The final Pitching Coach, it has been a long season my friends. I would not be lying if I told you I was ready for a little break before the start of the NBA season.

We have some decent pitching options today and a Coors Field game, to boot. With so many teams out of the race, the SP who are playoff bound, may only come out and stretch today. This time of year, you should be reserving your cash game bankroll for DFS NFL and playing very light GPPs in MLB. This is the time of year when the sharks really swim heavy in the waters. Why? Simple, a lot of people are just throwing in quick lineups with little research, just for the sake of playing, while the sharks are relentless in following their routines. In the end, with smaller GPP sizes this time of year, they clean up. If you watch the standings from here out in the larger field contests you will find several lineups by the same people at the top. It is just the way it is. Luckily, I am seasoned vet and am here to warn you.

By the way, you may have noticed The Fantasy Alarm show is now up to three hours per day Monday through Friday on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (XM 87/Sirius 210)? Tune in.

So with Quick Pitch playing in the background, and a fresh cup of the “nectar of the gods”, I bring you, with honor, the final Pitching Coach article of the 2016 MLB season.

Possible weather concerns

Although we have rain around the country today, it appears going through the hourly forecasts, game-by-game, the rain will be over prior to game times. We have cool weather and at this time, no real concerns.

The Marlins-Nationals game is the only one you will see with a blip today, and the hourly has the rain ending around game time. This may start in a delay, but I see no way they do not play this one out. I would use SP in this game.

Keep in mind, it is 4 a.m., and the weather has a funny way of changing.

Early Slate

If you are looking to use the two games starting at 1:05 today, you will be sad to find that the contest selection here rather sucks. The bulk of the play today is happening on the 4:05 slate, and myself, that is where I will concentrate my bankroll. I really see no need to do a bunch of research for a slate with payouts so low. But, I do really like one SP in these two games.

Bartolo Colon, New York Mets (Cash game play for 1:05 p.m. slate/SP2/GPP)

If you insist on playing in these contests than Colon is your best option. He gets a great park shift at Citizens Bank Park playing the team with the worst offense in MLB. Not only are the Phillies 30th in wOBA versus RHP at .298, they are also 30th in both home wOBA at .286, and wRC+ at 76. It gets better, they are also striking out 27.4 percent of the time over the last seven days. Although Colon struggled in his last start versus Miami, he has owned the Phillies this season. He is 2-1 with a 2.92 ERA, while striking out 21 batters over 24 2/3 innings. His price is low, and he is the best SP2 on this slate. The current Phillies roster is batting .234 (48-for-205) with five HR (Freddy Galvis, Ryan Howard (3), and Darin Ruf), 20 RBI, and 47 strikeouts versus Colon, who beat Ryan Howard in a cheese steak eating contest a few seasons ago.

Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers (Cash/GPP)

While I prefer Jon Lester today on DK for the price, overall, the superior choice is Kershaw. Although the Dodgers have clinched, the Dodgers-Giants series is like watching the Red Sox-Yankees. They battle. And believe me when I tell you that the Dodgers will do everything they can to knock the Giants out of the post-season. Kershaw this season versus the Giants is 2-0 with a 1.86 ERA while striking out 31 batters over 29 innings. No way we do not see more of the same today. The current Giants roster is batting .165 (66-for-399) with three HR (Buster Posey (2) and Ehire Adrianza), 14 RBI, and 125 strikeouts versus the Kersh-a-nator. Really not much else to say about Kershaw, he is basically matchup proof.

Wade Miley, Baltimore Orioles (SP2/GPP)

Although I honestly believe Gary Sanchez hits at least one HR today off of Miley, I still will be using him in a GPP or two. The Yankees are striking out a low 17 percent of the time with a .299 wOBA (28th in MLB), and wRC+ of 84 versus LHP. In his last start versus Arizona who hit LHP well, he struck out 11 batters over 8 2/3 innings while only allowing one earned run. There is a ton of risk here, but I simply cannot resist myself to take a flyer. The current Yankees roster is batting .262 (38-for-145), with two HR (Bully Butler and Brian McCann), 18 RBI, and 24 strikeouts versus Miley coyote.

