Interesting slate tonight where there are only a few teams who have seen their opposing pitcher tonight.  Add that to the large slate, and that leaves plenty of routes to go tonight.  Vegas likes the Red Sox, Twins, Blue Jays, and the Orioles as the top scoring teams tonight.  As of this post, there still is not a line for the Cubs/Sox game, but thinking the Cubs will be added to the list.  Outside of the above teams listed, I like the Brewers and White Sox as my sneaky stacks of the slate.  Please note that I am not including any players in the Cards/Mets game.  It is another double header, and last time this happened, the Cards went with their “B” lineup.  It is something to keep an eye on though due to their pricing being against Thor and not Colon today.  Good luck!

 

PlayerTmBatsH/AOppOpp PitcherThrowsABAVGOBPSLGOPSwOBAISOBB%K%GB%FB%LD%HR/FBBABIP$FD$DK$Aces
                        
Jonathan LucroyMILRHARIPatrick CorbinL326.301.361.488.849.365.1878.80%19.00%41.30%34.00%24.70%15.50%.343$3,400$4,500$4,650
Buster PoseySFRHCINCody ReedL325.286.359.465.824.354.17910.10%11.40%49.80%27.20%22.90%15.80%.295$3,900$3,900$4,850
Sandy LeonBOSBHDETMike PelfreyR80.400.442.6501.092.467.2507.00%20.90%43.10%32.80%24.10%15.80%.492$2,800$3,400$3,900
Salvador PerezKCRHLAATyler SkaggsL325.274.310.483.793.338.2094.30%23.80%33.30%44.60%22.10%14.00%.322$3,100$2,900$4,650
Russell MartinTORRHSDAndrew CashnerR266.226.316.335.651.294.1099.70%28.30%47.50%31.80%20.70%12.30%.301$3,100$3,400$4,550
Matt WietersBALBHCOLChad BettisR240.246.302.396.698.309.1507.30%21.40%42.50%38.10%19.30%13.00%.282$3,000$3,300$4,500
Willson ContrerasCHIRACWSJames ShieldsR117.282.373.479.852.373.19710.40%26.90%57.10%24.70%18.20%26.30%.368$3,100$3,600$4,550

Catcher

Cash Play:  Both Buster Posey and Jonathan Lucroy have great matchups tonight.  Reed pitched well in his last start, but was struggling before that, and Posey should be able to take advantage of the young lefty.  Lucroy is 5-8 lifetime vs Corbin, and has a solid price tag on FD.  For cheaper on FD and DK, Salvador Perez is in play but comes with a slight risk compared to the others.  Although he went deep last night, Skaggs has been pitching well during his rehab.  Hard to pass up his very cheap DK price though.

GPP plays:  I will focus my gpp catcher on one of the higher implied run total teams as part of a stack.  This includes Russell Martin, Matt Wieters, and Willson ContrerasAll three are practically the same price across the board, making it more of your personal preference over anything else.  My feeling is Contreras will be the higher owned of the three, but none should be over 15%.

Value Plays: I’m not opposed to punting catcher tonight if Sandy Leon is in the lineup for the Red Sox.  Vegas strongly believes Pelfrey will be rocked tonight, and Leon is 2-4 against him, and does have some power to his game. 

 

PlayerTmBatsH/AOppOpp PitcherThrowsABAVGOBPSLGOPSwOBAISOBB%K%GB%FB%LD%HR/FBBABIP$FD$DK$Aces
Anthony RizzoCHILACWSJames ShieldsR349.287.394.582.976.412.29512.30%16.40%39.00%39.70%21.30%22.20%.292$5,100$5,500$5,600
Joe MauerMINLHATLLucas HarrellR341.261.362.370.732.322.10913.60%16.10%53.60%19.60%26.80%14.80%.299$2,600$4,100$4,300
Jose AbreuCWSRHCHIKyle HendricksR380.274.333.426.759.326.1526.40%19.60%49.50%30.70%19.80%12.20%.317$2,700$3,100$5,000
Chris DavisBALLHCOLChad BettisR343.224.337.466.803.349.24213.50%32.80%34.10%45.90%20.00%23.40%.288$3,900$3,600$5,250
Chris CarterMILRHARIPatrick CorbinL331.218.303.480.783.335.26210.20%33.40%33.20%43.10%23.70%24.20%.265$3,300$4,000$4,850
Kennys VargasMINBHATLLucas HarrellR46.326.429.7171.146.471.39116.10%26.80%41.90%41.90%16.10%23.10%.414$3,000$3,800$3,900
Hanley RamirezBOSRHDETMike PelfreyR344.282.361.456.817.354.1749.50%19.20%51.30%29.70%19.00%16.30%.324$3,400$4,800$5,000

