Strategic Spot Starters: Week Edition

I've been trying to compose a list of "go to" guys when it comes to spot starting, though I feel it is so different depending on the league you are in. I'm not even referring to league size; I have two leagues with an equal number of players owned in each where the free agent starting pitchers are completely different. That said, certain players (Tim Wakefield being the only one that comes to mind) does come up frequently in these discussions, and I will try to note any others who I consider an extension of my roster with an asterick.

Monday: Dave Bush against Washington should be good though I'm optimistic that the Brewers won't win their sixth straight (entirely based on superstition and wishful thinking). Derek Lowe* against Philly is, at the very least, not in Philly. 

Tuesday: Mike Mussina is a guy I should consider more often, I mean his stats this year are ridiculous. A start at Minnesota should be good for his sixteenth win (last start against the Twins: 8 IP, 0 ER, 7 K). Jon Garland* faces Seattle at home, and should get the win. Clayton Kershaw has an ERA beneath two since being recalled, going 6 or more innings in his last three starts. He will need at least three runs of support, but I could see him earning that third win against Philly (Editor's Note: Commenter Wesley Warren pointed out Kershaw's risk, which led to the discovery he shouldn't be started as a lefty vs. Philadelphia). Garrett Olsen faces an Indians team that struggles (third worst) against southpaws, though the Orioles don't score too many runs away from home to back him up. Ubaldo Jimenez* faces Arizona at home, and while some of my peers never start a pitcher at Coors, Jimenez has a 3.10 ERA at his home park and a 2.77 career ERA against the Diamondbacks. Jeff Suppan pitches with Petco at his back, although the Friars have been putting up unbelievable offensive numbers over the past couple of days. Gio Gonzalez earned his picture in the strategic edition, though his start at TB presents a tough defense. Still, at home and against a middle-of-the-pack offense vs. lefties and bottom-third offense away from home, he's a high-risk, high-reward option. I would literally consider starting as many of these guys as you can fit in your roster in a H2H matchup as it will give you a huge advantage in quantitative stats while hedging your bets in peripherals.

Wednesday: I was wrong about Andy Sonnanstine last week, and facing Oakland at Oakland shouldn't be too much of a challenge (though he does face Justin Duchscherer, who is doomed to explode soon). Mark Buehrle faces KC, so it's a pretty traditional spot start. Joe Blanton at the Dodgers gives the Phillies a good chance to avoid falling 0-3 at the hands of the Dodgers in the purely fantasty world I've predicted.

Thursday: None of the Marlin's pitchers have done well against St. Louis in the past, though Scott Olsen has pitched well enough at home to warrant some consideration. Greg Maddux would need the Padres to extend their hitting ways further than I'd expect, though against the swing-free Brewers lineup he only needs to limit his own mistakes, which he's the master of.