Kevin Garnett Daily Fantasy News, Rankings, Projections
Kevin Gausman has thrown more splitters since his first start, gotten better results
Matt Boyd (18) and Kevin Gausman (17) combined to allow 35 HRs to RHBs in 2017 and the two face off in Detroit in just one of two games where both teams have an implied run line above four this afternoon. The Orioles have a 110 wRC+ with a 28.9 K%, 11.6 BB% and 17.1 HR/FB vs LHP this year. Boyd is off to a strange start with a SIERA and xFIP more than four full runs above his 1.38 ERA through two starts, but a 10.6 K% that matches his 10.5 SwStr%. Significant adjustments are coming. Boyd has an 18.2 K% and 9.5 SwStr% for his career. Right-handed batters have a .351 wOBA and 36.6 Hard% (35.7 GB%) against him since last year. Manny Machado (128 wRC+, .276 ISO, 44.6 Hard% vs LHP since last season) is the obvious bat. His .399 xwOBA is 36 points higher than actual vs LHP since the start of last season. Two cheap, but competent righties are Tim Beckham (110 wRC+, .182 ISO) and Danny Valencia (118 wRC+, .191 ISO). While both have a hard hit rate above 38% against southpaws since last season, each has just a 16.7 Hard% overall in the last seven days. Gausman allowed three HRs in his first start to the Twins, but has allowed just one with 10 strikeouts (48 batters) over his last two starts against the Yankees and Blue Jays. Increased splitter usage resulted in a huge turnaround in the second half of last season and he's picked that up again after using it less than 20% of the time in his first start. The Tigers have a 76 wRC+ against RHP with just a 4.3 HR/FB. Helpful to Gausman in that way, but they also have just a 19.3 K%. Gausman's 12.7 SwStr% suggests improvement to come in his 21.4 K%. This is a spot where Gausman can certainly be used at a very reasonable price below $7.5K on either site against a low powered team. Jeimer Candelario (108 wRC+, .166 ISO) and Nicholas Castellanos (103 wRC+, .185 ISO, 43.9 Hard%) have been the most competent bats against RHP since last season. Gausman has a career reverse split, though batters from either side have a wOBA and xwOBA above .340 against him since last season.
Kevin Garnett, Nikola Pekovic remain out Monday
Kevin Garnett has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Suns. It's still very unclear when either he or Nikola Pekovic will return to action. With the Suns boasting one of the biggest front-courts in the league, this could be a great night to hop back aboard the Gorgui Dieng train. He should see upwards of 30 minutes against the duo of Tyson Chandler and Alex Len, and his price has started to fall after an underwhelming start to March. Karl-Anthony Towns also remains squarely in play tonight.
Greg Smith probable, Bjelica questionable for Friday; Garnett, Pekovic ruled out
There isn't much in the way of DFS relevance to take from this news, but the T'Wolves have listed Greg Smith as probable and Nemanja Bjelica as questionable. Smith should be expected to take on around 10 minutes off the bench, and that number could drop a bit if Bjelica is able to return. Neither player is DFS viable. Kevin Garnett and Nikola Pekovic have both been officially ruled out.
Nemanja Belica doubtful, Greg Smith questionable for Tuesday; Garnett, Pekovic remain out
Bjelica continues to struggle to return from injury and is listed as doubtful for the Timberwolves game tonight against the Spurs while recently signed Greg Smith is questionable. Neither player is DFS relevant or has much of an impact on other players in the Twolves rotation. Nikola Pekovic and Kevin Garnett continue to remain out for the team.
Garnett, Bjelica, and Pekovic all listed as out for Wednesday
Kevin Garnett, Nemanja Bjelica, and Nikola Pekovic are all listed as out for tomorrow's game. Karl-Anthony Towns is an elite option with all their big men out. Gorgui Dieng is also questionable, making Towns one of the top plays at center on Wednesday.
Garnett, Bjelica, and Pekovic all listed as out for Wednesday
Kevin Garnett is still out with a knee injury. Nemanja Bjelica has been listed as out with a foot injury and Nikola Pekovic is out with an ankle injury. with all three players being out, expect Gorgui Dieng and Karl-Anthony Towns to play over 35 minutes again. Both Dieng and KAT should be considered as elite options against the Raptors on Wednesday.
Nemanja Bjelica (foot) will miss at least the next three games
Nemanja Bjelica will miss the Timberwolves upcoming three-game road trip. Bjelica is dealing with a sore foot and there is no timetable for his return. With Kevin Garnett and Nikola Pekovic out, Karl-Anthony Towns and Gorgui Dieng should see all the minutes they can handle.
Kevin Garnett out again tonight
Nothing earth shattering here as Garnett will miss yet another game meaning continued playing time and big minutes for Gorgui Dieng (although to be honest, it's doubtful Garnett playing would impact this much with how Dieng has been performing). Dieng could make for a good low-owned GPP play after putting up a dud the other day against a Celtics team that struggles against bigs.
Nikola Pekovic and Kevin Garnett out Saturday
Pekovic will miss his seventh straight game with a foot injury, while Garnett hasn’t played in roughly a month with a knee injury. Karl-Anthony Towns and Gorgui Dieng are both elite plays tonight. Dieng has played over 40 minutes in three out of his last four games. In those games, he is averaging 39 FD points per game. He is listed as a PF now on FD. Towns has been just as good, averaging 44 FD points per game over his last four games. His price is more attractive on DK.
Kevin Garnett, Nikola Pekovic ruled out; Kevin Martin probable
Kevin Martin has been upgraded to probable after missing the previous nine games with a wrist injury. Martin's return puts a slight damper on Zach LaVine's DFS value. Martin should see about 12-15 minutes tonight against the Grizzlies and is a low-upside play. Kevin Garnett will miss his tenth consecutive game and Pekovic will miss his sixth in a row. Karl-Anthony Towns and Gorgui Dieng have both played well in their absence and should be considered elite options tonight. KAT has averaged about 34 minutes over his last 12 games and has a double-double in eleven out of those twelve games. Gorgui Dieng also has had a double-double in six of his last seven games while averaging over 36 minutes.