If you have read my weekly DFS column, you know I am a diehard Mariners fan. Sometimes saying that out loud tastes like bile, but not this year. We did just enough in free agency to move the needle. The best of the off-season moves was enticing the reigning AL CY award winner to come to the Emerald City. Robbie Ray, SP: DK: $9,800 has not been that same CY guy, but he is starting round into form just when the M’s need him.
Couple the signing of Ray with the trade deadline addition of Luis Castillo and Seattle has a legit 1-2 punch that can win both a Wild Card game and a short series. Enter into the discussion youngsters Logan Gilbert and George Kirby and a nasty bullpen and the Mariners look like a team that can contend late into the season. They are the best fielding team in the AL and have started to knock the ball around a little more often recently.
Right now, the Mariners are the team to watch but do not sleep on the Chicago White Sox as the sudden departure of TLR may be just what the doctor ordered (pun intended). Dylan Cease, SP: DK: $9,100 has been there all season and in firmly in the AL CY award discussion with the recent injuries to Justin Verlander and Shane McClanahan. If the ChiSox can find a way to revitalize Lucas Giolito and Lance Lynn, they are going to be trouble down the stretch. When healthy, a lineup consisting of Tim Anderson, Andrew Vaughn, Luis Robert, Jose Abreu, Eloy Jimenez and three names at the bottom is formidable to say the least. With that being said, those guys have rarely seen the field together this season, so health is the big key.
Looking at today’s slate, those two names stuck out to me and now I must turn my eyes to the offensive side of the ball to find you the right bats to help Ray and Cease bring you a Saturday winner.
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Jonah Heim, C: DK: $3,800 – Heim has been sneaky good albeit from time to time and not necessarily all the time. Trying to stay away from the normal/chalky names like Adley, Will Smith, Realmuto, Kirk, etc., I landed on Heim as he faces off with Brayan Bello and his 7.27 ERA and 2.08 WHIP. You read that right and since we are just around the corner from football season, it is curious that Bello’s ERA is above a TD and his WHIP is just above the 2-point conversion/safety zone. Those numbers are brutal…BRUTAL, so we are going to take the monetary savings and see what Heim can do for us.
Seth Brown, 1B: DK: $3,500 – Brown is likely to be a low-owned player today but the matchup at Camden Yards should provide sneaky value to those who are willing to take a chance. Brown is known to go on short runs of power, as witnessed just last month where he hit 5 long-balls over a 7-game stretch. Of his 17 HRs on the season, 16 of those have come against RHP where he is maintaining a .754 OPS. As we all know, the ball travels in Camden Yards as well. So, why not take a chance here?
Jonathan India, 2B: DK: $4,900 – In what has been a very disappointing season for India, mostly due to nagging injuries, the reigning NL ROY has been heating up as of late. Considering I will be at the Great American Ballpark for the matchup with the Rockies and knowing German Marquez is not good, I like India in this spot. Over his last 7 games, India is batting over .420 and the Reds can score runs in bunches. What better time than when I am watching in person?
Nolan Arenado, 3B: DK: $6,200 – With all of the well-deserved love for Paul Goldschmidt and the 700 HR watch for Albert Pujols, our guy Arenado just keeps raking. His triple slash over the last week is .464/.500/.893 with 3 HR and 8 RBI. Any time you can find a player with more RBI than games played, then you need to pay attention. The Cardinals are scoring more runs lately with Lars Nootbaar and Brendan Donovan finding their stroke. With Goldy batting ahead of him and Pujols behind him, Arenado is poised for a prolific run in Sept/Oct.
Corey Seager, SS: DK: $5,500 – We are going to have some fun with a Rangers stack (see Heim earlier) and what better lefty than Seager to feast on Brayan Bello? Seager is on the cusp of his first 30 HR season and only 18 RBI shy of his career high. Other than batting average which is down a little, Seager is having a career year at the plate. If he does not hit #30 on Friday, look for him to do so Saturday against Bello and/or the atrocious Boston bullpen.
Adolis Garcia., OF: DK: $5,100 – I recall saying, heading into my season long drafts, if Garcia can raise his average 10-20 points, then the high strikeout rate will not matter. El Bombi will make up for the K’s through his HR and stolen bases. He has been running more lately and his HR are right where we want them to be. The first MLB player to the 20 HR/20 SB Club for 2022 is currently up 13 points from last years average and his counting stats all reflect that increase. He still has some work to do to eclipse his 31 HR from last season, but he is already six stolen bases above last year.
Julio Rodriguez OF: DK $6,300 – The second member of the 20/20 Club, JROD is an absolute beast and I just cannot stop recommending him. Again, Mariners homer here, so I will die on this hill, but you simply cannot keep him out of your lineup unless you need to save some money. If that is the case take a quick look at the aforementioned Lars Nootbaar as a cheaper option. For me, I am here for JROD and am not looking back.
There it is…the lineup to help you make some money this weekend. Rangers stack should net some money for your bankroll and feel free to use JROD to help Ray’s chances at a win.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
No weather to report for Saturday.
Doing Lines In Vegas
In celebration of the JROD contract and a repeat of my earlier advice, get some money on Julio for AL ROY! Add in his teammate, Robbie Ray’s over Ks for Saturday and for good measure, throw a couple of bucks on Cease for the AL CY as the odds may surprise you.
