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Eric Mack

Week 23 Fantasy Pitching Planner

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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. The means we consider them a recommended start. The means we suggest you consider a replacement option. The teams have if we deem their week's matchups favorable and if their week's matchups are deemed unfavorable.

Arizona Diamondbacks

  1. Ian Kennedy vs SF Bumgarner, at COL Chacin
  2. Barry Enight vs SF Lincecum
  3. Daniel Hudson vs SF Zito
  4. Joe Saunders at COL De La Rosa
  5. Rodrigo Lopez at COL Jimenez

Two-starter(s): Kennedy. He is a questionable option left for deeper leagues against those teams. He is pitching well enough to trust in those deep formats, though.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Kennedy. He is 3-0 with a 2.77 ERA in his past four starts. That first matchup is favorable, even if the second start at Coors Field is a bit scary.
One-week bust: Saunders. He is coming off a promising pair of starts, but we wouldn't trust him at Colorado in mixed formats this week.

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Atlanta Braves

  1. Tommy Hanson at PIT Burres, vs STL Westbrook
  2. Tim Hudson at PIT McDonald, vs STL Lohse
  3. Derek Lowe (doubtful, elbow) or Kenshin Kawakami at PIT Duke
  4. Jair Jurrjens vs STL Wainwright
  5. Mike Minor vs STL Carpenter

Two-starter(s): Hanson and Hudson. They are must-start aces in all leagues.
Who is getting skipped: Perhaps Lowe. We doubt he starts with his sore elbow, giving another spot start to Kawakami, who is too risky to use in any formats.
One-week sleeper: Jurrjens. He has won back-to-back starts after a terrible outing Aug. 25. We would trust him even against the Cardinals and Wainwright.
One-week bust: Lowe, Minor and Kawakami. Lowe is banged up, while Minor and Kawakami are struggling too much to use outside of the deepest of leagues.

Baltimore Orioles

  1. Kevin Millwood at DET Galarraga
  2. Jeremy Guthrie at DET Scherzer
  3. Chris Tillman at DET Verlander
  4. Brian Matusz at NYY Burnett
  5. Jake Arrieta at NYY Sabathia
  6. Brad Bergesen at NYY Nova

Two-starter(s): None. The Orioles are reportedly going with a six-man rotation to save innings on their young arms like Arrieta down the stretch. They were going to have to shut down Arrieta early, but a six-man rotation might help them avoid that.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Guthrie. Although Matusz has pitched better in August, Guthrie has won back-to-back starts and gets to face the Tigers instead of the Yankees.
One-week bust: Matusz. He is 3-0 with a 1.29 ERA, but a one-start week against the Yankees makes him tough to start in mixed formats. We would have liked him a lot better if he was getting a second start next Sunday at Detroit, but the projected six-man rotation ruins that.

Boston Red Sox

  1. Jon Lester vs TB Niemann, at OAK Anderson
  2. John Lackey at OAK Cahill
  3. Josh Beckett at OAK Mazzaro
  4. Clay Buchholz vs TB Garza
  5. Daisuke Matsuzaka vs TB Price
Two-start pitchers
Must-starts TM Own% Start%
Ubaldo Jimenez COL 97 90
Jon Lester BOS 97 89
Roy Oswalt PHI 97 88
Justin Verlander DET 97 86
Tim Hudson ATL 96 85
Clayton Kershaw LA 97 81
Tommy Hanson ATL 95 80
Mat Latos SD 94 80
Tim Lincecum SF 97 79
Dan Haren ANA 96 78
Max Scherzer DET 92 74
Wandy Rodriguez HOU 91 73
Edwin Jackson CHW 88 72
Ricky Romero TOR 92 65
Advisables TM Own% Start%
Johnny Cueto CIN 93 64
Anibal Sanchez FLA 78 57
Shaun Marcum TOR 90 56
Brett Anderson OAK 85 49
Mike Pelfrey NYM 77 49
Madison Bumgarner SF 69 39
Jhoulys Chacin COL 44 28
Questionables TM Own% Start%
Yovani Gallardo MIL 96 74
A.J. Burnett NYY 88 56
Tommy Hunter TEX 71 47
Ian Kennedy ARI 62 39
Jason Vargas SEA 57 33
Jake Westbrook STL 54 33
Jordan Zimmermann WAS 36 21
Kevin Slowey MIN 68 19
Freddy Garcia CHW 32 12
Vicente Padilla LA 38 10
Nelson Figueroa HOU 10 7
High-risks TM Own% Start%
Jeff Niemann TB 85 34
Aaron Harang CIN 34 10
Kyle Lohse STL 8 3
Sean O'Sullivan KC 2 1
Casey Coleman CHC 1 1

