Week 14 Fantasy Pitching Planner
How will the Yankees fill out their rotation? Who will squeeze in two more starts before the All Star break? Our Eric Mack takes a look at that and much more in his Fantasy Pitching Planner.
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.
Arizona Diamondbacks
- Dan Haren vs FLA Nolasco
- Jon Garland vs SD Silva, vs FLA West
- Doug Davis vs SD Correia, vs FLA Johnson
- Max Scherzer vs SD Gaudin
- Yusmeiro Petit vs FLA Miller
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| Must-start | TM | Own% | Start% |
| Matt Cain | SF | 97 | 89 |
| Josh Beckett | BOS | 98 | 88 |
| CC Sabathia | NYY | 98 | 88 |
| Yovani Gallardo | MIL | 97 | 86 |
| Cole Hamels | PHI | 97 | 86 |
| Javier Vazquez | ATL | 97 | 86 |
| Josh Johnson | FLA | 97 | 85 |
| Jered Weaver | ANA | 97 | 84 |
| Adam Wainwright | STL | 97 | 84 |
| Johnny Cueto | CIN | 95 | 79 |
| Kevin Millwood | TEX | 91 | 77 |
| Jair Jurrjens | ATL | 94 | 76 |
| James Shields | TB | 97 | 73 |
| Mark Buehrle | CHW | 93 | 72 |
| Clayton Kershaw | LA | 93 | 72 |
| Ricky Romero | TOR | 77 | 58 |
| Advisable | TM | Own% | Start% |
| Ryan Dempster | CHC | 95 | 69 |
| Aaron Harang | CIN | 94 | 68 |
| Andy Pettitte | NYY | 86 | 66 |
| Scott Baker | MIN | 84 | 61 |
| John Smoltz | BOS | 83 | 60 |
| Jason Marquis | COL | 72 | 54 |
| J.A. Happ | PHI | 72 | 54 |
| Randy Wells | CHC | 60 | 49 |
| Mike Pelfrey | NYM | 71 | 44 |
| Gil Meche | KC | 79 | 43 |
| Jarrod Washburn | SEA | 60 | 39 |
| Brad Bergesen | BAL | 49 | 36 |
| Questionable | TM | Own% | Start% |
| Jordan Zimmermann | WAS | 56 | 35 |
| Doug Davis | ARI | 47 | 32 |
| Kevin Correia | SD | 44 | 27 |
| Armando Galarraga | DET | 43 | 26 |
| Jason Hammel | COL | 35 | 25 |
| Barry Zito | SF | 43 | 24 |
| Jon Garland | ARI | 39 | 22 |
| Sean West | FLA | 24 | 16 |
| Mike Hampton | HOU | 20 | 14 |
| Vicente Padilla | TEX | 24 | 13 |
| Todd Wellemeyer | STL | 24 | 10 |
| Brett Anderson | OAK | 19 | 9 |
| High-risk | TM | Own% | Start% |
| Virgil Vasquez | PIT | 3 | 2 |
| Walter Silva | SD | 3 | 2 |
| Jeremy Sowers | CLE | 3 | 1 |
| Craig Stammen | WAS | 1 | 1 |
| Brad Mills | TOR | 1 | 0 |
| Bruce Chen | KC | 1 | 0 |
Two-starter(s): Garland and Davis. Garland has been brutal, so
consider him no better than questionable, while Davis has posted three
consecutive quality starts and is a sleeper for deeper leagues, despite
a 3-8 record.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week
sleeper: Davis. He is walking batters at an alarming rate,
but has allowed just two earned runs in his past three starts (21
innings).
One-week bust: Garland. Even his two starts aren't
intriguing enough to trust him in what has been a disaster year.
Atlanta Braves
- Derek Lowe at COL Jimenez
- Jair Jurrjens at CHC Wells, at COL Marquis
- Javier Vazquez at CHC Dempster, at COL Hammel
- Kenshin Kawakami at CHC Zambrano
- Tommy Hanson at COL Cook
Two-starter(s): Jurrjens and Vazquez. They have tough matchups
but are at least advisable in all leagues still. This is a real good
pitching staff.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week
sleeper: Hanson. At 4-0 with a 2.25 ERA and 1.25 WHIP, he should be
starting in more than just 56 percent of CBSSports.com's leagues.
