Fantasy daily notes for Aug. 28
Click through for information on specific matchups and injuries for the day's games.
Starting pitcher rankings for August 28
| Name | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Matt Cain | R | @HOU | 9 | 13-5 | 2.83 | 1.01 | 3-1 | 2.89 | 1.04 |
| 2 |  | Justin Verlander | R | @KC | 10 | 12-7 | 2.50 | 1.00 | 1-0 | 1.80 | 1.10 |
| 3 |  | Stephen Strasburg | R | @MIA | 10 | 15-5 | 2.85 | 1.11 | 3-0 | 2.00 | 1.00 |
| 4 |  | Chris Sale | L | @BAL | 9 | 15-4 | 2.65 | 1.03 | 3-1 | 2.79 | 1.07 |
| 5 |  | Jered Weaver | R | BOS | 8 | 16-3 | 2.74 | 0.98 | 2-2 | 4.85 | 1.12 |
| 6 |  | Kris Medlen | R | @SD | 10 | 5-1 | 1.86 | 1.03 | 3-0 | 0.40 | 0.85 |
| 7 |  | Wade Miley | L | CIN | 6 | 14-8 | 2.80 | 1.11 | 2-2 | 1.85 | 1.23 |
| 8 |  | Yovani Gallardo | R | @CHC | 6 | 13-8 | 3.62 | 1.28 | 4-0 | 2.20 | 1.12 |
| 9 |  | Chris Capuano | L | @COL | 4 | 11-9 | 3.38 | 1.18 | 1-2 | 3.62 | 0.99 |
| 10 |  | Johnny Cueto | R | @ARI | 7 | 16-6 | 2.47 | 1.14 | 2-1 | 2.25 | 0.79 |
| 11 |  | Hisashi Iwakuma | R | @MIN | 7 | 4-3 | 3.64 | 1.33 | 2-0 | 1.83 | 1.07 |
| 12 |  | Clay Buchholz | R | @LAA | 7 | 11-4 | 4.47 | 1.32 | 2-1 | 4.43 | 1.16 |
| 13 |  | Vance Worley | R | NYM | 5 | 6-9 | 4.06 | 1.49 | 0-3 | 6.41 | 2.03 |
| 14 |  | James Shields | R | @TEX | 3 | 12-7 | 4.01 | 1.29 | 3-0 | 2.83 | 0.77 |
| 15 |  | James McDonald | R | STL | 4 | 11-6 | 3.73 | 1.22 | 1-1 | 6.46 | 1.50 |
| 16 |  | Tommy Milone | L | @CLE | 7 | 10-9 | 3.87 | 1.19 | 1-0 | 3.46 | 0.85 |
| 17 |  | Yu Darvish | R | TB | 5 | 12-9 | 4.51 | 1.42 | 1-2 | 5.31 | 1.48 |
| 18 |  | Andrew Werner | L | ATL | 6 | 1-0 | 3.00 | 1.33 | 1-0 | 3.00 | 1.33 |
| 19 |  | Zach McAllister | R | OAK | 6 | 5-4 | 3.50 | 1.22 | 1-1 | 3.74 | 1.20 |
| 20 |  | Scott Diamond | L | SEA | 6 | 10-5 | 3.04 | 1.21 | 1-0 | 3.52 | 1.39 |
| 21 |  | Chris Tillman | R | CHW | 3 | 6-2 | 3.71 | 1.25 | 2-1 | 4.81 | 1.19 |
| 22 |  | Ricky Nolasco | R | WAS | 4 | 9-12 | 5.07 | 1.45 | 1-1 | 6.00 | 1.56 |
| 23 |  | Phil Hughes | R | TOR | 4 | 12-11 | 4.15 | 1.27 | 1-3 | 5.24 | 1.34 |
| 24 |  | Jake Westbrook | R | @PIT | 6 | 13-9 | 3.67 | 1.30 | 3-1 | 3.08 | 1.18 |
| 25 |  | Bud Norris | R | SF | 5 | 5-11 | 5.19 | 1.46 | 0-2 | 6.06 | 1.65 |
| 26 |  | Travis Wood | L | MIL | 4 | 4-10 | 4.76 | 1.26 | 0-3 | 4.32 | 1.20 |
| 27 |  | Ricky Romero | L | @NYY | 4 | 8-11 | 5.63 | 1.57 | 0-3 | 6.87 | 1.75 |
| 28 |  | Chris Young | R | @PHI | 6 | 3-7 | 4.33 | 1.36 | 0-2 | 4.76 | 1.65 |
| 29 |  | Luis Mendoza | R | DET | 3 | 7-9 | 4.26 | 1.43 | 2-2 | 4.01 | 1.26 |
| 30 |  | Tyler Chatwood | R | LAD | 1 | 3-3 | 4.98 | 1.66 | 2-1 | 3.50 | 1.39 |
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.
