Today is a very pretty slate.
We have nearly a full slate of games with the Astros and Indians playing early for the second day in a row. But 14 games is basically a full slate and there are some solid pitching options at the top and in the middle of the pack. More on some of those players later.
The Index didn’t have a great showing, but one thing is for certain, Giancarlo Stanton is ridiculous. Can he keep up the torrid pace against Madison Bumgarner tonight? I like Maddy B today, but Stanton has BvP against him and his current state of ability to crush baseballs makes him a definite option today.
But there are plenty of other choices, plus Coors, to sift though so I say we get on with today;s rankings, and then of course the picks!
Catcher
- Yasmani Grandal
- Alex Avila
- Wilson Ramos
- Tyler Flowers
- Buster Posey
First Base
- Cody Bellinger
- Logan Morrison
- Ryan Zimmerman
- C.J. Cron
- Chris Davis
Second Base
- Neil Walker
- Chris Taylor
- Jason Kipnis
- D.J. LeMahieu
- Brian Dozier
Third Base
- Josh Donaldson
- Travis Shaw
- Kris Bryant
- Rafael Devers
- Manny Machado
Shortstop
- Trevor Story
- Corey Seager
- Francisco Lindor
- Paul deJong
- Xander Bogaerts
Outfield
- Mike Trout
- Nelson Cruz
- Giancarlo Stanton
- Corey Dickerson
- Eric Thames
Pitchers
- Madison Bumgarner
- Jacob deGrom
- Dinelson Lamet
- Mark Leiter, Jr.
- Alex Wood
Stacks
- Los Angeles Dodgers
- Cleveland Indians
- Colorado Rockies
- Chicago Cubs
- Baltimore Orioles
Analysis: Finally, Josh Donaldson has become usable. One of my favorite plays last year has been unreliable this year as have most of the Blue Jays. But tonight is a good day for some Donaldson action. Facing lefty Blake Snell, who sports a .352 wOBA allowed, a 1.49 HR/9 and a 33% hard contact rate against RH bats, Donaldson has been on a heater with 10 hits and 4 homers in his past 10 games. Against Snell in his career, Donaldson is 1-for-6 with 2 walks.
Analysis: He may not be the top talent at pitcher tonight, he’s by far my favorite pitcher on this slate not named (guy who is in premium section below). He’s priced up, but has a great matchup at home against the Philadelphia Phillies. Against RH pitching this season, Philly is 23rd in team wOBA and strikes out 22% of the time.