I would also would have no objection if a DFS player was to take a stab at Tanner Roark today, but, he looks a little tired to me, which is why I am fading him. Plus, I believe he will be a heavily owned trap.

                vs Lvs R   
PlayerTmHandOppIPK/9BB/9HR/9BAASwStr%ERAxFIPWHIPGB%FB%GB/FBwOBAwOBA$FD$DK$Aces
Jon LesterCHILCIN197.28.692.230.91.20811.3%2.283.371.0049.1%30.1%1.630.2310.272$10800$11100$7850
Clayton KershawLALSF142.010.650.570.44.18216.5%1.652.160.7152.0%27.0%1.920.1410.225$10700$13800$8000
Tanner RoarkWSHRMIA204.17.402.910.75.2309.7%2.864.081.1751.4%29.5%1.740.2850.288$8300$9100$7100
Trevor BauerCLERKC184.07.783.280.98.2489.8%4.264.151.3150.1%28.2%1.770.3060.321$7800$7000$6650
Wei-Yin ChenMIALWSH118.17.231.751.60.27510.2%5.024.081.2841.8%36.5%1.150.3400.338$7800$5600$6850
Bartolo ColonNYMRPHI186.25.891.451.11.2696.3%3.424.221.2245.4%31.6%1.440.3380.292$7200$7300$6900
Chad KuhlPITRSTL65.26.582.600.96.2609.1%4.254.351.2848.3%29.4%1.640.3680.291$6900$6000$6250
Wade MileyBALLNYY160.08.622.641.35.3119.5%6.384.102.9150.4%28.7%1.760.3010.361$6600$6900$5750
Michael WachaSTLRPIT137.07.432.500.92.2889.0%4.934.151.4748.9%26.3%1.860.3180.356$6600$6100$6600
Tim AdlemanCINRCHI64.25.992.371.81.24710.4%3.904.691.1841.5%39.4%1.050.3340.341$6,100$5,500$5900
Edinson VolquezKCRCLE184.16.543.471.12.2879.0%5.374.491.5453.9%24.7%2.180.3460.347$6000$4800$5700
Luis SeverinoNYYRBAL67.18.422.941.34.2729.8%5.754.041.4347.5%29.7%1.600.3220.372$5400$5100$5950
Phil KleinPHIRNYM14.412.474.111.17.24210.3%5.194.433.5537.2%37.2%1.000.3780.393$5200$4000$5200
Albert SuarezSFRLA84.05.792.251.18.2649.3%4.294.511.3150.8%27.3%1.860.3270.357$5000$4400$6600

Evening Slate

With the most expensive pitcher on FD tonight coming in at a low $8,800, and a Coors Field game with an expected run total 12.0, you can expect heavy action there. After the dud the Brewers put up yesterday versus Chad Bettis, no way I do not go back to that well myself.

Collin McHugh, Houston Astros (Cash/SP2/GPP)

I really hate attacking the Angels but, I honestly have a feeling this matchup today will be the lowest scoring on the slate. McHugh gets a great park shift at Angel Stadium facing an Angels team that has been knocking the cover off the ball. The truth is, McHugh has been pitching too good lately to pass on. Over his last four starts he has not allowed more than two earned runs. He also has 23 strikeouts over his last 24 2/3 innings. This season versus the Angels McHugh has 15 strikeouts over 19 innings with a low 2.84 ERA, and gets my call as the top option on the night slate. The current Angels roster is batting .287 (35-for-122) with five HR (Ji-Man Choi, Mike Trout (2), Albert Pujols, and C.J. Cron), 14 RBI, and 25 strikeouts versus McHugh.

Jake Odorizzi, Tampa Bay Rays (Cash /SP2/GPP)

This is the one the newer players this season will overlook because of the matchup. The Rangers have a huge .346 wOBA at home, which should come as no surprise in this hitter’s park, and should cause you to bite your fingernails off. The thing is, they clinched home field advantage last night. Why put your studs out there today? For what purpose? I honestly see no way Odorizzi does not face a lineup of bench players like Ryan Rua, etc. Odorizzi has a decent K/9 of 7.83 facing a lineup with 10 players who strikeout over 21 percent of the time versus RHP this season, including a more-than-likely Gallo who is striking out an incredible 66.7 percent of the time himself. Prior to his last start versus the Red Sox who beat up everyone he had back-to-back starts where he allowed two earned runs or less versus the playoff hungry Blue Jays, and Orioles. No way he does not dominate today facing a team he has a 1.50 ERA versus this season. The current Rangers lineup is batting .214 (18-for-84) with two HR (Adrian Beltre and Rougned Odor), two RBI, and 13 strikeouts versus todays Jake from State Farm.