One-week
bust: Kawakami. With Tim Hudson
working his way back, Kawakami is pitching for his rotation spot for the
next few weeks. He hasn't be great and faces a tough matchup.
Baltimore Orioles
- Jeremy Guthrie at SEA Bedard
- Bradley Bergesen at SEA Washburn, vs TOR Mills
- Rich J. Hill vs TOR Romero
- David Hernandez at SEA Vargas
- Jason Berken vs TOR Cecil
Two-starter(s): Bergesen and perhaps Guthrie. Bergesen has had
quality starts in six of his past seven starts, allowing just four
earned runs in 6 1/3 in the one non-quality start in that span. He is
trustworthy in any format.
Who is getting skipped: Perhaps
Berken. His next turn is Friday after the day off, but skipping his turn
would allow the Orioles to get an extra start out of Guthrie before the
break.
One-week sleeper: Bergesen. Look at what he has done of
late. Those matchups are no overwhelming either.
One-week bust: Berken.
He might not make a start and hasn't been good anyway.
Boston Red Sox
- Josh Beckett vs OAK Braden, vs KC Chen
- Jon Lester vs KC Bannister
- John Smoltz vs OAK Anderson, vs KC Meche
- Tim Wakefield vs OAK Cahill
- Brad Penny vs KC Hochevar
Two-starter(s): Smoltz and Beckett. Smoltz is advisable, despite
his slow start. His matchups are too intriguing. Beckett is a must-start
in all leagues.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week
sleeper: All five starters are advisable options in all leagues in
those matchups.
One-week bust: None. We don't see a reason to
sit any Red Sox starter this week.
Chicago Cubs
- Carlos Zambrano vs ATL Kawakami
- Ryan Dempster vs ATL Vazquez, vs STL Wellemeyer
- Ted Lilly vs STL Carpenter
- Rich Harden vs STL Thompson
- Randy Wells vs ATL Jurrjens, vs STL Wainwright
Two-starter(s): Wells and Dempster. Dempster is an advisable
option, while Wells has tougher matchups and is more of a questionable
option.
Who is getting skipped: None. The Cubs have a Thursday
off day, but they still play seven games next week due to the Sunday
doubleheader.
One-week sleeper: Wells. He has been outstanding
in his past three starts, so you might be inclined to overlook his tough
matchups.
One-week bust: Lilly. We would still advise using
him in deeper leagues, but his matchup is the toughest one among Cubs
starters this week.
Chicago White Sox
- Mark Buehrle vs CLE Sowers, at MIN Baker
- John Danks at MIN Liriano
- Gavin Floyd at MIN Blackburn
- Clayton Richard vs CLE Huff
- Jose Contreras vs CLE Laffey
Two-starter(s): Buehrle. He has been outstanding and is a
must-start in all leagues.
Who is getting skipped: None. But
the White Sox are slotting No. 5 starter Richard on short rest Thursday
to line up their weekend series vs. the Twins with Danks, Floyd and
Buehrle.
One-week sleeper: Contreras. Whatever he did back in
the minors, it worked. He is useful in any format amid his hot streak
and in that matchup.
One-week bust: Richard. He is a shaky No.
5 starter on regular rest, so we cannot think he will be any less risky
on short rest.
Cincinnati Reds
- Aaron Harang at PHI Happ, at NYM Pelfrey
- Bronson Arroyo at NYM Nieve
- Johnny Cueto at PHI Hamels, at NYM Santana
- Micah Owings at PHI Moyer
- Homer Bailey at PHI Lopez
Two-starter(s): Cueto and Harang. They have tough matchups, but
they likely have to remain active in all leagues.
Who is getting
skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Owings. Three of his past
four starts have been quality. He is a sleeper despite facing the
Phillies.
One-week bust: Arroyo. His opposing pitcher will
entice you, perhaps, but he cannot be trusted amid his recent struggles.
