Today's Fantasy Rx

Colorado: 6 games: 3 Road at Philadelphia; 3 Home vs. Chicago Cubs.
Houston: 6 Road games: 3 at New York Mets; 3 at Montreal.
Cincinnati: 6 Home games: 3 vs. Los Angeles; 3 vs. San Diego.

7 Home games
None.

7 games
Baltimore: 1 Home vs. Tampa Bay; 3 Home vs. Chicago White Sox;
    3 Road at Tampa Bay.
Boston: 1 Home vs. Toronto; 3 Road at Texas;
    3 Road at Anaheim.
Chicago White Sox: 1 Home vs. Cleveland; 3 Road at Baltimore;
    3 Home vs. Minnesota.
Minnesota: 1 Home vs. New York Yankees; 3 Road at Kansas City;
    3 Road at Chicago White Sox.
Tampa Bay: 1 Road at Baltimore; 3 Home vs. Toronto;
    3 Home vs. Baltimore.
Toronto: 1 Road at Boston; 3 Road at Tampa Bay;
    3 Home vs. Kansas City.

7 Road games
Cleveland: 1 at Chicago White Sox; 3 at Seattle;
    3 at Oakland.
New York Yankees: 1 Road at Minnesota; 3 Road at Anaheim;
    3 Road at Texas.

Teams with six home games: Anaheim, Atlanta, Florida, Montreal, New York Mets, Oakland, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Texas.

All other teams play six games with at least three on the road.

Pitchers of interest with two starts(whom we'd start if we owned them):
Randy Johnson: Tue:@MON(T.Ohka); Sun:@NYM(D.Cone)
Russ Ortiz: Tue:STL(G.Stephenon); Sun:MIL(W.Franklin)
Rick Helling: Mon:TB(S.Parris); Sat:@TB(S.Parris)
Sidney Ponson: Tue:CHW(E.Loaiza); Sun:@TB(J.Kennedy)
John Burkett: Mon:TOR(C.Lidle); Sat:@ANA(K.Appier or AAA call-up)
Pedro Martinez: Tue:@TEX(C.H.Park): Sun:@ANA(J.Lackey)
Jon Garland: Mon:CLE(J.Westbrook); Sat:MIN(R.Reed)
Esteban Loaiza: Tue:@BAL(S.Ponson); Sun:MIN(K.Rogers)
Brad Penny: Tue:MIL(W.Franklin): Sun:STL(G.Stephenson)
Runelvys Hernandez: Tue:MIN(K.Rogers); Sun:@TOR(P.Walker)
Kazuhisa Ishii: Tue:@CIN(P.Wilson); Sun:@PIT(J.Suppan)
Rick Reed: Tue:NYY(D.Wells); Sat:@CHW(J.Garland)
Kenny Rogers: Tue:@KC(Ru.Hernandez); Sun:@CHW(E.Loaiza)
Tomo Ohka: Tue:ARI(Ran.Johnson); Sun:HOU(T.Redding)
David Wells: Mon:@MIN(R.Reed); Sat:@TEX(C.Lewis)
Jeff Weaver: Tue:@ANA(J.Lackey); Sun:@TEX(C.H.Park)
Tim Hudson: Tue:DET(A.Bernero); Sun:CLE(C.C.Sabathia)
Brett Myers: Tue:COL(D.Oliver); Sun:SF(J.Foppert?)
Jeff Suppan: Tue:SF(J.Foppert); Sun:LA(K.Ishii)
Brian Lawrence: Tue:@CHC(C.Zambrano); Sun:@CIN(P.Wilson)
Freddy Garcia: Tue:CLE(C.C.Sabathia); Sun:DET(A.Bernero)
Jesse Foppert(?): Tue:@PIT(J.Suppan); Sun:@PHI(B.Myers)?
Joe Kennedy: Tue:TOR(P.Walker); Sun:BAL(S.Ponson)
Cory Lidle: Mon:@BOS(J.Burkett); Sat:KC(Al.Lopez or AAA call-up)

Only deploy in Fantasy Baseball and other leagues that don't count qualitative stats:
John Lackey: Tue:NYY(J.Weaver); Sun:BOS(P.Martinez)
Carlos Zambrano: Tue:SD(B.Lawrence); Sun:@COL(D.Oliver)
Paul Wilson: Tue:LA(K.Ishii); Sun:SD(B.Lawrence)
Jake Westbrook: Mon:@CHW(J.Garland); Sat:@OAK(J.Halama)
C.C. Sabathia: Tue:@SEA(F.Garcia); Sun:@OAK(T.Hudson)
Darren Oliver: Tue:@PHI(B.Myers); Sun:CHC(C.Zambrano)
Adam Bernero: Tue:@OAK(T.Hudson); Sun:@SEA(F.Garcia)
Tim Redding: Tue:@NYM(D.Cone); Sun:@MON(T.Ohka)
Wayne Franklin: Tue:@FLO(B.Penny); Sun:@ATL(Ru.Ortiz)
David Cone: Tue:HOU(T.Redding); Sun:ARI(Ran.Johnson)
Garrett Stephenson: Tue:@ATL(Ru.Ortz); Sun:FLO(B.Penny)
Steve Parris: Mon:@BAL(R.Helling); Sat:BAL(R.Helling)
Chan Ho Park: Tue:BOS(P.Martinez); Sun:NYY(J.Weaver)
Pete Walker: Tue:@TB(J.Kennedy); Sun:KC(Run.Hernandez)

