Jeff Erickson has the lead, a slim one.
Derek Carty has a ticket to the finals, and a bead on a second one.
Vlad Sedler hasn’t finished in the Top Five in any of this period’s three weeks, but is in third position, ahead of Derek VanRiper, Michael Beller, Ray Murphy, and let’s leave it at that, though Scott Pianowski, Steve Gardner and others are not out of it quite yet.
You can study the 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.
Here are the picks from this week’s Touts:
LAWR MICHAELS
Sonny Gray ($8400): The trick for me today is picking players whom I both think will succeed, and those ideally no one else will take as I am 70 points off the pace, meaning I need a day like Jeff had last week. Gray has put up positive numbers his last five starts, and is coming off his best start since returning from the DL, going seven innings, allowing just a run while whiffing seven, and if he can keep his pitches down facing the Braves Friday should be a Gray day all around.
Alex Bregman ($3400): Bregman and his mates face the up-and-down Pineda, but against the Pinstripes, the Astro third sacker has averaged 4.25 points, and at home, facing a guy who allowed seven runs last start is a balance between the points I think Bregman can put up coupled with the hope no one else grabs Bregman for their team, balanced with the the idea that he has a big day at the dish..
PHIL HERTZ
Right now, Jacob deGrom is as good as any pitcher in baseball. He’s expensive, but the Phils are not exactly knocking the cover off the ball. I also think Stephen Drew is a sneaky value, since he’s likely going to start with Trea Turner out.
GENE MCCAFFREY
Having been wrong every Friday night so far, perhaps you’ll take my picks and go the opposite way. Perhaps I will. If not, I’m taking Mike Foltynewicz in Oakland against a team with 25.3% K’s, and I’m embracing Miguel Cabrera at $3900 because he’s coming around and someone is going to pay and Josh Tomlin is a likely bill-footer.
ROB LEIBOWITZ
Jacob Faria – $8,300 vs. Orioles – Pitching over his head, but hard to argue with that K/BB and overall strikeout rate at this price point.
Justin Smoak – $4,300 vs. Bos (Fister) – I like a match up of a declining pitch to contact pitcher vs. a lefty in the middle of a breakout season, especially at this price point.
Hunter Renfroe – $3,300 vs. LAD (Wood) – I was looking for lost cost options to balance out my spending. Went with a righty vs. lefty matchup in Renfroe who despite his very mediocre production, has still produced for power and has excellent splits against lefties. Hitting over .300, walking 12% of the time, making contact 87% of the time, and an isolated power of .311 (.229 at home). Wood though has handled righties better than lefties , so we’ll cross our fingers and see what happens.
CHARLIE WIEGERT
Top pitchers…going heavy on two pricey ones for tonight, Jacob Degrom and Robbie Ray. both in good situations to get strikeouts and wins.
Top hitters…well with the top $ pitchers, picken’s are slim! Most expensive guy is Scooter Gennett…Ouch. I’m hoping to find lightning in a bottle with Hwang, Polanco, Puig, Molina and Grichuk.
DEREK CARTY
I’d kindly request that baseball acts normally tonight. A repeat of last week’s shenanigans would not be appreciated.
JEFF ERICKSON
Keep Tout Daily Weird!
JEFF BOGGIS
Lance McCullers (HOU) $8,800 vs. New York Yankees – McCullers is the 7th ranked starting pitcher tonight on DraftKings and is priced just right. McCullers has not lost a game since April 26th and has recorded 4 games in a row with 8 strikeouts per game. Roster Lance McCullers tonight if you want to beat Lawr Michaels in period 3, week 4 of our Tout Wars DFS contest! #BeatLawr
Jonathan Villar (MIL) $4,100 versus Miami – Fresh off the DL, Villar hit 2 home runs last night. His salary is still depressed as the 11th highest 2nd baseman. He faces Edison Volquez and his 1.43 WHIP. Look for Villar to get back in the stolen base column in tonight’s matchup. Any extra base hits will be a bonus. Roster Jonathan Villar tonight if you want to beat Lawr Michaels in period 3, week 4 of our Tout Wars DFS contest! #BeatLawr
JEFF ERICKSON
UPDATE: Jeff wrote in at about 6pm ET: FYI I’m backing off of Miggy and deGrom because of the weather.
Pitcher: Sonny Gray has been striking out more batters lately, and I like the idea of attacking the Braves when they are on the road. I’ll pair him with one of the more expensive options on the slate – probably Jacob deGrom, though I might pivot down to Alex Wood for cash savings.
Batter: Going to go with at least a few Rays against Chris Tillman, and Miggy Cabrera against Josh Tomlin.