With 11 of the 15 games pegged for the early contests on DraftKings, it’s a weird day to be a DFS baseball player, but a damn proud day to be an American. Thousands of men and women died for our freedom; so first and foremost, honor those brave souls any way you can, because without them, we wouldn’t be “enjoying” the daily grinds and the sweats (amongst many other [more important] things). Quit ogling the X-Men for one second and embrace the real heroes.
Now, back to the unique Memorial Day schedule – for the sake of not wasting research cycles, and in honor of my right to a Sunday Fun Day, this column will focus solely on the nighttime four-game set (i.e. the late games). To stand out in GPPs with such limited selection, it will take some creativity and a diamond in the rough or two, but let’s see what advantages we can find in just eight lineup cards. Of course, in-house tools like Hitter-Tron, Steam-o-Nator, and DFSBot are also here to help too. Oh, and on a random side note – why doesn’t Mike Olt change to #45? Olt 45 – it works every time. Billy Dee would be proud. Someone pass this along to Olt 45 – he can thank me later.
Tyson Ross, SP ($10,500) – Johnny Cueto ($12,400) and (more so) Yordano Ventura ($9,700) are the flashier names available, and for that reason, I will probably fade them. Ross looks legit, sporting a solid 8.49 K/9, and he hasn’t allowed more than one ER in a start since April 28. Arizona has also whiffed the eighth-most times versus RHP.
Drew Hutchison, SP ($9,000) – The Rays are in a huge rut, batting .211 as a team over the last week while averaging 2.6 runs per game. Factor in that Hutchison has looked sharp in his last two outings (one ER in 14.2 IP), should have a decent amount of run support, and what we have is a pitcher who’s probably worth paying for.
Hyun-Jin Ryu, SP ($9,100) – Ryu hadouken-ed his way to nine K in his first start back from the DL. Cincy ranks 27th in OPS against LHP (.656). Add those two things up and you probably get a pretty popular pitching play, which is a must IMO. I pray that’s not a popular mind set, but I’m not holding out hope.
Jason Castro, C ($3,900) – The force is strong with this one, but lately he’s looked like a Jedi without a mentor. Still, the power is there and RHP is always favorable in his regard. I also doubt Castro will be a popular play – I see Devin Mesoraco and Miguel Montero getting more run.
Yonder Alonso, 1B ($3,700) – I was an English major, but based on my math, Alonso’s been good for an RBI in one of every four career AB at Chase Field, where he’s also a career .338 hitter (68 AB). He also has a three-year OBP of .363 against RHP, so I’m on board at this price.
Danny Valencia, 2B/3B ($3,000) – 2B seems like the position to punt tonight, and why not waste it on a middling real-life 3B that occasionally flashes signs of power? Ideally you’d like to see Valencia against some LHP, but we take what we can get. He’s been utilized in the sixth spot in recent games and has been on base in seven straight. I double dare you to find another two-bagger at a comparable price/spot. F it, I’ll just take the physical challenge.
Chris Owings, SS ($3,500) – Owings usually winds up in the fetal position when hitting on the road (.165 AVG), but he’s always of interest when digging into the box in the desert (.388 AVG).
Billy Hamilton, SS/OF ($4,100) – Let’s get faded, son. Avoid Billy whenever against LHP, where he has a measly .263 OBP. No dice!
Brett Lawrie, 3B ($3,600) – Lawrie looks lost on the road, but that won’t be an issue tonight. Erik Bedard gives up the good wood to right-handed hitters when away from home (29.2 LD%), and this should be a pivotal piece of any Blue Jays stack.
Jose Bautista. OF ($5,700) – Hands down, this has to be the “pony up” play of the night in the outfield. Joey Bats has an OPS of 1.404 against LHP – let’s get Bedarded in here.
Wil Myers, OF ($3,500) – Death has become you in seasonal formats (thus far) with Myers but he’s no hoser in Canada, eh. The slumping sophomore is 9-for-18 in his career at Rogers Centre with five XBH. Furthermore, forget the past and the future – focus on the present – he has talent and is dirt cheap. Done.
Kevin Pillar, OF ($2,200) – He’s no lock to start, but you think Pillar would get the nod because he’s 6-for-13 against LHP this season. Kid’s got wheels too – over 80 SB in the minors between the 2012 and 2013 season. Do you sense a theme of Jays stacking yet (if you can)?
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
There are domes in play in half these games, and I wouldn’t sweat the two hours of 30% rain in KC, so crack another beer.
Doing Lines In Vegas (4-4 overall)
Let’s get above .500 – under in HOU/KC (7) and under in SD/ARZ (8.5)
