Yesterday I took a look at the NL pitching matchups for Week 3.  Here are the AL matchups:

Two Start Pitchers

No-brainers

Justin Verlander: 4/16 @ KC; 4/21 vs Tex

Jered Weaver: 4/16 vs Oak; 4/21 vs Bal

C.C. Sabathia: 4/17 vs Min; 4/22 @ Bos

James Shields: 4/16 @ Bos; 4/21 vs Min

Dan Haren: 4/17 vs Oak; 4/22 vs Bal

When you have last year’s top 4 Cy Young finishers (Verlander, Weaver, Shields and Sabathia) all making two starts in one week, you know its a good week for pitching.  Haren benefits from facing two weak offenses

Not too shabby

Ricky Romero: 4/17 vs TB; 4/22 @ KC

Colby Lewis: 4/17 @ Bos; 4/22 @ Det

Brandon McCarthy: 4/16 @LAA; 4/21 vs Cle

Jeff Niemann: 4/17 @ Tor; 4/22 vs Min

John Danks: 4/17 vs Bal; 4/22 @ Sea

Justin Masterson: 4/17 @ Sea; 4/22 @ Oak

Jake Arrieta: 4/16 @ ChW; 4/21 @ LAA

Philip Humber: 4/16 vs Bal; 4/21 @ Sea

These pitchers have at least one favorable matchup or are talented enough that they should not hurt you.

Risky at best

Freddy Garcia: 4/16 vs Min; 4/21 @ Bos

Kevin Millwood: 4/17 vs Cle; 4/22 vs ChW

Carl Pavano: 4/16 @ NYY; 4/21 @ TB

Daniel Bard: 4/16 vs TB; 4/22 vs NYY

Francisco Liriano: 4/17 @ NYY; 4/22 @ TB

Drew Smyly: 4/17 @ KC; 4/22 vs Tex

Wei-Yin Chen: 4/17 @ ChW; 4/22 @ LAA

These guys just aren’t trust worthy.  Start them at your own risk.

Other Favorable Matchups

David Price: 4/18 @ Tor

Price is 9-2 with a career ERA of 2.06 against Toronto.

Felix Hernandez: 4/19 vs Cle

Hernandez is 5-3 with a 2.80 ERA against Cleveland.

Matt Moore: 4/20 vs Min

Moore has never faced Minnesota, but that may work in his favor.  Plus, the Twins just aren’t very good.