Week 12 Pitching Planner

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: Brandon Webb is a must-start, two-start pitcher in all leagues. He left his last start with a hip issue, but it apparently won't keep him out and those are two solid matchups vs. Oakland and at Minnesota. ... Dan Haren, Doug Davis, Randy Johnson and Micah Owings follow as one-start pitchers in the six-game week.

Atlanta Braves: Jair Jurrjens (ankle) is expected to make his start Monday at Colorado at this point. He and Tim Hudson are two-start pitchers. Hudson in all leagues and Jurrjens in deeper formats. ... Rookie Jo-Jo Reyes, Charlie Morton and Jorge Campillo are expected to follow as one-start pitchers in the seven-game week.

Baltimore Orioles: Garrett Olson is a two-start pitcher for deeper leagues. ... Jeremy Guthrie, Brian Burres, Radhames Liz and Daniel Cabrera follow as one-start pitchers.

Boston Red Sox: Bartolo Colon was tentatively slated to be a two-start pitcher, but he will likely be moved back from his second start for a potential return of Daisuke Matsuzaka (shoulder). ... Dice-K makes a Triple-A rehab start and should return Sunday at Fenway vs. St. Louis. Consider him merely in deeper AL-only leagues because he could have a setback, or the Red Sox could just choose to hold him back a day for a full turn in the rotation. ... Colon, Jon Lester, Justin Masterson, Tim Wakefield and Josh Beckett are certain to make at least one start in the six-game week. ... Masterson has pitched very well, but it is likely he is the one removed from the rotation once Dice-K is ready. The Red Sox really need a setup man, so it is conceivable they slot the buggy-whip slider throwing Masterson in the Joba Role. That would take Masterson out of the De facto No. 6 starter role and put Triple-A starter Clay Buchholz in it.

Chicago Cubs: Ryan Dempster is a solid two-start pitcher, albeit with a couple of relatively tough matchups at Tampa Bay and vs. the White Sox. ... Carlos Zambrano, Sean Gallagher, John Danks and Ted Lilly follow as one-start options. ... Rich Hill is off the Triple-A DL, but he is still struggling mightily with his command, walking sevens in his past two starts. ... Sean Marshall is also back off the Triple-A DL and seems to be the more capable starter replacement for the recently stable Gallagher. Hill and Marshall are nothing more than sleepers for deeper leagues at this point.

Chicago White Sox: Javier Vazquez is a must-start, two-start pitcher in all leagues. ... Mark Buehrle, Gavin Floyd, John Danks and Jose Contreras are one-start pitchers in the six-game week.

Cincinnati Reds: Johnny Cueto is a two-start pitcher worth taking a shot on. The rookie is erratic, but he will pick up strikeouts even on days when he doesn't have his best stuff. ... Bronson Arroyo, Aaron Harang, Edinson Volquez and Homer Bailey follow as one-start pitchers in the six-game week.

Cleveland Indians: Paul Byrd is a two-start pitcher best left for deeper leagues. ... Lefties Aaron Laffey, Jeremy Sowers, Cliff Lee and C.C. Sabathia follow as one-start options. With Sabathia on the trade block, Sowers and Laffey figure to remain in the rotation for the long haul. Sabathia could be dealt by the time Fausto Carmona is ready to return in the next few weeks.

Colorado Rockies: Ubaldo Jimenez and Greg Reynolds are risky two-start pitchers. ... Jeff Francis, a TBD and Aaron Cook follow as one-start options in the seven-game week. ... The TBD figures to be Jorge De La Rosa again. He was solid in his spot start Saturday. ... Jason Hirsh (shoulder) was removed from this Triple-A rehab assignment Friday and optioned to Triple-A, so he won't be eligible to return to the majors in Fantasy Week 12 (June 16-22). Watch him for a potential return before the All-Star break, though. The former top prospect has potential, especially for a team expected to get hot and score a lot of runs in the second half.

