Jose Fernandez exploded onto the Miami scene harder than Vanilla Ice in 1990, dude was mowing people down like he was the Cuban sales manager for John Deere. JFer looked like he was going to be the foundation for the Miami rebuild collecting All Star honors & ROY in 2013. He was young, exciting, electric, fiery and then he had a visit with Dr. Freeze. Dr. Freeze immediately put him on ice and for the next 14 months the only time we got to see JFer pitch was for a 5 hour energy commercial on the MLB channel (seriously, that commercial ran non stop last year). Thankfully he came back late last year and looked sharp racking up 79 K’s in 65 Ing’s with a solid 2.91 ERA. He was in Grey’s top ten SP’s at the beginning of the year and personally I was excited to see him come back and pick up where he left off. Then the season started, Chen was tapped as the opening day starter and after that it seemed like the JFer banner season went sideways. I’m not sure what happened in the clubhouse or front office, but who the eff decided that JFer wouldn’t be the opening day starter? I get that they’re trying to keep his innings down, but this is your 23 year old franchise starting pitcher you’re messing with. I get that they’re supposed to be professionals and it’s business, but this kid just got bumped for Wei-Yin Chen on Opening Day. Yeah I’d be super pissed too. I’m not saying his rough start is due to not getting the nod on Opening Day, but maybe, just maybe he’s like that crazy ex GF that messes with you just to prove a point. I could be way off base here, but maybe, just maybe JFer is making a point to Loria and the rest of the Miami Minions, he’s Numero Uno snitches! I’m banking on the fact he sowed his April oats, he’s done pouting and that he’s proved his point to the peeps in charge. This wild horse’s reigns have been weighing him down to start the season and now it’s time for the guys in charge to let this stud run free like Nyquist, cause he’s a got a lot more in the tank Vanilla’s five point oh. At $11,300 he’s on the bottom end of the aces, but I think he be under owned due to the juicy match-ups for Corey Kluber and Jon Lester.
New to DraftKings? Scared of feeling like a small fish in a big pond? Well try out this 10 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! If you still feel helpless and lonely, be sure to subscribe to the DFSBot for your daily baseball plays.
Corey Kluber, SP: $13,400 – He’s facing a Houston team that’s back to their 2014 form striking out in bunches. Kluber got roughed a little at the beginning of the year and thankfully I was able to buy low on him in a few leagues. He’s the most expensive pitcher tonight, but I expect him to deliver with double digit K’s.
Jon Lester, SP: $11,800 – Another great match up against San Diego. His price tag is a bit more palatable compared to Kluber’s and I expect him to put up similiar numbers, so definitely a better value play.
Steven Matz, SP: $9,300 – Matz got roughed up in his first start hemorrhaging 7 ER in just 1.2 Ing’s. I actually watched that game and he was getting squeezed by the umpire in a bad, bad way. He’s been excellent every since raking up 4 W’s, 29 K’s and 2 ER in 27 Ing’s of work, hey that’s what I was expecting out of de’Grom.
Jose Berrios, SP: $7,000 – This is a tourney play and it’s a bit risky, but Berrios has shown some nasty stuff in his first 2 starts. If he can keep it together for 6 or 7 Ing’s this can be one of the best values of the night.
Wilson Ramos, C: $3,200 – Ramos is quietly putting together a solid season .358/8/3/13 and he’s facing Anibal Sanchez who’s already given up 4 long balls to opposing RHB.
Bobby Wilson, C: $2,600 – He hit a grand slam yesterday and has 2 straight multi hit games. He’s also facing Miguel Gonzalez who got shelled for 5 ER in his only start this year.
Eric Hosmer, 1B: $4,600 – He’s a little higher than usual, but he’s playing in Yankee Stadium and he’s facing Ivan Nova.
Mitch Moreland, 1B: $4,000 – A Texas stack against Gonzalez is surely in order. Feel free to mix in Rougned Odor at $4,500, Adrian Beltre at $4,000, and Nomar Mazara for $3,900.
Brandon Phillips, 2B: $4,100 – DK crushing on second baseman. You can’t get a decent one for less than 4K. That Dude BP has been swinging it as of late with 5 HRs in his last 5 games.
Derek Dietrich, 2B/3B: $3,400 – If you can’t afford a plus 4K 2B/3B then go ahead and roster double Ds. I love the match vs Wily Peralta where he’s sporting an 8/14 BVP.
Josh Donaldson, 3B: $4,900 – Peavy let up four HR’s against Cin his last time out and he’s coughed up 13 ER in his last 2 starts.
Brandon Drury, 3B/OF: $3,600 – This was was originally slated for Arenado, but De La Rosa got scratched and at $5,500 the price seemed a little high for my taste. Coors is in play, so if you can squeeze in some of that action, go get you some. I think DK had a little too much to Drury when they set this. Thanks for the Coors discount.
Jung Ho Kang, 3B/SS: $4,000 – He’s back! Fresh off the DL, Kang smacked 2 HRs just to quietly announce his presence with authority.
Marcus Semien, SS: $3,400 – Clay Buchholz looked solid his last time out, but I don’t think it’s going to last. Semien has been heating up and flexing his man muscles with 2 HR’s in the last three games.
Josh Reddick, OF: $3,900 – See above. I think the A’s will be scoring some runs in Bean Town tonight and Reddick has nice price tag.
Bryce Harper, OF: $4,800 – He’s cooled off quite a bit, but pitchers aren’t giving him anything to hit. He’s collected 9 walks in the last two games. He’s the new Barry Bonds! At this price I’ll take him all day and hope Sanchez throws him a cookie.
Christian Yelich, OF: $4,500 – He’s been raking as of late hitting in six straight games and putting up 3 HR’s just because he cares about your fantasy numbers.
Justin Upton, OF: $3,500 – His power numbers have to be coming and even though he’s facing Strasburg I like the match up as he’s 9/31 with 2 HR’s and 3 SB’s against him.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
We do have some possible rain outs so be sure to check before the games start. Was v Det and Chi vs SD both have over a 60% chance of rain. The Min v Bal, Cin vs Pit and Col vs AZ games are only in the 20-30% range.
Doing Lines In Vegas
No surprise here as Lester and the Cubbies are leading the way at -260 against San Diego. JFer -200 and Strasburg -190 round out the top three.
