We tell you who to sit and who to start in setting your hitting line-ups each week. For the top hitters for the week, we focus on questionable hitters that may or may not normally start for you that have favorable schedules this week. We won't bother listing hitters like Pujols, Hanley, or A-Rod in this article, because you always start them, regardless of schedule. Likewise, we won't list lousy hitters in the bottom section, because you'd obviously bench a hitter like David Eckstein playing in PETCO all week without our having to tell you to do so. For the bottom hitters, we focus on the average and better than average (but not star) hitters that you would normally start but have poor schedules this week. Top platoon starts are mostly RHBs playing many LHPs in the upcoming week. Bottom platoon starts are mostly LHBs facing a heavy LHP schedule. Top SB starts play against teams that allow many SBs, and vice versa.

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Top Hitting Starts (#1 being the best)

1. Colby Rasmus OF STL (3 CHC, 4 SDG) We don't know whether the pod people (from Invasion of the Body Snatchers) took the real Colby and replaced him with a replicant, or returned the real Colby. Maybe arguing with Tony LaRussa is the magic elixir. Only one lefty and a seven game week for Colby. Get him in!
2. Jose Bautista OF TOR ( 3 @BAL, 3 @BOS) Nothing like zero pressure and a hot, hot bat. Two good hitters park one lesser pitching staff and one staff that suddenly looks vulnerable from top to bottom.

Top Platoon Starts (#1 being the best) 

1. John Jay OF STL (3 CHC, 4 SDG) Like his confrere, only one lefty (although Jay has hit them well), and the Cards have to push hard now.
2. Chris Carter OF NYM (4 PIT, 3 ARI) 2 sub-par lefites and a seven game schedule mean a healthy dose of the Mets lefty. 

Top Stolen Base Starts (#1 being the best)

1. Emilio Bonifacio 2B/3B/SS/OF FLA (3 PHI, 3 CHC) Although Gaby Sanchez is eligible to return Monday from suspension, Bonifacio was playing nearly everyday prior (pinch hitting and pinch running when not starting). 
2. Jose Tabata OF PIT (4 @NYM, 3 ARI) Jose got his day off this weekend, (and still came in an scored a run). The Bucs speedster is putting the cap on a fine rookie season and gets a couple of squads playing for next season. I love me a garbage time rabbit!

Bottom Hitting Starts (#1 being the worst)

1. Josh Hamilton OF TEX (2 DET, 3 @SEA) The Texas slugger has been diagnosed with cracked rubs, but can play if he can manage the pain. That and a five game week (including three in the always tough SafeCo environment) should put to rest any thoughts of a start.
2. Kevin Kouzmanoff 3B OAK (3 @KC, 3 @MIN) Kouz has been cleared to resume baseball activities, but the A's went out and signed Aki Iwamura after his release by the Pirates, which indicates they aren't relying on him to be available. Sit dear friends, sit.

Bottom Platoon Starts (#1 being the worst)

1. Matt Gamel 3B MIL (3 @HOU, 3 @SFG) Not yet Brewers watchers. Macha says he'll get playing time when Casey McGehee gets his 100th RBI -- he's got 93, so probably more pinch hitting this week.
2. Adam Kennedy 2B WSN (3 @ATL, 3 @PHI) No PT for the veteran utility guy with Danny Espinosa in the house.

 Bottom Stolen Base Starts (#1 being the worst)

1. Lorenzo Cain OF MIL (3 @HOU, 3 @SFG) The rookie backstops have been pretty efficient at stopping baserunning recently, and the Astro's staff (including Monday's Brett Myers) have been pretty good at keeping people off base. Cain is cold and prone to taking days off even when he is in the lineup.
2. Austin Jackson OF DET (2 @TEX, 3 @CHW) Five game set for the Tigers this week and hasn't stolen a base in a week. Jackson is pretty much a BA only pick this week.