Welcome to my Daily Plays article for Tuesday May 5, 2015. The weather in Denver is an issue, and could affect the players in the game at Coors Field. Picking players in that game is risky due to the potential postponement, but could provide some nice value plays if the game is played. Tuesday has a full slate of games on the schedule, so let’s get on to the picks.
Cinco de Mayo Daily Fantasy Baseball Picks
Pitcher
Stephen Strasburg, $9,500 – There are not very many attractive pitching options to choose from, so Strasburg is worth paying up for. Strasburg has pitched much better at home in his career, as evidenced by his 2.52 ERA at home since 2012, which is more than a run lower compared to his 3.74 ERA on the road. Strasburg is also one of the top strikeout pitchers in the league, with 242 strikeouts last year in 215 innings. The Marlins lineup is primarily right-handed as well, and is seventh in the league in striking out. Based on all of the above factors, Strasburg is the top pitching option and is worth paying for on Tuesday night.
Danny Salazar, $7,700 – For those that don’t want to save some salary at pitcher, Salazar presents an attractive option with as much upside as any pitcher in the league. Since being recalled from AAA, Salazar has won all three of his starts, and has struck out an incredible 28 batters in just 19 innings. Salazar has electric stuff, and should get some run support from the Indians who face the mediocre Jason Vargas, and his 5.95 ERA. Salazar is in a great spot to earn a win, and makes for a nice value play with his strong strikeout rate and attractive salary.
Catcher
A.J. Pierzynski, $2,700 – Pierzynski is a nice value option at catcher for those that do not want to spend on Stephen Vogt, $3,500 or Evan Gattis, $3,800. Pierzynski is on fire in 2015, and is batting .396 versus right-handed pitching so far with three home runs. He also faces Chad Billingsley, who has not pitched in the Major Leagues since 2013. Batting in the heart of the Braves lineup, Pierzynski offers tremendous production for the price.
First Base
Jose Abreu, $3,600 – Abreu is normally priced closer to $5K, so getting him in your lineup for under $4K is a bargain. Abreu has fared much better versus right-handed pitching this year, batting .292 and slugging .569 against them, compared to .190 and .381 respectively, versus left- handed pitching. He faces Shane Greene, who has really struggled lately, giving up a combined 15 earned runs in his past two starts. Abreu is also batting .353 at home this year, making him a great value play at first base.
Second Base
Neil Walker, $2,700 – Walker is another player with a depressed salary that has a nice matchup. Walker switch-hits, but is a much better hitter from the left-hand side. He is batting .289 and slugging .434 from the left-hand side, compared to .143 and .143 respectively, from the right-hand side. He faces Michael Lorenzen, who is making just his second career start, making Walker a nice option at a depressed price tag.
Third Base
David Freese, $2,900 – Freese absolutely crushes left-handed pitching, and usually bats clean-up for the Angels versus left-handers. Freese is batting .375 versus southpaws so far in 2015, with three home runs in just sixteen at bats against them. He faces James Paxton, who has struggled to start the year with a 5.74 ERA. Paxton has allowed four home runs already this year, with all four hit by right-handed batters. Freese makes for a great value play at third base.
Shortstop
Starlin Castro, $3,100 – I was going to recommend Chris Owings, $2,800 initially, but the weather in Denver might be too risky to use any players from those teams. Castro is a strong pivot, as he faces Tyler Lyons, a left-handed pitcher making his first start of the year in place of the injured Adam Wainwright. Castro is batting .533 versus left-handed pitching so far in 2015 and bats in the middle of the Cubs lineup. Fire him up as a strong value play at shortstop.
Outfield
Shin-Soo Choo, $2,800 – There are plenty of expensive outfielders with juicy matchups available, including Bryce Harper, Corey Dickerson, and Mark Trumbo. In fact, all of the outfielders in the Coors Field game are in play, assuming Monday night’s starters get pushed back to Tuesday following Monday’s postponement. But for those seeking a strong value play, look no further than Choo. Choo got off to an ice-cold start in 2015, but has heated up lately and his price is still depressed. Choo has an extra-base hit in each of his past four games, including four doubles and a home run. He is leading off as well for the Rangers, and faces mediocre right-hander Scott Feldman. Choo has multi-hit and multi-run potential, and makes a nice value play in the outfield.
Kelly Johnson, $2,800 – Johnson has found new life in Atlanta in 2015, and has been batting clean-up lately for the Braves. Johnson has also found his power stroke, with five home runs and thirteen RBI in just 57 at-bats. He has done most of his damage at home, batting .282 at home with four of his five home runs at Turner Field. He has an ideal matchup, facing Chad Billingsley at home, making Johnson an excellent value play on Tuesday night.
Ryan Raburn, $2,500 – Raburn is a notorious right-handed hitter that crushes left-handed pitching. He normally only plays when the Indians are facing a left-handed pitcher. Facing Jason Vargas and his 5.95 ERA on Tuesday, Raburn has a juicy matchup to exploit. Raburn is batting .457 versus left-handers in 2015, with 10 RBI in just 35 at-bats, making him an attractive option for the price in the outfield.
(Stats courtesy of Ronny Mor/Rotowire)
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
