After winning a bit of money on the 2nd, yesterday’s lineup took a step backward. Poor performances from Billy Butler and Elvis Andrus cost us. Also, a blown save by the Tigers’ closer (wait a minute – the Tigers don’t have a closer) cost Anibal Sanchez four points for a win, which soured his otherwise nice start.
Today, we’re going with pitcher vs. batter matchups. It’s something we take into consideration each day, but today, we’re leaning heavily on it.
This is our (late) lineup on FanDuel.
(P) Mark Buehrle CLE@TOR $6,000: I’ve got a feeling about Buehrle in a Jays uniform. He’s been solid enough over his career but something tells me that new look in Toronto, and the presence of other good arms is going to give him the burst of inspiration he needs to take his game to the next level. At 33 years-old, now would be a good time to become the pitcher he always wanted to be, and even with Cleveland’s new lineup, I think this is a good place to start.
(C) Mike Napoli BOS@NYY $3,400: Napoli has been able to hit Andy Pettitte in the past, and the way this series is going, nothing is stopping me from riding the Red Sox out.
(1B) Ryan Howard PHI@ATL $3,600: In seven at-bats against Medlen, Howard has two home runs and four RBI. Not much of a sample size, but it’s worth a shot.
(2B) Dustin Pedroia BOS@NYY $4,200: Pedroia is always a potential great play at 2B. He had two hits and an RBI against New York yesterday. The caveat is New York will have Pettitte on the mound. While Pettitte has held Pedroia to a .225 average throughout his career the Red Sox are rolling early and I’ll take a 29-year-old Pedroia over a 40-year-old Pettitte any day of the week. Plus, he’s atop a shortlist of second basemen for the evening.
(3B) Will Middlebrooks BOS@NYY $3,300: Middlebrooks is the best option out of a small pool of third basemen for the night.
(SS) Jose Reyes CLE@TOR $4,200: He’s 15-for-47 against Brett Myers, with solid extra-base power against the righty. And, he’s the best shortstop available tonight.
(OF) Jackie Bradley BOS@NYY $2,800: Bradley got his first major league hit last night, and two RBI to boot. What the hell, let’s keep rolling with him. He has a glorious name, and he’s cheap.
(OF) Nick Swisher CLE@TOR $3,300: If anyone in the Cleveland lineup is going to hit Buehrle, it’s Swisher, who’s 10-for-25 against him in his career, with seven walks. Plus, he smiles a lot. Swisher is not someone you’ll see in my lineup very often.
(OF) B.J. Upton PHI@ATL $3,900: B.J. is 7-for-24 against Cliff Lee, who’s going tomorrow for the Phillies. Lee had a miserable spring training (I know, I know, it doesn’t mean anything), but I have a feeling that something’s happening to his confidence. Anyway, Upton’s due for a good game.
Total FanDuel Salary: $24,700
