Let’s take a look at the Cleveland Indians as a possible team to stacks today. They own the league’s 8th best wOBA in the L14 and will get the privilege of facing Alfredo Simon today. It’s hard to describe how bad Simon has been over a seriously extended run. In the L13 games, he has a 7.84 (!!) ERA, he’s almost walked more than he’s struck out and opponents are hitting .311 against him. That is really bad pitching for nearly 2.5 months straight. Even more recently, he’s surrendered 5 HRs in his last 9.1 IP. I will target Simon as much as possible today.
Let’s start with a really deep value play today in Darin Ruf ($2,200). Anytime there is a lefty on the hill, Ruf becomes an instant play. This guy is batting .377 vs. LHP this season. He’s homered 3 times in the L14 days and will face Wade Miley today who Ruf has homered off in 4 career ABs. It’s obviously great that Ruf is near minimum price, but even better that he’s eligible at OF so that he doesn’t have to clog up the deep first base position.
NOTE: This is exactly what I wrote about Barnhart and Schumaker yesterday. The rainout means they will get Garza again and Barnhart’s price actually dropped. Everything still applies!
Take a look at Tucker Barnhart ($2,400) today. Catcher is usually one of the best positions to punt and Barnhart is swinging a hot stick. Hitting .345 in the L14 and will get a big boost from the Great American Ballpark today which surrenders 24% more HRs to LHB than the league average.
Let’s continue with another punt play. Skip Schumaker ($2,000) is seeing more playing time with the injury to Billy Hamilton and the trade of Marlon Byrd. Skip is batting .310 in the L14 and has great career numbers off Matt Garza (8-19, .421). It’s nearly impossible to find a minimum priced player who is eligible at two positions, who is hitting +.300 and has good success off the pitcher they will face today.
In addition to the Indians stack, you have to get some exposure to Michael Brantley ($5,400). This guy can do it all! He’s batting .340 in the L14, is a career .301 hitter vs. RHP and of course get’s Alfred Simon today. Brantley has feasted on simon in his career to the tune of .588 (10-17). He will be the building block around all of my lineups today.
Another outfielder who’s often overlooked is Lorenzo Cain ($5,200). Cain destroys LHP, a career .302 hitter. He also destroys this particular LHP in Jose Quintana. A massive sample between the two and Cain comes out on top hitting .375 (15-4) in his career. Throw in the fact that he’s hitting .370 in the L14 and you’ve got yourself a top play.
Back to a full slate on MLB action on DraftKings. Lots of great value plays on the board. Commentary based on DraftKings strategy and scoring.