Happy Memorial Day. FanDuel is starting at 4PM for their main slate, and DraftKings runs 1PM through the 4PM window of games today.
WEATHER
A few stormy potential spots
- Boston at Baltimore: Fun, I’ll be at a game that should be shortened due to storms. Game starts on time, likely finishes, but may have a delay. Wind blowing well out to left field.
- Dodgers at Mets: Storms, they should delay but they could wait it out and get it in.
- Nats at Braves: Pop-Up storms, should be fine.
CHRIS BASSITT (DK: $8200)
The hound dog has fallen off bad against lefties, but lucky for him the White Sox are VOID of much power from that side of the plate and the Jays lineup is one of my top ones here to continue a nice little heater streak overall for them.
Just one week ago he went 7 strong with 0 ER against the same lineup. Logic says he wont shut them out again today, but common sense says he won’t get blown up either.
CHARLIE MORTON (DK: $8600)
Sad times indeed in Atlanta, they lost the guy who had a career year last year and is back to being a very good player this season. Okay, I’m kinda joking, but in all seriousness the Braves issues are not centered around Acuna. After all, they didn’t need him to win a World Series before, ya know. What they did need is guys like Charlie Morton not sucking against Eddie Rosario, Jesse Winker, Nick Senzel and Joey Gallo.
JUSTIN STEELE (DK: $7000)
I wouldn’t trust Justin Steele to get you more than Bassitt or Morton. But he probably will get another 12-14 DK FPTS, so he is viable third option. If he finds a way to avoid blowing up then we’ll get back to prior season Steele when everyone was in love with the dynamic lefty.
Other Pitching Thoughts
- After doing my hitting analysis, I found almost zero love for the KC bats today. This means that Mr. Joe Ryan, who has a very high $10,300 price tag on DraftKings logically should be written up as a play here. So consider this that notation that Ryan, yes, likely has a clean game again today.
- Given how bad Boston has been, Cole Irvin returning to the rotation is not the worst play today.
- After a long night on Sunday Night and then traveling, folks might want to attack the Cardinals with Lodolo. Be warned, St. Louis no matter who is on the roster always seems to rake in the massive park shift into tiny GABP.
- Gasser is in a similar trouble spot. The Cubs also traveled late last night and have a quick turn around here, but I don’t see needing this value/risk today.
FANDUEL ONLY: Taijuan Walker
BLUE JAYS
The lineup has finally woken up — even if it was one juiced ball Roku game.
- Danny Jansen
- Vlad Guerrero
- Bo Bichette
- Daulton Varsho
GUARDIANS
Oh, hey. There’s a game in Coors and it features the team who just puts the ball in play. Should end just fine…
- Tyler Freeman
- Jose Ramirez
- Johnathan Rodriguez
CARDINALS
- Paul Goldschmidt
- Nolan Arenado
- Masyn Winn
CATCHER
- Danny Jansen
- Gary Sanchez
- Salvador Perez
FIRST BASE
Best position on the slate today.
- Paul Goldschmidt … America’s First Baseman has flipped the switch and gone full old school Goldy this holiday weekend and in fitting style. Now he gets a Memorial Day trip to the tiny Great American Smallpark.
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- Vinnie Pasquantino
SECOND BASE
Definitely, NOT the best position on the slate today.
THIRD BASE
- Nolan Arenado
- Jose Ramirez
- Austin Riley … Acuna dies. Riley rises? Should be back in the lineup today.
SHORTSTOP
This spot is just as good as 1B. Bichette is the proper play at his price and given how much I like Toronto, but I cannot imagine any scenario where Lance Lynn is able to get past Elly De La Cruz.
- Beaux Bichette
- Elly De La Cruz … Please let me know when the ball lands.
- Masyn Winn … Solid value
OUTFIELD – Mt. Rushmore
- Ryan O’Hearn … 1B as well but thats a deeper spot, so using him here is better.
- Shohei Ohtani
- George Springer … If they were to do something wild and crazy and re-place him lead off he would hit a lead off homer. Do the right thing Toronto.
- Johnathan Rodriguez
OUTFIELD – Tier 2
- Daulton Varsho
- Colton Cowser / Anthony Santander … The Os outfield stack isn’t a bad play today, btoh these two have ability to leave the yard.
OUTFIELD – Value
- Jacob Hurtubise
- Alex Kiriloff
Chairman Of The Dongers Club
Ryan O’Hearn – DH – Orioles
GOOD PLAYERS FIND A WAY HOMERS
Bo Bichette – SS – Blue Jays
Nolan Arenado – 3B – Cardinals
RANDOM DONKEY HOMERS
Nico Hoerner – 2B – Cubs
Gary Sanchez – C – Brewers
JUST PLAY ME HOMERS
Paul Goldschmidt – Cardinals
Johnathan Rodriguez – Guardians
There’s plenty of cheap hitters today you can use to anchor things. Guys like Masyn Winn, Jacob Hurtubise, Johnathan Rodriguez are all nice anchors to build around but in the case of Winn you have other studs at that spot to pair with them.
It’s kind of an easy slate to build as many different ways as you like, but remember, stars come out on Friday’s and Holidays…
TOP BETS
- Cardinals/Reds OVER 9.5
- Red Sox/Orioles UNDER 9
- Orioles + Blue Jays ML Parlay
Without a shadow of a doubt the Cubs/Brewers game is going to be like 2-1 or 3-1 and looking like an easy under until someone blows it and they go into extra innings where both teams do completely stupid extra innings things and whichever side you are on, you’ll be pulling your hair out watching the game go from an easy under into a wild over that finishes in the 14th inning when some pitcher hits a batter to walk in the winning run.