Did you know that Rockies starter Chad Bettis is the only major league player in history with the last name Bettis? That means he’s the best Bettis, but he’s also the worst. What a claim to fame. The most famous Bettis of all time is NFL Hall of Famer and former Pittsburgh Steelers beast, Jerome Bettis. Here is something you already know: Chad ain’t Jerome. Hell, Chad doesn’t even play football. Does Chad have a restaurant in the town where he made most of his money? I didn’t think so. Anyway, we are talking about baseball since, you know, this is only Day 3 of the 2016 season. I love early season exploitation and that’s really what this is all about. Chad Bettis is the Colorado Rockies’ number two starter. His career ERA is 5.22. Just ponder that for a couple of moments. Do you see dollar signs yet? This is my first article here at Razzball and I’m happy to be aboard. At the end of the day it’s all about the Benjamin’s, baby. So let’s dog pile on Chad Bettis and kick off the first Tuesday of the season by being ballers and shot-callers. We deserve it.
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Johnny Cueto, SP: $9,600 – Cueto’s first assignment as a Giant will be disposing of the lowly Brewers. Even after showing up for the first three innings of Monday’s game—and Scooter Gennett’s first career home run against a lefty!—the Brewers showed us why they are one of the worst teams in baseball. Cueto struggled last season, but he is getting a fresh start and he couldn’t have asked for a better matchup.
Scott Kazmir, SP: $8,300 – The Padres’ offense is a total joke; much more laughable than Kevin Hart, though that isn’t saying very much. Kazmir draws the only team in the league that would actually start Melvin Upton Jr., let alone give him a job. He’s a fine player to pair with Cueto in cash games.
Shelby Miller, SP: $7,500 – You are always playing with fire when you use a starting pitcher against the Rockies, but this one will be played outside of Coors Field making it a bit more attractive. Miller was able to increase his strikeouts last season (7.5 K/9), but it’s worth noting that his walk rate (3.2) was basically even with the 3.6 number he posted in 2014. He’s a GPP play.
Jonathan Niese, SP: $6,300 – The Pirates gave up hometown hero Neil Walker to acquire Niese, so if he doesn’t pay dividends immediately, the natives will have his head on a platter. Niese has been a bit underrated (3.84 FIP) throughout his career and now he has pitching coach Ray Searage to fix what ails him if he falls off the rails. St. Louis was fifth worst in the league with 397 strikeouts last season against left-handed pitching, so there is definitely some upside here.
Francisco Cervelli, C: $3,100 – For the price, you likely won’t find a better bang for your buck at the catcher position on Tuesday. It doesn’t hurt that Cervelli is 2-for-7 lifetime against Michael Wacha with a grand slam.
Welington Castillo, C: $3,100 – The Rockies will trot out Chad Bettis to the mound on Tuesday night, which says a lot about the state of the team’s pitching staff. Castillo will never hit for average, that doesn’t matter. It’s all about the power!
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B: $5,200 – With pitching reasonably priced on Tuesday, elite bats will be much easier to fit onto rosters in cash games. Goldschmidt is worth a spot in your lineup everyday, but a matchup against Chad Bettis is a dream. Goldschmidt’s career .382 wOBA against right-handers is a must in both cash games and GPPs.
Brandon Belt, 1B: $4,500 – Belt was 3-for-4 with two doubles on Tuesday as he continued his hot hitting from spring training. Brewers’ starter Jimmy Nelson has upside, but this has exploitation written all over it.
Robinson Cano, 2B: $4,600 – Cano hit seven home runs during spring training and another one on Opening Day. At $4,600 against the lowly Martin Perez, Cano might be underpriced. Find a way to get him in your lineup.
Chris Owings, 2B/SS: $3,100 – I’ve long had a secret man crush on Owings and now is the time to find out just how deep my love runs. With AJ Pollock likely out for the year, Owings will see time at middle infield and possibly in the outfield. Also, he faces Chad Bettis and could bat second. Some things are meant to be.
Jean Segura, SS: $3,700 – Can I recommend just one last Diamondback? Why, thank you! Segura is going to lead off in a high-powered offense and should have free range to swipe bags whenever he feels like it. Chad Bettis y’all.
Jose Iglesias, SS: $3,100 – Salary relief is always something that you need no matter what. Iglesias will give you that on Tuesday night, but keep in mind he won’t hit home runs or steal many bases. He did hit .354 against lefties last season and that’s exactly the reason we want to use him.
Adrian Beltre, 3B: $4,200 – The question is, does Beltre still have gas left in the tank? He gets a great BvP matchup against Hisashi Iwakuma on Tuesday, a pitcher he is 11-for-36 (.306) lifetime with three home runs.
Danny Valencia, 3B/OF: $3,200 – You always use Valencia against left-handed pitchers, especially when he provides salary relief. Tuesday night he gets Jose Quintana.
Giancarlo Stanton, OF: $5,100 – Stanton hasn’t played since June 25, 2015. You think he’s ready to unload and drive a ball to South Beach? I do.
J.D. Martinez, OF: $4,200 – Remember when the Astros released J.D. Martinez during spring training in 2014? Oh, the memories. In case you’ve been living under a rock the last two years, Martinez has hit 61 home runs for the Tigers. He doesn’t differentiate between righties and lefties, so start him and wait for the long ball.
Adam Eaton, OF: $3,700 – Eaton had a .367 wOBA last season with 14 homers and 16 steals against right-handeed pitching. He leads off and should get at least five at-bats. This is a recipe for success.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
It’s going to be chilly in Pittsburgh on Tuesday night, but other than that, there are no real weather concerns.
Doing Lines In Vegas
You want some exposure to Arizona, as they are -155 favorites over Colorado. Also, don’t hesitate to use both Seattle and Texas. Along with the Diamondbacks/Rockies game, the Mariners/Rangers game has the highest over/under at 8 ½. Want to be contrarian? Stack the Rays against Aaron Sanchez.
