Every time I hear Nate Eovaldi‘s name I think about the delicious Italian staple the Extra Virgin Olive Oil. I also think of Rachel Ray and her sick obsession for the stuff. Seriously, that woman puts it in everything. But thank goodness this isn’t about her and I’ve probably already turned some of you off and you’re heading back over to Grey’s with all the other cool kids….Hi De Nacho Favre! Speaking of De Nacho, in the FCL I was commenting how I’m glad I drove a Honda but I’ll never do it again. It was boring, like listening to Air Supply for the rest of your life. I like power at my feet, I haven’t owned a car that wasn’t a V8 in years. Now why am I telling you this nonsense and how does it relate to EVOO? Dude is not boring! He’s damn exciting to watch, makes playing all this worth it. He went undrafted all over the place back in March but has been one of the best adds all season. The returns on him has given his owners a 2.86 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 8.58 K/9, 1.79 BB/9, a realistic LOB rate, and a very solid 3.16 xFIP. He also throws really friggin’ hard with an average velocity of 95.7 on his four seam and 96.1 on his 2 seam fastballs. I also dropped him in one league a couple of weeks back. I’ll be honest, I thought he was good but I’ve been waiting for the regression fairies to show up. They’re late to the party. I see him as this year’s Patrick Corbin, a great start but will die a slow death after the All Star break. The only saving grace is the velocity. He throws hard and that is always a plus. In case some of you have forgot, he was the centerpiece of the Hanley Ramirez to the Dodgers deal. The Marlin’s know their talent. Ok, enough back story blah blah blah. He gets the Giants today at the their nice cushy ballpark. The Giants are the 11th worst team in MLB for K rate and have a couple of their bats banged up. Brandon Belt is on the DL, Pablo Sandoval is hurt and Hunter Pence has been stuck at the light switch all season. Nothing really scary there. We could say Michael Morse is playing and hitting but I say he’s playing and looking ready to hit the DL. I have May 23rd on my Morse injury pool. *crosses fingers* Bottom line is he’s my favorite pitcher of the day and anytime Matt Cain takes the hill the Giants lose. Stream-o-Nator likes Cain better and has Eovaldi 6th on the day. I say Stream has been partying too much with Hitter-Tron. I’m playing him in DraftKings contests today and if you did too then let’s take a moment to hold hands over the internet.
Chase Whitley, SP: $6,500 – Talk about a shot in the dark for me today. It’s slim pickings day and we get a guy who has toiled in AAA the past two seasons as a reliever. Today he gets his chance to shine as a starter for the New York Yankees. To date he has produced a K-rate of 10.94 but his walk rate, 2.39, leaves a lot to be desired. He gets the free swinging Mets, 7th worst K-rate, so it could be a case of they have never seen him before and are in the mood to play windmill. You can also take this another way if you don’t like this play and stack against the kid.
Wie-Yen Chen, SP: $ 7,400 – Hopefully DraftKings updates this one today. As I wrote this he wasn’t listed yet but when they do he should be gobbled up. The Royals have been hitting like the Royals we have known in the past, i.e. not well. Chen has been solid of late not giving up over three runs since 4/8 and with the O’s offense behind him should keep the Royals bats in check. The K’s should be around 5 and a W is a strong possibility.
Yan Gomes, C: $3,700 – a reasonably priced catcher who can park it over the fence in the Rocket Center that gets to face J.A. Happ…..enough said. Do you know what J.A. stands for – Just Awful. Stack Attack!
Juan Francisco, 1B/3B: $4,100 – Juan the Dong Machine has been on absolute fire in May. Blasting 4 HR’s and batting .325 he looks like the next great Blue Jays power hitting reclamation project. The price is nice and Danny Salazar has been not good and not going deep into games.
Yangervis Solarte, 2B/3B: $4,300 – The pool of 2nd baseman looks like the kiddy pool in a suburban backyard. It’s shallow yo. I’m going with the hot hitting Solarte and hoping it carries over today. Ride the Schmotato train as long as it’s chugging along. He hit a home run yesterday, his 3rd in the last week, and has hit safely since May 3rd.
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS: $4,600 – There are cheaper options but it’s a lot of blah. I’m stacking some Indians vs. Happ and this is one I’m paying for. After a slow start he’s started to show some life lately batting .440 with 2 HR’s over the last week.
Collin Cowgill, OF: $3,500 – He faces Eric Bedard who’s actually pretty decent this year. Besides two bad outings, he’s posted zeros or one’s in the rest of his games. So why like this matchup J-Foh? Because Bedard was almost bumped due to a sore pectoral muscle and might be pitching a little hurt. According to Fangraphs ranks, the Angels are the top hitting team in baseball….cust kayin’. The Angels could end up being a sneaky stack today. The game is in SoCal and it was in the high 90’s yesterday so that ball is going to carry. I got a fever and the only prescription is more Cowgill!
Wil Myers, OF: $3,800 – This is my wildcard pick. Never know what Wil the Kill your Expectations will do. He’s got gobs of talent and he’s making me look like a jerk for drafting him high in the writers league. For his low price tag and the off day options I’m buying…Are you?
Adam Jones, OF: $4,600 – Don’t look at the earlier match up versus Yordano Ventura. I give Mr. Jones a free pass for his earlier AB’s vs. Ventura (0-4 with 2 K’s) but as they say: Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. This is the O’s second time facing Ventura and it usually doesn’t go as well the second time around.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
Oh no they have rain in Torono! Wait they have a roof so it’s cool. Continue stacking. St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Minnesota all have some rain in the forecast. Keep watch or ask me in the comments if you can’t find the weather status. If need be we can find you another play. I’m here for you all. There is a strong wind blowing out to right in Milwaukee so if the roof is open then some dongs may drop
Doing Lines in Vegas
CLE @ TOR at 9 1/2 – Vegas agrees with my stack attack. I should be working for them. I can stand around and point out the obvious for the bookmakers. Nice one Vinny, yo Pauly that’s on point, Guido is on fire, no guys Guido is really on fire, get the extinguisher. Why is my cliche of Vegas that the Italian mob still runs it? I think I’ve watched Casino too many times. Speaking of Vegas I need to go book me a room at the Sands.
TB @ LAA at 8 – I have a hunch that this one will go past the over. And when I mention my hunch it really is a hunch and it has a mouth that tells me what to do. The other kids used to make fun of it, but the joke’s on them, I work for Razzball now.
