Daily Notes: Derrek Lee doubtful
Fantasy Game Notes for Wednesday: American League
U.S. Cellular Field (outdoor) 2:05 p.m. ET (30 percent chance of rain, low of 45 degrees)
Game 1:Chien-Ming Wang, RHP (1-3) versus Jose Contreras, RHP (3-3)
Game 2:Mike Mussina, RHP (2-1) versus John Danks, LHP (1-4)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: Wang is a much safer start at home, but in road games against weaker offenses, he's not a bad play, even in mixed formats. Maybe the White Sox have a reputation for being potent on the offensive side, but did you know they rank 25th in the majors -- and next-to-last in the AL -- in runs per game (3.85)? Mussina should also do well against the Sox, making this a potentially disappointing two games for Sox owners. Start Wang and Mussina and limit your White Sox choices to Jermaine Dye, Paul Konerko and A.J. Pierzynski, if only because you'd rarely ever sit them anyway. Think seriously about sitting Joe Crede (4-for 24 against Mussina). Contreras is 2-1 with a 2.05 ERA in three career starts against his former team, and his 2.29 ERA in his past six starts makes him worth keeping active for now. It shouldn't be a standout effort for him, but more a respectable one. Danks pitched very well against the Twins last time out, but there's no telling if he's turned the corner. The Yankees are mediocre hitting lefties for average, and downright bad hitting them for power, so Danks has a chance. However, the only Yankees to avoid today are the first-base platoon men. /p
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Mike Maroth, LHP (3-0) versus Julian Tavarez, RHP (1-4)
Notable Injuries: Placido Polanco, 2B (back, day-to-day)
Game Story: The Tigers are a perfect 7-0 in Maroth's seven starts this season, but of all the matchups in which the streak could end, an assignment in Boston is as good a bet as any. He's 0-4 with an 8.02 ERA in four career starts at Fenway, and current Red Sox are a combined 34-for-109 (.312) with six homers against him. Jason Varitek (10-for-16, .625, 3 HRs) positively owns Maroth, whose 1.71 WHIP says sit him here. That doesn't mean Tavarez is a great start, though. He has a 6.60 ERA and the Tigers score runs in bunches in their own right, so load up on Tigers, especially those who hit Tavarez: Sean Casey (6-for-17, .353, 1 HR) and Ivan Rodriguez (7-for-15, .467).
/p
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Carlos Silva, RHP (2-3) versus C.C. Sabathia, LHP (5-1)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: Silva has hung in there against the Indians in his recent efforts against them, including a five-inning, three-run performance on April 23. However, the fact that he's facing Sabathia makes him a poor bet for a win here. The Indians' lumber can hit him, as evidenced by the career rates of Casey Blake (12-for-31, .387, 1 HR), Travis Hafner (12-for-26, .462), Victor Martinez (11-for-25, .440, 3 HRs), Trot Nixon (3-for-9, .333, 1 HR) and Grady Sizemore (17-for-33, .515, 2 HRs) against him. That's too much history to ignore. Sabathia, meanwhile, is a must-start no matter the opponent, but this is an especially good one with Joe Mauer on the sidelines. Among Twins, only three stand out historically against him: Jason Bartlett (6-for-13, .462, 1 HR), Torii Hunter (16-for-49, .327, 3 HRs) and Mike Redmond (7-for-14, .500)
/p
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Brian Burres, LHP (1-1) versus A.J. Burnett, RHP (3-3)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: Burres is coming off a decent effort at Boston last Friday. But, he allowed five walks in five innings in that game, and the fact that he has walked seven in less than nine complete innings of work in the big leagues is a real concern. The Blue Jays offense leans heavily towards the right-handers, stacking the deck in their favor, meaning only Adam Lind, Lyle Overbay and Matt Stairs are players to avoid on their side. Burnett, meanwhile, is one of the few players the Blue Jays have pitching well. He went go seven innings allowing only two runs on three hits against these Orioles on April 20. Orioles hitters are a combined 14-for-95 (.147) against him, so limit your choices on their end.
/p
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Vicente Padilla, RHP (1-5) versus Casey Fossum, LHP (2-3)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: Don't be mistaking Disney's ballpark for a small minor-league stadium. It's 400 feet to straight-away center and 335 feet down the lines, so there will be no freebie home runs. Padilla's 4.78 ERA and 1.45 WHIP aren't great, but he has pitched better than that of late, with back-to-back quality starts and three straight outings of seven innings pitched in which he has allowed no more than four runs. The Devil Rays' offense has been struggling, however, Padilla has a .310 BAA and .893 OPS allowed against left-handers in his Rangers career, which plays nicely in favor of Carlos Pena, .290/.911 against right-handers this year. Beyond that, it's not a bad play for Padilla, at least in AL-only formats. As for Fossum, he's hittable on either side, which should help wake up a Rangers offense comparably struggling to begin the season. Hank Blalock (4-for-13, .308, 1 HR) actually hits the left-hander, making this a rare time to spot him in on his weaker side.
