Happy Back To The Future Day! Time traveller Marty McFly arrived in 2015 on this date to discover the Cubs were World Series champions. That tongue-in-cheek “prediction” is not looking 100% accurate, as they are down 3-0 to the efficient Mets, quite unlikely to win four straight.
Also with their backs to the wall are the Blue Jays. I’m posting early today because we’re at a cottage three hours from Toronto and must drive home in time for the 4:07 Eastern start. That will be me, sitting beside another handsome geezer a few rows above the home bullpen.
Marco Estrada $7800 faces Edinson Volquez $8400 in a rematch of Game 1. The Jays may have been a bit flat after a miracle comeback to win the ALDS, and Volquez was never better. I am nervously hoping the change of venue makes the difference today. Objectivity is impossible.
Tonight the mighty Mets send Steven Matz $10000 to the bump with a chance to sweep. Jason Hammel $8100 is the scheduled starter, but in all postseason elimination games, managers have an extremely quick hook. Every arm is available out of the bullpen including Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta, the scheduled starters for Game 5 and Game 6.
Estrada may be the exception to the short-leash “rule,” as the Toronto bullpen is in tatters. My admittedly biased crystal ball sees him and Matz as the most likely to last six innings.
Told you to avoid Russell Martin $4300 when he’s trying to catch the knuckleball. He costs $1300 less than yesterday. Travis d’Arnaud $3600 is also good value, as C/OF Kyle Schwarber $4100 may not start vs. the lefty.
Edwin Encarnacion $5200 (hand) would not be playing if this was the regular season. 1B/OF Chris Colabello $3800 is at least healthy and the notoriously streaky Lucas Duda $3900 might be ready to heat up.
2B/3B Daniel Murphy $4400 has made himself millions in free agency with 6 HR (and counting) in the playoffs. 2B/SS Javier Baez $2200 remains underpriced and flexible.
Josh Donaldson $5100 is absolutely critical to his club’s fading chances. We called the David Wright $4800 breakout (at a lower salary) and Murphy fits here too, though Kris Bryant $4200 might be the best 3B value.
Troy Tulowitzki $3900 comes down in price, red-hot Alcides Escobar $3500 remains affordable and 2B/SS Ryan Goins $2700 is the other inexpensive and flexible option to Baez.
Jose Bautista $5300 and Lorenzo Cain $5000 continue to top the OF salaries, closely followed by Yoenis Cespedes $4700 and Curtis Granderson $4500. 2B/OF Ben Zobrist $4100 is 5-for-10 with a homer in the first two games at the Dome.The value guy tonight is Jorge Soler $3600 vs. a southpaw, and we called Alex Rios $2900 a bargain before he went deep yesterday.
Note that if either home team loses, this will be the last DFS contest of the MLB season. We are eagerly looking forward to the NBA’s return and there’s no better time to try daily fantasy if you haven’t yet. There will be opportunities galore in the first few weeks of DFS hoops until salaries become more reflective of players’ current roles and abilities. We’ll be here to offer suggestions that are always free, and worth every penny.
| Pos | Premium | Bargain |
| SP1 | Steven Matz $10000 | Jason Hammel $8100 |
| SP2 | Edinson Volquez $8400 | Marco Estrada $7800 |
| C | Russell Martin $4300 | Travis d’Arnaud $3600 |
| 1B | Eric Hosmer $4600 | Lucas Duda $3900 |
| 2B | Daniel Murphy $4400 | Javier Baez $2200 |
| 3B | Josh Donaldson $5100 | Kris Bryant $4200 |
| SS | Troy Tulowitzki $3900 | Ryan Goins $2700 |
| OF1 | Jose Bautista $5300 | Ben Zobrist $4100 |
| OF2 | Curtis Granderson $4500 | Jorge Soler $3600 |
| OF3 | Yoenis Cespedes $4700 | Alex Rios $2900 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Until basketball returns, we’re offering baseball tips on weekdays. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.