Fantasy notes for June 20
Click through for information on specific matchups and injuries for the day's games.
Starting pitcher rankings for June 20
| Name | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Stephen Strasburg | R | TB | 10 | 8-1 | 2.45 | 1.04 | 3-0 | 1.89 | 0.84 |
| 2 |  | Jered Weaver | R | SF | 10 | 6-1 | 2.61 | 0.93 | -- | -- | -- |
| 3 |  | Yu Darvish | R | @SD | 8 | 8-4 | 3.57 | 1.48 | 1-2 | 4.58 | 1.53 |
| 4 |  | Ryan Vogelsong | R | @LAA | 9 | 6-2 | 2.29 | 1.16 | 3-0 | 1.88 | 1.05 |
| 5 |  | Yovani Gallardo | R | TOR | 6 | 5-5 | 4.23 | 1.41 | 2-1 | 4.32 | 1.40 |
| 6 |  | Trevor Cahill | R | SEA | 8 | 5-5 | 3.08 | 1.24 | 3-0 | 0.77 | 1.03 |
| 7 |  | Nate Eovaldi | R | @OAK | 10 | 0-2 | 1.82 | 1.22 | 0-2 | 1.82 | 1.22 |
| 8 |  | Phil Hughes | R | ATL | 6 | 7-5 | 4.50 | 1.34 | 3-0 | 1.69 | 1.08 |
| 9 |  | Tommy Hanson | R | @NYY | 6 | 7-4 | 3.32 | 1.35 | 2-0 | 1.77 | 1.08 |
| 10 |  | Francisco Liriano | L | @PIT | 7 | 1-7 | 6.24 | 1.60 | 1-2 | 3.04 | 0.93 |
| 11 |  | Dillon Gee | R | BAL | 6 | 4-5 | 4.43 | 1.28 | 0-2 | 3.38 | 1.09 |
| 12 |  | Erik Bedard | L | MIN | 8 | 4-7 | 4.36 | 1.45 | 1-2 | 9.00 | 1.86 |
| 13 |  | Bronson Arroyo | R | @CLE | 4 | 3-4 | 3.84 | 1.26 | 1-1 | 4.66 | 1.03 |
| 14 |  | Gavin Floyd | R | CHC | 5 | 4-7 | 5.63 | 1.34 | 0-2 | 8.04 | 1.72 |
| 15 |  | Ricky Nolasco | R | @BOS | 2 | 6-5 | 4.37 | 1.32 | 1-2 | 4.74 | 1.37 |
| 16 |  | Justin Masterson | R | CIN | 6 | 3-6 | 4.38 | 1.40 | 1-3 | 3.81 | 1.19 |
| 17 |  | Randy Wells | R | @CHW | 4 | 1-1 | 4.50 | 1.82 | 0-0 | 4.76 | 2.47 |
| 18 |  | Tommy Milone | L | LAD | 3 | 6-5 | 4.48 | 1.29 | 0-1 | 7.88 | 1.94 |
| 19 |  | Bruce Chen | L | @HOU | 5 | 5-6 | 5.05 | 1.29 | 2-1 | 5.79 | 1.34 |
| 20 |  | Carlos Villanueva | R | @MIL | 4 | 2-0 | 3.48 | 1.45 | 2-0 | 0.93 | 1.24 |
| 21 |  | Jake Westbrook | R | @DET | 3 | 5-6 | 4.27 | 1.40 | 1-3 | 6.55 | 1.50 |
| 22 |  | Anthony Bass | R | TEX | 4 | 2-7 | 4.88 | 1.37 | 0-2 | 8.57 | 1.76 |
| 23 |  | Felix Doubront | L | MIA | 4 | 7-3 | 4.17 | 1.34 | 2-1 | 5.19 | 1.27 |
| 24 |  | Jason Vargas | L | @ARI | 5 | 7-6 | 3.95 | 1.16 | 2-2 | 5.47 | 1.56 |
| 25 |  | Joe Blanton | R | COL | 3 | 6-6 | 4.93 | 1.29 | 2-2 | 5.74 | 1.35 |
| 26 |  | Brian Matusz | L | @NYM | 2 | 5-7 | 4.94 | 1.59 | 1-2 | 5.40 | 1.73 |
| 27 |  | Rick Porcello | R | STL | 2 | 4-4 | 5.18 | 1.58 | 1-0 | 5.06 | 1.75 |
| 28 |  | Jordan Lyles | R | KC | 2 | 1-3 | 5.50 | 1.62 | 1-2 | 5.17 | 1.72 |
| 29 |  | Chris Archer | R | @WAS | 2 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 30 |  | Alex White | R | @PHI | 1 | 2-5 | 5.56 | 1.52 | 1-2 | 4.32 | 1.56 |
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.
