The Windup is your weekly look at pitching trends and performers who can improve your fortunes.

With top pitchers such as Andy Pettitte, David Wells and Hideo Nomo landing on the disabled list recently, and others like Bartolo Colon and Kevin Millwood not performing as well as expected, quality starting pitching is difficult to come by via trades.

While you might have to pull off a major overhaul to acquire a Roger Clemens or Curt Schilling, there are other quality starters who can help you greatly in certain Rotisserie categories. Some starters have seen their values drop because of poor run support or bad luck, yet they can still help you a great deal in other categories. Plus, their good numbers in other areas also point to better days ahead.

Livan Hernandez, Montreal: To many owners, he has lost his luster because he has dropped five of his eight decisions. But he is still fighting hard, and his 3.42 ERA and 81 hits allowed in 86 2/3 innings indicate he is still performing well despite some bad luck. He also has 67 strikeouts.

Odalis Perez, Los Angeles: He has become notorious for suffering from poor run support during the past two seasons. But his 3.05 ERA and 1.099 WHIP are a great help to any Fantasy staff.

Doug Davis, Milwaukee: He has quietly been a very good bargain and has been one of Milwaukee's more dependable starters. He has a 3.13 ERA and has allowed only 70 hits in 74 2/3 innings of work. Davis is a respectable starter with not much name appeal.

C.C. Sabathia, Cleveland: No one has endured more rough luck than Sabathia, who has pitched admirably but has only earned two victories. Sabathia has a 3.29 ERA and has performed much better than the numbers have advertised.

Zach Day, Montreal: Like Hernandez, his shine has been dulled by losing six of nine decisions. In 65 2/3 innings, Day has been very stingy, allowing 59 hits. His 3.56 ERA is a clear indicator that he is fighting very hard to keep the Expos in every one of his starts.

Jeff Suppan, St. Louis: Suppan has never enticed many Fantasy leaguers and has historically been mediocre. Yet he has delivered many solid performances for the Cardinals. While he is only 5-4, Suppan has molded a 3.54 ERA and has allowed 60 hits in 61 innings pitched.

Horacio Ramirez, Atlanta: He could very well be the National League's hard-luck version of Sabathia. Ramirez has been one of the most effective pitchers on Atlanta's staff, with a 2.27 ERA and a 1.315 WHIP. Yet somehow, he has lost four of his first six decisions. Look for more good numbers from him when he returns from a shoulder injury next week.

Dustin Hermanson, San Francisco: For most of his 44 1/3 innings pitched, Hermanson has quietly been crafty, tough and effective. Hermanson doesn't strike out hitters like he used to, and he's not winning games yet, but his 4.06 ERA and 1.331 WHIP make him a quality addition to your staff, especially in NL-only leagues.

Todd Van Poppel, Cincinnati: He stumbled in his most recent start against the Marlins and has a very questionable history and it's uncertain how long he will remain in the rotation. Yet his 4.31 ERA and 1.286 WHIP indicate he is certainly worth a risk if you have an open roster spot, especially in NL-only leagues.

Glendon Rusch, Chicago Cubs: A terrible run in Milwaukee sent Fantasy owners into hiding every time they heard his name. Yet Rusch has been reborn since he joined the Cubs, and he's pitching respectably again. Injury issues on the Chicago staff might demand more quality starts out of him.

Scott Engel is the 2003 champion of the Krause Publications Experts League.