Pitchers Report for Monday August 3, 2009

by Freddy Wills

A look at the hot and cold pitchers going today. The information you need to know whether it is for fantasy baseball or wagering contests. Make sure you check me out tonight on Picks & Parlays radio show starting at 7pm. Click here for live feed.

Probable Hot Starting Pitchers:

Matt Cain (San Francisco Giants)

Cain continues to be a "fly under the radar" guy because of the success of his counter part Tim Lincecum. I bet that is fine with him as he has been solid on the road and at home. He'll face the struggling Astros on Monday without Berkman in the line up still. In his last appearance in 2008 he went 8 strong innings against the Stros.

Like I mentioned before Cain has been rock solid on the road with a 6-1 record and a 2.27 ERA. He has a 3-0 record and a 0.86 ERA over his last 5 starts overall. Cain gets the job done here against the Astros, but make sure you keep reading below as Hampton is one of our cold starters, but I wouldn't be so fast to jump on the Giants on Monday.

Justin Verlander (Detroit Tigers)

Just how strong do the Tigers look now? Their top three rotation guys are in the Top 8 in the AL in ERA. Verlander has been particularly strong in his last 5 starts going 4-1 with a 2.00 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP.

I really liked this game until I saw the line at -280. Reasoning? Verlander owns Baltimore as they have just a .194 avg against him. More importantly this will be Verlander's 10th home start against 13 road starts and he owns a 1.15 ERA at home with a 7-0 record. Orioles are 3-13 in their last 16 Game 1's and Verlander is 20-3 in his last 23 home starts vs. a team with a losing record. I'd say it is safe to say the Tigers win this and if you need more assurance they are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. RH starters.

Notables - Last 5 Starts!

* Danny Harren (3-1, 1.03 WHIP, 2.18 ERA) * Zach Greinke (0-3, 1.34 WHIP, 2.53 ERA) * Clayton Kershaw (3-0, 1.00 WHIP, 0.82 ERA)

Most likely to sustain and win:

Danny Harren

Probable Cold Starting Pitchers:

Aaron Harang (Cincinnati Reds)

Harang has been very bad of late. Over the course of his last 5 starts he has an ERA of 6.83 and an 0-4 record giving up 7HR. His worse start came at home vs. the Padres last itme out going 7 innings giving up 9H and 7ER to the worst offensive team in the majors. I'm thinking he might bounce back here today, but he'll face the Cubs who are now hitting and have a career average of .299 against Harang.

Harang has faced the Cubbies twice already this season going 7IP 7H 0ER in the first match up, but take note he did not have to face Aramis Ramirez who has a .326 average with 4HR lifetime off him. In his second start he went just 6 innings giving up 9H and 4ER also take not both of these starts came on the road now at home where he is much stronger with a 3.57 ERA. He'll face Randy Wells who is 3-1 with a 2.62 ERA on the road.

Mike Hampton (Houston Astros)

Hampton has not pitched well particularly over his last 5 starts where he has a jumbo 7.96 ERA with a 1.88WHIP. He can't expect much run support on Monday as the Astros face Matt Cain who has just been on fire with a 0.86ERA over his last 5 and a 2.27 ERA on the road this year.

The one thing Hampton has going for him on Monday is the Giants ability to hit lefties. They are batting .233 and scoring 2.19 runs per 9 in their last 10 games, but their bullpen has been solid at 2.79 while the Astros can't hit RHP much .283 and 3.35 R/9 last 10 with a larger ERA from their bullpen of 5.62.

Hampton has had success aginst the Giants before as they are averaging just .237 against him and he had 2 GS last year 13IP, 11H, 4ER with the Braves. However, the Astros are 0-6 with Hampton on the mound against a winning team and they are 0-4 in their last 4 vs. a RH starter, you be the judge.

Notables - Last 5 Starts!

* Garrett Mock (0-3, 2.12 WHIP, 8.47 ERA)

Most likely to rebound:

Mike Hampton
 

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