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Fantasy Forecaster updated Monday, Aug. 22, at 7:58 a.m. ET. On tap: We're now into the final quarter of the 2016 season, as the official three-quarter mark arrived on Aug. 20. The "Beltway Series" between the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals arrives, once again, at a convenient time on the schedule in terms of both teams' competitive state. Starting in 2012, these teams' meetings have often found both sides in playoff contention. This year, the Nationals are the National League's leaders and the Orioles are in third place in the American League East, 2 1/2 games out of first, so expect four competitive games, two at Baltimore's Camden Yards and two at Washington's Nationals Park. The Orioles, incidentally, are winners of 14 of 20 meetings since the beginning of 2012. The San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers, separated by half a game in the NL West, meet up at Los Angeles' Dodger Stadium from Aug. 23-25. It's a particularly important week for the Dodgers, who after that will host the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs -- who also own baseball's best record -- from Aug. 26-28. The Dodgers' rotation continues to deal with injury issues, with Clayton Kershaw (back) unavailable for Week 20 but Rich Hill (blister) on track to return during the Giants series, while the Giants have Madison Bumgarner and Johnny Cueto lined up for starts against the Dodgers. We could get an American League Championship Series preview from Aug. 25-28, as the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers, teams in first place in the AL Central and West, tangle at Texas' Globe Life Park. Better yet: The Indians are scheduled to start their "big three" strikeout arms, Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar, during that series, giving them big tests at a hitter-friendly ballpark. Dansby Swanson, who debuted for the Atlanta Braves on Aug. 17, will visit Arizona's Chase Field Aug. 22-25 to face the team that drafted him first overall in 2015 but then traded him this past winter for Shelby Miller, the Arizona Diamondbacks. Among the week's schedule oddities: The Philadelphia Phillies are the lone, unlucky team to play only five times during Week 20, all of those games on the road. By comparison, 11 other teams play a full seven-game week, six of those being NL squads. Quickly jump to any section, if you want specific intel
ESPN leagues: Lineup deadlinesThe Monday finale of a four-game, weekend-wraparound series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park begins at 12:35 p.m. ET, causing an early start to Week 20. Fantasy owners in leagues with weekly transactions need get their lineups in earlier than usual. Remember that game times have tremendous influence on daily planning, so be aware of every day's first scheduled pitch. This week, they are: Monday, Aug. 22: 12:35 p.m. ET (Los Angeles Dodgers at Cincinnati Reds, the day's only day game)
Tuesday, Aug. 23: 7:05 p.m. ET (two games begin at that time)
Wednesday, Aug. 24: 12:35 p.m. ET (Houston Astros at Pittsburgh Pirates, one of five day games)
Thursday, Aug. 25: 1:10 p.m. ET (both of two day games begin at that time)
Friday, Aug. 26: 7:05 p.m. ET (two games begin at that time)
Saturday, Aug. 27: 1:05 p.m. ET (two of four day games begin at that time)
Sunday, Aug. 28: 1:05 p.m. ET (Baltimore Orioles at New York Yankees, one of 14 day games)
Interleague impactThis week's interleague series: Washington Nationals at Baltimore Orioles (2 games, Aug. 22-23) Houston Astros at Pittsburgh Pirates (3 games, Aug. 22-24) Philadelphia Phillies at Chicago White Sox (2 games, Aug. 23-24) Texas Rangers at Cincinnati Reds (2 games, Aug. 23-24) Kansas City Royals at Miami Marlins (3 games, Aug. 23-25) Baltimore Orioles at Washington Nationals (2 games, Aug. 24-25) Oakland Athletics at St. Louis Cardinals (3 games, Aug. 26-28)
