NL WEST

Put the Diamondbacks in the hunt for starting pitching. Micah Owings has been shaky since May, and who knows how much longer Randy Johnson's back will hold up. Then there's Max Scherzer being on the DL for three weeks with a sore elbow. It seems doubtful he'll contribute much this year.

The Dodgers are loaded with starting pitchers, and with Brad Penny (shoulder) due back sometime in July and Clayton Kershaw locked and loaded at Double-A (seven two-hit innings last time out), dealing Derek Lowe for shortstop help remains a possibility. Either way, look for the club to find some way to get Kershaw in the rotation by August.

The Padres get Chris Young (skull fracture) back in 2-3 weeks, but even then, their rotation is still a mess. Randy Wolf is 1-5 with a 7.06 ERA in his last six starts, and Josh Banks is mortal again. Cha Seung Baek isn't the answer, and there's nothing on the farm beyond Double-A pitcher Will Inman (3.02 ERA, 109:48 K:BB in 98 1/3 innings), who may or may not be ready.

Coors Field is back to being Coors Field again this year, so ignore all Rockies except Aaron Cook. Yes, Colorado really is using both Mark Redman and Glendon Rusch, but when those experiments fail, we're looking at Jason Hirsh and Franklin Morales returning to the rotation. Morales has some long-term upside, but he's been awful this year (43:48 K:BB in Triple-A). Hirsh with all his arm problems is more of a 2009 guy.

The first four slots in the Giants rotation are set, with Jonathan Sanchez (fifth in the NL with 115 strikeouts) as 2009's breakout pitcher. The No. 5, though, Kevin Correia, is far from set. Correia missed seven weeks recently with an intercostals injury and is coming off seven runs allowed in 3 2/3 innings to the Cubs. The Giants, though, have no prospects at the upper levels ready to step in, so Correia will get a lot of slack. Don't expect Noah Lowry (forearm) back this year.

NL CENTRAL

The top four for the Cubs are set, but we could still see Jason Marquis (4.44 ERA, 4.8 K/9) lose his job to Sean Marshall at some point, especially if Lou Piniella decides he wants another lefty to pair with Ted Lilly.

Aaron Harang (forearm) could be back in a week for the Reds, with Josh Fogg having the slight edge over Homer Bailey to remain as the No. 5 starter. Bailey though was impressive in his first start back from Triple-A, so don't discount his chances. Bronson Arroyo has won his last three starts and appears to be secure (for now).

The Astros entered the year with Roy Oswalt, Wandy Rodriguez and a bunch of questions, so it's not a surprise the Astros rank 12th in the NL with a 4.74 starters' ERA. There's no one outside of Oswalt and Rodriguez to recommend. Just as bad, there's no hope now or in the near future down on the farm.

CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets form baseball's most formidable 1-2 punch, and Manny Parra is 7-0 with a 2.83 ERA since May 9 for the Brewers. Just think if this rotation still had Yovani Gallardo (torn ACL). There is a little uncertainty in the fourth and fifth slots, but it appears Jeff Suppan (elbow) will bump the surprising Seth McClung (4.16 ERA) to middle relief as David Bush has a 20:0 K:BB in his last two starts. No top prospects in the upper minors to wonder about this year.

It's gotten so bad for the Pirates this year (Ian Snell's 5.92 ERA, Tom Gorzelanny demotion), that I had to actually look up "Yoslan Herrera" to remember he was the Cuban defector the Pirates gave $1.9 million to in December 2006. Herrera had a 3.07 minor league ERA, but the 5.3 K/9 shouldn't have you surprised that he was shelled in his major league debut. Zach Duke remains a shell of his former self, and though Paul Maholm has been the best Pirates starter, he brought a 4.60 ERA into the season has a 5.7 K/9 this year, which limits his upside. I'd probably rank the Nationals' rotation above Pittsburgh right now.

No rotation has been more decimated than that of the Cardinals, with Adam Wainwright (finger - out until Aug.) joining Chris Carpenter (Tommy John surgery) and others on the DL. Kyle Lohse (11-2, 3.39 ERA) has been a godsend while others, like Todd Wellemeyer, have stepped up as well. Jamie Garcia has No. 3 starter upside, but he's probably the guy to go once Wainwright returns, though Wellemeyer's 7.16 July ERA makes him a candidate as well.

