Featuring picks and comments by Rob Dudek
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There are 16 games today, including a doubleheader in Boston against the visiting Royals. All but two start in the afternoon — the second half of that twin bill and the STL @ PHI national TV game at 8:00 pm. That means you need to enter early. There will be leagues added later with a 3:00 or 4:00 deadline, but the biggest Guaranteed Prize Pools with the most players to choose from close at 1:07 EDT.
For once there aren’t looming weather-related issues, but many managers will rest several regulars. Sunday lineups are often peppered with bench players (especially backup catchers) getting their only start of the week. If the team played on Saturday night, rather than a day game, expect wholesale changes. Use your favorite source(s) to confirm lineups. Mine is Baseball Press.
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Best Bets (Pitchers)
Homer Bailey ($14,043) is Rob’s safest play of the day. “Saturday saw another tight game between the light-hitting Marlins and the Reds, who won in extra innings. We touted Bronson Arroyo yesterday (8.15 points) and Bailey should be able to match or exceed that performance.”
His top value play? “Jake Westbrook gets little respect from the DS salary calculator at $10,391.” While not a big strikeout guy, he earned a complete-game W against the dangerous Reds last time and “is underpriced against the underwhelming Phillies.”
Also fair value is Jordan Zimmermann ($14,976) who is 3-0 with a 2.45 ERA so far and should get some run support against Dillon Gee ($9,225) and the Mets.
Yet another conservative play is Tommy Milone ($12,581) against the Rays, who beat Oakland 1-0 on Saturday. In what could be another tight game, the young lefty can outpitch Roberto Hernandez ($8,368), whose 5.79 ERA is thin ice.
Live Longshots (Pitchers)
We both like the bargain bin today. You could go with Bailey and Zimmermann (or Milone) and a reliever but Westbrook and two of the following isn’t a bad strategy for under $30,000.
“The Orioles are flying high after yesterday’s doubleheader sweep of the Dodgers,” says Dudek. “Jake Arrieta ($9,216) has above-average stuff and while he sometimes struggles against disciplined hitters like Adrian Gonzalez ($8,948), L.A. lacks firepower with Matt Kemp ($7,363) still not his usual self.”
Barry Zito ($9,640) got pasted in his first road start. “Back on home turf, the price is right to gamble that he has sorted everything out and will do just fine against the power-challenged Padres in that flyball-friendly park.”
If you don’t like Zito to turn it around, the same park advantage applies to his opponent Eric Stults ($9,845) who has beaten the Dodgers and Mets already.
My RP special is Grant Balfour ($1,900) who is fully rested and could earn you a cheap save. Craig Kimbrel ($3,485) is superb, but the Braves might win big. Aroldis Chapman ($2,958) is also a stud, but he has pitched the last two days and five of the last six.