Sometimes a comet comes streaking across the MLB sky. Today is one of those days on FanDuel, when a highly talented guy gets called up and makes his first start and starts out ridiculously cheap. Lefty Brendan McKay ($5,700) is already a legend. He held Judge and Stanton to 0-4 with three strikeouts when they were rehabbing in the minors earlier this year. Furthermore, he’s held right handed batters to a .160 average and .462 OPS this year. Lefties have hit a robust .185/.464. He’s facing a Rangers squad that only hits .250 0n the road and .238 against left handed starters. Some may stay away from him because he is a rookie, and because Justin Verlander is starting against the Mariners today. But McKay’s value is just too good to pass up. Plus, we need the salary cap space for some pricey batters today.
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Brandon Woodruff, SP: $9,100 – He’s risky because he got hit around by the Pirates the last time he faced them, but he has struck out 15 in his last two starts against them. He also has a 3.78 ERA at home. He’s one of the better jukes of the starting pitchers today, while others go with bigger names.
Joc Pederson, 1B: $4,100 – The Dodgers are facing RHP Jon Gray today. Gray was just in relief earlier this week, and Pederson is always a play against righties: 20 homeruns against right handers this year. He has two homers against Gray in the past, and he’s in Coors field.
Eric Thames, 1B: $2,700 – He’s 3/4 against Jordan Lyles in the past, with two walks. He’s cheap and usually hitting 5th in the order against righties. If he’s starting he’s definitely worth grabbing at this price.
Max Muncy, 2B: $4,400 – Another left handed batting Dodger against Jon Gray in Coors. Muncy has gone 3-6 vs Gray in the past, and in Coors field has four homers and a 1.214 OPS in 26 at bats. He’s also hot, having hit .298 with a 1.048 OPS the last 15 games.
Keston Hiura, 2B: $2,500 – The Brewers top prospect just got called up again, as he proved there really was nothing left to learn in minors. His cost makes him a great option today.
Jose Ramirez, 3B: $3,400 – He’s playing in a sweltering Camden Yards. He’s 3/8 with two doubles and a homer against Andrew Cashner in the past. He’s trending up: .306/.896 the last 15 games, .421/1.154 the last seven.
Nolan Arenado, 3B: $4,100 – When he’s at home in Coors he’s a must start, even against the great Clayton Kershaw. In fact, he’s hit Kershaw to a .291 average with a .837 OPS in 55 career at bats. He’s one of the reasons Kershaw has a 4.30 ERA in Coors since 2016.
Francisco Lindor, SS: $4,300 – Lindor is 4/10 against Cashner in the past, .321/.925 against right handers, and he hits .313 at Camden Yards since 2016. Throw in the close to 100 degree heat and it’s going to be early fireworks for this former team USA player.
Jonathan Villar, SS: $3,200 – Lindor’s Baltimore counterpart, Villar is facing righty Zach Plesac of the Indians. He has a .349 OBA vs righties this year, with 12 steals and a .777 OPS that could lead to extra base power in the extreme heat.
Cody Bellinger, OF: $5,100 – This National League MVP candidate continues to decimate the league this year. He’s in Coors field and has gone 8/11 against Jon Gray with a 1.932 OPS in the past. Expensive, but oh so worth it today.
Charlie Blackmon, OF: $4,400 – Another must start in Coors. Blackmon, like Arenado, has hit Kershaw well: .302/.872 in 53 at bats.
Ryan Braun, OF: $2,900 – Braun has hit Jordan Lyles to a .360/.825 slash line over 25 at bats. He also loves hitting at home: .323/.911 this year.
Alex Verdugo, OF: $3,800 – If he’s starting he’s a must grab in Coors field. He’s hit .282/.817 vs righties this year, and is getting hot with a .317/.994 slash line over the past two weeks.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
In Baltimore, for the Orioles and Indians, it’s going to be hot. Approaching 100 degrees. That’s batting weather right there. Throw in some high winds and some cheaper platoon advantage batters from both these teams could fill out your roster. And in Colorado for Dodgers and Rockies the wind is blowing out, so same thing here.
Doing Lines In Vegas
Stack ’em, pack ’em and rack ’em: The highest projected runs scored today are the Dodgers (5.79) at the Rockies, the Rockies (5.63) vs the Dodgers, and the Brewers (5.50) vs the Pirates.
The best and the brightest: The biggest favorites today are the Astros (-279) vs the Mariners, the Rays (-229) vs the Rangers, and the Brewers (-177) vs the Pirates.
