Fantasy notes for August 17
Click through for information on specific matchups, injuries and weather for the day's games.
Starting pitcher rankings for August 17
| Name | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Justin Verlander | R | BAL | 10 | 12-7 | 2.46 | 0.99 | 1-2 | 2.67 | 1.37 |
| 2 |  | Matt Cain | R | @SD | 10 | 11-5 | 2.99 | 1.03 | 1-2 | 4.32 | 1.48 |
| 3 |  | Chris Sale | L | @KC | 9 | 14-3 | 2.60 | 1.02 | 3-0 | 3.86 | 1.05 |
| 4 |  | Jered Weaver | R | TB | 10 | 15-2 | 2.22 | 0.92 | 2-1 | 2.01 | 0.76 |
| 5 |  | Wade Miley | L | @HOU | 6 | 12-8 | 3.02 | 1.12 | 1-3 | 3.04 | 1.27 |
| 6 |  | Yovani Gallardo | R | PHI | 6 | 11-8 | 3.78 | 1.32 | 3-1 | 4.05 | 1.24 |
| 7 |  | Jake Westbrook | R | PIT | 6 | 12-8 | 3.62 | 1.29 | 4-0 | 3.71 | 1.28 |
| 8 |  | James Shields | R | @LAA | 6 | 10-7 | 4.02 | 1.31 | 2-1 | 2.40 | 0.77 |
| 9 |  | Chris Capuano | L | @ATL | 6 | 11-8 | 3.11 | 1.20 | 1-3 | 4.62 | 1.42 |
| 10 |  | Tommy Hanson | R | LAD | 7 | 12-5 | 4.29 | 1.44 | 1-0 | 1.80 | 1.80 |
| 11 |  | Ross Detwiler | L | NYM | 7 | 6-5 | 3.18 | 1.16 | 1-2 | 3.86 | 0.94 |
| 12 |  | Tommy Milone | L | CLE | 6 | 9-9 | 3.91 | 1.22 | 0-3 | 7.58 | 1.37 |
| 13 |  | Johan Santana | L | @WAS | 7 | 6-8 | 4.58 | 1.33 | 0-1 | 54.00 | 6.75 |
| 14 |  | Bronson Arroyo | R | CHC | 5 | 8-7 | 3.95 | 1.23 | 3-1 | 3.81 | 1.19 |
| 15 |  | Yu Darvish | R | @TOR | 4 | 12-8 | 4.54 | 1.46 | 1-2 | 7.66 | 1.91 |
| 16 |  | James McDonald | R | @STL | 4 | 10-5 | 3.77 | 1.21 | 0-1 | 8.80 | 1.89 |
| 17 |  | Zach McAllister | R | @OAK | 6 | 5-4 | 3.46 | 1.22 | 1-2 | 4.09 | 1.32 |
| 18 |  | Franklin Morales | L | @NYY | 5 | 3-3 | 3.29 | 1.16 | 1-1 | 2.63 | 1.17 |
| 19 |  | Hisashi Iwakuma | R | MIN | 5 | 3-3 | 4.16 | 1.37 | 2-1 | 3.15 | 1.15 |
| 20 |  | Vance Worley | R | @MIL | 4 | 6-7 | 3.97 | 1.46 | 1-1 | 4.50 | 1.69 |
| 21 |  | Phil Hughes | R | BOS | 2 | 11-10 | 4.44 | 1.31 | 2-2 | 6.33 | 1.64 |
| 22 |  | Travis Wood | L | @CIN | 4 | 4-8 | 4.52 | 1.25 | 0-3 | 5.09 | 1.26 |
| 23 |  | Luis Mendoza | R | CHW | 4 | 6-8 | 4.37 | 1.45 | 2-2 | 4.56 | 1.32 |
| 24 |  | J.A. Happ | L | TEX | 1 | 8-10 | 5.04 | 1.44 | 1-1 | 5.79 | 1.43 |
| 25 |  | Wade LeBlanc | L | @COL | 4 | 1-2 | 1.45 | 1.10 | 0-1 | 1.50 | 1.17 |
| 26 |  | Ross Ohlendorf | R | SF | 4 | 4-3 | 6.41 | 1.66 | 1-3 | 8.64 | 1.62 |
| 27 |  | Tommy Hunter | R | @DET | 1 | 4-7 | 5.54 | 1.40 | 0-2 | 5.40 | 1.56 |
| 28 |  | Jeff Francis | L | MIA | 2 | 4-4 | 5.99 | 1.49 | 1-2 | 9.00 | 1.82 |
| 29 |  | Nick Blackburn | R | @SEA | 2 | 4-8 | 7.33 | 1.68 | 0-2 | 4.74 | 1.42 |
| 30 |  | Dallas Keuchel | L | ARI | 1 | 1-4 | 5.29 | 1.63 | 0-2 | 6.95 | 1.73 |
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
All of our top 10 pitchers for Friday have double-digit victories, so there's plenty of talent to go around. Justin Verlander leads the pack, thanks in part to his 7-0 record and 2.71 ERA lifetime against the Baltimore Orioles, but we're splitting hairs.
Chris Sale gets to face a Kansas City Royals team that is hitting 12 points lower against left-handers for the season than right-handers, while Jered Weaver faces a Tampa Bay lineup that is hitting .270 over the past seven days, even with the Felix Hernandez perfect game thrown into the equation. Slight edge: Sale.
