Fantasy daily notes for Sept. 4
Click through for information on specific matchups and injuries for the day's games.
Starting pitcher rankings for September 4
| Name | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Clayton Kershaw | L | SD | 10 | 12-8 | 2.85 | 1.02 | 2-2 | 2.70 | 0.97 |
| 2 |  | Zack Greinke | R | @OAK | 8 | 12-5 | 3.82 | 1.26 | 3-1 | 4.23 | 1.23 |
| 3 |  | Jon Lester | L | @SEA | 9 | 8-11 | 5.01 | 1.37 | 2-1 | 3.68 | 1.32 |
| 4 |  | Matt Harrison | L | @KC | 6 | 15-8 | 3.30 | 1.26 | 2-2 | 3.25 | 1.01 |
| 5 |  | Ian Kennedy | R | @SF | 7 | 12-11 | 4.27 | 1.32 | 2-2 | 3.80 | 1.31 |
| 6 |  | Ryan Vogelsong | R | ARI | 7 | 12-7 | 3.02 | 1.19 | 2-2 | 9.00 | 1.83 |
| 7 |  | Edwin Jackson | R | CHC | 5 | 8-9 | 3.53 | 1.16 | 1-2 | 2.14 | 0.86 |
| 8 |  | Mat Latos | R | PHI | 8 | 11-4 | 3.79 | 1.20 | 1-1 | 3.67 | 1.26 |
| 9 |  | Shaun Marcum | R | @MIA | 7 | 5-4 | 3.35 | 1.22 | 0-1 | 3.00 | 1.67 |
| 10 |  | Wandy Rodriguez | L | HOU | 7 | 9-13 | 3.86 | 1.31 | 2-2 | 3.54 | 1.43 |
| 11 |  | Tommy Hanson | R | COL | 6 | 12-7 | 4.45 | 1.49 | 0-2 | 5.74 | 1.85 |
| 12 |  | Matt Harvey | R | @STL | 10 | 3-3 | 2.76 | 1.11 | 2-0 | 1.80 | 0.90 |
| 13 |  | Eric Stults | L | @LAD | 8 | 5-2 | 2.45 | 1.15 | 3-0 | 2.03 | 0.94 |
| 14 |  | Kyle Kendrick | R | @CIN | 4 | 8-9 | 4.01 | 1.32 | 4-0 | 1.23 | 0.75 |
| 15 |  | Scott Diamond | L | @CHW | 5 | 10-6 | 3.21 | 1.21 | 0-1 | 5.06 | 1.38 |
| 16 |  | Jarrod Parker | R | LAA | 7 | 9-7 | 3.72 | 1.32 | 2-1 | 4.56 | 1.44 |
| 17 |  | Carlos Villanueva | R | BAL | 7 | 7-4 | 3.10 | 1.20 | 1-2 | 2.52 | 0.92 |
| 18 |  | Rick Porcello | R | CLE | 4 | 9-10 | 4.57 | 1.51 | 0-3 | 3.71 | 1.53 |
| 19 |  | Zach Britton | L | @TOR | 5 | 4-1 | 4.80 | 1.53 | 3-0 | 1.25 | 1.02 |
| 20 |  | Jaime Garcia | L | NYM | 7 | 3-6 | 4.52 | 1.42 | 0-2 | 4.66 | 1.29 |
| 21 |  | Chris Rusin | L | @WAS | 6 | 0-1 | 1.80 | 0.60 | 0-1 | 1.80 | 0.60 |
| 22 |  | Jose Quintana | L | MIN | 6 | 5-3 | 3.17 | 1.22 | 1-1 | 4.70 | 1.74 |
| 23 |  | Freddy Garcia | R | @TB | 4 | 7-5 | 4.90 | 1.37 | 1-0 | 5.17 | 1.34 |
| 24 |  | Jeremy Guthrie | R | TEX | 2 | 6-12 | 5.48 | 1.51 | 2-0 | 2.55 | 1.09 |
| 25 |  | Wade LeBlanc | L | MIL | 3 | 2-3 | 2.49 | 1.23 | 1-1 | 4.50 | 1.50 |
| 26 |  | Jordan Lyles | R | @PIT | 3 | 3-10 | 5.46 | 1.48 | 1-1 | 5.40 | 1.53 |
| 27 |  | Drew Pomeranz | L | @ATL | 3 | 1-8 | 5.13 | 1.44 | 0-1 | 5.54 | 1.23 |
| 28 |  | Alex Cobb | R | NYY | 4 | 8-8 | 4.39 | 1.32 | 2-0 | 4.63 | 1.41 |
| 29 |  | Justin Masterson | R | @DET | 4 | 10-12 | 4.91 | 1.46 | 2-2 | 6.45 | 1.70 |
| 30 |  | Blake Beavan | R | BOS | 2 | 9-8 | 4.95 | 1.27 | 2-2 | 4.24 | 1.41 |
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.
