Sign-up for OwnersBox here and get two free entries + up to $500 of your first deposit matched.
If you’re unfamiliar with OwnersBox, they offer a unique roster format that includes one pitcher, four IF, three OF, and one Super Flex (OF, IF, and P).
Slate Details
OwnersBox – Early slate (4 games) – starts at 12:34 p.m. EDT / Afternoon (5 games) – starts at 3:39 p.m. EDT / Main slate (6 games) – starts at 6:34 p.m. EDT
DK – Early slate (9 games) – starts 12:35 p.m. EDT / Main slate (4 games) – starts at 7:20 p.m. EDT
FD – Early slate (4 games) – starts at 12:35 p.m. EDT / Afternoon (5 games) – starts at 3:40 p.m. EDT / Main slate (6 games) – starts at 6:35 p.m. EDT
Weather Impact
None that I can see, a beautiful day is upon us.
Pitching (Early Slate)
I have long been a fan of Eduardo Rodriguez and I have always thought he had what it took to be a #2-#3 starter. So far in 2023 he has been rewarding that faith, especially over the last five starts in which he has allowed just 2 ERs over 34.2 innings with 33 Ks. He faces a struggling Cleveland lineup on Wednesday that has put up just a 62 wRC+ over the last two weeks and is averaging 2.11 runs over their last 9 games. This is a great spot for Rodriguez and I think he’ll keep this dominant streak rolling.
On the other hand, Merrill Kelly is never someone I have been on in fantasy, daily or otherwise. But there is no denying that he has established himself as an effective, reliable starting pitcher and I like what he brings to the table today against Miami. The Marlins offense has been about as bad as any in baseball lately and I don’t think they have the plate discipline and grit to hang with a savvy pitcher like Kelly. I feel like I am not alone in my routine avoidance of Kelly so he could be had at a decent ownership level.
Our contrarian pick for the day might scare you but bear with me. Griffin Canning struggled his last time out but I am willing to forgive it as long as he returns to the slider being his highest usage pitch. When Canning is going strong he leans on his slider while playing his changeup off his fastball to keep hitters off balance.
If he follows that formula and maintains decent command I think Canning can post some solid results going forward. I know the matchup with the Astros is scary on paper, but they have actually struggled mightily of late, as their 55 wRC+ is last in baseball over the last two weeks. If you’re feeling frisky, take a chance on Canning here.
While the Mets offense has picked up over the last two games, I think Hunter Greene has a chance to be a good play in DFS on Wednesday. You know he is going to get his strikeouts and people will probably be scared off by the Mets roster. But like the Astros, they haven’t quite lived up to the hype lately and Greene is someone who can dominate even the best of lineups when he is on.
No matter who has faced Justin Steele this year, they have been stymied by his fastball/slider combo. I think the other shoe is going to drop at some point and he is going to fall of a bit but I am willing to keep playing Steele until that happens. While the Cardinals are on a 3-game win streak, it follows a brutal 8-game losing streak so I’m not too worried about them roughing up Steele.
Hitting (Early Slate)
If you are playing early in the day, I think you should be stacking big time in the Oakland/New York matchup at Yankee Stadium. The teams combined for 24 runs in the first two games of the series and with Kyle Muller and Jhony Brito on the mound I think the bats stay hot.
Brent Rooker and Ryan Noda (if you said “who?” I don’t blame you) have been on fire for the A’s and I am a big fan of what Esteury Ruiz is doing so far this season. JJ Bleday is looking good as a post-hype prospect and Shea Langeliers provides good value as a catcher. If Jesús Aguilar is in the lineup there’s nothing wrong with chasing some cheap pop there.
I am all in on all the Yankees right-handed hitters today against Muller, starting with the scorching hot Harrison Bader. Gleyber Torres has been doing well so far this season with 6 HRs and of course Aaron Judge is Aaron Judge. I wasn’t as enamored with Anthony Volpe coming into the season as everyone else but hitting at the top of Yankees lineup is always a good spot to be in.
The bats haven’t been nearly as explosive in the first two games of the Rays/Orioles series but I think the fireworks begin today. Dean Kremer just doesn’t have it and Randy Arozarena, Brandon Lowe and Josh Lowe all have had success against him in the past. Yandy Díaz is playing like a surefire All-Star right now and Wander Franco is living up to all the hype and some.
There are few things I like more than stacking the Orioles bats in DFS and that will continue today against Jalen Beeks and Yonny Chirinos. Anthony Santander has been money in the bank lately and I love Ryan Mountcastle’s power potential. If you want to go with youth, fire up Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson. If you want the power/speed combo, plug in Cedric Mullins and Jorge Mateo. The O’s have it all offensively.
Other bats worth mentioning:
- The Detroit Tigers have actually been hitting the ball fairly well of late and they face Peyton Battenfield on Wednesday. I like Riley Greene at the top of the lineup and Eric Haase is a good play at catcher.
- Edward Cabrera has great stuff but he hasn’t been able to put it all together and now he faces a good Arizona lineup. Lourdes Gurriel, Jr. and Christian Walker have put up the top wRC+ in baseball over the last two weeks and you know I like having some Corbin Carroll in my lineup.
Hitter Pricing 5-10-23