Cleveland Indians
- Cliff Lee at DET Porcello
- Carl Pavano at DET Jackson
- Jeremy Sowers at CHW Buehrle, at DET Galarraga
- David Huff at CHW Richard
- Aaron Laffey (off the DL) at CHW Contreras
Two-starter(s): Sowers. He has regressed again and is a high-risk
option even for deeper AL-only leagues.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week
sleeper: Huff. He is coming off a quality start and faces a rookie
going on three-day's rest.
One-week bust: Sowers. We wouldn't
trust him in any league this week.
Colorado Rockies
- Aaron Cook vs ATL Hanson
- Ubaldo Jimenez vs ATL Lowe
- Jason Marquis vs WAS Stammen, vs ATL Jurrjens
- Jason Hammel vs WAS Zimmermann, vs ATL Vazquez
- Jorge De La Rosa vs WAS Detwiler
Two-starter(s): Marquis and Hammel. They are advisable options in
any league with one favorable matchup and one unfavorable one.
Who
is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Marquis,
Hammel and De La Rosa. For a guy we could consider a must-start option
this week, Marquis is only starting in 51 percent of CBSSports.com's
leagues. Hammel is a lot better than we could have imagined in Colorado
and is useful in deeper leagues of late. De La Rosa has won three
consecutive starts, too, and draws a favorable matchup.
One-week
bust: None. We see value in all of the Rockies starting pitchers
this week. How many times has that been said in Fantasy Baseball history?
Detroit Tigers
- Justin Verlander vs KC Chen
- Edwin Jackson vs CLE Pavano
- Rick Porcello vs CLE Lee
- Armando Galarraga vs KC Meche, vs CLE Sowers
- Luke French vs KC Greinke
Two-starter(s): Galarraga or Verlander. The Tigers have an off
day Thursday and could choose to slot their ace one more time before the
break if they want to skip Galarraga's second turn next Sunday.
Verlander is a must-start regardless of the number of starts, while
Galarraga would be a sleeper if you see him getting two starts. We
cannot be sure at this point, so use Galarraga at your own discretion.
Who
is getting skipped: Perhaps Galarraga. He gets one start Monday, but
his second turn could be handed to Verlander on regular rest. If we ran
the Tigers, we would use the All-Star on Sunday and the first game after
the break, but the Tigers might choose to allow him to rest some.
One-week
sleeper: Galarraga. He takes a two-start win streak into his
potential two-start week, so consider him in deeper formats if you want
to cross your fingers on a second start. There likely won't be an
announcement on the Tigers' weekend plans until after Galarraga starts.
One-week
bust: French. He earned another start, but that matchup is not one
we would trust at this point.
Florida Marlins
- Josh Johnson at SF Zito, at ARI Davis
- Ricky Nolasco at ARI Haren
- Chris Volstad at SF Sadowski
- Andrew Miller at ARI Petit
- Sean West at SF Cain, at ARI Garland
Two-starter(s): West and Johnson. West is a questionable option,
especially facing Cain in the first start, while Johnson is a must-start
in all leagues.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week
sleeper: Miller. He draws a very favorable matchup and is coming off
a quality start victory.
One-week bust: None. We see value in
all of the Marlins starting five this week, to varying degrees.
Houston Astros
- Roy Oswalt vs WAS Stammen
- Wandy Rodriguez vs PIT Morton
- Mike Hampton vs PIT Vasquez, vs WAS Zimmermann
- Russ Ortiz vs WAS Olsen
- Felipe Paulino vs WAS Lannan
- Brian Moehler vs PIT Maholm
Two-starter(s): Hampton. He was solid off the DL and has
favorable matchups -- popular as a waiver claim for Fantasy Week 14
(July 6-12).
Who is getting skipped: None. The Astros are
using a six-man rotation in their seven-game week. There is a chance
they bump it back to five, which could give Moehler another start.
One-week
sleeper: Hampton. If his return start wasn't intriguing enough, just
focus your decision on his favorable matchups. He really hasn't been
that bad after a bad May.
One-week bust: Paulino and Ortiz.
They were brutal in their past starts and are candidates to return to
the bullpen amid the Astros' current six-man rotation. Ignore the fact
they are currently slated to face the lowly Nationals. They might not
start at all.
