Happy Fathers Day! A nine game slate on DraftKings as they have included the make up game of the Cardinals-Braves rain out from last night, so that is a 7 inning double header game which features Adam Wainwright against Bryse Wilson and then their second game is the Sunday Night Baseball game of the week which nobody will be watching because we’ll all be focusing on the U.S. Open.
FanDuel also included the Brewers-Rockies game for the first time this year having a Sunday Coors game on the Sunday main slate, because naturally they just want to piss on Fathers Day.
And I just took the first sip of my coffee and it tastes like rostering Matt Harvey, WTF. I don’t ask for much in life people!!
WEATHER
All clear, no issues today… A great day to not mow the lawn because we did that already this week because who mows the lawn on a Sunday?
Kenta Maeda
Kenta was limited in his last start as he was returning from injury but still managed to post 17 DK points against the Mariners and now gets another version of the Mariners in the Texas Rangers. A team who is striking out 26% on the season and 31% on the Maeda pitch type usage, with a really low xWOBA and oh by the way — Kenta is still only $6,300 on DK and $7,000 on FD. Even if he is limited again, he is still the top guy we want to lock in this afternoon.
Taijuan Walker
Walker should be the highest owned pitcher today if anyone is paying attention. The Nationals offense isn’t that deadly right now as Soto hits into too many double plays, Kyle Schwarber only homers when Jon Lester pitches and Trea Turner is just a guy. Walker isn’t likely to repeat his 40% CSW% that he had last start vs the Cubs, but he’s been extremely durable all season for the Mets and has been really good vs LHB as well, showing very little weakness.
Bryse Wilson
He is very good vs RHB and not so good vs LHB. The Cardinals don’t have any real good lefties (and quite honestly the righties suck right now too), and this being a 7-inning game we should see it just cruise right along with Wilson at $6,900 being able to match some higher priced guys like McCullers and Eovaldi.
BLUE JAYS
Really there is no justification for not mentioning Toronto. You saw what they can do in a flash yesterday roaring back late against the O’s bullpen and today they’ll see Matt Harvey to start the game which has to somehow get Rowdy Tellez into the ball game and likely means a 2-HR game for Bichette and/or Biggio as well. I highly encourage just rolling out 5 man stacks today on DK because the multi-HR baseballs are back in play and you’ll need that 2-HR guy no matter where it randomly comes from.
CUBS
Warm and wind blowing out with higher humidity today in Wrigley and Zach Thompson, a guy with limited experience who gives up hard contact on the mound for the Marlins. Contreras, Bryant and Baez have all hit extremely well against cutters, which is what Thompson has thrown the majority of the time in his limited work so far.
RED SOX
Boston is known for sucking in get away games and we have that scenario here, but I cannot find a path there Renfroe and JD Martinez do not have good games here. Another warm afternoon in Kauffman and the wind is blowing out considerably to left field as well. There will be 3+ HR in this game.
Other teams I really like but do not trust as much as the CORE above.
Yankees … I highly doubt anyone is on the Yankees today but I’ve never been a Sean Manaea guy and I certainly am not going to start right now. I actually really like the top of the Yankees lineup today (LeMahieu, Stanton, Judge) and expect them to finally have a good game.
Twins … Was hoping to see the full squad back together, but not quite yet as Sano/Donaldson are not in the lineup. They’re gonna start to get better here soon though.
Indians … Tribe vs Pirates? Tribe vs Pirates!!! Let’s get some exposure here. Harold Ramirez and Eddie Rosario.
Astros … Facing old pal Dallas Keuchel at home today and the Astros offense is too good to ignore.
CATCHER
- Willson Contreras
- Reese McGuire
FIRST BASE
- Rowdy Tellez
- Pete Alonso
- Jesus Aguilar
SECOND BASE
- DJ LeMahieu
- Whit Merrifield
- Jose Altuve
THIRD BASE
- Kris Bryant
- Cavan Biggio … I would use him or KB at OF on DraftKings as Mt. Rushmore plays.
- Raffy Devers
SHORTSTOP
- Erik Gonzalez … Love the other boys here but at $2000 this is the best infield value on the board outside of Tellez.
- Raul Mondesi … Curious if they change his spot in the batting order. Would love a Whit-Mondesi 1-2 combination today.
- Beaux Bichette
- Javier Baez
OUTFIELD – Mt Rushmore
- Randal Grichuk
- Giancarlo Stantonian
- Hunter Renfroe
- Byant/Biggio
OUTFIELD – Tier 2
- Eddie Rosario
- Joc Jamz
- J.D. Martinez
- Starling Marte
OUTFIELD – Value
- Harold Ramirez
- Max Kepler
- Jesus Sanchez
The Dongers Club
- Cavan Biggio – OF – Blue Jays – Chairman of the Dongers Club
- Max Kepler – OF – Twins
- Kris Bryant – 3B – Cubs
- Erik Gonzalez – SS – Pirates
- Hunter Renfroe – OF – Red Sox
- Whit Merrifield – 2B – Royals
- Rowdy Tellez – 1B – Blue Jays
- Willson Contreras – C – Cubs
- BONUS ……………………….. Giancarlo Stanton – OF – Yankees
BETS
- Toronto Blue Jays -1.5
- Minnesota Twins -1.5
- New York Yankees -1.5
LINEUP CONSTRUCTION THOUGHTS
THE HIGHEST CHALK STACK(S)
Toronto Blue Jays
Chicago Cubs
LOW(er) OWNED GOOD TEAMS
Boston Red Sox
Houston Astros
LEVERAGE STACKS/PLAYS
Royals – Whit/Mondesi
DK PITCHERS
Maeda, Walker
FD PITCHERS
Maeda, Walker
CORE HITTERS
Willson Contreras
Cavan Biggio
Rowdy Tellez