Fantasy notes for Aug. 18-19
Click through for information on specific matchups and injuries for the day's games.
Starting pitcher rankings for August 18
| Name | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Johnny Cueto | R | CHC | 8 | 15-6 | 2.45 | 1.16 | 3-1 | 3.49 | 1.13 |
| 2 |  | Jason Vargas | L | MIN | 8 | 13-8 | 3.56 | 1.13 | 2-1 | 2.31 | 0.94 |
| 3 |  | Cole Hamels | L | @MIL | 7 | 13-6 | 2.91 | 1.11 | 2-2 | 1.50 | 1.03 |
| 4 |  | C.J. Wilson | L | TB | 8 | 9-9 | 3.32 | 1.29 | 0-3 | 5.70 | 1.73 |
| 5 |  | Jake Peavy | R | @KC | 7 | 9-8 | 3.04 | 1.06 | 1-1 | 2.38 | 1.06 |
| 6 |  | Lance Lynn | R | PIT | 6 | 13-5 | 3.65 | 1.29 | 1-1 | 6.55 | 1.73 |
| 7 |  | Scott Diamond | L | @SEA | 7 | 10-5 | 2.97 | 1.19 | 2-1 | 2.37 | 0.96 |
| 8 |  | Bartolo Colon | R | CLE | 6 | 9-9 | 3.55 | 1.24 | 3-1 | 1.71 | 1.18 |
| 9 |  | Mike Fiers | R | PHI | 10 | 6-5 | 2.63 | 1.10 | 3-1 | 4.43 | 1.21 |
| 10 |  | Jonathon Niese | L | @WAS | 5 | 9-6 | 3.67 | 1.18 | 2-2 | 4.00 | 1.19 |
| 11 |  | Patrick Corbin | L | @HOU | 10 | 4-4 | 3.41 | 1.21 | 2-0 | 1.89 | 0.89 |
| 12 |  | Jeff Samardzija | R | @CIN | 6 | 8-10 | 4.06 | 1.28 | 1-2 | 3.20 | 1.18 |
| 13 |  | Alex Cobb | R | @LAA | 8 | 7-8 | 4.08 | 1.26 | 3-1 | 1.93 | 0.86 |
| 14 |  | Eric Stults | L | SF | 10 | 3-2 | 2.49 | 1.18 | 2-0 | 1.53 | 1.02 |
| 15 |  | Carlos Villanueva | R | TEX | 5 | 6-2 | 3.12 | 1.25 | 1-2 | 3.75 | 1.17 |
| 16 |  | Barry Zito | L | @SD | 6 | 9-8 | 4.29 | 1.38 | 1-2 | 7.06 | 1.57 |
| 17 |  | Jon Lester | L | @NYY | 5 | 6-10 | 5.20 | 1.37 | 1-2 | 4.05 | 0.98 |
| 18 |  | Edwin Jackson | R | NYM | 4 | 7-7 | 3.74 | 1.21 | 1-1 | 5.40 | 1.62 |
| 19 |  | David Phelps | R | BOS | 6 | 3-3 | 2.53 | 1.16 | 1-0 | 1.74 | 1.16 |
| 20 |  | Roy Oswalt | R | @TOR | 5 | 4-2 | 6.53 | 1.65 | 1-1 | 10.13 | 1.59 |
| 21 |  | Erik Bedard | L | @STL | 5 | 7-12 | 4.56 | 1.42 | 2-1 | 6.06 | 1.22 |
| 22 |  | Aaron Harang | R | @ATL | 4 | 8-7 | 3.76 | 1.39 | 1-2 | 6.35 | 1.76 |
| 23 |  | Rick Porcello | R | BAL | 4 | 9-7 | 4.68 | 1.51 | 2-2 | 5.92 | 1.44 |
| 24 |  | Bruce Chen | L | CHW | 4 | 8-10 | 5.56 | 1.39 | 1-2 | 5.66 | 1.50 |
| 25 |  | Steve Johnson | R | @DET | 6 | 1-0 | 3.38 | 1.25 | 1-0 | 3.00 | 1.17 |
| 26 |  | Ben Sheets | R | LAD | 4 | 4-2 | 2.13 | 1.24 | 2-2 | 3.12 | 1.38 |
| 27 |  | Nate Eovaldi | R | @COL | 2 | 3-8 | 4.28 | 1.63 | 2-2 | 4.67 | 2.13 |
| 28 | | Todd Redmond | R | CHC | 4 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 29 |  | Jordan Lyles | R | ARI | 1 | 2-9 | 5.47 | 1.47 | 0-2 | 5.40 | 1.28 |
| 30 |  | Tyler Chatwood | R | MIA | 2 | 3-2 | 4.28 | 1.50 | 2-1 | 1.26 | 1.05 |
| 31 |  | Corey Kluber | R | @OAK | 1 | 0-1 | 8.56 | 1.90 | 0-1 | 8.56 | 1.90 |
| 32 | | Brooks Raley | L | @CIN | 1 | 0-2 | 9.00 | 1.70 | 0-2 | 9.00 | 1.70 |
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.
