The Fantasy Baseball Hitting Planner is the essential guide to setting your lineup for the upcoming week. Every Saturday, we provide you with favorable and unfavorable matchups, along with news and notes on lineups. The Pitching Planner, complete with upcoming two-start pitchers, will be posted on Sunday.
Welcome to the new edition of the Fantasy Baseball Hitting Planner! In seasons past, we tried to convey good and bad matchups for the upcoming weeks -- something we'll continue this year -- but now we're also offering our new "Weekly Planner" tool. This new page will break down the daily schedule for the week ahead in both leagues. These new tables, along with this news-and-notes column should give you a step up on lazier, less-informed owners. Consider these different ways that the new Weekly Planner tool will help you:
- Weekly schedule is provided and broken down daily by gametimes.
- Color indicators show you which top-10 hitting teams are facing bad bottom-10 pitching teams (GREEN), and which bottom-10 hitting teams are facing good top-10 pitching teams (RED).
- How many games each team is scheduled to play in the upcoming Fantasy scoring period -- an essential number to know for Head-to-Head play.
- Hitting and pitching stats for each team (currently set to show '07 numbers). You can click back and forth between hitters and pitchers.
- More importantly, this shows Home and Away hitting and pitching stats also (again, set for '07 for the first couple weeks of this season).
- Top 10 hitters and pitchers over the past seven days (currently set to show top hitters and pitchers in our projections).
Let's get right into this week's news and notes for each team: Don't forget that Boston and Oakland played two games last week in Japan, and they'll have just five games on the schedule this week. If you are in a league that started the scoring on March 30, when Atlanta plays at Washington, then consider benching all of you're A's hitters and even some of your weaker Red Sox hitters this week. Not only do they have a shorter schedule than the entire league, but they're coming back from an other-side-of-the-world trip that still has them on the West Coast after two exhibition games at Dodger Stadium.
Arizona Diamondbacks: The D-Backs are back from an impressive showing in '07 that saw them go deep into the playoffs. Hitting was not their strong suit, however ... Justin Upton and Chris B. Young are possibly the best young power/speed OF duo in the majors ... Chris Burke should begin seeing regular at-bats as a super-sub in the infield, but both struck out an awful lot this spring (only two outfielders had more K's than Young in March). You drafted them as stars though, so keep them active -- especially since they get six games at Coors Field and Great American Ball Park.
Atlanta Braves: The Bravos (that's SPANISH!) start the NL's season Sunday night in Washington D.C. in the first game ever at Nationals Park. Odalis Perez is Washington's ace -- 'nuff said ... Atlanta then hosts the Bucs and Mets to wrap up a seven-game week. Six home games and four games against teams that had a combined ERA of 4.75 (WAS, PIT) last season make the Braves hitters solid starts.
Baltimore Orioles: The O's are in major rebuilding mode and Nick Markakis is the lone power hitter left in this lineup. He hit .304 with just one homer in spring, and he won't get as much protection in the lineup as the past couple years ... The Adam Jones Era begins in center field at Camden Yards. Head-to-Head owners beware of young hitters like Jones, since strikeouts will take away a chunk of his points.
Boston Red Sox: J.D. Drew (back spasms) came up lame just before Tuesday's opener in Japan, and he's questionable for Tuesday in Oakland. With just five games, consider benching him for a better alternative. His replacement in right field, Brandon Moss, has already returned to Triple-A Pawtucket, and Jacoby Ellsbury started in right on Friday at the Dodgers, with Coco Crisp back in center. Ellsbury is expected to have a nice season, considering how well he played in the World Series last year, but he hit just .222 this spring. Crisp, who would like to be traded and start elsewhere, hit a robust .429 in March.
Chicago Cubs: After much ballyhooed debate, Cubs manager Lou Piniella has finally decided on a lineup to start the season. SS Ryan Theriot will lead off, followed by OF Alfonso Soriano (who has hit leadoff for much of his career) will be in the two-hole, with 1B Derrek Lee hitting third. 3B Aramis Ramirez bats cleanup and Japanese import OF Kosuke Fukudome will hit behind him, followed by 2B Mark DeRosa, C Geovany Soto and CF Felix Pie ... DeRosa's owners can breathe easier now that Brian Roberts remains in Baltimore ... But OF Matt Murton is still drawing interest from several teams, especially now that the Cubs picked up Reed Johnson.
Chicago White Sox: Alexei Ramirez went from battling for the starting second base position to now likely filling in at center field while Jerry Owens works his way back from a groin injury. He went 2-for-4 Friday and threw out a runner at home plate against Texas. "I think Ramirez has done a tremendous job since we got him. I think he earned a spot in the lineup," Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen said. "I think he's been playing good everywhere we play him." Nick Swisher would start in left field ... Guillen hoped to get Joe Crede (ankle) an at-bat Saturday against the New York Mets and have him in the Opening Day lineup at Cleveland Monday. He fouled a ball off of his ankle earlier this week.
