Weekly Pitcher Rankings: It's Good to be the King

(Very deep) Sleeper of the week:Clayton Mortensen, COL

Mortensen is no great shakes, but he does have a 1.21 WHIP, and he gets the league's two worst offenses this week in the Padres and Dodgers. Of course, Mortensen is also having to contend with potentially losing his rotation spot due to the pending return of Aaron Cook off the disabled list and the emergence of rookie Juan Nicasio, who has thrown two strong outings. At any rate, whoever starts Tuesday for the Rockies has a nice matchup.

Twitter: Yes, I'm on Twitter (@vtadave).

For this week, June 6-12.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Start 'Em

1. Cliff Lee - LAD, CHC
2. Zack Greinke - NYM, STL
3. Tim Lincecum - WAS, CIN
4. Roy Halladay - CHC
5. Shaun Marcum - NYM, STL
6. Tommy Hanson - @FLA, @HOU
7. Ubaldo Jimenez - @SD, LAD
8. Josh Johnson - MIL, ARI
9. Jair Jurrjens - @FLA
10. Cole Hamels - LAD
11. Anibal Sanchez - ARI
12. Ricky Nolasco - ATL
13. Roy Oswalt - LAD, CHC
14. Yovani Gallardo - NYM
15. Mat Latos - WAS
16. Jaime Garcia - @HOU
17. Juan Nicasio - @SD
18. Matt Cain - WAS
19. Kevin Correia - ARI, NYM
20. Chris Carpenter - @MIL
21. Tim Hudson - @HOU
22. Clayton Kershaw - @COL
23. Mike Minor - @HOU
24. Jordan Zimmerman - @SF, @SD
25. Matt Garza - @CIN, @PHI
26. Dan Hudson - @PIT, @FLA
27. John Lannan - @SF, @SD
28. Johnny Cueto - @SF
29. Kyle Lohse - @MIL
30. Ian Kennedy - @FLA
31. Jhoulys Chacin - LAD
32. Chad Billingsley - @COL
33. Charlie Morton - NYM
34. Bud Norris - STL
35. Madison Bumgarner - CIN
36. Mike Leake - CHC, @SF
37. Tim Stauffer - COL, WAS
38. Ryan Vogelsong - CIN
39. Dillon Gee - @PIT
40. Jordan Lyles - ATL
41. Jason Hammel - LAD
42. Ryan Dempster - @CIN
43. Josh Collmenter - @PIT

Borderline Depending on League Format

44. Dustin Moseley - COL
45. Brett Myers - STL, ATL
46. Javier Vazquez - MIL, ARI
47. James McDonald - NYM
48. Derek Lowe - @FLA
49. Randy Wolf - NYM
50. Rubby De La Rosa - @PHI, @COL (tentative)
51. Jonathan Sanchez - WAS, CIN
52. R.A. Dickey - @PIT
53. Hiroki Kuroda - @PHI
54. Jake Westbrook - @HOU, @MIL
55. Livan Hernandez - @SD
56. Travis Wood - @SF
57. Clayton Richard - COL, WAS
58. Bronson Arroyo - CHC
59. Paul Maholm - ARI
60. Aaron Harang - WAS
61. Carlos Zambrano - @PHI
62. J.A. Happ - STL
63. Clayton Mortensen - @SD, LAD
64. Chris Narveson - STL
65. Zach Duke - @PIT
66. Chris Volstad - ATL
67. Jonathon Niese - @MIL

Extreme Caution Advised

68. Jason Marquis - @SD
69. Chris Capuano - @MIL, @PIT
70. Kyle Kendrick - CHC
71. Wandy Rodriguez - ATL
72. Jeff Karstens - ARI
73. Lance Lynn - @HOU
74. Ted Lilly - @PHI, @COL
75. Mike Pelfrey - @MIL
76. Tom Gorzelanny - @SF
77. Doug Davis - @CIN, @PHI
78. Randy Wells - @PHI
79. Chad Reineke - CHC, @SF (tentative – Edinson Volquez returning)
80. Joe Saunders - @FLA

