The Dog Days of Summer
There's 2 1/2 months remaining in the Major League Baseball season now, and a lot can still happen.
Daisuke Matsuzaka,
Jake Peavy and
Brad Penny take the mound twice this week, while
Al Reyes,
Horacio Ramirez,
Steve Trachsel and
Mike Piazza are scheduled to come off the disabled list.
Melvin Mora,
Rich Harden and
Brian Fuentes each were just placed on the shelf, and the Bronx Bombers are slated for a rare eight-game week.
The Week Ahead will get you up to speed for week 16.
Two-start pitchers: Great options: Daisuke Matsuzaka BOS vs. CHW
Javier Vazquez, vs. CHW
John Danks Jake Peavy SD vs. NYM
Orlando Hernandez, vs. PHI
J.D. Durbin Brad Penny LA vs. PHI
Jamie Moyer, vs. NYM
Jorge Sosa Roy Halladay TOR @ NYY
Andy Pettitte, vs. SEA
Horacio Ramirez Andy Pettitte NYY vs. TOR
Roy Halladay, vs. TB
James Shields Barry Zito SF @ CHC
Sean Marshall, @ MIL
Claudio Vargas Jon Garland CHW @ CLE
Paul Byrd, @ BOS
Tim Wakefield Orlando Hernandez NYM @ SD
Jake Peavy, @ LA
Mark Hendrickson James Shields TB vs. LAA
Ervin Santana, @ NYY
Andy Pettitte More strong options: Tim Lincecum SF @ CHC
Rich Hill, @ MIL
Dave Bush Rich Hill CHC vs. SF
Tim Lincecum, vs. ARI
Micah Owings Dave Bush MIL vs. ARI
Micah Owings, vs. SF
Tim Lincecum Bronson Arroyo CIN @ ATL
Jo-Jo Reyes, @ FLA
Wes Obermueller Tim Wakefield BOS vs. KC
John Thomson, vs. CHW
Jon Garland Cliff Lee CLE vs. CHW
John Danks, @ TEX
Jamey Wright Ervin Santana LAA @ TB
James Shields, @ MIN
Matt Garza Sean Marshall CHC vs. SF
Barry Zito, vs. ARI
Yusmeiro Petit Nate Robertson DET @ MIN
Matt Garza, vs. KC
Brian Bannister Matt Garza MIN vs. DET
Nate Robertson, vs. LAA
Ervin Santana Jamie Moyer PHI @ LA
Brad Penny, @ SD
David Wells Paul Byrd CLE vs. CHW
Jon Garland, @ TEX
Robinson Tejeda Claudio Vargas MIL vs. ARI
Yusmeiro Petit, vs. SF
Barry Zito Micah Owings ARI @ MIL
Dave Bush, @ CHC
Rich Hill Braden Looper STL @ FLA
Byung-Hyun Kim, @ ATL
Buddy Carlyle Brian Bannister KC @ BOS
Kason Gabbard, @ DET
Nate Robertson John Danks CHW @ CLE
Cliff Lee, @ BOS
Daisuke Matsuzaka Other two-starters: Aaron Cook COL @ WAS
Jason Simontacchi, @ WAS
Tim Redding Kei Igawa NYY vs. TOR
Josh Towers, vs. TB TBA
Jorge Sosa NYM @ SD
David Wells, @ LA
Brad Penny David Wells SD vs. NYM
Jorge Sosa, vs. PHI
Jamie Moyer Mark Hendrickson LA vs. PHI
J.D. Durbin, vs. NYM
Orlando Hernandez Woody Williams HOU @ WAS
Mike Bacsik, @ PIT
John Van Benschoten Brian Burres BAL @ SEA
Horacio Ramirez, @ OAK
Joe Kennedy Byung-Hyun Kim FLA vs. STL
Braden Looper, vs. CIN
Bobby Livingston Joe Kennedy OAK vs. TEX
Jamey Wright, vs. BAL
Brian Burres Kyle Davies ATL vs. CIN
Bobby Livingston, vs. STL
Brad Thompson Josh Towers TOR @ NYY
Kei Igawa, vs. SEA
Jeff Weaver Yusmeiro Petit ARI @ MIL
