We have two slates on DraftKings today, which of course turns into three slates on FanDuel for no good reason. Honestly, I am shocked that DraftKings included the 1PM Athletics/Tigers game, but sure, why not.
WEATHER
No Rain issues, just chilly.
This is not a bad SP game-stack kind of afternoon slate.
JOE RYAN (DK: $9200) … My gut says Joe Ryan pitches very well today. My model says that Joe Ryan pitches very well today. But my brain says that he won’t be able to get on a strikeout roll through the heart of the Guardians order. So this is going to have to be a spot where he is going to give you 6+ innings and maybe get to that 5th strikeout without allowing more than 1 ER. Fortunately, there aren’t a ton of dominant starters going today, so I think you can go here without fear and a gamestack with Carrasco is viable.
YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO (DK: $9600) … Wow, what a price tag on Yamamoto here considering how well the Cubs are hitting right now. That aside, it’s a very chilly and wind in type of day in Wrigley. One where the folks who are at the game should enjoy that they have a sportsbook attached the stadium to go in and put some unders on the action. Especially with a fellow countryman pitching, if you know what I mean.
Much like it being a SP game stack slate, it’s also a hitting game stack slate. The only positive hitting environment is tiny Cincinnati, so that’s our obvious chalky spot for offense today.
Marlins vs Cardinals
Game has good over potential. The heart of both orders should be able to put the ball in play enough to make either side viable stacks, but heavy lean on the Cardinals for me.
Orioles vs Pirates
BAL: Henderson, Santander || PIT: Cruzl, Reynolds, Suwinski
The Orioles lefties absolutely went off in LiPNC on Friday, and should be in a good environment to do the same again against Bailey Falter, who even as a lefty himself is the worst SP against LHB on this slate.
Mets vs Reds
NYM: Lindor, Alvarez || CIN: Elly, India, Benson
Severino in his first Mets start gave up 12 hits to the Brewers at home. Now he’s going into Cincinnati to face the Reds? Trouble my friends and the fastball velocity still being good is only going to hurt him against Elly De La Cruz. Yes, I still back the Mets here as well.
CATCHER
- Francisco Alvarez … Best HR upside on the slate at catcher today.
- Willson Contreras
FIRST BASE
- Paul Goldschmidt
- Christian Encarnacion-Strand
- Pete Alonso
SECOND BASE
- Jonathan India
- Jeff McNeil
- Zack Gelof my Lawn
THIRD BASE
- Jake Burger
- Nolan Arenado … I have two rules on Arenado. First, we use him on Friday/Sundays and not Saturdays. Second, we dont use him until his birthday. But given the leap year, maybe all that is thrown off? Maybe the coming eclipse has the whole unvierse upside down. Maybe he follows up that 3 hit performance on Friday with a homer today? Maybe 3B sucks, so I would rather play Arenado than Jeimer Candelario…
SHORTSTOP
Yesterday I said Turner would homer today. I thought Gore was pitching, so that’s now tomorrow…
- Elly De La Cruz
- Oneil Cruz
- Penelope Cruz
- Victor Cruz
- Any Cruz will do
- Francisco Lindor
OUTFIELD – Mt. Rushmore
- Anthony Santander
- Lane Thomas
- Jack Suwinski
- Bryan Reynolds
OUTFIELD – Value
- Will Benson
- Kerry Carpenter
- Paul Goldschmidt – 1B – Cardinals – Chairman of The Dongers Club
- Francisco Alvarez – C – Mets
- Elly De La Cruz – SS – Reds
- Lane Thomas – OF – Nationals
TODAYS BETS
Marlins/Cardinals OVER 8
Guardians/Twins UNDER 8
Dodgers/Cubs UNDER 8
Pirates ML
Nationals ML +150