We go around baseball's pitching rotations and Fantasy two-start pitcher options every Sunday of the season in our weekly Pitching Planner. A notable development this week -- one of numerous doubleheaders and six-man rotations -- is the call-up of cancer survivor Jon Lester, who is a two-start sleeper for any Fantasy league. Pick him up immediately. Also, a quiet trade deadline looms, but a potential trade of a starter could throw things out of whack later in the week. We don't see anything imminent.
Staff reflections
Arizona Diamondbacks: Arizona starter Micah Owings only made it through four innings Saturday because of a high pitch count. He allowed two runs and four hits. He struck out three and walked three, throwing 95 pitches. "He actually battled today. Obviously with, you know, the pitch count where it was after only four innings its tough to send him back out there. But it didn't get out of hand. He really didn't have his good command at all today," said Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin. Owings will be batting Yusmeiro Petit for the No. 5 starter's spot once LHP Randy Johnson (sore back) returns. The Big Unit threw a bullpen session Friday in Arizona, but isn't a candidate to return in Fantasy Week 17 (July 23-29) at this point. Doug Davis and Livan Hernandez are two-start pitcher options for deeper Fantasy leagues.
Atlanta Braves: RHP Tim Hudson hit 92 mph a few times with his fastball in the 10-1 victory Thursday. Manager Bobby Cox credited the rise in velocity to extra rest Hudson had during the All-Star break and an additional day off this week when John Smoltz was activated from the DL. Hudson usually tops out at 88-89 mph. Smoltz and Hudson are must-start two-start pitchers this week. Though the Braves optioned RHP Kyle Davies to Triple-A Richmond to keep Jo-Jo Reyes in the rotation, Cox insists the team hasn't given up on the 23-year-old. "He should be a 15-game winner," Cox said. "He knows what he needs to do. We're still high on him." Davies failed to record an out in a dreadful start against Cincinnati on Tuesday. He faced just five batters, allowing two hits and three walks. In 17 starts, Davies went 4-8 with a 5.76 ERA.
Baltimore Orioles: RHP Jeremy Guthrie pitched Sunday to keep him on his regular turn. With another day off Monday, Guthrie will slot ahead of the No. 5 spot again, which will be Brian Burres (most likely) slotting next Saturday vs. the Yankees. Daniel Cabrera will be the team's lone two-start pitcher.
Boston Red Sox: The Red Sox are finally making the call to Jon Lester, who replaces a struggling Julian Tavarez in the rotation Monday. Lester is an intriguing two-start pitcher in any format, especially since the Red Sox are a top contender with a potent offense -- one that might be ready to go on a tear. RHP Curt Schilling threw a side session Wednesday and a rehab with Triple-A Pawtucket on Saturday. He will need at least one more rehab start, so he won't be an option to return in Fantasy Week 17 (July 23-29). By the way, he's pitching on Kason Gabbard's turn, but Gabbard is too hot to be removed from the rotation at this point. He could be trade bait, though. By the way, RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka skipped his between-start side session to help deal with the long season. In Japan, Matsuzaka pitched once a week in a shorter season. Dice-K is a must-start two-start pitcher. If you're gutsy, Lester is too.
Chicago Cubs: Carlos Zambrano is the team's lone two-start pitcher, a must-start in all leagues. By the way, reliever Kerry Wood (shoulder) gave up one run in one inning in a rehab appearance in the Arizona rookie league. The good news here is he made it through a few rehab outings without being shut down for the season.
Chicago White Sox: Manager Ozzie Guillen said he was planning to start RHP Charlie Haeger on Tuesday against Detroit, depending on whether he is able to stay away from him Sunday in relief. He wasn't. Haeger had made three appearances, all in relief, going 0-1 with a 1.93 ERA. Consider the knuckleballer an option in deeper AL-only formats if he still gets the one spot start. If Haeger doesn't start, Gavin Floyd will likely be the one called up to start. Mark Buehrle and Javier Vazquez are the team's two-start pitchers.
Cincinnati Reds: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitchers Aaron Harang and Matt Belisle. Harang is coming back from bereavement leave and is a must-start option in all leagues, despite the fact he pitches for the lowly Reds.
Cleveland Indians: Manager Eric Wedge praised RHP Fausto Carmona, who was 1-10 last season but on Friday earned his 12th win of 2007. "His rhythm and tempo are better, and he's done a good job learning on the job. He gained a lot of toughness last year, too," Wedge said. Carmona has a tough one-start week against Josh Beckett and the Red Sox. Jake Westbrook and C.C. Sabathia are two-start pitchers.
