We go around baseball's rotations every Sunday of the season in our weekly Pitching Planner. We highlight every matchup, recommended two-start options, sleepers and busts and much more. The means we consider them a recommended start. The means we suggest you consider a replacement option.

Arizona Diamondbacks

  1. Dan Haren at PHI Lee
  2. Jon Garland at PHI Martinez, at HOU Norris
  3. Max Scherzer at ATL Hanson, at HOU Oswalt
  4. Doug Davis at PHI Blanton
  5. Yusmeiro Petit at HOU Moehler
This week's two-start pitchers
Must-starts TM Own% Start%
Tim Lincecum SF 98 90
CC Sabathia NYY 98 90
Chris Carpenter STL 96 89
A.J. Burnett NYY 97 89
Josh Beckett BOS 98 88
Felix Hernandez SEA 97 87
Ubaldo Jimenez COL 95 81
Derek Lowe ATL 95 78
Mark Buehrle CHW 94 77
Tommy Hanson ATL 89 76
David Price TB 87 56
Advisable TM Own% Start%
Ricky Nolasco FLA 94 76
Max Scherzer ARI 91 66
Ryan Dempster CHC 92 64
Ervin Santana ANA 87 60
Tommy Hunter TEX 65 52
Scott Feldman TEX 69 50
Francisco Liriano MIN 77 45
Bud Norris HOU 58 40
Ted Lilly CHC 95 40
Rick Porcello DET 62 32
Ricky Romero TOR 81 32
Jon Garland ARI 47 29
Fausto Carmona CLE 37 18
Manny Parra MIL 38 23
Questionable TM Own% Start%
Chad Billingsley LA 97 66
Pedro Martinez PHI 61 35
Carl Pavano MIN 50 32
David Hernandez BAL 9 5
Vin Mazzaro OAK 9 3
Mitchell Boggs STL 3 1
Charlie Haeger LA 1 1
High-risk TM Own% Start%
Brian Bannister KC 32 17
Kevin Correia SD 31 19
Oliver Perez NYM 29 16
Livan Hernandez NYM 19 9
Carlos Villanueva MIL 11 8
Kevin Hart PIT 6 5
Trevor Bell ANA 6 4
Homer Bailey CIN 14 4
Joe Martinez SF 2 1
Craig Stammen WAS 3 1
Cesar Carrillo SD 1 0
Jason Berken BAL 1 0

Two-starter(s): Garland and Scherzer. They are advisable options in most leagues, but Garland's matchups are not great.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Garland. Tough matchups likely shouldn't scare you because he has been so consistent since May.
One-week bust: Davis. He has been much better than his record and he is a lefty facing the Phillies, but we don't see him winning that matchup.

Atlanta Braves

  1. Javier Vazquez vs FLA VandenHurk
  2. Tommy Hanson vs ARI Scherzer, vs FLA Volstad
  3. Derek Lowe at NYM Perez, vs FLA Nolasco
  4. Jair Jurrjens at NYM Parnell
  5. Kenshin Kawakami at NYM Santana

Two-starter(s): Hanson and Lowe. This pair is a must-start duo in all leagues right now.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Kawakami. He has handled the Philles and Dodgers back to back. The Mets won't get in his way, albeit against their ace.
One-week bust: None. All five Braves starters are viable options this week.

Baltimore Orioles

  1. Jeremy Guthrie at CHW Floyd
  2. Chris Tillman at TB Niemann
  3. Brian Matusz at TB Shields
  4. David Hernandez vs LAA Santana, at CHW Danks
  5. Jason Berken at TB Price, at CHW Buehrle

Two-starter(s): Hernandez and Berken. Hernandez has been decent, but his matchups make him a questionable option. Berken is high risk as he pitches for his rotation spot until Brad Bergesen can return.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Tillman. Since writing Matusz is going to be better than Tillman, it has been Tillman who has been more reliable. We would trust him in deeper mixed leagues this week.
One-week bust: Matusz. He has gotten beaten up in his past two starts. He remains intriguing, but you have to keep him on the bench before he proves capable of pitching at this level. He is finally struggling, so how he bounces back could determine how big time he might become.

Boston Red Sox

  1. Josh Beckett at TOR Romero, vs NYY Sabathia
  2. Jon Lester at TOR Cecil
  3. Clay Buchholz at TOR Halladay
  4. Brad Penny vs NYY Pettitte
  5. Junichi Tazawa vs NYY Burnett

Two-starter(s): Beckett. He is a must start in all leagues.
Who is getting skipped: None. A potential return of Tim Wakefield in the Yankees series could push either Penny or Tazawa to the bullpen. You might figure it would be Tazawa, but he is pitching better than Penny right now.
One-week sleeper: Buchholz. He is improving now and looks to be a solid option down the stretch in any format.
One-week bust: Penny and Tazawa. They have tough matchups and one of them could be removed from the rotation for Wakefield. We wouldn't start either of them in any format.

