It’s safe to say that Danny Salazar ($9,300) is back on his game, after striking out 12 batters in seven innings his last time out against the Yankees. Salazar’s numbers have been bonkers since returning from the DL, striking out 28 batters in 20 innings with a 1.35 ERA. The strikeouts should keep coming on Thursday against the Rays, who have the third-highest K-rate against righties at 25.0%. Other fantasy players may be scared off by Tampa’s strong-hitting lineup, but Salazar’s upside makes him a great contrarian play. He looks straight up untouchable, and I’ll be starting him in just about every lineup.
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Brad Peacock, SP: 8,300 – If Salazar won’t give you your strikeout fix, Peacock certainly can too. He’s got a ridiculous 11.89 K/9 as a starter, and is facing a garbage White Sox lineup that is 29th in wOBA against righties with their .303 mark. Don’t get scared off by one bad start in his last time out, and take advantage of this price.
J.T. Realmuto, C: $2,700 – It’s weird that Realmuto, one of the only catchers who can actually hit, is at a sub-3000 price. He’s got a 118 wRC+, which is legitimately good, and not just for a catcher. Realmuto has a .900 OPS in the last month and is batting cleanup for Miami.
Jesus Aguilar, 1B: $2,100 – Aguilar should get the start against a lefty, as he’s been shredding them this year, to the tune of a 131 wRC+. He’s facing Deitrich Enns, who is making his first MLB start at age 26, which pretty much tells you everything you need to know about him.
Logan Forsythe, 2B: $3,400 – Forsythe is another extreme splits guy, and they’re even crazier than Aguilar’s. Forstyhe has a 161 wRC+ against southpaws, and he’s out in Arizona, one of the best offensive environments in baseball, in a loaded Dodgers lineup.
Miguel Sano, 3B: $3,600 – Sano can do some real damage in Milwaukee against Zach Davies, owner of a 4.58 FIP. If there’s a guy I can see having a multi-homer day on Thursday, it’s Sano.
Marwin Gonzalez, SS: $3,600 – Gonzalez just does not stop hitting. He’s got 20 home runs in only 351 plate appearances this year, and since gaining a guaranteed full-time role with Correa out, it’s hard not to buy him.
Howie Kendrick, OF: $2,400 – King Kendrick is absurdly cheap for a guy with a 131 wRC+ who also just happens to be in one of the best lineups in baseball. Maybe FanDuel is including defense into their pricing now? Because I don’t know why else he’s this low.
Mark Trumbo, OF: $3,300 – It seems like every week the A’s are trotting out some new random dude on the mound, and Thursday’s is Chris Smith. Smith is pretty awful, and has a 1.61 HR/9 this year, meaning that Trumbo can easily go deep.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
We have two games with a chance of thunderstorms, in Chicago and Milwaukee. I wouldn’t be too worried about them, though, as the threat goes away later into the night, so it should only be a delay at worst. The only notable wind is in Oakland, where there’s 14 MPH blowing out to right-center.
Doing Lines In Vegas
The Padres at +125 could be a sneaky pick with Dinelson Lamet on the mound, who has pitched well lately. I’ll also take Baltimore at -108, since the A’s struggle with lefties, and are facing Wade Miley.
