Top Pitching Options
Gio Gonzalez – WAS (DK – $9200, FD – $8700) – Gio is the highest priced pitcher in DK’s early only slate and second in FD’s for good reason. Gio is nearly at a 1:1 K per inning ratio giving him huge upside especially in FD where hits and walks given up don’t count. His last outing he struck out 7 in 6.1 innings and today he faces the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds don’t strikeout more than the league average, and only strikeout 22% vs. LHP, but they are near the bottom in runs generated per game (3) giving Gio a good chance to go deep into the game, grab a few extra Ks, and, with the help of Harper, get the W. Gio is a safe play on a day with only a few real solid options on the mound.
Michael Wacha – STL (DK – $8100, FD – $8600) – Wada goes up against Carlos Frias today and is an easy favorite to get the W. Wacha has been phenomenal to this point in the year with a 1.87 ERA and a 7-0 record. The reason he isn’t as pricey as Ross is his K/9 ratio, sitting just at 5.6. The Dodgers only average 6 Ks per game, so don’t expect anything more than that from Wada. He like him because he is the surest bet in the late field to get the +points for the W.
Charlie Morton – PIT (DK – $6800, FD – $6900) – Morton was nothing fancy in his MLB debut earlier in the week, but he did get the W, did not walk anyone and added 3 Ks over 7 innings. He goes up against Tyson Ross today so Morton will be hardly be owned by anyone except for us. Something that sticks out to us is that Vegas only has Ross as a slight favorite (-110) against an opposing pitcher with one MLB start… Only recommended in GPP due to his low ownership potential.
Top Hitting Options
Other top options at 1B: Ryan Howard
Logan Forsythe – 2B/3B (DK – $3300, FD – $2700) – Forsythe is (with Grichuk and Marakias) one of the cheapest cleanup hitters you can pick. He has been batting in the four-spot ever since Looney when down with an injury. He offers great ROI potential batting behind Longoria and has great BvP numbers against Chen (.353 with 2 HRs in 16 ABs). If you are in need of saving a few dollars, plug in Forsythe, you won’t regret it today.
Freddy Galvis – SS/3B (DK – $3200, FD – $2700) – Eddie Butler is getting the out of order start for the Rockies today which boasts nicely for Phillies hitters. Galvis has a wOBA of .307 and and OPS of .677 vs. Right handers and has even better splits when playing at home. Add it a sub-par, out of order starting pitcher and Galvis should have a nice ROI day for you!
Other top options at SS/3B: Altuve, Machado, Beltre
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Top Value Pick
Randal Grichuck – OF (DK – $3700, FD – $2600) – Grichuck was moved into up to the 4th spot in the STL lineup yesterday! Batting behind Carpenter and Peralta, Grichuck is almost a lock at RBI opportunities every game. Over the past three games he has gone 5/10 with 2 doubles, a HR, and 3 RBIs. Other note: He also was intentionally walked last night with runners on second and third, not ideal for owners, but Reynolds was batting behind him (and struck out). Expect either that to be Holiday or Molina moving forward to give Grichuck some protection or reserve and Grichuck providing the protection for Holiday. Either way, win/win for owners.
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