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Slate Details
OwnersBox- Main slate (8 games) – starts at 1:34 p.m. EDT
DK/FD – Main slate (8 games) – starts 1:35 p.m. EDT
Weather Impact
We could be looking at a delay of an hour or two in TOR@PIT and some potential showers in DET@STL, but other than that clear skies ahead.
Pitching (Main Slate)
Coming off a 7 inning, no-hit outing against Seattle, the Mason Miller show rolls into Kansas City to face an underrated and pesky Royals lineup. A Royals lineup that has averaged 7 runs per game over their last five outings. Doesn’t matter one bit to me. Miller’s fastball/slider/cutter repertoire is good enough to dominate any lineup and there is no way I am not rostering him until his price gets way higher. He may not throw a no-hitter every time out, but you are going to be kicking yourself if you don’t jump on the bandwagon now because his price and reputation will only be going up from here.
A few aces are scattered amongst this slate, but my #1 guy for today is Joe Ryan. The handsome devil has yet to not reach 6 innings in any start this year and he is currently seeing career highs in Swinging Strike % (15.6%) and CSW% (31.5%). He faces a Cleveland lineup that is dead last in baseball in wRC+ (67) over the last two weeks and has just one hitter (Jose Ramirez) with an OPS over .700. This is as easy a pick as you will ever have, go with Joe Ryan.
What in the world is going on with Sandy Alcantara? While we have definitely reached a point where we can’t just ignore his recent struggles and chalk it up to a fluke, I am not ready to hit the panic button quite yet. You probably will never get to buy as low on Sandy as you can right now and that is just an opportunity I can’t let pass by. The stuff is still there and while the Cubs boast a solid lineup, they have scored more than 4 runs only twice in the last 9 games. Here’s to hoping Sandy finds it today and we can put this whole ugly chapter behind us.
Finally, we have to at least look at one Hail Mary, one dart throw on the board. C’mon Steven Matz I know you have it in you! The Tigers have been a bit feistier on the offensive end than I would have expected coming into the season, but if Matz can dial in his command I think there is some solid upside here. He is still getting swings and misses at a similar rate to last year and his xFIP (4.25) would indicate that he is pitching far better than his ERA (6.39).
Pitcher Pricing 5-7-2023
Hitting (Main Slate)
Ryan Feltner has been surprisingly effective for the Rockies over his last three starts and the New York Mets have scored a whopping total of 4 runs in their last 4 games. So naturally I am going to say screw all that noise and go with your gut. Feltner is just a mediocre starting pitcher and there is just too much talent in the Mets lineup between Brandon Nimmo, Starling Marte, Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso. I wouldn’t blame you for going with the young studs Brett Baty and Francisco Alvarez either. Hell, even Daniel Vogelbach could be in for a big day at the plate against Feltner.
While I’m all in on the Mets in this one, I will probably target a few of the Rockies righty bats as well against meatball chef Joey Lucchesi. Especially with Randal Grichuk back in the lineup, the trio of him, Kris Bryant and CJ Cron is a formidable one for Lucchesi, who is allowing a 15.0% HR/FB ratio and has an xFIP higher than his ERA. I might be hammering the over in this one and praying for runs in Flushing.
Other hitters to consider:
- The Cardinals have been an absolute mess this year and have lost 9 out of 10. However, the offense has picked it up the past few games, scoring 20 runs in their last 4. In particular, I like Lars Nootbar’s value at the top of the lineup and Tommy Edman’s stolen base ability. Also Paul DeJong is back and is always a potential cheap source of home runs.
- For some reason the Oakland A’s lineup intrigues me a bit as they have been on fire this series against Kansas City. Esteury Ruiz is a stolen base machine out there and Brent Rooker is looking like an All-Star in the middle of that lineup. Shea Langeliers provides solid pop from the catcher position and don’t forget about Ramon Laureano’s power/speed blend. Oh yea and former top prospect JJ Bleday is in the building and sporting a significantly improved strikeout rate this season.
Hitter Pricing 5-7-23