Two Second Basemen and no Shortstops? No Problem.

Thank you, Fantasy Aces.

The past couple of game slates have been rough for me. I don't play the volume of other analysts so I can't diversify as much as those that put in multiple lineups. In instances there are multiple players I like at a position and none I like at others, I'm in a bind.

Monday night, like most, I was on Jedd Gyorko and Will Middlebrooks as part of a San Diego stack in Coors Field. The problem was I also really liked Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager as the Seattle Mariners hosted the Houston Astros and right-hander Asher Wojciechowski. The Mariners duo enjoyed the handedness edge against a rookie.

On Tuesday, I remained a fan of Gyorko but also wanted to to work in Jason Kipnis as the Cleveland Indians are in the launching pad known as U.S. Cellular Field with Hector Noesi toeing the rubber for the Chicago White Sox. While I liked Middlebrooks again, I also thought three first baseman, Carlos Santana, Adam Lind and Brandon Moss were in good spots. Part of my thinking was especially after Monday night's barrage, I wanted to fade Coors field but still wanted a little Friar exposure and using Gyorko was a way to do it.

Oh well, guess I was out of luck.

Or was I?

The roster requirements at Fantasy Aces allow me to work in every single one of the combinations described above. Instead of a traditional infield of one each at first, second, third and shortstop, Fantasy Aces employs a corner spot composed of first and third basemen and a middle spot consisting of second basemen and shortstops. Your roster needs two corners and two middle men. In other words, on Monday I could use both Cano and Gyorko and not sweat forcing in a shortstop. And on Tuesday, I could use all three first baseman (one at utility) and not worry about finding a third baseman if I wanted to fade Middlebrooks.

I've described the set-up to some friends and for some reason they scoff at it. They say it isn't true to the game. Really? But being able to use Victor Martinez at catcher or Billy Hamilton at shortstop is fine?

i admit, while I like to think I know a little something about DFS strategy and player analysis, I'm in this as much for the fun and challenge as I am the financial gain. So being able to go with my optimal lineup on one site while being forced to play/root for less desirable players on another adds to my enjoyment.

Now you'll have to excuse me as I have the second night of a three-day survivor tournament to sweat.

Thank you, Fantasy Aces.