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 SF Cain, vs HOU Rodriguez
  2. Max Scherzer vs HOU Norris
  3. Jon Garland vs HOU Hampton
  4. Doug Davis at SF Sanchez
  5. Yusmeiro Petit at SF Martinez
This week's two-start pitchers
Must-start options TM Own% Start%
Roy Halladay TOR 98 92
Justin Verlander DET 97 92
Cliff Lee PHI 97 92
Johan Santana NYM 98 90
Yovani Gallardo MIL 97 88
Adam Wainwright STL 97 88
Jon Lester BOS 97 88
Matt Cain SF 97 87
Dan Haren ARI 98 86
Zack Greinke KC 97 85
Jered Weaver ANA 97 84
John Lackey ANA 97 82
Clayton Kershaw LA 96 75
Advisable options TM Own% Start%
Jair Jurrjens ATL 95 77
Jason Marquis COL 87 75
Scott Baker MIN 88 70
Joe Blanton PHI 86 67
Wandy Rodriguez HOU 94 64
Joba Chamberlain NYY 94 60
Kevin Millwood TEX 85 52
Clay Buchholz BOS 74 49
Barry Zito SF 64 45
Carlos Zambrano CHC 96 38
Gil Meche KC 62 33
Questionable options TM Own% Start%
Jeff Niemann TB 73 53
Bronson Arroyo CIN 69 48
Ross Ohlendorf PIT 36 25
Justin Masterson CLE 40 23
Chris Tillman BAL 36 20
Brian Matusz BAL 39 18
Jason Hammel COL 26 16
High-risk options TM Own% Start%
Mat Latos SD 63 32
Ryan Rowland-Smith SEA 31 23
Ian Snell SEA 23 13
Jose A. Contreras CHW 16 7
Sean West FLA 10 6
Vin Mazzaro OAK 10 5
Jeremy Sowers CLE 8 5
Bobby Parnell NYM 9 5
Jeff Suppan MIL 8 2
Garrett Mock WAS 4 2
Freddy An. Garcia CHW 2 1
Collin Balester WAS 2 1

Two-starter(s): Haren. He is a must-start in all leagues.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Garland. He is coming off a bad start, but he could be useful in deeper formats against the Astros.
One-week bust: Davis. He is coming off a bad start and facing a live contender on the road.

Atlanta Braves

  1. Javier Vazquez vs SD Richard
  2. Tommy Hanson at PHI Martinez
  3. Derek Lowe at PHI Lee
  4. Jair Jurrjens vs SD Latos, at PHI Blanton
  5. Kenshin Kawakami vs SD Stauffer

Two-starter(s): Jurrjens. He is an advisable option in all leagues.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Kawakami. He has a 2.39 ERA in four August starts as he pitches to keep his rotation spot once Tim Hudson (elbow) is ready come September.
One-week bust: Lowe. He is coming off a brutal start and is facing the Phillies and their ace.

Baltimore Orioles

  1. Chris Tillman at MIN Baker, vs CLE Sowers
  2. Brian Matusz at MIN Gabino, vs CLE Masterson
  3. Jeremy Guthrie at MIN Blackburn
  4. David Hernandez vs CLE Laffey
  5. Jason Berken vs CLE Carmona

Two-starter(s): Tillman and Matusz. They are sleepers to use in deeper leages -- mostly AL-only formats, though, until they prove themselves.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Tillman. We would be more inclined to trust Tillman over Matusz this week. Both have to be watched closely in the final weeks of the season, though. There is serious long-term potential with both of them.
One-week bust: Guthrie. He is coming off a great start and opposing a mightily struggling Blackburn, but don't be lured in this week.

Boston Red Sox

  1. Josh Beckett vs TOR Richmond
  2. Jon Lester vs CHW Garcia, vs TOR Halladay
  3. Tim Wakefield vs CHW Floyd
  4. Clay Buchholz vs CHW Contreras, vs TOR Romero
  5. Junichi Tazawa vs CHW Danks

Two-starter(s): Buchholz and Lester. Lester is a must-start, while Buchholz is advisable in all leagues.
Who is getting skipped: Brad Penny. He will be working in the bullpen, perhaps for the rest of the season.
One-week sleeper: Tazawa. He wasn't given enough credit, but that start against the Yankees makes him an advisable option in deeper mixed formats right now.
One-week bust: Wakefield. He is coming off the DL and might not be able to stretch out to go deep enough for the victory.

