Posted by: SteveP
on Sep 26, 2010
Thanks for reading this column this season. This will be the last Hitting Planner of 2010. Be sure to read it again in 2011!
We tell you who to sit and who to start in setting your hitting line-ups each week. For the top hitters for the week, we focus on questionable hitters that may or may not normally start for you that have favorable schedules this week. We won't bother listing hitters like Pujols, Hanley, or A-Rod in this article, because you always start them, regardless of schedule. Likewise, we won't list lousy hitters in the bottom section, because you'd obviously bench a hitter like David Eckstein playing in PETCO all week without our having to tell you to do so. For the bottom hitters, we focus on the average and better than average (but not star) hitters that you would normally start but have poor schedules this week. Top platoon starts are mostly RHBs playing many LHPs in the upcoming week. Bottom platoon starts are mostly LHBs facing a heavy LHP schedule. Top SB starts play against teams that allow many SBs, and vice versa.
Ask a question about your players in our FORUM. Leave a comment about this article down below.
Posted by: RichardSchortemeyerIII
on Sep 26, 2010
Thanks for reading this column this season. This will be the last Pitching Planner of 2010. Be sure to read it again in 2011!
We tell you who to sit and who to start in setting your pitching line-ups each week. For the top pitchers for the week, we focus on questionable pitchers that may or may not normally start for you that have favorable schedules this week. We won't bother listing pitchers like Lincecum, Halladay, or Carpenter in this article, because you always start them, regardless of schedule. Likewise, we won't list lousy starters in the bottom section, because you'd obviously bench a pitcher Jason Marquis visiting Philadelphia without our having to tell you to do so. For the bottom pitchers, we focus on the average and better than average (but not star) pitchers that you would normally start with poor schedules this week.
Ask a question about your keepers in our FORUM. Leave a comment about this article down below.
Posted by: RichardSchortemeyerIII
on Sep 19, 2010
We tell you who to sit and who to start in setting your pitching line-ups each week. For the top pitchers for the week, we focus on questionable pitchers that may or may not normally start for you that have favorable schedules this week. We won't bother listing pitchers like Lincecum, Halladay, or Carpenter in this article, because you always start them, regardless of schedule. Likewise, we won't list lousy starters in the bottom section, because you'd obviously bench a pitcher Jason Marquis visiting Philadelphia without our having to tell you to do so. For the bottom pitchers, we focus on the average and better than average (but not star) pitchers that you would normally start with poor schedules this week. Ask a question about your keepers in our FORUM. Leave a comment about this article down below.
Top Two-Start Starts (#1 being the best)
- Cole Hamels (PHI) -- Mon-ATL (Jurrjens), Sun-NYM (Pelfrey) - Has been one of the best pitchers in the second half, and it's now finally starting to show. Winner of four straight, he'll take on two teams that he's combined to give up just 5 ER in his last three starts against them.
- Rick Porcello (DET) -- Mon-KC (Greinke), Sun-MIN (Duensing) - After going 1-4 in six starts, has won four straight. He'll go on the bump against a KC team that he's 2-0 against in three starts this season and a Twins squad he only gave up 3 ER against in his only start against them in '10.
- J.A. Happ (HOU) -- Tue-@WAS (Lannan), Sun-@PIT (Maholm) - Had one of his worst outings of the season in his last start vs. MIL. Should recover against two teams he's combined to give up just 2 ER against in two starts in '10.
- Brian Duensing (MIN) -- Mon-CLE (Gomez), Sun-@DET (Porcello) - Continues to be impressive ever since he joined the rotation. Winner of two straight, will take the ball against two teams he's given up a combined 4 ER in 11 appearances this season.
- Clayton Richard (SD) -- Tue-@LAD (Billingsley), Sun-CIN (Bailey) - After going 6-0 in seven starts, is 0-3 in last four, capped off by a Rockies bashing. Good chance to get back on the winning track against two teams he hasn't lost to in three starts in '10 (2-0).
Top One-Start Starts (#1 being the best)
Posted by: SteveP
on Sep 19, 2010
We tell you who to sit and who to start in setting your hitting line-ups each week. For the top hitters for the week, we focus on questionable hitters that may or may not normally start for you that have favorable schedules this week. We won't bother listing hitters like Pujols, Hanley, or A-Rod in this article, because you always start them, regardless of schedule. Likewise, we won't list lousy hitters in the bottom section, because you'd obviously bench a hitter like David Eckstein playing in PETCO all week without our having to tell you to do so. For the bottom hitters, we focus on the average and better than average (but not star) hitters that you would normally start but have poor schedules this week. Top platoon starts are mostly RHBs playing many LHPs in the upcoming week. Bottom platoon starts are mostly LHBs facing a heavy LHP schedule. Top SB starts play against teams that allow many SBs, and vice versa.
Ask a question about your players in our FORUM. Leave a comment about this article down below.
