We go around baseball's pitching staffs and Fantasy's two-start pitcher options every Sunday of the season in our Pitching Planner.
Staff reflections
Arizona Diamondbacks: Brandon Webb is the team's lone two-start pitcher, a must-start in all leagues. Micah Owings could get moved back to keep Randy Johnson on regular rest, but he will get a start over the weekend.
Atlanta Braves: RHP John Smoltz did not make his scheduled start Sunday. Instead, his next start now is set for Friday in Cleveland. The team placed another starting pitcher, Lance Cormier (arm), on the disabled list and recalled Buddy Carlyle to start Sunday. Carlyle will remain the No. 5 starter for the near future. Tim Hudson (leg) is a risky start this week, while Davies is the likely the team's lone two-start pitcher.
Baltimore Orioles: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitcher Daniel Cabrera, who is as talented as he is risky.
Boston Red Sox: Jon Lester lasted just 2 2/3 innings and gave up three runs in Pawtucket's 6-2 loss to Triple-A Ottawa on Saturday. Regardless of the results, he was just "a tick off" and feels ready to go, according to MLB.com. "I think I'm better than I was last year, at any time," he told the website. "From February 1 'til whenever I was put on the DL (Aug. 28) or whatever, nothing felt right. Nothing felt like it clicked. Everything felt like it was a struggle. This year, I feel real good ... command, up until (Saturday night), has been good, walks have been down and pitch counts have been down, so, (Saturday night was) one of those fluke things -- just got to get better and move on." MLB.com reports Lester is scheduled to start again Thursday, June 14 in Triple-A. He could be a candidate to return any week, but we have a hunch this Thursday could be his last "rehab" outing. He is not hurt, but baseball has allowed the Red Sox to keep him on the DL after overcoming cancer through chemotherapy this winter. Keep the elite talent on the DL in all leagues that have those spots. A pitcher of his talent on a team like the Red Sox is a must-have in all leagues. Struggling Tim Wakefield is the team's lone two-start pitcher.
Chicago Cubs: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitchers Carlos Zambrano and Rich Hill.
Chicago White Sox: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitcher Javier Vazquez.
Cincinnati Reds: All five starters will work in succession, including struggling two-start pitcher Bronson Arroyo.
Cleveland Indians: Jeremy Sowers was demoted to Triple-A, but Jake Westbrook (side) apparently isn't ready to replace him in the rotation. Westbrook, out since May 3 with a left abdominal strain, allowed five hits and four runs with three walks and one strikeout in 2 1/3 innings of his second rehab assignment with Double-A Akron on Friday. "He said he started to find it at the end," Indians manager Eric Wedge said. "Hopefully, he'll be able to take it into his next start." He needs another rehab start. "We're not sure (who's starting) yet (Thursday)," Wedge told MLB.com. "That's as truthful as I can be. We've got to evaluate and look at all of our options down there." Westbrook might be available to rejoin Cleveland's rotation next week. Lefty Jason Stanford, who was in the Indians' rotation to start the '03 season before needing Tommy John surgery, is 4-1 with a 3.41 ERA at Triple-A Buffalo. Other starting options are right-handers Jeff Harris (2-4, 6.02 ERA in 11 starts), Sean Smith (5-3, 4.35), Bubbie Buzachero (2-2, 3.96), Jake Dittler (3-1, 5.23) and left-hander Aaron Laffey (2-3, 5.46 in five starts). Also, right-hander J.D. Martin (2-3 with a 4.25 ERA in Double-A) is an option. We think Stanford should get the nod, but none of these fill-in starters should be used in leagues for Fantasy Week 11 (June 11-17). Westbrook will be option for deeper leagues the ensuing week, especially since the Indians are a top contender with a very good offense.
Colorado Rockies: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitcher Aaron Cook. Rookie Jason Hirsh has staved off a demotion and the lurking "No. 6 starter" Taylor Buchholz out of the bullpen.
Detroit Tigers: LHP Kenny Rogers, who has missed the entire season with a tired arm, is scheduled to make his first rehab start Sunday night for Triple-A Toledo against Norfolk. Tigers manager Jim Leyland is hoping that Detroit's game will end quickly enough for him to make the short drive to Toledo for the 6:30 p.m. start. "I'm going to go down and see him myself if we get done in time," Leyland said. "He's like a little kid, he can't wait to pitch." Until Rogers can return later in June, all five starters will work in succession. Justin Verlander is a must-start two-start pitcher this week.
Florida Marlins: Sergio Mitre (hamstring) will return to the rotation June 15, while Rick Vanden Hurk might have pitched his way back to the minor leagues Sunday. If Vanden Hurk is sent down, Wes Obermueller will fill the No. 5 rotation spot until Josh Johnson (shoulder) can return later in June. Scott Olsen is the team's lone two-start pitcher.
Houston Astros: Jason Jennings threw 97 pitches in just his third start since coming off the DL (elbow), allowing just six hits and a run in seven-plus innings. "I'm still trying to build up my pitch count and my arm strength," he said. Jennings joined the Astros during the offseason in a deal with the Rockies. It came shortly after a potential trade between Houston and Chicago involving Saturday's other starter, Jon Garland, couldn't be worked out. With no days off, all five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitchers Woody Williams and Roy Oswalt.
