Today's Fantasy Rx

Schedule recommendations for teams with 7 games

Good for hitters / Good for pitchers
Boston: 1 Home vs. NYY; 3 Road at LAA; 3 Road at SEA.
Detroit: 4 Home vs. CHW; 3 Road at CLE.
New York Yankees: 1 Road at BOS; 3 Road at SEA; 3 Road at LAA.
San Francisco: 3 Home vs. ARI; 4 Home vs. CIN.

Good for hitters / Bad for pitchers
Chicago Cubs: 4 Home vs. PHI; 3 Road at STL.
Chicago White Sox: 4 Road at DET; 3 Home vs. MIN.
Cincinnati: 3 Home vs. HOU; 4 Road at SF.
Houston: 3 Road at CIN; 4 Road at PIT.
Pittsburgh: 3 Road at ATL; 4 Home vs. HOU.
Tampa Bay: 4 Home vs. TEX; 3 Road at BAL.
Texas: 4 Road at TB; 3 Home vs. OAK.

Bad for hitters / Bad for pitchers
Philadelphia: 4 Road at CHC; 3 Road at NYM.

Schedule recommendations for teams with 6 games

Good for hitters / Good for pitchers
Atlanta: 3 Home vs. PIT; 3 Home vs. WAS.
New York Mets: 3 Home vs. STL; 3 Home vs. PHI.

Good for hitters / Bad for pitchers
Arizona: 3 Road at SF; 3 Home vs. LAD.
Baltimore: 3 Home vs. MIN; 3 Home vs. WAS.
Cleveland: 3 Road at KC; 3 Home vs. DET.
Colorado: 3 Road at MIL; 3 Home vs. SD.
Kansas City: 3 Home vs. CLE; 3 Road at TOR.
Los Angeles Angels: 3 Home vs. BOS: 3 Home vs. NYY.
Los Angeles Dodgers: 3 Road at SD; 3 Road at ARI.
Milwaukee: 3 Home vs. COL; 3 Road at FLO.
Minnesota: 3 Road at BAL; 3 Road at CHW.
Oakland: 3 Road at TOR; 3 Road at TEX.
Toronto: 3 Home vs. OAK; 3 Home vs. KC.

Bad for hitters / Good for pitchers
Florida: 3 Home vs. WAS; 3 Home vs. MIL.
Washington: 3 Road at FLO; 3 Road at ATL.

Bad for hitters / Bad for pitchers
San Diego: 3 Home vs. LAD; 3 Road at COL.
Seattle: 3 Home vs. NYY; 3 Home vs. BOS.
St. Louis: 3 Road at NYM; 3 Home vs. CHC.

Pitchers with 2 starts(to deploy everywhere you own them):
Bronson Arroyo: Mon:HOU(A.Pettitte); Sat:@SF(N.Lowry)
Chad Billingsley: Mon:@SD(C.Park); Sun:@ARI(B.Webb?)
Mark Buehrle: Tue:@DET(K.Rogers); Sun:MIN(C.Silva)
A.J. Burnett: Tue:OAK(B.Halsey); Sun:KC(Od.Perez)
Matt Cain: Tue:ARI(B.Webb); Sun:CIN(K.Lohse)
Chris Capuano: Tue:COL(A.Cook); Sun:@FLO(An.Sanchez)
Jose Contreras: Mon:@DET(J.Verlander); Sat:MIN(J.Santana)
Zach Duke: Mon:@ATL(J.Smoltz); Sat:@HOU(A.Pettitte)
Dan Haren: Mon:@TOR(T.Lilly); Sun:@TEX(A.Eaton)
Livan Hernandez: Mon:@SF(N.Lowry); Sat:LAD(D.Lowe)
Scott Kazmir: Tue:TEX(V.Padilla); Sun:OAK(D.Haren)
Cliff Lee: Tue:@KC(Od.Perez): Sun:DET(K.Rogers)
Cory Lidle: Mon:@BOS(D.Wells); Sat:@LAA(Er.Santana)
Jon Lieber: Mon:@CHC(R.Hill); Sat:@NYM(Ol.Perez???)
Ted Lilly: Mon:OAK(D.Haren); Sat:KC(Run.Hernandez)
Adam Loewen: Tue:MIN(C.Silva); Sun:TB(S.Kazmir)
Noah Lowry: Mon:ARI(L.Hernandez); Sat:CIN(B.Arroyo)
John Maine: Tue:STL(Jef.Weaver); Sun:PHI(J.Moyer)
Gil Meche: Tue:NYY(Jar.Wright); Sun:BOS(K.Gabbard)
Jamie Moyer: Tue:@CHC(R.O'Malley); Sun:@NYM(J.Maine)
Chan Ho Park: Mon:LAD(C.Billingsley); Sun:@COL(A.Cook)
Odalis Perez: Tue:CLE(Cl.Lee); Sun:@TOR(A.Burnett)
Andy Pettitte: Mon:@CIN(B.Arroyo); Sat:@PIT(Z.Duke)
Kenny Rogers: Tue:CHW(M.Buehrle); Sun:@CLE(Cl.Lee)
James Shields: Mon:TEX(A.Eaton); Sat:@BAL(E.Bedard)
John Smoltz: Mon:PIT(Z.Duke); Sat:WAS(P.Astacio)
Billy Traber: Mon:@FLO(An.Sanchez); Sun:@ATL(O.Villarreal)
Justin Verlander: Mon:CHW(J.Contreras); Sat:@CLE(J.Westbrook)
Brandon Webb?: Tue:@SF(M.Cain); Sun:LAD(C.Billingsley)?
David Wells: Mon:NYY(C.Lidle); Sat:@SEA(J.Pineiro???)

