The title really should have something to do with Dodgerland or Mannywood. Maybe the Best Team That Money Can Buy (Can’t wait for the book to come out Tuesday, by the way)? But I have to include Mike Trout in here, too.
I love Felix Hernandez. I truly do. In my short time living in the great northwest, I understood the appreciation that they have for King Felix. The King’s Court is something you should witness at least once if you are a baseball fan.
But for some reason, Trout has had his number throughout his career. There are three current Angels that are hitting above .200 in their career against Felix Hernandez. Erick Aybar (.220), Albert Pujols (.222) and Mike Trout (.345). It’s no small sample, either. He’s 20-58 against Hernandez with 3 home runs and 12 RBI. He’s the fifth-highest price outfielder behind J.D. Martinez and Andrew McCutchen, which makes sense. However, Cameron Maybin and the injured Giancarlo Stanton both cost more than him. It’s a large enough sample that I feel confident to zig with Trout while others will zag. That’s why after selecting my building block (SPOILER: It’s always a pitcher for me), I knew Trout was the first hitter I was getting in my lineup. Let’s get into it more, shall we?
Straight to the cash, homie.
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Zack Greinke, SP: $11,200 — I’m personally hoping that Max Scherzer starts his game for the Nationals on Sunday so that he doesn’t start the All-Star game for the National League. Zack Greinke has been the best pitcher that no one has talked enough about this year because he only has 7 wins. His ERA is 1.48 and he has a WHIP of 0.89. Even if that doesn’t tell the entire story, his FIP is 2.77, which is still dominant numbers for the veteran. He gets the hapless Phillies, which makes him a must play as the top pitching option.
Jeff Locke, SP: $6,800 — Ready for three facts? 1. The Cardinals are 28th in the league against left-handed pitching this year. 2. Jeff Locke is a former All-Star. 3. Jeff Locke is not a good pitcher. Yes, all three are true, and No. 2 is just fun to look back on. Locke isn’t a good pitcher. We all know this, as when he has been good, it’s been because of the big data baseball implementations by the Pirates. However, the matchup is great for him, and over his past five starts, Locke’s line is 29 IP, 25 H, 8 BB, 21 K, 0 HR, 1 xbh, 1.55 ERA .543 OPS against (h/t to David Todd). Worth the gamble to me.
Yasmani Grandal, C: $4,300 — This is assuming that the Dodgers start him again and don’t go with A.J. Ellis, but why wouldn’t they? Oh yeah, Don Mattingly. Anyway, the All-Star absolutely crushes right-handers this year, and he gets the Phillies Severino Gonzalez, who is starting in place of the recently release Kevin Correia. Grandal won’t be the last Dodger in this lineup.
Todd Frazier, 1B/3B: $4,300 — It makes me sad that I can’t use Jose Fernandez, but I won’t use him in DFS at all this year. I’m hesitant to start anyone against him either, but Joey Votto showed on Tuesday that no one is unhittable. It was a toss-up between Votto and Frazier for me, but I’ll go with the better talent here in hopes that Fernandez will only throw 90 pitches again.
Cesar Hernandez, 2B/SS: $2,900 — He’s the punt play here against Greinke, and he was the last person I put in my lineup as I had only $2,900 remaining. I like the upside, and I’m actually buying into what he’s doing.
Jacob Turner, 2B/3B: $3,800 — Turner should be an All-Star for his performance this year. He’s crushing right-handed pitchers this year, too. I know, surprise surprise since he’s a Dodger.
Troy Tulowitzki, SS: $4,500 — I wasn’t planning on having Tulo in my lineup, but he just kind of fell into my lap. Alex Wood has been better as of late, but it’s still Colorado and a red-hot hitter.
Joc Pederson, OF: $3,900 — Pederson isn’t running as much as we’d like, but there’s no questioning the All-Star’s power. He’s another Dodger I love against Gonzalez.
Andre Ethier, OF: $3,500 — As much as I rip the worst manager in baseball, I will give him credit for saying that Ethier would remain in the lineup when Carl Crawford returns. All 10 of his homers have come against right-handers this year, which makes Ethier a perfect value play.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
There’s a 55 percent chance of rain in Pittsburgh, and a 53 percent chance of rain in Colorado, which have become the norm so far this year. Keep an eye on both, but the forecast for the rest of the slate looks like it should be fine.
Doing Lines In Vegas
It shouldn’t come as a surprise, but the Colorado and Atlanta game is projected to be the high scoring game of the evening with an over/under of 10.5. Being a Coors Field game, good luck trying to stack your Rockies or finding any Braves that you like enough to get in.
