We go around baseball's pitching staffs and Fantasy Baseball's two-start pitchers every Sunday of the season in our weekly Pitching Planner.
Staff reflections
Arizona Diamondbacks: All five starters will work in succession, including high-risk two-start pitcher Byung-Hyun Kim.
Atlanta Braves: All five starters will work in succession, including must-start two-start pitcher John Smoltz.
Baltimore Orioles: The Orioles recalled LHP Garrett Olson from Triple-A Norfolk to rejoin the rotation. "I don't think it's an audition. He'll get the opportunity to start on a regular basis and get his foot in the door for next year," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. He could have been a candidate to skip this week and get Daniel Cabrera a second start. As it is, upstart rookie Jeremy Guthrie will be the O's lone two-start pitcher.
Boston Red Sox: A doubleheader Friday necessitates a six-man rotation, because the Red Sox said they won't start both Josh Beckett and Curt Schilling on that date, despite Monday's day off that allows it. Tim Wakefield will be a two-start pitcher, while Jon Lester won't be a two-start because they will push Schilling to Saturday. Reports say Clay Buchholz could be a candidate to spot start Friday, which could be an audition for a rotation spot if Lester struggles again. Take a flier on Buchholz in all AL-only and long-term keeper leagues immediately. He has solid mixed-league value if Lester does struggle and Buchholz does get the call. A great outing would make it tough for them to stick with Lester.
Chicago Cubs: All five starters will work in succession, including must-start two-start pitcher Carlos Zambrano.
Chicago White Sox: Gavin Floyd was tagged for seven runs and seven hits in four innings Saturday. He had two strikeouts and one walk. Floyd's ERA is 8.51 in four starts and two relief appearances this season. Jose Contreras pitched five scoreless innings in relief for him and White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen will make a decision soon on whether Contreras will replace Floyd in the starting rotation. "We are going to meet with (GM Ken Williams) and (pitching coach Don Cooper) and figure out what to do with those two guys," Guillen said. "One of the reasons we put Jose in the bullpen was to refresh his mind and his body, and he's been throwing well." Our Probable Pitchers report lists Floyd as the starter, but it very well could be Contreras. Consider either of them too risky to start.
Cincinnati Reds: RHP Matt Belisle was "disappointed" about being optioned to Triple-A Louisville, manager Pete Mackanin said. Belisle was 6-8 overall and 1-4 in his past 12 starts. Opposing batters were hitting .308 against him this season. "He's got the stuff to be successful," Mackanin said. "He can't make as many mistakes as he's been making. It's all about command." The Reds are off Monday, which means they won't need a fifth starter until Saturday at Milwaukee. The starter for that day won't be Belisle unless a player is placed on the DL. Homer Bailey (groin), on the Triple-A DL, is headed to the minor league complex to begin a throwing program, but he won't be an option to be the No. 5 starter. The Reds' next top pitching prospect, Johnny Cueto, is a candidate perhaps, because he is red hot in Triple-A and will be able to pitch on regular rest. Cueto is an elite prospect worthy of taking a flier on immediately. He has a 2.89 ERA and 130 Ks in 130 1/3 innings between high Class A, Double-A and Triple-A.
Cleveland Indians: With days off Monday and Thursday, the Indians will go with a four-man rotation. That makes C.C. Sabathia a must-start two-start pitcher during the rare five-game work week.
Colorado Rockies: Tim Harikkala took RHP Jason Hirsh's start Sunday against the Cubs, but didn't fair well and might not keep his rotation spot. Taylor Buchholz could be called back out of the bullpen, which makes him an option again in the deepest of NL-only leagues. Hirsh broke his right leg when he was hit by a line drive against Milwaukee on Tuesday. He is likely out for the season.
Detroit Tigers: With Jordan Tata sent down, the Tigers need a No. 5 starter this week. It won't be Andrew Miller (hamstring), who will make a rehab start Wednesday -- hoping that is his only rehab outing. It won't be Kenny Rogers (elbow) either. Rogers will toss Monday and then get a mound session before his recovery heads for a rehab outing. Ignore the Tigers' No. 5 starter, especially because that outing comes at Cleveland. Chad Durbin and Jeremy Bonderman are two-start pitchers working for a contender with a great offense.
Florida Marlins: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitcher Dontrelle Willis.
Houston Astros: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitchers Roy Oswalt and Matt Albers.
Kansas City Royals: All five starters will work in succession, including risky two-start pitchers Odalis Perez and Kyle Davies.
L.A. Angels of Anaheim: A doubleheader Friday against the Red Sox necessitates a six-man rotation. The No. 6 man is TBD right now and should be ignored if it is not top prospect Nick Adenhart in a surprise call-up. Adenhart has lost his past three starts in Double-A, though. Joe Saunders is the team's lone two-start pitcher.
Los Angeles Dodgers: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitchers Chad Billingsley and Brett Tomko.
