It’s the day after the trading deadline, and we have a full 15 game slate. Unless you plan on picking on some elite pitchers, the large slate narrows to a point where there are a few games to fully target. This is MLB though, and a big gpp night for the sites could make for some interesting lineups. I’m not recommending going with hitters against elite pitchers as I feel there will be enough opportunity to find nice low owned players elsewhere. Good luck!
| Player | Tm | Bats | H/A | Opp | Opp Pitcher | Throws | AB | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | wOBA | ISO | BB% | K% | GB% | FB% | LD% | HR/FB | BABIP | $FD | $DK | $Aces |
| Nick Hundley | COL | R | H | LA | Brandon McCarthy | R | 174 | .247 | .330 | .425 | .755 | .325 | .178 | 10.60% | 19.20% | 49.30% | 31.90% | 18.80% | 11.40% | .288 | $3,000 | $3,300 | $4,550 |
| Wilson Ramos | WSH | R | A | ARI | Robbie Ray | L | 327 | .330 | .381 | .529 | .910 | .390 | .199 | 7.60% | 12.60% | 53.60% | 22.80% | 23.60% | 23.80% | .346 | $3,500 | $4,200 | $4,800 |
| James McCann | DET | R | H | CWS | James Shields | R | 206 | .204 | .254 | .345 | .599 | .263 | .141 | 6.20% | 29.30% | 44.40% | 39.30% | 16.30% | 15.10% | .252 | $2,600 | $2,900 | $4,000 |
| Jett Bandy | LAA | R | H | OAK | Sean Manaea | L | 98 | .276 | .333 | .449 | .782 | .337 | .173 | 7.00% | 14.00% | 27.10% | 52.90% | 20.00% | 8.90% | .284 | $2,200 | $2,700 | $3,300 |
| Salvador Perez | KC | R | A | TB | Matt Andriese | R | 343 | .268 | .303 | .469 | .772 | .331 | .201 | 4.10% | 23.40% | 33.90% | 44.40% | 21.80% | 13.20% | .314 | $2,700 | $3,300 | $4,500 |
Catcher
Cash Play: Nick Hundley has a great matchup at home against McCarthy who he is 6-15 with a HR lifetime against. His price is reasonable across the board as well.
GPP plays: Spending up may be risky for catcher tonight, but if have the salary Wilson Ramos may be a nice sneaky play. He went 3-6 in the first game of the series, and many will be off the Nats due to Ray’s recent success. Salvador Perez is another player that will be low owned tonight. He has struggled lately, but gets a spot starter matchup tonight.
Value Plays: Plenty of punt options today. I suggest waiting for some lineups to come out to see where they are in the lineups, but James McCann and Jett Bandy check in as nice plays. Vegas expects Detroit to light up Shields tonight, and McCann will be a popular play on DK. Bandy is dirt cheap, reached base safely in 11 of his last 14 games, and has a nice matchup vs a lefty that has been hit or miss this season.
| Player | Tm | Bats | H/A | Opp | Opp Pitcher | Throws | AB | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | wOBA | ISO | BB% | K% | GB% | FB% | LD% | HR/FB | BABIP | $FD | $DK | $Aces |
| Adrian Gonzalez | LA | L | A | COL | Jon Gray | R | 367 | .283 | .360 | .406 | .766 | .331 | .123 | 10.60% | 19.20% | 51.90% | 23.30% | 24.70% | 13.40% | .337 | $3,800 | $4,600 | $5,150 |
| Jose Abreu | CWS | R | A | DET | Anibal Sanchez | R | 402 | .269 | .325 | .413 | .738 | .318 | .144 | 6.10% | 19.30% | 50.50% | 30.80% | 18.70% | 11.30% | .311 | $2,900 | $3,600 | $4,750 |
| Miguel Cabrera | DET | R | H | CWS | James Shields | R | 390 | .303 | .381 | .533 | .914 | .387 | .230 | 11.20% | 16.80% | 46.90% | 32.80% | 20.30% | 22.50% | .321 | $3,600 | $5,400 | $5,300 |
| David Ortiz | BOS | L | A | SEA | Wade LeBlanc | L | 351 | .316 | .406 | .635 | 1.041 | .437 | .319 | 13.20% | 12.50% | 34.80% | 41.60% | 23.60% | 20.30% | .309 | $4,100 | $4,900 | $5,600 |
| Derek Dietrich | MIA | L | A | CHI | Jason Hammel | R | 282 | .270 | .358 | .397 | .755 | .334 | .127 | 6.70% | 19.60% | 45.80% | 29.40% | 24.80% | 6.30% | .330 | $2,400 | $2,600 | $4,250 |
| Carlos Santana | CLE | B | H | MIN | Kyle Gibson | R | 384 | .242 | .342 | .471 | .813 | .352 | .229 | 13.20% | 15.20% | 43.30% | 39.50% | 17.20% | 17.70% | .238 | $3,800 | $4,600 | $4,750 |
First Base
Cash Plays: I’m going to try to fit in Adrian Gonzalez, who is 4-9 with a HR off of Gray. His price is great on Aces, but if I can’t afford him elsewhere, I’ll take the discount and slight risk with Jose Abreu. He is 8-14 lifetime with 2 HR’s off Sanchez. The slight risk is that he went the month of July without a HR, but maybe his first August game starts with one.
