Fantasy notes for Sept. 14
Click through for information on specific matchups, injuries and weather for the day's games.
Starting pitcher rankings for September 14
| Name | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Kris Medlen | R | WAS | 10 | 8-1 | 1.64 | 0.96 | 3-0 | 0.78 | 0.70 |
| 2 |  | Matt Cain | R | @ARI | 8 | 13-5 | 2.96 | 1.03 | 0-0 | 4.12 | 1.27 |
| 3 |  | Cole Hamels | L | @HOU | 9 | 14-6 | 3.03 | 1.12 | 0-0 | 3.79 | 1.21 |
| 4 |  | Yu Darvish | R | SEA | 10 | 14-9 | 4.14 | 1.33 | 2-0 | 1.64 | 0.73 |
| 5 |  | CC Sabathia | L | TB | 7 | 13-5 | 3.56 | 1.20 | 1-2 | 3.58 | 1.16 |
| 6 |  | David Price | L | @NYY | 7 | 17-5 | 2.54 | 1.12 | 1-1 | 6.75 | 1.88 |
| 7 |  | C.J. Wilson | L | @KC | 8 | 12-9 | 3.69 | 1.31 | 3-0 | 4.18 | 1.31 |
| 8 |  | Mike Fiers | R | NYM | 9 | 9-7 | 3.05 | 1.18 | 3-1 | 3.63 | 1.34 |
| 9 |  | Bronson Arroyo | R | @MIA | 5 | 12-7 | 3.66 | 1.19 | 2-0 | 1.89 | 1.00 |
| 10 |  | Tommy Milone | L | BAL | 5 | 12-10 | 3.90 | 1.24 | 2-1 | 4.20 | 1.73 |
| 11 |  | Ross Detwiler | L | @ATL | 7 | 9-6 | 3.23 | 1.19 | 2-0 | 3.06 | 1.25 |
| 12 |  | Anibal Sanchez | R | @CLE | 6 | 7-12 | 4.07 | 1.34 | 0-2 | 1.80 | 1.15 |
| 13 |  | Cole De Vries | R | CHW | 7 | 5-5 | 4.11 | 1.22 | 3-0 | 1.02 | 0.79 |
| 14 |  | Andrew Cashner | R | COL | 7 | 3-3 | 3.46 | 1.22 | 0-0 | 3.60 | 0.80 |
| 15 |  | Joe Saunders | L | @OAK | 5 | 8-11 | 4.22 | 1.37 | 2-1 | 4.24 | 1.41 |
| 16 |  | Chris Capuano | L | STL | 4 | 11-10 | 3.59 | 1.18 | 0-1 | 5.50 | 1.22 |
| 17 |  | James McDonald | R | @CHC | 5 | 12-7 | 3.93 | 1.22 | 1-1 | 5.87 | 1.24 |
| 18 |  | Jonathon Niese | L | @MIL | 4 | 10-9 | 3.47 | 1.16 | 0-3 | 3.32 | 1.26 |
| 19 |  | Hisashi Iwakuma | R | @TEX | 4 | 6-4 | 3.39 | 1.29 | 2-1 | 2.12 | 1.06 |
| 20 |  | Francisco Liriano | L | @MIN | 7 | 5-11 | 5.37 | 1.51 | 0-1 | 7.71 | 2.36 |
| 21 |  | Bruce Chen | L | LAA | 4 | 10-12 | 5.36 | 1.33 | 1-2 | 4.85 | 1.12 |
| 22 |  | Joe Kelly | R | @LAD | 5 | 5-6 | 3.51 | 1.42 | 2-1 | 4.35 | 1.50 |
| 23 |  | Bud Norris | R | PHI | 5 | 5-12 | 4.93 | 1.42 | 0-1 | 3.00 | 1.11 |
| 24 |  | Tyler Skaggs | L | SF | 5 | 1-1 | 4.43 | 1.33 | 0-1 | 5.27 | 1.39 |
| 25 |  | Daisuke Matsuzaka | R | @TOR | 5 | 1-5 | 7.20 | 1.57 | 1-2 | 8.25 | 2.00 |
| 26 |  | Tyler Chatwood | R | @SD | 3 | 4-4 | 5.32 | 1.69 | 1-1 | 5.06 | 1.81 |
| 27 |  | Aaron Laffey | L | BOS | 1 | 3-5 | 4.43 | 1.32 | 0-0 | 3.48 | 1.45 |
| 28 |  | Corey Kluber | R | DET | 1 | 1-3 | 5.26 | 1.63 | 1-1 | 4.35 | 1.50 |
| 29 |  | Jacob Turner | R | CIN | 2 | 1-3 | 6.44 | 1.33 | 0-1 | 5.73 | 1.00 |
| 30 |  | Chris Rusin | L | PIT | 1 | 0-2 | 5.73 | 1.82 | 0-1 | 9.00 | 2.83 |
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
Matt Cain is 7-2 on the road this season, including two starts at Chase Field. In his last game there, on May 12, he struck out eight Diamondbacks en route to a 5-2 victory. In addition, in their past 11 games, the Diamondbacks have averaged 8.6 K's per contest.
