We are down to five games and that eight game playoff day was kinda cool but short lived. The slate includes games at Noon, 2PM, 3PM, 7PM and 10PM today with every game having an elimination possibility in it. As a Baseball fan, I am definitely rooting for all four National League series to end up split 1-1 today so we have four more games tomorrow.
WEATHER
Some rain in Chicago for the Marlins and Cubs, but it looks like it’s light enough to play through
Clayton Kershaw
I know all about his playoff history and it doesn’t phase me one bit. Kershaw quietly had one of his best seasons this year and I honestly believe that pitching in the playoffs without fans will be a boost for him. Once again the major concern here is Dave Roberts pulling him early but I would still expect 6 innings of clean baseball from Kershaw.
Yu Darvish
Most of you know I am not a Darvish fan, never have been and never will be. But the Cubs are in desperation mode and this game looks like the version of the Braves/Reds yesterday with this being a quiet 2-1 game. when things are all said and done. The Rain is enough for me to possibly get scared off him and I definitely would not pay 11.3k for him on FanDuel today but he’s affordable on DraftKings and should be looked at there with Kershaw.
Sixto Sanchez
In the five games going today there are three rookie pitchers. Sanchez, Ian Anderson (Atlanta) and Dane Dunning (Chicago). I will break down why I do not like Dunning and Anderson later but I do think Sanchez could be a viable option today. One thing to strongly consider in the playoffs is game-stacking pitchers and then game-stacking hitters in another spot. Typically we aren’t going to see 7-1 type games in playoff match-ups and that’s what I project today in Wrigley between the Marlins and the Cubs. Weather in Chicago is always key and it’s good for the pitchers today. Sanchez out of all the rookies has the best pure ‘stuff’ and his Change-Up against Anthony Rizzo will be something to watch for in this game. If you roll with Sanchez, roll with him along with Darvish.
White Sox vs Athletics Pitchers
This is slated to be Dane Dunning (CHW) versus either Sean Manaea or Mike Fiers (OAK). Simply put, I don’t trust anyone of these pitchers here and I really do not trust Manaea if thats who the Athletics do wind up starting. Dunning should have a short leash as well and this is just a spot to not mess with for DFS pitching purposes.
Reds vs Braves
Eugenio Suarez, Mike Moustakas, Nick Markakis
Sorry but you don’t get to go out and have a 0-0 game through over 12 innings one day and then come back the next day and not bet the over. Warmer today in Atlanta and the Reds are not going to go quietly against rookie pitcher Ian Anderson today. Moustakas and/or Suarez are going yard for the Reds. Meanwhile Atlanta is likely to jump on Castillo and get his pitch count up today with runners on the bases every inning and it’s just a question of if we can get some better at bats out of Swanson, Riley and Duvall today than their horrible PA’s yesterday. Nick Markakis is my sleeper for Atlanta.
Chicago White Sox
Tim Anderson, Jose Abreu, Eloy Jimenez
So I tried to run my model with the White Sox against Sean Manaea and Mike Fiers, the two possible pitching options for the Athletics to start today. Simply put, neither wound up looking favorable for the Athletics pitchers.
POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN
CATCHERS
Catchers had themselves quite the day yesterday with Jansen x2, Zunino, Grandal, Sanchez, Molina and I am sure someone else I am forgetting all having huge games. Today? Not so much…
- Tucker Barnhart
FIRST BASE
If Sean Manaea starts you kinda just want to take that 1 AB that Abreu gets against him and move on, right? Not so fast…. Atlanta won’t put up runs today without Freeman, the real MVP of the National league. Olson is a major thorn in the side for Dunning today & Goldy in PETCO against a RHP who is weaker vs RH bats and he has owned? This is a loaded position and a sharp player fades Abreu and rolls with other White Sox bats.
- Freddie Freeman – Chairman of the Dongers Club
- Paul Goldschmidt
- Matt Olson
SECOND BASE
- Mike Moustakas
- Ozzie Albies
THIRD BASE
Suarez may look like a bad play because he isn’t facing a lefty but he is fantastic value on DraftKings today.
- Eugenio Suarez
- Matt Carpenter
SHORTSTOP
- Tim Anderson
- Corey Seager
- Dansby Swanson – Nice value as well
OUTFIELD – Tier 1
- Ronald Acuna Jr.
- Nicholas Castellanos
- Nick Markakis
- Eloy Jimenez
OUTFIED – Tier 2
- Ramon Laureano
- Joc Pederson
- Jesse Winker
- Marcell Ozuna
BEST BETS
- Reds / Braves OVER 7.5