Daily Notes: Hermida should stay hot
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Boof Bonser, RHP (2-1, 3.91 ERA, 1.44 WHIP) versus
Robinson Tejeda, RHP (4-3, 4.53 ERA, 1.31 WHIP)
Notable Injuries: Jason Bartlett, SS (back/shoulder, day-to-day); Glen Perkins, RP (shoulder, DL); Dennys Reyes, RP (shoulder, day-to-day)
Game Story: Now here's a challenge for Bonser, 2-0 with a 2.10 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in his last five starts. Pitching at Texas isn't the same as facing the Royals, so he'll need to display command similar to his past three starts, in which he allowed five walks in 19 innings total. Keep Bonser in there, but do the same for Kenny Lofton, Sammy Sosa, Mark Teixeira and Michael Young. Don't count on similar success for Tejeda, though. This year he has been lights-out against right-handed hitters (.198 AVG, .545 OPS) but poor against left-handers (.299/.964), which stacks the deck quite a bit in favor of Twins lefties Luis Castillo, Jason Kubel and Justin Morneau.
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Curt Schilling, RHP (4-1, 3.57 ERA, 1.33 WHIP) versus
Andy Pettitte, LHP (2-3, 2.83 ERA, 1.34 WHIP)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: Here's the marquee pitching matchup of the Red Sox-Yankees series in New York this week. Keep in mind, though that Schilling has a 4.63 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in five starts against the Yankees in 2006-07, while Pettitte has a 5.25 ERA and 1.83 WHIP in his three appearances against the Red Sox this year, so don't count on any 1-0 affairs here. Bobby Abreu (11-for-31, .355), Robinson Cano (7-for-20, .350, 1 HR) and Jorge Posada (11-for-31, .355, 1 HR) hit Schilling well, while J.D. Drew (6-for-14, .429, 2 HR), Manny Ramirez (26-for-64, .406, 3 HR) and Kevin Youkilis (3-for-4, .750, 1 HR) can get to Pettitte. Bottom line: You wouldn't sit many of your Red Sox or Yankees anyway, so in a game like this, only avoid your fringe hitters (think Doug Mientkiewicz).
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Dustin McGowan, RHP (0-1, 8.22 ERA, 1.70 WHIP) versus
Steve Trachsel, RHP (2-3, 3.86 ERA, 1.36 WHIP)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: Don't take too much stock in Trachsel's decent ratios or his win against these Blue Jays on April 22, because a matchup like this is one to avoid for fantasy. Blue Jays sluggers like Troy Glaus, Alex Rios and Frank Thomas should get to him, and Lyle Overbay is 4-for-10 (.400) with one homer against the right-hander. Also consider Matt Stairs, who has four homers in his last seven games, as a spot starter. Things shouldn't be any worse for the Orioles hitters, either. McGowan still doesn't have a quality-start effort in 13 career tries, and Jay Gibbons (3-for-6, .500, 1 HR) has a great track record against him. Use Aubrey Huff and Corey Patterson as well.
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Bartolo Colon, RHP (5-0, 3.69 ERA, 1.18 WHIP) versus
Chad Durbin, RHP (3-1, 4.67 ERA, 1.40 WHIP)
Notable Injuries: Howie Kendrick, 2B (finger, DL)
Game Story: Though Colon is off to a hot start, a road assignment at the Tigers, one of the game's most potent offenses, isn't the best matchup. Tread carefully with him in mixed formats, though he's well worth keeping in there in AL-only leagues. Brandon Inge (7-for-17, .412), Curtis Granderson (1-for-2, .500, 1 HR) and Craig Monroe (7-for-21, .333, 1 HR) have nice track records against Colon. Durbin, incredibly, has a 3-0 record, 2.05 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in his last five starts, doing his best to try to retain the fifth starter role. Still, he's inconsistent enough with his command that it's a crapshoot knowing when it's safe to use him. I wouldn't do it in this game, and instead would look to Mike Napoli as a decent spot start. Also, if Kendrick is activated, I'd use him as well.
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Miguel Batista, RHP (3-4, 6.15 ERA, 1.63 WHIP) versus
Casey Fossum, LHP (3-3, 7.80 ERA, 1.62 WHIP)
Notable Injuries: Raul Ibanez, OF (back, day-to-day); Josh Paul, C (elbow, DL-bound)
Game Story: Batista has been pretty shaky this season, offering up poor outings at the most unexpected times, but that he's facing a Devil Rays team managing only 3.72 runs per game in May makes him worthy of AL-only spot-start consideration. Beyond Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena, B.J. Upton, Ty Wigginton and Delmon Young, there isn't a lot in the Tampa Bay attack to use for fantasy. Fossum, meanwhile, keeps getting trotted out there every fifth game despite being one of the most hittable pitchers in the league the past year. Adrian Beltre (9-for-21, .429, 2 HR) has a strong track record against the left-hander, and Yuniesky Betancourt, Jose Guillen and Jose Lopez should be used, too.