Chicago Cubs

  1. Rich Harden at LAD Weaver
  2. Ryan Dempster at SD Carrillo, at LAD Billingsley
  3. Ted Lilly at SD Correia, at LAD Haeger
  4. Randy Wells at SD Latos
  5. Tom Gorzelanny at LAD Wolf

Two-starter(s): Dempster and Lilly. They are likely advisable options in all leagues.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Wells. He is likely becoming more than a sleeper, but his start percentage is just a mere 57 percent right now.
One-week bust: Gorzelanny. We thought he was a decent start last week, but he got beat up in his first outing and has to scare you against the contending Dodgers this week.

Chicago White Sox

  1. Mark Buehrle vs KC Bannister, vs BAL Berken
  2. Gavin Floyd vs BAL Guthrie
  3. John Danks vs BAL Hernandez
  4. Jose Contreras vs KC Greinke
  5. Freddy An. Garcia vs KC Meche

Two-starter(s): Buehrle. He is a must-start in all leagues right now.
Who is getting skipped: None. The No. 5 spot is needed Tuesday and it will be filled by Garcia.
One-week sleeper: None. The top three are must-starts, while the bottom two ...
One-week bust: Contreras and Garcia. They are facing the Royals best starters and are not useful outside of the deepest of AL-only leagues at this point.

Cincinnati Reds

  1. Aaron Harang vs SF Cain
  2. Bronson Arroyo vs SF Zito
  3. Johnny Cueto likely be skipped , so Micah Owings at PIT Morton
  4. Homer Bailey vs SF Lincecum, at PIT Hart
  5. Justin Lehr at PIT Duke

Two-starter(s): Bailey. He is risky option in any format because of his lack of consistency.
Who is getting skipped: Cueto. He has been banged up and struggling, so the Reds are giving him a week off. It also helps keep his innings total down. Don't use him this week.
One-week sleeper: Lehr. He has been a pleasant surprise and he draws the lowly Pirates.
One-week bust: Cueto and Bailey. They haven't shown enough consistency in the second half.

Cleveland Indians

  1. Fausto Carmona vs LAA Bell, vs SEA Hernandez
  2. Justin Masterson vs LAA Lackey
  3. Jeremy Sowers vs LAA Weaver
  4. David Huff vs SEA French
  5. Aaron Laffey vs SEA Fister

Two-starter(s): Carmona. He has a 2.65 ERA since the break and is worth using in mixed leagues again.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Laffey. He is 3-1 with a 1.99 ERA in the second half. That is a favorable matchup, too.
One-week bust: Masterson. He has a tough matchup and isn't quite stretched out enough to be a trustworthy starter anyway.

Colorado Rockies

  1. Aaron Cook vs SF Sanchez
  2. Ubaldo Jimenez at WAS Stammen, vs SF Lincecum
  3. Jason Marquis at WAS Balester
  4. Jason Hammel at WAS Mock
  5. Jorge De La Rosa vs SF Martinez

Two-starter(s): Jimenez. He is a must-start in all leagues.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: De La Rosa. Throw out his start against the Phillies and he has been quality. That is a favorable matchup, too.
One-week bust: None. All five Rockies starters are viable options this week.

Detroit Tigers

  1. Justin Verlander vs SEA Snell
  2. Jarrod Washburn vs SEA Rowland-Smith
  3. Edwin Jackson at OAK Gonzalez
  4. Rick Porcello vs SEA Hernandez, at OAK Mazzaro
  5. Armando Galarraga at OAK Cahill

Two-starter(s): Porcello. He is well-rested coming off his suspension and is likely an advisable option in any format.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Galarraga. He has gotten over his illness and is a safe play at Oakland.
One-week bust: None. All five Tigers starters are viable options this week.

Florida Marlins

  1. Josh Johnson at HOU Rodriguez
  2. Ricky Nolasco at HOU Norris, at ATL Lowe
  3. Chris Volstad at ATL Hanson
  4. Rick VandenHurk at ATL Vazquez
  5. Sean West at HOU Hampton

Two-starter(s): Nolasco. He is coming off a terrible outing, but he remains an advisable option.
Who is getting skipped: VandenHurk or Volstad. Anibal Sanchez is making a rehab start Monday and is targeting a return Saturday, which could affect Volstad or VandenHurk's start over the weekend. We think Nolasco is still a safe play for two starts, since he is one of the Marlins more veteran guys.
One-week sleeper: West. He was strong last time out last week against the Astros. Use him in deeper leagues.
One-week bust: Volstad and VandenHurk. They haven't been consistent and one of them could be removed from the rotation in lieu of Sanchez.