Tyler Skaggs (FD Value/GPP/SP2)

For the price on DK today Skaggs is a complete fade outside of GPPs. On FD and Aces, he is a decent value. Skaggs had hit a skid for a spell battling some forearm issues but is slated to return tonight. In his last two starts versus the Rangers and Mariners he has a 2.25 ERA with 15 strikeouts over 12 innings. The Astros are striking out a whopping 23.2 percent of the time this season versus LHP with a middle-of-the-road .322 wOBA. As long as Skaggs is healthy tonight I see no way he does not rack up the strikeouts while maybe allowing a run or two. The BVP is minimal with little real damage.

Jharel Cotton, Oakland Athletics (GPP/FD Value)

I have to be honest, attacking the Mariners is a lot like poking a hornets nest with a stick, more often than not, you get stung. But I really want to load up them Coors Field bats today causing me to look for some nice cheapies with potential. Cotton has only allowed one earned run or less in four consecutive starts versus some pretty tough teams like the Rangers, Angels, and Astros. His K/9 is less than desirable, but he still has managed to whiff 11 batters over his last 13 innings, and is facing a Mariners team that strikes out 20 percent of the time versus RHP. He gets a great park shift, is a nice price, and is my favorite value play today. We have no BVP, just a lot of risk.

                vs Lvs R   
PlayerTmHandOppIPK/9BB/9HR/9BAASwStr%ERAxFIPWHIPGB%FB%GB/FBwOBAwOBA$FD$DK$Aces
J.A. HappTORLBOS188.27.732.621.05.23310.7%3.203.991.1645.1%32.8%1.380.2900.297$8800$8000$6750
Hisashi IwakumaSEAROAK195.16.541.941.29.2788.5%3.964.281.3043.2%35.8%1.210.3290.333$8000$8200$6550
Collin McHughHOURLAA177.08.752.641.27.28811.5%4.533.881.4543.6%36.1%1.210.3520.346$7900$7700$6600
Jake OdorizziTBRTEX181.27.832.531.39.24410.5%3.774.231.2237.3%41.7%0.900.2660.344$7700$6200$6450
Jordan ZimmermannDETRATL101.15.692.041.15.2868.5%4.894.511.3644.5%36.5%1.220.3160.368$7600$7600$6050
Eduardo RodriguezBOSLTOR102.08.033.001.41.24511.5%4.684.471.2833.3%45.5%0.730.3270.318$7300$6700$6500
Tyler SkaggsLAALHOU48.09.383.940.94.2619.2%4.134.051.4445.9%33.3%1.380.3400.321$7300$9600$6700
Hector SantiagoMINLCWS175.25.083.891.69.2819.2%6.224.902.8137.1%47.3%0.780.3380.342$7300$6100$5600
James ShieldsCWSRMIN174.25.953.921.96.3049.6%6.795.133.1741.7%36.9%1.130.3790.390$6900$6900$6350
Wily PeraltaMILRCOL121.26.663.111.41.3089.4%5.104.351.5652.3%24.9%2.100.3860.366$6600$4900$6200
Clayton RichardSDLARI63.16.023.410.43.2719.7%2.014.333.6068.1%14.3%4.770.3070.335$6600$4500$5900
Colby LewisTEXRTB110.05.722.211.47.2388.8%3.934.691.1436.0%44.5%0.810.2990.308$6500$6800$6650
Archie BradleyARIRSD134.28.823.941.07.2778.8%5.154.291.5949.0%27.3%1.800.4020.295$6300$7500$6150
Jharel CottonOAKRSEA25.05.761.081.08.15912.0%1.444.110.6834.3%50.0%0.690.0840.282$5500$6600$6000
Jeff HoffmanCOLRMIL26.15.135.132.39.3156.4%5.475.661.9047.9%27.1%1.770.3850.458$5000$4000$5500
Aaron BlairATLRDET64.05.074.081.83.3089.2%8.025.941.7341.7%35.0%1.190.4400.351$4000$4200$5500

It has been a great season, and I thank you for taking the time to read my little article. We have witnessed a lot of history this year, including the tragic death of Jose Fernandez, the retirement of Vin Scully, and for me, the Dodgers clinching. For those of your who play DFS NBA, see you soon. For those of you who do not, see you next season.

Follow me on Twitter @RealJerryColvin or email me at TheRealJerryColvin@yahoo.com

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