Dongers Club – Wed 7/25 Early
Eight games for the early slate today on both sites. It’s a middle of the week miracle — slate consistency!!
Dongers Club – Tuesday, July 24th
Huge slate tonight, Dongers Club ready to smash.
MLB Dongers Club – Monday, July 23rd
Updates below in red For those of you who have not looked at the DataLabz from FantasyBum, I highly encourage you to use it as a good baseline during the second half of the season. The data typically becomes a very consistent baseline post ASB through August and while this isn’t an easy way to just click the top data guys and win all the money, it does give you a consistent starting point to get quality production. So as we get some big slates (like tonight pending weather) it’s a good way to give yourself a good baseline to see where the top plays are before we get into things like game theory and other gut calls based upon the actual matchups of the players. Trust the data at the back half of the season! WEATHER Today has some weather issue spots that have to be monitored and it’s mostly rain so we got some PPD risk here with these games and the fact that they could try to do double-headers tomorrow. Boston at Baltimore … Divisional game, good chance of PPD Dodgers @ Phillies … Would likely do a DH tomorrow Padres @ Mets … Rain issues here, would likely do a DH tomorrow Pirates @ Indians … Game will play, but could have a delay We should assume all games play, but the top 3 have PPD risk and if they are gonna start in a delay then there’s enough concern likely to fade players there so have contingency plans in place for your lineups that consider players there. OBVIOUS PLAYS THAT STAND OUT TODAY These aren’t necessarily where I am going, but these are what jump out at me today that you gotta make a decision on first. Red Sox hitters @ Baltimore … The Red Sox come in having not done much post the ASB but going into Baltimore they should be poised to have a huge game/series. The humidity in Baltimore is always a major thing to monitor as when it’s above 80% we see the ball REALLY carry in that stadium and tonight with all that rain it’s really humid in the Baltimore/DC area. If this game plays the Sox will be facing off against Kevin Gausman who their studs have had some good history against. Everyone knows Mookie in Camden Yards and I think he has his annual thrashing of Balitmore this week. The Red Sox hitters leap off the page at me today as something that is hard to fade pending weather. Jacob deGrom vs the Padres … This is the safest top arm on the slate and deGrom at home is almost automatic and RHP vs the Padres are very safe and reliable. Personally I hate paying up for pitchers this year so it’s something to fade, but this is the second decision that you have to make tonight. STREAKING TEAMS … Pittsburgh … Corey Dickerson has been on a tear since going to the lead off spot and the Pirates have won a shocking 9 straight games wrapped around the all star break and while some will say “It was the Reds”, mind you that Cincy had been playing better before the break and the Pirates dismantled the Brewers before the break. Pittsburgh’s offense is rolling and has a ton of lefties going into …………………… Cleveland. Can they make it 10 in a row vs Kluber? Can they actually make a push for the NL wild card (no)? Oakland … We have our sneaky team to make the AL wild-card race interesting. Seattle, you have company in the race for the 5th AL playoff spot and the Mariners should really take notice of Oakland. Oakland is coming in hot and on the road in “hot” Texas against Cole Hamels. Normally I don’t love Khris Davis on the road vs a lefty, but he destroys the ball in Arlington and Oakland is very dangerous right now. Hamels is a tough one to go after, but in 100 degree heat and a positive park shift one of the best road hitting teams should continue their surge ONE LINERS My one line thought on each game tonight Boston @ Baltimore … Boston bats explode this week