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Here is a look at the Squad Up daily MLB fantasy picture for Friday, April 7 (8:05 p.m. EST starts and later):
Hitter Stacks
- Houston Astros vs. Kansas City Royals (LHP Jason Vargas): The Astros had the fifth-highest team strikeout rate against southpaws in 2016, but with the additions of many veteran bats allowing the team to optimize their lineup, they should fare better in 2017. Vargas is a career 5.9 K/9 pitcher to begin with, so don't expect him to miss many bats.
3-player stack: OF George Springer (59K), 2B Jose Altuve (62K), C Evan Gattis (49K)
- Seattle Mariners at Los Angeles Angels (RHP Jesse Chavez): The Mariners boast a core of veteran bats who love to face RHPs. For whatever reason, Chavez has struggled against Seattle -- he has a 5.84 ERA in 17 appearances for his career.
3-player stack: 2B Robinson Cano (56K), OF Nelson Cruz (53K), 3B Kyle Seager (52K)
- Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee Brewers (RHP Jimmy Nelson): Willson Contreras and his .841 OPS vs. RHPs help to fill the lackluster catcher position on Squad Up. Combined with one of the Cubs' corner-infield sluggers and you'll be able to devote a major chunk of change to your MI and OF slots.
2-player stack: 1B Anthony Rizzo (62K), C Willson Contreras (51K)
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
Pitcher Breakdown
- TARGET - RHP Mike Fiers (62K), Astros (vs. Royals): Prior to his first full season in the AL in 2016, Fiers had posted an encouraging 3.61 ERA and 9.1 K/9. Even though the Royals' haven't been particularly strikeout-prone in recent years, he has one of the best matchups on the slate. Most of the arms taking the mound tonight have a K/9 closer to six than nine.
- BARGAIN - RHP A.J. Griffin (47K), Rangers (vs. Athletics): If he can avoid the thundering bat of OF Khris Davis, Griffin should survive a couple of trips through the A's order. He had a 8.09 K/9 in 23 starts last season but an ugly 5.07 ERA which kept his price down. A 31.5 percent line drive rate at the Rangers' hitter-friendly park didn't help. It should regress to the mean.
- FADE - RHP Jesse Chavez (72K), Angels (vs. Mariners): Being the top-priced pitcher is enough of a reason to fade Chavez, who posted a 4.43 ERA and 8.5 K/9 last season. The Mariners boasted a top-10 OPS vs. RHPs in 2016, and added SS Jean Segura, who led the Arizona Diamondbacks with a .900 OPS vs. RHPs last season.
- CONTRARIAN - RHP Josh Tomlin (64K), Indians (at Diamondbacks): Tomlin posted a middling 4.40 ERA and bad 6.1 K/9 last year, belying his 17 quality starts. His game is predicated on not giving any free passes -- he led the league with a 1.0 BB/9. If he can avoid giving up the long ball and receive some run support from a potential powerhouse lineup, he could be a sneaky play on a slate devoid of ace-level talent.
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
Bargain Plays
- SS Chris Owings (42K), Diamondbacks (vs. Indians): Owings is off to a hot start, hitting .313 with a .389 OBP and a pair of steals. If he continues to put the ball in play at Arizona's hitter-friendly park, he'll have an opportunity to drive in some runs.
- 3B Yandy Diaz (39K), Indians (at Diamondbacks): Diaz defected from Cuba in 2010 and spent 2014-16 ruminating in the minors. In 435 Triple-A PAs, Diaz hit .317 with an .839 OPS, developing a very solid ability to draw walks. He doesn't profile as a source of power, but if he continues to get on base at the bottom of Cleveland's order, he'll have an opportunity to score some runs at the major league level.
- 1B Jesus Aguilar (37K), Brewers (vs. Cubs): Aguilar leads the majors with a .714 BA. He split time at first base with Eric Thames, who homered in the majors for the first time since 2012, Thursday, but he sat the last time the Brewers faced a lefty. For his price, you're not going to find a hotter batter hitting toward the top of the order.
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
Top Fades
- OF Byron Buxton (49K), Twins (at White Sox): Buxton received affirmation from skipper Paul Molitor he'd remain in the three-spot for the time being, but he has still struck out in a whopping 7-of-15 PAs. Stay away from Buxton, and try to avoid rostering those who hit around him in the Twins' order. He has been a complete fantasy black hole to date.
- OF Matt Joyce (64K), Athletics (at Rangers): What did A.J. Griffin do to offend Squad Up's pricing algorithm? Joyce has hit .233 with an average of 12 HRs a year from 2013-16 and can boast one single and a walk in 10 PAs with Oakland so far. Joyce could be 34K and he still wouldn't be an advisable play.
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
Contrarian Plays
- 1B Paul Goldschmidt (68K), Diamondbacks (vs. Indians): Goldschmidt is the most expensive hitter not named Khris Davis or Mike Trout. Embrace the cost of excellence. Of Goldy's 24 HRs and 32 SBs in 2016, 18 HRs and 20 SBs came at home in the desert, where he also boasted a cool .850 OPS. If Josh Tomlin struggles, Goldschmidt will have played a part.
- 3B Eugenio Suarez (41K), Reds (at Cardinals): Suarez is a boom-or-bust player with a considerable portion his value coming from his ability to knock one out of the park and steal bases. He's not going to hit for a high average, but he is a worthy flier in a deep tournament pool.
For up-to-the-minute starting lineups, check out Baseball Press.
