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May 11, 2009, 5:09 PM

Hochevar to make season debut

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By Adam Madison
Special to ESPN.com
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Many of baseball's top starters toe the mound on Tuesday, with four of fantasy's top 16 starters -- per the ESPN Player Rater -- scheduled to pitch. Jake Peavy (28th) is doing his best to make up for lost time and ascend the ranks, as he has posted 20 strikeouts and allowed six hits in his past two starts. He heads to Chicago to face off against the beat-up Cubs, who just lost their best hitter, Aramis Ramirez, to the disabled list. Peavy's scheduled duel with Rich Harden should be one of the day's best.

But don't overlook Luke Hochevar, who's making his season debut after being called up from Triple-A. The former No. 1 overall pick struggled in the majors last season, but scouts considered him MLB-ready coming out of the draft, and he was off to a 5-0 start in the minors. He'll be facing the Athletics, who will send out a promising pitching prospect of their own in 21-year-old Trevor Cahill, who's been inconsistent while adjusting to the major leagues.

For starters

Starting pitcher rankings for Monday, May 11

Rk	Team	Name	T	W-L	ERA	WHIP	K/9	OPSA	Opp	OPS	CT%
1		Dan Haren	R	3-3	1.84	0.86	9.37	.494	CIN	.734	79.3%
2		Roy Halladay	R	6-1	3.29	1.12	7.62	.677	NYY	.821	81.6%
3		Jake Peavy	R	2-4	4.27	1.21	10.10	.663	@CHC	.743	77.9%
4		Rich Harden	R	3-1	4.83	1.45	11.65	.779	SD	.708	80.1%
5		Matt Cain	R	3-1	2.61	1.34	6.63	.712	WAS	.798	76.8%
6		Ubaldo Jimenez	R	2-4	5.45	1.61	8.18	.755	HOU	.727	82.4%
7		Zach Duke	L	3-3	2.79	1.17	4.93	.672	STL	.796	82.3%
8		Justin Masterson	R	2-2	5.28	1.41	8.07	.728	@LAA	.747	83.1%
9		A.J. Burnett	R	2-0	5.26	1.33	7.88	.786	@TOR	.829	84.1%
10		Clayton Kershaw	L	1-2	4.91	1.30	9.27	.706	@PHI	.793	81.9%
11		Mark Buehrle	L	5-0	2.61	1.08	5.68	.612	@CLE	.769	76.8%
12		Manny Parra	L	1-4	4.88	1.66	8.04	.789	FLA	.701	75.2%
13		Todd Wellemeyer	R	3-2	4.75	1.61	5.00	.843	@PIT	.712	78.6%
14		Luke Hochevar	R	--	--	--	--	--	@OAK	.650	81.9%
15		Jordan Zimmermann	R	2-1	5.48	1.39	7.04	.902	@SF	.660	78.0%
16		Kevin Slowey	R	4-1	5.50	1.51	6.55	.901	DET	.743	80.9%
17		Armando Galarraga	R	3-2	4.08	1.39	7.39	.732	@MIN	.745	81.9%
18		Jered Weaver	R	3-1	2.66	0.98	6.86	.621	BOS	.834	80.0%
19		Jair Jurrjens	R	3-2	2.01	1.19	4.46	.636	@NYM	.801	83.4%
20		Micah Owings	R	2-3	5.08	1.55	4.76	.799	@ARI	.698	76.4%
21		Jeremy Sowers	L	0-1	12.60	2.00	1.80	.940	CHW	.716	79.8%
22		Scott Feldman	R	2-0	5.79	1.29	5.40	.706	SEA	.693	83.3%
23		Andy Sonnanstine	R	1-3	5.79	1.65	5.51	.822	@BAL	.766	84.3%
24		Mike Pelfrey	R	4-0	5.46	1.71	1.93	.866	ATL	.747	81.2%
25		Chan Ho Park	R	0-1	6.67	1.56	5.33	.882	LAD	.799	81.3%
26		Trevor Cahill	R	1-2	3.82	1.52	3.27	.856	KC	.758	80.6%
27		Mark Hendrickson	L	1-4	5.13	1.82	6.15	.954	TB	.793	76.6%
28		Felipe Paulino	R	1-2	5.23	1.89	7.40	.885	@COL	.774	77.4%
29		John Koronka	L	--	--	--	--	--	@MIL	.784	75.5%
30		Jason Vargas	L	1-0	0.00	1.09	9.82	.450	@TEX	.823	76.6%

Rk.: The author's ranking of that pitcher for that day only. T: Pitcher throws left-handed or right-handed. 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. K/9: Pitcher's average number of strikeouts per nine innings. OPSA: Pitcher's on-base plus slugging percentage surrendered to opponents. OPS: Pitcher's opponent's composite team on-base plus slugging percentage. CT%: Pitcher's opponent's success rate putting the ball in play (versus striking out).

