Jake Peavy (3-0) is currently leading the NL in strikeouts, and one of our recommended two start pitchers in Week 4.

Two Start Pitchers for Week 4

These two start pitchers are no-brainers that you would be crazy to bench.

Jake Peavy @ Astros, vs. Diamondbacks
Tim Hudson vs. Nationals, @ Mets
John Smoltz vs. Nationals, @ Mets
Carlos Zambrano vs. Mets, @ Nationals
Brett Myers @ Rockies, @ Pirates
John Maine @ Cubs, vs. Braves
Edinson Volquez vs. Dodgers, @ Giants
Micah Owings vs. Giants, @ Padres
Brandon Webb vs. Giants. @ Padres
Josh Beckett vs. Angels, @ Rays
Chien-Ming Wang @ White Sox, @ Indians
Justin Verlander vs. Rangers, vs. Angels
Joe Blanton vs. Twins, @ Mariners
Felix Hernandez vs. Orioles, vs. A’s
Brad Penny @ Reds, vs. Rockies
Jeff Francis vs. Phillies, @ Dodgers

These two start pitchers carry some risk, so you wouldn’t be crazy to bench them.

Livan Hernandez @ A’s, @ Rangers
Jose Contreras vs. Yankees, vs. Orioles
Shaun Marcum vs Tigers, @ Royals
Jesse Litsch @ Rays, @ Royals
Hong-Chi Kuo @ Reds, vs. Rockies
Justin Germano @ Astros, vs. Diamondbacks
Mark Redman vs. Phillies, @ Dodgers
Kyle Lohse @ Brewers, vs. Astros
Adam Wainwright @ Brewers, vs. Astros
Carlos Villanueva vs. Cardinals, vs. Marlins
Roy Oswalt vs. Padres, @ Cardinals
Kyle Kendrick @ Rockies, @ Pirates
Nelson Figueroa @ Cubs, vs. Braves
Ted Lilly vs. Mets, @ Nationals
Matt Belisle vs. Dodgers, @ Giants
Clay Buchholz vs Rangers, @ Rays
James Shields vs. Blue Jays, vs. Red Sox
Armando Galarraga @ Blue Jays, vs. Angels

These two start pitchers are extremely risky; you’re crazy if you don’t bench them.

Jered Weaver @ Red Sox, @ Tigers
Gil Meche vs. Indians, vs. Blue Jays
C.C. Sabathia @ Royals, vs. Yankees
Kevin Correia @ Diamondbacks, vs. Reds
Barry Zito @ Diamondbacks, vs. Reds
Matt Morris vs. Marlins, vs. Phillies
Paul Maholm vs. Marlins, vs. Phillies
Dave Bush vs. Cardinals, vs. Marlins
Brandon Backe vs. Padres, @ Cardinals
Ricky Nolasco @ Pirates, @ Brewers
Mark Hendrickson @ Pirates, @ Brewers
Matt Chico @ Braves, vs. Cubs
John Lannan @ Braves, vs. Cubs
Adam Loewen @ Mariners, @ White Sox
Kason Gabbard @ Red Sox, vs. Twins
Vicente Padilla @ Tigers, vs. Twins

Countdown to Ecstasy

During Week 4, the National League has a slate full of “two-fers”, two game series, with the end result being that all teams are playing seven (7) games – two games each against two opponents, followed by a three game series next weekend.  In the American League, the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, and Texas Rangers are all playing seven (7) games.  The rest of the AL plays six (6) games. 

Never Let Your Left Hand Know

If you’re playing in a deep league or using players that are part of a platoon, you will want to know how often your players are going to play in Week 4.  The following teams are scheduled to face three (3) or more left-handed pitchers: Braves (3), Phillies (4), Nationals (3), Cubs (4), Reds (4), and Brewers (4). 

It rarely happens that a team is scheduled to face zero left-handers in a seven day period; however, this week all of the following teams are scheduled to face only right handed pitchers: Giants, Astros, Tigers, Blue Jays, and Rays.

Chain Lightning

The following teams are playing in ballparks that favor hitters or pitcher, or have “soft” match ups that you can exploit, and try to catch a little “lightning in a bottle.”

The Cubs play 4 games in hitter’s parks, then three against the Nationals in D.C.
The Braves play all seven of their games in pitcher’s parks this week.
The Phillies play 4 games in hitter’s parks, then three against the Pirates in Pittsburgh.
The Brewers play seven games at Miller Park, a hitter’s haven.
The Pirates play seven games at PNC Park, a pitcher’s haven.
The Diamondbacks play the Giants twice at home, then five games in pitcher’s parks.
The White Sox play six home games at The Cell, a hitter’s park.
The Royals play six home games at Kauffman Stadium, a pitcher’s park.
The Angels are on the road for six games in hitter’s parks.
The A’s play all six of their games in pitcher’s parks including three at home.
The Mariners play all six of their games at home, a pitcher’s park
The Rangers play seven games in hitter’s parks including three at home.

Jack of Speed

The following teams are playing against teams/pitchers/catchers that have historically surrendered more stolen bases than most other teams.  Make sure you have your speedsters from these teams active in Week 4: Marlins, Phillies, Cubs, Cardinals, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Orioles, Yankees, Rays, White Sox, Indians, Royals, Rangers