Usually you want to avoid starting pitchers in Coors Field, but Jacob deGrom is an exception. He’s got 21 strikeouts in 14 innings and has the highest upside of any starter on the slate no matter what planet he’s pitching on. deGrom is so dominant it’s like he’s playing a video game. If deGrom’s rostership goes down because of the ballpark he becomes an even better play, as this is one of the ugliest iterations of a Rockies lineup we have seen in years. The cold weather will also favor deGrom, so as long as there are no snow delays he can be locked in as your starting pitcher.
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Yusei Kikuchi, SP: $8,800 – This looked like a tough spot for Kikuchi a few days ago, but since then the Astros have lost Alex Bregman, Yordan Alvarez, and Jose Altuve to the injured list. Kikuchi has looked awesome this year, striking out 32.7% of batters and sitting at 95 MPH with his fastball. He’s a nice pay down option in GPP tournaments.
Nate Lowe, 1B: $3,100 – The Rangers are a strong value stack against Jorge Lopez, who has been crushed for an 11.42 ERA. Lowe has burst onto the scene with four homers in 2021 and will bat fifth for Texas, who should be one of the highest scoring teams tonight.
Jeff McNeil, 2B/3B: $3,600 – Speaking of high scoring lineups, the Mets will easily be the highest projected team in Coors Field against Chi Chi Gonzalez, owner of a 6.86 ERA last season. McNeil and his teammates are the go-to play in cash games, but will be tougher to roster in tournaments with a high price and high rostership. Look to pair them with an underowned secondary stack to get unique.
Jose Ramirez, 3B: $3,200 – Ramirez’s price has fallen after a slow start to the season, but don’t expect that to last long after a homer and a steal yesterday. His power/speed combo is nearly unmatched and he will see both run and RBI opportunities batting third. Take advantage of the low price while it lasts.
Tim Anderson, SS: $3,000 – Anderson is back from the injured list and batting leadoff in Fenway, an extreme hitter’s park. He is an awesome cash play with a .329 batting average since 2019.
Joey Gallo, OF: $3,100 – Gallo is a perfect piece of the Rangers stack and exactly what should be targeted in GPPs: affordable home run upside. His 28.6% K-rate this year is a career low and putting the ball into play more will lead to more production.
Giancarlo Stanton, OF: $3,400 – Stanton is another home run chasing play against Michael Wacha, who had a 2.38 HR/9 last year. Even if he doesn’t go deep, Stanton should do damage and drive in runs.
Austin Meadows, OF: $3,300 – While there hasn’t been a ton of fantasy production yet, Meadows has a 147 wRC+ and an 89th percentile xwOBA. He’s now batting leadoff for Tampa Bay which will lead to more plate appearances and thus more chances to score points.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
There are a few trouble spots to keep an eye on tonight. Rain is expected in Blue Jays-Royals, White Sox-Red Sox, and Rays-Yankees. To top things off, we could see snow in Mets-Rockies which would throw a wrench into the slate.
Doing Lines In Vegas
The Braves feel like a lock at -133 against Zach Davies, who gave up seven runs in 1 2/3 innings last time out. Good luck getting Ronald Acuna, Jr. out.
