Catcher
Gary Sanchez, NYY vs. NYM
DK ($5,100) FD ($4,200)
I literally looked at the catching selections for about one whole second, as this was one of the easiest recommendations of the season. Sanchez’ season-long numbers are just ridiculous, with the slugging catcher hitting 19 dingers this season en route to a .959 OPS. Those numbers are nice but his peripherals are simply amazing. In fact, Sanchez is one of the league leaders with a .433 xwOBA, .700 xSLG and .364 ISO. That simply means he’s hitting the crap out of the ball and we love him against Jason Vargas. Since 2017, Sanchez is posting a .522 SLG and .865 OPS against southpaws and gets to face a pitcher who is posting a 5.00 xFIP and 1.35 WHIP in a hitter’s haven like Yankee Stadium.
First Base
Luke Voit
DK ($4,400) FD ($4,200)
Let’s keep the Yankees rolling with their powerful first baseman. Voit’s numbers since joining the Bronx Bombers are simply bonkers, with the first baseman posting a .947 OPS and .563 SLG in that span. That’s backed up by an xwOBA north of .400 and he’s simply developed into one of the best bats in the American League. Those numbers would put him in consideration against anyone, especially a lefty gas can like Vargas. Voit is providing a .933 OPS against southpaws since the beginning of 2017.
Second Base
Cesar Hernandez, PHI vs. ARI
DK ($3,600) FD ($2,800)
With Andrew McCutchen out for the year, Hernandez’s value has risen exponentially because of his move to the leadoff spot. While he hasn’t had any big games since moving up, the fact that he’s averaging nearly five at-bats a game in that role alone makes him an attractive option. We’re talking about a guy with a .277 average and .776 OPS. That’s all you can ask for from someone so cheap and it doesn’t even take into consideration that he’ll be batting atop a lineup projected for more than five runs. The reason for that total is because Philly is squaring off with Taylor Clarke, who posted a 7.22 ERA and 1.60 WHIP at Triple-A this season. We also love that Hernandez gets to face a righty, with the lefty second baseman posting an .842 OPS against right-handers so far this season.
Third Base
Matt Carpenter, STL at MIA
DK ($4,000) FD ($3,400)
While Carpenter has struggled the first two months of the season, this price is simply too cheap for someone of his ability. We’re talking about a perennial All-Star candidate who bats atop one of the best lineups in baseball. In his career, Carpenter is posting a .386 OBP and .866 OPS against right-handed pitching. That’s monster production from a player in this price range and recent results would indicate that he’s climbing out of his slump. Over his last 18 games, Carpenter is hitting .279 while providing an .894 OPS.
Shortstop
Gleyber Torres, NYY vs. NYM
DK ($4,300) FD ($3,400)
Let’s finish off our Yankees stack with their slugging shortstop. The aforementioned Vargas numbers put all of these Yankees in play, as their projected run total is easily one of the highest on the slate. Torres is a major reason why, as he’s got a .521 SLG and .842 OPS against lefties since his call-up last year. That’s nearly identical to his season-long numbers and it’s hard to understand why he’s in the $4,000-range. Stacking Yankees is easily one of the best strategies on this slate and it’s actually reasonably affordable with Torres and Voit at such nice bargains.
Outfield
Juan Soto, WSH at CWS
DK ($5,100) FD ($3,900)
Not many people realize this but Soto is arguably the hottest hitter in the league right now. Over his last 21 games, Soto is hitting .385 while providing a .462 OBP and 1.128 OPS. That’s obviously absurd and it’s pretty much the guy we’ve seen since his call-up last season. Getting the platoon advantage in the icing on the cake, with the Washington outfielder posting a .415 OBP and .936 OPS against righties for his career. Journeyman,Odrisamer Despaigne is not a guy we need to fear either, as his 5.54 ERA and 1.49 WHIP since the beginning of 2015 shows why he was in the minors.
Corey Dickerson, PIT at ATL
DK ($3,900) FD ($3,000)
Many people are forgetting about Dickerson because he just came off the IL but this guy has made a name for himself by destroying righties. In his career, Dickerson is posting a .526 SLG and .836 OPS against right-handed pitching. Getting that sort of production from a player this cheap is extremely rare, especially in such a premium matchup. Over his last two starts, Gausman has allowed 15 runs and 20 hits, which has skyrocketed his ERA to 6.15. Dickerson pairs beautifully with Gregory Polanco, as these guys make a sneaky two-man stack against the struggling Gausman.
Eloy Jimenez, CWS vs. WSH
DK ($3,100) FD ($2,800)
Jimenez is one of the highest touted prospects in the Majors and that makes this price simply ridiculous. We’re talking about a guy who provided historical numbers at the minor league level, with Jimenez posting a .326/.382/.573 slash line since 2017. That equates to an OPS just shy of 1.000 and an ISO in the .250 range. Those are elite statistics and it’s just a matter of time before we see that sort of ability at the Major League level. Recent results are really promising too, with Jimenez entering this game in the midst of a six-game hitting streak while going yard in back-to-back games. That sort of power potential is particularly intriguing against Anibal Sanchez, who ranks in the Top-3 in dingers allowed since 2015.
Monkey Knife Fight Pick of the Day
Gary Sanchez/Gleyber Torres/ Luke Voit Over 0.5 Home Runs
I’m 8-3 over my last 11 MFK picks, so if you’re not taking these recommendations, I don’t know what you’re thinking. I’ve actually yet to pick a home run parade prop as of yet but I absolutely love this pick today. There’s really not much explanation needed because I wrote up all of these guys but I’d genuinely be surprised if none of them hit a homer. The main reason for that is because they all get the platoon advantage against Jason Vargas, who’s posting a 5.05 ERA and 1.39 WHIP since the beginning of last season, which is miraculously lower than his xFIP. That’s why the Yankees are projected for nearly six runs, hitting in a little league park like Yankee Stadium.
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