Cole Hamels is one of our must-start, two-start pitchers for Week 8.

Two Start Pitchers

Low Risk – These are the must start pitchers for Week 8.

Greg Smith vs. Rays, vs. Red Sox
Brett Myers @ Nationals, @ Astros
Cole Hamels @ Nationals, @ Astros
Ted Lilly @ Astros, @ Pirates
Bronson Arroyo @ Dodgers, @ Padres
Manny Parra @ Pirates, @ Nationals
Aaron Cook vs. Giants, vs. Mets
John Maine @ Braves, @ Rockies
John Lackey @ Blue Jays, @ White Sox
Derek Lowe vs. Reds, vs. Cardinals
Jake Peavy vs. Cardinals, vs. Reds
Greg Maddux vs. Cardinals, vs. Reds
Jon Lester vs. Royals, @ Athletics
Jamie Shields @ Athletics, vs. Orioles
Roy Halladay vs. Angels, vs. Royals
C.C. Sabathia @ White Sox, vs. Rangers

Medium Risk – These pitchers can be started, but there is more risk involved.

Tom Glavine vs. Mets, vs. Diamonbacks
Paul Maholm vs. Brewers, vs. Cubs
Todd Wellemeyer @ Padres, @ Dodgers
Micah Owings @ Marlins, @ Braves
Jorge De La Rosa vs. Giants, vs. Mets
Chad Billingsly vs. Reds, vs. Cardinals
Mike Mussina vs. Orioles, vs. Mariners
Jose Contreras vs. Indians, vs. Angels
Justin Verlander vs. Mariners, vs. Twins
Luke Hochevar @ Red Sox, @ Blue Jays
Boof Bonser vs. Rangers, @ Rays
Glen Perkins vs. Rangers, @ Rays

High Risk – These pitchers belong on your bench or off your roster, but certainly not active.

Mark Hendrickson vs. Diamondbacks, vs. Giants
Claudio Vargas @ Braves, @ Rockies
Tim Redding vs. Phillies, vs. Brewers
Mark Belisle @ Dodgers, @ Padres
Brad Moehler vs. Cubs, vs. Phillies
Chris Sampson vs. Cubs, vs. Phillies
Pat Misch @ Rockies, @ Marlins
Daniel Cabrera @ Yankees, @ Rays
Bartolo Colon vs. Royals, @ Athletics
Gil Meche @ Red Sox, @ Blue Jays
Scott Feldman @ Twins, @ Indians
Doug Mathis @ Twins, @ Indians
Carlos Silva @ Tigers, @ Yankees

Maximize Your Games

Red Sox, Royals, Twins, Rangers, Braves, Mets, Phillies, Reds, Astros, and Padres are all playing seven (7) games this week. The rest of the teams play six (6) games in Week 8.

Watch Your Lefties and Righties

The following teams play three (3) or more games against left-handed pitchers in Week 8. Braves (4), Mets (4), Cubs (3), Brewers (4), Diamondbacks (4), Giants (3), Rays (3), Tigers (3).

The following teams play all their games against right-handed pitchers. Phillies (7), Cardinals (6), Dodgers (6), Padres (7), Orioles (6), Red Sox (7)

Park Factors/Match ups

The following teams may have an advantage due to the parks they play in or the teams they are facing.
The Yankees are home all week for six games.
The Blue Jays are home all week for six games.
The White Sox are home all week for six games.
The Tigers are home all week for six games.
The Angels play in hitter’s parks all week.
The Braves are home all week for seven games.
The Marlins are home all week for six games.
The Reds play in pitcher’s parks all week.
The Astros are home all week for seven games.
The Cardinals play in pitcher’s parks all week.
The Diamondbacks face the Marlins and Braves this week.
The Rockies are home all week for six games.
The Dodgers are home all week for six games.
The Padres are home all week for seven games.

Calling All Speedsters

Make sure your base stealers from the following teams are active in Week 8.

Yankees, Indians, Royals, Angels, A’s, Mariners, Mets, Phillies, Nationals, Cubs, Reds, Astros, Pirates, and Giants.