Clan-Members » your lineup, including Marwin Gonzalez in deeper league

The common threads among this years top NFL squads? Coaching, title track and ownership. And thats not surprise, with the likes of Bill Belichick, Pete Carroll and Bruce Arians all lifting their squads to top-15 finishes. Arthur Black, Paul Allen, and, um, Green Bay fans all rank in sports top 10. As for title track -- well, its no coincidence that the past three NFL No. 1s have played in or won the previous Super Bowl. Of course, all that winning can come at the price -- just ask Pats fans, who could lead these rankings otherwise. Or, of course, the 49ers -- their combination of high prices and losing ways have dropped the team an astonishing 95 spots in two years. Now, theyre 122nd in all of sports.1. Carolina Panthers (3 overall)Its amazing what a 15-1 regular-season record, a trip to the Super Bowl and having the league MVP will do for your franchise. The Panthers moved from an overall rating in the mid-20s the past two years to No. 3 overall, the highest ranking by an NFL team. The jump in players from No. 35 to No. 4 tells you the story. Carolina has two of the leagues marquee stars in quarterback Cam Newton and middle linebacker Luke Kuechly. Good news: Theyre both signed long-term, so this rating shouldnt change much in the coming years. -- David Newton READ MORE2. Green Bay Packers (4 overall)The Packers are the model of consistency for NFL franchises. Theyre regular contenders (only the Packers and Patriots have been in the playoffs each of the past seven seasons), their finances are in order both off the field and in terms of player contracts, and theyve had more than a decade of outstanding quarterback play with Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. What team wouldnt want to emulate all of that? -- Rob Demovsky READ MORE3. Arizona Cardinals (5 overall)With victories comes not just the spoils, but also a fast rise up ESPNs Ultimate Standings. Cardinals fans title hopes increased after a 13-3 season last year which ended with them in the NFC Championship Game, and a 27-point jump in these standings soon followed. But their 34 wins in three years had more to do with coach Bruce Arians than anything else.-- Josh Weinfuss READ MORE4. Seattle Seahawks (6 overall)The Seahawks are no strangers to the top of these standings, and this year is no different: Top-10 finishes in title track, ownership, coaching, players and bang for the buck mark some of the categories most important to fans. All those pieces have been put together to impressive effect on the field: The Seahawks have gone to at least the divisional round in four straight seasons, have made the Super Bowl twice and brought home the Lombardi trophy once.-- Sheil Kapadia READ MORE5. New England Patriots (17 overall)If quarterback Tom Brady serving a four-game suspension to open the NFL season was supposed to get Patriots fans down, it didnt work. In fact, optimism for the team might be at an all-time high as the Patriots improved eight spots in ESPNs Ultimate Standings, after making an 18-spot jump the year before. The only nitpick for fans is the rising cost to attend a game. -- Mike Reiss READ MORE6. Denver Broncos (19 overall)Youll have to excuse the Denver Broncos and their crowd for a little bit of the duh face with all of this. The team has sold every ticket since 1970, it has had more Super Bowl trips than losing seasons since Pat Bowlen became an owner in 1984. Last season was the franchises eighth trip to the Super Bowl overall, seventh in Bowlens time with the franchise and the Broncos won their third championship. -- Jeff Legwold READ MORE7. Kansas City Chiefs (20 overall)Their fans seem to have settled into a comfortable spot with regard to the Chiefs. While theres certainly frustration that the Chiefs havent been to the Super Bowl since 1970, the fans seem to appreciate that their team is making the effort. -- Adam Teicher READ MORE8. Pittsburgh Steelers (22 overall)The Pittsburgh Steelers employed a balanced attack to jump eight spots in this years Ultimate Standings, combining a successful on-field product with several improvements in the game-day experience. Heinz Field is one of the NFLs most unique venues, and the Steelers have championship aspirations every time they take it. The Steelers ranked in the top 40 in seven of nine categories gauging the health of professional sports franchises. Affordability and fan relations need slight improvements, but otherwise the Steelers get gold (and black) stars. -- Jeremy Fowler READ MORE9. Baltimore Ravens (26 overall)Not even a five-win season (the Ravens worst record since 2007) can drop this team too far in our standings, thanks to affordable tickets and one of the NFLs best coaches and rosters. The Ravens ranked in the top quarter of all teams in all categories but one -- bang for the buck -- which could change quickly next year with a few more wins. ?