The Fantasy Baseball Weekly Planner is the essential guide to setting your lineup for the upcoming week. Every Friday, we provide you with two-start pitchers and top adds and drops and give you the scoop on injured players.

Projections are for Aug. 25-31 games.

On tap: The postseason roster deadline is Sunday, meaning minor roster tinkering is in order for later in the week. Prospects and younger players are often sent back to the minors shortly before Aug. 31 for a few days as a roster technicality, and there are occasional waiver trades that occur shortly beforehand. Anaheim's Adam Kennedy, Texas' John Thomson, Baltimore's Jason Johnson, Cleveland's Brian Anderson and Montreal's Livan Hernandez are just four of the names who might still switch teams. ...

Eight teams will play seven games: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Montreal, the N.Y. Yankees, Oakland, Philadelphia and Seattle. The remaining 22 teams play six. ... Coors Field watch: San Francisco at Colorado, Tuesday to Thursday. ...

There hasn't been a rainout in a month, and that streak should continue this week, as no game has a forecast of 50 percent or greater chance of rain. Kansas City and Texas have slight chances of rain later in the week, but it's unlikely to be enough to threaten any games. Arizona, Houston and San Diego play all their games in weatherproof parks.

S C H E D U L E   T R A C K E R
The powerhouse Atlanta Braves are just 10-9 in August, including losing two of three in St. Louis and coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of the Giants in San Francisco. Things will pick up this week, however, as Atlanta enters the easy final stretch of its schedule with three home games against the Mets and a three-game stop in Pittsburgh. The Pirates' pitching staff, which ranks third-worst in August, won't be able to contain the Braves sluggers, nor will young Mets hurlers Aaron Heilman or Jae Weong Seo. Expect big numbers from red-hot August hitters Marcus Giles and Rafael Furcal. ... The Houston Astros, 38-24 at Minute Maid Park, play three home games apiece against Los Angeles and San Diego, who are 53-75 combined on the road. The Dodgers and Padres rank ninth- and second-worst in runs scored in August, making even one-start pitchers Wade Miller and Tim Redding strong Fantasy options. ... It'll be an interesting week for the National League West-leading San Francisco Giants, who make three-game stops in Colorado and Arizona. Both venues are extremely favorable for hitters, but the Diamondbacks' staff has been the major leagues' best since the All-Star break, neutralizing any advantage. You should avoid Giants starters Sidney Ponson and Dustin Hermanson, who get one start apiece in Coors Field. ... The Oakland Athletics' pitching staff is in shambles because of Mark Mulder's injury and Rich Harden's recent struggles, but the team gets a bit of a breather playing three home games apiece against Baltimore and Tampa Bay after playing the final game of a four-game series in Toronto. The Orioles' and Devil Rays' pitching staffs rank ninth- and fourth-worst on the road, which will help make players like Ramon Hernandez and Jose Guillen stronger starts. Seattle hosts the same two opponents after finishing up a four-game set in Boston, helping players like Randy Winn. ... The team with the best schedule in the tight AL Central race is the Kansas City Royals, who host Texas and Anaheim for three games apiece. The Rangers might be baseball's highest-scoring team in August, but they're not nearly as potent offensively on the road. Despite that, Jose Lima is the only truly favorable Royals pitcher to use. On offense, Joe Randa has returned to his old productive ways, and is a must-start. ... The Baltimore Orioles head into the difficult part of their schedule, finishing up a four-game set in New York before making three-game trips to Oakland and Seattle. If possible, try to limit your Fantasy starters to pitchers Damian Moss and Jorge Julio and batters Jay Gibbons and Luis Matos. Tampa Bay also plays three games apiece in those cities, so avoid Devil Rays players wherever possible.
