Live Longshots (Pitchers)
When the day’s best bet costs only $7,215, that covers this category pretty well.
If you are looking to go with two expensive SP and one RP, don’t sleep on Bobby Parnell. Priced at a rock-bottom $1,500 because he hasn’t had a save chance yet, he could finish up for Harvey today.
Staying with the closer gambit, Joe Nathan ($2,960) is sharp, on normal rest and might get the SV behind Ogando.
Players to Avoid
Chase Utley ($10,128) is up against Cuban fireballer Jose Fernandez and the park is extremely tough on power hitters.
Until R.A. Dickey ($10,923) shows me he can shut down a team and not have a catcher give up multiple passed balls, he stays very far away from my lineup. The knuckleballer, nowhere near his Cy Young form yet, faces a team of line-drive hitters well-tailored for their park. I prefer Royals bats — if you agree, use up to four of Salvador Perez ($5,053), Eric Hosmer ($7,422), Billy Butler ($8,304), Alcides Escobar ($8,567) and Alex Gordon ($9,503).
Avoid Justin Verlander? That’s heresy in a Roto or H2H league, where he’s a monster. With so many cheaper options, why pay $18,256 for JV, who isn’t as sharp as he will be in a month or two. Oakland has a scrappy bunch of hitters that know how to work the count, potentially limiting Verlander’s innings somewhat.
Brett Anderson ($13,089) is one of those crafty lefties who succeeds without a great fastball. He’s facing a veteran Tigers lineup and even in the pitcher-friendly Coliseum, I don’t like his end of that fight.
The injury list is growing; among the definitely out or highly doubtful are Reyes, Coco Crisp, Yoenis Cespedes, and Gordon Beckham. Aaron Hill ($8,660) was a late scratch last night with a sore hand. It’s always worth a look at the Injuries page at Rotoworld or the latest report at MLB.com before making an investment.
Today’s Lineup
Here’s a special bonus; my roster in the $2 GPP (330 teams) closing at 1:05 EDT.
C John Buck
1B Eric Hosmer
2B Jose Altuve (tough to K and cheaper than Brandon Phillips)
3B David Wright
SS Starlin Castro
OF Bryce Harper
OF Starling Marte
OF Denard Span (very good table setter for an excellent Nats lineup)
U Salvador Perez (may have to switch him out if he gets the day off)
SP Alexi Ogando
SP Matt Harvey
P Jose Fernandez
Kent Williams is on Twitter @SheridanFantasy and be sure to follow Rob Dudek for updates when our morning picks change during the day.