Week 9 Fantasy Pitching Planner

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. Dan Haren at LAD Haeger
2. Edwin Jackson at LAD Ely
3. Ian Kennedy vs COL Chacin
4. Rodrigo Lopez vs LAD Billingsley, vs COL Jimenez
5. Billy Buckner vs COL Cook

Two-starter(s): Lopez. He is a high-risk option even in the deepest of NL-only leagues, especially against those opponents.
Who is getting skipped: Perhaps Buckner. The struggling No. 5 starter could be skipped after Thursday's offday to keep the other four starters on regular rest. Haren would pick up a second start in that event. He is an advisable one-starter, regardless. Buckner is a must-sit.
One-week sleeper: Jackson. He lost his past start, but he has three quality starts in his past five and has struck out 43 batters in 36 1/3 innings in those starts. He is having a bad season, but this stretch of strikeouts puts him on a career-best 194 pace.
One-week bust: Buckner. He could have pitched himself out of the rotation going just four innings with seven earned in each of his past two starts.

Atlanta Braves

1. Tommy Hanson vs PHI Blanton, at LAD Billingsley
2. Tim Hudson vs PHI Hamels, at LAD Haeger
3. Derek Lowe vs PHI Kendrick
4. Kris Medlen at LAD Kuroda
5. Kenshin Kawakami at LAD Kershaw

Two-starter(s): Hanson and Hudson. They are must-starts in all leagues, regardless of the difficult matchups.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Medlen. He has pitched well enough to consider in mixed leagues and might even be sending Kawakami to long relief once Jair Jurrjens (hamstring) returns later in June.
One-week bust: Kawakami. He took an 0-7 record into Sunday's start and might be pitching himself to the bullpen. He is too risky to trust in mixed leagues.

Baltimore Orioles

1. Kevin Millwood at NYY Sabathia
2. Chris Tillman vs BOS Buchholz
3. Jeremy Guthrie vs BOS Lester
4. Brian Matusz at NYY Vazquez, vs BOS Lackey
5. Brad Bergesen at NYY Hughes

Two-starter(s): Matusz. His struggles and matchups make him a high-risk option best avoided in all leagues this week.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Tillman. He was decent in his season debut and is a solid add in mixed leagues. He might be the only O's starter worth taking a chance on in a difficult week of matchups.
One-week bust: Matusz. He has been bad, bad in May (0-4, 7.50) so don't let his three quality starts in three outings combined against the Yankees and Red Sox fool you into starting him.

Boston Red Sox

1. Jon Lester at BAL Guthrie
2. John Lackey vs OAK Gonzalez, at BAL Matusz
3. Daisuke Matsuzaka vs OAK Sheets
4. Tim Wakefield vs OAK Anderson
5. Clay Buchholz at BAL Tillman

Two-starter(s): Lackey. He is an advisable option in all leagues after getting his three-start slump out of his system his last time out.
Who is getting skipped: Josh Beckett (back). He was targeting a Thursday return but it will be put off at least one more week.
One-week sleeper: Matsuzaka. The walks are maddening but the A's are one of the worst teams in baseball in walks taken. Dice-K shouldn't be pitching scared to that punchless lineup.
One-week bust: Wakefield. After blanking the slugging Phillies, he was hammered by the slap-hitting Royals in his last start. We cannot explain it, save for suggesting slugging teams flail wildly at floating knuckleballs. The A's are closer to the Royals than the Phillies in the way they swing the bats, perhaps that is the type of team to avoid with Wakefield. He cannot be used outside of AL-only formats.

Chicago Cubs

1. Ted Lilly at PIT Karstens
2. Carlos Zambrano at PIT Duke
3. Ryan Dempster at HOU Myers
4. Carlos Silva at HOU Oswalt
5. Randy Wells at PIT Ohlendorf, at HOU Paulino

Two-starter(s): Wells. He didn't record an out last time out, which will allow him to start Monday on short rest. Consider him a questionable option coming off his start and the fact Tom Gorzelanny could also be used on regular rest for the Pirates start.
Who is getting skipped: Tom Gorzelanny. He has been moved to long relief amid Zambrano's return Wednesday.
One-week sleeper: Zambrano. He gets a weak opponent in his return to the rotation, which makes him a solid start in all formats even if he cannot get to 100 pitches right away.
One-week bust: Wells and Gorzelanny. The Cubs have decided Gorzelanny will be the one in the bullpen, but Wells is a bit too risky to trust in mixed leagues.