Astros' traditional DH, 3 games in NL ballparks: Generally Evan Gattis and A.J. Reed, but the team has a rotational approach to DH, where other regulars slide in on the days that Gattis catches and Reed plays first base. As the Pirates' rotation is entirely right-handed, Reed might not lose much playing time; Marwin Gonzalez and Tyler White might absorb the brunt of it. Gattis, meanwhile, might start only one of the three games in Pittsburgh at catcher -- perhaps the Collin McHugh start on Aug. 24, as Gattis appears to have become McHugh's personal catcher in recent weeks. None of these Astros hitters have been hitting well in August, though, and the team's overall Week 20 hitting matchups are poor, so all should be avoided in mixed leagues, with the possible exception of Gattis due to his catcher eligibility. Royals' traditional DH, 3 games in NL ballparks: Kendrys Morales, who shifted to right field for the most recent five of the team's games in NL ballparks in St. Louis (June 29-30) and Philadelphia (July 1-3). Just as in those games, the Royals will face nothing but right-handers in Miami, so expect the same approach here. Whether that's worse news for Lorenzo Cain, who has made each of his past 17 starts in right field and hasn't manned center field since returning from the DL on Aug. 1, or Paulo Orlando, who has made 15 of his past 17 starts in center field, is unclear. It's possible that Cain, Orlando and Morales will rotate, each getting two starts in Miami. Athletics' traditional DH, 3 games in NL ballparks: Billy Butler has had a majority of starts at DH since the All-Star break (17 in 32 games), with Khris Davis not far behind (10), but the difference between the two is that Butler hasn't made an appearance in the field during that time, while Davis has made 20 starts in left field. Davis will presumably get all three starts in left field in St. Louis, just as he did June 27-28 at San Francisco, shifting Coco Crisp to center field and bumping Jake Smolinski to the bench. Butler, meanwhile, will serve as a pinch hitter, meaning both he and Smolinski should be reserved in fantasy. Nationals' probable DH(s), 2 games in AL ballparks: Jayson Werth got both starts at DH during the team's July 26-27 series at Cleveland and has five of the team's eight DH starts this season, so he'll likely shift there again for both games in Baltimore. That'll free up an additional lineup spot for some combination of Wilmer Difo, Chris Heisey and/or Clint Robinson, with Trea Turner (second base and center field) and Daniel Murphy (first and second base) shifting around to accommodate. None of Difo, Heisey or Robinson are playing often enough to warrant fantasy consideration even with the potential extra starts. Phillies' probable DH(s), 2 games in AL ballparks: Ryan Howard. Isn't it obvious? He's at the "DH" stage of his career, and shifting him there for both games in Chicago frees up first base for Tommy Joseph. Howard, incidentally, is hitting well enough of late (.357/.390/.804 in 20 games since the All-Star break) to warrant consideration in 12-plus-team mixed leagues, and in fact, this might be the rare week where he's an even more useful play than Joseph. Rangers' traditional DH, 2 games in NL ballparks: Carlos Beltran, who has 10 of the team's 14 starts at DH since being acquired from the New York Yankees. Beltran does have three starts in right field and the Yankees never shied from using him there, so he'll probably start both games there in Cincinnati. Nomar Mazara, a .281/.354/.416 hitter in 28 second-half games, might suffer the biggest playing-time drop. Orioles' traditional DH, 2 games in NL ballparks: Pedro Alvarez and Mark Trumbo have been sharing DH duties in recent weeks, but of the two, Trumbo plays a good share of right field on the days he's not a DH; Alvarez tends to play DH or begin games on the bench. Expect Trumbo to man right field for both games in Washington, causing Steve Pearce to lose the most playing time, with Alvarez serving as a pinch hitter.
Projected starting pitchersThe chart below lists each of the 30 MLB teams' schedules and projected starting pitchers, and provides a projected Bill James Game Score for each day's starter. Projected starting pitchers, Aug. 22-28
P: The starting pitcher's projected Bill James Game Score, accounting for past history (three years' worth as well as past 21 days), opponent and ballpark. A 50 is typically deemed a "quality start" by this measure, while a 70 is considered a dominant start.
