It’s Memorial Day and while this day signifies the remembrance and recognition of all the men and women who have either served the United States or lost their life in doing so, it also means day baseball is upon us.
We have two slates going today, with most games featured on the early slate. Pitching is pretty gross today, all the way around.
We will see the return of David Price today, so we will get to see one of the most overrated pitchers toe the bump for the first time this season.
It’s Memorial Day and your research is limited for the upcoming 9-game slate, so this version of the Index is on the house. Enjoy and good luck!
Tony Wolters – C – Colorado Rockies – $3,300
Analysis: He’s not likely to hit one out, but he’s a pesky lefty against right-handed pitching and is a cheap way to get exposure to Coors Field today. He hits down in the order, but Wolters is a guy who gets on base and can swipe a base or two. Against RH pitching this season, Wolters has a .353 wOBA and a 14% walk rate. The Rockies are taking on some guy named Sam Gaviglio. This game be Gavigli-ugly.
Jay Bruce – 1B/OF – New York Mets – $4,500
Analysis: Even though the likes of Andrew Cashner and the Mets’ starter today, Matt Garza, continue to troll my lineups when I stack against them, I am going to keep doing it because it’s eventually going to pay off. Garza hasn’t truly blown up yet, but this could be the spot against a left-handed heavy Mets’ squad. Bruce is my favorite of the NY bunch as he gets to tee off on Garza’s 2017 wOBA allowed of .374, a 1.93 HR/9 rate and 36% hard contact to lefties.
Gregory Polanco – OF- Pittsburgh Pirates – $4,300
Analysis: One of my DFS boys is back! Glad to see Gregory Polanco back in the PIrates’ lineup, I am disappointed I missed out on his first home of the season (something I had been chasing prior to his injury), I am never scared to use one of the most under utilized DFS plays. Since 2016, Polanco owns a .332 wOBA, a .195 ISO and a 33% hard contact rate against RH pitching. The power is there and today he faces Randall Delgado, who has allowed a .342 wOBA and a 2.63 HR/9 rate to lefties this season. His BABIP also is low to lefties, so he’s not just bad against lefty bats, Delgado is really bad against them.
George Springer – OF – Houston Astros – $4,000
Analysis: After burning me last week, Springer made things right on Saturday night. Maybe my confidence is high or maybe I’ve just forgiven him for his suckage,but he’s high on my list in this early wave of games. The Astros are taking on Ervin Santana who has pitched well this season, I am not buying that he is some elite ace all of a sudden. Santana has a .144 BABIP against lefties this season and a ..126 BABIP to righties, so yea, he’s getting EXTREMELY lucky. I love the Astros in this spot – Santana is the highest-priced pitcher, no one is going to play them and the Astros are a team that plays much better on the road than at home. Santana is a reverse splits pitcher and will face a ton of RH bats today, too. Springer has hits in his last three games and now gets to hit in a RH-friendly park at only $4,000. Santana is a trap today if you are considering him at pitcher.
Carlos Carrasco – SP – Cleveland Indians – $9,300
Analysis: Kyle Hendricks is the clear cut No. 1 cash game option today against the Padres, but I am also liking Carrasco today. The A’s have shown they have power against RH pitching, but they have also shown they like to strike out a lot against them, whiffing at 23% of the time this season. This is a pure K-upside play for Carrasco and I am not sure I like him as a safety net in cash, but for tournaments, he’s definitely in play.
Chris Young – OF – Boston Red Sox – $3,500
Analysis: Chris Young has yet to hit a home run against a lefty this season, despite a 33% hard contact rate against them. Since 2016 however, Young is a renown lefty masher, clubbing southpaws with a .390 wOBA and a .219 ISO. The Red Sox take on David Holmberg in U.S. Cellular Field, another hitter-friendly park for Young to take advantage of.