Top 10 Pitchers Added
Player % Change
1. Tommy Hunter, SP, Rangers 19
2. Pedro Martinez, SP, Phillies 19
3. Aaron Laffey, SP, Indians 18
4. Derek Holland, SP, Rangers 16
5. Bud Norris, SP, Astros 14
6. Gio Gonzalez, SP, Athletics 12
7. Carl Pavano, SP, Twins 10
8. Justin Duchscherer, SP, Athletics 9
9. Scott Feldman, SP, Rangers 8
10. Dustin Nippert, SP, Rangers 7

Houston Astros

  1. Roy Oswalt vs ARI Scherzer
  2. Wandy Rodriguez vs FLA Johnson
  3. Mike Hampton (questionable, shoulder) vs FLA West
  4. Bud Norris vs FLA Nolasco, vs ARI Garland
  5. Brian Moehler vs ARI Petit

Two-starter(s): Norris. He is an advisable option in deeper leagues.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Norris. He has won each of his three career starts and doesn't have overwhelmingly difficult matchups.
One-week bust: Hampton. He has a sore shoulder and hasn't been real effective of late.

Kansas City Royals

  1. Zack Greinke at CHW Contreras
  2. Gil Meche at CHW Garcia
  3. Brian Bannister at CHW Buehrle, vs MIN Pavano
  4. Kyle Davies vs MIN Liriano
  5. Luke Hochevar vs MIN Blackburn

Two-starter(s): Bannister. He has been awful of late and doesn't have favorable matchups. Consider him high-risk.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Meche. He won in his DL return and opposes a shaky No. 5 starter.
One-week bust: Davies. He improved last time out but we still wouldn't trust him in most formats until he strings something together.

Los Angeles Angels

  1. John Lackey at CLE Masterson
  2. Jered Weaver at CLE Sowers
  3. Ervin Santana at BAL Hernandez, at TOR Rzepczynski
  4. Sean O'Sullivan at TOR TBD
  5. Trevor Bell at CLE Carmona, at TOR Richmond

Two-starter(s): Santana and Bell. Santana is advisable, while Bell is risky at this point.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Santana. He hasn't been trustworthy but his last start likely changed a lot of minds.
One-week bust: O'Sullivan and Bell. These rookies aren't pitching well enough to trust in any matchup right now.

Los Angeles Dodgers

  1. Chad Billingsley vs STL Boggs, vs CHC Dempster
  2. Randy Wolf vs CHC Gorzelanny
  3. Clayton Kershaw vs STL Wainwright
  4. Hiroki Kuroda (doubtful, concussion), so Jeff Weaver vs CHC Harden
  5. Charlie Haeger vs STL Carpenter, vs CHC Lilly

Two-starter(s): Haeger and Billingsley. They are likely questionable options this week. Billingsley is dealing with a sore hamstring and the Dodgers might err on the side of caution.
Who is getting skipped: Hiroki Kuroda (concussion). He likely won't be able to make his start this week. Keep him reserved.
One-week sleeper: Billingsley. If you are a risk taker you could get potentially high reward. We just could see the Dodgers yanking him on the first sign of a twinge.
One-week bust: Kuroda. There hasn't been an announcement, but you have to figure he won't start this week.

Milwaukee Brewers

  1. Yovani Gallardo at PIT Maholm
  2. Manny Parra at PIT Ohlendorf, at WAS Stammen
  3. Braden Looper at WAS Martin
  4. Carlos Villanueva at PIT Hart, at WAS Lannan
  5. Mike Burns likely to be skipped

Two-starter(s): Parra and Villanueva. Parra is advisable, while Villanueva is a risky option. We are projecting a four-man rotation for the Brewers at this point, but Villanueva or Parra could be affected by Burns getting a start or Dave Bush returning off a rehab assignment next weekend.
Who is getting skipped: Burns. They can skip him after a Thursday off day, or re-slot him on Villanueva's second turn. Also, Bush could return in Villanueva's spot, which would push Parra off a two-start week.
One-week sleeper: Parra. We like him enough in his first matchup to consider him advisable even as a one-start pitcher.
One-week bust: Villanueva. He draws a favorable first matchup, but we still don't trust him and believe he could be removed from the rotation over next weekend.