Kansas City Royals: All five starters will work in succession, including recently hot rookie two-start pitcher Brian Bannister.
Los Angels Angels of Anaheim: Assuming Jered Weaver (back) can make his next start -- sit him if you can -- all five starters will work in succession, including red-hot two-start pitcher Kelvim Escobar.
Los Angeles Dodgers: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitcher Randy Wolf.
Milwaukee Brewers: RHP Dave Bush, Sunday night's starter, has been victimized by three blown saves in his 12 starts and the Brewers have lost his last five starts. Nevertheless, manager Ned Yost is happy with Bush's recent performance. "He's been pretty good since early May," Yost said. The Brewers are 3-9 when Bush has started. That's noteworthy because he or Claudio Vargas are the links that likely need to break for us to see the arrival of immense talent Yovani Gallardo. Vargas is getting the No. 5 starter's treatment this week, getting skipped in the rotation until the No. 5 spot is needed again June 16. Jeff Suppan becomes a two-start pitcher because of that.
Minnesota Twins: The Twins will use their off day Monday to push Scott Baker's next start back to Friday. He hasn't pitched well since a stellar debut three weeks ago. Much more intriguing rookie Kevin Slowey will be a two-start sleeper this week. Johan Santana has asked for an extra day between starts when it was available before, but he told the team he wants to stay on schedule and pitching every five days.
New York Mets: All five starters will work in succession, including advisable two-start pitcher Orlando Hernandez.
New York Yankees: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitcher Chien-Ming Wang.
Oakland Athletics: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitcher Joe Kennedy.
Philadelphia Phillies: RHP Freddy Garcia, a major disappointment, was placed on the 15-day DL with a right shoulder strain. Garcia, who turns 31 on Sunday, is 1-5 with an ERA of 5.90. A replacement for his spot in the rotation will be announced on Monday, according to manager Charlie Manuel. An option is 22-year-old right-hander Kyle Kendrick is 4-7 with a 3.21 ERA in Double-A with a league-leading 81 1/3 innings. He threw a complete-game victory last time out, allowing one run on six hits. His ERA ranks 10th in the league and he is 11th with 50 strikeouts. "Kendrick has improved," Manuel told MLB.com. "I saw him as a kid, three or four years ago in rookie ball. He pitched for us a little bit in spring training. Of course, he's throwing well and he's having success. He's a guy I'm sure we'll definitely talk about." Consider him a flier in deeper NL-only or long-term keeper leagues, but don't count on him at this point. The team's lone two-start pitcher is Adam Eaton.
Pittsburgh Pirates: All five starters will work in succession, including struggling two-start pitcher Zach Duke.
San Diego Padres: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitcher Greg Maddux.
San Francisco Giants: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitcher Matt Morris.
Seattle Mariners: Jeff Weaver (back) left his last start early, but all five starters will work in succession, if Weaver can go. He's a high-risk option regardless of the injury. Cha Seung Baek is the team's lone two-start pitcher.
St. Louis Cardinals: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitcher Brad Thompson.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitcher Scott Kazmir.
Texas Rangers: RHP Vicente Padilla will make his scheduled start Sunday night against Milwaukee after reporting the right triceps irritation that knocked him out of his last start has improved. If he is unable to go, the Rangers would call up LHP John Koronka from Triple-A Oklahoma to make the start. Jamey Wright (shoulder) is expected to return for June 16 start at Cincinnati. He will be replacing Kameron Loe, who was sent back to Triple-A to work on consistency as a starting pitcher -- or better stated: to quit stinking.
Toronto Blue Jays: RHP Tomo Ohka was designated for assignment, and his spot in the rotation will be taken by RHP Josh Towers beginning Monday. Towers is a high-risk two-start pitcher, especially since a day off Thursday will allow the Blue Jays to slot A.J. Burnett the following Sunday on regular rest. Burnett should be starting in most leagues anyway, but that possible second start makes him far more intriguing.