Cincinnati Reds: Corey Patterson was signed as a placeholder in center field until Jay Bruce proves he's ready to join the Reds' lineup on a regular basis. Manager Dusty Baker has never been a fan of using rookies, and he has a history with Patterson from his time at Wrigley Field. He hit .300 this spring and he's still just 28 years old, so a large amount of at-bats could be in his future this season ... Baker's fondness toward veterans could also cost 1B Joey Votto in the first couple months of the season. Scott Hatteberg can't hold him off forever though.
Cleveland Indians: The Indians have a split week in which they host the White Sox for a three-game set before traveling to face the road-weary Athletics. Neither of those opposing staffs present much of a challenge for an Indians offense that has ranked in the top eight in the majors in each of the past three seasons ... Has anyone received less attention in the past year or so than OF Franklin Gutierrez? He had to battle (and beat) Ben Francisco for the starting gig, and the 25-year-old hit .370 to lead the team in batting average this spring. In just 271 at-bats last season, he hit 13 homers. He could be a nice sleeper this season.
Colorado Rockies: Jayson Nix was named the starting second baseman to replace Kazuo Matsui, and Fantasy owners everywhere said, "Eh." They'd much rather see Ian Stewart with the job, but he'll start the season in the minors, possible Triple-A Colorado Springs. The slugging prospect's defense is questionable and they'll try to develop his glovework at second base in the minors. He'll be a nice pickup when he does arrive though ... The Rockies led all NL teams with 478 runs scored at home last season, and they have three games at Coors Field this week.
Detroit Tigers: The Tigers will not begin their assault on the Yankees' offensive records as a team until Curtis Granderson returns a couple weeks from now after his broken finger heals. Brandon Inge, who has been vocal about a trade request, will start in center field as his replacement ... It looks like SS Edgar Renteria will bat leadoff, with 2B Placido Polanco in the two-hole, Gary Sheffield third, Magglio Ordonez will hit cleanup, followed by superstar 3B Miguel Cabrera. Polanco stands to benefit the most from a Fantasy standpoint. Renteria is a solid leadoff hitter, and Polanco hit .426 with 15 runs scored in 22 games this spring. He could easily get 200 hits again and score 120 runs -- while striking out just 30 times ... Ivan Rodriguez led the majors this spring with eight homers -- it might take him until July before he hits that many in the regular season again.
Florida Marlins: The post-Cabrera era begins with Jorge Cantu manning third base for the Fish. He led the team this spring with a .382 batting average and 16 RBI, which earns him a start in NL-only formats as far as we're concerned ... Jeremy Hermida (hamstring) could start 2008 on the 15-day disabled list, so veteran Luis E. Gonzalez gets the nod on Opening Day against the Mets and Johan Santana in South Florida. His Fantasy-viable days are well behind him ... Cameron Maybin returned to the minors for some seasoning -- he hit just .190 this spring -- and Cody Ross should be the benefactor.
Houston Astros: This just in -- Hunter Pence likes spring. Last spring, he got everyone's attention by hitting .571 to lead the NL. This March, he took a big step back, batting just .378 in 25 games. His 31 hits were second in the majors during the exhibition season ... Unfortunately, Pence's new partner in center field, Michael Bourn, has not had as good a spring. Only four other hitters had more than his 21 strikeouts in March. He hit .222 with just a .308 OBP. Rotisserie owners will want to keep him active because of his speed and 40-steal potential, but Head-to-Head owners should wait ... Kazuo Matsui is still sidelined, so Geoff Blum and Mark Loretta will share at-bats at second until he returns.
Kansas City Royals: We got a guy -- his name's Jake -- that works on the third floor. He's like Rain Man with the Fantasy. He's a big fan of DH Billy Butler this spring, and the Royals' batting leader this spring (.371) is garnering more fans every day. Only 16 hitters had more than his four homers and only eight batters had more total bases (45) this spring. Don't let the DH status scare you though -- he's expected to get plenty of starts at first base. He's only owned in 75 percent of Fantasy leagues ... OF Jose Guillen had his suspension put on hold this week until at least April 9, which means he can play in Week 1. He had a slow spring, but he's one of the few power guys in this lineup.