Chicago White Sox

1. Jake Peavy vs CLE Talbot
2. Mark Buehrle vs TEX Harden, vs CLE Westbrook
3. Gavin Floyd vs TEX Feldman
4. John Danks vs CLE Masterson
5. Freddy An. Garcia vs TEX Lewis

Two-starter(s): Buehrle. He is an advisable option in most formats. He is plenty rested after getting ejected in the third inning in his last start.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Buehrle. He is pitching better of late and is 11-4 with a 3.07 ERA in 18 career starts against the Rangers. That second matchup is real favorable, too.
One-week bust: Garcia. He is coming off a good start, but we wouldn't trust him in a mixed league against Texas, unlike Buehrle.

Cincinnati Reds

1. Aaron Harang at WAS Hernandez
2. Mike Leake at WAS Atilano
3. Bronson Arroyo at STL Garcia, at WAS Stammen
4. Johnny Cueto at STL Walters
5. Sam LeCure at STL Carpenter

Two-starter(s): Arroyo. He is an advisable option in deeper leagues amid his four-start winning streak.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Arroyo. He is getting the two starts amid his hot streak. We're surprised he is available in 42 percent of CBSSports.com's leagues.
One-week bust: LeCure. The 26-year-old has potential and debuted well, but we cannot advise him against a team like the Cardinals.

Cleveland Indians

1. Mitch Talbot at NYY Pettitte, at CHW Peavy
2. Jake Westbrook at DET Bonderman, at CHW Buehrle
3. Fausto Carmona at DET Galarraga
4. David Huff at DET Porcello
5. Justin Masterson at CHW Danks

Two-starter(s): Talbot and Westbrook. They are questionable options for mixed leagues, ones we wouldn't advise using outside of AL-only leagues.
Who is getting skipped: Perhaps Huff (head). He took an Alex Rodriguez liner off the side of the head, but he says he will be fine to make his next start. That is noble of him, but we cannot guarantee the team will let him make that start.
One-week sleeper: Carmona. He has been consistent enough to trust in mixed leagues on a regular basis in his rebound season.
One-week bust: Talbot. He has been surprisingly effective as a rookie, but he really hasn't been great in May (5.03), despite continuing to win games. We don't think you should start him in mixed leagues, especially with that tough first matchup.

Colorado Rockies

1. Ubaldo Jimenez at SF Lincecum, at ARI Lopez
2. Jason Hammel at SF Zito
3. Jeff Francis at SF Cain
4. Aaron Cook at ARI Buckner
5. Jhoulys Chacin at ARI Kennedy

Two-starter(s): Jimenez. The arguable ace of Fantasy is a must-start in all leagues.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Chacin. If you follow data patterns, he is due for one more good start before a couple of disappointing ones.
One-week bust: Hammel, Francis and Cook. They have been good alternately good and bad. We cannot project which one of each you will get, despite decent matchups.

Detroit Tigers

1. Justin Verlander vs OAK Cahill, at KC Hochevar
2. Jeremy Bonderman vs CLE Westbrook, at KC Bannister
3. Armando Galarraga vs CLE Carmona
4. Rick Porcello vs CLE Huff
5. Max Scherzer at KC Chen

Two-starter(s): Verlander and Bonderman. Verlander is a must-start, while the resurgent Bonderman is an advisable one in all leagues now.
Who is getting skipped: Dontrelle Willis. He has been designated for assignment to make room for the return of Scherzer.
One-week sleeper: Scherzer. His knockout stuff was apparent Sunday in his return with a 14-strikeout outing, that was 14 of 17 outs via the way of K. The Royals aren't an overwhelming matchup either.
One-week bust: None. All five Tigers starters look like solid options in all formats with those matchups.

