How many of the Los Angeles Angels new-look lineup can you fit on your fantasy baseball team? With Baseball Challenge you can have them all, but only if you spend wisely. Here’s some of the picks I like and a group you can join. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
It’s Opening Night in Major League Baseball which means it’s time for another round of Baseball Challenge from ESPN. We’ve created a FantasyCPR group you can enter with your entry by searching for the FantasyCPR group or following these links:
Get in the action now:
http://games.espn.go.com/baseball-challenge/en/group?groupID=13403&invitesource=email&inviteuser=NTkzNDM0Nzc%3D&ex_cid=invite-email-BBC
The key to Baseball Challenge is getting the right blend of bargain buys and big budget players so that you rack up points while also increasing the value of your team. This year the game employs a floating cap meaning that if a players value goes up you can sell them for their new worth and increase your salary cap throughout the year.
Here’s some picks I like for each position. I’ve given you a big budget option, a bargain option, and told you who will start the year on my team. Have fun assembling your lineup and follow along all year to see who I’m adding and dropping as the year unfolds.
March 23, 2013; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) hits against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning during a spring training game at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Catcher
Big Budget: Buster Posey-SF
Bargain: A.J Ellis-LAD
My Pick: Buster Posey-SF
1B
Big Budget: Albert Pujols-LAA
Bargain: Nick Swisher-Cle
My Pick: Albert Pujols-LAA
2B
Big Budget: Dustin Pedroia-Bos
Bargain: Donovan Solano-Mia
My Pick: Dustin Pedroia-Bos
3B
Big Budget: Miguel Cabrera-Det
Bargain: Jed Lowrie-Oak
My Pick: Miguel Cabrera-Det
SS
Big Budget: Starlin Castro-ChC
Bargain: Jean Segura-Mil
My Pick: Ian Desmond-Was
March 28, 2013; Clearwater, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Domonic Brown (9) singles during the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Bright House Networks Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
LF
Big Budget: Mike Trout-LAA
Bargain: Domonic Brown-Phi
My Pick: Domonic Brown-Phi
CF
Big Budget: Adam Jones-Bal
Bargain: Lorenzo Cain-KC
My Pick: Dexter Fowler-Col
RF
Big Budget: Josh Hamilton-LAA
Bargain: Michael Cuddyer-Col
My Pick: Ben Zobrist-TB
DH
Big Budget: Kendrys Morales-Sea
Bargain: Chris Johnson-Atl
My Pick: Kendrys Morales-Sea
Mar 11, 2012; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) pitches during the first inning against the New York Mets at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Pitching Staff
Big Budget: Cincinnati Reds
Bargain: Boston Red Sox
My Pick: Detroit Tigers