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We’ve got two slates tonight on FantasyDraft. The main slate starts at 7pm eastern and covers all 15 games. There’s also a 9:30 slate with four late games.
Must Play SP: James Paxton, SEA ($20,500) vs BOS
While Corey Kluber will likely have the best outing tonight, I’m saving five grand and investing in Paxton instead, who should have a similarly productive start. Paxton is still an ace, of course, rocking a 2.79 FIP with a 31.4%. Hopefully he will be at a low ownership rate because of the big scary Red Sox, but Boston actually struggles against lefties. Their .299 wOBA against southpaws ranks them just 23rd in the league, and their 24.6% K-rate is fifth-highest. Furthermore, they’re away from their hitter-friendly park in Fenway. Paxton should have another ace night.
Honorable Mention: Corey Kluber, STL ($25,200) vs MIN
Value SP: Reynaldo Lopez, CWS ($12,100) vs DET
Lopez has mediocre peripherals for the season, but he can can still put up starts like the one he did on Sunday against the Red Sox where he threw 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball with six strikeouts. Lopez should have no issues with the Tigers, who have just a .298 wOBA versus righties this year and are now without Miguel Cabrera. Lopez is insanely cheap when you look at the quality of starters who are priced around him.
Honorable Mention: Jonathan Loaisiga, NYY ($12,700) vs TB
IF Joey Gallo, TEX ($7,400) vs COL (RHP Chad Bettis)
Gallo is the ultimate GPP play for his power upside at a cheap price. He’s been pretty bad lately, but still has 17 homers on the year, so you’re pretty much selling out in hopes that he hits another one. Luckily, Chad Bettis hardly ever strikes batters out, with just a 16.8% K-rate, so Gallo actually has a good shot at making some contact on him. For a low price it’s worth a shot.
Honorable Mention: IF Daniel Murphy, WAS ($8,400) at TOR (Sanchez)
OF Adam Jones, BAL ($7,500) vs MIA (RHP Jose Urena)
Jones has put together a strong last 30 days, batting .330 with an .836 OPS. He’s in a great spot for both runs and RBIs batting second for the Orioles against Urena. Urena has an awful 4.59 ERA, so the Orioles should put up lots of runs against him in the extremely hitter-friendly Camden Yards. Jones is a great option in cash games for his high floor, but his relatively limited upside might mean that you avoid him in GPPs.
Honorable Mention: OF Corey Dickerson, PIT ($7,200) vs MIN (Odorizzi)
Value: IF Jose Abreu, CWS ($7,200) vs DET (RHP Mike Fiers)
What in the world is Jose Abreu doing with such a low price tag? Never would I imagine that Abreu would end up here in the value section, but I’m not arguing. Abreu’s got a 129 wRC+ this year as the White Sox three-hitter, and it’s not like he’s got a tough matchup. In fact, this is actually a fantastic matchup, as Fiers has a 4.88 FIP.
Honorable Mention: IF Justin Bour, MIA ($7,700) at BAL (Gausman)
Top Stack: Pirates vs Reds (RHP Matt Harvey)
It’s Matt Harvey disaster time in Pittsburgh. He gets smacked every time out, with four or more earned runs allowed in his last three starts. Starling Marte ($9,400) and Austin Meadows ($8,500) are the expensive guys to get, with Corey Dickerson ($7,200) and Colin Moran ($6,700) as cheaper buys to target.
Honorable Mention: Indians vs Twins (Gibson)