Happy Memorial Day DFSers. Be sure to pause and give thanks today for those men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country. They are the true heros. We’ve got a nice, full early slate today and a five game late slate, a little backwards from how most days run. It’s a pretty grey day where I live, perfect for sitting in and enjoying a full day of MLB and DFS. I hope you’ll join me and with any luck we’ll all win a little somethin somethin to make our holiday weekend even better.
I’m almost always a fan of Carlos Carrasco (except when he’s talking about elbow issues in the preseason causing me to avoid him in drafts and end up with Danny Salazar instead…ugh) and today is no exception. Carrasco is the 4th highest salary player ($18,000) on the early slate, but he’s the number one pitcher on the slate in my opinion. Carrasco gets the strikeout prone A’s at home. These A’s are 8th in the majors in Ks and Just wrapped up being struck out 34 times in 3 games at the house next to the house that Ruth built. CC Sabathia struck out 9 A’s for crying out loud! CC! Carrasco has looked amazing so far this season, pitching to a 9 K rate and a sub 1.00 WHIP. His FIP (3.29) is right in line with his ERA (2.93) as well, so it’s no fluke. Cookie will be an auto-roster for me today and I suggest you do the same
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Kyle Hendricks, SP: $18,400 – Carrasco and Hendricks make an ideal cash game pairing. Both should put up some dandy K numbers. Hendricks gets the Friars in spacious Petco Park. The Padres are 2nd in baseball in strikeouts and that offense is just plain bad. We’ll have to search for some bargain hitters using two pricey pitchers like this, but we can do it! If you’re feeling the crunch of two $18K+ starters though you could also try…
Robert Gsellman, SP: $11,200 – Call me a sucker for those flowing locks I guess, but I can’t seem to quit Gsellman. I was all over him last time out vs the Padres and he was fairly mediocre, 6 IP, 3 Ks. Still, that was an improvement over the 4 IP, 5 ERs he had been giving up. Hey, these guys are cheap for a reason, you know? You’re not getting a stud at $11K, but you are getting some serious salary relief to stack some bats and with Gsellman you’re getting some K upside vs the Brew Crew who strikeout the 3rd most in all of baseball.
Marcus Stroman, SP: $18,800 – Pitching in the 5 game night slate is rough…RUFF. Stroman is a must start vs. the Reds at home. He’s the biggest favorite in the late games and for good reason. Stroman has been Mr. Reliable so far this year. I’d prefer if the K-rate were a tick higher, but that’s just quibbling and like Grey, I’m no quibbler. Lisalverto Bonilla should offer plenty of altitude for Stroman and the Jays to cruise to the iVictory coast for a free stay at the W.
Daniel Norris, SP: $16,400 – Norris isn’t a guy I’d normally roster at this price, but there’s not many options. Edinson Volquez ($12,800) provides some more salary relief…but, it’s Edinson Volquez. He could strikeout 8 or walk 8. OR, he could do both in the same game! Norris is a bit more safe and is facing the Royals who are sporting the third worst team OPS in all of baseball. Yuck.
Jean Segura, IF: $8,700 – I feel as though FantasyDraft forgot this game is being played at Coors field. Or maybe that they forgot the Mariners were playing there. The Rockies players seem appropriately priced, but Seattle seems suppressed. Perhaps FantasyDraft has a lot more respect for Tyler Chatwood than I do. I’ll bet on Coors magic over just about any pitcher not named Clayton kershaw. Segura is priced the same as DJ LeMahieu and is a much more talented hitter. Kyle Seager ($7,600) also seems to be getting the odd discount.
Kendrys Morales, IF: $7,200 – All Jays lefties (or switch hitters in the case of Morales and Smoak) are in play today vs. Bonilla. Lefty batters are slugging over .500 off Lisalverto. The Jays bats have been smoking lately, so I would say Bonilla is in for a rough outing.
Evan Longoria, IF: $7,200 – Longo moydahs LHP and Martin Perez is not a very good one. Longo is 6 for 12 against Perez with a HR and went yard in yesterday’s 15 inning marathon. Look for Longo to keep the streak alive as I recommend him for the second day in a row.
Wil Myers, IF/OF: $6,900 – If you happen to fade Hendricks, this seems like a very low price for a hitter of Myers’ talent. Sure, he’s got tough sledding against Hendricks, but I mean, Myers or Ryon Healy? Exactly.
Sam Travis, IF: $6,400 – I love a guy that doesn’t wear batting gloves. You can bet Travis will be playing today after only starting one of six games since his promotion. The Sawx didn’t bring him up to sit, but to face LHP. The Sawx get David Holmberg today and Travis will make a nice cheap option. Just beware, he will likely get pinch hit for late if and when a RHP come into the game.
David Peralta, OF: $8,800 – I always look to Peralta when he’s facing a less than stellar RHP. Trevor Williams is that pitcher, just as his 6.5 K rate and 3.0 walk rate would suggest.
Gregory Polanco, OF: $8,400 – I was so ready to pimp Polanco yesterday vs. Harvey and was severely disappointed that FantasyDraft opts to leave the Sunday night game off the slate. All he did was go 2 for 4 with a HR, his 2nd in 3 games since coming off the DL. Well, get me back on the bandwagon today. Polanco batted clean-up yesterday and hopefully will do the same today. Randall Delgado has proven time and time again he’s no starting pitcher and yet, here he is…starting!
Mark Trumbo, IF/OF: $7,600 – Trumbo has been known to get crazy hot and he’s going to get to get to 35 HRs whether you like or not. Trumbo’s price seems like it’s still a little low from his slow April. The calendar is about to flip to June kids, and Trumbo went dongo yesterday. Queue the fire emoji.
Kevin Pillar, OF: $7,200 – Pillar doesn’t have the platoon advantage vs. Bonilla but that shouldn’t matter much. This is still a fantastic price for a leadoff hitter in this lineup that should put up at least 6 runs.
Ben Gamel, OF: $6,800 – Say it with me again, “Cheap. Coors. Exposure.” Did I mention Gamel typically hits 2nd?
Kole Calhoun, OF: $6,00 – Finally, if you need a cheapie, Calhoun has the platoon advantage against Julio Teheran today. Calhoun hasn’t been great, hence the price but Teheran has been hit or miss as well. If Teheran is off today, Calhoun should be in the mic for some cheap points.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
The East coast looks a little moist today, but Baltimore and New York are the only ones I think we have to keep an eye on.
Doing Lines In Vegas
Carrasco and the Indians are the biggest favorites on the board today (-240). Coors field, as usual, sports the highest run total (11 run over/under) but there are a trio of games with a 9.5 run total. They are, in no particular order, BOS@CWS, NYY@BAL and TB@TEX. There are also a trio of games on the low end of the run total spectrum with an 8 run over/under. The low scoring games are: ATL@LAA, MIL@NYM and @CHC@SD.