-- Jamison Hensley READ MORE10. Jacksonville Jaguars (32 overall)The Jaguars are making progress much quicker in the Ultimate Standings than they are on the field. The team jumped up 32 spots to No. 32 -- a significant leap considering the Jaguars went 12-36 in 2013-15 (and 24 of those losses came by double digits). Its Year 4 of the rebuild under GM Dave Caldwell and coach Gus Bradley, and its time for all that work to begin paying off. -- Michael DiRocco READ MORE11. Houston Texans (39 overall)The Texans are up 11 spots from last years rankings, likely in part to the big offseason the team had after winning the AFC South last year. After a season of revolving quarterbacks that ended with a 30-0 blowout by the Chiefs in the wild-card game, Houston upgraded its offense in a big way, including signing quarterback Brock Osweiler to a four-year, $72 million contract. -- Sarah Barshop READ MORE12. New Orleans Saints (40 overall)Six years after ranking No. 1 on this list, the Saints have drifted into the middle of the pack -- much like what theyve been doing on the football field. Thats what happens after back-to-back 7-9 seasons, the first consecutive losing seasons in a decade under coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees. -- Mike Triplett READ MORE13. Indianapolis Colts (42 overall)Missing the playoffs for the first time since 2011, poor offensive line play and tension in the front office all played a part in the Colts plummeting 31 spots in these rankings. This team spent the offseason before 2015 adding veteran players it felt were good enough to get the Colts to the Super Bowl -- only to end up way short of those goals. -- Mike Wells READ MORE14. Minnesota Vikings (50 overall)A 36-spot jump in these rankings is no small feat, but even more impressive: a 71-spot jump in stadium experience (the Vikings trailed only the Packers in the NFL in votes on a great stadium. And thanks to an 11-5 2015 record and a playoff berth, the Vikes saw a 45-spot increase in bang for the buck. All things considered, the Vikings are on their way up -- in these standings and, perhaps, the NFC North. -- Ben Goessling READ MORE15. Atlanta Falcons (54 overall)The Falcons are in the middle of the pack, and understandably so. They were riding a high just a few years ago when they made it to the NFC Championship Game, losing to the San Francisco 49ers. But now, theyve gone three consecutive seasons without making the playoffs, leaving the fan base scratching its head. Theres still hope -- this team boasts one of the leagues most dominant receivers in Julio Jones, talented running backs in Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, and a capable quarterback in Matt Ryan. But until the Falcons return to the playoffs, theyll be mired in mediocrity. -- Vaughn McClure READ MORE16. Cincinnati Bengals (59 overall)The Bengals have steadily gained more respect over the years as they continue to post winning seasons, as seen by a 28-point jump in these standings. These are not the losing Bengals of the 90s anymore; they win, and they win often. But until they can prove they can do it in the postseason too, theyll likely remain in the middle of the franchise rankings. . --Coley Harvey READ MORE17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (91 overall)When youre a Bucs fan, even a six-win season is something to celebrate (it was only the teams third season since 2009 with at least six wins). So thanks to cheap seats, cheap eats and a somewhat promising outlook, Tampa Bay faithful jumped their squad up 18 spots this year, just outside the NFLs top half. -- Pat Yasinskas READ MORE18. New York Giants (75 overall)It has been a few years since the Giants made the playoffs, or even had a winning record. After four straight playoff-less years -- with quarterback Eli Manning on the roster! -- the Tom Coughlin era ended poorly. The hope is that a change at the top and $200-plus-million spent on the defense is the antidote to their struggles. -- Dan Graziano READ MORE19. Buffalo Bills (76 overall)The Bills have fallen from No. 49 overall last season, the result of drops in every category except bang for the buck. The bright side? They still rank 19th among NFL teams and are higher in the standings than some bigger-market teams (ahem, Cowboys) and several teams with newer stadiums. A cheap ticket does wonders. -- Mike Rodak READ MORE20. Oakland Raiders (85 overall)The Oakland Raiders last trip to the playoffs -- let alone their last winning record -- came when quarterback Derek Carr was 11 years old, in sixth grade and watching his older brother David get sacked 76 times as the NFLs No. 1 overall draft pick. In other words, it was in 2002. Raiders fans are betting on the younger Carr having learned from the struggles of his older brother to get this proud franchise back up and running ... wherever its future home is, be it Oakland, Las Vegas, Los Angeles or parts unknown. -- Paul Gutierrez READ MORE21. Philadelphia Eagles (86 overall)When voting for the Ultimate Standings was completed in late August, the buzz surrounding the Philadelphia Eagles was near an all-time