Hey all! MarmosDad is back again this week with another set of notes and tips to help set your DFS lineups on another full Wednesday of games.
Like last week, we start nice and early at 12:40 ET with Arizona at Miami, and run through a full 17 game slate that ends at 10:10 ET with San Francisco at Dodger Stadium.
Star Wars day AND a Fantasy Baseball DFS writeup? Does it get any better than that? Absolutely not! So sit back, relax, and take it all in. I have some obvious plays for you today and, like I did for last Thursday’s article, there are some value spots to check out, too. All prices are in DraftKings format today.
Just a reminder, a lot of the notes that I take and share here are heavily influenced by Rudy’s Streamonator and Hittertron, as well as the DFS tools available right here on Razzball. You can access all of this information too, by signing up for Rudy’s tools. So DO…(not DO NOT)…there is no try!
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Tylor Megill, SP: $9,700 – I was tempted to go with Mike Clevinger here as he returns to Cleveland to face the Guardians, but I want to see how he throws in his first start back after rehabbing a knee injury and Tommy John surgery before I slot him into any DFS or fantasy lineups. Instead, give me Tylor Megill and his very enticing numbers through his first five major league starts: 4-0 with a 1.93 ERA and 0.86 WHIP. Add to that a 25.2 K% and 5.46 BB% and I’m running with him against Jethro Tull … I mean, Ian Anderson and the Braves today. Megill on a Wednesday? It’s all good, man!
Freddy Peralta, SP: $8,900 – Well, I was all ready to start with a nice little run down on Tarik Skubal and how his name definitely sounds like it could fit right between Max Rebo and Jek Porkins in a Star Wars list of character names, but last night’s rain cancellation of the Pirates and Tigers means that today’s PIT/DET game is now a doubleheader. Since DraftKings doesn’t have game two listed, I can’t recommend Alex Faedo for his first MLB start. Instead, I’m slotting in Freddy Peralta vs the Reds. Peralta is second only to Justin Verlander on the Streamonator today (29.1) and after back to back outings where he averaged 90 pitches and gave up a total of only one run, sign me up for some strikeouts and a high point tally against Cincinnati today.
MJ Melendez, C: $2,000 The DFS writing crew seems to look at things similarly when it comes to catchers. This is a spot that you can plug and play with some good value picks on most days providing that these guys are in the lineup. Yesterday, Knoche recommended Martin Maldonado at $2,100. Today, the value play is MJ Melendez. With the call-up on Monday, KC looks like they’re ready to at least give their top prospect some playing time now that Cam Gallagher is headed to the 10-day IL. Melendez had a hot spring but did have a tough start in Omaha this April. However, of his 13 hits in AAA, six went for extra bases (4 doubles, 2 homers). Look for the left handed Melendez to be in the lineup against Adam Wainwright today, and be a possible source for some cheap power.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B: $5,100 – I nearly went with Ohtani here, as DraftKings has him eligible at 1B/OF, but instead I’m inserting Vladito as my big bat at 1B today. Vlad had a couple of quiet games on the weekend but hammered out two doubles last night in the loss to the Yankees and I think he can continue his solid year against lefty Nestor Cortes Jr. With a 32.5 rating, Hittertron thinks so too.
Cesar Hernandez, 2B: $3,900 – Strictly a Coors play here, Cesar Hernandez comes in at a decent price, is visiting Colorado, hitting atop the Nationals lineup, and sporting a batting average that is nearly 60 points higher vs lefties than righties. Take him as a middle of the pack play against lefty Austin Gomber today.
Jose Miranda, 3B: $2,000 – Similar to the MJ Melendez news, Minnesota decided it was time to call up their 2021 minor league player of the year on Monday night. This kid is so good, he was Grey’s lede in yesterday’s column (check out all of that goodness here if you haven’t already). Last night, the 2B/3B played first base, batted 5th, and doubled home the first run of the game in the 4th inning. The increase in eligibility might mean more to those playing in fantasy leagues but for DFS, it gives players the message that there is another way to get the Miranda-lorian on the field. $2,000 for a big upside 3B playing against a rookie pitcher today? This is the way.
Bo Bichette, SS: $4,700 – Ok, so the obvious pun for Star Wars day – The Book of Bo Bichette – kind of writes itself, (even if it is more expensive to have any book shipped to Canada), and today I’m taking a chance on Bo and his flow here. He’s facing a lefty at home and has started to show signs of life by going 7 for 16 in his last four games with 3 XBH. He’s one of my pricier plays today, but after last night’s 7-1 beating from the Yankees, the bounty is out on Nestor in the finale of this three game set.
Randal Grichuk, OF: $5,100 – This one is another Hittertron play as Randall Grichuk checks in as the third highest ranked OF for today. Batting third in the Rockies lineup? Yes. Hits in five of his last six games? Yep. Facing a lefty (Patrick Corbin) at home? Uh huh. Sure he’s another higher priced bat, but Grichuk runs into hot streaks like the one he’s in right now, and I think he could go off for some good power numbers against a weak opponent today. Plus, his surname sounds like he could be a guard at Jabba’s palace.
Luis Robert, OF: $4,600 – I had planned on checking in on Robert’s price ahead of today’s article, then when Knoche ran with him yesterday too I almost went another route. But with the White Sox sitting Robert last night and no word on any injury, I figured it would be more probable that he plays against the Cubs today. I double checked on Twitter last night and a White Sox beat writer said LaRussa was wary of playing Robert in 6 straight games. That’s good enough information for me to roll with. With Kyle Hendricks lobbing in fastballs softer than an Ewok’s backside, look for Robert to continue his hot streak from his last 3 games and put up some points today.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
Atlanta at New York Mets is the only game that looks to have any real threat of precipitation at 20%. Winds are blowing out at 13 MPH (NE) at Comerica for PIT vs DET too. Otherwise, it looks like a nice day for baseball!
Doing Lines In Vegas
Milwaukee at home vs Cincinnati and Detroit at home vs Pittsburgh are both heavy favorites. If you’re looking to roll the dice on something a bit more juicy, I’d play the under on the Angels (Reid Detmers) in Boston against Garrett Whitlock and the Red Sox.
And if you’re a Matt Brash superfan who wants to gamble on a longshot (vs. Justin Verlander in Houston), that’s your biggest + odds, but be forewarned that you may end up being more frustrated than Jason Bateman in a traffic jam (no spoilers!).
