MLB DFS Bargain Bin-Saturday, June 23rd Quick Hits

MLB DFS Bargain Bin- Tout Transparency Report for Friday, June 22nd

Before we get to today’s special version of the MLB DFS Bargain Bin, we’ll look back at how Friday’s suggestions did in the MLB DFS Bargain Bin Tout Transparency Report.

In the interest of transparency and tracking trends, I’ll do a quick review after each day in which I suggest value plays to see what went right, and what didn’t exactly work out as planned.

Friday was an interesting night for our Bargain Bin suggestions, to say the least. On the bad side side of things, Red Sox starter Steven Wright was an utter disaster, allowing 10 earned runs and looking nothing at all like the pitcher he’d been all season, including in an impressive effort his previous time out against the same Mariners squad that lit him up Friday. Wright’s troubles started early and never let up, and it’s surprising he was in there long enough to take that much of a beating.

The Athletics’ Chris Bassitt was just adequate as a Yahoo-only special, while the Brewers’ Junior Guerra was only in for five innings, but he did compile seven strikeouts and only surrendered one run. Late Twitter suggestion Chris Stratton wasn’t bad either, despite taking the loss. He turned in a quality start, allowing two earned runs over six innings.

As far as our five bargain hitting spots went, as has sometimes been the case lately, a couple of pitchers that had been struggling turned in out-of-nowhere dominant performances to blow up some of our plans. Friday, it was the Orioles’ Alex Cobb, the Rangers’ Mike Minor and the Rockies’ Jon Gray who looked particularly sharp, and the Mets’ Zach Wheeler also was coasting along for several innings to start his game.

However, in Wheeler’s case, Cody Bellinger was finally able to break through and slug a grand slam to make him the best value of the night and validate Wheeler’s issues against lefties at home.

The Braves bats did finally wake up against the secondary target of the Orioles bullpen after Cobb left the game, leading to solid performances from bargain bats Johan Camargo, Ender Inciarte, Yahoo-only special Ozzie Albies and Charlie Culberson.

Over in Colorado, the Rockies did their part in picking on Wei-Yin Chen, but the Marlins couldn’t do much with Gray, who racked up a whopping 12 Ks over seven innings. Bargain bat Derek Dietrich was able to get to him for a homer, however, and he added another pair of hits. Miguel Rojas was another Marlins bargain bat with a multi-hit effort.

On the Rockies side, a lot of the damage came from non-value plays, but catcher Tom Murphy was excellent with a three-hit night that included a pair of doubles and two RBI. Bargain suggestion Noel Cuevas also singled and scored twice.

And finally, in Minnesota, Minor stymied the Twins for six innings, with only Brian Dozier among the bargain bats that notched a hit. Mitch Garver was out of the lineup, Ehire Adrianza went hitless and Ryan LaMarre walked once over two plate appearances before being pinch-hit for.

MLB DFS Bargain Bin Best Value(s):

Bellinger, Dietrich and Murphy rack up production– Bellinger’s only hit was the grand slam, providing more than enough return on a reasonable price. Dietrich and Murphy did the same with three hits apiece, including the former’s solo homer.

MLB DFS Bargain Bin Biggest Dud(s):

Wright implodes, Twins bats sleep– Wright’s line is likely to be one of the ugliest you’ll see this season, while the Twins failed to capitalize on a pitcher in Minor who’d been hit hard on the road this season.

MLB DFS Bargain Bin- Saturday, June 23rd Quick Hits

Time constraints are forcing a more abbreviated version of the Bargain Bin today, so I’ll simply try to offer some quick thoughts on where there may be some value to be had across the industry for Saturday’s games.

Although I don’t have access to the pricing for the players I’ll mention in front of me, they are players that typically have been affordable this season and therefore fit into our parameters for a bargain play.

• Over in Minnesota, consider the Twins’ Brian Dozier again, along with fellow vet Joe Mauer, in a matchup against Yovani Gallardo. Gallardo has had considerable trouble with both handedness of hitter, and both players have highly favorable track records against the Rangers’ veteran starter.
• Naturally, Colorado is another hot spot again Saturday, especially considering the two pitchers taking the hill. The Marlins’ Trevor Richards has especially found life on the road to be difficult (7.40 ERA), and right-handed hitters have hit him hard all season. Consider the likes of Tom Murphy, Noel Cuevas and Chris Iannetta again as bargain plays on the Colorado side. Meanwhile, the Rockies’ Tyler Anderson has allowed eight homers and a .300 BAA at home this season, and left-handed hitters have been an Achilles’ heel. Derek Dietrich and Justin Bour (if affordably priced) particularly come into play here.
• The A’s Daniel Mengden has some decent starts under his belt this season, but he’s had a difficult time on the road and does give up the long ball to both handedness of hitter (14 homers surrendered overall). The likes of Yoan Moncada, Yolmer Sanchez, Matt Davidson, Kevan Smith, Jose Abreu and even Avisail Garcia are worthy of consideration, as they typically are all reasonably priced.
• The Nationals’ Erick Fedde has struggled overall this season and has a tired bullpen behind him as well. Washington relievers have pitched the fourth-most innings over the last week (27.1) while generating a 4.94 ERA and allowing an MLB-high seven homers over that span. Phillies bats are typically affordable across the board and are very worthy of consideration, including the likes of Carlos Santana, Scott Kingery, Maikel Franco and Jorge Alfaro.
• The Reds’ Anthony DeSclafani has a career-long history of struggling with lefty bats. Tommy La Stella (hitting leadoff as well), Jason Heyward and Ian Happ are three Cubs hitters that should be affordable and definitely worthy of consideration.
• Over in Milwaukee’s hitter-friendly Miller Park, it’s worth noting several Cardinals who should be affordable have enjoyed success against Brewers starter Chase Anderson. Those include Marcell Ozuna, Yadier Molina and Tommy Pham, three players with excellent GPP upside who usually won’t break your bank. The Milwaukee bullpen has been vulnerable lately as well, allowing a .367 wOBA, nine extra-base hits and an MLB-high 15 walks over the last week.
• Most of the Indians bats against the Tigers’ Francisco Liriano will be pricey of course, but a sneaky option for tournaments could be Rajai Davis, who has a long and successful history against the southpaw (.359 average over 41 plate appearances). Catcher Yan Gomes may also be reasonably priced across some, if not all four sites and should be factored in as well.
• The Blue Jays’ Marcus Stroman will make his start since May 8 and often appeared lost in his first seven outings of the season (7.71 ERA), getting hit hard by both handedness in the process. Therefore, all affordable Angels are in play, but it’s particularly worth noting that among possible Los Angeles bargain bats, Albert Pujols and Andrelton Simmons have good track records against the right-hander.

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