Daily Dime: Zimmermann and Wacha, plus lots of Diamondbacks
Some DFS players will build around Clayton Kershaw for Sunday, and that’s perfectly reasonable if you feel you can find the bats. I’m going to center around a couple of secondary aces, and then look to build with first- and second-tier offense. Be sure to check the lineups and weather before you make final decisions.
It would be nice to have some Mets and Rockies at Coors Field, but we don't have their lineups available yet. Feel free to substitute that game into your offense, liberally, as you can.
Michael Wacha, SP, at SD (Rea), $51: The Padres offense has been frisky over the last few days, but it’s still a good spot for your right-handed starter (San Diego is 25th in weighted on-base average for that split). Petco Park helps a pitcher in two ways – obviously it will corral a few mistakes, but it also encourages the moundsman to pound the zone and pitch aggressively.
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Jordan Zimmermann, SP, vs. MIL (Garza), $45: The Zim is the second-highest favorite on the Vegas board (-180) but he’s merely the eighth-priciest pitching option. That’s how we like to arbitrage things.
Steve Clevinger, C, vs. MIN (Pelfrey), $7: It’s a punt play, but we get some perks: a No. 5 slot in the batting order, the platoon advantage, and a hit-me pitcher on the other side in Mike Pelfrey. Camden Yards is also a boost.
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, at CIN (Iglesias), $20: So much for the slump – two Saturday jacks put that to rest. Let’s play the hot hand and look for Goldy to keep it going, backed by a homer-friendly yard and a less-than-optimum opposing pitcher.
Chris Owings, 2B, at CIN (Iglesias), $8: Here’s hoping he gets caught up in the Goldschmidt undertow. When we look for a low-priced filler, batting slot (Owings is hitting second) and game environment (hitter-friendly yard; game total of eight) get your attention.
Andres Blanco, SS, at MIA (Conley), $7: The Phillies offense hasn’t been that bad in the second half, checking in 11th on the run-scoring board. Blanco has shined in limited opportunities against southpaws, posting a .375/.444/.625 line with a couple of homers.
Yasmany Tomas, 3B, at CIN (Ignesias), $8: Saturday was Yaz’s birthday – wait, that’s Carl Yastrzemski. Maybe it got Tomas going, as he visited he Cincinnati bleachers. It’s surprising to see his power at an ordinary level, but he’s otherwise acquitted himself well during his first season (.297 average, despite a dodgy K/BB ratio). Let’s go all-in with the Arizona offense, especially with two of the purchases coming cheaply. Don’t worry, we’ll get some name brands before this all ends.
Brett Gardner, OF, vs. CLE (Bauer), $16: Does Trevor Bauer look out of gas to you? He has a 6.25 ERA over 13 starts, and I suspect he’s getting close to a shut-it-down date. You have permission to therapeutically drop him, and start any Yankee lefties you like.
Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, vs. CLE (Bauer), 17: The same angle here, we’re looking to jump on Bauer. Ellsbury’s OPS gets a 74-point boost against opposing righties, and he’s hit three homers this month, working his way back into form.
Bryce Harper, OF, vs. MIL (Garza), $21: Because we went with modest pitching and a few infield discounts, we can load up on the outfield bats. Most of Harper’s stats are ridiculous in his MVP-frontrunning season, but especially note that he’s slugging .681 against righties and .678 at home. And Matt Garza is someone we look to capitalize on these days.