Looking for some quality arms to pluck off the waiver wire that will actually help your fantasy staff Wednesday night? After some serious digging among a weak crop of hurlers, here are five such pitchers who are all still available in more than half of ESPN.com leagues:
Trevor Cahill (40 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) is starting to find his groove, with three straight outstanding starts. His June ERA is a paltry 0.77, as he has allowed just two runs while fanning 20 batters in 23 1/3 innings. Expect that success to continue when his Arizona Diamondbacks host a Seattle Mariners team that has the second-worst on-base percentage (.297) in the majors. The M's have certainly been slumping lately, too, with just 24 runs and a .228/.292/.305 slash line in their past 10 games. And although Cahill hasn't been great at Chase Field (4.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP), he has two straight quality outings in Arizona, allowing just three runs with 13 K's in 13 1/3 innings. Start him in all fantasy formats Wednesday.
Nate Eovaldi (2 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) is still winless, which is nothing short of amazing considering how well he has pitched for a Los Angeles Dodgers team still sporting the best record in the majors. In four starts, Eovaldi has allowed five earned runs, and he has been especially sharp in his past two outings, with just one run allowed in 12 innings. He has struck out 10 and induced 22 ground balls, while surrendering just 15 fly balls, in these two starts. On Wednesday, he has a great chance to beat the Oakland Athletics in their home ballpark. The A's are hitting .217/.293/.357 at O.co Coliseum this season, scoring three runs or fewer in 11 of their past 15 home games. All of this makes Eovaldi a must-start Wednesday.
Phil Hughes (45 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) is somehow flying under the fantasy radar despite having pitched well in his past seven starts for the hottest team in baseball, the New York Yankees. In this span, Hughes has allowed more than two runs just once, carting a 3.15 ERA with 42 K's and just 12 walks in 45 2/3 innings. And although he has served up four homers in his past three home starts, his ERA is 2.25 in this stretch because all four of those bombs were solo shots. And considering the Atlanta Braves have a mere 12 runs in their past seven games, getting shut out three times, Hughes should have another strong outing Wednesday.
Francisco Liriano (12 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) has been strong since his return to the Minnesota Twins' rotation, posting a 3.04 ERA and .148 opponents' BA in four starts. Liriano also has a whopping 11.0 K's/9 in his second stint as a starter, punching out 29 batters in 23 2/3 innings. His wildness is starting to rear its ugly head again, as he has issued seven free passes in his past two outings, but the good news for Liriano is that Wednesday's opponent, the Pittsburgh Pirates, have the fewest walks in the majors (154). They also are hitting .216 with a .276 OBP at home this season, failing to hit a home run in nine of their past 11 games at PNC Park. Start Liriano on Wednesday with confidence.
Dillon Gee (5 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) has a run of six straight quality starts, posting a 3.12 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 8.3 K's/9 in this span. Although his Wednesday opponent, the Baltimore Orioles, are ninth in the majors in runs, they have certainly not been hitting the ball well on the road recently. In the past 11 away games, the O's have scored just 2.4 runs per game with a frightening slash line of .200/.262/.258. The slugging percentage is so dismal because they haven't hit a home run in seven straight road contests, but they have been swinging hard and freely with 91 K's and just 27 walks (3.4 K/BB ratio) in this 11-game span. Gee is a strong play in deeper mixed leagues Wednesday.
