We go with an almost perfect Friday today but there are 2 games in the 6:40 window which did not make it onto the Main Slate. Enjoy a good Wrigley series as the Giants & Cubs should battle it out with bullpens reeling and that thing in the air you smell is a Seiya Suzuki 7-10 day streak that is about to light up very quickly with home runs almost every day. Probably starting tomorrow.
The MAIN slate is very deep tonight with choices. I went almost 5 deep on pitching as well as the stacks. I am standing by my belief that we’re into high scoring season on the schedule. Runs will be up, multi-homer games will appear, and someone is gonna go yard 3 times very soon. Bullpens are also wearing down…
WEATHER
We have chance of pop up storms in Minnesota and St Louis tonight. Both though are really good hitting environments overall outside of that and I wouldn’t fade them even though they are divisional games
Trey Vesavage (DK: $9000)
There’s one guy in Adley Rutschman who is a slight concern, but the issue with Yesavage is only going to be if his control is off. I think with the depth on the pitching front tonight it can be tempting to look around for someone maybe in a less hitter friendly spot – but his upside should be the key here. 7 strikeouts is a great floor & he blows past it.
Ryan Weathers (DK: $9300)
If the velocity is up in the upper 90’s he’s gonna mow through Boston. They cannot hit anything over 95+ mph.
Parker Messick (DK: $9600)
Texas ranks 27th in avg, 25th in SLG and 21st in K% against LHP on the season. Roof will be closed in Texas again and Messick’s really good at avoiding long bad innings.
Chrsitian Scott (DK: $7600)
The one thing the Padres do well is hit fastballs, which is their only hope here that they can drill a couple out on Scott. We can live with a solo hr or two as long as he goes 6 innings. What we cannot have is a pitcher vs a team who gets into long innings (20+ pitches), walks guys, has men on base and struggles. None of that is what we expect vs San Diego and not from Scott right now.
OTHERS I THOUGHT ABOUT
All these guys are pitching pretty well of late. Merrill Kelly, Brandon Young, Zebby Matthews … None of them though are solid enough tonight. Kelly has too many Nats lefties that should hit him. Young could be the sleeper if he gets into a duel with Yesavage, but I cannot buy into him.
ATHLETICS
Kurtz back in Houston where he destroyed Astros pitching a year ago & the Athletics are swinging very confidently at the plate.
- Nick Kurtz
- Tyler Soderstrom
- Brent Rooker
CARDINALS
Wetherholt is dealing with a little injury but the matchup vs Singer is very good for him. I think he walks first PA and then hits a double second time through. If they can keep the line moving they get Singer out and into a terrible Cincinnati pen right now.
- JJ Wetherholt
- Ivan Herrera
- Jordan Walker
- Alec Burleson
ROYALS vs TWINS
Hot as hell once again up in Minnesota, which ignites a spark and when you throw the gasoline of these two bullpens on top of no strikeout Wacha/Matthews matchup and we have ourselves another game with lots of scoring in each inning
- Brooks Lee, Byron Buxton, Trevor Larnach
- Bobby Witt, Salvador Perez, Cags
PIRATES
- Bryan Reynolds
- Marcell Ozuna
CATCHER
- Adley Rutschman
- Salvador Perez
- Ivan Herrera
FIRST BASE
- Nick Kurtz
- Alec Burleson
- Jake Bauers
SECOND BASE
- JJ Wetherholt
- Travis Bazzana
- Ernie Clement
THIRD BASE
- Brooks Lee
- Nick Gonzales
- Zack Gelof
SHORTSTOP
The two studs here are so far above everyone else tonight that you really are guessing beyond them.
- Bobby Witt Jr.
- CJ Abrams
OUTFIELD – Mt. Rushmore
- Jackson Chourio
- Marcell Ozuna
- Brent Rooker – Hopefully back in lineup tonight
- Jac Caglianone
OUTFIELD – Tier II
Adding some guys here as lineups post …
- Spencer Jones
- Jake Mangum
- Jake McCarthy
- Nick Kurtz – 1B – Athletics – Chairman of The Dongers Club
- Marcell Ozuna – OF – Pirates
- Jac Caglianone – OF – Royals
- Brooks Lee – 3B – Twins
- Salvador Perez – C – Royals
- CJ Abrams – SS – Nationals
- Ernie Clement – 2B – Blue Jays
- Jackson Chourio – OF – Brewers
- BONUS … Troy Johnston – OF – Rockies
BETS
- Brewers / Rockies OVER 11.5
- Royals / Twins OVER 8.5