Florida Marlins

1. Josh Johnson vs MIL Parra
2. Anibal Sanchez at NYM TBD
3. Nate Robertson vs MIL Narveson, at NYM Dickey
4. Ricky Nolasco vs MIL Bush, at NYM Takahashi
5. Chris Volstad vs MIL Gallardo

Two-starter(s): Robertson and Nolasco. They are questionable options amid their up-and-down season, but they are risks worth taking in deeper leagues.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Robertson. He has a 3.10 ERA and .255 BAA in his five May starts, which make him a decent flier in mixed formats this week.
One-week bust: Nolasco. Unlike Robertson, Nolasco has been poor in May (5.40 ERA, .304 BAA) and is a risky likely best avoided in smaller mixed leagues.

Houston Astros

1. Roy Oswalt vs WAS Atilano, vs CHC Dempster
2. Brett Myers vs WAS Stammen, vs CHC Wells
3. Wandy Rodriguez vs WAS Lannan
4. Brian Moehler vs WAS Martin
5. Felipe Paulino vs CHC Silva

Two-starter(s): Oswalt and Myers. Oswalt is a must-start coming off his past gem, while Myers is proving to be an advisable option in all leagues.
Who is getting skipped: Bud Norris (shoulder). Norris is out for at least a few weeks on the 15-day DL.
One-week sleeper: Myers. He is unbeaten at home and has been great in May with a 2.65 ERA and .256 BAA in five starts.
One-week bust: Moehler. He was brutally bad in his first start and really doesn't deserve another one at this point.

Kansas City Royals

1. Zack Greinke vs LAA Weaver
2. Luke Hochevar vs LAA Santana, vs DET Verlander
3. Brian Bannister vs LAA Pineiro, vs DET Bonderman
4. Kyle Davies vs LAA Kazmir
5. Bruce Chen vs DET Scherzer

Two-starter(s): Hochevar and Bannister. They are advisable options in deeper leagues amid pretty decent stretches for them. Hochevar is 3-1 with a 3.94 ERA in his five May starts, while Bannister is 3-1 with a 4.26 ERA in his past four starts.
Who is getting skipped: Gil Meche (shoulder). He has battled shoulder woes and will be on the 15-day DL for awhile.
One-week sleeper: Hochevar. This May has represented a breakout for him, which makes him a sleeper pickup in mixed formats right now.
One-week bust: Davies. He is coming off a bad start and is not trustworthy for mixed Fantasy leagues this week.

Los Angeles Angels

1. Jered Weaver at KC Greinke
2. Joe Saunders at SEA Snell
3. Ervin Santana at KC Hochevar, at SEA Fister
4. Joel Pineiro at KC Bannster, at SEA Vargas
5. Scott Kazmir at KC Davies

Two-starter(s): Santana and Pineiro. They are advisable options in most leagues with those favorable matchups.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Saunders. He was 2-1 with a 1.57 ERA in his past four starts going into Sunday.
One-week bust: Kazmir. We would still trust him in deeper leagues, but his past start (after a couple of good ones) makes it harder and harder to trust him in mixed formats.

Los Angeles Dodgers

1. Hiroki Kuroda vs ATL Medlen
2. Clayton Kershaw vs ATL Kawakami
3. Chad Billingsley vs ARI Lopez, vs ATL Hanson
4. John Ely vs ARI Haren, vs ATL Hudson
5. Carlos Monasterios vs ARI Jackson

Two-starter(s): Billingsley and Ely. Billingsley is a must-start in all leagues, while Ely is advisable even in mixed leagues now.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Ely. He is 3-1 with a 2.18 ERA in his five consecutive quality starts after his so-so major-league debut. He is sticking around and helping Fantasy owners long term.
One-week bust: Monasterios. The Rule-5 rookie might not be able to go long enough to impact Fantasy teams. There is potential here, but Vicente Padilla (forearm) might not be far from a return to the rotation as he starts a rehab assignment this week.