Two-starter(s): Lester. He is a must-start ace in all leagues, regardless of the number of starts or matchup(s).
Who is getting skipped: None. The Red Sox are considering going with Buchholz on three-day's rest Wednesday vs. the Rays, but could spot start Tim Wakefield against them and move back the veterans over the weekend at Oakland. That would take away Lester's second start, but Lester remains a must-start regardless.
One-week sleeper: None. The Red Sox's top four starters are must-starts in all leagues, while No. 5 above is a ...
One-week bust: Dice-K. He has allowed four earned runs in each of his past four starts. Despite being 9-4 on the season, we wouldn't trust him against the contending Rays in crunch time.

Chicago Cubs

  1. Carlos Zambrano at MIL Bush
  2. Ryan Dempster at MIL Wolf
  3. Casey Coleman vs HOU Rodriguez, at MIL Gallardo
  4. Carlos Silva vs HOU Figueroa
  5. Randy Wells vs HOU Myers

Two-starter(s): Coleman. He is a high-risk option even in the deepest of NL-only leagues still.
Who is getting skipped: Likely Tom Gorzelanny (hand). He is getting skipped for Silva's DL return, but Gorzelanny could take Coleman's second start next Sunday, though. Neither Coleman or Gorzelanny should be used this week.
One-week sleeper: Zambrano. He is 4-0 with a 2.25 ERA in the second half, making him a must-own, if not a must-start, in all Fantasy leagues again.
One-week bust: Gorzelanny, Coleman and Silva. Coleman remains in the rotation for now, but he could lose his second start if Gorzelanny proves healthy enough to return next weekend. Silva returns from the DL, too, but he and that pair are too risky to trust in Fantasy crunch time this week.

Chicago White Sox

  1. John Danks (probable, hamstring) at DET Bonderman
  2. Gavin Floyd at DET Porcello
  3. Mark Buehrle vs KC Chen
  4. Edwin Jackson at DET Scherzer, vs KC Davies
  5. Freddy Garcia (probable, back) at DET Verlander, vs KC O'Sullivan

Two-starter(s): Jackson and Garcia. Jackson is a must-start in all leagues, while the Garcia is a questionable option due to injury. We like the matchups, but Garcia is a bit too risky.
Who is getting skipped: Perhaps Garcia. He could be moved back due to his back, but the White Sox already need to go to a banged-up Danks on three-day's rest (due to Saturday's doubleheader). We believe Garcia and Danks will both remain on turn, but there is some level of uncertainty.
One-week sleeper: Jackson. He has been so good with the White Sox, he is a must-start in all leagues regardless of the number of starts or matchup(s). He is 3-0 with a 1.47 ERA since the trade back to the AL Central.
One-week bust: Garcia. He left his past start early and those matchups make him a potential two-start sleeper. We think he pitches both games and does well, but the possibility remains he becomes a no-start pitcher this week still.

Cincinnati Reds

  1. Johnny Cueto at COL Chacin, vs PIT TBD
  2. Bronson Arroyo at COL Cook
  3. Travis Wood at COL Hammel
  4. Homer Bailey vs PIT Maholm
  5. Aaron Harang at COL Jimenez, vs PIT Morton

Two-starter(s): Harang and Cueto. Harang is a high-risk option, while Cueto is at least advisable in all formats due to that very favorable second matchup.
Who is getting skipped: None. But Harang could be re-evaluated on a start-to-start basis with Edinson Volquez working down in the minors to come back to start down the stretch. Volquez was untouchable in his past start and he should go again Monday.
One-week sleeper: Bailey. He hasn't lost a game since May 7 and we have to doubt he and the first-place Reds will fall to the Pirates in his start this week, even if he can't post a quality start, which he hasn't done in his past two.
One-week bust: Harang. He could lose his second start and that was the one that might make him any sort of intriguing this week. Ignore him.

Cleveland Indians

  1. Fausto Carmona vs MIN Pavano
  2. Mitch Talbot vs MIN Blackburn
  3. Jeanmar Gomez vs MIN Slowey
  4. Carlos Carrasco at LAA Haren
  5. Justin Masterson at LAA Bell
  6. Josh Tomlin at LAA Kazmir

Two-starter(s): None. We expect the Indians to stick with a six-man rotation in a six-game week. There is the potential for a back-end starter to be skipped and hand a second start to Carrasco, though. He would be a questionable option.
Who is getting skipped: Perhaps Gomez. The Indians have six starters and a day off Thursday. Carrasco, Masterson and Tomlin are certain to get starts, while Carmona and Talbot are likely to as well. Gomez could be moved back off his start next Sunday, if the Indians want to limit his innings down the stretch. Carrasco would be the two-starter in that event.
One-week sleeper: Carrasco. He was solid in Triple-A after a slow start and was very good in his first start Sept. 1. He faces the offensively weak Angels and could pick up a second start next Sunday, too.
One-week bust: Carmona. He has lost six consecutive starts and we don't see that trend ending against the Twins.