Mass' Rankings Notes: Saturday
What's wrong with C.J. Wilson? Since July 13, he's gone 0-4 with a 5.61 ERA. To add insult to injury, he needed X-rays after his last start after trying to field a hard ground ball with his bare hand. He had 11 strikeouts against the Tampa Bay Rays earlier this year, so hopefully Saturday's reunion will finally get Wilson back on track.
Since rejoining the Arizona rotation on Aug. 1, Patrick Corbin has held opposing hitters to a .182 batting average. We see no reason to believe that that success won't continue against a Houston Astros team hitting just .221 versus left-handed starters in 2012.
Solid streamers: Alex Cobb is 3-0 with a 1.29 ERA in his last three starts as he continues to fight to keep his spot in the rotation with Jeff Niemann's return creeping ever so closer. Eric Stults has allowed just one earned run in his last 13 innings, and he now goes up against a San Francisco lineup still trying to figure out what it wants to do post-Melky Cabrera.
Ryan Dempster will miss Saturday's scheduled to start for personal reasons but will rejoin the team Monday. Roy Oswalt will start in his place.
David Phelps had a solid start on Monday against the Texas Rangers. Overall this season, he's done well when pressed into duty: 1-1 with a 2.50 ERA. He's no CC Sabathia, but even though he likely maxes out at 5-6 innings, there's a solid pitcher here.
Steve Johnson was with the Orioles, then sent back to Triple-A, then brought back when Troy Patton got hurt and needed to go on the disabled list. He doesn't know if he's coming or going, and while his Aug. 8 start versus Seattle was impressive, it's a whole different kettle of fish to start him against the Detroit Tigers.
The Chicago Cubs and the Cincinnati Reds are scheduled for two games Saturday. The second game is expected to feature Brooks Raley and Todd Redmond. Both pitchers are the likely candidates to take advantage of the new rule that allows teams to add a 26th man to the roster for doubleheaders, but neither is a fantasy option worth much consideration.
Starting pitcher rankings for August 19
| Name | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | Gio Gonzalez | L | NYM | 8 | 15-6 | 3.29 | 1.14 | 2-1 | 3.94 | 1.28 |
| 2 | | Ryan Vogelsong | R | @SD | 10 | 10-6 | 2.72 | 1.17 | 2-2 | 5.32 | 1.50 |
| 3 | | Mat Latos | R | CHC | 9 | 10-3 | 3.63 | 1.18 | 2-0 | 0.92 | 0.85 |
| 4 | | Zack Greinke | R | TB | 7 | 10-4 | 3.81 | 1.26 | 1-1 | 5.54 | 1.54 |
| 5 | | Josh Johnson | R | @COL | 8 | 7-9 | 3.73 | 1.27 | 1-2 | 1.95 | 0.98 |
| 6 | | Hiroki Kuroda | R | BOS | 5 | 11-8 | 3.06 | 1.15 | 1-1 | 1.82 | 1.01 |
| 7 | | Ian Kennedy | R | @HOU | 6 | 10-10 | 4.35 | 1.33 | 2-2 | 5.24 | 1.61 |
| 8 | | Matt Moore | L | @LAA | 8 | 9-7 | 3.60 | 1.34 | 3-0 | 0.73 | 1.05 |
| 9 | | Matt Harrison | L | @TOR | 5 | 13-7 | 3.24 | 1.31 | 1-2 | 4.38 | 1.62 |