Washington Nationals: Jason Bergmann (right elbow inflammation) and Jerome Williams (right shoulder strain) should rejoin the Nationals' injury-ravaged rotation within a couple of weeks. They've been out for three-plus weeks, along with Shawn Hill, and John Patterson has missed a month. But both Williams and Bergmann threw successful bullpen sessions before Saturday's game, according to manager Manny Acta, with "no pain whatsoever." They will probably begin minor league rehab assignments next weekend. All five current starters will work in succession, including risky two-starter Micah Bowie.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
Week 11 (June 10-17)
| This week's matchups | |||
| Intl early | Intl early | Intl late | Intl late |
| ATL@MIN | TOR@SF | FLA@KC | STL@OAK |
| WAS@BAL | CLE@FLA | ARI@BAL | TB@COL |
| ARI@NYY | TEX@PIT | NYM@NYY | LAA@LAD |
| MIL@DET | CHW@PHI | MIL@MIN | CHW@PIT |
| COL@BOS | LAA@CIN | SF@BOS | DET@PHI |
| SD@TB | OAK@HOU | WAS@TOR | TEX@CIN |
| STL@KC | SEA@CHC | ATL@CLE | SEA@HOU |
| NYM@LAD | SD@CHC | ||
| There are no four-game series this week. | |||
| The Chicago Cubs and Houston will play a game Monday, June 11, as a makeup game from an April 11 rainout. And Seattle plays at Cleveland for a makeup game of an April 7 snowout. | |||
| The following teams play seven games this week: Chicago Cubs, Cleveland, Houston and Seattle. | |||
Two-start pitcher options
| This week's two-start pitchers | ||
| Must-start options | ||
| Pitcher | Start No. 1 | Start No. 2 |
| Brandon Webb | at NYY Wang | at BAL Burres |
| Roy Oswalt | vs. OAK Kennedy | vs. SEA Washburn |
| Justin Verlander | vs. MIL Suppan | at PHI Eaton |
| A.J. Burnett | at SF Lowry | vs. WAS Bowie |
| Kelvim Escobar | at CIN Arroyo | at LAD Wolf |
| Advisable options | ||
| Chien-Ming Wang | vs. ARI Webb | vs. NYM Hernandez |
| Carlos Zambrano | vs. HOU Williams | vs. SD Young |
| Scott Kazmir | vs. SD Maddux | at COL Cook |
| Rich Hill | vs. SEA Washburn | vs. SD Maddux |
| Fausto Carmona | at FLA Olsen | vs. ATL James |
| Matt Morris | vs. TOR Towers | at BOS Wakefield |
| Orlando Hernandez | at LAD Wolf | at NYY Wang |
| Javier Vazquez | at PHI Eaton | at PIT Duke |
| Greg Maddux | at TB Kazmir | at CHC Hill |
| Paul Byrd | vs. SEA Baek | vs. ATL Davies |
| Chuck James | at MIN Slowey | at CLE Carmona |
| Kevin Slowey | vs. ATL James | vs. MIL Suppan |
| Questionable options | ||
| Bronson Arroyo | vs. LAA Escobar | vs. TEX Millwood |
| Tim Wakefield | vs. COL Cook | vs. SF Morris |
| Scott Olsen | vs. CLE Carmona | at KC Bannister |
| Jarrod Washburn | at CHC Hill | at HOU Oswalt |
| Jeff Suppan | at DET Verlander | at MIN Slowey |
| Kevin Millwood | at PIT Duke | at CIN Arroyo |
| Adam Eaton | vs. CHW Vazquez | vs. DET Verlander |
| Aaron Cook | at BOS Wakefield | vs. TB Kazmir |
| High-risk options | ||
| Zach Duke | vs. TEX Millwood | vs. CHW Vazquez |
| Joe Kennedy | at HOU Oswalt | vs. STL Thompson |
| Brian Bannister | vs. STL Thompson | vs. FLA Olsen |
| Cha Seung Baek | at CLE Byrd | at HOU Williams |
| Brad Thompson | at KC Bannister | at OAK Kennedy |
| Brian Burres | vs. WAS Bowie | vs. ARI Webb |
| Woody Williams | at CHC Zambrano | vs. SEA Baek |
| Micah Bowie | at BAL Burres | at TOR Burnett |
Pitch a question
Rob H., Clarks Green, Pa.: I think I have a good problem, but a problem nonetheless. I can only start seven of the following pitchers (no limits): Francisco Cordero, Roy Halladay, Dan Haren, Rich Hill (two starts), Roy Oswalt (two starts), Ben Sheets, Javier Vazquez (two starts) and Billy Wagner. Normally, I bench Vazquez, but is he worth starting at PHI and PIT? I am in a Rotisserie league with solid leads in ERA and WHIP and a gap behind me in saves. I can move up three spots with 10 Ks and five spots with five wins. I know I won't make up all that ground in one week, but is this a week to sit a closer? If so, which one?
Emack: Haren, Cordero, Wagner and Sheets are must starts on a weekly basis right now. We say don't worry about the standings so much right now by sitting a closer. Sit Halladay because he has struggled of late.
Shane Lynah, Oviedo, Fla.: I want to drop one of these three pitchers for some pitching prospects: Fausto Carmona, Jason Marquis or John Maine. Which one should I drop?
Emack: Drop Marquis because the other two pitch for contenders with great offenses.
Aidan Mehigan, McLean, Va: I have two historically great closers who are off to very slow starts this year, Mariano Rivera and Eric Gagne. Who is better in the long term for the rest of the season?
Emack: The Yankees are getting hot and eventually Rivera will be getting regular save chances and will be fine with them. Gagne needs a midseason trade to a team like the Indians to be a real threat to produce on the level of Rivera.
You can e-mail Emack your Fantasy Baseball pitching questions to DMFantasyBaseball@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: Pitching Planner in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state. Be aware, due to the large volume of submissions received, we do not guarantee personal responses or answers to all questions.
