Fantasy daily notes for September 10
Click through for information on specific matchups and injuries for the day's games.
Starting pitcher rankings for September 10
| Name | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Gio Gonzalez | L | @NYM | 9 | 18-7 | 2.98 | 1.12 | 3-1 | 1.30 | 0.98 |
| 2 |  | Dan Haren | R | OAK | 7 | 10-10 | 4.46 | 1.34 | 2-0 | 1.45 | 1.02 |
| 3 |  | Mat Latos | R | PIT | 9 | 12-4 | 3.69 | 1.19 | 2-1 | 4.00 | 1.22 |
| 4 |  | Mike Minor | L | @MIL | 3 | 8-10 | 4.58 | 1.22 | 2-1 | 2.81 | 0.86 |
| 5 |  | Wandy Rodriguez | L | @CIN | 5 | 10-13 | 3.71 | 1.28 | 3-1 | 1.25 | 1.06 |
| 6 |  | Eric Stults | L | STL | 7 | 5-2 | 2.38 | 1.16 | 2-0 | 0.47 | 1.00 |
| 7 |  | Jaime Garcia | L | @SD | 8 | 4-6 | 4.16 | 1.41 | 1-2 | 3.38 | 1.28 |
| 8 |  | Kyle Kendrick | R | MIA | 5 | 8-10 | 3.96 | 1.31 | 3-1 | 1.91 | 0.85 |
| 9 |  | Ryan Vogelsong | R | @COL | 5 | 12-7 | 3.29 | 1.24 | 2-1 | 7.71 | 1.77 |
| 10 |  | Samuel Deduno | R | CLE | 5 | 5-3 | 3.66 | 1.50 | 1-3 | 4.13 | 1.42 |
| 11 |  | Collin McHugh | R | WAS | 10 | 0-1 | 3.27 | 0.82 | 0-1 | 3.27 | 0.82 |
| 12 |  | Jarrod Parker | R | @LAA | 7 | 9-8 | 3.67 | 1.31 | 2-1 | 3.46 | 1.35 |
| 13 |  | Rick Porcello | R | @CHW | 4 | 9-11 | 4.58 | 1.52 | 0-3 | 3.78 | 1.68 |
| 14 |  | Wily Peralta | R | ATL | 7 | 1-0 | 5.14 | 1.71 | 1-0 | 4.50 | 1.50 |
| 15 |  | Chris Volstad | R | @HOU | 4 | 2-10 | 6.23 | 1.53 | 2-1 | 4.24 | 1.50 |
| 16 |  | Jose Quintana | L | DET | 2 | 5-4 | 3.68 | 1.27 | 0-2 | 8.66 | 2.09 |
| 17 |  | Wade LeBlanc | L | @PHI | 4 | 2-3 | 2.72 | 1.21 | 0-1 | 3.18 | 1.12 |
| 18 |  | Alex White | R | SF | 1 | 2-8 | 5.31 | 1.62 | 0-2 | 3.45 | 1.53 |
| 19 |  | Justin Masterson | R | @MIN | 7 | 11-12 | 4.84 | 1.44 | 2-2 | 7.25 | 1.52 |
| 20 |  | Dallas Keuchel | L | CHC | 2 | 1-7 | 5.54 | 1.52 | 0-2 | 9.00 | 1.33 |
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
There are 10 MLB games Monday, and four of those contests involve a pitcher that is owned in at least 90 percent of ESPN.com fantasy leagues (Mat Latos, Gio Gonzalez, Dan Haren and Ryan Vogelsong). The good news is that leaves a handful of lesser-owned pitchers that can be started with confidence in the majority of the ESPN universe. Here are five pitchers, all owned in less than half of ESPN leagues, who are worth a waiver-wire grab for Monday:
Mike Minor (49 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) still being available in more than half of the ESPN universe is really puzzling. Since July 1, he's 4-4 with a 2.58 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and four times as many strikeouts (52) than walks (13) in these 11 starts. His last outing was stellar, as he shut out the Colorado Rockies for seven innings, allowing just one hit and fanning seven. Although he did issue four free passes in that outing, Minor had walked just one total batter over his previous four starts, so don't be concerned about command here. His Monday opponent, the Milwaukee Brewers, are not the most patient lineup, drawing just 16 walks in their past six games. And when the Brew Crew faced Minor earlier this season, they failed to score an earned run off him in 7 1/3 innings, managing just two hits and one walk. Start Minor in all fantasy formats Monday.
