As we continue to make our way through this Upside Down of a season, looking around at the game we love and have come to know so well, it’s the simple things in the game that can help bring us back: The crack of the bat, a spectacular defensive play, a big league debut.
While not quite his debut, Jesús Luzardo is making his first major league start tonight. We can all look forward to watching him pitch, but at $6,100 the electric, 22-year-old lefty may offer us something more and be the best DFS option for our lineups. Coming off extended relief appearances pitch count is a concern here; he needed 67 pitches to get through 3.2 innings on the 29th, and should be capped around 75 pitches, which, in combo, significantly discounts the likelihood of a quality start or win. Caveats aside, Luzardo has the potential to mow down a lineup and return great value. This season owes us some spectacular moments. Let’s hope this is one of them.
Keep reading below for more guaranteed* money-making** DFS picks.
*not guaranteed
**we’re definitely not promising this
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One additional pitcher who should make your lineups:
Andrew Heaney, P: $7,300. The Mariners have struck out 112 times in 11 games. That works out to 1,000,000 per person. So you would think Heaney, who strikes out more than a batter an inning, would get a good number of strikeouts this game. Heaney seems to be on the Joe Maddon pitch count to this point, but the quick hook backfired on the Angels in his most recent start. Hopefully it doesn’t happen again today.
Recommended stack:
Colorado Rockies – Usually when a team who plays in a more pitcher-friendly park travels to Colorado it’s best to stack that team. The reason being that these players’ salaries are lower than they would be if they played the majority of their games in a hitter’s park, so when playing a series in a hitter’s park there is a built in value based on increased expected production. The Giants are certainly a viable stack this evening. However, when starting an inexpensive P we can afford more expensive bats. So let’s pay up for the Rockies, in the following order if they play:
Trevor Story, SS: $4,200
Nolan Arenado, 3B: $3,800
Matt Kemp, OF: $3,000
Garrett Hampson, 2B: $2,900
David Dahl, OF: $3,800
Charlie Blackmon, OF: $4,200
Ryan McMahon, 2B: $3,500
Chris Owings, OF: $2,600
Sam Hilliard, OF: $2,900
Raimel Tapia, OF: $2,500
Fill in the gaps:
Yuli Gurriel, C/1B: $2,800 – Righty facing a lefty is not an important consideration here. It’s mostly that Bumgarner isn’t the pitcher he once was and the Astros should score some runs. $2,800 batting fifth in this order is a bargain.
Trea Turner, SS: $3,500 – While the lack of stolen bases is worth watching, it’s still early in the season, and he has shown signs of life at the plate after a slow start. Let’s take advantage of the decreased salary while it’s here.
Corey Dickerson, OF: $2,400 – Inexpensive hitters who hit home runs in parks where home runs are more easily hit. They’re high value hits. And should be staples of your lineups.
Jo Adell, OF: NA – Honorable mention because he isn’t offered on the slate, but is making his highly anticipated debut this evening vs the Mariners.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
Let’s play ball.
Doing Lines In Vegas
The best pitching conditions today are in Oakland, and the money has recognized this by pushing the over/under from 8.5 at open to 7.5 at some sportsbooks. Follow the money and book the under 8 at -115.
