Weekly Pitcher Rankings: Interleague Play Continues

Weekly Pitcher Rankings: Interleague Play Continues

This article is part of our Weekly Pitcher Rankings series.


Sleeper of the Week:
Andrew Miller, Red Sox (vs. SD, vs. PIT)

A bust since being drafted ahead of Clayton Kershaw and Tim Lincecum five years ago, Miller was part of a deal involving Miguel Cabrera going to Detroit, and now he's landed in Boston. Miller has underwhelmed throughout his career, but this year for Triple-A Pawtucket the southpaw has a 2.47 ERA and 61:35 K:BB in 65.2 innings. Something seems to have clicked recently, as in his last three starts Miller has a 22:1 K:BB in 18.1 innings. He's intriguing this week with matchups at home against the Padres and Pirates.

Twitter: Yes, I'm on Twitter (@vtadave).

For this week June 20-26

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Start 'Em

1. Roy Halladay - @STL, OAK
2. Clayton Kershaw - DET, LAA
3. Anibal Sanchez - LAA, SEA
4. Cliff Lee - @STL
5. Madison Bumgarner - MIN, CLE
6. Jair Jurrjens - @SD
7. Tim Hudson - TOR, @SD
8. Dillon Gee - OAK, @TEX
9. Johnny Cueto - NYY, @BAL
10. Tim Lincecum - MIN
11. Zack Greinke - TB
12. Cole Hamels - OAK
13. Yovani Gallardo - MIN
14. Chris Carpenter - PHI
15. Matt Cain - CLE
16. Tommy Hanson – TOR (check status)
17. Ricky Nolasco - SEA
18. Roy Oswalt - @STL
19. Carlos Zambrano - @CHW, @KC
20. Mat Latos - @BOS, ATL
21. Shaun Marcum - TB
22. Charlie Morton - BAL, BOS
23. Ryan Vogelsong - MIN
24. Derek Lowe - @SD


Sleeper of the Week:
Andrew Miller, Red Sox (vs. SD, vs. PIT)

A bust since being drafted ahead of Clayton Kershaw and Tim Lincecum five years ago, Miller was part of a deal involving Miguel Cabrera going to Detroit, and now he's landed in Boston. Miller has underwhelmed throughout his career, but this year for Triple-A Pawtucket the southpaw has a 2.47 ERA and 61:35 K:BB in 65.2 innings. Something seems to have clicked recently, as in his last three starts Miller has a 22:1 K:BB in 18.1 innings. He's intriguing this week with matchups at home against the Padres and Pirates.

Twitter: Yes, I'm on Twitter (@vtadave).

For this week June 20-26

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Start 'Em

1. Roy Halladay - @STL, OAK
2. Clayton Kershaw - DET, LAA
3. Anibal Sanchez - LAA, SEA
4. Cliff Lee - @STL
5. Madison Bumgarner - MIN, CLE
6. Jair Jurrjens - @SD
7. Tim Hudson - TOR, @SD
8. Dillon Gee - OAK, @TEX
9. Johnny Cueto - NYY, @BAL
10. Tim Lincecum - MIN
11. Zack Greinke - TB
12. Cole Hamels - OAK
13. Yovani Gallardo - MIN
14. Chris Carpenter - PHI
15. Matt Cain - CLE
16. Tommy Hanson – TOR (check status)
17. Ricky Nolasco - SEA
18. Roy Oswalt - @STL
19. Carlos Zambrano - @CHW, @KC
20. Mat Latos - @BOS, ATL
21. Shaun Marcum - TB
22. Charlie Morton - BAL, BOS
23. Ryan Vogelsong - MIN
24. Derek Lowe - @SD
25. Ryan Dempster - @KC
26. Matt Garza - @CHW
27. Bud Norris - TB
28. Randy Wolf - MIN
29. Jaime Garcia - TOR
30. Ian Kennedy - @KC
31. Dan Hudson - @KC
32. Ubaldo Jimenez - @NYY
33. Juan Nicasio - @CLE, @NYY
34. Jhoulys Chacin - @CLE
35. Hiroki Kuroda - LAA
36. Tim Stauffer - ATL
37. Kyle McClellan - PHI, TOR
38. Wandy Rodriguez - TB
39. James McDonald - BAL
40. John Lannan - SEA
41. Livan Hernandez - SEA, @CHW
42. Edinson Volquez - @BAL
43. Chad Billingsley - DET
44. Chris Capuano - OAK
45. Rubby De La Rosa - LAA
46. Jordan Zimmermann - @CHW
47. Kevin Correia - BAL

