We go around baseball's pitching staffs and Fantasy's two-start pitcher options every Sunday of the season in the weekly Pitching Planner.
Staff reflections
Arizona Diamondbacks: Randy Johnson is a two-start pitcher with a tough matchup vs. Chicago (Rich Harden) and a favorable one at San Francisco (Barry Zito). ... Micah Owings, Doug Davis, Dan Haren and Brandon Webb follow as one-start pitchers in the six-game week. ... Elite prospect Max Scherzer (shoulder) remains inactive in the minors and might not be able to help Fantasy owners in the second half at this point. If you are waiting on Scherzer still and Francisco Liriano, David Price or even Clayton Kershaw are available, it is certainly time to shift gears to one of those elite lefties.
Atlanta Braves: Jorge Campillo (foot) is slated to be a two-start pitcher with two real tough matchups at Florida and Philly. ... Charlie Morton, Tim Hudson, Jair Jurrjens and Jo-Jo Reyes follow as one-start pitchers in the six-game week. ... Tom Glavine threw off the bullpen mound for the first time since landing on the disabled list in early June because of a strained left elbow, and said he was encouraged by his work. Glavine said he threw about 40 pitches at about 60 percent effort and said "it went all right." He said he tried all his pitches. Glavine and Mike Hampton (pectoral, groin, shoulder, elbow and hamstrings) are nothing more than August returnees at best at this point. We don't think you can expect much from them down the stretch right now. ... Rafael Soriano (elbow) is returning this week, but we expect Mike Gonzalez to remain the primary closer in the second half. Soriano is talented enough to get the Braves to change their minds, though.
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| Player | % Change | |
| 1. | Jonathan Broxton, RP, LAD | 40 |
| 2. | Jaime Garcia, SP, STL | 19 |
| 3. | Gio Gonzalez, SP, OAK | 18 |
| 4. | Joe Blanton, SP, PHI | 14 |
| 5. | Chris Volstad, SP, FLA | 14 |
| 6. | Paul Maholm, SP, PIT | 14 |
| 7. | Shaun Marcum, SP, TOR | 12 |
| 8. | Sean Gallagher, SP, OAK | 12 |
| 9. | Glen Perkins, SP, MIN | 11 |
| 10. | Mike Pelfrey, SP, NYM | 10 |
Baltimore Orioles: Radhames Liz and Garrett Olson are a pair of rookie two-start pitchers againt the Blue Jays and Angels this week. ... Jeremy Guthrie, Daniel Cabrera and Brian Burres follow as one-start options in the seven-game week. ... Lefty Adam Loewen has abandoned his career as a pitcher because of a stress fracture in his left elbow, the same injury that sidelined him last season and twice put him on the disabled list this year. Loewen, 24, intends to return to the majors as an outfielder, so therefore cut and ignore him in all leagues for at least two years. This isn't the next Rick Ankiel, despite his hopes. ... If you're looking for a pitching prospect call-up in the second half with the Orioles, it has to be 20-year-old Chris Tillman (7-3, 2.94 in Double-A). He was one of the pieces of the Erik Bedard trade and was popping the glove at 100 mph in major league spring training. ... Jake Arrieta (6-5, 3.06 in high Class A) is also an elite prospect, but he will be spending the month of August with Team USA in the Beijing Olympic Games. Consider him nothing more than a potential September call-up if he proves effective in the world spotlight.
Boston Red Sox: Jon Lester is a two-start pitcher at Seattle and vs. the Yankees. ... Daisuke Matsuzaka, Clay Buchholz, Josh Beckett and Tim Wakefield follow as one-start pitchers in the six-game week. ... Buchholz's poor return to the rotation could speed up Bartolo Colon's (back) return from the DL before August now. Track Colon's news in the coming weeks, because he has sleeper potential for all Fantasy leagues if he can prove healthy and effective down the stretch. ... Converted reliever Justin Masterson could be ready to return as a setup man for Jonathan Papelbon by this weekend's series vs. the Yankees.
Chicago Cubs: Rich Harden and Jason Marquis are two-start pitchers. Harden is mostly a five-inning pitcher, but his strikeout rate makes him a must-start in all leagues on a regular basis. Marquis is obviously less of a sure thing and could pitch himself into trade bait or the bullpen in the second half. ... Ted Lilly, ace Carlos Zambrano and All Star Ryan Dempster follow as one-start pitchers in the seven-game week. ... Rich Hill is still getting abused in Class A, so the Cubs' second-half replacement starter options are long relievers Sean Marshall, Chad Gaudin and elite pitching prospects Jeff Samardzija and Donald Veal. Yeah, the Cubs are loaded with pitching depth. We don't see a reason to be praying for Hill to make an impact in the second half.
