I’m back and I am okay.  My kryptonite besides recommending to stack the Twins and betting Craig Counsel managed teams is simply one thing — Poison Oak.  And I had a bad case of it over a week ago which came back and flared up in other areas, including my face which made me look like I stepped in the ring with Mike Tyson.  Yes, current day Mike Tyson, if it was prime Mike Tyson, you wouldn’t be reading this article with bad grammar as it would be generated by the AI clone of me since I would be dead. Alas.  Some steroids, a nice big appetite now and we’re gonna find out of there is such a thing as performance enhancing drugs for DFS and Betting. What better way to test it than laying $ on Brady Singer, right?   WEATHER Arizona at Cleveland:    Chance of rain Minnesota at Chicago:   Chance of rain     LOGAN WEBB (DK: $8400 – FD: $8400) There are five “top” tier pitchers that I would throw into the same mix tonight and Webb isn’t the highest K% upside among them but it should be close when we consider he’s almost a lock for starting the 7th inning and possibly finishing it. JP SEARS (DK: $7700 – FD: $8600) Who is facing the White Sox today and do they have a pulse, one arm and XY chromosomes?  J.P. Sears, that’s who. THE ACES VS EACH OTHER I have Nola and Glasnow almost exactly the same tonight.  Whenever we have a big game like this with two good SP’s it usually ends up with them both serving up 1 or 2 solo homers and I believe you get that tonight from Castellanos and assuming he returns Freeman.  Beyond that, however, there’s definitely enough reason to here to trust these two to pitch strongly enough and not be disasters.   San Francisco Giants Jerar Encarnacion, Marco Luciano, Matt Chapman, Heliot Ramos A good amount of boom or bust going up against Patrick Corbin with this team.  There’s some young kids in the lineup who have an extremely good chance of paying off a cheap prices however and I’m not even mentioning the white hot Tyler Fitzgerald.  Marco Luciano is an good pivot off Fitzgerald for cheaper and Jerard Encarnacion probably sends one into the US Capitol tonight. Boston Red Sox Jarren Duran, Masataka Yoshida, Rafael […]

Welcome to a Saturday night in August but no NFL Pre-season on to distract you, so it’s just this fine 10 game slate to play with.   WEATHER White Sox at Twins:   Late game storms, which could force a suspension or really late finish, but game will play.   Who is facing the White Sox today and do they have a pulse, one arm and XY chromosomes? BAILEY OBER – Great!  Next question. NON “FACING WHITE SOX” PITCHING OPTIONS … There’s a few old faces in new places tonight that all grade out kinda well.  I’ll slide past my usual hesitation to use a pitcher changing teams in his first start and give these guys a long glance. JACK FLAHERTY (DK: $9800, FD: $10,500) … The Athletics vs RHP have a K% over 30% in the last week & Flaherty should not fall off by now wearing Dodger Blue.  He might even be higher ranked than Bailey Ober tonight if we are being honest. MARTIN PEREZ (DK: $6200, FD: $7400) … I would be shocked if the Padres lost two in a row to the Rockies and newly acquired Martin Perez gets to make his home debut in pitcher friendly PETCO.  More importantly it’s a favorable Colorado lineup that he can get soft contact from to be 5 to 6 IP with limited damage in consideration as a cheap SP2.     TAMPA BAY RAYS Brandon Lowe, Josh Lowe, Jose Caballero, Kameron Misner We start things off with a team and a stack from out in left field.  The chairman is in here and if you can spot him now then congrats to you. NY METS Brandon Nimmo, JD Martinez, Jesse Winker Jose Soriano is keeping the ball in the park but he’s getting hit and using up too many pitches.  The Mets can get 3-4 runs off him and then feast on a bad/tired bullpen here as well. PHILLIES Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, Brandon Marsh Alright so the weather in Seattle is worth noting.  It was warm last night with the roof open and should be that way again tonight.  Unusual conditions for what we have seen in Seattle and this falls into the opposite theory after a blowout category.   OTHER TEAMS I LIKE Red Sox — They could have another big game and Devers is locked in. Giants/Reds Padres   CATCHER Kyle Higashioka J.T. Realmuto Christian Vazquez […]

