Mid week split slates – things that in the middle of the summer are just right. The afternoon starts early with a 12:10 start down in the Trop! between the Orioles and Rays, and has a total of six games on it including a 7-inning Padres/Braves game and yes the game in Coors as well. Just be prepared for some interesting pitching recommendations as you scroll down.
WEATHER
All games play with no issues and it’s in the low 90’s out in Coors Field with a potential chalky SP there.
I can find about 2 to 3 holes in every pitcher on this early afternoon slate. It is what it is …
Madison Bumgarner
Mad Bum went out to the IL right around the time they introduced the crack down on sticky stuff and came back after the All-Star Break with a really good first outing against the Cubs. He gets another offense that he should be able to pitch safely against in the Pirates today. We need pitchers that we trust to have the ability to not have long disaster innings and right now I trust MadBum to do that.
Chris Paddack
This is my wild card gut feeling today. Right as everyone runs away from Paddack off another bad start, I will jump on the two pitch wonder in a 7-inning game vs the Braves. I’ve never been one to like Paddack much however this is not a game where I see Atlanta coming out and scoring a ton. Freeman has continued to hit even without Acuna, but the rest of the lineup is capable of laying an egg right now and while the data might point to Atlanta as a solid 7 inning offense I think we see them just snooze through the double header.
Also consider as SP2 options on DK
Max Kranick … Would use just in a game stack with Bumgarner
Michael Wacha vs Keegan Akin … I like Wacha a good amount but there’s never much upside with him and Akin is just another close your eyes and pray type pick although LHP continue to do decent vs Tampa.
Short slates we focus on Games to target more so than Lineups to target, here are the top three today.
NY Mets vs Cincinnati
There isn’t much difference IMO between Cincinnati and Coors today, as both are going to play extremely favorable for offense and this one has better HR hitters in the lineups. The Mets will be the more popular side against fastball thrower Jeff Hoffman however the team to ride is Cincinnati, the Winker through Naquin heart of the order all should have their way with Stroman and Tyler Naquin is a must play out of them all.
Seattle vs Colorado
Austin Gomber is one of the more talented pitchers and thus will be somewhat popular today but this isn’t a great spot for him coming off the IL and one rehab start. He should be limited under 80 pitches today and we’ll get the Rockies bullpen in this one so Seattle is most definitely going to produce. OF is deep early but Mitch Haniger is about as safe as they come from Seattle’s side.
The Rockies aren’t a team I am fond of just stacking and Chris Flexen has really proved me wrong this season. He should pitch decent enough today but Brendan Rodgers is one of my CORE must owns from this game.
KC vs Milwaukee
This is massively far down the list compared to the other spots but if you want some one offs this would be the next game to pluck from in my mind. Adames/Dozier are two one offs that I will have today here at weak positions on the slate.
CATCHER
- Tucker Barnhart … next question
FIRST BASE
- Ty France
- Joey Votto
SECOND BASE
If Rodgers could get a better spot in the lineup he would be the lock in here, but if he is down in the order it’s hard to ignore McNeil/India. Really like all three a ton so don’t sweat where you go here.
- Brendan Rodgers
- Jeff McNeil
- Jonathan India
THIRD BASE
- Hunter Dozier
- Ryan McMahon
- Eduardo Escobar – $5800 on DK and if you aren’t spending on pitching you aren’t in a bad spot paying it for him as he’s really locked in and in another good spot.
SHORTSTOP
OUTFIELD – Mt Rushmore
The Reds trio is basically free today.
- Tyler Naquin
- Nick Castellanos
- Jesse Winker
- Mitch Haniger
OUTFIELD – Tier 2
- Charlie Blackmon
- Dominic Smith
- Bryan Reynolds
OUTFIELD – Value
- Thomas Pham
- Avisail Garcia
The Dongers Club
- Hunter Dozier – 3B – Royals – Chairman of the Dongers Club
- Tyler Naquin – OF – Reds
- Mitch Haniger – OF – Mariners
- Dominic Smith – OF – Mets
- Tucker Barnhart – C – Reds
- Brendan Rodgers – 2B – Rockies
- Willy Adames – SS – Brewers
- Ty France – 1B – Mariners
- BONUS ………………… Eduardo Escobar – 3B – Diamondbacks
BETS
- Baltimore/Tampa UNDER
- Pittsburgh/Arizona UNDER
HR Parlay
- Naquin / Haniger / Dozier
The Chalkiest Stacks
Rockies, Mets
Good Teams Getting Overlooked
Padres – 7 inning game hurts them for sure.
Best Leverage Play against Chalk
Royals, Mariners
Favorite DK Pitching Combinations
Daniels and Jack
FAVORITE HITTERS
Mitch Haniger
Tyler Naquin
Hunter Dozier