Colorado Rockies

  1. Ubaldo Jimenez vs CIN Harang, vs ARI Lopez
  2. Jhoulys Chacin vs CIN Cueto, vs ARI Kennedy
  3. Aaron Cook vs CIN Arroyo
  4. Jason Hammel vs CIN Wood
  5. Jorge De La Rosa vs ARI Saunders

Two-starter(s): Jimenez and Chacin. Jimenez is a must-start in all leagues, while Chacin is an advisable option in deeper formats.
Who is getting skipped: Esmil Rogers. He has been demoted to the bullpen with the return of Cook.
One-week sleeper: Chacin. Active in a mere 27 percent of CBSSports.com's leagues, Chacin is 2-0 with a 0.90 ERA in his past three starts. He is good enough to trust in any format this week, even against those offenses.
One-week bust: Cook. He will keep pitching for his rotation spot with Jeff Francis (shoulder) working his way back on a rehab assignment. We wouldn't trust Cook outside of the deepest of NL-only leagues.

Detroit Tigers

  1. Max Scherzer vs CHW Jackson, vs BAL Guthrie
  2. Justin Verlander vs CHW Garcia, vs BAL Tillman
  3. Jeremy Bonderman vs CHW Danks
  4. Rick Porcello vs CHW Floyd
  5. Armando Galarraga vs BAL Millwood

Two-starter(s): Scherzer and Verlander. They are must-starts in all leagues right now.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Porcello. The sophomore has turned his season around and is 3-0 with a 2.14 ERA in his past three starts. He is viable in deeper mixed formats as a one-starter.
One-week bust: Bonderman. He walked five his last time out and is too risky to trust outside of deeper AL-only formats.

Florida Marlins

  1. Josh Johnson at WAS Lannan
  2. Anibal Sanchez at PHI Oswalt, at WAS Zimmermann
  3. Chris Volstad at PHI Blanton
  4. Andrew Miller at PHI Hamels
  5. Alex Sanabia at WAS Marquis
  6. Adalberto Mendez at PHI Worley

Two-starter(s): Sanchez. He is an advisable option in all leagues, especially since he is coming off a great start and draws that favorable second matchup.
Who is getting skipped: None. The Marlins have a doubleheader Monday and a day off Thursday. The will go with a six-man rotation and likely make Mendez just a spot starter with Sanchez going in the second doubleheader game Monday and then again Sunday.
One-week sleeper: Sanchez. He is still active in just 56 percent of leagues, despite going 4-2 with a 2.21 ERA in the second half (2.50 ERA in August). Consider him a viable option in all formats now.
One-week bust: Everyone not named Johnson or Sanchez. We wouldn't trust any of the Marlins starters two through six this week.

Houston Astros

  1. Wandy Rodriguez at CHC Coleman, vs LAD Padilla
  2. Brett Myers at CHC Wells
  3. J.A. Happ vs LAD Kuroda
  4. Bud Norris vs LAD Lilly
  5. Nelson Figueroa at CHC Silva, vs LAD Kershaw

Two-starter(s): Rodriguez and Figueroa. Rodriguez is a must-start, while Figueroa is a questionable option who is pitching well enough to trust in deeper formats, mostly NL-only leagues.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Figueroa. Somehow he has a 1.96 ERA in four starts since returning to the rotation. He isn't a completely trustworthy option but his hot streak makes a potential sleeper to take a chance on if you want a two-start pitcher in your lineup in crunch time.
One-week bust: Norris. Back-to-back stinkers has put him right back in the risky, even for NL-only leagues, category.

Kansas City Royals

  1. Zack Greinke at MIN Duensing
  2. Bruce Chen at CHW Buehrle
  3. Kyle Davies at CHW Jackson
  4. Sean O'Sullivan at MIN Slowey, at CHW Garcia
  5. Brian Bannister at MIN Liriano

Two-starter(s): O'Sullivan. He is a high-risk option even in the deepest of AL-only leagues.
Who is getting skipped: Bryan Bullington. He has been moved to the bullpen, where Luke Hochevar also is currently residing. Hochevar could be a candidate to take O'Sullivan's rotation spot as soon as next Sunday at the White Sox.
One-week sleeper: None. The Royals are a staff full of risky options behind Greinke, who has been one of the biggest non-injury busts of the season.
One-week bust: Bannister. He returns to the rotation the way he left, a high-risk option not worth the risk.