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Cliff Lee, LHP (2-0, 4.15 ERA, 1.27 WHIP) versus
Scott Elarton, RHP (1-0, 5.23 ERA, 1.65 WHIP)
Notable Injuries: Octavio Dotel, RP (oblique, DL)
Game Story: The Cliff Lee of 2007 looks much closer to the Cliff Lee of 2005 than 2006, which is good news for his fantasy owners. Him on a hot streak in a game at Kauffman Stadium, where he's 4-1 with a 3.78 ERA in eight career starts, is a great matchup, especially taking into account how lefty-heavy that Royals offense is. Mark Teahen (6-for-16, .375, 2 HR), though, has hit him well, as has John Buck (7-for-22, .318, 2 HR). As for Elarton, he's a poor bet against his former team; he had a 6.17 ERA in two starts against the Indians in 2006. David Dellucci (8-for-16, .500, 3 HR) and Trot Nixon (2-for-3, .667) hit him well, and Casey Blake and Ryan Garko warrant starts as well.
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Chad Gaudin, RHP (3-1, 2.94 ERA, 1.29 WHIP) versus
Jon Garland, RHP (3-2, 3.18 ERA, 1.04 WHIP)
Notable Injuries: Milton Bradley, OF (hamstring, day-to-day); Travis Buck, OF (elbow, day-to-day); Justin Duchscherer, RP (hip, day-to-day); Joe Crede, 3B (back, day-to-day); Juan Uribe, SS (personal, day-to-day)
Game Story: Jim Thome's return from the DL helps bolster the sluggish White Sox offense, but remember, it could take time for him to get back to full form. Things should lean a bit more in Chicago's favor here, but this could be more of a pitchers' duel than you'd think, taking into account the problems both offenses have faced to date. Garland in particular is a great fantasy option, having shut out these Athletics for seven innings on April 10, the last time these two pitchers battled. The final score then was 2-1, incidentally, which bolsters Gaudin's case in AL-only formats. Keep the red-hot Jack Cust and Dan Johnson active for Oakland, and Darin Erstad and A.J. Pierzynski for Chicago. As for the Athletics' closer, I'm thinking with the White Sox's right-handed heavy lineup, if there's a save chance to be had, go with the righty Kiko Calero here.
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Freddy Garcia, RHP (1-3, 4.86 ERA, 1.51 WHIP) versus
Byung-Hyun Kim, RHP (2-2, 7.15 ERA, 1.68 WHIP)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: I don't think it should come at all as a surprise that Garcia is a better matchup in his road games, taking into account his home ballpark, and that he struck out eight Marlins in 4 2/3 innings on April 27 is a promising sign. Don't expect a lights-out performance, but a quality-start effort could be in his future. Use your usual Marlins, plus the red-hot Jeremy Hermida. Avoid Kim, though, taking into account that the Phillies are loaded with left-handed lumber. Beyond the usual Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino is a useful fantasy option, and I'd even reach for Greg Dobbs, taking into account he's a .305/.869 hitter against right-handers this year.
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Jason Simontacchi, RHP (1-2, 5.19 ERA, 1.50 WHIP) versus
Kyle Lohse, RHP (1-5, 4.75 ERA, 1.49 WHIP)
Notable Injuries: Ryan Church, OF (forearm, day-to-day); Josh Hamilton, OF (gastroenteritis, DL-bound)
Game Story: Simontacchi is effectively shaping up as the Nationals' ace these days, which speaks much more to Washington's pitching problems than his talent. That's a rather ordinary WHIP, and when you put that in a ballpark like Great American, only bad things can happen. Load up on Reds hitters, and I mean all of them. Even Scott Hatteberg warrants a start, and it's possible Chad Moeller could sneak in as a No. 2 catcher if the Reds start him due to his 2-for-4 (.500), one-homer career performance against the right-hander. Lohse isn't a particularly bad option, either, especially since he has a 2.18 ERA in three home starts this year. As always, limit your Nationals starters to Ryan Church, Felipe Lopez and Ryan Zimmerman against the right-hander.
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Oliver Perez, LHP (5-3, 2.90 ERA, 1.09 WHIP) versus
Chuck James, LHP (4-3, 4.15 ERA, 1.49 WHIP)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: Perez has made tremendous strides in improving his command this season, and already this year, he has beaten the Braves in two starts, with a 1.98 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings. Apparently, that the Braves are loaded with quality right-handed hitters doesn't seem to bother the left-hander, who has held righties to .194/.613 rates this season. Chipper Jones (5-for-12, .417, 1 HR) seems to handle him, but I'd call only contact types like Matt Diaz and Edgar Renteria quality options behind Jones. James, though, doesn't face nearly as good a matchup. These Mets tagged him for six runs in 5 1/3 innings on April 21, and he has a 7.02 ERA in five career appearances against them. Carlos Beltran (4-for-5, .800, 1 HR) and Jose Reyes (5-for-8, .625, 1 HR) own him.
