made retroactive to June 12. Franklin Morales replaced him in Boston's rotation Sunday night.
Bartolo Colon, SP, Athletics: 15-day DL, strained right oblique. He left Sunday's game early, and could miss his next start.
Freddie Freeman, 1B, Braves: Day-to-day, bruised left hand. He hasn't played since getting hit in the hand by a relay throw on June 12 but could return to action early this week.
Scott Rolen, 3B, Reds: Set to return from DL. Rolen, who has been on the DL since May 12, is expected to start Monday. Todd Frazier, who played third in Rolen's absence, likely will play a couple games a week at third base and a couple more in the outfield.
Evan Longoria, 3B, Rays: Could return Wednesday. He has been out since April 30 since partially tearing his left hamstring.
Chris Getz, 2B, Royals: Day-to-day, strained lower leg. He left Sunday's game after injuring himself fielding a grounder. He could wind up on the DL. Yuniesky Betancourt likely will replace him as the everyday second baseman.
Cody Ross, OF, Red Sox: Could return Tuesday. He has been on the DL with a fractured foot, but could be in Tuesday's starting lineup.
Scott Podsednik, OF, Red Sox: Day-to-day, left groin injury. He left Sunday's game early and was replaced by Daniel Nava. The timetable for his return is uncertain at this point.
Scott Downs, RP, Angels: Day-to-day, rib cage injury. He hasn't pitched since June 10, and there is no timetable for his return.
Antonio Bastardo, RP, Phillies: Day-to-day, cut above left eye. He has not pitched since June 13 but is not expected to land on the DL.
Drew Stubbs, OF, Reds: 15-day DL, left oblique strain. Friday's move was made retroactive to June 5. With Chris Heisey (strained groin, day-to-day) out since Thursday, Wilson Valdez has been the team's starting center fielder, but Heisey did pinch-hit Sunday and could start Monday night.
Jason Bay, OF, Mets, 7-day DL, concussion. He injured himself Friday and could be out longer than the seven days. Justin Turner was activated from the DL to take his spot on the roster. Scott Hairston started in left field Saturday, while Kirk Nieuwenhuis got the start in left on Sunday.
Bud Norris, SP, Astros: 15-day DL, sprained left knee. This move was made retroactive to June 13. Norris was replaced by Dallas Keuchel on Sunday.
Brad Lidge, RP, Nationals: Designated for assignment. He is expected to generate some interest on the waiver wire.
Logan Forsythe, 2B, Padres: Day-to-day, abdominal pain. He has not started since June 12, but considering he pinch-ran Sunday, he should be nearing a return to the starting lineup. Alexi Amarista has been getting most of the playing time at second base.
Drew Smyly, SP, Tigers: 15-day DL, blister on middle finger. Casey Crosby will take his place in Detroit's rotation.
Kyle Drabek, SP, Blue Jays: 15-day DL, ligament tear in right elbow. He could be done for the season and may require Tommy John surgery.
Drew Hutchison, SP, Blue Jays: 15-day DL, sprained elbow. It has not been determined who will replace Hutchinson in the rotation with three starters (Hutchinson, Drabek and Brandon Morrow) all landing on the DL in the past week.
Aubrey Huff, 1B, Giants: 15-day DL, sprained right knee. This move was made retroactive to June 11.
P.J. Walters, SP, Twins: 15-day DL, right shoulder inflammation. He will be replaced in the rotation by Jeff Manship.
Wilton Lopez, RP, Astros: 15-day DL, sprained right elbow. This move was made retroactive to June 11.
Ryan Sweeney, OF, Red Sox: 15-day DL, toe injury.
