MLB Plays: TUE, SEP 2nd
Over the course of the last few days/weeks my brain has slowly transitioned over to NFL mode (ONLY 2 MORE DAYS!!!!!). That said, we still have a solid month of MLB DFS to knock out before we put the regular season to bed and fully concentrate on football exclusively. Take advantage of this as, if your experience has been anything like mine, I’ve noticed a lot of brand new players (presumably for football season) picking up my MLB games and rostering some funky players. Alright, enough stalling, let’s get to the picks.
STARTING PITCHERS
Clayton Kershaw – By now you’ve figured out that there are no sure things when filling out your MLB DFS rosters. That said, the closest thing to a lock and load guarantee is Kershaw. His season long numbers are silly, eye-popping, and any other word of praise you can think of. The price may freak you out and chase you away, but there is a very good chance that you will be stuck playing catch-up if you choose not to splurge on Clayton so I’d strongly advise considering him (especially in your cash games).
Mike Minor – We’ve all been Minor’d at some point during the season (Minor’d – the act of rostering Mike Minor when he’s in a good spot only to be severely let down and sent to bed early). A home matchup vs the Phillies qualifies as one of those “good spots”. In a solid sample, Mike has been really solid in his last four starts; 28.1 IP, 24 hits +walks, 7 ER, and 24 Ks. Lastly Vegas believes in Minor as they posted him as a – 180 favorite in a game with a 7.5 over/under.
James Paxton – Site specifically he is just way too cheap on FanDuel. Generally speaking I don’t like to pick on the A’s, but at 5.8K he makes for an excellent tournament play. James has been terrific of late, and he’s a highly touted prospect so the pedigree is there for success to continue.
Other pitchers to consider – Adam Wainwright, Jake Arrieta, Sonny Gray, Wade Miley
CATCHER
Salvador Perez – “I use perfume. In that game I hit a ball and everything so I started to use it every day. Now I use Victoria’s Secret every time.” Whatever works for Salvador, works for me. He may not even need the power of the perfume tonight as a matchup vs Derek Holland is tasty enough as is. While not the case this year Perez has historically smashed LHPs and I’m not exactly avoiding the aforementioned injury riddled Holland who will be making his season debut.
Yadier Molina – Yadi is back and on sale tonight. The price is down, Molina is best vs lefties, and he gets to face a Jeff Locke who he is more vulnerable to right-handed sticks.
Other catchers to consider – Buster Posey, Carlos Santana, Derek Norris, Miguel Montero
FIRST BASE
Jose Abreu – In Tommy Milone’s last 11 IP (3 starts) he’s given up 23 hits, 13 ER, 4 BB, and 4 K. I think its fair to say that Tommy isn’t exactly adjusting to Minnesota all that well. Or maybe he’s just not good. Likely both. Enter Jose Abreu who will not show mercy on Milone’s lack of ability. He is having a pretty epic debut season (33HR/99RBI), and he’s been even better vs LHPs.
Justin Morneau – Justin is best unleashed when he’s at home and facing a RHP. It would be cruel of me to tease that if this wasn’t the case tonight. Coors Field always demands your eyeballs and its like Yusmeiro Petit is a hurler that needs to be avoided.
Other 1Bs to consider – Billy Butler, Freddie Freeman, Chris Carter, Albert Pujols
SECOND BASE
Jose Altuve – Rolling out the diminutive Altuve vs LHPs is a Day One lesson when taking MLB DFS 101. Jose is raking an absolutely absurd .410 AVG / .985 OPS vs lefties this year. Once he reaches base that is when the real fun starts. Don’t be scared off by the fact that he’ll be attempting to steal against a lefty as the RotoGrinders SB predictor confirms that swiping bases is very much in play for the AL leader.
Jeff Baker – If you are going to pay up for Clayton Kershaw salary must be saved somewhere. If that is your plan Jeff can be your friend tonight. Baker generally hits second (between Christian Yelich and Giancarlo Stanton) when a lefty is on the mound as he’s a plus hitter with some power vs southpaws.
Other 2Bs to consider – Dee Gordon, Kolten Wong, Howie Kendrick, Aaron Hill
THIRD BASE
Pablo Sandoval – I’ve deprived Coors Field for too long. The Panda is an excellent spot to thrive as he get to hit from his preferred side of the plate and face Jordan Lyles, who has dramatically unfavorable splits vs lefty bats.
David Wright – I’m assuming he is healthy. Or at least “healthy” by five months into the season baseball standards. He did steal a base yesterday which is encouraging for a guy that is potentially nursing an injury. What is most attractive about David is his pedestrian price, as he’s just too cheap when considering his impressive history vs southpaws. Oh, and if you are a BvP guy Wright has smashed Brad Penny if that does anything for you: 12 of 20 w/ 4 dongs.
Other 3Bs to consider – Josh Donaldson, Nolan Arenado
SHORTSTOP
Brandon Crawford or Josh Rutledge – I don’t mind guys like Jhonny Peralta or Alexei Ramirez if you have the funds, but remember what I was saying about needing to save money in order to roster Clayton Kershaw? Well the SS position is generally barren these days, and therefore makes for an excellent target to save some money this evening. Keep an eye on the lineups when the start rolling out tonight. Both shortstops in Coors are cheap and worth a look if they find themselves starting.
Jose Reyes – Another site specific play. Jose Reyes at 3.3K on FanDuel is too cheap when considering his overall skill set. This is especially true when he faces a RHP and therefore the switch-hitter gets to hit from his better side.
Other shortstops to consider – Jhonny Peralta, Alexei Ramirez
OUTFIELDERS
Corey Dickerson and Charlie Blackmon – I’m liking the left-handed Rockies taking their hacks in Coors Field vs Petit, who has been much better vs righty bats.
Avasail Garcia Adam Eaton and Dayan Viciedo – I mentioned earlier how horrible Tommy Milone has been of late. All of the CWS are in play tonight. Avasail is my favorite, Dayan makes for a boom/bust play, and Adam, while a lefty, has done just fine vs LHPs.
David Peralta – As much fun as it is to say his name, Odrisamer Despaigne is just not very good. I rarely like to target many hitters in Petco, but Despaigne has really scuffled vs left-handers.
Other OFs to consider – Lucas Duda, Mike Trout, Josh Hamilton, Giancarlo Stanton, Kole Calhoun, Marcel Ozuna, Brett Gardner, Angel Pagan, Hunter Pence, Gregor Blanco, Jason Heyward, Matt Holliday, Curtis Granderson