RADIO
There is such a thing as an east coast bias. There’s also such a thing as a Beltway Bias and that term does deserve to be capitalized. The Orioles and the Nationals both clinched their respective divisions last night the way every organization should clinch a division. My beltway bias oozed out of my pores around 10:20pm last night.
The Nats and O’s were in close races in late July. By early September the races were mere formalities. The similarities between the 25 man roster in Baltimore and 25 man roster in Washington are eerily similar. Surely more followers will admit that the Nationals have a better - perhaps the best - rotation heading into Octoberball, but watch out for the Orioles starting five post ASB. Miguel Gonzalez and Chris Tillman- with a slight nod to Kevin Gausman- have been strangely efficient since early August. They’re a huge reason the O’s have ran away with the division.
What’s most disturbing to every team outside a 50 mile radius of the White House is not the starting rotations but the actual lineup. Between the Orioles and the Nationals, the starting lineup for each team just may be too overwhelming for any team. As of right now there is no team capable of comparing to Baltimore and/or Washington without a designated hitter position. Unless that team is fully composed of velociraptors from Jurassic Park and cloned Rocky’s.
Whether it be Steve Pearce, Delmon Young, Adam LaRoche or Nate Schierholtz the hitters have effectively stepped up to the plate. Top to bottom, Baltimore or Washington, the lineup is silly. I would hate to be the pitcher who faces 10 Rocky's, it's just not fair for the pitcher. Just pick your poison.
Below are my FanDuel picks for today. As always, remember to check your players to make sure they are in their MLB starting lineups before lineups lock, and make sure you are doing your own research too with our very own BvP Tool for optimal performance! The most successful daily leaguers are grinders who are constantly tweaking their lineups as the day goes on and fantasy news gets released. Good luck today, RotoBallers!
Weather the Storm
From earliest start to latest start, the following home teams may see delays for their respective games: Arizona, Tampa and Houston. Better take an umbrella to those games because it’s not like those three stadiums have either a dome or a retractable roof.
The main storm to worry about for daily fantasy purposes is the storm that may be clouding the judgments and performances of the recent divisional champions out of the East divisions. There’s no telling what the hangover storm may deliver shortly before first pitch.
DFS Pitchers to Avoid 9/10
- Carlos Frias and Jorge De La Rosa remind me of an unfunny version of Tenacious D. Once you take away the funny from D, what do you have?
- Somehow Clay Buchholz has pitched effectively on the road but has been hit by left handed bats. There’s a few left handed bats for a streaking Pirates squad that will light him up. And there’s a few right handed bats will also probably light him up.
- There are conflicting reports as to who will start for the Nationals against the Braves in Atlanta. Judging by the hangover storm I’m willing to bet it will be Blake Treinen who starts for Washington. He’s good, but not good enough to avoid the hangover storm.
- Bud Norris has been an excellent addition for the O’s over the last year plus. Most of the O’s celebrated hard last night after their division win. I have no idea why Buck Showalter would start Norris but it seems he will. Law of averages favors Toronto.
- Anyone who thinks David Price is a pitcher to avoid just may be insane. Avoid Price today, the Astros have been that good against LHPs since June. Like a league-third-best run creation good. Where’s my “SANE” stamp?
The Main Course – DFS Lineup Picks for 9/17
Starting Pitcher DFS Lineup Picks
Madison Bumgarner, SFG ($10,300): Dude is on some kind of tear right now. He’s been dealing since the All Star Break with an unbelievable 24.7% K-BB% rate while holding hitters to a .196 BAA. Stud.
Cole Hamels, PHI ($9,600): San Diego is either last or in the bottom three of every offensive category. No chance a guy with a 1.91 ERA and 23.5% K rate post-ASB will be Rocky-ed by the Padres. Hamels is the best budget pick of the day.
Catcher DFS Lineup Picks
Russell Martin, PIT ($3,800): It seems the gamers are finally paying for Martin’s production as his current budget is the highest it’s been all season. He’s rather expensive but his numbers against righties this season- league best .384 wOBA and 149 wRC+- added with his experience against Buchholz- 4 HR in 12 AB- make him irresistible.
Dioner Navarro, TOR ($3,100): I have a rule in life wherein I trust a team to lose that is coming off a big celebration unless there’s a legit reason to favor the worse team. Navarro is definitely a guy that will lead the charge to support my mathematical theory.
First Base DFS Lineup Picks
Freddie Freeman, ATL ($3,300): Freeman is that low? The Braves’ first baseman has lit up the Nationals rotation over the last two seasons and I’m willing to bet that Treinen will not buck the trend.
Kendrys Morales, SEA ($2,200): I doubt Morales gets the start but if he does look out. In a big margin, Morales has lit C.J. Wilson up. Again, pay attention to the lineups.
Second Base DFS Lineup Picks
Justin Turner, LAD ($3,700): Look out for the beard. Especially in a pro-hitter’s atmosphere.
Javier Beaz, CHC ($3,100): The touted prospect now in the majors has been an efficient hitter against left handed pitchers so far. One big question about him is his apparent regression…..then again, most hitters see regression after 100 at bats or so. Beaz may just have one more punch left in him.
Third Base DFS Lineup Picks
David Freese, LAA ($2,800): Not only does Freese look and act like a dilophosaurus, but he plays defense like one and he’s been spitting baseball game from the plate over the last two weeks. Jurassic Park’s own Wayne Knight would agree.
Lonnie Chisenhall, CLE ($2,300): Been awhile since Chisenhall made a difference in a daily game so that means he is due. Check to make sure he is in the lineup and if he is, take advantage knowing that Chisenhall has the ability to hit Brett Oberholtzer's best pitch.
Shortstop DFS Lineup Picks
Xander Bogaerts, BOS ($3,000): His best splits are on the road against left handed pitchers. PNC Park is no picnic, but Boegarts could be the difference in a one day fantasy game with his splits today.
Gregorio Petit, HOU ($2,200): Why not? Keep the hot streak going for the rookie.
Outfield DFS Lineup Picks
Matt Kemp, LAD ($4,100): Kemp is so money he doesn’t even know it. Except that he does know it.
Andrew McCutchen, PIT ($4,000): It seems like every year there is a team in September that takes advantage of their positioning and somehow gets the baseball gods to give them favor. Pittsburgh is looking like that team and Cutch is about to break out.
Starling Marte, PIT ($3,800): He is the current-two-week Apollo Creed of baseball. Seriously don’t question Marte right now.
Marcell Ozuna, MIA ($3,200): The only reason he doesn’t get a higher nod is because he has yet to drill one against Dillon Gee. Bet on Ozuna.
Scott Van Slyke, LAD ($2,500): Start him. He has an amazing 238 wRC+ on the road against LHP and he’ll be in Colorado today against a leftie. Andy’s son will get the start today unless Don Mattingly really doesn’t know what he’s doing. Fingers crossed that Donnie Baseball does know.
