Oh, hey there fellow degenerates. Another Sunday is upon us, so that means a brand spanking new edition of action-packed “DraftKings” picks straight from the only source I trust….The DFSBot. If you’re not taking advantage of all the great tools here at Razzball – stop what you’re doing and subscribe now. After you finish reading this write-up, of course. So let me tease you with a couple of arms I’m focusing on for today’s action. I’m not usually into starting pitchers on the road in Houston, but this situation can be sorted into the exception file. Yu Darvish hasn’t been gifted with a win in either of his last three outings, but he still sports an impressive 26:2 K:BB ratio over that same period. As we all know by now, wins are nice but in the daily game strikeouts are King. That is precisely why I’m targeting the Astros for today’s action. Houston has been more than generous when it comes to swings and misses this season, striking out at a 23.9% clip, which ranks fourth in all of baseball. Darvish carries a price tag of $13,100 – he’s the highest priced pitcher on the board, but that’s okay. If he plays anywhere close to his elite 12.68 K/9, he’ll easily reach value. Over his last four starts he’s racked up 35 K’s in just 22 1/3 innings so this match up has the potential to be of the highest quality. How high you ask? Well think somewhere in between Rio drinking water and a Tim Lincecum fastball….That’s how high. Just kidding. Yu should be fantastic today…..and if you start him, so should you. Huh? What? We’re not quite done yet. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the potential bargain that Adam Wainwright represents as well. Sure, he stunk up the joint in his last start, but over his last five starts he’s pitched to a 2.41 ERA and 1.10 WHIP and he’s averaging nearly a strikeout per inning. The best part here is that Wainwright is a VERY affordable $8,000 and he’s facing the Braves. Atlanta owns a 21% K-rate and a measly .128 ISO on the road, also, Waino has allowed just 8 ER in his last eight starts at Busch Stadium – so there’s that. In light of all the delicious info I’ve given you to digest, I’ll direct you to the rest of my favorite plays for today’s slate…
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Archie Bradley, SP: $6,400 – You ever walk into a Wal-Mart and find yourself fishing deep into the gigantic dollar DVD bin they have displayed in the middle of the aisle? Then suddenly your right arm emerges victorious with a copy of ‘Twins’ AND ‘Gigli’ ?! That’s how I feel about this start. Bradley has above average swing and miss stuff and the Brewers own a 25.3% strikeout rate. If nothing else Bradley could be in line for 7-8 K’s today. That’s very tempting at this price point.
David Price, SP: $10,600 – I almost skipped over Price as an option today. He seems a bit risky, until you realize the Dodgers rank 28th this season offensively vs LHP. Price is….well, moderately priced for an ace. The Dodgers own just a ,303 OBP and .291 wOBA against southpaws this year.
Matt Wieters, C: $3,800 – The combination of James Shields’ yielding a .350 wOBA to left-handed hitters and a fantastic hitting environment make this a palatable play.
Miguel Cabrera, 1B: $5,400 – A bit pricey, but he’s been on quite the heater over the last week. Miggy has gone 13-25 with 7 XBH hits along with a 1.414 OPS over his last 7 games.
Mike Napoli, 1B: $4,800 – Pure BvP play here as Napoli has 5 XBH and a .600/.714/1.500 slash line vs Masahiro Tanaka. Nap has also launched five bombs in his last seven games.
Dee Gordon, 2B: $4,800 – He’s the top rated second baseman today according to the DFSBot and that’s good enough for me to plug him in my lineup. The Coors Field effect bumps up his price, but Gordon is hitting .348 with a .943 OPS over his last 7 games.
Neil Walker, 2B: $4,100 – Anibal Sanchez takes the bump for the Tigers and he’s been generous to lefties this season – to the tune of a .360 wOBA. Walker has produced a .433 average over the last week.
Jonathan Villar, SS: $4,700 – Hitting .290 with 5 HR and a .369 OBP vs RHP this season.
Brad Miller, SS: $4,500 – In 11 career at-bats, Miller has produced a 1.208 OPS vs Kyle Gibson. He’s also slugged 5 HR’s in his last 8 games, while Gibson has allowed a .383 wOBA to lefties on the road.
Matt Carpenter, 3B: $4,600 – Carpenter has abused right-handers this season turning in a .303/.429/.596 triple slash.
Jose Ramirez, 3B: $4,400 – Ramirez is 11-30 over his last 7 games with a .933 OPS.
Starling Marte, OF: $5,200 – Has 6 hits in 12 career at-bats vs Dan Straily and is batting .333 over his last 7 games.
Kris Bryant, 3B/0F: $4,600 – Mashes LHP. Decent price. Bryant has 10 HR, 22 RBI and a 1.021 OPS off lefties this year.
Leonys Martin, OF: $3,300 – 7-15 with a HR and .467/.467/.800 slash line vs Matt Shoemaker.
Brandon Moss, 1B/OF: $4,900 – Moss has 18 HR this season and all of them have come at the expense of RHP. Mike Foltynewicz is pitching for the Braves today and yep, you guessed it. He’s right-handed. Folty has given up a .385 wOBA to lefties on the road this season.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
We are all systems go today as far as the weather’s concerned. There’s just a slight risk of a few showers in Colorado, but nothing that will impede the progress of the game.
Doing Lines In Vegas
Adam Wainwright (-210) and Gerrit Cole (-182) are your heavy favorites today as far as the Starting Pitcher Money Lines are concerned. Keep an eye on the BOS/LAD line as some late juice could push David Price up the ladder as well. As far as Game Over/Unders you want to watch: MIA/COL 10.5, MIL/ARI 9.5, BAL/CHW 9.5 & NYM/DET 8.5 are all in play for high run totals today.