Diamond Challenge

SP(6)
Tim Hudson sees an excellent double this week against Cleveland and Detroit, and since he's available as a free agent and has pitcher the best of Oakland's starters, we'll add him to our roster this week. We'll cut Tim Wakefield, who hasn't looked dominating and no longer appears assured of maintaining his rotation spot on a consistent basis.

Randy Johnson: Tue:@MON(T.Ohka); Sun:@NYM(D.Cone)
Pedro Martinez: Tue:@TEX(C.H.Park): Sun:@ANA(J.Lackey)
Curt Schilling: No start due to appendectomy.
Tim Hudson: Tue:DET(A.Bernero); Sun:CLE(C.C.Sabathia)
Matt Morris: Wed:@ATL(G.Maddux)
Roy Oswalt: Wed:@NYM(P.Astacio)
Kevin Millwood: Wed:COL(J.Jennings)
Kerry Wood: Wed:SD(A.Eaton)
Wade Miller: Thu:@NYM(A.Leiter)
Roy Halladay: Fri:KC(M.Asencio)
Jason Schmidt: Thu:@PIT(K.Benson)
Mark Prior: Fri:@COL(N.Cruz)
Josh Beckett: Sat:STL(B.Tomko)

The Pedro and Hudson doubles are obvious plays, however we're not comfortable risking another week of no stats from Randy. Oswalt, Millwood, and Wood look like the best plays, and while it kills me to sit Prior, we won't risk anyone in Colorado, especially against the Rockies' best pitcher. Beckett likely has the best remaining match-up, so he'll complete our staff.

Josh Phelps' terrible play and poor skills, including a 1.50 G-F, indicates to us we need an upgrade at 1B, so we'll join the Durazo bandwagon and add him for Phelps.

Hall plays an extra game over Marrero at catcher, neither Cabrera nor Jose Hernandez look like strong plays this week, Lance Berkman's injury will limit his playing time, and as Ichiro's unlike to run much against Detroit and Cleveland, we'll hope Larry Walker can maintain his recent power output.

Interview with the Umpire(18th lg; 196th div; 419fth overall),
Shadow of the Umpire(23rd lg; 190th div; 4196th overall), &
Dance of the Umpires(21nd lg; 184rd div; 4197th overall)
Week 4: April 21-April 27

C	Ivan Rodriguez		1070
C	Toby Hall		460
1B	Frank Thomas		920
1B	Aubrey Huff		610
2B	Alfonso Soriano		1460
2B	Luis Castillo		1210
3B	Aaron Boone		1010
3B	Aramis Ramirez		820
SS	Nomar Garciaparra	1330
SS	Alex Rodriguez		2010
OF	Vlad Guerrero		2010
OF	Manny Ramirez		1610
OF	Preston Wilson		1220
OF	Hideki Matsui		750
OF	Austin Kearns		650
OF	Dave Roberts		620
DH	Ichiro Suzuki		1480
DH	Erubiel Durazo		520

SP	Pedro Martinez		1700
SP	Tim Hudson		1340
SP	Roy Oswalt		1280
SP	Kevin Millwood		1010
SP	Kerry Wood		990
SP	Josh Beckett		700
RP	Scott Williamson	960
RP	Mike MacDougal		750
RP	Matt Anderson		700
RP	Matt Mantei		700

Internet Challenge

SP(6)
Randy Johnson: Tue:@MON(T.Ohka)?
Pedro Martinez: Tue:@TEX(C.H.Park)
Matt Morris: Wed:@ATL(G.Maddux)
Roy Oswalt: Wed:@NYM(P.Astacio)
Kevin Millwood: Wed:COL(J.Jennings)
Kerry Wood: Wed:SD(A.Eaton)
Wade Miller: Thu:@NYM(A.Leiter)
Jason Schmidt: Thu:@PIT(K.Benson)

No starts: Schilling, Halladay, Prior, Beckett, and Ainsworth.

We're not going to risk running Randy given the possibility he could miss the start for health reasons. Pedro, Oswalt, Millwood, and Wood are easy pulls, but the last three starts all look moderately interesting. As Leiter's probably the strongest of the three opposing pitchers, Miller hasn't displayed much dominance recently, and we're mildly concerned about New York's weather, we'll complete our rotation with Morris and Schmidt.

