The best way for a starting pitcher to get points in daily fantasy is to get a win a rack up strikeouts. Okay, so find a bad team who strikes out a ton. The Milwaukee Brewers are just that team! They have a 25.6% strikeout rate against RHP, and have won only 3 of their last 13 games. The Brewers also have the 5th lowest wRC+ in the league against RHP at 86. Today, Felix Hernandez get to pitch against theses lowly Brewers. Felix has always enjoyed pitching at Safeco Field. When pitching at home this season, opposing hitters have only managed a .282 wOBA and he owns a 3.34 ERA. Throughout his career, opposing hitters again have a .282 wOBA and his ERA sits slightly lower at 3.08. King Felix has 8 strikeouts in 3 of his past 4 starts. In these 4 starts he has averaged 23 fantasy points. And with that, here are the rest of my Saturday DFS picks…
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Luke Weaver, SP: $4,100 – He was far from spectacular in his debut, but today gets to face off against Philly. Weaver had over a 10 K/9 in AA, so he has the ability to strike out batters. The only question is whether he can do it to major league batters. Philly is team he should be able to do that against. The Phillies, currently have a 21.7 K% and a wRC+ of 82. Weaver should have nothing to fear when on the mound.
Brian McCann, C: $3,300 – Don’t I mean the new Yankees catcher? No! While everyone is going bananas over Gary Sanchez, Bald Brian should be low owned today. If he can find his way into the lineup, expect him to do damage. In 65 career at bats vs Nolasco, McCann is batting .323 with a 1.107 OPS.
Billy Butler, 1B: $3,100 – I know that not everyone is on board with BvP stats, but Butler is batting .378 with an OPS of 1.109 in 45 AB vs Sale. Aside from BvP, Butler has been hot this summer. Since July 1, Bulter has been batting .341 with a .895 OPS. I love players who are cheap and likely to be low owned.
Robinson Cano, 2B: $4,700 – There are plenty of second basemen today to choose from. Cano lands himself at the 12th most expensive. He gets to face off against Wily Peralta and should be one of the days top plays at the position.
Manny Machado, 3B/SS: $4,800 – Manny has hit homers in the first 2 games of this series. With Mike Fiers on the mound, it shouldn’t be too hard to keep it going.
Anthony Rendon, 3B: $4,200 – Tyrell Jenkins gave up 7 runs in his last start against the Nationals, and I don’t expect todays outing to go much better. Jenkins has had more walks than strikeouts in his first season in the majors, and his xFIP sits over 6.00. In their last matchup, Rendon went yard and had 20 fantasy points.
Mookie Betts, OF: $5,300 – Mookie is averaging 11.2 fantasy points per game…this season! Gary Sanches has 5 HR in his first 13 games and is only averaging 11. Mookie has played 117 games and is averaging 11.2. That more than Altuve (10.9), Trout (10.3), and Bryant(10.3).
Melky Cabrera, OF: $4,000 – Lefty Ross Detwiler has gave it up to RHB in his career. In 400 IP, righties have a .354 wOBA. Melky doesn’t walk often, but he also doesn’t strike out much. He has been successful putting that bat on the ball. He’s batting nearly .300 and is doing that from the 2nd and 3rd spot in the lineup.
Seth Smith, OF: $3,200 – Looking for power, but can’t afford todays top dogs … look no further than Seth Smith. Avoid him in cash games, but get him in there for tournaments. The Mariners should do serious damage on Wily Peralta today.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
If you plan to use Mookie today, check the weather reports before game time. Things are not looking good in Detroit, which may lead to some delays between the Tigers and Red Sox. The Dodgers and Reds games also has a storm potential over 50%, and the second half of the Indians and Blue Jays game may have thunderstorms. As always, check the twitter updates for up to the minute reports.
Doing Lines In Vegas
With Max, Felix, and Sale on the mound, there are large favorites today. Max and the Nationals top off the bunch at -250. Felix and the Mariners are right behind at -220, followed by Sale and the White Sox at -210. Baseball in Coors means runs! CHC/COL have a total of 12. LAD/CIN and BAL/HOU are also predicted to be high scoring with totals of 9.5. Don’t worry there are more runs to go around … STL/PHI, BOS/DET, MIN/KC, and NYY/LAA all have totals of 9. If you are laying off the Coors game, there are plenty of other games to find you runs.
