Spot Jobs: Lovin' Billingsley, Avoiding Ollie, and Waiting on Joba

Our version of "fantasy start'em/sit'em" for one-start pitchers of the week. We hope you assume the Brandon Webbs are auto-starts and the Dave Bushes are auto-sits. Specific lineup questions? Email us!

Five Up

Chad Billingsley -- Only the Nationals have scored less runs in the NL than the Padres, and that ballpark is absolute rape on fly balls. That should help Billingsley, who is somewhat susceptible to the longball. He's been plagued by a lack of run support this season -- and that may continue with Randy Wolf on the opposite bump in that park -- but has been dealing of late. In his past five starts he's compiled a 1.97 ERA in 32 innings while striking out 31. Of course, he's only 2-1 in that stretch. Hopefully the Dodgers can push two across for him Wednesday night, because that should be enough.

Sean Gallagher -- The Braves offense is already much worse on the road, but now it appears Chipper -- the only Brave hitting better than .271 on the road thus far at .371 -- will likely miss the entire series at Wrigley. The young Gallagher has settled decently into the Cubs rotation, going 2-1 with a 3.06 ERA and 17/5 K/BB in 17+ innings during his last three starts.

Manny Parra -- First of all, I'm on board with Brinson's post. Second of all, the Astros are really struggling right now while the Brewers are playing good baseball (ever since Yost decided to quit batting the damn pitcher eighth).

Phil Dumatrait -- He's handled the Cubs, Reds, and Astros in his last three outings quite well (1.45 ERA, 15 K in 18.7 innings) and they have far superior offenses to the O's. Wow, I never thought I'd be telling people to start Phil freaking Dumatrait in fantasy. This is why I love baseball. So many surprises at every turn.

Jon Garland -- Braves on the road = bad. Already told you that. What if Chipper's not healthy yet? They are worse. Garland in his last seven starts? 3-0, 2.28 ERA in 47 1/3 innings. Angels? Best team in the AL. Tasty start here.

Five Down

Johnny Cueto -- The Reds' youngster has been erratic, and the Cardinals are the type of team that makes a pitcher work to beat them. They are patient, and Great American Ball Park doesn't hold many fly balls. I have a feeling he's in for a rough one. Oh, and there's this: the only time Cueto has faced the Redbirds he was torched for 6 runs on 8 hits in only 1 2/3 innings.

Adam Wainwright -- If he's even healthy enough to take the hill, you have to worry about a guy having finger problems on his pitching hand throwing in that small park against a team with the Reds' power. Bombs away if he goes, and that's not good if you own the hurler.

Joba Chamberlain -- One more start until he's functioning on an actual starter's level. He may get through five or even six, but things don't look good for a deep outing with quality control just yet. I'm quite certain, though, this is the last time you'll see him listed here.

Oliver Perez -- I like gambling, but this is like the slots. You can't sit there and keep pumping quarters into it all night on the off-chance that you win back ten freaking bucks. If you want to know about the matchup, he's facing the Rangers, who lead the majors in runs scored. Game, set, and match.

Jair Jurrjens -- I hate to beat a dead horse here, but the Braves are awful on the road (7-21). The Cubs dominate at home (26-8). The Cubs lead the NL in runs scored. Jurrjens himself is about two whole runs worse on the road (2.85 home ERA to 4.84 road ERA). His road allowed BABIP is .257 ... so he's been getting lucky to only get this pummeled. Finally, he's been pretty terrible in his last three games regardless of the venue (9.58 ERA and 2.71 WHIP in 10 1/3 innings with eight BB to only six K). Actually, two of those were home games. Avoid at all costs.