Boston Red Sox at Baltimore Orioles
Just about everyone starting in a Baltimore home game is a non-starter (get it?) for me.
Chris Davis had a monster slugging rate against Lester last year, but that’s a bit too hit-or-miss for me as he also had five strikeouts in 11 ABs. For me, the Orioles that I’m looking most closely at are Nick Markakis and Adam Jones. Jones is 8-for-18 against Lester over the last two years and Markakis is a cheaper option that found success against Lester last year.
Adam Jones (OF) – $7624
Nick Markakis (OF) – $6550
Chris Tillman (SP) – $13,123
Now would be the time to buy into Grady Sizemore (before he gets hurt, that is). I’m not overly bullish on the Red Sox starters outside of Sizemore because of his price point. David Ortiz was 1-for-13 against Chris Tillman last year and two of the more successful players against him were Jacoby Ellsbury and Stephen Drew (note: neither are with the team now). Owners could do worse than Tillman for a cheap secondary option.
Xander Bogaerts (SS) – $5859
St. Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati Reds
Adam Wainwright is one of the best pitchers in baseball and I would avoid him at all costs. Also, as fun as the Cardinals can be to watch when they get on a roll, Johnny Cueto is as dominant a pitcher as there is in baseball when he’s healthy. Interestingly enough, Jon Jay has absolutely owned Cueto over the last few years (6-for-13 with 2 HR) so if he gets in the lineup, it’s a very interesting cheap outfield option.
Jon Jay (OF) – $5747
Cincinnati has done a good job beating up on Adam Wainwright in the past and one of the guys who has done his fair share is Jay Bruce. He’s actually 8-for-17 over the last two years against the Cardinals ace and is cheaper than Billy Hamilton.
Jay Bruce (OF) – $7196