Eric Stults (6 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) has been a regular in this column recently, and he has been making me look pretty smart with a 4-0 record, 1.66 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in six starts since rejoining the San Diego rotation on Aug. 6. Five of these opponents (Atlanta Braves twice, Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs), have failed to score more than one run against Stults during this span. He has never faced the St. Louis Cardinals, Monday's opponent, but the Redbirds hitters have been horrible in the past 11 games, scoring just 33 runs, with a .328 slugging percentage and 90 strikeouts during a 3-8 slump. Another factor working in Stults favor is that his Padres teammates have been nearly unbeatable at home lately, going 17-5 in their past 22 games at Petco Park. He might not have the strikeout acumen to trust in all fantasy formats, but Stults should be a solid play for the rest of the season in the non-strikeout categories.
Stults' mound opponent, Jaime Garcia (47 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership), has had a couple of rough outings since his return from the DL, but he started off September splendidly, allowing zero earned runs in 7 1/3 innings, with five strikeouts and no walks against the New York Mets. That makes him 5-2 with a 3.29 ERA in nine career starts in the season's final month. On Monday, Garcia visits Petco Park to take on a San Diego Padres team that he has baffled in the past three seasons. In three starts, Garcia's pitching line versus the Padres reads like this: 22 IP, 14 H, 2 ER, 7 BB, 19 K's. Garcia appears safe to get back into most fantasy rotations Monday.
Kyle Kendrick (29 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) has been on fire in his past five starts, going 4-1 with a 1.53 ERA and 0.82 WHIP. This run began with seven shutout innings (5 H, 0 BB's, 6 K's) against the Miami Marlins, his Monday opponent. The Fish continue to flounder, losing 11 of their past 16 games due mostly to a soft lineup producing a .248 BA/.310 OBP/.388 SLG during this span. Kendrick's mound opponent, Wade LeBlanc, has been horrendous on the road in his career, sporting a 5.66 ERA and 1.56 WHIP in a large sample size of 173 1/3 innings. Considering the Philadelphia Phillies are 16-8 in their past 24 home games, Kendrick is a great win candidate Monday, and should be starting in most fantasy leagues.
Samuel Deduno (1 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) has seven quality starts in his past nine outings, going 5-3 with a 3.31 ERA. Granted, his 34 K's and 32 walks over this span is atrocious, but so is Deduno's Monday opponent, the Cleveland Indians, who have lost 18 of their past 23 games. The Indians have a .225 BA and .322 SLG during this slump, and also have a .184 BA and .263 SLG in their 49 plate appearances versus Deduno this season. Considering how well the Minnesota Twins have hit in their past 10 games (.295 BA/.362 OBP/.432 SLG), and how poorly mound opponent Justin Masterson pitched in his last visit to Target Field (5 2/3 IP, 10 R, 8 ER), Deduno is a great win candidate. Start him in AL-only formats Monday.
Hitter matchup ratings for September 10
| Overall | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | No game scheduled | | 7 | 8 | 6 | 5 | ||||
| | 4 | 10 | 1 | 7 | | 5 | 8 | 1 | 5 | |
 | No game scheduled | | 2 | 2 | 1 | 9 | ||||
 | No game scheduled |  | No game scheduled | |||||||
| | 9 | 6 | 9 | 8 | | 4 | 3 | 4 | 8 | |
| | 8 | 10 | 4 | 5 | | 8 | 10 | 5 | 6 | |
| | 6 | 2 | 6 | 8 | | 3 | 3 | 1 | 5 | |
| | 6 | 3 | 10 | 7 | | 1 | 1 | 4 | 10 | |
| | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | |
| | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | | 10 | 10 | 10 | 2 | |
| | 9 | 10 | 6 | 9 |  | No game scheduled | ||||
 | No game scheduled |  | No game scheduled | |||||||
| | 4 | 5 | 1 | 4 |  | No game scheduled | ||||
 | No game scheduled |  | No game scheduled | |||||||
| | 7 | 9 | 4 | 2 | | 1 | 5 | 1 | 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.
• Going into their series with the Atlanta Braves, Brewers IF Aramis Ramirez is someone you should definitely consider starting. In his 12 career at-bats against Braves lefty Mike Minor, Ramirez has 6 hits, 4 RBI, an .833 slugging percentage and a 1.333 OPS. This reflects his numbers against lefty starters all season as Ramirez has been hitting .325 with an on-base percentage of .377 entering Sunday.