Pitching scuttlebuttBaltimore Orioles: Chris Tillman (shoulder) rejoined the Orioles' rotation on Aug. 20, lining him up for an Aug. 25 start during Week 20. Boston Red Sox: Eduardo Rodriguez (hamstring) missed his Aug. 21 start and Steven Wright (DL: shoulder) won't be ready to rejoin the Red Sox's rotation on Aug. 23, though it's possible that they'll both be able to return, on Aug. 26 and 28. Henry Owens (Aug. 21) and Clay Buchholz (Aug. 23) were their most recent fill-ins, and either would be the presumable fallback later in the week if needed. New York Yankees: Luis Cessa joined the Yankees' rotation on Aug. 20, lining him up for an Aug. 26 start during Week 20. Toronto Blue Jays: The Blue Jays optioned Aaron Sanchez to Class A Dunedin on Aug. 21 in order to keep his innings in check, so they'll revert to a six-man rotation for Week 20. Chicago White Sox: Miguel Gonzalez's (DL: groin) spot in the White Sox's rotation would next arrive on Aug. 23, and Anthony Ranaudo has been most recently filling in. The team could, however, use the Aug. 22 off day to push that spot back to Aug. 27, which is the earliest date Gonzalez is eligible to return. Cleveland Indians: Josh Tomlin (family emergency) made his scheduled start Aug. 20, setting him up for an Aug. 25 start during Week 20. Danny Salazar, who left his Aug. 18 start after only one inning, would be lined up to make his next start on Aug. 23 during Week 20. Detroit Tigers: The Tigers will push back Michael Fulmer to Aug. 27, in order to preserve some of his innings as well as give him additional rest. Oakland Athletics: Jesse Hahn (DL: shoulder) suffered a setback and was unable to rejoin the Athletics' rotation on Aug. 21; Zach Neal got that start. It is unclear whether Hahn will be ready the next time that turn arrives, on Aug. 27 during Week 20. Seattle Mariners: Cody Martin will make at least one more start for the Mariners, on Aug. 22, but it is unclear whether Taijuan Walker or Wade LeBlanc will start on Aug. 23. James Paxton (DL: elbow) should be ready to rejoin the rotation on Aug. 25, and some combination of Martin, Walker, LeBlanc or Ariel Miranda will get the starts Aug. 26-27. Texas Rangers: Derek Holland (DL: shoulder) made a rehabilitation start for Triple-A Round Rock on Aug. 15 and will rejoin the Rangers' rotation on Aug. 23, replacing Lucas Harrell (DL: groin) and pushing the team's other four starters back by a day apiece. Atlanta Braves: After demoting Tyrell Jenkins to Triple-A Gwinnett on Aug. 21, the Braves will need a fill-in starter on Aug. 25. Aaron Blair and Matt Wisler are the two most logical choices. New York Mets: Steven Matz (shoulder) was scratched from his scheduled Aug. 19 start, and it is unclear whether he'll be ready to pitch the next time his spot arrives on Aug. 25 during Week 20. The Mets could use the Aug. 22 off day to push back a decision until Aug. 27, or they could use Seth Lugo or Logan Verrett to fill in. Chicago Cubs: With John Lackey (DL: shoulder) sidelined, the Cubs have options to fill their Week 20 rotation. They could give either Mike Montgomery or Trevor Cahill another start on Aug. 26, or they could use the Aug. 25 off day to go with only four starters for the week. Cincinnati Reds: Tim Adleman joined the Reds' rotation on Aug. 19, putting him on track for an Aug. 24 start during Week 20. He replaced Cody Reed, who was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Aug. 15. Milwaukee Brewers: Chase Anderson (quadriceps) will rejoin the Brewers' rotation on Aug. 23, working a day later than usual, with Jimmy Nelson moving up a day to Aug. 22. Junior Guerra (DL: elbow) could be ready to rejoin the Brewers' rotation during Week 20, perhaps on Aug. 25 in place of Wily Peralta. Colorado Rockies: Jeff Hoffman, who got a start Aug. 20 in place of Tyler Chatwood (DL: back), seems likely to make another start when that spot in the rotation arrives on Aug. 26. Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers aligned their rotation around their Aug. 23-25 series versus the Giants, with Rich Hill (DL: blister) due to rejoin the rotation on Aug. 24. Julio Urias is currently lined up for an Aug. 26 start. San Francisco Giants: With Matt Cain (DL: back) sidelined, the Giants will use the Aug. 22 off day to push his spot in the rotation back to Aug. 27, at which point Jake Peavy might be the most logical fill-in.
