Today's Fantasy Rx

Schedule recommendations for teams with 8 games

Good for hitters / Bad for pitchers
Philadelphia: 1 Home vs. ATL; 3 Home vs. ARI; 4 Home vs. FLO.

Schedule recommendations for teams with 7 games

Good for hitters / Good for pitchers
Oakland: 3 Home vs. BOS; 4 Home vs. TOR.

Good for hitters / Bad for pitchers
Atlanta: 1 Road at PHI; 3 Home vs. FLO; 3 Home vs. NYM.
Colorado: 3 Home vs. STL; 4 Home vs. SD.
Florida: 3 Road at ATL; 4 Road at PHI.
San Diego: 3 Road at LAD; 4 Road at COL.
St. Louis: 3 Road at COL; 4 Road at CHC.

Bad for hitters / Good for pitchers
Toronto: 3 Road at SEA; 4 Road at OAK.

Bad for hitters / Bad for pitchers
Chicago Cubs: 3 Road at NYM; 4 Home vs. STL.

Schedule recommendations for teams with 6 games

Good for hitters / Good for pitchers
Chicago White Sox: 3 Home vs. MIN; 3 Road at BAL.
Cleveland: 3 Home vs. DET; 3 Home vs. SEA>
Los Angeles Dodgers: 3 Home vs. SD; 3 Home vs. WAS.
Milwaukee: 3 Home vs. PIT; 3 Home vs. CIN.

Good for hitters / Bad for pitchers
Arizona: 3 Road at PHI; 3 Road at HOU.
Baltimore: 3 Road at KC; 3 Home vs. CHW.
Boston: 3 Road at OAK; 3 Home vs. LAA.
Cincinnati: 3 Road at HOU; 3 Road at MIL.
Houston: 3 Home vs. CIN; 3 Home vs. ARI.
Kansas City: 3 Home vs. BAL; 3 Road at TEX.
Los Angeles Angels: 3 Road a TB; 3 Road at BOS.
New York Mets: 3 Home vs. CHC; 3 Road at ATL.
New York Yankees: 3 Road at TEX; 3 Home vs. TB.
Pittsburgh: 3 Road at MIL; 3 Home vs. SF.
San Francisco: 3 Road at WAS; 3 Road at PIT.
Tampa Bay: 3 Home vs. LAA; 3 Road at NYY.
Texas: 3 Home vs. NYY; 3 Home vs. KC.

Bad for hitters / Good for pitchers
Detroit: 3 Road at CLE; 3 Road at MIN.
Washington: 3 Home vs. SF: 3 Road at LAD.

Bad for hitters / Bad for pitchers
Minnesota: 3 Road at CHW; 3 Home vs. DET.
Seattle: 3 Home vs. TOR; 3 Road at CLE.

Pitchers with 2 starts(to deploy everywhere you own them):
Josh Beckett: Mon:@OAK(B.Zito); Sat:LAA(Jer.Weaver)
Kris Benson: Tue:@KC(M.Redman); Sun:CHW(J.Vazquez)
Jeremy Bonderman: Mon:@CLE(C.Lee); Sun:@MIN(J.Santana)
Chris Carpenter: Tue:@COL(J.Jennings); Sun:@CHC(C.Zambrano)
Roger Clemens: Tue:CIN(A.Harang); Sun:ARI(M.Batista)
Doug Davis: Mon:PIT(Z.Duke); Sun:CIN(A.Harang)
Zach Duke: Mon:@MIL(D.Davis); Sun:SF(M.Morris)
Roy Halladay: Tue:@SEA(G.Meche); Sun:@OAK(J.Windsor)
Cole Hamels: Mon:ATL(T.Hudson); Sat:FLO(D.Willis)
Aaron Harang: Tue:@HOU(R.Clemens); Sun:@MIL(D.Davis)
Mark Hendrickson; Tue:SD(C.Park); Sun:WAS(Ra.Ortiz)
Tim Hudson: Mon:@PHI(C.Hamels); Sat:NYM(S.Trachsel)
Casey Janssen: Mon:@SEA(J.Pineiro); Sat:@OAK(B.Zito)
Randy Johnson: Mon:@TEX(K.Millwood); Sat:TB(S.Kazmir)
John Lackey: Mon:@TB(J.Seo); Sun:@BOS(C.Schilling)
Cliff Lee: Mon:DET(J.Bonderman); Sun:SEA(J.Pineiro)
Derek Lowe: Mon:SD(C.Young); Sat:WAS(M.O'Connor)
Ryan Madson: Tue:ARI(M.Batista); Sun:FLO(An.Sanchez)
Matt Morris: Tue:@WAS(Ra.Ortiz); Sun:@PIT(Z.Duke)
Mike Mussina?: Tue:@TEX(A.Eaton); Sun:TB(J.Seo)?
Ramon Ortiz: Tue:SF(M.Morris); Sun:@LAD(M.Hendrickson)
Joel Pineiro: Mon:TOR(C.Janssen); Sun:@CLE(C.Lee)
Brad Radke: Mon:@CHW(J.Vazquez); Sat:DET(N.Robertson)
Johan Santana: Tue:@CHW(J.Contreras); Sun:DET(J.Bonderman)
Curt Schilling: Tue:@OAK(J.Windsor); Sun:LAA(J.Lackey)
Jae Seo: Mon:LAA(J.Lackey); Sun:@NYY(M.Mussina)
Steve Trachsel: Mon:CHC(G.Maddux); Sun:@ATL(C.James)
Javier Vazquez: Mon:MIN(B.Radke); Sun:@BAL(K.Benson)
Jason Windsor: Tue:BOS(C.Schilling); Sun:TOR(R.Halladay)
Carlos Zambrano: Tue:@NYM(T.Glavine); Sun:STL(C.Carpenter)
Barry Zito: Mon:BOS(J.Beckett); Sat:TOR(C.Janssen)