Detroit Tigers: Eddie Bonine got a victory in his debut Saturday, but it is possible (even likely) the Tigers go with a four-man rotation this week with offdays Thursday and the following Monday. Bonine could be skipped and we project that in our Probable Pitchers report. ... Sit Bonine in all leagues. The strike-throwing command arm is a high-risk option best left for deeper AL-only leagues, regardless. ... Justin Verlander is a must-start two-start pitcher regardless, while Kenny Rogers picks up a second start if the No. 5 spot is indeed skipped by the resurgent Tigers. We have to admit, though, Jim Leyland tends to use his full rotation on most ocassions. ... Armando Galarraga and Nate Robertson are certain to make a start in the six-game week. ... Dontrelle Willis has yet to make a Class A start.

Florida Marlins: Andrew Miller is a two-start pitching sleeper, especially with solid matchups at Seattle and Oakland. ... Scott Olsen could also pick up a second start if the Marlins choose to skip Mark Hendrickson or Ricky Nolasco. We don't expect that, but the Marlins do have days off Thursday and the following Monday, which could allow them to go to a four-man rotation. ... Rookie Ryan Tucker cannot be skipped Wednesday, since he pitches before the off day. ... Tucker, Hendrickson and Nolasco figure to be risky one-start options best left for deeper this week.

Houston Astros: Brandon Backe is a two-start pitcher for deeper leagues. ... Brian Moehler, Shawn Chacon, Wandy Rodriguez and ace Roy Oswalt are one-start options in the six-game week.

Kansas City Royals: Kyle Davies is a two-start pitcher for deeper leagues. ... Brian Bannister, Zack Greinke, Luke Hochevar and Gil Meche follow as one-start options in the six-game week.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Jered Weaver is a two-start pitcher with a pair of tough matchups, but he should be starting in most leagues on a regular basis. He is much better than his has shown at times this first half. He is not his brother. ... John Lackey, Jon Garland, Ervin Santana and Joe Saunders follow as one-start options in the six-game week.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Chad Billingsley is a two-start pitcher worth using in any format. ... Hiroki Kuroda, Derek Lowe, a TBD for Brad Penny (shoulder) and Clayton Kershaw figure to follow as one-start options in the six-game week. ... Penny is headed for an MRI and likely the DL at this point. Sit Penny in all leagues. ... Relievers Chan Ho Park and Hong-Chih Kuo are less likely to replace Penny in the event of a DL stint than Triple-A lefty Eric Stults or Double-A righty James McDonald, according to MLB.com. Converted reliever Jon Meloan could also be an option. Non-roster Jason Johnson is a long shot because he is not on the 40-man roster at this point. ... Jason Schmidt (shoulder, ankle) has not pitched on a rehab assignment since May and is no better than a second-half returnee at this point.

Milwaukee Brewers: Manny Parra is a nice two-start pitching sleeper for deeper leagues. He has been pitching better after a slow start to the season. He was better than he showed. ... Ben Sheets, Dave Bush, Jeff Suppan and Seth McClung follow as one-start pitchers in the six-game week.

Minnesota Twins: Livan Hernandez is a risky two-start pitcher best left for deeper leagues. ... Kevin Slowey, Glen Perkins, Nick Blackburn and Scott Baker likely follow as one-start pitchers in the six-game week.

New York Mets: Mike Pelfrey is a two-start pitching sleeper for deeper leagues. He has been pretty good of late and that start at Colorado is not as dangerous because he is a sinkerball pitcher who induces ground balls. ... Johan Santana could have been considered a candidate to move up for a two-start week, but the Mets haven't been all that eager to keep Santana on regular rest thus far this season. Eventually that will change, especially amid their struggles. Santana is a must-start all leagues regardless. ... Resurgent, but still erratic, Oliver Perez, John Maine and Pedro Martinez are other one-start options in the six-game week.

New York Yankees: Andy Pettitte is a two-start pitcher with a pair of decent matchups, making him worthy of using in most leagues. ... Darrell Rasner, Joba Chamberlain, Mike Mussina and Chien-Ming Wang follow as one-start pitchers in the six-game week.

Oakland Athletics: Justin Duchscherer is a two-start pitcher for deeper leagues, because his matchups are fairly tough at Arizona and vs. the offensively potent Marlins. ... Joe Blanton, Greg Smith, Rich Harden and Dana Eveland follow as one-start pitchers in the six-game week.

