I’ll give you the skinny: Gio Gonzalez threw eight innings of ecstasy last night. Mad props if you actually saw that coming. Baseball is a whole lotta’ things, but it’s certainly easy to fall ass backward into a pot of luck every now and then. Most years, you can throw away your summer and alienate say, your whole two friends whilst endlessly researching Andrew McCutchen like a madman. Eventually, you’ll convince yourself that he’ll suck, only for him to turn around, flip you the bird, and hit something close to 30 home runs. Orrrrr, you can be like this guy. Spend five whole minutes researching Gio, glance at his last few starts, and sit him because you’re a half-wit. Baseball: ever so humbling. Oh well, enough of that, here are my picks for Tuesday’s late-ish slate of games.
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Marcus Stroman, SP: $21,300 – Did you get a load of the White Sox last night? Hoo-wee. Six strikeouts and fifteen men left on base. They got the dub-ya, but Yoan Moncada’s eager beaver-ness still hurts to watch. The Sox have posted a 27% strikeout rate over the last week, good for third best in the league. It is a Chris Sale/Max Scherzer kinda day, but hey, if you’re looking for a semi-cheaper option, don’t forget that Stroman has allowed only two extra base hits lifetime against the South Siders.
Aaron Nola, SP: $17,600 – Crikey, just when you think you Nola guy. If I told you Aaron Nola has thrown ten consecutive games of five strikeouts or more, would you believe me? That’s how quietly great he’s been. In his last start he completely toyed with the Astros, and even if tonight’s start against the Angels isn’t quite as dazzling, he deserves a mulligan. The Angels are trotting out Ricky Nolasco at home. He gave up eighteen earned runs in July, so the run support should be thicc with two ‘C’s’ for the Phils.
Ryan Zimmerman, IF: $10,400 – Piece of cake against Chris O’Grady, right? There’s no rhyme or reason why the Nats shouldn’t go bananas tonight against the M’s. They have the fourth highest AVG against lefties, and while we’re all focused on Adrian Beltre, Big Zimm has been smiling in the shadows. Did you know he’s hit four home runs over the last seven days? News to me!
DJ LeMahieu, IF: $9,200 – He’s the same price as Cody Bellinger today, but at Coors and against Steven Matz? Cha-ching. LeMahieu has a three game hit streak going, which makes me say, LeMakeMeSomeMoney.
Chris Taylor, IF: $8,800 – If you’re salivating at the lousy pitching match ups today, Chris Taylor is another must have. The Dodgers face Lucas Sims in Atlanta, and even though Taylor hasn’t hit a home run in ten days, he’s still batting .312 and coming at outlandishly low prices in DFS.
Chase Headley, IF: $6,600 – Feels like Headley has been the man of the moment lately. If the Yankees have runners on, you can be damn sure this shark smells blood. Headley batted .333 in June, and now that it’s August, what better way to shift into sixth gear than by feasting on Anibal Sanchez. He lasted only 3.2 innings last week against the Royals, so don’t pass this up.
Odubel Herrera, OF: $7,600 – Here we go again. Herrera has two home runs and five RBI’s over the last three days. Don’t ask me how, but somehow the Phillies outfield has become half-good by mistake. Ride this wave all the way out brah.
Jake Marisnick, OF: $6,400 – Chris Archer, we hardly knew ya. A gory 4.15 away ERA and eight home runs on the road stand between Arch and my ultimate faith this season, and since Jake Marisnick is the flavor of the week, he’s your guy. He hit two homers and batted in five last night, and look, I’m not gay, but I can admit an attractive man when I see one. And Jake my friends is that one.
Andrew McCutchen, OF: $10,500 – Sometimes I actually follow what I was taught in journalism school, so guess what, this piece has now come full circle! McCutchen vs. Homer Bailey is clever. Better yet, he’s hit 28 home runs against the Reds, the second most against any team in his career.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
You’ve got the all clear today, but there could be some hot air a blowin’ in Colorado. Jonathan Lucroy makes his Rockies debut and Amed Rosario finally joins the Mets. Who will strike out more? Stay tuned!
Doing Lines in Vegas
It’s ace day, so obviously, your Jon Lester’s, Chris Sale’s and Max Scherezer’s are the favorites. That Rockies/Mets game is paying big odds for anything over 12.5 runs, and Carlos Martinez stands at -105 in his fourteenth career start at Miller Park.
