Daily Notes: Phil Hughes returns
By Tristan H. CockcroftSee projections for every game: Tomorrow's box scores, today!
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Kyle Davies, RHP (4-8, 5.76 ERA, 1.58 WHIP) versus
Phil Hughes, RHP (1-1, 3.38 ERA, 1.03 WHIP)
Notable Injuries: Jorge Posada, C (knee, day-to-day)
Game Story: Hughes makes his return from a three-month absence due to hamstring and ankle injuries, in a game in which he's more usable than you'd think. The Yankees were as patient as possible with their young right-hander, and in his last two rehabilitation starts for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, he combined to pitch 12 2/3 shutout innings with a .122 batting-average against. Of course, Hughes' workload could be limited in his return start; he threw 73 pitches July 24 and 91 on July 31. Davies, meanwhile, makes his Royals debut in the most treacherous of matchups. The Yankees, one of the game's hottest offenses, should really look at Wilson Betemit's career record against Davies (2 HR in 2 at-bats) and get him a start, perhaps by squeezing him in at first base or designated hitter.
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Kameron Loe, RHP (5-9, 5.80 ERA, 1.58 WHIP) versus
Shaun Marcum, RHP (7-4, 3.67 ERA, 1.11 WHIP)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: Marcum has been fine in a starting role this season -- a 6-2 record, 3.24 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and .217 BAA in 15 starts. Even if he's the kind of guy who worries you, he always seems to come up big when the matchup is right. Against a Rangers team away from its hitter-friendly home ballpark and already looking forward to 2008, Marcum should be fine to use here. Ian Kinsler did homer against him April 29, but, beyond that, Michael Young is the only other standout. Steer clear of Loe, though. Despite the Blue Jays leaning heavier towards the right side on offense, their lineup is potent enough to get to him. Troy Glaus (2-for-4, .500, 1 HR) and Frank Thomas (5-for-11, .455, 1 HR), in particular, have hit the right-hander well in the past.
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Aaron Laffey, LHP (first career start) versus
Matt Garza, RHP (1-2, 1.37 ERA, 1.22 WHIP)
Notable Injuries: Michael Cuddyer, OF (thumb, DL/could return)
Game Story: Laffey, 7-3 with a 3.28 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and .245 BAA in 14 games (13 starts) for Triple-A Buffalo, is expected to get the call in a matchup that isn't too bad. The Twins are baseball's weakest offense since the All-Star break (3.42 R/G), and they have ordinary team rates of .259/.711 against left-handers. Left-handers hit only .238 with two homers against Laffey in the minors this season, not that you should sit Joe Mauer or Justin Morneau, but it does play to the rookie's benefit. Unfortunately, facing Garza means Laffey is no lock for a win. This could be a surprisingly low-scoring affair, so stick to your usual hitters, and use Laffey in AL-only formats. Use Garza in those formats as well as in deep mixed leagues. Ryan Garko (.410/1.240) is red-hot since the All-Star break.
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Kelvim Escobar, RHP (11-5, 2.87 ERA, 1.18 WHIP) versus
Joe Blanton, RHP (8-8, 3.82 ERA, 1.17 WHIP)
Notable Injuries: Eric Chavez, 3B (back, day-to-day)
Game Story: Though the Athletics beat Escobar in their two meetings earlier this season, the right-hander produced a quality start each time, and he has a 4.01 ERA and .221 BAA in 12 career games (six starts) at McAfee. Most Athletics hitters can't touch him; the only A's who have hit him in the past are Travis Buck (3-for-6, .500, 1 HR), Eric Chavez (11-for-34, .324, 1 HR) and Nick Swisher (6-for-14, .429, 2 HR). It's a home game for Blanton -- good news considering he has 2.95 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and .227 BAA in 11 starts at McAfee this season -- so isn't a lock Escobar to snap that string of losses. Expect a low-scoring affair and both pitchers should be useful. Casey Kotchman (4-for-11, .364 lifetime against Blanton) is also appealing on the Angels' side.
