I’m back for another Saturday as Mitch Staniger finishes off his vacation. There will be no Seattle lede today as I’ll be avoiding Robbie Ray in his #revenge-game, but if you like to take a stroll down narrative street, by all means. I’m going super boring today and recommending the top pitcher on the slate, Brandon Woodruff ($10,000). Woodruff takes on the Pirates who rank 28th in team OPS and have the third most strikeouts in the league. They are almost as easy a target as the A’s…almost. Woodruff is at home and is coming off six scoreless innings in Pittsburgh the last time out where he gave up zero runs and six hits. This is a no-brainer, we can get cute elsewhere.
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Framber Valdez, SP: $9,700 – Ah, yes, the A’s, in Oakland. This was the target of my Kirby lede last week and Valdez gets a nod here for the same reasons. Should be an easy win and a handful of Ks. If you’d prefer to save some dough, Carlos Carrasco is $7,500 and gets the Marlins.
Hunter Greene, SP: $7,800 – Now we can get cute with Greene and this is why DFS can be more fun than season-long. Greene in season long is brutal with that 6 ERA, but those Ks are luscious. So, which Greene will we get? I have no idea, but Greene has the strikeout upside that if he hits, could lead you to the top of the leaderboard and those sweet green screens.
Carson Kelly, C: $2,600 – There are many ways to go with catcher today, but I’m opting to save some dough and pay up for Woodruff, so here we are. I’d also be happy with a Braves catcher here if the money works out. Kelly vs. Freeland is fine by me as I expect the snakes to do some hitting.
Josh Naylor, 1B: $4,200 – Jonathan Heasley and his 5.31 FIP strikes fear in exactly no one and Naylor batting clean-up should feast. Naylor was scratched with a back issue last night, so keep an eye on the lineup today. If he’s out a pivot to DFS favorite, Vinnie Pasquantino will work nicely.
Andres Gimenez, 2B: $4,000 – I don’t want to write up every Guardian bat today, but this match-up vs Heasley is tasty. Gimenez has been on a tear and the price doesn’t really check out here. He’s priced lower than Jonathan Villar for crying out loud.
J.D. Davis, 3B/OF: $2,300 – Strictly a money play, J.D. has become my first-look cheap 3B lately and he’ll have the platoon advantage on Braxton Garrett today.
Jeremy Pena, SS: $4,700 – Pena has been out for health and safety protocols for the last two days. I’m not really sure what that means, so make sure he’s in there today before deploying him against either Zach Logue with his 6.43 FIP or Jared Koenig and his 6.44 FIP. Both sound like you’re trying to remove something from your throat and both are likely to get clobbered by the Astros. Apply liberally.
Ronald Acuna Jr., OF: $6,100 – Corbin seems to have something going, and by that, I just mean, he hasn’t given up more than four runs in a month+. Do we think he’s fixed? Nah, vs. ATL seems like the perfect time for a Corbin special, AKA, 2 IP, 8 ER.
Jordan Luplow, OF: $2,800 – Luplow lives to face mediocre lefties, enter Kyle Freeland. Luplow and his career .895 OPS vs lefties (vs. just .637 vs righties) is currently drooling.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
There’s a chance for some rain in Baltimore, so watch out there. I didn’t love much in that game, but I wouldn’t quibble with Ohtani in Camden.
Doing Lines In Vegas
Woodruff (-244) and Wright (-233) are the big favorites on the day. I could see going with Wright for his chances of a win, but I think his strikeout upside is limited. That game also features the highest over/under on the day with 9.5 runs. Though, I think 8 of those will against Corbin.
