MLB Fantasy Baseball: Friday News and Notes

• The road for Tampa does not get easier with the Yankees leaving town. They travel to face Roy Halladay. Expect to see Rocco Baldelli in the lineup, as he is 5-for-14 against Halladay. The Blue Jays' starter has had trouble figuring Tampa out this season, as he is just 1-3 with a 4.82 ERA against them this season. His last two outings have been better, but if you're in a close matchup, this is a chance you might not want to take.
• The Red Sox starters have good numbers against Kevin Millwood. Jason Varitek (.381), David Ortiz (.467/3/8), Mark Kotsay (.286/2/6), and Kevin Youkilis (6-for-9) have all hit well against the Texas starter. While he's 5-2 at home, his ERA is 4.98. Use the Sox's starters, but avoid Millwood. Expect to see Mike Lowell back as well. He has hit well against Milwood, but give him a game or two to see where he stands.
• Looking at the numbers, there is no way Ted Lilly should be started against the Reds. Lilly is 0-3 with a 6.32 ERA in his three starts against them this season. He was a tough-luck loser last time he faced them, going seven innings and giving up just two earned runs. Guys like Adam Dunn, that gave him trouble, have gone, and he has held Brandon Phillips to one hit in 18 at-bats. In a deep league, Lilly is worth a flyer. In a close matchup, I'd leave him on the bench.
• While Braden Looper was roughed up in his last outing against the Astros, the Marlins don't pose the same type of threat at this point. Prior to that eight-run outburst, Looper hadn't allowed more than three earned in his last seven starts. He's a better option than Lilly for certain, even going against Ricky Nolasco. Nolasco has been good, but has struggled mightily on the road this season.
• If you have a better option for Torii Hunter, he is just a .221 hitter in 77 at-bats against Mark Buehrle. Chone Figgins is only 4-for-27. All other Angels can and should be started, but these two are better left alone. Buehrle is 8-3 at home this season, and batters have hit just .238 against him there. The White Sox need this performance from him, so fantasy owners should start him as well.
• Brendan Morrow will get the start for Seattle. As good as he was in relief, keep him reserved as a starter. Let's see what we have before a move is made to add him to any fantasy playoff rotation. Ichiro and Ibanez are hitting over .300 against Andy Pettitte, but that's about all Seattle has going for them tonight.
• Derek Lowe is 2-1 in four starts against Arizona and has a 2.64 ERA at home. Lowe has pitched well enough at Dodger Stadium to keep him active against the Diamondbacks. While I like Dan Haren, Lowe is the better play tonight.
• It's been a rough year for Jason Bergmann, and the Braves could only make it more difficult. They have simply raked against the Washington starter. Fringe players here are good options for some hidden offense on teams that need a boost in their averages. Even Jeff Francoeur makes a good play tonight.
• Armando Galarraga is 8-2 on the road this season, with a 2.85 ERA. He's had two solid outings against the Twins as well. While a win may not be in order, he's going against Francisco Liriano, Galarraga has been very good and, arguably, the most steady presence in the Tigers' rotation. Keep him active and grab him as a spot starter.
• Spot Starts: Jair Jurrjens, Galarraga, Braden Looper, and Ubaldo Jimenez.

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