WEATHER All games should play.   JOE RYAN (DK: $9700 – FD: $10.6k) Not sure how we do not use SP vs the White Sox all month long.  A solo double or maybe if you are walking guys, those are literally the only risks.  I just can’t buy into them stringing together enough good PA to justify fading Ryan, who shouldn’t have walk issues and should be able to get out of any men in scoring position with a strike out.  80% ownership?  Who cares. GAVIN STONE (DK: $7600 – FD: $8700) Kinda feels risky given Stone’s lack of showing elite stuff to avoid getting hit around.  But there’s not a ton of other SP2 options out there tonight who are facing better park and lineup combinations. BRYAN WOO (DK: $8500 – FD $9100) Sure, we could go on the other side with Tyler Phillips who has been very good so far for the Phils and the Mariners lineup is way less intimidating than the Phils.  But he’s gonna give up a HR to Mitch Garver, so I’ll pass. ALSO DONT MIND Yusei Kikuchi … But Morel is gonna destroy a fastball off him Blake Snell … Historically dominant in 2H.   ATLANTA BRAVES Jorge Soler, Sean Murphy, Matt Olson, Austin Riley The options for good pitching out of the Marlins tonight are very thin.  Jorge Soler is going to jack one out this weekend and I hope he does it tonight.    Might we see a second half Olson surge? BALTIMORE ORIOLES Colton Cowser, Anthony Santander, Ryan O’Hearn Unfortunately the Guardians bullpen is too damn good to capitalize on a 5 man stack as Mayo (min price) and Holliday (3200) give you great value in a Baltimore scoring 9+ runs scenario.  That shouldn’t happen, but they should get 2 LiC homers off Cookies who is always worse at home. NY YANKEES Austin Wells, Giancarlo Stanton, Jazz Chisholm Jr. Love Stanton and Jazz, along with Wells that is the stack OTHER TEAMS I LIKE Giants Twins Padres Guardians   CATCHER Sean Murphy Austin Wells Alejandro Kirk   FIRST BASE Josh Naylor Jose Miranda Matt Olson Vladimir Guerrero Jr.   SECOND BASE Christopher Morel Xander Bogaerts Andres Gimenez Jackson Holliday   THIRD BASE Austin Riley Josh Jung – Should hit at home Rafael Devers   SHORTSTOP Ha-Seong Kim Gunnar Henderson Orlando Arcia – More value   OUTFIELD – Mt. Rushmore Aint nothing but a […]

WEATHER Marlins at Braves:  Expect a possible delay but worth waiting for and I expect the game to play Cardinals at Cubs:  Chance of PPD is higher here.   Tonights DraftKings pairing are the two guys below with Morton being the clear cut FanDuel pick.  In the case of Uncle Charlie we are getting him off a down start, so expect a very good start against a very mediocre Marlins lineup and I’m being generous.  I do think guys like Xavier Edwards, Jake Burger and Kyle Stowers will individually have good games the rest of the season but after that it’s just devoid of any real power. CHARLIE MORTON (DK: $8800, FD: $8800) SETH LUGO (DK: $9400, FD: $10,300) Other options out there are Shota Imanaga with some weather concerns against a now pesky Cardinals team and Sonny Gray in the same spot.   FAVORITE STACKS ORIOLES … (Cowser, Henderson, O’Hearn, Holliday) ROYALS … (Massey, Witt, Pasquantino) ANGELS … (Schanuel, Rengifo)     CATCHER Salvador Perez David Fry Adley Rutschman   FIRST BASE Nolan Schanuel Vinnie Pasquantino Ryan O’Hearn   SECOND BASE Jackson Holliday Luis Rengifo   THIRD BASE Ryan McMahon Austin Riley   SHORTSTOP Bobby Witt Jr. Gunnar Henderson   OUTFIELD – Mt. Rushmore Colton Cowser Anthony Santander Sir Thomas Pham Jorge Soler   Jorge Soler – OF – Atlanta Braves – Chairman of The Dongers Club Gunnar Henderson – SS – Orioles Ryan O’Hearn – 1B – Orioles Thomas Pham – OF – Cardinals   TOP BETS Orioles ML Angels ML