in Baltimore Dodgers @ Phillies … Dodgers are going to become a lefty mashing team (doesn’t apply to tonight, just a note). Phils sneaky today. Twins @ Blue Jays … Twins always rake in Toronto. Blue Jays seem dead out of the break Pads @ Mets … Why do I like Wil Myers of all people tonight? Cards @ Reds … Matt Carpenter in Cincy on a scorching hot sauce streak. Fun. Yanks @ Rays … Sanchize and thats it. Pirates @ Indians … Arrrrggggh Lefties in Cleveland! Braves @ Fish … Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz DBacks @ Cubs … zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz OAKtown @ Texas … Athletics heating up and on the road where they rake. Sorry Hamels Nats @ Brewers … This is either a series that is 10-9 every game or 3-2 every game, I’m leaning the 3-2 route…. Gio pitches well Tigers @ Royals … Oh wow. Game of the night here folks. Must watch TV. White Sox @ Angels … I don’t think I can trust the Angels, but it’s 85+ and Giolito…. WRAP AROUND HOMESTANDS Teams who were home over the weekend and are home again tonight … Pretty much everyone. My theory is that typically these teams play better and win. Milwaukee Philadelphia Toronto Cincinnati Tampa Cubs Texas Kansas City LA Angels BATTERS IN BALLPARKS Mookie Betts in Camden Khrush Davis in Arlington Jackie Bradley Jr in Camden Matt Adams in Miller Goldy in Wrigley Twins in Toronto Cards in Cincy MY PICKS PITCHERS I LIKE Luis Severino … He has never had issues with Tampa and I do not worry much about his last two games on the road being a sign of any issues here tonight. Don’t love that
Sunday afternoon Dongers Club – 7/22
With the tilt of the Aguilar/Edwin both being out early (why that is tilting? Oh I dunno, just my two favorite plays from Early) lets go ahead and look at the 4PM 4 game slate. WEATHER All these games are fine PITCHING Zach Greinke … Diamondbacks need to win this game today and I think they get it and avoid the sweep. Greinke at home on a small slate like this is the lock button #1 guy for me given he is only 10k on FD for this small slate and only 9200 on DK. Lance McCullers … I prefer Greinke, Lance is VERY close though. Sean Manaea … There’s a few guys all in the same range for an SP2 today between Manaea, McCulers and Marco Gonzales and I think Manaea gets back closer to early season form today and is the lowest owned of the group. TOP STACKS Oakland … So Oakland could fall under the radar today with Houston and Seattle gaining the ownership, but the more I look the more I love Oakland to make a surge here and chase the Mariners and keep it going today against Cueto who sucks IMO. Astros … Houston keeps it rolling today. Love Bregman and Springer to continue a second half hot streak. Diamondbacks … Senzatela is not good and Arizona should win today. With Seattle being cold I’d go here as a third favorite play. TOP POSITIONAL TARGETS C: Gattis, Mathis 1B: Olson, Goldschmidt 2B: Lowrie, Descalso 3B: Lamb, Bregman SS: Segura, Anderson OF: K.Davis, Springer, Peralta, Souza, Haniger, Avisail Garcia, McCutchen STARTING TRIO: Olson-Davis-Lowrie ONE OFFS: Springer, Souza
Sunday Dongers Club – 7/22
Take a look at the MLB DFS slate for Sunday, July 22nd with Steve Renner in the Dongers Club
The Fuego Pit – 7/22/18
Fuego Steve’s MLB Plays of the Day Thank you to Dennis (obligatory must insert last name) Roy for the new cover art! In addition to being funny, it gave me an idea to put a player or a team in the Fuego Pit each write-up. This may be a player who has let us down and we don’t want to use anymore. Or it could be a player or team I think we should fade that day. Dennis chose Chris Davis as the honorary first photo because he knows I am an Oriole fan and dislike him. I may never play him again! As usual, the two major sites have different size slates today. DraftKings has nine games as it includes the 3 o’clock Cleveland/Texas game. If you don’t want to make the “Indians Chalk Decision” which it clearly has become