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Another Sunday means a 14 game main slate. Choosing your Ace will be difficult tonight as there are 4 elite pitchers to choose, all priced similarly.
Top SP: Chris Sale, BOS ($25,000) @ TEX
It would be hard to go wrong with any of the top 4 pitchers tonight as Max Scherzer ($25,400), Justin Verlander ($25,400) and Noah Syndergaard ($22,000) are also taking the mound today. I am picking Sale based on his track record against the Rangers current lineup. Chris Sale has an insane 51.1% K-Rate – YES. 51.1%, against the current Rangers lineup. What is amazing about that K-rate is that it is based on a decent sample size – 45 batters. Against LHP, Texas currently has the 7th most strikeouts and rank 20th in wRC+.
Honorable Mention: Justin Verlander, HOU ($25,400) vs ARI
Value SP: Mike Soroka, ATL ($14,800) VS SF
Soroka tossed a quality start by going 6 innings and allowing just 1 ER in his debut start against the Mets on Tuesday and gets another opportunity to make his case for the Braves rotation spot. Soroka has excellent command but has limited strikeout upside which will limit him scoring from a high point total. Even with that considered, he can provide value for your lineup with his high floor and a chance for a win against the Giants. I am very excited to see what he can do tonight with his nasty sinker-slider combo.
Honorable Mention: Domingo German, NYY ($11,200) @ NYY
IF: Freddie Freeman, ATL ($10,200) VS SF
I am always looking for ways to include Freddie Freeman in my lineup. Being really good has its downsides, and one of them is being priced really high on FantasyDraft. Freeman is a player that should be picked every day if the budget allows for it but today he gets a favorable matchup against another lefty at Home. Freeman is hitting .345 against the LHP while hitting 3 out of his 5 home runs at home in 5 games less. He only has 5 home runs so far but has been unlucky with some very hard hit doubles or outs. His 11.1% HR/FB would be the lowest of his career.
Honorable Mention: Brandon Belt, COL ($8,400) VS ATL
Top OF: Khris Davis, OAK ($9,400) VS BAL
Khris Davis was an honorable mention yesterday but gets the top OF title today as he has hit a home run in the last two games. The competition doesn’t get any harder as Alex Cobb is taking the mound for the Orioles. We all know the power is not an issue and the Oakland ballpark doesn’t really hurt Davis’ value as most of his home runs are no doubters. The problem with Davis has always been strikeouts but Cobb is not known for that which I believe is a huge advantage for Davis. He is only hitting .222 on the year but the power is still there with 9 Home runs.
Honorable Mention: Nick Markakis, ATL ($8,000) VS SF
Value IF: Kendrys Morales, TB ($6,500) @ TB
Morales is 14-28 in his career against Chris Archer. He has averaged a 101 mph average velocity to prove that batting average is no fluke and further validated the point with 7 of the 14 hits being extra-base hits. Kendrys Morales has gotten older and is only hitting .169 with 3 home runs this year. Yet, I would still take a chance on considering his track record against Archer and the low price tag.
Honorable Mention: Logan Morrison, MIN ($6,400) @ CWS
Stack: Reds @ Marlins (RHP Dan Straily)
Dan Straily was shaky in his first start back against the Phillies and Straily is known for his epic meltdowns in the past. Today could be the perfect opportunity for a stack against him. Joey Votto and Eugenio Suarez are both too expensive for me and I prefer these bats
Scooter Gennett ($7,200)
Adam Duvall ($7,460)
Jesse Winker ($6,400)
Devin Mesoraco ($5,900)
Make sure to check the starting lineups before drafting these players.
Honorable Mention: Athletics VS Orioles (RHP Alex Cobb)