Ten aces grace the pitching mounds Tuesday, as Chris Sale, Stephen Strasburg, James Shields, Yu Darvish, Yovani Gallardo, Matt Cain, Justin Verlander, Johnny Cueto, Wade Miley and Jered Weaver are owned in 100 percent of ESPN.com fantasy leagues. With at least one of these arms involved in more than half the games on the docket, there are only three decent pitching options likely available on your waiver wire for Tuesday:
Hisashi Iwakuma is just not getting the fantasy respect he deserves, owned in a paltry 15 percent ESPN.com fantasy leagues. Since joining the Seattle Mariners rotation at the start of July, he is 3-2 with a 3.02 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 7.7 K's/9. In his past five starts, those numbers are even more impressive: 3-1, 2.20 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 8.8 K's/9. Two outings ago, he held the Minnesota Twins, his Tuesday opponent, to zero earned runs in seven innings, tallying six strikeouts. For the Twins, that was just one of the 14 losses they have compiled in their past 17 games. Minnesota's offense hasn't surpassed three runs in 11 of those 14 defeats. Start Iwakuma in all fantasy formats Tuesday.
Vance Worley (25 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) has struggled lately, carrying a 6.41 ERA in his past four starts. However, these four opponents (Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds) are much more potent than Tuesday's opponent, the weak-hitting New York Mets. The Metropolitans are averaging a pathetic 2.4 runs per game over their past 20 contests (6-14 record) due to a .214 BA/.282 OBP/.324 SLG. Worley has had little trouble shutting down New York in his home park in his career, sporting a 2.25 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 20 strikeouts over 20 innings. Considering the Phillies have a .344 on-base percentage and 6-2 record in their past eight home games, they should give Worley plenty of run support against unimpressive Mets starter Chris Young (1-6, 4.94 ERA in past nine starts). Start Worley in the majority of fantasy leagues Tuesday.
James McDonald's ESPN.com fantasy ownership has dipped from nearly full capacity at the end of June to 53 percent, due to a 7.29 ERA and 1.86 WHIP over his past eight starts. Six of these outings have been on the road, and McDonald has been much more comfortable in his home park this year. He is 5-2 with a 2.82 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, .197 BAA and 7.9 K's/9 at PNC Park. McDonald has thrived against the Cardinals in his career, going 3-1 with a 2.76 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 7.7 K's/9 in 32 2/3 innings. When he faced them two weeks ago on Aug. 17, McDonald threw six shutout innings, allowing just two hits while striking out seven. He should get a good amount of run support, considering the Pittsburgh Pirates are 5-2 with 6.1 runs per game and a .782 OPS in the past seven contests versus St. Louis. Jake Westbrook, the Cards starter Tuesday, is 1-6 with a 5.21 ERA in the past three seasons versus the Bucs. All of this ammunition makes McDonald a viable option in deeper leagues Tuesday.
Hitter matchup ratings for August 28
| Overall | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | | 7 | 2 | 7 | 7 | |
| | 5 | 10 | 1 | 3 | | 5 | 3 | 6 | 4 | |
| | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | | 6 | 5 | 6 | 2 | |
| | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | | 6 | 10 | 3 | 4 | |
| | 5 | 6 | 3 | 7 | | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |
| | 9 | 7 | 10 | 2 | | 6 | 6 | 4 | 8 | |
| | 5 | 1 | 6 | 1 | | 6 | 6 | 5 | 1 | |
| | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | | 6 | 5 | 5 | 8 | |
| | 7 | 1 | 8 | 4 | | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |
| | 7 | 5 | 7 | 4 | | 7 | 9 | 5 | 7 | |
| | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | | 7 | 9 | 5 | 7 | |
| | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | | 6 | 6 | 4 | 6 | |
| | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | | 7 | 6 | 6 | 3 | |
| | 10 | 10 | 8 | 2 | | 7 | 3 | 9 | 4 | |
| | 1 | 2 | 1 | 9 | | 8 | 8 | 6 | 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.
• Entering Sunday, Allen Craig is hitting .370 (34-for-92) with five home runs and 17 RBIs this month. He is 4-for-10 with two doubles and a home run lifetime against James McDonald, Tuesday's scheduled starting pitcher.
• Entering Sunday, Jason Heyward is 42-for-187 (.225) with only 14 of his 51 extra-base hits against left-handed pitching. Heyward faces lefty Andrew Werner on Tuesday.
• Entering Monday, Ben Revere has 13 hits in the past 10 games with four multihit games. Look for him to continue that trend when facing Hisashi Iwakuma, who has allowed at least six hits in three of his past four games.
• Phil Hughes is 9-3 with a 3.42 ERA at home compared to 3-8 with a 5.03 ERA on the road this season. However, he has been terrible against the Blue Jays this year, going 0-2 with a 6.06 ERA in three starts.