WEATHER Cubs at Reds – Very ugly late in the game here but if it starts then we gotta consider it a full go.   The two best options tonight do not include the guy coming off a no-hitter (just a golden rule for me) and they do not include Framber Valdez at home vs the Pirates.  Which could possibly open up just a nice leverage type build tonight as I think Valdez will be popular. Logan Webb (DK: $8600, FD: $9000) … Trust Webb.  He doesn’t care how his team is doing overall.  He’ll take the ball, roll out 7 strong and then go back to sitting quietly in his house. Nick Lodolo (DK: $9200, FD: $9200) … Weather and small park are risks.  Higher K% upside offsets a solo HR or two.   I expect to pitch well but not have a high score. Ross Stripling   FAVORITE STACKS PIRATES … (McCutchen, De La Cruz, Hayes, Cruz) … Houston will be the chalky side against former ChiSox P Jake Woodford.  The OF here in Pitt is good against Framber as a nice core stack and dont sleep on Oneil if going all in. ANGELS … (Ward, O’Hoppe, Drury) REDS … (India, De La Cruz, Stephenson)     CATCHER Tyler Stephenson Logan O’Hoppe Victor Caratini   FIRST BASE Shohei Ohtani Kris Bryant Jon Singleton   SECOND BASE Jonathan India Brandon Drury Jose Altuve   THIRD BASE Ke’Bryan Hayes Ryan McMahon Manny Machado   SHORTSTOP Elly De La Cruz Oneil Cruz   OUTFIELD – Mt. Rushmore Bryan De La Cruz … Yes, he is a Pirate now. Andrew McCutchen Taylor Ward Yordan Alvarez     Andrew McCutchen – OF – Pittsburgh Pirates – Chairman of The Dongers Club Shohei Ohtani – 1B – Dodgers Jonathan India – 2B – Reds Elly De La Cruz – SS – Reds   TOP BETS Pirates ML Pirates/Astros OVER 8 Dodgers + Reds ML Parlay

WEATHER Really hot day games on the East Coast today   BRADY SINGER (DK: $8200, FD: $9400) … Talk about a great way to boost your stock value.  Singer facing a Chicago team three straight times post ASB is glorious for the Singer fan club.  Oh wait, that’s just me. PABLO LOPEZ (DK: $8700, FD: $10k) … Kind of my under the radar pick today.  I hate the Twins right now but I love Lopez today. TAJ BRADLEY (DK: $9500, FD: $10.8k) … A little safer than Lopez with the Marlins and in Tropicana Field.  Pick your poison here.   FAVORITE STACKS ORIOLES ROYALS PHILLIES / YANKS GAME … We finally get Juan Soto in Philly on a “main” slate!     CATCHER Gary Sanchez Sean Murphy Ryan Jeffers   FIRST BASE Harper, Bryce Nathaniel Lowe   SECOND BASE Richie Palacios Jordan Westburg Gleyber Torres   THIRD BASE Josh Jung Alec Bohm Paul DeJong … Would just be hilarious   SHORTSTOP Gunnar Henderson Bobby Witt Jr. Willy Adames   OUTFIELD – Mt. Rushmore Juan Soto Eddie Rosario MJ Melendez … MJ in Chicago, it’s a thing…. Trevor Larnach     Juan Soto – OF – New York Yankees – Chairman of The Dongers Club MJ Melendez – OF – Royals Trevor Larnach – OF – Twins Bryce Harper – 1B – Phillies Paul DeJong – 3B – Royals   TOP BETS KC + PHI + BAL ML Parlay

