Football
Tristan H. Cockcroft 17y

Daily Notes: Kevin Slowey Debuts

Fantasy Game Notes for Friday: American League
New York Yankees @ Boston Red Sox

Fenway Park (outdoor) 7:05 p.m. ET (20 percent chance of rain, low of 63 degrees)
Chien-Ming Wang, RHP (3-4, 4.13 ERA, 1.23 WHIP) versus
Tim Wakefield, RHP (5-5, 3.36 ERA, 1.24 WHIP)

Notable Injuries: Jason Giambi, DH (foot, day-to-day)

Game Story: Things couldn't be much more dire for the Yankees, who enter this weekend series 13½ games behind their rivals. That could lead to them continuing to press at the plate, not the best approach against a knuckleballer like Wakefield, who has been rather sharp thus far this season. Still, they got to him in two previous meetings this year, so keep your typical Yankees active. Avoid Robinson Cano (7-for-27, .259, 1 HR) and Doug Mientkiewicz (1-for-19, .053) based on their histories against Wakefield, though. As for Wang, he's shaky on the road against elite offenses, and unsurprisingly, he has a 6.08 ERA and 1.73 WHIP in four career starts at Fenway. Avoid him if you can, and keep in mind Eric Hinske (10-for-19, .526, 2 HR), David Ortiz (10-for-22, .455, 2 HR), Manny Ramirez (11-for-19, .579, 2 HR) and Kevin Youkilis (6-for-15, .400) tear him apart.

Detroit Tigers @ Cleveland Indians

Jacobs Field (outdoor) 7:05 p.m. ET (30 percent chance of rain, low of 65 degrees)
Mike Maroth, LHP (3-2, 5.04 ERA, 1.61 WHIP) versus
Fausto Carmona, RHP (6-1, 2.89 ERA, 1.24 WHIP)

Notable Injuries: Carlos Guillen, SS (groin, day-to-day); Brandon Inge, 3B (toe, day-to-day)

Game Story: Carmona tossed a quality-start effort at these Tigers in Detroit Sunday, and with a 3.49 career ERA at home (19 appearances), it could be said he'll be more comfortable in a somewhat tricky matchup against that elite offense at The Jake. Craig Monroe and Gary Sheffield each had two hits in that game against Carmona, and it's safe to keep Curtis Granderson (.319/1.017 vs. righties this year), Magglio Ordonez and Ivan Rodriguez active, too. On Cleveland's side, Ryan Garko had a three-run homer and two walks against Maroth, and is a fine fantasy option. So are Casey Blake (7-for-27, .259, 2 HR) and Johnny Peralta (6-for-22, .273, 1 HR), who should give Maroth headaches.

Chicago White Sox @ Toronto Blue Jays

Rogers Centre (indoor/retractable roof) 7:07 p.m. ET
Javier Vazquez, RHP (2-3, 4.50 ERA, 1.14 WHIP) versus
A.J. Burnett, RHP (5-4, 4.06 ERA, 1.24 WHIP)

Notable Injuries: Royce Clayton, SS (foot, day-to-day); Troy Glaus, 3B (hamstring, day-to-day)

Game Story: Vazquez has a 2.21 ERA in three career starts at Toronto's Rogers Centre, and note that the Blue Jays' offense slumped a bit in May, averaging only 3.96 runs per game, and could be without Glaus. It's not a bad matchup for Vazquez, and among Blue Jays hitters, only Lyle Overbay (3-for-7, .429), Alex Rios (6-for-17, .353) and Frank Thomas (2-for-5, .400, 1 HR) stand out against the right-hander. Burnett, meanwhile, doesn't match up any worse against a White Sox offense still finding itself. Paul Konerko (3-for-5, .600, 2 HR), Jermaine Dye (3-for-6, .500) and Jim Thome (7-for-22, .318) can hit the righty, and Darin Erstad should as well, but expect a good pitching matchup here.

Kansas City Royals @ Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Tropicana Field (indoor) 7:10 p.m. ET
Brian Bannister, RHP (0-3, 4.54 ERA, 1.40 WHIP) versus
Scott Kazmir, LHP (3-2, 3.95 ERA, 1.45 WHIP)

Notable Injuries: none

Game Story: Although the Royals have gotten to Kazmir in three career meetings -- he has a 6.35 ERA -- don't count on them being so successful this time. The left-hander has long been a dominating force in home games, where he has a 3.00 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 34 career starts, and he's lights-out against left-handed hitters (.214/.578 career rates), of which the Royals have plenty. Emil Brown (2-for-5, .400) and John Buck (2-for-6, .333) have hit him well and warrant starts, but that's about it. Bannister matches up terribly against left-handed hitters (.308/.859 career rates), so use Carlos Pena (.333/1.041 vs. righties this year) in addition to your usual Devil Rays.