Milwaukee Brewers: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitcher Chris Capuano.
Minnesota Twins: Despite a day off Thursday, it is unlikely Carlos Silva will be skipped Friday. Johan Santana is a must-start two-start pitcher, while Matt Garza could get a second start if the Twins decided to skip Silva.
New York Mets: All five starters will work in succession, including advisable two-start pitcher Orlando Hernandez.
New York Yankees: Roger Clemens' five-game suspension necessitates a six-man rotation. Jeff Karstens will get a spot start Tuesday and is an option for deeper leagues vs. Baltimore. Chien-Ming Wang will be the team's lone two-start pitcher.
Oakland Athletics: Esteban Loaiza (knee) is a candidate to return from his rehab assignment this week, perhaps Friday in place of struggling Dallas Braden. Ignore both of these risky options even in deeper AL-only leagues at this point. Chad Gaudin and Lenny DiNardo are risky two-start pitchers, too.
Philadelphia Phillies: All five starters will work in succession, including risky two-start pitcher Kyle Lohse.
Pittsburgh Pirates: LHP Zach Duke has thrown a pair of bullpen sessions and reported no setbacks as he recovers from left shoulder tendinitis. There is no timetable for his return. LHP Shane Youman was taken out of the bullpen to start one of the games Monday against the Giants in a makeup doubleheader in Pittsburgh. He threw an extended session to get ready. Paul Maholm, who starts the other doubleheader game, and Ian Snell are two-start pitchers.
San Diego Padres: RHP Chris Young's side was stiff Friday after making his first start Thursday since coming off the DL with a strained oblique. He will make his next start Wednesday, manager Bud Black said. The No. 5 spot is down to Wil Ledezma or Clay Hensley this week. It appears it could be Hensley, who is a sleeper for NL-only leagues. Consider Ledezma too risky to use.
San Francisco Giants: LHP Noah Lowry came out of his Friday throwing session well and will start the second game of Monday's makeup doubleheader at Pittsburgh. "I feel good and I bounced back today after that bullpen," Lowry said. "I'll continue to move forward and get back into action." RHP Russ Ortiz came out of his start Friday with no problems and is on track to take his next turn Wednesday at Atlanta. He was activated Friday from the DL after recovering from a right forearm strain that shelved him for two months. The Monday doubleheader creates a need for a sixth starter and Tuesday's spot man hasn't been named. It could be Scott Atchinson out of the bullpen. Pat Misch cannot be recalled before the end of his 10-day option window -- unless someone goes on the DL. Ignore the Giants' No. 6 starter. Lowry and Matt Cain are two-start pitchers regardless of Tuesday's spot starter.
Seattle Mariners: All five starters will work in succession, including must-start two-start pitcher Felix Hernandez.
St. Louis Cardinals: All five starters will work in succession, including risky two-start pitcher Kip Wells.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitcher James Shields.
Texas Rangers: RHP Kameron Loe will have a rehab start for Double-A Frisco on Monday night. Loe, out since Aug. 4 with back stiffness, had a 24-pitch bullpen session on Saturday and was able to throw pain free. If the rehab start goes well, Loe projects to return to the rotation Saturday. Loe is nothing more than a high-risk starter for the deepest of AL-only leagues when healthy. Don't risk using him in Fantasy Week 20 (Aug. 13-19). Manager Ron Washington said John Rheinecker will move to the bullpen next week, though. He was in the rotation due to injuries to Vicente Padilla and Loe, and both are expected to come off the DL this week. Kevin Millwood is the team's lone two-start pitcher. Kason Gabbard and Brandon McCarthy are the Rangers' other one-start options.
Toronto Blue Jays: Manager John Gibbons said RHP Josh Towers, who is 0-3 with a 7.47 ERA in his past three starts, is going to the bullpen in the revamped Blue Jays rotation with A.J. Burnett coming off the DL on Sunday. RHP Jesse Litsch, who had a 1.71 ERA in five July starts, will start the series finale Monday against the Royals, while RHP Roy Halladay will start Tuesday against the Angels, giving him an extra day of rest between starts with the Blue Jays idle Thursday. Litsch and Halladay are two-start pitchers.
