They call Draft fantasy for the people, and why not? It’s easy as Sunday morning. Sign up at Draft.com, do a quick snake draft of 3, 4, 6 or 10 players, and get a piece of the payouts. Here at Razzball, we recommend using Value-Based Drafting (VBD) to make the most of your roster. Using Rudy’s tools, you can easily sort values and take the projected points for the final player drafted at each position (P, IF, OF) and subtracting from all the players at that position, then re-ranking based on VBD. In other words: Razzball will give you the inside knowledge you need to dominate your DFS opponents.
It’s days like today, when the stable is full of studs, that I’m reminded of one of the great spy movies Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy: “It’s just enough glitter amongst the chickenfeed.” The slate is full of amazing pitchers with warts that create risk. Chris Sale is pitching in Texas, where popups can go for homers. Noah Syndergaard is facing the Rockies, who hit a combined .941 OPS against him. The Ohtani train is still on time, but has hit a few bumps in the road. Even Verlander has had trouble with several of the Diamondbacks. That’s not to say any of these guys couldn’t have a good game, but the man to grab is Max Scherzer. Scherzer is facing the Phillies, who hit him to the tune of a .520 OPS. Mad Max is burning down Fury Road, going 5-0 in his last five starts with 48 Ks in 34 innings. He also gets to pitch at home in Washington, where he is 3-0 with a 1.61 ERA.
New to Draft? Scared of feeling like a small fish in a big pond? Well, be sure to read our content and subscribe to the DFSBot for your daily baseball plays. Just remember to sign up through us before you do. It’s how we know you care!
Chris Archer, SP: Middle – On a day like today, with so much quality pitching, the middle is a relative term. Archer’s surface stats are a bit rough, coming in with a 6.05 ERA. But digging a little deeper, he’s facing a Toronto lineup that has only hit him to a .230 BA with a .690 OPS. That low batting average may get him deeper into the game with more counting stats. Even deeper, he’s giving up an unlucky 38% hit rate this year. His career rate is closer to 32%. It all adds up to a good bet in a larger draft in the middle rounds.
Jake Junis, SP: Late – Want to go way long and take a pitcher in the last few rounds of a deep draft? Junis has already faced the Tigers, today’s opponent, and they hit him to a putrid .174 batting average and .449 OPS.
Jose Altuve, IF: Early – The engine that drives the Astros has a career 1.080 OPS in Arizona, where he gets to go against the Diamondbacks today. He’s facing Matt Koch, a rookie who’s faced only weak offenses so far. Tuve is in for a big day.
Mookie Betts, OF: Early – He’s on a tear, having caught up to and sped by Mike Trout for the league lead in home runs. In fact, he’s also leading in runs scored, slugging, and OPS. He’s first-pick-worthy today, playing in Arlington against the Rangers.
Joey Votto, IF: Middle – Don’t look now but Brian Kenny’s favorite player is heating up, with 4 home runs and a 1.124 OPS over the past two weeks. Votto gets to face the Marlins’ Dan Straily, he of the 9 ERA and 2.50 WHIP, at home today. He’s ranked in the top 5 infielders but worth the reach. It’s a Reds Letter Day for Votto in Cincinnati.
Josh Reddick OF: Middle – He hits well in Arizona (.832 OPS) and gets his lefty bat against RHP Matt Koch. He’s the 9th-ranked outfielder and should be an easy grab in the mid rounds.
Jedd Gyorko, IF: Late – This part-timer should be starting today. In 20 AB against Jon Lester, he has a 1.085 OPS. He also gets to hit at home in St. Louis, where he has a career .815 OPS for the Cardinals. It’s a last-pick play in a larger draft that could bring you a win.
Starling Marte, OF: Late – Marte is in Miller Park against the Brewers, where he has hit a career .841 OPS with 6 home runs and 13 stolen bases. Against Chase Anderson, he has a gaudy 1.362 OPS in 19 at-bats. He’s ranked as the 24th outfielder. Grab him with a late pick and raise the Jolly Roger!
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
Mother nature is trying to muck up our fantasy day. It’s touch and go in New York with the wind blowing in and possible rain for both the Indians at Yankees and Rockies at Mets. That same band of troublesome weather is extending for the Phillies at Nationals and Marlins at Reds. On the other hand, it’s clear and the wind is blowing out in Atlanta for the Giants at the Braves.
Doing Lines in Vegas
Stack ’em, pack ’em and rack ’em: The highest projected runs scored today are 5.52 (Red Sox at Rangers), 5.19 (Astros at Diamondbacks), and 5.09 (Reds vs Miami).
The best and the brightest: The biggest favorites are the Red Sox -250 at Rangers, the Astros – 210 at Diamondbacks, and Nationals -200 vs Phillies.
