Best Bets (Hitters)
Bryce Harper ($9,827) keeps working on his remaining weaknesses and is ready to dominate the NL, though faces a stiff test this afternoon against veteran sinkerballer Tim Hudson. Until Harper’s price rises beyond $11,000 or he goes into a slump, consider starting him every game.
Minnesota pitching is a wreck and lefty Scott Diamond is coming back from injury to make his first start. David Wright generally feasts on lefties, the Mets scored 16 last night and the tag here — a mere $9,258 — is nearly irresistible.
Miguel Cabrera ($11,415) must deal with a lefty who paints the corners as well as any AL starter. However, Miggie has the ability to spoil the good ones and drive the ball when he gets his pitch.
Another lefty killer, Paul Goldschmidt ($10,277) is a higher-risk play than Wright, simply because of unfamiliarity with the opposing hurler, rookie Hyun-Jin Ryu. As usual, Arizona’s park increases the odds of a monster game.
I expect a lot of scoring from the Reds against Pirate lefty Jeff Locke, who is just keeping a rotation spot warm for a Pirates prospect. Joey Votto ($9,736) hits to all fields and handles most lefties well. Brandon Phillips at $10,032 is worth a look here too.
Live Longshots (Hitters)
Value play of the day is John Buck. Okay I give, I’m a believer. $6,786 is too good to resist for a hitter with a favorable matchup who is going this well.
Low priced sluggers with big-game potential: Mike Napoli ($6,610) faces a struggling David Price and Big Mike loves to take lefties off and over the green monster. Texas 3B Adrian Beltre ($6,483) against Joe Saunders should be an automatic start, but the big fellow hasn’t mashed yet.
Worth a look: Colby Rasmus ($6,424) is strikeout prone, but looks great when he connects. James Shields has had some great games against the Jays, and the severe ankle injury to Jose Reyes will affect their whole lineup, so my enthusiasm for any Toronto hitter is tempered.
A couple of talented youngsters are bargain prices against formidable opponents. Starling Marte ($5.762) has impressed, but faces the very tough Cueto. Friday’s Cubs hero Starlin Castro ($5,117) is in a similar boat against the Giants’ Madison Bumgarner.