There is no such thing as ‘random’ Sunday’s because every Sunday is kinda random itself. But, this is by far one of the weirdest Sunday slates you will come across and you should take note of it. It’s all because of obviously last night being the 4th of July fireworks everywhere at the games but also some very odd start times today.
The reason?
MLB and NBC are doing a Pastime Day where all games are being broadcast with no blackouts on NBC/Peacock all day long. To do this, they are spreading out start times to be basically every :30 minutes. Which is not the worst concept and something I think should be considered more on Sunday’s — bravo.
That said, if this means I cannot get the MLB Big Inning channel with quad box then I will consider this a wasted effort on their part. The blackout restrictions dropping is finally a good step in the right direction but I’ll believe it long term when I see it.
The bottom line here is that I do think the weird start times bring some oddity – but then it’s Sunday so maybe they cancel each other out.
WEATHER
- White Sox at Guardians: Should have a delay and could wind up with a PPD
The more I went through this slate, the more I just have a hard time finding a path where pitching is winning today. The combination of the weather, the matchups, the odd start times and the fact that the MLB definitely wants to promote their game today is going to make for some long days out there. Good luck pitchers…
JOE RYAN (DK: $9900)
If Ryan pitches too well he could find himself pulled in the third inning because the Yankees make a trade in game for him. Then again, the Yanks probably think they are fine on the pitching front for now and who can blame them in the really watered down American League. This includes their own lineup and Ryan’s velocity will handle Jasson, Volpe, Grisham and Bellinger. Just worried about Sunday Jazz and Rice as always, otherwise this is 7+ strikeouts, so that floor is good.
NOLAN MCLEAN (DK: $9300)
First game on this big day, expect it to get over pretty quickly IMO as they wrap up this series. 4-1, Mets win is what I want to believe will happen. 14-12 juiced ball game is always lingering out there too. But alas, we trust guys who can get us positive points and McLean is one of the few I trust.
PETER LAMBERT (DK: $7900)
The options drop off pretty quickly and I have a very timid Sunday sleeper recommendation, so Lambert gets the nod as the most trusted one here. Tough to pick on the Rays with a RHP, but were just looking for value here & I trust the Astros to be smart with Caminero finally.
SUNDAY SLEEPER
- The guy I was referencing above is Javier Assad. Like I said, it’s just a gut instinct, but not one I really can support with any statistical evidence because everything points to a couple Cardinals homers here.
NOT BITING ON
- Bradish, Lodolo, Weathers …. Likely all considered by some.
PIRATES / NATIONALS
Yeah, so some folks are complaining about the ‘Air Quality’ in DC because of all the fireworks from last night, combined with excessive heat lately. Whatever, do not try to let someone convince you this game isn’t going to have a shit ton of fireworks itself and not just homers left and right, but the hitters are gonna be smacking around on both worn down pitching staffs all game long.
- Brandon Lowe – PIT
- Luis Garcia Jr – WSH
- Ryan O’Hearn – PIT
- Dylan Crews – WSH
OTHER THOUGHTS
CATCHER
- Francisco Alvarez
- Carter Jensen
- J.T. Realmuto
FIRST BASE
- Pete Alonso
- Luis Garcia Jr
- Ryan O’Hearn
SECOND BASE
- Brandon Lowe
- Next question
THIRD BASE
Hottest player on the planet is here and yet this position is kinda the worst for pure 3B overall. Either play Junior, go dirt cheap or find someone that’s really another spot that we can double up here with (i.e. Stewart or McGonigle). Mead’s the top one just because of that game in general.
- Curtis Mead
- Kevin McGonigle
- Sal Stewart
SHORTSTOP
- Bobby Witt Jr.
- Konnor Griffin
- CJ Abrams
- Francisco Lindor
OUTFIELD – Mt. Rushmore
- Jac Caglianone
- Kerry Carpenter
- Dylan Crews
- Bryan Reynolds
OUTFIELD – Tier II
- James Wood
- Brandon Nimmo
- Brandon Marsh
I am doing something different today, I am permitting there to be Three Chairmen today.
Can I do this?
Is that permitted in the By-Laws?
Absolutely!
You, see, it say’s it right here.
We shall just call them the three Amigos…
If they homer, we still use the standard Chairman GIF.
But when a second one homers, and then the third one…
Well…
Then we celebrate.
The Three Chairmen of The Dongers Club
- Pete Alonso – 1st Base – Baltimore Orioles
- Brandon Lowe – 2nd Base – Pittsburgh Pirates
- Jac Caglianone – Outfield – Kansas City Royals
At-Large Dongers Club Members Today
- Kerry Carpenter – OF – Tigers
- Dylan Crews – OF – Nationals
- Sal Stewart – 3B – Reds
- Francisco Alvarez – C – Mets
- Konnor Griffin – SS – Pirates
- BONUS …. Kyle Schwarber – Phillies
BETS
- Mets / Braves UNDER 9
- Pirates / Nationals OVER 9.5
- Houston Astros ML
- Giants/Rockes OVER 17.5 (+300) … This is not a joke. This should hit by the 4th inning.