The 32 day party kicked off last night in the Pacific Northwest with many of the Razzb-All-Stars tearing up World Sports Grille. Nick Cappozzi, Guru, Sky and Tehol devirginized the clean streets of Seattle bringing Razzball swagger the size of the Space Needle. The National Football League is kicking off the preseason and if you need any help on that front check out the football side of things. But here at Razzball we got plenty of love to spread around and the baseball season is approaching its climax. As the 32in32in32 tour departs on its journey around the country, King Felix Hernandez is staying put, headlining the after party at Safeco, unofficially sponsored by DraftKings. With the Braves lubricating the equation, the $12,700 Felix Hernandez is primed to be C-blocking. It should be comical watching the Brave swingers strikeout all night. Ladies will likely have better luck at the plate tonight. So far in the 6 game West Coast swing, the Braves have managed just barely more than 2 runs per game and more than 9 Ks per game including facing Eric Stults. Felix is running hot too, with 24 Ks over his last 21 IP while giving up only 3 ER combined against very proficient offenses in the Orioles, Angels and Indians. I’m RSVPing now and ensuring I get Felix in every DraftKings lineup today.
Outside of King Felix, I aim to bring you the coupons of the day. I know you’re aware that Mike Trout is a phenomenal hitter and Jose Abreu is hotter than Kate Upton. I have my recommendations, but the real genius lies in the DFSBot. Rudy’s phenomenal tool cranks out the day’s best value plays and even breaks it down to expected $ per point. As the Ombotsman has proven, the DFSBot has been a much more accurate method of ranking value than Draftkings salaries have been.
New to DraftKings? Scared of feeling like a small fish in a big pond? Well try out this 20 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!
Clayton Kershaw, P: $14,100 – I’m fading Kershaw today. At $1,400 above Felix and facing an offense that is cranking out runs right now I can’t ride with him. No dis on Kersh, but I can’t drink the Cris if there ain’t no caviar.
Jimmy Nelson, P: $6,600 – This is a really nice price tag to help alleviate the blow of the King’s ransom, allowing you to spend nearly $4k per hitter. Big Jimmy is starting to settle in to his big league digs as he’s improved on his last start each time out since being called up last month. He’s facing the Giants who pretty much setup 6 Ks regardless of the pitcher.
Alex Wood, P: $7,000 – Facing off against Felix today is Alex Wood who, among his many talents, throws the ball with his left hand. He’s averaged 10.0 K/9 over his last three starts and faces a Mariners offense who is warming a bit but is extremely LHB heavy. The M’s strike out at a 22.3% quip against southpaws and have the 2nd worst wOBA against them at 0.283 just barely behind the Friars.
Nick Markakis, OF: $3,900 – Markakis is very warm at the moment with 3 multi-hit games in his last 4 and back to back days with a jack. He also has an extremely strong track record against Buehrle with a lifetime line of 20 for 46.
Adam Jones, OF: $4,600 – He mashes lefties and a number of his teammates have great BvP numbers against Buehrle. He’s got lots of ways to put up a big day.
Drew Stubbs, OF: $4,500 – Normally I’d say Stubbs is overpriced here, but this is a classic example of reality not justifying fantasy. Who cares, let’s not wake up from our dream. Stubbs is rockin a 1.036 OPS against LHP and a 1.035 OPS at home. Vegas likes a lot of runs in this game so feel free to load up on Cubs and Rockies alike.
Ben Zobrist, 2B/OF: $4,500 – Since last week when I drooled over Zobrist his salary has increased by $500. It’s clear he’s heating up but he also has BvP on his side with a 6 for 12 line against Hammel who also happens be on the bad end of the lefty-righty split and is pretty much the most hittable pitcher in baseball at the moment. Over his last three starts, Hammel has TOTALED -3.2 points at DraftKings. Yes, totaled, as in adding all three starts together equals negative 3.2.
James Loney, 1B: $3,600 – Loney is so slappy right now trickling singles and doubles all over the yard. He has hit in 9 of his last 10 and is 12 for 39 against the derping Hammel. I’m leaning towards stacking Rays today. Evan Longoria, Matt Joyce and Kevin Kiermaier are all in play here as well.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
As has been the case all year, thunderstorms threaten gameplay from Chicago and heading east to the seaboard. Also chances of showers in Colorado. Too many teams to list. Make sure you check your weather reports leading up to first pitch.
Doing Lines in Vegas
Stackables – BAL @ TOR, TEX @ CHW both sit at 9; CHC @ COL at 10.5.
Pitchers of Sharps – MIA @ PIT at 7 (Hand @ Morton), NYM @ WAS at 7 (Wheeler @ Gonzalez), CIN @ CLE at 7 (Cueto @ Tomlin), LAA @ LAD at 6.5 (Santiago @ Kershaw), ATL @ SEA at 6 (Wood @ Hernandez).