Colorado Rockies: RHP Jason Hirsh, on the 15-day disabled list since July 3 with a sprained left ankle, will pitch for Colorado Springs on Monday. It will be his second rehabilitation start. He could be an option to take rookie Ubaldo Jimenez's second start over the weekend, but don't count on it. Jeff Francis is a sure-fire two-start pitcher, while Jimenez should get his two starts.
Detroit Tigers: They have a doubleheader Tuesday, necessitating a six-man rotation. Chad Durbin is an option for the spot start out of the bullpen, but manager Jimmy Leyland told MLB.com he would stay there and the team would call up someone from the minors for a spot start. Jordan Tata would be on turn and is the likely top candidate. Consider him in deeper AL-only leagues this week. Andrew Miller and Jeremy Bonderman are two-start pitchers, must-start ones, we say.
Florida Marlins: LHP Scott Olsen was arrested Saturday morning for driving under the influence and fighting with police. He was released on $11,000 bond Saturday afternoon. "There's a legal process that has to be followed and we're going to take all the necessary precautions and steps and let the legal process pave the way. We're going to have to work on it, and that's all I really have to say," Olsen said. His scheduled start this Wednesday is uncertain. RHP Josh Johnson, on the 15-day DL since July 5 (right forearm strain) will make one more rehab start this Wednesday, July 25, at Class A Jupiter. If all goes well, he could return to the starting rotation as a two-start pitcher in Fantasy Week 18 (July 30-Aug. 5). Johnson threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings at Jupiter on Friday. Struggling Dontrelle Willis and Sergio Mitre are two-start pitchers. Willis has been terrible, so we can only say use him at your own risk. Something tells us he has to turn it around before the trade deadline.
Houston Astros: RHP Roy Oswalt won't know until Sunday at the earliest if he can make his next scheduled start, Wednesday against the Dodgers in Houston. Oswalt began feeling pain in his rib cage during the fifth inning of a 2-1 victory over Pittsburgh on Friday night, but stayed in until the seventh. Manager Phil Garner said, "He realized he couldn't get the ball to the outside part of the plate." Consider Oswalt a risky start. Chris Sampson and Jason Jennings are two-start pitchers for deeper leagues.
Kansas City Royals: Scott Elarton (foot) is expected to return for a July 24 start vs. the New York Yankees, which makes him a two-start pitcher for Fantasy Week 17 (July 23-29). Odalis Perez is also a two-start pitcher, albeit a high-risk one for the deepest of AL-only leagues.
L.A. Angels of Anaheim: Despite a day off Thursday, the Angels are not likely to skip anyone in the rotation, which is now running out Joe Saunders as their No. 5 man in place of a demoted and struggling Ervin Santana. Bartolo Colon is the team's lone two-start pitcher.
Los Angeles Dodgers: With his 8-6 win over the Mets, RHP Brad Penny became the first starting pitcher to open a season 12-1 for the Dodgers since the franchise moved to Los Angeles in 1958. Penny's only loss was a 9-1 interleague drubbing by the Angels on May 18 in Anaheim, Calif. LHP Randy Wolf, on the 15-day DL because of shoulder soreness, will throw off the mound Friday and is scheduled for a 60-pitch bullpen session Sunday. Wolf is then expected to make a rehab start next week. "He has no pain and we're focused on building his arm strength," Dodgers trainer Stan Conte said. LHP Hong-Chih Kuo, also on the DL because of left elbow inflammation, threw Thursday and might get on the mound soon, Conte said. Neither will be an option to pitch in place of Mark Hendrickson or Brett Tomko (or Sunday spot starter Eric Stults). Chad Billingsley and Hendrickson are two-start pitchers.
Milwaukee Brewers: They have a doubleheader Saturday at St. Louis, which will require a six-man rotation. Yovani Gallardo is already in the rotation for Ben Sheets (finger) and will be a two-start pitcher. Another two-start pitcher Chris Capuano will also pitch in the doubleheader. The other game will likely be started by rookie Manny Parra out of the bullpen. Consider him a sleeper in deeper NL-only leagues for the spot start.