recently, I would suggest playing on Fanduel. I may not be playing on DK, but would probably have some exposure to them if I did. Pitchers – Best options Chris Sale – Of the two high-priced studs on the slate, Chris Sale is the only one I am considering. He is only a few hundred dollars more than Max Scherzer on DK and only $800 more on Fanduel. Sale has been rolling over his past seven games, compared to Max who has not been dominant by his standards. Since June 8th, Sale has seven straight games of 52 or more FD points and 29 or more DK points. He’s 5-1 with an 0.94 ERA and 78 strikeouts over 48 innings of work. Six of those seven games he had double digit strikeouts and he reached nine K’s in the other. There are a couple Tigers who have hit him in the past, but I am not worried. Detroit is one of the worst offenses in the league, so he is the clear choice if paying up for pitcher today. Today, Mad Max goes in the Fuego Pit. Pitchers – Next best options or SP2 on DK Chris Archer – This will be his third game back coming off the DL. He got up to 93 pitches last time out and has had eight days rest. Plus, he gets Miami at home in a good pitcher’s ballpark. He should get to six innings today with the quality start. If the strikeouts are there, he could have a big game. J.A. Happ – Usually I have targeted Orioles bats with opposing pitchers. Now that Machado is gone, I probably will do so even more. Happ only struck out three batters last time he faced them on June 8th. However, he went seven innings allowing only two hits and one run scoring 40 Fanduel points. Hopefully, he can up those K’s a little today and can get to that mid 40’s number. Jake Odorizzi – I feel a bounce back game for him today versus the Royals. Whit Merrifield has gone 3 for 5 with 2 homers, but he and Sal Perez are the only one that really make me nervous. K.C. let me down yesterday and were in a much better spot and should have scored more runs. And that’s the problem with the Royals, they just don’t score. Overall, the pitching isn’t deep today, so rostering Odorizzi is a viable option. Favorite Stacks Minnesota Twins – The Twins face Brad Keller of the Royals this afternoon. He only went 2 2/3 innings last game giving up seven hits, four walks and five runs to the White Sox of all teams. The time before that wasn’t so hot either, walking five, giving up six hits to the Red Sox allowing four runs. If he doesn’t last again, we know the bullpen is in the bottom of the league so the Twins could keep scoring throughout the game. Pittsburgh Pirates – Those of you who weren’t scared of the rain made out with Corey Dickerson last night who went yard twice. That’s three straight games he has homered and has two hits in 5 of his last 8 games. The rest of the outfield, Sterling Marte and Gregory Polanco have been heating up as well. Marte has hit safely in 14 straight games with five homers over that span. Polanco has hits in 11 of his last 13 with five homers. Harvey is going to have a bad game sooner rather than later. Let’s not miss the boat. Cincinnati Reds – On the other side of the ball, the Reds face off against Ivan Nova. He has struggled recently, allowing 26 base runners over his last 11 innings pitched. I think this could be the highest scoring game on the slate and Vegas agrees. Be careful with Jose Peraza and Soooter Gennett though, who are only a combined 4 for 34 off of Nova. This is one of those times of what breaks. The pitcher hasn’t been pitching well, but has controled them in the past. Eugenio Suarez and Jesse Winker have hit him well though. Winker is 5 for 9 with 2 dongs and Suarez is batting .375 versus him over 24 Abs also with 2 dongs. Tampa Bay Rays – They are in a good spot and are cheap enough to allow you to roster Sale. I think they will end up being somewhat chalky but hopefully nothing crazy. Position plays of the day Catcher – Elias Diaz, Yadier Molina, Tucker Barnhart, Yan Gomes, Tyler Flowers – value 1st Base – Justin Smoak, Joey Votto, Jesus Aguilar, Jakob Bauers, Joe Mauer- value, Ji-Man Choi – value 2nd Base – Joe Wendle, Whit Merrifield, Scooter Gennett, Brian Dozier, Daniel Murphy – value 3rd Base – Eugenio Suarez, Eduardo Escobar, Colin Moran, Max Muncy, Hernan Perez– value SS – Jorge Polanco, Xander Bogarts, Chris Taylor (DK), Trea Turner, Tim Beckham (FD) – value Outfield – Any or all Pirates, Jesse Winker, Eddie Rosario, Mookie Betts, Bryce Harper, Juan Soto, Curtis Granderson – value, Jake Cave – value Will update or hit me in
