These days Juan Soto is all the rage. While even the most casual baseball fans gets ready for the trade deadline, anticipating a frenzy of trades that seemingly never comes, 65% of Major League Baseball teams find themselves in playoff contention with the new MLB format.
Who among the contenders will step out on a ledge and trade for the likes of Juan Soto? Or Willson Contreras, Luis Castillo, Joc Pederson, or Frankie Montas. Make no mistake, Juan Soto is the big fish here, but who, if anyone is willing to risk capsizing the boat for one player? Back to Juan being the big fish, or is he? Recent rumor is that Shohei Ohtani may be a trade target as well, and if so, we have more than one fish on the Angels, not just trout (I’ll be here all week.) An exciting second half is upon us, for now let’s focus on Monday.
Welcome to a new week of baseball, or what Washington National fans refer to as “Hell.” The following are picked to click. I hate that term. Just go with it.
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Max Fried, SP: DK: $10,500 / FD: $10,500 – Max Fried and the defending champion, Braves will face the Bryce Harperless Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies are reeling. Nick Castellanos can’t hit a beach ball, and as long as Fried can avoid Kyle Schwarber going deep, I anticipate a relatively smooth start. I may not be out on a limb here as Max is the most expensive starter on Monday’s slate, but you cannot afford to not play him. Seven of the projected starters in the Phillies lineup hit .200 or under against Max. This is a safe play.
Austin Voth, SP: DK: $5,700 / FD: $6,300 – You probably do not know a lot about Austin Voth, and I do not expect you to. A quick pass at early 2022, Austin Voth was bad, really bad. Gradually over time he has become serviceable and a solid fill as a spot-starter. Six of his last seven appearances have been in Orioles wins. Voth was not good in Washington, no matter how many chances the Nationals gave him. The thirty-year-old is getting an opportunity in Baltimore and has a renewed sense of purpose. His ERA with the Orioles is at 3.42, the lowest since 2019, and dropping with every appearance. He will not give you a ton of work tonight, but five innings is likely, in an important home game against division rival, Tampa Bay. Low cost, higher risk play. You can save here and splurge in other areas.
Travis d’Arnaud, C: DK: $4,400 / FD: $2,900 – Inexpensive catchers that hit .260 is like finding a unicorn. This is arguably the worst offensive season for catchers, ever. It is bad. .260 is the new .320. Travis is tossed all around the lineup, but he may find himself batting in the top five, with some additional protection – seeing more pitches. With William Contreras getting the start on Sunday, d’Arnaud is back in line to start tonight. Right-handed hitters are batting .272 against Phillies starter, Ranger Suarez, and Travis is batting .345 against left-handed pitching this season.
C.J. Cron, 1B: DK: $5,000 / FD: $4,000 – For a time C.J. Cron was the best kept secret. That is no longer the case. The Brewers have Aaron Ashby on the hill who has been beat up the last seven games, posting a 7.14 ERA. Cron, like many Rockies is a much better hitter under the friendly Colorado air. He has struggled over the last two weeks and is due for a breakout game. Colorado has lost four straight and continues to lose ground in the Wild Card. (AGM) All Games Matter. Cron will need to be better. This is a great matchup for him to regain his stroke and get back on track.
Jose Altuve, 2B: DK: $5,000 / FD: $4,100 – There are three second basemen more expensive than Altuve, making this a bargain. Jose is hitting .324 in July – eighty points higher than June. His on base percentage is also up fifty points Month over Month. Altuve’s power drought has dissipated, homering twice in his last three games. The Astros will face A’s starter, Adam Oller, who comes in with an ERA above 8. Oller has been a punching bag throughout the season, whether starting or relief. This is BP for Jose Altuve.
Manny Machado, 3B: DK: $5,500 / FD: $3,900 – Manny Machado excels against a lot of pitchers, but he really excels against Drew Hutchinson, going 5 for 15 with 2 dingers in his career against the Detroit Tigers starting pitcher. With the Padres firmly in the second Wild Card spot in the National League, they have depended heavily on Manny to produce, and he has obliged. With the Tigers twenty games under .500, this is a game the San Diego Padres have to win. Manny will have plenty of opportunities to rack his personal stats this series.
Nico Hoerner, SS: DK: $4,200 / FD: $3,000 – Fresh off a sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies, the Chicago Cubs have something to be excited about. Separating themselves from the Cincinnati Reds at the bottom of the National League Central. The young players are responsible for the recent winning. Hoerner hits 5 – 7 in the lineup, but on Sunday he batted second. Nico is a great contact guy, which is what we look for in low-cost/high upside plays. A guy that makes contact always gives you a chance. Hoerner has struck out 31 times over 284 at bats, a strikeout rate just below 11%. For context, the league’s best hitter, Paul Goldschmidt has struck out in 24% of his plate appearances. Nico Hoerner is the only .300 hitter on the team. He is a great play with minimal risk.
Randy Arozarena, OF: DK: $4,900 / FD: $3,300 –I am a sucker for guys that bat in the first three slots of the batting order, which Randy always does. If all things are equal and I am on the fence – I want the guy that is more likely to get the extra at-bat late in the game. Randy is batting .000 against this pitcher, but it is only over four at bats, so that and two bucks will get you on the bus. Do not buy into one-on-one matchups with tiny sample sizes. Something you should buy into, Arozarena’s increased production away from the Trop. We all know Tropicana Field sucks, but Randy has really taken to that in 2022, posting better metrics across the board away from home. Randy also hits right handers better than lefties. The stars are aligned for a big game.
Adolis Garcia, OF: DK: $4,900 / FD: $3,300 – Garcia comes in fresh off a 4-hit game. He has hit safely in his last six games. Seattle Mariners starter, Chris Flexen has been good but not against Adolis Garcia. In twelve at bats, Garcia has been doing all flexin, hitting .417. A cheap add with a lot of pop. Adolis is streaking, hitting .471 over the last week.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
Apparently, it is raining everywhere today. Keep an eye on Twitter for rain updates, you have been advised.
Doing Lines In Vegas
If I were a betting man, which I am, I would take the Atlanta Braves at -1.5 and the Orioles/Rays over.
