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Fantasy Forecaster updated Monday, Aug. 15, at 8:28 a.m. ET.On tap: The Washington Nationals, owners of the National League Easts best record (69-47 entering play on Aug. 15), take their two Cy Young contenders, Max Scherzer (Aug. 15) and Stephen Strasburg (Aug. 17) to Colorados Coors Field for starts. Scherzer is 0-3 with a 5.32 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in four career starts at Coors, while Strasburg is 1-2 with a 3.44 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in his three career starts there.Wil Myers and his San Diego Padres head to Tampa Bays Tropicana Field; itll be Myers first game against his former team since he was traded, on Dec. 19, 2014, as part of a three-team deal that netted the Tampa Bay Rays Steven Souza Jr. Myers, incidentally, is a .313 hitter (21-for-67) with four home runs and 16 RBIs in his 17 career interleague games as a member of the Padres.Amongst the weeks schedule oddities: The Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians will play an Aug. 15 make-up game, accounting for their April 7 postponement. Thatll cause the Red Sox to play in four different cities within a 96-hour time period, and that Aug. 15 contest will represent their seventh during a span of 23 consecutive games without a day off. Some fatigue is possible.The Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs, meanwhile, will play an Aug. 16 doubleheader, one of the games accounting for their April 27 postponement. That gives both teams seven games during Week 19, two of the 15 squads to play that many. The St. Louis Cardinals, by contrast, play a major league-low five games.Quickly jump to any section, if you want specific intelESPN lineup deadlinesInterleague impactProjected starting pitchersPitching scuttlebuttWeek 19 pitcher rankingsHitting ratingsHitting advantagesESPN leagues: Lineup deadlinesThe Red Sox-Indians makeup game on Monday at Clevelands Progressive Field begins at 1:10 p.m. ET, so Week 19 will have an earlier start than usual. Thats Mondays only day game, but fantasy owners in leagues with weekly transactions need to take note.Remember that game times have tremendous influence upon daily planning, so be aware of every days first scheduled pitch. This week, they are:Monday, Aug. 15: 1:10 p.m. ET (Red Sox at Indians, the days only day game) Tuesday, Aug. 16: 1:20 p.m. ET (Brewers at Cubs, doubleheader Game 1, the days only day game) Wednesday, Aug. 17: 1:05 p.m. ET (Toronto Blue Jays at New York Yankees, one of five day games) Thursday, Aug. 18: 1:10 p.m. ET (Red Sox at Detroit Tigers, one of two day games) Friday, Aug. 19: 7 p.m. ET (Red Sox at Tigers) Saturday, Aug. 20: 4:05 p.m. ET (New York Mets at San Francisco Giants, the days only day game) Sunday, Aug. 21: 1:10 p.m. ET (four of 14 day games begin at that time)Interleague impactThis weeks interleague series:Padres at Rays (3 games, Aug. 15-17)Minnesota Twins at Atlanta Braves (2 games, Aug. 16-17)Cardinals at Houston Astros (2 games, Aug. 16-17)Brewers at Seattle Mariners (3 games, Aug. 19-21)Padres probable DH(s), 3 games in AL ballparks: Presumably a platoon between Christian Bethancourt and Brett Wallace, which means Bethancourt might get two of the three starts at Tampa Bays Tropicana