Chicago White Sox: Javier Vazquez gets two starts at home, but against two top offenses in the Rangers and Tigers. ... Jose Contreras (elbow) was placed on the DL this weekend and doesn't figure to get a start this week. Although he can return next weekend, the White Sox will go with a bullpen game led by Nick Masset and D.J. Carrasco on Tuesday and then can skip the No. 5 starter's spot until July 29 at Minnesota. We think that is the probable return date for Contreras. ... Masset and Carrasco are nothing more than extended relievers this week in a spot capacity. ... Mark Buehrle, Gavin Floyd and John Danks follow as one-start pitchers in the six-game week.
Cincinnati Reds: Homer Bailey starts Monday and could be a two-start pitcher, but we expect him to go the minors after the game. ... Aaron Harang (elbow) is eligible to return for the July 25-27 series vs. Colorado and at the very least, the Reds can skip Bailey's turn after a Thursday offday. ... Harang is too risky to use in Fantasy Week 17 (July 21-27), despite the expectation he would be ready to return to the rotation when first eligible (Friday). ... Johnny Cueto, Bronson Arroyo, Josh Fogg and Edinson Volquez are each likely to see a start in the six-game week.
Cleveland Indians: Paul Byrd is slated to be a two-start pitcher, but the potential return of Fausto Carmona (hip) could impact him, perhaps. We think Byrd does get his two starts at Anaheim and vs. the Twins, not great matchups because they are contenders. ... Matt Ginter auditions for the No. 5 starter's spot Tuesday. We think it is his following turn when Carmona comes off the DL, although Jeremy Sowers' July 25 spot is a possibility, too. Consider Ginter a certain one-start option for deeper AL-only leagues, but Sowers and Carmona are questionable options, barring an official announcement by the Indians before your roster deadline. ... Carmona said after his Saturday rehab outing he is ready to return to the majors Friday, but the cautious, out-of-contention Indians can choose to give him one more rehab start while they evaluate Ginter and Sowers at the back end of their rotation. ... Aaron Laffey and ace Cliff Lee are certain to see a start in Fantasy Week 17 (July 21-27).
Colorado Rockies: Kip Wells (hand) is slated to return from the DL on Monday and could be a two-start pitcher, but ace Jeff Francis (shoulder) is making a rehab start Monday and could take Wells' rotation spot or at least push him back over the weekend. ... Wells is a high-risk starter for the deepest of NL-only leagues, while Francis is too risky to use in any formats in Fantasy Week 17 (July 21-27). ... Ubaldo Jimenez, Glendon Rusch, Jorge De La Rosa and All Star Aaron Cook are likely one-start pitchers in the six-game week. ... Wells, Rusch and De La Rosa will likely compete against each other for the two spots behind Cook, Francis and Jimenez. De La Rosa was great his last start Saturday, which is the only reason we think he gets one more look Friday. The Rockies could skip that turn after a Thursday offday and move up Cook and then slot Francis, if they so choose.
Detroit Tigers: Zach Miner slots as the Tigers' No. 5 starter Monday and could be in line for a two-start week, but we have to figure the Thursday offday will allow the Tigers to pitch Kenny Rogers on Tuesday and then Sunday vs. the first-place White Sox. That is a real important game for the Tigers, making it unlikely they trust their temporary No. 5 starter in that spot. Consider Miner a sleeper for deeper leagues and Rogers a two-start sleeper. ... Armando Galarraga, Nate Robertson and Justin Verlander are certain one-start pitchers in the six-game week.
Florida Marlins: Chris Volstad is a two-start sleeper for deeper leagues vs. the Braves and at the Cubs. Long term he is an elite pitching prospect and he can be a winner for the upstart and offensively potent Marlins in the second half. ... A TBD Tuesday and Sunday is on the slate for the Marlins, who don't figure to get the return of one-time prospect and shoulder surgery returnee Anibal Sanchez before July 28 vs. the Mets. ... Mark Hendrickson or Doug Waechter figure to be the leading candidates to make those spot starts.