| 10 | | Clayton Richard | L | SF | 7 | 9-12 | 3.91 | 1.20 | 2-1 | 2.60 | 1.16 |
| 11 | | Chad Billingsley | R | @ATL | 7 | 9-9 | 3.62 | 1.29 | 4-0 | 1.57 | 0.87 |
| 12 | | Doug Fister | R | BAL | 7 | 7-7 | 3.24 | 1.18 | 3-0 | 1.15 | 0.93 |
| 13 | | Justin Masterson | R | @OAK | 7 | 9-10 | 4.50 | 1.42 | 2-2 | 6.75 | 1.72 |
| 14 | | Jarrod Parker | R | CLE | 7 | 7-7 | 3.71 | 1.30 | 0-3 | 6.85 | 1.66 |
| 15 | | Wei-Yin Chen | L | @DET | 4 | 11-7 | 3.70 | 1.25 | 3-1 | 3.09 | 1.41 |
| 16 | | Jaime Garcia | L | PIT | 8 | 3-4 | 4.48 | 1.46 | -- | -- | -- |
| 17 | | Samuel Deduno | R | @SEA | 9 | 4-0 | 3.38 | 1.55 | 3-0 | 3.00 | 1.38 |
| 18 | | Jose Quintana | L | @KC | 6 | 5-2 | 2.77 | 1.12 | 1-1 | 3.48 | 1.35 |
| 19 | | Blake Beavan | R | MIN | 5 | 7-7 | 5.17 | 1.24 | 2-1 | 4.10 | 1.06 |
| 20 | | Mike Minor | L | LAD | 4 | 6-9 | 4.93 | 1.30 | 1-2 | 2.55 | 1.05 |
| 21 | | Josh Beckett | R | @NYY | 3 | 5-10 | 5.19 | 1.31 | 0-1 | 10.38 | 1.62 |
| 22 | | Jeff Karstens | R | @STL | 3 | 4-3 | 3.91 | 1.20 | 1-1 | 4.70 | 1.26 |
| 23 | | Jeremy Guthrie | R | CHW | 4 | 5-12 | 5.75 | 1.55 | 2-2 | 3.08 | 1.10 |
| 24 | | Drew Pomeranz | L | MIA | 4 | 1-7 | 5.04 | 1.48 | 0-2 | 5.19 | 1.50 |
| 25 | | Jeremy Hefner | R | @WAS | 3 | 2-4 | 4.77 | 1.37 | 1-0 | 3.44 | 1.42 |
| 26 | | Randy Wolf | L | PHI | 3 | 3-9 | 5.65 | 1.57 | 0-3 | 6.56 | 1.67 |
| 27 | | Henderson Alvarez | R | TEX | 2 | 7-10 | 4.48 | 1.42 | 1-3 | 3.80 | 1.61 |
| 28 | | Kyle Kendrick | R | @MIL | 3 | 5-9 | 4.53 | 1.44 | 1-1 | 4.80 | 1.47 |
| 29 | | Chris Volstad | R | @CIN | 2 | 0-9 | 6.96 | 1.55 | 0-2 | 4.50 | 1.28 |
| 30 | | Armando Galarraga | R | ARI | 1 | 0-3 | 5.75 | 1.87 | 0-3 | 5.75 | 1.87 |
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.
Mass' Rankings Notes: Sunday
Jaime Garcia is, at long last, ready to go for St. Louis after missing over two months with a strained shoulder. The team has been taking it very slow with Garcia, but after striking out eight hitters in five innings in his last Triple-A tuneup, the time has finally come for his return. Joe Kelly moves to the bullpen, but may be called upon if Garcia's pitch count gets too high too soon.
Ryan Vogelsong gets a mulligan from us after his disastrous last start versus Washington that saw his ERA jump from 2.27 to 2.72 in one fell swoop. After all, he's facing the San Diego Padres, who have scored three or fewer runs in 67 games this season. They might need three whole games to match the eight runs that the Nationals hung on Vogelsong in those 2 2/3 innings.
Zack Greinke has not fooled too many hitters since joining his new team. That .307 batting average against is a big reason why it took four tries for Greinke to earn his first win for the Los Angeles Angels. Hopefully, now that the seal has been broken, he can get back into a winning groove, beginning with his taking revenge on the Tampa Bay team that beat him 2-0 in his 2012 AL debut.
