Thursday’s shorter slate is over and we’re looking at a big 14 game slate Friday. Friday is a great day because there aren’t too many obvious plays besides the Rockies/Padres game, which has a high probability of rain. Time is money, so let’s get right to it.

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Weather:
PIT/NYY: Rain 80%
CIN/PHI: Rain 60%
SD/COL: Rain 50-60%

Positional Breakdown:

Starting Pitchers:

Max Scherzer is the top pitcher when it comes to price and I think he’s the top guy overall too. He’s got a low 2 ERA and always has huge strikeout potential. The Red Sox. His matchup is decent, but this pick is based solely off of his recent performances and upside.

Yu Darvish is another great play, but just 1k cheaper than Max. He gets the Blue Jays who have 11 less home runs on the road than at home in about as many games. They also hit .007 worse away from the Rogers Centre. Obviously Yu has big strikeout potential in this one as well. Jonathon Niese is a guy I really like against the Nationals and their unsexy lineup. Without guys like Harper, Zimmerman, and LaRoche, it’s hard to think they’ll ever crush a pitcher. Niese has a low 2 ERA for a reason.

Chris Young is about 2k more expensive than I wish he was today. He has limited stirkeout potential, but he’s been great with a good matchup in this one. At 12k I don’t hate it, but I’m not jumping all over him like if he was at 10k.

Others to Consider: Zack Greinke, Sonny Gray

Catchers

John Jaso is a high-priced option now and for good reason. He had a home run leading off against Rienzo on Wednesday and he should be leading off again today. He gets a solid matchup against McAllister who has a close to 4 ERA. Hank Conger has had some real big games so far this season and today could be another big day. He faces Archer who has had some bad games on the season. Conger is hitting .315 with 3 HRs in 2014.

If Tony Sanchez is playing against the Yankees and the game gets in then he’s a good play for minimum. It’s hard to ignore him at that low of a price. He had a home run against the Brewers on Thursday and should be considered as long as he’s 2.5k.

Others to Consider: Rene Rivera, Carlos Corporan

First Basemen

Jose Abreu does things every day that amaze me. He was having an off day before a late inning home run against the A’s that pushed the White Sox to a win Wednesday. He has 15 home runs on the season and has major potential in Houston against their pitching. He’s my top guy today at this position. Prince Fielder has come to life recently with a .356 average in the last 15 days. If you think he’s good for a home run against Hutchison then obviously play him. He only has one in that span though.

Insert comment about Brandon Moss against RHP here. Yep. Another day, another great matchup for Moss. McAllister has only given up one home run in his eight starts, but Moss doesn’t hit just home runs. He’s super hot right now, so strongly consider him. Ike Davis is not a bad mid-range play against David Phelps today. He’s hitting .349 lately and gets a regular RHP to face.

Others to Consider: Matt Adams, CJ Cron

Second Basemen

Brandon Phillips has been superb lately and if you’re not playing him at 5k then you’re doing it wrong. He has seven doubles, three home runs, and like 15 hits in his last nine games. The guy is super hot and will be in a nice hitter’s park. Howie Kendrick is always an option due to his splits being pretty similar in his career. He faces Archer who has a 7 ERA in his last 15 days. Kendrick is always a possible stolen base guy as well.

Derek Dietrich has been a solid young player for the Marlins so far this season and I think he’s a decent option if you don’t like Phillips today. He gets Petit who is making a start for Hudson. Petit got roughed up against the Mariners not too long ago for eight runs in 4.1 innings.

Others to Consider: Robinson Cano, Ian Kinsler

Third Basemen

Yangervis Solarte had a rough day against the Mets on Thursday night, but he gets a prime option against Volquez today. He’s hitting .395 with three home runs in the last 15 days and is at the top of hitter averages in the AL overall. Nolan Arenado is likely the top third basemen with me for three reasons: He crushes left handed pitching. He loves hitting at home. He hits great on days that end in “y.”

Mike Moustakas is not a bad cheap option at this position. He had some big hits Wednesday in some tough spots, so he’s got to be feeling good right now. Tillman has not been superb lately, so he’s a guy to look at for cheap. Carlos Santana has himself a tough matchup against Gray, but he’s cheap and just hit a home run Wednesday from the left side.

Others to Consider: Chris Johnson, Pedro Alvarez

Shortstop

Troy Tulowitzki at home against a left handed pitcher has to be the top cash play of the day. Even at 10k today, I think he’s a great play and one that will be highly used. Asdrubal Cabrera has been a lot better lately and even has a .340 average in the last 15 days. I’m not that high on him, but if you’re a guy (or gal) that loves hot hitters then he’s a very good GPP play at a typically tough spot to find a solid play.

Xander Bogaerts is pretty much minimum priced against Scherzer at home. If you’re looking for value then he has to be your guy. He’s only hitting .220 lately, but there’s not a lot of risk when he’s this cheap.

Others to Consider: Hanley Ramirez

Outfielders

Adam Jones has been great lately with a .305 average and four home runs. Typically I run him out there against LHP only, but Guthrie isn’t intimidating at all and he has Davis behind him protecting him. I like Jones more than usual today. Drew Stubbs has to be an option with the way he hits LHP and the fact that he’ll be back at home. It’s easy to just say “play Rockies players,” so I’ll just leave it at that for the rest of article.

Christian Yelich has been providing power lately (three home runs in last 15 days) and although I don’t think he hits me a home run, I like him today. He gets Petit who I’ve already said has been really bad at times this season. Jayson Werth isabout the only Nationals player I’m really high on against Niese. He’s a very good hitter, but his upside is limited due to the weaker guys around him. I do think he’s a great cash play today.

Tyler Colvin has had multi-hit games since being called up for the Giants. He gets Henderson Alvarez and another game at home today. He’s a good 5k option if you’re looking for one in that range. Matt Joyce has been average lately, but against Jered Weaver and his 85.5mph fastball, I have a hunch he hits a bomb. He’s going to be in a good spot in the order and in a matchup he usually hits really well.

Others to Consider: Brandon Barnes, Scott Van Slyke

Top Stacks:
Colorado: Stubbs/Tulowitzki/Morneau/Barnes
Detroit: Davis/Kinsler/Cabrera/V.Martinez (Contrarian)
Miami: Yelich/Dietrich/Stanton/Jones/Saltalamachia

Lineups:


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