Fantasy notes for Sept. 29-30
Click through for information on specific matchups and injuries for the day's games.
Starting pitcher rankings for September 29
| Name | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Justin Verlander | R | @MIN | 10 | 16-8 | 2.72 | 1.06 | 3-1 | 2.67 | 1.30 |
| 2 |  | Madison Bumgarner | L | @SD | 9 | 16-10 | 3.26 | 1.11 | 2-0 | 4.50 | 1.69 |
| 3 |  | Chris Sale | L | TB | 9 | 17-7 | 2.86 | 1.10 | 2-1 | 2.45 | 1.21 |
| 4 |  | Jordan Zimmermann | R | @STL | 6 | 12-8 | 2.90 | 1.16 | 2-0 | 2.04 | 1.30 |
| 5 |  | Roy Halladay | R | @MIA | 9 | 10-8 | 4.40 | 1.20 | 1-1 | 9.64 | 1.86 |
| 6 |  | Kyle Lohse | R | WAS | 7 | 16-3 | 2.77 | 1.08 | 2-1 | 2.49 | 0.95 |
| 7 |  | Mike Minor | L | NYM | 5 | 10-10 | 4.27 | 1.18 | 2-0 | 1.53 | 0.79 |
| 8 |  | Andy Pettitte | L | @TOR | 7 | 5-3 | 2.71 | 1.12 | 2-0 | 0.00 | 1.27 |
| 9 |  | Trevor Cahill | R | CHC | 6 | 12-12 | 3.86 | 1.31 | 2-1 | 2.84 | 1.21 |
| 10 |  | Marco Estrada | R | HOU | 7 | 4-7 | 3.87 | 1.17 | 2-1 | 3.06 | 1.08 |
| 11 |  | Derek Holland | L | LAA | 5 | 11-6 | 4.50 | 1.17 | 1-0 | 2.88 | 1.00 |
| 12 |  | Jason Vargas | L | @OAK | 7 | 14-11 | 3.94 | 1.19 | 0-2 | 4.82 | 1.39 |
| 13 |  | Ricky Nolasco | R | PHI | 4 | 12-12 | 4.35 | 1.35 | 1-0 | 2.14 | 1.05 |
| 14 |  | Eric Stults | L | SF | 9 | 7-3 | 2.81 | 1.18 | 2-1 | 4.67 | 1.27 |
| 15 |  | Ervin Santana | R | @TEX | 3 | 9-12 | 4.93 | 1.24 | 1-1 | 1.83 | 0.76 |
| 16 |  | Dan Straily | R | SEA | 4 | 2-1 | 3.60 | 1.29 | 1-1 | 4.00 | 1.39 |
| 17 |  | Mike Leake | R | @PIT | 4 | 8-9 | 4.73 | 1.36 | 1-0 | 4.85 | 1.38 |
| 18 |  | Chris Young | R | @ATL | 6 | 4-8 | 4.21 | 1.35 | 0-1 | 2.89 | 1.29 |
| 19 |  | Steve Johnson | R | BOS | 10 | 4-0 | 1.62 | 1.02 | 2-0 | 0.00 | 0.98 |
| 20 |  | Matt Moore | L | @CHW | 5 | 10-11 | 3.92 | 1.37 | 0-2 | 8.38 | 1.97 |
| 21 |  | Kyle McPherson | R | CIN | 3 | 0-2 | 3.54 | 1.28 | 0-2 | 4.30 | 1.36 |
| 22 |  | Dallas Keuchel | L | @MIL | 3 | 3-7 | 4.66 | 1.48 | 2-0 | 1.10 | 1.35 |
| 23 |  | Felix Doubront | L | @BAL | 3 | 11-9 | 4.91 | 1.46 | 1-2 | 4.24 | 1.24 |
| 24 |  | Joe Blanton | R | COL | 3 | 9-13 | 4.86 | 1.26 | 0-1 | 4.32 | 1.08 |
| 25 |  | Justin Germano | R | @ARI | 4 | 2-9 | 5.65 | 1.47 | 0-3 | 4.02 | 1.53 |
| 26 |  | Jake Odorizzi | R | @CLE | 2 | 0-1 | 5.06 | 1.31 | 0-1 | 5.06 | 1.31 |
| 27 |  | Tyler Chatwood | R | @LAD | 2 | 5-5 | 5.49 | 1.65 | 1-1 | 5.40 | 1.47 |
| 28 |  | P.J. Walters | R | DET | 1 | 2-4 | 5.88 | 1.55 | 0-1 | 5.40 | 1.60 |
| 29 |  | Jeanmar Gomez | R | KC | 1 | 5-8 | 5.54 | 1.37 | 0-1 | 10.13 | 1.63 |
| 30 |  | Ricky Romero | L | NYY | 4 | 9-14 | 5.76 | 1.66 | 1-1 | 4.80 | 2.40 |
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.
