Fantasy MLB Spot Starting: 07.05.11

Welcome to the last week of the first half of the season, hope you all had a fun and safe 4th.  Look out for my Casual Sabermetrician update on Starting Pitchers at the mid way point, should be out tomorrow.  I’ll also be guest co-hosting The 4th and Home Show tonight with Mike.  I’m sure we’ll talk about the outlook for the 2nd half of the season.

For games on Wednesday July 6th these selected pitchers might be had in your league (less than 50% owned in Yahoo! or ESPN) with percent owned Yahoo/ESPN, (team), and opponent:

Phil Hughes 40% /  28% (NYY) @ CLE

Edwin Jackson 37% / 15% (CWS) vs KC

Bronson Arroyo 34% / 37% (CIN) @ StL

Jonathon Niese 33% / 12% (NYM) @ LAD

Josh Collmenter 31% / 17% (ARI) @ MIL

Jason Vargas 22% / 24% (SEA) @ OAK

Charlie Morton 21% / 11% (PIT) vs. HOU

Jeremy Guthrie 17% / 6% (BAL) @ TEX

Wade Davis 15% / 27% (TB) @ MIN

Tom Gorzelanny 5% / 1% (WAS) vs. ChC

National League East Previews: Nationals

Today’s focus: Washington Nationals

2010 Record: 69-93, 5th Place NL East (14th in NL)

The Nationals have been on quite a roller coaster ride the past 21 months.  From the highs of drafting Stephen Strasburg, the most hyped pitching prospect in recent memory – to almost not being able to sign him.  Finishing last again, to drafting Bryce Harper, the most hyped high school position player in recent memory.  The excitement of Strasburg’s dominating debut to the crushing blow of losing him to Tommy John surgery.  The Nationals decided to make a big splash this off season by signing one of the biggest name free agents in Jason Werth.  They over paid him by $10’s of millions but such is the plight of a franchise that has finished no higher than 4th since 2002.