DFS MLB Hitting Coach: August 25

Catcher

Cash Play:  I think tonight can be a personal preference pick between Russell Martin, Welington Castillo and Jonathan Lucroy. The Jays have the highest run total vs Weaver, and Martin has taken him deep before. Castillo is probably the safest of the bunch, as well as the cheapest.  His 2 hits last night now gives him at least two in three of his last four games. Lucroy is the biggest risk out of the three I feel.  He’s facing the team he rejected, and looking to show them why.  He’s 2-3 with a HR off Tomlin, and looking to get back on track after a 0-7 series vs Cincy. Wilson Ramos can even be added as a fourth option, but sticking to the above three. 

GPP plays:  All three of the above listed work well in their team stacks, but also like Yadier Molina and Francisco Cervelli.  Molina went 3-5 in both games in this series vs the Met’s, and the Cards face the weakest pitcher of the series tonight.  Cervelli is more of a Pitt stack only play, but is 2-2 off Peralta.

Value Plays: If looking to punt, Molina makes for a great option on FD, but across the board Dioner Navarro makes the list.  He has the power which he showed by going deep last night, and should get the start tonight.  Thinking more people will punt with Bandy so Navarro will be low owned, but risky.   

First Base

Cash Plays:  If I’m paying up tonight at first, Paul Goldschmidt would be my play.  He has 6 hits with 2 of them going deep, and 6 runs in the series vs Atlanta, and thinking he will add to that tonight.  If he makes the lineup, I can see Justin Smoak being in some lineups.  He’s 10-34 with 3 HR’s lifetime off Weaver.  Price almost makes him a must on Aces.

GPP Plays: A nice pivot off Paul Goldschmidt is Brandon Moss.  He’s priced higher than Goldschmidt on DK, but his matchup is just as good.  Moss is on a nice 4 game hit streak with a run scored in three straight.  The Angel’s exploded last night, and could do the same tonight. Since more will look at Pujols, C.J. Cron becomes the better target.  He’s 2-4 with a HR off Happ, and last night was his best game since coming off the DL. 

Value Play:  Stacking the 5-7 hitters of the Pirates lineup for salary relief, and low ownership may not be too bad of a route.  Josh Bell has hit safely in all four games he started since being called up.  All of his hits have been for singles though, but did go deep back in July.  James Loney made the cut due to his ridiculous 16-31 with a HR and only 2 K’s lifetime stats vs Wainwright.  Loney is looking for his first XBH since August 1^st, but still batting roughly in the 5 spot.

Second Base  

Cash plays: Robinson Cano and Daniel Murphy are roughly the same price across the board, and both in great spots.  Cano is coming off a 7-12 series vs the Yankees with all seven hits being singles.  He gets to face a weak righty in Ranuado in a much better hitting park tonight.  Murphy had a grand slam in his last AB last night, and has taken Jimenez deep in the past.  Slightly more risky, you can take the FD and Aces discount with Howie Kendrick.  He’s 6-14 lifetime off Moore, and makes for a nice late night pick.

GPP plays: Both Matt Carpenter and Jean Segura are cash playable at a slightly cheaper price than the top two, but as you can see so far, I like the Cards and D’Backs tonight.  Carpenter went deep last night, and looking to contribute more than just the one hit he’s been getting during the recent Cardinal surge.  Segura has 4 runs in the series vs Atlanta, and if Arizona continues their run surge, Segura should have a nice night.    

Value Plays:  I don’t think you have to fully punt at second tonight, but if starting and not batting last, Greg Garcia makes for a nice option.  He’s reached base in 6 of his last 9 AB’s including a 2-2 performance last night. 

Third Base

Cash Plays:  Third can be another personal preference position with Adrian Beltre, Josh Donaldson, and Jake Lamb.  Beltre is 4-10 with a HR off Tomlin, and Texas should beat up on Tomlin at home.  Donaldson will probably be highly owned with the Jays high run total, but he is only 2-16 lifetime off Weaver.  He also hasn’t had a multi-hit game since August 3^rd.  That leaves my favorite play of the group with Lamb.  He is 5-10 in the series with 3 doubles and a HR.  Probably has the best matchup as well vs Wisler.   

GPP plays:  Seager should be back tonight, and although in nice spot, I’m still scared of injury concerns. Anthony Rendon has at least one XBH in five of his last 8 games, including two doubles last night.  To complete the potential 5-7 Pirates stack, you need David Freese.  He’s 4-10 with a HR off of Peralta.

Value Play:  Adonis Garcia has a great price on DK.  His HR last night gives him two for the series, and he is currently riding a 8 game hit streak.    

Shortstop

Cash Plays: One month ago, Trea Turner was $2.4 on FD on $3.6 on DK.  His price has risen since then, but is the top ss play tonight.  Before his last AB in the ninth inning, Turner had 8 straight hits.   He’s 2-3 lifetime off Jimenez, and the new streak should start tonight.  Troy Tulowitzki was on a seven game hit streak before his Ofer last night.  I’m off him tonight, but can see him on some FD lineups.  If fully punting SS, you have Tim Anderson at a great price vs a lefty on FD only.  He also had an Ofer last night after 5 hits over the previous two games. I won’t use Anderson in gpp’s outside of FD, but can see Tulo used in Jay’s stacks across the board. 

GPP Plays: Turner may actually be the most popular gpp play tonight, but also looking to target Jonathan Villar as a pivot option.  He’s on a seven game hit streak with a double in three of the last four games.   

Value Play:   While the Royals are not a great team play option, I’m not opposed to throwing out Alcides Escobar in a lineup.  He’s recorded 2 hits in three of his last five games.  Escobar is definitely a high risk play, but should also come with less than 2% ownership.

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Outfield

Cash Plays:  Hate repeating myself, but OF also looks to be a personal preference position as well. Ian Desmond, Mike Trout, and Ryan Braun all went deep yesterday, and all in positive matchups to make it two days in a row.  Bryce Harper’s price is too high on DK for cash, but in play elsewhere, and had his second straight two hit game yesterday.  If you are a BvP fan, Matt Kemp and Adam Jones are your best options.  Kemp is 5-11 with 2 HR’s off Kemp, and is on a nine game hit streak.  Jones does face the best pitcher on the slate, but is 11-22 with 3 HR’s lifetime off Scherzer. 

GPP Plays:  I really want to say all the players listed Iyou can make the case for your cash lineups.  Michael Bourn is 7-15 with 2 triples and 6 runs in this series vs his old team, and has a weak righty to face tonight.   Kole Calhoun  has the lefty/lefty matchup, but is 4-7 with 2 HRs off Happ.  Michael Saunders is 9-26 off Weaver, and like him in a Jay’s stack more than Bautista.  He’s also 3-7 with a HR in this series.

Value Plays: With this being the homestretch for the season, multiple OF value plays should pop up when lineups come out.  Best to keep your eye out to see who may be worth the punt.