If nothing else I am a glutton for punishment, which I just found out is another word for Badger, and I have some more #HomeRunLine plays to keep you occupied while we wait out the next 24 hours for the NFL to return for realsies!!! Since superstition is very real in baseball, I am switching up the writing format as last time my plays were a dumpster fire. Best of luck if you follow or fade!!!
Record: 8-9 for -1.52 units
Miami Marlins
F5 ML (-120)
Normally this would simply be a fade of Rich Hill because as we have discussed he should not be a featured starter at the age of 41. His last two starts were decent and he isn't terrible on the road but come on he's been terrible since he went to the Mets overall. However, this is more of a follow of Alcantara. The Marlins are better at home than on the road, the Mets are terrible on the road, Alcantara is all Miami has at the moment similar to Randy Johnson or Felix Hernandez for separate decades on the Mariners (trust me I am a fan and witnessed both, unfortunately!), but I still see Hill giving up a run or two meaning we just need Sandy to do his thing.
Kansas City Royals
F5 -1/2 (+100)
This one is simple, I am fading Harvey. Yes, I do know we have gone this route recently with no success, and yes, I know he dealt a gem last time he faced the Royals but how can I get behind a guy that has been so inconsistent? Tread lightly here as Minor hasn't been stellar either but he has not faced the Orioles this season giving him the advantage. Also, the Royals do have Salvador Perez who is a home run machine this season and we are looking for him to get one vs Harvey. (Perez to homer is +225 FYI)
Tampa Bay Rays/Boston Red Sox
F5 Under 5 (+100)
I originally looked at this one because I am a big Nathan Eovaldi fan. Then I saw McClanahan is simply mediocre on the road and in night games. Boston has rocked him this year so far as he has a 4.09 ERA in his 2 starts against them. Look for a low scoring F5 here as McClanahan has 15Ks vs the Red Sox in 11 innings pitched while Eovaldi has 23Ks in 19.1 innings pitched vs the Rays this year.
St Louis Cardinals
F5 ML (-105)
Yeah, I know I just trashed on a 40-year-old pitcher up there but this is not the same. Wainwright has been lights out since the all-star break almost turning back the clock in his last two starts. With a 2.58 ERA and his opponents' batting average a stellar .214 at home, I had to give this one a look. Another advantage he has is the Dodgers have not faced him this year. I won't trust the Cards bullpen but as we hope to get in, get out, and get paid we won't even have to. With an early game tomorrow, and another series looming vs the Padres, the Dodgers are going to the bullpen today.
What to follow along all year long? Head over to Twitter and turn on those notifications for @_Turtle Sports and @TSFinky