Even though tonight is Opening Day, tomorrow is when the real action starts with a packed 11-game slate with stars playing all over the country. I wasn’t sure if we would see this day or not but I have three of my top plays of the slate for you. Ride or die with Squish!
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Jack Flaherty (1.15X) – SP – STL vs. PIT
After a stellar 2019 where he won 11 games, posted a 2.75 ERA, logged almost 200 IP, struck out 231 batters, and led the league in WHIP and H9, Jack Flaherty is on his way to be mentioned with the leagues best pitchers.
In two games against the Pirates last season he allowed only one run through 15 IP while striking out 15 and allowing only eight hits. His career numbers against them are even more impressive: in 44 IP he’s posted an ERA of 1.84 and a WHIP of .932 while striking out 41 and walking only 11.
Pittsburgh’s offensive numbers were not amazing last season but were inflated by a terrific first half from Josh Bell. Flaherty should have no trouble mowing down this lineup at home where he posted an ERA of 2.37 and a god-like WHIP of .791.
Nathan Eovaldi (2X) – SP – BOS vs. BAL
As I mentioned earlier in the week, the long layoff almost puts every SP on the same playing field in terms of pitch count. We don’t know the innings these guys have logged and even your studs with lower multipliers could be on a pitch count. This is why I think Eovaldi’s matchup and his 2X multiplier is worth the gamble.
His numbers against Baltimore in his carer are not stellar by any means but those numbers are misleading with the injuries he’s dealt with over the past few years. After a brutal 2019 campaign that saw Eovaldi join the bullpen after some injuries, he was having an impressive spring training. Albeit meaningless games and small sample size, Eovaldi opened eyes this spring compiling eight scoreless innings while striking out 12, walking only one and allowing only four hits.
The Orioles are the definition of a bottom-of-the-barrel team and ranked in the lower third of every offensive category last season. You can do far worse in this slate than Eovaldi and his multiplier is hard to ignore considering the matchup.
Alex Bregman (1.4X) – 3B – HOU vs. SEA
Despite how I feel about the Astros cheating scandal, I think Alex Bregman is still a STUD. Even if he’s one of the Astros to get plunked in their first game, you still get points for an HBP and the run he will inevitably score with the power in that lineup.
The Mariners are throwing Marco Gonzales – a soft throwing lefty with a fastball that hits 90mph almost as many times as I remember to properly apply sunscreen. Bregman thrived against lefties last season posting a .350/.443/.742 triple slash in 194 PAs which included 16 bombs, 14 doubles, and 38 RBI.
In 17 career ABs against Gonzales, Bregman tallied eight hits with two doubles, one triple, and four RBI. He’s not the only Astro with success against this guy as Yordan Alvarez (1.3X), Josh Reddick (1.75X), Martin Maldonado (1.85X) and Jose Altuve (1.35X) have all had similar results. To everyone’s chagrin, an Astros stack might be the wave on Friday.
This article expresses the personal views of the writer and does not reflect the view(s) of SuperDraft in any way.
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