Chicago Cubs

  1. Carlos Zambrano vs WAS Mock, vs NYM Santana
  2. Rich Harden vs WAS Martin
  3. Ryan Dempster vs NYM Parnell
  4. Ted Lilly vs NYM Perez
  5. Randy Wells vs WAS Lannan

Two-starter(s): Zambrano. He is a bit risky coming off the DL, but his great first matchup makes him advisable in our eyes.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Lilly. He has been great off the DL and is facing the weak Mets and an erratic opposing pitcher.
One-week bust: None. All five starters in the Cubs' rotation are a must-start in all leagues.

Chicago White Sox

  1. Mark Buehrle at NYY Sabathia
  2. Gavin Floyd at BOS Wakefield
  3. John Danks at BOS Tazawa
  4. Jose Contreras at BOS Buchholz, at NYY Gaudin
  5. Freddy An. Garcia at BOS Lester, at NYY Chamberlain

Two-starter(s): Contreras and Garcia. They are high-risk options with those difficult matchups.
Who is getting skipped:None.
One-week sleeper: Floyd. He hasn't been pitching great of late and has a tough matchup, but he opposes a questionable Wakefield coming off the DL.
One-week bust: Buehrle. He is winless in August with an ERA over 5.00. Oh, he also faces the Yankees and their ace -- a rare week to sit the author of this year's perfect game.

Cincinnati Reds

  1. Bronson Arroyo at MIL Suppan, vs LAD Kershaw
  2. Justin Lehr vs LAD Haeger
  3. Micah Owings at MIL Bush
  4. Homer Bailey vs LAD Billingsley
  5. TBD, perhaps Matt Maloney at MIL Looper

Two-starter(s): Arroyo. He is not quite advisable because of his matchups, but he has posted five consecutive quality starts.
Who is getting skipped: Perhaps No. 5 starter. With Aaron Harang (appendectomy) out for the season, the Reds could skip the No. 5 starter's spot until Friday, or they could just slot Maloney on Wednesday.
One-week sleeper: Arroyo. He has a 2.03 ERA in August and a 2.72 ERA after the All-Star break. Trust him in deeper mixed formats.
One-week bust: Lehr, Owings, Bailey and No. 5 TBD. We wouldn't trust any Reds starters this week outside of Arroyo and he's even a somewhat risky option.

Cleveland Indians

  1. Fausto Carmona at BAL Berken
  2. Aaron Laffey at BAL Hernandez
  3. Justin Masterson at KC Greinke, at BAL Matusz
  4. Jeremy Sowers at KC Meche, at BAL Tillman
  5. David Huff at KC Hochevar

Two-starter(s): Masterson and Sowers. Masterson is coming off his first victory as an Indian and is useful in deeper formats, while Sowers is more of a risky option.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Laffey. He has been outstanding since the All-Star break (4-1, 2.66) and in August (3-0, 2.00). Trust him in mixed leagues, especially in that favorable matchup.
One-week bust: Huff. He might be a .500 pitcher at 7-7, but he hasn't been pitching well enough to win most of his starts of late.

Colorado Rockies

  1. Ubaldo Jimenez at SF Lincecum
  2. Jason Marquis vs SF Zito, at SF Zito
  3. Jorge De La Rosa vs LAD Padilla
  4. Jason Hammel vs LAD Kershaw, at SF Cain
  5. TBD Adam Eaton or Josh Fogg vs LAD Wolf

Two-starter(s): Marquis and Hammel. Marquis is likely advisable, while Hammel is more of a questionable option in those matchups.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: De La Rosa. He is facing the Dodgers, but we are not sure you should expect much out of Padilla and De La Rosa is 6-1 with a 3.80 ERA in the second half.
One-week bust: Hammel. He faces two contenders with their Fantasy aces on the mound. He is best avoided outside of deeper NL-only leagues.

