Fantasy Baseball: Thursday's Matchups and Spot Starts

, to contribute. With the three guys ahead of him collectively hitting .300 on the season, look for ample RBI opportunities. His 4-12 experience against De La Rosa should pay dividends and propel Derek Lowe to his 10th victory.

• Josh Johnson is a young lefty that has proven he's the real deal, having beaten divisional rivals, the Mets twice and the Phillies once, in three of his past four starts. The Giants' offense isn't comparable, so look for Florida's hunt to earn a playoff berth in the crowded NL East to continue with another win. They'll be facing Matt Palmer, a 29-year-old career minor leaguer making just his second start. His first start last week ended on short notice after he gave up six ER in just two-and-one-third innings against Atlanta. To make a long story short, Florida has a bit of a better offense then Atlanta!
• The evening starts off in Philly at 7:05 EDT, as the worst team in baseball will pencil in Tim Redding. Look for OF Geoff Jenkins to rest one of Philly's outfielders, as he is 12-21 against Redding with a HR and two RBI. Pitching for the home team, 45-year-old Jamie Moyer will be making his 577th career start. Counter Moyer with C Jesus Flores and OF Austin Kearns, who are a combined 11-24 with a HR and five RBI off the veteran lefty.
• There's a Yankee starter that is allowing batters to hit .293 off of him this season? Yes, Sidney Ponson will somehow look to keep his ERA at 4.19 as a Yankee. I don't know how he does it, but he continues to somehow win more games than he loses. Look for Cy-Young contender Roy Halladay to put a wrench in the Yankees' plans as he goes for his 15th win and ninth complete game of the season! Start OF Matt Stairs, who is 9-24 with four HR and seven RBI against the Yankees' Ponson.
• The next matchup is between players who had their heyday back in 1999, when they went a combined 45-8! Mike Hampton vs. Pedro Martinez, both starters got the win their last time out. Given the Mets' playoff hunger, and the weak offense of the Braves, I'll side with Pedro and the Mets here for the victory.
• Chad Reineke makes just his second career start for the San Diego Padres. He'll have his hands full against NL Cy Young contender Brandon Webb, who is likely to mow down the opposing teams' lineup. You can almost pencil in Webb for his 19th win already, well on his way to his first 20-win season.
• What may have been a pitching duel earlier in the season may not be anymore, as both Scott Baker and John Lackey seem to be showing slight wear, heading down the stretch. Counter each with OF Garret Anderson, who is 4-11 with two RBI; and OF Delmon Young, the former first-overall pick of Tampa Bay, who is 3-6 with an RBI against the 10-2 Lackey.
• Greg Smith looks like the best option off of the free-agent pitcher market. A victim of no run support, as evidenced by his 5-12 record, despite a 3.91 ERA. He'll be facing Ryan Rowland-Smith, who, in four career starts, has yet to get through six innings of work.

Well, there you have it. All players mentioned have been bolded. Hitters have been underlined, and pitchers that are available in a good bit of fantasy leagues have been italicized, all as potential options for spot-starts. And as always, Good luck down the stretch!

 

Shaun Copsey currently manages 7 fantasy baseball teams, 1 in 4th, 1 in 3rd, 2 in 2nd, and the final 3 in 1st.

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