Milwaukee Brewers

1. Yovani Gallardo at FLA Volstad
2. Randy Wolf at STL Wainwright
3. Chris Narveson at FLA Robertson, at STL Garcia
4. Dave Bush at FLA Nolasco, at STL Walters
5. Manny Parra at FLA Johnson

Two-starter(s): Narveson and Bush. They are high-risk options even in the deepest of NL-only leagues at this point.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Wolf. He was better in his past two starts, but that Cardinals matchup makes him merely an NL-only option still.
One-week bust: Bush. He has had just one bad start in his past six, but we still wouldn't trust him outside of NL formats in this two-start week.

Minnesota Twins

1. Francisco Liriano at SEA Fister, at OAK Cahill
2. Nick Blackburn at SEA Vargas, at OAK Gonzalez
3. Kevin Slowey at SEA Lee
4. Carl Pavano at SEA Hernandez
5. Scott Baker at OAK Braden

Two-starter(s): Liriano and Blackburn. Lirano is a must-start ace, while Blackburn is at least advisable in all leagues amid his five-start winning streak (2.65 ERA, .278 BAA).
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Blackburn. He is owned in just 41 percent of CBSSports.com's leagues and active in a mere 27 percent. This is a pitcher on pace for 20 victories right now and he is hot. Start him in all formats, especially with those matchups.
One-week bust: None. All five of the Twins starters are must-starts this week.

New York Mets

1. Johan Santana at SD Richard
2. Mike Pelfrey at SD LeBlanc, vs FLA Nolasco
3. Hisanori Takahashi at SD Correia, vs FLA Robertson
4. R.A. Dickey vs FLA Sanchez
5. Fernando Nieve likely to be skipped

Two-starter(s): Takahashi and Pelfrey. Takahashi has been surprisingly effective and is advisable even in mixed formats right now. Pelfrey is a must-start in all leagues even if he doesn't pick up that second start due to a projected skipping for the No. 5 starter.
Who is getting skipped: Nieve and Jonathon Niese (hamstring). Nieve isn't likely to get another start, since the Mets can go with a four-man rotation until a No. 5 starter is next needed June 12. Niese should be activated from his rehab assignment by then, if not before.
One-week sleeper: Takahashi. He is 4-1 with a 2.13 ERA as a 35-year-old rookie import and hasn't given up a run in two career starts (12 scoreless innings).
One-week bust: Nieve. The Mets figure to skip their No. 5 starter and Nieve would be too high-risk anyway.

New York Yankees

1. CC Sabathia vs BAL Millwood
2. A.J. Burnett at TOR Cecil
3. Andy Pettitte vs CLE Talbot, at TOR Romero
4. Javier Vazquez vs BAL Matusz, at TOR Morrow
5. Phil Hughes vs BAL Bergesen

Two-starter(s): Pettitte and Vazquez. Pettitte is a must-start, while Vazquez is a questionable option we say is worth the risk in most deeper leagues, because of those matchups.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Vazquez. We tend to give veterans the benefit of the doubt and Vazquez is the only Yankees starter who isn't a must-start this week. You should still use him if you own him, though. If you can't use him this week with those two-start matchups, when can you use him?
One-week bust: None. All five Yankees starters are advisable options this week.

Oakland Athletics

1. Ben Sheets at BOS Matsuzaka
2. Brett Anderson at BOS Wakefield
3. Dallas Braden vs MIN Baker
4. Trevor Cahill at DET Verlander, vs MIN Liriano
5. Gio Gonzalez at BOS Lackey, vs MIN Blackburn

Two-starter(s): Cahill and Gonzalez. They could be questionable options because of their matchups, not the way they are pitching. But you probably should trust them in most formats, so let's consider them more advisable than questionable.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Cahill. He has been outstanding of late (3-1, 2.08 in May) and is a nice addition in the 75 percent of leagues he is available. Pick him up and use him this week.
One-week bust: Braden. He has struggled with his ankle issue and struggled through his start Sunday. It is time to sit "Mr. Perfection I" in mixed formats.

