Catcher

Early

Jonathan Lucroy:  Has 3 straight multi-hit games, as well as hit safely in 13 of last 14 games.  My top catcher option for early slate.

Giovany Soto:  The Angels have the highest run total of the early slate, and since there seems to be some weather concerns in other games, Soto checks in as a nice punt play.

Yan Gomes:  Cleveland start time seems to be in-between slates, but if playing all day, I like Gomes as a sneaky target.

Late

Russell Martin:  Catcher option is very weak in my opinion for late slate.  Make sure Russell is in the line-up.  If so, his price is cheap enough and should have some RBI opportunities tonight.

Curt Casali:  The Rays are my sneaky stack team of the late slate, so if Casali is in, feel free to run him out as your punt catcher.

 

First Base

Early

Anthony Rizzo:  League leader in RBI’s, and best 1B worth paying up for in early slate.  Not a must with other value plays out there, but should be heavily owned in cash games.

Lucas Duda:  Duda checks in as a nice mid-tier selection today.  Would rather pay up or down at 1B, but has a nice match up, and walked 3 times in 5 AB’s vs Chacin.

Chris Carter:  BvP play for 1B early slate with Carter going 5-14 with 2 HR’s vs Santiago.  Stacking this game may be the best early slate strategy.

Miguel Cabrera:  Just like Gomes, the game time is tricky, but Miggy has hit Kluber well, and will be the sneaky all day slate play.

Late

Justin Smoak:  BvP play for late slate 1B.  Smoak is cheap, and 7-16 with 2 HR vs Lewis.  If Vegas is correct, Smoak may be in for big night.

Ryan Howard:  Are the Phillies good?  I still don’t think so, but they are in a nice spot tonight vs Leake.  Howard went deep last night, and is 7-21 lifetime with 2 HR’s vs Leake.

Second Base

Early

Daniel Castro:  Second base seems like a punt play for the early slate, and even though Matz has been good, Castro has gone 4-6 with a HR vs him.    

Robinson Cano:  If not punting, Ben Zobrist will be the popular play, but for GPP’s, Cano makes for a low owned pick.  The lefty/lefty matchup will scare many away, but Cano has 7 hits in his last 3 games, and willing to ride the hot bat.

Late

Rougned Odor:  I’m a fan of lead-off hitters, and Odor has been hitting the ball well lately, recording multiple hit games in 3 of his last 4. 

Howie Kendrick:  If in the starting lineup, Kendrick usually bats in the heart of the order, and price is way too cheap for a player in his position.  I’ll take the discount tonight to make room for others.

Derek Dietrich:  Getting the bump due to Dee being gone, and should be in lead-off spot tonight.  Marlin’s team total also slightly higher than usual.

 

Third Base

Early

Tommy La Stella:  2B on FD.  Batting second for the Cubs today.  La Stella has produced for Cubs and fantasy players when in the lineup, and makes for solid play for early slate.

Yunel Escobar:  If stacking Angels, taking the leadoff hitter in Escobar would be the best way to go.  Has hit safely in 6 of last 7 games with a run scored in three straight.

Nolan Arenado:  If paying up in early slate for 3B, I like Nolan for GPP’s.  Bryant will be the popular play for cash games, but Nolan is always capable of going deep, even at Petco.

Late

Manny Machado:  Baltimore makes for a nice team stack against C.C. tonight.  Currently on a five game hitting streak, and 9-30 lifetime vs C.C. with a HR.

Maikel Franco:  If taking Howard, pairing him with Franco makes for a nice mini-stack.  4-6 lifetime vs Leake.  Hasn’t gone deep in 9 games, but think that ends tonight.

Todd Frazier:  White Sox are good, and Frazier has been struggling a bit.  Is 2-18 over last 5 games with those 2 hits both going deep.  This is just as much a pro-Frazier pick as a picking on Buchholtz play.

Shortstop

Early

Ketel Marte:  Has been heating up, and should in top of lineup.  Has hit safely in 11 of last 12 games, and favorite SS play for early slate.

Brandon Crawford:  Taking lefties in Cincy is not the worst idea ever, and Crawford fits the bill for me today.  Check the weather for the game, but if good to go, Crawford makes for a nice play.

Late

Troy Tuluwitzki:  Sticking with recommending Toronto players, and Tulu is definitely in play.  Not a must of the Jays I want to stack, but hitting in the heart of lineup gives him plenty of RBI opportunities.

Xander Bogaerts:  Correa will be the more popular play, but looks like wind in blowing out at the Cell tonight, and Rodon has been hit or miss.  If tonight is a miss, Xander can put up some big numbers.

Adeiny Hechavarria:  With SS being thin in late slate, punting with Hechavarria isn’t the worst idea.  I will more than likely being paying up or punting as low as I can go with SS.

Outfield

Early

Charlie Blackmon:  Think his price won’t be this low for a long time.  Blackmon is always in play vs a righty and went deep last night.

Dexter Fowler:  Price is up there, but Fowler has been great as the Cubs leadoff hitter.  He has scored at least one run in 9 of his last 10 games.

John Jay:  Out of the three early game leadoff guys, Jay is my least favorite, making him a great GPP play.  For cash, would rather target Matt Kemp.

Late

Adam Jones:  Jones has a great BvP against C.C. going 19-61 with 4 HR’s.  If stacking Baltimore, Jones and Machado should both be on your roster.

Melky Cabrera:  Makes for nice play to pair with Frazier.  If there is a strong wind blowing out, the Sox would be my second sneaky stack after the Rays.

Danny Santana:  Punt play option if leading off.  There are a few Santana’s that you can target tonight, but for near min price, I like Danny tonight.

Steve Souza:  GPP play only for me that will be only used for my Rays stack.  Souza has 10 K’s vs only 2 hits over his last 4 games, but has taken Wood deep before, and will be extremely low owned.