Several aces take the mound today, but with Clayton Kershaw costing $14K and David Price $12.5K, I’m going to save a few bucks and use Johnny Cueto ($9,900) as my #1 starter. Not only is his price much more reasonable which allows me to buy a few better hitters, but Cueto gets a nice match-up against the Marlins. Cueto has been dominant this season with a 2.04 ERA and a strikeout for every inning pitched. The 28-year-old right-hander is coming off of a complete game against the Indians. He actually faced the Marlins in the previous start, striking out nine while allowing only one earned run and one walk in seven innings pitched. I’d expect similar success again today. The Marlins are in the middle of the pack in terms of wRC+ against right-handed pitching (91) but their strikeout percentage against righties (24.1%) is the worst in baseball.
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Jose Bautista, OF: $4,900
Bautista gets what looks like a tough match-up against David Price, but Joey Bats has actually seen the Tigers’ new left-hander pretty well in his career. In 44 at bats, Bautista is hitting .341/.423/.727 with five home runs against him. The Blue Jays are always a threat to put up some runs at home even with an ace on the bump for the opposing team. I’d avoid throwing Price today and consider starting Bautista in your lineup for under $5K.
Lucas Duda, 1B: $3,700
Duda is probably going to look like hot garbage against Cole Hamels as I write this since he really can’t hit left-handed pitching. However, he has put up good power numbers this year with 20 home runs and 62 runs batted in. He’ll have the platoon advantage against Phils right-hander Kyle Kendrick who struggled against the Mets (4ER) two starts ago.
Austin Jackson, OF: $3,500
This is a nice price for AJax, who has managed a hit in each of his last four games. The Mariners leadoff hitter will have the platoon advantage today against lefty John Danks. In 45 at bats against Danks, Jackson has hit .400/.460/.644 with three home runs.
Jimmy Rollins, SS: $3,800
I can’t get through this post without mentioning a Phillie given it’s Wall of Fame weekend. Zack Wheeler is one of the better young arms in the majors right now, but JRoll has done damage against him already. The veteran shortstop has two homers in just ten at bats against the Mets righty.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
There is a 40% chance of storms for MIA@CIN, SF@KC, and WAS@ATL.
Doing Lines In Vegas (13-13)
With a little over a month left in the season I’m sitting at .500. Let’s try to get in the win column with the under for LAD@MIL (7).
