When drafting your fantasy baseball team for a season-long league, the popular adage "do not chase wins" is definitely something to keep in mind. As it pertains to DraftStreet Salary-Cap Leagues, the saying could not be any further from the type of thinking that you should utilize as every win adds 1.5 points to your total.
Could there possibly be any better match-up in which to find a victory than the one in Miami? The NL-West-leading Dodgers are an outstanding 26-5 since the All-Star Break. The cellar-dwelling Marlins are 13-17 over the same stretch. Now ask yourself, who is taking the mound for L.A. down in South Florida tonight?
MLB Daily League Lineup Picks for August 20, 2013
- Chris Capuano LAD-SP ($8,956) - In spite of the fact that Dodger Stadium tends to favor pitchers, Capuano is currently carrying a home ERA that is over two times higher than his road mark of 3.02. The veteran southpaw's K-rate is well below his typical level, though he does have a handfull of 5+ strikeout games. One of those outings came back on Mothers Day versus these same Marlins. Capuano picked up a win that afternoon after lasting 6 1/3 innings and only surrendering one run while racking up seven punch-outs. This matchup becomes even more inviting when considering that the Fish are only averaging 2.68 runs per game versus left-handed starters.
- Carlos Ruiz PHI-C ($5,091) - The catcher position is one that typically provides low-cost potential on a daily basis. Ruiz presents that very opportunity today. The Phillies backstop has six hits in the last two games and is hammering lefties with a .356/.434/.467 line. Colorado's Jorge De La Rosa is the opposing pitcher this evening. Previous battles have mostly gone Ruiz's way, as he is 4-for-7 with a couple of doubles.
- Nick Swisher CLE-1B ($5,454) - After being one of the Indians big off-season acquisitions, the veteran 1B/OF has been mostly a disappointment. His current hot streak, however, points to a turnaround. Swisher is batting .347 with two homers in the five-game hitting streak he brings into tonight's game versus C.J. Wilson and the Angels. During his decade-long career, Cleveland's 32-year-old switch-hitter has owned Wilson with an incredible 1.142 OPS. Swisher has a .387 OBP from the right side of the plate this season, so buy with confidence.
- Yunel Escobar TB-SS ($6,044) - Most would be surprised at what Escobar has accomplished in the month of August. The Cuban native has hit safely in 14 of 15 games and raised his season average 11 points by hitting .327. The Rays are taking on Miguel Gonzalez in Baltimore. Escobar has scratched out three hits while never striking out in a dozen plate appearances against the Orioles righty. As it has for many, Camden Yards has largely provided a boost to the slick fielding shortstop. He has slugged .438 over 33 career games at the hitter's haven.
Nate Miller spouts off about Fantasy Sports everyday on Twitter @Miller_WeTalkFS
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As always, remember to check your MLB daily lineups before they lock and make sure you are doing your own research, too, for optimal performance! The most successful daily leaguers are grinders who are constantly tweaking their lineups as the day goes on and fantasy news gets released. Good luck today, RotoBallers!