It’s the final week of Period 1. At the conclusion of the slate, the top three Touts will gain entry into the championship tournament. Here are some of the picks the Touts hope get the job done.
Charlie Wiegert (CDM Sports, @GFFantasySports)
Pitcher: Charlie Morton – Shaking a salt on the fish and hoping for a tasty meal!
Hitter: Mini Card stack – They have to come to life soon, right? Edman, O’Neill & Walker having big day at San Fran to get things rolling.
Howard Bender (Fantasy Alarm, @RotoBuzzGuy)
Pitcher: Eric Lauer – We’re looking at good strikeout upside, a solid chance at the win and very minimal damage done to the ratios. He’s also not the most expensive pitcher available. The Tigers rank dead-last in ISO (.089), wOBA (.253) and wRC+ (58) against southpaws this season, they’re striking out nearly 30-percent of the time and Lauer is coming off back-to-back quality starts against offenses much better than that of Detroit.
Hitter: Patrick Wisdom – We’re looking at cold temperatures and the win may be blowing in a little, but Wisdom has the ability to muscle the ball over the fence even in these conditions. His .444 wOBA and 1.072 OPS against southpaws should shine bright against Blake Snell who is allowing a .407 wOBA and has given up all four of his home runs allowed to righty bats this season.
Erik Halterman (Rotowire, @erik_halterman)
Pitcher: Griffin Canning – I’m banking on the (deserved) excitement for Mason Miller causing people to turn away from his opponent, who’s generally been competent whenever health permits and gets to face the A’s.
Hitter: Brett Baty – What better way for a talented young power hitter to find his stroke at the big-league level than against a starter in Josiah Gray who owns a career 2.3 HR/9?
Jeff Boggis (Fantasy Football Empire, @JeffBoggis)
Pitcher: Charlie Morton – When It rains It pours. And I need for Morton to make it rain fantasy points tonight to have any consideration for the first golden ticket. The floor is 5-6 K’s with good run support at home tonight against Miami.
“Hitter: Nicky Lopez – I needed a really cheap option at $2,300 and Lopez fit the bill. He’s had the last 3 days off to clear his head, so maybe that’s what he needs to get out of this 0 for 10 batting slump. Not expecting a lot here, but just enough to justify his low salary.
”Eric Samulski (Rotoballer, @SamskiNYC)
Pitcher: Pitcher – Griffin Canning. $6400 is too cheap for Canning against the A’s. He’s always had talent, and he looked good against the Yankees. I expect 6 innings and about 6-8 strikeouts here. Plus a win
Hitter: Hitter – Matt Vierling. I can’t quit him. Especially against a LHP, and I just don’t buy what Eric Lauer is doing.
Sky Dombroske (Fantistics Insider Baseball, @SkyDombroske)
Pitcher: Joe Ryan – Seriously, look at that Yankee lineup today. Plus, Ryan has been great in the early going, missing more bats than in the past.
Hitter: Javy Baez – I’m not a fan of Baez’s swing at everything approach, but he’s been a bit better this season, he’s hit in 9 straight, and like others I am not a believer in Eric Lauer.
Todd Zola (Mastersball, @toddzola)
Pitcher: Brady Singer – Thought about Mason Miller, but couldn’t pull the trigger. Hoping Singer helps me finish this period on a high not.
Hitter: Vinnie Pasquantino – There are a lot of nice options at first base, hoping to get some low rostership with Vinnie P in the late game.