DFS Alerts
Nats implied run total approaching 5.0 with Logan Verrett on the hill for NYM
Logan Verrett has actually struggled more with right-handed bats to this point in the season, but he hasn’t been terribly effective against lefties either. Verrett has walked as many RHs as he’s struck out so far in 2016 and has managed to allow six long balls to RHs in under 20 IP, good for nearly a 3.0 HR/9 rate. The top targets on the Nationals side hit left-handed; Bryce Harper (.383 wOBA, .237 ISO) and Daniel Murphy (.429 wOBA, .256 ISO) are both playable in any format. Given Verrett’s struggles with right-handers, Wilson Ramos becomes a very intriguing target behind the dish. He’s been red-hot over his last four games (9 hits, 5 RBIs) and owns a robust .425 wOBA, .216 ISO and 169 wRC+ against RHP to this point in the year. Ryan Zimmerman and Anthony Rendon are both suitable mid-range targets, while Jayson Werth and Ben Revere are best left for GPPs, especially on FanDuel. Werth and Revere both sit above $3.5K, making them tough sells in anything less than an ideal match-up.
Other tagged players: Daniel Murphy, Wilson Ramos
Braves implied run total has decreased to 3.1 runs, have a 76 wRC+ versus RHP this season
The Braves have been a frustrating offense to pick on lately because they have a tendency to work the count and single pitchers to death while limiting their strikeout totals (19.4% K% vs RHP). The blow up risk with Salazar is about as minimal as they come on this slate since the Braves lack the power to do that type of damage (.100 ISO). If Salazar can throw strikes and not work himself into trouble by allowing walks (12.3% BB%), he could be in line to be the top scoring pitcher on the night as his strikeouts will come against any offense. There is no reason to roster any Braves hitters tonight but if wanting throw a tournament dart out against Salazar, Freddie Freeman (130 wRC+, .365 wOBA, .249 ISO vs RHP) would be the only viable option with a platoon split.
As reported by: RotoGrinders Vegas Odds Other tagged players: Freddie Freeman
Rangers have a 90 wRC+, .317 wOBA, .165 ISO verus RHP on the season
Tanaka is rarely an exciting pitcher to consider rostering and tonight is no different. Tanaka is viewed as a “safer” option due to his 51.7% GB% and 10.0% HR/FB rate but lacks the upside we prefer in tournaments (19.0% K%). Tanaka should be due for some positive regression to his strikeout rate due to his solid 11.2% SwStr%, but we have yet to see it, and the Rangers don’t strike out a ton versus RHP (18.9% K%). We shouldn’t go crazy with Rangers hitters but we can feel free to target a couple lefty bats hoping for a short porch home run or two. The best roster options for the Rangers are Nomar Mazara (119 wRC+, .360 wOBA, .189 ISO vs RHP) and Ian Desmond (124 wRC+, .367 wOBA, .217 ISO vs RHP). Shin-shoo Choo (191 wRC+, .466 wOBA, .320 ISO over the last 7 days) is a decent option as well batting lead off for the Rangers.
As reported by: FanGraphs Other tagged players: Nomar Mazara, Ian Desmond, Shin-soo Choo Offense as usual expected in Colorado
Vegas has given the Blue Jays-Rockies the highest run total of the day by far at 12.5 which is to be expected when the game is at Coors and one of the better offenses (Toronto) in all of baseball is in town. The Blue Jays face a LHP in Tyler Anderson who has performed well thus far but that wasn’t against a team like Toronto who mash LHP. Russell Martin gets the day off after playing last night and Josh Thole takes his spot – he might be the one bat to avoid in the Blue Jays lineup. The other seven are in play with the Josh Donaldson-Edwin Encarnacion duo being the usual top two to target (they are quite expensive though). Tulowitzki, Pillar, and Junior Lake provide some cheaper options if you want some exposure to Toronto for this game. The Rockies will hit against Aaron Sanchez who is an elite ground ball pitcher but he has shown some vulnerability to LH bats allowing a .347 wOBA and 16 HR’s to them over the last two seasons. Charlie Blackmon and Carlos Gonzalez are the top LH bats in the Rockies lineup to target. Nolan Arenado, Daniel Descalso, and Cristhian Adamaes (starting for Trevor Story who is sitting) are secondary/value (for the latter two) options.
