Posted by Rob McQuown on Friday, July 10, 2009 at 6:58 am

Starting Pitchers:

- One pitcher stands head and shoulders above the other free agents this week.  For some hints, he’s on the road at a good pitchers’ park, against a team which is hitting a combined .262/.313/.398 against RHP.  Said team is missing one of its best offensive players, and said pitcher’s 2009 stats include a 7-2 record, 3.91 ERA, and 1.18 WHIP in one of the league’s best hitter’s parks.  This writer didn’t even cut said pitcher after last week, the M’s matchup looked so tempting for Scott Feldman.  Don’t get too excited, the BABIP is tiny, and not all of that is due to Elvis “is everywhere” Andrus, so Feldman’s xFIP is a lofty 4.90.

- Three other pitchers are adequate plays if you need pitching stats, but not worth going out of your way for if not: Ubaldo Jimenez (at home, ugh), Nick Blackburn (at home vs Chicago, which is starting to hit, but still no great shakes), and  Jeff Niemann (v Oakland).

Batters:

- 3b Pedro Feliz is at home against a LHP!

- 3b Kevin Kouzmanoff is away from Petco, facing a crappy lefty.  ESPN’s fantasy advice is to “take the ride [while he's hot]“.  We expect said “hotness” to continue through today at least, aided by Jon Sanchez.

- Don’t tell us you haven’t picked up of Nolan Reimold yet.  (And we won’t admit that we cut him too. :>)  But today’s a great day to grab him again, facing an unproven LHP in Cecil.

- DH Travis Hafner is probably the best hitter available on waivers, though Edwin Jackson hasn’t quite reverted to his previously shaky ways yet, so it’s not a slam-dunk.  But remember how effecient the Indians lineup can be when Grady, Pronk, and Vic are all hitting.  Not to live in the past too much here, but this team was 2nd in run scoring in 2006.

- of Mike Cuddyer still has good home and vsL splits, and though Danks is tough, he’s worth considering today.

- of J.D. Drew at home today against Bannister sounds good.

- We’re not worried about Joba Chamberlain.  Let of/1b Kendry Morales have his whacks at him!

- c A.J. Pierzynski should be good for some base knocks against Blackburn.

- We sure underestimated of Gary Sheffield; might as well  make him active against Arroyo.

- Nieve may have Mets fans excited, but we’ll still take ss/3b/of Jerry Hairston on a light shortstop day, if we need one.
- 1b options Lyle Overbay and Billy Butler have favorable matchups today.

- We like 2b/ss Maicer Izturis today (and until he gets hurt).

- 2b/3b Ian Stewart is also a nice play at home, if you don’t mind the risk of him going hitless.