While Matt Olson ($3,300) appears to be having a rough year with a .193 batting average, he’s got a career high walk-rate at 15.7% to keep his head above water with a .320 OBP. He’s still hitting for a lot of power, with 12 home runs on the year and a 93rd percentile exit velocity. Olson and the A’s should tee off on Rangers starter Jordan Lyles, who has a 1.77 HR/9 and an 8.07 ERA. Tommy La Stella, Ramon Laureano, and other Athletics hitters are very affordable to be easily paired with Olson in a stack.
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Lucas Giolito, SP: $10,800 – Giolito is having a dominant season with a 34.9% K-rate and a 2.72 FIP. He’s got the highest ceiling of any starting pitcher thanks to his strikeout upside against the Tigers, who strike out more than any team against righties at 28.3%. Giolito is easily the top option to target in GPP tournaments.
Yusei Kikuchi, SP: $7,900 – Kikuchi is coming off of a great start against the Rangers where he struck out seven batters in six innings, allowing just one earned run. Kikuchi has a fantastic matchup against the Diamondbacks, who are the weakest lineup in all of baseball against left-handed pitching with a terrible .265 wOBA. Additionally, they just lost Ketel Marte to the injured list, who was arguably their best hitter against lefties. Kikuchi’s price and ownership will be much lower than the high-end starters on the slate, so he’s quite an attractive play.
Brandon Lowe, 2B: $3,300 – Lowe broke out of his slump yesterday with a home run, and despite his recent struggles he’s still got a dominant .905 OPS on the season. Lowe has cut his strikeout rate by more than eight percent this season and has an elite 98th percentile barrel rate. He should continue to mash against the dismal Red Sox pitching staff, as they are rolling out Andrew Triggs to start tonight.
Matt Thaiss, 3B: $3,000 – Thaiss has been batting second for the Angels, which puts him in an amazing spot as they travel to Coors Field. He will have plenty of run and RBI opportunities in the league’s top scoring environment and comes as one of the cheapest starters in the Angels-Rockies game.
Dansby Swanson, SS: $3,400 – Swanson is one of the hottest hitters in the league right now, batting .393 with two homers and a steal in the last week. The Braves might not score 29 runs again, but they should have another huge night against Erick Fedde, who has more walks (15) than strikeouts (12) and a 2.23 HR/9.
Michael Conforto, OF: $3,200 – Conforto is demolishing right-handed pitching with a 179 wRC+. Toronto’s ballpark in Buffalo has been one of the best hitter’s parks in the league, opposing starter Chase Anderson has a 4.94 ERA.
Kyle Schwarber, OF: $2,900 – Schwarber is an affordable GPP power flier, as he’s got home run upside in Milwaukee. He’s got eight homers against righties in just 120 plate appearances.
Whit Merrifield, OF: $3,300 – Merrifield is a cash game consideration as he faces a lefty. He’s got just a 6.3% K-rate against lefties with an .892 OPS. Merrifield has a high floor batting leadoff for the Royals.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
The only game to worry about is Indians-Twins, which has a 46% chance of rain.
Doing Lines In Vegas
I like the Pirates at +105. They’ve actually been roughly league-average against lefties with a .324 wOBA, and Kris Bubic has a 4.92 FIP for the Royals.
