MLB Cash Game Picks: 8-12-15

Pitcher

I used to sell reporting software. One of our competitors was a multi-million dollar IBM product called Cognos. Their reps used to say sell their product as a “safe" solution, saying “you'll never be fired for picking Cognos." Clayton Kershaw is the Cognos of starting pitchers. He costs way too much money, but nobody will ever call you dumb for picking him. After a truly dominant streak, Kershaw was all too mortal against the Pirates in his last start. He's also had to push his starts back a few times in recent weeks. I like Kershaw the most when he's head and shoulders above the competition. This week, he is opposed by the Nationals and Jordan Zimmermann. It won't be a free win. I might even opt for Jacob deGrom or Gerrit Cole instead.

Catcher

If you're willing to pay for your catcher, Kyle Schwarber is a smart pick. In his short major league tenure, he's hammered righties with a .368/.456/.662 slash. He has a .431 BABIP which will regress. However, he's posted high BABIPs at every stop in the minors. He reminds me of a left-handed Yasiel Puig (prior to this season's sudden struggles). Against Matt Garza at Wrigley Field, Schwarber could offer value with home runs or multiple hits.

If you prefer puntable catchers, John Jaso (Jingleheimerschmidt) is your name too. Jaso is actually a shaky outfielder or designated hitter with catcher eligibility. He shows flashes of power. However, it's his cash game friendly high OBP that provides most of his value to DFS owners. He's opposed by Braves starter Matt Wisler. The righty has a low strikeout rate. Jaso should put plenty of balls in play when he's not taking free passes.

First Base

Jose Abreu likes lefties. He's a career .320/.394/.572 hitter against them. Angels starter Andrew Heaney is a left-handed pitcher. The southpaw has performed well since joining the Angels, but he's relied on a low .258 BABIP. His 6.31 K/9 and 1.40 BB/9 resemble a mid-rotation hurler rather than a 2.45 ERA stud. With hitter-friendly U.S. Cellular Field in play, it's a good day to gamble on Abreu bombs.

Alternatively, you could give Prince Fielder a whirl against Mike Pelfrey. Fielder has been excellent in cash game formats against right-handed pitching. He's hitting a slightly lucky .361/.426/.522 with a 9.0% walk rate and 8.3% strikeout rate. Over the last three seasons, he's posted a .830 OPS against ground-ball pitchers (.722 OPS versus fly ball pitchers). Pelfrey is a pitch-to-contact worm burner with a 53.9 percent ground ball rate. I expect a productive day from Fielder.

Second Base

Rougned Odor's season numbers are fine – a .283/.343/.469 line with eight home runs and five stolen bases is well above average from a second baseman. However, most of that production has come since he was recalled from the minors on June 15. He's slashed .357/.393/.595 in that period with seven of his home runs. He's primed to drop multiple hits against Pelfrey. The game is at Target Field which suppresses left-handed power. It's the only downside to using Odor.

Second base is thin tonight. If you're open to punting the position, you could try Wilmer Flores against Jorge de la Rosa. Otherwise, I say it's Odor or bust.

Shortstop

Shortstop is a disasterscape today. On DraftKings, you can punt with Flores or Tyler Saladino (versus Heaney). Otherwise, you're probably stuck paying for Troy Tulowitzki. While I fully expect the Blue Jays to pummel Brooks – or just about any other pitcher – it's hard to justify paying full price against a decent pitcher. Brooks has flashed excellent command with some decent swing-and-miss stuff. He's a fly ball pitcher which won't help his case. Tulo has hit well since joining Toronto - .244/.358/.489.

Third Base

When making cash game picks, players with 30 percent strikeout rates aren't always a smart play. In the case of Kris Bryant, his overall skill set and desirable matchup against Garza overcome the strikeout concerns. He won't have the platoon advantage, but he hasn't shown splits through his first 436 plate appearances. Meanwhile, Garza is missing few bats this season. He has 6.33 K/9 and 3.20 BB/9 along with 139 hits in 123.2 innings.

Outfield

It's always hard to resist Mike Trout in cash games. He's tied for the major league lead with 33 home runs. He doesn't have platoon splits this season, but that's because he's annihilating everybody. He does have a history of better numbers against southpaws. Trout is opposed by mediocre lefty John Danks at power-friendly U.S. Cellular Field. There is no safer bet for a home run.

Back in the realm of ordinary baseball players, Lorenzo Cain combines a high contact approach with decent doubles power. He's a high floor pick whose pop and speed create multiple opportunities to provide DFS value. The Royals' contact-oriented lineup is a challenge for most pitchers. Southpaw Daniel Norris may find it difficult to silence their bats. Although Norris has a history of big strikeout rates in the minors, he's pitched poorly since reaching the majors for a brief cup of tea last year.

Danny Salazar isn't a pitcher I'd usually target, but he is prone to home runs. Brett Gardner shouldn't be viewed as big power threat, but his ground ball profile does match up well with Salazar's fly ball tendencies. Gardner is slashing .292/.374/.458 against right-handed pitching this season with nine of his 11 home runs. Most of those have come at home. However, Cleveland's Progressive Field is friendly for left-handed power. If Gardner doesn't pop a home run, he could still provide value with multiple hits, walks, or stolen bases.