Lets get ready for the weekend matchups. For me there are a couple of pitching matchups that look to favor a few pitchers I'd like to point out. Here's a breakdown of five lesser priced pitchers that could help you this weekend.

Brian Bannister : Kansas City Royals vs Oakland A's: $16.98

Brian Bannister is off to a great start in 2008. With a 2.6 K/BB ratio, Bannister is a pitcher who doesn't hurt himself. Bannister has already beat three of the toughest teams in the American League, the Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins and the New York Yankees. In those three game Bannister has only allowed two earned runs and 10 hits in 22 innings.

Last season against the A's, Bannister was 1-0 in two games, giving up nine hits and four runs over 15 innings. There is no one on the current A's roster that has more than one hit against against Bannister, making him a solid choice for this weekends pickup.

Zack Greinke : Kansas City Royals vs. Oakland A's : $14.31

Who would have thought that when looking for quality pitchers, my first two choices would be from the Kansas City Royals? Zack Greinke, while coming up through the Kansas City farm system was one of their most highly touted rookies since Bo Jackson. Personal problems off the field slowed his progression once he arrived at the major league level. Now though, Greinke is slowly becoming what many scouts and General Managers thought he would, a dominating ace for the Kansas City Royals.

Like Bannister, Greinke is off to a terrific 3-0 start with a .75 ERA. In those three games Greinke has only allowed two earned runs and 17 hits over 24 innings. The league so far is only batting .205 against him, and that number comes against the Tiger, Yankees and Seattle Mariners.

Over his career, Greinke has never lost to the A's and has posted a simmering 3.8 K/BB ratio. Only two current players (Bobby Crosby and Dan Johnson) have had more than one hit against Greinke in his career. Like Bannister, a very solid pick this weekend.

Shawn Hill : Washington Nationals vs. Florida Marlins : $5.59

Shawn Hill makes his first start of the season after coming off the disable list for the Washington Nationals. The Nationals have struggled since opening the season red hot, and it's perfect timing for the Nationals to get their best pitcher back as they face the National League East leading Florida Marlins.

You might be wondering why I chose Hill as a decent starter this weekend going up against the red hot Marlins, and my answer is because this kid is that damn good. Notes from his rehab starts have been solid. His velocity is back up and his command has been great.

Last year in five starts against the Marlins, Hill was 2-1with 25 strikeouts, while only giving up five walks and eight earned runs. This was against a team that still had Miguel Cabrera on it. Hill is a high risk, high reward pitcher this weekend, but to me is one that's worth it at his current price.

Scott Olsen : Florida Marlins vs. Washington Nationals : $3.63

Scott Olsen coming off a disappointing 2007 is off to a great 2008 campaign. With wins in his last two starts, Olsen is slowly becoming the star pitcher many believed he'd be when he come up from the minors. If he can keep his walks down, Olsen is a great start this weekend against the Washington Nationals who've been struggling to win games.

Branden Looper : St. Louis Cardinals vs. San Francisco Giants : $5.24

Branden Looper and the St. Louis Cardinals are off to surprising starts. Looper who's sporting a 3-0 record has virtual gone unnoticed in RotoHog, and at $5.24 he's a steal. This weekend he goes up against the soft hitting San Francisco Giants, which to me makes him a must start.

Pitching to me is the key here at RotoHog and how you manage your pitchers will determine if you're in the money or out. With guys like Olsen and Looper on your bench at a combined price of $8.87, they are great options for spot starting.

Good luck this weekend and we'll catch up on Monday. SMALLZ