Strategic Spot Starting - Week Edition

Here we go again. I actually like this tool, but mostly because my favorite leagues are head-to-head weekly leagues, which I encourage you to try. As a side note, how do FA pickups work in auction leagues?

Monday: Arizona has averaged seven runs over the first three games of their Atlanta series, so Jair Jurrjens matchup isn't as intriguing as it might be. Still, the attractive home ERA and Arizona's declining May offense suggest a pickup is worthy, simply because Jurrjens should be owned either way. Darrell Rasner hasn't played at Camden Yards, but shutout the O's last time they faced earlier this year. He should be good for the win at least.

Tuesday: Greg Smith should be owned, but in shallow leagues he may still be a FA worth adding against the Blue Jays at home. Vicente Padilla, Nick Blackburn, and Shawn Hill all have what look to be favorable matchups (@TB, @ KC, @SD) but Padilla has been rocked by the Rays in the past and I can't see that changing with an improved offense. The other two are solid adds.

Wednesday: Garza against Texas is why I recommended not owning him, because it's not a good matchup. I like Wakefield at Safeco, but other than that there isn't much worth the pickup.

Thursday: John Danks hasn't lost to the Rays, and that trend should continue. Dana Eveland is also worth owning, especially for his matchup at home against the Jays. I didn't expect the A's to be successful, but with Duchscherer, Harden, Smith, and Eveland, plus the eventually callup of Gio Gonzalez, they have a formidable rotation that is underrated by fantasy leaguers.