Los Angeles Angels

  1. Jered Weaver vs SEA Pauley
  2. Ervin Santana vs SEA Hernandez
  3. Dan Haren vs CLE Carrasco, vs SEA Vargas
  4. Trevor Bell vs CLE Masterson
  5. Scott Kazmir vs CLE Tomlin

Two-starter(s): Haren. He is a must-start in all leagues with those matchups, especially in Fantasy crunch time.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Bell. He has posted back-to-back quality starts against the Orioles and Mariners and draws an equally favorable matchup against the Indians. Consider him in deeper formats, mostly AL-only leagues.
One-week bust: Kazmir. He is advisable in deeper formats amid his struggles, but he is easily the fifth choice among Angels starters this week.

Top 10 Pitchers Added
* as of Sunday, Sept. 5
Player % Change
1. Aroldis Chapman, SP, Reds 14
2. Ian Kennedy, SP, Diamondbacks 12
3. Jordan Zimmermann, SP, Nationals 12
4. Koji Uehara, RP, Orioles 12
5. Jhoulys Chacin, SP, Rockies 10
6. Clay Hensley, SP, Marlins 8
7. Fernando Rodney, RP, Angels 7
8. Barry Enright, SP, Diamondbacks 7
9. Nelson Figueroa, RP, Astros 7
10. Edwin Jackson, SP, White Sox 6

Los Angeles Dodgers

  1. Clayton Kershaw at SD Latos, at HOU Figueroa
  2. Chad Billingsley at SD Garland
  3. Ted Lilly at HOU Norris
  4. Hiroki Kuroda at HOU Happ
  5. Vicente Padilla at SD LeBlanc, at HOU Rodriguez

Two-starter(s): Kershaw and Padilla. Kershaw is a must-start, while Padilla is a questionable option in his return as a two-start pitcher. Those matchups make him a nice sleeper in deeper leagues, though.
Who is getting skipped: Carlos Monasterios. He has been sent back to the bullpen with Padilla's return.
One-week sleeper: Padilla. Other than his last start before the DL stint, Padilla has been productive enough to use in all leagues. We have faith he can be a solid two-start option this week.
One-week bust: None. All five Dodgers starters are useful in most leagues at this point.

Milwaukee Brewers

  1. Yovani Gallardo vs STL Westbrook, vs CHC Coleman
  2. Randy Wolf vs CHC Dempster
  3. Dave Bush vs CHC Zambrano
  4. Chris Narveson vs STL Lohse
  5. Chris Capuano vs STL Garcia

Two-starter(s): Gallardo. He is a questionable option, having given up 22 runs in his past three starts (0-2, 12.27). We would still start him in most formats because of the double starts, though.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Wolf. He went 3-1 with a 3.65 ERA in August, numbers good enough to consider him viable in mixed formats again.
One-week bust: Bush. He has had some good starts and gets a winnable matchup, but he is a letdown waiting to happen.

Minnesota Twins

  1. Carl Pavano at CLE Carmona
  2. Francisco Lirano vs KC Bannister
  3. Kevin Slowey vs KC O'Sullivan, at CLE Gomez
  4. Brian Duensing vs KC Greinke
  5. Nick Blackburn at CLE Talbot

Two-starter(s): Slowey. He is a questionable option coming off the DL, but those matchups make him a risk worth taking in most formats.
Who is getting skipped: Scott Baker (elbow). He needs some rest for his sore elbow, which is fine with Slowey returning to the rotation and Blackburn and Duensing holding up well.
One-week sleeper: Slowey. His two-start return is highlighted by a pair of very favorable matchups.
One-week bust: Blackburn. If there is one Twins starter we wouldn't trust even in a bad matchup, it would be Blackburn.

New York Mets

  1. R.A. Dickey at WAS Hernandez
  2. Mike Pelfrey at WAS Zimmermann, vs PHI Oswalt
  3. Jonathon Niese vs PHI Kendrick
  4. Jenrry Mejia vs PHI Halladay
  5. Dillon Gee at WAS Maya

Two-starter(s): Pelfrey. He is an advisable option in most formats amid his season's resurgence. Despite a poor past start, he is still 3-2 with a 2.06 ERA in his past five starts. That first matchup is favorable, too.
Who is getting skipped: Johan Santana (pectoral). He won't start Tuesday and the Mets could hold him out the full week at this point. There is nothing to suggest he will start a weekend game vs. the Phillies.
One-week sleeper: Pelfrey. His recent surge makes it easier to trust him in this two-start week.
One-week bust: Niese. He has been giving up runs in bunches of late, which makes him too risky to use in a one-start week against the Phillies.