Dongers Club – Friday, July 13th
The Dongers Club wraps up the first half of the MLB DFS season
Dongers Club – Thursday, July 12th
Happy Marques Colston day. Get it… 7 = Touchdown, 12 = his number…. ? Anywho … WEATHER Rays @ Twins – Some rain could be lingering through here which could cause some concern on the pitchers in this game, but it looks like it will clear out … Gotta check this again in the pre lock hour if you are on either pitcher. This game looks like it will have delays for sure, I am off both pitchers. PITCHING Max Scherzer … There’s some quality pitching choices today and thus Max may come in a little lower than he should against the Mets, but it’s still the Mets and it’s still Max. I really believe a lot of his recent dip is due to the catcher and having Matt Wieters back behind the plate could give us the Max we had early in the season tonight… 8 IP and 12 K is the target for his price tonight and it’s definitely within reason to get that outta him. Ross Stripling … Ross is going to the ASG and he deserves it. He’s arguably been the Dodgers saving grace this season and tonight he draws the Padres in PETCO. It’s a really good spot for him that makes a lot of sense today. San Diego is one of the weaker teams offensively against RHP. Blake Snell … Beacuse of $ and weather, Snell falls below Stripling today, but not because of the match-up. The Twins are someone we use a lot offensively but truthfully they’re very much a roller coaster team and Snell should completely dominate them tonight. LHP have done well lately against Minnesota and Snell’s ASG snub could produce another solid game from the best pitcher in the AL not named Luis Severino. Kyle Gibson … One reason Snell’s ownership wont be as high is Gibson. I think folks are going to see the 6700 price-tag vs the Rays and plug him in as their SP2. I don’t love it, but I think he pitches well (doesn’t win though). ADD: Severino instead of Snell LONGSHOT None … Partially because most pitchers today are good, but also because there’s no reason to go with a Wade Miley or Tyson Ross today. UPDATE … There’s two guys who I think are gonna pitch well tonight and I’m fine with taking fliers on. 1 is Tyler Skaggs coming off a brief DL stint so I don’t think he is limited. 2.5x on DK is a great spot for him tonight. The other is Wade Miley. The problem with Miley is that he’s likely very limited tonight before the Brewers trust their bullpen — but Miley gets bad chalk Pirates. STACKS Blue Jays … Nice park shift for the Jays IMO and a spot they can feast on former Blue Jay David Price. Teoscar-Kendrys-Grichuk my favorite three but we gotta include the Smoaker as well. Brewers … I think Milwaukee is in a good spot against J.T. because if they bounce him early (someone they have seen plenty) they’ll feast on the Pirates horrible bullpen. Love Yelich and a sneaky play here tonight is Hernan Perez if he is in the lineup. Yankees … Weak hitting slate, and a team in a good ballpark and the benefit of an 8th or 9th inning b.s. homer off the Tribe pen never hurts. Lefties? Didi, Hicks and …. sigh … that Bird fella. FADE … LOL, the Pirates. This is bad chalk folks. You’re playing the value that everyone else is playing against a pitcher they don’t profile well against and a solid bullpen. Run away from this chalk in tournaments tonight. It’s bad. CATCHERS Yasmani Grandal … Now is the time, we’re running out of time for Grandal to be