Houston Astros: Runelvys Hernandez returns to the Astros' rotation Monday for a potential two-start week. ... Roy Oswalt (hip) was placed on the 15-day DL and won't be able to return until July 28 at the earliest. ... Oswalt's spot Tuesday is a TBD, which MLB.com reports could be given to Jack Cassel for a spot start. Consider Cassel nothing more than a high-risk option for the deepest of NL-only leagues. ... Brian Moehler, Wandy Rodriguez and Brandon Backe are certain one-start options in the six-game week.
Kansas City Royals: Luke Hochevar and Kyle Davies are two-start pitchers better left for deeper leagues with matchups vs. the Tigers and Rays. ... Zack Greinke, Gil Meche and Brian Bannister follow as one-start pitchers in the seven-game week.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Ervin Santana is a must-start, two-start pitcher vs.Cleveland and at Baltimore. ... Jered Weaver, John Lackey, Joe Saunders and Jon Garland follow as one-start pitchers in the six-game week. Wow, this is a loaded rotation. All these starters are decent options in all leagues in all matchups.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Eric Stults slots Monday and is a probable two-start pitcher, one better left for deeper leagues, especially since he will start at Colorado's Coors Field before returning home for a favorable start Sunday vs. Washington. ... Jason M. Johnson has been called up to be the No. 5 starter, so Chan Ho Park heads back to long relief. Consider the journeyman Johnson a sleeper in deeper NL-only formats right now. ... Hiroki Kuroda, Chad Billingsley and Derek Lowe are one-start pitchers in the six-game week. ... Brad Penny (shoulder) won't return this week, and maybe not even next at this point. ... Also, Jason Schmidt (shoulder) had another setback on his rehab assignment and might not be able to return as a starter at all this season now. ... Meanwhile, Clayton Kershaw continues to dazzle in Double-A and should be considered an August returnee at this point. Jump back on his bandwagon in deeper formats, especially NL-only and long-term keeper leagues.
Milwaukee Brewers: Seth McClung starts Monday as the De facto No. 5 starter to open the second half, but the DL return of Jeff Suppan (shoulder) on Tuesday leads the Brewers to do an unprecented platoon No. 5 starter behind CC Sabathia, Ben Sheets, Manny Parra and Suppan. ... McClung gets the start(s) on the road (this one at St. Louis) because his ERA is more than 1.5 runs better away from Milwaukee (4.95 ERA at home and 3.28 ERA on the road). ... Bush, who was scorching hot before the break, is 4-2 with a 2.49 ERA and a .208 batting-average against at home and just 1-6 with a 6.95 ERA and a .276 BAA on the road. Bush figures to start Saturday at home vs. the Astros, so use him with confidence in deeper leagues. If not for Bush's awful numbers on the road, McClung would be working in long relief. Manager Ned Yost will go with the newfangled platoon for now. ... With a six-man rotation this week, Suppan is the Brewers' lone two-start pitcher in the seven-game week. McClung, Sabathia, Sheets, Parra and Bush each figure to see one start.
Minnesota Twins: Nick Blackburn is tentatively slated to be a two-start pitcher at the Yankees and Indians. ... Kevin Slowey, Glen Perkins, Livan Hernadez (barring a trade) and Scott Baker will be one-start options in the six-game week. ... Hernandez saved his rotation spot with a solid post-break start amid Francisco Liriano's sick dominance in Triple-A. Hernandez could be trade bait as Liriano scorches and his agent fights a grievance against the Twins over service time. ... Liriano is a must-own in all leagues with reserves, because his return to Minnesota cannot be far away. Heck, a six-man rotation is a possibility, especially with the youth in the Twins' rotation.
New York Mets: Johan Santana is a must-start, two-start pitcher, of course. Consider his post-break return start a rare bad one. He should be fine to use this week, despite a pair of tough matchups vs. the Phillies and Cardinals. ... John Maine, Oliver Perez, Mike Pelfrey and Pedro Martinez (shoulder) figure to follow as one-start options in the six-game week. ... Orlando Hernandez (foot) had a setback on his rehab assignment and now won't be a factor in the majors until mid-August, if at all.
New York Yankees: Sidney Ponson is a likely two-start pitcher vs. the Twins and at Boston (dangerous). ... Darrell Rasner, Mike Mussina, Joba Chamberlain and Andy Pettitte follow as one-start options in the six-game week. ... Ian Kennedy might not be long from a return to the Yankees rotation and he might even get the call on Ponson's or more likely Rasner's next turn. Kennedy allowed just three hits and one run in seven innings last time out in Triple-A. ... While Kennedy might return before August, Carl Pavano (Tommy John elbow surgery) or Phil Hughes won't return before late August.
