It’s a hump day edition of the Value Index!
While we do have two slates for today’s games, the early version has just 4 games so we will skip right to evening action for today’s Index.
But for the record, play Clayton Kershaw in the early slate (hint, hint).
We have 11 games on the agenda tonight with a couple of spots where weather could be factor. We haven’t had to worry too much with rain lately, so just wanted to inform you about that and remind you to check forecasts as they are published throughout the day.
Pitching tonight is pretty bad folks, but there are some spots for us to consider. I just don’t know if you can feel very safe about most of the options.
Shall we?
Joey Votto – 1B- Cincinnati Reds – $4,700
Analysis: If you have been a reader for some time, you likely know I am not a Joey Votto player. I rarely play him in DFS, but today’s matchup is just too good to pass up. I did play Votto in yesterday’s debut of MLB Arcade Mod on DraftKings, so I will actually play him in my lineups tonight. The Reds are in Wrigley, where the wind should be blowing out to dead center at 20 MPH at times. Kyle Hendricks is on the mound for the Cubbies, and while I don’t like to pick on Hendricks, Votto’s BvP is too awesome. Votto hits RH pitching well, but he has something on Hendricks. In 11 ABs, Votto has 7 hits, 2 HRs and 6 walks. Those kinds of numbers are cash game locks for me.
Jason Vargas – SP – Kansas City Royals – $8,400
Analysis: Boy this Index is quickly featuring players I don’t like. I mean, Matt Garza almost made this list too for crying out loud. I told you the pitching sucks today. MIchael Pineda is the clear top option on the slate, but we need some value and somehow, Jason Vargas grades out well on my end. Vargas has seemingly turned his career around, posting a 12.5 SwStr% with a 7.86 K/9 rate. I know the wind is blowing out and it’s the Yankees, but the Yankees haven’t been near as good against southpaws this season. The Bronx Bombers are only initiating 27% hard contact against lefties, while Vargas is allowing just 26% hard contact himself. The Yanks are also striking out at a 22.8% clip against southpaws, too. No one is going to play Vargas, but he is kind of “safe” to me tonight, and I hate mentioning such a thing.
