In general, those on the mound, those expected to do well, have produced.  Of the consensus 25 starting pitchers – beginning with Johan Santana, ending with Roger Clemens – only injuries have stymied production.  Principally to Bartolo Colon, Mark Prior, and A.J. Burnett, these various maladies have been interesting mainly as an anomaly, given that all the other top hurlers – save Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano and his robust 5.35 ERA – have pleased their fantasy owners. 

Interestingly, the very best pitchers this year have been fantasy underdogs – or, like Boston Red Sox ace Curt Schilling, coming off an atypical sub-par campaign – the last couple of years.  Chris Capuano, Bronson Arroyo, and the ageless Greg Maddux are unknown to fantasy GMs no longer.  Delving deeper, though, even more valuable fantasy ores are easily excavated.

After a couple of hum-drum, disappointingly average seasons, New York Yankees hurler Mike Mussina has been solid so far in 2006, accounting for a 4-1 record, 37 strikeouts, for an earned run average of 2.31 and walks and hits per innings pitched (WHIP) of 1.08.  Staying in the American League East, Tampa Devil Rays starter Scott Kazmir – 3-2, 35, 3.72, and 1.51 – has been the lone bright spot on a moribund pitching staff.

Heading the resurgence of the AL Central Detroit Tigers has been the solid Jeremy Bonderman (3-2, 36, 3.99, .94), the stingy Mike Maroth (4-1, 12, 1.78, 1.25), and – of course – the tempestuous Kenny Rogers (4-2, 23, 2.59, .98).  And don’t forget about anybody in the Baltimore Orioles rotation.  Under the sage tutelage of new pitching coach Leo Mazzone, Rodrigo López, Erik Bedard, Kris Benson, Daniel Cabrera and even Bruce Chen can reliably get the job done.  On the Senior Circuit, like Maddux, another ex-Atlanta Brave, the New York Mets Tom Glavine, has sparkled; so, too, has the vastly underrated Brandon Webb of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Be careful, though, to not mortgage your future on these pitchers du jour by giving up on proven commodities who have struggled so far this year.  Certainly I’m talking about the Indians’ C.C. Sabathia and the Giants Noah Lowry (who should be coming of the disabled list anytime now), but other proven winners like Milwaukee’s Doug Davis, Minnesota’s Brad Radke, San Francisco’s Matt Morris, and Washington’s Livan Hernandez – a veritable horse who logs incredible amounts of innings – will rebound, providing you valuable wins and strikeouts down the stretch.  Even Pittsburgh’s so far horrendous Oliver Pérez deserves a look, given his immense talent.

Relievers, of course, are a different story entirely.  I’ll be brief and save you the usual soapbox speech, but please remember for future drafts: don’t pick closers.  There simply is no reason.  Only top-flight talent – a list that shrinks every campaign, and now includes only Trevor Hoffman and Billy Wagner – should be even considered for selection. 

The much better tack to take is paying particular attention throughout April and May for closers getting hurt, or – more likely – relieved of duty.  In doing so, you get Jonathan Papelbon, Danys Báez, and like just last week, new Texas Rangers closer Akinori Otsuka without passing on talented players in the early-to-mid rounds of your draft.

FANTASY TIP OF THE WEEK: It isn’t the trade deadline, but the Roger Clemens sweepstakes may be every bit as exciting.  With the prognosis of The Rocket’s return to the mound very good – whether in the state of Texas or rejoining one of the two Empires – it is time to do everything in your power to make him yours – sooner rather than later.  If he’s a free agent, scoop him up.  On waivers, use your request.  On another team?  Trade for him now before his rumored return becomes fact.

Next Week:  Hitters: Analyzed

Disagree with the TFM?  Believe his advice not so sage?  Think you could easily dominate him in a round-robin fantasy tournament?  Email him – fantasy_man@atomicsportsmedia.com – to talk smack or set the record straight.