When naming a column “break out the bats”, it’s probably asking for trouble to start off with your pitching pick. But I want money for position players today, and so I had to find a bargain. I think I have it in P Samuel Deduno of the Twins for $5000 in salary.
Deduno is facing the Mariners, who have not been overwhelming offensively, especially at home. The M’s had good numbers, including 2 home runs, against Nick Blackburn Friday, but yesterday Scott Diamond was effective. Blackburn’s problem is that he allows over 2 HR per nine innings pitched, and that’s how the Mariners beat him. Deduno allows less than 1 HR/9IP, but he walks too many batters. That is not a strong suit of the Mariners. Only four teams walk less often than they do. Deduno gets ground balls the rest of the time. I think he can be effective today, and I will take a chance.
With that money, I am betting on some big names to continue trends of big things.
OF Ryan Bruan ($4100) has been abusing the Phillies this year, going 13 for 23 with 6 HR. Even Cole Hamels, who had been very effective against Braun in the past, served up a long ball to Braun last night. WHt will Braun do today against Kendrick, when he is alreay 5 for 10 with a double against him in the past? Kendrick had a very nice outing against the Marlins, but that team was in a funk, having been shut out two days in a row already. The Brewers, and Braun in particular, are in no funk.
Even if Braun walks I like C Jonathan Lucroy ($3300) hitting behind him, though he has faced Kendrick only once (RBI single).
Another trend I want to ride is what OF Mike Stanton ($3900) is doing in Colorado – a homer in every game he has played there. Sounds unlikely to continue, until you look at his matchup today. Rockies P Drew Pomeranz is very much a LOOGY. Lefties hit .130 against him and slug .107. Righties hit him for .302 and slug .422. Stanton hits lefties with a line of .315/.386/.618.
OF Josh Hamilton ($4200) has not had a hit in Toronto this weekend, but that is one trend I think will change. Henderson Alvarez allows lefties to hit .311 and slug .451.
Reds 3B Todd Frazier ($3700) is 2 for 3 against Chris Volstad. That is a small sample, but he is 5 for his last 12, with home runs in 3 of the last 5 games.