First Base

Cash Plays:  I’m all in on paying up for Anthony Rizzo tonight. Ortiz is not listed here, and not against playing him, but this just feels like a Rizzo game tonight.  His price is definitely up there, and believe he will be a great play on both DK and Aces.  On FD, you can roll with Rizzo, but there are some cheaper options including mid-priced Hanley Ramirez, and low priced Joe Mauer and Jose AbreuOut of the three, Hanley is the only one that has the same upside as Rizzo though.  I would stick to Rizzo or Hanley for cash games, and sprinkle the others in your gpp’s. 

GPP Plays: A nice pivot off of Anthony Rizzo could be the two cheaper options listed above, as well as Chris Davis or Chris CarterBoth Chris’s are mainly HR or bust plays, but both arte in the HR position tonight. 

Value Play:  I think the White Sox are in a sneaky position to keep pace with the Cubs offense tonight.  Jose Abreu is cheap tonight on FD, and like him more than Mauer.  Besides Mauer, the Twins also have Kennys Vargas who has a double in three straight games. 

 

PlayerTmBatsH/AOppOpp PitcherThrowsABAVGOBPSLGOPSwOBAISOBB%K%GB%FB%LD%HR/FBBABIP$FD$DK$Aces
Jose AltuveHOURHNYYCC SabathiaL390.359.426.572.998.424.2139.80%9.10%44.50%30.60%24.90%16.00%.364$3,900$5,400$5,500
Brian DozierMINRHATLLucas HarrellR349.249.333.464.797.343.2159.70%17.00%36.90%47.20%16.00%12.80%.260$3,100$4,100$4,950
Ryan SchimpfSDLATORMarcus StromanR92.239.355.620.975.421.38112.70%28.20%27.10%54.20%18.60%28.10%.245$2,200$3,500$3,800
Jonathan SchoopBALRHCOLChad BettisR372.296.327.513.840.359.2173.30%20.40%44.50%34.60%20.80%17.30%.336$4,200$4,100$4,650
Dustin PedroiaBOSRHDETMike PelfreyR390.305.372.449.821.360.1449.70%12.20%47.30%26.90%25.70%11.10%.332$3,600$4,900$4,900
Ben ZobristCHIBACWSJames ShieldsR332.271.381.440.821.360.16914.60%13.10%47.90%28.40%23.80%16.30%.285$4,300$3,900$5,000

Second Base  

Cash plays:  Second base feels like a key strategy choice play tonight that may be split between top priced Jose Altuve, mid-priced Brian Dozier, and cheap Ryan SchimpfSchimpf put up a goose egg last night, after hitting his 9th HR in July the night before.  Altuve is always in play vs a lefty, and is on a 10 game hit streak.  Dozier is 2-5 with a HR with Harrell, and should have plenty of opportunities to produce.  My gut tells me Schimpf, but if have the salary, Altuve is probably the safest play of the bunch.    

GPP plays:  Just like catcher, sticking with the players on plus matchup teams which falls to Jonathan Schoop, Dustin Pedroia, and Ben ZobristAll three bat towards the top of their lineups, and are best paired with other players in a stack lineup.  If not stacking, I like all three cash listed players for gpp’s as well.     

Value Plays:  Schimpf is the top value at 2B, but keep an eye on the Cards/Mets game.  If Garcia or Jed are towards the top, then they are in play as well.

