Week 18 Pitching Planner

We take you around the staffs for the week in our Sunday Fantasy Baseball Pitching Planner.

Two-start pitchers

The trade deadline will keep this in a state of flux, but here's how we see it (with question marks) as of Sunday, July 30 at 11:25 p.m. ET.

Staff reflections

• Arizona Diamondbacks: Outside of Miguel Batista or Brandon Webb, any one of the D-Backs starters could be replaced by a trade at the deadline. Consider Claudio Vargas (a potential two-starter), Enrique Gonzalez and Juan Cruz high-risk options at this point.

• Atlanta Braves: Jason Shiell is in the bullpen and Kyle Davies (groin) is a couple of weeks away, while John Thomson (shoulder) had a setback in his rehab and might miss the rest of the season, according to MLB.com. The No. 5 starter's spot is up in the air for Saturday, Aug. 5 and could be resolved at the trade deadline as opposed to a call-up.

• Baltimore Orioles: Jim Johnson's big-league debut was a bust, so Daniel Cabrera could be on his way back to Baltimore. Cabrera had his typical high pitch-count outing Friday in Triple-A. "It kind of sounds like what we've seen a lot of him," manager Sam Perlozzo told MLB.com. "Daniel has good stuff, as thin as we are, we could still have to get him up here." Also, Bruce Chen's spot start Sunday could be a one-shot deal in place of Kris Benson (elbow). If Chen falters and Benson cannot make his next start, prospect Hayden Penn could be recalled from Triple-A. Rodrigo Lopez, meanwhile, is rumored to be dealt to a contender before the deadline. With a day off Thursday, the O's rotation will be in a state of flux. The only guys certain to start this week are Adam Loewen (high-risk in AL-only) and red-hot Erik Bedard (useful in any Fantasy league).

• Boston Red Sox: David Wells (knee) makes his return Monday in time for a risky two-start week. Also, Kyle Snyder will continue to keep Matt Clement (shoulder, nearing rehab assignment) rotation spot warm. Assuming the Red Sox don't add a starter at the trade deadline -- they might -- Wells and Snyder will be two-start pitchers for a lineup that promises ample run support. Wells, who will go without a rehab assignment, will likely be limited to five innings initially, though.

• Chicago Cubs: Rich Hill will get a full-time look in the rotation, while Greg Maddux might be on borrowed time with the Cubs. Even if dealt, Maddux will get a start that makes him useful in NL-only leagues this week. In the right situation, Maddux could return to being mixed-league viable again. Mark Prior and Hill are intriguing, but risky two-start pitchers. Hill is obviously high risk because of the production, while Prior is a risk because of health and potential trade-deadline deal that could throw him off his two-start schedule.

• Chicago White Sox: They have long been rumored to be dealing a starter from the back-end of their rotation, Javier Vazquez or Freddy Garcia, in order to slot Brandon McCarthy, but nothing is imminent. All of the White Sox rotation members should get a start this week, with or without a trade. McCarthy might be someone to start as a middle reliever/potential spot starter if he's on your roster. If he's not, perhaps pick him up if you're pitching needy. He could wind up getting a start if a deal goes through.

• Cincinnati Reds: Justin Germano's spot start was rough Saturday, so it's likely he will get replaced as the No. 5 by lefty Brandon Claussen (left shoulder/back). Claussen will make a 100-pitch Triple-A rehab start Monday and could return in time for a Saturday start. Consider that high risk at this point for deeper NL-only leagues. Avoid Germano altogether.

• Cleveland Indians: Jeremy Sowers, back-to-back shutouts, is scorching hot. Hopefully you didn't give up on him too soon. He's one of the elite pitching prospects to have arrived this season and is proving that status. Meanwhile, the only possible change to the rotation could be a deal of Paul Byrd or Jake Westbrook at the trade deadline. Those two vets should start this week, though, with or without a trade.

• Colorado Rockies: All five will start in turn at this point and it's improbable they're able to add a starter before the deadline. B.H. Kim is the possible the odd man out if they did.

