Another full slate of games on this Wednesday, including three early games (MIA v WAS ; ARI v COL ; SD v SF). We’ve got two aces on the mound (Scherzer, Sale) along with a steady amount of quality pitchers (Cole, deGrom, Lester, Carrasco). I’d recommend settling on one of the cheaper pitching options and stacking on the offensive side. Let’s get to it.
Offenses to Target for Stacking
Colorado Rockies
Another game at Coors, another opportunity to stack your Rockies. Today’s victim was supposed to be Robbie Ray, making his first start of the year in the altitude. Now it’s looking like Josh Collmenter will be the opposing pitcher for Game 1 of a doubleheader. For DFS purposes, only Game 1 will count. Multiple Rockies have solid track records versus Collmenter, including Troy Tulowitzki, Charlie Blackmon, and Corey Dickerson. The only argument I can make for not stacking the Rockies is that everyone in your league will have the same strategy. Regardless, I’m making multiple teams today, and can I guarantee you one will be loaded with Rockies. Step on up, Nolan Arenado ($4,300), Corey Dickerson ($4,300), DJ Lemahieu ($3,600) and Michael McKendry ($2,800) or Nick Hundley ($3,400) at C.
New York Yankees
Any time you can stack against a pitcher fighting an injury, abuse it. Buerhle, fighting through a shoulder ailment, was awful last time out versus Cleveland. He surrendered eight runs over 4.1 innings and couldn't get anything on his pitches. Considering his career against current Yankees, he might want to take the day off. Alas, he’s pitching, which means we’re stacking. Yankees with solid track records against Buerhle include Brett Gardner ($3,500), Stephen Drew ($3,000), Brian McCann ($3,200) and Chase Headley ($3,400). You can also choose four Yankees, so I recommend snagging three of the above along with Chris Young ($3,000) considering his absurd numbers vs. LHP this year.
Additional Offenses to Consider: Washington Nationals; Toronto Jays; Oakland A’s
DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider for FanDuel
Max Scherzer (SP, WAS) ($10,800)
Scherzer hasn't allowed more than two runs in his last four starts and also has struck out at least eight in three of those outings. He also has a solid opportunity for a win at home vs Tom Koehler. Sign me up.
Gerritt Cole (SP, PIT) ($9,200)
Cole has been on fire this year. Only three earned runs in his last 25.2 innings and has a good chance to pick up a W at home vs Mike Leake.
Ubaldo Jimenez (SP, BAL) ($6,900)
This is a huge gamble considering he's opposing Jacob deGrom today, but Jimenez has been exceptional in the early going, and it allows you to stack on the offensive side.
DFS Catchers to Consider for FanDuel
Stephen Vogt (C, OAK) ($4,000)
Vogt is finally getting respected as the top catcher in baseball, but the price doesn’t scare me away from playing him in DFS. He’s only faced Gibson three times in his career but is 1-for-2 with a walk.
Brian McCann (C, NYY) ($3,200)
In 2014, McCann was 7-for-15 with a HR and five runs versus Mark Buerhle. Good enough for me.
DFS Infielders to Consider for FanDuel
Paul Goldschmidt (1B, ARI) ($6,100)
Goldy is on fire again (.545 AVG last seven days), and a trip to Coors will only help. He’s only worth the price tag if you go cheap at SP, though.
Freddie Freeman (1B, ATL) ($3,400)
Here's another guy heating up at a much lower cost. He's also 3-for-6 lifetime versus Jerome Williams.
Jose Altuve (2B, HOU) ($4,000)
The #4 player in Yahoo Leagues, Altuve is a lifetime 5-for-14 versus Colby Lewis. Ride him till he cools off.
Rickie Weeks (2B, SEA) ($2,500)
Another LHP matchup (.333 AVG vs LHP), another opportunity to plug in Weeks on the cheap.
Nolan Arenado (3B, COL) ($4,300)
There isn't a large premium on using Arenado in Coors, although it is imperative that you check out the forecast before game time.
Chase Headley (3B, NYY) ($2,700)
Headley's riding a six-game hit streak and as I mentioned above, stack those Yankees.
Troy Tulowitzki (SS, COL) ($5,100)
Tulo only had 1 RBI in the team's six game road trip. Something tells me he is due for a breakout, plus he's had success in his career vs Collmenter (6-for-20, 1 HR)
Andrelton Simmons (SS, ATL) ($2,600)
Simmons has been batting second of late which represents a good opportunity for DFS production at a low cost. Jerome Williams doesn't frighten me.
DFS Outfielders to Consider for FanDuel
Nelson Cruz (OF, SEA) ($5,200)
Yes, everyone in your league is going to be using Cruz today vs CJ Wilson. So should you. He's batting .556 with a 1.556 SLG vs LHP this year and is 5-for-13 lifetime with a HR vs Wilson.
Josh Reddick (OF, OAK) ($4,100)
Reddick has been on a tear and is batting .379 vs RHP this year. I'm riding him till he cools off.
Brett Gardner (OF, NYY) ($3,700)
As mentioned above, Buehrle is not healthy and Gardner loves facing him (12-for-32 with a HR and 4 XBH).
Mark Canha (OF, OAK) ($3,100)
Canha has yet to face Kyle Gibson, but he’s getting hot again (.545/5/1/6 last 7 games).
Kyle Blanks (OF, TEX) ($2,800)
Blanks has been filling in for Moreland and has translated his strong start at AAA to the bigs. Solid cheap option.
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