Hitter matchup ratings for September 4
| Overall | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 4 | 5 | 1 | 5 | | 7 | 10 | 5 | 6 | |
| | 7 | 1 | 10 | 3 | | 7 | 5 | 7 | 6 | |
| | 4 | 6 | 1 | 5 | | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | |
| | 7 | 9 | 4 | 6 | | 5 | 5 | 3 | 7 | |
| | 6 | 6 | 4 | 7 | | 4 | 5 | 1 | 5 | |
| | 7 | 10 | 5 | 7 | | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | |
| | 7 | 9 | 5 | 1 | | 10 | 10 | 8 | 7 | |
| | 8 | 10 | 4 | 5 | | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | |
| | 4 | 6 | 1 | 8 | | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |
| | 6 | 9 | 1 | 5 | | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | |
| | 5 | 2 | 5 | 9 | | 4 | 3 | 3 | 7 | |
| | 5 | 1 | 5 | 5 | | 7 | 8 | 5 | 6 | |
| | 4 | 4 | 1 | 6 | | 8 | 8 | 6 | 4 | |
| | 1 | 1 | 6 | 9 | | 6 | 3 | 7 | 3 | |
| | 4 | 2 | 4 | 5 | | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 | |
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.
• Reds outfielder Ryan Ludwick is 1 for 14 (.071) in his career against Phillies pitcher Kyle Kendrick.
• Entering Monday, Mets outfielder Scott Hairston has hit .313 with 9 homers against left-handed pitching this season. On Tuesday, he will face Cardinals pitcher Jaime Garcia, whom right-handed hitters have hit .303 against this season.
• Jordan Lyles has been abysmal on the road this year, going 1-6 with a 6.88 ERA. He has also gotten torched by the Pirates this year, going 0-1 with a 9.90 ERA against them and 0-1 with a 15.75 ERA at PNC Park.
• Billy Butler thrives when Rangers P Matt Harrison is on the mound. In 15 plate appearances, Butler is 8-12, an average of .667, with a home run and 3 RBI. He owns an OPS of 1.667.
• Eric Stults has pitched well since the All-Star break going 4-0 with a 1.86 ERA this season. Before the break, he was 1-2 with a 3.19 ERA.
• Entering Monday, Indians catcher Carlos Santana has hit only .232 (62 for 267) against right-handed pitchers. He struggled even more in August, hitting .200 (12-60) against right-handers. However, he has had success in his career against Tigers RHP Rick Porcello, who he'll face on Tuesday. In 18 at-bats against Porcello, Santana has 6 hits, including a double and three home runs.
• Mark Reynolds has been enjoying one of his better stretches of this season. In his last 7 games entering Monday, Reynolds is batting .318 (7 for 22) with 4 home runs, 7 runs batted in, and a whopping 1.392 OPS (.483 OBP, .909 SLG).
• Since his return from a hamstring injury on August 7, Evan Longoria has struggled to a .247 (22 for 89) batting average with 5 home runs and 26 strikeouts in 24 games entering Monday. In 23 games before the injury Longoria hit .329 with 4 home runs and 19 runs batted in.
• Jason Heyward, who is facing Rockies lefty Drew Pomeranz Tuesday, has struggled to hit against southpaws, hitting .221 compared to .312 against righties entering Monday. Also entering Monday, only 6 of his 24 home runs and 25 of his 69 RBIs have come against lefties.