Notes: The Dodgers placed Jon Garland on the DL with what they are calling a shoulder injury. Perhaps they looked at his matchups against the Phillies and Rockies on the road this week and hired Jeff Gillooly to bash him in the shoulder with a tire iron. Conspiracy theories aside, this could pave the way for Rubby De La Rosa's first big league start. Vicente Padilla (forearm) will replace Garland on the 25-man roster, but I'm thinking DLR gets first crack at starting. His upside is pretty significant, as he was the organization's minor league pitcher of the year last season and was the most impressive pitcher in spring camp this year. ... Lance Lynn's big league debut could have gone better, as the former first-rounder allowed five runs in 5.1 innings in a Cardinals' loss to the Giants. On the plus side, Lynn didn't walk a batter while fanning five, so NL-only leaguers will want to take a look at him. ... They obviously need a lot more help, but the Astros have a nice start to a rotation with Bud Norris and Jordan Lyles. Lyles allowed just one earned run in seven innings in his big league debut while Norris ranks seventh in the majors with 79 strikeouts. ... It appears Matt Garza (elbow) is going to pitch in the Monday-Wednesday series in Cincinnati. He'll replace Casey Coleman/James Russell in the rotation. ... I'm predicting a return for Wandy Rodriguez (elbow) this week, but monitor his status over the weekend to be sure. ... Josh Johnson (shoulder) appears on track for a Tuesday return. That makes him a two-start starter, so get him in there. ... Aaron Cook is due back from a shoulder injury this week, but are the Rockies really going to bump Juan Nicasio for Cook? ... Edinson Volquez has looked good, but not great in Triple-A with a 1.88 ERA but a 7:7 K:BB in 14.1 innings. He seems unlikely to return during the upcoming scoring week, though Dusty Baker's recent comments suggest he could. Either way, I wouldn't use him. ... After allowing 11 runs in 3.1 innings in Coors Field, Jaime Garcia saw his ERA jump from 1.93 to 3.28. Ouch. Guess that happens once in a while. ... Here's another name to add to Stephen Strasburg's future supporting cast – Brad Peacock. "The bird" is a 2006 41st-round pick who sports a 2.03 ERA and 82:13 K:BB in 62 innings for Double-A Harrisburg.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Start 'Em

1. Felix Hernandez - @CHW, @DET
2. David Price - @LAA, @BAL
3. Michael Pineda - @CHW, @DET
4. Jon Lester - @NYY, @TOR
5. Brandon Morrow - @KC, BOS
6. Brian Matusz - OAK, TB
7. Josh Beckett - @NYY
8. CC Sabathia - BOS
9. Gio Gonzalez - @BAL, @CHW
10. Phil Humber - SEA, OAK
11. Dan Haren - TB, KC (check status of back)
12. James Shields - @LAA
13. Ricky Romero - @KC
14. Justin Verlander - SEA
15. Jered Weaver - TB
16. Colby Lewis - DET, @MIN
17. Trevor Cahill - @CHW
18. Bartolo Colon - CLE
19. Brett Anderson - @CHW
20. Erik Bedard - @DET
21. Zach Britton - OAK
22. Rick Porcello - @TEX, SEA
23. C.J. Wilson - @MIN
24. Jeremy Hellickson - @BAL
25. Jake Peavy - OAK
26. Scott Baker - @CLE, TEX
27. Doug Fister - @DET
28. Alexi Ogando - DET
29. Max Scherzer - @TEX, SEA
30. Clay Buchholz - @NYY
31. Ervin Santana - KC
32. Gavin Floyd - SEA
33. Jeremy Guthrie - TB
34. A.J. Burnett - BOS
35. Freddy Garcia - BOS, CLE
36. Mark Buehrle - OAK
37. Justin Masterson - MIN