Saturday rankings notes
The final weekend of the regular season is upon us, and there is no time to waste to scrounge up some last-minute wins. Here are four pitchers, all still available in the majority of ESPN.com fantasy leagues, likely to finish 2012 on a high note:
I'm not sure why Andy Pettitte is owned in a paltry 43 percent of ESPN.com fantasy leagues. Since coming back from his broken ankle, he's thrown 11 shutout innings and won both games. That gives the veteran left-hander a 3-0 record with a 0.40 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 23 strikeouts in 22 1/3 innings over his past four starts versus American League opponents. On Saturday, he'll visit a Toronto Blue Jays team that has lost 13 of its past 20 home games, posting a horrendous .209 BA/.272 OBP/.332 SLG during this Rogers Centre slide. Pettitte is 22-12 in his career versus Toronto, and his red-hot New York Yankees teammates (9-3 in past 12 games) should have no trouble blasting Ricky Romero, who is 3-7 with a 4.76 ERA lifetime versus the Bombers. More importantly, Romero is a dreadful 1-13 with a 7.40 ERA and 2.02 WHIP in his past 16 starts. Pettitte is worth a rotation spot in all fantasy rosters on Saturday.
Marco Estrada (25 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) flopped the last time I recommended him, allowing six earned runs in four innings against the Washington Nationals. However, he had previously made me look good (which is never easy to do) all season long, going 4-0 with a 0.57 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 9.9 K/9 in the six times I featured him in the Daily Notes before last Monday's debacle. I will go to the Estrada well one last time in 2012 when he hosts the pathetic Houston Astros, who are a laughable 16-59 (.213) on the road. He allowed just two earned runs with six strikeouts in seven innings of a no-decision the last time he faced the 'Stros at Miller Park. Speaking of which, Estrada has been tremendous in front of his home fans, carrying an eight-start unbeaten streak where his team is 7-1. In this span, Estrada is 2-0 with a 2.44 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 51 strikeouts (10.4 K/9) and just eight walks in these 44 1/3 home innings. Start him in all fantasy formats on Saturday.
Jason Vargas (47 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) has loved facing the Oakland Athletics this season, going 2-1 with a 2.36 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 7.3 K/9 in five starts against them in 2012. These numbers are just as strong in Oakland, where he's 2-0 with a 1.88 ERA and 0.98 WHIP. Although the A's are still in a great position to make the playoffs, they have lost seven of their past 11 games. And unlike most Oakland starters, Dan Straily has not fared well in O.co Coliseum, allowing nine runs and 13 hits in 9 1/3 innings over his past two home starts. All of this makes Vargas an attractive win-grab candidate capable of helping most fantasy league rosters.
Eric Stults (6 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) continues to be grossly overlooked, going 7-3 with a 2.82 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 13 starts for the San Diego Padres this season, nine of those registering as quality starts. His strikeout rate for the season is low (4.8 K/9), but he's punched out 15 batters in 17 1/3 innings over his past three starts. Admittedly, Stults does not have a favorable opponent on Saturday, facing a sizzling-hot San Francisco Giants team that is 12-3 in its past 15 games, scoring 5.6 runs per contest and posting an .826 OPS during this surge. However, Stults did beat the Giants just six days ago, allowing three runs in six innings. Go ahead and start Stults in deeper fantasy formats on Saturday.
