WEATHER
Possible Delays
The Cleveland/Pittsburgh region is going to see some storms rolling through, but I would anticipate both games wind up playing. Pittsburgh is of more interest to us because Paul Skenes is pitching, so I wouldn’t be shocked if they just delayed and delayed and delayed before starting this one up.
Wind Impact
CWS @ DET: Heavy winds out out to left center field.
ATL @ NYY: Winds out to LF
TOR @ CLE: Winds out to RF
The headline today is that Max Scherzer will be making his 2024 debut and will be doing it against the ice cold Royals, who I guess decided to flip me the middle finger and have just said to hell with hitting in Texas this season. He is not free, he is not expensive, he is not great, he is not bad. He is just there today.
LOGAN WEBB (DK: $9500, FD: $9900)
We could call this the Sunday Sleeper, because I doubt Webb is going to garner much ownership. It’s one of the outdoor/hot games, and that’s a viable issue but his change up has been better of late and the Giants will lean on their real Ace to avoid the sweep.
PAUL SKENES (DK: $10k, FD: $10.4k)
I personally have downgraded Skenes on the simple fact that the weather could become an issue and that’s even if they delay and he just sits around twiddling his thumbs all day long. Even with the downgrade though, he is still in the top 3 overall simply because Tampa Bay’s too damn swing happy to not expect him to push 7-8 strikeouts.
AARON CIVALE (DK: $6800, FD: $7800)
Similar rain concerns here as Skenes, but equal upside as the Pirates just do not have big game ability overall. In the cheap range, Civale is the best SP2 option.
MAX FRIED (DK: $9500, FD: $10.1k)
No Stanton does help limit the risk on Fried, but also kills a possible early strikeout. Fried’s outing today is entirely based on how he pitches Soto early, if Soto gets on, Judge will double him home. If Fried beats Soto, then Judge will likely get pitched around. I have confidence in my guy Fried to win.
CINCINNATI REDS (& RED SOX)
Friedl, De La Cruz, Steer
I didn’t mention this game in the wind above because who really cares, it’s a small park and a day game so we’re going back here with much lesser pitching quality on the bump. Boston is going to roll with a bullpen game, so we need Cincy to ambush them early…. Check that, Chase Bullwinkle Anderson is coming in afterwards. In GABP. Oh lord jesus, hammer the over…
BOSTON: Refsnyder, O’Neill, Devers
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Benintendi, Jimenez, Sheets, DeJong
Oh, the range of outcomes on this one are quite something. Reese Olson is gonna be a heavy heavy chalk option and when he is off (which he has been in home starts of late) he’s not missing a single bat and giving up lots of hits. There are many bad feelings in this world, but waking up and looking at the slate and immediately having your eyes & gut gravitate towards a Paul DeJong home run is up there as one of the most empty feelings. It’s just so obvious it’s gonna happen. The wind, the weather, the recent struggles of Olson and hopefully a heavy ownership on him is putting the White Sox on our Sunday agenda.
NOTE: Luis Robert Jr. is sitting today but Eloy Jimenez returns.
OTHER TEAMS I LIKE
- ASTROS
- GUARDIANS
- GIANTS
CATCHER
Typical Sunday to go out and hunt for some value if you find it here.
- Sean Murphy … Back to back big games for Murphy who had last night off and should be in the lineup today. This is arguably the best value out there at $3300, so that’s your ceiling when going elsewhere at this spot because I wouldn’t consider anyone above him a better play.
- Nobody else.
FIRST BASE
Lots of guys here who I think are really good plays, including honorable mention to Nate Lowe who at $3500 is another cheap option if you do not want to stomach Gavin Sheets.
- Ryan Mountcastle … I doubt he leaves town without a HR
- Gavin Sheets
- Matt Olson … 3 for 5 vs Nestor, usually hits well on Sundays and hits LHP decently
- Spencer Steer
SECOND BASE
- Spencer Horwitz
- Jose Altuve
- Colt “45” Keith
THIRD BASE
The stars are coming out today…
- Rafael Devers
- Austin Riley
- Jose Ramirez
SHORTSTOP
- Paul DeJong … You know how you avoid forgetting how many outs there are? You drill a 2-0 fastball to left field for a homer.
- Elly De La Cruz
- Bobby Witt Jr.
OUTFIELD – Mt. Rushmore
- Adolis Garcia
- Tyler O’Neill
- Eloy Jimenez
- Michael Conforto
OUTFIELD – Tier II
- Riley Greene
- Adam Duvall
- Rob Refsnyder
- Austin Hays
- Andrew Benintendi
- Paul DeJong – SS – Chicago White Sox – Chairman of The Dongers Club
- Sean Murphy – C – Braves
- Spencer Howitz – 2B – Jays
- Rafael Devers – 3B – Red Sox
- TJ Friedl – OF – Reds
- Ryan Mountcastle – 1B – Orioles
- Adolis Garcia – OF – Rangers
- Michael Conforto – OF – Giants
- BONUS …. Eloy Jimenez – OF – White Sox
TOP BETS
Red Sox/Reds OVER 9.5
White Sox/Tigers OVER 8.5
Giants ML
Guardians ML