Top 10 Pitchers Added
Player % Change
1. Carlos Marmol, RP, Cubs 26
2. John Smoltz, SP, Cardinals 15
3. Anibal Sanchez, SP, Marlins 15
4. Derek Holland, SP, Rangers 12
5. Ryan Rowland-Smith, SP, Mariners 12
6. Clay Buchholz, SP, Red Sox 9
7. Aaron Laffey, SP, Indians 8
8. Bronson Arroyo, SP, Reds 7
9. Barry Zito, SP, Giants 7
10. Billy Wagner, RP, Mets 7

Detroit Tigers

  1. Justin Verlander at LAA Weaver, vs TB Niemann
  2. Jarrod Washburn at LAA Lackey
  3. Edwin Jackson at LAA Saunders
  4. Armando Galarraga vs TB Garza
  5. Rick Porcello vs TB Price

Two-starter(s): Verlander. He is a must-start in all leagues.
Who is getting skipped: None. The Tigers could choose to move back Porcello next weekend after Thursday's off day to keep their top three on regular rest, which would give Washburn a second start. That makes Porcello a bit of a risk, while Washurn is questionable regardless.
One-week sleeper: Porcello. He was strong his last time out, so if you want to take a shot at the Tigers not skipping him to save his arm/innings, he could pay off for you.
One-week bust: Washburn. He has an ERA over 6.00 with the Tigers and is facing Lackey. Even if he gets a second start, that one will be a tough matchup, too.

Florida Marlins

  1. Josh Johnson vs NYM Pelfrey
  2. Ricky Nolasco vs SD Carrillo
  3. Chris Volstad vs SD Correia
  4. Anibal Sanchez vs NYM Redding
  5. Sean West vs NYM Santana, vs SD Latos

Two-starter(s): West. He is a high-risk option even in deeper NL-only leagues at this point. We are surprised the contending Marlins are not considering skipping him.
Who is getting skipped:None.
One-week sleeper: Sanchez. He was dynamite in his return from the DL and draws a favorable home matchup. He is useful even in mixed leagues this week.
One-week bust: Volstad. Even though he draws a favorable home matchup, he isn't pitching well enough to trust in mixed formats.

Houston Astros

  1. Roy Oswalt at STL Pineiro
  2. Wandy Rodriguez at STL Wainwright, at ARI Haren
  3. Bud Norris at ARI Garland
  4. Brian Moehler at STL Carpenter
  5. Yorman Bazardo at ARI Scherzer

Two-starter(s): Rodriguez. He is a bit less advisable because of his tough opposing starters, but he likely has to remain active.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: None. Norris could have been considered one, but he has been bad of late and isn't a trustworthy option.
One-week bust: Moehler. He snapped his losing streak with a decent outing, but there is no reason to trust him in that matchup this week.

Kansas City Royals

  1. Zack Greinke vs CLE Masterson, at SEA Rowland-Smith
  2. Gil Meche vs CLE Sowers, at SEA Snell
  3. Brian Bannister at SEA Hernandez
  4. Kyle Davies at SEA Fister
  5. Luke Hochevar vs CLE Huff

Two-starter(s): Greinke and Meche. Greinke remains a must-start, while Meche is a nice sleeper with those matchups.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Meche. He draws a pair of weaker teams as he builds up after his return from the DL. Trust him in mixed formats this week.
One-week bust: Hochevar. He is coming off a solid start and is getting his command in order, but we still wouldn't consider him a reliable option -- even in that matchup.

