Daily Dime: Going with Freeman, Bryant and McCutchen
Here are 10 DFS recommendations for Thursday’s slate on Yahoo but be sure to double-check the weather and lineups before first pitch approaches.
Bartolo Colon, SP, at Atl (Miller), $47: He hasn’t allowed a run in any of his last three starts, a span stretching 24.0 innings. Colon will be facing a Braves team that’s scored the fewest runs in baseball this year, and all the Mets do is win these days. There’s some chance of rain here, so take note.
A.J. Burnett, SP, vs. Mil (Peralta), $40: He’ll be on a pitch count making his first start since July 30, but Burnett owns a 2.11 ERA at home this season, and Pittsburgh is heavily favored. It’s not ideal going with a pitcher coming off a long DL stint, but options are thin during Thursday’s limited slate. I wanted to go with Jake Arietta, but it’s extremely tough to fill out a lineup if doing so.
A.J. Pierzynski, C, vs. NYM (Colon), $9: He should be in the lineup after sitting out Wednesday and is at least cheap.
Freddie Freeman, 1B, vs. NYM (Colon), $16: It’s not ideal to go with two hitters facing one of your pitchers, but again, really slim pickings Thursday. Freeman owns a career .444/.474/.611 line against Bartolo Colon.
Addison Russell, 2B, at Phi (Morgan), $10: The 21-year-old has seven homers over his past 33 games and will have the platoon advantage.
Kris Bryant, 3B, at Phi (Morgan), $17: He’s facing a southpaw in Adam Morgan, who’s an extreme fly ball pitcher who’s allowed 12 homers over 56.2 innings to right-handed batters this season.
Francisco Lindor, SS, vs. Det (Simon), $13: The rookie sports a .927 OPS since the All-Star break. The switch-hitter also has fared a bit better against RHP this season and should be batting toward the top of Cleveland’s lineup.
Andrew McCutchen, OF, vs. Mil (Peralta), $19: It’s hard to believe he finished April with a .194/.302/.333 line over 72 at bats. McCutchen has been his usual self ever since and owns a 1.014 OPS at home this year.
Michael Brantley, OF, vs. Det (Simon), $19: He has a .944 OPS at home this year and owns a .331/.410/.517 line against righties this season. Meanwhile, Alfredo Simon has ceded a 1.55 WHIP to LHB in 2015.
Billy Hamilton, OF, vs. Stl (Garcia), $10: It’s not the best situation going against Yadier Molina behind the plate, but Hamilton is back off the DL and has 54 steals in 108 games this year. The switch-hitter has fared better against LHP this season (including going 17-for-17 in SB attempts) and is hitting leadoff Thursday.