New York Yankees

  1. CC Sabathia vs BAL Arrieta
  2. A.J. Burnett vs BAL Matusz, at TEX TBD
  3. Javier Vazquez at TEX Wilson
  4. Phil Hughes at TEX Hunter
  5. Ivan Nova vs BAL Bergesen

Two-starter(s): Burnett. He is a questionable option amid his awful second half, but that favorable first matchup makes him a risk worth taking.
Who is getting skipped: Dustin Moseley. He has been moved back to the bullpen with the return of Vazquez to the rotation.
One-week sleeper: Nova. He hasn't pitched deep into a game yet, but that matchup makes him a useful one-starter in deeper mixed formats.
One-week bust: Hughes. He has been posting some real ugly games. He might surprise everyone and dominate the Rangers, but he should be doing that on the bench in all mixed leagues right now.

Oakland Athletics

  1. Trevor Cahill vs BOS Lackey
  2. Brett Anderson vs SEA Vargas, vs BOS Lester
  3. Dallas Braden vs SEA Fister
  4. Gio Gonzalez vs SEA French
  5. Vin Mazzaro vs BOS Beckett

Two-starter(s): Anderson. Even though he hasn't won since Aug. 4, we still consider him an advisable two-start pitcher this week, especially with that favorable first matchup.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Anderson. We were surprised to see he is active in less than 50 percent of CBSSports.com's leagues. He should be active in 75 percent at least this week.
One-week bust: Mazzaro. He has had back-to-back bad outings and he draws the toughest matchup of the week among A's starters.

Philadelphia Phillies

  1. Roy Halladay at NYM Mejia
  2. Roy Oswalt vs FLA Sanchez, at NYM Pelfrey
  3. Cole Hamels vs FLA Miller
  4. Joe Blanton vs FLA Volstad
  5. Kyle Kendrick at NYM Niese
  6. Vance Worley vs FLA Mendez

Two-starter(s): Oswalt. He is a must-start in all leagues.
Who is getting skipped: Perhaps Kendrick. The Phillies could choose to skip him next weekend against the Mets to keep Oswalt and Blanton on regular rest. Consider that likely, which adds a second start to Blanton. He is a risky option regardless.
One-week sleeper: Blanton. He is coming off a bad start, but he has been hot before that and could pick up a second start. It still requires some stones to trust him as a one-start pitcher in a smaller mixed league, though.
One-week bust: Kendrick. He could be out of the rotation down the stretch if Worley pitches well in game 1 of Monday's doubleheader and the Phillies decide to keep Worley in the rotation.

Pittsburgh Pirates

  1. Zach Duke vs ATL TBD
  2. Paul Maholm at CIN Bailey
  3. Charlie Morton at CIN Harang
  4. James McDonald vs ATL Hudson
  5. Brian Burres vs ATL Hanson
  6. Perhaps Brad Lincoln at CIN Cueto

Two-starter(s): Likely none. Because ...
Who is getting skipped: Jeff Karstens (shoulder) is done for the season, and Burres takes his turn Monday, but Lincoln is likely to be recalled thereafter.
One-week sleeper: None. The Pirates don't have a starter we would trust against the first-place Braves or Reds.
One-week bust: All. The matchups are as bad as the pitchers.

San Diego Padres

  1. Jon Garland vs SF Cain
  2. Mat Latos vs LAD Padilla, vs SF Bumgarner
  3. Clayton Richard vs SF Sanchez
  4. Kevin Correia vs LAD Kershaw
  5. Cory Luebke vs LAD Billingsley
  6. Perhaps Wade LeBlanc vs SF Lincecum

Two-starter(s): Latos. He is a must-start ace in all leagues, even amid the Padres' struggles and with him well over his career high in innings.
Who is getting skipped: LeBlanc. Correia is taking is turn Tuesday, but we still figure LeBlanc is the starter of choice over the weekend in a crucial set against the Giants.
One-week sleeper: Garland. With 13 victories and a 3.31 ERA, we are surprised he is active in just 42 percent of leagues. The fact he is starting at home (7-4, 2.68 there) vs. the road (6-6, 4.04) warrants using him in mixed leagues.
One-week bust: Correia, Luebke and LeBlanc. We wouldn't trust the Padres back-end starters amid this horrendous slump.