NL EAST

In Atlanta, the impeding return of Mike Hampton (pectoral muscle) should bump Charlie Morton to Triple-A. Jo Jo Reyes should keep his job for the time being, but he could be pushed shortly by Chuck James (2.48 ERA, 8.3 K/9 in Triple-A). Jorge Campillo (3.06 ERA) has been a pleasant surprise, but his BABIP (.269) and K/9 (6.2) are somewhat worrisome.

Things are looking up in Florida, as Ricky Nolasco (3.70 ERA) has emerged as at least a solid No. 3. Scott Olsen has had his ups and downs due to a 64:43 K:BB, and Andrew Miller has perhaps the most talent of the bunch, though he's a year away from turning that into results. Anibal Sanchez (shoulder) shouldn't be thought of as much more than a No. 4 once he returns, but the early returns on Josh Johnson are favorable. Then there's Chris Volstad, so things are going to start getting crowded soon. In terms of upside I'd rank them as follows: Miller, Johnson, Nolasco, Olsen, Sanchez, Volstad.

With Oliver Perez's 0.90 ERA in his last three starts and Mike Pelfrey's 2.26 mark in his last nine, Pedro Martinez is suddenly the weak link in the Mets rotation. Orlando Hernandez is rehabbing a foot injury and he'd be next in line should Pedro's shoulder force him to the DL.

Brett Myers had a 3.10 ERA and 22:6 K:BB in 20 1/3 minor league innings and will apparently return to the Phillies and start on July 23. May as well take a flier if someone dropped him. Kyle Kendrick has a 3.81 ERA since May 22, so he's usable again in some leagues. Cole Hamels is an ace, Jamie Moyer is 80 years old, but still semi-effective, and Adam Eaton is still awful. Don't look for much help down on the farm, though, as Philadelphia's No. 1 prospect, Carlos Carrasco, had a 5.83 ERA in June.

Jason Bergman has a 1.91 ERA in his last five starts, and, for the most part, the Washington rotation hasn't been as big a black hole as expected. Guys like John Lannan and Tim Redding aren't going to win fantasy leagues, but they've been a reliable source of ERA at least. Colin Balester won't be much of a contributor until next year, but he's worth considering in keeper leagues. Down on the farm, Ross Detwiler has been a disappointment (5.42 ERA) while Jordan Zimmerman is the organization's breakout prospect (2.96 ERA, 8.3 K/9). Unsigned 2008 top pick Aaron Crow may wind up being the best of the bunch.

AL WEST

After Jon Garland opened the year for the Angels with a meager four strikeouts in his first 30 1/3 innings, we were concerned. He's been fairly reliable (excepting his last start) since, however. The supposed fourth and fifth starters, Ervin Santana and Joe Saunders, both have double-digit wins totals. With Kelvin Escobar (shoulder) done for the year and Nick Adenhart having fallen apart (5.89 ERA) in Triple-A, Dustin Moseley is the uninspiring next-in-line.

Justin Duchscherer has made the successful transition to the rotation and is Oakland's undisputed ace. Now it's time for Billy Beane to get something for Joe Blanton and promote Gio Gonzalez (0.95 ERA in last four Triple-A starts) to take his place. With names like Brett Anderson (96:22 K:BB) and Trevor Cahill (minor-league best 122 strikeouts), the A's are going to have good pitching for the next several years.

Erik Bedard (back) could return July 22, and the Mariners have to hope he looks good so they can shop him for prospects. Jarrod Washburn is AL-only relevant again with a 2.58 ERA in seven starts, while the 6-6, 2.95-ERA Felix Hernandez continues to suffer from a lack of run support. Down on the farm, there's really no help on the way in the immediate future.

Texas is usually a less-than-desirable source for pitchers, but there some hope here beyond mediocre vets like Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla. Eric Hurley is more of a 2009/2010 guy, but he's shown flashes, while Matt Harrison impressed in his big league debut. The real prize here, though, is Neftali Feliz, probably a top-five pitching prospect in the game. Feliz is just 20, but the Rangers skipped him from Low-A to Double-A on the heels of a 2.52 ERA and 11.6 K/9. He may be the top prize in the Mark Teixeira deal.