Claudio Vargas, @ CHC
Sean Marshall Taylor Buchholz COL @ PIT
John Van Benschoten, @ WAS
Mike Bacsik Brad Thompson STL @ FLA
Wes Obermueller, @ ATL
Kyle Davies Robinson Tejeda TEX @ OAK
Chad Gaudin, vs. CLE
Paul Byrd John Van Benschoten PIT vs. COL
Taylor Buchholz, vs. HOU
Woody Williams Horacio Ramirez SEA vs. BAL
Brian Burres, @ TOR
Roy Halladay J.D. Durbin PHI @ LA
Mark Hendrickson, @ SD
Jake Peavy Wes Obermueller FLA vs. STL
Brad Thompson, vs. CIN
Bronson Arroyo Jamey Wright TEX @ OAK
Joe Kennedy, vs. CLE
Cliff Lee Mike Bacsik WAS vs. HOU
Woody Williams, vs. COL
Taylor Buchholz Bobby Livingston CIN @ ATL
Kyle Davies, @ FLA
Byung-Hyun Kim Tim Redding WAS vs. HOU
Chris Sampson, vs. COL
Aaron Cook Team-by-team Game Totals: Eight-game schedule: NYY
Seven-game schedule: ARI, ATL, BOS, CHC, CHW, CIN, COL, FLA, LA, MIL, NYM, PHI, SD, SF, STL, TB, TEX, TOR, WAS
Six-game schedule: BAL, CLE, DET, HOU, KC, LAA, MIN, OAK, PIT, SEA
Five-game schedule: none
Rain threatened games: Monday, 7/16: CHW @ CLE (60%), ARI @ MIL (60%), CIN @ ATL (60%), STL @ FLA (40%)
Tuesday, 7/17: CHW @ CLE (40%), COL @ PIT (40%), CIN @ ATL (50%)
Wednesday, 7/18: COL @ PIT (40%), CIN @ ATL (40%), HOU @ WAS (40%), KC @ BOS (40%), TOR @ NYY (40%)
Thursday, 7/19: CIN @ FLA (40%)
Friday, 7/20: CHW @ BOS (40%), COL @ WAS (40%), TB @ NYY (40%), STL @ ATL (40%)
Stadium Factor: ESPN - MLB Park Factors - Major League Baseball
Park Factor compares the rate of stats at home vs. the rate of stats on the road.
A rate higher than 1.000 favors the hitter. Below 1.000 favors the pitcher.
Top Hitter's Park Schedules:
1. Fenway Park (Red Sox) 1.291 runs – 3 @ KC, 4 @ CHW
4. Yankee Stadium (Yankees) 1.131 runs – 4 vs TOR, 4 vs TB
5. Dolphin Stadium (Marlins) 1.130 runs – 3 vs STL, 4 vs CIN
8. Jacobs Field (Indians) 1.109 runs – 3 vs CHW
9. Wrigley Field (Cubs) 1.101 runs – 4 vs SF, 3 vs ARI
No Games: 2. Kauffman Stadium (Royals) 1.198 runs, 3. Great American Ballpark (Reds) 1.191 runs, 6. U.S. Cellular Field (White Sox) 1.129 runs,
7. Coors Field (Rockies) 1.121 runs
Top Pitcher's Park Schedules:
1. Turner Field (Braves) 0.806 runs – 3 vs CIN, 4 vs STL
2. Petco Park (Padres) 0.842 runs – 3 vs NYM, 4 vs PHI
4. Tropicana Field (Devil Rays) 0.869 runs – 3 vs LAA
6. Rogers Centre (Blue Jays) 0.908 runs – 3 vs SEA
7. RFK Stadium (Nationals) 0.911 runs – 3 vs HOU, 4 vs COL
No Games: 3. Busch Stadium (Cardinals) 0.867 runs, 5. Minute Maid Park (Astros) 0.889 runs
Caught Stealing %: Toughest to steal against (SB/SBA, CS%)
1.
David Ross, CIN 23-for-41 (43.9%) – 3 @ ATL, 4 @ FLA
2.
Gerald Laird, TEX 41-for-68 (39.7%) – 3 @ OAK, 4 vs CLE
3.
Ronny Paulino, PIT 36-for-58 (37.9%) – 3 vs COL, 3 vs HOU
4.
Kenji Johjima, SEA 26-for-41 (36.6%) – 3 vs BAL, 3 @ TOR
5.
