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Tonight’s FantasyDraft slate starts at 7pm eastern and covers nine of the 10 games being played. Nationals-Yankees is not included on the slate because they’re resuming a suspended game.
Must Play SP: Trevor Bauer, CLE ($23,800) vs CWS
Bauer has been masterful this season and is on an absolute tear right now, with double-digit strikeout performances in five out of his last six starts. Bauer has a 31.1% K-rate with a 2.32 FIP this year and should have another huge start against the White Sox, who have a 24.9% K-rate against righties. This is an investment that won’t disappoint you.
Honorable Mention: Gerrit Cole, HOU ($25,000) vs TB
Value SP: Nick Pivetta, PHI ($14,900) vs STL
Pivetta has gotten roughed up in each of his last three outings, but now may be the perfect time to buy low as his price has fallen significantly. Despite an inflated ERA, Pivetta still has outstanding peripherals this year, including a 3.10 FIP and a 3.14 Deserved Run Average with a 26.9% K-rate. The Cardinals lineup has just a .309 wOBA versus righties this year, ranking them 20th in the league, so the matchup is on Pivetta’s side. If his last few starts were truly just a blip on the radar, Pivetta will be a fantastic value at this price.
Honorable Mention: Andrew Suarez, SF ($13,800) vs MIA
IF Mike Moustakas, KC ($7,800) vs TEX (RHP Bartolo Colon)
To nobody’s surprise, Bartolo has come crashing back down to earth and now has a 2.29 HR/9 this year with just a 15.6% K-rate. This presents a great opportunity for Moustakas, who has 13 home runs this season and can easily add to that total with this matchup. He’s a play to consider in all contests, whether GPP or cash game.
Honorable Mention: IF Travis Shaw, MIL ($8,400) at PIT (Williams)
OF Josh Reddick, HOU ($6,700) vs TB (RHP Ryne Stanek)
Reddick hasn’t done much lately, but there’s always plenty to go around in the Astros lineup, so Reddick can score some runs and drive in some RBIs on any given night against a righty. Rays opener Ryne Stanek and their primary starter Matt Andriese are both righties, which works to Reddick’s advantage. Reddick is a cheap punt-play outfielder to give you solid numbers while you spend big elsewhere.
Honorable Mention: OF Andrew McCutchen, SF ($8,100) vs MIA (Smith)
Value: IF Justin Turner, LAD ($7,500) vs CHC (RHP Tyler Chatwood)
Tyler Chatwood is insane – he’s got just as many walks as strikeouts, with a 19.9% walk-rate. That means there will probably be plenty of baseruners for Turner to drive in as the Dodgers three-hitter. While Turner has gotten off to a slow start since returning from the disabled list, he was an elite hitter with a .400 wOBA last season. He’s still walking more than he’s striking out this year, so he should find his way on base plenty of times himself.
Honorable Mention: IF Rougned Odor, TEX ($6,300) at KC (Kennedy)
Top Stack: Mets at Rockies (LHP Tyler Anderson)
The Mets are normally a pretty awful lineup, but Coors Field can do wonders for any offense. Lefty killer Wilmer Flores ($7,400) is my favorite play, along with Todd Frazier ($7,300) and Asdrubal Cabrera ($8,000). Mets hitters are surprisingly cheap for a team at Coors.
Honorable Mention: Brewers at Pirates (Williams)