Daily Joust: The Weekend Ahead
April 27th, 2012 | by Ray Flowers |
It’s Friday, and that means a couple of things. First, the weekend is nearly upon us (thank goodness). Second, it’s time to get your drink on. Third, it’s time to get ready for your weekend of fantasy baseball with DailyJoust.com.
For those of you unaware of just what DailyJoust is and what the offer, click on the link to BBGuys Partners with DailyJoust. The bottom line is DJ allows you the chance to play daily fantasy baseball, choose a team today an another one tomorrow if you want, all the while giving you the chance to make some real money. Today, I’ll give some advice on how you might choose to fill out your lineup for Friday or Saturday.
HITTERS – FRIDAY
Billy Butler: Guess who loves to see the mustached one, Carl Pavano, toeing the rubber? This guy. Butler has hit .429 with a 1.124 OPS against the Twins’ righty in his career, and we’re talking 21 hits in 49 at-bats making those numbers pretty imposing. Toss in two homers and nine RBI and you should be giddy with Butler in your lineup.
Chipper Jones: Around an around the wheel spins, and where it stops no one knows. Will it stop on Chipper being IN or OUT of the lineup Friday? Who knows as this situation is about as dicey as your local weather forecaster who, inevitably, somehow ends up being off by 15 degrees when they tell you what the temperature will be. If Chipper plays he has a great matchup with 13 hits in 37 at-bats, a .351 average, with two homers and six RBI against A.J. Burnett.
Hunter Pence: Paul Maholm often posses little difficulty for the elite hitters in the game, so it’s hardly a surprise that a guy like Pence has had success against the Cubs hurler. In 44 career at-bats Pence has hit .318 with two bombs and nine RBI spread out over 44 at-bats.
PITCHERS – FRIDAY
John Danks: Normally I wouldn’t suggest starting a pitcher against the Red Sox, but the team is a mess right now. No Ellsbury or Crawford, Ross has a knee issue, they’ve got the off the field turmoil, all of that would seem to make Danks a passable play. Current Sox batters have a .186 batting average against Danks, not to mention that he has a 2.82 ERA over his last 30 innings against the Red Sox.
Tommy Hanson: He’s made four starts this season an only once has he allowed more than two runs. He’s also won two of his last three decisions, and on the year he has 23 Ks in 24 innings pitched. When you toss in the gravy on top of that turkey dinner, the competition, it’s a meal you’ll want to saddle up to the table to eat. His opponent Friday is the Pirates, a team hitting .221 with 41 runs scored, 18 fewer runs than any other team in baseball.
Corey Luebke: He’s starting against the Giants, and in general, that’s usually a good thing for a pitcher. Add in the fact that he’s won his last two starts, and that he’s allowed a total of two runs over his last three starts to drop his ERA to 2.52 and now we’re cooking with gas. You might pause to start him when you realize the game is being played in San Francisco, but that’s only because you haven’t looked at the numbers. In his career at home he has a 3.69 ERA and 1.12 WHIP, impressive numbers to be sure, but no match for his work on the road (2.73 ERA, 1.08 WHIP).
HITTERS – SATURDAY
Orlando Hudson: Yes he is hitting .206, and he is also facing Tim Lincecum Saturday. So why in the world is he listed here as a potential play? Surprisingly, O-Dog has 10 hits in 27 at-bats against The Freak, a .370 average. Hey, if you really think that Lincecum is that awful then you don’t have a problem starting Hudson, do you?
Grady Sizemore: He is hitting .550 with three homers in 20 at-bats against Dan Haren… oh, sorry.
Paul Konerko: The White Sox first sacker, who just blasted his 400th career homer, has enjoyed a ton of success against Jon Lester who also happens to be struggling to find any consistency this year on the hill. That make Konerko, who is hitting .389 with three homers and six RBI against Lester (18 at-bats) a solid play.
Danny Valencia: Not a name you probably figured you would be reading about, but when a guy has nine hits in 18 at-bats against someone (Bruce Chen) people tend to take notice. He hasn’t taken the lefty deep but he does have five RBI and just one punchout in their matchups.
PITCHERS – SATURDAY
Colby Lewis: Not only is Lewis 3-0 against the Rays with 15 Ks in 17.1 innings in his career, he’s off to a blazing start this year with a 2.03 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 24 Ks in 26.2 innings. He’s also not beating himself with only one free pass issued proving that he’s about as locked in as any hurler in the game right now.
Brandon Morrow: The Blue Jays hurler has a 3.71 ERA and 1.12 WHIP on the year, but only 12 strikeouts through four starts causing some people to be a bit nervous. He should be able to turn that worry on its ear given that he faces a Mariners club that he’s racked up 19 Ks in just 13 innings against. He’s 2-0 against the Mariners while posting a 2.77 ERA and 1.15 WHIP.
Anibal Sanchez: This righty has made five starts against the D’backs to the tune of a 3-1 record, 3.71 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 31 Ks in 34 innings. He’s allowed only two runs in each of his three starts this year. Seems like a recipe for success, does it not?
CONTEST
Are you ready to test your fantasy baseball acumen against one of the best in the business? Well you may not ever get the chance to do that, but I can guarantee that you will have your chance to take on Ray Flowers, me, in the BaseballGuys / DailyJoust $250 Free Roll this Friday, April 27th.
There’s still time to sign up. Click on the link to participate, for Free, to win $ and to get bragging rights if you can beat me.