As reported by: Jenny Cavnar on Twitter Other tagged players: Edwin Encarnacion, Carlos Gonzalez, Charlie Blackmon
Bats in play today for Orioles-Padres even if game is at Petco
With below average pitchers like Yovani Gallardo and Christian Friedrich on the mound today in San Diego, Vegas expects some runs to score as they have given the game a run total of nine. The Orioles have a plus match up against the young Friedrich and Manny Machado is the top option for them. The O’s have been hot of late with five batters in their starting lineup with wOBA’s topping .369 over the last two weeks (including Machado). Adam Jones, Jonathan Schoop, Chris Davis, and Joey Rickard are the other four and they are secondary/stack options for today’s afternoon slate. Mark Trumbo hits LHP well (.353 wOBA, .270 ISO) and is also in play despite struggling of late. The Padres (as evidenced last night) struggle against RHP but Gallardo is not someone we need to worry about too much. The top four of the Padres lineup (Upton, Myers, Kemp, and Solarte) are all worth considering either as individual plays or as part of a team stack. Brett Wallace and Alex Dickerson provide some left-handed high-risk options lower in the lineup.
As reported by: Eduardo Encina on Twitter Other tagged players: Wil Myers Dallas Keuchel a great value option at SP
If you were fortunate enough to fade David Price, Dallas Keuchel of the Astros is worth consideration on late swap sites like DK as his pricetag ($6,800 on DK) is not at the point it should be for a pitcher of his caliber. While his ERA is high at 5.35, the peripherals show a SP that is better than that with a SIERA of 3.68 and a K rate topping 20%. The Angels don’t strike out much so the K upside is limited but they are a punchless offense outside of Mike Trout (who is always in play against a LHP) so it shouldn’t take much for Keuchel to hit value. The Astros get a great match up against Jeff Weaver today and everyone outside of #9 hitter Jake Marisnick is worth consideration. Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, and A.J. Reed are your top options but don’t sleep on the likes of George Springer or Luis Valbuena as they have the potential to put up big numbers.
As reported by: Houston Astros official Twitter feed Other tagged players: Mike Trout, Jose Altuve Archie Bradley one of top value SP options in early slate
Along with Dallas Keuchel, Archie Bradley is a top SP value option in the early slate today, especially considering his match up with a dreadful Phillies offense that is 28th in wOBA against RHP and 29th in runs scored. Odubel Herrera is the only bat in the lineup with a wOBA topping .340 and his price tag makes him not worth rostering. The Diamondbacks face Zach Eflin who comes in with a 5.66 SIERA and very unimpressive 8.7% K rate. Jake Lamb and Paul Goldschmidt are the top options for Arizona and Chris Herrmann is worth a look as a value option at catcher.
As reported by: Diamondbacks official Twitter feed Other tagged players: Chris Herrmann, Jake Lamb Giancarlo Stanton looks to continue hot streak
Everyone was wondering when Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton would break out of his slump and if recent performance is any indicator, that time would be now. He gets to face an average LHP in Daniel Norris today and is one of the top options of the early slate of games. This game should be relatively high-scoring with Vegas giving it a 9.5 run total. Tom Koehler takes the mound for the Marlins and while the Tigers fare better against southpaws, their bats are worth looking at today. Miguel Cabrera and his .412 wOBA is the top option for them with the rest of their top five (Kinsler, Maybin, Martinez, Castellanos) all secondary options. In addition to Stanton, Marcell Ozuna is a top option as he enters play today with a .446 wOBA and .275 ISO against LHP. Martin Prado, Chris Johnson, and Adeiny Hechavarria are secondary/team stack options.
As reported by: Marlins official Twitter feed Other tagged players: Miguel Cabrera, Marcell Ozuna Oswaldo Arcia (illness) scratched Wednesday
Arcia came down with an illness and will miss today’s game after originally being in the lineup. Nick Franklin will take his place playing LF with Brandon Guyer moving over to RF.
