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
- Dan Haren at PHI Lee
- Jon Garland at PHI Martinez, at HOU Norris
- Max Scherzer at ATL Hanson, at HOU Oswalt
- Doug Davis at PHI Blanton
- Yusmeiro Petit at HOU Moehler
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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
- Javier Vazquez vs FLA VandenHurk
- Tommy Hanson vs ARI Scherzer, vs FLA Volstad
- Derek Lowe at NYM Perez, vs FLA Nolasco
- Jair Jurrjens at NYM Parnell
- 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
- Jeremy Guthrie at CHW Floyd
- Chris Tillman at TB Niemann
- Brian Matusz at TB Shields
- David Hernandez vs LAA Santana, at CHW Danks
- 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
- Josh Beckett at TOR Romero, vs NYY Sabathia
- Jon Lester at TOR Cecil
- Clay Buchholz at TOR Halladay
- Brad Penny vs NYY Pettitte
- 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
- Rich Harden at LAD Weaver
- Ryan Dempster at SD Carrillo, at LAD Billingsley
- Ted Lilly at SD Correia, at LAD Haeger
- Randy Wells at SD Latos
- 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
- Mark Buehrle vs KC Bannister, vs BAL Berken
- Gavin Floyd vs BAL Guthrie
- John Danks vs BAL Hernandez
- Jose Contreras vs KC Greinke
- 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
- Aaron Harang vs SF Cain
- Bronson Arroyo vs SF Zito
- Johnny Cueto likely be skipped , so Micah Owings at PIT Morton
- Homer Bailey vs SF Lincecum, at PIT Hart
- 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
- Fausto Carmona vs LAA Bell, vs SEA Hernandez
- Justin Masterson vs LAA Lackey
- Jeremy Sowers vs LAA Weaver
- David Huff vs SEA French
- 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
- Aaron Cook vs SF Sanchez
- Ubaldo Jimenez at WAS Stammen, vs SF Lincecum
- Jason Marquis at WAS Balester
- Jason Hammel at WAS Mock
- 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
- Justin Verlander vs SEA Snell
- Jarrod Washburn vs SEA Rowland-Smith
- Edwin Jackson at OAK Gonzalez
- Rick Porcello vs SEA Hernandez, at OAK Mazzaro
- 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
- Josh Johnson at HOU Rodriguez
- Ricky Nolasco at HOU Norris, at ATL Lowe
- Chris Volstad at ATL Hanson
- Rick VandenHurk at ATL Vazquez
- 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.
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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
- Roy Oswalt vs ARI Scherzer
- Wandy Rodriguez vs FLA Johnson
- Mike Hampton (questionable, shoulder) vs FLA West
- Bud Norris vs FLA Nolasco, vs ARI Garland
- 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
- Zack Greinke at CHW Contreras
- Gil Meche at CHW Garcia
- Brian Bannister at CHW Buehrle, vs MIN Pavano
- Kyle Davies vs MIN Liriano
- 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
- John Lackey at CLE Masterson
- Jered Weaver at CLE Sowers
- Ervin Santana at BAL Hernandez, at TOR Rzepczynski
- Sean O'Sullivan at TOR TBD
- 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
- Chad Billingsley vs STL Boggs, vs CHC Dempster
- Randy Wolf vs CHC Gorzelanny
- Clayton Kershaw vs STL Wainwright
- Hiroki Kuroda (doubtful, concussion), so Jeff Weaver vs CHC Harden
- 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
- Yovani Gallardo at PIT Maholm
- Manny Parra at PIT Ohlendorf, at WAS Stammen
- Braden Looper at WAS Martin
- Carlos Villanueva at PIT Hart, at WAS Lannan
- 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
- Scott Baker at TEX Millwood
- Francisco Liriano at TEX Hunter, at KC Davies
- Carl Pavano at TEX Feldman, at KC Bannister
- Nick Blackburn at KC Hochevar
- 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
- Johan Santana vs ATL Kawakami
- Mike Pelfrey vs PHI Hamels
- Oliver Perez vs ATL Lowe, vs PHI Martinez
- Bobby Parnell vs ATL Jurrjens
- 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
- CC Sabathia at OAK Duchscherer
- A.J. Burnett at OAK Mazzaro, at BOS Tazawa
- Andy Pettitte at BOS Penny
- Joba Chamberlain expected to be skipped
- 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
- Brett Anderson vs NYY Gaudin
- Trevor Cahill vs DET Galarraga
- Vin Mazzaro vs NYY Burnett, vs DET Porcello
- Gio Gonzalez vs DET Jackson
- 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
- Cole Hamels vs NYM Pelfrey
- Cliff Lee vs ARI Haren
- Joe Blanton vs ARI Davis
- J.A. Happ at NYM Hernandez
- 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
- Zach Duke vs CIN Lehr
- Paul Maholm vs MIL Gallardo
- Ross Ohlendorf vs MIL Parra
- Kevin Hart vs MIL Villanueva, vs CIN Bailey
- 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
- Kevin Correia vs CHC Lilly, vs STL Carpenter
- Mat Latos vs CHC Wells
- Clayton Richard vs STL Lohse
- Tim Stauffer vs STL Pineiro
- 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
- Tim Lincecum at CIN Bailey, at COL Jimenez
- Matt Cain at CIN Harang
- Barry Zito at CIN Arroyo
- Jonathan Sanchez at COL Cook
- 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
- Felix Hernandez at DET Porcello, at CLE Carmona
- Luke French at CLE Huff
- Ryan Rowland-Smith at DET Washburn
- Ian Snell at DET Verlander
- 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
- Chris Carpenter at LAD Haeger, at SD Correia
- Adam Wainwright at LAD Kershaw
- Joel Pineiro at SD Stauffer
- Kyle Lohse at SD Richard
- 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
- James Shields vs BAL Matusz
- Scott Kazmir vs TEX Nippert
- David Price vs BAL Berken, vs TEX Feldman
- Matt Garza vs TEX Hunter
- 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
- Kevin Millwood vs MIN Baker
- Tommy Hunter vs MIN Liriano, at TB Garza
- Scott Feldman vs MIN Pavano, at TB Price
- Derek Holland vs MIN Swarzak
- 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
- Roy Halladay vs BOS Buchholz
- Ricky Romero vs BOS Beckett, vs LAA Bell
- Scott Richmond vs LAA O'Sullivan
- Brett Cecil vs BOS Lester
- 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
- John Lannan vs MIL Villanueva
- Craig Stammen vs COL Jimenez, vs MIL Parra
- Garrett Mock vs COL Hammel
- Collin Balester vs COL Marquis
- 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.
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