Hop in the way back when machine with me, would you? This machine could take us anywhere in time. We might see dinosaurs, the signing of the Declaration Of Independence, the toppling of the Berlin Wall…nah, sounds boring, let’s go back to 2015 when I wrote about Rubby de la Rosa instead! I’m merely pointing you to my Rubby de la Rosa Fantasy because I want you to realize I might be biased even though I’ll promise you I’m not biased. Editor’s note: he’s biased. Hey wait, I’m my own editor, what is going on!?!?! I’m also pointing you to said article because it had perhaps the most eloquent handy joke you’ll ever read on the internet. No one does crass with class quite like Razzball! But really, I’m telling you the talent is there and we saw it in his last start against the Cardinals where he shut out the redbirds over 7, K’ing 10 while only walking 2. It would be silly to expect those exact same results, but we might be seeing a breakout I’ve been waiting on for a bit. Now not to damper my own post, but I fully note that Rubby’s problems have been versus lefty bats and tonight’s matchup will more than likely face at least four southies which could be daunting. Tack on that Jose Fernandez will be chalkier than pepto bismol, you’re heading against the grain so for me this almost has to be a tourney-only call unless you’re taking both pitchers from this game to protect yourself from the dangers of the world outside the Miami dome. Fair enough if you do, but I think we have some other ways to go than that so let’s move on. Here’s my Han shot first hot taeks for this Wednesday DK slate…
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Drew Smyly, SP: $10,900 – I feel like we’re chasing with Smyly at this point, but then I look around this evening slate and kinda throw up in my mouth a little. It’s decidedly a slate rife with pitching problems and it’s gonna be a hard one to nail down for cash purposes after Jo-Fer. That said, it’s not like The Emoticon has given us a good reason to distrust him up to this point, so just hope for no whammies and roll on. If you wanna go Drew and Jose in cash, I’ll be sure to drop some cheap bats to make that plausible down below.
Mike Fiers, SP: $8,300 – When Fiers is priced above 8K, you know the slate is troublesome. And yet, here we are saying he could be a solid guy to roll with. If you’re rolling with Mike here, you’re hoping for 6 to 7 IP, 4 to 5 K and minimal damage on the run and WHIP side of the world. Given his limit on walks so far this year there’s hope for more, but I doubt he lights the world on Fiers.
Colby Lewis, SP: $7,200 – You know as a team you’ve hit rock-bottom when I suggest playing Colby Lewis against you and that’s exactly where we are against Toronto. I wouldn’t trust in cash here but the Blow Jays are 3rd in K% and 25th in wRC+ over the last seven days and have struggled in general this year period. Of course, if the whole industry goes to sniffing around on this play today and starts talking it up, you know what to do. Colby could get jacked and you’d get all the cheddar by stacking against him. That’s gouda…I’m so sorry for all of this. Maybe I SHOULD have an editor…
Aaron Sanchez, SP: $6,400 – Given his season numbers and his previous start, I’m guessing Aaron gets the nod to play the #2 to Jo-Fer’s #1 in cash today. Though I’m not entirely against the call, just realize you’ll really need to vary your batters because you’re gonna be matching your arms pretty much at 100% today rolling that way. Not to mention, Texas is no slouch on the left side. I’m leery this filthy Sanchez could get dirty in a hurry.
Curt Casali, C: $2,900 – Get used to seeing Rays bats in this write up as I’m going all in on Alex Wood today. Don’t even give his start at home against San Diego another thought. If your K/9 against the Padres this year isn’t 9 or above, you’re not even worthy of a AAA roster. Catching probably doesn’t have many punt options today so look to pay as far down as you can or feel free to go with Brian McCann at the top.
Jose Abreu, 1B: $4,000 – Apparently, bad Buch decided to show up this season. Wish he would’ve told me before I drafted him! I guess it’s a nice parting gift from him from the waiver wire to leave me with a chance to tattoo him in DFS. Abreu is probably gonna have another slow crawl to 30/100 and a .290 average if last year was any indicator. Methinks today is part of that meandering ascent.
Steve Pearce, 1B: $3,100 – What, you thought I was joking about Rays mentions? Might break the record today. Pearce probably hits 4th again after hitting a bomb off a lefty last night. All praise the Rays.
Logan Forsythe, 2B: $4,500 – May the Forsythe be with you.
