For Thursday, May 6th, there is one dominant pitcher on the mound, Gerrit Cole(who averages 32.7 FPTS/game), and there is quite a large drop off to the balance of the probable starters.
Another aspect of tomorrow’s games is there is actually three slates that will make up the full schedule. These slates consist of: 1)eight games starting at 12:07 PM CST; 2)two games(also part of early slate) starting at 2:37 PM CST; and 3)two more games at 5:40 PM CST.
I would encourage fantasy managers to partake in all three slates. In today’s(5/5) afternoon matchups, the Orioles played at the Mariners, while the Giants played at the Rockies. John Means(Orioles) wound up pitching a no hitter.
Pitcher
As previously mentioned, Cole has quite a large margin on the second-place pitcher’s FPTs. That being said, it is even more drastic when compared to the later slates. The best, Hyun Jin Ryu, is only averaging 17.0 FPTs and pitches for the Blue Jays at the A’s in the late afternoon slate.
Top Tier
Cole(Yankees) $10,500 vs Astros-Cole is 4-1 with a 1.43 ERA/0.72 WHIP and his worst game(in the last five) was 26.7 FPTS.
Woodruff(Brewers) $9300 @ Phillies. Woodruff is averaging 22.5 FPTS on the season and is 2-0(1.80 ERA/0.80 WHIP)
Others I like(least to most expensive)
Michael Pineda(Twins) $7500 vs Rangers 2-1(2.31 ERA/0.92 WHIP)
Duffy(Royals) $8800 vs Indians 4-1(0.60 ERA/0.97 WHIP)
As Cole will be a high percentage owned pitcher, I would go with Pineda to help offset the salary. If the fantasy owner wants to go contrarian(not using Cole), selecting two of Woodruff/Duffy/Pineda would be a possible option.
Hitters
Unlike my May 3rd article, I am going to break down all preferred hitters by position(from lowest to highest salaries). As mentioned in my strategy article released earlier this week, I look for value at C/2B/SS/1 OF position.
Catcher
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Vazquez(Red Sox) $4200 vs Tigers .269 BA/2 HR/10 RBI’s(6.9 FPTS)
Perez(Royals) $4800 vs Indians .268 BA/7 HR/18 RBI(8.3 FPTS)
If a fantasy player chooses to go less expensive(which I typically like to), the following are decent plays:Castro(Astros-$3100); Gomes(Nationals $3400); and Ramos(Tigers $4000).
In the night slate(where money will be left over due to less expensive pitching, Chad Kelly(Diamondbacks) is the option. At $4900, he has a line of 333 BA/6 HR/17 RBI’s.
1st Base
Lowe(Rangers) $3600 @ Twins .276 BA/6 HR/24 RBI’s. At this price tag, production is best on the slate.
Santana(Royals) $4800 vs Indians .265 BA/6 HR/21 RBI’s.
Alonso(Mets) $5200 @ Cardinals .282 BA/5 HR/16 RBI’s
In the late slate, I would take Ohtani(Angels-$4700) if money allows. He has a .264 BA with 9 HR’s and 22 RBI’s.
2nd Base
Harrison(Nationals) $3800 vs Braves .344 BA/ 2 HR/ 9 RBI’s. Averaging 8 FPTS/game, Harrison has become a daily option.
Lowrie(A’s) $4100 vs Blue Jays .283 BA/3 HR/22 RBI’s. Has 44 FPTS over last 3 games.
While there are other good options at higher prices, I would recommend either Harrison or Lowrie in your lineups. In the nighttime slate, I would lean towards Fletcher(Angels-$3300) to save room for other more expensive options elsewhere.
Short Stop
Urias(Brewers) $3200 @ Phillies .231 BA/3 HR/14 RBI’s(6.1 FPTS)
Gregorius(Phillies) $3800 vs Brewers. .256 BA/3 HR/18 RBI’s
Bogaerts(Red Sox) $5100 vs Tigers .351 BA/6 HR/17 RBI’s
In the late slate, Wendle(TB-$3800) is my preferred price play.
3rd Base
Shaw(Brewers) $3300 @ Phillies .229 BA/5 HR/ 22 RBI’s
Urshela(Yankees) $4000 vs Astros .274 BA/4 HR/ 16 RBI’s
Arenado(Cardinals) $4900 vs Mets .265 BA/ 5 HR/21 RBI’s
In the nightcap, I would pay up and put Escobar(Diamondbacks-$5100) in the lineup. He has 7 HR/18 RBI’s on the season
Outfield
Garcia(Rangers) $3000 @ Twins averaging 9,4 FPTs on the season(.256 BA/7 HR/19 RBI’s)
O’Neill(Cardinals) $3000 vs Mets Has scored at least 7 FPTS in 5 of last 6 games.
Grichuk(Blue Jays) $3800 @ A’s .287 BA/5 HR/19 RBI’s
Reyes(Indians) $4500 @ Royals .290 BA/ 7 HR/21 RBI’s
With so many inexpensive(and productive) options in the outfield, this should be an area of focus for cost cutting.
For the late games, it will be extremely hard to fade Trout($5500), Peralta(Diamondbacks-$5000) and Walsh(Angels-$3900).
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