Field, seeing as the opposing Rays are scheduled to start two lefties (Drew Smyly and Blake Snell). Since the Padres will also face a lefty starter during their weekend series versus the Arizona Diamondbacks, Robbie Ray, Wallace isnt a recommended NL-only play. Bethancourt, meanwhile, is only a desperation No. 2 catcher play in those formats.Brewers probable DH(s), 3 games in AL ballparks: Ryan Braun, freeing up an outfield spot for Hernan Perez and/or Ramon Flores. As the opposing Mariners will start two lefties (Wade LeBlanc and James Paxton), Perez and Keon Broxton benefit most from the additional lineup spot. Perez warrants mixed-league consideration, while Broxton is a stronger play in NL-only formats.Twins traditional DH, 2 games in NL ballparks: Miguel Sano, Kennys Vargas and Joe Mauer. Vargas and Mauer will battle for at-bats at first base, with Mauer having 20 starts to Vargas seven there since the All-Star break. Sano, meanwhile, might start one or both games at third base ahead of Trevor Plouffe. Sano is worth activating this week, but Vargas should be avoided except in AL-only formats.Cardinals probable DH(s), 2 games in AL ballparks: With Matt Holliday (DL: hand) sidelined, the team will probably rotate players through the DH role, as they have with many of their roster spots in recent weeks. Though its difficult to project the specific player(s) to benefit from the extra 8-10 plate appearances, Kolten Wong, Tommy Pham, Randal Grichuk, Jeremy Hazelbaker and Greg Garcia are all candidates for that small bump in playing time.Projected starting pitchersThe chart below lists each of the 30 MLB teams schedules and projected starting pitchers, and provides a projected Bill James Game Score for each days starter.Projected starting pitchers, Aug. 15-21 P: The starting pitchers projected Bill James Game Score, accounting for past history (three years worth as well as past 21 days), opponent and ballpark. A 50 is typically deemed a quality start by this measure, while a 70 is considered a dominant start.Pitching scuttlebuttBoston Red Sox: With Steven Wright (DL: shoulder) sidelined, Clay Buchholz will make another start on Aug. 18 during Week 19.New York Yankees: With Nathan Eovaldi (DL: elbow) sidelined and Luis Severino back in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the Yankees will likely go with a four-man rotation for Week 19. Chad Green will get the start on Aug. 15 and presumably also on Aug. 21.Chicago White Sox: Miguel Gonzalez (groin) left his Aug. 11 start early and is likely headed to the DL. His spot in the rotation next arrives on Aug. 17, though the White Sox could use the Aug. 15 off day to push that spot back as far as Aug. 20. Anthony Ranaudo should be a leading candidate to fill in.Cleveland Indians: Danny Salazar (DL: elbow) is expected to be ready to return as soon as he is eligible on Aug. 17. It is unclear whether hell slide into the Indians rotation on that date, pushing Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco back one day each, or return in Mike Clevingers place on Aug. 19.Kansas City Royals: Dillon Gee has most recently been filling in as the Royals fifth starter, that spot arriving next on Aug. 18 during Week 19. Chris Young, Brian Flynn and Mike Minor (DL: shoulder), however, could be candidates to step