Tristan's Week 20 pitcher rankings1. Jose Fernandez (MIA) -- Wed-KC (Gee) 2. Jake Arrieta (CHC) -- Tue-@SD (Friedrich) 3. Madison Bumgarner (SF) -- Tue-@LAD (Maeda), Sun-ATL (Whalen) 4. Jon Lester (CHC) -- Mon-@SD (Jackson), Sun-@LAD (Maeda) 5. Max Scherzer (WSH) -- Thu-BAL (Tillman) 6. Carlos Carrasco (CLE) -- Mon-@OAK (Triggs), Sat-@TEX (Perez) 7. Chris Archer (TB) -- Tue-BOS (Buchholz), Sun-@HOU (Fister) 8. Stephen Strasburg (WSH) -- Mon-@BAL (Bundy), Sat-COL (De La Rosa) 9. Noah Syndergaard (NYM) -- Sat-PHI (Hellickson) 10. Chris Sale (CWS) -- Fri-SEA (Hernandez) 11. Jacob deGrom (NYM) -- Wed-@STL (Martinez) 12. David Price (BOS) -- Mon-@TB (Snell), Sat-KC (Duffy) 13. Gerrit Cole (PIT) -- Wed-HOU (McHugh) 14. Kyle Hendricks (CHC) -- Wed-@SD (Clemens) 15. Drew Smyly (TB) -- Fri-@HOU (Fiers) 16. Kenta Maeda (LAD) -- Tue-SF (Bumgarner), Sun-CHC (Lester) 17. Drew Pomeranz (BOS) -- Thu-@TB (Odorizzi): Since Aug. 2, the day after the trade deadline, the Rays have batted .172/.245/.253 (league-worst .230 wOBA) with a worst-in-the-majors 28.8 percent strikeout rate against left-handed pitchers. 18. Corey Kluber (CLE) -- Fri-@TEX (Griffin) 19. Michael Pineda (NYY) -- Mon-@SEA (Martin), Sun-BAL (Gausman) 20. Jameson Taillon (PIT) -- Mon-HOU (Fister), Sat-@MIL (Nelson) 21. Steven Matz (NYM) -- Thu-@STL (Wainwright): There's significant risk he'll either miss this start or have his matchup shifted as off days allow. 22. Masahiro Tanaka (NYY) -- Wed-@SEA (Iwakuma) 23. Carlos Martinez (STL) -- Wed-NYM (deGrom) 24. Joe Musgrove (HOU) -- Tue-@PIT (Nova): Forgive him his poor past outing, as he has endured a brutal recent schedule. This game at pitching-friendly PNC Park should provide a cozy rebound opportunity. 25. Yu Darvish (TEX) -- Wed-@CIN (Adleman) 26. Dallas Keuchel (HOU) -- Sat-TB (Snell) 27. Collin McHugh (HOU) -- Wed-@PIT (Cole) 28. Felix Hernandez (SEA) -- Fri-@CWS (Sale) 29. Justin Verlander (DET) -- Fri-LAA (Nolasco) 30. Zack Greinke (ARI) -- Wed-ATL (Teheran) 31. Steven Wright (BOS) -- Sun-KC (Ventura) 32. Jaime Garcia (STL) -- Tue-NYM (Niese), Sun-OAK (Triggs) 33. Jason Hammel (CHC) -- Sat-@LAD (Kazmir): He's the major league's leader in ERA since the All-Star break (0.95), and is a perfect 6-0 with an 0.89 WHIP in six starts during that time. 34. Johnny Cueto (SF) -- Wed-@LAD (Hill) 35. Hisashi Iwakuma (SEA) -- Wed-NYY (Tanaka) 36. Blake Snell (TB) -- Mon-BOS (Price), Sat-@HOU (Keuchel) 37. Vince Velasquez (PHI) -- Sun-@NYM (Niese): With word that he's only making a small handful more starts this season, Velasquez could be in danger of being skipped this week, what with the Phillies having two off days. 38. Kevin Gausman (BAL) -- Tue-WSH (Lopez), Sun-@NYY (Pineda) 39. Danny Salazar (CLE) -- Tue-@OAK (Manaea), Sun-@TEX (Holland): Injury questions cap his Week 20 upside and the game at Texas' Globe Life Park is a doozy for a pitcher who might be entering at less than 100 percent. 