low. Jaded as a result of how things ended with Chip Kelly and uninspired by the QB pairing of Doug Pederson and Sam Bradford, fans were bracing for a boring year that was viewed as more of an obstacle between them and the start of the Carson Wentz era. That helps explain why the overall number fell 13 points, and why the Eagles failed to score well in just about every category. Since then? Well, Wentz has been thrust into the starting role, and a 3-0 start to the year might have people rethinking these numbers. -- Tim McManus READ MORE22. Dallas Cowboys (89 overall)The Cowboys are the most valued franchise in the world, according to Forbes -- but imagine how high the value would get if they would win. They have not won a Super Bowl since 1995, and after coming within a whisker of the conference championship game in 2014, they plummeted to a 4-12 mark in 2015. The Cowboys success seems to be tied to Tony Romos health. If Romo is healthy, they win. When he isnt, they lose. The arrival of Dak Prescott seems to have changed the narrative a little, but the rookie quarterback is still learning as he goes and it is impossible to know yet if he is truly the real deal. -- Todd Archer READ MORE23. New York Jets (94 overall)After four years of irrelevancy, the Jets won 10 games in 2015 and were back among the NFLs important teams -- in the league standings, if not these rankings. They have good leadership, a roster with high-profile names and a strong brand. Now all they need to do is figure out a way to sustain success -- and beat Tom Brady. -- Rich Cimini READ MORE24. Chicago Bears (103 overall)The NFLs charter franchise ranks 103rd overall after a nine-year span where the Bears reached the playoffs once. Thats up 11 from last year, but this level of futility -- Chicago has qualified for the postseason just five times since Mike Ditka was fired in the early 1990s -- puts them on the level of Cleveland or Jacksonville. The Bears promised to usher in a new era of hope when they hired general manager Ryan Pace and head coach John Fox after the Marc Trestman debacle. So far though, both have failed to deliver anything tangible for Chicago sports fans to embrace. -- Jeff Dickerson READ MORE25. Tennessee Titans (105 overall)Its hard for a team that has won just six of its last 34 games to move up dramatically here, though a 12-point jump shows that fans are recognizing that a lot of positive things are happening. Ownership has stabilized, the teams facility underwent a major facelift and update, and the stadium is looking much better. None of that translates to wins, though. -- Paul Kuharsky READ MORE26. Miami Dolphins (106 overall)This year, the Dolphins fell in almost every category in these rankings, with slight increases only in stadium experience (thanks to a $500 million renovation) and coaching (excitement over new coach Adam Gase). But the Dolphins still have a long way to go to get to the top half of these standings, and none of it will come until the product on the field improves. -- James Walker READ MORE27. Washington Redskins (108 overall)This is the sort of ranking you get when you have made just five playoff appearances since the 1992 season and you have a team that can be quite expensive to watch. Its a tough combination for fans and will remain that way until the Redskins win more often. The silver lining for the Skins: Theyre up 12 spots this year, and no longer worst in the NFL. -- John Keim READ MORE28. Detroit Lions (112 overall)For years now, the Detroit Lions have been toward the bottom of these rankings. Most of it has to do with the years -- decades, really -- of losing. They have had two of the best players in NFL history, and both retired close to their prime with only one sniff of a chance at a Super Bowl between them. They are a franchise that has shown loyalty to their front-office employees, sometimes to a fault. While some of that is changing, with new leadership in owner Martha Ford, team president Rod Wood and GM Bob Quinn, it is way too soon to tell the long-term effects of their presence with the franchise. -- Michael Rothstein READ MORE29. San Diego Chargers (117 overall)Quarterback Philip Rivers and his bolo tie remain the best thing going for this franchise, which has reached the playoffs just once since 2010. Threats of the team moving have pushed fans away locally, while the product on the field has produced shoulder shrugs on a national scale. At least the Chargers still have those iconic, powder-blue uniforms! -- Eric Williams READ MORE30. Cleveland Browns (119 overall)It seems like it might take a front-end loader to get the Cleveland Browns out of the bottom of these rankings. A year ago the Browns were 109th; this year they are 119th. Going 3-13 in 2015 probably accounted for most of the drop (the Browns had the second-worst score in sports in consistently wins more games than they lose). The latest plan to fix things: Build with as many talented young players as possible, and let them all grow under coach Hue Jackson. Its