Derek Dietrich, 2B/3B: $3,200 – If you’re against my Rubby call, first off, it’s ok. We can still TOTALLY be friends. What, I’m not being sarcastic. Or am I? Until they create a sarcasm font, I guess you’ll never know. But to the point, if Rubby struggles tonight, it’s likely because of the lefty bats and Dietrich has been a dandy in his spots so far this year. Plus who out there’s not a fan of double Ds?
Evan Longoria, 3B: $4,400 – Did I stutter?!? It’s admittedly a weird day at 3B with the evening slate. I’m fine with paying up for Josh Donaldson in cash, but I’m not entirely enthused about much else here. Dare I say you could punt 3B today and get away with it? I just might. Stand back, don’t make me do it!
Carlos Correa, SS: $4,600 – Phil Hughes and his well-documented reverse splits could come up in a bad way for him today in the form of Correa, Jose Altuve, and George Springer. I’m officially intrigued by a Houston stack of mostly righty bats to go with Fiers if I’m doing multiple tourney entries on the day.
Danny Santana, SS: $2,300 – Until a guy who bats lead off for his team is at least within sniffing distance of 3K, I’m gonna play him in cash and not look back.
Mark Trumbo, OF: $4,300 – After a double dong night on Tuesday, I highly doubt Trumbo facing a lefty will go unnoticed by the masses. Easy play in cash, easy fade in tourneys, easy on the eyes…wait, who said that?!?
Steven Souza, OF: $3,900 – See you thought I was done but I wasn’t and now you’re surprised and I don’t get why.
Michael Saunders, OF: $3,600 – Rogers Center, or ‘Centre’ for those who speak Canadian, isn’t the friendliest home for lefty bashers, but Lewis’ main weakness is southpaw bats. Saunders should get enough opportunities to see if it pans out for him.
Odubel Herrera, OF: $3,600 – More than likely a large cash play for me today given his ability to fill the stat sheet as he can hit for power, gives speed, and can take a walk. Given Leake’s persistent problems with lefties, I’m mixing metaphors as I go up to the line of scrimmage to call and Odubel. Touchdown! That’s two walks and a run scored in DFS baseball. Extra point doesn’t count, silly, the NFL has been telling you that for a while.
Nomar Mazara, OF: $3,000 – Since my friend in my keeper league listened to me this off-season and bought into Mazara, this is the only way I can roster him this year and I am sad…and a little miffed…and kinda hungry…and a bit gassy. I know, not much of that matters for our purposes so fact is, Sanchez hasn’t been so great against lefties. If I’m stacking to kill the chalk callers today, I’m going with plenty of lefty Rangers bats. Feel free to roll with either Prince Fielder or Mitch Moreland at first if you feel the same way and some Rougned Odor at 2B for good measure.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
Could be a little wet and wild across the industry today. For you early slate players, CINvsSF looks a little shaky. It could be the game gets in, but keep in mind there’s to be buckets of water dumped there today. The NYMvsATL tilt could feature some late showers that cause a delay or shorten the game. I’d still roll with Steven Matz here, though…that matchup is too damn good. CLEvsDET also looks a bit worrisome as well as rain seems be popping all around there. As always, be sure to check twitter for some DFS weather updates from those sources you trust. Thankfully our evening slate is either domed or bone dry.
Doing Lines In Vegas
Vegas is fully in for the MIAvsARZ game to be a pitcher’s go as they’ve moved the run line down a half to 7 while giving Jo-Fer a cushy but not overwhelming -180 for the day. If that line moves anywhere near -150 or -160 for the day, I’ll consider Rubby in cash. Meanwhile, after Vegas saw Jose Quintana hold the Red Sox to one run over 8 IP yesterday, it changed it’s tune ever so slightly from -115 to Clay to -115 for Rodon. The O/U is still 8.5 but so far this year, Boston has struggled against lefties. Carlos Rodon makes an interesting tourney get if that line grows in his favor in further. Of course, Aaron Sanchez sitting at -180 himself is a clear sign this pitching slate is looking for a hero today and might not find one. The other high favs for today are Fiers and Leake at -170 apiece and Smyly sitting at -160. I expect a line shift on Leake as the day moves on and won’t be going anywhere near him in any format. If you’re looking for where the wild runs are, we have BALvsNYY given a half run bump up to 9 to join TORvsTEX as the offensive table setters for the night. HOUvsMIN features a half run bump up to 8.5 but the opening line for Fiers went from -125 to -170. Only way I move off him is if I see that begin to regress over the course of the day.
