We go around baseball's pitching staffs and Fantasy's two-start pitcher options every Sunday of the season in the weekly Pitching Planner.
Staff reflections
Arizona Diamondbacks: Dan Haren and Brandon Webb are must-start, two-start pitchers vs. Pittsburgh and Atlanta. ... Randy Johnson, Yusmeiro Petit and Doug Davis follow as one-start options in the seven-game week. ... Petit will hold the No. 5 starter's spot for at least a few more turns. Max Scherzer struck out seven in three innings in his past start in Triple-A, after returning from shoulder woes. Scherzer won't be ready until he gets his pitch count back up over a few more starts. Stash Scherzer in deeper leagues again, if you need a potential impact starter in the season's final weeks.
Atlanta Braves: Jair Jurrjens is a must-start, two-start pitcher, while Mike Hampton is a two-start pitching sleeper best left for deeper leagues until he gets himself re-established. ... Chuck James, Charlie Morton and Jorge Campillo are slated to follow as one-start options in the seven-game week. ... Tom Glavine (elbow) will begin a Class A rehab assignment Monday, but he should not be used in Fantasy Week 19 (Aug. 4-10). He is tentatively scheduled to pitch with Double-A Mississippi on Saturday. ... Tim Hudson (elbow) will have Tommy John surgery, which will keep him out until late 2009 at best.
Baltimore Orioles: Dennis Sarfate is a high-risk, two-start pitcher, but a Thursday offday could allow the O's to skip his turn the next time through. ... There is a TBD on the schedule for Tuesday, but it is expected Hayden Penn will be called up from Triple-A to take that turn for demoted starters Radhames Liz and Brian Burres. Consider Penn a high-risk option at this point, but there is long-term potential there still. ... Garrett Olson, Jeremy Guthrie and Daniel Cabrera are expected to follow as one-start options in the six-game week.
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| Player | % Change | |
| 1. | Chris Carpenter, SP, STL | 36 |
| 2. | Chris R. Young, SP, SD | 33 |
| 3. | Anibal Sanchez, SP, FLA | 28 |
| 4. | Jeff Samardzija, RP, CHC | 20 |
| 5. | Jason Isringhausen, RP, STL | 17 |
| 6. | Eddie Kunz, RP, NYM | 16 |
| 7. | Jamie Moyer, SP, PHI | 15 |
| 8. | Ubaldo Jimenez, SP, COL | 13 |
| 9. | Jeff Francis, SP, COL | 12 |
| 10. | Fausto Carmona, SP, CLE | 11 |
Boston Red Sox: Clay Buchholz is a risky two-start pitcher amid his struggles. If he doesn't pitch well this week, he will lose his rotation spot to Bartolo Colon for Fantasy Week 20 (Aug. 11-17). ... Josh Beckett, Tim Wakefield, Jon Lester and Daisuke Matsuzaka follow as one-start options in the six-game week.
Chicago Cubs: Ryan Dempster is a solid two-start pitcher vs. Houston and St. Louis. ... Rich Harden, Jason Marquis, Ted Lilly and ace Carlos Zambrano follow as one-start options in the six-game week.
Chicago White Sox: Gavin Floyd is a two-start pitcher with tough matchups vs. the offensively potent Tigers and Red Sox. ... John Danks, Javier Vazquez, Mark Buehrle and Clayton Richard figure to follow as one-start options in the six-game week. ... Richard is a question mark, because Jose Contreras started a rehab assignment on his turn Sunday. Contreras could return in Richard's place, depending on how deep he can run his pitch count. Consider Richard and Contreras both too risky to use this week.
Cincinnati Reds: Bronson Arroyo and Edinson Volquez are two-start pitchers. ... Homer Bailey, who gets perhaps his final chance to stick around before an Aaron Harang (elbow) return from the DL, Josh Fogg and Johnny Cueto follow as one-start pitchers in the seven-game week. ... Harang starts a rehab assignment Monday, but likely will not return until a second rehab start. He is too risky to use in Fantasy Week 19 (Aug. 4-10).