WEATHER All clear MAX SCHERZER (DK: $8500, FD: $9500) … Glasnow at 10k and Max at 8500 are pretty close today.  Max is someone I thought would have been moved by now and there’s still a chance they get a good enough offer to pull him back before tonights start — but in terms of him vs the Cardinals he is the best option out there. HUNTER BROWN (DK: $9000, FD: $9800) … The Pirates are just impossible to figure out offensively right now and I think they’re gonna waste the chance to make the playoffs by not adding a good quality bat to this lineup.  Brown is legit and should be treated as such here on out. BRYCE ELDER (DK: $7200, FD: $7600) … Best of the “cheaper” options. OTHER PITCHING THOUGHTS Another lefty against the Twins tonight, but as I expected Sean Manaea’s golden halo he had around him for the first half is really wearing off.   FAVORITE STACKS MARINERS (Arozarena, Robles, Moore, Haniger)… Justin Turner isnt moved over to SEA and since TOR is not on this slate he is not in the playerpool.  But his bat in a park he hits well in should translate into a better night for Seattle TWINS (Buxton, Lewis, Margot) DIAMONDBACKS (Moreno, Gurriel, Marte) ROCKIES (Tovar, McMahon, Rodgers, Toglia)     CATCHER Cal Raleigh Gabriel Moreno Salvador Perez   FIRST BASE Matt Olson Spencer Steer Nate Lowe Michael Toglia   SECOND BASE Austin Martin Jorge Polanco Brandon Drury   THIRD BASE Royce Lewis Josh Jung Mark Vientos   SHORTSTOP CJ Abrams Bobby Witt Jr. Dylan Moore   OUTFIELD – Mt. Rushmore Randy Arozarena Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Ian Happ Byron Buxton     Byron Buxton – OF – Minnesota Twins – Chairman of The Dongers Club   TOP BETS Twins ML Mariners ML Rangers ML

Ten game MAIN slate today.  Hopefully no trades right before the games today to have to navigate around as teams should be wheeling and dealing more later this evening. WEATHER Nationals at Cardinals:  Could get bad storms mid-game.  But should finish.   BAILEY OBER (DK: $8500, FD: $9700) I don’t know what has gotten into Javy Baez (actually, yes.  I do.  The guy is obviously cheating so that he can maybe get a quick trade out of Detroit to a different city.  This is clear as day and I demand a piss test immediately), but if that’s our major concern then I’ll gladly take that risk. BRYCE MILLER (DK: $9400, FD: $9300) Too many other pitchers on this slate are high risk of not throwing 5 IP and I hate that scenario.  So we continue to just take shots at Chicago teams because it will continue to work more than it fails SUNDAY SLEEPER KYLE TYLER (DK: $6500, FD: $6000) I love that everyone is seeing Milwaukee for not really being that good and I tried to give them a chance last night but will not here again today.  Both SP in this game are viable but I am betting on the Marlins to finish the sweep.  Tyler gets a ton of ground balls and has yet to really struggle with RHH, which is only good strength the Brewers might have right now.  He is the best upside on the cheaper SP’s. OTHER PITCHING THOUGHTS Cole Ragans velo was starting to take a dip & he will be matching his 2023 total IP around today.  The Cubs are a favorable match-up for him and he’s still gonna be good but at 10k and with slight rain delay chances I wouldn’t feel like you gotta have him today.   This is a 2-2-2 spread it out slate for me.  I can’t trust a single team to put up 10+ runs today but the hitting is deep and spread out quite well. BRAVES vs METS … A Saturday night under in Citi Field?  System play on the over here.  It’s time for Austin Riley’s new dad HR, first inning, followed by Adam Duvall in the second inning and then of course the Mets who are actually the better team at the moment. Game Core:  Riley, Duvall, Nimmo, Alonso, McNeil   PADRES vs ORIOLES … Do we hammer O-R-I-O-L-E-Sunday’s here?  I kinda think […]