Borderline Depending on League Format

48. Paul Maholm - BOS
49. Randy Wells - @KC
50. Bronson Arroyo - @BAL
51. Chris Narveson - TB, MIN
52. Jeff Karstens - BOS
53. Kyle Lohse - PHI
54. Jason Hammel - @CLE
55. Jonathan Sanchez - CLE
56. Joe Saunders - @KC, @DET
57. Josh Collmenter - @DET
58. Zach Duke - @DET
59. Ted Lilly - DET
60. Kyle Kendrick - OAK
61. Mike Leake - NYY
62. Doug Davis - @CHW
63. Mike Minor - TOR
64. Brad Hand - LAA
65. Chris Volstad - SEA
66. R.A. Dickey - OAK

Extreme Caution Advised

67. Jonathon Niese - @TEX
68. Jason Marquis - SEA
69. Brett Myers - @TEX
70. J.A. Happ - @TEX, TB
71. Jordan Lyles - @TEX
72. Jake Westbrook - TOR
73. Dustin Moseley - ATL
74. Javier Vazquez - LAA
75. Mike Pelfrey - @TEX
76. Tom Gorzelanny - @CHW
77. Travis Wood - NYY
78. Aaron Cook - @NYY
79. Clayton Richard - @BOS
80. Wade LeBlanc - @BOS

Notes: Tommy Hanson
is dealing with a sore shoulder, but the team doesn't expect him to miss more than one start, so he should be good to go this week. ... Watched Ian Kennedy pitch on Thursday and he looked very good, pitching to both sides of the plate and showing pinpoint command. ... Mike Minor was knocked around pretty good Thursday, so unless Tommy Hanson is really hurt, he'll be replaced by Brandon Beachy (oblique) the week of June 27. ... Randall Delgado was the latest Braves pitching prospect to make his big-league debut Friday, but it is likely one and done (for now) for Delgado, who has No. 3 starter upside. ... Must be nice to have the Giants rotation. Madison Bumgarner now has 10 straight quality starts, and Ryan Vogelsong has been a huge find off the scrap heap. ... Dillon Gee is now 7-0 with a 2.86 ERA. While that level of success probably won't continue, Gee did have a 9.2 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 last year in Triple-A, so he has known success. ... Homer Bailey (shoulder) won't return this week, but he could be ready the week of June 27. Bailey allowed three runs on 11 hits in 4.1 innings Friday in a rehab start. Travis Wood appears to be the most likely candidate to move to the bullpen upon Bailey's return. ... It sounds like Dustin Moseley (shoulder) will start Sunday in Minnesota and be good to go this upcoming week against the Braves. ... So an 0-5 Doug Davis holds the Yankees to one run over 7.1 innings. I guess I have to bump him up a bit, but I'll remain wary here (forever). ... A guy named "Einhorn" has inspired a host of Ace Ventura references, but I still like "Brad Hand", a combination of two great characters in "Fast Times." ... Jason Hammel's back doesn't look like it will cause him to miss any time. ... Not quite sure what's going on with the No. 5 slot in Philadelphia, where Kyle Kendrick is throwing well, but Vance Worley is getting a spot start Saturday due to Wednesday's doubleheader. Kendrick put up a 7-5-1-1-1-5 in his last start, so unless Worley really impresses, figure Kendrick gets the nod next week.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Start 'Em

1. Jered Weaver - @FLA, @LAD
2. Josh Beckett - SD
3. Felix Hernandez - @WAS
4. Justin Verlander - ARI
5. Jon Lester - @PIT
6. Ricky Romero - @ATL, @STL
7. CC Sabathia - COL
8. James Shields - @HOU
9. Francisco Liriano - @MIL
10. Dan Haren - @LAD
11. Erik Bedard - @WAS
12. Michael Pineda - @FLA
13. David Price - @MIL
14. C.J. Wilson - HOU
15. Gio Gonzalez - @NYM
16. Philip Humber - WAS
17. Alexi Ogando - NYM
18. Carl Pavano - @SF, @MIL
19. Jeremy Hellickson - @MIL, @HOU
20. Scott Baker - @MIL
21. Colby Lewis - HOU
22. Doug Fister - @WAS, @FLA
23. Gavin Floyd - CHC, WAS
24. Zach Britton - @PIT
25. Justin Masterson - @SF
26. Jake Arrieta - @PIT, CIN
27. Ervin Santana - @FLA
28. Carlos Carrasco - @SF
29. Clay Buchholz - SD
30. Jason Vargas - @FLA
31. Matt Harrison - NYM
32. Mark Buehrle - CHC
33. John Lackey - @PIT
34. John Danks - WAS
35. Max Scherzer - @LAD
36. A.J. Burnett - COL
37. Ivan Nova - @CIN, COL
38. Jeff Niemann - @HOU