Russell Martin, LA 48-for-75 (36.0%) – 3 vs PHI, 4 vs NYM
Facing these catchers is bad news for
Hanley Ramirez (27-for-35 SB),
Willie Harris (14-for-18 SB),
Alfredo Amezaga (11-for-15 SB),
Willy Taveras (20-for-28 SB),
Kaz Matsui (16-for-18 SB)
Easiest to steal against (SB/SBA, CS%)
1.
Michael Barrett, SD 51-for-62 (17.7%) – 3 vs NYM, 4 vs PHI
2.
Jason Kendall, OAK 58-for-72 (19.4%) – 3 vs TEX, 3 vs BAL
3.
Johnny Estrada, MIL 38-for-48 (20.8%) – 4 vs ARI, 3 vs SF
4.
Jason Varitek, BOS 28-for-36 (22.2%) – 3 vs KC, 4 vs CHW
5.
A.J. Pierzynski, CHW 37-for-48 (22.9%) – 3 @ CLE, 4 @ BOS
Facing these catchers is good news for
Kenny Lofton (20-for-24 SB),
Eric Byrnes (17-for-23 SB),
Ian Kinsler (11-for-11 SB),
Dave Roberts (17-for-20 SB),
Julio Lugo (23-for-25 SB),
Coco Crisp (16-for-21 SB),
Alex Gordon (9-for-11 SB)
American League:
Baltimore: (3 vs. Right-handers, 3 vs. Left-handers)
Boston: (5 vs. Right-handers, 2 vs. Left-handers)
Chicago White Sox: (6 vs. Right-handers, 1 vs. Left-handers)
Cleveland: (5 vs. Right-handers, 2 vs. Left-handers)
Detroit: (4 vs. Right-handers, 2 vs. Left-handers)
Kansas City: (3 vs. Right-handers, 3 vs. Left-handers)
Los Angeles Angels: (5 vs. Right-handers, 1 vs. Left-handers
Minnesota: (4 vs. Right-handers, 2 vs. Left-handers)
New York Yankees: (7 vs. Right-handers, 1 vs. Left-handers)
Oakland: (4 vs. Right-handers, 2 vs. Left-handers)
Seattle: (4 vs. Right-handers, 2 vs. Left-handers)
Tampa Bay: (4 vs. Right-handers, 1 vs. Left-handers) note: SAT vs NYY (TBA)
Texas: (3 vs. Right-handers, 4 vs. Left-handers)
Toronto: (4 vs. Right-handers, 3 vs. Left-handers)
Notes: The Orioles, Royals, Rangers and Blue Jays play at least three left-handers this week. That's good news for
Freddie Bynum (.417 vs LHPs),
Miguel Tejada (.359 vs LHPs),
Corey Patterson (.325 vs LHPs),
Mark Teixeira (.404 vs LHPs),
Ian Kinsler (.329 vs LHPs),
Marlon Byrd (.385 vs LHPs),
Sammy Sosa (.344 vs LHPs),
Troy Glaus (.346 vs LHPs),
Alex Rios (.375 vs LHPs),
Aaron Hill (.325 vs LHPs)
And bad news for
Ryan Shealy (.125 vs LHPs),
Alex Gordon (.195 vs LHPs),
Kenny Lofton (.224 vs LHPs),
Michael Young (.233 vs LHPs),
Gerald Laird (.234 vs LHPs),
Victor Diaz (.212 vs LHPs),
Jason Phillips (.191 vs LHPs)
National League:
Arizona: (4 vs. Right-handers, 3 vs. Left-handers)
Atlanta: (5 vs. Right-handers, 2 vs. Left-handers)
Chicago Cubs: (6 vs. Right-handers, 1 vs. Left-handers)
Cincinnati: (5 vs. Right-handers, 2 vs. Left-handers)
Colorado: (4 vs. Right-handers, 3 vs. Left-handers)
Florida: (6 vs. Right-handers, 1 vs. Left-handers)
Houston: (3 vs. Right-handers, 3 vs. Left-handers)
Los Angeles Dodgers: (4 vs. Right-handers, 3 vs. Left-handers)
Milwaukee: (4 vs. Right-handers, 3 vs. Left-handers)
New York Mets: (5 vs. Right-handers, 2 vs. Left-handers)
Philadelphia: (5 vs. Right-handers, 2 vs. Left-handers)
Pittsburgh: (4 vs. Right-handers, 2 vs. Left-handers)
San Diego: (5 vs. Right-handers, 2 vs. Left-handers))
San Francisco: (4 vs. Right-handers, 3 vs. Left-handers)
St. Louis: (5 vs. Right-handers, 2 vs. Left-handers)
Washington: (7 vs. Right-handers, 0 vs. Left-handers)
Notes: The Diamondbacks, Rockies, Astros, Dodgers, Brewers and Giants play three southpaws, while the Nationals don't play any. That's good news for