/p
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Chien-Ming Wang, RHP (1-3) versus Jose Contreras, RHP (3-3)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: Wang is a much safer start at home, but in road games against weaker offenses, he's not a bad play, even in mixed formats. Maybe the White Sox have a reputation for being potent on the offensive side, but did you know they rank 25th in the majors -- and next-to-last in the AL -- in runs per game (3.85)? I'd start Wang, and limit my White Sox choices to Jermaine Dye, Paul Konerko and A.J. Pierzynski, if only because you'd rarely ever sit them anyway. Contreras is 2-1 with a 2.05 ERA in three career starts against his former team, and his 2.29 ERA in his past six starts makes him worth keeping active for now. It shouldn't be a standout effort for him, but more a respectable one, so the only Yankees to avoid here are the first-base platoon men and Melky Cabrera.
/p
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Odalis Perez, LHP (2-4) versus Joe Blanton, RHP (4-1)
Notable Injuries: Ross Gload, 1B/OF (quadriceps, DL); Chris Snelling, OF (knee, day-to-day); Huston Street, RP (ulnar nerve, DL)
Game Story: These are two of the weaker offenses in baseball, but since only one of the pitchers -- Blanton -- has been truly trustworthy to date, he's the one to pick here. What's so encouraging about Blanton's hot start is his strikeout rate (6.96 per nine), quite a bit improved from his 5.07 mark from 2005-06 combined. Keep the Royals lefties -- David DeJesus and Mark Teahen -- active, but don't count on much from the rest. Normally it'd seem a left-hander has the advantage against the Athletics, but consider they're 9-5 against them this year. It's a good day to go for Milton Bradley, Bobby Crosby and Mark Ellis, and don't be afraid of Dan Johnson, 10-for-30 (.333) already against lefties this season. With Street on the DL, Oakland's save opportunities likely go to Justin Duchscherer, but given his troubles this year, Kiko Calero could work his way into the mix.
/p
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John Lackey, RHP (5-3) versus Cha Seung Baek, RHP (1-0)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: Lackey's 8.44 ERA in five starts against the Mariners in 2006 was his worst against any opponent, but don't take that as a sign you should sit him. These Mariners are strikeout-prone and right-handed heavy, which plays more in Lackey's favor than the numbers indicate. Sure, it's worth playing the trend that Yuniesky Betancourt (5-for-16, .313, 1 HR), Raul Ibanez (13-for-36, .361) and Richie Sexson (9-for-21, .429, 2 HRs) hit him well, but I'd expect a reversal of Lackey's 2006 trend this year. Baek is coming off a complete-game victory against the Tigers, and the Angels aren't nearly as potent an offense, but keep in mind it's a risky play. In AL-only leagues a home start is worth the chance, but keep Casey Kotchman and Gary Matthews Jr. active.
/p
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Kyle Davies, RHP (1-1) versus Levale Speigner, RHP (1-0)
Notable Injuries: Chipper Jones, 3B (thumbs, day-to-day); Nook Logan, OF (shoulder, day-to-day); Dmitri Young, 1B (Achilles', day-to-day)
Game Story: So who is Levale Speigner, anyway? A Rule 5 draftee out of the Twins' organization, Speigner is an emergency-start option for the Nationals after Shawn Hill hit the DL. The fact that Speigner he has made only 25 starts in his professional career, and walked 12 batters in 14 1/3 relief innings for the Nationals, makes him a poor bet here. Go ahead and make the "unfamiliar-offense" case with him, but I think the Braves are strong enough to get to the kid, so load your lineup with their hitters, even going as deep as Willie Harris in NL-only formats. I'd play Davies, too. After all, he held the Pirates to one run in seven innings last Friday. Why can't he do that against the Nationals?
/p
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Jeff Suppan, RHP (5-3) versus Cole Hamels, LHP (5-1)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: Here's an interesting matchup, with the hard-throwing Hamels battling the hot-starting Brewers in a homer-friendly ballpark. Hammels is strong against left-handed hitters, so Geoff Jenkins should sit, and really, Johnny Estrada should too. Hamels' owners can't sit him, and against a strikeout-happy offense, he could absolutely dominate in this game. Be prepared for the untimely home run, perhaps from Bill Hall, J.J. Hardy or Kevin Mench, but it's still a decent matchup for him. Citizens Bank isn't a friendly environment for a pitcher like Suppan, but with Ryan Howard sidelined, he's still fine for NL-only purposes. Go with your usual Phillies, including Pat Burrell, who hits him (6-for-14, .429, 2 HRs).
/p
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Scott Olsen, LHP (3-3) versus Zach Duke, LHP (1-4)
Notable Injuries: Mike Jacobs, 1B (thumb, DL-bound); Jose Bautista, 3B (ankle, out)
Game Story: Olsen has really struggled this season, but so have the Pirates, who rank 28th in baseball in runs per game (3.70). So who wins the battle? I'd lean a little more towards the Pirates, if only because they lean towards the right-handed side and Olsen's command has been a tad shaky. Jose Bautista, Xavier Nady and Freddy Sanchez hit him well, the trio is a combined 5-for-14 (.357) with two homers against him. Then again, the Pirates weak offense could help Olsen begin to turn his year around. The Marlins, meanwhile, are 3-9 against lefties, which is surprising considering they're deeper in right-handed power than left. I'd still say Duke's matchup isn't a great one, as the usual Marlins, plus Miguel Olivo, Dan Uggla and Josh Willingham, stack up nicely against him.
