Welcome back Y’all, I hope everyone enjoyed the All-Star break. I don’t know about you, but I dread the break, then it comes and I’m actually thankful for it. I feel revived and ready for the second half push, but part of me is still on break until today. So now it’s time to shake off that DK rust, take a deep whiff of some Nitro and get this biatch started. If you’re a little confused about the lead, let me help clear it up. The two L’s I’m referring to are Jon Lester, $9,400 vs the Mets and Mike Leake, $8,200 vs the Padres. Lester had a rough end to the first half pitching 6 of his last 7 games on the road and he got absolutely hammered for 8 ER at NYM two weeks ago, so why would I roll with him today? He’s a veteran who got some much needed rest over the break. Granted, he threw one inning at Petco last Tuesday but I think he’ll be extremely under owned across the board with J-Fer, Sale and Kluber all going tonight. Lester has been great at home this year with a 2.32 ERA while striking out 62 batters over 54 innings and the Mets are second to last in runs scored vs LHP. Wrigley Field is just what the doctor ordered for Lester’s recent road ails as he’s due to get back on track vs a depleted Mets lineup. Mike Leake turns into Mike Stopper when July 1st rolls around. There’s just something that happens to him when the calendar turns on June 30th as he goes lights out on the mound. It’s time to own him in daily and RCL, at least for the next 3 weeks. He went into the break on a high note striking out 10 in Milwaukee over 7 innings. He’s got a solid matchup at home tonight against the Padres who probably didn’t got into St. Louis at a cushy 4 AM Central this morning. I’m counting on Sneaky Leaky to put up a solid line of at least 8 K’s while he puts it to a weary San Diego team that’s still in vacation mode.
New to DraftKings? Scared of feeling like a small fish in a big pond? Well reserve your spot in the 25 Team Razzball Exclusive League set to run today to wet your DK whistle. Just remember to sign up through us before you do. It’s how we know you care! If you still feel helpless and lonely, be sure to subscribe to the DFSBot for your daily baseball plays.
Jose Fernandez, SP $13,800 – WOW, what a great matchup against the offensively inept Phillies, but J-Fer just isn’t the same away from the puking unicorn. His home/away splits are eye popping 64.2 ing/1.53 ERA/97 Ks/.183 OBA vs 42.2 ing/4.01 ERA/57 Ks/2.36 OBA. I love watching him every time he takes the bump, but I have a tough time fully endorsing him tonight even with a cush matchup. Roster at your own risk.
Chris Sale, SP $12,200 – He’s the opposite of J-Fer, he loves being on the road. Sale’s had two rough starts in July coughing up 12 ER in just 12 innings, yep you read that right he’s got 9.00 ERA in July. That shizz isn’t going to last, he’s bound to get back on track and he should be just fine in the comfy confines of Safeco tonight.
Brandon Finnegan, SP $5,400 – Here’s another sneaky play I like tonight if you’re going to roll with a top tier starter. Atlanta has had trouble scoring, but even more so against LHP. Finnegan was great to start the year, but the regression fairies have been all over him since mid June. He’s a young guy who definitely benefited from an extra week of rest, feel free to start him with confidence tonight.
Evan Gattis, C $2,900 – He’s got catcher eligibility once again, WOO HOO! David Ross is leading the catcher board tonight at $4,300 and Gattis is at $2,900 is it Bizarro catcher world tonight or what?
Chris Davis, 1B $4,700 – CRUSH! He’s facing Ivan “The HR Server Upper Guy” Nova to go along with that Iconic Yankee short porch. I’m green lighting all of the Baltimore hitters tonight including Pedro Alvarez, Mark Trumbo, J.J. Hardy and Ryan Flaherty.
Albert Pujols, 1B $3,000 – Monday Night DK Discount! The AS Break did the old man some good as he looks primed to go on a second half terror with 2 HRs yesterday. He’s been quietly steady all year and I think yesterday was the start of something big.
Ian Kinsler, 2B $4,700 – This guy went from potential MVP to All Star snub. I think that pissed him off, as he went 6/12 with 2 HRs over the weekend. He’s got an ideal matchup vs Ricky Nolasco tonight, so I say keep on playing with that chip on your shoulder son!
Jed Lowrie, 2B $2,400 – Second base seems to be the most expensive position in DK over the last month and a half. Yeah, there’s some solid 2Bs, but damn I need some relief and Jed’s the man to help with that. He’s 9/26 vs Dallas Keuchel and maybe he gets lucky and gets a wall scrapper tonight.
Logan Forsythe, 2B $5,000 – Just in case you didn’t know Coors is in play and Tampa Bay is facing a lefty, so it should be a high scoring affair as usual.
Danny Valencia, 3B $4,000 – Danny Boy has been quiet for the last month, but he loves LHP and Keuchel has been anything but the Cy Young winner we saw last year.
Nick Castellanos, 3B $4,700 – He’s been the poor mans Arenado and he’s got a solid BVP of 4/14 with 2 HRs vs Nolasco.
Wilmer Flores, 3B $4,400 – Here’s another lefty masher, if you’re not rostering Lester then go ahead and grab Tear Drop.
J.J. Hardy, SS $3,200 – I already mentioned this one above, but in case you needed some reassurance, I’m here for you.
Aledmys Diaz, SS $4,900 – He fell off for a little bit, but he’s back swinging a hot stick collecting hits in 7 of his last 9. He’s facing lefty Christian Friedrich and he’s slashing .298/.479/.826 vs LHP.
Mark Trumbo, OF $5,000 – Let’s Get Ready To TRUMBO!!!! He may not have the short porch in right, but who needs it when your BVP is 10/19 with 3 HRs and 5 RBI.
Giancarlo Stanton, OF $4,900 – His Home Run Derby was unbelievable. I usually hate it when my guys are in the derby, but he makes it look so damn easy that it won’t mess with that hot streak he was riding into the break. Tip of the cap to you Giancarlo for hitting 61 HRs. WOW doesn’t even do it justice.
Mike Aviles, 3B/OF $2,900 – BVP Special 8/14 with a bomb and 2 SBs. If he’s in the line up, then get him on your DK squad.
Randal Grichuk, OF $3,600 – Our last lefty masher with a great matchup. This guy is primed to have a MONSTER second half, he’s got something to prove after getting sent down to the minors.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
Thunderstorms are looming tonight, but nothing too major as everything is below 45%;
Baltimore vs New York Yankees 45%
Miami vs Philadelphia 40%
Atlanta vs Cincinnati 40%
Tampa Bay vs Colorado 33%
San Diego vs St. Louis 17%
Doing Lines In Vegas
J-Fer leads the pack tonight at -200 followed by Leake -175 and Lester -165. TB vs Col are the highest scoring affair with a 12 O/U followed by Min vs Det with a solid 10 O/U.