Borderline Depending on League Format

38. Anthony Swarzak - @CLE, TEX
39. Matt Harrison - DET, @MIN
40. Carl Pavano - @CLE
41. Tyler Chatwood - TB
42. Joel Pineiro - KC
43. Derek Holland - @MIN
44. Jason Vargas - @CHW
45. Josh Outman - @BAL
46. Danny Duffy - TOR
47. Carlos Carrasco - MIN
48. Jake Arrieta - TB
49. John Lackey - @TOR
50. Nick Blackburn - TEX
51. Tim Wakefield - @TOR
52. Alexander Cobb - @LAA
53. Josh Tomlin - MIN, @NYY
54. Brad Penny - SEA

Extreme Caution Advised

55. Wade Davis - @BAL
56. Guillermo Moscoso - @BAL, @CHW
57. John Danks - SEA, OAK
58. Carlos Villanueva - @KC
59. Brian Duensing - TEX
60. Bradley Bergesen – OAK (tentative)
61. Ivan Nova - CLE
62. Jo-Jo Reyes - BOS
63. Fausto Carmona - @NYY
64. Mitch Talbot - @NYY
65. Phil Coke - @TEX
66. Luke Hochevar - TOR
67. Jeff Francis - @LAA
68. Felipe Paulino - TOR, @LAA
69. Sean O'Sullivan - TOR, @LAA
70. Kyle Drabek - @KC, BOS

Notes: Daisuke Matsuzaka is done for the year and will undergo Tommy John surgery. Safe to say that $103 million investment was a flop, at least on the field. ... Matt Harrison is tentatively listed as a two-start starter, but monitor his status over the weekend, as he's dealing with a blister. ... Ivan Nova has a 4.67 ERA and barely more strikeouts than walks. I wonder whether the Yankees would consider using Dellin Betances in his place? ... Royals prospect John Lamb is now Exhibit A that you can never have too many pitching prospects. Lamb will miss a year or so and undergo Tommy John surgery. ... The Mariners started six guys batting less than .250 on Thursday, but still managed to touch James Shields for seven runs. Pretty safe to say this is just a blip for Shields, in what is looking like a career year. ... Grab Anthony Swarzak in deep leagues, but the 5:5 K:BB he's had in his two solid starts doesn't support continued success. ... The Orioles are listing "undecided" as Tuesday's pitcher. It could be alleged murderer Alfredo Simon, but we'll throw Bradley Bergesen in there for now. Either way, avoid this situation. ...We'll take Edwin Jackson up on his offer and boot him from the rotation with the White Sox transitioning back to a five-man unit. ... Phil Coke (ankle) returns this week to a rough assignment – the Rangers in Texas. Go ahead and bench him, please. ... Had a rough time forecasting the Angels' rotation with Dan Haren dealing with a back injury. I imagine this will become less fuzzy once this article is published, however. ... Nathan Adcock (biceps) is out, and Sean O'Sullivan was sent to the disabled list Friday. Not that it really matters, as beyond Danny Duffy and occasionally Luke Hochevar, the Royals rotation is a brutal. Mike Montgomery could get the call to replace O'Sullivan despite his control issues in Triple-A, as the Royals don't exactly have a ton of alternatives. ... My buddy was in a Seattle bar on Friday and drinking with Kelly Shoppach and David Price. No word on what they were drinking. ... At some point, the Blue Jays may need to send Kyle Drabek down to Triple-A, as Drabek leads the majors with 45 walks in 63.1 innings. I still think he'll have a solid big league career, but he's clearly fighting it right now.

