For those of you around yesterday, thanks for the help with the big Fielder/Dunn for Haren/King Felix trade. I pulled the trigger and now it's time to work on my innings overage. I'm plus 177 innings and have 11's accross the board in pitching in an 11 team league. I'll start Hamels and Volquez every day but my plan is to "spot start" Lilly, Jon Sanchez, Gaudin, Laffey and Kershaw. I've never done that and I'd like a list of which teams you would definitely start them against and when they should skip. My first thought was just the worst run producing teams but teams like the Pirates score some runs so I may be giving up W's to avoid a 1/2 run in ERA. Advice?

i usually look for teams going up against the Nats, O's, Dodgers, Giants, Royals, or Indians. White Sox were okay, but they have heated up. If you're after W's the problem with some of those guys is that they pitch for the teams listed above, so they don't get great run support. See Sanchez from this weekend (although they exploded late). Also Kershaw with pitch limits and poor control won't last long into many games to get Ws.

I'll be surprised if Laffey gets 5 more win this season. I'd start Kershaw against any team from that division...except for the Diamondbacks.
Lilly's next start, is at home to Atlanta. Personally, I wouldn't start him. I have a feeling he isn't gonna put up good numbers this start.

Would you drop any of those 5 guys (Lilly, Kershaw, Gaudin, Laffey, Jon Sanchez) for Manny Parra?

His streak is going to be over very soon. In his last 30 IP, he has had a ERA of under 3.00 (9 ER). I'm a big believer in streaks and his is over. He is going to get lit up hard in his next couple starts (especially considering that his next start is @ Hou).

And keep in mind that he is pitching in a very offense oriented division (the cubs, pirates, and cards are all top 5 in the NL in runs scored)


So, no I wouldn't pick him up.

Look at the spot starting against the Braves on the road.