in.Oakland Athletics: Jesse Hahn (DL: shoulder) will make a minor league rehabilitation start on Aug. 16, then rejoin the Athletics rotation on either Aug. 21 (Sunday of Week 19) or 22 (Monday of Week 20). Hed replace Ross Detwiler in the rotation in the former scenario.Seattle Mariners: James Paxton (elbow) is on track to rejoin the Mariners rotation during Week 19, likely on Aug. 16, the latest date the team will next need a fifth starter.Texas Rangers: Derek Holland (DL: shoulder) will make his third rehabilitation start for Triple-A Round Rock on Aug. 15, possibly setting him up for a return on Aug. 20-21.Atlanta Braves: Julio Teheran (DL: lat) will make a rehabilitation start for Triple-A Gwinnett on Aug. 14, then rejoin the Braves rotation on Aug. 19 during Week 19.Miami Marlins: The Marlins skipped Jose Fernandezs Aug. 14 turn in their rotation, and will have him start next on Aug. 18. That, coupled with Adam Conley (DL: hand) being sidelined, means Jose Urena will be a two-start pitcher, working on Aug. 16 and 21.New York Mets: Jonathon Niese will replace Logan Verrett in the Mets rotation beginning on Aug. 17.Philadelphia Phillies: Jeremy Hellickson (back) is expected to make his next scheduled start on Aug. 20, as the team will use the Aug. 15 off day to push him back and give him some additional rest. Adam Morgan, meanwhile, filled in for Zach Eflin (DL: knee/foot) on Aug. 14, lining Morgan up for another start on Aug. 19 during Week 19.Washington Nationals: Reynaldo Lopez joined the Nationals rotation on Aug. 13, presumably setting him up for another start on Aug. 19 during Week 19. Joe Ross (DL: shoulder) suffered a setback and isnt a viable candidate, though Lucas Giolito could step in if needed.Chicago Cubs: Trevor Cahill (DL: knee), who was being stretched out to start during his rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Iowa, will make a spot start during Game 1 of the Cubs Aug. 16 doubleheader.Milwaukee Brewers: Junior Guerra (DL: elbow) could be ready to rejoin the Brewers rotation once eligible on Aug. 19, so he could return as the teams sixth starter necessitated by the Aug. 16 doubleheader later in the week.Pittsburgh Pirates: Tyler Glasnow (DL: shoulder) will make a rehabilitation start for Double-A Altoona on Aug. 14, and hell likely need another during Week 19 before being activated, perhaps sometime during Week 20.St. Louis Cardinals: The Cardinals could use the Aug. 15 and 18 off days to skip Luke Weaver in their Week 19 rotation, in which case Jaime Garcia would become a two-start pitcher.Arizona Diamondbacks: The Diamondbacks removed Patrick Corbin from their rotation, and will replace him with Zack Godley, beginning on Aug. 17 during Week 19.Los Angeles Dodgers: Bud Norris (DL: back) made a rehabilitation start for Class A Rancho Cucamonga on Aug. 13, and hes likely to rejoin the Dodgers rotation on Aug. 18 in place of Brandon McCarthy (hip), who is reportedly headed to the DL. Rich Hill (DL: blister), meanwhile, will make a rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Aug. 15, and if all goes well hed rejoin the Dodgers rotation on Aug. 20. The teams Aug. 18-21 rotation is therefore somewhat in flux, as Ross Stripling could be called upon for another spot start, but whats listed above is their most logical