Jerome Williams vs STL?

[mrmarley]

I just picked the kid up in a few leagues, haven't seen him pitch or anything yet. Do you guys feel comfortable starting him at home against St. Louis' big bats?

[jdh]

No, starting a fairly unproven pitcher like that against the Cards is potentially suicidal, as they have shown the ability to light almost any pitcher up. Look at Kerry Wood's start Friday for an example.

[titanut]

Sit him. I picked up Williams for spot starts, the Cards are not one
that I will use him.

[mcqfesijiba]

I would sit Jerome Williams too. With the way Pujols and Edmonds have been tearing it up, there are a lot of pitchers that I would sit out against St. Louis.

[CJT]

Start him. He shut the Cardinals down last week.

[ramble2]

Start him. He shut the Cardinals down last week.

Despite this, I would sit him. The Cards are now getting a second look at him in a week. Obviously keep on eye on how he does here. If he can shut down the Cards again then you can feel more confident in starting him down the road...

[DieHardCubbie]

Probably a good idea to bench him this go round...The Cards are getting there second look at him and can light up any pitcher at any time...Williams is a great pitcher, but still need to pitch him in favorable match-ups until he proves himself a little more...

[LCBOY]

Are you playing in a roto or H2H league? If you are in a H2H, start him. Pac Bell is a pitcher's paradise. Don't go for the bogus theory that the Cardinals will be seeing him for the second time. Williams will be seeing them for the second time too!

[red]

I'm starting him in an H2H league, I think-- he'll be pitching v. Dan Haren, who is just as likely (maybe more) to be whipped by the Giants batters as Williams is to be whipped by STL. And, in a weekly lineup, you get a bonus start if you play him this week-- against John Patterson and ARZ, where I like the matchup a lot. He's got good stuff, he's a touted prospect, and he's proven a lot already. If you believe SF will score against Haren, then all you're risking is the WHIP and ERA, which he will have a good opportunity to fix later.

[Dr.DooM]

This is an interesting debate. I like Williams alot and he did do well agains the Cardinals last time. But like others have said, second looks help batters more than pitchers and I think they will peg him for a few more runs this time. That being said, I plan on starting him anyways since I need wins more than ERA/WHIP and the Giants can do some damage as well. I'm also 40 innings behind my pace so I can't afford to sit my pitchers very much. I would seriously consider not starting him if you don't have to though.