Our Eric Mack goes around baseball's pitching staffs and Fantasy's two-start pitcher options every Sunday of the season in his weekly Pitching Planner.
Staff reflections
Arizona Diamondbacks: They expect Randy Johnson (back) to return when eligible June 26, but that won't help this week. Keep Johnson reserved. Edgar Gonzalez made his spot start, but he can be skipped to keep Brandon Webb, Livan Hernandez and Doug Davis on regular rest. Expect that to happen, especially since Johnson is eligible to come off the DL the day the No. 5 turn comes up again. Hernandez is a two-start pitcher regardless, but with the No. 5 spot skipped, Davis picks up a second start in Fantasy Week 12 (June 18-24).
Atlanta Braves: RHP Tim Hudson, who left his last start with a stiff neck, is scheduled to start Tuesday vs. Boston. He won't be a two-start pitcher because of an off day Thursday and the unlikelihood Kyle Davies or Chuck James would be skipped. James is a two-start pitcher.
Baltimore Orioles: All five starters will go in succession, including two-start pitcher Steve Trachsel.
Boston Red Sox: All five starters will go in succession, including two-start pitcher Curt Schilling.
Chicago Cubs: All five starters will go in succession, including two-start pitcher Sean Marshall.
Chicago White Sox: All five starters will go in succession, including two-start pitcher Jose. Contreras.
Cincinnati Reds: All five starters will go in succession, including two-start pitcher Kyle Lohse.
Cleveland Indians: RHP Jake Westbrook (left abdominal strain) will make his fourth minor league rehabilitation start Monday for Triple-A Buffalo. He is expected to throw about 85 pitches. If Westbrook gets through that outing with no problems, he could start for the Indians next weekend in Washington. Manager Eric Wedge said Westbrook needs at least one more rehab start in the minors. "We want to get Jake built up to where he can go deep in games," Wedge said. A day off Thursday means Westbrook's No. 5 rotation turn won't come up until Monday June 25. It is likely he doesn't start until then, so keep him reserved in all leagues. Cliff Lee could be moved off his Sunday start to slot Westbrook, but we don't see the Indians slotting Lee and fellow lefty C.C. Sabathia back-to-back in the rotation. Paul Byrd could be skipped, but that too is unlikely. Lee is a risky two-start pitcher, especially since he could moved off his Sunday start.
Colorado Rockies: All five starters will go in succession, including two-start pitcher Josh Fogg.
Florida Marlins: Sergio Mitre (hamstring) is probable for his June 20 start. Consider him risky, but useful in deeper leagues. Josh Johnson (elbow) returns in time for a two-start week, which makes him a sleeper for deeper leagues. He is the team's lone two-start pitcher.
Detroit Tigers: After his second successful rehab start with Class-A West Michigan, Kenny Rogers (left shoulder) is expected to join the team in Washington and could start next Friday. Rogers won 17 games last year and finished with a 3.84 ERA, but hasn't pitched this season. The timing of Rogers' potential return likely means Andrew Miller is headed back to the minors. That's unfortunately really -- although something could change between now and Friday. Mike Maroth or Chad Durbin could pitch their way out of the rotation before then. Don't risk starting Miller this week, regardless.
Houston Astros: All five starters will go in succession, including two-start pitcher Chris Sampson.
Kansas City Royals: All five starters will go in succession, including two-start pitcher Odalis Perez.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: All five starters will go in succession, including must-start, two-start pitcher John Lackey.
Los Angeles Dodgers: All five starters will go in succession, including must-start, two-start pitcher Brad Penny.
Milwaukee Brewers: With LHP Chris Capuano on the 15-day DL with a strained left groin, look for prospect Yovani Gallardo to start Monday against the Giants as long as he is not used out of the bullpen. If Gallardo does pitch in relief against the Twins on Sunday, look for Carlos Villanueva to get the nod Monday. If Gallardo starts, it's likely he stays in the rotation as a two-start pitcher -- one worth using in all leagues. If Villanueva starts, it's likely the No. 5 starter's turn is skipped because of a day off Thursday that would allow it. Ben Sheets would be a two-start pitcher if the Brewers skip the No. 5's turn. Sheets is a must-start pitcher regardless of a second start.
Minnesota Twins: RHP Scott Baker will make his next start Wednesday in New York against the Mets, manager Ron Gardenhire said, unless GM Terry Ryan otherwise makes a roster move. Baker has struggled in almost every start since an impressive debut May 19 against Milwaukee. Matt Garza would not be ready to take that turn on regular rest, but a day off Thursday would put Baker's follow turn on schedule with Garza. That's good news for us in Fantasy leagues, because Garza is the more intriguing talent. Bad news for Baker. Carlos Silva is a two-start pitcher, but Johan Santana could jump ahead of him to start Sunday on regular rest. Santana is a must-start regardless, while Silva becomes a more risky two-start option because he could slide back.