Starting pitcher rankings for September 30
| Name | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | Kris Medlen | R | NYM | 10 | 9-1 | 1.64 | 0.92 | 2-0 | 1.93 | 0.79 |
| 2 | | David Price | L | @CHW | 9 | 19-5 | 2.56 | 1.10 | 2-0 | 2.70 | 0.99 |
| 3 | | Cole Hamels | L | @MIA | 8 | 16-6 | 3.11 | 1.13 | 2-0 | 3.60 | 1.16 |
| 4 | | Johnny Cueto | R | @PIT | 8 | 19-9 | 2.83 | 1.18 | 2-2 | 5.06 | 1.64 |
| 5 | | Lance Lynn | R | WAS | 8 | 17-7 | 3.69 | 1.32 | 4-1 | 1.21 | 0.99 |
| 6 | | Yu Darvish | R | LAA | 9 | 16-9 | 3.90 | 1.27 | 2-0 | 1.17 | 0.57 |
| 7 | | Anibal Sanchez | R | @MIN | 8 | 9-13 | 3.95 | 1.27 | 2-2 | 3.18 | 0.78 |
| 8 | | Erasmo Ramirez | R | @OAK | 10 | 1-3 | 3.42 | 0.99 | 1-1 | 2.86 | 0.82 |
| 9 | | Mike Fiers | R | HOU | 7 | 9-9 | 3.55 | 1.27 | 1-2 | 6.23 | 1.90 |
| 10 | | Tommy Milone | L | SEA | 7 | 13-10 | 3.74 | 1.26 | 2-0 | 2.35 | 1.48 |
| 11 | | Zack Greinke | R | @TEX | 5 | 15-5 | 3.42 | 1.20 | 2-0 | 1.59 | 0.95 |
| 12 | | Edinson Volquez | R | SF | 6 | 11-11 | 4.13 | 1.43 | 2-1 | 2.95 | 1.42 |
| 13 | | Tim Lincecum | R | @SD | 9 | 10-15 | 5.15 | 1.48 | 2-1 | 4.76 | 1.63 |
| 14 | | Derek Holland | L | LAA | 5 | 11-6 | 4.50 | 1.17 | 1-0 | 2.88 | 1.00 |
| 15 | | Josh Collmenter | R | CHC | 7 | 5-3 | 3.80 | 1.27 | 1-0 | 1.00 | 0.78 |
| 16 | | Phil Hughes | R | @TOR | 4 | 16-13 | 4.10 | 1.24 | 3-1 | 3.60 | 1.04 |
| 17 | | Wandy Rodriguez | L | CIN | 6 | 12-13 | 3.79 | 1.27 | 2-0 | 4.37 | 1.19 |
| 18 | | Josh Beckett | R | COL | 5 | 6-14 | 4.76 | 1.32 | 0-2 | 3.28 | 1.26 |
| 19 | | Jose Quintana | L | TB | 5 | 6-5 | 3.60 | 1.32 | 1-1 | 3.12 | 1.67 |
| 20 | | Joe Saunders | L | BOS | 1 | 8-13 | 4.09 | 1.35 | 1-2 | 3.16 | 1.25 |
| 21 | | Ross Detwiler | L | @STL | 5 | 10-7 | 3.28 | 1.19 | 1-1 | 4.09 | 1.36 |
| 22 | | Ervin Santana | R | @TEX | 3 | 9-12 | 4.93 | 1.24 | 1-1 | 1.83 | 0.76 |
| 23 | | Jenrry Mejia | R | @ATL | 2 | 1-1 | 4.91 | 1.91 | 1-1 | 4.91 | 1.91 |
| 24 | | Nate Eovaldi | R | PHI | 5 | 4-12 | 4.29 | 1.53 | 0-1 | 3.50 | 1.22 |
| 25 | | Jorge De La Rosa | L | @LAD | 6 | 0-1 | 9.45 | 2.10 | 0-1 | 9.45 | 2.10 |
| 26 | | Zach McAllister | R | KC | 3 | 5-8 | 4.25 | 1.38 | 0-2 | 4.19 | 1.50 |
| 27 | | Jordan Lyles | R | @MIL | 2 | 4-12 | 5.44 | 1.48 | 1-1 | 4.50 | 1.43 |
| 28 | | Zach Stewart | R | @BAL | 1 | 1-3 | 7.91 | 1.67 | -- | -- | -- |
| 29 | | Luke Hochevar | R | @CLE | 3 | 8-15 | 5.43 | 1.39 | 1-2 | 6.05 | 1.55 |
| 30 | | Chris Rusin | L | @ARI | 1 | 1-3 | 7.30 | 1.78 | 1-1 | 6.75 | 1.71 |
| 31 | | Henderson Alvarez | R | NYY | 2 | 9-14 | 4.91 | 1.45 | 2-2 | 4.15 | 1.15 |
| 32 | | Liam Hendriks | R | DET | 1 | 1-8 | 6.09 | 1.60 | 1-1 | 6.04 | 1.48 |
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.
