Bargain Plays - Cash Game Woes? Leave It to Seager
Here are the top sleeper picks for Thursday, April 14:
SS/3B Corey Seager, Dodgers (vs. Diamondbacks)
Seager is one of the cheapest options on the later slate, which is a bit of an insult considering he has hit .297 with four doubles so far this season. His numbers are better against right-handed pitching, but Diamondbacks LHP Robbie Ray isn't exactly the toughest competition anyways.
Seager hit seventh the last time the Dodgers faced a lefty but has otherwise hit second. Monitor the lineups ahead of the game; hitting second in a lineup that has scored over five runs per game this season will mean plenty of opportunities for runs and RBIs, making Seager a great cash-game play.
SP Drew Pomeranz, Padres (at Phillies)
Pomeranz is one of the cheapest options at pitcher for Thursday, but that doesn't mean he can't be a solid fantasy producer. His career strikeout numbers are just below one per inning and he showed promise in his season debut, striking out seven batters and walking three in five innings.
Since Pomeranz was being considered for a bullpen role most of the preseason, he fared well despite being hastily stretched out for the rotation. If he can tighten up the accuracy on his fastball, he could cut back on walks and push himself later into ballgames.
Next on the slate for the lefty is a date in Philadelphia against a very weak Phillies lineup. They'll try to throw favorable platoon advantages against him, but as long as he can avoid Maikel Franco, he should return excellent value at his price point.
OF Nomar Mazara, Rangers (vs. Orioles)
Four games into his major league career, Mazara has gone 6-for-16 with two runs, two RBI, and a homer. His effectiveness waned towards the end of recent the three-game series in Seattle, but it could be a case of the Mariners simply getting a better read on his profile at the plate.
Mazara will now make his home debut in hitter-friendly Globe Life Park. The highly-touted prospect has always had high-grade raw power, so it will be interesting to see if he can put that to use, driving some balls into the stands.
The Rangers have been keen to get Mazara at-bats early in the order, batting him second - and in front of Prince Fielder and Adrian Beltre - in each of his games. His prime real estate and tantalizing power potential is hard to find at his current price point.