This is how Thursday MLB slates should be. A heavy afternoon set of games and the two sites decided we don’t want to have fun with the Brewers and Pirates, so that game is an island showdown game. Same is true for the Athletics and Yankees later tonight and FanDuel opted out of the Dodgers/Nationals 4PM game this afternoon. MLB is obviously avoiding the NFL Draft tonight and that’s probably a wise move.
WEATHER
Everything SHOULD play but Jays and Royals will have some showers lingering around throughout the game.
A who’s who lineup of GOOD pitchers going today. Wheeler, Verlander, Yamamoto, Ragans, Castillo and we have double MacKenzie’s as Gore and Tristan are both going.
ZACK WHEELER (DK: $10k, FD: $10.6k)
The Phils are looking to gain a split in Cincinnati and their pitching has come back to reality the last two games and could use some length here today. Enter Zack Wheeler, who despite flirting with a no hitter last game only threw 106 pitches, nothing out of the norm for him and there’s no reason to not expect another 100 and 7 innings today. With Elly continuing to hit outside the top 3, there’s also good reason for Wheeler to get through to a third time and not have much damage against him.
SIMEON WOODS RICHARDSON (DK: $4000?????????)
On the other end of the spectrum, Simeon Woods Richardson, who falls into the “This guy has 3 names but NO hyphen” category and has been a long time “prospect” who hasn’t really amounted to shit gets to face the fucking White Sox at min $4k price on DraftKings. This isn’t our typical “rookie pitcher making his debut” either, because he does have a 6 IP start under his belt, and obviously — it’s the WHITE SOX. And yes, his name is 10000% one of those Madden player generated names that comes up in year 5 of your franchise mode. Dude would be way cooler if he dropped the Richardson or claimed that as his middle name. Simeon Woods, that’s a good name. Well, minus the Simeon part.
JUSTIN VERLANDER (DK: $8800)
I don’t see any reason to bite on Verlander instead of Wheeler on FanDuel, but it’s okay on DraftKings where ownership could be low. JV should hit 85-90 pitches & there is no Wrigley wind issues here either. The veteran will be fine.
Other Pitching Notes
- Brayan Bello is a good pitcher, but he doesn’t historically strike out lefties and the Guardians have a ton of lefties, who, you guessed it, do not strike out that much. All that said, he’s probably a good bet for 15+ DK points today, but with the other options out there the construction just doesn’t justify it. Take the under on this game instead.
PHILLIES
Bohm, Harper, Castellanos, Turner
Main slate only DFS players haven’t noticed it but Alec Bohm is one of the hottest hitters going right now and Bryce Harper is expected back in the lineup after the birth of his third child. Do with that what you will, but also do not ignore Trea Turner and yes… Nick Castellanos.
TWINS
Kepler, Buxton, Jeffers
Cheap enough and they get to burn at least 24 outs against the White Sox. So they should do something productive with that.
MARINERS vs RANGERS
Shockingly these teams have only posted a combined 10 runs (5-5) in the first two games, with each team having dud offensive performances. Gimme that 12-9 bullpen implosion game this afternoon (although both pens are pitching fantastic right now). You would be wise to only go here as a full game stack second lineup but it’s the best upside spot on the board IMO.
CATCHER
- Will Smith … Doubled yesterday which I always like, hits LHP very well, and also has caught Clayton Kershaw a ton. Why does that matter? Well, MacKenzie Gore pitches exactly like Kershaw. Smith his going to park one into the Dodgers bullpen at Nats park today assuming Dave Roberts is not a moron and lets him start.
- Mitch Garver
- Ryan Jeffers
FIRST BASE
- Harper, Bryce
- Nathaniel Lowe
- Alex Kiriloff
SECOND BASE
- Luis Garcia Jr.
- Jorge Polanco
- Marcus Semien
- Xander Bogaerts
THIRD BASE
- Alec Bohm
- Rafael Devers
- Play Bohm
SHORTSTOP
- Bobby Witt Jr.
- CJ Abrams
- Trea Turner
OUTFIELD – Mt. Rushmore
- Nick Castellanos … Look, I know. He sucks. Deal with it.
- Max Kepler
- Jackson Merrill
- Wilyer Abreu (Value as well)
OUTFIELD – Tier II
- Kyle Schwarber
- Mitch Haniger
- Nolan Jones
- Will Smith – C – LA Dodgers – Chairman of The Dongers Club
- Alec Bohm – 3B – Phillies (Backup Chairman if Smith Sits)
- Bryce Harper – 1B – Phillies
- Nick Castellanos – OF – Phillies
- Jackson Merrill – OF – Padres
- Bobby Witt Jr – SS – Royals
- Nolan Jones – OF – Rockies
- Marcus Semien – 2B – Rangers
- BONUS …. Nate Lowe – 1B – Rangers
TOP BETS
- Mariners/Rangers over 9
- Red Sox/Guardians under 7.5