It’s a six game slate tonight and there’s rain possible in two of those. Quick math tells me there’s 8 starting pitchers worth considering. Man I hate the rain, have I mentioned that? I would watch the weather like a hawk and if things look so-so, I’d still roll with the hitters in the contest, but so-so weather and starting pitchers don’t mix for me. Nothing is worse than 3.2 solid IP followed by a one hour rain delay. So, who am I pairing with Johnny Cueto tonight? Chase Whitley, believe it or not. Here we have a $5,700 pitcher that has a 8.15 K/9 and a 1.57 BB/9. Granted, that’s in only 17.2 IP, so it’s small sample size. Everyone leftover has fleas though, and Whitley’s seem to be the least scratchy. He got pounded for 3 long balls at home against the Orioles. This start is at the Trop, a little more pitcher friendly environment against a not quite as great offense. I like guys that don’t walk a ton of batters, that helps reduce the potential damage and the decent K-rate helps for DraftKings scoring. Just for good measure, the opposing pitcher is Erasmo Ramirez & the rest of the TB bullpen. For the price, let’s just cross our fingers and hope he doesn’t blow-up and the Yank’s offense carries him to the Win.
New to DraftKings? Scared of feeling like a small fish in a big pond? Well try out this 25 teamer of Razzball writers and friends to wet your DK whistle. Just remember to sign up through us before you do. It’s how we know you care! If you still feel helpless and lonely, be sure to subscribe to the DFSBot for your daily baseball plays.
Roenis Elias, SP: $7,100 – If you’re not feeling Whitley, or you’re not feeling me (we really hardly know each other) then I’d look towards Elias. He’s the only other pitcher favored by Vegas. That might be saying more about Joe Kelly than Roenis, but we can’t be too picky with limited options. Elias can be a little WHIP-y, but has right around an 8 K-rate and hey, the Sawx can’t score 10 every night can they?
Brian McCann, C: $3,700 – B-Mac should be the highest priced catcher tonight in my opinion. I’m going to be all over Erasmo tonight like a tick on a hound dog.
Mark Teixeira, 1B: $4,300 – Te(i)x has a 1.079 OPS right now vs. RHP (.694 vs. LHP). Erasmo Ramirez throws with his right hand, and not very well. I’m all over this like stink on a skunk.
Logan Morrison, 1B/OF: $4,300 – Maybe you have a man crush on Erasmo, or you don’t want to hurt his feelings. In that case, I suggest you look to beat up on Red Sox pitching. Lomo says it’s #hotgarbage and I agree.
Jose Altuve, 2B: $4,200 – Any night Altuve isn’t the top priced second baseman, my interest is piqued. Consider me piqued.
Alex Guerrero, 2B/3B: $3,000 – Of the two games with weather issues, COL/LAD is the more likely game to play. You don’t have to fear a delay with hitters, they still get their ABs. Guerrero is still too cheap and is lock and load if he’s in the lineup.
Luis Valbuena, 2B/3B: $3,700 – Valbuena has the platoon advantage on Hutchison tonight. With the power upside he brings to the table, he’s worth a flier for some upside at second or third base.
Kyle Seager, 3B: $3,900 – I haven’t leapt from the Seager bandwagon just yet. I’ll gladly enjoy the reduced price and watch as the Mariners lineup beats up on Joe Kelly. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Joe Kelly is demoted to the bullpen mid-start tonight.
Hanley Ramirez, OF/SS: $4,300 – I have a feeling there’s going to be some leftover money on the table tonight. Gotta spend that dough somewhere. I hate, hate, hate leaving any of my salary cap unspent. I think it’s generally bad practice and with the grossness out there at SS tonight, spend up on some elite power upside. Just don’t do it if you’ve rostered Elias, that’s also bad practice.
Stephen Drew, 2B/SS: $3,200 – Old, reliable, cheap as dirt and facing Erasmo. I’m on that like tie-dye on a hippie.
Jose Bautista, OF: $5,000 – I’ve completely neglected to mention any Blue Jays. Of course, they are all in play vs. Roberto Hernandez. You don’t need me to tell you that though. If you’ve got cash money to spend, jump on Joey Bats, Donaldson and E5 and enjoy.
Jacoby Ellsbury, OF: $4,700 – All over that like a duck on a june bug.
Colby Rasmus, OF: $3,700 – It’s a short schedule day and Rasmus gets a righty, you Razzballers know the drill.
Jay Bruce, OF: $4,100 – Your BvP special of the night. Jay Bruce vs. Timmy Lincecum – 4/9, 1 HR, 2 SBs. If Jay Bruce has two career SBs vs. Lincecum what’s Billy Ham’s o/u tonight? I’ll set it at 2.5…discuss.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
I’ve eluded to the two weather games. COL/LAD has a chance of getting in, with a late clear window. The WAS/SD tilt looks ugly though. I wouldn’t touch Tyson Ross tonight and would advise avoiding the game all together really.
Doing Lines In Vegas
TOR/HOU has the highest o/u of the night with a 9, deploy those Jays and Astros. SF/CIN hits the low end with a 7 and Johnny Cueto and the Reds are the largest favorite at -160. Don’t over think things, load up on Cueto.