order.San Diego Padres: The Padres will move to a six-man rotation for the foreseeable future, beginning with Clayton Richards installation on Aug. 14.Tristans Week 19 pitcher rankings1. Max Scherzer (WSH) -- Mon-@COL (De La Rosa), Sat-@ATL (Jenkins)2. Madison Bumgarner (SF) -- Thu-NYM (deGrom)3. Corey Kluber (CLE) -- Tue-CWS (Quintana), Sun-TOR (Stroman)4. Jacob deGrom (NYM) -- Thu-@SF (Bumgarner)5. Jake Arrieta (CHC) -- Thu-MIL (Davis)6. Jose Fernandez (MIA) -- Thu-@CIN (Straily)7. Chris Archer (TB) -- Wed-SD (Friedrich)8. Noah Syndergaard (NYM) -- Tue-@ARI (Shipley), Sun-@SF (Samardzija)9. Drew Smyly (TB) -- Mon-SD (Perdomo), Sun-TEX (Perez): Hes in a good ballpark for a pitcher, he has four consecutive quality starts and you want the lefties when drawing a Rangers matchup.10. Justin Verlander (DET) -- Tue-KC (Duffy), Sun-BOS (Rodriguez)11. Zack Greinke (ARI) -- Fri-@SD (Cosart)12. Chris Sale (CWS) -- Sat-OAK (Neal)13. Carlos Carrasco (CLE) -- Wed-CWS (TBD)14. Danny Duffy (KC) -- Tue-@DET (Verlander), Sun-MIN (Santana)15. Stephen Strasburg (WSH) -- Wed-@COL (Gray)16. Johnny Cueto (SF) -- Fri-NYM (Matz)17. Cole Hamels (TEX) -- Fri-@TB (Andriese)18. Jon Lester (CHC) -- Wed-MIL (Nelson)19. Dallas Keuchel (HOU) -- Tue-STL (Garcia), Sun-@BAL (Gallardo)20. Kenta Maeda (LAD) -- Tue-@PHI (Velasquez), Sun-@CIN (DeSclafani)21. Drew Pomeranz (BOS) -- Mon-@CLE (Tomlin), Sat-@DET (Norris)22. Michael Pineda (NYY) -- Tue-TOR (Estrada), Sun-@LAA (Chacin)23. Felix Hernandez (SEA) -- Mon-@LAA (Nolasco), Sat-MIL (Guerra)24. Gerrit Cole (PIT) -- Fri-MIA (Koehler)25. Robbie Ray (ARI) -- Mon-NYM (Colon), Sat-@SD (Richard)26. David Price (BOS) -- Wed-@BAL (Tillman)27. Steven Matz (NYM) -- Fri-@SF (Cueto)28. Jeff Samardzija (SF) -- Tue-PIT (Taillon), Sun-NYM (Syndergaard)29. Matt Moore (SF) -- Mon-PIT (Vogelsong), Sat-NYM (Colon)30. Anthony DeSclafani (CIN) -- Tue-MIA (Urena), Sun-LAD (Maeda)31. Marco Estrada (TOR) -- Tue-@NYY (Pineda)32. Joe Musgrove (HOU) -- Thu-@BAL (Bundy): Hes now 2-for-2 in overcoming tough matchups on paper, so why cant he make it three in a row?33. Vince Velasquez (PHI) -- Tue-LAD (Maeda), Sun-STL (Leake)34. Blake Snell (TB) -- Tue-SD (Jackson)35. Jameson Taillon (PIT) -- Tue-@SF (Samardzija)36. Carlos Martinez (STL) -- Wed-@HOU (Fister)37. Anibal Sanchez (DET) -- Wed-KC (Ventura): He has three quality starts and two double-digit strikeout performances in his past four games, and the Royals have struggled mightily offensively since the All-Star break. Incidentally, though the Royals have a history of hitting for good contact; in recent weeks theyre a little closer to a league-average strikeout squad.38. Matt Shoemaker (LAA) -- Thu-SEA (Iwakuma)39. Tanner Roark (WSH) -- Fri-@ATL (Teheran)40. Dylan Bundy (BAL) -- Thu-HOU (Musgrove): He has gone at least six innings in each of his past two starts, which werent the easiest in terms of matchups. Bundy has earned our trust at this point.41. Danny Salazar (CLE) -- Thu-CWS (Rodon)42. Masahiro Tanaka (NYY) -- Fri-@LAA (Weaver)43. Tyler Skaggs (LAA) -- Wed-SEA (Miranda)44. Kevin Gausman (BAL) -- Fri-HOU (McHugh)45. Yu Darvish (TEX) -- Wed-OAK (Manaea)46. Hector Santiago (MIN) -- Sat-@KC (Kennedy)47. J.A. Happ (TOR) -- Wed-@NYY (Sabathia)48. Jaime Garcia (STL) -- Tue-@HOU (Keuchel)49. Jake Odorizzi (TB) -- Sat-TEX (Griffin)50. Tyler Duffey (MIN) -- Fri-@KC (Volquez)51. Braden Shipley (ARI) -- Tue-NYM (Syndergaard), Sun-@SD (Perdomo)52. Rich Hill (LAD) -- Sat-@CIN (Finnegan)53. Scott Kazmir (LAD) -- Wed-@PHI (Thompson)54. Jason Hammel (CHC) -- Tue-MIL, Gm. 2 (Anderson), Sun-@COL (De La Rosa)55. Mike Fiers (HOU) -- Sat-@BAL (Miley)56. Chad Green (NYY) -- Mon-TOR (Dickey), Sat-@LAA (Nolasco)57. Jose Quintana (CWS) -- Tue-@CLE (Kluber), Sun-OAK (Detwiler)58. James Paxton (SEA) -- Tue-@LAA (Chacin), Sun-MIL (Anderson)59. Jon Gray (COL) -- Wed-WSH (Strasburg)60. Michael Fulmer (DET) -- Fri-BOS (Porcello)61. Collin McHugh (HOU) -- Fri-@BAL (Gausman)62. A.J. Griffin (TEX) -- Sat-@TB (Odorizzi)63. Hisashi Iwakuma (SEA) -- Thu-@LAA (Shoemaker)64. Ervin Santana (MIN) -- Tue-@ATL (De La Cruz), Sun-@KC (Duffy)65. Kyle Hendricks (CHC) -- Fri-@COL (Anderson)66. Gio Gonzalez (WSH) -- Tue-@COL (Bettis), Sun-@ATL (De La Cruz)67. Tom Koehler (MIA) -- Fri-@PIT (Cole)68. Jhoulys Chacin (LAA) -- Tue-SEA (Paxton), Sun-NYY (Pineda)69. Matt Andriese (TB) -- Fri-TEX (Hamels)70. Kyle Gibson (MIN) -- Thu-@KC (Gee)71. Carlos Rodon (CWS) -- Thu-@CLE (Salazar)72. Trevor Cahill (CHC) -- Tue-MIL, Gm. 1 (Garza)73. Marcus Stroman (TOR) -- Sun-@CLE (Kluber)74. Ricky Nolasco (LAA) -- Mon-SEA (Hernandez), Sat-NYY (Green)75. CC Sabathia (NYY) -- Wed-TOR (Happ)76. Wade LeBlanc (SEA) -- Fri-MIL (Peralta)77. John Lackey (CHC) -- Sat-@COL (Chatwood)78. Ian Kennedy (KC) -- Mon-@DET (Norris), Sat-MIN (Santiago)79. Julio Teheran (ATL) -- Fri-WSH (Roark)80. Bud Norris (LAD) -- Thu-@PHI (Eickhoff)81. Archie Bradley (ARI) -- Thu-@SD (Clemens)82. Aaron Sanchez (TOR) -- Sat-@CLE (Tomlin)83. Ariel Miranda (SEA) -- Wed-@LAA (Skaggs)84. Paul Clemens (SD) -- Thu-ARI (Bradley)85. Jerad Eickhoff (PHI) -- Thu-LAD (Norris)86. Chad Kuhl (PIT) -- Sat-MIA (Phelps)87. Josh Tomlin (CLE) -- Mon-BOS (Pomeranz), Sat-TOR (Sanchez)88. Adam Wainwright (STL) -- Fri-@PHI (Morgan)89. Edwin Jackson (SD) -- Tue-@TB (Snell)90. Junior Guerra (MIL) -- Sat-@SEA (Hernandez)91. Trevor Bauer (CLE) -- Fri-TOR (Liriano)92. Luke Weaver (STL) -- Sat-@PHI (Hellickson)93. David Phelps (MIA) -- Mon-@CIN (Finnegan), Sat-@PIT (Kuhl)94. Homer Bailey (CIN) -- Wed-MIA (Cashner)95. Daniel Norris (DET) -- Mon-KC (Kennedy), Sat-BOS (Pomeranz)96. Ryan Vogelsong (PIT) -- Mon-@SF (Moore), Sun-MIA (Urena)97. Rob Whalen (ATL) -- Thu-WSH (Lopez)98. Clay Buchholz (BOS) -- Thu-@DET (Boyd)99. Bartolo Colon (NYM) -- Mon-@ARI (Ray), Sat-@SF (Moore)100. Chase Anderson (MIL) -- Tue-@CHC, Gm. 2 (Hammel), Sun-@SEA (Paxton)101. Reynaldo Lopez (WSH) -- Thu-@ATL (Whalen)102. Wade Miley (BAL) -- Sat-HOU (Fiers)103. Yordano Ventura (KC) -- Wed-@DET (Sanchez)104. Eduardo Rodriguez (BOS) -- Tue-@BAL (Gallardo), Sun-@DET (Verlander)105. Zach Davies (MIL) -- Thu-@CHC (Arrieta)106. Jeremy Hellickson (PHI) -- Sat-STL (Weaver)107. Christian Friedrich (SD) -- Wed-@TB (Archer)108. Rick Porcello (BOS) -- Fri-@DET (Fulmer)109. Jake Thompson (PHI) -- Wed-LAD (Kazmir)110. Zack Godley (ARI) -- Wed-NYM (Niese)111. Sean Manaea (OAK) -- Wed-@TEX (Darvish)112. Luis Perdomo (SD) -- Mon-@TB (Smyly), Sun-ARI (Shipley)113. Dan Straily (CIN) -- Thu-MIA (Fernandez)114. Chris Tillman (BAL) -- Wed-BOS (Price)115. Mike Leake (STL) -- Sun-@PHI (Velasquez)116. Jarred Cosart (SD) -- Fri-ARI (Greinke)117. Tyler