San Francisco Giants

  1. Tim Lincecum at ARI Enright, at SD TBD
  2. Barry Zito at ARI Hudson
  3. Matt Cain at SD Garland
  4. Jonathan Sanchez at SD Richard
  5. Madison Bumgarner at ARI Kennedy, at SD Latos

Two-starter(s): Lincecum and Bumgarner. Lincecum is back to being a must-start, while Bumgarner is an advisable sleeper two-starter in deeper leagues.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Bumgarner. Save for one real bad outing two starts ago, he has been trustworthy enough to use in all formats as a two-start pitcher.
One-week bust: Zito. He has been getting hammered of late and the D-Backs have a pretty potent offense.

Seattle Mariners

  1. Felix Hernandez at LAA Santana
  2. Jason Vargas at OAK Anderson, at LAA Haren
  3. Doug Fister at OAK Braden
  4. Luke French at OAK Gonzalez
  5. David Pauley at LAA Weaver

Two-starter(s): Vargas. He is a questionable option who is pitching well enough to use in deeper leagues with those two-start matchups.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Vargas. His 3.55 ERA has been pretty steady all season, despite a three-loss streak. Those aren't real imposing offenses.
One-week bust: Pauley. He hasn't had a quality start in his past four. Ignore him outside of deeper AL-only formats.

St. Louis Cardinals

  1. Adam Wainwright at ATL Jurrjens
  2. Chris Carpenter at ATL Minor
  3. Jaime Garcia at MIL Capuano
  4. Jake Westbrook at MIL Gallardo, at ATL Hanson
  5. Kyle Lohse at MIL Narveson, at ATL Hudson

Two-starter(s): Westbrook and Lohse. Westbrook is a questionable option we would take a chance on in deeper leagues if you want to roll the dice on a two-start pitcher. Lohse we wouldn't touch.
Who is getting skipped: None. Jeff Suppan could take Lohse's second start next Sunday, if Lohse struggles Tuesday.
One-week sleeper: Westbrook. You throw out a bad start or two and Westbrook has been very good for the Cardinals. He is worth the risk if you don't lose points for losses.
One-week bust: Lohse. He has been terrible mostly since returning from the DL and might not keep his rotation spot.

Tampa Bay Rays

  1. David Price at BOS Matsuzaka
  2. Matt Garza at BOS Buchholz
  3. James Shields at TOR Cecil
  4. Wade Davis at TOR Romero
  5. Jeff Niemann at BOS Lester, at TOR Marcum

Two-starter(s): Niemann. He is struggling to the point we have to consider him high-risk in all leagues right now.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: None. We wouldn't trust Shields, Niemann or Davis.
One-week bust: None. The top two are must-starts, while the bottom three aren't consistent enough to trust in those matchups.

Texas Rangers

  1. Cliff Lee vs NYY Burnett
  2. C.J. Wilson vs NYY Vazquez
  3. Colby Lewis at TOR Rzepczynski
  4. Tommy Hunter at TOR Romero, vs NYY Hughes
  5. Derek Holland at TOR TBD
  6. Scott Feldman or Rich Harden at TOR Marcum

Two-starter(s): Hunter. He is a questionable option worth using in deeper leagues if you want to take a chance on a two-starter.
Who is getting skipped: Lee. He still could start at the end of the week, but his bad recent outings and questionable health make him too risky to use in crunch time.
One-week sleeper: Hunter. The matchups are challenging, but he is 3-0 with a 3.38 ERA in his past three starts.
One-week bust: Lee. He was moved off his Tuesday start and his status for the rest of the week is too uncertain.

Toronto Blue Jays

  1. Ricky Romero vs TEX Hunter, vs TB Davis
  2. Shaun Marcum vs TEX TBD, vs TB Niemann
  3. Brett Cecil vs TB Shields
  4. Marc Rzepczynski vs TEX Lewis
  5. TBD (perhaps Brad Mills) vs TEX Holland

Two-starter(s): Romero and Marcum. They are advisable options in all leagues. We would call them must-starts, except their matchups are pretty tough.
Who is getting skipped: Brandon Morrow. He has been shut down for the season.
One-week sleeper: Cecil. He is beating the top contenders in the AL East lately, including the Rays and the Yankees twice. He has posted 10 quality starts in his past 11 outings, amazing.
One-week bust: Rzepczynski and Mills. Mills had a high ERA in Triple-A and Rzepzynski cannot be trusted against a potent Rangers team.