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Ian Snell, RHP (4-2, 2.76 ERA, 1.21 WHIP) versus
Kip Wells, RHP (1-8, 6.75 ERA, 1.52 WHIP)
Notable Injuries: Jack Wilson, SS (shoulder, day-to-day)
Game Story: Snell already has two quality-start efforts against the light-hitting Cardinals this season, and there's really only one Cardinals hitter who gets to him, Albert Pujols. Pujols is 6-for-11 (.545) with four career homers against the right-hander, including a three-homer effort on Sept. 3, 2006, but beyond that, there isn't another Cardinals player truly worth using, since Chris Duncan, Jim Edmonds and Scott Rolen are all ice cold. Wells isn't worth using either despite facing a weak Pirates offense, considering how poorly he has pitched. Continue to use the improving Adam LaRoche, and it's a good night to go for Ryan Doumit, Xavier Nady and Freddy Sanchez as well.
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Jeff Francis, LHP (2-4, 4.60 ERA, 1.47 WHIP) versus
Doug Davis, LHP (2-5, 3.71 ERA, 1.78 WHIP)
Notable Injuries: Scott Hairston, OF (wrist, day-to-day); Chris B. Young, OF (groin, day-to-day)
Game Story: Francis has a nice track record at Chase Field, with a 3-0 record, 3.89 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in six career starts. He racked up a quality-start effort against these Diamondbacks on April 3, and he has a 2.73 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in four May starts, so keep him active. Conor Jackson (6-for-18, .333, 3 HR) is one Diamondbacks hitter who can get to the lefty, and I'd keep Eric Byrnes, Carlos Quentin and Young (if healthy) in there as well. Davis, meanwhile, might seem to matchup up nicely against the Rockies, until you consider that they're a combined 32-for-87 (.368) lifetime against him. He's not bad for NL-only purposes, but check out the standouts against him: Garrett Atkins (4-for-6, .667), Todd Helton (4-for-7, .571, 1 HR), Willy Taveras (6-for-18, .333), to name a few...
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Sean Marshall, LHP (1st start of 2007) versus
David Wells, LHP (1-2, 5.40 ERA, 1.49 WHIP)
Notable Injuries: Cliff Floyd, OF (Achilles', day-to-day); Brian Giles, OF (knee, day-to-day)
Game Story: Marshall could benefit from facing a team somewhat unfamiliar with him, and he did manage a six-inning, one-run effort at Petco on May 6, 2006. Still, he's hardly an overpowering type, and he was far too homer-prone his last time with the Cubs. Marcus Giles (2-for-4, .500, 1 HR) matches up well, the red-hot Kevin Kouzmanoff should be kept active, and of course, start your normal Padres, like Adrian Gonzalez. As for Wells, home starts are about the only time to use him, though the Cubs are full of right-handed lumber that can get to him. Limit his usage to NL-only formats, and load up on Cubs righties like Michael Barrett and Matt Murton.
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Chris Capuano, LHP (5-2, 3.72 ERA, 1.32 WHIP) versus
Brad Penny, RHP (5-1, 2.54 ERA, 1.24 WHIP)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: What a pitchers' duel we have going on here, though it's interesting that each of these pitchers is coming off his most disastrous start of the season, coincidentally both in interleague games where the matchup didn't look too bad. Back in NL play, both should be at their best again, despite the fact that both teams can hit. Among the Dodgers standouts against Capuano, though: Rafael Furcal (6-for-13, .462, 1 HR) and Russell Martin (6-for-9, .667, 1 HR). Among the Brewers standouts against Penny: J.J. Hardy (3-for-6, .500) and Geoff Jenkins (5-for-14, .357).
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Matt Albers, RHP (1-3, 6.51 ERA, 1.63 WHIP) versus
Barry Zito, LHP (3-5, 5.13 ERA, 1.42 WHIP)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: Albers is awfully homer-prone and he can't get left-handed hitters out a lick -- .333/1.010 career rates -- so perhaps this will be the game in which Barry Bonds shakes his recent funk. There are plenty of left-handed hitters in the San Francisco lineup, so use them all, including Ray Durham, Ryan Klesko, Omar Vizquel and Randy Winn. Zito, meanwhile, hasn't been quite himself so far, and he's coming off two terrible road performances. That should play in favor of the red-hot Hunter Pence, and while Mark Loretta continues to earn starts all over the infield and hits at a respectable level, he warrants NL-only consideration. Limit Zito's usage to NL-only formats.
Boof Bonser, SP, MIN @ Texas Rangers
David Dellucci, OF, CLE @ Kansas City Royals
Jeff Francis, SP, COL @ Arizona Diamondbacks
Freddy Garcia, SP, PHI @ Florida Marlins
Jon Garland, SP, CHW versus Oakland Athletics
Curtis Granderson, OF, DET versus Los Angeles Angels
Jeremy Hermida, OF, FLA versus Philadelphia Phillies
Geoff Jenkins, OF, MIL @ Los Angeles Dodgers
Cliff Lee, SP, CLE @ Kansas City Royals
Kyle Lohse, SP, CIN versus Washington Nationals
Matt Murton, OF, CHC @ San Diego Padres
Matt Stairs, OF, TOR @ Baltimore Orioles
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.
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