As in DC, we're also going to rectify one initial error by rostering Durazo to replace Josh Phelps. We'll leave Wilson in the lineup thanks to his speed while benching Helton, Walker, and Jose Hernandez until they return to Coors later this week. Lance Berkman remains seated due to injury, and Orlando Cabrera takes a seat as the Expos return home.

The Umpire Hunter(10th lg; 405th overall)
Week 4a: April 21-April 24

C	Eli Marrero		580
C	Toby Hall		460
1B	Frank Thomas		920
1B	Erubiel Durazo		520
2B	Alfonso Soriano		1460
2B	Luis Castillo		1210
3B	Aaron Boone		1010
3B	Aramis Ramirez		820
SS	Alex Rodriguez		2010
SS	Nomar Garciaparra	1330
OF	Vlad Guerrero		2010
OF	Manny Ramirez		1610
OF	Ichiro Suzuki		1480
OF	Hideki Matsui		750
OF	Austin Kearns		650
OF	Dave Roberts		620
DH	Preston Wilson		1220
DH	Aubrey Huff		610

SP	Pedro Martinez		1700
SP	Matt Morris		1300
SP	Roy Oswalt		1280
SP	Kevin Millwood		1010
SP	Kerry Wood		990
SP	Jason Schmidt		790
RP	Scott Williamson	960
RP	Mike MacDougal		750
RP	Matt Anderson		700
RP	Matt Mantei		700

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

SP(6)
Randy Johnson: Tue:@MON(T.Ohka); Sun:@NYM(D.Cone)
Curt Schilling: No start due to appendectomy.
Pedro Martinez: Tue:@TEX(C.H.Park): Sun:@ANA(J.Lackey)
Roy Oswalt: Wed:@NYM(P.Astacio)
Kerry Wood: Wed:SD(A.Eaton)
Kevin Millwood: Wed:COL(J.Jennings)
Roy Halladay: Fri:KC(M.Asencio)
Jason Schmidt: Thu:@PIT(K.Benson)
Mark Prior: Fri:@COL(N.Cruz)
Kurt Ainsworth: Sat:@PHI(B.Duckworth)

We're also not willing to risk Randy here, particularly given Arizona's offensive struggles. Pedro is an easy pull, as are Oswalt, Wood, and Millwood, as well as Prior since any qualitative problems in Coors won't bother us here. Schmidt's probably a stronger play than Ainsworth for a win given Pittsburgh's offensive struggles, so he'll round out our rotation.

Our offense is producing nothing at a couple of positions, so since we have a ton of excess cap room, we're going to add the top third baseman in Scott Rolen. Giles' injury leaves the Pirates' offense in poor shape, so we'll cut Aramis Ramirez.

We're also tired of watching the Tigers win nothing against the weakest opposition they'll face, so we're cutting Matt Anderson, and since we don't want to make another move at relief pitcher, we're just going to roster Eric Gagne since he's the best bargain of the elite closers.

Hall starts over Marrero, Phelps and Pena stay benched for Helton and Thomas, O-Dog's not helping in Toronto, Rolen's addition leaves Hinske on the bench, Cabrera doesn't offer as much as shortstop right now as Jose Hernandez, and the injuries to Berkman and Pujols leave our other eight outfielders active.

The Umpire Chronicles(17th lg; 2173rd overall)
& Umpire with a Soul(21st lg; 3899th overall)
Week 4: April 21-April 27

C	Jason Varitek		1400
C	Toby Hall		1070
1B	Todd Helton		3320	
1B	Frank Thomas		2030
2B	Alfonso Soriano		2570
2B	Mark Ellis		1100
3B	Scott Rolen		2660
3B	Joe Crede		1150
SS	Nomar Garciaparra	2300
SS	Jose Hernandez		1780
OF	Manny Ramirez		2690
OF	Pat Burrell		2420
OF	Preston Wilson		2410
OF	Vernon Wells		1780
OF	Austin Kearns		1600
OF	Hideki Matsui		1500
DH	Vlad Guerrero		3440
DH	Larry Walker		2500

SP	Pedro Martinez		2900
SP	Kerry Wood		2470
SP	Roy Oswalt		2800
SP	Kevin Millwood		2400
SP	Jason Schmidt		1990
SP	Mark Prior		1800
RP	Eric Gagne		2560
RP	Keith Foulke		2330
RP	Mike MacDougal		1500
RP	Matt Mantei		1200

Today's Fantasy Rx: Many teams have played almost exclusively within their respective divisions over the past three weeks. Week 4 is the first time about half the teams will face anyone from outside the division, so especially if you own any AL West players, get them into your lineup unless you possess excellent alternatives as both the hitting and pitching could start looking fairly impressive now that the teams no longer will beat up on each other.