Today's Fantasy Rx

Welcome to our weekly LPR rankings, our primary method of identifying highly skilled and consistently effective pitchers. While we have not changed this system since last season, feel free to refer to this key for a complete description of the codes. We have included the five most recent 2007 QA scores for each starter, along with the 10 most recent QA scores for each reliever, tabulating all data through July 18th. Pitchers with no QA scores have not pitched this year, so do not roster any of them unless you see someone ready to return to the majors from the minors or the DL.

1
23ABCYZ - Roger Clemens(24422)
2ABCX - Jeremy Bonderman(53544)
2ACX - John Lackey(05353)
3ACX - Josh Beckett(35434)
ABCXYZ - Kelvim Escobar(44044)
ABCX - Erik Bedard(55255)
AXY - Dan Haren(42332)
AX - Jeremy Guthrie(44303)

23abcxyz - Mariano Rivera(4434455454)
2abcxyz - Akinori Otsuka(5434443242)
2abcxy - J.J. Putz(5534454553)
abcxyz - Joe Nathan(5444553435)
abcxyz - Bobby Jenks(3443544452)
axy - Joaquin Benoit(5545554333)
ax - Hideki Okajima(3453555245)
ax - Matt Guerrier(2332243444)

Little changed here to begin the second half. Yes, Bedard and Jenks reclaimed spots in the top rank. Haren's continued struggles also worry me, suggesting the time to sell-high appears nearly past, and Otsuka's injury destroys his short-term value. However, the other dozen pitchers at this level remain the safest pitchers to own in the league, so consider any of them a good target when looking for stretch drive reinforcements.

2
3ABX - C.C. Sabathia(55403)
ABCXYZ - Johan Santana(44545)
C - Jose Contreras(22222)

abcxyz - Chad Bradford(4444454334)
abcxyz - Scot Shields(4334435233)
BYby - Francisco Liriano
bcyz - Mike MacDougal(4312334342)
aby - Dennys Reyes(4443245404)
bxy - Alan Embree(4453033434)
by - Brandon League(53)
Mike Myers(0043402444)

3
ABCXZ - Felix Hernandez(34443)
ACXYZ - Roy Halladay(33314)
Bcz - Julian Tavarez(02000)
CZ - Andy Pettitte(20443)
Y - Kevin Millwood(43444)
Z - Bartolo Colon(03304)

Despite this solid run, Millwood still seems quite risky to deploy in almost any standard format.

abcxyz - Huston Street(5335344245)
abcz - Todd Jones(4154533445)
x - Aaron Fultz(0333352534)

A
BXby - Fausto Carmona(30533)
BCZ - A.J. Burnett(45400)
BY - Mike Mussina(44443)
X - Justin Verlander(34444)
X - Chien-ming Wang(42344)
Javier Vazquez(44451)

B
X - Joe Saunders(34233)
Y - Curt Schilling(52340)
Cha Seung Baek(43330)

C
Z - Rich Harden(5350)

abx - Scott Downs(4354434443)

X
Y - James Shields(35524)
Kason Gabbard(40335)
Joe Blanton(54332)
Daniel Cabrera(33433)

Monday's manhandling of the Royals merely provides additional illustration of Gabbard's development into a quality big league starter. Though he remains likely to cede his rotation slot once Curt Schilling returns, he should have the chance to register a few more respectable outings over the balance of the year given the relative fragility of Boston's rotation.

Y
Luke Hudson(0)

a
Shaun Marcum(34044)

bcxyz - Francisco Rodriguez(3554324435)
bxy - Jon Papelbon(3454435344)
bxy - Pat Neshek(3532543445)
bxy - C.J. Wilson(3233521424)
cxz - Eric Gagne(3135344544)
cxz - Rafael Betancourt(1445340524)
cxz - Al Reyes(3441403304)
cxz - George Sherrill(3053442331)
xyz - Justin Speier(4533534553)
bx - Rafael Perez(4455143552)
by - Javier Lopez(1444435451)
cx - Octavio Dotel(2435243445)
cz - David Riske(3445433444)
xy - Sean Green(3535454354)
xz - Manny Delcarmen(3343435554)
xz - Chris Ray(3233454455)
b - Shawn Camp(4540444234)
x - Joakim Soria(3443444442)
x - Lenny DiNardo(3445254233)
y - Zach Miner(4135324542)
z - Jason Frasor(3425320234)
Eric O'Flaherty(4422354451)
Santiago Casilla(5043445323)
Danys Baez(3221434443)

Sean Green and Manny Delcarmen both continue to impress, each warranting a roster spot in many AL leagues, however the dominant upside displayed by Octavio Dotel deserves the most attention here. Kansas City almost certainly will peddle him by the deadline, and he should remain quite valuable regardless of his new role. Also remember that Soria should succeed Dotel as the Royals' closer, making now a great time to grab the youngster if he somehow remains available in your league.

b
y - Joe Kennedy(12030)

cyz - Juan Rincon(2254503351)
cyz - Kyle Farnsworth(2544433221)
cyz - Matt J. Miller(03)
cz - Kiko Calero(3534531344)
yz - Fernando Rodney(4322422324)
y - Wes Littleton(4343214323)
y - Jon Huber(42425)
y - Scott Feldman(0232432331)
y - Joe Nelson
z - Mike Burns
Luis Vizcaino(3345455335)
Joel Pineiro(2244444224)
Fernando Cabrera(4432423421)
Tom Mastny(3243113352)
Craig Breslow

c
xyz - Mike Timlin(0344333343)
xz - Tim Byrdak(4433330343)
yz - Macay McBride(4441305333)
x - Bobby Seay(3333454342)
z - Ron Villone(3334345510)
z - Jay Witasick(2534335004)
z - Chris Reitsma(3343035332)

x
Kyle Snyder(5433433314)
Jay Marshall(0433414343)
Jamie Walker(5353523332)
Chris Bootcheck(1352332354)
Sean Henn(3334133324)

y
Brian Burres(30204)

