Two more Golden Tickets will be awarded at the conclusion of Friday night’s games. Vlad Sedler has a comfortable 20 point lead with Michael Beller, Lenny Melnick and Todd Zola all within two points for the second entry the period into the Tout Daily Finals. Derek Carty and Howard Bender already earned Golden Tickets finishing first and second in Period 1.
Of course, an outstanding performance from a lesser owned player can propel someone into the top-two. Here’s who the Touts are hoping do just that.
Michael Beller, SI.com
Pitcher: Stephen Strasburg is an easy pick for me this week. He has 26 strikeouts in his last 14 2/3 innings, and is facing an A’s team that has a 25.3% strikeout rate, second highest in the league. I’m hoping that Kershaw’s presence keeps Strasburg’s ownership rate relatively low.
Hitter: I’m stacking Reds against Mike Foltynewicz, and Joey Votto is at the center of that. It appears to be a great night to hit in Cincinnati, with the temperature in the low 80s, and the wind blowing out to right-center. Of course, it’s always a good night to hit when you’re Joey Votto.
Charlie Wiegert, CDM Sports
Top Pitchers…It’s hard to resist the “big name” pitchers going tonight, but I am. I’ll try to get close to the same points they’ll earn with a couple young pitchers throwing very well right now, Michael Fulmer against the White Sox and Ty Blach against the Phillies. Both could get 10+ k’s, go at least 7 innings and be in line for a W!
Top Hitters….Using the $’s saved on pitching to roster Goldschmidt and Lamb against Urena and a hot Aaron Judge and Aaron Hicks against Liriarno, Also Neil Walker, who likes to show his old team (Pit) they should have kept him!
Tim Heaney, Rotowire
Ty Blach ($7,300 at PHI): I assume I won’t be the only one to list him, but I’ll slide in the control-minded southpaw against the woephul Phillies.
Scott Schebler ($4,200 vs. ATL): Mike Foltynewicz yet again has been blown up by the long ball, and the NL leader in home runs — still feels weird to type that — has a fine chance to pile on top of those issues.
Lawr Michaels, Mastersball
Stephen Strasburg ($12,000): Strasburg whiffed 15 his last start and last week, Oakland set a four-game series team record, whiffing 59 times. That means over 108 at-bats, the team struck out 55% of the time. For Strasburg, that should be shooting fish in a ballpark barrel.
J.D. Martinez ($5500): Derek Holland is having a nice year, but I will take the uber-efficient Martinez banging against the lefty and be plenty happy.
Gene McCaffrey, Wise Guy Baseball
Pitcher – Strasburg is at the top of his game, at home against a bad, high-K team, so he’ at least as good a points bet as Kershaw and cheaper.
Hitter – Typical Friday, loaded with good choices. I’m always looking for the guy with the best chance to hit TWO home runs, and Chris Davis at home against Porcello is right up there. Nice $4000 price too.
Phil Hertz, Baseball HQ
I like Fullmer at home against the White Sox and Ryan Zimmerman, heating up again, against Triggs.
Jeff Boggis, Fantasy Football Empire
Dallas Keuchel (HOU) $10,900 at Texas – I can’t fault anyone that starts Clayton Kershaw ($13,100) and Stephen Strasburg ($12,000), but by doing this you are allocating roughly 50% of your salary cap. This would leave your roster with an average salary of $3,112.50 to roster your 8 hitters. Dallas Keuchel is a logical alternative as he can be rostered for $10,900, saving you $2,200 versus Kershaw and $1,100 versus Strasburg. Dallas Keuchel has been outstanding this season with a record of 8-0 with a 1.81 ERA and 0.88 WHIP. Roster Dallas Keuchel tonight if you want to beat Lawr Michaels in period 2, week 4 of our Tout Wars DFS contest! #BeatLawr
Top Hitter
Eric Young Jr. (LAA) $2,400 versus Minnesota – If you are rostering one of the high salaried starting pitchers tonight, you are going to have to look for value and Eric Young Jr. is a player that you want to roster for tonight’s contest. The Los Angeles Angels recalled Eric Young, Jr. due to the injury to Mike Trout. We have a small sample size, but in his 4 games played, Young is 5 for 15 with 2 runs scored, 1 home run, 2 RBIs, and 2 stolen bases. Roster Eric Young Jr. tonight if you want to beat Lawr Michaels in period 2, week 4 of our Tout Wars DFS contest! #BeatLawr