RADIO
![By Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA (Taijuan Walker) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://cdn.rotoballer.com/2015/06/taijuan-walker-starting-pitcher-fantasy-baseball-waiver-wire-adds-pickups.jpg)
Another full slate on the first Wednesday of August. Four early games to account for when setting up your lineups with first pitch at 2:10 ET. We have a trio of aces (Madison Bumgarner, Matt Harvey, Johnny Cueto) whose price tags exceed $10,000. While I think one of these is worth the ticket price, there's some decent options for tourney lineups at a manageable price. Let's get to it.
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Offenses to Target for FanDuel Stacking
New York Yankees versus Steven Wright
The Yankees put the hurt on Boston last night, making a 3-3 competition into a 13-3 beatdown. Brian McCann and Chris Young headlined the action, and I anticipate a similar offensive outburst tonight. Opponent Steven Wright pitched strong last time out vs CHW, but that was at the friendly confines of Fenway. Away he owns a 5.28 ERA and his 5.23 FIP would be among the worst in baseball if he qualified. Righties have had more success vs Wright this year, but I won't be prejudice. I'll take a share of Brian McCann ($3,500), Mark Teixeira ($4,300), Didi Gregorius ($2,900), and Carlos Beltran ($2,800).
Honorable Mentions: Houston Astros (@ Tex) ; Baltimore Orioles (@ OAK)
DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider for FanDuel Cash Games
Madison Bumgarner (SP, SFG) vs Atlanta Braves – $11,400
Similar to last week, I'm chalking up the dough to grab an ace, this time being MadBum. You might recall Bumgarner's struggles at Texas last week which raised his road ERA to 4.50. I'm not letting that scare me off from the light hitting Bravos. The Braves strike out vs LHP 22.1% of the time, fourth worst in baseball. In nine of the Braves past 11 games, they've failed score over three runs. Factor in the Giants needing the win today to take the series, and you've got a solid play.
DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider for FanDuel Tournaments
I'm more willing to branch out in tourney formats. Here's some guys I like for early and late games.
Taijuan Walker (SP, SEA) at Colorado Rockies - $6,900
We are officially playing with fire. The first two games of this series have been barn burners, with Seattle taking both 8-7 and 10-4, respectively. So why even touch this game? For starters, Walker is starting to find a groove again. He fired a one-hit shutout at Minnesota his last time out with 11 strikeouts. He looked more like the Taijuan Walker from late May-July, who posted a 1.68 ERA and 51/3 ratio over seven starts. The second factor is ownership is going to be way down today with the strong alternatives for early games (Salazar, Santiago). Cash games make Walker too risky, but make a tourney lineup and stack your offense.
Luis Severino (SP, NYY) vs Boston Red Sox – $6,700
A rookie in his debut? Yep, you read right. I'm hopping on the Severino bandwagon before it gets too crowded. The Yankees prized jewel who they refused to part with during the deadline makes his home opener tonight versus their biggest rival. Severino doesn't have a dominant arsenal but he's good at limiting the free passes (BB/9 no higher than 2.50 through minors), and before AAA his K/9 was above 10.0. I expect the adrenaline to be pumping, and considering the Yankees have indicated there's no innings limit, he should stay in long enough to get the win. As mentioned earlier, I like the Yankees in a rout tonight.
Step Right Up to Claim Your Luis Severino Bandwagon Ticket! (NY Post)
DFS Infielders to Consider for FanDuel
Hank Conger (C, HOU) – $3,900
When FanDuel sets a price that makes no sense, it's either because a) they messed up or b) they know better. I'm going to side with option B here. Conger has been out of the lineup the past few days (so check the lineup pre-game), but he mashes RHP. On the year he owns a 1.187 vs RHP and is 3-for-5 lifetime vs Nick Martinez with a 1.600 OPS. If he's playing, I'm using him.
Adrian Gonzalez (1B, LAD) – $3,300
If Conger was too high then A-Gonz is way too low. He has yet to homer since the ASB, but Aaron Harang might be his cure. In 23 AB Gonzalez is 10-for-23 with three HR, eight RBI, and a 1.206 OPS. Look for the Dodgers to bounce back today.
Logan Forsythe (2B, TB) – $3,400
Another lefty on the mound means another opportunity to use Forsythe. In the first two games of the series (Quintana, Sale) Forsythe has gone 3-for-7 with three runs, a home run, and four RBI. He owns a .602 SLG vs LHP and makes for another solid play today.
Giovanny Urshela (3B, CLE) – $2,200
If you're spending big at SP or OF, here's where I recommend you cut corners. Urshela has been an average role player to this point with Cleveland, but he loves his LHP. His .358/.415/.538 line vs lefties is excellent, and Hector Santiago hasn't been himself since the ASB (5.40 ERA).
In Case You Had No Idea What Giovanny Urshela Looks Like (Rotoprofessor)
Jhonny Peralta (SS, STL) – $3,400
Not sure I understand this price tag. While Peralta does own a .243 AVG vs LHP, his OPS is higher (.828) vs the lefties, and nine of his 16 HR have been vs LHP, even with half the AB he has vs RHP. Peralta also loves playing on the road (.321). He's hitting .457 at Great American Ballpark if you need more convincing.
DFS Outfielders to Consider for FanDuel
Bryce Harper (OF, WAS) – $4,400
Another surprising price tag. Harper is hitting .333 with two HR in his past seven games and has success lifetime vs Rubby De La Rosa (2-for-3, HR). De La Rosa's 1.64 HR/9 is 5th worst in all of baseball.
Back When Harper Used to Think He Was On The Set of Braveheart (Bleacher Report)
Randal Grichuk (OF, STL) – $3,700
With Matt Holliday on the mend Grichuk has been the beneficiary of everyday PT. He's responded well, hitting .391 over his past six games. He has success vs David Holmberg (1-for-3, HR) as well.
Hunter Pence (OF, SFG) – $3,600
The Praying Mantis struck last night, smacking a three-run HR to give the Giants the lead for good in a 8-3 win. He's a big fan of playing Atlanta, as he owns a .302 lifetime AVG vs the Braves. Williams Perez came of the DL for his last outing and was pummeled for nine runs in four innings. It's a good time to pounce on the Braves (weeps inside).
Probably My Favorite Hunter Pence Sign (GameFAQs)
Dexter Fowler (OF, CHC) – $2,800
This Milton High School alumni sure does love his LHP. His .310/.384/.391 is excellent (enough to make you wonder why he even switch hits), and he loves seeing Jeff Locke. He's 4-for-7 lifetime with three RBI and two SB vs the southpaw. Great price for Fowler too.
DFS Q&A with Max Petrie @ 6 PM on 8/5
Leave your question here and then come back at 6 PM when Max answers everything. For our regular MLB & Fantasy Baseball Chat, click here.
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