Minnesota Twins

  1. Scott Baker at TEX Millwood
  2. Francisco Liriano at TEX Hunter, at KC Davies
  3. Carl Pavano at TEX Feldman, at KC Bannister
  4. Nick Blackburn at KC Hochevar
  5. Anthony Swarzak at TEX Holland

Two-starter(s): Liriano and Pavano. Liriano's recent success makes him advisable again, while Pavano is still questionable because of his inconsistent results.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Pavano. It will take some guts in most mixed leagues, but he has some potential to be a winner with Minnesota this week.
One-week bust: Blackburn. He is in a serious slump and can't be trusted even in AL-only formats and this favorable matchup.

New York Mets

  1. Johan Santana vs ATL Kawakami
  2. Mike Pelfrey vs PHI Hamels
  3. Oliver Perez vs ATL Lowe, vs PHI Martinez
  4. Bobby Parnell vs ATL Jurrjens
  5. Livan Hernandez vs SF Martinez, vs PHI Happ

Two-starter(s): Hernandez and Perez. They are risky options best left for NL-only leagues with those matchups.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Parnell. He has been pitching fairly well and looks like a capable big league starter for deeper mixed leagues now.
One-week bust: Perez. You shouldn't get lured by the two starts. He is risky in any matchup and would be hard-pressed to beat the Braves and Phillies.

New York Yankees

  1. CC Sabathia at OAK Duchscherer
  2. A.J. Burnett at OAK Mazzaro, at BOS Tazawa
  3. Andy Pettitte at BOS Penny
  4. Joba Chamberlain expected to be skipped
  5. Chad Gaudin at OAK Anderson

Two-starter(s): Burnett and Sabathia. They are must-starts in all leagues at this point.
Who is getting skipped: Sergio Mitre and Chamberlain. The Yankees didn't skip Chamberlain on Sunday, but they don't figure to slot him next weekend at Boston now, though. Also, Mitre has temporarily lost his No. 5 starter's spot to Gaudin. We could see that becoming permanent.
One-week sleeper: Gaudin. He has a favorable first start matchup. Consider him in deeper mixed leagues, especially because he will get great run support from the Yankees.
One-week bust: Chamberlain. It appears the Yankees will take the opportunity to skip him with off days Thursday and the following Monday.

Oakland Athletics

  1. Brett Anderson vs NYY Gaudin
  2. Trevor Cahill vs DET Galarraga
  3. Vin Mazzaro vs NYY Burnett, vs DET Porcello
  4. Gio Gonzalez vs DET Jackson
  5. TBD, perhaps Justin Duchscherer (elbow) vs NYY Sabathia

Two-starter(s): Mazzaro. He is coming off a quality start, but his tough matchups make him a questionable option best left for deeper AL-only leagues.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: None. All five A's starters are questionable to risky options this week.
One-week bust: Duchscherer. You might get excited about his potential return Tuesday, but reports aren't that promising from his rehab stint. He still might not even be able to make his return, even though they need him.

Philadelphia Phillies

  1. Cole Hamels vs NYM Pelfrey
  2. Cliff Lee vs ARI Haren
  3. Joe Blanton vs ARI Davis
  4. J.A. Happ at NYM Hernandez
  5. Pedro Martinez vs ARI Garland, at NYM Perez

Two-starter(s): Martinez. He is a questionable option, but the potent Phillies make him worth the risk this week.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Martinez. He can be a winner even if he gives up three runs in five innings, like he did in his first start. His 93 mph velocity is the best he has had in years.
One-week bust: None. All five Phillies starts are advisable options this week.

Pittsburgh Pirates

  1. Zach Duke vs CIN Lehr
  2. Paul Maholm vs MIL Gallardo
  3. Ross Ohlendorf vs MIL Parra
  4. Kevin Hart vs MIL Villanueva, vs CIN Bailey
  5. Charlie Morton vs CIN Owings

Two-starter(s): Hart. He is a risky option even in the deepest of NL-only leagues at this point.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Ohlendorf. He is facing an offensively potent team, but the 10-game winner has quietly strung some quality starts together.
One-week bust: Maholm. He has been bad of late and faces a potent team with its ace on the mound.

San Diego Padres

  1. Kevin Correia vs CHC Lilly, vs STL Carpenter
  2. Mat Latos vs CHC Wells
  3. Clayton Richard vs STL Lohse
  4. Tim Stauffer vs STL Pineiro
  5. Cesar Carrillo vs CHC Dempster, vs STL Boggs

Two-starter(s): Correia and Carrillo. They are risky options in all leagues, especially against those two contenders with potentially potent offenses.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Richard. He is unbeaten in the NL and draws the most favorable matchup of the week for the Padres.
One-week bust: Correia. You likely have to start the Padres' ace in deeper leagues, but we see his streak of quality starts coming to an end this week.

