The Atlanta Falcons may be excited about Matty Ice these days, but the defending world series champions (and fantasy owners) will be riding the coat tails of Matty Nice tonight.
Value plays:
New York Yankees – Are we there yet? That seems to be the mantra of the Red Sox, as this miserable season nears conclusion. The Yankees beat up on them pretty good on Monday, and if the past is any indication of the future, they should have plenty of success against DiceK tonight. The team owns a .280 batting average and a .463 slugging percentage against the Boston starter, with all of their big bats getting into the action. Derek Jeter is the only player with multiple homers, but five of his teammates have rounded the bases once against Matsuzaka. The patient nature of the Yankees lineup figures to frusterate the Red Sox tonight, giving them plenty of opportunities to score runs, and provide fantasy baseball owners with plenty of confidence.
Matt Holliday – While Homer Bailey is fresh off of a no hitter, he has very little chance at repeating that success tonight against the playoff bound Cardinals. St. Louis is batting .329 as a team against Bailey, with Holliday’s consistent bat leading the way. He has a .440 career batting average against the Reds righty while leading the Cards in doubles, triples, and HR’s against Bailey. His .840 slugging percentage is testament to his tremendous upside, and the Cardinals will be trying to play themselves into a rhythm as they approach the one game playoff on Friday. Many studs aren’t worht rostering this late in the season, but Holliday is a player you can trust to produce for in daily fantasy baseball games until the regular season expires.
Players to avoid:
Ryan Zimmerman – The Nats are in the postseason, meaning that some of their regulars could get some extended rest. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is one of those days for Zim, as he has struggled mightily against Cliff Lee. The Washington third basemen has managed only a .133 batting average with 0 extra base hits and 0 RBI against Lee, giving you no reason to trust him tonight for your daily fantasy baseball team.
Texas Rangers – The Oakland Athletics are a handful for any team, and the Rangers are no exception. AJ Griffin may only be 24 years of age, but he mowed down the Rangers potent lineup in his one opportunity. They managed only 2 hits against Griffin in 20 at bats, both being harmless singles. Do I think he is going to breeze through this lineup again? No. But fantasy baseball owners haven’t won by betting against him (7-1 with a 2.71 ERA and 1.05 WHIP) and shouldn’t start tempting fate now.