MIXED LEAGUE TOP 100

1. Felix Hernandez - @CHW, @DET
2. David Price - @LAA, @BAL
3. Michael Pineda - @CHW, @DET
4. Cliff Lee - LAD, CHC
5. Zack Greinke - NYM, STL
6. Tim Lincecum - WAS, CIN
7. Jon Lester - @NYY, @TOR
8. Roy Halladay - CHC
9. Shaun Marcum - NYM, STL
10. Tommy Hanson - @FLA, @HOU
11. Ubaldo Jimenez - @SD, LAD
12. Brandon Morrow - @KC, BOS
13. Josh Johnson - MIL, ARI
14. Jair Jurrjens - @FLA
15. Cole Hamels - LAD
16. Anibal Sanchez - ARI
17. Brian Matusz - OAK, TB
18. Ricky Nolasco - ATL
19. Roy Oswalt - LAD, CHC
20. Yovani Gallardo - NYM
21. Mat Latos - WAS
22. Josh Beckett - @NYY
23. CC Sabathia - BOS
24. Jaime Garcia - @HOU
25. Gio Gonzalez - @BAL, @CHW
26. Phil Humber - SEA, OAK
27. Dan Haren - TB, KC (check status of back)
28. Juan Nicasio - @SD
29. James Shields - @LAA
30. Ricky Romero - @KC
31. Justin Verlander - SEA
32. Jered Weaver - TB
33. Matt Cain - WAS
34. Colby Lewis - DET, @MIN
35. Kevin Correia - ARI, NYM
36. Trevor Cahill - @CHW
37. Bartolo Colon - CLE
38. Brett Anderson - @CHW
39. Chris Carpenter - @MIL
40. Tim Hudson - @HOU
41. Clayton Kershaw - @COL
42. Erik Bedard - @DET
43. Mike Minor - @HOU
44. Jordan Zimmerman - @SF, @SD
45. Matt Garza - @CIN, @PHI
46. Dan Hudson - @PIT, @FLA
47. John Lannan - @SF, @SD
48. Johnny Cueto - @SF
49. Kyle Lohse - @MIL
50. Ian Kennedy - @FLA
51. Jhoulys Chacin - LAD
52. Zach Britton - OAK
53. Chad Billingsley - @COL
54. Charlie Morton - NYM
55. Bud Norris - STL
56. Madison Bumgarner - CIN
57. Mike Leake - CHC, @SF
58. Rick Porcello - @TEX, SEA
59. C.J. Wilson - @MIN
60. Tim Stauffer - COL, WAS
61. Ryan Vogelsong - CIN
62. Jeremy Hellickson - @BAL
63. Dillon Gee - @PIT
64. Jordan Lyles - ATL
65. Jake Peavy - OAK
66. Scott Baker - @CLE, TEX
67. Doug Fister - @DET
68. Alexi Ogando - DET
69. Jason Hammel - LAD
70. Max Scherzer - @TEX, SEA
71. Clay Buchholz - @NYY
72. Ryan Dempster - @CIN
73. Ervin Santana - KC
74. Gavin Floyd - SEA
75. Jeremy Guthrie - TB
76. Josh Collmenter - @PIT
77. A.J. Burnett - BOS
78. Freddy Garcia - BOS, CLE
79. Mark Buehrle - OAK
80. Dustin Moseley - COL
81. Justin Masterson - MIN
82. Brett Myers - STL, ATL
83. Javier Vazquez - MIL, ARI
84. James McDonald - NYM
85. Derek Lowe - @FLA
86. Randy Wolf - NYM
87. Rubby De La Rosa - @PHI, @COL (tentative)
88. Jonathan Sanchez - WAS, CIN
89. Anthony Swarzak - @CLE, TEX
90. R.A. Dickey - @PIT
91. Matt Harrison - DET, @MIN
92. Hiroki Kuroda - @PHI
93. Carl Pavano - @CLE
94. Tyler Chatwood - TB
95. Joel Pineiro - KC
96. Derek Holland - @MIN
97. Jason Vargas - @CHW
98. Josh Outman - @BAL
99. Jake Westbrook - @HOU, @MIL
100. Danny Duffy - TOR

Regan, a four-time Fantasy Sports Writers Association award winner, was named the 2010 Fantasy Baseball Writer of the Year.

Follow @vtadave on Twitter.