New York Mets: All five starters will go in succession, including two-start pitcher John Maine. Manager Willie Randolph on struggling LHP Tom Glavine: "He's missing his spots. It's very uncharacteristic of Glav. He has to keep working on his location." Also, RHP Pedro Martinez threw 53 pitches Friday in his fourth bullpen session. Mets GM Omar Minaya said Martinez is on track to start a minor league rehabilitation assignment in July.
New York Yankees: RHP Tyler Clippard was optioned to Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre after the game Saturday. "He still needs to work on things. He has to throw more strikes," manager Joe Torre said. LHP Kei Igawa will likely be recalled from the minors to pitch in San Francisco next weekend, the next time the Yankees need a fifth starter. Mike Mussina is the team's lone two-start pitcher.
Oakland Athletics: Joe Blanton is a two-start pitcher, but Chad Gaudin might be one, too, if the A's decide to skip No. 5 starter Lenny DiNardo's turn after his stinker against the Cardinals on Saturday. Consider Gaudin a slightly more intriguing one-start pitcher, because he could get a second start next Sunday.
Philadelphia Phillies: Manager Charlie Manuel officially named Kyle Kendrick the starter for Tuesday night at Cleveland. Kendrick pitched well in his debut against the White Sox, but there had been a chance he could be skipped in the rotation. Cole Hamels is a must-start two-start pitcher.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Pirates right-hander Ian Snell will skip his scheduled start Tuesday against the Mariners due to a blister on his right index finger, caused by burning his hand while grilling dinner. Tom Gorzelanny will make the start Tuesday and be a two-start pitcher this week. Snell will return to the rotation Saturday against the Angels.
San Diego Padres: Starter Chris Young got ejected for fighting in the fourth inning Friday night, but the Padres' bullpen was superb Saturday, allowing just two hits as San Diego pitched its major league-best 11th shutout. They've shut the Cubs out three times this season. Young stands to be suspended Monday, but it's likely he makes his start this week amid an appeal. Jake Peavy is a must-start, two-start pitcher.
San Francisco Giants: All five starters will go in succession, including two-start pitcher Noah Lowry. Notably, RHP Matt Cain has gone seven or more innings in each of his past two starts and six or more in 7-of-8.
Seattle Mariners: All five starters will go in succession, including two-start pitcher Miguel Batista.
St. Louis Cardinals: Anthony Reyes is back in the Cardinals' rotation, while Kip Wells figures to be the odd man out. Brad Thompson is slated to start Tuesday in Wells' place after being moved back to make room for Reyes. Wells could start Wednesday in Braden Looper's (shoulder) place, but he and Looper are risky options this week. Adam Wainwright is the team's two-start pitcher, but Thompson could also start twice if struggling Todd Wellemeyer is skipped after Thursday's day off. By the way, RHP Chris Carpenter (right elbow surgery) remains at least 45 days away from appearing in a major league game but Manager Tony La Russa can see some light at the end of the tunnel. "It's the middle of June and we're surviving," he said. "We still have a month and a half to survive." Carpenter has been throwing off flat ground for a couple of days without restrictions. He will continue throwing and progress at his own pace.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays : RHP Edwin Jackson will start Monday's game against Arizona. "I don't want to attach an ultimatum to this start," manager Joe Maddon said. "He's had some nice outings." Jason Hammel, working out of the bullpen, is the leading candidate to elevate into the rotation once Jackson becomes a reliever.
Texas Rangers: All five starters will go in succession, including two-start pitcher Robinson Tejeda.
Toronto Blue Jays: A.J. Burnett (shoulder) should return to the rotation next weekend, which makes him an option in deeper leagues this week -- albeit a risky one. Dustin McGowan is a two-start pitcher regardless at this point. LHP Gustavo Chacin (sore shoulder) said he felt good after throwing 25 pitches from 45 feet Thursday and doing the same again Friday.
Washington Nationals: The Nationals have an off day Thursday and have not decided whether to skip RHP Levale Speigner, who allowed seven runs and 10 hits in 3 1/3 innings Saturday. Speigner beat Minnesota in his previous start, giving up one run over six innings. "He's coming from a great outing, so we're not going to be changing our minds every time he goes out there depending on what he does," manager Manny Acta said. Consider him a risky start regardless. Matt Chico is a two-start pitcher, but Jason Simontacchi would pick up a second start for the deepest of NL-only leagues if Speigner is skipped. All Nats starters are pitching for their rotation spot at this point. Five injured pitchers made minor league rehab appearances Friday. RHP John Patterson (elbow inflammation) started for Class A Potomac, RHP Jason Bergmann (sore elbow) for Triple-A Columbus and RHP Jerome Williams (strained shoulder) at Double-A Harrisburg. LHP Mike O'Connor (sore elbow) was set to follow Williams, while RHP Luis Ayala (sore elbow) pitched in back-to-back games for Columbus.
