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. 18-24 games.

On tap: Twelve teams will play seven games: Anaheim, Arizona, Atlanta, the Chicago White Sox, Colorado, Detroit, Kansas City, Montreal, the N.Y. Mets, San Francisco, Tampa Bay and Texas. The remaining 18 teams play six. ... Coors Field watch: Florida at Colorado, Tuesday to Thursday; Atlanta at Colorado, Friday to Sunday. ...

Expect a second consecutive week of favorable weather, as no game has a forecast of 50 percent or greater chance of rain. Chicago and St. Louis have slight chances of rain midweek, but it's unlikely to be enough to threaten any games. The Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati, Houston, Milwaukee and Toronto play all their games in weatherproof parks.

S C H E D U L E   T R A C K E R

The Los Angeles offense is finally waking up after its recent acquisitions, led by the rebounding Adrian Beltre's 12 RBI in 12 August games. The Dodgers should feast on the subpar Expos and Mets pitching staffs despite playing three games against each at home, especially since both teams rank in the bottom 10 in ERA since the All-Star break. Expect newest Dodgers Robin Ventura and Jeromy Burnitz to post solid stats. ... With a 41-19 mark at Coors Field, the Rockies' home record ranks them third best in baseball. Colorado plays the final game of a four-game set in New York before hosting Florida and Atlanta for three each. The Marlins' and Braves' pitching staffs are widely considered two of the best in the NL lately, but the stats suggest both are overrated. They rank 19th and 12th in ERA since the All-Star break, and surely won't be able to contain the bats of Preston Wilson, Todd Helton and Jay Payton. ... The Cubs have charged right back into the NL Central race, but expect a setback as the team makes three-game stops in Houston and Arizona. Chicago is batting just .226 in August, second worst in the majors, and has scored a fifth-worst 46 runs during that span. The Astros and Diamondbacks are considerably better teams at home, so play it safe and reserve marginal Fantasy options like Eric Karros and Alex Gonzalez. ... The aforementioned Braves make three-game stops in San Francisco and Colorado after playing the final game of a four-game home set against Arizona, an unfavorable schedule for baseball's winningest team. While Atlanta's pitching staff has been nothing but extraordinary since the All-Star break, Arizona and San Francisco rank in the top four in ERA during that span, and Colorado's offense is the third-best in August. Two-turn pitcher Mike Hampton gets hit hard on the road, so don't be hasty to use him. ... Though newest Yankees acquisitions Aaron Boone and David Dellucci have struggled since their arrival, New York's three home games apiece against Kansas City and Baltimore should help alleviate their problems. The Royals' and Orioles' offenses have been more productive than that of the Yankees in August, but Kansas City's pitching staff has the sixth-highest ERA since the All-Star break and Baltimore's ranks second-worst on the road. About the only Yankee not worth using is two-turn starter Jeff Weaver, who has been terribly inconsistent all year. ... The White Sox remain baseball's most productive offense since the All-Star break, and they boast an 11-4 home record during that span. Chicago hosts Anaheim and Texas, the eighth- and second-worst pitching staffs since the break, for three games each, making things all the more favorable for hitters. Carlos Lee, Paul Konerko and Magglio Ordonez are on incredible hitting tears, and are must-starts. ... Injuries and inconsistency continue to haunt the K.C. pitching staff, and that will only continue as the team plays three games in New York and four in Minnesota. The Royals' sixth-worst 5.02 ERA since the All-Star break suggests avoiding all their pitchers, and the poor schedule means marginal hitters like Ken Harvey and Desi Relaford should also remain on your bench. ... Oakland's top players are too valuable to ever reserve in Fantasy leagues, but don't expect great statistics from them as they make three-game stops in Boston and Toronto. The Red Sox's and Blue Jays' offenses rank among the majors' four best at home. That's bad news for two-start pitcher Mark Mulder, whose 5-7 record and 4.24 ERA on the road are hardly impressive. Seattle faces the same two road opponents, meaning two-turn starter Ryan Franklin should remain on your bench.
