MLB Daily Plays: Tue, Aug 26
Tonight is the big night. Someone will be crowned the DraftKings FBC champion in Atlantis and take home a whopping one million dollars. If you’ve only just been casually following the RotoGrinders from the Bahamas its evident that DK is putting on an awesome event….oh, and its a bit tricky to not get a wee bit jealous. Good luck to all the grinders from Al Smizzle to DraftCheat (just to name a few). And if you happen to be one of the lucky/skilled finalists reading this, and this article in some way helps guide you to the $1,000,000, just know I’m not too classy/shy to give you my PayPal info if prompted. I kid. Alright, no more stalling, let’s get to the picks.
STARTING PITCHERS 
Johnny Cueto – If you watched his last start he seemed to derail himself by trying to beat out a double play, as he never seemed to recover from hustling down the line. Seriously. Barring a repeat incident tonight, I expect Johnny to toss a a bit of a gem vs the hapless Cubbies. Chicago strikes out the 3rd most vs RHPs and Cueto has dominated them throughout his career. From 2011-13, in a 55.2 IP sample, he’s shut them down posting a 1.94 ERA, just over a 1 WHIP, and 33 Ks. Vegas is a big believer as well as Cincy is a – 210 favorite in a game with a 7 over/under.
Matt Shoemaker – Matt was the first SP to take the mound after the devastating Garrett Richards injury. All he did was go into Fenway Park and post this line: 7.2 IP 1 H 1 BB 9 K. If this isn’t enough of a sample size for you, just look how solid he’s been since getting an opportunity. In 59.2 home innings pitched he’s whiffed 62 batters. Add in the fact that he’s been superb vs RH sticks (while MIA is mostly righty) and the -180 Vegas line appears justified. Lastly, no team strikes out at a higher percentage vs righties than the Marlins do, so he comes with upside as well.
James Paxton – This is mostly a site specific recommendation as he’s priced at just 5.5K on FanDuel. James is a highly praised prospect who has been really solid of late. Despite being thrown into tough matchups (at Detroit for one) Paxton has yielded just 3 ER in his last 3 starts. This is not exactly a fluke as he has excellent stuff. Tonight he’ll be in a pitcher’s ballpark and take on the injury ravaged Texas Rangers (who just lost Shin-Soo-Choo for the year) where the Mariners are a huge – 190 favorite. If there is one flaw to Paxton’s game its that he hasn’t shown an ability to go late into games, but a final line that looks like 6 IP, 6 Ks, an ER, and a W is is very much in play.
Other pitchers to consider – Madison Bumgarner, Cole Hamels, Alex Wood, Danny Duffy, Tyson Ross
CATCHER
Buster Posey – Whenever a lefty masher has a series with Colorado its inevitable that I will write about said lefty masher on consecutive days with the Rockies multiple southpaws, who have a stench to varying degrees. Jorge De La Rosa may smell the least offensive (by default) but doesn’t mean he picking on him isn’t warranted. Add in the fact that Jorge is at his worst when on the road and vs a RHP, and Buster makes for an elite choice tonight.
Derek Norris – Did someone say lefty masher? Derek has treated LHPs as if they just insulted his mother by posting a .342 AVG / .965 OPS this season. While I love Buster this evening, the significant discount is price is justification enough to save some salary with Norris.
Other catchers to consider – Devin Mesoraco, Miguel Montero, Jason Castro
FIRST BASE
Adrian Gonzalez – When researching, the first guy that jumped out me was AGon. No, its really not about the BvP (11-24 w/ 3 2B/2 HR vs Trevor Cahill), but it certainly doesn’t hurt. Adrian is a much better hitter vs RHPs, he’ll experience a huge park bump with a game in AZ, and Cahill has been a disaster vs lefties this year. Oh, and site specifically the 3.6K asking price on DK is pretty silly.
Adam Lind – According to the RotoGrinders daily batter hub the only guy with a higher MUwOBA than Adrian Gonzalez, is Adam Lind. The combination of Rubby De La Rosa scuffles with left-handed sticks, Adam’s ability to smash RHPs, a discounted asking price, and an ideal hitting environment in the Rogers Centre make Lind a worthy target.