L.A. Angels: Chone Figgins was the top hitter in the majors from May 31 on last season, after he recovered from broken fingers to hit .381, with 42 multi-hit games in that span ... Gary Matthews Jr. is still hurting with an ankle injury, but he's expected to take batting practice Saturday according to the L.A. Times. The Angels have four games at the Johan-less Minnesota Twins before coming home to play a Rangers pitching staff that posted a 27th-best 5.25 ERA on the road last season. Consider benching him in Head-to-Head leagues, but rolling the dice in Rotisserie.
L.A. Dodgers: Jeff Kent played five innings and doubled in a run against the Red Sox Friday, so his right hamstring pull appears to be behind him (pun?) ... Blake DeWitt is not the runner-up from American Idol last season -- he is your L.A. Dodgers Opening Day third baseman! Do they line third base with land mines now? Nomar Garciaparra (broken hand) will be back in a couple weeks. Andy LaRoche (torn thumb ligament) is out until May, and now Tony Abreu is battling a strained right groin. DeWitt isn't worth starting this week against the Giants and Padres ... Juan Pierre has a very real chance of being benched in favor of Andre Ethier, who has so far proven to be a better hitter (.361 with six homer and 15 RBI this spring) and defender.
Milwaukee Brewers: OK, we get it -- don't wear your sunglasses at night -- Corey Hart. The joke never gets not old. What could get old for his Fantasy owners is the fact that he and teammate Rickie Weeks struck out a majors' high 26 times this spring. Hart has NFL GMs drooling with his size (6-foot-6) and speed (23 steals last season, five this spring), but the strikeouts could cost you in Head-to-Head play. Rickie Weeks was batting under .200 with 20 Ks in 40 at-bats a week ago, but he brought the average up to .233 and we're still big fans.
Minnesota Twins: Carlos Gomez, the prized prospect that came over from the Mets in the Johan Santana deal, is officially starting in center field, but he's dealing with some hamstring soreness, so the steals might be on hold in Week 1 ... Justin Morneau gets to look around the horn to see 2B Brendan Harris, SS Adam Everett and 3B Mike Lamb and wonder out loud, "Why am I being punished?" ... Delmon Young might have had the quietest 92 RBI in MLB history last season, and along with new teammate Michael Cuddyer, they both led the Twins this spring with 12 RBI apiece.
N.Y. Yankees: Robinson Cano and Alex Rodriguez both hit .452 this spring, but it was Cano that led the Yankees -- and co-led the majors -- with 19 RBI. Hitting in the back third of the lineup would hurt some players' Fantasy values, but the Yankees are deeper than most teams offensively, so his RBI chances are still plentiful ... The Yankees have six games at Yankee Stadium this week against the Jays and the Rays. No team came close to them in scoring runs at home (6.42 runs per game).
N.Y. Mets: One of the big stories this spring was the play of Angel Pagan for the Mets. With Moises Alou out for a bit after hernia surgery, Pagan will get the start in left field at the Marlins Monday. He led the team in batting average (.329) and RBI (10) this spring ... The Mets are on the road for six games, but only three are against a decent staff (Atlanta).
Oakland Athletics: The A's could battle their Bay area brethren, the Giants, for fewest runs scored this season. Jack Hannahan impressed Oakland's management, and he will work in place of Eric Chavez (back, shoulder) for the first week or so ... Can Jack Cust prove that last season wasn't a fluke? He hit .263 with three homers and 11 RBI this spring and he's going to be relied on in the heart of this order for power. He's owned in only 55 percent of CBSSports.com leagues.
Philadelphia Phillies: Pedro Feliz's arrival at Citizens Bank Park could surprise more than a few Fantasy owners. He hit at least 20 homers in four straight seasons in spacious AT&T Park in San Francisco, and now he'll get to tee off in an amazing lineup in a tiny park. Feliz co-led the team in homers, along with Ryan Howard, with five this spring ... Last season, the Phillies' three MVP candidates (1B Howard, SS Jimmy Rollins and 2B Chase Utley) were among one of the greatest offensive infield trios in history, knocking in 333 runs combined. That brings back shades of the Tigers' amazing 1934 infield foursome of 1B Hank Greenberg, 2B Charlie Gehringer, SS Billy Rogell and Marv Owen, who knocked in a majors-record combined 462 runs.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Chris Duffy is sidelined on the DL with a shoulder injury, opening up a spot for Nate McLouth, who I've always enjoyed watching play. He'll start in center field, with LF Jason Bay and RF Xavier Nady flanking him ... Bay is hoping to rebound from a tough '07 season in which a sore knee held him back ... Ryan Doumit is currently a man without a starting job, but he's talented enough to play in several spots, including catcher. If Nady doesn't improve on his .182 spring batting average -- or gets traded -- Doumit could start in right.