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
Wilson Alvarez 8/19, MON (Scott Downs) 8/24, NYM (Steve Trachsel)
Miguel Batista 8/18, @ATL (Mike Hampton) 8/23, CHC (Shawn Estes)
Matt Clement 8/19, @HOU (Jeriome Robertson) 8/24, @ARI (Brandon Webb)
Dustin Hermanson 8/19, ATL (Russ Ortiz) 8/24, FLA (Carl Pavano)
Kevin Millwood 8/19, @MIL (Ben Sheets) 8/24, @STL (Jeff Fassero)
Ben Sheets 8/19, PHI (Kevin Millwood) 8/24, PIT (Brian Meadows)
Steve Trachsel 8/19, @SD (Kevin Jarvis) 8/24, @LA (Wilson Alvarez)
Javier Vazquez 8/18, SF (Jerome Williams) 8/23, @SD (Adam Eaton)
Brandon Webb 8/19, CIN (John Bale) 8/24, CHC (Matt Clement)
Jerome Williams 8/18, @MON (Javier Vazquez) 8/23, FLA (Josh Beckett)
Other two-start pitchers: John Bale (8/19, @ARI; 8/24, @HOU), Scott Downs (8/19, @LA; 8/24, @SD), Jeff Fassero (8/19, PIT; 8/24, PHI), Mike Hampton (8/18, ARI; 8/23, @COL), Aaron Heilman (8/18, COL; 8/23, @LA), Kevin Jarvis (8/19, NYM; 8/24, MON), Brian Meadows (8/19, @STL; 8/24, @MIL), Russ Ortiz (8/19, @SF; 8/24, @COL), Carl Pavano (8/19, @COL; 8/24, @SF), Jeriome Robertson (8/19, CHC; 8/24, CIN), Denny Stark (8/19, FLA; 8/24, ATL) and Chin-Hui Tsao (8/18, @NYM; 8/23, ATL).
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
Rob Bell 8/18, @CLE (Billy Traber) 8/23, CLE (Cliff Lee)
Mark Buehrle 8/18, ANA (Jarrod Washburn) 8/23, TEX (R.A. Dickey)
Kelvim Escobar 8/19, SEA (Ryan Franklin) 8/24, OAK (Mark Mulder)
Jeremi Gonzalez 8/19, @BAL (Damian Moss) 8/24, CLE (Jake Westbrook)
Derek Lowe 8/19, OAK (Mark Mulder) 8/24, SEA (Ryan Franklin)
Damian Moss 8/19, TB (Jeremi Gonzalez) 8/24, @NYY (Jeff Weaver)
Johan Santana 8/19, @CLE (Jason Davis) 8/24, KC (Kevin Appier)
Jarrod Washburn 8/18, @CHW (Mark Buehrle) 8/23, @DET (Mike Maroth)
Other two-start pitchers: Kevin Appier (8/19, @NYY; 8/24, @MIN), R.A. Dickey (8/18, @DET; 8/23, @CHW), Ryan Franklin (8/19, @TOR; 8/24, @BOS), Jon Garland (8/19, ANA; 8/24, TEX), Jose Lima (8/18, @NYY; 8/23, @MIN), Mike Maroth (8/18, TEX; 8/23, ANA), Mark Mulder (8/19, @BOS; 8/24, @TOR), Matt Roney (8/19, TEX; 8/24, ANA), Scot Shields (8/19, @CHW; 8/24, @DET), John Thomson (8/19, @DET; 8/24, @CHW) and Jeff Weaver (8/18, KC; 8/24, BAL).
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
Wilson Alvarez, SP, LA Shawn Estes, SP, CHC
With Andy Ashby still ill and Kazuhisa Ishii hurt, Alvarez is a useful matchups pitcher in NL-only leagues. The Cubs are considering bumping Estes when off days allow. He has a 1-4 record and 5.96 ERA in his past 10 starts.