Oakland Athletics: Dana Eveland is a two-start pitcher with tough matchups at Tampa Bay and vs. Texas. ... Long reliever Dallas Braden takes Joe Blanton's rotation spot for now and will start Tuesday. Braden was hot in Triple-A before the Rich Harden trade, which led to Braden's call-up to take Chad Gaudin's long relief spot on the roster. Confused? Yeah, the A's are mixing and matching their young pitchers as they trade off the veteran assets. ... Gio Gonzalez is the prospect to watch in Triple-A right now for potentially big rewards in Fantasy in the second half. He is a strikeout-per-inning arm with great long-term potential. ... Futures Game stars Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson are the righty-lefty aces of Team USA for the Beijing Olympic Games. Watch them there for sure, but that means they won't be candidates for call-ups until September at this point. Cahill and Anderson are big, big-time prospects and potential 2009 rookie aces. Cahill is the favorite long term of the Terrific Trio by yours truly, while Gonzalez is more capable of making a Fantasy splash down the stretch of this season.
Philadelphia Phillies: Joe Blanton makes his NL debut as a two-start pitcher at the Mets and vs. the Braves -- two tough matchups -- but the offensively potent Phillies give him a chance to win every time out in the second half. ... Brett Myers also returns to the rotation Wednesday, making him a sleeper in any league again in the second half. He regained his confidence in the minors through the All-Star break. ... Jamie Moyer, likely Kyle Kendrick and Cole Hamels are one-start pitchers this week. ... Adam Eaton appears to be the odd man out of the rotation for now with Blanton's arrival and Myers' return. We think it is possible the Phillies will consider slotting the struggling Eaton over Kendrick, though, in the second half.
Pittsburgh Pirates: John Van Benschoten is expected to be recalled as the Pirates' No. 5 starter Monday, which makes him a potential two-start pitcher -- a high-risk one -- along with Paul Maholm (at Houton and vs. the Padres). ... Ian Snell, struggling Yoslan Herrera and Zach Duke figure to be one-start pitchers in the seven-game week. ... Herrera is on thin ice right now, though, and shouldn't be trusted in any Fantasy league.
San Diego Padres: Josh Banks and Jake Peavy are two-start pitchers in the seven-game week, followed by one-starters Greg Maddux, Randy Wolf and Cha Seung Baek. ... Banks and Baek will be pitching for their rotation spot as Chris Young (nose) works his way back on a rehab assignment. Don't consider Young a candidate to return this week.
San Francisco Giants: Barry Zito is a two-start pitcher worth taking the risk on in deeper leagues vs. the offensively challenged Nationals and D-Backs. ... Kevin Correia, Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez and Tim Lincecum follow as one-start pitchers in the six-game week.
Seattle Mariners: Jarrod Washburn is a two-start pitcher, while R.A. Dickey could also pick up a second start if the Mariners decide to skip No. 5 starter Miguel Batista on Friday after a Thursday offday. We don't forsee that happening, but we also don't think you should be trusting Dickey in most leagues anyway. ... Dickey, Hernandez, Batista (maybe) and Carlos Silva are likely one-start options in the six-game week. ... Erik Bedard (back) won't return before August at this point, which makes him unlikely to be traded before the end of the season now. Stash him in any league with DL or ample reserve spots. He doesn't stink, he just cannot stay healthy.
St. Louis Cardinals: Joel Pineiro and Kyle Lohse are two-start pitchers with tough matchups vs. the Brewers and at the Mets. ... Braden Looper, Todd Wellemeyer and Jaime Garcia are one-start pitchers in the seven-game week.
Tampa Bay Rays: Scott Kazmir and Andy Sonnanstine are two-start pitchers with very favorable matchups vs. Oakland and at Kansas City. Use them in any leagues. ... James Shields, Matt Garza and Edwin Jackson are one-start pitchers in the seven-game week.
Texas Rangers: Eric Hurley is a two-start pitcher best left for deeper leagues. ... Fellow rookie Luis Mendoza, ace Kevin Millwood, rookie Matt Harrison and Vicente Padilla figure to follow as one-start pitchers in the six-game week. ... Brandon McCarthy (elbow) has begun a rehab assignment and is a potential impact pitcher come August now, especially when you consider the elite offensive run support the Rangers can provide. He is talented if he can prove healthy and effective on his rehab assignment in the coming weeks.