David Price battles with CC Sabathia in what could be the best pitching battle of the day. However, after he had his last start skipped due to a sore pitching shoulder, there's obviously reason for a little bit of concern in this start, especially given the quality of the opponent and the importance of the game.
C.J. Wilson has not only won his past three games overall, but he's also a perfect 3-0 with a 2.61 ERA lifetime against the Kansas City Royals. If he can keep his walk total down, he should be fine.
The Chicago White Sox were hoping to have Hector Santiago on the mound for Friday's game, but he stepped in to relieve Gavin Floyd, just back from the disabled list, on Wednesday. That means they're "stuck" with Francisco Liriano. If Robin Ventura isn't too thrilled with that development, neither should you be.
Cole De Vries is having an MRI performed on his sore ribs, which puts his scheduled Friday start very much in doubt. He was a borderline top-10 option, given his recent success, but you need to make sure he's feeling good enough to get the ball in order to risk burning one of your fantasy starts this late in the season.
Streamers delight: Joe Saunders is 13-4 lifetime against the Oakland Athletics, including a 4-3 win where he allowed just one earned run in six innings back on June 10 while he was still with Arizona. Baltimore fans certainly are hoping history repeats itself.
First the bad news for Bud Norris: obviously the odds are already stacked against him due to the pitiful Houston Astros lineup, last in the National League in batting average and runs scored while ranking first in strikeouts. But now, the good news! Oh look, a squirrel. What were we talking about?
Hitter matchup ratings for September 14
| Overall | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 3 | 2 | 2 | 5 | | 6 | 5 | 6 | 4 | |
| | 4 | 1 | 5 | 6 | | 6 | 1 | 7 | 7 | |
| | 5 | 6 | 4 | 4 | | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | |
| | 9 | 6 | 10 | 3 | | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | |
| | 7 | 6 | 7 | 9 | | 7 | 1 | 9 | 3 | |
| | 4 | 1 | 5 | 6 | | 7 | 9 | 3 | 7 | |
| | 10 | 4 | 10 | 10 | | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
| | 5 | 2 | 6 | 5 | | 6 | 1 | 7 | 4 | |
| | 3 | 2 | 2 | 10 | | 9 | 10 | 6 | 3 | |
| | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | | 7 | 1 | 10 | 2 | |
| | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | | 3 | 4 | 1 | 8 | |
| | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| | 7 | 6 | 7 | 5 | | 5 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| | 7 | 10 | 1 | 1 | | 7 | 10 | 1 | 9 | |
| | 6 | 10 | 2 | 3 | | 1 | 1 | 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.
• Freddie Freeman is just 2-for-14 (.143 BA) in his career against lefty Ross Detwiler.
• Tigers righty Anibal Sanchez is 0-4 with a 4.97 ERA in four road starts since being acquired from the Marlins.
• Entering Thursday, A's outfielder Josh Reddick has been struggling lately, going 4-for-44 (.091 BA) with only 2 RBIs in his past 11 games.
• Although Aaron Laffey has struggled since the All-Star break with a 5.27 ERA in 11 games, he has pitched well against the Red Sox this season, holding a 1.02 ERA through 17 2/3 innings.
• Carlos Pena is 2-for-22 (.091 BA) with 13 strikeouts at Yankee Stadium this season. Pena is hitting .133 with 26 strikeouts in his career against Yankees starter CC Sabathia.
• Alex Rios has been great against Twins pitching this season, going 24-for-57 (.421 BA) with 8 HRs and 21 RBIs.
• Mets first baseman Ike Davis has one hit in 12 career at-bats (.083 BA) at Miller Park, his lowest average at any park.
Josh Hamilton, OF, Rangers: Left Wednesday's game with a sore left knee and is considered day-to-day. Craig Gentry might be in line to see some starts in his absence.
Carlos Gomez, OF, Brewers: Left Wednesday's game with a lower quad contusion and is listed as day-to-day. Logan Schafer replaced him in the lineup and may see a start or two.
Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Pirates: Experiencing soreness in his right wrist and was scratched from Wednesday's lineup. He will undergo further tests to assess the extent of the injury.
Mickey Storey, P, Astros: Got hit in the face with a comebacker, but apparently has avoided any serious injury. With no signs of a concussion, the pitcher says he's ready to return to the mound as soon as possible.
Derek Jeter, SS, Yankees: Left Wednesday's game with an ankle sprain. With most players, we'd call him day-to-day. History tells us that Jeter will likely not miss out on any starts unless his ankle actually falls off.
Ronny Cedeno, 2B, Mets: Day-to-day with a tight hamstring. Daniel Murphy is also out with back tightness, leaving Jordany Valdespin as the likeliest sub at second base.
Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox: Left the team to be with his wife as she gives birth. Ivan DeJesus Jr. may be at second base for a few days while Pedroia welcomes his new bundle of joy.
Ramon Hernandez, C, Rockies: Out for the remainder of the season after rupturing a tendon in his hamstring on Monday. Wilin Rosario just lost his primary backup.
- AJ Mass is a fantasy football, baseball and college basketball analyst for ESPN.com.
- Author; How Fantasy Sports Explains the World.
