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Happy Hump Day!!! The main slate for today is very weak compared to the early slate. The early slate consists of eight games compared to five for the main slate. You are either going to have to play the early slate or wait at least another day if you were hoping to build your lineup around a top 10 Pitcher. Max Scherzer, Corey Kluber, Noah Syndergaard, and Luis Severino are taking the mound earlier in the day which means they are not available for the main slate. I kind of wish there were more games for the main slate but I can’t complain about the number of early games either.
Top SP: Carlos Martinez, STL ($19,400) @ MIL
It didn’t work out very well for Martinez in his first start of the season, against the New York Mets. He gave up 4 Earned Runs in 4.1 Innings. Martinez’s wild side was on full display thanks to 6 walks and a hit batter. So why is he the top SP for today? Two Reasons, Upside and the Lack of Quality Pitchers taking the mound today. C-Mart fall into the category of pitchers that are very frustrating to own. He displays moments of dominance but makes you question your life decisions in the same week. He gets to face the Brewers and their improved squad with the additions of Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich. Don’t let that scare you because Martinez has been dominant against their roster in the past by posting a 29.9% K-rate and 2.81 FIP. He is not solely an upside play but also offers a decent floor because of his strikeouts.
Honorable Mentions: Jon Gray, COL ($16,400) @ SD
Value SP: Doug Fister, TEX ($12,900) @ OAK
You will be disappointed if you draft Fister expecting a high point total. The lack of strikeouts has always kept his ceiling low but that doesn’t mean he can’t provide value with a low whip and era with a possibility of a win. He gets one of the more favorable matchups of the day against the Oakland Athletics with the added benefit of pitching in a pitcher-friendly park. The A’s have lost 4 of their last 5 games giving Fister a good chance at the win. Fister is the most likely pitcher to earn a win when compared to other pitchers with a similar price on FantasyDraft.
Honorable Mentions: None
IF: Elvis Andrus, TEX ($7,500) @ OAK
All the pieces fell in place for Andrus in 2017 when he joined in on the fly ball revolution by hitting 20 longballs which absolutely destroyed his previous high of 8 in 2016. There was some talk about him regressing, but he has shown no signs of slowing down and has picked up right where he left off in 2017. It also helps that he is 8-18 against Sean Manaea with zero strikeouts. Yes, zero strikeouts in 18 at-bats against the Sale-like Slider.
Honorable Mention: Paul Dejong, STL ($7,900) @ MIL
OF: Charlie Blackmon, COL ($9,900) @SD
The “Most Expensive Batter of the Day” award goes to Charlie Blackmon. And it still won’t stop me from recommending Blackmon as a must play. All he has done so far is hit 4 HR in 4 Games: which is more than 10 MLB teams as of March 3rd. If Blackmon was a team, he would have been tied for the 14 spot in Homeruns. I don’t need other reasons to draft Blackmon but if you do check this out – Blackmon is 6-16 with 4 HR and 2 Doubles against Richard; just in case you were wondering Richard is a 34 old-year-old veteran who is not improving any time soon.
Honorable Mention: Marcell Ozuna, STL ($8,400) @ MIL
Value: Mitch Haniger, SEA ($6,800) @ SF
I feel like I am missing something in regards to the price tag for Haniger. It seems pretty low when you look at his game log and check out his FPPG. Haniger is on a hot streak and you should ride it as long as you can. Last year, Haniger surprised everyone by coming up to the majors and performing at a high level instantly only slowed down because of an injury that cost him a trip to the DL. He is healthy again and surprising everyone once again by producing at an elite level. Get him in your lineup as this might be his lowest price for the year.
Honorable Mention: Jean Segura, SEA ($6,800) @ SF
Top Stack: Blue Jays vs White Sox (RHP Carson Fulmer)
Blue Jays are scorching hot are right now, winning their last four games. I expect them to keep rolling especially at Home where they perform much better compared to being on the road. Blue Jays are ranked 5th in runs scored while the Sox are ranked 5th in Runs allowed. Justin Smoak ($9,400) and Josh Donaldson($9,300) are the obvious choices, I also like some of the cheaper options: Randall Grichuk ($6,300), Kevin Pillar($6,700) and Yangervis Solarte ($6,400). Carson Fulmer has control issues and I expect the veterans in the Jays lineup to earn walks while the more aggressive hitters help by knocking them in.
Honorable Mention: None