Welcome to another edition of the Value Index.
Today we try to tackle the 13-game main slate.
There’s a 2-game early slate, but we aren’t going to focus on it. I personally don’t play 2-game slates, and much prefer 5 games or more.
Anyway, after a slate that featured a lot of safe pitching options, we have a slate that has a couple of high-priced guys and we have to click and cross our fingers for the rest.
My favorite stack of the day is the Astros, however the Diamondbacks, Tigers, Nats, Reds and Brewers are all close behind. The Astros don’t seem to play well at home, but they have the BvP to back up using them against A’s starter Jesse Hahn.
Today’s picks won’t have any Astros, but I think you can stack them every which way tonight.
As for today, let’s get to it.
Giancarlo Stanton – OF – Miami Marlins – $4,200
Analysis: Typically when I recommend someone on the Index one day and they dud, and I like them the next, they do very well. I think we got an unfortunate bounce with Ozuna and Stanton yesterday as Gsellman exited the game early, so there weren’t a lot of opportunities. Hopefully Stanton gets a few chances at lefty Steven Matz tonight. You know my rule if you have been following, Stanton versus a lefty is a thing. Against Matz in his career, Stanton is 3-for-7 with 2 HRs and a walk. Stanton is cheap and is likely going to be in 80-90 percent of my lineups.
Troy Tulowitzki – SS – Toronto Blue Jays – $3,200
Analysis: This bastard just had to hit a homerun yesterday. I wanted to play him, but felt Lindor was a must-play so I missed out on Tulo. He’s starting to his well though (finally) and faces a lefty, something he used to pound when he played for the Rockies. I hope Tulo is starting to come around. I think he has a lot of upside still and we are getting him at a very, very cheap price. He faces Wade Miley tonight and he is 10-for-25 with 3 doubles, a home run and 4 walks against him. Tulo has a .143 BABIP against lefties this season, so something has to give eventually.
Miguel Cabrera – 1B – Detroit Tigers – $3,500
Analysis: Miggy was an easy call yesterday, wasn’t he? Now he is cheaper and facing pitcher that he has had a lot of success against. Ian Kennedy takes on the Tigers tonight and something is not right with Kennedy. I love this stack, including Cabrera, who is 5-for-14 with two doubles, a triple, 4 walks and zero strikeouts. Kennedy is a flyball pitcher and the Tigers are a team that plays really well at home most days.