Pitchers with 2 starts to deploy only in leagues that don't count qualitative stats:
Miguel Batista: Tue:@PHI(R.Madson); Sun:@HOU(R.Clemens)
Jeff Francis: Mon:STL(An.Reyes); Sat:SD(C.Young)
Jason Jennings: Tue:STL(C.Carpenter); Sun:SD(C.Park)
Chuck James: Tue:FLO(An.Sanchez); Sun:NYM(S.Trachsel)
Greg Maddux: Mon:@NYM(S.Trachsel); Sat:STL(An.Reyes)
Kevin Millwood: Mon:NYY(R.Johnson); Sun:KC(M.Redman)
Chan Ho Park: Tue:@LAD(M.Hendrickson); Sun:@COL(J.Jennings)
Mark Redman: Tue:BAL(K.Benson); Sun:@TEX(K.Millwood)
Anthony Reyes: Mon:@COL(J.Francis); Sat:@CHC(G.Maddux)
Anibal Sanchez: Tue:@ATL(C.James); Sun:@PHI(R.Madson)
Chris Young: Mon:@LAD(D.Lowe); Sat:@COL(J.Francis)

Diamond Challenge

SP(6)
Johan Santana: Tue:@CHW(J.Contreras); Sun:DET(J.Bonderman)
Roy Oswalt: Sat:ARI(J.Cruz)
Pedro Martinez: Fri:@ATL(Ho.Ramirez)?
Chris Carpenter: Tue:@COL(J.Jennings); Sun:@CHC(C.Zambrano)
Randy Johnson: Mon:@TEX(K.Millwood); Sat:TB(S.Kazmir)
Jake Peavy: Wed:@LAD(B.Penny)
Roy Halladay: Tue:@SEA(G.Meche); Sun:@OAK(J.Windsor)
Curt Schilling: Tue:@OAK(J.Windsor); Sun:LAA(J.Lackey)
Brandon Webb: Wed:@PHI(J.Lieber)
Felix Hernandez: Fri:@CLE(J.Sowers)
John Lackey: Mon:@TB(J.Seo); Sun:@BOS(C.Schilling)
Dan Haren: Wed:BOS(K.Snyder)
Francisco Liriano: Fri:DET(Z.Miner)

Despite the risks of running Santana and Carpenter, we'll deploy all six doubles. Street remains benched for cap reasons, as well as the fact that he faces Papelbon while Jenks and Ray seem less combustible.

Again, for cap reasons, Willingham replaces Victor, and then Burrell subs for Tracy with the Phillies home for eight. Encarnacion and Tex stay benched.

Rotohelp.com(5th lg; 73rd div; 1562nd overall)
Week 17: July 24-July 30

 
C	Joe Mauer		770 
C	Josh Willingham		340
1B	Albert Pujols		2060
1B	Ryan Howard		880
2B	Chase Utley		1190
2B	Rickie Weeks		620
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	Pat Burrell		1040
OF	Nick Swisher		620 
OF	Brad Hawpe		440
DH	Travis Hafner		1180 
DH	Jim Thome		1070

SP	Johan Santana		1960 
SP	Chris Carpenter		1550 
SP	Randy Johnson		1360 
SP	Roy Halladay		1230
SP	Curt Schilling		1070
SP	John Lackey		940
RP	Bobby Jenks		1150
RP	J.J. Putz		890
RP	Jon Papelbon		890
RP	Chris Ray		820