Philadelphia Phillies: Cole Hamels has two tough matchups, but he is the type of two-start pitcher that you don't second-guess yourself. Start him in all leagues. ... Jamie Moyer, Kyle Kendrick, Adam Eaton and Brett Myers follow as one-start pitchers.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Ian Snell is a two-start pitcher for deeper leagues. ... Tom Gorzelanny, Phil Dumatrait, Zach Duke and Paul Maholm follow as one-start options.

San Diego Padres: Randy Wolf is a two-start pitcher whose tough matchups make him a candidate to sit. ... Jake Peavy, Josh Banks, Cha Seung Baek and Greg Maddux follow as one-start pitchers. ... Chris Young (broken nose) won't be a candidate to return until at least late June. Keep him reserved in all leagues.

San Francisco Giants: Tim Lincecum is a must-start, two-start pitcher in all leagues, regardless of the matchups at this point. ... Jonathan Sanchez, Barry Zito, Matt Cain and the returning Kevin Correia are one-start options in the six-game week.

Seattle Mariners: Carlos Silva is a high-risk, two-start pitcher, especially with those matchups vs. Florida and at Atlanta. Those two teams can really beat up a starter. ... Felix Hernandez, Miguel Batista replacement R.A. Dickey, Erik Bedard and Jarrod Washburn are one-start pitchers in the six-game week. ... J.J. Putz (elbow) will be out until at least July, so expect Brandon Morrow to sparkle as a closer for any Fantasy league. Morrow is a Joba-type who might even be better but gets lost because he has pitched in relief in the overlooked Great Northwest.

St. Louis Cardinals: Joel Pineiro slots ahead of Braden Looper for a two-start week. Pineiro is best left for deeper leagues, namely NL-only formats. ... Looper was moved back a day after posting his first complete-game shutout of his career. He follows as a one-start pitcher, as do Todd Wellemeyer, Kyle Lohse and Mitchell Boggs. ... Anthony Reyes was recalled for long relief, but he could take Boggs rotation spot at any point. Reyes might even be a candidate to take Pineiro's spot. Consider him a flier in deeper leagues at this point. We haven't given up on him as a viable starting pitcher option for Fantasy leagues.

Tampa Bay Rays: Scott Kazmir is a must-start, two-start pitcher in all Fantasy leagues at this point. ... Andy Sonnanstine, James Shields, Matt Garza and Edwin Jackson follow as one-start options. ... Shields returns from his six-game suspension this week, while Jackson has appealled his five-game suspension and will likely drop that appeal after his start in Fantasy Week 12 (June 16-22).

Texas Rangers: Vicente Padilla is a two-start pitcher better left for deeper leagues, because of that tough first matchup vs. the Braves (Hudson). ... Rookie Eric Hurley, Scott Feldman, Kevin Millwood and Kason Gabbard likely follow as one-start options in the six-game week.

Toronto Blue Jays: Dustin McGowan is an advisable two-start pitcher, especially since the second start comes against the Pirates. ... Shaun Marcum, A.J. Burnett, Roy Halladay and Jesse Litsch are one-start pitchers in the six-game week.

Washington Nationals: John Lannan is a two-start pitcher still best left for deeper leagues. ... Jason Bergmann, Shawn Hill, Tyler Clippard and Tim Redding are one-start pitchers in the six-game week.

Fantasy Week 12 (June 16-22)

