Today's Fantasy Rx

Welcome to our weekly LPR rankings, our primary method of identifying highly skilled and consistently effective pitchers. While we have not changed this system since last season, feel free to refer to this key for a complete description of the codes. We have included the five most recent 2007 QA scores for each starter, along with the 10 most recent QA scores for each reliever, tabulating all data through May 16th. Pitchers with no QA scores have not pitched this year, so do not roster any of them unless you see someone ready to return to the majors from the minors or the DL.

1
3ACXZ - Jake Peavy(45454)
AX - Ian Snell(23444)
A - Mark Hendrickson(44501)

In an awful week for NL starters, Tim Hudson, Matt Belisle, and Chris Capuano all lose the top ranking without anyone replacing them. At least Peavy remains on fire.

2
3ABCXYZ - Roy Oswalt(44444)
3ABXY - John Smoltz(24445)
3BCYZ - Chris Carpenter(3)
BCXYZ - Brandon Webb(53353)
by - Adam Wainwright(10340)

Other than a lack of strikeouts, likely caused by a smarter pitching style that reduces stress on his arm, Oswalt seems as solid as any NL pitcher other than Peavy. Smoltz ranks right behind the Astros' ace on any list of NL starters going forward.

3Cbcxyz - Aaron Heilman(1243534334)
3abcxyz - Billy Wagner(3444344543)
abcyz - Bob Wickman(2534443223)
abxy - Cla Meredith(5444344443)
bxy - Pedro Feliciano(3333534554)
ax - Doug Brocail(4444443434)

3
C - Dontrelle Willis(14324)
Zach Duke(43333)

abcxyz - Chad Qualls(4342244453)
abcxyz - Trevor Hoffman(4123445534)
cx - Ryan Madson(4333333453)

A
BXZ - Greg Maddux(44444)
CXc - Matt Belisle(34453)
Xcz - Braden Looper(54345)
BX - David Bush(53434)
CX - Randy Johnson(14344)
Xz - Jay Bergmann(43434)
B - Cole Hamels(22445)
X - Tim Hudson(44444)
X - Shawn Hill(44434)
X - Orlando Hernandez(44254)
X - Tom Gorzelanny(54244)
X - Ted Lilly(53434)
X - Wandy Rodriguez(25434)
X - Jason Marquis(53432)
Tom Glavine(44452)
Chris Capuano(43040)
Rich Hill(25522)

Maddux impressed us so much with his recent work that we added him for today's start against the Mariners in one league, a move that looks increasingly bad with each earned run he continues to allow this evening.

B
CYZ - Ben Sheets(30345)
CZ - Derek Lowe(23532)
CZ - Pedro Martinez
C - Carlos Zambrano(43443)
X - Brad Penny(33444)
Josh Johnson

Cax - Brett Myers(5445455434)
Y - Hong-chih Kuo(2)
Carlos Villanueva(4421243234)

C
X - Jon Lieber(55333)
X - Doug Davis(34430)
Z - Paul Maholm(40032)
Barry Zito(22342)

X
Jeff Francis(33434)
Anthony Reyes(43343)
Russ Ortiz(34330)
Jeff Suppan(33333)

Someday soon Reyes will begin posting qualitative stats that reflect his respectable skills, and since the Cardinals lack many viable options to replace him, consider him a great time to buy-low on the youngster.

Y
Edgar Gonzalez(33)

Z
abcxyz - Ryan Dempster(5335355324)

a
bcxyz - Mike Gonzalez(4554443542)
bcxyz - Francisco Cordero(3553334445)
bcxyz - Scott Linebrink(2354433445)
bcxz - Heath Bell(3554454522)
bcyz - Brad Lidge(5443454445)
bcyz - Brian Fuentes(2234243254)
bxyz - Jonathan Broxton(3334334453)
bxy - Takashi Saito(5353434445)
cxz - David Weathers(3554244354)
cxz - Jason Isringhausen(2445354453)
cxz - Derrick Turnbow(3424543514)
bx - Damaso Marte(5045545535)
bx - Tyler Johnson(3333424444)
by - Salomon Torres(5321235445)
cx - Randy Flores(3444345324)
xy - Rick White(4344234533)
xy - Manuel Corpas(4423333255)
b - Renyel Pinto(4435344525)
x - Joe Smith(4445544245)
x - Tony Pena(4543244545)
x - Armando Benitez(3444544353)
x - Tyler Yates(5435153544)
x - Kevin Cameron(4444453342)
x - Kirk Saarloos(4404443452)
x - Rafael Soriano(4533535434)
x - Chin-hui Tsao(5433423444)
x - Brad Hennessey(4043434244)
x - Oscar Villarreal(3444234324)
x - Jon Rauch(1243535345)
x - Doug Slaten(3535332435)
y - Saul Rivera(4425335444)
y - Chad Paronto(4243444323)
y - Micah Bowie(5435241303)
z - Neal Cotts(4204345341)
Jonathan Sanchez(4044442433)
Zach McClellan(4442445213)
Brian Shouse(4334340504)
Kevin Correia(5440333244)
Henry Owens(4221445253)
Antonio Alfonseca(4231433423)

