Best Bets (Hitters)
We both liked Chris Johnson well enough to list him as a “best bet” on Thursday despite a “longshot” price of just $6,468 and he rewarded us with three hits including a homer for 10.5 points. You’re welcome.
Tonight, if you save on pitching, Prince Fielder ($11,721) has the potential for a big game.
Edwin Encarnacion ($7,984) added 100 points to his batting average with an 8-for-14 series against the While Sox. Even against the venerable Andy Pettitte ($12,755) we like EE — no longer nicknamed “E5” since his shift to 1B — to stay hot at the dish.
The main concern for Joey Votto ($10,744) is being pitched around. He has 24 walks already (compared to just 14 strikeouts) and is just waiting for someone to challenge him.
While Justin Upton ($11,290) has been justifying his high salary all season, his brother was disappointing until last night. B.J. Upton ($5,944) woke up with a home run and a double. All of Atlanta’s RH bats match up well against Wandy Rodriguez in Pittsburgh.
Live Longshots (Hitters)
Rob’s “All-Under-6K” team yesterday was very useful, as Travis Snider and James Loney combined for 17.5 points. Going back to the same well, Alfonso Soriano ($5,766) is quite a bargain for a cleanup hitter who went deep last night.
My longshot C is Wellington Castillo ($4,097) whose salary doesn’t yet reflect a 4-for-4 Thursday afternoon. Dudek likes Jason Castro ($5,998), “an improving young player, at home in a hitter’s park, in the middle of the order against a struggling Myers.”
David Freese ($5,797) is a very enticing play at that price, despite the weather forecast. It’s a hitter’s park in Philly and all the Cardinals bats are worth considering against a once-awesome pitcher who has yet to flash his former dominance.
Not sure we have ever touted a .105 hitter, but Adam Dunn ($5,959) has a decent chance to wake up against Twins RH Vance Worley who is not a big strikeout guy. Among other ChiSox lefty bats, Conor Gillaspie ($5,574) is another possible value play.
Players to Avoid
Just because Roy Halladay ($12,796) held the lowly Marlins to one run in eight innings, don’t think he’s “cured” from a dropoff in velocity and command. Even if the game isn’t rained out, my colleague warns, “Doc faces the solid Cardinals lineup, a truer test of where he is in an attempt to regain his elite status.”
Still not quite himself after two mediocre starts, Tommy Hanson ($10,176) is a poor bet to go deep into this one against a powerful Tigers lineup that is “due” to explode after two quiet games in Seattle.
Coco Crisp ($11,578) is not 100% healthy and faces the tough Cobb in the Juice Box, which isn’t the greatest place to hit. The salary reflects his earlier hot streak; we will pass.
David Wright ($9,656) and John Buck ($9,670) are also overpriced against a flame-throwing righthander. Don’t overpay for their prior success.
Dayan Viciedo ($5,065) would have been an extremely good play this evening if he hadn’t suffered a strained oblique in Toronto.
Kent Williams is on Twitter @SheridanFantasy and be sure to follow Rob Dudek for updates when our morning picks change during the day.