Pretty average slate on the Wednesday night.  With the wind blowing out at Wrigley, Vegas seems to really like the Cubs tonight.  The Rangers also check in as having a high team total tonight.  Seattle is the team I’ll be looking to target in gpp’s the most tonight.  Skaggs had a problem with tipping off pitches last game, and gave up 7 stolen bases.  While there are some great cash game options tonight, I think the slate is best geared toward tournament play.  Good luck!

 

PlayerTmBatsH/AOppOpp PitcherThrowsABAVGOBPSLGOPSwOBAISOBB%K%GB%FB%LD%HR/FBBABIP$FD$DK$Aces
Yasmani GrandalLABAPHIJake ThompsonR273.234.352.487.839.355.25315.10%24.40%48.10%33.30%18.50%30.20%.256$3,100$5,100$4,650
Jonathan LucroyTEXRHOAKSean ManaeaL378.250.348.7251.073.369.4759.20%19.00%39.50%36.80%23.70%17.80%.325$3,400$4,700$4,700
Kurt SuzukiMINRAATLM. FoltynewiczR274.281.321.431.752.329.1504.40%12.90%42.40%35.40%22.30%7.40%.306$2,700$2,700$3,750
Tucker BarnhartCINBHMIAAndrew CashnerR288.267.331.410.741.315.1438.20%18.50%53.90%24.10%21.90%12.70%.314$2,200$3,700$4,000
Welington CastilloARIRHNYMJon NieseL299.264.316.441.757.324.1776.70%26.40%44.70%29.80%25.50%19.40%.328$3,000$4,700$4,300

Catcher

Cash Play:  Yasmani Grandal had a key role in the Dodger’s outburst last night going 3-4 with a HR, and don’t see why anything will change tonight.  Three of his last six hits have went for HR’s.  For slightly cheaper, Jonathan Lucroy is in play as usual.  Although he has cooled off lately, he is still a top option vs a lefty at home.

GPP plays:  Welington Castillo can be used for cash, but like him more in gpp’s.  He has taken Niese deep twice in the past, and is 5-8 in the series so far vs the Mets.  Kurt Suzuki is 2-4 with a HR vs Foltynewicz, and has hit safely in 8 of his last 9 games.  He will more than likely be very low owned, and does come with more risk than others. 

Value Plays: Tucker Barnhart extended his hit streak to 12 games by hitting a grand slam last night.  His near minimum price on FD makes him a nice salary relief option.  David Ross is also in play in a Cub’s stack.

 

PlayerTmBatsH/AOppOpp PitcherThrowsABAVGOBPSLGOPSwOBAISOBB%K%GB%FB%LD%HR/FBBABIP$FD$DK$Aces
Anthony RizzoCHILHMILJimmy NelsonR424.293.398.568.966.410.27512.30%15.70%37.60%41.80%20.60%18.10%.307$4,200$5,300$5,450
Freddie FreemanATLLHMINKyle GibsonR442.287.381.536.917.387.24911.70%25.10%33.40%36.40%30.20%20.50%.355$3,600$5,100$5,150
Carlos SantanaCLEBHCWSAnthony RanaudoR430.240.334.465.799.348.22512.50%15.50%43.80%39.50%16.70%18.20%.235$3,600$5,200$4,950
Joey VottoCINLHMIAAndrew CashnerR396.303.427.510.937.404.20717.30%21.30%44.90%27.20%27.90%24.40%.363$4,100$5,300$5,100
James LoneyNYMLAARIZack GodleyR237.270.315.401.716.319.1315.10%11.80%43.90%32.30%23.70%9.40%.287$3,000$3,500$4,200
Dae-Ho LeeSEARALAATyler SkaggsL229.249.309.445.754.326.1966.40%22.10%54.40%23.40%22.20%32.50%.273$2,400$2,800$4,200

First Base

Cash Plays:  Weather concerns may help me decide on which top 1B will be my main target as there are some concerns that could affect games.  For now, my top targets are Anthony Rizzo and Carlos SantanaRizzo gets a great matchup vs the struggling righty Nelson.  His BvP numbers aren’t ideal, but Vegas likes the Cubs to put up some big stats tonight at Wrigley.  Santana and Napoli are both nice options, but leaning more towards Santana.  Ranaudo should have been rocked by the Cubs in his first spot start, and thinking he gets blown up tonight.

 

GPP Plays: The two listed above are in play for gpp’s, and will also be adding Joey Votto and Freddie Freeman as targets.  Votto can be used in cash, but wanted to target players on higher scoring teams. Votto is 4-7 with 4 walks lifetime vs Cashner, and has at least two hits in five of his last seven games.  Freeman is on a six game hit streak that includes four HR’s.

Value Play:  Dae-Ho Lee is a great punt play on FD and DK as part of a Seattle stack.  It’s more of a pick against Skaggs than anything else. 