 

PlayerTmBatsH/AOppOpp PitcherThrowsABAVGOBPSLGOPSwOBAISOBB%K%GB%FB%LD%HR/FBBABIP$FD$DK$Aces
Manny MachadoBALRHCOLChad BettisR378.312.372.550.922.392.2388.40%16.80%37.80%39.50%22.80%17.20%.338$3,900$3,900$5,300
Josh DonaldsonTORRHSDAndrew CashnerR372.301.413.583.996.425.28215.00%16.40%37.80%38.50%23.60%21.10%.319$4,800$5,200$5,550
Kris BryantCHIRACWSJames ShieldsR371.286.379.550.929.397.26410.70%22.80%33.50%43.70%22.80%21.70%.324$4,800$4,600$5,650
Todd FrazierCWSRHCHIKyle HendricksR361.211.297.476.773.330.26510.20%23.80%37.70%46.80%15.50%23.40%.197$2,500$3,200$5,200
Travis ShawBOSLHDETMike PelfreyR332.262.325.464.789.337.2027.90%24.90%36.70%41.30%22.10%12.10%.325$3,500$4,900$4,750
Cheslor CuthbertKCRHLAATyler SkaggsL243.296.329.461.790.344.1655.00%20.90%49.50%30.60%19.90%15.80%.346$2,500$3,400$3,750
Hernan PerezMILRHARIPatrick CorbinL168.274.303.417.720.319.1434.40%23.80%46.00%31.00%23.00%12.80%.336$3,800$3,900$3,900

Third Base

 

Cash Plays:  Hard to pass on Travis Shaw on FD tonight.  He gets Pelfrey, and also 10 of his last 11 hits have went for either a double or HR.  His DK price though is higher than both Kris Bryant and Manny MachadoBoth are cash playable, with Bryant hitting safely in 12 of his last 13 games, while looking for his first HR since July 5th, and Machado is 2-3 off Bettis, and on a nice five game hit streak. 

GPP plays:   While all three listed above will be also popular gpp picks, Josh Donaldson may be forgotten.  He has been struggling a bit, but I still think he will similar ownership as the others though due to the Blue Jays getting back to full strength. A probable low owned player priced the same as Machado on DK and FD is Hernan Perez.   If batting second, I like him as part of a Brewers stack big time as a few single, SB, and run AB’s add up in points. 

Value Play:  Tough not to pay up for some big bats at third tonight, but Todd Frazier went deep again last night, and is dirt cheap on FD and DK.  A player cheap across the board is Cheslor CuthbertHe’s not a sexy pick, but has hit safely in 18 of his last 20 games.

 

PlayerTmBatsH/AOppOpp PitcherThrowsABAVGOBPSLGOPSwOBAISOBB%K%GB%FB%LD%HR/FBBABIP$FD$DK$Aces
Eduardo NunezMINRHATLLucas HarrellR359.298.324.446.770.332.1483.40%14.40%52.30%31.50%16.20%12.40%.320$3,800$3,900$4,850
Xander BogaertsBOSRHDETMike PelfreyR401.332.386.474.860.378.1428.00%14.60%51.80%30.70%17.50%11.00%.372$3,400$5,000$5,350
Jonathan VillarMILBHARIPatrick CorbinL358.296.380.436.816.353.14011.80%26.30%61.20%18.80%20.00%17.40%.402$4,200$5,200$5,000
Troy TulowitzkiTORRHSDAndrew CashnerR282.248.314.457.771.333.2098.30%21.90%41.00%41.40%17.60%18.40%.269$2,800$4,000$5,100
Tim AndersonCWSRHCHIKyle HendricksR165.273.281.430.711.314.1571.20%30.60%54.90%26.50%18.60%16.70%.370$2,200$3,200$4,450

Shortstop

Cash Plays:  SS is pretty thin compared to the other positions in my opinion tonight.  I’m going to split it just about in half between Troy Tulowitzki and Eduardo NunezTulu has a great price on FD, and will be my top target there.  He is on a 10 game hit streak, and feel a grand slam coming his way tonight.  Nunez should be leadoff on a Twins team that Vegas expects to score tonight.  Although he has not been as consistent as many other SS options, Harrell is not a strikeout pitcher which is what has been hurting Nunez. 