Pitchers with 2 starts to deploy only in leagues that don't count qualitative stats:
Shawn Chacon: Tue:@LAD(M.Hendrickson); Sun:HOU(J.Hirsh)
Aaron Cook: Tue:@MIL(C.Capuano); Sun:SD(C.Park)
Adam Eaton: Mon:@TB(J.Shields); Sat:OAK(B.Zito)
Kason Gabbard: Tue:@LAA(J.Saunders); Sun:@SEA(G.Meche)
Rich Hill: Mon:PHI(C.Lidle); Sat:@STL(J.Marquis)
Jason Hirsh: Tue:@CIN(K.Lohse); Sun:@PIT(S.Chacon)
Kyle Lohse: Tue:HOU(J.Hirsh); Sun:@SF(M.Cain)
Ryan O'Malley: Tue:PHI(J.Moyer); Sun:@STL(Jef.Weaver)
Vicente Padilla: Tue:@TB(S.Kazmir); Sun:OAK(D.Haren)
Anibal Sanchez: Mon:WAS(B.Traber); Sun:MIL(C.Capuano)
Joe Saunders: Tue:BOS(K.Gabbard); Sun:NYY(Jar.Wright)
Carlos Silva: Tue:@BAL(A.Loewen); Sun:PHI(J.Moyer)
Oscar Villarreal: Tue:PIT(Z.Duke); Sun:WAS(B.Traber)
Jeff Weaver: Tue:NYM(J.Maine); Sun:CHC(R.O'Malley)

Diamond Challenge

SP(6)
Johan Santana: Sat:@CHW(J.Contreras)
Roy Oswalt: Wed:@CIN(C.Michalak)
Pedro Martinez: No start(DL)
Chris Carpenter: Fri:CHC(W.Miller???)
Randy Johnson: Thu:@SEA(J.Washburn)
Jake Peavy: Tue:LAD(M.Hendrickson)
Roy Halladay: Sat:KC(M.Redman)
Curt Schilling: Fri:@SEA(J.Woods)
Brandon Webb?: Tue:@SF(M.Cain); Sun:LAD(C.Billingsley)?
Felix Hernandez: Wed:NYY(C.Wang)
John Lackey: Fri:NYY(M.Mussina)
Dan Haren: Mon:@TOR(T.Lilly); Sun:@TEX(A.Eaton)
Francisco Liriano: No start(DL)

Given the wide variation in the quality of the opposition faced by our pitchers, Carpenter, Peavy, Halladay, and Hernandez look like the logical picks to join Webb and Haren. Street certainly stays benched.

On offense, the extra cap room allows us to deploy Martinez, Tex, Hafner, and Figgins for Willingham, Thome, Encarnacion, and Burrell.

Rotohelp.com(3rd lg; 48th div; 909th overall)
Week 21: August 21-August 27

 
C	Victor Martinez		1020
C	Joe Mauer		770 
1B	Albert Pujols		2060
1B	Ryan Howard		880
2B	Chase Utley		1190
2B	Howie Kendrick		750
3B	David Wright		1210 
3B	Garrett Atkins		610 
SS	Felipe Lopez		1070
SS	Jose Reyes		1030 
OF	Jason Bay		1380 
OF	Chone Figgins		1350
OF	Matt Holliday		1040 
OF	Chad Tracy		1020 
OF	Nick Swisher		620
OF	Brad Hawpe		440 
DH	Mark Teixeira		1470 
DH	Travis Hafner		1180

SP	Chris Carpenter		1550 
SP	Roy Halladay		1230 
SP	Jake Peavy		1240 
SP	Brandon Webb		1030
SP	Felix Hernandez		960 
SP	Dan Haren		860
RP	Bobby Jenks		1150
RP	Jon Papelbon		890 
RP	J.J. Putz		890 
RP	Chris Ray		820