 

PlayerTmBatsH/AOppOpp PitcherThrowsABAVGOBPSLGOPSwOBAISOBB%K%GB%FB%LD%HR/FBBABIP$FD$DK$Aces
Jason KipnisCLELHCWSAnthony RanaudoR449.294.354.503.857.366.2098.40%20.30%40.70%34.70%24.60%16.50%.338$3,800$5,400$4,850
Robinson CanoSEALALAATyler SkaggsL478.291.347.515.862.370.2246.70%13.80%47.50%32.20%20.40%20.30%.296$3,600$3,600$5,400
Neil WalkerNYMBAARIZack GodleyR398.279.341.470.811.350.1918.60%18.60%36.30%40.40%23.20%17.30%.300$3,700$4,900$4,850
Chase UtleyLALAPHIJake ThompsonR381.255.329.396.725.313.1418.00%18.50%44.00%32.10%23.90%10.60%.297$2,800$3,900$4,950
Dee GordonMIALACINHomer BaileyR159.296.343.365.708.308.0697.00%16.90%63.00%21.30%15.70%0.00%.359$3,500$4,900$5,000

Second Base  

Cash plays:  Although I’m a huge fan of the top 2B players tonight, I feel that Chase Utley, at his price, will be on a majority of cash game rosters on FD and DK.  He went deep twice last night in his return to Phily, and in another great spot tonight.  He now has recorded two hit games in four of his last six. 

GPP plays: Outside of Utley, Robinson Cano is my favorite play at second.  Many will be off the lefty/lefty matchup, but Cano is 4-7 off Skaggs with a .714 slugging percentage.  His DK price makes him a great pivot off of Utley. Neil Walker is also a top target for me tonight.  He has homered in two straight games now, and the Met’s will go overlooked tonight.  Both Jason Kipnis and Dee Gordon make for nice gpp plays as part of their team stacks.  Kipnis went 4-4 in the first game of the series, and Gordon now has 2 hits in three straight games.   

Value Plays:  Currently, Utley and Cano are the two lowest salary options I’ll target at second.  Once lineups come out, there may be a value player batting towards the top of their lineup that could be in play.

PlayerTmBatsH/AOppOpp PitcherThrowsABAVGOBPSLGOPSwOBAISOBB%K%GB%FB%LD%HR/FBBABIP$FD$DK$Aces
Kris BryantCHIRHMILJimmy NelsonR445.290.385.546.931.398.25611.00%23.40%33.40%43.80%22.70%20.70%.339$4,100$5,200$5,500
Kyle SeagerSEALALAATyler SkaggsL444.284.359.511.870.372.2279.40%15.40%35.50%42.10%22.30%14.40%.300$3,500$3,900$5,200
Adrian BeltreTEXRHOAKSean ManaeaL439.287.342.469.811.352.1826.90%10.40%44.50%36.10%19.40%13.80%.287$3,500$5,100$5,000
Travis ShawBOSLABALDylan BundyR385.252.318.444.762.327.1928.20%24.70%36.20%40.90%22.90%12.30%.310$2,600$3,500$4,750
Chase d'ArnaudATLRHMINKyle GibsonR208.250.314.346.660.294.0967.40%18.30%43.00%32.90%24.10%1.90%.307$2,300$2,900$3,650

Third Base

Cash Plays:  Kris Bryant is the top 3B tonight in my opinion, but his price tag may be hard to fit him in. He is in play for cash on FD, hasn’t gone deep in over a week, and probably best used in a Cub’s stack in gpp’s tonight.   Adrain Beltre’s 9 game hit streak ended last night.  During that time he had 17 hits, and think he gets back on track tonight.  Kyle Seager’s price makes him a great target tonight.  Another lefty/lefty match like Cano, Seager is 4-9 with a HR off Skaggs.    

GPP plays:  All the players listed above are my top gpp options as well, but also like Travis ShawHe only has 1 hit over his last 21 AB’s, so best used in Red Sox stack only, but should be low owned. 

Value Play:  Chase d’Arnaud, if batting second, makes for a nice value play paired with Freeman.  Like the catcher punt play, more of a pick against the pitcher then pro hitter.      

PlayerTmBatsH/AOppOpp PitcherThrowsABAVGOBPSLGOPSwOBAISOBB%K%GB%FB%LD%HR/FBBABIP$FD$DK$Aces
Corey SeagerLALAPHIJake ThompsonR462.307.360.528.888.381.2217.40%18.90%47.50%28.50%24.00%20.40%.348$3,800$5,000$5,150
Francisco LindorCLEBHCWSAnthony RanaudoR454.311.360.456.816.350.1457.50%13.20%52.70%24.40%22.90%14.70%.331$3,500$5,100$5,450
Andrelton SimmonsLAARHSEACody MartinR303.277.313.347.660.292.0704.60%8.60%54.60%24.40%21.00%1.50%.300$2,100$2,600$3,950
Jose ReyesNYMBAARIZack GodleyR83.253.308.482.790.319.2297.70%17.60%41.90%41.90%16.10%11.50%.277$2,800$4,200$4,800
Chris OwingsARIRHNYMJon NieseL264.277.320.405.725.313.1285.70%20.10%53.20%24.10%22.70%4.10%.346$2,800$5,000$4,350

