CATCHERS:
I don’t like any of them… defer to the Domination and/or Research Station.
FIRST BASEMEN:
* Edwin Encarnacion (CLE @ BAL)
Yonder Alonso (CLE @ BAL)
– Encarnacion: 18-for-60, 7 XBH (4 HR), 4 BB, 7 Ks vs Chris Tillman – He has struggled of late but does have the highest DFSA Grade of anyone playing in afternoon games.
– Alonso: His .183avg isn’t making anyone do backflips, but his recent Statcast data suggests that he’s due to breakout in a big way… why not today, against one of the worst pitchers in the league?
Brad Miller (TB vs MIN)
6-for-12, 2 XBH, 4 BB, 1 K vs Kyle Gibson
* Carlos Santana (PHI vs PIT)
Not as big on Santana as I was yesterday, but he does have some nice pop from the right-hand side. The Statcast numbers show he’s been tagging the ball on a regular basis, a little more luck would certainly help all of his numbers… not just the analytical ones.
* Pedro Alvarez (BAL vs CLE)
As long as Alvarez stays near min-price, I’ll have him listed in this article. Today’s matchup against Clevinger certainly isn’t one to tell the whole town about but his .380 wOBA is 2nd-highest on the Orioles behind Manny Machado.
SECOND BASEMEN:
Jason Kipnis (CLE @ BAL)
Decent short-term numbers against Tillman, but quite frankly, I feel like any Indians that step into the box against him are a fantastic idea today.
Brian Dozier (MIN @ TB)
He’s not cheap and the matchup against Blake Snell is far from glamorous. Howwwwwwevahhhhhhhh, Dozier has collected a hit in every game this season and he does have solid numbers over his career against left-handed pitching.
THIRD BASEMEN:
Maikel Franco (PHI vs PIT)
Franco wasn’t great against lefties last season, but early on in 2018 he leads the Phils in nearly offensive category against southpaws.
Jose Ramirez (CLE @ BAL)
More Indians, yayyyyyyy! I’m not crazy about Ramirez at this price but all the projections are pointing to a huge day from the Tribe. Ramirez will at least get favorable at-bats with runners in scoring position.
SHORTSTOPS:
* Francisco Lindor (CLE @ BAL)
Roll Tribe… that’s what you’ll see all over the industry today. Lindor cooled off a bit after that magical HR in Puerto Rico, he hasn’t had a hit since that at-bat. Prior to that HR, Lindor had three-straight multi-hit games, and he should be able to get back on track
* Manny Machado (BAL vs CLE)
9-for-23, 6 XBH (3 HR), 7 RBI, 2 BB and 5 runs over the last six games – On a normal day, I’d have Machado over rated over Lindor, but he doesn’t have the great matchup that his counterpart does. Still worth a look today regardless.
* Scott Kingery (PHI vs PIT)
I know it’ll be tough to convince people that Kingery is worth a decent chunk of their salary cap, but he’s been 0-free on the fantasy scoreboard in all but one of his starts this season… and that was all the way back on April 3rd in turrrrrrrble hitting conditions. All hail The King!
OUTFIELDERS:
* Rhys Hoskins (PHI vs PIT)
Hoskins has one of the best outlooks for a hitter in all afternoon games. In 74 career plate appearances against left-handed pitching, Hoskins has homered 7 times and walked 22…. that’s an OBP of .633, my gudness.
Michael Brantley (CLE @ BAL)
Slate-high 97% Diamond Rating in the Research Station – Lots of Indians are going to be a great idea today against the O’s starter Chris Tillman. Brantley is also on a nice tear over the last three games going 7-for-16 with 3 XBH (1 HR).
* Denard Span (TB vs MIN)
Mallex Smith (TB vs MIN)
– Span: Leading off for the Rays once again, he’s hot right now… 5-for-13 with 3 XBH (1 HR) and 6 RBI over the last three games, all against three different teams.
– Smith: Most people will overlook Smith since he bats near the bottom of the order, but his .364avg this season is the 3rd-highest in MLB so far. He’s also got excellent potential to swipe a few bags if he makes it aboard.
Aaron Altherr (PHI vs PIT)
Nice right-handed option to go against the Pirates lefty today. Altherr hasn’t been able to get in a groove yet this season platooning time with Nick Williams, but I’ll take my chances on him at a discount against a lefty.
Craig Gentry (BAL vs CLE)
Leading off for the O’s today at a very affordable cost, also has SB upside if he gets aboard.