Ryan Spilborghs (.455 vs LHPs),
Matt Holliday (.325 vs LHPs), Willy Tavares (.375 vs LHPs),
Troy Tulowitzki (.351 vs LHPs),
Mike Lamb (.345 vs LHPs),
Craig Biggio (.350 vs LHPs),
Hunter Pence (.349 vs LHPs),
Carlos Lee (.325 vs LHPs),
Russell Martin (.371 vs LHPs),
Rafael Furcal (.325 vs LHPs),
Ryan Braun (.545 vs LHPs),
Kevin Mench (.320 vs LHPs),
Johnny Estrada (.323 vs LHPs),
Randy Winn (.323 vs LHPs),
Dmitri Young (.327 vs RHPs)
And bad news for
Tony Clark (.136 vs LHPs),
Stephen Drew (.218 vs LHPs),
Carlos Quentin (.175 vs LHPs),
Chris Young (.227 vs LHPs),
Scott Hairston (.217 vs LHPs),
Chris Snyder (.206 vs LHPs),
Eric Byrnes (.229 vs LHPs),
Chris Iannetta (.107 vs LHPs),
Brad Hawpe (.203 vs LHPs),
Jeff Baker (.209 vs LHPs),
Lance Berkman (.227 vs LHPs),
Juan Pierre (.229 vs LHPs),
Nomar Garciaparra (200 vs LHPs),
Geoff Jenkins (.175 vs LHPs),
Rickie Weeks (.228 vs LHPs),
Dave Roberts (.159 vs LHPs),
Fred Lewis (.182 vs LHPs),
Omar Vizquel (.216 vs LHPs),
Pedro Feliz (.224 vs LHPs),
Felipe Lopez (.227 vs RHPs),
Nook Logan (.216 vs RHPs),
Ryan Zimmerman (.223 vs RHPs)
Some scheduled two-start pitchers in week 17: Erik Bedard,
Jarrod Washburn,
Mark Buehrle,
Jake Westbrook,
Andrew Miller,
Johan Santana,
Odalis Perez,
Julian Tavarez,
Bartolo Colon,
Scott Kazmir,
Kevin Millwood,
Lenny DiNardo,
Shaun Marcum,
Roger Clemens,
Doug Davis,
Chris Capuano,
Aaron Harang,
John Smoltz,
Jeff Francis,
Ian Snell,
Jason Jennings,
Jason Bergmann,
John Maine,
Greg Maddux,
Kyle Kendrick,
Chad Billingsley,
Matt Cain,
Carlos Zambrano,
Kip Wells,
Dontrelle Willis Latest on the injury front: Outfielders: Moises Alou (quadriceps) – return mid-July
Rocco Baldelli (hamstring) – out indefinitely
Freddie Bynum (hamstring) – return late July
Endy Chavez (hamstring) – return late July
Jeff DaVanon (shoulder) – return early August
Chris Denorfia (elbow) – out for the season
Jim Edmonds (back) – return mid-July
Darin Erstad (ankle) – return mid-July
Carlos Gomez (hand) – return mid-August
Josh Hamilton (wrist) – return August
Scott Podsednik (oblique) – return late July
Jason Repko (groin) – might be out for the season
Juan Rivera (leg) – return July/August
Cody Ross (hamstring) – return mid-July
Reggie Sanders (hamstring) – return July
Terrmel Sledge (thumb) – return late July
Jayson Werth (wrist) – return mid-July
Rondell White (calf) – out indefinitely
Preston Wilson (knee) – out for the season
Infielders Willy Aybar (hand) – out indefinitely
Hank Blalock (arm) – return August
Aaron Boone (knee) – return late July
Juan Castro (elbow) – return late July
Joe Crede (back) – likely out for the season
Adam Everett (leg) – return August
Alex Gonzalez (bereavement list) – day-to-day
Cristian Guzman (thumb) – out for the season
Nick Johnson (leg) – return July
Howie Kendrick (finger) – return early August
Ian Kinsler (foot) – return August
Corey Koskie (concussion) – out indefinitely
Dallas McPherson (back) – return August/September
Doug Mientkiewicz (wrist) – return mid-August
Melvin Mora (foot) – return early August
Pablo Ozuna (leg) – return August/September
Jason Smith (abdomen) – out indefinitely