Los Angeles Angels

  1. John Lackey vs DET Washburn, vs OAK Mazzaro
  2. Jered Weaver vs DET Verlander, vs OAK Tomko
  3. Ervin Santana vs OAK Cahill
  4. Joe Saunders vs DET Jackson
  5. TBD or Trevor Bell, but likely to be skipped regardless

Two-starter(s): Weaver and likely Lackey. They are at least advisable options in all leagues. Lackey would ordinarily be a must-start option, but there is some uncertainty because of his past outing and the fact be might not get a second start if the Angels choose to slot a No. 5 starter in Fantasy Week 21 (Aug. 24-30).
Who is getting skipped: Likely Bell/No. 5 SP TBD. The Angels figure to go with a four-man rotation for a turn due to the Thursday off day and the fact they can keep their top starters on regular rest.
One-week sleeper: Santana. He has won four consecutive starts and is drawing a very favorable matchup.
One-week bust: Saunders. He is likely to return from the DL on Wednesday, but he isn't stretched out long enough to be considered a viable full-time starter this week. Keep him stashed and allow him to prove healthy and effective again.

Los Angeles Dodgers

  1. Chad Billingsley at CIN Bailey
  2. Randy Wolf at COL TBD
  3. Clayton Kershaw at COL Hammel, at CIN Arroyo
  4. Vicente Padilla at COL De La Rosa
  5. Charlie Haeger at CIN Lehr

Two-starter(s): Kershaw. He is a must-start in all leagues.
Who is getting skipped: None. Jeff Weaver is likely out of the rotation amid the anticipated debut of Padilla and hot streak of the knuckleballing Haeger.
One-week sleeper: Haeger. He has been remarkably effective and is a nice sleeper in deeper formats getting run support from the Dodgers and facing a fading Reds team.
One-week bust: Padilla. We can't be sure of what to expect from Padilla in his debut, but we do like his potential to win games for the Dodgers down the stretch.

Milwaukee Brewers

  1. Yovani Gallardo at WAS Balester, vs PIT Hart
  2. Jeff Suppan vs CIN Arroyo, vs PIT Ohlendorf
  3. Braden Looper vs CIN TBD
  4. Dave Bush vs CIN Owings
  5. Manny Parra vs PIT Duke

Two-starter(s): Gallardo and Suppan. Gallardo is a must-start in all leagues, while Suppan is a must-sit coming off the DL and his rehab assignment, where he struggled.
Who is getting skipped: None. But Carlos Villanueva and Mike Burns are back in the bullpen with the returns of Suppan and Bush this week.
One-week sleeper: Parra. He is coming off a quality start and is a potential winner against the Pirates this week.
One-week bust: Suppan. He is getting double starts against bad teams but he has been bad in his rehab assignment and was awful before going on the DL.

Minnesota Twins

  1. Scott Baker vs BAL Tillman, vs TEX Millwood
  2. Carl Pavano vs TEX Feldman
  3. Nick Blackburn vs BAL Guthrie
  4. Armando Garbino vs. BAL Matusz
  5. Brian Duensing vs TEX Hunter

Two-starter(s): Baker. He is an advisable option, especially because of that first favorable matchup.
Who is getting skipped: Perhaps Duensing. He won his spot start last time out and the Twins could choose to skip the No. 5 starter's spot Friday after a Thursday off day.
One-week sleeper: Baker. He has lost just once since May and has gone 4-0 with a 2.82 ERA in the second half. Trust him in all formats in Fantasy Week 21 (Aug. 24-30).
One-week bust: Pavano. He might be coming off a victory, but facing the Rangers is a bad matchup for him, or most for that matter.

New York Mets

  1. Johan Santana at FLA West, vs CHC Zambrano
  2. Mike Pelfrey at FLA Johnson
  3. Oliver Perez at CHC Lilly
  4. Bobby Parnell vs PHI Lee, at CHC Dempster
  5. Tim Redding at FLA Sanchez

Two-starter(s): Santana and Parnell. Santana is a must-start in all leagues still, while Parnell has struggled recently and is high-risk even in NL-only formats.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Pelfrey. He has been showing signs of turning it around and could be useful in deeper mixed formats in Fantasy Week 21 (Aug. 24-30).
One-week bust: Parnell, Perez and Redding. The back end of the Mets rotation isn't trustworthy in any format right now.

