Last week it was lefties beating up on Shane Greene, this week we have the Canadian lefty killers, the Toronto Blue Jays. If you read me at all this season you’ve noticed some themes. Mainly the pitching staffs I enjoy picking on most, Texas and Philadelphia. When one of those two waltzes into a home stadium of the highest scoring team in MLB, I get a little excited. The cherry on top is the first starter just so happens to give the platoon advantage to Toronto’s three best hitters. Not only have the Blue Jays scored 70+ more runs than the next best team, but they own the best team OPS (.832) vs. lefties by over 50 points. This is almost too good to be true, a dream matchup that most likely everyone will be on. Do with that info what you will, but you won’t catch me fading Josh Donaldson tonight, even at a lofty $5,800. Whether it be tournament or cash game, Dongaldson and his 1.051 OPS vs. LHP (or .441 wOBA if that’s the language you prefer to speak) this season will find his way into my lineups to pheast on Adam Morgan. You can fade him if you like, but if he goes triple dong, don’t say I didn’t warn you. Let’s see who else I’ll be looking at on tonight’s slate.
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But wait, we ran a 20 man contest last Tuesday and we actually filled it. Wildhorses was the benefactor, riding a Schwarber double dong to victory. Well done, that’s twice now I’ve shouted out Wildhorses. Let’s go for thrice!
Jose Fernandez, SP: $12,700 – J-Fer is probably my favorite pitching target for the second half. I’ve traded for him in every yearly league I can so far and I really like him to finish the year strong. I will be looking his way every time he’s pitching and if he’s at home, I’m going to have a real hard time avoiding him. We all know what he can do. You don’t need me to break him down, he’s your numero uno tonight.
Jaime Garcia, SP: $9,600 – Fresh off the DL usually isn’t a great idea for a starting pitcher. Grey touched on this very fact in his Monday round-up. However, with the Reds in full on sell mode and looking less than wonderful in the process, I’m game as a nice pairing with Fernandez in cash games. Jay Bruce could be traded mid game, who knows. It’s baseball silly and anything not tied down in Cincy could be gone. Attack my friends, attack.
Hisashi Iwakuma, SP: $8,300 – Speaking of pitchers returning from the DL and not doing so hot, Hisashi had some serious rust to shake off his first time out. His current price may still be reflective of his early struggles and his return from the DL dud. However, his last 3 contests, he’s sparkled, giving up only 4 runs in 20.2 IP and striking out 18. That’s more like the Hisashi we all knew and loved last season. Take advantage of the discount while you can, it won’t be around long.
Ubaldo Jimenez, SP: $7,200 – I wouldn’t go any lower in price than Ubaldo tonight and even he scares the crud out of me. The Braves aren’t at all set-up to play by AL rules and Kevin Gausman (while admittedly more talented than Ubaldo) just shut them down nicely. They aren’t a huge strikeout team but let’s face it; this is a bad offense that is getting worse as the trade deadline moves along. For the price, it’s worth the upside that Ubaldo goes 6, gives up 2 runs and Ks 6 or 7.
Matt Wieters, C: $2,600 – If you don’t go with Russell Martin tonight (I would) then you could look to see if Matt Wieters is catching or DHing. Wieters’ price has plummeted because he’s been a total slug the last few weeks. He’s not as a bad as he’s been playing though and with a 3 for 5 performance last night that featured a walk-off HR, he could be snapping out of his funk. If it’s any consolation, I just dropped him in an RCL where I traded FOR him (what was I thinking, trading for catchers), so he’s sure to go completely bonkers from here until the end of the season.
Jose Abreu, 1B: $4,200 – I’ve been rostering Jose pretty steady for the past couple weeks and I’m eagerly awaiting a hot streak. I’m not as high on Abreu as I was to start the season, but I still think the kid can bash baseballs. I’ll take a shot in the friendly confines of Fenway Park against Wade Miley who could go gas can at any moment.
Edwin Encarnacion, 1B: $4,100 – Really though, for $100 less, Edwin vs. Morgan is going to be my guy at first base. Rock the parrot trot.
Kolten Wong, 2B: $3,700 – I hate that my buddy Neil Walker’s price has finally caught up to his production, so once again, we have to go digging for some bargains. When and how did Kolten Wong get this cheap? Hmm, he’s hitting .225 in July, but still, we love Wong! Oh, he launched a grand slam last night too. All aboard, the road back to $4,200 salary will be a quick one.
Joe Panik, 2B: $3,600 – It seems we have a bit of a theme going here with all this talk of pitchers fresh off the DL. Well, another one takes the bump in San Fran tonight as Wily E. Peralta gets the call. I’m betting on Wily needing to shake off some major rust and given his control issues, it could get ugly. I like a SF Giants stack tonight as a contrarian play.
Carlos Santana, 1B/3B: $3,900 – Finding someone other than Donaldson is tough, but I’d roll with Santana vs. Chris Young. Sure, it’s a righty, not Carlos’ favorite, but Young is starting to turn back into a pinata and Santana is ready for a party.
Tyler Saladino, 3B/SS: $2,400 – Saladino’s price reminds me of that 3 week stretch where Billy Burns was $2,400. It’s so hard to get off a guy batting second and producing at this price point. If you’re stacking at all against Miley, you have to include Saladino. Even if you’re not, the salary relief provided is huge.
Chris Young, OF: $3,100 – If you remember all the way back to my opening paragraph, well, that’s great reading comprehension you have there, congratulations. Also though, I mentioned Donaldson and his .441 wOBA vs. LHP. That is good for 6th in the league. The guys in front of him are Trout, Harper, Goldy and Nelson Cruz, you know, 3 MVP candidates and an elite power source. But wait, that’s only four. Well, also above him on that list, in third overall is Krispie with his .475 wOBA vs. LHP. Surprised? Others might be too, so let’s keep him our little secret and hope Martin Perez serves up a meatball for him tonight.
Chris Colabello, 1B/OF: $3,800 – Just a friendly reminder that Adam Morgan is in Toronto and Chris Colabello is hitting over .300 and loves him some lefties.
Brandon Moss, 1B/OF: $3,500 – Moss is our BvP special of the evening. Moss is only 5 for 17 vs. Chris Young in his career, however 4 of those 5 have been Brandongs. They’re bran, they’re good for you, trust me.
Josh Hamilton, OF: $3,800 – I just wanted to note that the Yankees are going with a bullpen start for tonight’s game in order to get Tanaka and company some extra rest. Bullpen start = gas can, so any and all Ranger bats are in play.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
There’s a good deal of weather to keep an eye on tonight. Our stack against Wade Miley could be in trouble as there is some rain in Beantown. Rain is possible in Minnesota as well for the Pirates @ Twins. Finally, there might be enough weather concern in St. Louis that I avoid Jaime, we’ll have to wait and see there.
Doing Lines In Vegas
Felix Doubront and the Blue Jays are the nights biggest favorite, a whopping -230. This has more to do with Morgan than Doubront though. The over/under here is 9 and I wouldn’t touch Doubront with your DFS roster. The highest over/under is the Yankee’s bullpen start vs. the Rangers at 9.5. Get our your lighters, we have ourselves a dumpster fire. On the flip side, 4 games feature a 6.5 over/under tonight: SD@NYM, WAS@MIA, DET@TB, and OAK@LAD. Shields, Syndergaard, J-Fer, Price, and Gray would be your top pitchers of the night.