Top Hitting Starts (#1 being the best)
Posted by: SteveP
on Sep 12, 2010
We tell you who to sit and who to start in setting your hitting line-ups each week. For the top hitters for the week, we focus on questionable hitters that may or may not normally start for you that have favorable schedules this week. We won't bother listing hitters like Pujols, Hanley, or A-Rod in this article, because you always start them, regardless of schedule. Likewise, we won't list lousy hitters in the bottom section, because you'd obviously bench a hitter like David Eckstein playing in PETCO all week without our having to tell you to do so. For the bottom hitters, we focus on the average and better than average (but not star) hitters that you would normally start but have poor schedules this week. Top platoon starts are mostly RHBs playing many LHPs in the upcoming week. Bottom platoon starts are mostly LHBs facing a heavy LHP schedule. Top SB starts play against teams that allow many SBs, and vice versa.
Ask a question about your players in our FORUM. Leave a comment about this article down below.
Top Hitting Starts (#1 being the best)
Posted by: RichardSchortemeyerIII
on Sep 12, 2010
We tell you who to sit and who to start in setting your pitching line-ups each week. For the top pitchers for the week, we focus on questionable pitchers that may or may not normally start for you that have favorable schedules this week. We won't bother listing pitchers like Lincecum, Halladay, or Carpenter in this article, because you always start them, regardless of schedule. Likewise, we won't list lousy starters in the bottom section, because you'd obviously bench a pitcher Jason Marquis visiting Philadelphia without our having to tell you to do so. For the bottom pitchers, we focus on the average and better than average (but not star) pitchers that you would normally start with poor schedules this week. Ask a question about your keepers in our FORUM. Leave a comment about this article down below.
Top Two-Start Starts (#1 being the best)
- Daniel Hudson (ARI) -- Tue-@CIN (Wood), Sun-@PIT (Duke) - Continues to be impressive, as he's now 5-1 with a 1.91 ERA since being traded to ARI. Even his only loss was a solid effort (August 17th vs. CIN - 7 IP, 3 ER, 10 K).
- R.A. Dickey (NYM) -- Tue-PIT (Duke), Sun-ATL (Lowe) - Continues to be one of the best stories in baseball, and his 10th W of the season showed why he could be in the Mets '11 plans, getting out of a bases loaded jam against the Nationals. He'll be at Citi Field this upcoming week, a place that has been extremely kind to him (6-1, 1.85 ERA).
- Gio Gonzalez (OAK) -- Mon-@KC (Bannister), Sun-@MIN (Liriano) - Could arguably be the best pitcher in the AL West right now. Winner of four straight starts, he'll face a KC team he beat earlier in the season and a MIN squad that he's produced a 2.77 ERA and .200 BAA in two starts this season.
- Joe Blanton (PHI) -- Mon-@FLA (Miller), Sun-WAS (Maya) -You take away his forgettable start @COL, where he's definitely not the only pitcher to have one of those, has gone 2-0, giving up just 6 ER in the five starts in between. He'll face two teams he hasn't won against this season, but has 13 K in a combined 12 1/3 IP.
Top One-Start Starts (#1 being the best)
Posted by: DaveGawron
on Sep 5, 2010
We tell you who to sit and who to start in setting your hitting line-ups each week. For the top hitters for the week, we focus on questionable hitters that may or may not normally start for you that have favorable schedules this week. We won't bother listing hitters like Pujols, Hanley, or A-Rod in this article, because you always start them, regardless of schedule. Likewise, we won't list lousy hitters in the bottom section, because you'd obviously bench a hitter like David Eckstein playing in PETCO all week without our having to tell you to do so. For the bottom hitters, we focus on the average and better than average (but not star) hitters that you would normally start but have poor schedules this week. Top platoon starts are mostly RHBs playing many LHPs in the upcoming week. Bottom platoon starts are mostly LHBs facing a heavy LHP schedule. Top SB starts play against teams that allow many SBs, and vice versa.
Ask a question about your players in our FORUM. Leave a comment about this article down below.
Top Hitting Starts (#1 being the best)
Posted by: RichardSchortemeyerIII
on Sep 5, 2010
We tell you who to sit and who to start in setting your pitching line-ups each week. For the top pitchers for the week, we focus on questionable pitchers that may or may not normally start for you that have favorable schedules this week. We won't bother listing pitchers like Lincecum, Halladay, or Carpenter in this article, because you always start them, regardless of schedule. Likewise, we won't list lousy starters in the bottom section, because you'd obviously bench a pitcher Jason Marquis visiting Philadelphia without our having to tell you to do so. For the bottom pitchers, we focus on the average and better than average (but not star) pitchers that you would normally start with poor schedules this week. Ask a question about your keepers in our FORUM. Leave a comment about this article down below.
Top Two-Start Starts (#1 being the best)
- Dan Haren (LAA) -- Mon-CLE (Carrasco), Sun-SEA (Vargas) - After going on a two-start losing streak in which he gave up 11 ER, has gone 1-0 and has given up just 1 ER in his last two. One of those starts was his last start vs. SEA where he blanked them for seven innings. And Cleveland... well it's Cleveland.
- Tommy Hanson (ATL) -- Mon-@PIT (Karstens), Sat-STL (Westbrook) - Got a W which was long overdue in his last start vs. NYM. Has a good chance to stay on the winning track against two teams that will feature pitchers that have a combined 3-11 record Post All-Star break.
