The Pitch Weekly Report

This weeks pitching
Posted by Tabloid Paige
Monday Sept 8 2008

FAVORABLE SCHEDULES
Indians hitters: The Indians have eight games thanks to a doubleheader late in the week. Plus, they get to face the Orioles and Royals, who are both among the six worst teams in ERA.
Diamondbacks pitchers: Maybe Dan Haren and Brandon Webb can get out of a funk against the Giants and Reds. The Giants are last in the majors in runs; the Reds are second to last in team batting average.
Phillies hitters: It doesn't get any better than seven home games at hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park in the midst of a hot NL East race. Unless you're Ryan Howard, who has the added bonus of facing just one lefty starter.

UNFAVORABLE SCHEDULES
Blue Jays pitchers: Eight games against the White Sox and Red Sox come at a bad time for those looking for a little stretch-run help north of the U.S. border. The Red Sox and White Sox are both among the top five teams in the majors in runs.
A's pitchers: Look elsewhere for AL-only league sleepers. Oakland is at Detroit for three before hosting Texas for four games. The Tigers and Rangers are both among the top six teams in the majors in batting average.
Mets and Nationals hitters: Both teams have just five games, including two against each other early in the week. We don't have to tell those in head-to-head leagues how the five-game week is a curse.

TWO-START PITCHERS

AL: Brian Bannister, Nick Blackburn, A.J. Burnett, Fausto Carmona, Dana Eveland*, Jon Garland, Jeremy Guthrie*, Felix Hernandez, Edwin Jackson, Jon Lester, Jesse Litsch, Zach Miner, Dustin Nippert*, Carl Pavano, Clayton Richard*, Jeremy Sowers, Javier Vazquez, Jered Weaver*.

NL: Brandon Backe, Joe Blanton, Dave Bush, Jorge Campillo, Ryan Dempster, Livan Hernandez, Wade LeBlanc*, Tim Lincecum, Kyle Lohse*, Greg Maddux, Oliver Perez, Yusmeiro Petit*, Anibel Sanchez, Ian Snell, Jeff Suppan, Edinson Volquez, Randy Wolf, Barry Zito.

* = Two-start status is in question.