Fantasy daily notes for September 11
Click through for information on specific matchups, injuries and weather for the day's games.
Starting pitcher rankings for September 11
| Name | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | R.A. Dickey | R | WAS | 9 | 18-4 | 2.64 | 1.03 | 3-0 | 1.21 | 0.94 |
| 2 |  | Roy Halladay | R | MIA | 9 | 9-7 | 3.87 | 1.14 | 3-0 | 4.15 | 1.50 |
| 3 |  | Adam Wainwright | R | @SD | 10 | 13-12 | 4.04 | 1.26 | 2-2 | 5.24 | 1.52 |
| 4 |  | Brandon Morrow | R | SEA | 8 | 8-5 | 2.94 | 1.05 | 1-1 | 2.60 | 1.27 |
| 5 |  | Clayton Kershaw | L | @ARI | 10 | 12-8 | 2.79 | 1.02 | 1-2 | 2.17 | 1.07 |
| 6 |  | Doug Fister | R | @CHW | 7 | 8-8 | 3.54 | 1.22 | 1-0 | 2.25 | 1.08 |
| 7 |  | Jake Peavy | R | DET | 6 | 10-10 | 3.22 | 1.11 | 1-1 | 4.26 | 1.37 |
| 8 |  | Marco Estrada | R | ATL | 6 | 2-6 | 3.99 | 1.19 | 2-1 | 1.96 | 1.04 |
| 9 |  | Matt Harrison | L | CLE | 6 | 15-9 | 3.37 | 1.27 | 1-2 | 5.00 | 1.39 |
| 10 |  | Jordan Zimmermann | R | @NYM | 6 | 10-8 | 2.99 | 1.15 | 1-1 | 7.40 | 1.60 |
| 11 |  | Tim Hudson | R | @MIL | 7 | 14-5 | 3.59 | 1.24 | 2-1 | 3.60 | 1.48 |
| 12 |  | Madison Bumgarner | L | @COL | 6 | 14-10 | 3.15 | 1.05 | 1-3 | 4.38 | 1.30 |
| 13 |  | Jhoulys Chacin | R | SF | 7 | 2-5 | 4.50 | 1.61 | 2-2 | 1.27 | 1.31 |
| 14 |  | Hiroki Kuroda | R | @BOS | 5 | 13-10 | 3.14 | 1.11 | 1-2 | 4.43 | 1.07 |
| 15 |  | Matt Moore | L | @BAL | 5 | 10-9 | 3.66 | 1.34 | 0-2 | 4.34 | 1.39 |
| 16 |  | Ian Kennedy | R | LAD | 6 | 12-11 | 4.39 | 1.33 | 1-1 | 5.71 | 1.15 |
| 17 |  | Jason Hammel | R | TB | 5 | 8-6 | 3.46 | 1.26 | 0-0 | 1.80 | 1.60 |
| 18 |  | Jon Lester | L | NYY | 5 | 9-11 | 4.99 | 1.38 | 2-1 | 4.71 | 1.57 |
| 19 |  | Dan Straily | R | @LAA | 5 | 1-0 | 3.18 | 1.18 | -- | -- | -- |
| 20 |  | Mike Leake | R | PIT | 4 | 7-9 | 4.73 | 1.36 | 2-2 | 7.91 | 1.91 |
| 21 |  | Jerome Williams | R | OAK | 5 | 6-7 | 4.59 | 1.32 | 0-0 | 0.00 | 0.60 |
| 22 |  | Scott Diamond | L | KC | 4 | 11-6 | 3.35 | 1.23 | 1-1 | 6.91 | 1.53 |
| 23 |  | Edinson Volquez | R | STL | 4 | 9-10 | 4.27 | 1.43 | 2-1 | 3.93 | 1.42 |
| 24 |  | Kevin Correia | R | @CIN | 3 | 10-8 | 4.28 | 1.32 | 1-1 | 2.16 | 1.38 |
| 25 |  | Jordan Lyles | R | CHC | 2 | 3-11 | 5.55 | 1.49 | 1-1 | 4.60 | 1.28 |
| 26 |  | Will Smith | L | @MIN | 1 | 4-7 | 5.45 | 1.54 | 0-3 | 6.75 | 2.18 |
| 27 |  | Erasmo Ramirez | R | @TOR | 7 | 0-2 | 3.69 | 1.07 | 0-0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 28 |  | Nate Eovaldi | R | @PHI | 3 | 4-11 | 4.44 | 1.58 | 0-3 | 6.60 | 1.40 |
| 29 |  | Justin Germano | R | @HOU | 3 | 2-6 | 6.16 | 1.45 | 0-4 | 11.09 | 1.93 |
| 30 |  | Ubaldo Jimenez | R | @TEX | 3 | 9-15 | 5.58 | 1.61 | 0-3 | 5.32 | 1.44 |
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
Tuesday's MLB schedule figures to provide a bunch of low-scoring affairs, with 14 pitchers who are owned in at least 90 percent of ESPN.com fantasy leagues. There are eight other pitchers who are owned in five percent or less of the ESPN universe. That leaves eight pitchers in that middle tier, and three of them should be strong fantasy plays Tuesday:
