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Today, we have a really good main slate consisting 11 games. It kicks off at 1:05 P.M ET with the Cleveland Indians taking on the Baltimore Orioles.
Top SP: Corey Kluber, CLE ($25,100) @ BAL
We have a weird mix of pitchers today with Kluber, Severino, and McCullers acting like Aces as seen by their price tag – all priced above $21,000. Kluber will cost you a quarter of your salary but he is worth it. Kluber is usually a slow starter but this year he has a 1.52 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, and 33 strikeouts in 29.2 innings and already looks in form. He gets to face the strikeout-prone Orioles offense that has struck out over 30% of the time which is one of the worst in the league. In his career against the Orioles, Kluber has a .95 FIP .140 AVG and a 35.6 K%. Kluber can provide a great foundation for your lineup.
Honorable Mention: Lis Severino, PIT ($22,400) vs NYY
Value SP: Junior Guerra, LAA ($12,700) VS MIA
You are going to have to start looking for cheaper values since Kluber took away 1/4 of your total salary cap. Which is perfectly ok since there isn’t much upside with the remaining pitchers. So, I would rather invest in a pitcher that has a chance at a win along with a decent floor. Junior Guerra checks both of those. Marlins are ranked 28th in wRC+ while striking out at a clip of 23.5% which is good/bad for 16th in the league.
Honorable Mention: Miles Mikolas, STL ($14,000) @ CIN
IF: Ozzie Albies, ATL ($9,000) VS NYM (RHP Z. Wheeler)
Everything from his name to the things he does on the field is exciting. It would be unfair to see Albies came out of nowhere because he was a player that could break out. So far, he seems to be doing just that. He is second behind Mookie Betts in runs scored and has 6 Home runs (as many as Mookie Betts).The most surprising part has been his power (6 Home runs) but it’s not a fluke as he leads the league in doubles as well. The early criticism for Albies was that he hadn’t earned a walk all year – He has 5 in the last 7 games including last 3. With Albies, the possibilities are endless, he has power, speed, and hits for average.
Honorable Mention: Trevor Story, COL ($8,700) VS CHI
OF: Gregory Polanco, PIT ($8,000) @ PHI (RHP N. Pivetta)
I have been recommending Polanco for a couple of weeks no but now he finally seems to be working himself out of a slump by going 3-7 in the last 2 games after managing a single hit in 23 at-bats prior to that. He still has that huge power potential and gets to face a RHP which increases his chances for a home run. Nick Pivetta hasn’t allowed a home run yet but he did have an 18.2 HR/FB rate in 2017. Polanco has never faced Pivetta before so this is more of a gut call.
Honorable Mention: Ian Happ, CHC ($8,100) @ COL
Value OF: Denard Span, TB ($5,700) VS MIN (RHP P. Hughes)
Denard Span is one of those players that does a little bit of everything and should always be taken advantage of depending on the matchup. He is a value pick for today since he only costs $5,700 for a starting OF that bats at the top of the lineup and has a chance to steal some bases. Phil Hughes had a 5.87 ERA last year and will be making his first start of the year. This is a wonderful matchup for Span and should be taken advantage of
Honorable Mention: Lewis Brinson, MIA ($5,600) @ MIL
Stack: Brewers @ Marlins (LHP C Smith)
Marlins are always a fun team to pick o since they are atrocious. Tonight, they get a face Brewers lineup that is healthy again. Caleb Smith is nothing to be worried about and the Brewers park is great for hitters. Ryan Braun, Eric Thames, Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain will be widely rostered but here are some other hitter to consider if they are starting:
Domingo Santana ($7,400)
Jesus Aguilar ($6,300)
Eric Sogard ($5,800)
Hernan Perez ($5,000)
Honorable Mention: Mariners @ Rangers (LHP Martin Perez)