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Javier Vazquez, RHP (8-6, 3.63 ERA, 1.09 WHIP) versus
Jeremy Bonderman, RHP (10-3, 4.33 ERA, 1.26 WHIP)
Notable Injuries: Darin Erstad, OF (leg, day-to-day); Jim Thome, DH (back, day-to-day); Carlos Guillen, SS (knee, day-to-day); Gary Sheffield, DH (shoulder, available)
Game Story: Bonderman is coming off his worst start of the season, a 2 1/3-inning, 11-run (10 earned) disaster against the Angels, and he had been shaky before that. Still, it's tough for a pitcher to make four consecutive starts on the road -- as he has -- so an assignment at Comerica should be welcomed here. Bonderman is 5-1 with a 3.25 ERA in nine home starts this year. Among White Sox hitters, Paul Konerko (7-for-26, .269, 4 HR) and A.J. Pierzynski (9-for-29, .310) have hit him well in the past. Vazquez should keep things close, though. He's mixed worthy despite the tough matchup, but several Tigers regulars handle him: Sean Casey (11-for-27, .407, 1 HR), Curtis Granderson (2-for-6, .333, 1 HR) and Placido Polanco (12-for-36, .333).
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Brian Burres, LHP (5-4, 4.12 ERA, 1.51 WHIP) versus
Scott Kazmir, LHP (7-7, 3.85 ERA, 1.49 WHIP)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: Kazmir pitches much better at home -- he has a 3.02 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, .238 BAA and 10.44 strikeouts per nine innings ratio in 41 career starts at "The Trop" -- than on the road. As such, limit your picks on the Orioles' side, with Chris Gomez (6-for-11, .545 lifetime against Kazmir) AL-only worthy and Ramon Hernandez (3-for-7, .429) and Miguel Tejada (8-for-18, .444, 1 HR) must-starts in all formats. Burres, in what's expected to be his final start before he gets bumped to the bullpen, isn't worth using against a Devil Rays lineup loaded with right-handed power. Jonny Gomes (.339/.981), Brendan Harris (.347/.906) and B.J. Upton (.301/.955) are especially strong against lefties.
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Daisuke Matsuzaka, RHP (12-8, 3.75 ERA, 1.27 WHIP) versus
Jarrod Washburn, LHP (8-7, 4.11 ERA, 1.38 WHIP)
Notable Injuries: J.D. Drew, OF (personal, day-to-day)
Game Story: "Dice-K" already has a stellar effort at Safeco under his belt, an eight-inning, three-hit, one-run masterpiece June 27 in a game his Red Sox ultimately lost, 2-1. He's actually better on the road (3.18 ERA, .233 BAA, 10.61 K/9 in 12 starts) than at home (4.39/.256/6.92 in 10 starts) this season. However, Mariners like Jose Guillen (4-for-8, .500) and Kenji Johjima (2-for-6, .333, 2 2B) hit him nicely in three previous meetings. Washburn, meanwhile, should run into some trouble against a potent Red Sox lineup (fifth in baseball in runs, 5.16 R/G). In particular, Coco Crisp (10-for-18, .556, 1 HR), Julio Lugo (5-for-15, .333) and Kevin Youkilis (3-for-7, .429) have given him fits in the past.
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John Maine, RHP (12-5, 2.92 ERA, 1.13 WHIP) versus
Ted Lilly, LHP (11-5, 3.60 ERA, 1.12 WHIP)
Notable Injuries: Paul Lo Duca, C, (hamstring, day-to-day); Aramis Ramirez, 3B (knee, day-to-day)
Game Story: Maine is actually 7-1 with a 2.59 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 10 road starts this season, and he's so dominating against right-handers (.216/.576) that he should continue his stellar play away from shay against the righty-heavy Cubs lineup. Cliff Floyd (2-for-3, .667) is the only Cubs hitter with a respectable history against the right-hander, so go for him and your usual Cubs. Keep Lilly active in what should be a pitchers' duel. He's 5-1 with a 2.52 ERA in six starts since July 1, and current Mets are a combined 10-for-54 (.185) with two homers lifetime against the lefty. Shawn Green (2-for-4, .500, 1 HR) is one Met who surprisingly gets to Lilly, so don't be afraid to use him.