Anderson (COL) -- Fri-CHC (Hendricks)118. Brett Anderson (LAD) -- Fri-@CIN (Reed)119. Jose Berrios (MIN) -- Wed-@ATL (Foltynewicz)120. Andrew Cashner (MIA) -- Wed-@CIN (Bailey)121. Matt Cain (SF) -- Wed-PIT (Nova)122. R.A. Dickey (TOR) -- Mon-@NYY (Green)123. Matt Boyd (DET) -- Thu-BOS (Buchholz)124. Francisco Liriano (TOR) -- Fri-@CLE (Bauer)125. Lucas Harrell (TEX) -- Tue-OAK (Triggs)126. Jimmy Nelson (MIL) -- Wed-@CHC (Lester)127. James Shields (CWS) -- Fri-OAK (Graveman)128. Edinson Volquez (KC) -- Fri-MIN (Duffey)129. Brandon Finnegan (CIN) -- Mon-MIA (Phelps), Sat-LAD (Hill)130. Zach Neal (OAK) -- Sat-@CWS (Sale)131. Andrew Triggs (OAK) -- Tue-@TEX (Harrell)132. Mike Foltynewicz (ATL) -- Wed-MIN (Berrios)133. Jonathon Niese (NYM) -- Wed-@ARI (Godley)134. Cody Reed (CIN) -- Fri-LAD (Anderson)135. Jered Weaver (LAA) -- Fri-NYY (Tanaka)136. Ivan Nova (PIT) -- Wed-@SF (Cain)137. Doug Fister (HOU) -- Wed-STL (Martinez)138. Wily Peralta (MIL) -- Fri-@SEA (LeBlanc)139. Joel De La Cruz (ATL) -- Tue-MIN (Santana), Sun-WSH (Gonzalez)140. Adam Morgan (PHI) -- Fri-STL (Wainwright)141. Kendall Graveman (OAK) -- Fri-@CWS (Shields)142. Tyrell Jenkins (ATL) -- Sat-WSH (Scherzer)143. Tyler Chatwood (COL) -- Sat-CHC (Lackey)144. Yovani Gallardo (BAL) -- Tue-BOS (Rodriguez), Sun-HOU (Keuchel)145. Dillon Gee (KC) -- Thu-MIN (Gibson)146. Matt Garza (MIL) -- Tue-@CHC, Gm. 1 (Cahill)147. Jose Urena (MIA) -- Tue-@CIN (DeSclafani), Sun-@PIT (Vogelsong)148. Chad Bettis (COL) -- Tue-WSH (Gonzalez)149. Martin Perez (TEX) -- Mon-OAK (Detwiler), Sun-@TB (Smyly)150. Jorge De La Rosa (COL) -- Mon-WSH (Scherzer), Sun-CHC (Hammel)151. Ross Detwiler (OAK) -- Mon-@TEX (Perez), Sun-@CWS (Quintana)Hitting ratingsThe chart below lists each of the 30 teams total number of scheduled games, home games and games versus right- and left-handed pitchers, and provides a matchup rating for the weeks games in terms of overall offense, offense for left- and right-handed hitters and base stealing. Matchup ratings for each individual game are listed under the corresponding date.Hitting matchup chart, Aug. 15-21 H: Hitters matchup rating, which accounts for the opposing starting pitchers past history (three years worth as well as past 21 days) as well as ballpark factors. L: Hitters matchup rating accounting only for left-handed hitters. R: Hitters matchup rating accounting for only right-handed hitters. S: Base stealing matchup rating, which accounts for the opponents catchers ability to gun down opposing base stealers. Ratings range from 1-10, with 10 representing the best possible matchup, statistically speaking, and 1 representing the worst.Hitting advantagesHere are this weeks volume plays, defined as the teams that play the most home games, or games against right- or left-handed starters:Total games: Red Sox 7, Indians 7, Tigers 7, Royals 7, Los Angeles Angels 7, Mariners 7, Marlins 7, Mets 7, Nationals 7, Cubs 7, Cincinnati Reds 7, Brewers 7, Diamondbacks 7, Padres 7, Giants 7.Home games: Indians 7, Tigers 7, Angels 7, Reds 7, Giants 7, Baltimore Orioles 6, Rays 6, Braves 6, Phillies 6, Colorado Rockies 6.Versus LH: Indians 4, Orioles 3, Rays 3, Tigers 3, Athletics 3, Rangers 3, Mets 3, Brewers 3, Padres 3.Versus RH: Mariners 6, Marlins 6, Nationals 6, Giants 6. Fourteen teams face five right-handed