Five early games today — DraftKings Only
The Royals and Rays are making up their game from last night as part of a DH with the second game being played 45 mins after the first. The first is the one that is on the slate. Snell is not pitching the early game. It will be Stanek followed by Beeks.
The Rangers and Pirates have some storms/weather concerns. They should likely try to wait it out and get the game in.
The Orioles and White Sox also have weather issues but coming off a PPD game they may wait it out.
Roof Closed in Arizona
Merrill Kelley ($7,400)
After a long road trip that took them from LA -> SF -> PHX the Yankees will conclude the west coast swing this afternoon before heading out in a classic “West coast to East Coast” get away game. This to me is a low scoring spot with the roof closed to jump on Kelley who’s pitched pretty decent this year as a veteran trying to make it back in the bigs after time in Korean league. If you wanted to use Masahiro Tanaka as well today I wouldn’t hate it, but I like Arizona to win so Kelley is my sneaky guy here.
Jameson Taillon ($8,500)
Texas is a boom or bust offense and Taillon, who went to H.S. in Texas, can easily be the top arm on this slate when he is on. Worth taking a shot in my mind and it helps fade Rodon who is very up and down himself.
LONGSHOT
David Hess … I am really fading the White Sox and only like Moncada, but weather here is crappy and I think they force the game in. Hess has shown to be crafty enough at times to get you a good return and his $4500 price is very tempting today to load up on the OAK-BOS game.
Oakland vs Boston …
Load up on this afternoon Fenway game. The weather isn’t warm but it will be good enough of an afternoon spot for both teams to pop. I especially like the Oakland side and would look to see them have success finally against a RHP in Hector Velasquez who is about as weak as they come. Khris Davis is a must play.
- Khris Davis, Marcus Semien, Robbie Grossman – OAK Favorites
- Mookie Betts, JD Martinez, Rafael Devers – BOS Favorites
Pittsburgh
Friends dont let friends stack the Pirates. But they do allow four one offs sometimes. That’s the route to roll here as Shelby Miller takes the hill in a day game with humidity and heat down in Texas. Josh Bell anyone? All the Polanco, Bell and Marte and Adam day game Frazier leading off would be ideal today.
- Adam Frazier, Gregory Polanco, Josh Bell – PIT Favorites
Tampa Bay vs Kansas City …
What was going to be a spot where I attacked Junis last night turns into a Junis day game. But I still like this game for offense overall. The Rays should get a couple pops off Junis, specifically Ji-Man Choi if he is in the lineup. But while the Royals have struggled with strikeouts against quality LHP, Jalen Beeks in my mind is not an elite level arm to be scared off of. Whit Merrifield will go yard.
- B. Lowe, Ji-Man Choi, Avi Garcia – Tampa Favorites
- Whit Merrifield, Jorge Soler, Martin Maldanado – KC Favorites
TEAMS I AM NOT TOUCHING FOR BATS
Texas, Arizona, NY Yankees, Chicago
C: Diaz, Zunino, Maldanado
1B: Choi, Bell
2B: Whit
3B: Moncada, Chapman, Escobar
SS: Mondesi, Tucker, Semien
OF: Davis, JD Martinez, Marte, Polanco, Avi Garcia
HR Picks
Whit Merrifield
Khris Davis
Ji-Man Choi