• Adrian Beltre has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball over the past 2 weeks. However, he does not have success against Royals P Jeremy Guthrie. In 35 regular-season plate appearances, Beltre is 5-29, an average of .172, with only 1 home run and 4 strikeouts. He has an OBP of .286 against Guthrie, while his career OBP is .330 entering Monday.
Joey Votto, 1B, Reds: Could return Tuesday, left knee surgery. He has been out of the lineup for six weeks after left knee surgery, but he may return Tuesday night.
Josh Willingham, OF, Twins: Day-to-day, strained hamstring. He did not play Sunday, but because the injury is only a slight strain, Willingham should return to the lineup in a couple of days.
Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, Red Sox: Day-to-day, sore right wrist. He did not play on Sunday, but should return to action shortly.
Carlos Beltran, OF, Cardinals: Day-to-day, bruised knee. He injured himself during Sunday's game, and is not in Monday's starting lineup. It's unclear when he will return to action.
Adam Dunn, DH, White Sox: Day-to-day, strained oblique. He has not played since Friday, and expects to be out a few more games. Dan Johnson will be Chicago's regular DH in Dunn's absence.
Rafael Furcal, SS, Cardinals: Out indefinitely, right elbow. It has been determined that he does not have a torn UCL and could possibly return to action sometime this season. Daniel Descalso will start at shortstop in the meantime.
Jayson Werth, OF, Nationals: Day-to-day, hamstring cramp. He left Saturday's game with the injury and was unable to play on Sunday. It's unclear when he will return to action.
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS, Indians: Day-to-day, sore right wrist. He did not play Saturday, but this injury does not appear to be a major ailment that will keep him off the field for more than a day or two. Jason Donald will play shortstop until Cabrera is ready to return.
Curtis Granderson, OF, Yankees: Day-to-day, tight right hamstring. He left Saturday's game early with his injury and has not played since. But considering his MRI came back with no sign of tear, expect Granderson to return to the lineup shortly.
Brian McCann, C, Braves: Day-to-day, sore right shoulder. He is getting a day off Monday, but expects to return to the lineup Tuesday.
Chris Tillman, SP, Orioles: Day-to-day, sore elbow. He left Sunday's start early and will undergo an MRI early this week to determine the severity of his injury.
Sean Burnett, RP, Nationals: Day-to-day, sore elbow. He will likely not pitch for a few days.
Ryan Kalish, OF, Red Sox: Day-to-day, shoulder injury. His playing time is being limited due to his ailment.
Avisail Garcia, OF, Tigers: Started in right field Saturday. Detroit expects the 21-year-old to be its everyday right fielder for the immediate future.
Kenley Jansen, RP, Dodgers: Day-to-day, heart condition. He hasn't pitched since Aug. 27 due to an irregular heartbeat. Jansen will be reevaluated early this week to determine when he can return to the mound. Brandon League, who picked up the save on Saturday, will be called upon to close the majority of games for Los Angeles.
Lance Berkman, 1B, Cardinals: Limited to pinch-hitting, sore knees. He is not able to play the field with his knee injuries, and will be strictly a pinch hitter for the time being. Allen Craig will continue to man first base for St. Louis.
Brandon Inge, 3B, Athletics: Out for season, shoulder injury. He re-injured his shoulder while throwing to first base on Saturday, and will need to undergo season-ending surgery later this week. Josh Donaldson will continue to start at third base for Oakland.
Jeff Karstens, SP, Pirates: Day-to-day, hip flexor. He left Friday's start with his injury and expects to miss at least one turn in the rotation. It's not clear who his replacement will be.
Neil Walker, 2B, Pirates: Day-to-day, tightness in back. He hasn't played since Aug. 26, and it's unclear when he will return. Josh Harrison has been starting in Walker's absence.
Vance Worley, SP, Phillies: Out for season, right elbow injury. Worley has been shut down for the rest of the season and is being replaced by Tyler Cloyd in the Phillies rotation.
Denard Span, OF, Twins: 15-day DL, sprained sternoclavicular joint. Ben Revere has taken over in center field for Span.
Marwin Gonzalez, SS, Astros: Out for season, torn ligament in left ankle. He injured himself stepping on first base Thursday, and although his 2012 season is done, surgery will not be necessary at this point.