starters.Though theyll likely face Julio Teheran during their weekend series at Atlantas Turner Field, the Nationals Week 19 hitting matchups grade rather well, nevertheless. The Nationals begin the week with three games at Colorados Coors Field, then conclude with four at Atlanta, which has a 4.38 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 17.4 percent strikeout rate, all of those ranking among the bottom 10 in baseball. In addition, the Nationals have been hitting right-handed pitching substantially better than left-handed pitching since the All-Star break, with .264/.333/.431 triple-slash team rates and an 18.5 percent strikeout rate during that time span (.216/.277/.385 and 22.8 percent versus righties).Three right-handed hitters stand out facing this kind of schedule due to their performances against right-handed pitching since the All-Star break: Anthony Rendon, a .344/.403/.594 hitter (.430 wOBA), Jayson Werth, a .281/.359/.561 hitter (.400), and Trea Turner, a .288/.329/.530 hitter (.372).The Cubs face a comparably favorable schedule, thanks to three games of their own at Coors Field, following their four-game home series versus the Brewers. In particular, the seven starting pitchers the Cubs will face arent known for strikeouts; Tyler Anderson (20.5 percent rate) is the only one with a 20 percent K rate this season, but hes not thought of as elite in the category due to his low-90s fastball and so-so breaking pitches. Thats a plus for a lineup that has as much strikeout volume as the Cubs: Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Willson Contreras, Addison Russell, Jorge Soler.Russell, a .264/.330/.414 hitter in 24 games since the All-Star break, is a good play facing this schedule, as is Baez, a fly ball-oriented hitter who already has three career home runs in as many games at Coors. Soler could also warrant NL-only consideration despite his part-timer role, as hes already batting .412 (7-for-17) with two home runs in five games since returning from the DL, and he tends to be more of a fly ball bat. Cheap New Balance Shoes . The formidable trio of Canadian receivers -- individually known as Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg and Andy Fantuz -- will share the field at Mosaic Stadium one more time on Sunday. Wholesale New Balance Shoes . Clarkson had been dealing with an elbow injury in early January and will be out of action for at least one week. He has three goals and five assists through 36 games with the Leafs this season. http://www.cheapnewbalance.us/ . -- Cam Newton pranced into the end zone, placed his hands over his chest and did his familiar Superman pose. Cheap New Balance Sneakers . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. Discount New Balance Shoes . Just as Montreal was settling into the first full working week of a new year, the Impact announced the appointment of their new head coach. CHICAGO -- In what has been a lost season for him to this point, Chicago White Sox pitcher James Shields believes theres still time to take something positive out of it.Shields overcame some early struggles in a quality start on Saturday night before Whit Merrifield hit a go-ahead, two-run double in a three-run seventh inning that gave the Kansas City Royals a 6-5 victory.I havent been the spoiler