Featuring picks and comments by Rob Dudek
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Twelve of tonight’s 13 MLB games are included in DraftStreet leagues. The Red Sox host Oakland at 6:35 Eastern, and players from those clubs are not available in leagues that close at 7:05. There are plenty of possibilities elsewhere, as a new week begins with new series.
We promise not to be so weather-obsessed in May, but April has been particularly brutal in places like Denver and Minneapolis, where tonight’s forecasts are better suited for the Broncos and Vikings.
There is an 80% chance of snow as the Twins host Miami; local product Joe Mauer ($10,477) and Canadian-bred Justin Morneau ($8,085) might handle the elements better than California native Ricky Nolasco ($10,648). The Rockies expect mixed rain and snow (70% likely) in temperatures just above freezing. While Braves lefty Mike Minor is off to a terrific start (0.95 ERA, 16 K, 1 BB in 19 IP) there’s no guarantee that he can cope with adverse conditions, let alone those big Colorado bats in an extreme hitter’s park.
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Today, our ace handicapper Rob Dudek is leaving player choices entirely up to you. He’s narrowed it down with three pitching suggestions in each of three price ranges.
You Make the Call (Pitchers)
PRICEY: Felix Hernandez ($18,056) vs. A.J. Burnett ($13,915) and C.C. Sabathia ($16,763). King Felix and Burnett were both almost unhittable last time out, so we should expect some reversion to the mean. Sabathia will have a pitchers’ park working for him, but the Rays bats are rounding into shape.
MIDLEVEL: Kyle Lohse ($12,184) vs. Ryan Vogelsong ($10,900) and Justin Masterson ($11,942). Any of these three could be my value pick of the day. Masterson has been excellent, the ChiSox offensive threats are mostly righthanded and LH power bat Adam Dunn ($4,559) has been struggling. Vogelsong is cheap and will face a scuffling D-backs offense in his pitcher’s haven home ballpark. Lohse pitches in San Diego, where flyballs go to die. He has looked pretty good considering the late start he got with prep work this spring while remaining unsigned.
BARGAIN: Kevin Correia ($9,471) vs. Brad Peacock ($9,227) and Dylan Axelrod ($5,928). Correia has been the Twins’ best starter and is up against the major leagues’ worst offensive team (Marlins). Peacock gets the Mariners, a team that has struggled to hit the last week. Axelrod is the super bargain, but it remains to be seen how deep into a game he can go, against a resurgent Indians batting lineup. As with all games played in Chicago, check the weather — especially the wind — before game time.