Football
Tristan H. Cockcroft 17y

Daily Notes: Showdown in Chavez Ravine

Fantasy Game Notes for Saturday: American League
Oakland Athletics @ New York Yankees

Yankee Stadium (outdoor) 1:05 p.m. ET (sunny, high of 82 degrees)
Chad Gaudin, RHP (6-3, 3.14 ERA, 1.42 WHIP) versus
Kei Igawa, LHP (2-1, 7.13 ERA, 1.61 WHIP)

Notable Injuries: Travis Buck, OF (thumb, DL); Rich Harden, RP (shoulder, day-to-day)

Game Story: Igawa looked better in his first start back from the minors last Friday, but he's still not giving the team length. In other words, don't fear Athletics hitters here. Eric Chavez took Igawa deep in their April 13 meeting, and it's tough to bench a player as hot as Jack Cust (19-for-42, .452, 5 HR in his last 11 games), especially since he has an OPS of 1.000 against southpaws this year. Avoid Gaudin, except in deep AL-only formats. He has a 6.35 ERA in his last three starts, and these Yankees are the game's toughest offense against righties (.285/.819 as a team). Johnny Damon is 2-for-5 (.400) lifetime against him, and Bobby Abreu and Robinson Cano should be fine choices, too.

Minnesota Twins @ Detroit Tigers

Comerica Park (outdoor) 3:55 p.m. ET (sunny, high of 79 degrees)
Kevin Slowey, RHP (2-0, 4.94 ERA, 1.54 WHIP) versus
Andrew Miller, LHP (3-1, 2.70 ERA, 1.33 WHIP)

Notable Injuries: none

Game Story: Keep in mind Gary Sheffield will be sitting the first of a two-game suspension, so AL-only owners can consider fill-in Marcus Thames. Slowey, after all, has allowed nine home runs in five starts, seven of them to right-handed hitters. That's great news for players like Brandon Inge, Craig Monroe and Magglio Ordonez, each a fine option here. Curtis Granderson (.328/1.014 against right-handers) is a must-start whenever a righty is his opponent. Stick with the red-hot Miller, too, especially against the Twins, whose two best hitters are left-handed. Keep Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau active, but go only for right-handed Twins other than them; Jeff Cirillo (.324/.810 against right-handers this year) and Torii Hunter (.372/1.164), for instance.

Los Angeles Angels @ Baltimore Orioles

Camden Yards (outdoor) 7:05 p.m. ET (clear, low of 66 degrees)
Bartolo Colon, RHP (6-3, 5.90 ERA, 1.53 WHIP) versus
Brian Burres, LHP (3-2, 3.36 ERA, 1.51 WHIP)

Notable Injuries: Gary Matthews Jr., OF (hamstring, day-to-day); Reggie Willits, OF (knee, day-to-day)

Game Story: Colon looked better his last time out, but truthfully has been ice-cold for a month. Aubrey Huff is 7-for-21 with two dingers against the Round Mound on the Mound, and Kevin Millar is 9-for-32 with three homers. In eight career starts at Camden Yards, Colon is 3-4 with a 3.42 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP, but with the way he's looked lately, mixed-leaguers have to think about benching him. The Angels have only seen Burres once, on May 31, when the kid threw five innings and allowed three hits, three walks and a single run. Not that you're sitting him, but Reggie Willits in particular smokes lefties, to the tune of .385 so far this year.

Texas Rangers @ Boston Red Sox

Fenway Park (outdoor) 7:05 p.m. ET (clear, low of 57 degrees)
Robinson Tejeda, RHP (5-7, 6.57 ERA, 1.70 WHIP) versus
Josh Beckett, RHP (11-1, 3.07 ERA, 1.05 WHIP)

Notable Injuries: Ian Kinsler, 2B (foot, day-to-day)

Game Story: Tejeda's May ERA was 8.57 and so far his June ERA is 8.28. Despite the fact that he shut out the Sox for seven innings of two-hit ball back in April, you want no part of him in Fenway. All your Boston hitters save the benched Julio Lugo should be in action. Beckett, meanwhile, obviously starts in all leagues and all formats. He doesn't have a ton of history against any Rangers except Brad Wilkerson, who's got two homers and 18 strikeouts against him, and Marlon Byrd, who's 5-for-15 lifetime. Those in desperate need of AL-only at bats could try Wilkerson, who'll likely start, but also don't forget Sox-killer Frank Catalanotto (an absurd lifetime 11 homers and 49 RBI against Boston; his highest numbers against any other team are six and 37).