Total Salary for Week 17: 	29760

Diamond Challenge - 2nd Season

SP(6)
Johan Santana: Tue:@CHW(J.Contreras); Sun:DET(J.Bonderman)
Pedro Martinez: Fri:@ATL(Ho.Ramirez)?
John Smoltz: Wed:FLO(Jo.Johnson)
Roy Halladay: Tue:@SEA(G.Meche); Sun:@OAK(J.Windsor)
Curt Schilling: Tue:@OAK(J.Windsor); Sun:LAA(J.Lackey)
Brandon Webb: Wed:@PHI(J.Lieber)
C.C. Sabathia: Wed:DET(J.Verlander)
Mike Mussina?: Tue:@TEX(A.Eaton); Sun:TB(J.Seo)?
John Lackey: Mon:@TB(J.Seo); Sun:@BOS(C.Schilling)
Chris Capuano: Wed:PIT(P.Maholm)
Dan Haren: Wed:BOS(K.Snyder)
Brad Penny: Wed:SD(J.Peavy)
Tom Glavine: Tue:CHC(C.Zambrano); Sun:@ATL(T.Hudson)???
Scott Kazmir: Sat:@NYY(R.Johnson?)
Francisco Liriano: Fri:DET(Z.Miner)

Along with our four certain doubles, we'll deploy Mussina, likely to double after Ponson's problems, and then Liriano edges Glavine since the Mets seem somewhat likely to use five starters this week.

Deploying Liriano also gives us room to flip Kearns for the hurting Swisher, and then Soriano and Rios stay benched.

Rotohelp.com(10th lg; 77th div; 489th overall)
Week 17: July 24-July 30

C	Joe Mauer		770
C	Ramon Hernandez		690
1B	Travis Hafner		1180
1B	Ryan Howard		880
2B	Chase Utley		1190
2B	Rickie Weeks		620
3B	David Wright		1210 
3B	Garrett Atkins		610 
SS	Jose Reyes		1030 
SS	Hanley Ramirez		400
OF	Jason Bay		1380 
OF	Scott Podsednik		1370 
OF	Matt Holliday		1040 
OF	Corey Patterson		910 
OF	Austin Kearns		700
OF	Brad Hawpe		440
DH	Albert Pujols		2060
DH	Jim Thome		1070

SP	Johan Santana		1960 
SP	Roy Halladay		1230
SP	Curt Schilling		1070 
SP	Mike Mussina		940
SP	John Lackey		940 
SP	Francisco Liriano		700
RP	Bobby Jenks		1150
RP	Jon Papelbon		890
RP	Chris Ray		820
RP	Akinori Otsuka		690

Total Salary for Week 17: 	27940

Internet Challenge

SP(6)
Johan Santana: Tue:@CHW(J.Contreras)
Roy Oswalt: No start.
Pedro Martinez: No start.
Chris Carpenter: Tue:@COL(J.Jennings)
Randy Johnson: Mon:@TEX(K.Millwood)
Jake Peavy: Wed:@LAD(B.Penny)
Roy Halladay: Tue:@SEA(G.Meche)
Mark Buehrle: Wed:MIN(C.Silva)
Curt Schilling: Tue:@OAK(J.Windsor)
Felix Hernandez: No start.
John Lackey: Mon:@TB(J.Seo)
Dan Haren: Wed:BOS(K.Snyder)
Francisco Liriano: No start.

Halladay, Buehrle, Lackey, and Haren look like the only safe picks, and then based on the recent inconsistency of our other options, Santana and Randy offer the most upside.

Offensively, Willingham subs for Victor for cap reasons, and then Figgins and Holliday replace Tex and Swisher. Encarnacion remains benched until we see a little more from him.

Rotohelp.com(12th lg; 308th overall)
Week 17a: July 24-July 27

 
C	Joe Mauer		770 
C	Josh Willingham		340
1B	Travis Hafner		1180 
DH	Ryan Howard		880
2B	Chase Utley		1190
2B	Rickie Weeks		620 
3B	David Wright		1210
3B	Garrett Atkins		610
SS	Felipe Lopez		1070
SS	Jose Reyes		1030 
OF	Jason Bay		1380 
OF	Pat Burrell		1040 
OF	Matt Holliday		1040
OF	Chad Tracy		1020 
OF	Corey Patterson		910 
OF	Jermaine Dye		840
DH	Albert Pujols		2060 
DH	Chone Figgins		1350

SP	Johan Santana		1960 
SP	Randy Johnson		1360
SP	Roy Halladay		1230 
SP	Mark Buehrle		1120
SP	John Lackey		940 
SP	Dan Haren		860 
RP	Ryan Dempster		1180 
RP	J.J. Putz		890
RP	Jon Papelbon		890
RP	Chris Ray		820

Total Salary for Week 17a:	29790

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

While we should make a move here, likely for a cheaper closer than Street, we'll take the wasted cap room this week rather than jump the gun before seeing the trade market develop.

