Well it’s good to be back!
Back home.
Back to baseball DFS.
And back to writing the Value Index.
It’s been a 3-day hiatus for myself as the wife and daughter went and visited family. The trip went well and culminated to a mountain of puke from my 19-month-old thanks to good ol’ car sickness.
But we made it home in once piece and are so glad to be sleeping in our own beds.
So what’s happened in baseball the past three days?
I don’t know much except the Rangers suck and the Astros scored a heap of runs against the Braves.
I do know the All-Star Break is upon us so this is the last Index until next Friday, the 14th.
I don’t know what I will do with myself for 4 days. I guess I might get some work prepped for this upcoming school year, spend time with the family, research golf for the British Open and maybe watch the Home Run Derby.
But let’s focus on today’s slate and go out with a bang into the break.
We have a 13-game slate on tap today and it’s filled with solid pitching options. We have Coors on the slate as well, but I do love the pitching today. I always love it when I love pitching on a slate, makes things a little easier when you feel comfortable about the pitching being rostered.
Anyway, enough chit chat, let’s take down a GPP tonight!
James Paxton – SP – Seattle Mariners- $8,500
Analysis: This is the second time I’ve recommended James Paxton when he is underpriced. I know he’s had some rocky starts in recent memory, but like Carlos Rodon on Monday, Paxton faces the A’s, a team that is second-to-last in team wOBA. The A’s strike out at a 25.7% clip against lefties this season and we get Paxton at home where he has been awesome – 4-2, 2.68 ERA and 53 Ks in 47 innings.
Giancarlo Stanton – OF – Miami Marlins – $4,400
Analysis: Some usual suspects appear on the Index today. One of them is Southpaw Destroyer Giancarlo Stanton. He travels to San Fran to take on Matt Moore and the Giants. Please, I don’t care about ballparks when it comes to hitter’s of Stanton’s caliber. Matt Moore sucks and Stanton is 4-for-10 with 2 doubles, 2 RBIs and 2 walks against Moore.
Nelson Cruz – OF – Seattle Mariners – $4,200
Analysis: Look another lefty smasher that I always recommend! It’s Nelly Cruz, and he’s facing a lefty today. The Mariners are against Sean Manaea and the A’s. Manaea is a much better pitcher at home than on the road. But I still like him in this spot as well. I just happen to like Nelly even more. Against Manaea in his career, Cruz is 4-for-8 with 2 HRs and 4 walks.
Trevor Story – SS – Colorado Rockies – $3,900
Analysis: Hey there, another lefty masher. Now if you read box scores, Story’s line looks unpolished and he’s certainly struggled after coming on strong. But he gets Derek Holland, my nemesis, in Coors. Nolan Arenado is one of my favorite plays against lefties, but we have Story to use for under $4K. That’s pretty great.
Jake Lamb – 3B – Arizona Diamondbacks – $4,500
Analysis: Hard to pass on Nolan Arenado in this spot, but I will take the cheaper and lower-owned Jake Lamb. I know Adleman has been a thing lately, but I am not convinced. Lamb crushes righty pitching and is hitting at Chase Field where he has 12 of his 18 homeruns.