Khalil Greene, SS, SD Chris Mears, RP, DET
The Padres plan to promote this top prospect by Sept. 1 and let him play every day at shortstop. He's a future Fantasy stud. Danny Patterson has been getting the bulk of the few save chances in Detroit of late, making Mears a useless setup man.
Aaron Harang, SP, CIN Chad Moeller, C, ARI
Harang showed promise at times in Oakland, and he won't face as many potent offenses in the NL Central. Take a flier on him. He has batted a paltry .111 with three RBI since the All-Star break, and continues to lose playing time to Rod Barajas.
Aquilino Lopez, RP, TOR Cliff Politte, RP, TOR
Lopez has stepped to the head of the Blue Jays' new closer-by-committee. He has a sparkling 1.93 ERA since the All-Star break. After blowing his sixth save of the season on Aug. 5, Politte was stripped of his closer's job. He'll have no value in middle relief.
Laynce Nix, OF, TEX Jeriome Robertson, SP, HOU
He has done a fine job since being recalled from the minors. Nix is batting .333 with two homers in 27 at-bats in August. Since snapping a nine-game winning streak July 27, Robertson is just 1-3 with a 7.31 ERA and 1.875 WHIP in four starts.
Chris Reitsma, RP, CIN Ramon Vazquez, SS, SD
Reitsma has the best chance for saves for Cincinnati. He has eight wins and a 2.74 ERA as a reliever this season. The upcoming promotion of Greene will force Vazquez to the bench. He doesn't hit enough to be useful in a utility role.
Chase Utley, 2B, PHI Todd Walker, 2B, BOS
David Bell sounds likely to miss the remainder of the year, giving Utley a permanent spot in the Phillies' lineup at second base. Only drop Walker in shallow leagues, but be aware he might lose playing time to defensively-sound Damian Jackson.
Mike Williams, RP, PHI Jeff Weaver, SP, NYY
Williams has stepped up as the favorite for saves in Philadelphia after throwing six straight scoreless appearances. Weaver's emotions are getting the best of him, and he can't be counted on for regular Fantasy production. It's time to cut him.
T H E   S C O O P   O N   I N J U R E D   P L A Y E R S
Carlos Beltran (elbow) is expected to return to the lineup Aug. 15. Barring a setback, he's worth keeping active. ... Barry Bonds (bereavement list) might return to the Giants by Monday, and even if he doesn't, he shouldn't miss too much time. He's too valuable to reserve based on a brief absence. ... Jeff Conine (biceps) is questionable for the start of the week, and he might even be placed on the disabled list. He's not productive enough to warrant using, barring a quick recovery before the lineup deadline. ... J.D. Drew (side) should be fully healthy for this week. Consider activating him in NL-only leagues. ... Cliff Floyd (Achilles') will play his final game of the year on Monday before having surgery, making him a poor start. ... Jerry Hairston Jr. (foot) is back with the Orioles, but it's unclear when he will be activated. He'll likely enter a three-man middle-infield rotation, meaning there are too many questions to warrant using him until it's clear he's 100 percent and getting regular at-bats. ... Jose Lima (groin) might return to the rotation on Monday, but that would put him on schedule to face the Yankees and Twins on the road. Avoid the right-hander. ... Fred McGriff (groin) should be back by the lineup deadline, but he might not be 100 percent and is likely to play only part-time down the stretch. Keep him reserved until his role becomes clear. ... Doug Mientkiewicz (wrist) recently had a cortisone shot, so he might miss some time. Keep him reserved unless he makes a full recovery before the lineup deadline. ... Matt Morris (hand) should return to the rotation sometime this week, but since it's unclear exactly when he'll start, it's best to keep him reserved. ... Jason Schmidt (elbow) is scheduled to pitch on Aug. 16, in which case he's worth keeping active. ... Mike Sweeney (elbow) is limited to designated-hitter duties, but he's too productive to keep reserved if his bat is in the lineup. ... David Wells (back) might be skipped in the rotation due to the off day on Thursday, so play it safe and keep him reserved unless he gets an official starting assignment.