This week's probable two-start pitchers
Must-start options
Pitcher	Start No. 1	Start No. 2
Scott Kazmir	vs CHC Dempster	vs HOU Backe
Cole Hamels	vs BOS	vs LAA Weaver
Brandon Webb	vs OAK Duchscherer	at MIN Hernandez
Tim Lincecum	vs DET Verlander	at KC Davies
Justin Verlander	at SF Lincecum	at SD Maddux
Javier Vazquez	vs PIT Snell	at CHC Dempster
Tim Hudson	at TEX Padilla	vs SEA Silve
Advisable options
Pitcher	Start No. 1	Start No. 2
Ryan Dempster	at TB Kazmir	vs CHW Vazquez
Chad Billingsley	at CIN Cueto	vs CLE Byrd
Jered Weaver	vs NYM Pelfrey	at PHI Hamels
Dustin McGowan	at MIL Parra	at PIT Snell
Justin Duchscherer	at ARI Webb	vs FLA Miller
Andy Pettitte	vs SD Wolf	vs CIN Cueto
Johnny Cueto	at LAD Billingsley	at NYY Pettitte
Jair Jurrjens	at COL Jimenez	vs SEA Washburn
Ian Snell	at CHW Vazquez	vs TOR McGowan
Manny Parra	vs TOR McGowan	vs BAL Olson
Questionable options
Pitcher	Start No. 1	Start No. 2
Randy Wolf	at NYY Pettitte	vs DET Rogers
Vicente Padilla	vs ATL Hudson	at WAS Lannan
Andrew Miller	at SEA Silva	at OAK Duchscherer
Mike Pelfrey	at LAA Weaver	at COL Reynolds
Garrett Olson	vs HOU Backe	at MIL Parra
John Lannan	at MIN Hernandez	vs TEX Padilla
Ubaldo Jimenez	vs ATL Jurrjens	vs NYM Martinez
Paul Byrd	at COL Reynolds	at LAD Billingsley
Kenny Rogers	at SF Sanchez	at SD Wolf
Kyle Davies	at STL Pineiro	vs SF Lincecum
Livan Hernandez	vs WAS Lannan	vs ARI Webb
High-risk options
Pitcher	Start No. 1	Start No. 2
Carlos Silva	vs FLA Miller	at ATL Hudson
Brandon Backe	at BAL Olson	at TB Kazmir
Joel Pineiro	vs KC Davies	at BOS Matsuzaka?
Greg Reynolds	vs CLE Byrd	vs NYM Pelfrey

Pitch a question

Brent: I have Rich Harden against Florida for one start and Jered Weaver for two against the Mets and Philly. Harden has been pitching lights out lately, but I never know what kind of start I will get from Jered. What should I do? Other than those two, I already have Sabathia, Lincecum and Dempster in there. Which between Harden and Jered should I plug into that last spot?

Emack: We would say take the chance on Weaver, but Harden is a must-start in all leagues right now. Go with Harden and let Weaver's roller-coaster first half settle down a little.

Steve Gerkin: I'm in a 10-team Rotisserie league, and I have Bedard, Carmona (reserved), Dempster, Hamels, Lee, Marcum, Volquez and Zambrano as starters (Verlander is available); B.J. Ryan and Billy Wagner as closers (Salomon Torres, Trevor Hoffman and Jason Isringhausen are available). I'm currently ninth in ERA and 10th in WHIP. Any changes you would recommend?

Emack: Mr. Gerkin you have an interesting pickle (a sorry pun we couldn't avoid). With Volquez and Lee, how in the world are you next-to-last in ERA? Verlander is a must-have in all leagues right now, so try to trade two of your starters for a stud closer and pick up Verlander. Francisco Rodriguez and Jonathan Papelbon should be your targets. Ignore those waiver-wire closers.

Tim: If you had to trade one of Dan Haren or Edinson Volquez (non-keeper; 5x5 Rotisserie league), who would it be? I guess I'm asking who is a better bet for the rest of the season?

Emack: Haren is the better Fantasy option because he is a veteran less likely to disappoint here on out. But Volquez has been so good, you might be better off getting the greater value out of dealing Haren and just taking the chance on Volquez. Shop Volquez first, but do the deal that gets you the most help in other categories.

Miguel, Monticello, N.Y.: I have both Bedard and Harang on my roster and am growing increasingly frustrated with them both. They obviously have minimal trade value, so what is an owner to do? And what are your thoughts on Jonathan Sanchez? Reliable Fantasy starter?

Emack: Bedard and Harang are pretty good bets to turn it around and prove more consistent this year. Sanchez is clearly not in their class. If you cannot trade Bedard and Harang, you should most certainly not cut them to pick up Sanchez.

Timothy Fries, Ada, Michigan: Rich Hill: Sent down to Triple-A to work on his control, gets injured and was on the DL. When will he be called up? And is he worth a roster spot?

Emack: Hill looks like no more than a July option at this point, and likely not until after the All-Star break. It would have to be a real deep league for you to have Hill stashed at this point.

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.