• Detroit Tigers: All five will start in turn and Mike Maroth (elbow) will be given plenty of time before he's brought back into the rotation. The only risky starter for the No. 1 team in baseball right now is Zach Miner at this point.

• Florida Marlins: Brian Moehler (toe) returns in a doubleheader Sunday, but it's likely red-hot rookie Anibal Sanchez remains in the rotation as the No. 5 starter. Dontrelle Willis, Josh Johnson, Scott Olsen and Ricky Nolasco all look like safe bets, too, while Moehler could move to long relief.

• Houston Astros: Taylor Buchholz lost his hold on the No. 5 starter's spot and the Astros could fill Tuesday night's rotation opening with a trade acquisition. If not, Chris Sampson or Matt Albers could be called on from the bullpen -- or a minor league starter could be summoned Wednesday. Our Probable Pitchers report lists Sampson on Wednesday, but that's not certain at this point. "We're not that far along," manager Phil Garner told MLB.com. "We need bullpen help. We'll see where we are."

• Kansas City Royals: The rotation is in a state of flux at this point, especially since All-Star Mark Redman could be dealt in the next 24 hours. Jimmy Gobble is the odd man out of the rotation until that time. Recent trade acquisitions Odalis Perez and Jorge De La Rosa are getting regular turns until they prove completely ineffective. All Royals starts are high risk obviously, but Redman could be a great sleeper if he's dealt to the right contender.

• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: The Angels have decided to put Bartolo Colon (elbow) on the DL. Joe Saunders is ready to go Tuesday, but no official announcement has been made. It should come before most roster deadlines Monday. Saunders, or whomever, would be a two-start sleeper, or he could be dealt before the deadline. If Saunders isn't dealt, consider him an AL-only option.

• Los Angeles Dodgers: It's unlikely they add a starter, so all five will go in turn this week. Recently skipped Aaron Sele will go Wednesday, by the way. Use him only in deeper NL-only formats at this point.

• Milwaukee Brewers: They are finally healthy with their starting pitching. With a day off Thursday, they could move Dave Bush back a day to keep ace Chris Capuano on regular rest Tuesday-Sunday. Bush and Capuano will both start at least once, so their safe that way. Capuano could get a serendipitous second start for the week, making him viable for all leagues if he isn't already.

• Minnesota Twins: Scott Baker will continue to serve as the No. 5 starter for now. Watch out for prospect Matt Garza, though, who is a polished Fresno State prospect manager Ron Gardenhire has been calling for. He won't be an elite addition for your Fantasy team down the stretch, but he could be a sleeper with a contender.

• New York Mets: The six-man rotation with John Maine, back-to-back strong outings, was a one-turn thing. Mike Pelfrey is slated to start Tuesday at this point, but his second start could be in question. The Mets figure to be a major player for adding a veteran starter before the trade deadline. Pelfrey should get at least one start, while Maine is listed in the Mets' clubhouse as a reliever right now. Maine figures to be a key piece of a trade-deadline deal, making him a risky play this week. The other Mets starters Steve Trachsel, Pedro Martinez, Orlando Hernandez and Tom Glavine should all get a turn. It's prossible Trachsel, a free agent to be, is dealt, too.

• New York Yankees: With the addition of Cory Lidle, the Yankees get veteran starter to serve as their No. 5, bumping Sidney Ponson back to relief and perhaps the street. Ponson should be reserved in all Fantasy leagues until his future is determined. The lone aspect of his value, starting for the potent Yankees, looks lost now. Lidle, who was slated to be a two-start pitcher, could slot right into Ponson's spot Thursday or even move Tuesday starter Jaret Wright back and off his two starts. Consider starting Lidle in most Fantasy leagues and pick him up in mixed leagues because of status on a contender with an extremely potent lineup. The rest of the rotation, Mike Mussina and Chien-Ming Wang, figure to get a start.

• Oakland Athletics: Shane Komine is the latest debutee for the No. 5 starter's spot -- perhaps to audition him for a trade-deadline deal. Consider him a risky option at this point, though, especially because he could get moved back after Thursday's day off. Barry Zito, Dan Haren and Joe Blanton can start in turn over the weekend. We list it that way in our Probable Pitchers. By the way, Zito isn't likely to be dealt since the A's need him down the stretch.