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| Player | % Change | |
| 1. | Ricky Romero, SP, Blue Jays | 21 |
| 2. | Randy Wells, SP, Cubs | 19 |
| 3. | Jason Hammel, SP, Rockies | 16 |
| 4. | Ryan Sadowski, SP, Giants | 15 |
| 5. | Chad Gaudin, SP, Padres | 14 |
| 6. | J.A. Happ, SP, Phillies | 13 |
| 7. | J.P. Howell, RP, Rays | 12 |
| 8. | Brad Bergesen, SP, Orioles | 10 |
| 9. | Doug Davis, SP, Diamondbacks | 10 |
| 10. | Kevin Correia, SP, Padres | 10 |
Kansas City Royals
- Zack Greinke at DET French
- Gil Meche at DET Galarraga, at BOS Smoltz
- Brian Bannister at BOS Lester
- Luke Hochevar at BOS Penny
- Bruce Chen at DET Verlander, at BOS Beckett
Two-starter(s): Meche and Chen.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week
sleeper: Meche. He has lost three consecutive starts and is active
in only 42 percent of leagues, but he was quality last time out (despite
the loss) and isn't facing the toughest opposing pitchers even if his
opposing teams are dangerous matchups.
One-week bust: Chen. He
hasn't been bad, but you would be hard-pressed to find two more
unappealing matchups in any week. Now is not the time to trust the
resurfaced Chen.
Los Angeles Angels
- John Lackey vs TEX Padilla, vs NYY Pettitte
- Jered Weaver vs TEX Millwood, vs NYY Sabathia
- Ervin Santana vs TEX Hunter
- Joe Saunders vs NYY Chamberlain
- vacant
Two-starter(s): Weaver and Lackey. Weaver has tough matchups, but
he remains advisable in any league. Lackey picks up a second start since
the Angels chose to skip their No. 5 starter after Thursday's off day.
Who
is getting skipped: No. 5 spot. Sean O'Sullivan was sent to the minors and he will remain there
through the All-Star break and the brief week after it.
One-week
sleeper: None. We would use the top two starters in all leagues, but
the others are much more risky right now.
One-week bust: Saunders
and Santana. It is a rare week we have this many risky Angels starters,
but their recent performance and matchups make them difficult to trust.
Los Angeles Dodgers
- Chad Billingsley at MIL Burns
- Randy Wolf at NYM Hernandez
- Clayton Kershaw at NYM Pelfrey, at MIL Gallardo
- Hiroki Kuroda at NYM Perez
- TBD, perhaps Jeff Weaver at MIL McClung
Two-starter(s): Kershaw. He is at least advisable in all leagues
at this point.
Who is getting skipped: No. 5 spot. But it will
slot the next time the Dodgers need it July 11.
One-week sleeper: Kuroda.
He hasn't been great of late, but the Mets are not scoring runs and
Perez has been as shaky as any pitcher has seen this season.
One-week
bust: No. 5 starter TBD. We think it will be Weaver taking the spot
start in place of Eric Milton (back,
15-day DL), but once we say it is Weaver, they will go with James McDonald, a prospect or a trade acquisition. Ignore all of the
candidates at this point, unless you are using them as relievers.
Milwaukee Brewers
- Yovani Gallardo vs STL Wainwright, vs LAD Kershaw
- Jeff Suppan vs STL Wellemeyer
- Braden Looper vs STL Pineiro
- Mike Burns vs LAD Billingsley
- Seth McClung vs LAD TBD
Two-starter(s): Gallardo. He is a must-start ace in all leagues,
even in those matchups.
Who is getting skipped: None. But
McClung or Burns (less likely) could be candidates to be removed from
the rotation for a potential return of Manny Parra
from the minor leagues.
One-week sleeper: Suppan. He is coming
off a solid start and opposes a pitcher who has been mostly a
disappointment in the first half.
One-week bust: McClung. He
might not start, and if he does, we cannot advise him against the
Dodgers in any format.
