SNAPSHOT
Roof open in Arizona. Major boost for hitting again tonight.
So FanDuel is at it again, doing funky pricing at the end of the season as a comical joke. Ruining the integrity of the game if you ask me… But hey, what do I know. Bartolo Colon is priced at … $44… Yep. $44.
Let’s first examine if Bartolo is going to pitch well today in Cleveland against the team where he first made his biggest mark in MLB about 500 years ago…
No. He isnt. He’s going to get ROCKED.
So now lets examine what playing someone who is only $44 will get us… The answer? Nothing really. The allure of getting the free square from a pitcher is something I understand, but it should have no impact on your roster construction. We find the bats we want and then work from there. I will have ZERO Bartolo Presence today because I don’t want the negative points.
PITCHING
MY GUYS
- Bartol… haha, just kidding.
- Jake Arrieta — Jake has already been limited somewhat down the stretch but it’s going the opposite direction with him. He is being ramped back UP for the post-season and the Cubs are going for that NL central title in St. Louis tonight.
- Gio Gonzalez — My goodness, September pitching is boring. Gio has no reason not to pitch deep today against the Phillies and he negates a few of the sneaky Phillies like Nick Wlliams and Altherr (1-15 off Gio with 6 K).
- Trevor Williams — My guy for the last month or so… TWill the Thrill welcomes the Orioles who already have their bags packed for the off-season into Pittsburgh. The pitchers will care more about this game tonight than the hitters.
- Jason Vargas — Guess who can lead the AL in wins this year? Yep, Jason bleepin Vargas. He has 18 wins and I want every pitcher against the Tigers down the stretch.
PITCHING FADES
Good but no thanks
- Robbie Ray … The Diamondbacks don’t need Ray to pitch that deep today. They’re going to be hosting the NL wild-card next Wednesday and Greinke will draw that start. So Ray pitches today and then likely gets shutdown (I guess he could throw 3 innings on Sunday just to stay on schedule). But tonight he shouldnt pitch past 90 pitches or 6 innings if you ask me. That said, he’s dominant against the Giants and Arizona’s regulars will be back in the lineup today (or so they should). He’s the top option today if you insist on paying up — which I do not.
- Chris Sale — Very similar situation to Ray except Sale will be going in Game 1 for Boston in the playoffs… He already got 300 K milestone and I see no reason to touch him today.
FAVORITE STACKS
Royals … KC is on lets have fun mode. Final home series for the core that is leaving in the off-season. Diamondbacks … Gotta see the lineup, but welcome a lefty into Chase with the roof open after a day off celebrating the playoff berth. They should pile on today. Indians … They’ll beat up Bartolo Reds/Brewers … This is my top game of the night. I suspect the Reds play spoilers and give Davies fits. The Brewers are a great stack all week. SNEAKY Twins … Minnesota can clinch tonight too and although I think Bartolo will get rocked, I love the Twins coming into Cleveland today to beat up Tomlin too. Mets … RA Dickey is also returning to face his old team. It’s old timers day! Mets will find a way to get 7 runs up tonight.
FADES
Nationals … Jake Thompson has been better lately and the Nationals are on cruise control. Harper should play some tonight though.
Yankees … Blah, Blah, Blah, Implied run totals my ass…
HITTERS
CATCHER
- Salvador Perez
- Jason Castro
- Stephen Vogt
- Tomas Nido – Mets young catching prospect.
FIRST BASE
- Eric Hosmer
- Anthony Rizzo
- Edwin Encarnacion
- Joey Votto
SECOND BASE
- Jason Kipnis
- Scooter Gennett
- Ian Kinsler
- Daniel Murphy
THIRD BASE
- Mike Moose Tacos
- Asdrubal Cabrera
- Eduardo Escobar
- Jake Lamb
SHORTSTOP
- Corey Seager
- Francisco Lindor
- Trea Turner
- Carlos Correa
OUTFIELD – Tier 1
- AJ Pollock
- Melky Cabrera
- Eddie Rosario
- Charlie Blackmon
OUTFIELD – Tier 2
- Domingo Santana
- JD Martinez
- Justin Upton
- Marcell Ozuna
- Starling Marte
OUTFIELD – Value
- Max Kepler
- Adam Duvall
- Cameron Maybin
- Nicky Delmonico
DONGERS CLUB
- Mike Moustakas – 3B – Chairman
- Marcell Ozuna – OF
- Edwin Encarnacion – 1B
- Daniel Murphy – 2B
- Starling Marte – OF
- Corey Seager – SS
- Buster Posey – C
- JD Martinez – OF
- BONUS ……….. Eduardo Escobar – 3B
Follow me on twitter @steve_renner for any feedback or questions. Just dont ask me if I like someone I said I am fading or if I like Mike Zunino…. Okay???