Minnesota Twins: Johan Santana wasn't worried about how his arm would respond to a season-high 118 pitches in Wednesday's game. "In the last inning, I think everybody saw how I felt," he said. "I felt good from the first to the last pitch." He is a must-start two-start pitcher in all leagues. Despite an off day Thursday, the Twins likely won't skip anyone, meaning Scott Baker will have to wait a week to be a two-start pitcher.
New York Mets: A doubleheader next Saturday will necessitate a six-man rotation, which means Mike Pelfrey is likely to get a spot start. Consider the 0-7 rookie a one-start sleeper in deeper NL-only leagues. By the way, there's no specific return date set for RHP Pedro Martinez, who had rotator cuff surgery last fall and is two strikeouts shy of 3,000 for his career. "It's his body. He's going to give us feedback as far as when he's ready," general manager Omar Minaya said. "When you're dealing with injury, there's no specific time. I'm confident he'll pitch again." Struggling John Maine is an advisable two-start pitcher in all leagues.
New York Yankees: With RHPs Jeff Karstens (right elbow) and Phil Hughes (left hamstring) on their way back, manager Joe Torre acknowledged this Thursday is a crucial start for the struggling Kei Igawa. Hughes could return the next time Igawa's turn comes up. Consider taking an early flier on him, but don't use him in Fantasy Week 17 (July 23-29). Roger Clemens and Chien-Ming Wang are must-start two-start pitchers in all leagues.
Oakland Athletics: LHP Dallas Braden, Sunday's starter, is in his fourth stint with the A's this season. After winning his major league debut at Baltimore on April 24, he has lost four consecutive decisions. He and two-start pitchers Chad Gaudin and Lenny DiNardo will remain in the rotation for the foreseeable future. Use them at your own risk in deeper leagues.
Philadelphia Phillies: Kyle Kendrick won't be skipped after Monday's day off, so he will be a two-start sleeper in deeper leagues. He's the Phillies' long two-start pitcher this week.
Pittsburgh Pirates: The Pirates have switched off RHP John Van Benschoten to start LHP Shane Youman on Sunday. Van Benschoten won't start again until Friday in Philadelphia so he can work on flaws in his delivery the Pirates believe they have discovered. Van Benschoten gave up 14 runs and 13 hits in a combined 4 2/3 innings in his past two starts, against the Rockies and Cubs. LHP Zach Duke, who hasn't pitched since June 28 because of left elbow pain, will start light throwing Monday at the Pirates' spring training complex in Bradenton, Fla. Duke was told by multiple doctors he doesn't need surgery, but his return to the team is uncertain. Ian Snell is the team's lone two-start pitcher this week.
San Diego Padres: RHP Greg Maddux was given a clean bill of health after being removed from Wednesday night's start against the Mets when he felt a tweak in his hamstring. "I knew it would be fine," said Maddux, who pitched five shutout innings in the Padres' 5-4 win over the Mets. "You just don't want to take a chance." Maddux had thrown just 65 pitches -- 49 for strikes -- and allowed four singles when he told manager Bud Black he was tired and had felt something in his left hamstring. Maddux, who received a no-decision after the bullpen blew a 4-0 lead, was going for his 341st career win. "He'll make his next start," Padres manager Bud Black said. Maddux and Chris R. Young are two-start pitchers. David Wells gets one start amid an appeal of his seven-game suspension, but he could drop his appeal after his start and sit out three games over the weekend and then four games after a day off Monday. Start Wells only in deeper leagues.
San Francisco Giants: RHP Tim Lincecum did not allow the Milwaukee Brewers to get past first base in pitching eight shutout innings Saturday, and only has given up one run in 14 1/3 innings over his past two starts. "I was just feeding off my last start," Lincecum said of his outing Saturday. The Giants went 3-6 in Lincecum's first nine starts, but are 4-1 in his past five. Matt Cain and Matt Morris are the team's two-start pitchers.
Seattle Mariners: Manager John McLaren had RHP Felix Hernandez remain on regular rest, having him start Sunday instead of having a two-start week in Fantasy Week 17 (July 23-29). A doubleheader necessitates a six-man rotation and Ryan Feierabend is the likely spot starter Tuesday. Consider him only in real deep AL Fantasy formats. Horacio Ramirez and Jarrod Washburn are two-start pitcher options in deeper leagues.