GPP Plays: The above two are very much great gpp plays, but may be highly owned. David Ortiz is not in his usual spot to blast off, but he is 2-2 vs LeBlanc, and also hitless in last 9 AB’s. Carlos Santana and Mike Napoli are a combined 4-25 off Gibson, but 3 of those 4 hits went deep. Miguel Cabrera is my wild card tonight. If it wasn’t for A-Gon, he would be my top play due to his 22-60 with 3 HR’s BvP vs Shields. He also has went deep in 3 of his last 5 games, including 2 last game.
Value Play: Too many great matchups, it is hard to recommend punting first tonight. On FD though, Derek Dietrich is listed at first, while being 2B eligible elsewhere. Will only use in a Marlin’s stack, but last 2 hits have went for a double and triple.
| Player | Tm | Bats | H/A | Opp | Opp Pitcher | Throws | AB | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | wOBA | ISO | BB% | K% | GB% | FB% | LD% | HR/FB | BABIP | $FD | $DK | $Aces |
| Greg Garcia | STL | L | A | CIN | Dan Straily | R | 115 | .296 | .423 | .435 | .858 | .376 | .139 | 15.50% | 16.90% | 55.70% | 21.60% | 22.70% | 15.80% | .348 | $2,200 | $3,000 | $4,200 |
| DJ LeMahieu | COL | R | H | LA | Brandon McCarthy | R | 363 | .320 | .385 | .463 | .848 | .367 | .143 | 9.40% | 14.30% | 55.80% | 17.70% | 26.50% | 10.90% | .364 | $3,500 | $4,300 | $5,200 |
| Dustin Pedroia | BOS | R | A | SEA | Wade LeBlanc | L | 417 | .300 | .370 | .448 | .818 | .362 | .148 | 10.10% | 12.50% | 48.30% | 26.10% | 25.60% | 12.90% | .325 | $3,500 | $4,600 | $5,000 |
| Joe Panik | SF | L | A | PHI | Zach Eflin | R | 287 | .251 | .312 | .394 | .706 | .308 | .143 | 8.20% | 10.00% | 44.10% | 36.20% | 19.70% | 7.60% | .259 | $2,900 | $4,500 | $4,200 |
| Jason Kipnis | CLE | L | H | MIN | Kyle Gibson | R | 399 | .286 | .342 | .489 | .831 | .357 | .203 | 7.70% | 20.30% | 40.10% | 35.40% | 24.50% | 15.30% | .328 | $3,900 | $5,200 | $4,750 |
Second Base
Cash plays: Greg Garcia leading off tonight at his cheap price provides you with salary relief. He went deep last game, and should be able to reach and exceed his value tonight. If paying up, DJ LeMahieu is 3-8 off McCarthy and has hit safely in 10 of last 12 games.
GPP plays: Jason Kipnis is a must play on Aces, but price on FD and DK makes him a great gpp play. He is 7-13 with a HR off Gibson. Dustin Pedroia will be a forgotten player tonight. His 11 game hit streak ended last night, and expecting him to start a new one tonight.
Value Plays: Garcia is the best value play at second, but on DK, Dietrich is also in play as a punt.
