It is a fantastic Friday and we’re getting very close to Memorial Day, which means that we might see the increase in scoring not just due to weather but also due to the not so far fetched conspiracy theory that Baseball rolls out non deadened balls to increase scoring during the summer.
WEATHER
Padres at Braves: There is a chance they could call this one well before it starts. Typical Atlanta weather though, so good chance it plays without concern.
COLE RAGANS – DK: $9200, FD: $9600
One rough start last week in Anaheim when I was all over my boy is not going to deter me from using him back in the K. While Oakland was a feel good story for a while, they’ve gone back to their bad ways with a really high 43% strikeout rate vs LHP over the last week and almost zero offensive production. Ragans just got hit last time, that’s it, no other excuses. He will get the whiffs back tonight. 7 innings, 7 strikeouts, 0 ER. Oakland’s projected lineup today has the second lowest Arsenal score (meaning they don’t overall hit the mix that Ragans throws very well) as well.
BRAYAN BELLO – DK: $8000, FD: $8800
On the other side of the spectrum, the Cardinals kinda woke up. Boy, sure must be nice going to Anaheim, right? Welcome back to hell – or St. Louis as the rest of us call it. I do not believe the Cardinals will suddenly stay hot at home and one thing B.B. is great at is limiting damage. Not a win the slate kinda play, but also wont lose you the slate either.
CHRISTIAN SCOTT – DK: $8100, FD: $9100
I can’t believe I am doing this, but I am riding the young arm who has been great in his first two appearances for the Mets. Command is where things could go south, but facing Miami that is a little negated since they’ll swing freely. Scott has shown a good 3+ pitch mix with viable velocity and movement to be a sustained option. If he avoids early walk issues, he’ll post another 6 IP, 6+ strikeout game.
OTHER PITCHING THOUGHTS
- Max Fried – Storms have me sliding off Fried. But nobody is pitching better right now.
- Nestor Cortes – He is generally good at home, the White Sox are bad, he is probably chalky too. But if you ask me between Nestor at 9400 and Ragans at 9200, the decision is clear for me. Gimme Ragans.
- Chris Bassitt – Tampa/Toronto seems to always be a hitters series & with Josh Lowe back and hitting well that’s another LHB that Bassitt has to figure out how to pitch around. A little too much risk for my liking.
MINNESOTA TWINS
So the Twins haven’t scored in ages, but they are getting a literal shot of cocaine and viagra all wrapped into one shot by having a weekend series in Cleveland and starting it off against Triston McKenzie. Welcome to LiC weekend and welcome to the Max Kepler show.
- Max Kepler
- Edouard Julien
- Willi Castro, Carlos Santana and/or Trevor Larnach
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Earlier this week I thought KC was getting lefty Alex Wood and let me tell you, he wasn’t the only Wood that came to mind. But alas, he got bumped up, so instead they’re giving us … Kyle Muller? Loooool. Thank you Oakland. Thank you.
- Bobby Witt Jr.
- Salvador Perez
- Hunter Renfroe
SECONDARY TARGETS
- DETROIT: Riley Greene, Kerry Carpenter, Spencer Torkelson, Jake Rogers
- TAMPA/TORONTO: J.Lowe, Arozarena, Vladdy, Bichette
FAVORITE SLEEPER TEAM
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Skubal can be knocked out early. I love Arizona usually at home vs LHP, although of late they have struggled there. To get right, Walker and Gurriel will need to get damage done early and then they can pick on a struggling middle inning Tigers pen. Roof closed, but we still go here for offense.
- Christian Walker
- Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
- Eugenio Suarez
CATCHER
- Salvador Perez
- Tyler Stephenson
- Jonah Heim
FIRST BASE
- Christian Walker
- Shohei Ohtani
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
SECOND BASE
- Edouard Julien
- Davis Schneider
- Marcus Semien
THIRD BASE
This isn’t the worst position to just punt tonight.
- Justin Turner
- Max Muncy
- Willi Castro
- Luis Urias
SHORTSTOP
- Bobby Witt Jr.
- Willy Adames
- Bo Bichette
- Mookie Betts
OUTFIELD – Mt. Rushmore
- Max Kepler
- Josh Lowe
- Riley Greene
- Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
OUTFIELD – Tier 2
- Randy Arozarena
- Aaron Judge
- Teoscar Hernandez
OUTFIELD – Value
- Hunter Renfroe
- Jo Adell
- Nelson Velasquez
- Max Kepler – OF – Minnesota Twins – LiC – Chairman of The Dongers Club
- Hunter Renfroe – OF – Royals
- Salvador Perez – C – Royals
- Edouard Julien – 2B – Twins
- Willy Adames – SS – Brewers
- Christian Walker – 1B – Diamondbacks
- Josh Lowe – OF – Rays
- Justin Turner – 3B – Blue Jays
- BONUS … Mookie Betts – SS – Dodgers
TOP BETS
Twins ML
Red Sox ML
Diamondbacks ML
Tigers/Diamondbacks OVER