We will make some value calls on Tuesday with players that are off to slow starts but with the potential of well-timed opportunities to get back on track. Our lineup is loaded with potential that is yet to be fulfilled.
SP – C.C. Sabathia – New York Yankees
The Yankees are at the Baltimore Orioles with a starting time of 6:05 p.m. ET. Sabathia burned us last week in a poor starting debut in which he allowed eight hits and four earned runs in 5.2 innings of work. We’ll come right back with the Yankee veteran against a strong hitting Baltimore team based on our belief that he is capable of much more and on a value bargain basis. The fact that the Yankees got off to a dreadful start in which they lost four out of their last five games only adds to the potential upside for Sabathia in this one.
DH – David Ortiz – Boston
The Red Sox host the Washington Nationals in a potential preview of the 2015 World Series. Starting time at Fenway Park is set for 5:10 p.m. ET. The Red Sox designated hitter was off to a terrible start with a .150 batting average, .261 one base percentage, and .300 slugging percentage in his first five games. We’ll be looking for Ortiz to breakout against the strongest pitching staff in the game with a classic contrarian value call here.
OF – Yasiel Puig – Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers host the Seattle Mariners with a starting time of 9:10 p.m. ET. We are going with the upside of Puig as he was admittedly off to a dreadful start. In his first four games Puig had a .118 batting average with an on base percentage of .211, slugging percentage of .176, and an OPS of just .387. Seattle is a team that received plenty of hype to start the year but is unproven and we’ll call for Puig to get on track with a big night. At the age of 24, Puig still has a lot of maturity to gain but his raw talent makes him a coveted fantasy pick with plenty of upside.
C – Buster Posey – San Francisco Giants
The Giants will host the Colorado Rockies with a starting time of 9:15 p.m. ET. Colorado was off to a 4-1 start which is likely a mirage as their pitching staff remains a long term concern as an unproven commodity. The Rockies pitching staff has been among the worst in Major League Baseball the past few seasons and we are far from sold. Posey was off to a solid start with a .286 batting average, a .385 on base percentage, and .813 OPS. Posey had a home run with two runs scored and three RBI in his first six games and should get plenty of opportunities against a Rockies staff that we are not sold on.
OF – Gregory Polanco – Pittsburgh
The Pirates host the Detroit Tigers at 6:05 p.m. ET. We are bullish on the Pirates and have our doubts about the long term viability of a Tigers team that could have their championship window closing. Polanco was off to a slow start which could enhance his value that we believe has plenty of upside. Polanco had a .222 average, .263 on base percentage, .222 slugging percentage, and .485 OPS in his first four games. Things will get better and we make the buy at a bargain price.
RP – Joel Peralta – Los Angeles Dodgers
With closer Kanley Jansen out with a foot injury, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly will be using a bullpen by committee until his return. This opens the door for Peralta, who has already picked up a save. Peralta was sharp in three innings of work as he posted three strikeouts with just two hits and no earned runs allowed. The Dodgers
Sleeper – Brad Lawrie – Oakland
The A’s are at the Houston Astros with a starting time of 7:10 p.m. ET. Lawrie could put up some productive numbers against a questionable Houston pitching staff. Lawrie has been injury plagued and that serves to potentially add to his value as a player that is not coveted by the masses. We’ll look for Lawrie to breakout at Houston as a player that is capable of double digit home runs and stolen bases.