Minnesota Twins
- Scott Baker vs NYY Sabathia, vs CHW Buehrle
- Nick Blackburn vs CHW Floyd
- Francisco Liriano vs CHW Danks
- Glen Perkins vs NYY Burnett
- Anthony Swarzak vs NYY TBD (perhaps Mitre)
Two-starter(s): Baker. He has tough matchups, but he is advisable
in deeper leagues. He was 4-0 with a 3.20 ERA and .213 batting-average
against in June, a season resurgence.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week
sleeper: Baker. He is only starting in 60 percent of leagues still.
That should be higher.
One-week bust: Perkins and Swarzak.
They will be difficult to trust against the Yankees outside of deeper
AL-only leagues.
New York Mets
- Johan Santana vs CIN Cueto
- Mike Pelfrey vs LAD Kershaw, vs CIN Harang
- Livan Hernandez vs LAD Wolf
- Oliver Perez vs LAD Kuroda
- Fernando Nieve vs CIN Arroyo
Two-starter(s): Pelfrey. He is perhaps an advisable option coming
off his promising last start after weeks of struggles. Be advised,
though, the Mets are not scoring any runs of late.
Who is getting
skipped: None. Nieve could be moved back a day or out of the
rotation altogether next week, but no replacement option is imminent.
They have chosen Tim Redding for relief,
perhaps because he gives the Mets a potential setup man more than Nieve
would.
One-week sleeper: Pelfrey. He is the only Mets pitcher
without a cold tag on CBSSports.com presently. He is only starting in 43
percent of leagues, but he is coming off 7 2/3 shutout innings.
One-week
bust: Hernandez, Perez and Nieve. They are not pitching well enough
to overcome the Mets' utter lack of offense right now. Don't use them if
you can avoid it.
New York Yankees
- CC Sabathia at MIN Baker, at LAA Lackey
- A.J. Burnett at MIN Perkins
- Andy Pettitte vs TOR Romero, at LAA Weaver
- Joba Chamberlain at LAA Saunders
- TBD, likely Sergio Mitre at MIN Swarzak
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| Start 'em | TM | |
| 1 | Ricky Romero | TOR |
| 2 | Dallas Braden | OAK |
| 3 | Scott Olsen | WAS |
| 4 | Scott Baker | MIN |
| 5 | Mike Hampton | HOU |
| Sit 'em | TM | |
| 1 | Joba Chamberlain | NYY |
| 2 | Randy Johnson | SF |
| 3 | Oliver Perez | NYM |
| 4 | Brandon Morrow | SEA |
| 5 | Ervin Santana | LAA |
Two-starter(s): Pettitte and Sabathia. Pettitte is advisable,
while Sabathia is a must-start in all leagues.
Who is getting
skipped: None. The Yankees need a new No. 5 starter with Chien-Ming Wang on the DL. They say Phil Hughes
and Alfredo Aceves are not options out
of the bullpen, since they are not stretched out. Mitre is a potential
option from the minors, coming off Tommy John elbow surgery.
One-week
sleeper: No. 5 starter TBD. We likely won't have an official word
until after your lineup deadline. But you will want to take a flier on
Hughes, because they will likely stretch him out to return to the
rotation after the All-Star break. Mitre is only an option in deeper
AL-only leagues this week and would likely be a one-and-done starter if
he does get the call.
One-week bust: Chamberlain. He has a
winnable matchup, but he hasn't been pitching winnable baseball at this
point. Consider him a risky play in any format.
Oakland Athletics
- Dallas Braden at BOS Beckett, at TB Shields
- Trevor Cahill at BOS Wakefield
- Vin Mazzaro at TB Garza
- Brett Anderson at BOS Smoltz, at TB Niemann
- Gio Gonzalez skipped
Two-starter(s): Anderson and Braden. They are questionable
options better left for deeper leagues -- their matchups are pretty
unfavorable. Braden has been so darned consistent, though, you might
want to start him in mixed formats.
Who is getting skipped: Gonzalez.
The A's will go with a four man rotation in the final week before the
break. He will be working out of the bullpen in the weekend series at
Tampa Bay.
One-week sleeper: Braden. Has had only one bad
start all year. He could be at risk for having two this week, but his
performance could convince you to use him if you need a two-start
pitcher.
One-week bust: Anderson. He has been better recently
-- and isn't opposing staff aces -- but the offensive potential of his
opponents make him difficult to advise this week. We still like
Anderson's potential long-term, though.