Couple things to note tonight. Rockies at Giants is a 7:05 EST game which means its early evening out there.  Could be a big first inning with the SP’s going too. Mariners at White Sox is a 6PM start in Chicago.  In the past I’ve heard of complaints that the ball is tough to see around this time early in the game there.  But that could have just been the White Sox being the White Sox.  Similar early 6PM starts in central time zone games for Kansas City, Houston, Milwaukee, St. Louis. Really those are all minor details, just wanted to share.  You’re welcome. WEATHER Chance of bad storms/weather in Kansas City and St. Louis but otherwise we are clear.   In keeping with the current week trend, today’s “Welcome Back” pitcher is Max Meyer returning to the big leagues for the Marlins.  In this case he has been pitching in the minors (not very well mind you), so I expect him to throw a decent amount of pitches.  But the way he’s pitching this year, I wouldn’t expect them to be very good SETH LUGO (DK: $9700, FD: $10.5k) Lugo just gets it done and is loving Kauffman Stadium.  He’s not really ever gonna wow you that much but the guy has been efficient as heck in his all-star season and well, it’s the Cubs who are still dead men walking. MARCUS STROMAN (DK: $7600, FD: $7800) Here’s my big contrarian pick tonight.  This is going to be a pitchers duel game and you could even convince me that Crawford is going to be the star of the night himself, but with Lugo as my SP1 I wanted to slim a little bit on the second pitcher price. OTHER PITCHERS I WOULD CONSIDER Kutter Crawford Erick Fedde   DIAMONDBACKS Marte, Moreno, Walker, Gurriel Great lineup against LHP and getting a pitch to contact one tonight BREWERS Contreras, Frelick, Adames, Hoskins No Yelich, no problem. ATHLETICS Andujar, Rooker, Tyler Nevin     CATCHER William Contreras Gabriel Moreno Patrick Bailey   FIRST BASE Christian Walker Rhys Hoskins Paul Goldschmidt   SECOND BASE Ketel Marte Jazz Chisholm Jr. Jorge Polanco   THIRD BASE Matt Chapman Eugenio Suarez Alex Bregman   SHORTSTOP Oneil Cruz Willy Adames Enrique Hernandez   OUTFIELD – Mt. Rushmore Jorge Soler Randal Grichuck / Lourdes Gurriel Jr Yordan Alvarez Mitch Haniger   Christian Walker – 1B – Arizona Diamondbacks […]

WEATHER No issues seen.   Continuing with the trend of pitchers making their 2024 debuts today we have Kodai Senga on the mound to try and keep the Mets momentum going.  Paul Blackburn is also back for Oakland tonight.  Neither of which are tempting enough to justify using. BRADY SINGER (DK: $8100, FD: $9000) The Cubs can’t hit, don’t wanna hit and are about to just quit.  Great managerial hire there Chicago … just brilliant.  At any rate, the ASB likely did Singer a perfect amount of rest after that one rough Sunday afternoon start in hot Boston.  KC guys pitch well at home and he should be a 6 inning Quality Start lock tonight.  If he was 10k, it would be silly, but I doubt we find many better pt/$ picks tonight. GEORGE KIRBY (DK: $9600, FD: $10500) Speaking of bad Chicago teams.  Kirby gets the White Sox, which is good enough to offset the Seattle pitcher decline by going away from T-Mobile park. SONNY GRAY (DK: $9300, FD: $10.8k) My gut instinct is to not be a sheep and chase right against the team that is coming off a no-hitter, but Gray is not likely to give up 4 HR two stars in a row and you are hard pressed to find someone that’ll give you the floor he does. LATE ADD / DONT MIND Zac Gallen FADES Kyle Harrison:  I like Colorado to actually be pesky tonight.     RANGERS – Marcus Semien, Robbie Grossman, Wyatt Langford The Kikuchi regression has been showing signs of popping off with 11 ER in his last two games.  He’s not gonna go negative tonight because Texas is still oddly bad against LHP – but they have power and believe it or not this is a great park shift too for Texas. ROYALS – Bobby Witt Jr, Vinnie Pasquantino, Michael Massey They hit much better at home, especially on Friday nights this year and it’s continuing a long home-stand post the break which I think really helps a younger lineup like this. ORIOLES – Gunnar Henderson, Ryan O’Hearn, Colton Cowser One day after throwing a no hitter, we get Adam Mazur and he has been one of the worst arms consistently every time out.  He’s basically Mr. automatic give up 3-4 ER through the first 5 innings.  Baltimore’s kinda warm tonight which is also why I am off Grayson Rodriguez & […]