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Ubaldo Jimenez, RHP (1-0, 3.50 ERA, 1.11 WHIP) versus
Tim Hudson, RHP (11-5, 3.09 ERA, 1.14 WHIP)
Notable Injuries: Edgar Renteria, SS (ankle, day-to-day)
Game Story: Jimenez has pitched well in his four career starts, managing a quality start in three of them. Still, it's asking a lot for a rookie pitcher to succeed on the road against an offense as hot as Atlanta's. The Braves rank third in runs per game since the All-Star break (6.60), and have scored 49 runs since Sunday, so be prepared for a letdown from the right-hander. Hudson, though, should fare just fine against a Rockies team averaging only 4.38 runs per game on the road. Brad Hawpe (2-for-6, .333), Todd Helton (5-for-7, .714) and Kazuo Matsui (5-for-12, .417) have fared well against Hudson in the past, so use them, while the red-hot Kelly Johnson (.344/1.060 since the All-Star break) is a standout on the Braves' side.
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Cole Hamels, LHP (12-5, 3.50 ERA, 1.15 WHIP) versus
Jeff Suppan, RHP (8-9, 4.97 ERA, 1.54 WHIP)
Notable Injuries: Rod Barajas, C (groin, DL); Scott Linebrink, RP (bereavement, day-to-day)
Game Story: The Brewers, who kill left-handed pitching, are facing one of the game's best power lefties in Saturday's matchup. So who comes out on top? Milwaukee has .280/.836 team rates against southpaws, extraordinary numbers. Hamels, however, beat them with an eight-inning, two-hit, two-run, 11-K effort on May 16 in Philadelphia. Remember, elite pitching usually beats elite hitting, though J.J. Hardy did take Hamels deep in May, while Ryan Braun (.478/1.601 against lefties) will get his first crack at the southpaw. Another item in Hamels' favor: The Phillies own Suppan (6.75 ERA in nine career starts). Pat Burrell (7-for-16, .438, 2 HR) and Ryan Howard (3-for-5, .600, 2 HR) are their most notable standouts.
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Joel Pineiro, RHP (1-1, 5.03 ERA, 1.62 WHIP) versus
Billy Traber, LHP (2-2, 4.91 ERA, 1.55 WHIP)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: Pineiro makes his Cardinals debut in this game, and although their pitching coach, Dave Duncan, worked wonders with the shaky Jeff Weaver a year ago, don't count on that being an automatic this time around. Pineiro had a 6.05 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and .311 batting-average against in 55 starts from 2005-06, and he has a 5.88 ERA in 101 appearances combined since the start of the 2005 season. Don't look at his matchup at RFK and assume good things are coming; Pineiro threw only 34 pitches for Triple-A Pawtucket on July 25, and then threw 68 four days later, so he'll be limited here. Dmitri Young (3-for-7, .429) has hit him well in the past, while Ryan Church (.271/.798 against righties) will be useful, too. Traber is NL-only worthy against a Cardinals team hitting only .256/.702 against left-handers. Play David Eckstein (.325/.763) and Juan Encarnacion (.302/.732) because they hit southpaws well.
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Bobby Livingston, LHP (2-2, 4.64 ERA, 1.61 WHIP) versus
Matt Morris, RHP (7-7, 4.35 ERA, 1.47 WHIP)
Notable Injuries: Ryan Freel, OF (knee, day-to-day); Aaron Harang, SP (back, questionable to start); Xavier Nady, OF (hamstring, day-to-day)
Game Story: The Reds would like for Harang to prove healthy enough to pitch Saturday, but as of Friday afternoon it wasn't looking too likely, meaning Livingston should get the ball on three days' rest. He has pitched respectably enough, and the Pirates average only 4.15 runs per game on the season (28th in baseball), but on short rest he's a risk, even in deep NL-only formats. Ronny Paulino (.380/.949) and Freddy Sanchez (.352/.916) tear up left-handed pitching on the Pirates' side. As for Morris, he's actually not as bad an NL-only play as you might think. A fresh start on a new team could help him break his recent funk (0-4, 7.94 ERA, .386 BAA in his last eight starts), and then there's his 6-0 record and 2.37 ERA in eight career starts at PNC. Of course, Ken Griffey Jr. (7-for-21, .333, 3 HR) hits the right-hander extremely well.
