The force is definitely strong today with FD and DK both having the exact same slate of games on this mostly day game Thursday. I really have despised Thursday’s in the past, but I like this configuration a ton. We have nine games, including Coors Field and the return of Justin Verlander not only to the majors for his Mets debut, but back in Detroit where the Mets cannot seem to win a game.
WEATHER
Milwaukee at Colorado – Rain throughout the day here, they either play through it (which I expect) or they get all weird and make the Brewers come back to Coors Field for one random game later in the year. I assume they play.
I will be passing on Verlander both because of his price and because this is his first start of the season.
GEORGE KIRBY
Kirby has been fantastic this season, a step forward I wasn’t expecting to be so strong this early in the year but when you command the zone like he does you will have success. Just 2 walks on the season, 1 HR allowed and he has faced some tough lineups to do that against. The Athletics? They’re not that tough.
GRAYSON RODRIGUEZ
The Royals generally do not hit a SP they haven’t seen in person before and so for that reason Grayson Rodriguez is likely to have a strong game. RHH are hitting his fastball fairly well so far, which is a concern here but generally I think he does well in KC.
If anyone on the Royals touches him up today I expect it to be Olivares.
OTHER PITCHING NOTES
- Yes, I do think Jameson Taillon and Patrick Corbin have a nice little throw back pitchers duel in DC today. Problem is, JT will be lucky to strikeout 2 Nationals and Corbin is going to only pitch well if he is getting the Cubs to swing early and rush their way out of town to get home for their Friday afternoon 2pm game tomorrow. Take the under here and if you are living dangerous, follow the Corbin sleeper pick for some value.
- Jesus Luzardo – nobody goes from white hot to doing nothing as fast as the Atlanta Braves. Worth the risk on FanDuel today IMO.
Not a heavy ‘must stack this team’ type slate tonight.
PIRATES & RAYS
PIT: Bryan Reynolds – Jack Suwinski
TB: Josh Lowe – Wander Franco – Randy Arozarena – Harold Ramirez
You would think that the Pirates would have come into Tampa and had more success. Let’s examine this for a minute, shall we? I mean, the football team down there isn’t very relevant obviously but they are called the ‘Buccaneers’ which is essentially what the Pirates call themselves as well. And this is a COSTCO Warehouse stadium that the Rays play in, and of course COSTCO is known for stealing your money every time you decide to go in there just to get some stuff and walk out with an endless supply of toilet paper, 24 packs of some frozen snack your kids tried for free and wanted to get, and of course – Kirkland’s finest products.
But alas, the Pirates haven’t done much in Tampa, credit to the good pitching they have faced. Now they get Zach Eflin, who despite some decent results is still the same guy, he’ll give up 2 HR today.
Meanwhile the Rays get Vinnie Velasquez, Mr. I am either going to strikeout 9 guys or get smacked around and depart by the 3rd inning to go visit some Tampa strip clubs. Congrats to the strippers today.
ORIOLES
Adley, Mountcastle, Santander
MARLINS
Jon Berti, Yuli Gurriel, Jean Segura
Until Dylan Dodd shows the promise in the big league level that everyone WANTS him to have, I will continue to assume he gives up 1+ hits every inning and 4-5 ER before departing the game. The Marlins are cheap, will run the bases and … well, that’s all I can think that’s positive here.
CATCHER
It’s Adley or cheap here today behind the dish. Adley caught Lyles most of 2022 (90 innings), and by far is the best pay up catcher.
- Adley Rutschman
- Nick Fortes
- Elias Diaz
FIRST BASE
- Ryan Mountcastle
- Paul Goldschmidt … The HR is coming, in fact, when it does come I think he has a 2 HR game.
- Pete Alonso
- Yuli Gurriel
SECOND BASE
- Jon Berti … 2B is weaker than SS, so I prefer him here and really only would touch him if leading off.
- Nico Hoerner
- Adam Frazier
THIRD BASE
- Jean Segura
- Jake Burger … He is questionable with a side injury, but hopefully he fires up the grill and gets in today.
- Ke’Bryan Hayes
- Isaac Parades
SHORTSTOP
- Francisco Lindor
- Wander Franco
- Carlos Correa
OUTFIELD – Mt. Rushmore
- Bryan Reynolds
- Randy Arozarena
- Josh Lowe
- Max Kepler
OUTFIELD – Tier 2
- Jorge Soler
- Kris Bryant
- Hunter Renfroe
OUTFIELD – Value
- Mark Canha
- Jack Suwinski
- Jurickson Profar
- Paul Goldschmidt – 1B – Cardinals – America’s First Baseman and Chairman of the Fuck You, I’m not Washed, Dongers Club
- Josh Lowe – OF – Rays
- Jorge Soler – OF – Marlins
- Bryan Reynolds – OF – Pirates
- Adley Rutschman – C – Orioles
- Jorge Polanco – 2B – Twins
- Francisco Lindor – SS – Mets
- Jake Burger – 3B – White Sox
- BONUS ……………………. Pete Alonso – 1B – Mets
FAVORITE BET(s)
- METS ML + ORIOLES ML Parlay
- Angels/Cardinals over 9