| Player | Tm | Bats | H/A | Opp | Opp Pitcher | Throws | AB | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | wOBA | ISO | BB% | K% | GB% | FB% | LD% | HR/FB | BABIP | $FD | $DK | $Aces |
| Cheslor Cuthbert | KC | R | A | TB | Matt Andriese | R | 268 | .299 | .336 | .451 | .787 | .342 | .152 | 5.60% | 19.90% | 48.30% | 31.30% | 20.40% | 13.60% | .348 | $2,600 | $3,000 | $3,750 |
| Martin Prado | MIA | R | A | CHI | Jason Hammel | R | 396 | .323 | .374 | .432 | .806 | .351 | .109 | 7.40% | 10.60% | 53.80% | 23.30% | 23.00% | 6.30% | .353 | $2,600 | $3,800 | $4,350 |
| Alex Bregman | HOU | R | H | TOR | R.A. Dickey | R | 28 | .036 | .100 | .036 | .136 | .094 | .000 | 6.70% | 26.70% | 29.40% | 58.80% | 11.80% | 0.00% | .050 | $2,400 | $4,200 | $3,650 |
| Jose Ramirez | CLE | B | H | MIN | Kyle Gibson | R | 342 | .295 | .355 | .415 | .770 | .338 | .120 | 7.90% | 10.30% | 40.00% | 33.30% | 26.70% | 5.00% | .320 | $2,600 | $4,300 | $4,350 |
| Jake Lamb | ARI | L | H | WSH | Tanner Roark | R | 337 | .279 | .355 | .579 | .934 | .397 | .300 | 10.00% | 25.30% | 47.90% | 27.90% | 24.20% | 31.30% | .329 | $3,200 | $4,700 | $4,850 |
Third Base
Cash Plays: I left out all of the top 3B tonight, and using this position as salary relief. Jose Ramirez is one of the few Indians that doesn’t have great numbers vs Gibson, but is currently on six game hit streak with 2 hits in four of those games. Should have plenty of opportunities tonight. On DK and even Aces, Cheslor Cuthbert may be your best salary relief option. He has 2 hits in three of his last five games. He probably won’t be the most popular pick at third on DK, but willing to take chance to fit in others.
GPP plays: If looking to pay up in cash for safer option than Cheslor, Martin Prado makes for a nice option, but I like him more in tourneys with a Marlin’s stack. He’s 7-22 with a HR off Hammel. Jake Lamb is no longer fully overpriced. It’s still high, but worth a shot in a gpp vs a righty pitcher.
Value Play: Depending on where he bats in the order, and how much risk you want to take, I think Alex Bregman breaks through tonight. The thing that I don’t understand is why he is priced so high on DK. Maybe they believe it too tonight. So far, he is 1-28 with a single and 2 walks.
| Player | Tm | Bats | H/A | Opp | Opp Pitcher | Throws | AB | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | wOBA | ISO | BB% | K% | GB% | FB% | LD% | HR/FB | BABIP | $FD | $DK | $Aces |
| Corey Seager | LA | L | A | COL | Jon Gray | R | 406 | .310 | .365 | .532 | .897 | .382 | .222 | 7.90% | 18.50% | 49.10% | 27.00% | 23.90% | 20.70% | .351 | $4,400 | $5,400 | $5,300 |
| Francisco Lindor | CLE | B | H | MIN | Kyle Gibson | R | 394 | .305 | .358 | .452 | .810 | .349 | .147 | 8.10% | 13.50% | 52.50% | 24.20% | 23.30% | 14.50% | .324 | $3,400 | $4,700 | $5,100 |
| Marcus Semien | OAK | R | A | LAA | Matt Shoemaker | R | 364 | .234 | .298 | .459 | .757 | .326 | .225 | 8.50% | 23.80% | 41.20% | 43.10% | 15.70% | 19.10% | .254 | $2,700 | $2,700 | $4,650 |
| Tim Anderson | CWS | R | A | DET | Anibal Sanchez | R | 192 | .276 | .284 | .417 | .701 | .302 | .141 | 1.00% | 28.90% | 55.90% | 23.50% | 20.60% | 15.60% | .369 | $2,900 | $3,700 | $4,450 |
| Alexi Amarista | SD | L | H | MIL | Zach Davies | R | 100 | .280 | .330 | .300 | .630 | .277 | .020 | 7.30% | 13.60% | 45.30% | 29.10% | 25.60% | 0.00% | .326 | $2,200 | $2,400 | $3,750 |
| Trea Turner | WSH | R | A | ARI | Robbie Ray | L | 66 | .318 | .357 | .485 | .842 | .362 | .167 | 4.30% | 25.70% | 48.90% | 29.80% | 21.30% | 0.00% | .438 | $3,500 | $3,400 | $4,550 |
Shortstop
Cash Plays: You’ll be paying an arm and a leg for him, but Corey Seager is 5-6 with a HR off Gray. He’s also coming off a series against Arizona where he went 7-13. For a cheaper price, Francisco Lindor is 5-7 off Gibson. Both have the ability to put up big lines, but will be tough to fit Seager in on DK.