Philadelphia Phillies
- Cole Hamels vs CIN Cueto, vs PIT Ohlendorf
- Joe Blanton vs PIT Duke
- Jamie Moyer vs CIN Owings
- J.A. Happ vs CIN Harang, vs PIT Vasquez
- Rodrigo Lopez vs CIN Bailey
Two-starter(s): Hamels and Happ. They are advisable options in
all leagues at this point. Hamels, despite a bad last outing, remains a
must-start in most formats.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week
sleeper: Blanton. He has been much better than his 58 percent
owership suggests.
One-week bust: Lopez. He might have been
solid in his return against the lowly Mets, but we cannot advise
starting him in any mixed formats yet. The potent Phillies could make
him a winner in the second half, though -- assuming they don't add a
front-line starter before the trade deadline.
Pittsburgh Pirates
- Zach Duke at PHI Blanton
- Paul Maholm at HOU Moehler
- Ross Ohlendorf at PHI Hamels
- Charlie Morton at HOU Rodriguez
- Virgil Vasquez at HOU Hampton, at PHI Happ
Two-starter(s): Vasquez or perhaps Maholm. Vasquez is high-risk,
especially since he could be skipped over the weekend. Maholm, who was
beat up last time out, is a questionable option as a one-starter -- and
he would have to face Philly in a second start.
Who is getting
skipped: Perhaps Vasquez. A Thursday off day could allow the Pirates
to skip his turn to slot first-half surprise Maholm one more time on the
final Sunday before the break. We might not know that until after
Vasquez's outing Monday at Houston.
One-week sleeper: Maholm.
His one matchup is decent and could get two starts. We still wouldn't
trust him in a standard mixed league, though.
One-week bust:
Vasquez. He starts at a hitter's park in Houston and might be skipped
off a potential second start. Two good reasons to ignore him in all
formats still.
San Diego Padres
- Kevin Correia at ARI Davis, at SF Zito
- Chad Gaudin at ARI Scherzer
- Josh Geer at SF Lincecum
- Walter Silva at ARI Garland, at SF Cain
- Josh Banks at SF Johnson?
Two-starter(s): Silva and Correia. Correia is coming off a
terrible start after a long hot streak, which makes him a questionable
option. He was looking like an advisable one before that. Silva is a
high-risk option even in the deepest of NL-only leagues, regardless of
the matchups.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week
sleeper: Correia. The favorable matchups certainly can help you look
past his bad last outing. Start him in deeper mixed leagues even.
One-week
bust: Geer. It wouldn't take much for us to call Lincecum's opposing
Padres pitcher a bust. We wouldn't start any Padres against that
lights-out ace.
San Francisco Giants
- Tim Lincecum vs SD Geer
- Matt Cain vs FLA West, vs SD Silva
- Randy Johnson (questionable, shoulder) vs SD Banks
- Barry Zito vs FLA Johnson, vs SD Correia
- Ryan Sadowski vs FLA Volstad
Two-starter(s): Cain and Zito. Cain is a must-start ace in all
leagues, regardless of the matchup(s). Zito is a questionable option who
hasn't pitched well enough to trust in mixed formats this week.
Who
is getting skipped: None. Johnson might head to the 15-day DL after
he left his Sunday start with shoulder trouble. He went back out and was
throwing 79 mph fastballs -- unheard of stuff right there. Kevin Pucetas could be an option to take Johnson's rotation spot, if
a DL stint is necessary.
One-week sleeper: Sadowski. His
career is off to a 13-inning scoreless steak. He faces a fellow rookie
at home in a pitcher's park. We think Sadowski will come back to earth,
but you might want to ride the wave while the riding is good.
One-week
bust: Johnson and Zito. They look like high-risk options, even if
their matchups are inviting.
Seattle Mariners
- Felix Hernandez vs TEX Holland
- Erik Bedard vs BAL Guthrie, vs TEX Padilla
- Jarrod Washburn vs BAL Bergesen, vs TEX Millwood
- Jason M. Vargas vs BAL Hernandez
- Brandon Morrow or Garrett Olson vs TEX Felman
Two-starter(s): Washburn and Bedard. They are questionable
options, mostly due to the tough second matchup(s), but risks worth
taking in deeper leagues.
