Daily Notes: Lincecum tries again
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Brian Burres, RHP (0-1) versus Julian Tavarez, RHP (1-3)
Notable Injuries: Kevin Youkilis, 1B (leg, day-to-day)
Game Story: The Orioles aren't convinced that Burres is a long-term solution in their rotation, and I'm not, either. Good offenses can touch him up, as evidenced by his first career big league start this past Sunday against the Indians (3.2 IP, 7 H, 5 ER). The Red Sox represent the second straight quality offense he'll face. Both sides can hit him, though left-handers fair a little better, playing to the strengths of J.D. Drew and David Ortiz, but more importantly, Eric Hinske if Youkilis is again sidelined. (Check the early lineup.) Tavarez is pretty hittable too, but curiously, right-handed hitters seem to get to him more these days (.327 AVG, .878 OPS since 2006). Play those Orioles lefties (Aubrey Huff, Nick Markakis, Corey Patterson), but don't be afraid of Jay Payton, either.
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Scott Kazmir, LHP (2-1) versus A.J. Burnett, RHP (2-3)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: This is quite the pitching matchup, featuring two flame-throwers, but I'll give Burnett the slight edge. Consider that the Blue Jays' lineup leans heavily toward the right side, which plays to the favor of Troy Glaus, Aaron Hill, Alex Rios and company. Adam Lind and Lyle Overbay are the two Blue Jays to avoid. In addition, Burnett is a command specialist facing a somewhat-impatient Devil Rays offense, which stacks the deck a little more in his favor. Since Burnett has been a tad homer prone this year (eight in seven starts) keep the powerful Rays in, like Rocco Baldelli, B.J. Upton and Delmon Young, but expect a good outing overall.
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John Lackey, RHP (4-3) versus Vicente Padilla, RHP (1-4)
Notable Injuries: Gerald Laird, C (buttocks, day-to-day); Michael Young, SS (hamstring, day-to-day)
Game Story: Over the years, the Angels have been a rather successful team at Rangers Ballpark. However, John Lackey has been the exception. He's 3-5 with a 6.67 ERA in 11 career starts there, though I'm bucking the trend this time and calling for a surprise quality start from him. Why? The Rangers have been awfully sluggish lately, with 35 runs in their past 10 games, and if Young sits, really, only Hank Blalock (16-for-48, .333, 1 HR) and Mark Teixeira (17-for-38, .447, 2 HR) have the track records against Lackey. Standout matchup here: Vladimir Guerrero, with his .420/1.297 career rates at Rangers Ballpark, and .412/1.164 lifetime against Padilla. Not that you'd sit him, but those are tough to ignore. Play Casey Kotchman and Gary Matthews Jr. as well.
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Mike Maroth, LHP (2-0) versus Johan Santana, LHP (4-2)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: What a mismatch! It doesn't really matter that the Twins lack Joe Mauer (quadriceps, DL), either, because the lefty Maroth has neutralized him throughout their careers. There are enough right-handed Twins still healthy to get to him, including Jason Bartlett (5-for-12, .417 AVG, 1 HR), Michael Cuddyer (8-for-30, .267, 1 HR) and Torii Hunter (8-for-32, .250, 2 HR). It's a good day to play Mike Redmond, too, as he's always worth using against left-handers (.329/.815 career). Santana, meanwhile, is dominant at home, 14-2 with a 2.63 ERA in 21 starts there since the beginning of last season, and only one Tiger -- one -- truly gets to him: Magglio Ordonez, 15-for-44 (.429) with four home runs. Play him, of course, but only your usual Tigers beyond that.
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Odalis Perez, LHP (2-3) versus Jon Garland, RHP (1-2)
Notable Injuries: Ross Gload, 1B (flu, day-to-day)
Game Story: Perez actually has two quality starts in his last three outings, but an assignment at U.S. Cellular isn't a good one for him, even if the White Sox's lineup isn't its usual self with Jim Thome on the DL and Joe Crede and Jermaine Dye struggling. Crede does hit him (4-for-12, .333, 1 HR), and expect Pablo Ozuna (4-for-9, .444, 1 HR) to get the spot start against the lefty, making him a useful stand-in. Garland, meanwhile, has routinely been hit hard by Mike Sweeney (16-for-47, .340, 5 HR, 16 RBI), and lefties like David DeJesus, Alex Gordon and Mark Teahen shouldn't be bad plays against him. Still, Garland's 13 wins against K.C. are his most against any opponent, so keep him active.
