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I like the early games but not a fan of the smaller main slate because of it. Why can’t I have everything??
The Main Slate for tonight offers some very interesting matchups with plenty of “high risk – high reward” pitchers. Let’s get started.
Top SP: Alex Wood, LAD ($22,000) vs OAK
David Price is the most expensive player and the only true ACE for the day but his matchup against the Yankees hurts his value a lot. He will be tasked with an almost impossible assignment of limiting Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Gary Sanchez and the red-hot Didi Gregorious and he hasn’t fared well against them in the past. Alex Wood has had a great start to the season and is proving he can be valuable even with a decreased velocity by allowing just 7 hits in 14 innings. Dodgers have an easy matchup against the A’s and I expect Wood to take full advantage of this situation by going deep into the game and maybe even finishing it off. Just remember don’t expect too many strikeouts. He has 10 in 14 innings in 2 starts.
Honorable Mention: Masahiro Tanaka, NYY ($17,500) @ BOS
Value SP: Daniel Mengden, OAK ($12,600) @ LAD
On the opposite side of Wood, Mengden, and his wonderful mustache will take the mound against the Dodgers. A wRC+ of 75 puts the Dodgers below the Marlins which is good for the 28th place. Dodgers have been slowed down by a slumping Corey Seager and an ice-cold Cody Bellinger along with the injured Justin Turner. This is his first time against the Dodgers’ hitters, which gives Mengden a slight advantage over them.
Honorable Mention: Zach Wheeler, NYM ($14,900) @MIA
IF: Kris Bryant, CHC ($10,200) vs PIT
Bryant is a great hitter in a great lineup. He is 5-7 against Brault in his career with a Homerun and a Double. 2017 looked like a disappointment for Bryant, especially the 73 RBI, but a closer look will reveal an improved batted ball profile along with plate discipline. While Rizzo lies on the floor with his stiff back, Bryant needs to take responsibility and I think he will. The game takes place in the windy city where he hit 18 of his 29 home runs last year. And he is already off to a good start with 2 home runs.
Honorable Mention: Gary Sanchez, NYY ($7,800) @ BOS
OF: Justin Upton, LAA ($9,100) vs TEX
Angels are a really exciting team to watch and Trout and Ohtani get all the attention but its baffling how Upton is able to stay out of the conversation while posting 35+, 200+ RBI + Runs, 14SB. He is not letting that get to him as he already has 3 home runs with 19 RBI + Runs. Upton hit .344 against LHP compared to .252 against RHP in 2017 and if patterns are to be believed, he has a great matchup today against a LHP.
Honorable Mention: Aaron Judge, NYY ($8,500) @ BOS
Value IF: Eduardo Nunez, BOS ($6,800) vs NYY
Red Sox might have the best top half of the lineup in all of baseball with Betts, Benintendi and JD Martinez. This is on full display yesterday after they routed the Yanks 14-1. Nunez will get consistent playing time because of the injury to Bogaerts. Nunez can contribute in a lot of ways and his price tag of $6,800 seems like a great value.
Honorable Mention: Adria Beltre, TEX ($6,500) @ LAA
Stack: Blue Jays at Orioles (RHP Kevin Gausman)
Gausman has been terrible for the 1st half of the season for the last 2 years and is trying to continue that trend for some reason. On the other hand, Jays are on a roll after winning 4 of their last 5 games and scoring 29 runs. The Jays lineups have fared well against Gausman by hitting .316 against him. To be fair, Gausman does have the ability to throw a gem. He is one of the few pitchers that can either the highest or the lowest scoring pitcher any given day.
Honorable Mention: Pirates @ Cubs (LHP Jon Lester)