We have another full slate of games in the majors tonight!
And we are going to have some tough decisions to make because the GOAT, Clayton Kershaw, plus a couple of other stud pitchers in solid matchups are on the slate as well.
To play Kershaw, I think it’s going to be really easy to fit him into your lineups.
Wilmer Flores – 1B/3B – New York Mets – $3,100
Analysis: Flores is one of many value options that can be used as one offs today. He’s facing Jon Lester, who has a 7+ ERA on the road this season. Flores has torched lefty pitching this season to the tune of a .443 wOBA, a .235 ISO and a 33% hard contact rate. Flores also has the BvP to boot – 5-for-10, 3 HRs and a walk.
Kendrys Morales – 1B – $3,600 – Toronto Blue Jays
Analysis: The Blue Jays return home tonight and take on a talented phenom in Tampa’s Jacob Faria, The Jays have been swinging hotter bats these days and perhaps returning to an offense we thought they would be to start the season. Justin Smoak is finally having a breakout season, but his price has skyrocketed. That leaves me with Morales, who hits in the heart of the order and will have more RBI opportunities coming his way with Josh Donaldson back in the lineup as well. Rogers Centre is a hitter’s paradise where Morales has an OPS of .837 this season. The book is still out on Faria, but I’ll take the veteran hitters over the rookie. For what it’s worth, Morales has torched Tampa pitching this year – 11-for-39 with 5 doubles and 3 HRs.
Corey Dickerson – OF – Tampa Bay Rays – $4,500
Analysis: Corey Dickerson is really coming into his own this season. He’s one of the top hitters in the American League and has really carried this Tampa offense. The Rays have been a team that I have failed when I pick on them and fail when I use their offense. But Dickerson is one constant that I feel safe with. He’s got 14 bombs this season, 13 of which came against RH pitching. Dickerson and the Rays take on Marco Estrada, an extreme fly ball pitcher the Rays have tattooed twice already this season. Dickerson has some BvP on Estrada, too, as he is 5-for-14 with a home run, two walks and a steal.
Mark Trumbo – OF – Baltimore Orioles – $3,400
Analysis: The price on Mark Trumbo made me laugh out loud when I saw it. I don’t even know how this is possible. Derek Holland is clearly a bad pitcher (see his price), but then Baltimore is priced down as well. At this discount, Trumbo might be one of the more popular plays of the day, even though it’s a 14-game slate. The Orioles aren’t as bad against lefties as they were earlier this season, and Trumbo is one of those reasons why. Against soutpaws, Trumbo owns a. .320 wOBA and a 33% hard contact rate against them this season. Trumbo also has BvP against Holland as well – 15-for-47 with 3 doubles, 5 HRs, 12 RBIs and 4 walks.
Rougned Odor – 2B – Texas Rangers – $3,200
Analysis: Guess who is heating up just in time for their first home rematch since the above gif happened? Yes’ it’s Rougned Odor and his price continues to stay around the $3K range for the time being. He tripled on Monday evening, giving him 10 hits in his last 8 games. Against lefty bats this season, Odor’s opponent, Brad Peacock, has been a strikeout machine, but he’s also susceptible to the long ball. Peacock has some major regression coming and the rival and hot Rangers are not going to go easy on him. Peacock has a .280 wOBA against lefties, but has allowed 42% hard contact against. Odor has smacked Peacock around in his career. He’s 5-for-9 with 2 HRs and a double.
Carlos Gonzalez – OF – Colorado Rockies – $3,300
Analysis: I know, CarGo has been bad this season, but I am not ready to give up on him just yet, especially in a plum matchup such as this. Using lefties against Gerrit Cole should be your new lineup construction staple. In 2017, Cole has allowed a .385 wOBA, a 2+ HR/9 rate and a 42% hard contact rate to lefties. CarGo is super cheap tonight and is still worthy of some flyers in your rosters.
Corey Seager – SS – Los Angeles Dodgers – $4,300
Analysis: Kershaw takes on the Indians tonight and his opponent is Trevor Bauer who has been awful against lefties this season. In 2017, Bauer is giving up a .380 wOBA, a 2.30 HR/9 rate and a 39% hard contact rate. Seager mashes righty pitching and gets a bit of a ballpark bump here too. Seager owns a .372 wOBA, a .188 ISO and a 47% hard contact rate against RH pitching.
Khris Davis – OF – Oakland Athletics – $4,600
Analysis: With 10 hits in his past 6 games, Khris Davis is finally hot again. His price does show us that, but he’s in a great spot again against Marlins’ pitcher Jose Urena, who gives up a .392 wOBA and 2+ home runs per game to RH bats. Davis, meanwhile, has a .364 wOBA, a .294 ISO and a 42% hard contact rate to RH pitching this season.
Martin Maldonado – C – Los Angeles Angels – $2,900
Analysis: C.C. Sabathia still sucks, I don’t care what he’s done lately. Anomalies happen all the time and he’s one of them. Maldonado crushes lefty pitching this season, to the tune of a .434 wOBA, a .162 ISO and 37% hard contact rate. Sabathia has regression coming, giving up a 37.5% hard contact rate, He’s a punt, so go for it!
