Who misses Making the Band? I know I do. For the uninitiated and unhip (not really) of the early-aughts, it was a reality show about Puffy (or Diddy … or whatever he went by back then) and his never-ending quest to form the world’s greatest rap group. It was an epic failure on the music front, but damn, it was good TV. It also spawned one of the greatest Chappelle’s Show skits of all time. How does this relate to baseball? It doesn’t, but the title makes me giggle and should serve as a reminder to fade Zack Greinke against the Brewers tonight. The price is steep ($10,400), and he just hasn’t been that good lately. He’s also surrendered 9 ER in 10 IP versus his former crew, so I’m shutting down the studio on Zack Attack (bonus points if you get that reference). Now, let me spit hot fire about who I like tonight.
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Zack Wheeler, SP: $8,500 – His high-level stats aren’t all that, but Wheeler’s 8.66 K/9 will work well with the Cubs, who have the third-highest K% in baseball (23.0). Unless you’re a fan of the Mets (poor bastard), it’s been hard to pay attention to them, but Wheeler’s been lights out lately, sporting a 4-0 record with a 1.93 ERA since 6/30.
Alex Wood, SP: $7,500 – Outside of a couple semi-implosions in July, Wood hasn’t allowed more than 3 ER since late April. Yeah, he was removed from the rotation for a while, but I don’t care, that stat sounds too good. You can’t spell DK without the K, and that’s what it’s all about with SP on DK, mmmkay? Wood whiffed 12 batters his last time out, and with only 3 ER allowed in the last 20 IP, he’s spinning the ball like … umm … I wish I could name a famous DJ (not my thing). Oakland can intimidate on offense, but it’s not working here, as they’ve failed to score more than 3 runs in 4 of their last 6 road games.
Yan Gomes, C: $3,900 – This is the most I’ve spent on C in a while (you’ve changed, Caleb Joseph!), but while everyone splurges on Devin Mesoraco, I’ll be cutting costs with Gomes. He holds a 1.090 OPS at home versus LHP and has hit safely in 9 of the last 10 games.
Matt Adams, 1B: $3,400 – Here’s someone that loves him some home cooking. Alright alright, he loves all cooking. But Adams has a .430 wOBA against RHP at Busch, and I don’t fear Tyson Ross as much on the road. Some may say Adams has been slumping, but I’ve witnessed some hard-luck outs lately, and someone in the gallery will be yelling mashed potatoes tonight.
Jedd Gyorko, 2B/3B: $3,200 – That’s right, the jerk store is open! Since he made his return from Sucksville, USA on 7/28, Gyorko is hitting .311 with a .377 wOBA. He’s on the right side of the platoon in St. Louis tonight, and you won’t find another cleanup hitter cheaper than this.
Todd Frazier, 1B/3B: $4,800 – Uh oh, it looks like someone wet the bed last night; and against a lefty no less. Let’s hope that 0-for-4 performance drops Frazier’s ownership percentage, but I’m not banking on it. The Rockies will roll out another southpaw in Franklin Morales, who has a craptastic 1.60 HR/9 this year. The stars are aligned again, and this time around, I bet Frazier puts one out there in 420 territory.
Alcides Escobar, SS: $3,500 – Like a baby sumo wrestler, there’s lots to love here. I have no idea where that came from, but Escobar bats second in a red-hot offense, and he’s 6-for-11 lifetime against Ricky Nolasco. Wait, there’s more! Escobar is also hitting .304 in 37 career games at Target Field, and if you haven’t noticed, he comes cheaper than Golden Corral. It’s now time to ball out on my OF.
Giancarlo Stanton, OF: $5,600 – Let’s face it, I would start Stanton at home against Yoda, who I imagine on the mound would nasty he be. Stanton’s power numbers in Miami make my head hurt so good, and if you listen closely, you can hear Trevor Cahill shaking in his boots.
Mike Trout, OF: $5,500 – I know I’m not the only one who has been burned by Trout in recent games, but I’m willing to give him another shot. He’s only the best player in baseball. Trout also loves him some Texas, where he holds a 1.212 OPS in 26 games. Oh yeah, Nick Martinez is the shameful owner of a 2.05 HR/9 at home. I guess he gets the start because the Rangers’ pitching machine demanded the night off.
Josh Hamilton, OF: $3,900 – Revenge is a commonly overlooked factor in DFS, but it’s a card I always love to play. No player will be more motivated than Hamilton in Texas, where he’s hitting .358 as a member of the Angels. He’s also been way better on the road this season (.254 ISO vs .050 at home), and I already mentioned how the opposing pitcher is god-awful (and a righty). If I’m stacking one team heavy, it’s LA of A.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
The only real threat of rain is in Miami, but the roof they have there is waterproof. Technology!
Doing Lines in Vegas (9-17-2 overall)
C’mon slump busters! I like the unders in CHC/NYM (7.5) and PHI/SF (6).
