Posted by Rob McQuown on Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 10:03 am

Short slate today, focus will be on getting enough games.  In Yahoo format, I took the risky moves of cutting Furcal and O.Hudson.  I’d gotten Furcal as a claim anyway, since I needed SB, but he has not been stealing.  Hudson may come out of his slump… the old school baseball people seem to think he was raking early in the year because of Manny.  But with a “minor” wrist injury the other day, his prolonged slump, the off day today, and having Brian Roberts for 2b (there’s only 9 starters in Yahoo format)… I’m risking letting him go.

Starting Pitchers:

- It’s hard to find room for a new SP on a short slate day, but if you have need of one, Marc Rzepczynski is probably #1, and Jarrod Washburn #2 – even as soft as his career peripherals are, he can win with a defense behind him anyway.   We’d like him more if M-Cab an angry Maggs, and crew weren’t in the other dugout today, but he still should be okay.

Batters:

- of Chase Headly is a very good play at Philly today, against Hamels, who’s been struggling.

- ss/3b Gordon Beckham has probably moved into “keep him” territory, but today for sure against Kazmir, who hasn’t gotten RHB out sinced 2007.

- 2b/3b/1b Martin Prado against Zito.

- 2b/of Skip Schumaker against Balester.

- of Colby Rasmus has been cold, but we still like him against  Balester.

- 3b Kevin Kouzmanoff against Hamels in Philly.  Another lefty-basher.

- c Miguel Montero has really been on fire the past month (.369, 6 HR), and is facing Charlie “Hanging Curve” Morton.

- Speaking of “on fire”, ss/2b Maicer Izturis has been filling up box scores, and should be a good play against Baker.

- 3b Scott Rolen against Huff.

- of Denard Span is okay for a short-slate play against Jered Weaver, who is susceptible to lefty hitters.

- ex-Padre lefty basher of Scott Hairston isn’t a great play at NYY against CC, but he’s so good against LHP, that it’s a better plan than many others today.

- I am is playing c Kenji Johjima today, as the Yahoo team is short catching games, and he’s facing Luke French [Rob].