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5 Things to Watch:
1. Here are the three highest projected over/unders, provided by OddsShark...
Editor's note: LAA/TEX also has a projected over/under of nine total runs, but I'm omitting them due to rain concerns.
2. By a slim margin, Corey Kluber (-200) beats out Alex Wood (-190) as the strongest favorite for Friday night. On DraftKings, Kluber is the most expensive pitcher ($12,500). Thankfully, Juan Nicasio is sitting there at $5,800 facing the Reds. I'm truly shocked by that price tag.
3. Rain is a concern for LAA/TEX and WAS/STL. With 14 games on the docket, I'd look elsewhere tonight. It's probably for the best, since Stephen Strasburg is 0-2 in four career starts against the Cardinals.
4. With Dee Gordon suspended 80 games for PEDs, the Marlins will need to concoct a new lineup. The Brewers have Zach Davies on the hill tonight, so look for some value in the Marlins batting order.
5. For the BvP crowd: Mike Trout is 12-30 (.400) with four home runs against Colby Lewis...Miguel Cabrera is 17-38 (.447) with five home runs against Phil Hughes...Josh Donaldson is 6-11 (.545) with two home runs against Drew Smyly.
Yesterday's recap:
While John Halpin's "must-start-home-run" streak ended at three-straight Thursdays, his deal o'day delivered. Brandon Drury went 2-for-4 with a home run and a double. You can also thank Halpin if you used Tanner Roark on Thursday. He pitched seven strong, shutout innings and struck out six Phillies.
Must-Start of the day: Trevor Story, COL
He seems to be homer-or-bust lately, but Story still has a .440 ISO against left-handed pitchers. Plus, his price tag has tamed a little.
Deal of the day: Juan Nicasio, PIT
On Thursday, Nicasio was supposed to pitch against the Rockies in Colorado. With last night's PPD, he gets the pleasure of facing the Reds instead. I don't think the DFS sites adjusted for such a drastic ballpark/opponent change. Now, Nicasio's Pirates are a heavy -150 favorite in a game with an over/under of 7.5 total runs. Take advantage of his extremely low price tag on DraftKings. However, for one-pitcher sites, I'd probably pay up for Kluber.
Avoid of the day: Jarrod Saltalamacchia, DET
BvP isn't the end-all-be-all, but it can definitely help in this scenario. Salty is 2-15 (.133) against Phil Hughes in his career. That's not the concern. As you saw last night with Adam Jones, the BvP batting average isn't the stat to look for. Salty has struck out 11 times in those 15 ABs.
Stack of the day: Arizona Diamondbacks
With no Coors Field on the slate, Arizona has the next-best hitter-friendly atmosphere. The COL/ARI game has the most projected runs and the Diamondbacks are a -145 favorite. Use Goldy, Lamb, Segura, and Drury in your stack.
Starting pitchers:
Corey Kluber, CLE - (See "5 Things")
Drew Smyly, TB - If you don't want to spend the big bucks on Kluber, Smyly is a good pivot. He's over $2,000 cheaper on FanDuel and has struck out at least six batters in three-consecutive outings.
Juan Nicasio, PIT - "Deal of the day."
Catchers:
Victor Martinez, DET - On sites where V-Mart is catcher eligible, take advantage of his .304 ISO against righties this season.
Yan Gomes, CLE - This season, Gomes has a .231 ISO against lefties.
First basemen:
Paul Goldschmidt, ARI - This year, he has a .283 ISO against right-handed pitchers.
Anthony Rizzo, CHC - He has a .453 ISO against righties in 2016.
Byung-ho Park, MIN - In 2016, he has a .358 ISO against righties.
Second basemen:
Scooter Gennett, MIL - Against lefties, he has a .273 ISO this season.
Derek Dietrich, MIA - Last year, Dietrich had a .229 ISO against RHPs. In 2016, has a .320 ISO against them.
Tommy La Stella, CHC - In 2016, he has a .273 ISO against righties.
Third basemen:
Nolan Arenado, COL - He has a phenomenal .542 ISO against southpaws in 2016.
Jake Lamb, ARI - In 2016, he has a .218 ISO against righties.
Adrian Beltre, TEX - Last season, he had a .237 ISO against lefties.
Shortstops:
Trevor Story, COL - "Must-start of the day."
Jean Segura, ARI - In your Diamondbacks stack, Segura is a great addition.
Outfielders:
Giancarlo Stanton, MIA - This season, Stanton has a .226 ISO against righties.
Mike Trout, LAA - He has a .294 ISO against righties this season.
Ryan Braun, MIL - This year, he has a .316 ISO against left-handed pitchers.
Brandon Drury, ARI - In 32 ABs, he has a .219 ISO against righties.
Ian Desmond, TEX - In 2016, Desmond has a .318 ISO against southpaws.
Ryan Raburn, COL - It's hard to pass up on the lefty-smasher in your Rockies stack.
Oswaldo Arcia, MIN - This year, he has a .225 ISO against righties.
Domingo Santana, MIL - He has a .217 ISO against lefties in 2016.
Chris Carter, MIL - If you decide on a Milwaukee stack, Carter is a great source of power.