Tampa Bay Devil Rays @ Cleveland Indians

Jacobs Field (outdoor) 7:05 p.m. ET (clear, low of 55 degrees)
J.P. Howell, LHP (1-1, 4.45 ERA, 1.55 WHIP) versus
C.C. Sabathia, LHP (11-2, 3.24 ERA, 1.14 WHIP)

Notable Injuries: none

Game Story: Howell has faced the Tribe twice, and has 10 strikeouts and zero walks against them, which isn't to say he's a must-start, but those in desperate need of innings could try. He was good in his first three outings, and has been bad in his last four, and Casey Blake, Andy Marte and Jhonny Peralta all have hit bombs off him. On the other side, Sabathia continues to cruise, and obviously starts on your fantasy team Saturday. The Rays are a better-hitting team against southpaws; Akinori Iwamura in particular is .404 against them, and Brendan Harris is .348. Sit most of your middling Rays.

Chicago White Sox @ Kansas City Royals

Kauffman Stadium (outdoor) 7:10 p.m. ET (partly cloudy, low of 66 degrees)
John Danks, LHP (4-6, 4.78 ERA, 1.59 WHIP) versus
Odalis Perez, LHP (4-7, 5.92 ERA, 1.66 WHIP)

Notable Injuries: Jermaine Dye, OF (quadriceps, likely DL-bound)

Game Story: Danks has never faced the Royals, but as a team KC is hitting .249 against lefties, which could bode well for the rookie. Emil Brown is playing a little bit and hits southpaws better than most Royals, so desperate owners could seek him out. Perez faced the White Sox back on May 11 and was a hard luck 2-1 loser; in that game, A.J. Pierzynski homered. Like the Royals, Chicago struggles (.233 average) against lefties, and no one's been worse against them than Jim Thome (.170 average, .542 OPS). You might have a hard time benching a homer-monger like Big Jim, but perhaps not so with Tadahito Iguchi, a righty hitter who's been awful against lefties (.190 average).

Toronto Blue Jays @ Seattle Mariners

Safeco Field (outdoor/retractable roof) 10:05 p.m. ET (low of 53 degrees)
Roy Halladay, RHP (9-2, 4.25 ERA, 1.21 WHIP) versus
Miguel Batista, RHP (7-6, 4.85 ERA, 1.61 WHIP)

Notable Injuries: Raul Ibanez, OF (hamstring, day-to-day)

Game Story: Halladay is good just about everywhere, but he's a monster in Safeco: 2.25 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, .217 BAA. Raul Ibanez hits Doc very well, but he's out with a bad hammy; Jose Vidro is 2-for-16, Ichiro is 5-for-22, Jose Guillen is 4-for-10. You might try Kenji Johjima: in limited action, he's 4-for-6 against the big righty. Batista faces one of his old teams, and one guy who sees him well is Frank Thomas, who's got two of his 500 blasts off the hard-throwing righty. Most of the other current Jays have never faced Batista, and his peripheral numbers other than ERA actually indicate he's better at home than on the road. The 1.61 WHIP is scary, but Batista has allowed two or fewer runs in four of his last five starts.

Fantasy Game Notes for Saturday: National League
Milwaukee Brewers @ Chicago Cubs

Wrigley Field (outdoor) 3:55 p.m. ET (sunny, high of 75 degrees)
Ben Sheets, RHP (9-3, 3.09 ERA, 1.18 WHIP) versus
Sean Marshall, LHP (4-2, 2.44 ERA, 1.08 WHIP)

Notable Injuries: none

Game Story: The last time Sheets visited Wrigley, on April 25, he managed three scoreless innings before being forced from the game with a groin strain. Cubs hitters are a combined 51-for-230 (.222) with seven homers against him, and only one -- Derrek Lee (14-for-39, .359, 5 HR) -- really stands out as an opponent. Marshall, meanwhile, battles a Brewers offense that tends to touch up left-handers (.284/.837). Bill Hall is 2-for-2 (1.000) with a homer lifetime against the lefty, and Ryan Braun (.519/1.810 against left-handers), J.J. Hardy (.276/.920) and Corey Hart (.325/1.013) are standouts on that side. Keep Marshall reserved except in NL-only formats.