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C.C. Sabathia, LHP (5-0) versus Joe Blanton, RHP (3-1)
Notable Injuries: Travis Buck, OF (wrist, day-to-day)
Game Story: Sabathia has ranked among the best pitchers in the game since the 2005 All-Star break, with 26 wins, a 3.34 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 50 starts. So a matchup in Oakland's pitching-friendly ballpark against a struggling Athletics offense stronger from the left side is a fine one for him. Look for a great outing from the lefty, especially since his nemesis, Bobby Kielty, is on the DL, though Jason Kendall (6-for-12, .500) has seemed to get to Sabathia in the past. Blanton, meanwhile, is a bit too hittable a pitcher -- .270 BAA career -- to be a great play against the Indians' slugging lineup. Keep him in there in AL-only formats, but David Dellucci, Trot Nixon and Jhonny Peralta do matchup nicely.
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Darrell Rasner, RHP (1-1) versus Jarrod Washburn, LHP (2-3)
Notable Injuries: Jason Giambi, DH (foot, day-to-day)
Game Story: Rasner tossed 5 2/3 scoreless frames against these same Mariners this past Sunday, earning himself another start here. He's a right-hander facing a righty-heavy lineup in a pitching-friendly park, which makes him look a bit appealing in AL-only formats. It's a risk, for sure, but with the Mariners struggling, limit your choices on their side to mainly Raul Ibanez, Richie Sexson, Ichiro Suzuki and Jose Vidro. As for Washburn, although he has that 3.58 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in his career at Safeco, the Yankees' lumber should be able to hit him for a second straight start. Most Yankees are must-starts anyway, but give Josh Phelps a ride in this one, too.
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Scott Olsen, LHP (3-2) versus Shawn Hill, RHP (2-3)
Notable Injuries: Mike Jacobs, 1B (thumb, day-to-day); Chad Cordero, RP (bereavement, out); Dmitri Young, 1B (foot, day-to-day)
Game Story: There are very few pitchers you shouldn't start against the Nationals, and Olsen isn't one of them, despite the fact the Nats' lineup has combined for a .306 batting average (19-for-62) and two homers lifetime against him. Austin Kearns (3-for-7, .429, 1 HR) and Felipe Lopez (4-for-6, .667, 4 BB) have given Olsen problems, but in that pitching-friendly venue, Olsen's command issues should be minimized, enough to be an NL-only or mixed spot start. As for Hill, here's an interesting stat: Olsen is 3-for-4 (.750) lifetime against him. Hill warrants deep NL-only attention in his home games, but the Marlins offense can hit. A note: Jon Rauch should be called upon to close while Cordero is out.
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Rich Hill, LHP (4-1) versus Cole Hamels, LHP (4-1)
Notable Injuries: Ryan Howard, 1B (quadriceps, day-to-day); Jon Lieber, SP (hand, pushed back to Sunday)
Game Story: With Lieber nursing a cut on his pitching hand, Hamels gets pushed up a day, giving us a matchup of young, exciting, high-K left-handers. Hill should matchup nicely against the lefty-heavy Phillies, though it's worth mentioning that Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley are a combined 4-for-6 (.667) with two homers against him. It's not outrageous to bench Howard if you've got a reliable alternative, but don't sit an Aaron Rowand or the aforementioned duo. As for Hamels, be prepared for the occasional mistake in a home game against the righty-heavy Cubs lineup. Beyond your usuals, it's a good time to go for Michael Barrett, Mark DeRosa and Matt Murton.
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Kyle Davies, RHP (0-1) versus Zach Duke, LHP (1-3)
Notable Injuries: Edgar Renteria, SS (flu, day-to-day)
Game Story: How often does Davies get recommended for his matchup? It's not often, but he did toss 7 2/3 shutout innings in his only other career start at PNC Park, on June 4, 2005, and these Pirates aren't all that much better at the plate today than they were back then. Command has been his one issue, and if he can keep it in check, he'll limit your Pirates choices to Jason Bay, and perhaps Adam LaRoche and Ryan Doumit too. Duke, meanwhile, doesn't match up well at all against the Braves, who are stacked with right-handed lumber. Matt Diaz, Jeff Francoeur and Edgar Renteria are combined 5-for-11 (.455) with three doubles against Duke, so expect a good day for Atlanta.
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Jeff Suppan, RHP (5-2) versus Jorge Sosa, RHP (1-0)
Notable Injuries: Corey Hart, OF (wrist, day-to-day); Carlos Beltran, OF (quadriceps, available); Orlando Hernandez, SP (shoulder, DL)
Game Story: The Mets originally intended to activate Hernandez to make this start, but opted instead to send him on a rehabilitation assignment and give Sosa another turn or two in the rotation. That makes Sosa a worthy NL-only addition, but not for this start, not with the Brewers playing so well of late. Geoff Jenkins (4-for-8, .500) hits the right-hander well, and so do Bill Hall (4-for-6, .667) and Kevin Mench (5-for-8, .625). Suppan has actually given the Mets fits over the years, as he has a 2.27 ERA in six career starts against them, 1.56 in three at Shea. You can't sit your usual Mets, but be aware that Suppan handles Moises Alou (4-for-19, .211) and Shawn Green (3-for-24, .125) well.
