Let me start by saying that for once, I’m not going to complain about the Thursday slate. Weird, I know. There are only seven games today, but after messing around with the slate and pricing, I’m pretty pleased with the options tonight.
But see one of those options, can’t be called that. No, instead, we have to call him mandatory. Tournament, cash, side bet with Grandma — it doesn’t matter. It is Matt Harvey day, and while it’s lost its luster the past two times out, he’s a must for today’s slate.
Straight to the cash, homie.
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Matt Harvey, SP: $10,400 — Harvey has battled the dead arm, and bad inning in his past two outings. Look past the run total from last game, and see how dominant he was early on. I expect much of the same against a poor Diamondbacks lineup — sans Goldy and Pollock — and love his chance at a win against Jeremy Hellickson. He’s the most expensive pitcher, but he’s a must-play option for me.
Carlos Rodon, SP: $5,600 — I like Rodon just because of his price point and the fact that walks don’t hurt you in DraftKings. Rodon also should rack of the strikeouts against the lefty-heavy Rangers, including Joey Callo. Wait, that’s Joey Gallo, with a G.
Yasmani Grandal, C: $3,800 — I shed a few — a lot — of tears when I saw Grandal’s name on the lineup card for just half of the games in Colorado. Anyway, I have a personal vendetta against Michael Wacha and just don’t think he’s as good as he’s been this year. I’ll take the power upside from Grandal at just under $4,000.
Lucas Duda, 1B: $5,000 — I’m very tempted to go with Todd Frazier here in Philadelphia against AIRon Harang, so if you do, I won’t blame you. But I love Duda’s matchup in a hitter-friendly environment against a pitcher even worse than Harang. Is it weird I kind of wish Hellickson was a left-hander?
Kolten Wong, 2B: $4,000 — I’ve fallen in love with Wong in DFS in the past week, and I can’t get away from him today, either. The left-hander has been hot as of late, and he has a solid matchup against Carlos Frias a.k.a. the lowest-priced pitcher of the day.
Kris Bryant, 3B: $4,300 — It’s cute that we still think that R.A. Dickey and Gio Gonzalez are still good as a fantasy community. Dickey at least throws a knuckleball, which is fun to watch. What do you got, Gio? Now, obviously, he’s better than Dickey, but let’s stop pretending he’s a No. 1 or No. 2 pitcher, please. I like Bryant’s price point against the lefty, as he and Harper are ready for round two. They both delivered last time out. Will they this time?
Yunel Escobar, SS: $3,300 — Last week, I referenced that Jung Ho Kang was my player that I was targeting daily because of his low price point. This week, it’s been Yunel Escobar. No, he’s nothing special, but for his price, I’ll take a guy who hits toward the top of the Nationals’ lineup (including third yesterday) and gets on base.
Nelson Cruz, OF: $5,100 — I have some cash leftover thanks to Rodon, so why not take Nelson Cruz? It’s really as simple as that. But no, for narrative street reasons, I don’t believe that Erasmo Ramirez is going to have a revenge game in Seattle.
Bryce Harper, OF: $5,100 — I really like Steven Souza here since the Rays rake against left-handed pitching. But then I saw how much money I had left over, so the upgrade to Harper was an easy one to make. It’s a tough match-up against Jake Arrieta, but he’s match-up proof.
Andre Ethier, OF: $3,400 — Souza and Joc or Harper and Ethier. That’s the conundrum I found myself facing. To me, it wasn’t really too hard of a decision. Ethies is criminally underpriced despite the fact that he’s been a consistent producer since Yasiel Puig hit the shelf. Put him in your lineup, folks.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
There’s a 31 percent chance of rain at opening pitch in Washington, and as we’ve seen so far this week, the ball doesn’t have the same type of carry in the bad weather. Keep an eye on it. Kansas City has a 20 percent chance of rain for first pitch, but all should be a go here, too.
Doing Lines In Vegas
Chicago and Texas opens up at 9 o/u for tops of the day. I don’t see it, sorry. I know Texas put up 15 on Tuesday, but they won’t do that against Rodon. Chicago, on the other hand, could make it a long day for Yovani Gallardo, but I’d put it at 7.5.