St. Louis Cardinals: Even though the Cubs have the NL's worst record against left-handers, Mike Maroth's recent struggles could keep him out of the rotation. Manager Tony La Russa described Maroth, who is 0-3 with an 11.00 ERA and seven homers allowed in his past four starts, as being "in a funk right now." He will have to start because a doubleheader Saturday necessitates a six-man rotation. The Cardinals other starter is TBD. Anthony Reyes is a possibility, but the Cardinals had said he would remain in Triple-A through the end of August to work out the kinks. Due to Monday's day off, recently restored starter Kip Wells is the team's lone two-start pitcher.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays: RHP Jason Hammel was sent down to Triple-A Durham after he allowed two runs and three hits over four innings during the Yankees' 7-3 victory in the first game of a doubleheader. It was the first start of the season for Hammel, who had made 10 relief appearances this year. "I want to see him start," manager Joe Maddon said. "I see the confidence coming along. He could really take off." J.P. Howell will likely serve as the team's No. 5 starter. Scott Kazmir is the lone two-start pitcher this week, because of an off day Monday.
Texas Rangers: LHP John Rheinecker will be called up from Triple-A Oklahoma by Texas to start the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against Seattle. It will be a one-shot deal at this point, so consider him high-risk for the deepest of AL-only leagues. With Thursday's day off, Kevin Millwood will be the team's lone two-start pitcher. By the way, RHP Vicente Padilla, who hadn't thrown off a mound since a minor league start for Double-A Frisco on July 12, will have a two-inning start for Frisco on Tuesday. "If we can get him through a couple of starts, we can bump the pitch count up," pitching coach Mark Connor said. "We want him to start at 30-35 pitches." Padilla is about 10 days away from rejoining the rotation.
Toronto Blue Jays: RHP A.J. Burnett (sore shoulder) threw a bullpen session this weekend and reported no pain. He is expected to throw in a simulated game before beginning a minor league rehab stint. Also, manager John Gibbons said LHP Gustavo Chacin (sore shoulder) is almost ready to begin a rehab assignment with Class A Dunedin. With a day off Thursday, Shaun Marcum will be the team's lone two-start pitcher.
Washington Nationals: RHP Jason Simontacchi (6-7, 6.37 ERA) was placed on the 15-day DL with tendinitis in his right elbow and LHP Billy Traber will get another start, manager Manny Acta said. Traber (2-1, 4.20 ERA) took the loss as a fill-in starter Friday against Colorado after allowing two runs, one earned, and three hits in four innings. Because the Nationals don't play Monday, Traber likely won't start until next weekend's series against the Mets. A doubleheader necessitates a six-man rotation, but whatever scrub the Nationals resort to against the Mets should be ignored in all leagues -- unless it's elite prospect Collin Balester (very unlikely). Jason Bergmann is the team's lone two-start pitcher.
Fantasy Week 17 (July 23-29)
| This week's matchups | |||
| AL early | NL early | AL late | NL late |
| BOS@CLE | MIL@CIN | MIN@CLE | CHC@CIN |
| MIN@TOR | LAD@HOU | TEX@KC | LAD@COL |
| NYY@KC | SD@COL | NYY@BAL | SD@HOU |
| OAK@LAA | FLA@ARI | OAK@SEA | FLA@SF |
| TB@BAL | ATL@SF | BOS@TB | ATL@ARI |
| DET@CHW | WAS@PHI | TOR@CHW | PIT@PHI |
| SEA@TEX | CHC@STL | DET@LAA | MIL@STL |
| PIT@NYM | WAS@NYM | ||
| Bold indicates a four-game series. | |||
| The Tigers and White Sox play a doubleheader Tuesday, as do the Mariners and Rangers. On Saturday, the Brewers and Cardinals play a doubleheader, as do the Mets and Nationals. That gives the White Sox, Tigers, Mariners and Brewers eight games this week. The Tigers and White Sox actually play a five-game series. | |||
