Posted by Rob McQuown on Friday, July 3, 2009 at 5:46 am

Season Moves:

- A couple good SP are returning from injuries today in Scott Kazmir and Ervin Santana.   If they are available, probably best to enter a claim on them after the day’s games begin, before it’s clear how they will pitch, without using a roster spot today on them.

- Hiroki Kuroda is still available in 20% of leagues.  He’s at San Diego, as if you needed another reason.

Starting Pitchers:

- Kuroda, as noted.

- Chris Volstad at home against Morton and the Pirates should be a good play, if Garrett Jones comes back to reality.

- Predicting knuckleballers is almost as frustrating as trying to hit them, but if you’re ever going to play Tim Wakefield, home against the Mariners is a good time.  He has 10 wins, and despite going against Felix today, he has a reasonable chance for #11 as the M’s are just that inept at hitting RHP.

- We’ll safely skip the other SP, though Kenshin Kawakami is having a reasonably good season, and looks like a good bet to pick up a “W” today, even if the Nats hit him around some.

Batters:

- of Michael Cuddyer.  At home (great split).  Against a LHP (good split).  Against someone named “Luke French” (who sounds like he should be selling condiments).  Must play.

- The multipositional Martin Prado has more OBP and SLG against LHP in his career, though his batting average is higher vsR.  He’s a safe play against lesser SP while he has the full-time role.  Detwiler qualifies as “lesser”.

- 1b/of Kendry Morales against David Hernandez is a good matchup.

- The majority of leagues still show DH Travis Hafner on the wire.  While Oakland’s defense and bullpen are good, and Cahill has good “stuff”, we like him and his 8 HR at home against a non-elite RHP.  Besides, he’s starting to look like a guy to grab and hold.

- c John Baker against Charlie Morton.

- 1b Nick Johnson against Kawakami.

- 2b Kaz Matsui could be good for a SB against AAAA pitcher Sadowski.

- 2b/OF Skip Schumaker shouldn’t have trouble getting on base against Homer Baily.  The only concern is that he might walk, but the Cards have been driving him in a lot (44 runs in 273 AB)

- We’ll play the “hot hand” with of Ryan Church, since he’s also had a career-long ability to hit RHP, and Rodrigo Lopez is no great shakes. And it’s in Philly, which helps his power.

- c Yadier Molina @ Homer Bailey is a reasonable matchup.

- Might as well load up on French’s, with ss/2b/3b Brendan Harris, if you need an infielder.

- If ss Yunel Escobar is in the lineup (he’s missed a few with nagging injuries lately), any games against Detwiler have to be considered good.

- If Yunel isn’t playing (or isn’t available) and Harris is gone, SS is pretty light, with ss Edgar Renteria and ss Cristian Guzman being “okay” options today.

- Some other good options: Billy Butler (vs LHP), Lyle Overbay (vs RHP in New Yankee Bandbox), Andruw Jones (home vsLHP Kazmir).