MLB Cash Game Picks 8-23-15

Pitcher

There may be some hesitation here considering Kershaw's unbelievably cumbersome salary, and the fact that he's playing on the road (semi-hitter friendly environment) against a power-hitting team. However, remember that the Astros love to strikeout also, and Kershaw could easily overpower them this afternoon. As always, if you can squeeze Kershaw into your lineup, do so with confidence.

He is much more expensive on DraftKings than FanDuel, so keep that in the back of your mind. Wacha may be the solution to not being able to reach up for Kershaw on FanDuel, as he's nearly $4,000 less than the Cy Young winner. Pitching against an anemic San Diego offense in Petco Park is one of the better situations of the day, making the red-hot Wacha one of the most comfortable pitching options within this slate.

Catcher

McCann and the Yankees have immense upside at home against struggling Cleveland pitcher Trevor Bauer. Bauer has allowed 14 earned runs over his past three starts, getting shelled for 6 runs against this same Yankees team on August 13. He is a fly-ball pitcher who could give up a few homers to the left-handed NYY sluggers, and McCann serves as the primary beneficiary.

First Base

The Cubs are in an excellent spot today, as the wind is blowing out in Wrigley (15 mph) and they are facing a subpar pitcher in Atlanta's Matt Wisler. This season (25 innings), Wisler has allowed a .436 wOBA against left-handed hitters, boosting the rationale to utilize Rizzo, Fowler, Coghlan, Montero, and Schwarber in your lineups ... If you don't quite have the cap space for Rizzo, Gregory Bird of NYY is a solid pivot.

Second Base

NOTE: Holt sat out the past few games and is currently considered day-to-day. ... In case Holt doesn't play, Neil Walker and Chris Coghlan are fine pivots in their respective matchups ... The Red Sox are one of the highest projected scoring teams not playing in Coors Field, so you'll definitely want to look for some exposure. This fair price point combined with a solid matchup, park factor, and price boosts Holt into consdieration.

Third Base

Coming off a three-hit game last night, Beltre will face Detroit rookie Matt Boyd, who has struggled with the deep-ball this season (7 HR's allowed in five starts). As you can see with the .389 wOBA above, Beltre mashes left-handed pitching, and he checks in with an attainable price point on FanDuel.

Shortstop

You'll need to save somewhere, and shortstop presents low opportunity cost to go cheap. Escobar is the default punt option, settling into a fine matchup against the erratic pitching of Boston rookie Eduardo Rodriguez. Alcides has some nice run-scoring upside for this potent Kansas City offense.

Outfield

Granderson and Cespedes have both been raking in this series, but I believe that Grandy is the better pick in this spot (for a shorter price tag as well). Colorado pitcher David Hale is allowing a whopping .385 wOBA against left-handed hitters this season), and Granderson has the necessary power to take advantage from the lead-off spot.

I already outlined the rationale for selecting members of the NYY offense, and Ellsbury is cheap enough to easily pencil into a cash game lineup (especially on FanDuel). Per usual, he has homerun, multiple-hit, and stolen base potential against a struggling pitcher in Cleveland's Trevor Bauer.

Fist off, if you look at the wRC+ for all three mentnioned outfielers, you'll notice they have the exact same mark at 109. Is this like playing a slot machine, where getting three matches means you win all the money? That could be the case with this combination tonight. Seriously though, Fowler has a lot woking in his favor: great matchup, batting leadoff for a quality offense, wind blowing out. In addition, Atlanta catcher A.J. Pierzynski is one of the worst at throwing out baserunners, adding some stolen base upside to the mix.