Marco Estrada (18 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) has been a strikeout machine in his past four starts, punching out 32 batters in just 23 innings (12.5 K's per 9 innings). His other numbers are pretty stellar over this stretch as well, mainly his 1.96 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. Although mound opponent Tim Hudson is 14-5 this year, the Milwaukee Brewers have been hitting everybody lately, posting a .292 BA/.355 OBP/.493 SLG during a 15-5 run in their past 20 games. This is much higher than the Atlanta Braves' .233 BA/.308 OBP/.369 SLG in their past 20 contests. Start Estrada in all fantasy formats Monday.
Jhoulys Chacin (8 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) has pitched well since his return from a pectoral muscle that kept him out for 3 1/2 months. In four starts, he's 2-2 with a 1.27 ERA. Chacin's 12 strikeouts and seven walks over this period are troublesome, but the free-swinging San Francisco Giants have totaled just 40 walks in their past 14 contests (2.86 per game). Considering that Chacin's Colorado Rockies hit .342 with a .971 OPS in their last homestand, there should be plenty of run support off struggling mound opponent Madison Bumgarner (0-3, 6.48 ERA in past three starts), especially if Troy Tulowitzki returns to action. Start Chacin in deeper fantasy leagues Monday.
Jason Hammel (32 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) had a great first outing coming back from knee surgery, holding the New York Yankees to just one run in five innings, allowing six hits and striking out six. Hammel has never faced his former team, the Tampa Bay Rays, but he should be able to keep the Baltimore Orioles close against mound opponent Matt Moore, who allowed six runs (4 ER) his last time out against the same Yankees. Considering the O's are 15-6 in their past 21 home games, Hammel is a solid win candidate and should be starting in AL-only formats Monday.
Hitter matchup ratings for September 11
| Overall | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | | 3 | 3 | 1 | 5 | |
| | 6 | 8 | 2 | 8 | | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | |
| | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | | 5 | 4 | 4 | 8 | |
| | 5 | 6 | 2 | 4 | | 5 | 4 | 4 | 6 | |
| | 10 | 10 | 8 | 7 | | 7 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
| | 4 | 5 | 1 | 3 | | 9 | 10 | 4 | 5 | |
| | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | | 9 | 9 | 7 | 3 | |
| | 6 | 3 | 6 | 4 | | 6 | 5 | 5 | 10 | |
| | 5 | 1 | 5 | 5 | | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| | 4 | 4 | 3 | 6 | | 6 | 8 | 3 | 1 | |
| | 9 | 4 | 10 | 8 | | 4 | 2 | 6 | 5 | |
| | 6 | 10 | 4 | 7 | | 6 | 5 | 7 | 4 | |
| | 7 | 10 | 1 | 3 | | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | |
| | 6 | 5 | 5 | 1 | | 4 | 3 | 3 | 7 | |
| | 2 | 3 | 1 | 4 | | 2 | 2 | 1 | 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.