Hitter matchup ratings for June 20
| Overall | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 7 | 4 | 6 | 6 | | 7 | 8 | 4 | 7 | |
| | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | | 4 | 4 | 3 | 8 | |
| | 5 | 6 | 3 | 6 | | 10 | 3 | 10 | 5 | |
| | 7 | 8 | 5 | 7 | | 3 | 5 | 1 | 8 | |
| | 6 | 7 | 3 | 7 | | 1 | 5 | 1 | 4 | |
| | 8 | 8 | 6 | 10 | | 10 | 10 | 10 | 3 | |
| | 4 | 8 | 1 | 5 | | 5 | 1 | 6 | 8 | |
| | 7 | 10 | 2 | 5 | | 8 | 9 | 5 | 7 | |
| | 8 | 7 | 8 | 6 | | 4 | 5 | 2 | 6 | |
| | 7 | 7 | 6 | 1 | | 2 | 1 | 2 | 10 | |
| | 8 | 4 | 8 | 5 | | 5 | 6 | 3 | 2 | |
| | 9 | 10 | 7 | 6 | | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | | 5 | 5 | 4 | 7 | |
| | 9 | 10 | 5 | 6 | | 5 | 6 | 3 | 6 | |
| | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | | 8 | 9 | 7 | 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.
• Cubs OF Alfonso Soriano is just 3-15 lifetime against White Sox RHP Gavin Floyd, though Soriano has struck out just twice against Floyd. He should be a safe bet to keep in the lineup, especially after going 2-5 with a long home run in the series opener.
• Home cooking has been quite good for Oakland LHP Tommy Milone. He is 4-1 with a 0.98 ERA and .186 opponents average at the O.Co Coliseum, but 2-4 with a 7.42 ERA and .317 opponents average on the road.
• Tommy Hanson has a 5-2 record with a 2.44 ERA through eight starts on the road this season (4.59 Home ERA). Also, Hanson has not allowed more than two earned runs in any of his eight road starts this season. He pitches at Yankee Stadium Wednesday.
• Carlos Lee is 17 for 49 (.347) and slugging .469 in day games this season.
• Although he has a 3.62 ERA at Petco Park this season, Padres starter Anthony Bass is 0-3 with a 8.89 ERA over his last five starts. Opponents are hitting .312 against him over this stretch.
• Scott Hairston is 25 for 74 (.338 BA) with 7 HR and 17 RBI against left-handed pitching through Monday. He faces the Orioles' Brian Matusz on Wednesday.
• Paul Goldschmidt is batting .362 against left-handed pitchers entering Monday. He faces left-handed pitcher Jason Vargas on Wednesday.
• Entering Tuesday, Kendrys Morales is 1 for his last 19 (.053) with eight strikeouts.
Ryan Dempster, SP, Cubs: 15-day DL, tightness in lat. The move was made retroactive to June 16, and he expects to return soon after he is eligible to come off the DL. It has not been determined who will replace Dempster in the Cubs rotation.
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.
Brandon Beachy, SP, Braves: 15-day DL, partial tear of UCL in elbow. He could be done for the season and require Tommy John surgery. Jair Jurrjens will replace Beachy in Atlanta's rotation Friday.
Josh Hamilton, OF, Rangers: Day-to-day, intestinal virus. He has not started since Thursday, but he did come in Monday as a defensive replacement and expects to rejoin the lineup soon.
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 in a home-plate collision but was able to stay in the game for seven innings after it. He might not 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.
Nick Swisher, OF, Yankees: Day-to-day, deep left thigh bruise. He is likely to miss 1-2 more games. Andruw Jones is replacing him in right field.
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 expects to return to action soon.
Dan Haren, SP, Angels: Start pushed back to Friday, extra rest. Haren, who has been struggling lately, will get a couple of extra rest days and start Friday versus the Dodgers.
Matt Capps, RP, Twins: Day-to-day, right shoulder inflammation. He hasn't pitched since Friday but should be available to pitch soon.
Jerome Williams, SP, Angels: Day-to-day, breathing problem. He was sent to the hospital after Monday's start, and it's unclear if he will have to miss his next start.
Bartolo Colon, SP, Athletics: 15-day DL, strained right oblique. He left Sunday's game early, and could miss his next start.
Evan Longoria, 3B, Rays: Will not return Wednesday. He has been out since April 30 since partially tearing his left hamstring, and was forced to leave a Triple-A rehab game Monday after experiencing discomfort in his bad hammy. His return to the Rays is uncertain at this time.
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 will likely 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 return to the lineup soon.
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.
Yoenis Cespedes, OF, Athletics: Day-to-day, hamstring. He hasn't played since June 13, 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.
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.