Lidge appears increasingly close to resuming late-inning duties, though Jon Rauch's work over the last week makes him nearly as good a pick-up given the solid odds that the Nationals will deal Chad Cordero by the deadline.

b
cyz - Brad Thompson(32)
y - Brett Tomko(43040)
Kyle Lohse(32230)

cxyz - Dan Wheeler(5345323334)
cyz - Will Ohman(4045044525)
cyz - Jose Valverde(2424233354)
cyz - Mike Wuertz(3224200533)
cy - Duaner Sanchez
cz - Scott Schoeneweis(4544334211)
cz - Tom Gordon(325351544)
xy - Peter Moylan(3344332355)
yz - Chad Cordero(1343235245)
yz - Bob Howry(4134333214)
c - John Grabow(324343444)
x - Matt Capps(5440323543)
x - Elmer Dessens(3523433543)
x - Geoff Geary(5543433323)
x - Todd Coffey(3253432423)
y - Greg Aquino(14551223)
y - Jorge Julio(3221232540)
y - Matt Smith(423220033)
y - Gary Majewski
y - Josh Kinney
z - Eddie Guardado
Taylor Tankersley(3244335224)
Royce Ring(45)
Tim Hamulack
Josh Sharpless
Scott Cassidy
Chris Booker

c
z - Clay Hensley(01230)

xy - Russ Springer(5433443422)
yz - Macay McBride(42242)
yz - Brian Shackelford
z - Rudy Seanez(4535234234)
z - Brandon Medders(1434434422)
z - Jonah Bayliss(2310235433)
Scott Eyre(3241334335)
Ambiorix Burgos(2242333413)
Ryan Wagner(3224313133)
Blaine Boyer
Roberto Novoa
Yhency Brazoban
Franquelis Osoria

x
Lee Gardner(4343323244)
Matt Lindstrom(2333345515)
Ryan Franklin(3332552443)
Shawn Chacon(3043133433)

y
Trever Miller(3134253454)
Juan Cruz(522432544)
Brandon Lyon(4321255253)
Joe Beimel(2445242232)
Vinnie Chulk(1332242405)
Clay Condrey(53344)
Fabio Castro(300)
Joey Devine

z
Jeremy Affeldt(2342314435)
Ryan Speier(441)
Scott Munter(3)
Jose Capellan

1 - K/9 of 6.0+, BB/9 of 3.0-, H/9 of 9.0-, HR/9 of 1.0-,
     and G-F of 1.0+ in 25+ IP in 2007.
2 - K/9 of 6.0+, BB/9 of 3.0-, H/9 of 9.0-, HR/9 of 1.0-,
     and G-F of 1.0+ in 25+ IP in 2006.
3 - K/9 of 6.0+, BB/9 of 3.0-, H/9 of 9.0-, HR/9 of 1.0-,
     and G-F of 1.0+ in 25+ IP in 2005.

QA score for starts: up to 5 total points, one for each statistical goal, to any starter who pitches at least 5 innings and fulfills the following skill qualifications: K>=IP-2, BB<=IP/3, H<=IP, HR<=1, and G-F>=1.00. Any starter who does not reach at least one of the required statistical goals or fails to pitch 5 innings earns a 0 QA score. Scores of 5 and 4 qualify as DOMinant outings, a 3 is DULl, and anything below 3 ranks as a skill DISaster.

QA score for relief outings: up to 5 total points, one for each statistical goal, to any reliever who retires at least one batter and fulfills the following skill qualifications: K>=IP, BB=0, H<=IP, HR=0, and G-F>=1.00. Any reliever who does not reach at least one of the required statistical goals or fails to retire a batter earns a 0 QA score. Scores of 5 and 4 qualify as DOMinant outings, a 3 is DULl, and anything below 3 ranks as a skill DISaster.

Starters must pitch in five games before earning any of the following DOM or DIS ratings. Relievers must appear in no less than 10 games before earning DOM/DIS consideration.

A - QA score of 4 or 5 in at least 50% of 2007 starts
B - QA score of 4 or 5 in at least 50% of 2006 starts
C - QA score of 4 or 5 in at least 50% of 2005 starts

X - QA score below 3 in no more than 20% of 2007 starts
Y - QA score below 3 in no more than 20% of 2006 starts
Z - QA score below 3 in no more than 20% of 2005 starts

a - QA score of 4 or 5 in at least 50% of 2007 relief outings
b - QA score of 4 or 5 in at least 50% of 2006 relief outings
c - QA score of 4 or 5 in at least 50% of 2005 relief outings

x - QA score below 3 in no more than 20% of 2007 relief outings
y - QA score below 3 in no more than 20% of 2006 relief outings
z - QA score below 3 in no more than 20% of 2005 relief outings

Today's Fantasy Rx: The Marlins may have landed their long-term centerfielder with yesterday's waiver claim of Todd Linden from San Francisco. He has not shown much of anything in the majors thus far, and his high strikeout rate could drive Fredi Gonzalez as crazy as Felipe Alou and Bruce Bochy. However, the switch-hitting, 26-year-old former first rounder also offers more upside than anyone else above A-ball in Florida's system, so definitely take a chance on Linden anywhere you see him available since he at least should receive the first regular playing time of his career over the next couple of weeks.