I can’t tell you how many times I’ve passed on a DFS player because of my own bias opinion. As much as I suggest to others not to do this, I find that I just can’t help myself. Remember when your parents used to tell you, do as I say and not as I do? Well, just call me The Bigfoot Father, or how about Bigfoot Daddy, and do as I say and not as I do. I know DFS is also about having fun and playing the players you like. I’m not saying stack Yankees if you’re a Red Sox fan, but accept the fact that the players you dislike are valuable assets in your lineup. The same can be said for players that I really like. Try not to play all Phillies’ players just because Schmitty is your all-time favorite player and you’ve been watching them since you were a kid. So keep reading, and check out a few of my favorite unfavorites for today.
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Chris Sale, SP: $13,400 – I loved Sale, but recently grown to dislike him for a simple reason that only dynasty league players would understand. However, in DFS, I need to continue the love. Last week I didn’t pay for the pricey pitchers, and it backfired. I know I’ll end up splurging on one of the best pitchers in the league.
Jake Arrieta, SP: $11,900 – I never thought I’d see the day where Arrieta was this expensive. I need to stop hating on him, and finally accept that he’s a top tier pitcher in DFS. I have an unfortunate running joke with a buddy in my season-long fantasy league, where he text messages me every week to remind me how good Arrieta is. So today I’ll respond to him this time, with a frown upside down. The Cubs are at home against the Phillies and struggling Cole Hamels.
Shelby Miller, SP: $9,300 – It’s my lucky day because here’s another young pitcher I’ve grown to dislike. Another dynasty story; I was in second place last season going all in to reach first place, when I traded Miller and Byron Buxton for Adam Wainwright. Once I saw Miller traded to the Braves I thought I didn’t make such a bad dynasty trade after all. Yeah, I was wrong. I like Miller today on the road against his former team, as I know the fire is burning a little more in a revenge game.
Hector Santiago, SP: $9,100 – The thought of Santiago being lit up as a White Sox starting pitcher is forever embedded in my memory. I owned him for two dreadful fantasy seasons, only to dump him. Now that he’s settled in as an Angel, of course he’s doing very well. Santiago has had 4 quality starts in his last 5. The Angels are at home against the Rangers.
Taylor Jungmann, SP: $7,600 – Here is another pitcher I need to stop hating on. I didn’t add him in any of my season-long fantasy leagues when he was called up, only to kick myself, knowing I shouldn’t be surprised that Jungmann is doing so well as he was once a top prospect coming out of Texas. Through 51 innings pitched, he has a superb .211 BAA, 2.04 ERA, and a 1.02 WHIP. The Brewers are on the road in Atlanta.
Buster Posey, C: $4,500 – Lucky for us, Posey is one of the best hitters in the league, a catcher, and at a great price.
J.T. Realmuto, C: $3,100 – Realmuto is hitting well of late, and showing why he was once a Top 100 prospect. The Marlins are on the road in San Diego today. Check to see if he’s in the lineup.
Mark Teixeira, 1B: $4,700 – The theme of my dislikes continues. I’ve never owned him in season-long fantasy baseball, and pretty certain DFS either. The numbers don’t lie though, and I really need to participate today.
Eric Hosmer, 1B: $4,200 – This is more about value than thinking he’ll put up 20 points. Hosmer is quietly having a good season. The power numbers are still not there, but we knew that already. He is scoring runs and knocking in a fair share, however.
Jose Altuve, 2B: $4,600 – A player I use nearly every time in DFS, and in the inaugural season of a dynasty league, where the league drafted in January 2014, one month later I declined a trade offer for Jose Altuve. The offer included Kevin Gausman, and the player my opponent wanted from me was Jedd Gyorko. Just promise me you won’t share this with your fantasy league buddies….please?
Robinson Cano, 2B: $3,500 – Cano is coming back to life and at this price he’s a great option at a scarce position. If I’m not playing Altuve or Gyorko (joke), then I’m going with Cano.
Jung Ho Kang, 3B: $3,300 – Kang has been hitting very well of late. He’s been 2-4 in each of his past six games. Good price for a possible final spot in your lineup. The Pirates are at home against the Nationals and Gio Gonzalez.
Trevor Plouffe, 3B: 3,900 – Plouffe has been hitting well this season. He’s a career 4-12 with 1 homer against opposing pitcher C.C. Sabathia. The game is being played in Minnesota.
Xander Bogaerts, SS: $3,900 – I love this price for a young, somewhat hot hitter against the struggling Alfredo Simon.
Charlie Blackmon, OF: $4,400 – I am pretty certain Blackmon will be in my lineup today. He continues to hit well atop the Rockies’ lineup. The Rockies are at home against the Reds and Johnny Cueto.
Matt Kemp, OF: $4,300 – This could be the first time all season that I use Kemp in DraftKings. He’s finally starting to hit, and I like the matchup at home against the Marlins and David Phelps even though this’ll be his first look at him.
Alex Rios, OF: $3,900 – Until yesterday, Rios had scored 1 run in each of his last 11 games. This could be the player that makes or breaks a big ‘Guaranteed’ entry. I suspect that not too many DFS players will choose him today.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
Well, this continues to be my lucky day. As your Razzball weatherman, there are no weather conditions across the country to interfere with your DraftKings lineup. Maybe I’ll buy a lottery ticket.
Doing Lines In Vegas
Going with the ‘Overs’ today: I’ll take the over 10.5 runs between the Reds and Rockies. The over 7 runs between Marlins and Padres, and I’ll go with the over 9.5 in the Tigers/Red Sox game at Fenway Park mostly because of the pitching matchup.
