A look at the leaderboard shows Brian Walton out in front on the strength of two first-place finishes, and Patrick Mayo just behind him, based on his second and third-place finishes in the first two weeks. Then there’s a lot of folks fighting for third, or hoping for one of those two to collapse.
You can follow the races tonight at RTSports, and play a daily game yourself, for free or for cash.
Here’s who the Tout are picking tonight.
Brian Walton has always liked Matt Moore ($6700 @ Yankees), but he has had a long road back from Tommy John surgery. Last time out, the Rays’ lefty fanned 10 White Sox in 6 1/3 innings but he draws the Yankees in the Bronx Friday night. He still likes Moore as his second starter. On the offensive side, the Dodgers head to Coors for the weekend with lefty Jon Gray taking the ball for the Rockies. After taking Thursday off from his duties behind the plate, Yasmani Grandal ($4200 @ Colorado) should be in Friday’s lineup and has seven hits in his last five games.
Stephania Bell likes Felix Hernandez ($9200 @ Angels) and Bryce Harper ($6700 vs. Minnesota). BREAKING NEWS: King Felix is ill and his start is being pushed back!
Charlie Wiegert can go with Gio Gonzalez ($7100 vs Minnesota) and save a few $ and go with a hot pitcher against a weak hitting lineup. It’s time for Gio to get his first win this year, and at least 8 Ks. Evan Longoria ($5100 @ Yankees) has hit CC Sabathia like he owns him, and he’s on a hot streak right now also, so what’s not to like? He’s Charlie’s top choice!
David Gonos’ top picks are Gio Gonzalez ($7100 vs Minnesota) and Yoenis Cespedes ($5500 @Atlanta).
Lawr Michaels says that coming off a couple of decent starts, Jeff Samardzija ($7600 vs Miami) gets to toss at home against the interesting Marlins. Miami has surely improved their plate numbers over last year, ranking sixth-best in batter strikeouts and posting a .327 OBP. Still, the Giants will be home and ready to take things out on someone, and the Fish seem to be the likely west coast victims. As for hitters, it is hard to not like the Dodgers batters in Colorado facing Jonathan Gray, who will be making his first start of the season. I like Yasmani Grandal ($4200 @Colorado), and also Robinson Cano ($5300 vs Anaheim) going against Nick Tropeano.
Gene McCaffrey thinks Brandon Barnes ($2400 vs Dodgers) should do a little something and lets you use more expensive hitters, so necessary tonight, while Aaron Sanchez ($6100 vs Oakland) is home against a weak lineup, and cheap.
Tim Heaney picks 1B Ryan Howard ($3900 @ Milwaukee) because homers have been flying out of Miller Park. He’ll take this clearance-priced chance Howard launches at least his fifth against Zach Davies. SP Adam Wainwright’s ($7900 @ San Diego) early struggles have lowered his price to a more rational point for someone of his diminishing skill. But … it’s Petco Park vs. a AAA lineup, so let’s go for it.
Jeff Erickson was a doubter for his season-long leagues, much to his chagrin, but Aaron Sanchez’s ($6100 vs Oakland) still priced affordably for daily. In a two-pitcher format, especially when you want to get some Coors, you need to find that cheaper option. Odubel Herrera ($4,100 @ Milwaukee) is batting leadoff against a gas can in a pretty good hitter’s park when the roof is closed. At $4,100, he also helps save some cash to afford a Dodgers stack.
Phil Hertz says Lucas Duda ($5200 @Atlanta) is heating up and faces Bud Norris, while Jeff Samardzija ($7600 vs Miami) at AT&T is enticing.
Jeff Boggis’s top starting pitcher on RTSports Friday night’s Tout Daily contest is Toronto’s Aaron Sanchez’s ($6100 vs Oakland). Through 20 innings pitched, he is 1-0 with a 20/7 K/BB ratio, a 1.35 ERA, and a 0.85 WHIP. The price is very favorable at only $6,100, ranking him as the 17th highest salary. That is a savings of $3,100 compared to Felix Hernandez. Sanchez has averaged 13.7 fantasy points per game this season. Sanchez is at home, with a neutral matchup against the Oakland Athletics. He faces starting pitcher Sonny Gray, which is a tough matchup, but Boggis feels that Sanchez will get enough run support tonight from the Toronto offense. Boggis’s top starting hitter on RTSports is Bryce Harper ($6700 vs. Minnesota). Despite Harper being tied with Mike Trout as the highest priced outfielder, he is on a roll and can take over a daily fantasy contest on any given night. Harper is hitting .335 versus right handed pitchers and faces RHP Kyle Gibson, who has a 1.53 WHIP on the season.
Steve Moyer picks Francisco Cervelli ($3900 @ Arizona). Psst. There’s a catcher hitting .340 who’s still cheap. And Gio Gonzalez ($7100 vs Minnesota). Inside Edge, of course, likes Lester and Harvey better, but Gio’s the best balance between price and pitchability.
Mike Gianella went with Jon Lester ($8900 @ Cincinnati) and Jason Heyward ($5300 @ Cincinnati) this week.
The first Period of Tout Daily by RTSports.com is done, and three golden tickets to the contest finals have been awarded to Brian Walton, Rob Leibowitz, and Patrick Mayo.
Melnick’s team (click image to enlarge) was built on strong pitching performances from pitcher of the day Juan Nicasio and King Felix Hernandez. His big hitters, Miguel Cabrera and Mike Trout came up meh, but Nick Castellanos had a strong day and the rest of Lenny’s team produced enough points to win the week.