Washington Nationals

  1. Livan Hernandez vs NYM Dickey
  2. John Lannan vs FLA Johnson
  3. Jason Marquis vs FLA Sanabia
  4. Jordan Zimmermann vs NYM Pelfrey, vs FLA Sanchez
  5. TBD (likely Yunesky Maya) vs NYM Gee

Two-starter(s): Zimmermann. He was awesome in his past start and looks like a questionable option worth taking the risk on in deeper formats.
Who is getting skipped: Scott Olsen. He has been sent to the bullpen before the likely callup of Maya.
One-week sleeper: Zimmermann. We love his talent and those matchups are not that tough.
One-week bust: Hernandez. The pixie dust has worn off. He is too risky to trust in any format now.

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Player News
Emilio Bonifacio
Bonifacio (thumb) on the mend
Emilio Bonifacio, CF, MIA
11:29 AM
News: Miami shortstop Emilio Bonifacio had successful surgery Friday to repair ligament damage in his left thumb, according to MLB.com. Bonifacio, whose arm was in a sling following the procedure, is expected to be sidelined an additional four to six weeks. The Marlins will continue to provide additional starts in center field to Chris Coghlan and Bryan Peterson during Bonifacio's absence.
Analysis: Miami will sorely miss Bonifacio's speed as he easily paced the majors with 20 stolen bases in 21 chances. The 27-year-old had also displayed improvement at the plate after a minor slump at the end of April and raised his batting average to .268. He also sliced his strikeout rate to also increase his on-base percentage. Fantasy owners should continue to keep him reserved in all formats as he targets a return in late June.

Chase Utley
Utley gets into swing of things
Chase Utley, 2B, PHI
11:05 AM
News: In the latest stage of his recovery from a troublesome knee injury, Phillies second baseman Chase Utley took two sessions of batting practice Thursday, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Utley, who has not played this season, also took limited infield practice. There is still no timetable for his return. "I was encouraged with the way the ball was jumping off his bat and how nice he was swinging," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "And any time he goes out and takes ground balls, I get encouraged by that."
Analysis: While his batting sessions remain encouraging, Utley continues to be held back in the field as that part causes the 33-year-old the most pain in his balky left knee. He will begin a rehab assignment in Florida when he feels comfortable, but that schedule is still uncertain. "I think it's a matter of him feeling like he's ready to go play in a game," Manuel said. "I think it's a matter of him being healthy enough and thinking that he's ready." Utley could return at some point in late June so Fantasy owners should keep him stashed in most formats.

John Maine
Maine lands with Yankees
John Maine, SP, COL
11:11 AM
News: The New York Yankees signed starting pitcher John Maine to a minor-league deal on Friday, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. Maine made 11 starts for the Rockies' Triple-A affiliate last year, going 1-3 with a 7.43 ERA and 2.07 WHIP. The right-hander signed with the Red Sox in January, but was released earlier this month without having pitched in the minors.
Analysis: Maine becomes the latest journeyman to play for both the Mets and Yankees, but first needs to overcome shoulder issues. The 31-year-old was quality pitcher for the Mets from 2006-08, but injuries derailed his career. He last threw in the majors in 2010, when he was 1-3 with a 6.13 ERA for the Mets. Fantasy owners should not consider Maine a worthwhile option in any formats at this point.

Austin Kearns
Kearns placed on disabled list
Austin Kearns, LF, MIA
5/24/2012
News: The Marlins put outfielder Austin Kearns on the 15-day disabled list on Thursday, retroactive to May 23. Kearns sustained a strained right hamstring while running the bases in Tuesday's game against the Rockies. He was replaced on the Marlins' active roster by outfielder Kevin Mattison, who was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans.
Analysis: Kearns had been on fire at the plate, and he was the main playing time beneficiary of Gaby Sanchez's demotion to Triple-A, as Logan Morrison vacated left field to play first base. When Kearns returns, it could be to a reserve role, so owners looking to clear a DL spot should monitor the Marlins' outfield situation over the coming weeks. It may not be worthwhile hanging on to Kearns while he recovers from his injury.

Freddie Freeman
Freeman still having eye trouble
Freddie Freeman, 1B, ATL
5/24/2012
News: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman is still dealing with a dry-eye issue that kept him out of a game last week. Freeman had a procedure to plug his tear ducts, but that, along with eye drops and contact lenses, have not completely eradicated the problem. Freeman was out of the Braves' starting lineup for Thursday's game at Cincinnati, though it has not been reported as to whether his absence was related to his eye problem. Eric Hinske got the start at first base in Freeman's place.
Analysis: It had appeared as if Freeman had put this medical issue behind him, so this latest report is something that should concern his Fantasy owners. Given that Freeman's absence from the lineup may not be related to his eye problem, there may not be any need for owners to take action, but it is certainly a situation worth following. When he is healthy enough to play, Freeman is worth starting in virtually all formats.

