What’s up, everybody? The weekend is nearly upon us and so it’s time to take a look at our 14-game FanDuel slate for Friday. Baseball’s a really weird sport. For example, just yesterday the Rockies put up eight runs in a game that Max Scherzer started with no Nolan Arenado in the lineup. This is after putting up two runs in a game that Erick Fedde started. Today, we have a pitcher on the slate that has a 6.48 ERA in 41.2 innings on the road versus a 2.83 ERA in 63.2 innings at home. Apparently, Joey Lucchesi ($7,100) loves pitching in Petco Park, and why wouldn’t he? Petco Park is ranked 28th in the league in park factors in the league for runs scored. Not only does Lucchesi get back to his happy place, but he gets a happy matchup against the Giants. For the year, the Giants are dead last in wRC+ against left-handed pitching on the road, and have the seventh-highest strikeout rate at 26.3%. If I’m looking to pay up for some bats, I’ll lock Joey Lucchesi in as my starting pitcher. Let’s take a look at the rest of the FanDuel slate.
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Zack Greinke, SP: $10,200 – If I’m paying up for pitcher there is where I’m going without a doubt as Greinke gets the Marlins in Miami.
Jose Urquidy, SP: $7,500 – This is just the intriguing, swing for the fences play. Urquidy has a 30.4% strikeout rate in 13 major league innings pitched.
Griffin Canning, SP: $6,600 – This has to be a trap, right? I know Canning has struggled at times, but he’s just too cheap to be at home against an Orioles’ lineup.
Freddie Freeman, C/1B: $4,000 – Freeman and the Braves get a matchup with Arrieta and the Phillies bad bullpen.
Luke Voit, C/1B: $3,700 – The Yankees are my favorite bats on today’s slate, but good luck affording them. Five out of the nine batters in today’s projected lineup are priced above $4,000.
Nate Lowe, C/1B: $2,700 – Lowe will bat fourth for the Rays today and if you need to save some cash, this is a spot to go.
Max Muncy, 2B: $4,100 – Muncy and the Dodgers are my second favorite stack today, and while they offer a little bit of value, they’re pricy as well.
Jason Kipnis, 2B: $3,000 – I like the Indians lefties today, as Jakob Junis has allowed a 43.6% hard-hit rate.
Robinson Cano, 2B: $2,700 – Is Robby Cano breaking out of his slump following his three-bomb game this week? Maybe. At this price and against Dario Agrazal, I’m willing to find out.
Nicky Lopez, 2B: $2,200 – Punt play, but faces Zach Plesac and his 18.7% strikeout rate.
DJ LeMahieu, 3B: $4,200 – Told you they were expensive, but I just want them so bad (that’s what she said).
Jose Ramirez, 3B: $4,100 – Ramirez is back baby!! It only took four months, but he finally seems like he’s back to normal.
Luis Arraez, 3B: $2,900 – Cheaper play, but Arraez has a .427 wOBA against right-handed pitchers.
Francisco Lindor, SS: $4,200 – Why is it that everyone who I want to stack today is just so expensive? Oh, right, that’s their job, isn’t it?
Corey Seager, SS: $2,900 – Finally, a piece of a decent stack that’s cheaper with some upside. The Dodgers face Anibal Sanchez, who’s gotten lit up by lefties this year.
Willy Adames, SS: $2,000 – Super punt, but Adames has a 110 wRC+ against righties this year, so it’s not a complete punt.
Cody Bellinger, OF: $4,700 – Here he is. Owner of my heart and 13.4% of our budget. He’s really tough to get to but has slate-breaking potential.
Michael Conforto, OF: $3,500 – All I wrote down in my notes for the Mets’ bats today is play the good bats. Agrazal has a 10.4% strikeout rate versus an 8.7% walk rate.
David Peralta, OF: $3,500 – Despite the park downgrade, I really like the Diamondbacks against Sandy Alcantara today, especially the lefties. Alcantara has Agrazal numbers against lefties (see above).
Shin-Soo Choo, OF: $3,300 – I really hate this park, but really love this matchup for Choo. Daniel Mengden’s allowed a .418 wOBA to lefties, while Choo has a .412 wOBA against right-handed pitching. Should be the perfect storm, other than the mid-60s temperature.
Nick Castellanos, OF: $3,300 – I wish the Tigers had better players. Castellanos used to be a lefty masher, so Kikuchi could be in a little trouble here.
Alex Verdugo, OF: $2,900 – Yay! Another cheap piece of a Dodgers stack!
Nick Markakis, OF: $2,800 – Cheap part of our Braves’ lefty stack. Markakis has just a 13.2% strikeout rate against right-handed pitching with a .369 wOBA.
Jake Bauers, OF: $2,800 – Bauers has had a rough sophomore season, but he makes for a cheap bat against Jakob Junis if you’re stacking the Indians.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
No rain in the forecast for today, so no stress there. All the games on today’s slate are being played in mid-80s heat other than the Padres/Giants (where we want no bats) and Athletics/Rangers.
Doing Lines In Vegas
There’s only one big favorite on today’s slate in the Angels (-220). The Mets (-174), Diamondbacks (-170), and Twins (-164) are the next biggest favorites. In addition, there are only three games with double-digit totals in Red Sox/Yankees (11), Phillies/Braves (10), and Twins/White Sox (10). Personally, I’m playing the Diamondbacks team total at 4.5 (-103) on FanDuel. Good luck today!
