Start ‘Em
John Danks (at Baltimore, vs. Kansas City)
Danks was roughed up by the Yankees in his last start, surrendering four runs in six innings on August 2. However, in his two previous starts since coming off the DL the Chicago left-hander held the opposition to just one run in 13 innings. His 3.90 ERA and 1.35 WHIP may not be impressive, but those figures are inflated due to a miserable May (6.89 ERA, 1.72 WHIP). Feel free to utilize Danks against an average Royals lineup and non-threating Orioles offense.
Matt Garza (vs. Washington, at Atlanta)
After getting shelled in St. Louis, Garza bounced back with seven shutout innings against the Pirates on August 3. In his three previous starts before the Cardinals outing, Garza conceded just three runs in 21 innings. Garza’s high whiff rate (9.02 K/9) will be effective this week against Atlanta and Washington squads that are susceptible to strikeouts.
Dontrelle Willis (vs. Colorado, vs. San Diego)
Willis has been quietly efficient in his comeback with Cincinnati, allowing three runs or less in all five starts with the Reds. The WHIP (1.41) and strikeout rate (5.28 K/9) leaves much to be desired, and Willis has yet to win a ballgame. Yet Willis has improved his command, cutting down on the walks that haunted him in the past. With the Rockies and Padres on the docket this week, look for Willis to record his first victory of the season.
Other Start ‘Ems
Ryan Vogelsong (vs. Pittsburgh, at Florida)
Tim Stauffer (at New York, at Cincinnati)
James Shields (vs. Kansas City, at New York)
Justin Masterson (vs. Detroit, vs. Minnesota)
Hiroki Kuroda (vs. Philadelphia, vs. Houston)
Daniel Hudson (vs. Houston, vs. New York)
Brett Cecil (vs. Oakland, vs. Los Angeles)
Jeremy Hellickson (vs. Kansas City, at New York)
Dan Haren (at New York, at Toronto)
Roy Halladay (at Los Angeles, vs. Washington)
Sit ‘Em
Charlie Furbush (at Texas, vs. Boston)
A solid performance against Oakland (one run in five innings) in his starting debut with Seattle may indicate that Furbush could be a viable fantasy starter. Although his low line drive percentage (18 percent) states these outings could be a recurring theme, the Mariners still have the young lefty on a pitch count. Throw in the fact that his adversaries are two of the top offenses in the majors, with the Sox and Rangers first and third respectively in runs, and Furbush is a no-go this week.
Rich Harden (at Toronto, vs. Texas)
With 37 strikeouts in 35 innings, plus a respectable 1.20 WHIP, Harden could be a practical starter in AL-only or deeper leagues. That said, his 4.63 ERA is disconcerting, especially factoring in the luck (.250 BABIP) Harden has received this season. Facing Texas and Toronto won’t help his cause this week. Also troubling is Harden’s penchant for giving up the long ball, sending seven shots over the wall in six starts.
Chris Capuano (vs. San Diego, at Arizona)
Capuano held the Marlins to two runs in his last start, but surrendered 14 runs in his previous three outings. Capuano has a chance to submit a solid start against San Diego, but traveling to the desert to face the Diamondbacks could be trouble, as Capuano is sporting a 4.85 ERA on the road. He may prove to be beneficial for your team’s strikeout totals (7.54 K/9) but Capuano won’t provide much else.
Other Sit ‘Ems
Chien-Ming Wang (at Chicago, at Philadelphia)
Jo-Jo Reyes (vs. Chicago, vs. Detroit)
Mike Pelfrey (vs. San Diego, at Arizona)
Jason Marquis (vs. Houston, vs. New York)
Derek Lowe (at Florida, vs. Chicago)
Wade LeBlanc (at New York, at Cincinnati)
Jason Hammel (at Cincinnati, at St. Louis)
Jeremy Guthrie (vs. Chicago, vs. Detroit)
Jeff Francis (at Tampa Bay, at Chicago)
Brad Hand (vs. Atlanta, vs. San Francisco)
Use Caution
Scott Baker (vs. Boston, at Cleveland)
The Minnesota right-hander made it just three innings in his last start, admitting four runs off of five hits and a walk. On the other hand, Baker owned a 0.74 ERA in his previous four starts and still rocks a 3.01 ERA and 1.18 WHIP on the season. Cleveland’s lineup isn’t the most daunting of tasks, but Boston could prove to be an arduous assignment. Be wary of Baker in weekly-locked lineups.
Matt Harrison (vs. Seattle, at Oakland)
This guy has been a roller coaster all season. Harrison has two four-run outings in his last three starts, but also has three starts where he allowed one run or less in his last five appearances. The Mariners and A’s rank at the bottom in the AL in team runs, seemingly making Harrison a must-start this week. However, don’t be surprised if Harrison continues his Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde routine.
Doug Fister (at Cleveland, at Baltimore)
Despite a 4-12 record, Fister’s 3.29 ERA and 1.17 WHIP suggest a successful pitcher. In his first start with the Tigers, Fister held the Rangers to two earned runs in seven innings. Matchups against Cleveland and Baltimore should facilitate some more fantasy-friendly stats from Fister. But Fister is far from a no-brainer, as prior to his last outing, Fister gave up three or more runs in six of his previous nine starts.
Other Cautionary Starters
Homer Bailey (vs. Colorado, vs. San Diego)
Tim Wakefield (at Minnesota, at Seattle)
Esmil Rogers (at Cincinnati, at St. Louis)
Wandy Rodriguez (at Arizona, at Los Angeles)
Charlie Morton (at San Francisco, at Milwaukee)
Shaun Marcum (at St. Louis, vs. Pittsburgh)
Jordan Lyles (at Arizona, at Los Angeles)
Edwin Jackson (vs. Milwaukee, vs. Colorado)
Luke Hochevar (at Tampa Bay, at Chicago)
