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There are plenty of options tonight with the main slate consisting 9 games. The weather is clear for the most expect some light rain in Colorado, so keep an eye out on the status of that game but it should be fine.
Must Play SP: Chris Sale, BOS ($23,400) @ OAK
In four starts, Sale has been his usual dominant self by holding 1.23 ERA and .95 WHIP with a 12.68 K/9. The only complaint is that he has not been able to last more than 6 innings in any of those starts which are slightly affecting his point total for DFS. The lower inning total is not due to Sale’s inefficiency but the Red Sox aiming to protect his arm – He has yet to throw more than 95 pitches. Lack of run support which leads to a No Decisions has also been a negative so far, but expect that to change as the Red Sox are too good to keep following that pattern. The matchup with the A’s is great for Sale as he has held a 1.98 FIP against them
Honorable Mention: Stephen Strasburg, CLE ($20,700) @LAD
Value SP: Yu Darvish, CHC ($15,000) @ COL
This matchup is in Colorado which I think is the main reason for Darvish being only $15,000 at FantasyDraft. It is always hard to pass up an Ace with that kind of value. I will be the first to admit that Darvish has not been the same elite pitcher he once used to be but he can still show glimpses of his past as evidenced by his start against the Brewers a couple weeks back. I am taking the value here at hoping for the best.
Honorable Mention: Sean Manaea, OAK ($14,800) @ BOS
IF: Nolan Arenado ($10,000) vs CHC (RHP Yu Darvish)
Arenado arrived back from his 5 game suspension by going 3-4 with an HR. He is one of those players that should be considered every day but even more so today as the game takes place in Colorado – where Arenado has been absurd. In 2017, he had a .336 AVG at home compared to .283 on the Road. This is a well-known trend for every Rockies’ hitter and should be taken advantage of.
Honorable Mention: Paul Goldschmidt, ARI ($8,400) vs PHI (LHP Clayton Richard)
OF: Nelson Cruz, BOS ($9,000) @ TEX (RHP Bartolo Colon)
How can I suggest a batter against Bartolo, especially after he almost pitched a perfect game last time around. All jokes aside, Cruz is only 2-15 against his career against Colon but while Nelson Cruz has aged way better than Bartolo Colon. Cruz seems to be heating up at the plate after spending some time sidelined with an injury and it is great for his value to have the likes of Dee Gordon, Jean Segura, Robinson Cano, and Kyle Seager batting around him in the lineup
Honorable Mention: Josh Reddick, HOU ($8,000) @ CWS (LHP Lucas Giolito)
Value OF: Albert Almora, CHC ($5,900) @ COL (LHP Tyler Anderson)
Almora is not an everyday starter, but he is a great value pick whenever he does. Cubs are hot right now after scoring 24 runs in their last 2 games (16 of them at Coors yesterday). Almora is a leadoff hitter with good plate discipline and an OBP of .372. Almora should have plenty of opportunities to cross the home plate and is a cheap play with tons of upside considering the matchup, location of the game, and his batting order.
Honorable Mention: Chris Young, LAA ($5,500) vs SF (LHP Derek Holland)
Top Stack: Mariners vs Rangers (RHP Bartolo Colon)
Mariners are loaded up top and they get a juicy matchup tonight. I already mentioned Nelson Cruz, but here are some of the other names I like:
Robinson Cano ($8,200)
Dee Gordon ($7,200)
Jean Segura ($7,500)
Kyle Seager ($7,700)
They are a little more expensive than usual but I like the Mariners bats today and its even better if they are Left-Handed since Colon is better against Righties.
Honorable Mention: Brewers vs Marlins (LHP Jose Urena)