Before we take a look back at last night and get into Free Line Up Friday, I want everyone to take a look at my team from last night.  I put in a nice .25 Cent team hoping to win a couple of dollars to play for free today.  I was just outside the money with Judge and Bellinger still playing-both in the bottom of the first when the screen shot was taken-and I didn’t win any money.  Two of the best players in the game. The two best rookies in the game. Came up short and made me a loser.
The Nationals bullpen blew another game last night and they have to be searching for the arm at the deadline. Â They also lost one of their best players in Turner as he is headed to the DL for an undisclosed amount of time. Â The Nationals still have firepower but that is one of the most dynamic players in the game. Â However the larger problem may be their bullpen. Â There are a lot of teams that are still in contention for the play offs that you thought would be sellers at the deadline-Minnesota, Tampa, Kansas City are all examples.
We have a full slate of games, and it’s Free Lineup Friday, Fourth of July Weekend, does it get any better than this?
San Francisco Giants @ Pittsburgh Pirates – This game looks to be the pitching matchup of the day. Â Cueto vs. Cole, there are better pitchers out there today, however with two terrible offenses this game should be the low scoring one of the game. Â I like Cueto in this one as he has been a more dominant pitcher over the past couple of years and water always finds its level. Cueto strikes out more batters than Cole and has more of a power arm. Â Mad-Bum is coming back soon so if San Fran wants to make a charge it has to start now. Â It will have to be one hell of a charge they make but never say never.
Targets: Cueto, Posey
Minnesota Twins @ Kansas City Royals – Another great pitching matchup here as Santana and Vargas face off. Â I like this game less than the pitching match up above because these teams are capable of scoring runs. Â I have to side with Vargas in this one pitching at home and thinking his team will show up and score. Â Vargas has an ERA of 2.29 and a WHIP of 1.13 which is great. Â Averaging 19.2 points per game I love the Vargas play in this one. Â The Twins are coming off a series with Boston against Sale, Pomeranz, and Price – his season Vargas is better than Pomeranz and Price so he should have big day if those two were able to pick up the win.
Targets: Vargas, Hosmer
L.A. Dodgers @ San Diego Padres –Â Alex Wood is 8-0 on the year, still has yet to lose and we are almost half way through the season. He is picking up his 9th win today as the Padres aren’t a great team. Â The Dodgers were shut down for much of last night’s game so they should come back today and score some runs. Â They have became one of the best teams in baseball and Wood is a major reason why. Â He is the 2nd highest priced pitcher so if you need some money for your lineup scratch him but it if you can make it work, take him.
Targets: Wood, Bellinger
High-scoring Plays
Philadelphia Phillies @ New York Mets – The Mets have low-key been mashing the ball in the month of June. Â They are tied for the most home runs in June with the Dodgers at 50, and June isn’t over just yet. Â That’s about two home runs a game. Bruce is 4th in the National League in home runs at 20 and Duda is 7 behind him with 13. Â Bruce playing well is big for the Mets because they could flip him for some big time prospects for a team that needs a hitter. The Phillies aren’t a good team, it’s 4th of July weekend so Citi Field should be filled. Â Mets will have a big night.
Targets: Cespedes, Bruce, Cabrera
New York Yankees @ Houston Astros – Two of the best offenses in baseball square off in the Lone Star State. Â It is incredible how well the Astros are playing. Â George Springer is 3rd in the league in home runs, Correa is a MVP, and it has to be asked, is Correa and Altuve the best middle infielders we could ever see? I say yes. The Yankees were shut down last night so look for them to score some runs tonight. Â However I like the Astros in this one at home.
Targets: Correa, Altuve
My Line Up
SP-Vargas-KC
SP-Cueto-SF
C-d’Arnaud-NYM
1B-Moreland-BOS
2B-Altuve-HOU
3B-Machado-BAL
SS-Correa-HOU
OF-Thames-MIL
OF-Gardner-NYY
OF-Reddick-HOU
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Photo Credit: Keith Allison/Flickr C.C. 2.0