Thursday night is football night in America, but before the Patriot and Steelers clash, you’ll want to get your daily fantasy baseball lineups set. It’s tough to do that without some sweet sleepers to utilize so you can get the big names, so we’ve hand-picked five for you.
If there’s one thing we know with fantasy baseball, it’s that even the surest of things (Bryce Harper, Mike Trout, etc) can blow up in your face. The best power hitters in the game can go 0-4 and give you absolutely nothing, while the fastest base runners can get caught stealing. Here’s to hoping logic rules tonight and these five sleepers help you win big:
Bartolo Colon, P, New York Mets
Pitching is scant tonight, especially if you’re looking for reliability. Colon is coming off a shutout and this ageless wonder should be cheap across the DFS landscape. The big draw is he’s a groundball pitcher and he’s facing a really bad Atlanta Braves offense. He can always backfire, but he’s probably the best sleeper at the position.
Russell Martin, C, Toronto Blue Jays
Martin is a moderate price and pitching in Yankee Stadium. This is a huge series for both the Jays and Yanks, too, so I suspect power will overcome pitching, at least half the time (four game series). I like Martin enough tonight, while this is probably the worst slate for catchers there has been in a while.
Pedro Alvarez, 1B, Pittsburgh Pirates
Facing Milwaukee’s Wily Peralta at home, all Pirates could be in play tonight. Rather than just list the lineup (especially the more well known, expensive bats), let’s consider the power of Alvarez. Alvarez can bottom out as quick as the next guy, but he brings serious power to the table (22 homers) and mashes righties. He’s a solid cheap play for tonight.
Neil Walker, 2B, Pittsburgh Pirates
Okay, this is where I end my Pirates love for Thursday night. I just think Pittsburgh can mash Peralta to their liking, and with first place in the NL Central somewhat in reach, they can’t take their foot off the gas now. Walker is another cheapie who carries a heavy stick.
Andres Blanco, 3B, Philadelphia Phillies
He’s just dirt cheap and has hit well on the season. Facing K master Jake Arrieta certainly isn’t a selling point, but there should be a few hits to be gotten tonight and Blanco will certainly be owned at a low percentage. He might not crush, but his super low price could help you get about any roster you want.
Starlin Castro, SS, Chicago Cubs
Castro hasn’t been amazing, but shortstop is a nightmare tonight beyond the top options. Castro has a solid matchup and could come up big for you at a nice price.
Domingo Santana, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
Cleveland’s Ryan Raburn is dirt cheap and is play if he’s a go tonight. Santana is a great play either way, however, as he’d been red hot before getting nothing but a walk last night. He’s up against the Pirates, but A.J. Burnett really hasn’t been unbeatable for a while now. Santana is a nice cheap play with some upside.
Hate our DFS baseball picks or they ended up burning you? Let us hear it in the comments below!
