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Let's get to today's interesting facts, using DraftKings prices. We'll cover all players on tonight's eight-game schedule. Please note that much of the information in this post is being published several hours prior to game times, so check MLB lineups later to confirm that any recommended players are included.
5 Things to Watch:
1. The day's biggest favorite is Danny Salazar ($10,400) at minus-220 over the Twins, but Stephen Strasburg ($12,900) isn't far behind at minus-190 over the Diamondbacks. The lowest projected run total is seven for Royals-Rays (Duffy-Archer), while the highest is 8.5 in both Jays-Astros and Red Sox-Mariners.
2. Your only weather concern looks like a 20-30 percent chance of rain for Yankees-Mets.
3. Yo, BvPers: Brian Dozier ($3,800) is 10-for-21 with two homers and a 1.522 OPS vs. Danny Salazar ... Two Royals have been oddly successful (and possibly lucky) against Chris Archer, with Kendrys Morales ($2,400) going 8-for-13 with a homer, and Alcides Escobar ($2,700) at 8-for-12 ... Jose Bautista ($4,100) is 6-for-13 with a 1.226 OPS vs. Doug Fister.
4. Injuries to watch and possibly avoid are Yoenis Cespedes (groin), Asdrubal Cabrera (knee), Troy Tulowitzki (thumb), Byron Buxton (knee) and Ryan Braun (side). Cabrera and Buxton are almost certainly out.
5. Watch out for trades today, since anyone involved in a deal will be a somewhat late scratch. Two prime candidates are Jonathan Lucroy and Carlos Beltran. Keep an eye on our fantasy-related trade deadline page if you'd like to follow such news. Ken Rosenthal gets your day started with some players to watch.
Yesterday's recap:
It was a mixed bag, as Noah Syndergaard was kinda, sorta OK as the must-start, and Jerad Eickhoff threw five shutout innings with only one strikeout as the day's bargain recommendation. Eickhoff was removed after a rain delay, so he could have had a really good outing.
Must Start of the day: Nelson Cruz, SEA
Young Red Sox lefty Eduardo Rodriguez has been better since the break, but there was nowhere to go but up after he got tattooed in the first half. Cruz vs. this mediocre LHP for $5K is a lock.
Deal of the day: Brandon Guyer, TAM
If you want to start one lefty killer vs. Danny Duffy -- who has been very good -- it's Guyer for $3,300. In 83 plate appearances vs. southpaws this season, Guyer is batting .338 with four homers, a .457 wOBA and a 1.067 OPS.
Avoid of the day: Jose Altuve, Astros
Nothing against Altuve, but he's the most expensive hitter on the board at $5,500, and there are sooooo many good alternatives at his position.
Stack of the day: Chicago Cubs
The Indians are interesting and very expensive. The Cubs face a better starter in Marlins lefty Adam Conley, but Conley's ERA has been a run higher on the road (his advanced metrics have been worse as well). The Cubs scored 20 runs in their weekend series against the Mariners.
Starting pitchers:
Stephen Strasburg, WAS: Paying the premium price isn't a bad idea today, as the Diamondbacks are flat-out terrible.
Chris Archer, TAM: Has averaged 29.4 DK points over his last two starts, and faces a Royals lineup that has been MLB's worst by a significant margin (.633 OPS over the last month). Reasonable at $10,100 if you don't want to pay for Strasburg.
CC Sabathia, NYY: This will depend on the Mets' injury status. A $7,600 Sabathia will be a nice play if Cespedes is out in addition to Cabrera.
Logan Verrett, NYM: Not an especially good pitcher, but has averaged a respectable 13.8 DK points over his last three starts. Oh, and the Yankees can't hit. You can use Verrett or Sabathia, but not both.
Catchers:
Willson Contreras, CHC: Not bad for $3,600 vs. lefty Adam Conley. Warning: He was dropped to seventh in the lineup two games ago. Could be part of a Cubs' stack.
Chris Iannetta, SEA: Iannetta ($2,700) has always killed lefties, and hopefully the M's will let him play against Eduardo Rodriguez tonight. If not, Mike Zunino can be swapped in at the same price.
First basemen:
Mike Napoli, CLE: Did you know he has 24 home runs? $4,800 vs. Twins rookie Jose Berrios.
Hanley Ramirez, BOS: $4,600, has been fantastic vs. LHP (.428 wOBA).
Eric Hosmer, KC: Has homered in two of his last three games. Only $3,500, and many of the higher-priced options have sub-optimal matchups.
Second basemen:
Jason Kipnis, CLE: Vs. Twins' rookie Jose Berrios for $5,100.
Ben Zobrist, CHC: Part of a Cubs' stack for $4,100.
Trea Turner, WAS: Leading off for $3,600, seven double-digit DK games in his last nine starts. Also fits at OF.
Third basemen:
Kris Bryant, CHC: Cubs' stack. Cash money vs. LHP. Vs. everyone, really.
Javier Baez, CHC: Cubs' stack. At $3,900, saves you $1K compared to Bryant. You can move Bryant to OF, or Baez to 2B.
Aaron Hill, BOS: Not a bad punt for $2,700 if he bats sixth.
Shortstops:
Jonathan Villar, MIL: If you don't use the longshot Cosart play, he's a fine choice for $4,900.
Addison Russell, CHC: Cubs' stack. Not bad vs. Conley for $3,700.
Outfielders:
Nelson Cruz, SEA: "Must Start of the day."
Dexter Fowler, CHC: Part of a Cubs' stack for $4,800.
Franklin Gutierrez, CHC: Budget-friendly at $3,600 vs. E-Rod.
Brandon Guyer, TAM: "Deal of the day."