San Francisco Giants

  1. Tim Lincecum at CIN Bailey, at COL Jimenez
  2. Matt Cain at CIN Harang
  3. Barry Zito at CIN Arroyo
  4. Jonathan Sanchez at COL Cook
  5. Joe Martinez at NYM Hernandez, at COL De La Rosa

Two-starter(s): Martinez and Lincecum. Martinez is a risky option, while Lincecum is a must-start one.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Zito. He has quietly been a productive starter in the second half at 3-2 with a 2.75 ERA.
One-week bust: Martinez. He is not trustworthy enough to trust outside of the deepest of NL-only leagues at this point.

Seattle Mariners

  1. Felix Hernandez at DET Porcello, at CLE Carmona
  2. Luke French at CLE Huff
  3. Ryan Rowland-Smith at DET Washburn
  4. Ian Snell at DET Verlander
  5. Doug W. Fister at CLE Laffey

Two-starter(s): Hernandez. He is a must-start in all leagues.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Rowland-Smith. He has been pretty solid, solid enough to trust against the contending Tigers on the road this week.
One-week bust: French. He had his first so-so start with the Mariners. Don't use him outside of AL-only leagues this week.

St. Louis Cardinals

  1. Chris Carpenter at LAD Haeger, at SD Correia
  2. Adam Wainwright at LAD Kershaw
  3. Joel Pineiro at SD Stauffer
  4. Kyle Lohse at SD Richard
  5. Mitchell Boggs at LAD Billingsley, at SD Carrillo

Two-starter(s): Carpenter and Boggs. Carpenter is a must-start, while Boggs is a questionable option best left for NL-only leagues.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Lohse. He has kicked his slump and draws a favorable matchup at San Diego.
One-week bust: Boggs. He is a sleeper for deeper leagues, but we don't like the tough first matchup at the Dodgers.

Tampa Bay Rays

  1. James Shields vs BAL Matusz
  2. Scott Kazmir vs TEX Nippert
  3. David Price vs BAL Berken, vs TEX Feldman
  4. Matt Garza vs TEX Hunter
  5. Jeff Niemann vs BAL Tillman

Two-starter(s): Price. He hasn't been consistent, but he is 5-1 with a 2.71 ERA at home (0-4, 8.07 ERA on the road). Start him with those two home starts.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Price. Look at those home-road splits. There has to be something to it. Trust him more this week than most of late.
One-week bust: None. All five Rays starters are viable options this week.

Texas Rangers

  1. Kevin Millwood vs MIN Baker
  2. Tommy Hunter vs MIN Liriano, at TB Garza
  3. Scott Feldman vs MIN Pavano, at TB Price
  4. Derek Holland vs MIN Swarzak
  5. Dustin Nippert at TB Kazmir

Two-starter(s): Hunter and Feldman. They are sleepers for deeper leagues, especially with the Rangers hot right now.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Hunter and Feldman. They have been so surprising, they might even be must-starts at this point. The Rangers might have finally found decent pitching.
One-week bust: None. All five Rangers starters are viable options this week.

Toronto Blue Jays

  1. Roy Halladay vs BOS Buchholz
  2. Ricky Romero vs BOS Beckett, vs LAA Bell
  3. Scott Richmond vs LAA O'Sullivan
  4. Brett Cecil vs BOS Lester
  5. Marc Rzepczynski vs LAA Santana

Two-starter(s): Romero. He is getting tough matchups but he is usually good for a quality start or two. Consider him advisable even in bad matchups.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Richmond. He has been decent and even though he is facing the Angels, he draws a shaky rookie opposing pitcher.
One-week bust: Cecil. He is returning from a knee issue against the Red Sox. Good enough reasons to keep him down one more week even in AL-only formats.

Washington Nationals

  1. John Lannan vs MIL Villanueva
  2. Craig Stammen vs COL Jimenez, vs MIL Parra
  3. Garrett Mock vs COL Hammel
  4. Collin Balester vs COL Marquis
  5. J.D. Martin vs MIL Looper

Two-starter(s): Stammen. He is high risk even for deeper NL-only leagues.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Mock. The Nationals might have found something here. Consider him in deeper formats for now.
One-week bust: Lannan. The staff ace has been pitching poorly and faces the potentially potent Brewers.

You can e-mail Emack your Fantasy Baseball pitching questions to DMFantasyBaseball@cbs.com. Be sure to put 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.