FORT LAUDERDALE -- It's the Marlins as the away team in South Florida, facing the O's:

-- Dallas McPherson is here. I really want to know why the Marlins don't consider giving him a starting job. He hit 42 bombs last year. Instead the Marlins are keeping butcher Jorge Cantu at third and starting Gaby Sanchez at first, perhaps. The Marlins do say Emilio Bonifacio, a contact-hitting burner, could play third. The Marlins have power, they say, but want less strikeouts, better defense and more athleticism.

-- Radhames Liz got the start for the O's. He has a great arm, but I don't think he stands a chance to make the O's rotation right now. He might wind up in the bullpen -- perhaps for good.

-- Andrew Miller today for the Marlins -- a chance to check out his new arm slot that is supposed to fix his control and command issues. First delivery, juuuuuust a bit outside. Ryan P. Freel walked. Later in the first... Scott Moore took one off the temple. Um, interesting.

-- Freel stole third off Miller, who didn't pay any attention to him. Freel can swipe 20-plus bases as a reserve for AL-only Rotisserie owners. He will be versatile, too.

-- Matt Wieters is hitting right-handed today. I think he is going to be awesome from the left side and more-like serviceable from the right side. Wieters blooped a single to right.

Emack.

-- Paul Byrd traded to the Red Sox. Is this a move because they fear the worst with Tim Wakefield?
-- David Price is not here Aug. 1 like you said. He has moved up to Triple-A but got beat up, what's up with that?
-- John Maine returned with five solid innings. Could the Mets really consider using him, Oliver Perez or Mike Pelfrey in the bullpen?
-- Who are some of the next pitchers to return from injury that we can pick up? Phil Hughes. Adam Wainwright. Joba Chamberlain. Carl Pavano. Andrew Miller. Bartolo Colon.

Must-start, two-start pitcher
Joe Blanton PHI
(08/19) vs. WAS Jason Bergmann 
(08/24) vs. LA Brad Penny 
70 percent owned 46 percent starting

Must-sit, two-start pitcher
Brad Penny LA
(08/19) vs. COL Jeff Francis
(08/24) @ PHI Joe Blanton
73 percent owned 37 percent starting

Two-start sleepers
Anthony Reyes CLE
(08/19) vs. KC Luke Hochevar
(08/24) @ TEX Luis Mendoza
24 percent starting 15 percent owned

Jeff Francis COL
(08/19) @ LA Brad Penny
(08/24) vs. CIN Josh Fogg
50 percent owned 27 percent starting 

Emack.

An outline of the topics for the Week 12 Pitching Planner video:

-- More injury woes for the Braves as Tom Glavine hits the DL and Jair Jurrjens tweaks his ankle ... Charlie Morton gets the call.
-- Dice-K is working his way back, what is the timetable and the status of Justin Masterson
-- Brandon Morrow earned his first save in place of J.J. Putz (elbow). Putz has struggled, can Morrow take over?
-- Jeremy Bonderman and Jake Westbrook are out for the year, is there value in their replacements?

Must-start, two-start pitcher
Justin Verlander DET
(06/16) @ SF Tim Lincecum
(06/22) @ SD Randy Wolf 
96 perecent owned 75 percent starting

Sit, two-start pitcher
Bartolo Colon BOS
(06/16) @ PHI Cole Hamels
(06/22) vs. STL Braden Looper
84 percent owned 60 percent starting

Two-start sleepers
Andrew Miller FLA
(06/16) @ SEA Carlos Silva 
(06/22) @ OAK Justin Duchscherer
50 percent owned 23 percent starting

Mike Pelfrey NYM
(06/16) @ ANA Jered Weaver
(06/22) @ COL Greg Reynolds
16 percent owned 7 percent starting

Emack.

My notes this week for the Week 5 Pitching Planner videocast...