Baltimore Orioles @ Los Angeles Angels

Angel Stadium (outdoor) 10:05 p.m. ET (cloudy, low of 60 degrees)
Daniel Cabrera, RHP (4-5, 4.78 ERA, 1.38 WHIP) versus
John Lackey, RHP (8-3, 2.36 ERA, 1.22 WHIP)

Notable Injuries: none

Game Story: Few pitchers can rival Lackey's pure talent, and that he has held current Orioles to a combined 43-for-174 (.247), two-homer, 36-K performance bodes well for him in a home start. Nick Markakis (3-for-7, .429), and of course Brian Roberts and Miguel Tejada, warrant starts, but avoid Aubrey Huff, 0-for-17 with three K's lifetime against Lackey. Cabrera, though, has been shaky with his command of late, with 26 walks in 43.1 innings leading to a 5.19 ERA in his last seven starts. He's not a great mixed-league choice here, so limit him to AL-only formats. Howie Kendrick (2-for-2, 1.000, 1 HR) has hit him well, and Casey Kotchman (.316/.901 vs. righties this year) is worth using.

Minnesota Twins @ Oakland Athletics

McAfee Coliseum (outdoor) 10:05 p.m. ET (cloudy, low of 53 degrees)
Kevin Slowey, RHP (1st career MLB start) versus
Joe Kennedy, LHP (1-4, 3.62 ERA, 1.37 WHIP)

Notable Injuries: Luis Castillo, 2B (legs, day-to-day); Mark Ellis, 2B (knee, day-to-day); Mark Kotsay, OF (back, DL/expected to return)

Game Story: It's Slowey's first big league start after nine starts at Triple-A Rochester, where he had a 1.54 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, .200 BAA and only five walks, and he couldn't ask for a much better matchup in his MLB debut than facing the weak Athletics offense in their pitching-friendly ballpark. Relative no-names like Brian Burres and Mike Wood have handled these A's in the past week, so use Slowey in all formats. Be cautious with Kennedy, though. He's coming off his worst start of the year and has faced a fairly light schedule so far. Castillo (5-for-11, .455), Michael Cuddyer (4-for-6, .667, 1 HR) and Mike Redmond (3-for-5, .600) are particularly strong bets against Kennedy.

Texas Rangers @ Seattle Mariners

Safeco Field (outdoor/retractable roof) 10:05 p.m. ET (low of 54 degrees)
Kevin Millwood, RHP (2-4, 6.62 ERA, 1.81 WHIP) versus
Jarrod Washburn, LHP (5-4, 3.22 ERA, 1.12 WHIP)

Notable Injuries: none

Game Story: It's Millwood's first start back from the DL, and it's a favorable matchup for him; he won in Seattle with a quality-start effort on April 13. He has a 3.48 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in five career starts at Safeco, so while he might not be up to full speed, he should be useful in AL-only formats. Adrian Beltre (13-for-46, .283, 3 HR), Richie Sexson (12-for-39, .308, 3 HR) and Jose Vidro (22-for-70, .314, 2 HR) do hit him, though. Washburn warrants AL-only consideration, too, because he has a 3.60 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 32 career starts at Safeco. Still, keep tough right-handed Rangers bats like Ian Kinsler, Sammy Sosa, Mark Teixeira and Michael Young active.

Fantasy Game Notes for Friday: National League
Atlanta Braves @ Chicago Cubs

Wrigley Field (outdoor) 2:20 p.m. ET (30 percent chance of rain, high of 79 degrees)
Kyle Davies, RHP (2-3, 5.51 ERA, 1.56 WHIP) versus
Carlos Zambrano, RHP (5-4, 5.24 ERA, 1.49 WHIP)

Notable Injuries: Chipper Jones, 3B (hands, day-to-day)

Game Story: Neither pitcher has experienced much success this season, but one of them has a history of great performances, while the other is merely a spot-start candidate. It's not a favorable matchup for the spot-start type Davies, who is coming off a dreadful last turn, so use your usual Cubs as well as Cliff Floyd and Jacque Jones. As for the normally solid Zambrano, he wasn't too sharp the last time these pitchers battled on April 18, and that 7.39 ERA in five home starts makes him a shaky bet outside of NL-only leagues. Brian McCann (2-for-3, .667), Edgar Renteria (11-for-29, .379, 1 HR) and Scott Thorman (2-for-3, .667, 1 HR) can handle the right-hander, so keep them active.

