Pitcher and hitter ratings for Sept. 14 – ESPN

Starting pitcher projected Game Scores for September 14
					2015 Statistics			Past 21 Days
GS	Team	Name	T	Opp	W-L	ERA	WHIP	W-L	ERA	WHIP
79		Clayton Kershaw	L	Col	13-6	2.15	0.90	3-0	1.13	0.75
64		Cole Hamels	L	Hou	9-8	3.76	1.22	3-0	3.21	1.21
60		Sonny Gray	R	@CWS	13-7	2.28	1.00	1-2	3.93	1.25
57		Garrett Richards	R	@Sea	13-10	3.71	1.24	1-1	4.91	1.44
57		Jordan Zimmermann	R	@Phi	12-8	3.32	1.19	3-0	2.59	1.11
55		Scott Kazmir	L	@Tex	7-10	2.63	1.14	0-2	4.67	1.27
54		Carlos Carrasco	R	KC	12-10	3.70	1.08	0-1	13.50	2.63
54		James Shields	R	@Ari	11-6	3.90	1.34	2-1	4.94	1.69
53		Taijuan Walker	R	LAA	10-8	4.70	1.22	2-1	5.40	1.15
52		Logan Verrett	R	Mia	1-1	3.06	0.96	1-0	3.60	0.80
51		Aaron Nola	R	Wsh	6-2	3.56	1.14	3-1	2.42	0.96
49		Kevin Gausman	R	Bos	2-6	4.43	1.26	0-1	4.29	1.43
48		Tyler Duffey	R	Det	2-1	4.18	1.45	0-0	3.78	1.44
47		Edinson Volquez	R	@Cle	13-7	3.49	1.27	2-0	5.40	1.37
47		CC Sabathia	L	@TB	4-9	5.16	1.45	0-0	3.68	2.05
47		Eduardo Rodriguez	L	@Bal	9-5	4.05	1.27	2-0	2.00	1.44
44		Erasmo Ramirez	R	NYY	10-5	3.96	1.16	0-1	6.75	1.58
43		Tim Hudson	R	Cin	7-8	4.51	1.36	1-0	1.08	0.72
43		Jon Gray	R	@LAD	0-0	5.17	1.53	0-0	4.30	1.70
43		Jeremy Hellickson	R	SD	9-8	4.60	1.33	—	—	—
43		Kyle Lobstein	L	@Min	3-7	5.31	1.53	0-2	9.90	1.90
43		Justin Nicolino	L	@NYM	3-3	3.72	1.34	1-2	3.63	1.62
41		John Danks	L	Oak	7-12	4.60	1.38	1-2	4.50	1.30
40		Keyvius Sampson	R	@SF	2-4	6.94	1.82	0-2	10.13	2.25
GS: The pitcher’s projected “Game Score,” from Bill James’ original formula, which accounts for past history (three years’ worth as well as past 21 days), opponent and ballpark. A Game Score of 50 typically is typically regarded a quality start; anything over 70 is exceptional, anything under 30 poor. A “*” means that the pitcher lacks requisite career major league data to produce an accurate projected Game Score; these are the author’s projections. T: Pitcher throws left-handed or right-handed. Opp: The pitcher’s opponent for the day. W-L: Pitcher’s win-loss record. ERA: Pitcher’s earned run average. WHIP: Pitcher’s average number of walks plus hits surrendered per inning.

Elite

On paper, Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers hosting the Colorado Rockies could be the biggest mismatch of the entire season. Of all the possible pitcher-versus-offense matchups, the Rockies on the road facing a left-hander is by far the most favorable scenario. To wit, in this situation, Colorado is fanning at a bloated 29 percent rate in concert with a punch-less .253 weighted on-base average (wOBA). And, you know, Kershaw is good and stuff.

Solid

While the extent isn’t nearly as extreme as the Rockies, for the season, the Houston Astros have also had issues when traveling to face a southpaw, as evidenced by a 22 percent strikeout rate and .294 wOBA. Cole Hamels and the Texas Rangers hope this trend continues, as the American League West leaders visit the squad that’s chasing them. Since being acquired by the Rangers, Hamels has been solid, throwing better than his 4.07 ERA in a Texas uniform may indicate. His 8.1 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 are within reasonable range of what could be expected having to face a designated hitter instead of a pitcher. The inflated ERA is a result of a high batting average on balls in play. Despite the numbers above Houston still being dangerous, Hamels is best used in GPP play and faded on cash action.

If Sonny Gray isn’t going deep into ball games, his DFS utility is tempered since he’s a volume producer, relying on bullying up points with innings as opposed to sporting a high strikeout rate and getting points in that manner. Over his past five starts, Gray failed to pitch into the sixth inning twice, averaging only 6 1/3 frames in that span. Next up is a road date with a Chicago White Sox squad that’s average at home versus right-handers, though they do fan at a pace higher than normal. He has been in better spots, but on a light slate, Gray is a viable cash play.

Don’t blame Jordan Zimmermann if the Washington Nationals don’t make the playoffs, as he has done his job all season. He’s not an ace, but on a squad with Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg, he doesn’t need to be. The steady righty should be able to do his part again, as he’ll face the Philadelphia Phillies in Citizens Bank Park. This sets up nicely as a cash game candidate with the sole concern being the home team sending Aaron Nola, one of their only legitimate starters, to the hill. Still, on a day where there are limited safe options, Zimmermann is one of the few available.

The last time Logan Verrett was given the ball to start, it was in Coors Field, and he proceeded to toss eight frames of one-run ball, allowing just four hits and one walk with eight whiffs. Expecting a repeat this time around is optimistic, but that outing showed Verrett can go deep into the game, which is a plus since he gets another spot start, this time against the Miami Marlins in Citi Field. Verrett makes for a nice complementary option, especially paired with Kershaw on sites calling for multiple pitchers.

Streamers

Hot Spots

Bad news, friends: There’s little in the way of spot-starters to jump-start your seasonal week. Someone who could get you a cheap win is Tim Hudson, as the San Francisco Giants entertain the Cincinnati Reds in AT&T Park. The Reds’ offense has trouble generating offense on the road against right-handers, and the Giants’ hitters should be able get some tallies with Keyvius Sampson on the hill for the visitors.

Using an inconsistent rookie against the Baltimore Orioles in Camden Yards is a risk, but by the numbers, Eduardo Rodriguez is a defensible start. At home, the Orioles have fanned at an elevated 25 percent clip against southpaws since the All-Star break along with sporting a pedestrian .315 wOBA.

Cold Streams

The Minnesota Twins are one of the best teams at home against lefties. Kyle Lobstein is in for a long night — on your bench.

Jon Gray has exhibited some of the potential that has Rockies fans hoping their team can finally develop starting pitching, but he’s not there yet. The Dodgers aren’t an offensive juggernaut, but they have enough firepower to keep Gray on the sidelines.