• Doug Fister is 6-2 with a 2.75 ERA in the second half of the season after going 2-6 with a 4.50 ERA in the first half of the season.
• Since August 1 Josh Donaldson has had a hot bat for the A's hitting .315 (28 for 89) with 6 home runs and 17 runs batted in entering Monday.
• Neil Walker could be a nice spot start Tuesday, especially in deeper leagues. The Pirates face Cincinnati's Mike Leake, and Walker is .350/.440/.700 vs. Leake with 5 extra base hits, including a home run.
• Giancarlo Stanton is 3 for 15 (.200) with 5 strikeouts in his career against Kyle Kendrick.
• Shane Victorino is 1 for 11 (.091) with 3 strikeouts in his career against Ian Kennedy.
• Cubs starter Justin Germano is 0-9 in his career pitching in September/October with a 7.86 ERA, including an 0-2 record with an 11.00 ERA in 2 starts this season.
• On the year, Wilin Rosario has 11 HRs in 87 at-bats with a .310 average against lefties. Watch for Wilin to have continued success against lefty Madison Bumgarner on Tuesday.
• Jeff Keppinger has hit safely in 9 of the last 11 games and has batted .328 on the season. He is available in 84% of the ESPN fantasy leagues. He could be a great late season addition.
• Jayson Werth has played well in his career against pitcher R.A. Dickey going 11-25 (.440) with 2 home runs.
• Marco Estrada's main problem at home has been home runs. Batters are hitting just .224 against Estrada at Miller Park this season, but 11 of their 23 extra-base-hits have been home runs.
Jered Weaver, SP, Angels: Day-to-day, biceps tendinitis. He could return to the mound Wednesday, and will throw a bullpen session on Monday to determine whether or not he's healthy enough to start again.
Clayton Kershaw, SP, Dodgers: Day-to-day, inflamed right hip. He was scratched from Sunday's start, but expects to take the hill Tuesday against the Giants.
Mark Teixeira, 1B, Yankees: Out indefinitely, calf injury. He reinjured himself Saturday, and will be out until at least Friday, and possibly even the remainder of the 2012 season.
David Freese, 3B, Cardinals: Day-to-day, rolled ankle. Freese injured himself Saturday and hasn't played since. He hopes to return in a couple of days, but it's unclear when he'll be ready.
Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Rockies: Could return from DL this week. However, he will not be in the lineup every day, as Colorado will use extreme caution with him.
Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers: Day-to-day, shoulder. He is still shaken up after colliding with the outfield wall on Aug. 28, but he could return to the field Tuesday.
Corey Hart, 1B, Brewers: Day-to-day, sprained left ankle. He injured himself Sunday and is expected to be out for at least a few days. He was replaced at first base by Travis Ishikawa.
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.
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.
Andrelton Simmons, SS, Braves: Should be activated from the DL on Monday. He has been out with a broken right pinkie, but will reclaim his starting shortstop role upon his return.
Jake Westbrook, SP, Cardinals: Day-to-day, strained right oblique. He will miss at least one start, and could possibly be shelved for the rest of the 2012 campaign.
Stephen Strasburg, SP, Nationals: Shut down for the remainder of the 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 the remainder of the 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. Newly acquired Jason Berken will replace him in Chicago's rotation.
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 of 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 to action.
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 hurting himself on Sept. 5, but hopes to return sometime this week.
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 in a few days.
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.
Roy Oswalt, P, Rangers: Day-to-day, sore elbow. He left Sunday's spot start with a sore right flexor muscle. The severity of the injury has yet to be determined.
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. Either Wilson Valdez or prospect Didi Gregorius will start in Cozart's place at shortstop.
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 now has a stress fracture in his left fibula, Michael Martinez will likely be the team's everyday third baseman for the time being.
Maicer Izturis, 3B, Angels: Day-to-day, strained intercostal muscle. He injured himself taking a swing Saturday and hasn't played since. He will re-evaluated shortly to determine the severity of his injury.
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. The team is hoping he returns to action Tuesday.
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.
