Francisco Liriano best protect his neck on Thursday as he takes on the Red Sox at Fenway Park. The Red Sox are an enticing stack as they face Liriano, who lasted just two innings his last time out with neck tightness. Liriano has a 6.04 ERA this year with a 5.01 BB/9, which is high even for his standards. Hanley Ramirez ($3,200) is a huge bargain as the Streamonator’s fifth-highest ranked player, while Mookie Betts ($4,100) takes the top spot by a large margin. Lefty-killer Chris Young ($2,600) is a fantastic play in the outfield, as he should be batting fifth in the Red Sox order. Just about any hitter who makes it into Boston’s lineup is worth looking at with such a favorable matchup.
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Madison Bumgarner, SP: 11,200 – There aren’t many cheap pitching options that I’m confident in on Thursday, so playing it safe with Bumgarner is a strategy I like. The Padres, of course, are the worst lineup in baseball against lefties with their .281 wOBA. Bumgarner looked like himself in his first start back from the DL, and he should only have more strength in this outing.
Jameson Taillon, SP: $8,600 – At a fairer price, the one-ball wonder should be an effective play against Milwaukee. The Brewers are an explosive lineup, but they’ll be suppressed away from Miller Park, instead taking on Taillon at the pitcher-friendly PNC Park. Taillon has a ton of strikeout upside against the Brewers lineup, as they strike out 25.0% of the time against right-handers, the third-highest rate in all of baseball. Taillon’s one of the safest options out there, with a 3.31 FIP through his 12 starts, and you can grab him without dumping too much payroll.
Yasmani Grandal, C: $2,900 – Even as one of the best offensive catchers available, Grandal’s price remains below $3,000. Take advantage of this while you still can. Grandal has a .949 OPS in the last month with six homers, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him add to that total against Mike Foltynewicz. Folty has a homer problem, with a 1.37 HR/9, and if the Dodgers lineup continues to obliterate their competition, Grandal will rake in the runs and RBI.
Kendrys Morales, 1B: $3,400 – If you don’t take Hanley at first, there are still other options for you. On the other side of the Fenway matchup, the Blue Jays should also have a good day at the plate against Doug Fister. Fister has been hot garbage this year with his 6.75 ERA. A Blue Jays stack is another option to consider, with Donaldson, Bautista, and Tulowitzki as options alongside Kendrys.
Jonathan Schoop, 2B: $3,200 – Schoop is a steal at this price, as he’s been one of the best fantasy second basemen this year, and now bats third for the Orioles. He demolishes lefties, with a 138 wRC+ against them this season, and is at home in one of baseball’s top offensive environments. Pairing Schoop and Manny Machado would make for a killer duo.
Zack Cozart, SS: $3,300 – Well, sure enough, Zack Cozart is back and doing his thing. Cozart has homered in two straight games and is now slashing .313/.395/.548 with a 142 wRC+ on the year. At this price, you just have to keep buying until he gets more expensive or finally tapers off.
Adrian Beltre, 3B: $3,500 – Even at 38 years old, Beltre keeps on going, and he’s got a .986 OPS in the last 15 days. He will have lots of upside in Baltimore against Wade Miley, who is a disaster, giving up seven earned runs in his last time out. Make no mistake, Beltre is still an elite fantasy option, and is coming in at a price much lower than that.
A.J. Pollock, OF: $3,300 – Batting second in the DBacks order, Pollock is in a spot to get lots of plate appearances, so he’ll have the chance for plenty of runs in a great hitter’s park in Cincinnati. Pollock also has 14 steals in just 200 PAs, so he can put up points on the basepaths as well. We all know how dangerous Pollock can be at full strength, and it certainly seems like he’s over his groin injury.
Starling Marte, OF: $3,200 – Marte is at a very cheap price, probably because fantasy owners are down on him after his suspension. However, as a leadoff hitter, Marte is an outstanding DFS target. He’s a contrarian play to take advantage of, as someone who can put up a multi-hit day and swipe some bags.
Michael Conforto, OF: $3,600 – Since coming back from his injury, Conforto has been the stellar hitter that we saw earlier in the year, as he has an .899 OPS out of the Mets leadoff spot since returning. Lance Lynn, his opposition, has a 5.00 FIP and is ripe for the regression fairies to hit.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
We’ve got clear skies across the board on Thursday! The only wind to report on is in San Francisco, where there’s 17 MPH out to center.
Doing Lines In Vegas
While they are facing Jameson Taillon, Brewers starter Jimmy Nelson is a tough starter himself, so I can see taking the Brewers at +117. The Rangers are also a great pick against Wade Miley at +100.