New York Yankees

  1. CC Sabathia vs CHW Buehrle
  2. A.J. Burnett vs TEX Nippert
  3. Andy Pettitte vs TEX Holland
  4. Joba Chamberlain vs TEX Millwood, vs CHW Garcia
  5. Chad Gaudin vs CHW Contreras

Two-starter(s): Chamberlain. He is an advisable option coming of his long layoff that was intended to save innings on his arm.
Who is getting skipped: None. Although the Yankees could choose to go with Sergio Mitre over Gaudin.
One-week sleeper: Burnett. He is coming off a bad start and facing a tough matchup, but it is our hunch he rebounds against the Rangers after a one-week hiccup.
One-week bust: Gaudin. We are not sure he will start and not confident in him even if he does. Avoid him until he earns his keep with the Yankees for Fantasy owners.

Oakland Athletics

  1. Brett Anderson at SEA Rowland-Smith
  2. Trevor Cahill at LAA Santana
  3. Vin Mazzaro at SEA Snell, at LAA Lackey
  4. Gio Gonzalez at SEA French
  5. Brett D. Tomko at LAA Weaver

Two-starter(s): Mazzaro. He is a risky option best left for deeper AL-only leagues, especially since he has to face the potent Angels and Lackey in his second start.
Who is getting skipped: None. We don't see them skipping the surprising Tomko next weekend.
One-week sleeper: Gonzalez. He looks like he is turning the corner, posting a 3.09 ERA in four August starts. That is a favorable matchup, too.
One-week bust: Tomko. We cannot explain his resurgence, a good signal it probably won't last.

Philadelphia Phillies

  1. Cole Hamels at PIT Maholm
  2. Cliff Lee at NYM Parnell, vs ATL Lowe
  3. J.A. Happ at PIT Morton
  4. Joe Blanton at PIT Ohlendorf, vs ATL Jurrjens
  5. Pedro Martinez vs ATL Hanson

Two-starter(s): Lee and Blanton. Lee is a must-start, while Blanton is advisable in most formats.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Happ and Blanton. They should be owned and active in your league if they haven't been to date. They are so promising now, they likely aren't sleepers anymore.
One-week bust: Martinez. He is winning games with a so-so ERA. We tend to believe Hanson won't let the Phillies give him a whole lot of run support this next time out, though.

Pittsburgh Pirates

  1. Zach Duke at MIL Parra
  2. Paul Maholm vs PHI Hamels
  3. Ross Ohlendorf vs PHI Blanton, at MIL Suppan
  4. Kevin Hart at MIL Gallardo
  5. Charlie Morton vs PHI Happ

Two-starter(s): Ohlendorf. He is facing two potent offensive teams that make him a questionable option in any format.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Duke. He has steadied again in his career year and we regret suggesting benching him last week.
One-week bust: Maholm. He is coming off a strong start and Hamels is struggling ... but just when you think you have it figured out -- whammy.

San Diego Padres

  1. Kevin Correia at FLA Volstad
  2. Mat Latos at ATL Jurrjens, at FLA West
  3. Clayton Richard at ATL Vazquez
  4. Tim Stauffer at ATL Kawakami
  5. Cesar Carrillo at FLA Nolasco

Two-starter(s): Latos. Back-to-back stinkers make him a high-risk option this week, which could be his last before the team shuts him down for the season to protect his innings/arm.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Richard. He hasn't been bad this season, so if you are looking for a deep sleeper, he might be the only Padres starter to consider this week.
One-week bust: Latos. He has been terrible and faces two NL East teams still clinging to playoff hopes.

San Francisco Giants

  1. Tim Lincecum vs COL Jimenez
  2. Matt Cain vs ARI Haren, vs COL Hammel
  3. Barry Zito vs COL Marquis, vs Marquis
  4. Jonathan Sanchez vs ARI Davis
  5. Joe Martinez vs ARI Petit

Two-starter(s): Zito and Cain. Zito is a sleeper amid his great second half, while Cain remains a must-start in all leagues.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Zito. He is 2-1 with a 2.74 ERA (.200 batting-average against) in August and 3-2 with a 2.36 ERA (.227 BAA) in the second half.
One-week bust: Martinez. His matchup isn't bad, but his potential -- or lack thereof -- is. Avoid him in all formats. Madison Bumgarner cannot be far from a call-up, right?

