Pitcher List is excited to be partnering with FantasyDraft, featuring advice articles every morning through the entirety of the 2018 season. Signup and play for free at FantasyDraft.
8 games combine to make an excellent main slate Let’s get this weekend started off right with some lineups. Make sure your squads are set before 7:05 PM eastern and the starter are actually starting.
Must Play SP: Lance McCullers, HOU ($21,200) Vs OAK
Choosing pitchers shouldn’t be hard today as there are plenty of solid options and are all reasonably priced. Lance McCullers is the most expensive option but also represents one of the highest upsides while having a great chance to earn a Win. Strikeouts are the key to FantasyDraft and Lance has huge potential against the A’s. In 2018, McCullers carries a 3.01 SIERRA along with a 12.33 K/9.
Lineup Honorable Mention: Masahiro Tanaka, NYY ($17,200) @ LAA
Value SP: Jack Flaherty, STL ($14,500) @ PIT
Cardinals put Wainwright on the DL which lead to Jack Flaherty getting the call-up. Flaherty flashed dominance in his first start of the year by striking out 9 Brewers. The slider is absolutely filthy and is an indicator of a strikeout upside just like McCullers. I am willing to roll the dice here since Flaherty has the potential for a huge game.
Honorable Mention: German Marquez, COL ($13,100) at MIA
IF Nolan Arenado, COL ($9,800) vs MIA
Nolan Arenado is hitting .329 with 4 home runs, 3 of them coming after the suspension. Arenado gets a favorable matchup against Caleb Smith since he is a better hitter against LHP. Arenado always represents a high floor with the possibility of a breakout game. Don’t let the price dissuade you from selecting one of the elite hitters in baseball. Caleb Smith has had career era over 6 in the majors. Not much else to add other than Arenado is great.
Honorable Mention: IF Carlos Correa, KC ($9,000) vs OAK
OF Josh Reddick, HOU ($7,700) Vs OAK
In 2016, Reddick was lost at the plate against LHP. He has since made massive improvements to his game by hitting for average against lefties very well (not much for power). He doesn’t have to worry about this today because he faces RHP in Daniel Mengden. He has always had success against righties and 12 of his 13 home runs in 2017 came off of RHP. He is not fairly valued at only $7,7oo, which I will take all day.
Honorable Mention: OF Leonys Martin, DET ($8,100) @ BAL
Value OF: Adam Jones, BAL ($7,600) Vs DET
Before going 0-4 yesterday, Adam Jones had been hot at the plate by having multiple hits in 4 out of the 9 games. The price is not too low and is only a $100 cheaper than Reddick but he should be affordable given the affordable pitcher salaries today. In his career, Jones is 10-27 with 3 Home runs and 10 (RBI + Runs) against Liriano. I don’t see any changes in either of their game so I would expect a home run today.
Honorable Mention: OF Gregory Polanco, PIT ($6,800) Vs STL
Top Stack: Cardinals at Pirates (RHP Trevor Williams)
Trevor Williams has been good so far in 2018 but this stack is recommended based on his career against the Cardinal hitters. Williams owns an “outstanding” 11.03 FIP fueled by his .419 Avg. The sample size is fairly small but the most of the Cardinals lineups has hit Williams pretty well. Here are some options:
Matt Carpenter ($7,600)
Marcell Ozuna ($7,400)
Jose Martinez ($6,600)
Harrison Bader ($6,400)
Paul Dejong and Tommy Pham were also considered but the price is a little too high for me on those two
Honorable Mention: Astros vs Athletics (RHP Daniel Mengden)