Sunday rankings notes
As we wrap up the final weekend of the 2012 fantasy baseball season, there are four pitchers, all owned in less than one-third of the ESPN universe, to seriously consider on Sunday:
Erasmo Ramirez (2 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) gets a perfect 10 rating on the ESPN ranking system because he really hasn't had a single bad outing versus an American League team this year. In 13 outings (five starts, eight relief appearances) against the AL, Ramirez has a 2.27 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, .187 opponents' BA and a respectable 7.0 K/9 rate. A big chunk of that success has come against the A's, who have scored just one run on three hits over nine innings, fanning 12 times and drawing only one walk. Pick up Ramirez now and start him in all fantasy formats.
I have the same advice for Ramirez's mound opponent, Tommy Milone (32 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership). The crafty lefty has been strong during his past seven starts, going 4-1 with a 2.70 ERA, and a K-to-BB ratio of nearly 4-to-1 (27 K's, 7 BB's). The impressive part is that four of these outings have been on the road, and Milone is much more effective in his spacious O.co Coliseum. For the season, Milone is 7-4 with a 2.68 ERA and 1.01 WHIP at home. He's also been quite effective in four starts versus the Mariners this season, going 2-1 with a 2.42 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 10.0 K/9 (29 K's in 26 IP). Start Milone on Sunday as well.
When Edinson Volquez (20 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) is scheduled to pitch a home game, fantasy owners need to be well-aware. In his past seven starts at Petco Park, Volquez is 5-1 with a 1.66 ERA, .178 opponents' BA and 8.7 K/9. He has had control problems during this span (24 walks in 43 1/3 innings), but still carries a 1.18 WHIP in these seven outings. Although mound opponent Tim Lincecum has been better lately, he was blasted by the Arizona Diamondbacks his last time out (4 IP, 7 ER) and has been mostly atrocious on the road this year with a 6.46 ERA and 1.60 WHIP. The Giants are playing good baseball, but Volquez should be able to keep their lineup in check. Start him in the majority of fantasy leagues on Sunday.
Josh Collmenter (1 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) is definitely a reach, but isn't that exactly what you're doing when you pick up pitchers in the final week of the season? I wouldn't recommend the awkward-delivery right-hander against just any team, but at home against the Chicago Cubs, he's worth a shot in NL-only or deeper mixed formats. He is coming off a strong return to the rotation against a red-hot San Francisco team, holding the Giants to just two hits and one run in five innings. That continues a phenomenal September for Collmenter, who is 2-0 with an 0.82 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and .158 opponents' BA, striking out nine in these 11 innings. In 6 1/3 career innings against the Cubs, he has a 1.42 ERA and .286 opponents' slugging percentage. Considering how poorly Chicago has hit during a current 1-9 slide (.230 BA, 3.1 runs per game), Collmenter has a great chance to earn a win, even if he lasts only six innings.
Hitter matchup ratings for September 29
| Overall | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 7 | 4 | 9 | 8 | | 7 | 3 | 8 | 7 | |
| | 6 | 7 | 3 | 7 | | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | |
| | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | |
| | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | | 6 | 10 | 3 | 4 | |
| | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | | 5 | 2 | 5 | 6 | |
| | 6 | 3 | 6 | 6 | | 7 | 8 | 4 | 6 | |
| | 7 | 2 | 10 | 8 | | 8 | 8 | 7 | 3 | |
| | 9 | 10 | 1 | 4 | | 4 | 3 | 3 | 6 | |
| | 8 | 7 | 7 | 4 | | 3 | 1 | 3 | 5 | |
| | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | | 2 | 1 | 5 | 9 | |
| | 5 | 4 | 5 | 6 | | 8 | 10 | 3 | 5 | |
| | 9 | 8 | 9 | 6 | | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | |
| | 6 | 1 | 7 | 6 | | 7 | 8 | 3 | 7 | |
| | 10 | 10 | 7 | 3 | | 4 | 1 | 6 | 4 | |
| | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 | | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | |
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.