too often in my career, said Shields, a one-time Royals mainstay. I mean, we want to be that team that finishes strong and has a good thought process going into the off-season.Two of my last three (starts) have been pretty good, so well see how it goes.Shields, who helped the Royals reach the 2014 World Series, allowed three runs and four hits. He avoided his 18th loss despite moving into the major league lead with 37 home runs allowed.The 34-year-old Shields has two years and $22 million left on his contract.Absolutely, I want to be here, said Shields, who reported no issues with his recent back problem. Im planning on it. My contract says Im going be back here.Royals closer Wade Davis gave up a single to Tyler Saladino and a double to Adam Eaton to lead off the ninth before Melky Cabreras infield single cut the deficit to one.With the tying run on third and one out, Davis struck out Jose Abreu and Justin Morneau for his 23rd save as the Royals remained four games behind Baltimore for the second AL wild card.We had a shot at `em, Chicago manager Robin Ventura said. I mean, you really dont get that many opportunities against Wade. He proves every time he goes out there how good he is.Eric Hosmer hit a two-run homer in the first and Alex Gordon a solo shot in the fourth off Shields. The struggling righty exited after six innings leading 4-3 before the Chicagos bullpen faltered.Chris Beck (2-2) was charged with three runs while giving up two hits and a walk and getting one out.Davis was the last of five relievers after Edinson Volquez, who allowed four runs and nine hits over five innings.dddddddddddd.Kevin McCarthy (1-0) got the last out of the sixth and Joakim Soria struck out two in a perfect eighth to earn his first major league victory.I still havent wrapped my head around the whole being up here yet, McCarthy said. My head is still spinning.Morneau doubled twice and drove in a run in a two-run fifth as the White Sox went ahead 4-3.Abreu drove in his 90th run and Saladino went 3 for 4 to leave him 9 for 12 in the past three games.Volquez allowed the leadoff batter to reach in all five innings, but the Royals overcame Chicagos 12 hits for their fourth win in 10 games.THE MORE, THE MERRIFIELDMerrifield, a 27-year-old rookie forced into duty thanks to Kansas Citys numerous injuries, has driven in 21 runs in 60 games.MORNEAUS FUTUREMorneau, signed in June to a one-year deal, will decide after the season whether to try to play in 2016. Hes 35.Oh, hes got something left, Ventura said. He can play next year if he wants to.TRAINERS ROOMRoyals: C Salvador Perez (bruised right wrist) returned after a two-game absence. ... RF Lorenzo Cain (sore left wrist) was sidelined again after he had discomfort swinging in his return Friday. The Royals say they want to wait a week before deciding if hell be shut down for the season. Cain declined comment after the game.White Sox: Ventura said its unlikely 2B Brett Lawrie, who last played July 21, returns this season. Lawrie remains in Arizona dealing with nagging knee pain after originally being sidelined with a hamstring injury. Its become a long shot at this point just because hes been out so long, Ventura said.UP NEXTWhite Sox ace Chris Sale (15-7, 3.07 ERA) faces RHP Ian Kennedy (10-9, 3.76) in the series finale Sunday. ' ' '