SP(6)
Johan Santana: Tue:@CHW(J.Contreras); Sun:DET(J.Bonderman)
Roy Oswalt: Sat:ARI(J.Cruz)
Chris Carpenter: Tue:@COL(J.Jennings); Sun:@CHC(C.Zambrano)
Pedro Martinez: Fri:@ATL(Ho.Ramirez)?
Randy Johnson: Mon:@TEX(K.Millwood); Sat:TB(S.Kazmir)
John Lackey: Mon:@TB(J.Seo); Sun:@BOS(C.Schilling)
Mike Mussina?: Tue:@TEX(A.Eaton); Sun:TB(J.Seo)?
Roy Halladay: Tue:@SEA(G.Meche); Sun:@OAK(J.Windsor)
Dan Haren: Wed:BOS(K.Snyder)
Francisco Liriano: Fri:DET(Z.Miner)

All six probably doubles will pitch for us.

Offensively, Berkman's injury sends him to the bench for Willingham while Holliday subs for Swisher. We lack the cap room to run Tex and see no need to deploy Ellis, Encarnacion, Barmes, Sullivan, or Gomes.

Rotohelp.com(FB: 9th lg; 527th overall)
& Rotohelp.com(BB: 11th lg; 1132nd overall)
Week 17: July 24-July 30

 
C	Victor Martinez		1940 
C	Joe Mauer		1710 
1B	Travis Hafner		2680
1B	Ryan Howard		1950
2B	Chase Utley		2270
2B	Rickie Weeks		1300
3B	David Wright		2480 
3B	Garrett Atkins		1330
SS	Felipe Lopez		1800 
SS	Bobby Crosby		1640 
OF	Jason Bay		2550
OF	Grady Sizemore		2200 
OF	Matt Holliday		2140
OF	Chad Tracy		2100 
OF	Curtis Granderson	1000 
OF	Jeremy Hermida		1000 
DH	Albert Pujols		3870 
DH	Josh Willingham		1000

SP	Johan Santana		3310 
SP	Chris Carpenter		3140 
SP	Randy Johnson		2910
SP	John Lackey		2760 
SP	Mike Mussina		2480
SP	Roy Halladay		2480
RP	Huston Street		2320 
RP	J.J. Putz		1600
RP	Jon Papelbon		1590
RP	Chris Ray		1580

Total Salary for Week 17:	59130

Mid-Season Fantasy Baseball

SP(6)
Johan Santana: Tue:@CHW(J.Contreras); Sun:DET(J.Bonderman)
Chris Carpenter: Tue:@COL(J.Jennings); Sun:@CHC(C.Zambrano)
John Lackey: Mon:@TB(J.Seo); Sun:@BOS(C.Schilling)
Mike Mussina?: Tue:@TEX(A.Eaton); Sun:TB(J.Seo)?
Curt Schilling: Tue:@OAK(J.Windsor); Sun:LAA(J.Lackey)
Jeremy Bonderman: Mon:@CLE(C.Lee); Sun:@MIN(J.Santana)
Jose Contreras: Tue:MIN(J.Santana)
Felix Hernandez: Fri:@CLE(J.Sowers)
Jered Weaver: Sat:@BOS(J.Beckett)
Francisco Liriano: Fri:DET(Z.Miner)

While we planned to deploy our six doubles, the question surrounding Mussina's second start led us to run Liriano.

Employing Liriano then gave us the cap room to keep ARod in our lineup. Howard, Holliday, and Reyes then sub for Hafner, Dye, and Guillen while Berkman, Weeks, Zimmerman, Kearns, and Swisher stay benched.

Rotohelp.com(4th lg; 144th overall)
Week 17: July 24-July 30

 
C	Joe Mauer		1710 
C	Josh Willingham		1000 
1B	Jim Thome		2500
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	Hanley Ramirez		1000 
OF	Jason Bay		2550
OF	Grady Sizemore		2200 
OF	Matt Holliday		2140
OF	Rocco Baldelli		1780
OF	Brad Hawpe		1260
OF	Curtis Granderson	1000
DH	Alex Rodriguez		3790 
DH	Brian McCann		1000

SP	Johan Santana		3310 
SP	Chris Carpenter		3140 
SP	John Lackey		2760 
SP	Mike Mussina		2480
SP	Jeremy Bonderman		2190 
SP	Francisco Liriano	1300
RP	Bobby Jenks		224
RP	J.J. Putz		1600
RP	Jon Papelbon		1590
RP	Takashi Saito		1500

Total Salary for Week 17: 	55000

Today's Fantasy Rx: While we considered adding Fausto Carmona, we again want to see him save a couple games before rostering him. Given the significant player movement likely to occur over the next eight days, we also recommend avoiding any significant transactions in CDM and similar leagues unless seemingly necessary since player values will change more in the next several days than at any other point in the season.