Cleveland Indians: Cliff Lee is a must-start, two-start pitcher at Tampa Bay and Toronto. ... Fausto Carmona, Jeremy Sowers, Paul Byrd and Matt Ginter follow as one-start options in the six-game week. ... If you are looking for a potential rookie starter to get the call down the stretch for the rebuilding Indians, it is clearly David Huff at this point. He is a combined 9-4 with a 2.33 ERA, .204 batting-average against and 119 strikeouts in 123 2/3 innings combined before Double- and Triple-A. He will be a candidate to replace Byrd or Ginter after this week.
Colorado Rockies: Aaron Cook and Jeff Francis (shoulder), who will make his return from the 15-day DL, are two-start pitchers with great matchups vs. the lowly Nationals and Padres. ... Ubaldo Jimenez, Valerio De Los Santos and likely Glendon Rusch figure to follow as one-start pitchers in the seven-game week. ... Long-term pitching projects Jason Hirsh, Greg Reynolds and Franklin Morales are not pitching all that well in Triple-A, but they could be factors again in the Rockies' rotation before the end of the year still. Jhoulys Chacin, who is 15-2, with a 1.95 ERA combined between Class A and Double-A, is dominating, but the 20-year-old is likely behind in the pecking order right now because of his inexperience.
Detroit Tigers: Nate Robertson is a two-start pitcher with one tough matchup at the White Sox and a favorable one vs. the A's. ... Justin Verlander, Zach Miner, Dallas Braden and Armando Galarraga follow as one-start pitchers in the six-game week. ... Dontrelle Willis (knee) has been better of late in high Class A and still might be able to impact the rotation before September. Track his progress in the coming weeks.
Florida Marlins: Josh Johnson is a two-start option at Philly and the N.Y. Mets, so consider him in deeper leagues because of his tough matchups. ... Anibal Sanchez, Chris Volstad, Ricky Nolasco and Scott Olsen follow as one-start pitchers in the six-game week. ... Andrew Miller (knee) is not far from a rehab assignment, so consider him a candidate to return later in August at this point.
Houston Astros: Brian Moehler and Wandy Rodriguez are two-start pitchers with tough matchups at the Cubs and Reds. ... Brandon Backe, Roy Oswalt and Randy Wolf follow as one-start pitchers in the seven-game week. ... Felipe Paulino (shoulder) was scheduled to start a rehab assignment and will likely need the month of August to prove healthy and worthy of being activated. He has long-term potential, so track his progress in the coming weeks.
Kansas City Royals: Gil Meche is a two-start pitcher with a pair of tough matchups vs. the Red Sox and Twins. ... Brian Bannister, Luke Hochevar, Kyle Davies and Zack Greinke are slated to follow as one-start pitchers in the six-game week.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Joe Saunders is a two-start pitcher vs. the Orioles and Yankees. ... Jon Garland, Ervin Santana, Jered Weaver and John Lackey follow as one-start pitchers in the six-game week.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Chad Billingsley is a must-start, two-start pitcher at St. Louis and San Francisco. ... Derek Lowe, Clayton Kershaw and Hiroki Kuroda are certain to get one start in the six-game week. ... Brad Penny (shoulder) is tentatively slated to return over the weekend at San Francisco, so consider him a sleeper in deeper leagues this week. That is a good matchup. ... Jason M. Johnson will head back to long relief, assuming Penny returns as scheduled.
Milwaukee Brewers: Manny Parra is a nice two-start pitcher at Cincy and vs. Washington. ... The Brewers apparently are scrapping their home-away platoon with Dave Bush and Seth McClung in the No. 5 starter's spot, because Bush is the scheduled starter Tuesday at Cincy. McClung is now nothing more than a low-end middle reliever for the deepest of leagues that use true middle men. ... Jeff Suppan, CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets are one-start pitchers in the six-game week.
Minnesota Twins: Glen Perkins is a two-start pitcher sleeper at Seattle and Kansas City, two favorable matchups. Use him with confidence in deeper leagues. ... Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn, Kevin Slowey and Francisco Liriano, who returned spectacularly Sunday, are one-start pitchers in the six-game week. Liriano looks like a must-start in all leagues on a regular basis right now. He could be arguably the best pitcher in Fantasy down the stretch. ... Livan Hernandez has been designated for assignment, but he should find a home this week -- and might even get a start if he joins the pitching-needy Mets.