Selected notes: The Indians have hit .335 and 12 homers off Mark Buehrle during the past three seasons. That has led to a bloated 6.05 ERA for the lefty, and the current Indians roster has combined for an .808 OPS in 271 at-bats against him. Despite Buehrle's performance to date, his peripherals suggest regression to the mean is coming soon enough, and the matchup suggests planting him on your bench, especially because he lacks strikeout potential. … Roy Halladay's success against the Yankees is the perfect example of great pitching beating great hitting; in 454 at-bats, the Yankees' roster is hitting .258 and has a .700 OPS overall against him. … So far, Clayton Kershaw has been either on or off, with an earned run or less allowed in four of his six starts, but 15 runs allowed in his other two. Overall, his schedule has been pretty easy, but considering his up-and-down nature -- one that dates back to last season -- a road start in Citizens Bank Park doesn't sound like the most appealing matchup. He's a high-risk, high-reward play. … After allowing just 19 home runs in 221 1/3 innings last season, A.J. Burnett already has six in 37 2/3 innings, nearly double the rate. The Blue Jays are third in the majors in home runs hit, so unless Burnett controls his gopher-ball tendencies quickly, he may get pounded. … A fluky .194 opponent batting average has led to decent raw stats (4.00 ERA, 1.22 WHIP) against the Mets for Jair Jurrjens in three career starts, but a 5-to-9 strikeout-to-walk ratio -- and three unearned runs -- portend a reality check, especially because the Mets' .801 OPS is tops in the league. … More than half of Jered Weaver's outs have been fly balls, fairly consistent with his career rate and a large reason he has allowed six home runs in 40 2/3 innings. With one of the lowest batting averages on balls in play in the league -- .225, about 70 points below the league average -- color me skeptical about his ability to conquer elite offenses even though he shut down the Blue Jays in his most recent start. The Red Sox could light him up. … Tuesday will be the third time Zach Duke faces the Cardinals, and despite the Cards' ranking only 23rd in OPS against lefties, Duke hasn't been too great against them. Still, he's available in almost half of ESPN leagues, and his chances for a quality start are pretty good, so he's worth a grab, even if his sub-3.00 ERA is a mirage. … Ubaldo Jimenez is an inconsistent fireballer, but his strikeout potential -- 30 in 33 innings -- and ability to prevent home runs (zero so far this season; 11 in 198 2/3 innings last season) make him someone who should constantly be on your radar. With the Astros' Lance Berkman struggling (and now hurt), the team's .691 OPS against right-handers is 28th in the majors, making Jimenez a promising spot start, bloated ERA and all. … Luke Hochevar has a 0.90 ERA in Triple-A, so maybe the 25-year-old is ready to let his talent take over in the big leagues. Only the Diamondbacks hit worse than the Athletics' .236, so hopefully he can carry his newfound confidence into a strong start.

Now batting

Hitters' count:

• Jim Thome, DH, White Sox: It's a tiny sample size, but he's 2-for-4 with a double and a home run versus Jeremy Sowers.
• Rafael Furcal, SS, Dodgers: He's 8-for-22 (.364) versus Chan Ho Park, including 2-for-2 on the base paths.
• Chris Duncan, OF, Cardinals: Maybe the rare left-hander he can hit? Duncan is 2-for-5 against Zach Duke, and because both hits went for extra bases -- a double and a triple -- there's probably something to it.
• Evan Longoria, 3B, Rays: As if he needed to be hotter, he has swatted two home runs off Mark Hendrickson in eight at-bats, and his other two hits -- doubles -- weren't too shabby, either. Great play in daily salary-cap leagues.
• Johnny Damon, OF, Yankees: He's been the most successful Yankee against Roy Halladay, with a .338 batting average in 80 at-bats. Damon also has nine steals in 12 attempts.
• Chipper Jones, 3B, Braves: Hope Chipper can suit up on Tuesday, because in 10 lifetime at-bats versus Mike Pelfrey, two of his three hits have been dingers.
• Jeff Francoeur, OF, Braves: Although he doesn't have any home runs -- yet -- the free swinger is 6-for-16 (.375) with three doubles and a triple versus Pelfrey, good for a .688 slugging percentage.
• Alfonso Soriano, OF, Cubs: Despite striking out five times in 10 at-bats against Jake Peavy, he's still been pretty successful, with three of his four hits of the extra-base variety, including two homers.
• Justin Morneau, 1B, Twins: A double and a home run among his five hits in 14 at-bats have led to a robust .357 AVG/.471 OBP/.643 SLG line against Armando Galarraga.
• David Ortiz, DH, Red Sox: Thirty-three of Jered Weaver's career 52 home runs allowed have been hit by left-handers, and Ortiz has been happy to oblige, with two of his own in 17 at-bats. Overall, he's 7-for-17 (.412), and has tacked on a double.