San Diego Padres @ Washington Nationals

RFK Stadium (outdoor) 7:05 p.m. ET (30 percent chance of rain, low of 67 degrees)
Jake Peavy, RHP (7-1, 1.47 ERA, 0.93 WHIP) versus
Matt Chico, LHP (3-4, 5.13 ERA, 1.60 WHIP)

Notable Injuries: none

Game Story: When baseball's best pitcher to date faces the league's second-worst offense (3.67 R/G), what do you think is going to happen? Peavy tossed a five-hit shutout at RFK on Aug. 7, 2005, against a much better Nationals team, and that could happen again here, meaning you should steer clear of those Nationals hitters. Yes, that includes Ryan Zimmerman, unless you're feeling particularly lucky. The Padres, though, match up nicely as a team against Chico, who lost at San Diego on May 2. Mike Cameron, Khalil Greene and Kevin Kouzmanoff should enjoy good games.

San Francisco Giants @ Philadelphia Phillies

Citizens Bank Park (outdoor) 7:05 p.m. ET (20 percent chance of rain, low of 66 degrees)
Matt Morris, RHP (5-2, 2.90 ERA, 1.32 WHIP) versus
Adam Eaton, RHP (5-3, 5.73 ERA, 1.49 WHIP)

Notable Injuries: Armando Benitez, RP (knee, day-to-day); Ray Durham, 2B (abdominal, day-to-day); Ryan Klesko, 1B (back, day-to-day); Ryan Howard, 1B (leg, day-to-day)

Game Story: The Phillies expect Howard back for Friday's game, and note that he's a .286 career hitter (2-for-7) with one homer against Morris. In a game at Citizens Bank, you should take the strong histories of Pat Burrell (7-for-20, .350, 1 HR), Wes Helms (8-for-23, .348, 1 HR) and Shane Victorino (3-for-4, .750) to heart. Morris was lit up in Philly on May 7, 2006, so it's a risky matchup for him. Of course, it's the same for Eaton, he of the 5.97 ERA in five home starts this year. Use Durham (7-for-25, .280, 2 HR) if he's healthy enough to play, Randy Winn (6-for-17, .353) and, if he starts, Mark Sweeney (8-for-13, .615), because each of them has a strong history against Eaton.

Los Angeles Dodgers @ Pittsburgh Pirates

PNC Park (outdoor) 7:05 p.m. ET (20 percent chance of rain, low of 63 degrees)
Randy Wolf, LHP (6-3, 3.41 ERA, 1.20 WHIP) versus
Zach Duke, LHP (2-5, 5.55 ERA, 1.67 WHIP)

Notable Injuries: none

Game Story: These are the same Pirates that Wolf struck out 10 times in six innings in a win on April 20, and there's little doubt he could manage an outing not far off that this time. Jason Bay (3-for-6, .500) is about the only Pirate who hits him; the others are a combined 8-for-39 (.205) with 12 K's against Wolf. Duke, meanwhile, has been largely inconsistent this season, so expect continued struggles against the Dodgers. Grady Little would be wise to use Olmedo Saenz, who's 8-for-10 (.800) with two homers against Duke, and Andre Ethier (2-for-3, .667, 4 RBI), Nomar Garciaparra (3-for-6, .500, 1 HR) and Russell Martin (2-for-3, .667) also hit the left-hander well.

Arizona Diamondbacks @ New York Mets

Shea Stadium (outdoor) 7:10 p.m. ET (30 percent chance of rain, low of 67 degrees)
Brandon Webb, RHP (4-3, 3.74 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) versus
John Maine, RHP (6-2, 2.79 ERA, 1.34 WHIP)

Notable Injuries: Stephen Drew, SS (leg, day-to-day)

Game Story: This one features quite the pitching matchup. Webb, incidentally, has a 0.43 ERA in three career starts at Shea, so don't be afraid to use him. That doesn't mean you should sit your usual Mets, especially not the red-hot Carlos Delgado, but considering the injured Moises Alou and Shawn Green are the two Mets who have hit Webb best over the years, it's smart to steer clear of the team's second base and corner outfield spots. As for Maine, keep him active in a home game against the Diamondbacks, who lack the left-handed hitters who can get to him. Stephen Drew and Orlando Hudson should be used, but expect a low-scoring affair here.

