I’m still not entirely sure what the Braves were doing at the trade deadline, but Alex Wood found himself in a much more favorable position. For his first start in Dodger Blue, he’ll be on the road facing a familiar foe in the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies are, of course, always a team we like to target. Being in the bottom 5 of just about every offensive category will earn you that dubious honor. Alex Wood hasn’t exactly been peaches and cream this season, his Ks have disappeared and he’s been a bit WHIP-y. These are things I’m willing to deal with when the price is right and $7,400 is right. The best part of the match-up is Jerome Williams is on the other side of the mound so a win is all but guaranteed. The Dodgers should tee off on Williams, pushing him ever closer to the retirement he deserves and Wood should be able to cruise to the easy win. With any luck he gets to relax early and can let it fly vs. the woeful Phils. Wood is one of the biggest favorites on the night and makes a nice second tier pitcher to throw alongside the ace of your choosing.
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Matt Shoemaker, SP: $7,500 – Haven’t we all been burned by the Cobbler enough this season? Are we really going back to this well? I am; I’m a glutton for punishment, what can I say? I also have a short memory…what were doing? Ah yes, Shoemaker. I was so into this guy coming into the season and I’m back on board. I’m such a sucker for guys that don’t give up free passes and have K-upside. Shoemaker has both of these qualities and has been on a nice little run with back to back shutouts and 17 Ks to go with only 4 walks in 13 IP. Hop on, the bandwagon is filling up fast.
Jake Peavy, SP: $6,400 – Peavy is an easy guy to root for and by now, you know what you’re going to get with him. What you’re going to get tonight is a cushy matchup against the Freddie Freeman-less Braves. Go ahead and name another good hitter in that lineup right now. Exactly, Chris Johnson does not make you tremble in your man Uggs. What? I’m not judging. Go ahead and load up on your Coors bats and enjoy an easy 6 IP, 5 Ks, 1 ER from Peavy.
Masahiro Tanaka, SP: $9,800 – Tanaka is on the back end price-wise of the aces tonight, but he can hang with the big boys. There’s obviously risk associated here any time he pitches as his arm could simply detach at elbow and fly towards home plate still holding the ball. That’s what happens when your ligaments are being held together by Brian Cashman’s chewing gum and some dental floss. The Yankees are the biggest favorite tonight and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Henry Owens get racked around a little in his debut. That will leave Tanaka with the Alex Wood treatment, cruising to an easy win.
Yasmani Grandal, C: $3,500 – Coors field is obviously tempting and Jesus Montero would be my play there, but you could also save a couple hundred bucks for an equally juicy matchup. I mentioned above how the Dodgers should hammer Jerome Williams and his geriatric fastball. I’d expect Grandal to get in on that action.
Jose Abreu, 1B: $4,800 – I really love this guy, it seems like I’ve been writing him up for the last month and he’s paid off in droves. Abreu has knocked 4 HRs and is hitting .340 over the last 2 weeks and as we all remember from last season he can get scalding hot for a month or so. I love this play tonight for GPPs as facing Archer will scare a lot of folks off Grande Dolor. In a miniature sample size, Abreu is 5 for 9 with a HR off Archer and with the recent hot streak, I could see him being a difference maker tonight.
Adam Lind, 1B: $3,900 – First base is a great place to go a little contrarian tonight. Coors field has no sure-fire play at first, so we can dig a little deep. Lind has been sputtering a little and for that reason, maybe people have forgotten about the Brewer cleanup hitter. Cashner has been hittable this season, especially away from Petco. His 4.48 ERA on the road and his .900 OPS to LHB have me drooling over Lind.
Kolten Wong, 2B: $4,000 – Speaking of drool, I’ve been drooling over Wong all season. Great American Ball Park isn’t Coors, but it’ll do in a pinch. Anthony Desclafani will provide the rest and Wong should be in for a nice night.
Scooter Gennett, 2B: $2,800 – It’s been a little while since I’ve dropped J-FOH’s creeper link on you in a post, so here ya GO. Scooter is also a lefty that gets to face Andrew Cashner on the road. Load ‘em up and watch ‘em hit.
Alex Guerrero, 3B/OF: $2,500 – Guerrero is my favorite pick up of the week as he’s seeing time at 3B with Turner out. His power is undeniable and his price has been knocked way down due to lack of playing time. It’s hard to be productive when you’re not on the field and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do over the next week or so. Jerome Williams shouldn’t put up much resistance and I love me some Dodgers tonight.
Kyle Seager, 3B: $3,800 – There is no reason Seager at Coors field should be this cheap. He’s the same price as Chase Headley for crying in the clouds. That’s bonkers with a side of silly.
Ketel Marte, SS: $2,000 – Speaking of silly prices at Coors, Ketel would be a steal at this price anywhere right now. With nothing left to play for, Seattle is running out the kids. Montero and Marte are the biggest beneficiaries and you should take advantage. Ketel was having a very leadoff-like year at Tacoma, hitting .314 and swiping 20 bags while only getting caught 3 times. Insert in your lineup and don’t look back.
Preston Tucker, OF: $3,600 – Tucker has been getting looks in the cleanup spot vs. righties and whenever he’s there, I take notice as his price isn’t that of a cleanup hitter. He’ll get ample point scoring opportunities from that spot against Gallardo tonight.
Marlon Byrd, OF: $3,700 – Let’s mix in an oldie but goodie. Byrd gets the BvP special nod tonight vs. John Lackey. In 32 ABs, Byrd has 10 hits and 2 have left the yard. Do what you do if you’re into these types of things.
Joc Pederson, OF: $3,800 – Back to the kids now, don’t sleep on Joc because of his recent struggles. You know what cures struggles? A visit with the Phillies pitching staff. Hope that the masses are off him and reap the rewards of a big night.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
Retractable roofs rule. The only rain troubles are in smart baseball cities that feature these wonders of modern technology. Take note Denver!
Doing Lines In Vegas
Tanaka and the Yankees are the biggest favorite on the night, but take that with a grain of salt as the Yankees/Red Sox games will be a little tilted due to the amount of betting on these teams. Outside of Coors, the highest over/under is a 9 in the Texas showdown with HOU@TEX and north of the border, MIN@TOR. It’s no surprise that two of the best pitching duels of the night are the two lowest totals. Corbin and the Diamondbacks @ Scherzer and the Nationals and Archer and the Rays @ Sale and the White Sox are both 6.5 run totals.
