We had an exciting weekend in baseball. Â The headline comes from Albert Pujols as he hit a grand slam for his 600th home run. Â However the Pujols news wasn’t as loud as we’ve seen past home run milestone such as Bonds and A-Rod. Â I’m not sure if it’s the NBA and NHL finals taking away from Pujols achievement or the steroid ERA and we are over home runs. Â But what Pujols did is a major accomplishment and we might not see 600 home runs for a while. Â My guess is Stanton, Harper, or Trout where Stanton leads these three with 223 home runs so we have a while to go. Â Congrats to Albert Pujols as he has been one of the most iconic baseball players of the 2000’s and played the game the correct way.
We have a very small slate of games today, with a huge series in the AL East coming up between the Red Sox and Yankees.
Low-Scoring Plays
Miami Marlins @ Chicago Cubs – The Cubs completed the sweep this weekend to pull within one game of the Brewers for the division lead. Â On the other side the Marlins have been one of the hottest teams in baseball as they are 8-2 in their last 10 games. Â Even with a dynamic offense the Cubs could potentially have I think Dan Straily will keep them under control today but still lose. Â Straily will probably be the highest owned pitcher as he is $3000 less than the top pitcher and only averages 4 less points per game. Â At home I think the Cubs will win this one in a close one. Â Eddie Butler will be a sleeper in today’s lineups and could help you out immensely since he will be very low owned.
Targets: Butler, Rizzo
Washington Nationals @ L.A. Dodgers –Â These are potentially two of the best offenses in baseball. Â However as the Monday Night Game of the Week, I like this game to stay low. Â Gio Gonzalez is the better pitcher and should get the win in this one. Â Bryce Harper is back and should be a lock in your lineup. Â Harper rested from his suspension and playing in Primetime coming back into America’s eye, I like two home runs from him. Â Aside from Harper, the Nationals have a better lineup. Â I think this game will finish around 4-2 with the Nationals having the upper hand.
Targets: Gonzalez, Harper
High-Scoring Plays
Houston Astros @ Kansas City Royals – We know the Royals aren’t good and we know the Astros are great. Â I love the Astros huge in this one. Â Ian Kennedy has an ERA above 5 and only has 45 innings in 9 starts. Â That’s five innings a start which is not a good number. Â Kansas City doesn’t have a strong bullpen either and they will be needed in this game. Â Stack players like Correa who is hitting .406 with 4 home runs in his last 7 games. Â Teammate George Springer is hitting .485 with 6 home runs over that same 7 game span. Â Of course Altuve is never a bad play either.
Targets: Correa, Altuve, Springer
Philadelphia Phillies @ Atlanta Braves – Bartolo has been struggling this year especially the his last 3 starts 0-2 with an 7.71 ERA. Â I like the Phillies to win this one as Colon will struggle again. Â Stacking Joseph, Franco and Kendrick will be the best play for you in this game. Â The Braves should be able to score in this one as well. Â Matt Adams is batting .226 with 3 home runs over his last 7 games. Â Ender Inclarte is hot as well batting .400 with 1 home run. Â I like the Phillies to win this one, but the Braves should be able to score, too.
Targets:Â Franco,Joseph
Undervalued Plays
There is no one under valued today because of so little of games. Â I will say that I don’t like Carlos Martinez at his price point as the highest priced pitcher. Â I love Harper, Correa, Springer and Altuve. Â I would put them in my line up and then work around that to build the rest of your team.
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