Its Thursday again, which means (1) the weekend isnt here just yet and (2) we have to make it through another crummy MLB slate to get there. Its not the worst slate weve seen, as Rich Hill and Johnny Cueto make for a nice one-two punch at the top, but its thin enough to make us pine for Friday, when well be treated to a full slate of games with more enticing options.PitchingEliteHill had a perfect game through seven innings his last time out against the Marlins, but he was removed when his blister issue started acting up again. Hes expected to be fine for Thursdays road tilt against Arizona, which has the lefty rated as the days only elite option. Its hard to argue with the designation. Hill has made only three starts since being traded to the Dodgers, but hes yet to allow a run. In fact, hes allowed just eight batters to reach base in 19 innings while striking out 20. Its true that the Diamondbacks are tough on lefties (113 wRC+). However, they strike out 24 percent of the time against them, and the offense as a whole has tanked in the second half (88 wRC+). All told, this is a very nice spot for Hill with plenty of upside. Hes a worthy investment as your cash-game anchor.SolidIts also hard to go wrong with Cueto in cash. A matchup against the Cardinals, who have a 108 wRC+ against right-handed pitching lks tough on paper, but a lot of the damage the Redbirds did came in the first half. Since the All-Star break, the Cards offense has been nothing more than average (100 wRC+). Cueto, meanwhile, is as stable as they come. His 20 quality starts ranks in the top five in the NL, and he has an average Game Score of 61 over his 29 starts this season. The Giants righty is the clear No. 2 behind Hill on Thursday.Adam Wainwright has been hit-or-miss this season, which is not what you want from your cash-game hurler. While the Cardinals right-hander threw eight innings of one-run ball against Milwaukee his last time out, he still walked four. He also has just three quality starts in his past nine outings. While the Giants have been middle-of-the-road against right-handed pitching, their 9.4 percent walk rate is in the top five in baseball, and their 17.5 percent strikeout rate is lowest in the NL, so the matchup is still far from ideal.Masahiro Tanaka is one of the best pitchers on the slate. The right-hander has a 1.94 ERA over his past seven starts. While his 7.7 K/9 this season is unimpressive, hes racked up 48 strikeouts over his past 46 innings of work. Unfortunately, the Yankees road matchup against Boston is one of the days toughest spots. After all, the Red Soxs 115 wRC+ against right-handers is the best in baseball, and they dont strike out much (18.3 percent). Tanaka has pitched well against Boston this year (2.13 ERA in two starts), so its not necessarily a spot you need to avoid on Thursday, but its not a favorable one, either.After posting a 3.36 in the first half, Torontos?J.A. Happ has come right back with a 3.26 ERA so far in the second half. Better yet, his 7.1 K/9 in the first half has jumped to 9.3 since the break. The Angels are a low-upside opponent, as they strike out less than any team in baseball, but aside from Mike Trout and Albert Pujols, its a nonthreatening group. Happ makes for a solid SP2 option.In terms of an upside play, take a lk at Mike Montgomery against Milwaukee. The negative is that the Cubs southpaw isnt pitching deep into games. Hes made six starts this season, posting a 3.64 ERA, and hes pitched more than five innings just once. That said, hes striking out nearly a batter per inning as a starter, and the Brewers are fanning at a 25 percent clip versus lefties.StreamersThe results havent been flashy, but Chad Kuhl has held his own since stepping into Pittsburghs starting rotation. On Thursday, he should find success in a prime matchup against the Phillies, who have been the second-worst team in baseball against right-handers this season (82 wRC+). Kuhl is available in 91 percent of ESPN.com leagues.You wouldnt think it based on the number right-handed sluggers in Baltimores lineup, but the Orioles have been the worst team in the AL against left-handed pitching (79 wRC+, 22 percent whiff rate). That sets things up nicely for the Rays?Blake Snell. The lefty has had his issues (that 5.3 walk rate being one of them), but he has a solid 3.57 ERA since the break, with a 9.6 K/9 that can help cover up many warts. His ESPN.com ownership sits at just 16 percent.Dont let that 4.70 ERA fl you. Since the All-Star break, Bostons?Eduardo Rodriguez?has a 2.76 ERA over 58? innings. Against a Yankees team that struggles against lefties (86 wRC+), Rodriguez is in a gd spot to keep the training rolling. Hes a free agent in 80 percent of leagues.AvoidHector Santiago is a guy I often stay away from, and thats the case again