The weekend has arrived with the gift of a full schedule of baseball that offers many intriguing fantasy opportunities. Our pick six for Friday combines a couple of power picks to go with several value selections and a promising sleeper.
SP – Tim Lincecum – San Francisco
The Giants are at the San Diego Padres with a starting time of 9:10 p.m. ET. We will make a combination value and contrarian call for the Giants starter, who is in a contract season. While we acknowledge that Lincecum has been very inconsistent over the past three years, we also are hesitant to jump on unproven hyped up teams like Padres. Lincecum is surrounded by a World Series championship team and will bring plenty of potential value for this one.
RP – Mark Melancon – Pittsburgh
The Pirates are at the Milwaukee Brewers with a starting time of 7:10 p.m. ET. Both the Pirates and the Brewers got off to slow starts to begin the season but Pittsburgh is considered to be much more of a playoff contender than what is the case for Milwaukee. We are high on Melancon based on his strong finish last year in which he saved 23 games out of 24 opportunities down the stretch.
SS – Ian Desmond – Washington
The Nationals are at the Philadelphia Phillies with a starting time of 6:05 p.m. ET. Philadelphia is scheduled to start Jerome Williams which means that the Nats bats could have potential pop. We will pick on a dreadful Phillies team and Williams with Desmond, arguably the most valuable shortstop in the game. Desmond got off to a sluggish start with no hits or walks in seven plate appearances but we look for him to get well fast against the Phillies.
OF – Bryce Harper – Washington
Harper figures to have plenty of potential going up against Williams of the Phils. Harper got off to a great start this week with four hits in his first eight plate appearances with a home run. Harper is a 22 year old with what has been described as unlimited potential and upside. Again we will pick on the Phillies and Williams here with a player that could bust out as the man who can carry the Nats offensively in 2015.
3B – Chase Headley – New York Yankees
The Yankees host the Boston Red Sox with a starting time of 6:05 p.m. ET. Boston will start the mediocre Wade Miley which means that Headley will have a shot at a big night. Headley was acquired by the Yankees last year based in large part to Yankee Stadium being a hitter friendly park where the switch hitter could thrive. The Yanks expressed the ultimate leap of faith in Headley by signing him to a four year deal in December. Keep an eye on Headley and the Yankees as they could be an under the radar surprise.
C – Russell Martin – Toronto
The Blue Jays are at the Baltimore Orioles with a starting time of 2:05 p.m. ET. Martin is a big reason for all of the hype surrounding the Blue Jays and could prove to be a vital asset for a Toronto playoff push. Martin got off to a sluggish start with just one hit in his first seven at bats which only figures to get better. Martin is among the top defensive catchers in the game and has an impressive 11.6 percent walk rate. Martin should get plenty of opportunities against the suspect Baltimore pitching staff and starter Bud Norris.
Sleeper – Mike Moustakas – Kansas City
The Royals are at the Los Angeles Angels with a starting time of 9:05 p.m. ET.
Hector Santiago gets the start for the Angels and Moustakas figures to stand a solid chance at a productive night. The Kansas City third baseman got off to a promising start with three hits with a double and home run in eight plate appearances. Moustakas had a great spring and will be counted on by the Royals to live up to a potential that has not come close to being fulfilled. Moustakas broke out when it mattered most last year in the playoffs and there is hope that was the turning point of his career.