Other 1Bs to consider – Jose Abreu, Edwin Encarnacion, Kendrys Morales, Nate Freiman, Mike Napoli, Mike Morse
SECOND BASE
Dee Gordon – For starters, I’m not going to talk you out of rostering Robinson Cano. He’s pricey, but if you have the salary, by all means he’s worth splurging on. I find myself picking on Trevor Cahill yet again. It’s hard to express just how dreadful Cahill has been vs lefties. Trevor’s allowing a .338 AVG / .884 OPS to them this year, which is just dreadful. As for Dee, once he gets on base, and it appears he’s in a prime position to do so this evening, thats when the real fun starts with his ability to swipe bases.
Aaron Hill – Aaron is not the kind of name that is generally found in the “punt” bin, but that is where his price point is hovering today. He’s had a down year, but you can do a lot worse than a matchup vs Roberto Hernandez in Chase Field for the budget friendly price tag.
Other 2Bs to consider – Robinson Cano, Neil Walker, Brian Dozier, Ben Zobrist
THIRD BASE
Josh Donaldson – I’m finding 3B to be a spend position with Josh at the top of my target list. Sporting a 1.075 OPS vs LHPs will do that. Josh has racked up 8 2Bs and 13 bombs in just 119 ABs vs lefties this year. Its upside like this that suggests there is a decent chance you’ll be calling him Dongalson tonight.
Evan Longoria – Hey look, another guy who has historically destroyed left-handed pitching. While not as impressive this year, and frankly its been a disappointing year by his standards, Evan is always worth a look vs a LHP. It certainly doesn’t hurt that he will get to take his hacks in an ideal ballpark with a game in Camden Yards.
Other 3Bs to consider – Todd Frazier, Kyle Seager, Juan Francisco
SHORTSTOP
Jose Reyes – Jose was one of many Blue Jays that disappointed last night. Ignore any short term bias and recognize that he’s in an excellent position t succeed this evening. At home, getting to hit from the left side (his ideal side), and facing a SP that struggles vs lefty bats is an ideal formula for Reyes for successfully set the Toronto table this evening.
Alexei Ramirez – If you aren’t paying up for Reyes, shortstop could be a spot to find some value if it appears when lineups come out. That said, Alexei makes for a fine play with a home game vs T.J. House.
Other shortstops to consider – Hanley Ramirez, Zach Walters
OUTFIELDERS
Jose Bautista Melky Cabrera and Colby Rasmus – Again, despite being in a fantastic spot to succeed, I don’t care that they disappointed yesterday. Baseball is fickle and has a massive day to day variance. You just have to do your best to put yourself in the best position to succeed and the numbers should work out for you (in the long run at least). As for tonight, I’m all for picking on Rubby De La Rosa who has been bad vs both Ls and Rs. The excellent hitting environment that is Rogers Centre justifies why the Jays are favorites in a game that is tied for the highest over/under on the day (8.5). As far as individually, Bautista has the highest upside, Melky is fairly safe, and Colby is a bit of a boom/bust play.
Jacoby Ellsbury – I love a guy like Ellsbury when filling out my DFS roster. His ability to score fantasy points with both his bat and his wheels make him an ideal cash game play when facing a RHP. I’m not going out of my way to pick on the generally underappreciated Rick Porcello, but the price is fair and Jacoby has a nice history against him in a small sample: 8-13 w/ a 2B, 2 HRs, and 2 SBs.
Hunter Pence – I don’t care that he loved The Godfather III. Or that he can’t shuffle playing cards. Just several of numerous outrageous claims on signs these days that I’ve yet to hear official confirmation/denial of. Hunter is one of my favorite players. I just love his ridiculous style and how he plays the game. As for tonight he has a reasonable price tag and while his home ballpark isn’t ideal, I like his chances to get to Jorge De La Rosa.
Yasiel Puig – Another Fanduel specific play. Yes, Puig has been struggling mightily of late, but I just can’t ignore the crazy low 2.8K asking price. Add in the fact that he’ll play in Chase Field, and Yasiel makes for an excellent play at this price point.
Other OFs to consider – Yasiel Puig, Kole Calhoun, Josh Hamilton, Dayan Viciedo, Avisail Garcia, Jayson Heyward, Alex Gordon, Josh Willingham, Jonny Gomes, Ryan Ludwick, Dustin Ackley, David Peralta, Mike Trout