Borderline Depending on League Format

39. Zach Stewart - @ATL
40. Edwin Jackson - CHC
41. Joel Pineiro - @FLA
42. Felipe Paulino - ARI
43. Nick Blackburn - @SF
44. Derek Holland - HOU, NYM
45. Andrew Miller - SD, @PIT
46. Brandon Morrow - @STL
47. Rick Porcello - @LAD
48. Freddy Garcia - @CIN
49. Jeff Francis - ARI
50. Tyler Chatwood - @LAD
51. Phil Coke - ARI
52. Fausto Carmona - COL, @SF
53. Josh Outman - @NYM, @PHI

Extreme Caution Advised

54. Josh Tomlin - COL
55. Bradley Bergesen - @PIT (tentative – may very well be Jeremy Guthrie)
56. Brian Matusz - CIN
57. Wade Davis - @MIL
58. Carlos Villanueva - @STL
59. Jo-Jo Reyes - @ATL
60. Mitch Talbot - COL
61. Brad Penny - @LAD, ARI
62. Luke Hochevar - ARI, CHC
63. Danny Duffy - CHC
64. Bruce Chen - CHC
65. Chris Jakubauskas - CIN
66. Brian Gordon - @CIN
67. Brian Duensing - @SF
68. Trevor Cahill - @PHI
69. Graham Godfrey - @NYM
70. Guillermo Moscoso - @PHI

Notes:
The White Sox are planning on Jake Peavy (groin) returning as a starter, but moving him to a bullpen role could be a possibility if Peavy pushes for it. Either way, Philip Humber appears safe. ... Clay Buchholz was forced from Thursday's start after five innings due a sore lower back. For now we'll assume he makes his scheduled Tuesday start, but it's no certainty as I type this. ... The 32-year-old Brian Gordon had all of four big league innings under his belt (2008) before pitching in Yankee Stadium on Thursday against the Rangers; 5-7-2-2-3-3 is a pretty underwhelming line, making Gordon a risky play this week against the Reds. ... Zach Stewart doesn't have top-of-the-rotation potential for the Blue Jays, but after holding the O's to two runs over seven innings (4:1 K:BB) Thursday, he could be a solid AL-only guy. ... The Angels pulled the plug on Scott Kazmir this week (a 17.02 Triple-A ERA will do that), and he's now up for grabs. Look for a return to the NL (Cubs or Mets?). ... Not sure Jeremy Guthrie (back) will be ready this week, so I'm slotting Brad Bergesen for Tuesday's start in Pittsburgh. A Friday MRI revealed a minor strain, so it sounds like Guthrie will be good to go next week. I'll slot him in for now. ... Word is that former top-10 draft pick Andrew Miller could replace Tim Wakefield in the Boston rotation this week. Wakefield is set to start Sunday, June 19, but Miller could reportedly get the nod Monday. That leaves me guessing on the Boston rotation somewhat this week. Miller has a 22:1 K:BB in his last three Triple-A starts. ... Bartolo Colon has been placed on the DL with a hamstring injury, leaving Brian Gordon at least another couple starts. ... Jeff Niemann (back) returns this week, pushing Alexander Cobb back to Triple-A. I'm not sure when Niemann will make his return, but I'm projecting Saturday, June 25, in Houston. ... Kyle Davies (shoulder) and Bruce Chen (back) are both due back this week from the DL, but no word yet on the Royals' plans for each. Vincent Mazzaro is likely to get the boot, but he tossed seven shutout innings in his last start. Danny Duffy is another candidate to be sent down. ... Assuming this week that Trevor Cahill isn't hurt, but looking at his last few starts, something is wrong. ... Rays manager Joe Maddon stated that something didn't seem right with Brian Matusz after the Rays drilled him for four runs in 1.1 innings on June 12. Monitor him over the weekend to see whether that was a one-time anomaly.

