From the JS Blog:

This is how Macha has them lined up  now, and he emphasized this does not mean they will line up this way for the season:

RHP Jeff Suppan
RHP Yovani Gallardo
LHP Manny Parra
RHP Braden Looper
RHP Dave Bush

But, you know what? It wouldn't surprise me if they lined up this way at the start of the season

Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me either which is disappointing (to say the least). I know that in the grand scheme of things the order of the starting 5 doesn't really matter and things even out over a 162 game season. I understand that, but why would you make your WORST pitcher line up with the opposing teams BEST pitcher for the first few series of the season?

Let's assume a few other teams #1 starter and look at Suppan's first three match ups.

4/7 @ Giants: Reigning Cy Young award winner Tim Lincecum
4/12 CHC: Carlos Zambrano
4/18 @NYM: Johan Santana

Now let's look at how they all match up for 2009 using CHONE projections.

So, like, don't do that. It's a really bad idea.

[stats: Fangraphs]
[image: St Louis Review]