Philadelphia Phillies

1. Roy Halladay vs SD Latos
2. Jamie Moyer vs SD Garland
3. Joe Blanton at ATL Hanson, vs SD Correia
4. Cole Hamels at ATL Hudson
5. Kyle Kendrick at ATL Lowe

Two-starter(s): Blanton. He is a questionable option because he hasn't allowed fewer than three runs in any of his starts to date, including five in two of his past three starts. We still see some value in him as a two-starter in deeper leagues, though. The Phillies' offense isn't going to struggle this much for long.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Kendrick. He is 3-1 with 3.13 ERA in his five May starts, making him a nice sleeper in mixed leagues.
One-week bust: None. All of the Phillies starters are worth using in most formats this week, even the struggling Blanton.

Pittsburgh Pirates

1. Zach Duke vs CHC Zambrano
2. Paul Maholm vs SF Wellemeyer
3. Ross Ohlendorf vs CHC Wells, vs SF Lincecum
4. Jeff Karstens vs CHC Lilly
5. Brian Burres vs SF Sanchez

Two-starter(s): Ohlendorf. He is a questionable option best avoided outside of NL-only leagues.
Who is getting skipped: Perhaps Burres. The No. 5 starter could be skipped after a Thursday offday. The fact Karstens would be the one to pick up the added start makes it less likely than it would be otherwise. Consider it a done deal if Karsten pitches well in his return to the rotation Tuesday.
One-week sleeper: Maholm. Three of his past four starts have been quality starts, which makes him a sleeper in deeper formats.
One-week bust: Duke. Just when you begin to believe in him, he throws up that stinker last time out. He is best avoided outside of the deepest of NL-only leagues.

San Diego Padres

1. Jon Garland at PHI Moyer
2. Kevin Correia vs NYM Takahashi, at PHI Blanton
3. Wade LeBlanc vs NYM Pelfrey
4. Clayton Richard vs NYM Santana
5. Mat Latos at PHI Halladay

Two-starter(s): Correia. He is a questionable option that really isn't trustworthy enough to use in most standard mixed leagues, even though he was great his last time out.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Latos. Sure, he is facing "Mr. Perfection II," but his blistering May (4-1, 1.54 ERA and .160 BAA) shows he is up to the task against anyone right now. The Phillies aren't swinging the bats lately either.
One-week bust: LeBlanc. He has lost three consecutive starts, which should be seen as a regression to the mean for a pitcher who profiles as a so-so back-end starter.

San Francisco Giants

1. Tim Lincecum vs COL Jimenez, at PIT Ohlendorf
2. Barry Zito vs COL Hammel
3. Matt Cain vs COL Francis
4. Jonathan Sanchez at PIT Burres
5. Todd Wellemeyer at PIT Maholm

Two-starter(s): Lincecum. We cannot explain his struggles and wouldn't blame those supposed blisters. We also wouldn't sit him in any league.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: None. The top four starters are advisable options in all leagues, while the No. 5 is one we consider as a ...
One-week bust: Wellemeyer. Yes, he has had some good starts and that is a very favorable matchup, but his good starts have all come at home. He is 0-3 with a ghastly 9.35 ERA on the road. Use him at your own risk.

Seattle Mariners

1. Cliff Lee vs MIN Slowey
2. Felix Hernandez vs MIN Pavano
3. Doug W. Fister vs MIN Liriano, vs LAA Santana
4. Jason M. Vargas vs MIN Blackburn, vs LAA Pineiro
5. Ian Snell vs LAA Saunders

Two-starter(s): Fister and Vargas. They are huge surprises and advisable plays as two-starters at home (2-1, 1.80 and 3-1, 2.56 respectively). That is a good pitchers park for their "lucky" and fluky back-end starter stuff.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Fister and Vargas. If you haven't jumped on their bandwagons already, you might as well do it now if they are still available (37 and 59 percentage available on CBSSports.com).
One-week bust: Snell. He is the one Mariner starter we cannot be confident in for a quality start. He still could be a sleeper, though, at home in that matchup. The Angels lost their one real threatening bat in Kendry Morales (broken ankle).

