Dempster drops another start : Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster got tagged for four earned runs off seven hits on Saturday against the White Sox. He served up two home runs -- one to A.J. Pierzynski and the other to Dayan Viciedo -- both in the third inning. Dempster struck out three batters and issued three free passes while he was on the mound. The Cubs would try to rally late, but fell short, 7-4. "Just didn't pitch well enough to win," Dempster said. "A loss is a loss. I don't really care who is watching. I don't like losing anytime. If there was one person in the stands or there was 40,000 people, to me it means the same thing and that's a loss. I don't take any one loss different than the others." Dempster is now 0-2 on the year with a 2.28 ERA. (Updated 05/19/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/22/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Dempster is still searching for that first victory as he hasn't been able to get any run support in his starts. He's struck out 44 batters and issued just 14 walks on the year, but without help from his teammates it won't be easy for Dempster in 2012. He will take on the Pirates in his next start, which falls on Friday in Week 8 (May 21-27). In four starts against Pittsburgh in 2011, Dempster went 2-2 with a 5.25 ERA. Fantasy owners should continue to view Dempster as a viable pitching option in deeper mixed leagues. (Updated 05/19/2012).
05/20/2012 08:36 Top 70 starters for Week 8
A lot to take into consideration before setting your pitching staffs for Fantasy Week 8. Our Al Melchior runs through his Top 70 starting options and has all the matchups.
05/19/2012 22:25 Danks, White Sox get past Cubs
John Danks pitched shutout ball into the seventh for his first win in nearly a month and Dayan Viciedo, A.J. Pierzynski and Adam Dunn homered as the Chicago White Sox beat the Cubs 7-4 on Saturday night.
05/19/2012 02:29 The Lineup: Pitchers and Blue Jays
Interleague play commenced with some staggering pitching performances ... except in Toronto.
05/15/2012 19:47 Dear Mr. Fantasy: What to do with Sir Albert?
Albert Pujols is a hot topic these days. Is it time to flip him for players who are actually producing? Our Scott White touches on how to approach Sir Albert and more in his latest Dear Mr. Fantasy.
05/14/2012 22:48 LaHair, Soriano power Cubs past Cards
Alfonso Soriano singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and the Chicago Cubs sent the St. Louis Cardinals to their fourth straight loss at home with a 6-4 victory on Monday night.
After posting a 3.49 ERA with at least 11 wins over the previous three seasons, Ryan Dempster took a step back for the Cubs in 2011. He went 4-5 with a 6.32 ERA in his first 13 starts before settling down a bit. He would go 6-9 with a 3.93 ERA over his final 21 outings to finish the year with a 4.80 ERA -- his highest mark since 2006. Despite his down campaign, the right-hander has recorded double-digit wins with 200-plus innings each of the last four seasons and has also posted respectable strikeout totals. While he will likely not see a ton of run support in Chicago this season -- as the Cubs are in rebuilding mode -- the 34-year-old still has his place in Fantasy. Target Dempster in the middle-to-late rounds in mixed leagues on Draft Day. (Updated 2/17/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
= probable start