Florida Marlins @ Milwaukee Brewers

Miller Park (outdoor/retractable roof) 8:05 p.m. ET
Scott Olsen, LHP (4-4, 5.11 ERA, 1.59 WHIP) versus
Jeff Suppan, RHP (6-5, 3.58 ERA, 1.36 WHIP)

Notable Injuries: none

Game Story: These Brewers are in a terrible slump, losing 14 of their last 19 games (through Wednesday), but at least they're in good shape with Jeff Suppan on the mound at home. He's 8-1 with a 2.06 ERA in 11 career starts at Miller Park, and current Marlins are 27-for-99 (.273) with three homers against him, which isn't that great. Use your typical Marlins, but only Jeremy Hermida beyond that. Go for Scott Olsen, too. Current Brewers are only 1-for-23 (.043) against him, with J.J. Hardy accounting for the only hit. Olsen tossed seven innings of shutout, one-hit ball at Miller Park on Sept. 3, 2006, meaning only Kevin Mench should join your typical Brewers in the lineup.

St. Louis Cardinals @ Houston Astros

Minute Maid Park (outdoor/retractable roof) 8:05 p.m. ET
Adam Wainwright, RHP (4-4, 5.59 ERA, 1.79 WHIP) versus
Roy Oswalt, RHP (6-4, 3.36 ERA, 1.25 WHIP)

Notable Injuries: Chris Duncan, OF (knee, day-to-day); David Eckstein, SS (back, day-to-day); Scott Spiezio, OF (flu, day-to-day)

Game Story: Oswalt tossed a complete-game, one-run victory against these Cardinals at home on April 7, and if Duncan is sidelined again as expected, it's an even more favorable matchup for the Astros ace. Albert Pujols (17-for-59, .288, 3 HR vs. Oswalt) is about the only Cardinals hitter worth using here. Don't use Wainwright outside on NL-only formats, despite his win in Houston on April 6. Lance Berkman (3-for-9, .333), Craig Biggio (3-for-8, .375), Mike Lamb (2-for-4, .500) and Luke Scott (3-for-6, .500) can all hit him, which is going to be tough for the right-hander to overcome.

Cincinnati Reds @ Colorado Rockies

Coors Field (outdoor) 9:05 p.m. ET (cloudy, low of 49 degrees)
Bobby Livingston, LHP (0-0, 6.75 ERA, 2.06 WHIP) versus
Taylor Buchholz, RHP (2-2, 5.58 ERA, 1.51 WHIP)

Notable Injuries: Willy Taveras, OF (finger, day-to-day)

Game Story: With Livingston on the mound for the Reds at Coors Field, it should wind up a bullpen day for them. Of course, the Reds' bullpen isn't a strong one, which makes Rockies right-handed hitters like Jeff Baker (.277/.925 career vs. lefties), Taveras and Troy Tulowitzki worth using here. Things shouldn't be much less fruitful for the Reds' offense, though, as Buchholz is a home run prone pitcher working at Coors, not the best combination. Adam Dunn (3-for-5, .600, 2 HR) and Ken Griffey Jr. (1-for-2, .500, 1 HR) love facing him, and it's well worth going for other Reds hitters like Edwin Encarnacion, Alex Gonzalez and Scott Hatteberg in a game at Coors.

Waiver Wire Pickups

Ryan Garko, 1B, CLE versus Detroit Tigers
Curtis Granderson, OF, DET @ Cleveland Indians
Casey Kotchman, 1B, LAA versus Baltimore Orioles
Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B, SD versus Washington Nationals
Scott Olsen, SP, FLA @ Milwaukee Brewers
Carlos Pena, 1B, TB versus Kansas City Royals
Mike Redmond, C, MIN @ Oakland Athletics
Kevin Slowey, SP, MIN @ Oakland Athletics
Scott Thorman, 1B, ATL @ Chicago Cubs
Randy Winn, OF, SF @ Philadelphia Phillies
Randy Wolf, SP, LAD @ Pittsburgh Pirates

Please Note that the notable injuries are not meant to be a comprehensive report of each team's disabled list. For brevity, we include only day-to-day injuries or new DL additions for players you might otherwise consider using in these games. Long-term DL or day-to-day injuries to starting pitchers who were not scheduled to appear are omitted.


Tristan H. Cockcroft covers fantasy sports for ESPN.com. You can e-mail him here.

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