AL CENTRAL

John Danks is the obvious surprise for the White Sox, ranking sixth in baseball with a 2.67 ERA with 94 strikeouts. Gavin Floyd's peripherals aren't close to those of Danks, so be wary of his 3.63 ERA. The White Sox would probably tap prospect Lance Broadway (4.21 ERA in Triple-A) should one of their top five go down.

CC Sabathia obviously leaves a very large (in more than one way) hole in the Cleveland rotation, but Fausto Carmona (hip) will be back sometime this month to try and improve upon an ugly 23:38 K:BB. In the meantime, Matt Ginter and Jeremy Sowers will compete for the No. 5 job, with neither having much fantasy value. If the Indians get real desperate, Jeff Weaver lurks ominously in Triple-A, but they (and you) don't want to go there.

The Tigers were expected to have a strong rotation this year, but with Dontrelle Willis going down with a knee injury and pitching poorly even when healthy, the Tigers have been left scrambling. Factor in the Jeremy Bonderman (blood clot) injury and Nate Robertson's 5.26 ERA, and the Tigers have struggled. Fortunately, Kenny Rogers hasn't been horrible lately and Armando Galarraga (yet another ex-Ranger finding success elsewhere a la Edinson Volquez and John Danks) has stepped up with a 3.27 ERA. Trades for Miguel Cabrera and Edgar Renteria have decimated the upper levels of the Detroit farm system, thus the reliance on undesirable options like Eddie Bonine.

The Royals rotation has stabilized this year finally, with former No. 1 overall pick Luke Hochevar struggling, but showing some promise. Kyle Davies has had his ups and downs, but he's a former top prospect (Braves), so a breakout remains possible. Down on the farm, Daniel Cortes (3.62 ERA, 8.7 K/9 in Double-A) and Carlos Rosa (2.53 ERA between Double-A and Triple-A) are worth watching.

The Twins could certainly use Johan Santana, but with Kevin Slowey's maturation and Nick Blackburn's consistency, the Twins still have the needed depth. Glen Perkins has been a little shaky lately, so if he or Livan Hernandez needs to be replaced, there's this Francisco Liriano guy down in Triple-A. Liriano is 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 24:3 K:BB in his last three starts (20 innings). He'll be up shortly after the break.

AL EAST

Other than Jeremy Guthrie (guess 2007 wasn't a fluke), anyone in the Baltimore rotation is liable to be replaced at any time. So, who's worth watching from a fantasy perspective? Radhames Liz has some upside, but he may be best-suited for the bullpen. Chris Tillman is easily the organization's top pitching prospect, but he's only 20 and pitching at Double-A, so he's more of a 2009 guy. Like most of the Baltimore roster, the Orioles' rotation has a long way to go.

Little need be said about the Boston rotation - it's loaded. Beyond the top five, you know about Justin Masterson, and it appears the plan to convert him to a reliever is in full force in Triple-A. Should the Red Sox need to tap the minors, knuckleballer Charlie Zink (2.22 ERA in Triple-A) is an option, but the pitcher to watch for fantasy owners is Michael Bowden (2.33 ERA, 8.7 K/9 in Double-A).

The Yankees are carrying Sidney Ponson and Darrell Rasner in the rotation, but don't expect that to last much longer. Ian Kennedy is ready to return from a strained lat and could get the call with one more impressive Triple-A start. Phil Hughes (ribs) is really the only other pitcher here to get fantasy owners excited, and he's out until sometime in August.

We knew Scott Kazmir and James Shields would be good, but Matt Garza has matured faster than expected, giving the Rays a formidable 1-2-3. Andy Sonnanstine and Edwin Jackson have been adequate in the fourth and fifth slots, but in reality, one of them is just keeping a spot warm for arguably baseball's top pitching prospect, David Price. Price is 8-0 with a 1.63 ERA in 10 starts. Wade Davis and Jeremy Hellickson among others give the Rays enviable pitching depth at all levels.

The Blue Jays will get Shaun Marcum (elbow) back after the break, but also have lost Dustin McGowan for awhile with a shoulder injury. A.J. Burnett has been raising his trade value lately and could get dealt at any time this month. Guys to watch include David Purcey (2.76 ERA, 9.0 K/9 in Triple-A) and 2007 first-rounder Brett Cecil (2.70 ERA overall, currently in Double-A). Both are middle-of-the-rotation types with Cecil offering a little more upside.

Article first appeared 7/16/08