Top Pitching OptionsÂ
Gerrit Cole (DK – $10700, FD – $11000) – There is a case to be made that Chris Archer is the top pitcher on the day, as he’s been dominant lately with a 2.30 SIERA and 33.4% strikeout rate on the seasons and a ridiculous 1.69 SIERA and 38.8% strikeout rate in the last 30 days. But due to his likely high ownership and mediocre matchup against the White Sox, I prefer to save $1,100 on DK and go with Cole, although I don’t think you can go wrong. Cole himself has pitched great this year with a 2.73 SIERA and 27.5% strikeout rate. He also gets the edge for me as he pitches in pitcher friendly PNC park and faces a weak Phillies team. The Phillies are last in baseball with a 0.275 wOBA vs. RHP and 19.6% strikeout rate. Cole is the biggest favorite on the day by far at -280 and I’ll be locking him into my cash games.
Shelby Miller (DK – $8500, FD – $8900) – Miller doesn’t offer big upside, but he’s as solid as they come today and has a great matchup. While his 4.05 SIERA suggests there is some regression to come, it likely won’t come against the Mets. Miller has a 1.89 ERA and 1.00 WHIP on the year, with a decent 18.5% strikeout rate. The Mets are no juggernaut against RHP, with a 0.294 wOBA (26th) and 20.7% strikeout rate (21st). He’s got a tough matchup against deGrom, but makes a solid SP2.
Late Slate:Â Zack Greinke (DK – $10500, FD – $10400) and Kyle Hendricks (DK – $7100, FD – $6800)
Top Hitting OptionsÂ
Brett Gardner (DK – $4400, FD – $3900) – Gardner has been hot of late, scoring at least 7 DK points in 7 of his last 8 games, reaching double digits 4 times, and a 0.412 wOBA and 0.273 ISO over that span. The Yankees have a great matchup against Bud Norris, who has a 4.75 SIERA and 8.63 ERA on the year. Gardner has the platoon advantage against him and Norris has been torched by lefties to the tune of a 0.459 wOBA on the year. In hitter friendly Camden Yards, Gardner really has everything going for him.
Kolten Wong – 2B (DK – $4000, FD – $3200) – Jeremy Guthrie has struggled against LHH this year, allowing a 0.425 wOBA and 9 HRs on the year. Wong has hit both lefties and righties well this year (sign of a reliable hitter), with a 0.366 wOBA and 0.186 ISO vs. RHP. Six of Wong’s seven HRs have come off righties this year and he could be in line for another against Guthrie. At a weak position, Wong make a great play at a reasonable price.
Top Value PlayÂ
Justin Bour (DK – $2900, FD – $2800) – If you’re looking to fit two aces in your lineup or just want to go cheap at 1B, Bour is a great play at $2900. Bour has an elite matchup against David Hale who allows a 0.415 wOBA to LHH and 2.29 HR/9 (3.48 HR/9 vs. LHH). Bour has a 0.387 wOBA, 145 wRC+, and 0.228 ISO vs. RHP. You rarely get this upside at this price.
Top StacksÂ
New York Yankees vs. Bud Norris (Bal)
Love our content? Check out the GoingFor2 Live Podcast Network!
Pittsburg Pirates vs. Sean O’Sullivan (Phi)
Miami Marlins vs. David Hale (Col)
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Jeremy Guthrie (KC)
ATTN Dynasty Commissioners: Do you want to do something cool for your league? How about a 1-hour live show dedicated to YOUR league? Team-by-team breakdowns, rankings, and more. For details and to book a show, visit: GoingFor2.com/plp.
The GoingFor2 Live Podcast