40. Michael Fulmer (DET) -- Sat-LAA (Chacin) 41. Dylan Bundy (BAL) -- Mon-WSH (Strasburg), Sat-@NYY (Green) 42. Matt Shoemaker (LAA) -- Wed-@TOR (Estrada) 43. Rich Hill (LAD) -- Wed-SF (Cueto) 44. Jose Quintana (CWS) -- Sat-SEA (Martin) 45. Chad Green (NYY) -- Sat-BAL (Bundy) 46. Trevor Bauer (CLE) -- Wed-@OAK (Graveman) 47. Jeff Samardzija (SF) -- Fri-ATL (De La Cruz) 48. Carlos Rodon (CWS) -- Wed-PHI (Eickhoff) 49. Rick Porcello (BOS) -- Wed-@TB (Andriese) 50. Eduardo Rodriguez (BOS) -- Fri-KC (Kennedy): His health in his Aug. 21 start should be checked before giving him the go-ahead, but the opposing Royals have the majors' worst wOBA (.288) against lefties since the All-Star break, and they have a greater-than-league-average strikeout rate (21.6 percent) against them as well. 51. CC Sabathia (NYY) -- Tue-@SEA (TBD) 52. David Phelps (MIA) -- Fri-SD (Cosart) 53. Clay Buchholz (BOS) -- Tue-@TB (Archer) 54. Matt Andriese (TB) -- Wed-BOS (Porcello) 55. Andrew Cashner (MIA) -- Tue-KC (Ventura), Sun-SD (Perdomo) 56. Cole Hamels (TEX) -- Thu-CLE (Tomlin) 57. Ervin Santana (MIN) -- Sat-@TOR (Stroman) 58. Rob Whalen (ATL) -- Tue-@ARI (Bradley), Sun-@SF (Bumgarner) 59. Jon Gray (COL) -- Tue-@MIL (Anderson) 60. Francisco Liriano (TOR) -- Fri-MIN (Santiago) 61. Jake Odorizzi (TB) -- Thu-BOS (Pomeranz) 62. Reynaldo Lopez (WSH) -- Tue-@BAL (Gausman), Sun-COL (Bettis) 63. Mike Fiers (HOU) -- Fri-TB (Smyly) 64. Jake Peavy (SF) -- Sat-ATL (Foltynewicz) 65. Gio Gonzalez (WSH) -- Fri-COL (Hoffman) 66. Scott Kazmir (LAD) -- Mon-@CIN (Bailey), Sat-CHC (Hammel) 67. Adam Wainwright (STL) -- Thu-NYM (Matz) 68. Jerad Eickhoff (PHI) -- Wed-@CWS (Rodon) 69. Julio Teheran (ATL) -- Wed-@ARI (Greinke) 70. Tyler Skaggs (LAA) -- Tue-@TOR (Dickey), Sun-@DET (Sanchez) 71. James Paxton (SEA) -- Thu-@CWS (Shields) 72. Tom Koehler (MIA) -- Thu-KC (Volquez) 73. Marco Estrada (TOR) -- Wed-LAA (Shoemaker) 74. Tyler Anderson (COL) -- Wed-@MIL (Davis) 75. Robbie Ray (ARI) -- Thu-ATL (TBD) 76. Danny Duffy (KC) -- Sat-@BOS (Price) 77. Marcus Stroman (TOR) -- Sat-MIN (Santana) 78. J.A. Happ (TOR) -- Thu-LAA (Weaver) 79. Hector Santiago (MIN) -- Fri-@TOR (Liriano) 80. Matt Moore (SF) -- Thu-@LAD (Anderson) 81. Yordano Ventura (KC) -- Tue-@MIA (Cashner), Sun-@BOS (Wright) 82. Jeremy Hellickson (PHI) -- Sat-@NYM (Syndergaard) 83. Luke Weaver (STL) -- Fri-OAK (Detwiler) 84. Homer Bailey (CIN) -- Mon-LAD (Kazmir), Sun-@ARI (Bradley) 85. Julio Urias (LAD) -- Fri-CHC (TBD) 86. Cody Martin (SEA) -- Mon-NYY (Pineda), Sat-@CWS (Quintana) 87. Tanner Roark (WSH) -- Wed-BAL (Miley) 88. Anibal Sanchez (DET) -- Tue-@MIN (Gibson), Sun-LAA (Skaggs) 89. Edinson Volquez (KC) -- Thu-@MIA (Koehler) 90. Ian Kennedy (KC) -- Fri-@BOS (Rodriguez) 91. Zack Godley (ARI) -- Mon-ATL (Foltynewicz), Sat-CIN (DeSclafani) 92. Anthony DeSclafani (CIN) -- Sat-@ARI (Godley) 93. Tyler Duffey (MIN) -- Wed-DET (Boyd) 94. Andrew Triggs (OAK) -- Mon-CLE (Carrasco), Sun-@STL (Garcia) 95. Tim Adleman (CIN) -- Wed-TEX (Darvish) 96. Chad Kuhl (PIT) -- Thu-@MIL (Peralta) 97. Bartolo Colon (NYM) -- Fri-PHI (Morgan) 98. Dan Straily (CIN) -- Tue-TEX (Holland) 99. Luis Cessa (NYY) -- Fri-BAL (Gallardo) 100. Jake Thompson (PHI) -- Tue-@CWS (Ranaudo) 101. Dillon Gee (KC) -- Wed-@MIA (Fernandez) 102. Jeff Hoffman (COL) -- Fri-@WSH (Gonzalez) 103. James Shields (CWS) -- Thu-SEA (Paxton) 104. Josh Tomlin (CLE) -- Thu-@TEX (Hamels) 105. Mike Leake (STL) -- Sat-OAK (TBD) 106. Paul Clemens (SD) -- Wed-CHC (Hendricks) 107. Sean Manaea (OAK) -- Tue-CLE (Salazar) 108. Braden Shipley (ARI) -- Fri-CIN (Finnegan) 109. Jose Berrios (MIN) -- Thu-DET (Norris) 110. Chris Tillman (BAL) -- Thu-@WSH (Scherzer) 111. Clayton Richard (SD) -- Sat-@MIA (Urena) 112. Christian Friedrich (SD) -- Tue-CHC (Arrieta) 113. Ricky Nolasco (LAA) -- Fri-@DET (Verlander) 114. Kyle Gibson (MIN) -- Tue-DET (Sanchez), Sun-@TOR (Dickey) 115. Luis Perdomo (SD) -- Sun-@MIA (Cashner) 116. Joel De La Cruz (ATL) -- Fri-@SF (Samardzija) 117. Mike Foltynewicz (ATL) -- Mon-@ARI (Godley), Sat-@SF (Peavy) 118. Jose Urena (MIA) -- Sat-SD (Richard) 119. Brandon Finnegan (CIN) -- Fri-@ARI (Shipley) 120. Jhoulys Chacin (LAA) -- Sat-@DET (Fulmer) 121. Jarred Cosart (SD) -- Fri-@MIA (Phelps) 122. Matt Boyd (DET) -- Wed-@MIN (Duffey) 123. Jonathon Niese (NYM) -- Tue-@STL (Garcia), Sun-PHI (Velasquez) 124. Brett Anderson (LAD) -- Thu-SF (Moore) 125. Ryan Vogelsong (PIT) -- Fri-@MIL (Garza) 126. Doug Fister (HOU) -- Mon-@PIT (Taillon), Sun-TB (Archer) 127. A.J. Griffin (TEX) -- Fri-CLE (Kluber) 128. Zach Davies (MIL) -- Wed-COL (Anderson) 129. Ivan Nova (PIT) -- Tue-HOU (Musgrove), Sun-@MIL (Anderson) 130. Edwin Jackson (SD) -- Mon-CHC (Lester) 131. Anthony Ranaudo (CWS) -- Tue-PHI (Thompson), Sun-SEA (TBD) 132. Jorge De La Rosa (COL) -- Sat-@WSH (Strasburg) 133. Adam Morgan (PHI) -- Fri-@NYM (Colon) 134. Yovani Gallardo (BAL) -- Fri-@NYY (Cessa) 135. Jimmy Nelson (MIL) -- Mon-COL (Bettis), Sat-PIT (Taillon) 136. Wade Miley (BAL) -- Wed-@WSH (Roark) 137. Chase Anderson (MIL) -- Tue-COL (Gray), Sun-PIT (Nova) 138. Daniel Norris (DET) -- Thu-@MIN (Berrios) 139. Jered Weaver (LAA) -- Thu-@TOR (Happ) 140. Chad Bettis (COL) -- Mon-@MIL (Nelson), Sun-@WSH (Lopez) 141. Matt Garza (MIL) -- Fri-PIT (Vogelsong) 142. Archie Bradley (ARI) -- Tue-ATL (Whalen), Sun-CIN (Bailey) 143. Kendall Graveman (OAK) -- Wed-CLE (Bauer) 144. Wily Peralta (MIL) -- Thu-PIT (Kuhl) 145. Ross Detwiler (OAK) -- Fri-@STL (Weaver) 146. Derek Holland (TEX) -- Tue-@CIN (Straily), Sun-CLE (Salazar) 147. R.A. Dickey (TOR) -- Tue-LAA (Skaggs), Sun-MIN (Gibson) 148. Martin Perez (TEX) -- Sat-CLE (Carrasco)
Hitting ratingsThe chart below lists each of the 30 teams' total number of scheduled games, home games and games versus right- and left-handed pitchers, and provides a matchup rating for the week's games in terms of overall offense, offense for left- and right-handed hitters and base stealing. Matchup ratings for each individual game are listed under the corresponding date. Hitting matchup chart, Aug. 22-28
H: Hitters' matchup rating, which accounts for the opposing starting pitcher's past history (three years' worth as well as past 21 days) as well as ballpark factors.
