MLB Cash Game Picks: 6-24-15

Cash Game Locks: MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball

Pitcher

Tonight's 10game slate offers few elite pitchers. Really, it's just Gerrit Cole. He's opposed by a roughly league average Reds offense at PNC Park. The Pirates home is decidedly pitcher friendly. Cole has improved his numbers this season by focusing on his best pitches. He's using his two fastballs just like last year, but he's nearly doubled his slider usage. It's his best pitch, and it has contributed to his impressive 1.78 ERA. He's able to use the pitch more in high leverage situations to chase strikeouts. Usually, a shallow repertoire is cause for concern, but Cole's elite stuff is close to Clayton Kershaw territory.

The Vegas folks consider Clay Buchholz to be the next best play. I concur. The Red Sox offense has shown life recently. More importantly, Bud Norris is thoroughly exploitable. A victory is within easy reach for Buchholz. In addition to the win, Buchholz's 3.87 ERA belies a strong set of peripherals. He mixes three fastballs, a curve, and a change. The cutter and change are both plus-plus pitches. They've allowed him to buff his strikeout rate up to nearly a batter per inning. He occasionally tosses a real clunker so he's not without risk.

Catcher

It's probably a good day to punt catcher, but Buster Posey is worth consideration. The top guy in the league is facing a right-handed pitcher at AT&T Park. Usually, it's best to target Posey against southpaws. However, he likes fly ball pitchers with a .940 OPS over the last three years. Kennedy has improved his ground ball rate in recent seasons, but his fastball is still a fly ball pitch. Even though the ball park suppresses right-handed home runs, Posey could pop one. A couple doubles would be fine too. You're always working with a high floor and ceiling with Posey.

Francisco Cervelli is one of those potential punts. He's hitting a healthy .308/.385/.396 on the season with a .388 BABIP. Before you write off his performance as lucky, note that he produces an above average hard hit rate. Cervelli has good plate discipline and offers a chance for multiple hits. While he doesn't have any particular advantages against Mike Leake, the Reds starter isn't likely to notch many strikeouts.

First Base

The Diamondbacks essentially gave Mike Bolsinger away to their division rivals. If only they had known he could produce a 2.87 ERA over nine starts with 8.27 K/9 and 3.38 BB/9. Statistically, Bolsinger is barely outperforming his peripherals. In other words, he could continue to provide mid-rotation quality innings. His stuff is underwhelming so he'll be prone to the occasional meltdown. Anthony Rizzo is the type of hitter who can completely outclass Bolsinger. His plate discipline, contact skills, and power promise big point totals. The Cubs offense can turn explosive without warning. Rizzo is usually instigating the attack.

Yonder Alonso reminds me of a no-power Joey Votto. He controls the strike zone and limits strikeouts. When he makes contact, he usually squares up the ball with a low trajectory. The result is a high-BABIP profile. He's opposed by the always inconsistent Ryan Vogelsong. Just when you think you can target Vogelsong without second thought, he'll reel off a seven inning shutout. The Padres feature an inconsistent offense. If it turns out to be a good day for the Friars, Alonso is likely to be a key contributor.

The obvious first base pick was Paul Goldschmidt at Coors Field. He costs over $6,000 on both sites. Woof.

Second Base

Second base is a challenge tonight. If you like the hot hand, prepare to pony up for Ben Zobrist against Wandy Rodriguez. If you prefer to punt, you'll want to consider Corey Spangenberg versus Vogelsong.

I'll try to target the middle ground with Kolten Wong against Mat Latos. Wong's price tag strikes a balance between stud and punt. His typical performance is comparable to Zobrist and a big step up from Spangenberg. Since returning from the disabled list, Latos has shut down the Rockies and survived the Yankees. The Cardinals offense features several high OBP hitters. Wong does a little bit of everything with power, speed, and contact skills. Marlins Stadium hurts his home run potential, but he could stroke a double or a triple.

Shortstop

I recommend taking the obvious top option tonight. Troy Tulowitzki is opposed by the Diamondbacks and Allen Webster. The righty is often criticized for looking scared on the mound. A visit to Coors Field is not going to help his confidence. Webster has visually impressive stuff, but it doesn't translate to good results. He frequently falls behind in the count, leading to walks, few strikeouts, and too many home runs. Yeah, Coors Field is not for him. Tulowitzki is healthy and hitting like vintage Tulo. He may prefer to hit lefties, but he still rakes fellow northpaws.

Third Base

There aren't many obvious pitchers to pick upon today. Webster is one of the few. In 100.1 major league innings since 2013, Webster has a 6.28 ERA, 5.25 FIP, 5.83 K/9, and 4.84 BB/9. Nolan Arenado isn't the most patient hitter, but he hits for impressive power. He's popped 17 home runs this season, just one shy of his career high. Given Webster's problem with the long ball, Arenado strikes me as an excellent play for power and RBI numbers.

Matt Carpenter should always be considered for cash game lineups. The key to the format is stable production, and few major leaguers are as reliable as Carpenter. With a .291/.389/.485 triple slash and non-threatening matchup against Latos, there are few reasons to test the alternatives. As I mentioned previously, Marlins Stadium may sap his home run potential. That's fine - Carpenter's always been a doubles guy.

Outfield

Short of the Barry Bonds treatment, there's no stopping Giancarlo Stanton. It seems like he hits a home run every day (11 in June). His matchup against Jaime Garcia is a good one. Stanton wrecks left-handed pitching, and he likes to lift sinkers into the stratosphere. Stanton's power is practically stadium proof. His high strikeout profile isn't ideal for cash games, but his ridiculous home run rate makes up for it. If there's a drawback, it's that the Cardinals bullpen is among the best in the league.

Many predicted steep regression for Charlie Blackmon after his hot April of 2014 trailed into a tepid rest of the season. This year, he's offering a much more even-keeled performance. He's taken to his leadoff role with an improved walk rate. Coors Field buffs his power to a useful level. Mostly, we're still picking on Webster. However, the Diamondbacks bullpen is pretty lousy too. Blackmon will have opportunities. Without the lovely matchup, I wouldn't feel great about him at these prices.

Inconsistency has pushed Gregory Polanco's price tag into affordable territory. The lefty has good batting practice power, but it's yet to show up in-game. However, he makes himself useful with his speed. Depending on the day, he may bat first or near the bottom of the lineup. Obviously, he's more valuable atop the order. He has big platoon splits, but the Pirates have mostly hidden him from southpaws. The 23-year-old will see ground ball pitcher Mike Leake. He's a much better play on FanDuel where he's a true bargain. If you pick him, you're hoping for multiple hits and a stolen base