LAKELAND, FL – MARCH 01: Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves bats during the Spring Training game against the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on March 1, 2018 in Lakeland, Florida. The Braves defeated the Tigers 5-2. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Second Base, High End Spend
Early
Brian Dozier, $4,500
.167/.167/.667 with 1 HR in 6 at-bats
The price is likely about as high as we’ll see all season with Dozier and it’s not always the best idea to chase that. It’s also not the easiest matchup as Mike Leake generates a ton of ground balls. However, Dozier is smoking hot to start 2018 and Leake still does surrender a career 13.6 HR/FB ratio. I’ve yet to play Dozier this season but I wouldn’t talk you out of this one.
Main
Ozzie Albies, $3,700
.400/.400/.600 with 0 HR in 5 at-bats
The youngster hit a homer run in the first inning yesterday en rout to a big day at the dish, scoring 27.9 on FanDuel. There’s every chance he could do it again as the Braves offense is clicking on all cylinders so far and they haven’t even added Ronald Acuna to the lineup yet. The fact Albies hits in front of Freddie Freeman takes a lot of pressure off the young gun and he could smash again this evening.
Mid-Range
Early
Asdrubal Cabrera, $2,700
.226/.273/.226 with 0 HR in 31 at-bats
Remember everything we said for Wilmer Flores just a minute ago? That all goes for Cabrera as well. I’d be willing to bet a sizable chunk of money that most fans couldn’t tell you who finished third in batting average against lefties in 2017 with at least 100 plate appearances. That would be the man this man, and his OPS was a healthy .946. He’s in that perfect range to help us fit in who we really want today.
Main
Josh Harrison, $3,300
0 at-bats vs. Sal Romano
Speaking of offenses that are smashing everything early, the Buccos put up double digits again last night and that makes J-Hay firmly on our radar. He’s flirting with a .350 batting average and while that’s due to come down, Harrison is batting near the top of a red-hot offense against a pitcher who is decidedly average. Double digit points are well within reach even without a big home run.
Value
Early
Tyler Wade, $2,500
0 at-bats vs. Chris Tillman
There’s not a ton to this one other than Wade is a very cheap way to get a piece of the Yankees offense. Chris Tillman is a terrible match for Yankee Stadium because he can’t strike people out, he doesn’t generate ground balls and he lets up a massive fly ball rate and hard contact rate. That’s not going to go well for him, at least on paper. Perhaps the only hesitation on the Yankees today is they played 14 innings last night. It’s a quick turnaround.
Main
Devon Travis, $2,300
0 at-bats vs. Mike Minor
The Toronto second baseman is also an attractive punt option tonight as he draws a lefty on the mound. Travis was dropped in the order yesterday but showed some life, scoring 12.2 FanDuel points. His price is still very low so even if he draws the nine slot again, there’s still profit to be had.