Toronto Blue Jays: Jesse Litsch and DL returnee Shaun Marcum (elbow) are two-start pitchers with favorable starts at Baltimore and vs. Seattle. ... A.J. Burnett, Roy Halladay and No. 5 starter John Parrish are likely to follow as one-start options in the seven-game week.
Washington Nationals: Jason Bergmann is a two-start pitcher best left for the deepest of NL-only leagues. ... Collin Balester, Tim Redding, John Lannan and Odalis Perez follow as one-start options in the six-game week.
Fantasy Week 17 (July 21-27)
| Must-start options | ||
| Pitcher | Start No. 1 | Start No. 2 |
| Johan Santana | vs PHI Blanton | vs STL Lohse |
| Scott Kazmir | vs OAK Eveland | at KC Hochevar |
| Jake Peavy | at CIN Cueto | at PIT Maholm |
| Rich Harden | at ARI Johnson | vs FLA Volstad |
| Kyle Lohse | vs MIL Suppan | at NYM Santana |
| Ervin Santana | vs CLE Byrd | at BAL Olson |
| Advisable options | ||
| Pitcher | Start No. 1 | Start No. 2 |
| Jon Lester | at SEA Washburn | vs NYY Ponson |
| Javier Vazquez | vs TEX Hurley | at DET Rogers |
| Randy Johnson | vs CHC Harden | at SF Zito |
| Andy Sonnanstine | vs OAK Braden | at KC Davies |
| Joe Blanton | at NYM Santana | vs ATL Campillo |
| Dana Eveland | at TB Kazmir | vs TEX Hurley |
| Nick Blackburn | at NYY Ponson | at CLE Byrd |
| Shaun Marcum | at BAL Olson | vs SEA Washburn |
| Jesse Litsch | at BAL Liz | vs SEA Silva |
| Questionable options | ||
| Pitcher | Start No. 1 | Start No. 2 |
| Kenny Rogers? | at KC Davies | vs CHW Vazquez |
| Barry Zito | vs WAS Bergmann | vs ARI Johnson |
| Chris Volstad | vs ATL Campillo | at CHC Harden |
| Paul Maholm | at HOU Cassel? | vs SD Peavy |
| Jason Marquis | at ARI Owings | vs FLA Hendrickson? |
| Jorge Campillo | at FLA Volstad | at PHI Blanton |
| Jarrod Washburn | vs BOS Lester | at TOR Marcum |
| Jason Bergmann | at SF Zito | at LAD Stults |
| Sidney Ponson | vs MIN Blackburn | at BOS Lester |
| Joel Pineiro | vs MIL McClung | at NYM Martinez |
| Luke Hochevar | vs DET Miner | vs TB Kazmir |
| Josh Banks | at CIN Bailey | at PIT Van Benschoten |
| Garrett Olson | vs TOR Marcum | vs LAA Santana |
| Jeff Suppan | at STL Lohse | vs HOU Hernandez |
| Paul Byrd | at LAA Santana | vs MIN Blackburn |
| High-risk options | ||
| Pitcher | Start No. 1 | Start No. 2 |
| Eric Stults | at COL Wells | vs WAS Bergmann |
| Kyle Davies | vs DET Rogers | vs TB Sonnanstine |
| Radhames Liz | vs TOR Litsch | vs LAA Garland |
| Eric Hurley | at CHW Vazquez | at OAK Eveland |
| John Van Benschoten | at HOU Hernandez | vs SD Banks |
| Runelvys Hernandez | vs PIT Van Benschoten | at MIL Suppan |
| Mark Hendrickson? | vs ATL Morton | at CHC Marquis |
Pitch a question
Pastor Joe Scott: I have Brandon Webb and Tim Lincecum on my team. They play each other this week. Should I start one or the other or both, knowing for sure I am getting a victory and a loss. I am in a Head-to-Head league.
Emack: Webb and Lincecum are must-starts in all leagues in all weeks, regardless of the matchups. It doesn't matter that they are facing each other. You are not guaranteed a victory and a loss. You could get two no-decisions. The only guarantee is you will not get two victories, but Webb and Lincecum are consistently dominant to pitch well and score a lot of Fantasy points even in a loss.
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 cannot guarantee personal responses to all questions.