Who is getting skipped: Likely
Olson. The Mariners are slotting Vargas on Wednesday, so the No. 5
starter's spot will be between Morrow and Olson this week. We don't see
them using a six-man rotation. Morrow looks like he might have clinched
the starting job with his effort Sunday vs. the Red Sox.
One-week
sleeper: Washburn. He is one of the more underrated veteran pitchers
in Fantasy this season. His first matchup is great, too.
One-week
bust: Vargas, Olson and Morrow. We are still not certain which one
is out, although Vargas is already listed for Wednesday. We would have
thought Vargas would have been the one sent to the bullpen, though.
St. Louis Cardinals
- Chris Carpenter at CHC Lilly
- Adam Wainwright at MIL Gallardo, at CHC Wells
- Joel Pineiro at MIL Looper
- Todd Wellemeyer at MIL Suppan
- Brad Thompson at CHC Harden
Two-starter(s): Wainwright. He is a must-start in all leagues
regardless of the matchup(s).
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week
sleeper: Pineiro. He doesn't have a favorable matchup, but he has
been pitching favorably. Five consecutive quality starts should give you
confidence in him.
One-week bust: Wellemeyer and Thompson.
They are not trustworthy and face two potent offenses.
Tampa Bay Rays
- James Shields vs TOR Mills, vs OAK Braden
- Scott Kazmir vs TOR Tallet
- Matt Garza vs OAK Mazzaro
- David Price vs TOR Halladay
- Jeff Niemann vs OAK Anderson
Two-starter(s): Shields. He is a must-start in all leagues
regardless of the matchup(s).
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week
sleeper: Niemann. He has been on-and-off in alternating starts, but
he draws a favorable matchup. Consider him in mixed formats this week.
One-week
bust: Price. He was brutal last time out and draws Halladay. It is a
good time to give the disappointing rookie a breather.
Texas Rangers
- Kevin Millwood at LAA Weaver, at SEA Washburn
- Vicente Padilla at LAA Lackey, at SEA Bedard
- Scott Feldman at SEA Morrow
- Derek Holland at SEA Hernandez
- Tommy Hunter at LAA Santana
Two-starter(s): Millwood and Padilla. Millwood is at least
advisable, while Padilla is a sleeper for deeper formats.
Who is
getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Padilla. He has
tough matchups, but the teams he is facing don't really have threatening
power lineups.
One-week bust: Holland and Hunter. They are
coming off victories, but we don't like their matchups. Santana is
struggling, though.
Toronto Blue Jays
- Roy Halladay vs TB Price
- Ricky Romero at NYY Pettitte, at BAL Hill
- Brian Tallet at TB Kazmir
- Brett Cecil at BAL Berken?
- Brad Mills at TB Shields, at BAL Bergesen
Two-starter(s): Romero and Mills. Romero is a must-start rookie
in all leagues right now. Mills is a high-risk option best left for the
deepest of AL-only leagues.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week
sleeper: Romero. Despite being an AL ROY front-runner, he is only
starting in 58 percent of CBSSports.com's leagues. That should be at
least 75 percent.
One-week bust: Mills. We wouldn't trust many
rookie pitchers in those matchups. Mills is definitely not one of them
at this point.
Washington Nationals
- John Lannan at HOU Paulino
- Scott Olsen at HOU Ortiz
- Jordan Zimmermann at COL Hammel, at HOU Hampton
- Ross Detwiler at COL De La Rosa
- Craig Stammen at COL Marquis, at HOU Oswalt
Two-starter(s): Stammen and Zimmermann. Stammen is high-risk,
while Zimmermann is a sleeper for deeper leagues amid his resurgence.
Who
is getting skipped: None. Stammen is on a start-to-start basis right
now.
One-week sleeper: Olsen. His velocity is back after being
on the DL. He draws a favorable matchup to boot.
One-week bust: Detwiler.
He is coming off a rocking and heads to the Rockies. That is a bad combo
for the rookie. Don't trust him this week in any format.
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