Hitter matchup ratings for September 30
| Overall | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 10 | 5 | 10 | 10 | | 9 | 10 | 6 | 7 | |
| | 10 | 1 | 10 | 5 | | 4 | 2 | 5 | 5 | |
| | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | |
| | 8 | 1 | 10 | 3 | | 8 | 10 | 5 | 4 | |
| | 4 | 6 | 1 | 2 | | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | |
| | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | | 6 | 10 | 1 | 6 | |
| | 5 | 1 | 5 | 9 | | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | |
| | 8 | 9 | 5 | 6 | | 4 | 1 | 5 | 6 | |
| | 5 | 5 | 2 | 6 | | 3 | 2 | 3 | 6 | |
| | 10 | 9 | 10 | 6 | | 5 | 5 | 5 | 10 | |
| | 5 | 5 | 4 | 7 | | 6 | 8 | 4 | 4 | |
| | 8 | 6 | 9 | 6 | | 7 | 4 | 7 | 6 | |
| | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 | | 5 | 6 | 2 | 5 | |
| | 6 | 1 | 7 | 3 | | 7 | 4 | 8 | 4 | |
| | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | | 3 | 8 | 1 | 1 | |
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.
• After an excellent August, in which he had a 2.19 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 37 innings, Rays LHP Matt Moore has been struggling in September. In four starts, Moore has continued to strike batters out (19 in 16 innings), but his ERA is 7.31, and his WHIP is 1.75.
• Denard Span has had success against Justin Verlander. He is 15-for-38 (.395), including two doubles and a triple against Verlander in his career.
• Despite hitting only .226 (12-for-53) in his career against Angels pitcher Ervin Santana, Rangers slugger Adrian Beltre has six extra-base hits, including five home runs and 15 RBIs against Santana.
• Shin-Soo Choo is batting .326 with a .921 OPS against right-handed pitching and just .191 with a .591 OPS against left-handed pitching this season. He faces Royals righty Jake Odorizzi Saturday in Cleveland.
• Entering Friday, Garrett Jones is batting .293 against righties this season and only .194 against lefties. He faces Reds righty Mike Leake Saturday in Pittsburgh. In his career against Leake, Jones is 8-for-25 (.320) with three extra-base hits and 6 RBIs.
• Nationals OF Jayson Werth thrives against Cardinals right-hander Kyle Lohse. In 19 plate appearances, Werth is 7-for-18 with three home runs and six RBIs. Werth has an OPS of 1.477.
• Entering Friday, Aramis Ramirez has a .367 batting average with an .833 slugging percentage against left-handed pitchers in the second half. He faces lefty Dallas Keuchel on Saturday.
• Chipper Jones is hitting 6-for-10 (.600) with a double and two home runs against Chris Young in his career.
• September has been the best month of the season for Yankees OF Ichiro Suzuki. Entering Friday, Ichiro has hit .377 (29-for-77) in 24 games with eight steals.
• Rays LHP David Price is one of the best pitchers in baseball, but Alex Rios seems to have his number. In 14 career ABs, Rios has seven hits (.500), including two doubles, a triple and two home runs.
• In his young career, Jesus Montero has hit A's starter Tommy Milone well. He is 5-for-9 (.556), with a double and a home run against Milone.
• Ian Kinsler has struggled in his career against Zack Greinke, going 3-for-22 (.136) with seven strikeouts.
• Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish has pitched his best in the month of September, recording a 3-0 record with a 1.80 ERA in four starts. Opponents are hitting a miniscule .112 against him this month.
• Despite hitting a much-lower .216 at home (.314 on the road), entering Friday, Baltimore's young superstar Manny Machado has hit all six of his home runs and has 14 of his 23 RBIs this season at Camden Yards. Machado and the Orioles host the Red Sox this weekend.
• In his past 10 games played entering Friday, Joey Votto is 11-for-29 (.379) with four doubles and six RBIs. He faces Pirates lefty Wandy Rodriguez Sunday in Pittsburgh. In his career against Rodriguez, Votto is 18-for-48 (.375) with six extra-base hits and five RBIs.