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Brandon Webb, RHP (2-2) versus Chris Sampson, RHP (3-2)
Notable Injuries: Juan Cruz (shoulder, DL); Chad Tracy, 3B (oblique, day-to-day)
Game Story: Webb is probably pitching a little closer to his true self thus far, with a 3.75 ERA and 1.38 WHIP, but he's nevertheless one of the safer overall fantasy starters around. Though the game is at Houston, the Astros are heavy on right-handed bats, and a ground-ball pitcher should be able to neutralize the benefit of that short porch in left field. Keep your usual Astros in, but that's it. Sampson is a better pitcher than fantasy owners think, but he's not the most trustworthy, either. Eric Byrnes, Orlando Hudson and Chad Tracy should be kept active, and I'd use Stephen Drew and Chris B. Young, too.
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Tim Lincecum, RHP (0-0) versus Josh Fogg, RHP (1-3)
Notable Injuries: Dave Roberts, OF (elbow, considering surgery); Randy Winn, OF (back, day-to-day); Willy Taveras, OF (groin, day-to-day)
Game Story: It's funny that so many people were against using Phil Hughes in career start No. 2 at Texas -- the hurt-in-a-no-hitter outing -- yet everyone seems OK with using Lincecum in his career start No. 2 at Coors. I didn't mind the Hughes matchup, and I don't mind this one either, as both pitchers have loads of talent but seemed more bothered by debut jitters than anything. It's taking a chance, for sure, but remember that the Rockies are struggling at the plate. That said, keep the usuals, plus Troy Tulowitzki, active. Fogg, though, should be avoided at all costs. These Giants can hit him, even Pedro Feliz (4-for-14, .286, 2 HR). Expect a good day for your Giants.
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Kip Wells, RHP (1-6) versus Jake Peavy, RHP (4-1)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: Wells has been hit hard in three consecutive starts, and the Cardinals' offense isn't doing him any favors in the run support department. Sure, the game is at Petco, but the Padres are loaded with left-handers who can get to him, like Russell Branyan (10-for-26, .385, 4 HR), Brian Giles and Terrmel Sledge. Plus, it doesn't help that Wells' opponent is Peavy, who has been as good as any NL starter so far. He has a 3.04 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in his career at Petco. Albert Pujols (6-for-12, .500, 2 HR) does get to him, so perhaps this is a "springboard" game to get him back on track, but beyond him only go with your usual Cardinals left-handers, like Chris Duncan and Jim Edmonds.
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Bronson Arroyo, RHP (2-2) versus Randy Wolf, LHP (3-3)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: Wolf remains your typical left-handed starter, dominating lefty hitters but struggling against the righties, which means Ken Griffey Jr. and Josh Hamilton shouldn't be in for great games. Still, there's enough right-handed lumber to get to him, with Ryan Freel (4-for-7, .571) and, if he starts, Jeff Conine (3-for-10, .300, 2 HR) hitting him well over the years. At least it's a home game, so he shouldn't be a bad NL-only choice. Arroyo, meanwhile, has quality-start efforts in each of his four road starts this year, making him a fine option. Dodgers hitters like Rafael Furcal, Luis Gonzalez and Juan Pierre remain useful fantasy plays, but don't expect a great day for L.A.
Russell Branyan, 3B, SD versus St. Louis Cardinals
Kyle Davies, SP, ATL @ Pittsburgh Pirates
Matt Diaz, OF, ATL @ Pittsburgh Pirates
Scott Olsen, SP, FLA @ Washington Nationals
Pablo Ozuna, OF, CHW versus Kansas City Royals
Josh Phelps, 1B, NYY @ Seattle Mariners
Jon Rauch, RP, WAS versus Florida Marlins
Mike Redmond, C, MIN versus Detroit Tigers
Mike Sweeney, DH, KC @ Chicago White Sox
Please Note that the notable injuries are not meant to be a comprehensive report of each team's disabled list. For brevity, we include only day-to-day injuries or new DL additions for players you might otherwise consider using in these games. Long-term DL or day-to-day injuries to starting pitchers who were not scheduled to appear are omitted.
Tristan H. Cockcroft covers fantasy sports for ESPN.com. You can e-mail him here.