As reported by: Marc Topkin on Twitter Other tagged players: Nick Franklin
Cubs-Reds square off again after marathon game last night
It took 15 innings and some ingenuity from Cubs manager Joe Maddon last night for Chicago to secure victory over the home team Reds and they’ll get an early start today with the Cubs and Kyle Hendricks substantial (-194) favorites over the Reds and Cody Reed. Hendricks is a safe option with limited upside (he’s only struck out more than seven twice this season) but he’s definitely in play for both cash and GPP’s at his price point and match up. Most of the Reds can be avoided although Joey Votto and Jay Bruce are always worth consideration when facing a RHP. The entire Cubs lineup is in play with Kris Bryant the top option. Willson Contreras, Javier Baez, and Matthew Szczur all provide cheap options in the 4 thru 6 spots of the lineup but buyer beware as their floor is as low as their ceiling might be high.
As reported by: Chicago Cubs official Twitter feed Other tagged players: Kyle Hendricks, Cody Reed Rays could surprise against David Price and Red Sox today
Despite having a run total of less than 3 1/2 runs and facing Red Sox ace David Price, the Rays could be a surprising source of DFS goodness today. They hit LHP very well and for power – only two players in their lineup today have an ISO of <.200 against LHP and one of those (Desmond Jennings) has shown signs of turning things around of late. The top options are Logan Forsythe (.514 wOBA, .364 ISO) and Evan Longoria (.386 wOBA, .200 ISO) but others like Brandon Guyer (returning off DL today with a .426 wOBA, .240 ISO), Brad Miller, Tim Beckham, and even Taylor Motter at the bottom of the order are worthy of consideration if you buy into Price performing more like he did last game (6 runs allowed) then his norm. Price is always worth consideration but there are better options and match ups out there today. The Red Sox, as usual, are always worth looking at, especially going against a LHP like Matt Moore who has been struggling. The usual suspects at the top of the order (Betts, Pedroia, Bogaerts, Ortiz, and Ramirez) are all playable options either on their own or as part of a team stack. Bryce Brentz provides a cheap option at the bottom of the order if you want to vary your lineup a bit.
As reported by: Boston Red Sox official Twitter feed Other tagged players: Evan Longoria, David Price, Xander Bogaerts Start of tonight's TOR/COL game to be delayed
There is currently rain at Coors Field which will cause a delayed start to tonight’s game. We’ll continue to update this situation until this game locks. For a full breakdown of tonight’s weather report, check out the link below.
As reported by: RotoGrinders MLB Weather Page Joe Panik scratched. Ramiro Pena replaces
Panik has been scratched from the lineup Tuesday night due to a concussion and will be replaced by Ramiro Pena. Pena will bat seventh and Angel Pagan will move up to the two-hole in place of Panik.
Other tagged players: Ramiro Pena, Angel Pagan Astros impied run total has increased to 4.71 runs, Valbuena bats second
Tim Lincecum (5.70 SIERA) has not pitched all that great since making his return to MLB. Lincecum has walked as many hitters as he’s struck out (9.5% K%, 9.5% BB%), which is never a good recipe for success. The Astros have have raking recently as well (135 wRC+, .374 wOBA, .213 ISO over the last 7 days). We really shouldn’t be concerned about targeting any of the usual suspects for the Astros against Lincecum. Jose Altuve (157 wRC+, .407 wOBA, .216 ISO vs RHP), Carlos Correa (134 wRC+, .373 wOBA, .231 ISO vs RHP), and George Springer (118 wRC+, .349 wOBA, .199 ISO vs RHP) are the top options as always. We can also consider Luis Valbuena (118 wRC+, .349 wOBA, .180 ISO vs RHP) and Jason Castro (145 wRC+, .389 wOBA, .246 ISO vs RHP) as secondary options to round out any Houston stacks.
As reported by: RotoGrinders Vegas Odds Other tagged players: Carlos Correa, George Springer, Luis Valbuena, Jason Castro Ryan Raburn scratched. Charlie Blackmon replaces, bats leadoff
Raburn has been scratched from the lineup Tuesday night and will be replaced by Blackmon. Blackmon will lead off for the Rockies pushing Cristhian Adames to the second spot in the order.
Other tagged players: Charlie Blackmon, Cristhian Adames