/p
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Rich Hill, LHP (4-2) versus Jorge Sosa, RHP (2-0)
Notable Injuries: Derrek Lee, 1B (neck, day-to-day); Moises Alou, OF (quadriceps, likely DL-bound)
Game Story: Mets pitching coach Rick Peterson is yet another of those pitching magicians, coaxing back-to-back quality starts out of Sosa, who looks to have solidified the team's No. 5 starter spot even after Orlando Hernandez's return. Lee's status makes a big difference in this game; if he's out, the team might drop Alfonso Soriano to third in the order, and the Cubs' attack will be weaker. Keep tabs on Lee, as Sosa becomes an NL-only spot-start option in that event. Play Jacque Jones, though. As for Hill, this is his most challenging matchup to date, but I'd keep him in there regardless. Although the Mets hit lefties well, they haven't seen much of Hill, which should play to his favor.
/p
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Noah Lowry, LHP (4-3) versus Matt Albers, RHP (1-2)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: Even though Lowry has pitched well so far this year, he has never been close to the pitcher in his road starts -- 10-12, 5.13 ERA -- that he has been at home -- 20-14, 3.23 ERA -- in his career. Sure, he's 3-0 with a 1.17 ERA in three career starts against the Astros, but consider that this is his first ever assignment at Minute Maid Park, and Houston's offense is filled with right-handed hitters. Expect the Giants' bats to back him nicely against Albers, with Ray Durham, Fred Lewis and Omar Vizquel worth a look against the right-hander, but Lowry probably won't earn you a quality start here. Craig Biggio, Morgan Ensberg and Hunter Pence match up well against Lowry.
/p
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Brandon Webb, RHP (3-2) versus Aaron Cook, RHP (2-1)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: The age-old question with any game at Coors is, "Should so-and-so pitcher be used in fantasy leagues there?" In Webb's case, he's an extreme ground-ball and a sinkerball pitcher, and naturally, he has a 3.00 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in his past four starts there, keeping the ball in the yard -- four home runs allowed in 11 career starts -- to limit the damage. Todd Helton (15-for-42, .357, 2 HRs) and Brad Hawpe (8-for-29, .276, 1 HR) hit him well, and if John Mabry (7-for-13, .538, 1 HR) earns another start ahead of Garrett Atkins at third base, he's worth an NL-only look. Beyond that, though, Webb should mow through the Rockies' lineup. Cook is a serviceable starter, but this isn't a great matchup for him. Among Diamondbacks who hit him: Orlando Hudson (12-for-23, .522), Chris Snyder (6-for-11, .545) and Chad Tracy (15-for-30, .500).
/p
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Bronson Arroyo, RHP (2-3) versus Jake Peavy, RHP (5-1)
Notable Injuries: Rob Bowen, C (elbow, day-to-day)
Game Story: This is one heck of a pitching matchup, and it's merely a shame for Arroyo that Peavy has a 2.98 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 10.26 K/9 ratio in 53 career starts at Pecto, numbers that should help him tear through the Reds' lineup. The Reds, after all, are rather strikeout-prone, which is why it's no surprise they're a combined 17-for-95 (.179) with 33 K's against him. Arroyo, though, isn't much less the favorable matchup, having won his only start at Petco last September and managed a 3.21 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in his Reds career. The Giles brothers are a combined 5-for-11 (.455) against Arroyo, but limit your hitting options on either side in this contest.
/p
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Kip Wells, RHP (1-7) versus Randy Wolf, LHP (4-3)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: Wells has lost six consecutive outings, and only one of those was a quality-start effort, so needless to say it's not the Cardinals' offensive struggles that have been hurting him. The Dodgers bats are potent enough to get to him, including Luis Gonzalez (6-for-13, .462, 2 HRs), Andre Ethier (2-for-3, .667) and Juan Pierre (6-for-13, .462). Wolf, though, should be the pitching standout here. He struck out 11 batters in seven scoreless innings last Friday, and this Cardinals offense is terribly weak right now, ranking 29th in the majors in runs per game (3.28). Sure, Juan Encarnacion hits him (8-for-21, .381, 4 HRs), but I wouldn't play the outfielder, as he still appears limited by offseason wrist surgery.
/p
Casey Blake, 3B, CLE @ Minnesota Twins
Joe Blanton, SP, OAK versus Kansas City Royals
Justin Duchscherer, RP, OAK versus Kansas City Royals
Kyle Davies, SP, ATL @ Washington Nationals
Carlos Pena, 1B, TB versus Texas Rangers
Mike Redmond, C, MIN versus Cleveland Indians
Jason Varitek, C, BOS versus Detroit Tigers
Randy Wolf, SP, LAD versus St. Louis Cardinals
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.
/p
Tristan H. Cockcroft covers fantasy sports for ESPN.com. You can e-mail him here.
