MLB
MLB Daily Fantasy Helper: Wednesday 8/28/13
Don't be fooled by Stephen Strasbrg's win-loss record; he's been just as good this year as he was in 2012.

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The Top Three Pitchers

Stephen Strasburg – Strasburg has a lackluster 6-9 win-loss record this year, which shouldn’t really matter to most baseball fans, but does matter to fantasy players. Of course, Stras has been the victim of objectively terrible run support from his teammates. His 3.00 ERA is actually lower than last year’s 3.16 mark before he got shut down and created an irritating second-half debate among Washington sports fans. His 9.35 K/9 ranks sixth in the N.L., and fifth if you exclude Matt Harvey who’s done for the year. Tonight Strasburg faces the Marlins, who rank dead last in the majors by a wide margin, which makes him a very strong play.

Chris Sale – Here’s another case of a stud pitcher going up against an overmatched, terrible offense. Actually, there are plenty of similarities between Sale and Strasburg: They’re both having “down” years compared to last year’s campaigns, led primarily by poor win-loss records. (Sale’s is 9-12.) Both have ERAs nearly identical to their marks last year. And Sale’s 9.45 K/9 is nearly identical to Strasburg’s, and it ranks fourth in the A.L. Tonight Sale faces the Astros, who strike out more often than any team in the history of baseball.

Tom Gorzelanny – Gorzelanny’s a value play, but he’s sneakily having a decent year in his spot starts. He’s started nine games this year, and posted a respectable 3.60 ERA and an 8.78 K/9 that’s more than 1.5 higher than his career rate. He’s facing the Pirates, who rank just 22nd in the majors in runs scored and strike out at the fourth-highest rate.

Top High-Priced Hitters

David Ortiz – Ortiz is facing a righty, which means he’s basically an automatic start. As a reminder, here’s his line against right-handers this season: .349/.447/.667 with 19 of his 24 homers and a 192 wRC+. Not too shabby. And he’s facing Bud Norris, who has struggled mightily against lefties this year to the tune of a .305/.379/.512 line and 14 home runs. That’s not a good combination for the Orioles.

Adam Jones – We talked yesterday about Jones’s nice combination of power, speed and high average, but I think we undersold his pop. His 27 home runs are tied for third among all big-league outfielders. And he’s the only guy in the top five hitting above .275. (Jones’s mark is .297, well above the competition.) He’s also got a huge reverse platoon split this year: He’s batting 84 points higher against righties and 43 of his 58 extra-base hits have come against right-handers. He’s facing John Lackey tonight, who has had, um, struggles with not giving up lots of homers in Boston.

Cost-Effective, Mid-Range Hitters

Buster Posey – Posey is a damn steal at this price. He’s tied with Joe Mauer for second in the majors in wRC+ at 143, and they’re only one point behind Yadier Molina. His average is second among N.L. backstops with at least 300 plate appearances, and his 14 home runs are fifth. Jump on him at this price.

Brandon Belt – Belt is a solid all-around hitter, but he’s fared even better against righties this year. His line against right-handers is .282/.358/.486 and his wRC+ is 17 points higher. Tonight he and the Giants go up against a righty in Jhoulys Chacin.

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