- Max Scherzer (DET) -- Mon-CHW (Jackson), Sat-BAL (Matusz) - Continues to stay on a roll, as he's allowed just 3 ER in his four starts, which includes a CG, 1 ER effort against MIN. Against his opponents this upcoming week, has only allowed 6 ER in three combined starts this season.
- Jhoulys Chacin (COL) -- Tue-CIN (Cueto), Sun-ARI (Kennedy) - Has looked good since returing to the rotation last month. Is 2-0, allowing just 2 ER in his last three starts. Blanked ARI for 7 2/3 IP in a winning performance on August 22nd. He'll also face a CIN squad that will feature a pitcher that has had teams from the West give him 3 of his 4 Ls this season.
- Wandy Rodriguez (HOU) -- Mon-@CHC (Dempster), Sat-LAD (Monasterious) - Continues to look strong, with his last two starts being winning efforts against two solid offensive teams (STL, PHI). Is 1-0 in two starts vs. CHC in '10, which will feature a pitcher that had a brutal performance against an offensively-challenged Mets team in his last start. Gave up only 1 ER in a start earlier this season vs. LAD, who will showcase a pitcher that is winless Post All-Star break.
Top One-Start Starts (#1 being the best)
Posted by: SteveP
on Aug 29, 2010
We tell you who to sit and who to start in setting your hitting line-ups each week. For the top hitters for the week, we focus on questionable hitters that may or may not normally start for you that have favorable schedules this week. We won't bother listing hitters like Pujols, Hanley, or A-Rod in this article, because you always start them, regardless of schedule. Likewise, we won't list lousy hitters in the bottom section, because you'd obviously bench a hitter like David Eckstein playing in PETCO all week without our having to tell you to do so. For the bottom hitters, we focus on the average and better than average (but not star) hitters that you would normally start but have poor schedules this week. Top platoon starts are mostly RHBs playing many LHPs in the upcoming week. Bottom platoon starts are mostly LHBs facing a heavy LHP schedule. Top SB starts play against teams that allow many SBs, and vice versa.
Ask a question about your players in our FORUM. Leave a comment about this article down below.
Top Hitting Starts (#1 being the best)
Posted by: RichardSchortemeyerIII
on Aug 29, 2010
We tell you who to sit and who to start in setting your pitching line-ups each week. For the top pitchers for the week, we focus on questionable pitchers that may or may not normally start for you that have favorable schedules this week. We won't bother listing pitchers like Lincecum, Halladay, or Carpenter in this article, because you always start them, regardless of schedule. Likewise, we won't list lousy starters in the bottom section, because you'd obviously bench a pitcher Jason Marquis visiting Philadelphia without our having to tell you to do so. For the bottom pitchers, we focus on the average and better than average (but not star) pitchers that you would normally start with poor schedules this week. Ask a question about your keepers in our FORUM. Leave a comment about this article down below.
Top Two-Start Starts (#1 being the best)
- Dan Haren (LAA) -- Mon-@SEA (Hernandez), Sun-@OAK (Mazzaro) - After giving up 11 ER in a two-start period, rebounded in his last start, giving up only 1 ER in 6 IP in a win over TB. Has a good chance to on a winning streak against two teams that feature lower level offenses.
- Hiroki Kuroda (LAD) -- Mon-PHI (Halladay), Sun-SF (Sanchez) - It's been a pretty consistent season for him. The big difference is that he's gotten lesser run support in the second half. He's done his part, especially in the last four starts, giving up just 9 ER, but only a 1-1 record to show for it. Should stay on his solid roll against a PHI team he had a quality start against last season (6 IP, 0 ER, 5 K) and a team that's struggling offensively and a Giants squad that he was 2-0 with a 1.88 ERA against in two starts last season.
- Brian Duensing (MIN) -- Tue-DET (Galarraga), Sun-TEX (Wilson) - Is 4-1 since joining the starting rotation in late July, putting up a quality start in five of the seven starts. Will face a DET team that he hasn't given up an ER against in five appearances this season. He'll also take on a TEX squad that gave him his first L as a starter in his last start. However, his downfall in that start was giving up 2 HR at Rangers Ballpark, something that's more of a rareity in Target Field.
- Jonathon Niese (NYM) -- Tue-@ATL (Minor), Sun-@CHC (Zambrano) - Had a little roadblock in his last start vs. FLA, a team that has given him problems this season (1-3, 5.66 ERA). Should see a more familiar '10 version of him this upcoming week against two teams he's only given up 1 ER combined against in two starts.
- Jorge De La Rosa (COL) -- Mon-@SF (Sanchez), Sun-@SD (Richard) - After going 0-2 in his first three starts since returning from the DL, has recovered nicely, going 2-1 in his last five starts, tossing a quality a quality start in three of them. Has a good chance of posting up two more quality starts against a Giants squad he was 3-0 with a 3.38 ERA against last season and a SD squad that he's 1-0 against in two starts this season.
Top One-Start Starts (#1 being the best)
