Hanson can’t get help from teammates: Braves starting pitcher Tommy Hanson allowed only one run on four hits on Wednesday in Cincinnati, however he was matched by opposing starter Bronson Arroyo and was let down by his bullpen, as the Braves fell, 2-1, with Hanson earning a no decision. Hanson struck out five in the game and walked two, however the Braves were only able to a single run in the game, costing him a chance to pick up his sixth win of the season in 10 starts. Hanson did lower his ERA to 3.12 with the game. (Updated 05/23/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/24/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Hanson is sporting a career-low strikeout rate of 7.96 per nine innings this season, while also simultaneously sporting the worst walk rate of his career, 3.59 per nine. Despite this, he has managed to produce more groundballs, limiting extra-base hits, a fair trade off for a young pitcher to make. Despite the quality ERA, he has struggled with his longevity in games this season, averaging fewer than six innings pitched per outing, one of very few blemishes on his record. Hanson is 5-3 on the season, however things get tougher for him coming up, as he is scheduled to face the National League leading Cardinals’ offense on Monday in Week 9 (May 28-June 3). He does also face the Nationals, a much lighter-hitting opponent, during the same scoring period, so consider him a viable starting option in most Fantasy formats. (Updated 05/23/2012).
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.
05/18/2012 22:34 Hanson pitches Braves past Rays
Tommy Hanson pitched seven effective innings, Freddie Freeman drove in two runs and the Atlanta Braves beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-3 on Friday night.
05/17/2012 22:12 Beachy stops Marlins, earns first shutout
Brandon Beachy improved his major-league best ERA with a couple of career milestones and the Atlanta Braves beat the Miami Marlins 7-0 on Thursday night.
05/13/2012 18:11 Braves hand Cards' Lynn first loss
Jason Heyward ended a 10-pitch at-bat with a bases-clearing double in third inning, helping the Atlanta Braves give rookie Lance Lynn his first loss and beat the St. Louis Cardinals 7-4 Sunday to complete a three-game sweep.
In his third major-league season, Tommy Hanson appeared to have turned the corner toward becoming an undisputed ace, going 10-4 with a 2.44 ERA and more than a strikeout per inning in his first 17 starts. But that's when the shoulder pain that initially put him on the DL in June reared its ugly head again. Hanson attempted to pitch through it at first and his ERA and WHIP suffered as a result. When he eventually gave in and had the shoulder examined, the diagnosis of a partially torn rotator cuff -- upgraded from simple tendinitis -- was enough for the Braves to pull back the reins even in the heat of a pennant race. It wasn't anything that required surgery, but it did raise its share of red flags. The Braves held out some hope of Hanson returning for the playoffs if they advanced, which should relieve some concerns about drafting him in Fantasy, but any setback would presumably shut him down for an extended period of time. The threat is potentially enough to drop him outside the top 20 starting pitchers in Fantasy. Given his ace potential, though, he's worth the risk at that point. (Updated 2/17/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
= probable start