By Ray Flowers
Tags: Anibal Sanchez, Billy Butler, Brandon Morrow, Chipper Jones, Colby Lewis, Cory Luebke, Danny Valencia, Grady Sizemore, Hunter Pence, JOhn Danks, Orlando Hudson, Paul Konerko, Tommy Hanson
By JDW on Apr 27, 2012
Ray,
Definitely agree with you about preferring ROTO over head to head. Already have such a huge lead in five of six pitching categories against my H2H opponent this week that it makes more sense sitting Greinke, Price, Bumgarner, and Josh Johnson on Sunday as they can only potentially hurt me in K/BB, ERA, and WHIP if any of them are off. I’ll still win at least five of the six pitching stats (with Saves still up for grabs). Worse, b/c they start Sunday and my next opponent starts Monday, I can’t use those four starts against my next opponent. That. Is. Super. Lame. So, since your post is a weekend post I thought I’d add my two cents regarding just one example of how lame a H2H weekend can be. Definitely with you on ROTO v. H2H. Still pulling for you in TOUT!!! Beat dem chumps!!!
By Ray Flowers on Apr 27, 2012
JDW – I’m glad at least one person is seeing the light with this junky h2h stuff and how it’s simply not ideal for fantasy baseball.
My Tout team took a bad one on the chin with the news that Crawford could miss a couple more months. Looks like my $18 bid will end up being too high. OH well, was worth the risk at the time.
By Alan on Apr 27, 2012
Ray,
I’m in a 5×5 12 team league. A guy in my league just dropped RP’s Axford and Walden. I have Marmol, Jansen, Marshall, Casilla as my RP’s. Would you suggest dropping any of my guys to pick up Axford and/or Walden?
Thanks
By Ray Flowers on Apr 27, 2012
Alan – Drop Casilla and add Axford.
Walden removed from closer role… avoid him for now… keep Marmol.
By Greg on Apr 27, 2012
Hey Ray – who’s the better DL stash: a closer like Santos or Farnsworth? I tend to love RPs and my current closers are Kimbrel, Myers, Casilla, Downs and I have also rostered Pestano, Venters. Which DL’ed closer you prefer? Farnsworth back sooner but Santos more likely to reclaim his job? 10-tm with Saves and K/9.
By Donna on Apr 28, 2012
Ray- JJ Putz is not getting any opportunities. H. Rodriguez is available, I could also add Storen to my DL spot(and drop the “no timetable” Carpenter off my DL spot). I have A. Chapman as well but hate to drop his incredible potential. I’m in a 10 team H2H that start 2 RPs- I’ve been playing M. Moore as my other reliever.
By Chrissy on Apr 28, 2012
Good Morning Ray! I got a very intriguing trade offer today. This is a 12 team keeper roto league the offer is for me to give Mike Trout and receive Alex Gordan.
Just as a foot note my OF consists of Braun,Stanton, BJ Upton,Victorino,Markakis,De Aza,and Rios
Thanks for your help Ray!
By jon on Apr 28, 2012
Hey Ray – you think Bedard is worth owning in 10-team so long as he is healthy? I know that’s real shallow, but would you still roll him out there every time regardless of matchup? I know you like skills first and he’s certainly got them. I’m debating him @ATL today. thanks!
By wesley on Apr 28, 2012
hey ray, Would you trade ethier and morrow or wandy he asked for 1 of the other for cj.wilson and werth .
And would you drop soto for iannetta, doumit or suzuki
thanks again ray
By Ray Flowers on Apr 28, 2012
Greg – If I’m storing a guy, I’d hold on to Santos who has the better arm. Plus, the Jays dealt to add Santos, so you know they have faith in him, and, Cordero simply isn’t that good anymore.
By Ray Flowers on Apr 28, 2012
Donna – If healthy, Putz will get his 30+ saves. Have patience. I’d add HRod though in a separate move. With Lidge out, he’s the main man.
This is why 10 tm leagues are so, let’s just say, crappy.
By Ray Flowers on Apr 28, 2012
Chrissy – Since this is a keeper lg, I think you have to hold on to Trout. If it was redraft I’d take it, but in your setup you can’t let go of the #2 prospect in baseball for a guy like Gordon.
By Chrissy on Apr 28, 2012
Well I think I jumped the gun! I pulled the trigger thinking for sure you were going to say do it after listening to you over the past 3 yrs. about prospects vs proven. Lessoned learned for me and it is my first year playing in a keeper league so I have to adjust my way of thinking… for the here and now! I will take solace in the fact that you said if it wasn’t a keeper league you would do the trade
Can ask you then would you stash Arenado?
By Bryan on Apr 28, 2012
RAY – Mike Aviles.. He is ranked super high right now (top 20 in yahoo) and his mutliple positions have a lot of appeal. I have him as a UTL.. Should I trade high for another proven, top 50 player? I am slightly concerned about him losing his lead off spot too. THANKS!
By Ray Flowers on Apr 28, 2012
Jon – Bedard is borderline in a 10 tm lg. I could certainly see at least a handful of staffs in a lg, even one that shallow, that could benefit from having him on their squad.
By Ray Flowers on Apr 28, 2012
Wesley – Would I trade Ethier/Wandy for Werth/Wilson?
Yes I would.
At catcher, I’d drop Iannetta.
By Ray Flowers on Apr 28, 2012
Chrissy – In a keeper league, things are different. Someone in your league has to think that Harper is going to be a HOFamer – in fact many people likely do. Gordon is a solid player, and very likely will outperform Harper this year, but it’s a pretty big blow to have given up Harper just for Gordon in your setup.
Yes, if you can stash Arenado do that. Bright future for third sacker.
By Ray Flowers on Apr 28, 2012
Bryan – Aviles should be a solid performer all year. He’s a potential .300 , 15/15 guy who has great flexibility. However, that does not mean he will reach one, let alone all three of those numbers. If someone is willing to give you a bonafide top-50 for him, you’d be wise to consider the offer.