Featuring picks and comments by Rob Dudek
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In daily basketball leagues, a 7:00 Eastern closing time is typical, with almost all matinee games played on Sundays and holidays. Baseball is different. A 162-game season often means early starts on “getaway day” (often Thursdays and Sundays) and on the weekends, many teams schedule family-friendly afternoon games. FOX is broadcasting three different 1:05 starts, followed by four games that begin just after 4:00 — if you wait for a 7:05 league tonight, almost half of MLB players will not be eligible.
There’s no reason not to try your skill and luck in both, but we are focused on the early-closers here. By “we” I mean Rob Dudek, who is on a roll. His picks yesterday included Justin Masterson and Shelby Miller in their dominant starts, but our “Avoid” list, where readers were warned not to spend big bucks on Yu Darvish or B, has also been useful. Today I’m not going to quote The Dude as usual; he has the floor and we should all be following his excellent advice.
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Best Bets (Pitchers)
Marlins rookie Jose Fernandez is priced at a preposterous $7,215 against the Phillies at home in an extreme pitcher’s park. An easy choice for top spot.
Alexi Ogando has one of the best arms in the league and is off to a great start. The Mariners are without Michael Morse (finger) and therefore lack a credible power threat. The $13,718 price is attractive as well.
If you believe he is healthy, Cole Hamels ($14,528) is a fine value play. After a couple of sub-par starts, he faces the Marlins, who are without Giancarlo Stanton (shoulder) and have been terrible even with him in the lineup. Using both Hamels and Fernandez for less than $22,000 in hopes of a pitcher’s duel isn’t the worst idea.
Matt Harvey ($15,703) has looked superb so far. Today he is up against a much weaker offense than the Philly team he shut down last time out.
You can’t go wrong choosing any three of the above. There are quite a few aces on the bump today; the list is so thick and bright with talent that it hurts my eyes. Among others who could have monster games are Chris Sale, Stephen Strasburg, Johnny Cueto and Jon Lester. Any one of them could get a W and strike out ten, but on a value basis I prefer the first four names listed.