There are a lot of games today, but just a handful for the main slate, so the available player pool was diminished. However, there’s plenty of value to be had this evening, including one, if not two guys that I could see leaving the yard twice! Also, they are incredibly affordable, so you should have no issues getting them in your lineup. There’s a lot of struggling pitchers throwing today, so there are going to be some popular stacks today. Without further ado, let’s grab the key, head down the stairs and head into the Value Vault!
Both Sites:
Jorge Soler , OF/DH KC ($2,600 FD/$3,400 DK) - It hasn’t been a great start to the 2021 campaign for Jorge Soler , but today is the perfect get right opportunity. For his career against Michael Wacha , he’s 6-for-13 with three home runs and a .667 wOBA! Soler’s average exit velocity of 92.9 miles per hour would actually be the highest of his career, and he has an immense 55.6 percent hard hit rate, per Baseball Savant. It’s only a matter of time before Soler busts out of this early season slump, and today could be the beginning. If you need to save even more dollars, Kyle Isbel is another bat in this game that should command some attention.
Guillermo Heredia , OF ATL ($2,700 FD/$2,600 DK) - With Ronald Acuna likely out of action, Guillermo Heredia should have no issues slotting in the Atlanta lineup against the Yankees. Wind should be blowing out, which helps, and Heredia has been solid against righties this year. Furthermore, Kluber has allowed an OPS over 1.200 to right-handed hitters this year, not to mention an insane .510 wOBA. Heredia is red hot, racking five hits (3 XBH) in his last two games, and makes for a solid play today. Ehire Adrianza is also firmly in play, especially if he hits leadoff again.
DraftKings:
Harold Castro , 1B DET ($2,400) - Lefties against Mitch Keller , folks! I’ll keep saying it! Keller has been abused by left-handed hitters, to the tune of a .331/.422/.541 slash line. Ouch. Castro is hitting .308 against righties this year and he’s a career .314 hitter against right-handers with a .417 slugging percentage and 37.9 percent hard contact rate. Castro isn’t a huge power guy, so we’ll need some volume to accrue his fantasy points, but I envision Detroit putting up quite a few runs on the board, with Castro contributing with a couple hits and sprinkle in a run scored and a run or two batted in. I also like Akil Baddoo for similar reasons (Keller's struggles against lefties). UPDATE: Miguel Yajure is getting the start instead of Mitch Keller . Yajure was far better against righties in 2020 and this likely turns into a bullpen day for the Pirates. Detroit lefties are still in play!
FanDuel:
Pablo Sandoval 1B ATL ($2,000) - With Atlanta getting the DH spot in the lineup, Pablo Sandoval should find his name on the lineup card for today’s evening contest. He’s 4-for-11 on the year against righties with three home runs and seven RBI. Sandoval’s 57.1 percent fly ball rate for the 2021 season should pair nicely with an outward blowing wind, a short porch in right and Kluber’s 2.61 HR/9 mark through 10.1 innings this season.
Player News
Jake Fraley was a late scratch from Monday’s lineup against the Cardinals.
No word yet on the reason for the move. It’ll be rookie Blake Dunn taking over in right field on Monday night against the Cardinals.
Guardians sent RHP Triston McKenzie outright to Triple-A Columbus.
It’s a bit jarring that McKenzie passed through waivers unclaimed following his removal from Cleveland’s 40-man roster last week. The 27-year-old righty will remain with the organization at Triple-A Columbus where he’ll attempt to put his one-promising career back on track. He’s a true reclamation project for the Guardians’ pitching apparatus.
Orioles selected the contract INF Emmanuel Rivera from Triple-A Norfolk.
Rivera provides the Orioles with some extra infield depth with starting third baseman Jordan Westburg hitting the injured list with a hamstring strain. The 28-year-old should get some opportunities against left-handed pitching, but he can be safely ignored in all fantasy formats.
Orioles selected the contract of C Maverick Handley from Triple-A Norfolk.
Handley gets the call to join the Orioles ahead of Monday’s game against the Yankees with veteran backstop Gary Sánchez hitting the injured list with wrist inflammation. The 27-year-old backstop will be making his big-league debut if he gets into a game.
Orioles placed 2B/3B Jordan Westburg on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain.
Not great. Westburg winds up hitting the shelf after an MRI on Monday revealed a strain. No word yet on how much time he’s going to miss, but fantasy managers should anticipate a multi-week absence, even if it’s on the milder side. The 26-year-old infielder was just starting to settle into a groove at the plate, hitting .310 (9-for-29) with one homer and two RBI over his last seven games. It’ll veteran Ramón Urías taking over at the hot corner in his absence.
Orioles placed C Gary Sánchez on the 10-day injured list with right wrist inflammation.
Sánchez hits the shelf ahead of Monday’s game against the Yankees, his former team. It’ll be Maverick Handley coming up from Triple-A Norfolk to take his spot on Baltimore’s active roster as franchise cornerstone Adley Rutschman’s primary caddy.