Week 12 (June 18-24)
| This week's matchups | |||
| Intl early | Intl early | Intl late | Intl late |
| PHI@CLE | DET@WAS | LAD@TB | CLE@WAS |
| FLA@CHW | BOS@ATL | CHC@CHW | DET@ATL |
| CIN@OAK | MIN@NYM | NYY@SF | MIN@FLA |
| HOU@LAA | KC@STL | PIT@LAA | KC@MIL |
| LAD@TOR | TB@ARI | COL@TOR | BAL@ARI |
| CHC@TEX | NYY@COL | HOU@TEX | OAK@NYM |
| PIT@SEA | BAL@SD | CIN@SEA | BOS@SD |
| SF@MIL | PHI@STL | ||
| There are no four-game series this weekend. | |||
| The Giants are at Milwaukee early in the week, and the Phillies are at St. Louis later in the week for the only two NL series this week. | |||
| No teams play seven games this week. | |||
Two-start pitcher options
| This week's two-start pitchers | ||
| Must-start options | ||
| Pitcher | Start No. 1 | Start No. 2 |
| Cole Hamels | at CLE Lee | at STL Wainwright |
| John Lackey | vs. HOU Sampson | vs. PIT Snell |
| Curt Schilling | at ATL James | at SD Peavy |
| Jake Peavy | vs. BAL Trachsel | vs. BOS Schilling |
| Brad Penny | at TOR McGowan | at TB Jackson |
| Advisable options | ||
| John Maine | vs. MIN Silva | vs. OAK Blanton |
| Joe Blanton | vs. CIN Lohse | at NYM Maine |
| Mike Mussina | at COL Fogg | at SF Lowry |
| Adam Wainwright | vs. KC Perez | vs. PHI Hamels |
| Sean Marshall | at TEX Tejeda | at CHW Contreras |
| Yovani Gallardo | vs. SF Lowry | vs. KC Perez |
| Josh Johnson | at CHW Contreras | vs. MIN Silva |
| Questionable options | ||
| Chuck James | vs. BOS Schilling | vs. DET Maroth |
| Noah Lowry | at MIL Gallardo | vs. NYY Mussina |
| Jose A. Contreras | vs. FLA Johnson | vs. CHC Marshall |
| Tom Gorzelanny | at SEA Batista | at LAA Lackey |
| Livan Hernandez | vs. TB Jackson | vs. BAL Trachsel |
| Cliff Lee | vs. PHI Hamels | at WAS Chico |
| Dustin McGowan | vs. LAD Penny | vs. COL Fogg |
| Chris Sampson | at LAA Lackey | at TEX Tejeda |
| Miguel Batista | vs. PIT Snell | vs. CIN Lohse |
| Kyle Lohse | at OAK Blanton | at SEA Batista |
| Mike Maroth | at WAS Chico | at ATL James |
| Carlos Silva | at NYM Maine | at FLA Johnson |
| High-risk options | ||
| Steve Trachsel | at SD Peavy | at ARI Hernandez |
| Robinson Tejeda | vs. CHC Marshall | vs. HOU Sampson |
| Matt Chico | vs. DET Maroth | vs. CLE Lee |
| Odalis Perez | at STL Wainwright | at MIL Gallardo |
| Edwin Jackson | at ARI Hernandez | vs. LAD Penny |
| Josh Fogg | vs. NYY Mussina | at TOR McGowan |
Pitch a question
Cody P., Oak Park, Calif.: I don't know who to start for the upcoming week. I have Roy Halladay, Justin Verlander, Dontrelle Willis, Takashi Saito, Fausto Carmona, Andy Pettitte, John Maine, Oliver Perez and Ted Lilly. I need to start seven of these, and John Maine, who has struggled of late, is my only lock as a two-start pitcher. D-Train is a possibility for two starts too. What do you suggest?
Emack: We don't think Willis will be a two-start pitcher -- although he could be moved up after Thursday's day off. Halladay, Verlander, Perez, Pettitte and Carmona are must-starts in our book. We say go with Maine and Saito, if closers can score on the level of an average starter. If not, go with Willis. Sit Lilly regardless.
You can e-mail Emack your Fantasy Baseball pitching questions to DMFantasyBaseball@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: Pitching Planner in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state. Be aware, due to the large volume of submissions received, we do not guarantee personal responses or answers to all questions.