Seattle Mariners

  1. Felix Hernandez vs KC Bannister
  2. Luke French vs OAK Gonzalez
  3. Ryan Rowland-Smith vs OAK Anderson, vs KC Greinke
  4. Ian Snell vs OAK Mazzaro, vs KC Meche
  5. Doug W. Fister vs KC Davies

Two-starter(s): Snell and Rowland-Smith. They are risky options in most formats at this point.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Fister and French. They have been pleasant surprises and draw favorable matchups this week.
One-week bust: Rowland-Smith and Snell. They are tempting because of their potential and their two starts, but they are not pitching well enough to trust outside of the deepest of AL-only leagues.

St. Louis Cardinals

  1. Adam Wainwright vs HOU Rodriguez, vs WAS Mock
  2. Chris Carpenter vs HOU Moehler
  3. Joel Pineiro vs HOU Oswalt
  4. John Smoltz vs WAS Stammen
  5. TBD, perhaps Mitchell Boggs vs WAS Balester

Two-starter(s): Wainwright. He is a must-start in all leagues.
Who is getting skipped: No. 5 TBD. We are to assume Boggs will return as the No. 5 starter this week against the Nationals. If you hear definitive word, trust him in deeper formats.
One-week sleeper: Smoltz. He was awesome in his Cardinals debut and draws the Nationals -- perfect time to take a shot on him right now.
One-week bust: Boggs. We cannot be sure he will start, especially since Todd Wellemeyer (elbow) is working his way back and manager Tony La Russa isn't afraid of doing a bullpen game with Brad Thompson against the Nationals.

Tampa Bay Rays

  1. James Shields at TOR Cecil
  2. Scott Kazmir at TOR Rzepczynski
  3. Matt Garza at DET Galarraga
  4. David Price at DET Porcello
  5. Jeff Niemann at TOR Halladay, at DET Verlander

Two-starter(s): Niemann. He is a questionable option only because of his tough opposing pitchers.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Price. He is proving a bit more consistent and is worth keeping active in all leagues right now.
One-week bust: Niemann. Those are tough matchups, but you likely should be starting him in most formats and take your chances.

Texas Rangers

  1. Kevin Millwood at NYY Chamberlain, at MIN Baker
  2. Derek Holland at NYY Pettitte
  3. Tommy Hunter at MIN Duensing
  4. Scott Feldman at MIN Pavano
  5. Dustin Nippert at NYY Burnett

Two-starter(s): Millwood. He likely remains an advisable option in most formats, despite his poor past outing.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Feldman. He just keeps winning and that is another winnable matchup for him.
One-week bust: Nippert. He isn't consistent enough to trust against the potent Yankees, even if Burnett was beat up last time out.

Toronto Blue Jays

  1. Roy Halladay vs TB Niemann, at BOS Lester
  2. Ricky Romero at BOS Buchholz
  3. Scott Richmond at BOS Beckett
  4. Brett Cecil vs TB Shields
  5. Marc Rzepczynski vs TB Kazmir

Two-starter(s): Halladay. He is a must-start in all leagues, despite the tough matchups.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Romero. He is coming off a solid start against the Angels and could be useful in deeper leagues.
One-week bust: Cecil. He is on an innings limit and will be shut down soon. You likely don't want to take the chance on him at this point.

Washington Nationals

  1. John Lannan at CHC Wells
  2. Craig Stammen at STL Smoltz
  3. Collin Balester vs MIL Gallardo, at STL TBD
  4. Garrett Mock at CHC Zambrano, at STL Wainwright
  5. J.D. Martin at CHC Harden

Two-starter(s): Balester and Mock. All Nationals starters are high-risk options in all leagues at this point. A two-start week makes them twice as risky.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: None. Facing the Cubs and Cardinals won't do the Nationals starters any favors this week.
One-week bust: All. You would have to actually consider starting a Nationals starter to call him a bust. You shouldn't be starting any of them.

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