New York Mets: Mike Pelfrey is a two-start pitcher to use in deeper leagues vs. the lowly Padres but potent Marlins. ... Pedro Martinez, Johan Santana and Oliver Perez are one-start sleepers in deeper leagues, while John Maine (shoulder) goes on the DL and will be out until mid-August. ... A TBD is on the schedule next weekend vs. the Marlins. If the Mets don't trade for the ex-Twin Hernandez, prospect Jonathon Niese could be called up from Triple-A, where he debuted spectacularly last week. Niese starts Monday in Triple-A, so watch him closely there, because it might lead to a call-up. ... Billy Wagner appears headed for the 15-day DL with a sore forearm. He will get an MRI on Tuesday and the Mets could use prospect Eddie Kunz in the closer's role right now. Kunz is a 2007 first-round pick and a former closer at Oregon State. He was dominant in Double-A and pitched a scoreless inning in mopup duty Sunday for the Mets. Consider Kunz a sleeper in deeper leagues Fantasy Week 19 (Aug. 4-10), especially if Wagner is placed on the DL. Since the Mets don't play again until Tuesday, Wagner likely will not go on the DL before your roster deadline. We say, don't dare use Wagner this week.
New York Yankees: Joba Chamberlain and Andy Pettitte are two-start pitchers to use in any Fantasy league, despite tough matchups at Texas and Anaheim. ... Sidney Ponson, Mike Mussina and perhaps Darrell Rasner follow as one-start options in the seven-game week. ... Ian Kennedy has made three outstanding Triple-A starts in a row, so he could be recalled to take Rasner's rotation spot any week now. Consider Rasner too risky to use this week, but you cannot be sure the Yankees give Kennedy the call just yet. ... Phil Hughes (rib) has been spectacular in his Class A rehab assignment, while Carl Pavano (Tommy John elbow surgery) has also been decent on the same schedule. Consider them candidates to return in mid-August, perhaps in Ponson's rotation spot. ... Hughes and Kennedy look like they could be impact Fantasy starting pitchers down the stretch again, so take those fliers right now.
Oakland Athletics: Greg Smith is a two-start pitcher with tough matchups at Toronto (vs. Roy Halladay) and at Detroit. Only use him in deeper leagues. ... Sean Gallagher is also a two-start pitcher to use in AL-only formats. ... Justin Duchscherer, a TBD and Dallas Braden follow in the seven-game week. ... The TBD is in place of demoted Dana Eveland and could be either Dan Meyer, who was recalled Sunday, or top prospect Gio Gonzalez, who allowed just two hits and struck out nine in eight innings in his past Triple-A start. If Meyer is used again in relief (he was Sunday) before that Thursday TBD, Gonzalez can make that start in a call-up on regular rest. Track this in the coming days, especially if you have been anticipating Gonzalez's arrival.
Philadelphia Phillies: Jamie Moyer is a two-start pitcher with a tough matchup vs. the Marlins -- who he is actually 10-0 in his career against -- and a favorable matchup vs. the Pirates. Consider Moyer a sleeper in deeper leagues for the resurgent Phillies. ... Kyle Kendrick, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton and Brett Myers follow as one-start pitchers in the six-game week. ... There has been some talk about long reliever J.A. Happ being a rotation candidate before the year is out, but we think that is lip service to a so-so prospect who could get some significant chances as a situational lefty down the stretch. Saying you're a candidate for the rotation can be a confidence boost, we suppose, but Happ is not likely to get a real look in a pennant race. ... Elite pitching prospect Carlos Carrasco was promoted to Triple-A this weekend, so he could be a candidate to get a look in September. That is the prospect flier we suggest you take in deeper NL-only and long-term keeper leagues.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Yoslan Herrera is tentatively scheduled to be a high-risk, two-start pitcher, but a Thursday offday could allow the Pirates to skip his turn next weekend if he struggles again Monday at Arizona. ... Zach Duke would pick up a second start if Herrera was to be demoted last this week. Consider Duke a one-start pitcher with a less-than-favorable matchup vs. the D-Backs' Webb. ... Jeff Karstens, who was great in his Pirates' debut, Paul Maholm and Ian Snell are one-start pitchers in the six-game week.