Jake Westbrook is 5-0 with a 2.94 ERA in his past five starts and is going up against James McDonald of the Pirates, a pitcher who has an 8.89 ERA in his past five. McDonald was given an extra day of rest to see if he can get out of his rut, but even with Westbrook's 1-5 career mark versus Pittsburgh, we're skeptical.
The current slate of Atlanta Braves hitters have compiled only a .205 batting average versus Chris Capuano, while those in a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform have hit just .213 when facing Tommy Hanson. This could well turn out to be the best pitching duel of the day.
Nats manager Davey Johnson looks to juggle his rotation with a day off and the looming Stephen Strasburg "decision." He'll send Ross Detwiler to the mound Friday on regular rest, with Edwin Jackson getting two extra days of rest by being pushed back to Saturday.
Although Phil Hughes is 8-3 at home this season, he is 3-6 with a 6.17 ERA in his career against the Boston Red Sox, a team that has hit .294 against him in 2012. His 7.53 August ERA isn't inspiring much confidence, either.
Streaming option of the day: Bronson Arroyo has a career ERA of 2.94 against the Chicago Cubs, and this season the team has managed just a .286 OBP against the Cincinnati pitcher.
Hitter matchup ratings for August 17
| Overall | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | | 6 | 4 | 7 | 2 | |
| | 6 | 1 | 7 | 4 | | 7 | 3 | 9 | 4 | |
| | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | | 3 | 1 | 4 | 8 | |
| | 7 | 5 | 8 | 4 | | 5 | 1 | 7 | 6 | |
| | 7 | 10 | 2 | 4 | | 6 | 6 | 4 | 5 | |
| | 8 | 7 | 8 | 4 | | 4 | 5 | 2 | 7 | |
| | 7 | 2 | 7 | 7 | | 6 | 6 | 4 | 1 | |
| | 5 | 9 | 3 | 2 | | 6 | 5 | 5 | 8 | |
| | 8 | 10 | 5 | 6 | | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | |
| | 10 | 10 | 8 | 3 | | 8 | 8 | 7 | 10 | |
| | 6 | 1 | 7 | 1 | | 10 | 10 | 10 | 6 | |
| | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | |
| | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | | 9 | 5 | 9 | 4 | |
| | 4 | 5 | 1 | 7 | | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | |
| | 10 | 8 | 10 | 2 | | 4 | 7 | 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.
• During his career, Alfonso Soriano has struggled against Bronson Arroyo. Soriano is 10 for 48 (.208), with 3 RBI, 14 strikeouts and a .235 on-base percentage.
• Stephen Lombardozzi, who is available in over 90 percent of ESPN leagues, has the most hits (16) in the Majors since August 8th. Over that span, Lombardozzi is 16 for 34 (.471) with 3 doubles, a steal and 8 runs scored (t-4th most runs in MLB).
• Shane Victorino has struggled against Braves starter Tommy Hanson, going 4-18 (.222) with 4 strikeouts, 1 walk and no extra-base hits.
• Hunter Pence has a career .203 batting average against the Padres with a .152 batting average at Petco Park. He faces Ross Ohlendorf who has an opponent batting average of .225 at home.
• Since July 31, Omar Infante is hitting .365 with a .429 batting average at home. He faces Tommy Hunter who has an opponent batting average of .310 on the road.
• Entering Thursday, Yankees Eric Chavez is hitting .514 (19-37) with 10 runs, 2 doubles, 5 home runs, and 11 RBI in his last 11 games played.
• Red Sox outfielder Carl Crawford has struggled in his career against Phil Hughes going 4-21 (.190) against the Yankees right-hander.
• Entering Thursday, Eric Young, Jr. is hitting .386 off of left-handed pitchers this season compared to .299 off of right-handed pitchers.
• Switch hitting Chone Figgins is hitting .423/.464/.577 off of Twins righthander, Nick Blackburn, in 26 career at bats. Also, Miguel Olivo is hitting .476/.476/1.095, including 3 home runs, 2 doubles, a triple, and 6 RBI, in 21 career at bats against Blackburn.
• Pedro Alvarez is 6-for-13 (.462) in career against Jake Westbrook.
Neil Walker, 2B, Pirates: Left Wednesday's game after a collision at second base and may have a dislocated finger. If so, he could be placed on the disabled list. Josh Harrison stands to gain some extra playing time regardless.
Orlando Hudson, 2B, White Sox: Day-to-day with a bruised toe. X-rays were negative. O-Dog has merely been filling in for Gordon Beckham, so if anything, Beckham doesn't get another day off anytime soon. No big deal.
Jair Jurrjens, SP, Braves: Had to leave a rehab start due to dizziness, which could delay his timetable for returning to Atlanta. When and if he does get a call, he's likely headed to the bullpen.
David Ortiz, DH, Red Sox: Did not participate in baseball activities Wednesday as was originally planned. It's looking less and less likely that we'll see Big Papi back in the Boston lineup again this season.
Mitch Moreland, 1B, Rangers: Fouled a pitch off his toe Monday, and the injury is still causing him some difficulties. Although he is fine to DH, it may be a few days before he can endure nine innings in the field.
Jonathan Broxton, RP, Reds: Day-to-day with a sore right shoulder. Cincinnati also has Sam LeCure sidelined with a similar injury, though Broxton's issue does not seem as likely to linger.
Gregor Blanco, OF, Giants: Expected to be the beneficiary of most of the playing time made available in the San Francisco lineup in the aftermath of Melky Cabrera's 50-game suspension.
- AJ Mass is a fantasy football, baseball and college basketball analyst for ESPN.com.
- Author; How Fantasy Sports Explains the World.
