Go chalk, they’ll tell you. Play and pay up for the studs each time they pitch, they’ll say. It’s all about trusting the process.
Most of the time, I agree with this. I’ve made it no secret that I prefer to pay up big for the top starter of the day if it’s warranted. Today, in a 8-game slate (I’m counting the Phillies and Brewers), Max Scherzer is without a doubt the top-priced pitcher.
However, is his astronomical $14,500 price tag worth it against the Freddie Freeman-less Atlanta Braves? Or, is it better to save nearly $5,000 and go for the still-good-but-not-dominant Tyson Ross?
Here are two lineups that features both of them. You make the call.
Straight to the cash, homie.
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Lineup 1
Max Scherzer, SP: $14,500 – All your money are belong to us
Roenis Elias, SP: $7,000 – The A’s are horrible against lefties. He’s an automatic for me.
Josh Phegley, C: $3,100 – As soon as I say that, I’ll take the playing time for the price tag.
Mike Napoli, 1B: $4,200 – Another matchup where I’m trusting the splits despite his overall disappointing year.
Danny Espinosa, 2B: $3,200 – He’s not sexy – unless you love that mustache – but he plays and produces each day.
Brock Holt, 3B/OF: $3,600 – He’s another “he produces when he plays” guy.
Cesar Hernandez, 2B/SS: $3,000 – He’s cheap and he plays.
Chris Colabello, OF: $3,300 – He’s still producing, and he’s facing Wade Miley. Yes, please.
Alex Gordon, OF: $4,000 – Great matchup for him and other Royals against right-hander Kyle Gibson and the Twins.
Shin-soo Choo, OF: $4,000 – A home run in three straight games for Choo, who faces the underachieving Kevin Gausman, who is likely making a spot-start for the Orioles. Ride the hot streak and hope you don’t catch the end of it.
Lineup 2
Tyson Ross, SP: $9,700 – Though not the ideal matchup against a tough Cardinals lineup and in their home ballpark, the K floor is hard to ignore.
Roenis Elias, SP: $7,000 – See Lineup 1
Josh Phegley, C: $3,100 – See Lineup 1
Mitch Moreland, 1B: $4,300 – I want to go Adam Lind against Chad Billingsley, but Moreland here is too perfect. He’s for real, you guys.
Kolten Wong, 2B: $3,700 – I usually don’t like to have a hitter facing the pitcher I’m throwing out there, but I trust Wong fully and I love his price.
Mike Moustakas, 3B: $4,000 – It’s so hard not to go Josh Donaldson here, but I’ll take another Royal who mashes right-handed pitching.
Nick Ahmed, SS: $3,300 – He’s my punt play in this lineup, but he’s still been rather hot as of late.
Jose Bautista, OF: $5,100 – Wade Miley is the pitcher. Enough said.
Alex Gordon, OF: $4,000 – See Lineup 1
Bryce Harper, OF: $5,800 – This is why you go with Tyson Ross. You want the best of the best in there. Harper is going deep tonight.
As much as I want to pay up for Scherzer, I’m leaning the Ross lineup. I feel much more comfortable with it.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
OK, ready for this? St. Louis, Kansas City, Baltimore and Atlanta all have a 20 percent chance of rain at first pitch. Monitor the situation and substitute accordingly.
Doing Lines In Vegas
Boston and Toronto, as well as Colorado and Arizona are coming in at 9.5. I’m more confident in the American League game, but that’s just me. Stack your Blue Jays if can.
