Well the Midsummer Classic has come and gone, but unlike Groundhog Day, we saw our shadow and there’s still over two more months of baseball. Or is it if he doesn’t see his shadow there’s more winter?
I never understood Groundhog Day. Some rodent comes out of his hole and then depending on its reaction there’s more winter? I’d rather have Ancient Mayans calculate my seasons. Oh wait, then we would’ve been out of seasons since last December…
After an All-Star Break and a Friday dedicated to the Classic, the RAZZBALL EXCLUSIVE CAN YOU BEAT RUDY GAMBLE contest is back! Entry fee is back down to $5 and we’re playing for tickets into DraftKings’ next biggie, the $100,000 Sweet Spot on August 23rd with a grand prize of $20,000. 35 spots will be open this week, 2 per user with spots 2-10 doubling up to $10, and yours truly will be back out there battling with the Nation. I’ve finished in the money all but one week I’ve played, but still looking for that elusive 1st place! I guess I’ve been seeing my shadow too much and can’t get out of the hole…
Taking a Midsummer stroll to last week’s picks:
SP – Jered Weaver W 6.2 IP 4 H 4 BB 0 ER 8 Ks (30.2 Pts)
CI – Prince Fielder 0-3 (0 Pts)
MI – Jimmy Rollins 1-5 2 R BB (9 Pts)
OF1 – Giancarlo Stanton 0-4 (0 Pts)
OF2 – Domonic Brown 3-5 1 HR 2 RBI 2 R (24 Pts)
UTIL – Mike Napoli 0-3 1 R BB (4 Pts)
TOTAL – 67.2 (Last three weeks: 77.65, 61, 34)
It was overall a solid week, and my Midsummer Classic team scored a total of 112.70 that, yes, would’ve finished out of the money, but was still a nice scoring week. The big bats of Fielder and Stanton not producing was the big hit, stupid Ervin Santana throwing a two-hit shutout and Stanton hit a moon shot caught in dead center on the track. Luckily the Angels got a great game outta the Weave and the Phillies picks were solid. Here’s who I like this week:
SP – Matt Harvey ($11,500) – I’m spending huge on Harvey this week, who is line to get game 2 of the doubleheader against the Nats making him available for DraftKings. Last time he faced them he racked up 11 Ks in 7 innings for a 34-point outing. I know on the podcast I said I wanted Greinke, but the Dodgers rotation has either been tweaked or I can’t count to five anymore and it’s Clayton Kershaw going Friday. I’ll look to pair Harvey with probably Henderson Alvarez, who at $5,300 I like as a value pitcher.
CI – Evan Longoria ($5,000) – I’m gonna have to stop spending so frivolously pretty soon! But I love Longo for Friday, as he absolutely crushes the semi-struggling CC Sabathia to the tune of 18-47 (.383) 6 HRs 10 RBIs and has taken 12 walks to only 4 Ks! There was an interesting debate on my hitter selection methodology in the comments last week, and I love hitter vs. batter especially when it’s favorable in 10+ ABs with the pitcher showing declining skill sets. Sabathia has looked hapless against the Rays this year, and this one is in the confines of Yankee Stadium.
MI – Jean Segura ($4,900) – For the value, it’s tough to find a higher upside pick than Segura. Sure his power hasn’t quite stayed with him, but Coors can help with that! Hitting in the middle of the line-up with Ryan Braun on roidternity leave, and opposing pitcher Tyler Chatwood has given up 6 steals this year, I like Segura’s outlook.
OF1 – Nate McLouth ($4,100) – Going with an oldie but goldie, McLouth always seems to find a spot in my line-ups (well, not always but often), and yeah is only .250 off Ryan Dempster in 24 ABs, but has drawn 6 walks, hit a homer, and 2 for 3 stealing bases. Think he’s a solid value play.
OF2 – Jake Marisnick ($2,000) – I’m out on a limb with this one, and I really wanted to go with Christian Yelich, but with lefty Jeff Locke on the mound, I’ll go with the righty and check back Friday afternoon to be sure he’s in there. Great low-$ value for someone with upside both with power and speed.
UTIL – Adrian Gonzalez ($4,300) – I originally had Mike Moustakas here, but the budget adjustments boosted him to $4,000, so I’m going with A-Gon. Gonzalez just plain murders Homer Bailey to the tune of 8-15 with 5 homers and 2 doubles. His OPS off Bailey is 2.200! He’s heating up, the Dodgers look unbeatable, love him on Friday.
Shoot your DraftKings questions below or tweet me @jbgilpin – good luck this week!
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