Yup, that's right, it's another Homer Bailey fire drill. He's been hyped, de-hyped, post-hyped and un-hyped again. Bailey has really put together a terrific month — July stats: 4-0, 37.2 IP, 34 Ks, 8 BB, 1.43 ERA, 1.04 WHIP — his upcoming starts aren't too threatening (Pads and Bucs), and he's still available in 56 percent of Yahoo! leagues. Add as needed.
I've got Homer starting in a couple leagues this week and Mike Leake double-dipping in NL-only, so the Reds can do a great deal of harm to my fantasy portfolio in a short period of time. Or they can help. Feel free to head to the comments section to talk me out of this ridiculous multi-league commitment to Cincinnati. Before you do, please visit the Week 17 ranks and tiers below...
NATIONAL LEAGUE
No doubt. Why even list him? Must-start
Stephen Strasburg — vs. PHI, vs. MIA
Madison Bumgarner — vs. NYM, at COL
Strongly endorse
Homer Bailey — vs. SD, vs. PIT
Cliff Lee — at WAS, vs. ARI
Mike Leake — vs. SD, vs. PIT
Tim Lincecum — vs. NYM, at COL
Strongly endorse, but likely to be dealt
Ryan Dempster — vs. PIT, at LAD
Halfheartedly endorse
Kyle Lohse — at COL, vs. MIL
Tommy Hanson — vs. MIA, vs. HOU
Kris Medlen — vs. MIA, vs. HOU
Aaron Harang — vs. ARI, vs. CHC
Matt Harvey — at SF, at SD
Mark Buehrle — at ATL, at WAS
Edinson Volquez — at CIN, vs. NYM
Trevor Cahill — at LAD, at PHI
Marco Estrada — vs. HOU, at STL
Not officially endorsed, but I'll look the other way
Bud Norris — at MIL, at ATL
Ricky Nolasco — at ATL, at WAS
Erik Bedard — at CHC, at CIN
Actively avoid
Jason Marquis — at CIN, vs. NYM
Jeremy Hefner — at SF, at SD
Jeff Francis — vs. STL, vs. SF
Drew Pomeranz — vs. STL, vs. SF
AMERICAN LEAGUE
All clear
David Price — at OAK, vs. BAL
Jered Weaver — vs. TB, at CHW
Somewhat less clear, but still clear
Max Scherzer — at BOS, vs. CLE
AJ Griffin — vs. TB, vs. TOR
Derek Holland — vs. LAA, at KC
Jose Quintana — at MIN, vs. LAA
Clay Buchholz — vs. DET, vs. MIN
Tommy Milone — vs. TB, vs. TOR
Murky
Josh Beckett — vs. DET, vs. MIN
Freddy Garcia — vs. BAL, vs. SEA
Ricky Romero — at SEA, at OAK
Almost hopeless
Hisashi Iwakuma — vs. TOR, at NYY
Aaron Laffey — at SEA, at OAK
Cole De Vries — vs. CWS, at BOS
Derek Lowe — at KC, at DET
Miguel Gonzalez — at NYY, at TB
Luke Hochevar — vs. CLE, vs. TEX
Nick Blackburn — vs. CWS, at BOS