Playing Hardball: Cancellations Part of the Game in MLB; More Bad Weather Today

Live Longshots (Pitchers)

Rob Dudek likes the two SP, one closer gambit today. Casey Janssen ($2,163) is a good pairing if you use Dickey, but there’s some guesswork involved if you like Wainwright. Mitchell Boggs ($1,558) is on thin ice as the Cardinals closer and Edward Mujica ($1,500) might get the next save opportunity for STL.

It’s a favorite streamer play of mine in traditional leagues to go with a young southpaw against a team that has never seen him before, and Patrick Corbin ($9,841) is a complete mystery to the Yankees. He’s 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA so far; while not a huge strikeout guy at this level, he has always had a nice K/BB ratio. J.J. Putz ($2,940) could give you a W and a SV; it’s a good angle if — like us — you aren’t a big fan of Phil Hughes.

Best Bets (Hitters)

At $12,601, Justin Upton is the second-highest price among hitters. Against a mediocre lefty, he is a low-risk play with the potential of a high reward. Worth using if you don’t overspend on arms.

Shane Victorino ($7,759) was 3-for-3 off Justin Masterson last night and today’s pitcher for the Tribe is Zach McAllister, who Dudek calls “a poor man’s Masterson” — they are righties of similar build, if not equal ability.

Alex Rios ($8,614) went deep last night, has a 1.317 OPS vs. Dickey with two HR in just 10 AB, and is a solid play again at a fair salary.

Chris Johnson ($6,468) might qualify as a longshot, but we like him a lot against Jeff Locke. The Braves will be ticked off about being shut out at home last night and all their RH bats are worth considering, none at a better price than CJ.

Live Longshots (Hitters)

If you do want to spend on three expensive SP today, Rob has compiled this “All-Under-6K” team of hitters:

C- Alex Avila ($4,958): Always capable of a big game, platoon edge against Iwakuma.
1B- James Loney ($5,435): Camden Yards helps LH hitters and his bat has been coming alive.
2B- Kelly Johnson ($4,976): Strikeout prone but here for the same reasons as Loney.
SS- Alexei Ramirez ($5,352): Should make good contact against Dickey, coming off a few excellent games.
3B- Eric Chavez ($5,813): Lefty against Phil Hughes in Yankee Stadium is a good matchup. Former teammates so there should be no surprises.
OF- Matt Joyce ($4,635): A decent game yesterday, coming out of his funk, again it’s a LH stick vs. a less-than-overpowering RHP.
OF- Travis Snider ($5,217): A disappointment in his career, finding more regular playing time with the Pirates, whose bats have found life. Snider has batted second the last three games and should do so again against the inconsistent Julio Teheran.
OF- David Murphy ($5,334): Platoon edge against Samardzija; last time we tipped Murph, he hit a homer off Jered Weaver.

Players to Avoid

So far, no good for Phil Hughes ($8,578), who has yet to get past the fourth inning, isn’t striking out many and boasts an ugly 10.29 ERA and an uglier 2.714 WHIP. Betting on him for a 180-degree turnaround seems like wishful thinking more than logic.

Spring training sensation Julio Teheran ($9,135) has not been as effective in games that count, with a 7.36 ERA and two no-decisions. Yes, the Braves are a better team than the Pirates, plenty of run support is a possibility and he could put everything together, but we’ll have to see that to believe it.

Jonathon Niese ($10,289) and Jhoulys Chacin ($10,049) will be pitching at offense-stimulating Coors Field, in freezing temperatures punctuated by snow, rain and sleet. Defense is an afterthought in wet conditions, so even if this game does get completed, the advantage goes to the hitters on both teams.

Buster Posey ($7,864) is getting the day off even if the weather cooperates.

Kent Williams is on Twitter @SheridanFantasy and be sure to follow Rob Dudek for updates when our morning picks change during the day.