L: Hitters' matchup rating accounting only for left-handed hitters.
R: Hitters' matchup rating accounting for only right-handed hitters.
S: Base-stealing matchup rating, which accounts for the opponent's catchers' ability to gun down opposing base stealers.
Ratings range from 1-10, with 10 representing the best possible matchup, statistically speaking, and 1 representing the worst.
Hitting advantagesHere are this week's "volume plays," defined as the teams that play the most home games, or games against right- or left-handed starters: Total games: Baltimore Orioles 7, Boston Red Sox 7, Tampa Bay Rays 7, Cleveland Indians 7, Seattle Mariners 7, Atlanta Braves 7, Washington Nationals 7, Milwaukee Brewers 7, Pittsburgh Pirates 7, Arizona Diamondbacks 7, Los Angeles Dodgers 7. Home games: Brewers 7, Diamondbacks 7, Toronto Blue Jays 6, Chicago White Sox 6, Miami Marlins 6, St. Louis Cardinals 6, Dodgers 6, Nationals 5, Rays 4, Texas Rangers 4.
Versus LH: Indians 4, Rays 3, Twins 3, Mariners 3, Cubs 3, Cardinals 3, Dodgers 3. Ten teams face two left-handed starters. Versus RH: Orioles 7, Pirates 7, Texas Rangers 6, Brewers 6. Eleven teams face five right-handed starters.
In case you hadn't noticed, National League pitching staffs (4.24) have performed considerably worse than their American League counterparts (4.02) since the All-Star break, so it's understandable that the majority of favorable matchups come from NL teams in Week 20. The Diamondbacks, Brewers and Pirates stand out as the week's best, with the Nationals only slightly behind. Seven home games -- bear in mind that Chase Field ranks fifth in runs and fourth in home runs per our Park Factors page this season -- suits the Diamondbacks well, though their ideal matchup would have a greater volume of opposing left-handed starters (they project to face only one, Brandon Finnegan). Still, since the All-Star break, the Diamondbacks have averaged nearly three-quarters of a run per game more at Chase Field (5.29) than on the road (4.59), with Jean Segura (.333/.356/.526 triple-slash rates in 13 home games), Yasmany Tomas (.321/.357/.830 in 13) and Jake Lamb (.315/.356/.611 in 13) specific standouts during that time. This appears to be an ideal week for Lamb to reverse his recent funk. The Brewers enjoy a similar advantage with seven home games -- Miller Park ranks fifth in home runs per the Park Factors -- though, like the Diamondbacks, they typically hit left-handed pitching more effectively. Four Brewers, however, have enjoyed success against righties during the second half, all of whom warrant your consideration: Hernan Perez, a .298/.333/.488 hitter against them during that time span, Scooter Gennett, (.292/.333/.438), Keon Broxton (.282/.364/.462) and Kirk Nieuwenhuis (.254/.342/.537). Nieuwenhuis (.302/.412/.698 in 15 home games) and Broxton (.333/.442/.583 in 11) have also been excellent in home games since the break. On the AL side, the Blue Jays enjoy the most favorable set of matchups, with all six of their games being played at Rogers Centre, three apiece against the Los Angeles Angels (AL-worst 4.83 team ERA during the second half) and Minnesota Twins (4.79, second-worst). Blue Jays hitters tend to be more obvious in terms of start/sit calls -- Edwin Encarnacion and Troy Tulowitzki being clear starts, when healthy, regardless of matchups -- but take note of Russell Martin's (.300/.523/.633 in 11 home games since the All-Star break) and Devon Travis' (.345/.379/.491 in 14) success at Rogers Centre in recent weeks. Michael Saunders (.208/.356/.500 in 14 home games during that span) should also get four starts and be a worthwhile plug-in.
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