Addison Reed
Bad first impression for Reed
Addison Reed, RP, CHW
2:44 AM
News: Newly-named White Sox Closer Addison Reed was not pitching in a save situation on Thursday, however the team did turn to him to pitch the 10th inning of a five-run game against the Twins. Reed struck out two in the inning, however he was hit hard, giving up two runs on a home run off the bat of Justin Morneau. He finished with those two earned runs and strikeouts in one inning, as the White Sox won, 11-8.
Analysis: It was not a save situation, but that was not a good first impression for the Fantasy owners who picked him up today after hearing the news. Reed had four saves in his last six appearances before Thursday, and he has allowed runs in just two of his 18 appearances this season. He should still be added in many mixed Fantasy leagues, however this was certainly not a good outing for him.

Dan Haren
Haren masterful in complete game
Dan Haren, SP, LAA
1:11 AM
News: Angels starting pitcher Dan Haren had yet to find his way in the 2012 season prior to Thursday’s game against the Mariners, however he looked as good as he ever has in the game, picking up his sixth career complete-game shutout to lead the Angels to a 3-0 win. Haren allowed just four hits in the game while establishing a new career-high in strikeouts with 14, as he mowed through the Mariners offense with ease. Haren allowed just three runners to reach second base, two of them on stolen bases, but was never in any real trouble, as he picked up just his second win of the season. Haren needed 126 pitches to finish the game, tossing first pitch strikes to 22 of the 31 batters he faced, as he was in control all night.
Analysis: Haren has typically been a much stronger first-half player than a second-half player, so the fact that his ERA was standing at a fairly robust 4.37 before this game was something of a surprise. After just one start, Haren lowered that number to 3.76, while simultaneously putting to rest any doubts about a possible decline in skills in his age-31 season. With the exception of an ugly 2-5 record, Haren’s starts are largely where we expected them to be this season, as he has struckout more than four batters for every one he has walked through 64 2/3 innings. He is set to face a tough Yankees lineup in his next start, on Tuesday during Week 9 (May 28-June 3), however he has put up a 5-1 record with a 3.43 ERA against them in 10 career starts, so consider him a solid Fantasy option in all formats.

Yuniesky Betancourt
Betancourt begins rehab
Yuniesky Betancourt, SS, KC
1:43 AM
News: Royals shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt was back on the field on Thursday, as the designated hitter for Double-A Northwest Arkansas, as he began his rehab assignment while recovering from his ankle injury. Betancourt went 2 for 5 in the game, with a pair of strikeouts and RBI.
Analysis: Betancourt is getting closer and closer to getting back on the field for the Royals,but he will need at least a week of rehab, first in Double-A and then Triple-A, before he is ready to return to the majors. Betancourt's last game before the injury was back on May 1 at Detroit and the shortstop has a .280 batting average on the season with a homer and three RBI over 50 at-bats. When healthy, Betancourt should be considered merely an AL-only option.

Jimmy Rollins
Rollins returns from paternity leave
Jimmy Rollins, SS, PHI
1:39 AM
News: Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins returned from the paternity list on Thursday, after missing the team’s previous three games to be with his wife while she gave birth. Rollins went 2 for 6 in the game with a strikeout, as the Phillies defeated the Cardinals, 10-9. it was Reyes’ 11th multi-hit game of the season.
Analysis: Reyes has struggled to start the season, and unlike most of the other players on the Phillies’ roster, he has not begun to show signs that he is bouncing out of it, as he has been hitting just .222 in the month of May after a .235 April. He remains a solid bounce-back candidate given his past production, and should be kept active in most formats, despite his troubles.

Alex Rodriguez
Adjustment for A-Rod pays off
Alex Rodriguez, 3B, NYY
5/24/2012
News: The New York Post reports that Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez has made adjustments to his batting stance, and he credits his strong performance on Wednesday against the Royals to the changes. Rodriguez told reporters after Tuesday's win, "I feel like I’m about to go off.," after widening his stance and shortening his leg kick in his last at-bat in the game. He carried the changes over into batting practice on Wednesday and into the subsequent contest, in which he went 2 for 4 with a pair of homers and three RBI.
Analysis: Time will tell if Rodriguez's tweaked stance will translate into better production. He had been hitting flyballs at a much lower rate this season, which had led to fewer extra-base hits. It's a trend to watch in the coming days and weeks. Even if A-Rod's power spike is short-lived, he still has enough power that he is worth starting in nearly all formats.

 
 
 
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