GPP Plays: Trea Turner still has a cash game playable price on DK, but like him most as a gpp play tonight. Had a triple and SB in first game of the series, and won’t take much to exceed DK value. Tim Anderson is 2-4 off Sanchez, and makes for a great play paired with Eaton and Abreu. He also has 5 hits over last two games.
Value Play: Marcus Semien is 5-15 with a HR off Shoemaker, and 3 of his last 5 hits have went for extra bases. If going full punt mode, Alexi Amarista gives you that option. He is 7-12 with 2 SB’s over his last four games.
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| Player | Tm | Bats | H/A | Opp | Opp Pitcher | Throws | AB | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | wOBA | ISO | BB% | K% | GB% | FB% | LD% | HR/FB | BABIP | $FD | $DK | $Aces |
| Giancarlo Stanton | MIA | R | A | CHI | Jason Hammel | R | 343 | .242 | .332 | .490 | .822 | .353 | .248 | 11.00% | 31.60% | 44.00% | 35.20% | 20.80% | 28.90% | .308 | $3,300 | $4,400 | $5,350 |
| Charlie Blackmon | COL | L | H | LA | Brandon McCarthy | R | 368 | .304 | .365 | .473 | .838 | .362 | .169 | 7.50% | 16.10% | 36.10% | 37.20% | 26.70% | 10.90% | .341 | $4,100 | $5,000 | $5,150 |
| Adam Eaton | CWS | L | A | DET | Anibal Sanchez | R | 406 | .271 | .355 | .406 | .761 | .336 | .135 | 8.70% | 16.80% | 61.60% | 19.30% | 19.00% | 12.50% | .318 | $3,400 | $4,300 | $4,750 |
| Josh Reddick | LA | L | A | COL | Jon Gray | R | 243 | .296 | .368 | .449 | .817 | .357 | .153 | 10.30% | 12.50% | 45.00% | 32.20% | 22.80% | 12.30% | .317 | $3,900 | $4,700 | $4,550 |
| David Dahl | COL | L | H | LA | Brandon McCarthy | R | 27 | .370 | .393 | .630 | 1.023 | .438 | .260 | 3.60% | 32.10% | 52.90% | 23.50% | 23.50% | 50.00% | .500 | $3,700 | $3,000 | $3,700 |
| Ichiro Suzuki | MIA | L | A | CHI | Jason Hammel | R | 196 | .321 | .394 | .378 | .772 | .344 | .057 | 10.40% | 8.60% | 54.30% | 17.10% | 28.60% | 0.00% | .354 | $2,300 | $3,600 | $3,750 |
| Preston Tucker | HOU | L | H | TOR | R.A. Dickey | R | 114 | .167 | .221 | .360 | .581 | .253 | .193 | 4.90% | 27.10% | 46.30% | 37.50% | 16.30% | 13.30% | .195 | $2,100 | $3,100 | $3,800 |
Outfield
Cash Plays: Giancarlo Stanton is 7-18 with a HR off Hammel, and has a nice price tag again. I know many don’t trust him, but feel he will be a popular play tonight. Charlie Blackmon is 5-10 lifetime off McCarthy, and is 7 for his last 13 with 5 doubles. Adam Eaton is 6-14 with 2 HR’s off Snachez, and hit 3 HR’s last week. David Dahl will be highly owned on DK, being only 3K as the cheapest player of the game.
GPP Plays: Josh Reddick may get his first start with the Dodgers tonight, and hit safely in 9 of last 11 games. I’m a fan of pairing up OF’s from the same team in gpps. All of the above players in cash, as well as Reddick have some great players to pair with that will be low owned. Paying up for players like Mike Trout and Ian Desmond will be the contrarian route tonight, but not bad moves at all.
Value Plays: There may be an overload of value options tonight in the OF. Many are not listed, but can easily be in play once lineups come out. Currently, I like Ichiro Suzuki and Preston Tucker the most so far. Ichiro hasn’t played much lately, but may get the start tonight, and reach his 3,000 hits. He’s 8-26 lifetime vs Hammel. Tucker is getting AB’s, but not hits. He’s 1 for his last 21, but is 2-3 vs Dickey.
Player News
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.
José Soriano allowed three runs over five innings while not factoring in the decision Thursday against the Blue Jays.
Soriano left with a 4-3 lead, but it was erased quickly after his departure. The 26-year-old was not exactly dominant in his outing with eight hits allowed and four free passes, but he did strike out six to help balance things out a smidgen. Soriano takes an even ERA of 4.00 into a scheduled start against the Padres in San Diego on Tuesday. There should be better options for that one.