Tuesday's streaking starting pitchers

[Raji]

HOT

Daisuke Matsuzaka (Boston Red Sox) - Matsuzaka could make our hot list on hype alone, but the Japanese right-hander has been producing up to expectations. After a dominating 10-strikeout performance in his debut, Matsuzaka put in another solid effort against the Mariners last Wednesday even though he took the loss as his Red Sox were shut down in Felix Hernandez's one-hitter. He doesn't have nearly the competition today in Toronto Blue Jays starter Gustavo Chacin. Dice-K plus an injury depleted Toronto team makes Boston a tempting play at -145.

Matt Belisle (Cincinnati Reds) - Belisle comes into today's start against the Milwaukee Brewers after winning his first two games and sports an impressive 1.50 ERA. He has distinguished himself from the other Reds starters so far, having given up only two runs and seven hits through 12 innings. He has held opposing batters to a low .171 average and cashed in on the under in both outings.

Ramon Ortiz (Minnesota Twins) - Ortiz was brought into Minny to add experience to a weakened rotation and so far he's been lights out. The veteran righty is 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA after giving up only three runs in 15 innings. He is even pitching late into games, shutting down the stacked New York Yankees lineup for eight innings in a 5-1 win on Wednesday. The only caveat to his success is that both wins have come at home and he starts on the road today against the Seattle Mariners, a team he hasn't faced since 2004.

COLD

Jerome Williams (Washington Nationals) - Expect to see a lot of Washington starters on the frigid side of the streaks this season given the level of run support provided by this team. Williams is off to an 0-2 start thanks to the Nats' bats. He has not received a single run of support while pitching in either of his starts despite only allowing two earned runs through five innings last week against today's opponent. Against John Smoltz the under (8 runs) looks enticing here.

Wade Miller (Chicago Cubs) - Miller has made only one start for the Cubs but it was so bad it can qualify for a cold streak of its own. He gave up six runs and nine hits in only four innings of a 9-4 loss to Milwaukee and he has had nine days off to think about it. After missing most of 2006 recovering from shoulder surgery Miller has not won since August 2005 and has surrendered six home runs in 23 1/3 innings against the San Diego Padres.

Raji