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Tonight’s FantasyDraft slate features eight matchups and starts off at 7pm eastern. Phillies-Mets and Yankees-Orioles aren’t on the slate, as they are both playing double-headers today, and Nationals-Pirates is not included either.
Must Play SP: Clayton Kershaw, LAD ($24,900) at SD
Kershaw looks like he’s back to full strength going into his fourth start back from the disabled list, and he gets a fantastic matchup against the Padres. San Diego has just a .298 wOBA against lefties this year and the third-highest K-rate at 24.4%. I’d argue that Kershaw has more upside than any other starter on the slate, and he also gets to face the Padres in their home ballpark, which is one of the best pitcher’s parks in the league. Kershaw still has stellar numbers on the year, with a 3.07 FIP and a 25.7% K-rate, and he’s a great starter to build your lineups around.
Honorable Mention: Gerrit Cole, HOU ($25,500) vs OAK
Value SP: Chase Anderson, MIL ($16,400) vs MIA
While Anderson’s numbers are still pretty awful on the year, he’s been pretty good through his last three starts and gets an easy matchup against the Marlins. The Marlins have a .303 wOBA versus righties, which is the fifth-lowest mark in the league. There isn’t a ton of strikeout upside with Anderson, but he’s a safe play to consider in GPP contests for an affordable price. He should be able to grab a win with the Brewers lineup supporting him.
Honorable Mention: Chris Archer, TB ($15,900) vs DET
IF Yonder Alonso, CLE ($8,100) vs CIN (RHP Anthony DeSclafani)
The Indians lineup should have a huge day against DeSclafani, who has a 5.08 ERA with a 5.77 FIP this season. That’s why I like Alonso, as he should see lots of RBI opportunities batting fifth for the Tribe. DeSclafani’s got a horrible 2.41 HR/9 this year, so Alonso could easily go deep off of him. Consider pairing Yonder with a teammate or two, but playing him as a standalone isn’t a bad idea either.
Honorable Mention: IF Mike Moustakas, KC ($8,500) at MIN (Berrios)
OF Scott Schebler, CIN ($7,200) at CLE (RHP Mike Clevinger)
Any time you can get a leadoff hitter for this cheap, it’s usually a good idea. It’s especially good when they’re actually a good hitter, which Schebler is – he’s got a 119 wRC+ on the year. Facing Clevinger isn’t a particularly good matchup, but he’s not a pitcher to completely avoid. As the leadoff hitter, Schebler will have lots of opportunities to produce and can score you some runs.
Honorable Mention: OF Josh Reddick, HOU ($8,300) vs OAK (Montas)
Value: IF Brian Dozier, MIN ($7,400) vs KC (LHP Danny Duffy)
If it means anything to you, Dozier has been known as a “second-half player,” so it should be about time that he breaks out. Dozier has certainly struggled this year but has killed left-handed pitching throughout his career. Last year, he put up a 176 wRC+ against southpaws. He’s got an easy matchup in Duffy, who has a 5.39 FIP this year. Now is a great time to buy low on Dozier.
Honorable Mention: OF Kyle Tucker, HOU ($7,300) vs OAK (Montas)
Top Stack: Brewers at Marlins (RHP Jose Urena)
The Brewers are a bit of an expensive stack tonight, but it’s worth it against Urena and his 4.18 ERA. Christian Yelich ($9,300) and Eric Thames ($9,900) are my favorite plays, while Travis Shaw ($8,000) is a nice discount bat. I’d also check to see if Brad Miller ($6,700) is in the lineup, as he has a .914 OPS in the last month.
Honorable Mention: Indians vs Reds (DeSclafani)