Second Base, High End Spend
Early Slate
Scooter Gennett, $2,600
.364/.417/.1.273 with 3 HRs in 11 at-bats
If you play the early slate, there is virtually no options at second base. Josh Harrison ($2,900) and Asdrubal Cabrera ($2,700) are the only other realistic options. I’ll side with Gennett and his bizarre track record against Stephen Strasburg. Is it a lot to go on? Not really, but who else are you going to play? It’s not like you’re breaking the bank for him even if Strasburg prevails.
All Day Special
Jose Altuve,
.375/.444/.750 with 1 HR in 8 at-bats
I know, everyone knows that Altuve is the best option at second base. He’s been here the entire season so far but I won’t shy away from a play just because it’s repetitive. If it’s working, there’s no reason to not play someone. Altuve gets a lefty pitcher in a good park and has good batter vs. pitcher data. Too many factors lead his way to not point it out. Maybe tomorrow they stats will let me talk about someone else.
Main Slate
Brian Dozier, $3,600
.000/.667/.000 with 0 HRs in 1 at-bat
The typical leadoff man for the Twins was quiet on Opening Day which just means he’s that much closer to leaving the park. Still, not many other stats point to Dozier having a good game. He lands here due to price point and the way the second base position shakes out. Dozier could always hit a bomb but it’s likely I pay down further on the main slate.
Mid-Range
Early Slate – None
All Day Special
Devon Travis, $2,500
.050/.050/.050 with 0 HRs in 20 at-bats
The track record couldn’t be much worse, but Travis smashed lefties in 2017 and hits them well over the course of his career. C.C. Sabathia is another year older and Travis could be in the leadoff spot for pretty cheap.
Main Slate
Cesar Hernandez, $3,100
.500/.667/.500 with 0 HRs in 2 at-bats
Philly is shaking out as one of the better stacks on the main slate in my eyes. Hernandez should get another start as he’s been productive in the first two games. It’s important to double check as the Phillies have a plethora of options for their everyday lineup. Any decent hitter against Brandon McCarthy could pay off a middle of the road price tag.
Value
Early Slate – None
All Day Special
Yangervis Solarte, $2,400
0 at-bats vs. C.C. Sabathia
If the track record with Travis scares you off, you can go slightly cheaper and use Solarte. He ended up in my lineup yesterday and he paid off with a double digit effort. He’s locked into an everyday role until Josh Donaldson is back on the mend. We’ll highlight a few Jays but I wouldn’t go overboard with them today.
Main Slate
Joe Panik, $2,700
.444/.545/.778 with 1 HR in 9 at-bats
Panik has started off the season on fire and has a great record against Maeda. He’s already at two homers for the year. You shouldn’t expect that again, but he doesn’t need to do much to be worth spending under $3,000.