San Diego Padres: The Padres sent down slugging prospect Chase Headley for seasoning and are prepared to start Paul McAnulty in left field alongside Scott Hairston, who is starting because Jim Edmonds (calf) is on the DL ... McAnulty was a surprise this spring, batting .286 with four homers and 13 RBI ... No team scored fewer runs at home last season than the Padres -- and they have six games at spacious Petco Park this week against the Astros and Dodgers ... Kouzmanoff had a great second half, batting .317 with 11 homers and 37 RBI, and he hit .304 with three homers and seven RBI this spring.
San Francisco Giants: Goodbye, Barry Bonds. Hello, getting shutout a lot this season. The Giants look like they'll go with catcher Bengie Molina, who is coming off a career season, at cleanup. We're talking about a 33-year-old backstop that has never hit 20 homers or knocked in 85 runs ... Eugenio Velez led the majors this spring with 14 stolen bases and with Kevin Frandsen (Achilles') injured, he could see starts around the infield. They need to produce runs any way they can, and his speed will help.
Seattle Mariners: Outside of Ichiro Suzuki, there's not really a lot of star power in the Mariners' lineup. They're an average offensive squad, and Ichiro hit just .203 (14 for 69) in spring ... Mike Morse, who led the majors in March with a .508 batting average and 43 hits, will work as a super-utility player that can play the outfield and infield.
St. Louis Cardinals: The Cardinals starting outfield looks like it will consist of a former major league pitcher (Rick Ankiel), a pitching coach's son (Chris Duncan) and a dude named Skip (Schumaker) ... Ankiel has proven to be much more than a pitching bust, as his power a season ago opened many eyes ... Duncan, coming off a hernia injury last season, had a horrible spring, hitting just .167 in 20 games ... Schumaker was just the opposite -- batting .394 in March, with a team-high 28 hits ... But this club will live or die on the thread of a ligament that is hanging on Albert Pujols' right elbow. His five homers and 18 RBI this spring prove he's still capable of playing at a high level until he is forced to undergo surgery.
Tampa Bay Rays: As if Jonny Gomes didn't give you enough reason for wanting to bench him after hitting just .228 this spring, he's also going to miss the first couple games because of the two-point takedown on Shelley Duncan in a spring training scuffle. Cliff Floyd will DH, while Eric Hinske plays right field in Gomes' stead ... Willy Aybar is ready to start at third base in place of recently-demoted Evan Longoria, despite a sore hamstring.
Texas Rangers: No other player had more RBI than Josh Hamilton's 19 this spring, and the former Reds outfielder is expected to replace a big chunk of offense that Mark Teixeira took with him to Atlanta. He's healthy, he led the team with seven doubles this spring and Fantasy owners can't wait to see him hit at Ranger Park in Arlington. But they'll have to wait a week because the Rangers have six games on the road this week at Seattle and Anaheim ... Rangers manager Ron Washington expects Milton Bradley to start the season as the team's designated hitter while he recovers from knee surgery. Marlon Byrd would likely start in right field in his place.
Toronto Blue Jays: I picked Aaron Hill as my surprise player of the season. I realize he had a solid '07 season (.291-17-78-70-4), but with his talent and the potential lineup around him, the 26-year-old could develop into a .300-24-90-90-5 hitter, which would rank him close to what Robinson Cano does for the Yankees. He's an extremely streaky hitter, but as a third-year veteran he could make his slumps shorter ... Marco Scutaro will get the starts at third base until Scott Rolen returns from a non-displaced fractured right middle finger ... The Blue Jays have to start strong against the Yankees and Red Sox in Week 1.
Washington Nationals: The Nats start the season in their new home park and they're hoping it's a little more hitter friendly than RFK Stadium. The Grand Canyon would be more hitter friendly than RFK. But even so, this new park is still expected to favor pitchers more than hitters, just not by as much ... Nick Johnson is healthy after breaking his leg in a gruesome injury late in '06, and he hit .286 with a .390 on-base percentage. Those numbers will improve as he gets his swing back, as will the one homer and three RBI he posted in March ... C Paul Lo Duca pronounced himself healthy after knee surgery, but he remains a No. 2 catcher in Fantasy ... Cristian Guzman and Ronnie Belliard start in the middle of the infield, leaving Felipe Lopez on the bench for now ... Lastings Milledge hit .329 this spring and he'll start in center field.
Feel free to send me a question or a comment. Here are a few that you can just clip and paste. "Are you insane?" ... "What are you thinking?" ... "You're an idiot -- but can you tell me if I should make this trade?" ... "I have a beautiful sister that likes Fantasy dorks, want her number?" ... Send your comments, hate mail, credit card numbers and beautiful sister's phone numbers to me by clicking on my Columnist page and sending a note through the form.
