A quick look at starting pitchers available in at least 50 percent of ESPN.com leagues. These are the guys who either haven’t deserved or haven’t earned fantasy owners trust, but who could lend a helping hand during the stretch run. Though some of the pitchers on this list have limitless potential, it is important to tread lightly and use them in comfortable spots.

Home starts are always advisable, especially for youngsters who are a little timid when they leave their comfort zones. Keeper leaguers should pay special attention to pitchers like Clayton Kershaw, David Price and Ubaldo Jimenez, who all have top-of-the-rotation type stuff, but need to put it all together at the major league level. Even if they don’t crack your fantasy team’s starting lineup, they can still have carry-over value to next year.

Anibal Sanchez and Chris Volstad are part of a young, emerging group of Florida Marlins who the organization hopes can revive its playoff hopes down the stretch. Sanchez and Josh Johnson both command attention as they attempt to rebound from arm injuries, stay healthy, and pick up some momentum for 2009. All three of these guys - Sanchez, Volstad and Johnson - can make fantasy contributions because of their big upsides and a Marlins offense that can explode at any time and create easy victories.

The full list:

Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
Status: Looking to overcome “no decision-itis”
Key Stats: 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP in last 5 starts
What to Watch For: Improved, more consistent command; is showing signs of life in that category with just 1 walk in 3 of his last 5 starts
Other Notes: Becoming more efficient with his pitches, but still has room to grow … with the Dodgers careful use of him in the middle portion of the season, is in no immediate danger of hitting an innings limit

Ubaldo Jimenez, Colorado Rockies
Status: For better or worse, earning a decision in nearly every start
Key Stats: 5-4 with a 3.31 ERA in the thin air at Coors Field
What to Watch For: How he harnesses his immense talent and commands his pitches
Other Notes: Is just 24 years old, and the youth shows a little too often … has followed up a 5-1, 1.74 July with a subpar 2-2, 5.09 August … putting things together, but still has 129:78 strikeout-to-walk ratio

Kevin Slowey, Minnesota Twins
Status: On a three-start win streak
Key Stats: 4-2 with a 2.77 ERA, .219 BAA since All-Star break
What to Watch For: Improvement against AL Central opponents; is 3-3 with a 6.29 ERA vs. Cleveland, Chicago and Detroit
Other Notes: Has combined excellent control with solid opponents batting statistics … end result is an outstanding 1.06 WHIP … as can be the case with control artists, runs into problems with the home run ball … has allowed 16 in 121.1 innings

Ian Snell, Pittsburgh Pirates
Status: Inching his way back to fantasy relevance
Key Stats: 1-2 with a 2.37 ERA, 3 quality starts in last 3 outings
What to Watch For: Run support, longer run of consistent results
Other Notes: Has struggled across the board in cameo to back-to-back solid seasons … opponents batting average has climbed from .264 in ‘07 to .313 in ‘08 … has prospects of a “poor man’s” Javier Vazquez - a 4.00 ERA, 1.30 WHIP type - for the rest of the season

Paul Maholm, Pittsburgh Pirates
Status: Continuing vast improvement
Key Stats: 6-2, 2.79 ERA since May 31
What to Watch For: How the Pirates manage his innings the rest of the way
Other Notes: Establishing career-bests in virtually all categories — K/9 (6.3), K-to-BB (2.7), BAA (.260), ERA (3.64) and WHIP (1.23) … team may not let him eclipse 200 innings; he currently has logged 168.2

Chris Volstad, Florida Marlins
Status: Fulfilling hype in MLB debut
Key Stats: Has allowed 1 HR in 44.2 IP
What to Watch For: Improved K-to-BB rate (29:21)
Other Notes: Volstad is advanced for being just 21 years of age … has allowed more than 3 earned runs in just 1 of his 7 starts … hasn’t worked beyond the 6th inning since going 8.2 in his first career start

Paul Byrd, Boston Red Sox
Status: In Boston after closing Indians career with 4 straight wins
Key Stats: 7.1 IP, 10 H, 4 ER, 0 Ks in Boston debut (ND)
What to Watch For: Picking up where he left off prior to the trade
Other Notes: Not overpowering, but competitiveness should translate to wins as he keeps the Red Sox in games … contact pitcher has just 56 Ks in 138.1 innings this season

David Price, Tampa Bay Rays
Status: In Triple-A, on verge of Sept. callup
Key Stats: Is a combined 11-1 with a 2.15 ERA in 3 minor league stops
What to Watch For: How he progresses at Triple-A, what his role would be in Tampa
Other Notes: Hit some bumps in the road upon callup to Durham … is 0-1 with a 5.00 ERA in 2 starts (9 innings) there … not likely to start if/when he lands in Tampa, but still has value, especially in keeper leagues

Anthony Reyes, Cleveland Indians
Status: Getting an opportunity in new environment
Key Stats: 4-1 since joining Indians organization (minors and majors)
What to Watch For: Continued success, if change of scenery helps re-gain top prospect status
Other Notes: Isn’t a power pitcher, but can manage a decent K rate … has 7 Ks and 6 BBs in 17.1 innings with Indians … given the state of the Cleveland franchise, Reyes will have his best opportunity to pitch through some struggles — something he never got in St. Louis

Anibal Sanchez, Florida Marlins
Status: Off 60-day DL, helping Marlins’ playoff chances
Key Stats: Is 2-2 with a 3.52 ERA in 4 starts
What to Watch For: Continued health in comeback from shoulder surgery
Other Notes: Hadn’t pitched since May 2, 2007 … signs are good for strong finish, but must manage to shake off some rust … walks are an ongoing issue … he has issued 77 free passes in 167.1 career innings, but still has 14-6 career record