Joe Borowski(2244345344)
Craig Hansen

z
Jose Capellan(5233223432)
Ron Flores(4142333101)

1 - K/9 of 6.0+, BB/9 of 3.0-, H/9 of 9.0-, HR/9 of 1.0-,
     and G-F of 1.0+ in 25+ IP in 2007.
2 - K/9 of 6.0+, BB/9 of 3.0-, H/9 of 9.0-, HR/9 of 1.0-,
     and G-F of 1.0+ in 25+ IP in 2006.
3 - K/9 of 6.0+, BB/9 of 3.0-, H/9 of 9.0-, HR/9 of 1.0-,
     and G-F of 1.0+ in 25+ IP in 2005.

QA score for starts: up to 5 total points, one for each statistical goal, to any starter who pitches at least 5 innings and fulfills the following skill qualifications: K>=IP-2, BB<=IP/3, H<=IP, HR<=1, and G-F>=1.00. Any starter who does not reach at least one of the required statistical goals or fails to pitch 5 innings earns a 0 QA score. Scores of 5 and 4 qualify as DOMinant outings, a 3 is DULl, and anything below 3 ranks as a skill DISaster.

QA score for relief outings: up to 5 total points, one for each statistical goal, to any reliever who retires at least one batter and fulfills the following skill qualifications: K>=IP, BB=0, H<=IP, HR=0, and G-F>=1.00. Any reliever who does not reach at least one of the required statistical goals or fails to retire a batter earns a 0 QA score. Scores of 5 and 4 qualify as DOMinant outings, a 3 is DULl, and anything below 3 ranks as a skill DISaster.

Starters must pitch in five games before earning any of the following DOM or DIS ratings. Relievers must appear in no less than 10 games before earning DOM/DIS consideration.

A - QA score of 4 or 5 in at least 50% of 2007 starts
B - QA score of 4 or 5 in at least 50% of 2006 starts
C - QA score of 4 or 5 in at least 50% of 2005 starts

X - QA score below 3 in no more than 20% of 2007 starts
Y - QA score below 3 in no more than 20% of 2006 starts
Z - QA score below 3 in no more than 20% of 2005 starts

a - QA score of 4 or 5 in at least 50% of 2007 relief outings
b - QA score of 4 or 5 in at least 50% of 2006 relief outings
c - QA score of 4 or 5 in at least 50% of 2005 relief outings

x - QA score below 3 in no more than 20% of 2007 relief outings
y - QA score below 3 in no more than 20% of 2006 relief outings
z - QA score below 3 in no more than 20% of 2005 relief outings

We'll continue tomorrow with this week's NL LPR article.

Internet Challenge

SP(6)
Johan Santana: No start.
Roy Oswalt: Fri:@PIT(T.Gorzelanny)
Ben Sheets: No start(DL).
Jake Peavy: Sun:PHI(J.Durbin)
Brandon Webb: Fri:@CHC(J.Marquis)
Greg Maddux: No start.
Josh Beckett: Fri:CHW(J.Contreras)
Daisuke Matsuzaka: No start.
Dan Haren: Sat:BAL(S.Trachsel)
Felix Hernandez: No start.
Matt Cain: No start.
Jon Papelbon: 3 Home vs. CHW.

With only six active pitchers this weekend, we see no other logical moves, especially with Ryan Dempster only just returning from the DL, Kendrick and Hall still sidelined, Taveras and Holliday in Washington, and Teahen not appearing particularly impressive with the Royals headed to Detroit.

Rotohelp.com(7th lg; 188th overall)
Week 16b: July 20-July 22

 
C	Victor Martinez		1310 
C	Brian McCann		880 
1B	Ryan Howard		1420
1B	Travis Hafner		1380
2B	Brandon Phillips	930
2B	Kelly Johnson		400 
3B	David Wright		1550
3B	B.J. Upton		410
SS	Jose Reyes		1610 
SS	Hanley Ramirez		1100 
OF	Manny Ramirez		1390 
OF	Alex Rios		1000
OF	Barry Bonds		830 
OF	Delmon Young		750
OF	Shane Victorino		560 
OF	Corey Hart		430
DH	Albert Pujols		2050 
DH	Prince Fielder		910

SP	Roy Oswalt		1550 
SP	Jake Peavy		1180
SP	Brandon Webb		1130 
SP	Josh Beckett		1000
SP	Dan Haren		940
SP	Jon Papelbon		900  
RP	Francisco Cordero	1260
RP	Takashi Saito		1200
RP	Joe Borowski		1110 
RP	Matt Capps		600

Total Week 16b Salary:		29780

Today's Fantasy Rx: The Angels probably lead the way in offering new roto opportunities with Brandon Wood replacing Howie Kendrick in the majors and Joe Saunders taking Ervin Santana's rotation slot. However, Kurt Suzuki's elevation to the starting catcher's job in Oakland probably will affect even more owners due to the relative paucity of AL catching talent. The overdue promotion of Shelley Duncan in New York also intrigues me given his obvious power and the Yankees' need for help at first. While the club remains likely to deal for another bat within the next two weeks, Duncan appears perfectly positioned to echo the previous late-season heroics of Kevin Maas and Shane Spencer.