Total Salary for Week 21: 	29710

Diamond Challenge - 2nd Season

SP(6)
Johan Santana: Sat:@CHW(J.Contreras)
Pedro Martinez: No start(DL)
John Smoltz: Mon:PIT(Z.Duke); Sat:WAS(P.Astacio)
Roy Halladay: Sat:KC(M.Redman)
Curt Schilling: Fri:@SEA(J.Woods)
Brandon Webb?: Tue:@SF(M.Cain); Sun:LAD(C.Billingsley)?
C.C. Sabathia: Thu:@KC(J.de la Rosa)
Mike Mussina: Fri:@LAA(J.Lackey)
John Lackey: Fri:NYY(M.Mussina)
Chris Capuano: Tue:COL(A.Cook); Sun:@FLO(An.Sanchez)
Dan Haren: Mon:@TOR(T.Lilly); Sun:@TEX(A.Eaton)
Brad Penny: Wed:@SD(W.Williams)
Tom Glavine: No start(DL???)???
Scott Kazmir: Tue:TEX(V.Padilla); Sun:OAK(D.Haren)
Francisco Liriano: No start(DL)

With the sole home start against a bad team, Halladay will join the five likely doubles.

Pujols returns to the lineup for Ramon Hernandez as McCann shifts to catcher. Rios also flips for Kearns while Podsednik stays benched.

Rotohelp.com(3rd lg; 49th div; 274th overall)
Week 21: August 21-August 27

C	Joe Mauer		770 
C	Brian McCann		460
1B	Travis Hafner		1180
1B	Ryan Howard		880 
2B	Alfonso Soriano		1830
2B	Chase Utley		1190
3B	David Wright		1210 
3B	Garrett Atkins		610 
SS	Jose Reyes		1030 
SS	Hanley Ramirez		400
OF	Jason Bay		1380 
OF	Matt Holliday		1040 
OF	Corey Patterson		910 
OF	Alex Rios		860
OF	Nick Swisher		620
OF	Brad Hawpe		440 
DH	Albert Pujols		2060
DH	Jim Thome		1070

SP	John Smoltz		1240 
SP	Roy Halladay		1230
SP	Brandon Webb	1030 
SP	Chris Capuano		870 
SP	Dan Haren		860
SP	Scott Kazmir		820
RP	Bobby Jenks		1150
RP	Jon Papelbon		890
RP	Chris Ray		820
RP	Akinori Otsuka		690

Total Salary for Week 21: 	27540

Internet Challenge

SP(6)
Johan Santana: No start.
Roy Oswalt: Wed:@CIN(C.Michalak)
Pedro Martinez: No start(DL)
Chris Carpenter: No start.
Randy Johnson: Thu:@SEA(J.Washburn)
Jake Peavy: Tue:LAD(M.Hendrickson)
Roy Halladay: No start.
Mark Buehrle: Tue:@DET(K.Rogers)
Curt Schilling: No start.
Felix Hernandez: Wed:NYY(C.Wang)
John Lackey: No start.
Dan Haren: Mon:@TOR(T.Lilly)
Francisco Liriano: No start(DL)

With only six starts, we'll run the six we have and then consider adding a pitcher for the weekend. Dempster returns to the lineup for the injured Street.

Victor and Swisher sub for Willingham and Burrell while Tex and Tracy stay benched.

Rotohelp.com(8th lg; 204th overall)
Week 21a: August 21-August 24

 
C	Victor Martinez		1020
C	Joe Mauer		770 
1B	Travis Hafner		1180
1B	Ryan Howard		880
2B	Chase Utley		1190
2B	Howie Kendrick		750
3B	David Wright		1210
3B	Garrett Atkins		610
SS	Felipe Lopez		1070
SS	Jose Reyes		1030 
OF	Jason Bay		1380 
OF	Chone Figgins		1350 
OF	Matt Holliday		1040 
OF	Corey Patterson		910
OF	Jermaine Dye		840 
OF	Nick Swisher		620
DH	Albert Pujols		2060
DH	Edwin Encarnacion	600 

SP	Roy Oswalt		1830 
SP	Randy Johnson		1360
SP	Jake Peavy		1240 
SP	Mark Buehrle		1120
SP	Felix Hernandez		960
SP	Dan Haren		860
RP	Huston Street		1300
RP	J.J. Putz		890 
RP	Jon Papelbon		890
RP	Chris Ray		820

Total Salary for Week 21a:	29860

Fantasy Baseball & Budget Baseball
(Same rules = same rosters and moves for both teams)

We need a replacement reliever for Street and want to add Andy Pettitte here, so both Pedro and Liriano depart. Yes, we'll also add two more starters in roster expansion next week, but we need points now, and they'r easily the best fits. Bobby Jenks joins Pettitte on our squad as the most efficient reliever despite a terrible schedule this week.