• Rick Porcello has pitched well against the Chicago White Sox this season going 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA.
Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers: Day-to-day, shoulder. He is still shaken up after colliding with an outfield wall last week, but an MRI showed no structural damage, and he could return to the field Tuesday.
Mark Teixeira, 1B, Yankees: Day-to-day, calf injury. He reinjured himself Saturday and likely will miss a few more games.
Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Rockies: Could return from DL. Tulowitzki, who has been out since May 30, is expected to play Monday. Colorado might not start him every day, however, since the team has little to play for.
Nick Markakis, OF, Orioles: Out 4-6 weeks, broken bone in left thumb. He was hit on the hand by a CC Sabathia pitch Saturday, which will likely end his 2012 season. Nate McLouth will likely be the regular right fielder with Lew Ford starting in left field.
Adam Dunn, DH, White Sox: Day-to-day, oblique injury. He has not played since Sept. 5 after reinjuring himself, and it's unclear when he will return to Chicago's lineup. He is not expected to be ready for the four-game series with Detroit from Monday to Thursday.
Stephen Strasburg, SP, Nationals: Shut down for remainder of season. The Nats say they will not let their ace throw another pitch in the regular season or postseason. John Lannan will take his spot in Washington's rotation.
Jeff Samardzija, SP, Cubs: Shut down for remainder of season. The Cubs will reportedly not let him pitch any more this season after Saturday's complete-game victory brought his season total up to 174 2/3 innings this season. Newly acquired Jason Berken will replace him in Chicago's rotation.
Erick Aybar, SS, Angels: Day-to-day, strained intercostal muscle. He injured himself Saturday while taking a swing and will undergo more testing to determine the severity of his injury.
David Price, SP, Rays: Day-to-day, sore shoulder. He was scratched from Saturday's start (and replaced by Chris Archer), but is expected to be ready to pitch Friday against the Yankees.
Desmond Jennings, OF, Rays: Day-to-day, lower back stiffness. He was scratched from Saturday's lineup with his injury, but should return to action in the next couple days.
Xavier Nady, OF, Giants: Day-to-day, mild hamstring strain. He injured himself on Sept. 5 and hasn't played since. Nady is targeting a mid-week return.
Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros: Day-to-day, abdominal strain. He left Friday's game with his injury and hasn't played since. He should return to action shortly, though.
David Lough, OF, Royals: Day-to-day, strained hamstring. He hasn't played since Sept. 5, but hopes to return sometime this week.
Drew Stubbs, OF, Reds: Temporarily benched. Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker sat Stubbs for Friday's game and says the struggling Stubbs will sit for a couple more games in favor of Chris Heisey.
Brett Jackson, OF, Cubs: Day-to-day, bruised right knee. He injured himself making a catch Friday and has not played since. X-rays came back negative, and he should return to action shortly.
Jose Tabata, OF, Pirates: Day-to-day, left foot contusion. He hasn't played since Sept. 4, and it's unclear when he will be ready to return.
Andres Torres, OF, Mets: Day-to-day, left knee contusion. He hurt himself Friday and hasn't played since. Jordany Valdespin will man center field until Torres can return to action. At this point, it's unclear when Torres will play again.
Zack Cozart, SS, Reds: Day-to-day, strained oblique. He hasn't played since Sept. 3, but could return to the lineup sometime this week. Wilson Valdez will continue to start in Cozart's place at shortstop in the meantime.
Placido Polanco, 3B, Phillies, 15-day DL, lower back inflammation. Polanco's season is likely over after his latest setback. Kevin Frandsen was his replacement, but since he is now day-to-day with a stress fracture in his left fibula, Michael Martinez will be the team's everyday third baseman for the time being.
Scott Rolen, 3B, Reds: Day-to-day, bulging discs in lower back. He hasn't played since Sept. 4, and it's unclear when he'll be ready to return. Todd Frazier will man third base in his absence.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C, Red Sox: Day-to-day, back spasms. He left Friday's game early with the injury and hasn't played since. There is no timetable for his return.
Neil Walker, 2B, Pirates: Day-to-day, stiffness in lower back. He hasn't played since Aug. 26, but the team thinks he may return in the early part of this week. Josh Harrison has been starting in Walker's absence.
