We’re halfway through Period 2 of Tout Daily and Week 2 winner Vlad Sedler has a slim lead over Week 1 winner Michael Beller, who in turn has a small lead over Andrea Lamont, who isn’t ahead of . . . you know, you can check out the whole leaderboard right here.
If you’re moved to try out Draft Kings, who are hosting Tout Daily this year, they have a special offer for new signups. Deposit $5 and gain free entry to a $3 contest. Click here to for more details and how to sign up.
Now, onto this week’s picks:
LAWR MICHAELS
Antonio Senzatela ($5900 vs. St. Louis): Looking to the rookie Rockie to confuse the Cards long enough for his offense to get a lead, and thus lead the way to a big week. The low-priced pitcher allows me to really go for offense this cycle.
Michael Conforto ($5000 @Pittsburgh): The solid Mets outfielder goes up against right-hander Chad Kuhl and his 1.61 WHIP. Oh boy.
JEFF BOGGIS
Top Pitchers
Jacob DeGrom ($12,100 @Pittsburgh) Mother nature played a role last night and I expect much of the same in tonight’s slate of baseball games. I thought about starting Stephen Strasburg (WAS vs. SD) tonight, but there is currently a 60% chance of rain. I don’t want to have to make a last-minute decision of juggling starting lineups in case Strasburg’s game is rained out or delayed. DeGrom has the same salary as Strasburg at $12,100 and will take up roughly 25% of my salary. DeGrom has 76 Ks in only 56 IP. Roster Jacob DeGrom tonight if you want to beat Lawr Michaels in period 2, week 3 of our Tout Wars DFS contest! #BeatLawr
Mike Clevinger ($8,000 vs. Kansas City) Clevenger rocks the mullet haircut with business up front, party in the back. He took a no-hitter into the 7th inning against Houston in his last start and is filling in nicely for the Indians while Corey Kluber is on the disabled list. Along with the mullet, Clevenger is sporting a nice 1.56 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 19 Ks on 11 IP. Roster Michael Clevenger tonight if you want to beat Lawr Michaels in period 2, week 3 of our Tout Wars DFS contest! #BeatLawr
Manny Machado ($4,400 @Houston) He is dirt cheap tonight and it’s time that he emerges from his early season slump. Machado faces Houston right handing pitcher, Joe Musgrove, who owns a 4.06 ERA on the season. Machado is hitting only .210 with 6 home runs and 15 RBI against right-handed pitching this season. Tonight, he breaks out of his slump. Roster Manny Machado tonight if you want to beat Lawr Michaels in period 2, week 3 of our Tout Wars DFS contest! #BeatLawr
MIKE GIANELLA
Max Scherzer ($12,700 vs San Diego) He’s almost an automatic play for me regardless of price/matchup, but the Padres feels like a gimmie.
Matt Carpenter ($4,600 @Colorado) Sits at the top of a St. Louis stack at Coors this evening. Coors hasn’t had too many high octane games yet, but with the summer approaching, we’re just about due.
PHIL HERTZ
Jacob DeGrom ($12,100 @Pittsburgh)
Matt Carpenter ($4,600 @Colorado)
BRIAN WALTON
OK, the Scherzer pick was easy, but now where to scrimp? Do you hamstring your offense or seek out a bargain SP2? I am going with the latter, specifically Zack Godley ($6,300 @Milwaukee) of Arizona at just $6300. The right-hander has been sharp in his four starts, with a 1.05 WHIP and a .195 batting average against. Godley pitches in Miller Park Friday night, but against a Milwaukee lineup that will be without Ryan Braun.
Speaking of scrimping, I am saving some money at first base on Friday night, picking up interim Brave Matt Adams ($3,300 @San Francisco) for just $3300. In five games since the trade from St. Louis, Adams has five extra-base hits and four RBI. In the smallest five at-bat career sample against Giants starter Matt Cain, Adams has a single, double and three RBI.
TIM HEANEY
Jake Arrieta ($9,200 @LA Dodgers): Going against the grain a bit here, but Arrieta looks to have figured some things out. I’ll call his name while everyone else runs away from the Justin Turner-less Dodgers.
Aaron Hicks ($4,300 vs. Oakland): It’s a bit pricey, but it definitely plays toward Hicks’ performance vs. LHP, and Manaea should endure a little resistance from a steady Yankees home offense.
RICK WOLF
Jose Bautista ($4,800 vs. Texas) In daily fantasy sports, owners try to find players who are the opposite handedness of the pitcher to get a natural edge. Well, Jose Bautista is right handed, but hitting just .154 vs LHP in 2017. Conversely, in the last 14 days, the bat-flipping Bautista is the best hitter vs RHP from either side of the plate. He is hitting .571/.638/1.036 making his OPS a crazy 1.674. He faces AJ Griffin who after twirling a gem has gone back to back with awful performances giving up 13 earned runs in less than a full 9 innings. Bautista is at home and in the two hole, so invest with confidence.
Max Scherzer ($12,700 vs San Diego) Know it is the chalk, but look at the matchup. The Padres strikeout the fourth most and after tonight it may be second as they are only eight strikeouts behind the Milwaukee Brewers. No team can see the Rays with a telescope with more than 85 strikeouts more than the next team. Scherzer is a sure thing for the strikeouts with at least 6 strikeouts in each of his last ten outings. He is striking out 42% of RHH this year which is tops in the majors. He relies heavily on his slider, throwing it more than 40% of the time to RHHs. He costs more, but is a sure thing tonight.
GENE McCAFFREY
Max Scherzer ($12,700 vs San Diego) is a must at home against the strikeout-prone Padres. No sense messing around with a 30-point game his over/under, and I’ll take the over. This means a cheapish #2 is also pretty much a must, and I choose Aaron Nola in a close call over Mike Clevinger, who is impressive but a bit walk-prone.
Several good budget choices tonight, but Starlin Castro ($3,500 vs. Oakland) at The Stadium against lefty Sean Manaea and a weak Oakland bullpen is close to a can’t-miss, at a mere $3500.
CHARLIE WIEGERT
Mike Clevinger ($8,000 vs. Kansas City) had a great last outing and gets KC at home, maybe lightning will strike in same spot again!
Betts and Bogaerts ($5,200 and $4,900 vs. Seattle) vs Gallardo, Bour who has been red hot, and Harper to go deep tonight.
JASON COLLETTE
Mike Clevinger ($8,000 vs. Kansas City)
Welington Castillo ($3,700 @Houston)