relevant before he drops into his post ASB swoon. Grandal in PETCO, double dong chance here tonight. He is the main Dodger bat I like tonight. Luke Maile Matt Wieters FIRST BASE Eric Thames … It’s Thames and not Aguilar who I would ride today — consider him in OF as well Kendrys Morales Steve Pearce … Sure, revenge, sure…. … also OF elig. SECOND BASE Horrible position today. Absolutely ugly LOURDES GURRIEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hernan Perez Josh Harrison Eduardo Nunez THIRD BASE Not much better than 2B, so take one of the studs only if you can afford em. Jose Ramirez … Yeah, he’s hot again. Justin Turner Anthony Rendon SHORTSTOP Didi Gregorius Trea Turner Jean Segura OUTFIELD – Tier 1 It’s all about OF tonight. Christian Yelich Aaron Hicks Teoscar Hernandez Nellie Cruz OUTFIELD – Tier 2 Randal Grichuk JD Martinez Starling Marte Lorenzo Cain OUTFIELD – Tier 3 Kevin Kiermaier Michael A. Taylor Dee Gordon (DK) Travis Jankowski DONGERS CLUB Teoscar Hernandez – OF – Chairman Christian Yelich – OF Steve Pearce – 1B Didi Gregorius – SS Anthony Rendon – 3B LOURDES GURRIEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! – 2B Yasmani Grandal – C Nelson Cruz – OF BONUS ……………….. Randal Grichuk – OF
Dongers Club – Wed, July 11th
WEATHER All games play TOP PITCHERS Chris Sale … I think there’s a good sneaky SP2 today on DK, so any time I can get Sale at home vs a high K% team I’ll take it…. Although it’s funny how people will still lock in Sale at 40% ownership but Trevor Bauer who has been as good this year remains around 3-5% because he is “too expensive” … That was a shot at myself right there. Jacob deGrom … Great at home, great vs Phillies, good chance to hit 10K today. MID RANGE Carlos Rodon … Cardinals are weaker vs LHP. Pham is likely gonna sit out again and Jose Martinez has not been great vs LHP all season long. Joey Lucchesi … Hey look, the Dodgers shipment of HGH has wore off and they’re no longer jacking bombs all over the place. LONGSHOTS Dan Straily … SouthBeachTheory…. Jump on board. My Fades … Vinnie Velasquez & Michael Folty … Why? I got plenty of guys above I love, no need to take these risks for me today. STACKS Colorado … So much for them being all motivated to get back at the D’Backs, well tonight is their chance again with Shelby Miller taking the rubber and likely getting Randall Delgado after that. Blackmon is the centerpiece here, if you play Coors without Blackmon tonight then I think you are doing it wrong. Yankees … Everyone has this wrong, it’s the Yanks not the Orioles who go off today. Fades – Boston, Houston SNEAKY STACKS Atlanta … Sam Gaviglio is the latest in guys who popped up and were used in DFS because they were cheap and trendy that really frankly SUCK and have no reason being avoided using batters against. Atlanta’s been cold lately but I think they start to wake up today. Cincinnati … Carrasco at home vs a heavy lefty team. Scoooootttaaaaah. TOP PLAYS CATCHERS Tyler Flowers … Duh! Omar Narvaez Chris Iannetta FIRST BASE Mitch Moreland Joey Votto Prince Frederick Freeman Eric Hosmer SECOND BASE Yoan Moncada Scoooter Gennett Daniel Descalso THIRD BASE Miggy Andujar Yangervis Solarte Nolan Anenado SHORTSTOP Didi Gregorius Freddy Galvis … Value play of the day Chris Taylor OUTFIELD – Tier 1 Charlie Blackmon AJ Pollock David Peralta Brett Gardner OUTFIELD – Tier 2 Scott Schebler Aaron Hicks Carlos Gonzalez Ender Inciarte OUTFIELD – Tier 3 Randal Grichuk Michael Conforto Derek Dietrich Cameron Maybin DONGERS CLUB Charlie Blackmon – OF – Chairman AJ Pollock – OF Freddie Freeman – 1B Daniel Descalso – 2B Miguel Andujar – 3B Michael Conforto – OF …. Suck it Vinnie Didi Gregorius – SS Tyler Flowers – C BONUS ……………. Brett Gardner – OF
Dongers Club – July 11th – Early Slate
Three games only on the early slate today, but I’m sure there’s tons of demand for some afternoon DFS baseball and why not when we have Jordan Zimmermann and Gio Gonzalez both pitching! Yuck!