New York Mets @ Philadelphia Phillies

Citizens Bank Park (outdoor) 3:55 p.m. ET (sunny, high of 84 degrees)
Jorge Sosa, RHP (6-3, 3.79 ERA, 1.20 WHIP) versus
J.A. Happ, LHP (1st career MLB start)

Notable Injuries: Jayson Werth, OF (wrist, DL)

Game Story: It's risky to use any rookie pitcher in his MLB debut, particularly one without the top-prospect label, though Happ is someone who should be tracked in NL-only formats. After all, he had a 2.77 ERA and 1.18 WHIP for his minor league career, which could indicate future matchups potential. This matchup, though, is a poor one for Happ. These Mets, after all, bat .300 as a team against left-handers, and the game is in a hitter-friendly ballpark. Damion Easley (.321/.976 against lefties) should pick up a rare start. Sosa, 0-2 with a 7.20 ERA in his last three starts, is a shaky fantasy option in a road start at Citizens Bank. The Phillies have the left-handed bats to get to him, though the ice-cold Pat Burrell (0-for-12 lifetime against Sosa) should be benched.

Colorado Rockies @ Houston Astros

Minute Maid Park (indoor/retractable roof) 7:05 p.m. ET
Jeff Francis, LHP (7-5, 3.80 ERA, 1.34 WHIP) versus
Jason Jennings, RHP (1-2, 3.66 ERA, 1.31 WHIP)

Notable Injuries: none

Game Story: Francis has been terrific in his last 10 starts, bringing his ERA down from 5.61 while winning six of his seven decisions. He has very little history against these Astros, so let's rely on the fact that he's a lot tougher on lefties than righties, and you will want to sit Luke Scott and Mike Lamb, despite their positive split stats against southpaws. It's a lot of the same for Jennings, who has also mowed down lefties this year and has only faced four current Rockies in his career. Not surprising, since he was one himself until this season. Hawpe struggles against lefties, hitting .183 in 60 at-bats, so sit him for this game.

Washington Nationals @ Pittsburgh Pirates

PNC Park (outdoor) 7:05 p.m. ET (clear, low of 53 degrees)
Jason Simontacchi, RHP (5-5, 5.81 ERA, 1.53 WHIP) versus
Tom Gorzelanny, LHP (7-4, 3.10 ERA, 1.28 WHIP)

Notable Injuries: Chris Duffy, OF (hamstring, day-to-day); Nate McLouth, OF (neck, day-to-day)

Game Story: Gorzelanny's appearance in this game severely limits the appeal of any of the Nationals hitters, none of which have ever seen him before. Advantage: pitcher. With Duffy banged up and a lefty on the mound, the Nationals may turn to Rajai Davis in this game, but that shouldn't excite you unless you're hoarding steals. Simontacchi's role is to eat innings and not get beat up too bad, neither of which he does very well. Right-handers have a .904 OPS against him, so start your regular Pirates and supplement them with Ryan Doumit and Xavier Nady.

Atlanta Braves @ Florida Marlins

Dolphin Stadium (outdoor) 7:05 p.m. ET (50 percent chance of thunderstorms, low of 56 degrees)
Tim Hudson, RHP (7-5, 3.29 ERA, 1.14 WHIP) versus
Byung-Hyun Kim, RHP (3-4, 5.72 ERA, 1.69 WHIP)

Notable Injuries: none

Game Story: The weather may be a factor in this one, so be prepared for a "ppd". Tim Hudson's numbers are still low thanks to a 1.40 April ERA. He had a 4.35 may and a 4.88 June. Yech. His last start was a seven-inning victory, but that was against the Nationals, so it doesn't count. He's not recommended here against the Marlins, despite his historical success against Florida's lineup. That said, don't go starting random Marlins, either. Do get your hands on as many Braves as you can, though. Those who have seen Kim have combined to hit .333 off of him in 51 at-bats. Even the mercurial Andruw Jones should be happy to see him; he has two home runs in 10 at-bats against him.

