Does anyone else feel like the baseball season ended two weeks ago? Then again I’m in Boston, baseball season ended around the 4th of July this year. So maybe I’m not the best judge of these things. I am a pretty awesome wet t-shirt contest judge, though, just in case you know anyone looking. It doesn’t have to be a large contest either. I’m more than happy to work with single participant contests. I also own a hose and have a sprinkler head with several settings. It might even be 6 or 7 settings! Just an FYI, and now you know, and as G.I. Joe said in their PSA’s back in my childhood, knowing is half the battle. Those little men were indeed American heroes. It’s good to have heroes and everyday on DraftKings I pick a new one amongst the fray of pitching options. Sometimes my heroes let me down, much like 90% of the Minnesota Vikings fans under the age of 70. Other times they step up and fight for whats right, and by whats right I mean making me money. (Enter Collin McHugh on a bad ass Harley kicking up dust) Damn, Collin McHugh ($9,700) is baseball’s Anti-Hero, just riding Harley’s and going over jumps while he smokes Lucky Strike non-filters. BTW kids, if you’re ever wondering what the most bad ass Cigarettes are, it’s forever Lucky Strike non-filters. Your Grandfather smoked them in his foxhole at the Battle of the Bulge and so should you! In all seriousness, though, McHugh has been awesome this season and it’s not smoke and mirrors either. He’s supported his 2.66 ERA with a 3.07 FIP and a xFIP 3.13. Pair those numbers up with a 9.14 K/9 and an ERA of 1.50 in August and September and you got a Turnip! Yeah that’s not what I meant to say. I think my calculator is a bigot and obviously doesn’t like Irish people. What I really meant to say is that he’s an Ace….maybe even a Masta Ace? With a matchup against the Seattle Mariners at home I think he’s a great buy in all DraftKings formats. So pour yourself a shot of Jameson and give this Mick some run.
New to DraftKings? Scared of feeling like a small fish in a big pond? Well try out this 10 teamer of Razzball writers and friends 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 check theDFSBot for your daily baseball plays.
Lance Lynn, SP: $9,500 – Anyone else think Lynn’s having a very nice season very quietly? He has an ERA of 2.68 and I feel like he’s an afterthought. Well anyway he gets the Reds and their .294 wOBA at home today. The Reds are actually the second worst offense in baseball behind the generous Padres, and the Padres shouldn’t count. The Reds have also been the 7th most whiff happy team over the last couple of weeks dropping a 23% K% like it’s hot. The truth it’s not hot, it’s black ice cold.
Rick Porcello, SP: $7,400 – I’m sort of on the fence with Porcello today. I love the price of $7,400 for a player who always has a good chance at giving you 7 quality innings and a big W, but he’s got a happy meal sized portion K/9 of 5.55. K’s are king on DraftKings and Ricky’s low K/9 coupled with his matchup against the Royals, a team that strikeouts less than any team in baseball, severely limits his upside. I plan on rolling him out in a couple of GPP’s but I’d stay away in head to heads of tournament play. Cust kayin.
Masahiro Tanaka, SP: $10,500 – He’s on a 70-75 pitch limit today. If you pay $10,500 for him you’re out of your mind.
Ryan Vogelsong, SP: $7,000 – This is a 100% GPP play here. I’m under zero delusions about who Vogelsong is and in no way do I think he’s a good pitcher. He does get the Padres at Petco today and only costs $7K. Seems like a risk worth taking to me, plus he’s got a great chance at getting the W with the Giants new found offense behind him. He also wouldn’t look to shabby paired up with Corey Kluber, who’s price is steep at $12,300.
Yasmani Grandal, C: $3,500 – Yeah so I just trashed the Padres offense and told you to start Ryan “Freaking” Vogelsong and now I’m telling you to start a Padres hitter. I know doesn’t make much sense. Keep in mind these articles are simply filled with good buys and suggestions not an actual lineup. With the disclaimer out of the way now, I have to say I love Grandal today. He only costs $3,500 and has been on a bit of a tear of late, slugging his way to a .412 wOBA and a wRC+ of 170 over the last couple of weeks. He’s been the best hitting catcher in the game not named Buster Posey or Russell Martin in that time frame. Oh yeah and those two guys cost about $1,000 more than he does.
Eric Hosmer, 1B: $3,800 – Let’s be clear: I am not a Hosmer fan in any way, shape, or form. In fact I loathe the guy as a player, and to go a step further his weird upward slanting eyebrows make me question his character too. It’s the last week of the season and I’ve had way over 200+ DraftKings lineups this season, and I can say that today is the first time I’ve bought Hosmer. Here’s the thing, I’m looking for a lower cost first baseman with upside today and Hosmer is the guy. He does have a wOBA of .403 over the last couple of weeks to go along with two homers, so there’s that. Sure, he’s not the most exciting play but he should get the job done.
Scooter Gennett, 2B: $3,000 – Two things going on here, 1. the outrageously low price 2. he’s facin a lefty. It’s funny at one point this summer it seemed like Scooter was the best Two sacker in daily fantasy, and a staple in my lineup. But over the last few months his star has faded, and now he costs $3,000. Sweet! I’ll take it, and he faces Vance Worley, who sounds much scarier than he is. Am I wrong? Vance Worley vampire hunter. Vance Worley lumberjack vigilante. Vance Worley accountant. You get the point.
Jordy Mercer, SS: $3,800 – He’s sort of been a solid under the radar play in daily leagues the second half of this year. He’s hit .284, with a .346 wOBA, a wRC+ of 123, and 5 homers. An all-star he is not but a solid middle infield option he is. The Bucs also get to face Wily Peralta and he’s been known to make hitters dreams come true. Full disclosure, Mercer is 1/10 off Wily lifetime but it only takes one good game to turn that around. Could it be today?
J.D. Martinez, OF: $4,900 – Okay I’m going to go ahead and get it out of the way. DONG OF THE DAY! Martinez has been straight fire the last couple of weeks. Just look at this stat line .539 wOBA, 4 homers, 13 RBI’s and a OPS of 1.304. Yes you read that last number right 1.304. Sign me up! He also faces Jeremy Guthrie a man know for his sneaker collections and his propensity for the long ball. The man likes long balls, what can I say.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
A few games with chances of showers today in Pittsburgh (40%), Chicago (30%), and Colorado (30%). Fortunately nothing at or above the dreaded 50% mark.
Doing Lines In Vegas
Philadelphia @ Oakland – 7.5 – Over
NY Mets @ Oakland – 6.5 – Over
Seattle @ Houston – 7.5 – Under
Arizona @ Colorado – 10.5 – Under
Washington @ Miami – 7 – Over
HipHop Sunday – Smokey’s Picks
I’m feeling lazy today so I had fellow Razzball writer and lowlife Chelsea fan Smokey make my picks for me. Doode’s got some real solid picks here enjoy!
Grand Puba – 360 (What Goes Around)
Public Enemy – Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos
Gza – 4th Chamber F/ Killah Priest, Ghost Face Killah, & Rza
Gang Starr – Code Of The Streets
*Bonus Tracks from Ralph*
Here’s a little shameless promotion for two of my good friends from college. Believe it or not I was in a group with these two guys. Their name is DirtyDurdie and they’ve been voted one of the top HipHop groups in Providence, RI for the past few years. If you don’t know much about the PVD, trust me it’s the best HipHop scene in the Northeast outside NYC. Enjoy!
As always, be sure to check the lineups, give a look at the weather and I toast your team with slightly chilled Manischewitz
Follow me on Twitter @ralphlifshitzbb or challenge me on DraftKings @ Puigroast