Pitchers' count:

• Grady Sizemore, OF, Indians: With 11 hits in 52 at-bats against Mark Buehrle, Sizemore is hitting .212 with nearly as many strikeouts (nine) as hits. He does have three home runs, but only a .255 OBP and .423 SLG.
• Adam LaRoche, 1B and Nate McLouth, OF, Pirates: The Pirates sluggers are a combined 7-for-40 (.175) against Todd Wellemeyer, of all pitchers, although four of those hits have gone for extra bases, including a home run apiece.
• Luke Scott, OF, Orioles: He's normally productive against right-handers, but Andy Sonnanstine has struck him out three times in seven career at-bats and has held him hitless.
• Scott Rolen, 3B, Blue Jays: It doesn't get any more definitive than this: In 18 career at-bats against A.J. Burnett, Rolen is yet to garner a hit. Lyle Overbay (0-for-9, four strikeouts) is another Blue Jay whom Burnett has held hitless.
• Derek Jeter, SS, Yankees: In 79 lifetime at-bats versus Roy Halladay, he has struck out more than a quarter of the time. As you might suspect, he hasn't been very successful otherwise, with 19 hits (.241 average) and a .291 slugging percentage.
• Derrek Lee, 1B, Cubs: Although his two hits against Jake Peavy have been doubles, he's hitting just .154 in 13 at-bats, and the four strikeouts suggest Peavy will have his way with him again. Lee's dealing with a neck injury, so it could be a good excuse to give him another day of rest.
• Milton Bradley, OF, Cubs: Bradley's even worse, with a mere single in 12 at-bats to go with his four strikeouts.
• Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners: What are the chances a career .330 hitter would go hitless in nine at-bats against a certain pitcher by mere luck? It's doubtful it would be too high, but you wouldn't suspect Scott Feldman would be that pitcher.
• Delmon Young, OF, Twins: Two hits in 14 at-bats versus Armando Galarraga equates to a .143 average, although because one of those hits was a home run, his .357 slugging percentage against Galarraga is still higher than his paltry .338 slugging on the season. • Nick Johnson, 1B, Nationals: Striking out five times in eight at-bats against the Giants' Matt Cain raises a big red flag, a large reason he's hitless in those eight attempts.

If you're hardcore

• Juan Pierre, OF, Dodgers: He has nine hits in four starts since starting in place of Manny Ramirez, including two stolen bases during that time. He's a sparkling 12-for-25 with three extra-base hits, even, against Chan Ho Park, and he soon could become entrenched as the Dodgers' leadoff hitter.
• Ben Zobrist, SS/OF, Rays: He has slowed down in May, but for a shortstop, his numbers are still above-average. He's hitting .375 with two home runs in 24 at-bats versus lefties, and as far as his chances for a steal go, Mark Hendrickson has allowed all eight stolen-base attempts against him to be successful, tying him for second in the majors.
• Akinori Iwamura, 2B, Rays: Much of the same applies to Iwamura, especially the steals, because he already has seven on the season, including two in consecutive games.
• Bill Hall, 3B, Brewers: Hall gets to face his favorite, a lefty, this time career minor leaguer John Koronka. During the past three seasons, he has hit .292 with 24 home runs in 425 at-bats off left-handers, and this season is no different: .462 with two home runs in 26 at-bats.
• Michael Cuddyer, OF, Twins: Cuddyer has hits in 11 of his past 12 games, with five extra-base hits in that span, including two homers. He doesn't have the typical power of a corner outfielder, but he's still a moderately productive hitter in real life. Because he gets to hit behind Joe Mauer (.553 OBP), Justin Morneau (.388) and Jason Kubel (.342), he does have RBI potential.
• Ryan Spilborghs, OF, Rockies: His lifetime average increases 43 points at home to a robust .320, so he's worth platooning at home more times than not.
• Jose Guillen, OF, Royals: Guillen has use only against lefties, but he's pretty effective in that role: Since 2006, including this season, he's hitting .308 with 24 home runs in 402 at-bats. Hitting cleanup for the Royals, he'll have his fair share of RBI opportunities.

Triage

Injury list: Out

• Aramis Ramirez, 3B, Cubs (15-day DL, shoulder): Ramirez is out until late June.

Injury list: Day-to-day

• Lance Berkman, 1B, Astros (wrist)
• Matt Capps, RP, Pirates (elbow, probable)
• Ramon Castro, C, Mets (quadriceps, probable)
• Joe Crede, 3B, Twins (hamstring, probable)
• Stephen Drew, SS, Diamondbacks (hamstring): Currently on the disabled list, Drew could return sometime during the May 11-13 series versus the Reds.
• Jesus Flores, C, Nationals (shoulder)
• Alex Gonzalez, SS, Reds (oblique): Gonzalez hasn't played since May 4, and the Reds are deciding whether to place him on the disabled list. Considering he's only hitting .176, the team doesn't have much to lose.
• Josh Hamilton, OF, Rangers (rib cage): Expected to be activated from the disabled list Tuesday, he's currently on a Triple-A rehab assignment and feels no pain in his ribs.
• Chipper Jones, 3B, Braves (elbow)
• Derrek Lee, 1B, Cubs (neck)
• Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox (groin): Doubtful for Tuesday, Pedroia says he expects to return Wednesday.
• Luke Scott, OF, Orioles (shoulder): An MRI on Monday will determine the extent of Scott's injury, but for now it's considered minor.
• Joey Votto, 1B, Reds (flu)
• Kevin Youkilis, 1B/3B, Red Sox (side)
• Michael Young, 3B/SS, Rangers (back)

Weather concerns

Adam Madison is a fantasy baseball analyst for ESPN.com.