SP(6)
Johan Santana: Sat:@CHW(J.Contreras)
Roy Oswalt: Wed:@CIN(C.Michalak)
Chris Carpenter: Fri:CHC(W.Miller???)
Randy Johnson: Thu:@SEA(J.Washburn)
John Lackey: Fri:NYY(M.Mussina)
Andy Pettitte: Mon:@CIN(B.Arroyo); Sat:@PIT(Z.Duke)
Mike Mussina: Fri:@LAA(J.Lackey)
Roy Halladay: Sat:KC(M.Redman)
Dan Haren: Mon:@TOR(T.Lilly); Sun:@TEX(A.Eaton)

Since we don't want to oppose Contreras unless necessary, Carpenter, Randy, and Mussina join Pettitte, Haren, and the possible double for Oswalt. Jenks forces Street to the bench.

We only have room for the single offensive switch of Hafner for Hermida as Swisher shifts to the outfield. Victor, Tex, Ellis, Encarnacion, Barmes, Sullivan, and Gomes all stay benched.

Rotohelp.com(FB: 8th lg; 515th overall)
& Rotohelp.com(BB: 13th lg; 1120th overall)
Week 21: August 21-August 27

 
C	Joe Mauer		1710 
C	Josh Willingham		1000
1B	Lance Berkman		2860 
1B	Ryan Howard		1950
2B	Chase Utley		2270
2B	Ian Kinsler		1000
3B	David Wright		2480 
3B	Garrett Atkins		1330 
SS	Jose Reyes		2100 
SS	Felipe Lopez		1800 
OF	Jason Bay		2550
OF	Grady Sizemore		2200 
OF	Matt Holliday		2140
OF	Chad Tracy		2100 
DH	Nick Swisher		1550
OF	Curtis Granderson	1000 
DH	Albert Pujols		3870 
DH	Travis Hafner		2680

SP	Roy Oswalt		3200 
SP	Chris Carpenter		3140 
SP	Randy Johnson		2910 
SP	Andy Pettitte		2550
SP	Roy Halladay		2480
SP	Dan Haren		1940 
RP	Bobby Jenks		2240
RP	J.J. Putz		1600
RP	Jon Papelbon		1590
RP	Chris Ray		1580

Total Salary for Week 21:	59820

Mid-Season Fantasy Baseball

With all nine moves remaining and only one double this week, we're adding Andy Pettitte for his double against the Reds and Pirates while cutting Francisco Liriano, who most likely won't be viable even if he returns in September. Pettitte might double twice more this year, giving us the hottest pitcher in the majors at a very good value.

SP(6)
Johan Santana: Sat:@CHW(J.Contreras)
Chris Carpenter: Fri:CHC(W.Miller???)
John Lackey: Fri:NYY(M.Mussina)
Andy Pettitte: Mon:@CIN(B.Arroyo); Sat:@PIT(Z.Duke)
Mike Mussina: Fri:@LAA(J.Lackey)
Curt Schilling: Fri:@SEA(J.Woods)
Jeremy Bonderman: Thu:@CLE(J.Sowers)
Jose Contreras: Mon:@DET(J.Verlander); Sat:MIN(J.Santana)
Felix Hernandez: Wed:NYY(C.Wang)
Jered Weaver: Thu:BOS(J.Beckett)

Carpenter, Pettitte, Contreras, Felix, and Weaver are easy calls, and then Schilling slightly edges Bonderman for the last slot due to our comparatively higher opinion of Sowers as opposed to Woods, who spent the entire season in the bullpen until last week.

Offensively, Berkman and Bay sub for Willingham and Kearns while Hafner, Weeks, Guillen, Zimmerman, Baldelli, and Sizemore stay benched.

Rotohelp.com(3rd lg; 706th overall)
Week 21: August 21-August 27

 
C	Joe Mauer		1710 
C	Brian McCann		1000
1B	Jim Thome		2500
1B	Ryan Howard		1950
2B	Chase Utley		2270
3B	David Wright		2480 
3B	Garrett Atkins		1330 
SS	Jose Reyes		2100 
SS	Hanley Ramirez		1000 
OF	Jason Bay		2550
OF	Matt Holliday		2140 
OF	Jermaine Dye		2070 
OF	Nick Swisher		1550
OF	Brad Hawpe		1260
OF	Curtis Granderson	1000
DH	Alex Rodriguez		3790 
DH	Lance Berkman		2860

SP	Chris Carpenter		3140
SP	Andy Pettitte		2550 
SP	Curt Schilling		2310 
SP	Jose Contreras		2070 
SP	Felix Hernandez		1650
SP	Jered Weaver		1500
RP	Bobby Jenks		2240
RP	J.J. Putz		1600
RP	Jon Papelbon		1590
RP	Takashi Saito		1500

Total Salary for Week 21: 	54710

Today's Fantasy Rx: With the trading deadline in most leagues approaching in a little over a week, send out your last round of trade offers now so you have time to complete all your negotiations.