on Thursday. To be fair, the Angels lefty is coming off three straight quality starts. Then again, he still posted a 5.1 BB/9 over those three starts; hes allowed seven or more runs twice in the last month; and his 29 homers allowed is the fifth worst in the American League. Theres just t much risk here and not enough reward.HittingThe White Soxs?James Shields has already allowed 37 homers this season, putting him on pace to allow 42 on the season. The last pitcher to allow 40 home runs in a season was Bronson Arroyo in 2011. The right-handed Shields also has an ERA north of 6.00 and is getting hammered by both right-handed (.394 wOBA) and left-handed (.376 wOBA) batters. Needless to say, Cleveland bats are a high-upside stacking option for Thursdays game at U.S. Cellular Field.Archie Bradley still might have a bright future, but he doesnt match up well with the Dodgers, who hammer right-handed pitching (109 wRC+). It also doesnt help that the young Diamondbacks righty has a 7.11 ERA since the beginning of August and has yet to figure out Chase Field (6.29 ERA). Lefty swingers have given Bradley the most trouble this year (.393 wOBA), so Chase Utley, Corey Seager, Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Reddick and switch-hitter Yasmani Grandal are all in terrific spots.Also consider targeting left-handed Rays bats against the Orioles?Yovani Gallardo, who has a 5.44 ERA this season (including a 5.16 mark in the second half). Brad Miller, who has swatted 25 of his 28 homers this year off righties, is the top play, with Corey Dickerson and switch-hitter Nick Franklin warranting consideration as well.Daniel Wright has made only five appearances (three starts) this season, but hes allowed at least three runs in each appearance. That amounts to a 7.50 ERA and 1.89 WHIP over 18 frames. While its a small sample size, until the Angels starter shows he can get big leagues hitters out, its a situation to target. With the Blue Jays in town, its all hands on deck, regardless of whether they have the platn advantage.Oaklands?Daniel Mengden is striking out 9.1 batters per nine, but thats about where the gd news ends. Hits walk rate sits at 4.8, his ERA since the All-Star break is 9.58 and hes been ineffective against both right- and left-handed batters. Take a lk at the Royals hitters in this one, particularly Eric Hosmer, Salvador Perez and Kendrys Morales, who is batting .368 with five bombs in 10 September games so far.Most likely to go yard: Mike NapoliYou knew I was going to target a hitter facing Shields; it was just a matter of which one. Lets give the nod to the Indians Napoli, who has bashed 26 of his 33 homers off right-handers this year.Most likely to swipe a bag: Dexter FowlerMilwaukees?Jimmy Nelson has allowed more stolen bases (27) this year than any pitcher not named Noah Syndergaard. This bodes well for Fowler, who is lking to secure double-digit steals for the eighth straight season. Custom Blues Jersey China . The parade and rally were held to celebrate the Saskatchewan Roughriders 45-23 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Sunday in the CFLs championship game. Custom Al Macinnis Jersey . Coach Mike Munchak says Fokou stretched ligaments in his left knee Oct. 13 against Seattle, which could keep out up to five weeks even though the linebacker didnt need surgery. http://www.custombluesjersey.com/custom-al-macinnis-jersey-large-74u.html .J. -- Seven games into a disappointing season, New York Giants defensive catalyst Jason Pierre-Paul is getting the feeling hes back. Custom Blues T-shirts . LOUIS -- St. Custom Blues Jerseys . Miller reached right to deflect Mikhail Grabovskis attempt with just over 2 minutes remaining in regulation, and then made two more saves in the shtout Sunday to give the Sabres a 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals. CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Kevin Olsen threw three touchdowns as Charlotte beat Elon 47-14 on Saturday.Olsen, in his second start for the 49ers (1-1), was 19 of 25 for 155 yards passing before being replaced in the fourth quarter. Robert Washington ran for two scores and Austin Duke had 103 receiving yards and a touchdown.Olsens three touchdown passes in the second quarter -- one apiece to T.L. Ford, Kyle Hoffman and Justin Bolus -- erased an early Elon lead and put Charlotte on top 20-7 at halftime.Washingtons two scores in the third quarter stretched it to 33-7.ddddddddddddDaniel Thompson tk Elon 99 yards on the teams first possession and Brandon Gentry punched it in to give the Phoenix (0-2) a 7-0 lead with 7:44 left in the first quarter. Thompson finished with 322 yards passing.The 49ers lost their 2016 season-opener at No. 19 Louisville, 70-14, in Charlottes first-ever game against a nationally ranked opponent. ' ' '