1 0   T W O - S T A R T   P I T C H E R S   T O   U S E - N L
Here are the 10 most recommended double-duty starting pitchers from the National League, broken down by start. Listed are the dates each pitcher is projected to start, the matchup and his projected opponent.
Pitcher First start Second start
Aaron Harang 8/25, MIL (Matt Kinney) 8/30, STL (Brett Tomko)
Livan Hernandez 8/25, PHI (Randy Wolf) 8/30, @FLA (Carl Pavano)
Randy Johnson 8/25, SD (Jake Peavy) 8/30, SF (Jerome Williams)
Vicente Padilla 8/26, @MON (Zach Day) 8/31, @NYM (Aaron Heilman)
Mark Prior 8/26, @STL (Garrett Stephenson) 8/31, MIL (Doug Davis)
Mark Redman 8/26, @PIT (Jeff D'Amico) 8/31, MON (Zach Day)
Shane Reynolds 8/26, NYM (Aaron Heilman) 8/31, @PIT (Jeff D'Amico)
Jason Schmidt 8/26, @COL (Darren Oliver) 8/31, @ARI (Brandon Webb)
Garrett Stephenson 8/26, CHC (Mark Prior) 8/31, @CIN (Danny Graves)
Randy Wolf 8/25, @MON (Livan Hernandez) 8/30, @NYM (Tom Glavine)
Other two-start pitchers: Wilson Alvarez (8/26, @HOU; 8/31, COL), Jeff D'Amico (8/26, FLA; 8/31, ATL), Doug Davis (8/26, @CIN; 8/31, @CHC), Zach Day (8/26, PHI; 8/31, @FLA), Jared Fernandez (8/26, LA; 8/31, SD), Danny Graves (8/26, MIL; 8/31, STL), Aaron Heilman (8/26, @ATL; 8/31, PHI), Matt Kinney (8/25, @CIN; 8/30, @CHC), Darren Oliver (8/26, SF; 8/31, @LA) and Jake Peavy (8/25, @ARI; 8/31, @HOU).
E I G H T   T W O - S T A R T   P I T C H E R S   T O   U S E - A L
Here are the eight most recommended double-duty starting pitchers from the American League, broken down by start. Listed are the dates each pitcher is projected to start, the matchup and his projected opponent.
Pitcher First start Second start
Roger Clemens 8/26, CHW (Esteban Loaiza) 8/31, @BOS (Tim Wakefield)
John Lackey 8/26, MIN (Brad Radke) 8/31, @KC (Jimmy Gobble)
Esteban Loaiza 8/26, @NYY (Roger Clemens) 8/31, @DET (Nate Cornejo)
Gil Meche 8/25, @BOS (Tim Wakefield) 8/30, BAL (Damian Moss)
Jamie Moyer 8/26, TB (Jeremi Gonzalez) 8/31, BAL (Jason Johnson)
Andy Pettitte 8/25, BAL (Damian Moss) 8/30, @BOS (Derek Lowe)
Brad Radke 8/26, @ANA (John Lackey) 8/31, @TEX (R.A. Dickey)
Tim Wakefield 8/25, SEA (Gil Meche) 8/31, NYY (Roger Clemens)
Other two-start pitchers: Nate Cornejo (8/26, @CLE; 8/31, CHW), R.A. Dickey (8/26, @KC; 8/31, MIN), Jimmy Gobble (8/26, TEX; 8/31, ANA), Jeremi Gonzalez (8/26, @SEA; 8/31, @OAK), Rich Harden (8/26, BAL; 8/31, TB), Jason Johnson (8/26, @OAK; 8/31, @SEA), Cory Lidle (8/25, OAK; 8/31, @CLE), Ted Lilly (8/25, @TOR; 8/30, TB) and Damian Moss (8/25, @NYY; 8/30, @SEA).
W A T C H I N G   T H E   W I R E
Looking to add some depth or strengthen a weak position? Considering ridding yourself of a useless player? Here's who should top your lists of adds and drops:
Prime pickups Cut 'em loose
Jose Contreras, SP, NYY Danys Baez, RP, CLE
He'll claim Jeff Weaver's rotation spot beginning Aug. 24, and is unlikely to give it back the rest of the year. He has been stripped of his closer's role, and will probably be shopped during the offseason. Baez's future is unclear.
Karim Garcia, OF, NYY Jimmy Gobble, SP, KC