MIXED LEAGUE TOP 100

1. Roy Halladay - @STL, OAK
2. Jered Weaver - @FLA, @LAD
3. Clayton Kershaw - DET, LAA
4. Josh Beckett - SD
5. Felix Hernandez - @WAS
6. Anibal Sanchez - LAA, SEA
7. Cliff Lee - @STL
8. Madison Bumgarner - MIN, CLE
9. Justin Verlander - ARI
10. Jair Jurrjens - @SD
11. Jon Lester - @PIT
12. Tim Hudson - TOR, @SD
13. Ricky Romero - @ATL, @STL
14. Dillon Gee - OAK, @TEX
15. Johnny Cueto - NYY, @BAL
16. CC Sabathia - COL
17. James Shields - @HOU
18. Tim Lincecum - MIN
19. Francisco Liriano - @MIL
20. Zack Greinke - TB
21. Dan Haren - @LAD
22. Cole Hamels - OAK
23. Yovani Gallardo - MIN
24. Erik Bedard - @WAS
25. Chris Carpenter - PHI
26. Matt Cain - CLE
27. Michael Pineda - @FLA
28. Tommy Hanson – TOR (check status)
29. Ricky Nolasco - SEA
30. David Price - @MIL
31. Roy Oswalt - @STL
32. C.J. Wilson - HOU
33. Gio Gonzalez - @NYM
34. Philip Humber - WAS
35. Carlos Zambrano - @CHW, @KC
36. Alexi Ogando - NYM
37. Carl Pavano - @SF, @MIL
38. Mat Latos - @BOS, ATL
39. Jeremy Hellickson - @MIL, @HOU
40. Shaun Marcum - TB
41. Charlie Morton - BAL, BOS
42. Ryan Vogelsong - MIN
43. Scott Baker - @MIL
44. Derek Lowe - @SD
45. Ryan Dempster - @KC
46. Matt Garza - @CHW
47. Bud Norris - TB
48. Colby Lewis - HOU
49. Randy Wolf - MIN
50. Jaime Garcia - TOR
51. Doug Fister - @WAS, @FLA
52. Gavin Floyd - CHC, WAS
53. Ian Kennedy - @KC
54. Dan Hudson - @KC
55. Ubaldo Jimenez - @NYY
56. Juan Nicasio - @CLE, @NYY
57. Jhoulys Chacin - @CLE
58. Zach Britton - @PIT
59. Hiroki Kuroda - LAA
60. Justin Masterson - @SF
61. Tim Stauffer - ATL
62. Kyle McClellan - PHI, TOR
63. Wandy Rodriguez - TB
64. Jake Arrieta - @PIT, CIN
65. Ervin Santana - @FLA
66. Carlos Carrasco - @SF
67. Clay Buchholz - SD
68. Jason Vargas - @FLA
69. James McDonald - BAL
70. Matt Harrison - NYM
71. Mark Buehrle - CHC
72. John Lackey - @PIT
73. John Lannan - SEA
74. John Danks - WAS
75. Max Scherzer - @LAD
76. A.J. Burnett - COL
77. Livan Hernandez - SEA, @CHW
78. Ivan Nova - @CIN, COL
79. Edinson Volquez - @BAL
80. Chad Billingsley - DET
81. Chris Capuano - OAK
82. Jeff Niemann - @HOU
83. Rubby De La Rosa - LAA
84. Jordan Zimmermann - @CHW
85. Kevin Correia - BAL
86. Paul Maholm - BOS
87. Randy Wells - @KC
88. Bronson Arroyo - @BAL
89. Chris Narveson - TB, MIN
90. Jeff Karstens - BOS
91. Zach Stewart - @ATL
92. Edwin Jackson - CHC
93. Joel Pineiro - @FLA
94. Felipe Paulino - ARI
95. Kyle Lohse - PHI
96. Nick Blackburn - @SF
97. Derek Holland - HOU, NYM
98. Andrew Miller - SD, @PIT
99. Brandon Morrow - @STL
100. Rick Porcello - @LAD

Regan, a four-time Fantasy Sports Writers Association award winner, was named the 2010 Fantasy Baseball Writer of the Year.

Follow @vtadave on Twitter.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
David Regan
David Regan is a six-time Fantasy Sports Writers Association award winner, including the 2015 Baseball Article of the Year and the 2010 Baseball Writer of the Year.
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