Welcome back weekend DFSers! I’m here for a back to back and I hope everyone had a profitable night last evening. We’ve got a massive 13 game main FanDuel slate to tackle tonight and I can’t wait. It’s rare the Saturday main slate is larger than the Friday night slate, but that’s MLB’s scheduling for you. Without further ado, let’s dive into my top pitching play of the night, Stephen Strasburg ($11,000). I typically don’t love recommending a starting pitcher on the road as my top play, but I’ll make an exception tonight. Strasburg will be facing off against the Diamondbacks in Arizona tonight. Grey pointed out the other day that post-humidor Chase Field is a pitcher’s paradise, ranking in the bottom third in Park Factors. That would explain why the D-Backs are bottom third in team OPS at home as well. Combine that with Strasburg’s near 11 K/9, 2 BB/9 and his 2.93 FIP and I’d say we’re in for points aplenty!
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Walker Buehler, SP: $11,400 – Buehler is maybe the safest pitcher tonight, he is the Stream-O-Nator’s top pick at home vs. the Padres. I worry a little about the Padre lineup not being a pushover and about the Dodgers pulling Walker early as they are prone to do. Still, I wouldn’t fault you for going this way in cash games.
Robbie Ray, SP: $10,000 – If you prefer a home team starter I can’t blame you for throwing Robbie Ray out there against the Nats. All the same truths apply to Ray about Chase Field, the difference is, his opponent is eleventh in team OPS and doesn’t strike out very much. Still, fewer pitchers have the strikeout upside that Ray does and as we know, strikeouts pay the bills.
Adrian Sampson, SP: $5,800 – I’m old enough to remember when Adrian Sampson was a must-start. Remember that month? When digging for value pitchers tonight I came to either Gibson vs. the Royals at $8,100 or Sampson and frankly, Sampson is the better value here. He’s at home and facing the punchless Tigers. The same reason I was all over Lynn last night means I’ll pop Sampson into a GPP lineup or two tonight and pay up for those sweet, sweet Coors bats.
Brandon Belt, C/1B: $3,800 – Writing back to back days when there’s a Coors field day means I’m going to repeat myself a lot. Jon Gray is on the bump tonight and despite his decent season, he’s still at Coors. Righties and lefties beat him up about equally, so any Giants will do tonight.
Stephen Vogt, C/1B: $3,100 – Again, I always like sneaking a catcher in here when I can, just to be different. Dare to be bold!
Mark Canha, C/1B: $2,800 – Canha has been red-hot so I don’t really get the pricing here, but it’s a pretty big savings if you want to pay up for bats elsewhere.
Jonathan Schoop, 2B: $2,700 – Second base is so brutal, I feel like I dread this spot every night and tonight is no different. As usual, I’m looking for pop here and Schoop has that plus the platoon advantage on Danny Duffy.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 3B: $3,600 – Vlad is once again hitting in mini Coors field, also known as, facing Orioles pitching. Dylan Bundy is the victim tonight. Have at him!
Matt Thaiss, 3B: $2,500 – Thaiss’ power has been on full display the past week or so and I like him to return value tonight against Adam Plutko and his 6.20 FIP.
Jean Segura, SS: $3,600 – Ross Detwiler is still a thing huh? My guess is, not for much longer with the 6.35 ERA/6.84 FIP he’s walking around with. This could get ugly.
Bo Bichette, SS: $3,300 – This is a very good price for a leadoff hitter in Coors Field Light.
Shohei Ohtani, OF: $3,800 – Trout and Ohtani are the top non-Coors bats on the slate tonight. I’d personally save a grand and go with Ohtani, but you do you.
Scott Kingery, OF: $3,300 – I wish FanDuel had Kingery at second instead of OF, but I’ll play him here all day against Detwiler.
Mallex Smith, OF: $3,100 – Can the Astros fix Aaron Sanchez? If it’s anything like Gerrit Cole, Sanchez will start striking out 12 per nine and be a total stud. I think this process will take some time though and I don’t mind sneaking in a Mariner or two tonight.
Franmil Reyes, OF: $2,900 – I love Franmil getting playing time in Cleveland and love this price for some pop.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
All clear once again!
Doing Lines In Vegas
Madison Bumgarner on the hill in Coors means the over/under drops one whole run, down to 12 today. That’s still the highest total on the slate by a few runs. Rare are the days there are over/unders under 9 these days and tonight’s no different, everything is stuck at 9 or 10. The biggest favorite tonight is Nola and the Phils at -260. Ross Detwiler will do that for you.
