Spot Jobs gambles by picking five spot starters for the week and five usual starters to avoid. The success rate is usually around 50%, but the risk level is always through the roof. Obviously, though, you always start Brandon Webb (when healthy) and sit Dave Bush.Five Up
Carlos Zambrano, Cubs, @STL -- Yeah, so he's an obvious name. I just wanted to take the opportunity to make sure you get him active for this upcoming scoring period, because he's going to be off the DL in time to make a Friday start against the rival Cardinals. He'll be fired up and raring to go.
Eddie Bonine, Tigers, @Minny -- The Tigers aren't losing the way many thought they wouldn't lose. Ride the unknowns in deeper AL-Only leagues while they're hot!
Ricky Nolasco, Marlins, vs. Nats -- Last ten starts? 7-1, 3.06, and 52/18 K/BB ... and that includes one stinker (12 hits and seven earned runs against the Braves on June 5th). Plus, he's facing the Nats offense. Big-time must-start here.
Garrett Olson, O's, vs. Royals -- Getting the Royals at home is never a bad thing, unless you play in the NL. Olson doesn't.
Johnny Cueto, Reds, vs. Nats -- I hate to pick on the Nats, but when someone has the stuff Cueto does and gets to face a futile offense, you gotta get him in there.
Five Down
Matt Garza, Rays, vs. Red Sox -- He's coming off an absolutely stellar outing and currently sits with a 3.76 ERA. He's also been a tad bit fickle and faces a Red Sox team that could go off at any moment.
Cliff Lee, Indians, @ChiSox -- He hasn't slowed down yet, as we thought he was starting to do with the two less than quality outings about a month ago. Still, if you really think he's going 22-2 with a 2.33 ERA (his current pace) you're crazy. Plus, the White Sox love to hit the longball at home.
Manny Parra, Brewers, @DBacks -- He's in the middle of a great stretch, and the DBacks aren't. Still, the opposing hurler is Brandon Webb, so the margin for error will be quite small.
Johan Santana, Mets, @ Philly -- WHAAAAAAT??? I know, I know ... you can't sit him. I'm simply saying that I have a feeling the Phils knock him around a bit more than he's accustomed to.
Justin Duchscherer, A's, @ChiSox -- In the same vein of my comments on Lee, Duch is just too fuego right now. He can't keep up the 1.91 ERA or 0.92 WHIP ... and the Sox rake at home.
