If Friday, when I last wrote, was the worst pitching day I had ever seen, this one looks fantastic. Aces abound. Congrats if you recognize the reference from my title (it’d be much easier if you read it in a thick Russian accent). One of my favorite movie scenes from a great movie, Rounders. Classic really, it could be a little overplayed and some may say overrated, but I’m a big fan. It’s an aces full day and so I’m going to skip to fellas I’ll be looking to pair with my aces. Some folks will pay up and pair two aces tonight, it’s a matter of your own personal strategy and risk assessment. Two aces will be more “safe”. Kluber/Syndergaard will probably be amazing. Scherzer/Gray, that would most likely be incredible. However, with a game in Coors and some high priced bats, I’m much more likely to take one lower tier ace (like Syndergaard for instance) and pair him with a cheap upside play, someone such as Mike Foltynewicz. Mike’s point totals throughout May are a bit of a mixed bag, but his strikeouts are not. Starting May 6th his K totals are: 7, 7, 7, 7, 8, 5. San Diego is willing to play along as they rank 3rd in MLB in Ks right now. They’re an all or nothing, HR or strikeout style team a’la the Astros. For $7,200, I’ll take my chances that tonight is a nothing night and the kid can rack up the Ks at home. Let’s look at a couple more value pitchers to pair with our aces.
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But first, a quick trip down memory lane, back to last Tuesday. It may be hazy by now, but there was a Tuesday Razzball Friends & Family league won by DraftKings user, dailyleaguer. Dailyleaguer managed to avoid Noah Syndergaard in Petco and his shellacking and instead took the contrarian play of Ian Kennedy and rode his 8 Ks and the Win to victory. Nicely done sir (or madam), come play today and see if you can defend your Tuesday crown.
Carlos Rodon, SP: $5,700 – Ah, the aforementioned all or nothing Astros. Rodon is obviously risky, but the type of risk we like, with strikeout upside. Rodon allowed 1 run and more importantly didn’t walk a man vs. the Astros last time out. If a team isn’t going to work a walk vs. Rodon his chances for success greatly increase. He’s coming off a 10 K game vs. Texas and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see another double digit affair tonight. Sign me up for double digit Ks at under 6 grand.
Carlos Frias, SP: $4,300 – So sorry, I just brought back some PTSD for some of you. Reliving the Frias 10 ER vs. SD debacle is no doubt a painful memory. A very important part of DFS though is the short memory. I’m even guilty of blacklisting certain players (Joe Kelly, you stink!) but it’s really not a smart thing to do. If the price is right and the matchup is decent, there’s no reason to avoid a guy based on past transgressions. Life’s too short, forgive and forget. Unless of course you give up 8 ER tonight, then you’re dead to me Frias, dead I say! Oh yea, analysis, well, he’s cheap and LA is a huge favorite over Robbie Ray (-156). Frias is practically free and I’m buying.
Nick Hundley, C: $3,200 – The cheapest of the Coors field catchers is an easy pick for a back stop. Cheap and Coors field upside, not much more to ask for in a catcher if you ask me.
Stephen Vogt, C/1B: $3,900 – You can either utilize Vogt to pay up at catcher, or pay down at first base, your choice. Either way is fine by me since he’ll be teeing off on what the regression faires left of Nick Martinez’s carcass. Finally, the real Nick Martinez showed up in Chicago and it was just as ugly as I’d hoped. Attack as usual.
Miguel Cabrera, 1B/3B: $4,600 – Coors field and top 3 hitter in baseball so far, I’m killing it. This is more pointing out his price though. Miggy is currently the same price as Chris Carter and is tied for the 8th most expensive first baseman. I’ll most likely be trying to squeeze Arenado into my 3B spot, so Miggy makes a nice 1B play here. Also of note, in 23 ABs vs Lester, Miggy has 12 hits. That’ll work.
Mark Reynolds, 1B/3B: $3,100 – Mini Donkey in Denver is almost a must play in a tournament. He’s facing a lefty and offers crazy cheap power upside. Power pays the bills in DFS.
Neil Walker, 2B: $3,700 – You had to know Neil would make yet another appearance in my column this Tuesday, with another awful righty on the mound and all. This time Taylor Jungmann, he of the 6.37 ERA in AAA so far, is the target. Do I dare make Walker my “dong of the night” call? Sure, why not. Be sure to publicly ridicule me when I’m wrong though, gotta keep me honest.
Pedro Alvarez, 1B/3B: $3,500 – I’ve already mentioned a couple of 1B/3B players above as well as my lurve for all things Arenado. If you need one more corner man though, why not tag team some lefties on Jungmann. Pop quiz, his AAA ERA this is what? Oh, you cheated and look an inch above this blurb. Cheaters never prosper, but I have a feeling the Pirates will tonight.
Carlos Correa, SS: $4,200 – What gives? This seems like conflicting advice, no? Yes it is, I also mentioned the risk in Rondon’s blurb. This is more about me getting a chance to talk about the fun perk of DFS. Let’s say you’re in a league with THAT guy. You know, the one that snaps up every, single new call-up seconds after the news breaks, or the guy that has had Correa stashed on his bench since mid-April. Well, you can still get a piece of the Correa fun. Maybe Correa hits 2 HRs tonight and steals 2 bags. Instead of listening to THAT guy talk about how the lost bench spot was totally worth it all day tomorrow, you can rebut with, “Ya, I rostered him on DraftKings and won a couple hundred last night, it was awesome.” That should shut him up.
Ben Paulsen, 1B/OF: $3,200 – Cheap Coors field exposure, don’t forget about Paulsen way down the list. Hitting 6th most nights and juuuust missed a HR last night while going 3 for 5 with 3 runs scored. It’s a fantasy points factory over there in Denver.
Alex Guerrero, 3B/OF: $3,100 – I think I might make a double aces lineup tonight, just for kicks, it seems like there’s a plethora of cheap options tonight. Justin Turner has a banged up knee and Alex should see the field vs the lefty. Don Mattingly should do a lot of things he doesn’t though, so watch out for Alberto Callaspo starting at third and Either in the outfield, it’ll happen.
Rajai Davis, OF: $3,400 – Lester’s issues with runners on first is well documented. He’s allowed the second most stolen bases so far with 15 total. If Rajai gets on he might just steal his way home on 2 pitches.
Randal Grichuk / Peter Bourjos, OF: $3,600/$3,500 – Did I mention there was a game in Coors? Matt Holliday left last night’s game with a strained quad which means there will be cheap OFs in the lineup for the Cards. Look at me, bringing this thing full circle back to cards.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
Dare I say we might have a weather-free evening. Only a small chance for a thunderstorm in Atlanta. Really though, I lived down in Georgia for awhile, it’s summer time and there’s a chance for a thunderstorm every day there.
Doing Lines In Vegas
There’s more 7s on the board tonight than on a row of penny slots. That’s the product of all those aces. STL @ COL still clocks in at a 10 and Dan Haren vs. Mark Buehrle isn’t exactly a pitchers duel either with a 9 total. Francisco Liriano and the Pirates are the night’s biggest favorite at -210 and he would make a great pick tonight that may go under the radar with the other big names on the board.
