RADIO
What's up everybody. Another full slate of games on Wednesday, June 17th with everything getting started at 7:05 PM. That means ownership should be spread out among players pretty evenly. There are tons of aces out there (Kershaw, Cueto, Price, Felix, Bumgarner), but unfortunately four of them are playing each other (DET v CIN / SF v SEA), making Kershaw all the more valuable. I'd avoid getting cute with a cheap SP and invest in a top ace.
I'll try to focus on cheaper hitters below $3,500 to allow you to invest in an ace. So while Paul Goldschmidt ($5,900) may be a strong play, the opportunity cost is too high with a $10K pitcher. I fought back with the Orioles yesterday, so let's try and continue that momentum. If you ever want to play a H2H give me a shout. Let's get to it!
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Starting Pitchers to Consider for FanDuel
As stated above, there's a solid set of pitchers to choose from, but there's a sizable gap from Kershaw. I've included a cheap option for the daredevils out there.
Clayton Kershaw (LAD, SP) vs TEX - $12,300
Crazy to think people were actually worried about Kershaw back in mid-May. He has a 0.94 ERA in his last four starts with at least 10 strikeouts in three of them. In his last two starts at home he's thrown 15 shutout innings with a 39/6 K/BB ratio. I don't think you need anymore convincing.
Ubaldo Jimenez (BAL, SP) - $8,100
This is more a play of fading the Phillies. They've been shut out three of the past five games and only tallied 3 runs last night. Jimenez has recorded at least five strikeouts in past four outings and has pitched well enough to pick up the victory in his last three. The Orioles are heavy favorites today (-180), so I like his chances for a W.
Offenses to Target for FanDuel Stacking
Houston Astros (@ COL)
It feels like every week I write this article I'm analyzing a game at Coors. And every time I can't resist recommending to get some skin on the game. Today serves no different with the Astros visiting Colorado for a matchup vs Kyle Kendrick. Kendrick has performed quite well lately with back-to-back quality starts vs Miami, but the Astros (8th in runs) are playing much better than the Marlins (25th in runs). It won't be cheap to get Springer ($4,700) or Altuve ($4,500), but you can snag Luis Valbuena ($3,300) and Jason Castro ($3,000) for more reasonable prices.
Pittsburgh Pirates (vs CHW)
The Pirates have seen a steady stream of lefties (Rodon, Quintana) in this series vs the White Sox and it continues with John Danks today. He's the most attractive of the three for a stacking perspective and there a plenty of Pirates with excellent numbers vs LHP. You can only choose four, but I like Francisco Cervelli ($2,900), Jung-ho Kang ($2,900), Sean Rodriguez ($2,200 - if he plays), Andrew McCutchen ($4,600) and Starling Marte ($4,000).
Honorable Mentions: Milwaukee Brewers, Arizona Diamondbacks
DFS Infielders to Consider for FanDuel
Yan Gomes (CLE, C) - $2,220
He's still coming in at the minimum price and carries a .298/.333/.497 line vs LHP with Wada on the mound.
Jose Abreu (CHW, 1B) - $3,800
Abreu has three HR in his past seven games, and while his splits vs lefties are poor this season (.209/.277.395), he did have a .353/.437/.662 line last year. The less-than-intimidating Jeff Locke is on the mound for Pittsburgh. Abreu is an elite 1B without paying the $4,500+ tag.
Chris Davis (BAL, 1B) - $3,300
Davis tends to be a streaky player, so the hope is he's found a groove. After last night's bomb he has two HR in his past five games, and the Orioles get to play in the sandbox (aka Citizens Bank Park) for the next two days.
Ben Zobrist (OAK, 2B) - $2,600
Zobrist has a hit in seven of his last eight games and was a Padre killer in the short series (4 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI). The cheap price tag allows you to build elsewhere.
Jimmy Paredes (BAL, 2B) - $2,500
Paredes is starting to come back to life at the plate (.313 in past week), and I like the Orioles today to pile on the runs.
Manny Machado (BAL, 3B) - $3,500
Machado has the been the best third basemen in the game the last week and has four HR to his name in that span. The only downside is that you can expect half of your league to be thinking the same thing on Machado.
Yasmany Tomas (ARI, 3B) - $2,900
The power is starting to come around for Tomas (two HR last five games). He also has a .297/.333/.459 line vs LHP with Hector Santiago on the mound.
Xander Bogaerts (BOS, SS) - $2,600
Bogaerts continues to perform at this low price point (last 7 days - 3/1/5/0/.281) and has a great matchup vs Alex Wood (.339/.402/.482 vs LHP).
Francisco Lindor (CLE, SS) - $2,300
Lindor makes for a cheap speed play batting at the top of the order vs a pitcher (Wada) with iffy control (1.43 WHIP).
DFS Outfielders to Consider for FanDuel
Avisail Garcia (CHW, OF) - $2,800
Garcia has been struggling at the plate, but he fits the cheap criteria and has mashed lefties this year (.293/.310/.463).
Will Venable (SD, OF) - $2,600
With Wil Myers back on the DL I expect Venable to see a good share of PT, and he's been a catalyst batting leadoff for San Diego. Venable has a hit in his past three starts and loves to face righties (.275/.333/.457)
Nolan Reimold ($2,300) or Travis Snider (2,200)
Since the game is in Philly, only one of these guys is likely to play. Whichever gets the starts makes for a cheap play with good power potential. Reimold has a 3/2/5/.278 line in his past five starts, while Snider has hits in four of his last five starts including last nights 2-for-3 performance with one run, two RBI, and two walks.
DFS Q&A with Max Petrie @ 6PM on 6/17
Leave your question and come back at 6pm when Max answers everything. For our regular MLB & Fantasy Baseball Chat, click here.
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