Streaming sensation: Samuel Deduno has yet to taste defeat, with a 4-0 record and 3.38 ERA this season. Of course, one look at his walk totals -- 30 in 28 innings pitched -- and you have to be wary. Still, against Seattle, the team with the worst OBP in the American League? Deduno is worth a shot.
Stats can be misleading. Josh Beckett is 14-7 lifetime against the New York Yankees. He also, however, has a career ERA of 5.52 when facing the pinstripes, and though he is 4-1 against them at this incarnation of Yankee Stadium, that success comes with a 4.29 ERA. In other words, he may well win this one, but if he does, the final score might be something like 10-7.
Jeremy Hefner rejoins the New York Mets rotation as the team has decided to go six-deep to protect their older arms as the season slowly grinds to its end. Only R.A. Dickey will continue to work on his regular rest. When starting this season, Hefner has gone 2-3 with a 5.13 ERA, so don't expect much more from him against a Washington Nationals team that's already beaten him twice this season.
Chris Volstad now has the second-longest streak of starts without a victory since 2000. He has now gone 23 starts in a row without any postgame high-fivery. Five more futile starts and he'll catch Jo-Jo Reyes' 28-game drought.
Hitter matchup ratings for August 18
| Overall | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 10 | 10 | 6 | 7 | | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | |
| | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | | 4 | 1 | 4 | 6 | |
| | 8 | 10 | 3 | 5 | | 7 | 7 | 5 | 9 | |
| | 3 | 8 | 1 | 4 | | 4 | 2 | 4 | 6 | |
| | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | | 10 | 10 | 1 | 4 | |
| | 8 | 6 | 7 | 5 | | 1 | 3 | 1 | 8 | |
| | 5 | 5 | 3 | 9 | | 5 | 10 | 1 | 1 | |
| | 5 | 9 | 1 | 2 | | 4 | 1 | 4 | 7 | |
| | 9 | 10 | 1 | 5 | | 6 | 2 | 6 | 4 | |
| | 4 | 1 | 10 | 2 | | 1 | 1 | 4 | 10 | |
| | 1 | 6 | 1 | 1 | | 5 | 7 | 4 | 7 | |
| | 3 | 3 | 1 | 6 | | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | |
| | 3 | 1 | 4 | 6 | | 5 | 7 | 1 | 6 | |
| | 8 | 5 | 10 | 6 | | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | |
| | 10 | 10 | 7 | 2 | | 6 | 5 | 6 | 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.
Hitter matchup ratings for August 19
| Overall | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 10 | 10 | 10 | 6 | | 8 | 9 | 5 | 2 | |
| | 5 | 6 | 2 | 4 | | 7 | 10 | 3 | 6 | |
| | 3 | 4 | 1 | 3 | | 2 | 4 | 1 | 9 | |
| | 4 | 6 | 1 | 4 | | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | |
| | 2 | 3 | 1 | 5 | | 5 | 7 | 1 | 5 | |
| | 8 | 9 | 5 | 5 | | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | |
| | 10 | 10 | 7 | 9 | | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | |
| | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | | 7 | 10 | 3 | 8 | |
| | 3 | 2 | 2 | 7 | | 2 | 4 | 1 | 4 | |
| | 6 | 6 | 4 | 3 | | 4 | 1 | 6 | 10 | |
| | 6 | 6 | 4 | 1 | | 3 | 1 | 5 | 7 | |
| | 4 | 2 | 5 | 6 | | 4 | 5 | 1 | 7 | |
| | 3 | 6 | 1 | 4 | | 8 | 9 | 5 | 4 | |
| | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | | 6 | 3 | 6 | 4 | |
| | 9 | 1 | 10 | 3 | | 9 | 8 | 8 | 6 | |
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.
• Brewers 2B Rickie Weeks does not fare well against Phillies P Cole Hamels. In 21 plate appearances, Weeks is batting .118 with 7 strikeouts and slugging only .235.
• White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez is 1-for-22 (.045 BA) with 3 strikeouts in his career against Royals lefty Bruce Chen.
• Blue Jays P Carlos Villanueva shines when he is pitching at home. This season at the Rogers Centre, he is 4-0 with a 2.72 ERA while only allowing 13 ER in 43 IP.
• Barry Zito has a 7.16 ERA in the month of August, giving up 21 hits and 13 ER in 3 starts.