Miguel Tejada (wrist) – return August
Catchers:
Eliezer Alfonzo (knee) – return August/September
Henry Blanco (neck) – return early July
Hector Gimenez (shoulder) – likely out for the season
Mike Napoli (ankle) – return late July
Vance Wilson (elbow) – out for the season
Designated Hitter: David Dellucci (hamstring) – return September
Jason Giambi (foot) – out indefinitely
Mike Piazza (shoulder) – return mid-July
Mike Sweeney (knee) – out indefinitely
Starting Pitchers: Brandon Backe (elbow) – return August/September
Micah Bowie (hip) – return mid-August
A.J. Burnett (shoulder) – return late July
Chris Carpenter (elbow) – return August/September
Matt Clement (shoulder) – return July/August
Gustavo Chacin (elbow) – return mid-July
Lance Cormier (arm) – return early July
Zach Duke (elbow) – return late July
Freddy Garcia (shoulder) – out indefinitely
Mike Hampton (ribs) – out for the season
Rich Harden (shoulder) – return August
Shawn Hill (elbow) – return late July
Luke Hudson (shoulder) – out indefinitely
Phil Hughes (hamstring) – return July/August
Josh Johnson (forearm) – return late July
Randy Johnson (back) – return late July
Jeff Karstens (leg) – out indefinitely
Jon Lieber (ankle) – out for the season
Francisco Liriano (elbow) – out for the season
Esteban Loaiza (shoulder) – return July
Adam Loewen (elbow) – out for the season
Pedro Martinez (shoulder) – return August
Wade Miller (back) – out indefinitely
Eric Milton (elbow) – out for the season
Mark Mulder (shoulder) – return July
Ricky Nolasco (elbow) – return mid-July
Russ Ortiz (arm) – return late July
Vicente Padilla (triceps) – return mid-July
John Patterson (biceps) – out indefinitely
Carl Pavano (elbow) – out for the season
Mark Prior (shoulder) – out for the season
Horacio Ramirez (shoulder) – return Mon vs BAL
Darrell Rasner (finger) – return August/September
Curt Schilling (shoulder) – return late July
Jason Schmidt (shoulder) – out for the season
John Smoltz (shoulder) – return late July
Steve Trachsel (gluteus) – return late July
Randy Wolf (shoulder) – return mid-July
Jaret Wright (shoulder) – out indefinitely
Important Relievers: Danys Baez (arm) – return early July
Kris Benson (shoulder) – likely out for the season
Yhency Brazoban (shoulder) – out for the season
Jesse Crain (shoulder) – out for the season
Ryan Dempster (ribs) – return mid-July
Elmer Dessens (shoulder) – return mid-July
Brendan Donnelly (arm) – return late July
Justin Duchscherer (hip) – out for the season
Brian Fuentes (back) – return early August
Mike Gonzalez (elbow) – out for the season
Tom Gordon (shoulder) - return early July
Eddie Guardado (elbow) – return mid-July
Angel Guzman (arm) – return mid-July
Hong-Chih Kuo (elbow) – return early August
Brett Myers (shoulder) – return early July
Joel Pineiro (ankle) – return late July
Al Reyes (rotator cuff) – return Wednesday
Arthur Rhodes (elbow) – out for the season
Fernando Rodney (biceps) – return mid-July
B.J. Ryan (elbow) – out for the season
Duaner Sanchez (shoulder) – return mid-August
Huston Street (elbow) – out indefinitely
Ryan Wagner (rotator cuff) – out for the season
Kerry Wood (triceps) – return late July
Joel Zumaya (finger) – return August