Best Bets (Hitters)
We are returning to the time-tested “bet against the worst pitchers” strategy. Rob has identified Mike Pelfrey ($5,920) as one likely victim. “Pelfrey has struggled mightily and needs to be very precise in his location to succeed. The Tigers have the best collection of hitters in baseball and conditions are fantastic, as long as the weather holds. 2012 Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera ($13,489) is recommended once again despite the high price. Jhonny Peralta ($7,999) is good value, and for a more speculative play, the high-priced but slumping Prince Fielder ($10,658) has a fine shot at a breakout game.
The Orioles averaged seven runs a game in taking three of four in Oakland. Against soft-tossing southpaw Joe Saunders ($8,355) there are plenty of good RH bats to choose from. OF Adam Jones ($9,158), 3B Manny Machado ($9,038) and SS J.J. Hardy ($7,604) stand out. Even their lefty bats are dangerous. “I’ll pass on Chris Davis ($9,073) even though he homered yesterday,” says Dudek, “but Nate McLouth is so hot that $8,085 is a great price against anyone.”
Yoennis Cespedes ($8,055) returned from 16 days on the DL with a game-saving HR in the bottom of the ninth. With their best hitter back in the cleanup spot, we like the A’s to keep hitting against Angels RH Tommy Hanson ($11,124) who hasn’t pitched for ten days because of bereavement leave and wasn’t brilliant in three previous starts. Coco Crisp can earn his $9,756 salary and Seth Smith ($6,991) also went deep on Sunday.
Live Longshots (Hitters)
Omar Infante ($7,955) is as hot as any bat in the potent Detroit lineup and his salary hasn’t yet caught up to his production. Teammate Victor Martinez ($7,504) is also worth a look because of the matchup. It’s very tempting to use the maximum four Tigers.
The final matchup Rob wants to exploit is the Royals against Ubaldo Jimenez ($9,098) of the Indians. “Though pricey, Alex Gordon ($10,002) is the best bet for a big game. Mike Moustakas ($4,874) looks like a good value play, as he is working his way out of his slow start. Eric Hosmer ($7,333) and Salvador Perez ($6,582) are also swinging the bat better and reasonably priced”
Josh Hamilton has fallen to the ridiculously low salary of $5,607 and is sure to go on a tear soon. It could start tonight against Dan Straily, a minor league callup.
The same theory applies to Michael Morse ($5,793) only more so. “The Beast” may have already turned things around with a homer yesterday, is still an extreme bargain and the confirmed lefty-masher faces Zach Britton, who has yet to have the same success in the majors as the does in Triple-A.
Players to Avoid
Troy Tulowitzki ($9,890) will be out for a couple of games with a sore shoulder.
Kevin Youkilis ($6,566) gamely played on Saturday but his sore back remains an issue. Marco Scutaro ($5,538) is also battling back pain.
Another guy who isn’t on the DL but has a strained neck, Jed Lowrie ($7,031) will be a better play later in the week against a lefty.
Obviously, we think you should steer well clear of the pitchers we are loading up against: Pelfrey, Saunders, Jimenez and Hanson.
Kent Williams is on Twitter @SheridanFantasy and be sure to follow Rob Dudek for updates when our morning picks change during the day.