• In his only start against the Cardinals this year, Nationals rightyJordan Zimmermann did not pitch well. He gave up 8 ER and 8 hits in only 3 2/3 IP.
• Lance Lynn has been sensational in the month of September. After posting a 6.66 ERA in the month of August, Lynn has bounced back nicely, going 4-2 with a 1.88 ERA. He has allowed only 5 ER in 24 IP.
Andrew McCutchen, OF, Pirates: He injured his knee attempting to make a diving catch in the outfield on Thursday, and it is unclear how long he'll be out.
Eric Hosmer, 1B, Royals: He left Thursday's game after suffering a strained right shoulder diving for a ball. He hopes to play again this season, but will likely miss the remainder of the weekend action.
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS, Indians: He left Wednesday's game with a strained back, which could wind up being a season-ending injury.
Neil Walker, 2B, Pirates: He was unable to play on Wednesday due to his lingering back problems, and the team is seriously considering ending Walker's season immediately.
Alcides Escobar, SS, Royals: He left Thursday's game with a strained right shoulder trying to make a diving play in the field. It's unclear how long he will be out.
Albert Pujols, 1B, Angels: He's been playing with a strained right calf since Sept. 22, and will likely serve as the team's DH for the remainder of the season.
Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, Red Sox: He hasn't played since Sept. 20 due to a strained lat muscle, but hopes to return to action this weekend.
Logan Forsythe, 2B, Padres: He was unable to play on Thursday because of a sore right knee, and is considered day-to-day.
Max Scherzer, SP, Tigers: He did not pitch on Friday with fatigue in his right shoulder. However, he could make another start before the season ends, as he's scheduled to throw in the 2012 finale on Wednesday.
Giancarlo Stanton, OF, Marlins: He hasn't played since Sept. 16 because of a sore oblique, but he expects to step back on the field this weekend, possibly rejoining the lineup as early as Friday.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Rockies: He hasn't played since Sept. 23 due to inflammation behind his knee and will likely be shut down for the season.
Josh Willingham, OF, Twins: He injured his left shoulder after he slammed into the outfield fence on Monday and hasn't played since. He's targeting a weekend return to action.
Carlos Quentin, OF, Padres: He hasn't played since Sept. 19 because of soreness in his surgically repaired left knee, and will likely be used as strictly a pinch-hitter for the remainder of the season.
David Freese, 3B, Cardinals: He left Monday's game after rolling his ankle, but the team sees him as day-to-day, and he should return to action sometime this weekend.
Jose Molina, C, Rays: He strained his right quad running to first base on Sept. 25, and it is unclear when he will be ready to play a full game. The plan is to have him enter the upcoming games as a defensive replacement in the late innings.
Dexter Fowler, OF, Rockies: He has not started since Sept. 22 due to tendinitis in his left wrist. Although an MRI came back negative, the team may choose to shut him down for the season.
Chris Johnson, 3B, Diamondbacks: He was hit by a pitch on his left wrist on Sept. 23, but suffered only a contusion and no broken bones. It is unclear when he will return to the lineup.
Michael Bourn, OF, Braves: Bourn hasn't played since spraining his thumb on Sept. 22, and will likely be out until next week.
Michael Brantley, OF, Indians: He hurt his groin running the bases on Sept. 23, but hopes to return to action this weekend.
Justin Ruggiano, OF, Marlins: He injured his shoulder diving for a ball on Sept. 21 and will miss the rest of the season.
Coco Crisp: OF, Athletics. He has not batted since Sept. 18 due to a pinkeye-like eye condition. Speculation is that he'll return to the lineup this weekend.
Ryan Ludwick, OF, Reds: He has not played since Sept. 19 with a tight left groin, but should return to action soon to get some at-bats before the postseason begins.
Wily Peralta, SP, Brewers: He left Thursday's game with right biceps tightness and the 23-year-old is probably done for the season as a precaution.
Ubaldo Jimenez, SP, Indians: He is out for the rest of 2012 with a sprained right ankle.
Frank Francisco, RP, Mets: He has not pitched since Sept. 16 due to tendinitis in right elbow, and it appears as if he will not pitch again this season.