The Yankees' right field rotation has turned to Garcia, who has been on a hitting tear. He's getting plenty of at-bats for now. This rookie was hammered in his last start against the Yankees, and his confidence might be damaged the rest of the year.
Keith Ginter, 3B, MIL Alex Gonzalez, SS, FLA
With Eric Young now in San Francisco, Ginter is assured regular playing time at third and second base through September. After an incredible first half, Gonzalez has slipped to a .204 average and two home runs since the All-Star break.
David Riske, RP, CLE Eric Karros, 1B, CHC
The Indians' most effective reliever this season, Riske will be auditioned as Cleveland's closer for the next five weeks. The Cubs' recent acquisition of Randall Simon cuts into Karros' playing time, especially against right-handed pitchers.
Jared Sandberg, 3B, TB Mike MacDougal, RP, KC
He has four home runs and eight RBI in his past six games, and has all but reclaimed the starting third base job in Tampa Bay. Since the All-Star break, MacDougal has just one save and a 12.19 ERA. He's also sharing chances with Curtis Leskanic.
Junior Spivey, 2B, ARI Jose Macias, 3B, MON
He's hitting .362 with four homers and eight RBI in August, and is on the verge of reclaiming the everyday second base job. With Todd Zeile now in Montreal, Macias is back in his traditional utilityman role. He's useless as a part-timer.
Josh Towers, SP, TOR Neifi Perez, 2B, SF
Even before his recent complete-game outing, Towers had been named a permanent member of the Blue Jays' rotation. The Giants now have Young and Ray Durham ahead of Perez at second base, and a healthy Rich Aurilia at shortstop.
Todd Zeile, 3B, MON Jeff Weaver, RP, NYY
The Expos wouldn't sign Zeile to sit on the bench, so he's going to get an extended look at the hot corner. Take a flier. Now that Contreras is back in the Yankees' rotation, Weaver is mired in middle relief. He might even be sent to the minors.
T H E   S C O O P   O N   I N J U R E D   P L A Y E R S
Jason Giambi (shoulder) merely sat out Aug. 20 to get a day of rest. He should be kept active in all leagues. ... Marcus Giles (flu) should be 100 percent by the start of the week. He had been hitting well before the illness, so keep him in your lineup. ... Tim Hudson (hand) is scheduled to pitch Aug. 24, putting him on track to start Friday against Tampa Bay. That's a favorable matchup, so keep him in your lineup. ... Cory Lidle (groin) is scheduled to be activated to start Monday's game, but he'd be facing Oakland or Boston if he returns early in the week. Based on his questionable status and the poor matchup, avoid him despite the potential for two starts. ... Pedro Martinez (illness) doesn't seem likely to miss his next scheduled start Tuesday, but monitor his status as the lineup deadline approaches. He's too talented to reserve unless he is expected to remain out. ... Melvin Mora (hand) hopes to return by the start of the week, but there is too much risk that he'll miss a few games. Keep him reserved. ... Matt Morris (ankle) is scheduled to return to the rotation Aug. 23, putting him on pace to start Friday in Cincinnati. He's too risky to use based on that matchup and a possible restricted pitch count. ... Curt Schilling is still scheduled to pitch Aug. 22, putting him on track to start Wednesday against San Diego. With such a favorable matchup, he's a must-start. ... Omar Vizquel (knee) is on target to return early in the week, but since he has missed so much time and his return isn't assured, it's better to keep him on your bench. ... David Wells (back) is expected to return to the rotation Aug. 22, putting him on schedule to start Wednesday against the White Sox. Get him back in your lineup, barring a setback.