San Diego Padres: Chris R. Young is a two-start pitcher with a pair of tough road starts at the Mets and Rockies. Consider him more of a sleeper down the stretch than the potential ace he began the season as, since the Padres don't figure to get him much run support. ... Cha Seung Baek, Josh Banks, Jake Peavy and Greg Maddux are one-start pitchers in the six-game week.
San Francisco Giants: Matt Cain is a two-start pitcher. Trust him in most leagues down the stretch. ... Jonathan O. Sanchez, Tim Lincecum, Barry Zito and Kevin Correia follow as one-start options in the six-game week.
Seattle Mariners: Miguel Batista and R.A. Dickey are high-risk, two-start pitchers best avoided in all Fantasy leagues. ... Jarrod Washburn, Felix Hernandez and Carlos Silva are one-start options in the seven-game week. ... Erik Bedard (shoulder) is starting a throwing program, so consider him a couple weeks away from returning at this point. He still could be a Fantasy factor before the season is over, though.
St. Louis Cardinals: Chris Carpenter is a two-start pitcher to use in deeper leagues. He does have a pair of contenders opposing him, so consider him more of a sleeper than an ace as he builds up arm strength after Tommy John surgery. ... Joel Pineiro, Kyle Lohse, Braden Looper and Todd Wellemeyer follow as one-start options in the six-game week. ... Adam Wainwright (finger) isn't a candidate to return this week, but track his progress for a potential return around mid-August. We say he returns as a starter, but he still could be considered a potential closer.
Tampa Bay Rays: Matt Garza and Edwin Jackson are two-start pitchers to use in any Fantasy league vs. the Indians and at the Mariners. Those are great matchups for decent starters pitching for a top contender. ... Scott Kazmir, Andy Sonnanstine and James Shields follow as one-start pitchers. ... David Price, after setting a career-high eight innings the start prior, set a career-high with 10 strikeouts in his past Double-A start. He clearly is too good for that level and needs a challenge. He could be promoted to Triple-A before he is called up to the Rays, though. Stash Price in any league with reserves, because we are still convinced he will be a high-impact starting pitcher in all Fantasy leagues before September. Sonnastine and Jackson were both very good in their past starts, so Price's call-up won't come this week. The arrival of Liriano on Sunday leaves Price as the prospect to agonize over the call-up of right now. He belongs, so it is just a matter of time.
Texas Rangers: Vicente Padilla and Matt Hairston are two-start pitchers for deeper leagues. ... Eric Hurley (biceps) was hoping to return Wednesday in the spot of prospect Tommy Hunter, but that looks unlikely at this point. Consider Hurley or Hunter each too risky to use this week. ... Scott Feldman and Luis Mendoza are likely to follow as one-start pitchers in the seven-game week. ... Brandon McCarthy (elbow) has a 6-plus ERA on his Triple-A rehab assignment, so don't expect anything from his just yet. ... Kevin Millwood (groin) isn't likely to be ready this week, either.
Toronto Blue Jays: Roy Halladay is a must-start, two-start pitcher in all leagues. ... Scott Richmond is a high-risk, two-starter. ... Shaun Marcum, A.J. Burnett and David Purcey figure to be one-start options in the seven-game week.
Washington Nationals: Tim Redding and John Lannan are two-start pitchers at Colorado and Milwaukee, two tough matchups for the Nationals' two best pitchers. ... Odalis Perez, Jason Bergmann and Collin Balester are one-start pitchers in the seven-game week.
