Daily Dime: Going with Todd Frazier, Carlos Martinez and then digging for bargains
Here are 10 DFS recommendations for Saturday’s slate on Yahoo but be sure to double-check the weather and lineups before first pitch approaches.
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Todd Frazier, 3B, at Col (Rusin), $19: “The Toddfather” is on pace to finish with a .279-102-45-110-17 line this season and has a 1.012 OPS when facing left-handed pitchers. Frazier will be facing southpaw Chris Rusin who’s allowed a 1.57 WHIP against RHB on the year and will be hitting in baseball’s best hitter’s park in Coors Field, so he’s worth paying up for, even if third base is relatively deep.
Carlos Martinez, SP, vs. Atl (Miller), $54: He struggled a bit during his first start after the break, but Martinez has allowed two runs or fewer in 11 of his last 12 starts (he yielded three in the other). He owns a 24.9 K% to go along with a 2.16 GB/FB ratio and a 10.0 SwStr%, which is a pretty excellent combination. The Cardinals are the biggest favorites on the board Saturday in a game with a low over/under, and the Braves sport just a .695 OPS when facing right-handed pitchers this season.
Erasmo Ramirez, SP, vs. Bal (Gonzalez), $25: He’s allowed just one run or fewer in eight of his past nine starts (surrendering only two in the other), as his ERA went from 6.62 to 3.54 over that span. Ramirez has a 2.36 ERA and 0.94 WHIP over 45.2 innings this year, and the Rays are favored. Despite this, he’s the cheapest starting pitcher available among Saturday’s slate in a game with an over/under of seven.
John Jaso, C, vs. Bal (Gonzalez), $14: He’s hitting .368/.419/.553 against RHP this year and is usually as safe a bet to be in the lineup among catchers since he plays so much DH. Jaso also hits atop Tampa Bay’s lineup, so he remains a bargain.
Albert Pujols, 1B, vs. Tex (Gallardo), $18: He’s been a top-10 fantasy player since May 1, when he’s posted a .273-47-26-52 line over 278 at bats. Pujols also has a career 1.441 OPS (and .582 wOBA) over 27 ABs against Yovani Gallardo.
Robinson Cano, 2B, vs. Tor (Hutchison), $17: Since the beginning of July, Cano has been a top-five fantasy hitter, as he’s batted .349 with five homers, 16 runs scored and 14 RBI over 20 games, as it sure seems like the former elite second baseman is returning to form.
Wilmer Flores, SS, vs. LAD (Lee), $7: We needed to go cheap somewhere, and Flores plays everyday and hits in the middle of the Mets’ lineup. Zach Lee is the likely candidate to start for the Dodgers on Saturday, and while he’s a nice prospect, it will be his first appearance in the major leagues.
Chris Young, OF, at Min (Milone), $15: He has a .371/.423/.685 line against southpaws this season, and Tommy Milone has ceded a 1.47 WHIP when facing righties in 2015.
Torii Hunter, OF, vs. NYY (Sabathia), $15: He faces a pitcher in CC Sabathia who’s yielded 18 homers with a .330 BAA and 1.64 WHIP over 79.2 innings against RHB this season.
Marlon Byrd, OF, at Col (Rusin), $15: He’s played much better since an awful start and owns a .918 OPS versus LHP this season. Byrd will be facing a southpaw in Coors Field on Saturday.
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