| The following teams play seven games this week: Arizona, Atlanta, Boston, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Colorado, Florida, Houston, Kansas City, L.A. Dodgers, N.Y. Mets, N.Y. Yankees, Oakland, San Diego, San Francisco, St. Louis, Texas and Washington. | |||
Two-start pitchers
| This week's two-start pitchers | ||
| Must-start options | ||
| Johan Santana | at TOR Marcum | at CLE Sabathia |
| Carlos Zambrano | at STL Wells | at CIN Belisle |
| Daisuke Matsuzaka | at CLE Sabathia | at TB Kazmir |
| Chris R. Young | at COL Jimenez | at HOU Jennings |
| Jeremy Bonderman | at CHW Vazquez | at LAA Colon |
| C.C. Sabathia | vs. BOS Matsuzaka | vs. MIN Santana |
| Aaron Harang | vs. MIL Capuano | vs. CHC Marshall |
| Chien-Ming Wang | at KC Elarton | at BAL Cabrera |
| Tim Hudson | at SF Morris | at ARI Hernandez |
| John Maine | vs. PIT Snell | vs. WAS Bergmann |
| Scott Kazmir | at BAL Cabrera | vs. BOS Matsuzaka |
| Roger Clemens | at KC Perez | at BAL Burres? |
| Mark Buehrle | vs. DET Miller | vs. TOR Halladay |
| John Smoltz | at SF Cain | at ARI Davis |
| Matt Cain | vs. ATL Smoltz | vs. FLA Willis |
| Yovani Gallardo | at CIN Belisle | at STL Wells |
| Andrew M. Miller | at CHW Buehrle | at LAA Saunders |
| Advisable options | ||
| Javier Vazquez | vs. DET Bonderman | vs. TOR Marcum |
| Dontrelle Willis | at ARI Davis | at SF Cain |
| Ian Snell | at NYM Maine | at PHI Kendrick |
| Chad Billingsley | at HOU Sampson | at COL Francis |
| Jeff Francis | vs. SD Maddux | vs. LAD Billingsley |
| Chad Gaudin | at LAA Colon | at SEA Ramirez |
| Chris Capuano | at CIN Harang | at STL Maroth |
| Greg Maddux | at COL Francis | at HOU Sampson |
| Bartolo Colon | vs. OAK Gaudin | vs. DET Bonderman |
| Kevin Millwood | vs. SEA Ramirez | at KC Elarton |
| Sergio Mitre | at ARI Hernandez | at SF Morris |
| Jon Lester | at CLE Westbrook | at TB Howell |
| Questionable options | ||
| Shaun Marcum | vs. MIN Santana | at CHW Vazquez |
| Matt Morris | vs. ATL Hudson | vs. FLA Mitre |
| Daniel Cabrera | vs. TB Kazmir | vs. NYY Wang |
| Jarrod Washburn | at TEX Loe | vs. OAK DiNardo |
| Jake Westbrook | vs. BOS Lester | vs. MIN Garza |
| Jason Jennings | vs. LAD Hendrickson | vs. SD Young |
| Doug Davis | vs. FLA Willis | vs. ATL Smoltz |
| Kyle Kendrick | vs. WAS Bergmann | vs. PIT Snell |
| Chris Sampson | vs. LAD Billingsley | vs. SD Maddux |
| Horacio Ramirez | at TEX Millwood | vs. OAK Gaudin |
| High-risk options | ||
| Livan Hernandez | vs. FLA Mitre | vs. ATL Hudson |
| Matt Belisle | vs. MIL Gallardo | vs. CHC Zambrano |
| Lenny DiNardo | at LAA Escobar | at SEA Washburn |
| Jason Bergmann | at PHI Kendrick | at NYM Maine |
| Mark Hendrickson | at HOU Jennings | at COL Jimenez |
| Kip Wells | vs. CHC Zambrano | vs. MIL Gallardo |
| Odalis Perez | vs. NYY Clemens | vs. TEX Tejeda |
| Ubaldo Jimenez | vs. SD Young | vs. LAD Hendrickson |
| Scott Elarton | vs. NYY Wang | vs. TEX Millwood |
Pitch a question
Tim Koehler, St. Louis: Which two of the remaining four starting pitchers should I start in Week 17: Tim Lincecum, Rich Hill, Jeremy Guthrie or Jered Weaver?
Emack: Lincecum is too hot to sit. We would also go with Weaver, but his matchup is tough. Hill and the Cubs should be able to win at Cincy. Go with Lincecum and Hill.
Pete Ritchey, San Diego: My starting pitching is pretty well set most weeks with Erik Bedard, Tim Hudson, John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar. It is my fifth starting pitcher who occasionally gives me trouble. In the upcoming scoring period, I have to choose between James Shields (vs. BOS), Dave Bush (at CIN) and Brian Bannister (vs. TEX). It is a 16-team league, so there isn't much available on the waiver wire right now. Is there a clear-cut guy among these three I should start?
Emack: We would avoid Shields in that matchup, especially after he was shelled Sunday. Go with Bush because the Brewers should be able to win at Cincy. Sometimes you're not just picking the starter, you're actually picking against their opponent(s).
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.