St. Louis Cardinals

1. Chris Carpenter vs CIN LeCure
2. Adam Wainwright vs MIL Wolf
3. Jaime Garcia vs CIN Arroyo, vs MIL Narveson
4. P.J. Walters vs CIN Cueto, vs MIL Bush
5. Adam Ottavino likely to be skipped

Two-starter(s): Garcia and Walters. Garcia is a must-start in all leagues, while Walters was solid in his first start and is an advisable option in deeper leagues.
Who is getting skipped: Likely Ottavino. The Cardinals are likely to keep their top four starters on regular rest and will skip the No. 5 spot after Thursday's offday. They won't need a No. 5 starter until June 8 at the L.A. Dodgers after Fantasy Week 9 (May 31-June 6). Walters picks up a second start with the expected skipping.
One-week sleeper: Walters. The top three starters are must-starts in all leagues, regardless of the matchup(s). Walters looks capable of holding down a rotation spot for a long time, especially since Kyle Lohse (forearm) could be out for the season.
One-week bust: Ottavino. His debut wasn't spectacular and the Cardinals want to keep their aces on regular rest, forcing Ottavino out of the rotation until June 8, a start that Brad Penny (back) won't be ready to make.

Tampa Bay Rays

1. James Shields at TEX Holland
2. Matt Garza at TOR Morrow, at TEX Harden
3. Jeff Niemann at TOR TBD
4. David Price at TOR Marcum
5. Wade Davis at TEX Wilson

Two-starter(s): Garza. He is coming off his worst start of the season, but he remains an advisable option in all leagues -- even against those slugging teams.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Davis. He is starting in only 46 percent of CBSSports.com's leagues, but he remains good enough to trust even amid some struggles and against that offensively potent opponent.
One-week bust: Garza. He remains an advisable start, but if there was a week to sit him, this might be one.

Texas Rangers

1. Rich Harden at CHW Buehrle, vs TB Garza
2. Scott Feldman at CHW Floyd
3. Colby Lewis at CHW Garcia
4. C.J. Wilson vs TB Davis
5. Derek Holland vs TB Shields

Two-starter(s): Harden. He is a questionable option amid his erratic start to the season, but if you own him still, you probably should be starting him.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Lewis. He is just 1-3 in May, but his ERA has been respectable (4.11) and he really hasn't been getting hit consistently (.214 BAA).
One-week bust: Wilson. His early season surprise has evolved into a dreadful three-start stretch (9.56). He is too difficult to trust if you have alternatives on your roster, especially against the first-place Rays.

Toronto Blue Jays

1. Shaun Marcum vs TB Price
2. Ricky Romero vs NYY Pettitte
3. Brandon Morrow vs TB Garza, vs NYY Vazquez
4. Brian Tallet vs TB Niemann
5. Brett Cecil vs NYY Burnett

Two-starter(s): Morrow. He is on pace for 206 strikeouts in less than 160 innings, but those matchups make him a high-risk option this week.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Romero. We would have had him as a sit against the Yankees, but Sunday's rebound outing makes him intriguing all over again, despite the previous struggles and tough matchup.
One-week bust: Morrow. You definitely should own him for his potential and knockout stuff, but you have to avoid him this week if you have alternatives.

Washington Nationals

1. Livan Hernandez vs CIN Harang
2. Luis Atilano at HOU Oswalt, vs CIN Leake
3. Craig Stammen at HOU Myers, vs CIN Arroyo
4. John Lannan at HOU Rodriguez
5. J.D. Martin at HOU Moehler

Two-starter(s): Atilano and Stammen. They are high-risk options even in the deepest of NL-only leagues.
Who is getting skipped: None.
One-week sleeper: Hernandez and Martin. If you're a risk-taker, this pair of options is not a bad way to go in deeper leagues. Hernandez is likely already active in those size formats, but Martin was decent in his return start and he will be pitching to keep Stephen Strasburg from bumping him back to the minors the next week.
One-week bust: Atilano and Stammen. There is no reason to trust these guys. Even the lowly Astros should get healthy off them.

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