Over the last few weeks, I have built my Star Fantasy Leagues daily lineup around my offense, opting not to spend big on pitching. While it has been pretty successful, I feel compelled to balance my team with both today. I didn’t particularly like the starting pitchers who came at the lowest price. I also didn’t want to spent a fifth of my budget on one starter, either, so I opted for a few guys with marginal cost, but who I think come at a great value. I also think I was able to build a nice lineup with the money I had left. If you’d like to try for yourself, join me at SFL, and use the promo code “SJN” to get a 40% bonus on your deposit.
(C) Jeff Mathis $3,627 – It’s been a nice few days for the Marlins’ catcher. Mathis hit a walk-off grand slam on Sunday, then added a bases-clearing double on Monday. Over his last four games, Mathis is 5-for-14 with two home runs and 11 RBI. He’s swinging a hot bat and comes at a bargain price.
(1B) Billy Butler $5,878 – The power hasn’t been there as much for Butler, but he enjoyed his best month of the season in June, which has carried over into July. He has a .387 average during his current eight-game hitting streak.
(2B) Omar Infante $6,029 – Infante has hits in 14 of his last 16 games and has eight hits in his last three games alone. He has a .311 batting average this season and faces Josh Johnson tonight, who gave up eight hits and five runs over just 3.1 innings in his last start.
(3B) Miguel Cabrera $12,675 – There is not a player in baseball who will guarantee you points like Cabrera. He’s hit safely in 16 of 17 games and has six home runs in his last eight games. He also as one at bat against Johnson: an RBI triple. But do I really need to tell you how great Cabrera is?
(SS) Jose Iglesias $5,089 – Boston’s defensive whiz just keeps on hitting. His season average still sits at .415 and he has a five-game hitting streak. He’s consistently hitting the ball hard and should be good for a hit or two tonight.
(OF) Yasiel Puig $9,985 – Speaking of rookies hitting over .400 this season, there’s also Puig. The mainstay of my daily lineups has done nothing to prove he does not belong. In his last two games, he is 7-for-10 with four extra-base hits, four runs, and two steals. He continues to amaze every night and I want him on my team when he does.
(OF) Jacoby Ellsbury $9,828 – Ellsbury has been one of baseball’s best leadoff hitters this season and is in the midst of another hot streak. He owns a twelve-game hitting streak, which includes eight multi-hit performances. He also picked up his MLB-best 33rd steal last night. He can provide production in several ways. I love the steadiness and versatility.
(OF) Justin Upton $7,229 – It’s been quite a while since Upton has been worth using in a daily league, but now might be the time to start including him again. He has hits in five of six games and has three-hit performances in two of his last three. He’s also scored six times in those three games. It’s nice to catch guys at the beginning of a hot streak before their prices go up, and this could be that type of situation.
(U) Jeff Keppinger $4,089 – Keppinger isn’t exactly a big name to use in my utility spot, but I like what he’s done lately. In his last four games, he has eight hits, four RBI, three runs, a home run, and a triple. In his career against tonight’s opposing starter, Scott Feldman, he is 3-for-6.
(SP) Bartolo Colon $12,439 – Raise your hand if you thought Colon would be 11-2 with a 2.79 ERA through the first three months of the season. Surely, you didn’t. But he has been incredible all year, especially lately. He has won his last eight starts, averaging about 7.1 innings per appearance and has only allowed nine runs in that time, good for an ERA of 1.37. Against the Cubs tonight, he should be great.
(SP) Derek Holland $11,489 – Holland is coming off a complete game shutout against the Yankees last week and sports a 3.14 ERA on the year with 97 strikeouts. In his career against Seattle, he is 8-2 with a 3.39 ERA and averages nearly a strikeout an inning. He should have a nice night.
(RP) Joaquin Benoit $1,682 – Benoit is perfect 6-for-6 in save opportunities and threw a 1-2-3 ninth last night. He’s got an undefeated Max Scherzer on the mound to start the game, so there is a very strong possibility the Tigers will have a lead late in this game that Benoit will have to protect.
(P) Jon Lester $9,789 – Rolling with Lester tonight is a bit of a gamble. While he has won his last two games, he has an ERA of 8.46 over the last three weeks and has just one quality start in his last eight outings. He will pitch at Fenway tonight, where he does have an ERA of 3.24 this season and will face the Padres, whom John Lackey shut down last night.
