DFS PLAYS OF THE DAY
Here are some of the best plays of the day if you're looking to set your daily lineup, or if you're playing the daily game. Be sure to look out for the DFS MLB Playbook for some other daily plays (see link above).
C: Kurt Suzuki had a strong season last year and that included some excellent work against lefties as he hit .331 with a .371 OBP. He faces Danny Duffy Monday a lefty whom he's had four hits in 12 at-bats against.
1B: Mat Latos looked really bad in his first start and not so hot this spring either. Freddie Freeman has started out well in 2015 and he has had success in the matchup in the past, and then some. Freeman has hit .625 in 16 at-bats against Latos. That's 10-for-16. He's also drive in seven runs.
2B: Jose Altuve hit .414 against lefties last season. That's insanely high. He faces lefty Scott Kazmir Monday and he's also gone 9-for-19 against Scott in his career with two steals (.474).
3B: David Wright destroys Aaron Harang to the tune of a .429 average with a homer, four doubles and eight RBIs over 28 at-bats.
SS: Jhonny Peralta gets to take on Matt Garza who hasn't really looked sharp to this point. Peralta has 32 at-bats against Garza and has hit .406 with a homer and four RBIs. Peralta hit .276 with a .349 OBP last year at home.
OF: Jon Jay has hit .295 over the past three seasons against right-handed pitching. He's hit .322 the past three years at home. Monday he played in St. Louis against righty Matt Garza whom he has produced eight hits in 13 at-bats against (.615 with a homer).
OF: Jacoby Ellsbury hit .300 last season with a .355 OBP and .827 against left handed pitching. The opponent is Wei-Yin Chen who Ellsbury has produced six hits in 13 at-bats (.462).
OF: Kevin Kiermaier is batting .381 with a .435 OBP and .952 SLG over 25 plate appearances. He's also hit two homers, driven in four runs and scored six times. He's worth a look against knuckleballer R.A. Dickey.
SP: Andrew Cashner, Padres
Faces the Diamondbacks at home Monday. He didn't look sharp in his first outing allowing five runs (three earned) over 5.0 innings, but last season he made 11 starts at home and check out those sparkling ratios - 1.43 ERA and 0.89 WHIP.
SP: R.A. Dickey, Blue Jays
Dickey allowed one run in his first outing this season. Last year at home he went 8-4 with better than a 3:1 K/BB ratio pitching in Toronto. Dickey pitches at home against the Rays Monday, and the current crop of Rays batters has hit .202 against Dickey in 129 at-bats.
SP: Shelby Miller, Braves
Miller allowed no runs in his inaugural Braves outing, and dating back to last season he's made eight starts without a loss while posting an ERA of 1.86 an a WHIP of 0.93. Miller faces a struggling Mat Latos and the Marlins. Through the first week of the season the Marlins just haven't hit (.213/.281/.289).
LINKS YOU HAVE TO BOOKMARKED
INJURIES
Henderson Alvarez will have his elbow and shoulder looked at Monday. This isn't looking good for Alvarez and the Marlins who are likely without Jose Fernandez for half the season as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery. David Phelps is the likely arm who will get the call if Alvarez is placed on the DL as seems likely.
Felix Hernandez says that he is 100 percent certain that neither his ankle or quad will keep him from making his next start. Given his track record one would be inclined to believe him.
Victor Martinez (knee) is not in the lineup Monday. He might sit for three games actually as the Tigers are playing in Pittsburgh where no DH will be used. For more on weekly matchups check out Jeff Mans Week 2 preview.
Masahiro Tanaka had another rough outing Sunday night. He allowed four hits and three walks over five innings as he permitted four runs (three earned). C.J. Nitkowski tweeted out that Tanaka has thrown 79 fastballs this season and he's yet to generate a single swing and miss on the pitch. Last year the mark was 5.5 percent. His elbow ain't right. Just the way it is.
Koji Uehara returns from his hamstring issue Monday. He is expected to resume closing pretty much immediately. Sorry Edward Mujica.
Jayson Werth is ready to rock as he has been activated off the DL as his surgically repaired shoulder appears to be solid. Michael Taylor has a strike against him with Werth's return. If Jayson is truly healthy he will play daily. So will Denard Span who is due to return in a couple of weeks which will leave Taylor without a starting role.
PERFORMANCE NOTES
Clay Buchholz is atrocious. Did you see the game last night (10 runs, 10 outs)? As Pete Abraham pointed out over his last 30 starts Clay is 9-12 with a 5.48 ERA. Please tell me you weren't counting on him.
LaTroy Hawkins gave up two runs while recording two outs Sunday. He's lost his job for the moment. Adam Ottavino is likely to be the fall back option, but Rafael Betancourt, Boone Logan and/or John Axford could also get a shot if a change was made. That's what makes adding the "next guy" so hard in some instances.
Kyle Hendricks allowed five runs over 4.2 innings Sunday. He's simply not the arm that produced a sub 2.50 ERA last year. Doesn't bring the strikeouts either.
Jake Marisnick had another nice day Sunday with a homer, two hits, and two RBIs. It's early, but he's looked great hitting .400 with a homer, two steals, and five RBIs. Only one walk though and that's always a concern - his lack of discernment.
Hanley Ramirez hit his third bomb of the season last night. He may not run a ton this season, but if he's healthy he's going to have a monster season with the bat.
Alex Rodriguez had four RBIs Sunday night. He hit .300 with a homer and six RBIs the first week of the season actually looking pretty solid in the process.