• Philadelphia Phillies: Randy Wolf (elbow) is back Sunday, and Cory Lidle has been dealt to the Yankees, but the doubleheader Sunday does mess things up a little. Ryan Madson won't be able to fill in for Lidle on regular rest, so they will need to call up a starter from the minor leagues to replace Lidle in the rotation. It could be prospect Scott Mathieson from Triple-A, or someone acquired in another trade-deadline deal. Madson is currently left out of the rotation in our Probable Pitchers report, but another deal of Jon Lieber could mean Madson still gets a start sometime during the week. Consider Lieber and Madson risky starters at this point, because of the uncertainty.

• Pittsburgh Pirates: Kip Wells is the only starter here who could be dealt, but he's not much of an option for a contender at this point. Consider him a risky start, with or without a trade. The rest of the young rotation will remain on turn.

• San Diego Padres: Mike Thompson was called up for take Chan Ho Park's (illness, 15-day DL) rotation spot Sunday, barring a trade-deadline acquisition (unlikely), Thompson will take a few turns in the rotation.

• San Francisco Giants: All five will go on their turn, although a day off Thursday could allow them to skip No. 5 starter Jamey Wright. Nothing's imminent in that regard, and neither is any further talk of a Jason Schmidt trade.

• Seattle Mariners: Joel Pineiro has been the subject of trade rumors, but nothing's imminent. All the M's starters should be fine to go on turn, with or without a trade at this point.

• St. Louis Cardinals: The Jeff Weaver experiment continues. All five will start on turn, but there is a possibility a starter is added. Weaver would be the odd man out, or Jason Marquis/Jeff Suppan if they are the ones dealt. Rookie Anthony Reyes appears safe.

• Tampa Bay Devil Rays: Former No. 1 pick J.P. Howell, not Jason Hammel, is the replacement for Scott Kazmir (shoulder), who the Devil Rays put on the DL as a precaution. Kazmir could pitch, but there's really no reason to push his talented young arm right now. Howell is nothing more than a flier in deeper AL-only leagues and a high-risk two-start pitcher.

• Texas Rangers: Adam Eaton (food poisioning) was moved back, likely to Tuesday for a two-start week. If he can't go, the Rangers could bring John Wasdin out of the bullpen. John Rheinecker will start Monday, according to MLB.com. No. 4 starter John Koronka went in Eaton's place Sunday and should remain in the rotation, barring a trade for two starting pitchers. The No. 5 man, Rheinecker, is on much shakier ground and is a high-risk two-start pitcher. Vicente Padilla and Kevin Millwood are not going anywhere and will start on turn.

• Toronto Blue Jays: No. 4 and 5 starters Shaun Marcum and Dustin McGowan will likely remain in the rotation until Gustavo Chacin (shoulder, out until at least mid-August) can return ... or a trade-deadline acquisition adjusts the rotation. McGowan has been rumored in talks, making him a risky start this week. The other starters will pitch on turn.

• Washington Nationals: No. 5 starter Michael O'Connor is slated to go after Thursday's offday, making him a serious candidate for skippage. Ramon Ortiz, Pedro Astacio and Livan Hernandez could start on regular rest next weekend. Astacio is a two-start pitcher, barring a removal due to a trade, while Hernandez could pick up a second start. It's likely Hernandez is dealt, though. Consider all of the Nats starters high risk at this point. Also, Ryan Drese (elbow) will now need reconstructive elbow surgery and will be out for the season and most of 2007. Ignore him on all leagues now.

Pitch a question

Ray B, Wis.: I have Pedro Martinez coming off the DL, and I need to drop one of these starting pitchers: Roy Oswalt, Randy Johnson, Ben Sheets, Francisco Liriano, Felix Hernandez, Barry Zito, Curt Schilling and John Smoltz.

Emack: Time to make a trade buddy. None of those guys should be dropped. Trade two starting pitchers for the best bat you can get. Any two of them will do. They're mostly interchangeable aces.

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 or answers to all questions.