A completely fresh slate of series after everyone played the previous three days is rare but awesome. Things kick off with the Cubs hosting the Angels this afternoon in Wrigley Field the day after the 4th of July. Even though the Angels couldn’t hit worth shit in Oakland I expect this game and this entire series to have double digit runs in it all weekend long. Do you remember when the Twins went to Wrigley in the summer of 2019? No, well, you probably have a much more exciting life than I do, so whatever. I remember it. That’s this series only slightly less because the Angels aren’t what that Twins team was.
The early Turbo slate games continue as well robbing us of Paul Skenes vs the Mets and Patrick Corbin against the Cardinals.
In terms of previewing the weekend series here are the top 5 that stand out to me in any specific order:
- Phillies at Braves: Phillies banged up still through this series while the Braves … Eh. They’re just going through the motions right now. It’s a big series though and both teams roll out aces on Friday night.
- White Sox at Marlins: Not only is this the Jake Burger series, but they’re gonna be popping bottles since neither team. Seriously, that’s the only relevance this series has. Is it even on TV? Why am I going to be watching this game?
- Tigers at Reds: Not sure how Riley Greene doesn’t have a big weekend. Cincinnati is turning things on though and could make a big statement if they can take care of business with a sweep.
- Diamondbacks at Padres: Likely won’t be that relevant for DFS purposes but this is a big statement series for both teams.
- Brewers at Dodgers: Hmm… Long home stand for the Dodgers coming off back to back series losses and now the Brewers come in off a rough series in Coors. Should be good
WEATHER
All clear
TYLER GLASNOW (DK: $10,800, FD: $11,200)
I love, love, loooooooove when an ACE pitcher has a short outing and gets beat up. Just 61 pitches following a 74 pitch outing and now Glasnow is back home. Things that have been true since I have been alive include Dodgers ace pitchers throwing dominant starts at home on Friday night’s.
KEVIN GAUSMAN (DK: $8300, FD: $9000)
A little spark is coming from Julio Rodriguez getting moved down in the batting lineup and Jorge Polanco celebrates a birthday today. Big whoop. Any pitcher going into Seattle right now is cruising as if its the opposite of pitching in Coors Field. This is a bargain/steal/freebie whatever you wanna call it on Gausman tonight.
COLE RAGANS (DK: $8200, FD: $10,400)
Yes, I like Ragans a TON in Coors Field. He should mow through the Rockies lineup with a good balance of pitches and give the Royals 6 strong.
Other Pitching Thoughts
- Boston needs a good start from Tanner Houck because they blew threw their bullpen yesterday in a game they never should have had to do that in. You also have a very erratic Yankee offense here so Houck pitching good enough along with pushing through 100+ pitches can get a ton of outs and just accrue points without appearing dominant.
- Nola/Fried is a great 1v1, I would put them together if using one of them.
- FAVORITE CHEAP/VALUE SP’s: Slade Cecconi, Drew Thorpe
TOP TEAMS
- Kansas City Royals: Hunter Renfroe, Nick Loftin, Bobby Witt Jr.
- Detroit Tigers: Matt Vierling, Riley Greene, Colt Keith, Jake Rodgers
- Minnesota Twins: Carlos Correa, Max Kepler, Trevor Larnach
SECOND TIER TEAMS
- Orioles: Rutschman, Hays, Mountcastle
- Giants: Wade, Bailey, Conforto
- Diamondbacks: Carroll, Marte, Pederson
CATCHER
I don’t have anyone here who is a must play. Adley has the best overall metrics but $5500 in a night game in Oakland might be a stretch with so many other high upside spots. He’s a stack play with Orioles.
- Adley Rutschman
- Patrick Bailey
- Jake Rodgers
FIRST BASE
- Nathaniel Lowe … All the Lowe’s getting together this weekend down in Texas for a family reunion, of course Brandon is the non related one who gets the honorary invite. Either way, a nice welcome back for Shane Baz getting a now awakened Texas lineup
- LaMonte Wade Jr.
- Jake Burger
SECOND BASE
- Nick Loftin
- Jorge Polanco … Yes, today is Shohei Ohtani’s birthday. It’s also Polanco’s and if they keep him hitting second at $3200 you gotta like it.
- Jonathan India
THIRD BASE
- Matt Vierling
- Austin Riley – The one Brave I really like and why I am not using Nola.
- Alex Bregman
SHORTSTOP
- Bobby Witt – $6800? Thats it? Child, Please…
- Trea Turner – The one Phillie I really like today vs Fried and reason why I am not using Fried
- Ceddanne Rafaela
- Carlos Correa
OUTFIELD – Mt. Rushmore
- Riley Greene
- Hunter Renfroe
- Randy Arozarena
- Max Kepler
OUTFIELD – Tier 2 / Value
- Michael Conforto
- Trevor Larnarch
- Teoscar Hernandez
- Austin Hays … It’s also HIS birthday bitches
- Matt Vierling – 3B – Tigers – Chairman of The Dongers Club
- Riley Greene – OF – Tigers
- Hunter Renfroe – OF – Royals
- Nate Lowe – 1B – Rangers
- Randy Arozarena – OF – Rays
- Jorge Polanco – 2B – Mariners
- Bobby Witt Jr – SS – Royals
- Adley Rutschman – C – Orioles
- BONUS … Michael Conforto – OF – Giants
TOP BETS
- Detroit ML
- White Sox ML
- Royals + Orioles ML Parlay