-- Geez, Ben Sheets way to let us down when we finally start to trust you ... returns next week as a two-start pitcher?
-- Josh Beckett, really dude?
-- Phil Hughes struggling, Ian Kennedy struggling and Hank Steinbrenner trying to jump the gun on Joba Chamberlain
-- Erik Bedard, John Lackey, Scott Kazmir, Matt Garza, Mike Hampton, Mark Mulder and Kevin Slowey nearing returns from the DL
-- Doug Davis might return May 9, which means Matt Scherzer's great start in Triple-A will buy D-Backs time

Must-start two-start pitcher
Phil Hughes NYY
(04/29) vs. DET Kenny Rogers 
(05/04) vs. SEA Carlos Silva
83 percent owned 36 percent started

Advisable sit two-start pitcher
Todd Wellemeyer STL
(04/28) vs. CIN Bronson Arroyo
(05/04) vs. CHC Rich Hill 
76 percent owned 64 percent started

Two-start pitching sleepers

Greg Smith OAK
(04/29) @ ANA Joe Saunders
(05/04) vs. TEX Luis Mendoza
28 percent owned 17 percent started

Franklin Morales COL
(04/28) @ SF Matt Cain 
(05/04) vs. LA Derek Lowe
25 percent owned 10 percent started

Andrew Miller FLA
(04/29) vs. LA Derek Lowe
(05/04) vs. SD Greg Maddux 
27 percent owned 9 percent started

Adam Loewen BAL
(04/29) vs. TB Jason Hammel 
(05/04) @ ANA Joe Saunders 
14 percent owned 7 percent started

Emack.

Jamey Eisenpod gave me a homework assignment for the podcast, so I figured I would share my work with you. I once allowed Will Allen to copy off my calculus homework at Syracuse, so I am not unaccustomed to helping others.

The assignment was: Name some sleepers off the waiver wire who are owned in less than 30 percent of leagues right now:

1. Homer Bailey

Josh Fogg has been banished to the bullpen. Matt Belisle returned from the DL unspectacularly. The Reds are struggling some. Dominican Dandys Johnny Cueto and Edinson Volquez are cruising. And, to top everything off, Bailey is off to a great start in Triple-A. We have hyped Bailey a bit too much for an American pitcher with a smooth, cookie-cutter delivery that has yet to fool anyone in the majors, but Bailey has a great arm and could finally hit stride in the bigs and be a winner for your Fantasy team.

2. Aaron Laffey

Jake Westbrook (ribcage) is out 2-to-4 weeks and the Indians need a No. 5 starter. Laffey is pitching a little bit better than Jeremy Sowers right now and was the one who finished last season in the rotation and entered spring with the spot to lose. Red-hot Cliff Lee took it from Laffey, but the similar lefty should be the one to get the call Saturday and is a sleeper for all leagues immediately. The Indians won't stay down for long.

3. Clint Barmes

Barmes' career has been all downhill ... downstairs? ... since the deer meat incident, but he is scorching at the plate right now and stealing everyday at-bats from underwhelming rookie Jayson Nix. Consider Barmes if you have a need in the middle infield in deeper leagues. The first half of his rookie year he really looked like something special, even if he hasn't much since.

4. Franklin Morales, Andrew Miller and Adam Loewen

All three of these guys are elite pitching prospects struggling with their command right now and getting dropped in numerous leagues. They will eventually develop into sturdy Fantasy options -- perhaps as soon as midseason. If you have room for an early flier, buy low now. Also, they are two-start pitchers for deeper leagues if you want to take a chance on their talent coming through even sooner.

5. Conor Jackson

Very likely not available, but take note he is finally hitting with authority and producing runs. He has never been a monster power bat, but the D-Backs everyday first baseman said this spring he would stop trying to hit homers. He is, after all, a cleanup hitter on a top contender and a first baseman. But, a crazy thing happens when you stop trying to hit homers -- you actually start hitting homers. Jackson is becoming a must-have Fantasy option in all leagues at the deep first base position.

6. Richie Sexson

One first base going up in Jackson and one going down in Sexson. 'Son of a. But Sexson is showing more power and says it is a result of getting more lift on his swing. He had five homers entering this week but easily could have had two more of Torii Hunter didn't bring a pair of his back already. Sexson will strike out a ton, but as a free-agent-to-be veteran he could be a sleeper off the waiver wire in a low-end comeback year.

Pitching Planner notes to come later today.

Emack.