Fantasy Week 19 (Aug. 4-10)
| This week's potential two-start pitchers | ||
| Must-start options | ||
| Pitcher | Start No. 1 | Start No. 2 |
| Roy Halladay | vs OAK Smith | vs CLE Ginter |
| Dan Haren | vs PIT Herrera | vs ATL Jurrjens |
| Brandon Webb | vs PIT Duke | vs ATL Hampton |
| Cliff Lee | at TB Garza | at TOR Richmond |
| Ryan Dempster | vs HOU Moehler | vs STL Carpenter |
| Joba Chamberlain | at TEX Padilla | at LAA Lackey |
| Chad Billingsley | at STL Carpenter | at SF Cain |
| Aaron Cook | vs WAS Redding | vs SD Maddux |
| Matt Garza | vs CLE Lee | at SEA Batista |
| Advisable options | ||
| Pitcher | Start No. 1 | Start No. 2 |
| Matt Cain | vs ATL Jurrjens | vs LAD Billingsley |
| Joe Saunders | vs BAL Sarfate | vs NYY Pettitte |
| Andy Pettitte | at TEX Harrison | at LAA Saunders |
| Jair Jurrjens | at SF Cain | at ARI Haren |
| Edinson Volquez | vs MIL Bush | vs HOU Rodriguez |
| Manny Parra | at CIN Arroyo | vs WAS Lannan |
| Gavin Floyd | vs DET Robertson | vs BOS Buchholz |
| Mike Pelfrey | vs SD Young | vs FLA Johnson |
| Glen Perkins | at SEA Batista | at KC Meche |
| Questionable options | ||
| Pitcher | Start No. 1 | Start No. 2 |
| Jamie Moyer | vs FLA Johnson | vs PIT Herrera |
| Gil Meche | vs BOS Buchholz | vs MIN Perkins |
| Vicente Padilla | vs NYY Chamberlain | at BAL Cabrera |
| Chris R. Young | at NYM Pelfrey | at COL Francis |
| Bronson Arroyo | vs MIL Parra | vs HOU Moehler |
| Chris Carpenter | vs LAD Billingsley | at CHC Dempster |
| Wandy Rodriguez | at CHC Harden | at CIN Volquez |
| Josh Johnson | at PHI Moyer | at NYM Pelfrey |
| Edwin Jackson | vs CLE Carmona | at SEA Dickey |
| Sean Gallagher | at TOR Richmond | at DET Robertson |
| Tim Redding | at COL Cook | at MIL Sheets |
| Jeff Francis | vs WAS Lannan | vs SD Young |
| John Lannan | at COL Francis | at MIL Parra |
| Nate Robertson | at CHW Floyd | vs OAK Gallagher |
| High-risk options | ||
| Pitcher | Start No. 1 | Start No. 2 |
| Clay Buchholz | at KC Meche | at CHW Floyd |
| Greg Smith | at TOR Halladay | at DET Gallagher |
| Brian Moehler | at CHC Dempster | at CIN Arroyo |
| Miguel Batista | vs MIN Perkins | vs. TB Garza |
| Mike Hampton | at SF Sanchez | at ARI Webb |
| Scott Richmond | vs OAK Gallagher | vs CLE Lee |
| Matt Harrison | vs NYY Pettitte | at BAL Sarfate |
| R.A. Dickey | vs MIN Baker | vs TB Jackson |
| Dennis Sarfate | at LAA Saunders | vs TEX Harrison |
| Yoslan Herrera | at ARI Haren | at PHI Moyer |
Pitch a question
Doug, Little Rock, Ark.: When are they going to bring up David Price? I am trying to make a run for first place in my division and I sure could use the pitching help.
Emack: It won't be this week, but we expect something to happen thereafter -- either a promotion to Triple-A this week or perhaps the majors leagues before the end of Fantasy Week 20 (Aug. 11-17).
Lanny Wheeler, Calgary, Alberta, Canada: I'm in a 14-team Head-to-Head league and would like some advice on who to start next week. I start six and have Josh Beckett, Felix Hernandez, Tim Lincecum, James Shields, Scott Baker, Manny Parra (two starts), Oliver Perez and Clay Buchholz (two starts). Baker, I'm sitting. Parra and Perez, I'm starting for their two-start weeks. But should I start Buchholz -- and for whom?
Emack: First, the Mets' Perez lost his two starts because he moved up a day for Maine. We don't trust Buchholz at this point, though, so keep him and Baker on the bench.
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 cannot guarantee personal responses to all questions.