a new approach, and it might work, but it will take time. And patience. -- Pat McManamon READ MORE31. Los Angeles Rams (121 overall)The Rams move from St. Louis back to Los Angeles doubled their value, but it didnt necessarily make them more popular. At least, not yet. They return to the West Coast as the Ultimate Standings second-worst franchise, down another 13 spots even after a poor showing last year. But they have greater revenue streams, a young roster and the prospects of a new stadium, so they are ever-hopeful of a better day. Things can only turn up ... right? -- Alden Gonzalez READ MORE32. San Francisco 49ers (122 overall)For a franchise with as much history and tradition as the 49ers, its hard to believe theyve sunk to this level -- dead last among 122 professional sports teams. Its the result of a lack of on-field success, the dysfunction that led to the departure of coach Jim Harbaugh (and the uninspired choice of Jim Tomsula as his replacement), and the overwhelming cost to watch it all unfold at Levis Stadium. They dropped 76 spots in last years rankings, and now, down 19 more, bottom out this year. At least now theres nowhere to go but up. -- Nick Wagoner READ MORE Custom Yankees T-shirts . -- Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Alrdridge were again the go-to duo for the Trail Blazers against the Kings. Derek Jeter Jersey Large . But by the time the game started, the Toronto Raptors forward felt even worse. And, for three quarters, it showed as Gay shot a woeful three-for-13 from the field. http://www.customyankeesjersey.com/ . The incident occurred at 19:56 of the second period of the Kings 4-2 road win over Edmonton on Sunday. Nolan punched Oilers forward Jesse Joensuu in the jaw in front of the Kings goal during a scrum. Cheap Yankees Jerseys . Ivanovic was leading 7-5, 1-0 when Hantuchova withdrew after falling 0-40 behind in the second game. The match started slowly for Ivanovic, who surrendered her first two serves as Hantuchova took a 5-3 lead. Wholesale Custom Yankees Shirts . -- Quarterback Will Finch threw for 252 yards and three touchdowns, and Yannick Harou rushed in two scores as the No. Fantasy Forecaster updated Monday, Aug. 29, at 8:27 a.m. ET.On tap: Major League Baseball rosters are allowed to expand from 25 to as many as 40 players as of Sept. 1 -- Thursday of Week 21 -- at which time many teams will activate injured players, promote players who have been riding the Triple-A shuttle or summon rookies for a proverbial cup of coffee. Its a date on the calendar where change is most common, and as it occurs midweek, bear in mind that player roles -- especially in rotations -- are more likely to change as a result.Toronto Blue Jays starter Aaron Sanchez, who has been the subject of much discussion regarding young pitchers seasonal workloads, is expected to rejoin the big-league rotation on Aug. 31, in time to start in a key division game at Baltimores Camden Yards. Sanchezs Blue Jays play there from Aug. 29-31, and as of Aug. 26, the two teams were separated by just three games in the American League East standings; the Blue Jays lead, but theyre also two games ahead of the second-place?Boston Red Sox.On the injury front, Alex Cobb, who had Tommy John surgery on May 14, 2015, is expected to rejoin the Tampa Bay Rays rotation sometime during the teams Sept. 2-4 series vs. those same Blue Jays. Meanwhile, Colby Lewis, who has been sidelined since June 21 due to a strained lat muscle, is expected to rejoin the Texas Rangers rotation on Sept. 3 to face the division-rival Houston Astros.Amongst the weeks schedule oddities: four teams have Aug. 29 (Monday) off, while only eight teams are scheduled to play on Sept. 1 (Thursday), perhaps by design to give teams some additional rest in advance of the Labor Day weekend Sept. 2-4. Keep in mind that all 30 teams are scheduled to play on Labor Day, Sept. 5, with 26 of them playing in day games on that Monday. That off day, however, increases the chances that teams could use it to skip starters or shuffle rotations, meaning that the Friday-to-Sunday starters are at a slightly greater risk of changing in this week as opposed to an average week.The Arizona Diamondbacks have the misfortune of a five-game schedule this week -- the only team to play that few, though its not quite as severe a disadvantage in a week where only five teams play as many as seven games. In addition, Diamondbacks hitters are still valuable assets, as three of their games will be played at Colorados Coors Field, and the team also has the luxury of skipping a starter and allowing their ace, Zack Greinke, line up for two starts (though one unfortunately comes at Coors if they choose to do so).Quickly jump to any section, if you want specific intelESPN lineup deadlinesInterleague impactProjected starting pitchersPitching scuttlebuttWeek 21 pitcher rankingsHitting ratingsHitting advantagesESPN leagues: Lineup deadlinesGames wont get underway until 7:05 p.m. ET on Monday, so fantasy owners have some additional time to get their lineups set in leagues with weekly transactions.