• Although winless since May 21, Astros pitcher Bud Norris has found his limited success at home this season. He is 3-1 with a 2.18 ERA at home, as opposed to 2-10 with a 7.27 ERA on the road.
• Entering Monday, Shin-Soo Choo is hitting .185 against left-handed pitching (29-for-157), the fourth-lowest average in the league among qualifying hitters. Choo faces lefty Tommy Milone on Tuesday.
• Johnny Cueto has pitched much worse in night games this season than during the day. He is 5-6 with a 3.38 ERA at night and 11-0 with a 1.61 ERA in day games.
• Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard have both struggled against Mets pitcher Chris Young in their careers, going a combined 4-for-29 (.138) with eight strikeouts.
Albert Pujols, 1B, Angels: Day-to-day, calf injury. He hasn't played since Aug. 22 but could return to the starting lineup Tuesday.
David Ortiz, DH, Red Sox: 15-day DL, right Achilles tendon injury. Ryan Kalish replaced him on the roster, but Ryan Lavarnway should be the everyday DH until Ortiz returns, which he hopes will be sometime in mid-September.
Domonic Brown, OF, Phillies: Day-to-day, sore left knee. He did not play Sunday due to a lingering injury caused by a slide into home plate Thursday. He is expected to return to action Tuesday.
Jose Bautista, OF, Blue Jays: 15-day DL, wrist injury. Bautista left Saturday's game with his injury, just one day after returning to the field following a six-week absence. His 2012 season is likely over, as Anthony Gose and Moises Sierra will platoon in right field.
Joe Saunders, SP, Orioles: Acquired from the Diamondbacks. Saunders was traded to Baltimore for RP Matt Lindstrom on Sunday and expects to make his Orioles debut in the rotation on Wednesday or Thursday.
Gavin Floyd, SP, White Sox: Day-to-day, sore elbow. He was removed from Sunday's start and will undergo an MRI early this week to determine if this is the same injury that landed him on the disabled list in July.
Chipper Jones, 3B, Braves: Day-to-day, left oblique, lower back injuries. He has not started since Friday but was able to pinch hit during Sunday's game, so he should return to the lineup shortly.
Miguel Cabrera, 3B, Tigers: Day-to-day, ankle injury. He did not play Sunday due to his bothersome injury but is not expected to need a DL stint.
Chad Billingsley, SP, Dodgers: 15-day DL, right elbow inflammation. He left Friday's start early and may not be able to pitch for the remainder of the season. Newly acquired Josh Beckett takes his place in the rotation.
Michael Morse, OF, Nationals: Day-to-day, right hand contusion. He was hit by a pitch on his hand Friday, but due to X-rays coming back negative, he is expected to return to action Tuesday.
Alfredo Aceves, RP, Red Sox: Suspended three games. The team suspended him after he had a blow-up with manager Bobby Valentine on Friday night, a game that Andrew Bailey finished up. Bailey will likely close games for the rest of the season.
David Freese, 3B, Cardinals: Day-to-day, sore wrist. He was hit by a pitch on his wrist Friday and did not play Saturday. He should return to action shortly.
Daniel Murphy, 2B, Mets: Day-to-day, strained right shoulder. He hurt himself in Sunday's game but doesn't expect to miss any time.
Michael Saunders, OF, Mariners: Day-to-day, minor groin strain. He has not played since colliding with teammate Eric Thames during Friday's game but should return in the early part of this week.
Jon Lester, SP, Red Sox: Day-to-day, mild hamstring cramp. He left Friday's game early with his injury, but he expects to make his scheduled start Wednesday.
Dayan Viciedo, OF, White Sox: Day-to-day, sore right shoulder. He has not played since Friday, and it is unclear when he'll return to action.
Ben Sheets, SP, Braves: 15-day DL, right shoulder inflammation. He may not be able to return at all this season.
Daniel Nava, OF, Red Sox: 15-day DL, sprained wrist. It is unclear if he'll be healthy enough to return this season.
David Cooper, 1B, Blue Jays: 15-day DL, upper back injury. After suffering discomfort for the past week, the team finally placed him on the DL retroactive to Aug. 23. Edwin Encarnacion will continue to start at first base for the Jays.
Doug Fister, SP, Tigers: Day-to-day, discomfort in groin. He was scratched from Saturday's start and could wind up on the DL. Fister last pitched Aug. 19.
Placido Polanco, 3B, Phillies: Day-to-day lower back injury. Polanco hasn't played since Aug. 23 and may wind up on the DL again. Kevin Frandsen will continue to replace him at third base.
Lucas Duda, OF, Mets: Recalled from Triple-A. He will get the majority of starts in left field and could play some first base.
Peter Bourjos, OF, Angels: 15-day DL, sore right wrist. The move was made retroactive to Aug. 19.
