Posted by Rob McQuown on Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at 3:51 pm

Starting Pitchers:

Plenty of good available pitchers going tonight, so if you want to make a move in pitching categories, this is a good opportunity.

- Clayton Richard and Josh Outman are going against each other. The only worrisome point is the locale being US Cellular Field, because neither team has hit much this year, and both pitchers have been great in limited duty. Take them both for the almost-certain win.

- Kyle Lohse against the Reds seems like a decent play. With Ludwick back, he should get some offensive support.

- J.A. Happ will attempt to show that he’s more than a henchman for the nefarious Bastardo, who thrwarted our heroes in San Diego last night.

- Normally, Casey Janssen at home against LA-Anaheim would be worth considering, but he has just 2 K’s in 13.0 IP, so maybe the comeback isn’t here quite yet.

Batters:

- of Michael Bourn at home against Marquis. Marquis isn’t easy to run against, but Bourn is fast enough to get it done, and being on base will help.

- ss Cristian Guzman’s average is down to *just* .325 (almost exactly his PECOTA projection), but he’s hit .375 against LHP, and is facing The Big Unit, as he goes for win #300. History may want him to make all outs, but it’s a good bet he’ll collect some hits.

- 1b/of Kendry Morales is hitting .285-8-31 on the season, and it’s mostly against RHP. Throw in a questionable Casey Janssen, and it’s good times.

- As usual, the Padres lefty-beaters are decent plays against an unproven guy like Happ: of Scott Hairston (who will almost certainly be the top All-Star Game “snub” this year, if you take park effects into account), 3b Kevin Kouzmanoff, of Chase Headley.

- c John Backer against Looper is a great platoon matchup.

- c Kurt Suzuki is in Chicago, against a LHP. Good play.

- of’s Melky Cabrera and Randy Winn seem like “safe” plays today in their matchups.

- 2b Alberto Callaspo is a good matchup against Niemann.

- 3b Bill Hall is facing a lefty, making him a great play.