Posted by Rob McQuown on Monday, August 24, 2009 at 9:59 am

After a week away, we’re back for the stretch run.  Would we have foreseen Jake Fox’s four hits, or Charlie Haeger’s far-from-horrible outing?  Probably not, but we can remind you that San Diego’s “Everth Quest” is maintaining a .360 OBP and stealing at an Ellsburian pace, while Seth Smith is going to get more AB in Colorado this week since Carlos Gonzalez lost a battle with a steak knife.  It’s a short slate today, so it’s mostly about finding guys who are playing and won’t be in the mediocre-righty-facing-Verlander category…

Starting Pitchers:

- Jeff Niemann has quietly posted good stats this year, and is much better than his 15% ownership indicates.

- Not touching anyone else today.  If you must, the two to consider are Jamie Moyer wannabe Jeremy Sowers, with his non-existant K/9 rates, or Ian Snell against the AAAA hitters on Oakland. A previous incarnation of Snell was a quality major-league pitcher.

Batters:

• 1b Billy Butler – against Jeremy Sowers?  We’d almost be surprised if he DID NOT hit 2 more doubles, at least.  In a couple years, more of those are going to go for homers, and look out!
• 3b/1b/of Carlos Guillen has hit well since his return, and has hit RHP better.  Weaver is weaker vsL, making it a nice matchup.
• In the silly world of daily-move fantasy baseball, ss/3b Gordon Beckham is still available in 50% of leagues.  Pick him up.  Play him.  Keep him.
•  c A.J. Pierzynski
• of Denard Span
• ss/2b Clint Barmes has come back to Earth with a “thud”, but we still like him today against lefty Zito, considering the short schedule.
• of J.D. Drew
• c Kurt Suzuki
• of Jack Cust – yes, even in Safeco.
• of Dexter Fowler, though Zito has really controlled the running game well in recent years.
• 2b/3b Adam Kennedy – what the heck, it’s Ian Snell.