St. Louis Cardinals @ Cincinnati Reds

Great American Ball Park (outdoor) 7:10 p.m. ET (clear, low of 55 degrees)
Mike Maroth, LHP (5-2, 4.73 ERA, 1.56 WHIP) versus
Kyle Lohse, RHP (3-10, 5.02 ERA, 1.41 WHIP)

Notable Injuries: Scott Spiezio, OF (finger, out)

Game Story: Offense! Get your offense here! Lohse versus Maroth has all the earmarks of a good ol' fashioned blowout. Sit them both. Start your Reds and Cardinals, with Chris Duncan (13 home runs in 158 at-bats against right-handers) and Juan Encarnacion (.287 with 5 home runs in 94 at-bats against righties) meriting special consideration. The exception may be Josh Hamilton, who has struggled against lefties (.226, 1 HR in 53 at-bats) and who may well sit in favor of Norris Hopper (.333 in 48 at-bats against lefties).

Arizona Diamondbacks @ San Francisco Giants

AT&T Park (outdoor) 9:05 p.m. ET (cloudy, low of 53 degrees, winds up to 23 mph)
Doug Davis, LHP (5-8, 4.16 ERA, 1.72 WHIP) versus
Noah Lowry, LHP (7-6, 3.61 ERA, 1.42 WHIP)

Notable Injuries: Omar Vizquel, SS (groin, should play)

Game Story: Lowry looks good for this start, as the only Diamondback with any real success against him so far is Conor Jackson (4-for-9 with a triple and a home run.) Lowry's WHIP is way too high to sustain his ERA, but since he's held this batch of D-Backs to a .211 average in 71 at-bats, this isn't an ideal "corrective opportunity." Davis, however, has a long history against several Giants, most of whom have fared well against him. Start Bengie Molina, Randy Winn, Dave Roberts and, why not, Ryan Klesko. Don't bother with Pedro Feliz, though. Ever.

San Diego Padres @ Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodger Stadium (outdoor) 10:10 p.m. ET (clear, low of 62 degrees)
Jake Peavy, RHP (9-2, 2.14 ERA, 1.07 WHIP) versus
Brad Penny, RHP (10-1, 2.04 ERA, 1.13 WHIP)

Notable Injuries: Terrmel Sledge, OF (hand, day-to-day)

Game Story: If the showdown in Great American Ball Park is going to be your source of offense for the day, this is where you'll find your pitching. Both starters are considerations to start the All-Star game. However, one is a true All-Star, while Penny only imitates one during the first half, going by last season. The Padres have a decent track-record of getting on base against Penny (.365 OBP in 155 at-bats) so don't be benching anyone you normally wouldn't. Going by the numbers, Josh Bard (2-for-4 with a double against Penny) should get the start over Michael Barrett (1-for-19, though also with a double.)

Waiver Wire Pickups

Andrew Miller, SP, DET versus Minnesota Twins
Brian Burres, SP, BAL versus Los Angeles Angels
Reggie Willits, OF, LAA @ Baltimore Orioles
Brad Wilkerson, OF, TEX @ Boston Red Sox
Frank Catalanotto, OF, TEX @ Boston Red Sox
J.P. Howell, SP, TB @ Cleveland Indians
Casey Blake, OF, CLE versus Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Brendan Harris, SS, TB @ Cleveland Indians
John Danks, SP, CHI @ Kansas City Royals
Emil Brown, OF, KC versus Chicago White Sox
Odalis Perez, SP, KC versus Chicago White Sox
A.J. Pierzynski, C, CHI @ Kansas City Royals
Damion Easley, 2B, NYM @ Philadelphia Phillies
Corey Hart, OF, MIL @ Chicago Cubs
Ryan Doumit, C, PIT versus Washington Nationals
Norris Hopper, OF, CIN versus St Louis Cardinals
Juan Encarnacion, OF, STL @ Cincinnati Reds
Ryan Klesko, OF, SF versus Arizona Diamondbacks

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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