Phanatic Phantasy Baseball

Today's position: SP

By Michael Rushton and Greg Wiley
The Phanatic Magazine

How you address your pitching situation largely depends on what type of league you are in. In a roto league, depth is less of a concern because it is your total numbers that matter, not how a pitcher does on a week-to-week basis. This allows you ride hot arms for a stretch, discard, and repeat. However, in a head-to-head situation, you need to maximize your best pitchers for a seven-day span. If Brandon Webb has a bad week, it could cost you three categories. However, if his struggles are offset by Scott Kazmir's strong week, you should be sitting pretty.

Wiley's List

1) Johan Santana (MIN) - The best of the bunch. Only pitcher worth taking in the first round. No other pitcher is worth taking until at least the third round.
2) Chris Carpenter (STL) - Has been real solid the last few years, but don't feel the need to draft him too high.
3) Carlos Zambrano (CHC) - I'm betting this is going to be his best season yet. He's pitching for a big contract and seems to have finally tempered his emotions.
4) Roy Oswalt (HOU) - He has it all for a fantasy starter. A shaky bullpen is his one setback.
5) Brandon Webb (ARI) - Nasty sinker doesn't yield many home runs. His K-to-BB ratio has improved ever year as well. Last year's Cy Young campaign wasn't a fluke, he should be that good again.
6) Jake Peavy (SDP) - He'll bounce back from a poor 2006 campaign and again be one of the top pitchers in the NL.
7) Roy Halladay (TOR) - He's been one of the best (when healthy). Only down side is that his strikeout totals aren't high enough. Hitters make a lot of contact.
8) Jeremy Bonderman (DET) - Ace of the Tigers staff. One down side is he just signed a long-term deal which might drop his focus a bit.
9) John Lackey (LAA) - He's been fairly consistent over the past few seasons. The Angels will rely on him and he should answer the call. I'd expect about 15wins and a lower WHIP than usual.
10) Brett Myers (PHI) - Phils finally have the make-up to vie for division title and Myers is the ace of the staff. He lost weight in the off-season and is a workhorse. Expect a Cy Young-type season.
11) C.C. Sabathia (CLE) - Great second-half splits last year and posted a career- low ERA for the season. If he can do it again, look out.
12) Matt Cain (SFG) - Stud in the making. Averaged over a K/IP last season. He pitches in pitcher-friendly park and is poised for a big-time season
13) Scott Kazmir (TB) - What's not to like about this young lefty. If his arm can stay healthy he can be one of the best in the game.

The other 14-20: John Smoltz (ATL), Jason Schmidt (LAD), Felix Hernandez (SEA), Dan Haren (OAK), Chris Young (SDP), Justin Verlander (DET), Aaron Harang (CIN).

Rushton's list

1) Santana - Like Wiley says, only pitcher worthy of a first-round pick. High wins, low WHIP and ERA.
2) Zambrano - I'm buying the hype and this man wants to get paid. 200-plus strikeouts are a lock.
3) Carpenter - This is my consistency favorite for starting pitchers. You know what you are getting with Carpenter.
4) Oswalt - Hopefully, Houston's offense will win him some more games this season.
5) Peavy - Don't let him fall under your radar due to 2006 season.
6) Webb - Never count out a Cy Young winner.
7) Bonderman - A 24-year-old with a lot of strikeouts equals good pick.
8) Halladay - One more injury away from falling off the fantasy map. Take a chance but have a backup plan.
9) Myers - Pitching with purpose this season, just needs to corral emotions.
10) Lackey - Very underrated given his numbers last season that will only get better.
11) Smoltz - Even at 39, he is still dominating. Should turn in just under 200 Ks and the wins are always there.
12) Schmidt - Doesn't' need to adjust to a new league, or even a new division and will get more offensive support than in San Francisco.
13) Daisuke Matsuzaka (BOS) - Spring has shown he will live up the hype, plus, these hitters haven't seen him yet.

The other 14-20: Ben Sheets (MIL), Harang, Cain, Kazmir, Sabathia, Hernandez, Erik Bedard (BAL).

Phanatic Sleepers: Cole Hamels (PHI), Rich Harden (OAK), Matt Garza (MIN). Watch for Homer Bailey (CIN) for a deep rookie sleeper.

Remember, if you missed any of our other position lists, just bang the label line at the bottom of the article.