As always, Friday’s slate gives us a lot of great options for both pitching and hitting so let’s delve into who will win you some cash tonight!
Pitchers
Cole Hamels, PHI – $9,600 : The title of most attractive pitcher of the night whose last name starts with “Ha” goes to the Phillies southpaw, and not the Dark Knight of the Mets. There’s a ton to love with Hamels tonight: pitching against the potent but aimless Rockies, pitching in spacious Citizens Bank Park, and he’s hot as of late. Hamels has posted over one strikeout per inning, and opponents are hitting a measley .212 off of him. The lefty has been elite at home, with a 2.25 ERA and a .184 BA against. Sure there’s Harvey and Gray going tonight, but I think Hamels is the most attractive option of the night.
James Shields, SD – $9,300 : Though they’re winners of 7 straight coming into Friday’s game, the Pirates rank in the middle of the pack as far as offense goes in the league and they tend to strikeout a lot. Shields is only trailing Mad Max for the most strikeouts in the NL, and you have to love that he’s pitching in the confines of spacious Petco Park. Yes Shields has given up a ton of dingers this season (15 so far), but I think he should stifle the prominent Pirates righty hitters (McCutchen, Marte, Harrison). Look for a ton of strikeouts, a quality start, and hopefully a win from Big Game James tonight!
Other options: Matt Harvey (NYM), Trevor Bauer (CLE), Mike Foltynewicz (ATL)
Hitters
Brian Dozier, 2B (MIN) – $3,900 : Dozier may be the best hitter pick of the day, going up against aging lefty Mark Buerhle in the sneaky hitters’ park of Target Field. The Twins second baseman is hitting almost 50 points better against left-handed pitching, and he’s a substantially better hitter at home as well. And at $3,900, Dozier won’t absolutely break the bank if you’re including an ace in your lineup.
Ian Desmond, SS (WAS) – $3,400 : Interestingly enough, Desmond is hitting right-handed pitching better thus far this season (.262 BA vs. .238) and three of his four home runs have come against righties. Given this, the Nationals shortstop is a great play on Friday going up against the unimpressive Anthony deSclafani of the Reds, in hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park nonetheless. Definitely give him a look at the perpetually shallow SS position!
Other options: Billy Butler – 1B (OAK), Adrian Beltre – 3B (TEX), Brandon Moss – OF (CLE), Hanley Ramirez – OF (BOS)
Recommended Stacks
Nationals hitters vs. deSclafani (Span, Desmond, Harper, Lobaton)
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Twins righty hitters vs. Buerhle (Dozier, Hunter, Suzuki, Plouffe)
Athletics hitters vs. Capuano (Burns, Semien, Butler, Reddick)
Tonight’s Lineup
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