Yuck.
That’s the first thing that comes to my mind when I see the options for Thursday’s games. We are dealing with six evening games on the day, which is an OK number, but the options are just, well, not good.
Just wait until you have to select a shortstop.
Anyway, enough complaining. Let’s get straight to the cash, homie.
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Collin McHugh, SP: $8,100 — It’s between McHugh and Chris Archer as the top pitching options for me today. But since McHugh is $1,300 less, I’m more than happy taking him against an Angels team that has yet to find it’s groove. It’s Mike Trout and that’s about it. McHugh gives you a shot at the win and will eat the innings for you.
Anthony DeSclafani, SP: $6,800 — Until they show any signs of life, I’m streaming against the Pirates offense. Three of their regulars — Andrew McCutchen, Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer — are hitting below the Mendoza Line, and if I know Clint Hurdle, it’ll be a day off for McCuchen and starting catcher Francisco Cervelli. DeSclafani has had a great start to the season and for the low price point, I like him as a No. 2 starter on the day.
Brian McCann, C: $3,900 — I actually like the Yankees at home today. If you’ve learned anything from my writing, you know that there are two things about me: 1. I’m usually wrong. 2. I like stacking against the Chris Tillman, despite the fact he put together a pretty solid outing last week. I like McCann’s chances to go deep today, especially at home.
Mark Teixeira, 1B: $4,500 — Read McCann, Brian. Teixeira won’t give you anything for average, but he’s another left-handed power bat against Tillman at home.
Jose Altuve, 2B: $4,900 — You’ll have to pay up for him, but anytime Altuve is facing a left-handed pitcher, I like the play. Anytime he’s facing left-handed pitcher like Hector Santiago, I love the play.
Chris Davis, 1B/3B: $5,100 — He’s quietly on a 35 homer pace this season. Davis faces Nathan Eovaldi, who is a hard thrower, but has next to no movement on his fastball. It’s a straight line almost every time. He has a 39 percent whiff rate, according to brooksbaseball.net, but against someone like Eovaldi, I’ll take my chances.
Adeiny Hechavarria, SS: $3,300 — I mentioned it in the lede, but take a look at the shortstop options today. No, really. The top three — J.J. Hardy, Jed Lowrie and Nick Franklin — are all on the disabled list. Way to drop the ball, DraftKings. It’s ugly. Like taking your sister to the prom ugly. I’m rolling the the dice with a No. 8 hitter in Hechavarria, but it’s basically a punt position regardless today.
Jacoby Ellsbury, OF: $5,300 — You have to pay up for the white-hot Ellsbury, but it’s worth it. He’ll complete my Yankees stack for the day, which basically means the Orioles will win 1-0 on a walk-off walk. SHRIMP!
Adam Jones, OF: $4,700 — Jones is a DFS superstar. He and Justin Upton seem to be criminally underpriced each day, which makes them permanent fixtures in my lineups.
Ichiro Suzuki, OF: $3,100 — There’s nothing to love here at all, besides the fact that he’s a starting outfield coming in at $3,100. I’ll take a hit or two from Suzuki and walk away happy for the day.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
There’s a 20 percent chance of rain at 8 p.m. in Pittsburgh, but it’s not enough to scare me away. However, by the time the late innings roll in in Los Angeles, the chance of rain goes up to 57 percent. I’m keeping an eye on it throughout the day, but I’m OK running out any Astros or Angels that you have.
Doing Lines In Vegas
Texas and Tampa Bay, as well as Baltimore and New York open up at 8.5 as the favorites for the highest scoring games in Vegas. Again, stack appropriately.
