We have a full slate of games tonight, so let’s get right to it. There are 4 games in particular that I will be targeting tonight: Angels @ Orioles, Indians @ Rangers, Blue Jays @ Astros, and Tigers @ Cardinals. All of those contests have an over/under of 8 or higher, and should be exploited by daily fantasy gamers.
Details (MLB)
-$80,000 prize pool.
– First place wins $5,000
– Only $3 to enter (FREE with first deposit)
– Top 6,155 finishing positions are paid.
– Starts today at 7:05 PM EST
– Salary Cap Style Drafting. $50,000 to select 10 players: 8 position players and 2 pitchers
– Roster Format: 2 pitchers, 1 C, 1 1B, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 SS and 3 OF
Pitchers
1. Clayton Kershaw: Kershaw has not been his usual dominant self in the early part of this season, mostly because he’s made uncharacteristic mistakes with runners in scoring position. There is nothing wrong with Kershaw’s stuff, and it’s only a matter of time before he regains Cy Young form. He’s a massive favorite tonight against the Rockies at home (-280), which easily makes him worth the price tag.
2. Madison Bumgarner: MadBum has rounded into form over his last 4 starts, not allowing more than 3 earned runs in any of them. Tonight he goes on the road to face off against Jason Marquis, which makes him a big favorite.
3. Jake Odorizzi: Odorizzi has been flying under the radar in Tampa this season despite his excellent performance. Odorizzi’s 2.09 ERA is not a fluke. He has 4 above average pitches that he can throw to any part of the strike zone, making him extremely difficult to square up. Tonight’s matchup against the offensively challenged Twins in their spacious ballpark should yield a gem from Odorizzi.
Other top plays: Dallas Kuechel, Michael Pineda, Bartolo Colon
Catchers
1. Jason Castro: Nice value play at catcher tonight. He’s got 2 HR’s in his last 3 games, and he’s 6/16 vs. Dickey.
2. Mike Zunino: Several Mariners have big career numbers vs. Buchholz, including Zunino, who is 1/3 with a HR. Stacking M’s is not a bad idea tonight
Other top plays: Salvador Perez, Jose Lobaton, AJ Ellis
First Basemen
1. Lucas Duda: The “Duda” is 2/7 with a HR vs. Lohse, who is currently sporting a 7.03 ERA this season. He’s also 8 for his last 19 with 3 XBH’s.
2. Logan Morrison: LoMo is a ridiculous 5/9 with 4 XBH’s vs. Buchholz, making him a fantastic low price play.
3. Adrian Gonzalez: 3/10 with a HR vs. Butler. The Rockies bullpen is also highly unimpressive, meaning Gonzo will have an opportunity to inflict damage in all of his AB’s.
4. James Loney: 9/14 vs. Phil Hughes. 3/6 over his last 2 games. Very inexpensive, and usually hits in the middle of the order.
5. Brandon Belt: 3/9 with 2 XBH’s vs. Jason Marquis. Great American Ball Park is a haven for righties and lefties.
Other top plays: Mike Napoli, Edwin Encarnacion
Second Basemen
1. Dustin Pedroia: Has always hit lefties well. Happ is no exception as Pedroia has a .871 OPS in 10 career AB’s against him.
2. Robinson Cano: 12/35 with a HR vs. Buchholz…Just another Mariner that tags him.
3. Justin Turner: 6/9 with 2 XBH’s vs. Butler will probably get him in the lineup tonight.
Other top plays: Gordon, Altuve, Wong, Paredes
Third Basemen
1. Adrian Beltre: Starting to heat up over his last 5 games (7/21 with 2 HR’s). 9/25 with 3 HR’s vs. Chen.
2. Manny Machado: 2/6 vs. Weaver. Showalter has been hitting him leadoff lately, and he’s been producing.
3. Kyle Seager: Also starting to heat up, and also hits Buchholz well (3/5 with a HR).
Other top plays: Pablo Sandoval, Todd Frazier
Shortstops
1. Asdrubal Cabrera: He’s finally getting it going after an abysmal start. 4/9 vs. Hughes.
2. Clint Barmes: 5/5 vs. Jordan Zimmerman should get him in the lineup today.
3. Erick Aybar: 2/4 with a HR vs. Chen. Slim pickings at Short today.
Other top plays: Jhonny Peralta, Troy Tulowitzki, Brad Miller
Outfielders
1. Curtis Granderson: 8/17 with 2 HR’s vs. Lohse.
2. Adam Jones: 7/23 with 2 HR’s vs. Weaver. Weaver is a fly ball pitcher, with diminished velocity, pitching in the smallish Camden Yards tonight… someone’s going deep tonight.
3. Nelson Cruz: 5/12 with a HR vs. Buchholz…I’ll be stacking M’s tonight.
4. Alejandro De Aza: 4/9 with a HR vs. Weaver.
5. Matt Kemp and Justin Upton: Both have an OPS of over .950 in 17 AB’s each against Zimmerman.
Other top plays: Marcel Ozuna, Delmon Young, Mookie Betts
Players to avoid
1. Clay Buchholz and Jered Weaver: Both facing opponents that have crushed them in the past…Jordan Zimmerman has had issues vs. Padres bats as well.