Shortstop

Cash Plays:  Both Corey Seager and Francisco Lindor have great matchups tonight.  Seager was a disappointment in the Dodgers power last night, but has 13 hits over his last 7 games.  Lindor is 9-20 over his last five games, and should have plenty of opportunites to produce tonight.  My issue is I have to find a position to save some salary at, and thinking SS may be it.  Andrelton Simmons has been hitting in the middle of the Angel’s lineup lately, and is cheap across the board.  He doesn’t have the upside as the others mentioned, but doesn’t need it at his salary.  Against the spot starter Martin, Simmons should have so baserunners in front of him to help him exceed his value tonight. 

GPP Plays: I’ll be mainly targeting the players listed above, but both Jose Reyes and Chris Owings are in nice spots tonight.  They have the same price on FD, but Reyes is much cheaper on DK.   Owings is 4-8 lifetime off Niese, and was on a nice 8 game hit streak before going hitless last night.  In the first two games of this series against Arizona, Reyes has 4 hits, 3 RBI’s, and 2 walks.           

Value Play:   Simmons checks in as my favorite value play at SS. 

.

PlayerTmBatsH/AOppOpp PitcherThrowsABAVGOBPSLGOPSwOBAISOBB%K%GB%FB%LD%HR/FBBABIP$FD$DK$Aces
Mookie BettsBOSRABALDylan BundyR499.315.355.571.926.394.2565.90%12.50%42.50%37.00%20.50%17.40%.315$4,300$5,400$5,500
Ian DesmondTEXRHOAKSean ManaeaL479.290.339.476.815.351.1866.60%24.90%55.40%23.20%21.40%25.00%.357$4,000$4,700$5,400
Tyler NaquinCLELHCWSAnthony RanaudoR229.314.378.594.972.412.2809.00%30.50%50.30%26.50%23.20%32.50%.424$2,800$4,600$4,450
Dexter FowlerCHIBHMILJimmy NelsonR314.280.392.459.851.373.17913.20%21.70%44.10%32.20%23.80%12.30%.348$4,000$5,200$5,100
Nelson CruzSEARALAATyler SkaggsL429.287.372.545.917.391.25810.40%24.80%45.00%35.80%19.20%27.30%.332$3,700$4,900$5,450
Shawn O'MalleySEABALAATyler SkaggsL145.255.325.379.704.312.1248.70%24.80%56.70%21.20%22.10%9.10%.340$2,600$3,000$3,900
Josh ReddickLALAPHIJake ThompsonR292.163.212.184.396.324.0219.60%13.30%45.50%32.00%22.50%10.30%.298$3,400$4,200$4,750
Yasmany TomasARIRHNYMJon NieseL382.264.304.500.804.342.2365.20%24.20%49.30%28.00%22.70%29.10%.298$3,200$5,000$4,750
Scott ScheblerCINLHMIAAndrew CashnerR109.193.273.349.622.269.1568.30%28.10%52.00%29.30%18.70%13.60%.250$2,600$2,900$3,900
Nick BussLAALHSEACody MartinR13.308.308.6921.000.414.3840.00%30.80%44.40%33.30%22.20%0.00%.444$2,200$2,700$3,250

Outfield

Cash Plays:  I probably added way too many OF’s again today, but again, there are  multiple routes to go tonight which could make the ownership levels pretty spread out.  The top priced players I’ll be looking to target are Mookie Betts, Dexter Fowler and Nelson CruzBetts is on fire with 5 HR’s over his last 3 games, and is 2-3 with a HR off Bundy.  Fowler is here over Desmond due to the Cubs expected to blast off tonight.  Cruz has two or more hits in five of his last eight games.  He is 0-8 lifetime off Skaggs though.  For a cheap option, Shawn O’Malley is my preferred Seattle OF play if leading off.  He doesn’t play much, but recorded two hits in each of his last two games he played. 

GPP Plays:  Tyler Naquin, Josh Reddick, and Yasmany Tomas are all great OF plays tonight as part of their team stacks, but will stay away from them in cash games.  I’m struggling with what to do about Ian DesmondHe’s 3-9 with all singles in the series against Oakland, but is 3-8 with a HR off the lefty Manea.  He’s due to break out, but may keep him in gpp’s only tonight. 

Value Plays: Scott Schebler and Nick Buss are players that I will keep an eye out for when lineups get posted.  Schebler is 4-7 with a HR in the series against Miami, and Buss has recorded 2 hits in two of his four games since being called up.  Three of his four hits have been for extra bases.