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Jason Jennings, RHP (2-7, 5.99 ERA, 1.57 WHIP) versus
Sergio Mitre, RHP (5-5, 3.55 ERA, 1.30 WHIP)
Notable Injuries: Renyel Pinto, RP (shoulder, day-to-day)
Game Story: Jennings has struggled of late -- an 11.25 ERA and .367 BAA in six games (five starts) since July 1. So, don't look at his 2-0 record and 1.45 ERA in three career starts at Dolphin Stadium and call this a great matchup for the right-hander. He hasn't pitched in Florida since August 2004, and the Marlins have some new, young hitters who should give him trouble. Miguel Cabrera (6-for-10, .600, 1 HR), Jeremy Hermida (2-for-3, .667) and Mike Jacobs (2-for-4, .500, 1 HR) have great track records against Jennings. As for Mitre, there are worse picks for NL-only formats. He has a 2.58 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in eight home starts, and the Astros have averaged only 4.37 runs per game since the All-Star break. Mike Lamb (.292/.816 against righties) warrants a look.
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Patrick Misch, LHP (0-1, 4.91 ERA, 1.50 WHIP) versus
Clay Hensley, RHP (1-3, 6.49 ERA, 1.82 WHIP)
Notable Injuries: Rich Aurilia, 1B (hamstring, day-to-day); Ray Durham, 2B (back, day-to-day); Ryan Klesko, 1B (back, day-to-day); Brian Giles, OF (ankle, day-to-day)
Game Story: It's a spot-start showcase -- it'll be Misch's first career start, and Hensley's first start since May 2. Here's the problem: Although Hensley has a 1.42 ERA and .143 BAA in three relief appearances since being recalled July 25, he struggled as a starter for Triple-A Portland (2-6, 6.90 ERA, .335 BAA in 11 starts) and the Padres to begin the season (1-3, 7.62 ERA, .350 BAA in six starts). Misch, meanwhile, had a 2.30 ERA and .227 BAA in 34 appearances for Triple-A Fresno. Those are impressive numbers, but he's probably not ready for a full-time starter's workload -- having thrown only 63 (July 22), 79 (July 27) and 21 (Aug. 1) pitches in his three starts since being moving from his bullpen role relief. Misch probably has the raw-talent edge of the pitchers, but don't expect length from either, which this a game to use the hitters on either side. Rich Aurilia (6-for-12, .500, 1 HR) and Ray Durham (5-for-14, .357) can hit Hensley, while Milton Bradley (.325/1.003) and Mike Cameron (.340/1.016) hit left-handers best among Padres.
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Livan Hernandez, RHP (6-7, 4.98 ERA, 1.63 WHIP) versus
Derek Lowe, RHP (8-9, 3.45 ERA, 1.28 WHIP)
Notable Injuries: Chad Tracy, 3B (knee, day-to-day); Jeff Kent, 2B (hamstring, day-to-day); Derek Lowe, SP (hip/groin, scheduled starter)
Game Story: Lowe missed his last start with hip inflammation, but all signs point to him being up to full strength in a favorable matchup at home against the Diamondbacks who are struggling on offense. Owners in shallow leagues can use this as a play-it-safe opportunity to evaluate his health, but consider that only three D-backs actually hit the sinkerballer well: Eric Byrnes (10-for-21, .476), Stephen Drew (4-for-7, .571) and Orlando Hudson (9-for-25, .360). Hernandez, meanwhile, is 1-4 with a 7.19 ERA, 1.95 WHIP and .361 BAA in his last nine starts, making him a risky option here. Andre Ethier (4-for-6, .667), Rafael Furcal (21-for-61, .344, 4 HR) and Luis Gonzalez (14-for-48, .292, 1 HR) have strong track records against Hernandez.
Wilson Betemit, IF, NYY versus Kansas City Royals
Milton Bradley, OF, SD versus San Francisco Giants
Travis Buck, OF, OAK versus Los Angeles Angels
Pat Burrell, OF, PHI @ Milwaukee Brewers
Coco Crisp, OF, BOS @ Seattle Mariners
Stephen Drew, SS, ARI @ Los Angeles Dodgers
David Eckstein, SS, STL @ Washington Nationals
Andre Ethier, OF, LAD versus Arizona Diamondbacks
Matt Garza, SP, MIN versus Cleveland Indians
Jonny Gomes, OF, TB versus Baltimore Orioles
Ramon Hernandez, C, BAL @ Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Phil Hughes, SP, NYY versus Kansas City Royals
Mike Jacobs, 1B, FLA versus Houston Astros
Ian Kinsler, 2B, TEX @ Toronto Blue Jays
Casey Kotchman, 1B, LAA @ Oakland Athletics
Shaun Marcum, SP, TOR versus Texas Rangers
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.