GPP Plays:  Both can easily be in play for cash games if you are a Tulu hater, but I’m sticking with Xander Bogaerts and Jonathan Villar as mainly gpp plays.  Not opposed to Bogaerts if have the salary for cash on FD, as he has recorded 3 or more hits in three of his last six games.     

Value Play:   Tim Anderson is dirt cheap on FD and DK, but Nunez is my play on Aces.  While Tulu is a much better cheap option for cash on FD, Anderson doesn’t need much at 2200 to hit value, but will only use in a Sox stack. 

.

PlayerTmBatsH/AOppOpp PitcherThrowsABAVGOBPSLGOPSwOBAISOBB%K%GB%FB%LD%HR/FBBABIP$FD$DK$Aces
Mookie BettsBOSRHDETMike PelfreyR419.303.342.527.869.372.2245.60%13.00%44.50%35.40%20.20%15.60%.311$4,200$5,600$5,500
Jay BruceCINLASFMatt CainR353.272.326.564.890.374.2927.00%20.60%39.80%38.00%22.30%22.10%.289$3,400$4,900$5,300
Mike TroutLAARAKCDillon GeeR352.313.424.554.978.415.24115.50%18.60%42.80%34.70%22.50%20.20%.354$4,100$4,900$5,500
Adam EatonCWSLHCHIKyle HendricksR386.277.361.404.765.339.1278.90%16.30%62.80%18.30%18.90%10.30%.327$3,200$3,500$4,600
Jackie Bradley Jr.BOSLHDETMike PelfreyR337.303.381.546.927.395.2439.70%19.30%51.10%33.20%15.60%17.20%.348$3,000$4,900$4,850
Marcell OzunaMIARHPHIJerad EickhoffR361.294.348.504.852.366.2107.60%20.30%42.90%36.40%20.70%16.70%.335$3,000$4,000$4,850
Ryan BraunMILRHARIPatrick CorbinL319.323.382.520.902.387.1978.00%16.20%56.30%21.10%22.60%25.50%.357$4,500$5,300$5,100
Jose BautistaTORRHSDAndrew CashnerR238.231.362.454.816.356.22316.90%16.90%39.50%38.40%22.10%16.40%.240$5,000$4,100$5,300
Dexter FowlerCHIBACWSJames ShieldsR251.291.398.490.888.387.19912.40%22.10%44.10%31.80%24.00%14.00%.363$3,300$4,700$5,200
Josh ReddickOAKLATEXNick MartinezR222.293.371.428.799.345.13511.20%13.20%46.20%32.30%21.50%10.00%.321$2,900$5,100$4,550
Nick MarkakisATLLAMINErvin SantanaR370.262.341.368.709.314.10610.70%14.20%47.10%29.40%23.50%5.50%.297$3,200$3,600$4,850
Michael BournARILAMILMatt GarzaR2010.2690.3120.3780.690.3020.1096.00%25.80%51.00%23.10%25.90%5.90%0.361$2,900$4,000$4,100

Outfield

Cash Plays:  OF may be spread out tonight as far as ownership percentages go, but feel that Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, and Jay Bruce make for a nice OF tandem in cash tonight.  Trout is 1-3 with a HR vs Gee, and is $900 less than Bautista on FD.  Betts is the highest priced of the group, but when the Red Sox have these high totals, Betts seems to always make good of them.  He struggled in first game back after taking a few days off, but before then had 3 doubles and 2 HR’s over his previous three games.  Bruce is 8-16 lifetime off of Cain, but has yet to homer off of him.  A pivot off of Bruce can easily go to either Dexter Fowler or Jackie Bradley Jr.  Both are in great positions to produce tonight. 

GPP Plays:  With OF being very wide open tonight, go with what makes sense for your roster.  If looking for some low owned options, Josh Reddick, Michael Bourn, and Adam Eaton should all be less than 10% owned tonight.  Reddick is 6-12 off of Martinez, but has a ridiculously high DK price tag making a nice gpp contrarian pick.  Eaton is 2-5 with a HR off of Kendrick’s, and has been scoring walk off runs for the Sox lately.  Bourn is 10-21 lifetime off of Garza. 

Value Plays: I believe there are enough OF options available in plus matchups, that you don’t need to go bargain basement hunting to find value.