Washington Nationals: RHP Shawn Hill, on the DL since May because of left shoulder and right elbow problems, is scheduled to join the Nationals' rotation this week as a two-start pitcher. He's a talented young arm and a sleeper in deeper leagues -- especially with the double starts.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
Fantasy Week 20 (Aug. 13-19)
| This week's matchups | |||
| AL early | NL early | AL late | NL late |
| TB@BOS | NYM@PIT | CLE@TB | NYM@WAS |
| BAL@NYY | ARI@FLA | BAL@TOR | ARI@ATL |
| DET@CLE | PHI@WAS | DET@NYY | PHI@PIT |
| LAA@TOR | STL@MIL | KC@OAK | STL@CHC |
| MIN@SEA | CIN@CHC | CHW@SEA | CIN@MIL |
| KC@TEX | COL@SD | TEX@MIN | COL@LAD |
| CHW@OAK | HOU@LAD | LAA@BOS | HOU@SD |
| SF@ATL | SF@FLA | ||
| Italics indicates a two-game series. | |||
| Bold indicates a four-game series. | |||
| The Giants will play a doubleheader at Pittsburgh on Monday, Aug. 13, as makeup games from rainouts April 14 and 15. That means both of these teams will have eight games on the docket this week. | |||
| The following teams play seven games this week: Boston, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, L.A. Angels, L.A. Dodgers, N.Y. Yankees, Oakland and Toronto. | |||
| Cleveland plays only five games this week, including a two-game series against Detroit on Tuesday and Wednesday. | |||
Two-start pitchers
| This Week's two-start pitchers | ||
| Must-start options | ||
| Pitcher | Start No. 1 | Start No. 2 |
| Johan Santana | at SEA Hernandez | vs. TEX Millwood |
| Roy Oswalt | at LAD Billingsley | at SD Peavy |
| C.C. Sabathia | vs. DET Bonderman | at TB Shields |
| Felix Hernandez | vs. MIN Santana | vs. CHW Garland |
| Chien-Ming Wang | vs. BAL Guthrie | vs. DET Bonderman |
| Carlos Zambrano | vs. CIN Harang | vs. STL Wells |
| Roy Halladay | vs. LAA Saunders | vs. BAL Guthrie |
| John Smoltz | vs. SF TBD | vs. ARI Kim |
| Advisable options | ||
| Aaron Harang | at CHC Zambrano | at MIL Capuano |
| Jeremy Bonderman | at CLE Sabathia | at NYY Wang |
| Jeff Francis | at SD Maddux | at LAD Tomko |
| Chad Billingsley | vs. HOU Oswalt | vs. COL TBD |
| Matt Cain | at PIT Maholm | at FLA VandenHurk |
| Orlando Hernandez | at PIT Snell | at WAS Hill |
| Dontrelle Willis | vs. ARI Kim | vs. SF Lowry |
| Questionable options | ||
| James Shields | at BOS Wakefield | vs. CLE Sabathia |
| Jeremy Guthrie | at NYY Wang | at TOR Halladay |
| Tim Wakefield | vs. TB Shields | vs. LAA TBD |
| Greg Maddux | vs. COL Francis | vs. HOU Albers |
| Jon Garland | at OAK DiNardo | at SEA Hernandez |
| Ian Snell | vs. NYM Hernandez | vs. PHI Loshe |
| Noah Lowry | at PIT Youman | at FLA Willis |
| Chris Capuano | vs. STL Wells | vs. CIN Harang |
| Chad Gaudin | at DET Durbin | vs. KC Perez |
| Joe Saunders | at TOR Halladay | at BOS Wakefield |
| Kevin Millwood | vs. KC Davies | at MIN Santana |
| High-risk options | ||
| Kyle Lohse | at WAS Hill | at PIT Snell |
| Lenny DiNardo | vs. CHW Garland | vs. KC Davies |
| Paul Maholm | vs. SF Cain | vs. PHI Moyer |
| Jesse Litsch | at KC Perez | vs. BAL Trachsel |
| Kip Wells | at MIL Capuano | at CHC Zambrano |
| Chad Durbin | vs. OAK Gaudin | at NYY Clemens |
| Kyle Davies | at TEX Millwood | at OAK DiNardo |
| Byung-Hyun Kim | at FLA Willis | at ATL Smoltz |
| Brett Tomko | vs. HOU Albers | vs. COL Francis |
| Odalis Perez | vs. TOR Litsch | at OAK Gaudin |
| Matt Albers | at LAD Tomko | at SD Maddux |
| Shawn Hill | vs. PHIL Lohse | vs. NYM Hernandez |
Pitch a question
Dan Gehr, Hamilton, Ohio: Help me decide who to start this week in my 10-team, NL/AL Head-to-Head league. I have as starters Cole Hamels, Erik Bedard, Brandon Webb and Chris Young, who are all must-starts under normal circumstances. I also have Jeff Francis and Joe Saunders as two-start pitchers. I usually start two relievers, Francisco Rodriguez and Jeremy Accardo. I can only start seven pitchers. K-Rod is usually a must-start, but Accardo has seven games this week to K-Rod's six. Should I sit one of my one-start studs, one of my relievers, or one of my two-starters?
Emack: Young wasn't great in his return from the DL and his side is still a little stiff. He will make his start, but consider reserving him this week, because you have those seven other options.
Dane: How long do you think Brian Bannister will remain hot? Would I be better off trading him now, or keeping him and seeing if his success will continue?
Emack: If you can get something for a Royals starter go for it, but he is a talented rookie that is pitching up to his potential. He is capable of staying this good.
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.