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. 29: 7:05 p.m. ET (two games begin at that time) Tuesday, Aug. 30: 7:05 p.m. ET (two games begin at that time) Wednesday, Aug. 31: 1:10 p.m. ET (Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers, one of six day games) Thursday, Sept. 1: 12:10 p.m. ET (San Diego Padres at Atlanta Braves, the days only day game) Friday, Sept. 2: 2:20 p.m. ET (San Francisco Giants at Chicago Cubs, the days only day game) Saturday, Sept. 3: 2:20 p.m. ET (Giants at Cubs, one of four day games) Sunday, Sept. 4: 1:10 p.m. ET (two of 14 day games)Interleague impactThis weeks interleague series:Cincinnati Reds at Los Angeles Angels (3 games, Aug. 29-31)Miami Marlins at Cleveland Indians (3 games, Sept. 2-4)Reds probable DH(s), 3 games in AL ballparks: The Reds have rotated players through the DH role all season, but with Jose Peraza back on the active roster, it makes a lot of sense for them to DH Brandon Phillips for at least two games in Los Angeles -- freeing up second base for Peraza. As Peraza has picked up only three additional starts in the teams seven interleague games in AL ballparks this season due to the addition of the DH, however, the team could always split up the opportunities, giving Ivan De Jesus, Tyler Holt and/or Tony Renda starts. Peraza is a worthwhile play in mixed leagues larger than 12 teams and NL-only formats.Marlins probable DH(s), 3 games in AL ballparks: With both Giancarlo Stanton (DL: groin) and Justin Bour (DL: ankle) both sidelined, the Marlins seem likely to use the DH on a rotational basis, though recently acquired Jeff Francoeur could be a candidate to fill the role for two or three games. Other candidates for a day off DH assignment are J.T. Realmuto (when Jeff Mathis catches) and Chris Johnson. Neither Francoeur, Mathis nor Johnson warrants a fantasy start despite the extra at-bats.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. 29-Sept. 4 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: Eduardo Rodriguez (hamstring) rejoined the Red Soxs rotation on Aug. 28, lining him up for a Sept. 3 start during Week 21.Tampa Bay Rays: Alex Cobb (DL: Tommy John surgery) made his final rehabilitation start for Triple-A Durham on Aug. 27, and hell rejoin the Rays rotation on either Sept. 2 or 3. The Rays seem likeliest to go to a six-man rotation in order to preserve Blake Snells innings, though Cobb could also replace outright either Snell or Matt Andriese in the rotation. Snell (leg) should be available to make his next start on Sept. 2 or 3 if the team keeps him in the rotation.New York Yankees: The Yankees decided to flip CC Sabathia and Michael Pineda in their rotation, starting Sabathia on Aug. 28 and Pineda Aug. 29, citing the righty/lefty matchups on those dates.Toronto Blue Jays: Aaron Sanchez is scheduled to be recalled from Class A Dunedin to make an Aug. 31 start. The Blue Jays will likely revert to a six-man rotation for Week 21.Detroit Tigers: Jordan Zimmermann (DL: lat) began a rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Toledo on Aug. 26, though its unclear whether hell require multiple starts there. If he needs only the one, he could rejoin the Tigers rotation during the Sept. 2-4 series at Kansas City.Minnesota Twins: Hector Santiago (thumb), who was scratched from his Aug. 26 start, will rejoin the Twins rotation on Aug. 29, replacing Tyler Duffey, who was demoted to Triple-A Rochester. Andrew Albers is the leading candidate to start on Aug. 30, replacing the demoted Jose Berrios.Los Angeles Angels: Brett Oberholtzer replaced Jhoulys Chacin in the rotation beginning on Aug. 27, lining him up for a Sept. 2 start during Week 21. The Angels are also mulling a six-man rotation, so?Alex Meyer or Nate Smith could join the rotation during the Sept. 2-4 weekend, in which case Matt Shoemaker would lose his second start.Oakland Athletics: Jesse Hahn (DL: shoulder) is scheduled to make a rehabilitation start for Triple-A Nashville on Aug. 30, giving him an outside chance at being ready to rejoin the Athletics rotation on Sept. 4.Seattle Mariners: The Mariners appear likely to go with a four-man rotation during Week 21, thanks to the Sept. 1 off day.Texas Rangers: Colby Lewis (DL: lat) is scheduled to make a minor league rehabilitation start on Aug. 29, then rejoin the Rangers rotation on Sept. 3. Thatll allow the team to push back Yu Darvish to Sept. 5 at Seattle.Atlanta Braves: Aaron Blair?joined the Braves rotation in place of Rob Whalen (DL: shoulder) beginning on Aug. 28, presumably lining him up for a Sept. 3 start during Week 21.Miami Marlins: Andrew Cashner (blister) missed his scheduled Aug. 28 start, with Justin Nicolino filling in. It is unclear whether Cashner will be ready to pitch the next time his turn arrives on Sept. 2; Nicolino would probably fill in again if needed. Jose Fernandez (calf) is expected to be ready for his next scheduled start on Aug. 29.New York Mets: Steven Matz (DL: shoulder) could rejoin the Mets rotation by Sept. 1, leaving Rafael Montero and Seth Lugo to fill on on Aug. 29-30. Jacob deGrom, who was skipped on Aug. 29 to provide him additional rest, should return on Sept. 3. It is unclear whether Montero, Lugo or Robert Gsellman will get the Sept. 4 start.Washington Nationals: Lucas Giolito?joined the Nationals rotation beginning Aug. 28, presumably lining up for a Sept. 3 start during Week 21. Stephen Strasburg (DL: elbow), who has resumed playing catch, and Joe Ross (DL: shoulder), who threw a bullpen session on Aug. 25 and is nearing a rehabilitation stint, have only an outside chance at returning during Week 21.Chicago Cubs:?John Lackey (DL: shoulder) will throw a pair of bullpen sessions, the first scheduled for Aug. 29, before being cleared to join the Cubs rotation. He might be ready to pitch during the Sept. 2-4 series. Mike Montgomery will make another start in his place on Aug. 31.Cincinnati Reds: Homer Bailey (biceps) was forced from his Aug. 28 start early, and its unclear whether it will impact his Sept. 3 start. The Reds have a Sept. 1 off day, and could skip that spot in their rotation if needed.Milwaukee Brewers: Junior Guerra (DL: elbow) made a rehabilitation start for Triple-A Colorado Springs on Aug. 27, and hell rejoin the Brewers rotation sometime during the Sept. 2-4 series, most likely on Sept. 2. The team will go with a six-man rotation from that point forward.Pittsburgh Pirates: Gerrit Cole (elbow) will miss at least his Aug. 29 start, with Steven Brault filling in for him. Brault might be needed again the next time that spot in the rotation arrives on Sept. 4. Tyler Glasnow (DL: shoulder) make a rehabilitation start for Triple-A Indianapolis on Aug. 27, throwing only three innings and 58 pitches, making it seem unlikely hed be ready to return during Week 21.?Ivan Nova (hamstring) left his Aug. 28 start early, and it is unclear whether it will have any impact upon his Sept. 3 start.St. Louis Cardinals: Mike Leake (shingles) missed his Aug. 27 start, and it is unclear whether hell be ready to pitch the next time his spot in the rotation arrives on Sept. 2. The team could skip that spot following the Sept. 1 off day, in which case Adam Wainwright would become a two-start pitcher, or Alex Reyes could fill in again.Los Angeles Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw (DL: back) is nearing a rehabilitation assignment and will require only one start before rejoining the Dodgers rotation. Its possible he could return during the Sept. 2-4 series. Neither Brett Anderson (DL: blister) not Scott Kazmir (DL: neck, back), however, will be eligible to return in time for Week 21. Julio Urias?is expected to remain in the rotation, in which case hell start Sept. 3.?Brock Stewart?made a spot start on Aug. 28 to push the teams other starters back by a day, but?Kenta Maeda, who was optioned to Rookie ball on Aug. 26, will return to start on Aug. 29.San Francisco Giants: Matt Cain (DL: back) is on track to rejoin the Giants rotation on the first day he is eligible, Sept. 2.Tristans Week 21 pitcher rankings1. Jose Fernandez (MIA) -- Mon-@NYM (Montero), Sat-@CLE (Salazar)2. Max Scherzer (WSH) -- Tue-@PHI (Eickhoff)3. Jake Arrieta (CHC) -- Mon-PIT (Brault), Sat-SF (Bumgarner)4. Carlos Carrasco (CLE) -- Fri-MIA (Cashner)5. Chris Archer (TB) -- Sun-TOR (Dickey)6. Chris Sale (CWS) -- Wed-@DET (Verlander)7. Corey Kluber (CLE) -- Wed-MIN (Dean)8. Noah Syndergaard (NYM) -- Fri-WSH (Cole)9. David Price (BOS) -- Fri-@OAK (Neal)10. Kenta Maeda (LAD) -- Mon-@COL (Gray), Sun-SD (Perdomo)11. Steven Matz (NYM) -- Thu-MIA (Urena)12. Jacob deGrom (NYM) -- Sat-WSH (Giolito)13. Drew Pomeranz (BOS) -- Tue-TB (Odorizzi)14. Madison Bumgarner (SF) -- Sat-@CHC (Arrieta)15. Danny Salazar (CLE) -- Sat-MIA (Fernandez)16. Zack Greinke (ARI) -- Tue-@SF (Cueto): Though Greinke could pick up a second start, on Sept. 4, itd be a Coors Field startt that wouldnt improve his ranking much at all.ddddddddddddIn fact, hed actually drop about three spots if he gets that assignment.17. Julio Teheran (ATL) -- Tue-SD (Jackson), Sun-@PHI (Thompson)18. Kyle Hendricks (CHC) -- Tue-PIT (Kuhl), Sun-SF (Cueto)19. Jameson Taillon (PIT) -- Fri-MIL (Nelson)20. Justin Verlander (DET) -- Wed-CWS (Sale)21. Jon Lester (CHC) -- Fri-SF (Cain)22. Julio Urias (LAD) -- Sat-SD (Richard)23. Michael Pineda (NYY) -- Mon-@KC (Gee), Sun-@BAL (Miley)24. Masahiro Tanaka (NYY) -- Tue-@KC (Volquez)25. Marcus Stroman (TOR) -- Sat-@TB (Snell)26. Johnny Cueto (SF) -- Tue-ARI (Greinke), Sun-@CHC (Hendricks)27. David Phelps (MIA) -- Wed-@NYM (Colon): Phelps has a 1.31 ERA and 32.5 percent strikeout rate through his first four starts, and the opposing Mets rank 26th in runs per game in the second half (3.90).28. Carlos Martinez (STL) -- Mon-@MIL (Davis), Sun-@CIN (Straily)29. Robbie Ray (ARI) -- Wed-@SF (Moore)30. Danny Duffy (KC) -- Fri-DET (Fulmer)31. Dallas Keuchel (HOU) -- Fri-@TEX (Griffin)32. Trevor Bauer (CLE) -- Mon-MIN (Santiago), Sun-MIA (Koehler)33. Gio Gonzalez (WSH) -- Wed-@PHI (Morgan)34. Vince Velasquez (PHI) -- Sat-ATL (Blair)35. Francisco Liriano (TOR) -- Fri-@TB (Cobb): Seven of the eight left-handed starting pitchers who have faced the Rays in August have pitched quality starts, and six of them had Game Scores of 60 or better -- and Liriano is coming off his best start so far with the Blue Jays.36. Michael Fulmer (DET) -- Fri-@KC (Duffy)37. Cole Hamels (TEX) -- Tue-SEA (Paxton)38. Jose Quintana (CWS) -- Thu-@MIN (Santana)39. Rick Porcello (BOS) -- Mon-TB (Andriese), Sun-@OAK (Manaea)40. Tanner Roark (WSH) -- Mon-@PHI (Thompson), Sun-@NYM (TBD)41. Eduardo Rodriguez (BOS) -- Sat-@OAK (Triggs)42. Steven Wright (BOS) -- Wed-TB (Smyly)43. Bud Norris (LAD) -- Fri-SD (Cosart)44. Felix Hernandez (SEA) -- Wed-@TEX (Perez)45. Collin McHugh (HOU) -- Tue-OAK (Graveman)46. Taijuan Walker (SEA) -- Fri-LAA (Oberholtzer)47. Carlos Rodon (CWS) -- Fri-@MIN (Gibson)48. Drew Smyly (TB) -- Wed-@BOS (Wright)49. Yu Darvish (TEX) -- Mon-SEA (Iwakuma)50. Lucas Giolito (WSH) -- Sat-@NYM (deGrom)51. Junior Guerra (MIL) -- Sat-@PIT (Nova)52. Blake Snell (TB) -- Sat-TOR (Stroman)53. Mike Fiers (HOU) -- Wed-OAK (Detwiler)54. Ian Kennedy (KC) -- Wed-NYY (Cessa)55. Matt Shoemaker (LAA) -- Mon-CIN (Straily), Sun-@SEA (Paxton)56. Kevin Gausman (BAL) -- Sat-NYY (Sabathia)57. Mike Montgomery (CHC) -- Wed-PIT (Vogelsong)58. Chad Green (NYY) -- Fri-@BAL (Bundy)59. Matt Moore (SF) -- Wed-ARI (Ray)60. Hisashi Iwakuma (SEA) -- Mon-@TEX (Darvish), Sat-LAA (Skaggs)61. Rich Hill (LAD) -- Tue-@COL (Anderson)62. A.J. Cole (WSH) -- Fri-@NYM (Syndergaard): The Nationals rotation -- at least the Nos. 4 and 5 spots -- is somewhat up in the air, but those pitchers line up for the series at New Yorks Citi Field. If its indeed Cole on Sept. 2, hes well worth streaming consideration.63. Jason Hammel (CHC) -- Thu-SF (Samardzija)64. Anibal Sanchez (DET) -- Sat-@KC (Ventura)65. James Paxton (SEA) -- Tue-@TEX (Hamels), Sun-LAA (Shoemaker)66. J.A. Happ (TOR) -- Tue-@BAL (Jimenez)67. Marco Estrada (TOR) -- Mon-@BAL (Miley)68. Dylan Bundy (BAL) -- Fri-NYY (Green)69. Yordano Ventura (KC) -- Sat-DET (Sanchez)70. Luis Cessa (NYY) -- Wed-@KC (Kennedy)71. Jimmy Nelson (MIL) -- Fri-@PIT (Taillon)72. Jaime Garcia (STL) -- Sat-@CIN (Bailey)73. Ervin Santana (MIN) -- Thu-CWS (Quintana)74. Tyler Anderson (COL) -- Tue-LAD (Hill)75. Dan Straily (CIN) -- Mon-@LAA (Shoemaker), Sun-STL (Martinez)76. Matt Wisler (ATL) -- Wed-SD (Friedrich)77. Chase Anderson (MIL) -- Sun-@PIT (TBD)78. Brandon Finnegan (CIN) -- Wed-@LAA (Nolasco)79. Joe Musgrove (HOU) -- Mon-OAK (Manaea), Sun-@TEX (Holland)80. Seth Lugo (NYM) -- Tue-MIA (Koehler)81. Aaron Sanchez (TOR) -- Wed-@BAL (Gallardo)82. Bartolo Colon (NYM) -- Wed-MIA (Phelps)83. Jon Gray (COL) -- Mon-LAD (Maeda), Sun-ARI (Bradley)84. Matt Andriese (TB) -- Mon-@BOS (Porcello)85. Mike Foltynewicz (ATL) -- Fri-@PHI (Hellickson)86. CC Sabathia (NYY) -- Sat-@BAL (Gausman)87. Josh Tomlin (CLE) -- Tue-MIN (Albers)88. Tim Adleman (CIN) -- Tue-@LAA (Weaver)89. Jerad Eickhoff (PHI) -- Tue-WSH (Scherzer)90. Sean Manaea (OAK) -- Mon-@HOU (Musgrove), Sun-BOS (Porcello)91. Matt Boyd (DET) -- Mon-CWS (Shields), Sun-@KC (Gee)92. Tom Koehler (MIA) -- Tue-@NYM (Lugo), Sun-@CLE (Bauer)93. Luke Weaver (STL) -- Wed-@MIL (Garza)94. Andrew Cashner (MIA) -- Fri-@CLE (Carrasco)95. Joel De La Cruz (ATL) -- Thu-SD (Clemens)96. Alex Cobb (TB) -- Fri-TOR (Liriano): He pitched poorly during his minor league rehabilitation assignment -- 7.64 ERA in seven starts entering Aug. 27 -- and this is a poor matchup for his return to the Rays rotation.97. Andrew Triggs (OAK) -- Sat-BOS (Rodriguez)98. Pat Dean (MIN) -- Wed-@CLE (Kluber)99. Rafael Montero (NYM) -- Mon-MIA (Fernandez)100. Ricky Nolasco (LAA) -- Wed-CIN (Finnegan)101. Anthony DeSclafani (CIN) -- Fri-STL (Leake)102. Edinson Volquez (KC) -- Tue-NYY (Tanaka)103. Jake Odorizzi (TB) -- Tue-@BOS (Pomeranz)104. Hector Santiago (MIN) -- Mon-@CLE (Bauer), Sat-CWS (Shields)105. Adam Wainwright (STL) -- Tue-@MIL (Peralta): Hes not pitching effectively enough in the second half, nor does he get a high enough rate of strikeouts to warrant using him in a matchup like this, against a K-prone team.106. Jeff Samardzija (SF) -- Thu-@CHC (Hammel)107. R.A. Dickey (TOR) -- Sun-@TB (Archer)108. James Shields (CWS) -- Mon-@DET (Boyd), Sat-@MIN (Santiago)109. Ivan Nova (PIT) -- Sat-MIL (Guerra)110. Jeremy Hellickson (PHI) -- Fri-ATL (Foltynewicz)111. Tyler Skaggs (LAA) -- Sat-@SEA (Iwakuma)112. A.J. Griffin (TEX) -- Fri-HOU (Keuchel)113. Clayton Richard (SD) -- Sat-@LAD (Urias)114. Kyle Gibson (MIN) -- Fri-CWS (Rodon)115. Paul Clemens (SD) -- Thu-@ATL (De La Cruz)116. Homer Bailey (CIN) -- Sat-STL (Garcia)117. Luis Perdomo (SD) -- Sun-@LAD (Maeda)118. Zach Davies (MIL) -- Mon-STL (Martinez)119. Jarred Cosart (SD) -- Fri-@LAD (Norris)120. Aaron Blair (ATL) -- Sat-@PHI (Velasquez)121. Ubaldo Jimenez (BAL) -- Tue-TOR (Happ)122. Steven Brault (PIT) -- Mon-@CHC (Arrieta)123. Colby Lewis (TEX) -- Sat-HOU (Fister)124. Dillon Gee (KC) -- Mon-NYY (Pineda), Sun-DET (Boyd)125. Daniel Norris (DET) -- Tue-CWS (Ranaudo)126. Mike Leake (STL) -- Fri-@CIN (DeSclafani)127. Christian Friedrich (SD) -- Wed-@ATL (Wisler)128. Edwin Jackson (SD) -- Tue-@ATL (Teheran)129. Chad Kuhl (PIT) -- Tue-@CHC (Hendricks)130. Wade Miley (BAL) -- Mon-TOR (Estrada), Sun-NYY (Pineda)131. Andrew Albers (MIN) -- Tue-@CLE (Tomlin), Sun-CWS (Ranaudo)132. Brett Oberholtzer (LAA) -- Fri-@SEA (Walker)133. Jeff Hoffman (COL) -- Wed-LAD (Stripling)134. Jose Urena (MIA) -- Thu-@NYM (Matz)135. Derek Holland (TEX) -- Sun-HOU (Musgrove)136. Yovani Gallardo (BAL) -- Wed-TOR (Sanchez)137. Anthony Ranaudo (CWS) -- Tue-@DET (Norris), Sun-@MIN (Albers)138. Ross Stripling (LAD) -- Wed-@COL (Hoffman)139. Zack Godley (ARI) -- Sat-@COL (Bettis)140. Jorge De La Rosa (COL) -- Fri-ARI (Shipley)141. Ryan Vogelsong (PIT) -- Wed-@CHC (Montgomery)142. Kendall Graveman (OAK) -- Tue-@HOU (McHugh)143. Jake Thompson (PHI) -- Mon-WSH (Roark), Sun-ATL (Teheran)144. Doug Fister (HOU) -- Sat-@TEX (Lewis)145. Zach Neal (OAK) -- Fri-BOS (Price)146. Braden Shipley (ARI) -- Fri-@COL (De La Rosa)147. Jered Weaver (LAA) -- Tue-CIN (Adleman)148. Archie Bradley (ARI) -- Sun-@COL (Gray)149. Chad Bettis (COL) -- Sat-ARI (Godley)150. Adam Morgan (PHI) -- Wed-WSH (Gonzalez)151. Matt Garza (MIL) -- Wed-STL (Weaver)152. Martin Perez (TEX) -- Wed-SEA (Hernandez)153. Matt Cain (SF) -- Fri-@CHC (Lester)154. Wily Peralta (MIL) -- Tue-STL (Wainwright)155. Ross Detwiler (OAK) -- Wed-@HOU (Fiers)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. 29-Sept. 4 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: Chicago White Sox 7, Minnesota Twins 7, Miami Marlins 7, New York Mets 7, Chicago Cubs 7.Home games: New York Mets 7, Chicago Cubs 7, Baltimore Orioles 6, Cleveland Indians 6, Kansas City Royals 6, Texas Rangers 6, Philadelphia Phillies 6, Colorado Rockies 6.Versus LH: Chicago White Sox 4, Seattle Mariners 4, Cleveland Indians 3, Houston Astros 3. Thirteen teams face two left-handed starters.Versus RH: New York Mets 7, Miami Marlins 6, St. Louis Cardinals 6, New York Yankees 5, Kansas City Royals 5, Minnesota Twins 5, Atlanta Braves 5, Philadelphia Phillies 5, Chicago Cubs 5, Cincinnati Reds 5, Pittsburgh Pirates 5, Colorado Rockies 5, San Diego Padres 5.Baseballs highest-scoring offense since the All-Star break, the Colorado Rockies, gets a six-game week at Coors Field. Theyre battling Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks rotations that, as things stand as of Aug. 26, wont have their aces -- Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke -- lined up t0 face them. Its indeed a good time to face either staff, as both rank among the bottom-10 in baseball in team ERA (including a last-place 6.06 by the Diamondbacks), and the Dodgers will throw fifth starter Ross Stripling while the Diamondbacks will throw fatigued Archie Bradley.The Rockies decision to shift their onetime outfield platoon of Gerardo Parra and Ryan Raburn to first base clears up some of the teams previous roster clutter. Parra, David Dahl, Charlie Blackmon and Carlos Gonzalez now all have a place to play against right-handers, and with this being a week where the Rockies face five righty starters, Parra could be primed for a rebound. The others are musts, and take note of what DJ LeMahieu has been doing in August: .461/.554/.684 in 20 games.If the Houston Astros are to make their way into the thick of the American League wild card race, this is the perfect week for them to do it. Theyll face an injury-plagued Oakland Athletics pitching staff before heading to Texas Globe Life Park to face the division-leading Texas Rangers -- and Yu Darvish is unlikely to pitch in the latter series as the Rangers prefer to hold him into Week 22 to pitch in Seattle. Four of the Astros full-timers -- Jose Altuve (.431), Alex Bregman (.354), Carlos Correa (.351) and George Springer (.355) -- have wOBAs greater than .350 in August; so do both of their catchers, Jason Castro (.356) and Evan Gattis (.372), along with their offensively-oriented center fielder, Teoscar Hernandez (.392). All of them warrant places in your lineup, including Marwin Gonzalez in deeper leagues, whose .201 isolated power against left-handed pitchers this season suggests he could offer some cheap pop.Its almost assuredly coincidental, but has anyone else noticed that, since Matt Hollidays (thumb fracture) placement on the DL on Aug. 12, his St. Louis Cardinals rank third in baseball in runs per game (5.91), second in wOBA (.379) and first in well-hit average (.214)? The team makes three-game trips to a pair of hitting-friendly ballparks -- first Milwaukees Miller Park, then Cincinnatis Great American Ball Park -- and they face two below-average rotations. Randal Grichuk is on a scorching hot streak since his recall, batting .341/.356/.886 in 12 games with a .364 well-hit average during that time, and that suggests hes a wise play facing this schedule. Stephen Piscotty, Brandon Moss and Jedd Gyorko are also well worth having in any lineup. ' ' '