• Jon Lester has a 6.75 ERA and a 1.75 WHIP in seven starts against the Yankees the past two seasons.
• Reds OF Drew Stubbs has been much more successful against left-handed pitching this season. Entering Friday, Stubbs is batting .286 against lefties this season and only .207 against righties. In only 98 at-bats against left-handers, Stubbs has collected 7 HRs and 15 RBIs, practically the same numbers he has against right-handers in 271 at- bats: 7 HRs, 21 RBIs. Stubbs faces Cubs lefty Brooks Raley on Saturday in the second game of a doubleheader.
• Mariners lefty Jason Vargas has recorded a win in six of his past seven starts, allowing only 12 runs and striking out 27 batters during that span. Vargas has also pitched better at home this season, recording a 2.63 ERA and an opponents' batting average of .208, compared to 4.25 and .257 on the road.
• Alex Cobb is 3-0 with a 1.29 ERA and 0.76 WHIP in his past 3 starts. Cobb pitched exactly 7 innings in all 3 starts and combined for 18 strikeouts.
• Even though C.J. Wilson is winless in his past 9 starts, he has a 2.63 ERA with 18 strikeouts in two starts against the Rays. Also the Rays' lineup has a career batting average of .166 against Wilson.
• Shane Victorino is 2-for-13 (.154) with 3 strikeouts in his career against Ben Sheets.
• Brian McCann is 12-for-23 (.522) with 7 extra-base hits (1.000 SLG) and 7 RBIs in his career against Aaron Harang.
• Entering Friday, Justin Morneau has been much more effective against right-handed pitching this season with a .309 batting average as opposed to .218 against left-handers. Also, 14 of his 16 HR and 45 of 58 RBIs have come against righties.
• Dan Uggla is 1-for-17 (.059) with 7 strikeouts in his career against Chad Billingsley.
• Reds starter Mat Latos is 3-0 in his past 5 starts, allowing only five earned runs and racking up 28 K's in 34 1/3 innings pitched. Latos' home ERA of 3.23 is almost a run better than his ERA of 4.15 on the road. He will be pitching at home Sunday against the Cubs.
• Hiroki Kuroda has a 2.12 ERA and has issued just 6 walks in 7 starts since the All-Star break. Prior to the break, Kuroda had a 3.50 ERA and issued nearly 2 walks per start.
• In his only start at the Rogers Centre this season, Rangers P Matt Harrison only lasted 3 1/3 IP, giving up 8 ER.
• Juan Pierre has fared well against Randy Wolf in his career. In 39 plate appearances, Pierre is 14-for-36 with an average of .389, while he's slugging .472.
• This season, Gio Gonzalez has a 4.42 ERA during day games, compared to the 2.62 ERA he has posted during night games. In those day games, he is 4-3 in 10 games started, compared to an 11-3 record in 14 night games started. He has given up 27 earned runs in both day and night games, despite pitching only 55 innings during the day and 92 2/3 at night.
Scott Downs, P, Angels: Threw a successful simulated game Thursday, and his left shoulder responded well. He should be activated from the disabled list Saturday.
Ryan Dempster, P, Rangers: He will miss Saturday's start because of personal reasons but will rejoin the team Monday. Roy Oswalt will start in his place.
Seth Smith, OF, Athletics: Expected to take part in some minor league games this weekend with an eye toward returning to the Oakland lineup early next week.
Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, Red Sox: Started at DH Thursday, a precautionary measure aimed at preventing a minor leg issue from becoming more serious. He did have four at-bats, but this could be something to keep a watch closely.
Yadier Molina, C, Cardinals: Still suffering from tightness in his lower back. He may play Friday, but it remains unclear if he'll be good to go on consecutive days just yet.
Edwin Encarnacion, 3B, Blue Jays: Scratched from Thursday's game with a sore wrist and should be considered day-to-day.
Wilson Betemit, 3B, Orioles: Placed on the 15-day disabled list with a small cartilage tear in his right wrist. Joe Mahoney was called up from Triple-A Norfolk to provide infield bench depth.
Emilio Bonifacio, OF, Marlins: Can come off the disabled list on Sunday, and has been playing center field in his rehab assignments. That's likely where he'll be when he rejoins the Miami lineup.
- AJ Mass is a fantasy football, baseball and college basketball analyst for ESPN.com.
- Author; How Fantasy Sports Explains the World.
